Etsy Tuesday: Firefly/Serenity

This week's subject for Etsy Tuesday is in honor of the puppy my parents adopted this weekend:

This is Zoe! (I know the picture kind of sucks--my mom took it). Mom and Dad were asking for puppy names, but they didn't want anything geeky. I managed to slip in Zoe, though, for Zoe Washburne of Firefly fame. Isn't she cute?

For anyone who's interested and in the Chicagoland area, Zoe has three sisters who are also available for adoption: Paige, Rene, and Milynne.

Anyway, on to what you're really here for--Etsy Tuesday!

I really like the leatherwork on this first piece--I think it's beautiful. The contrast between the main background, the lettering, and the background for the lettering is just the perfect amount. It's also one of the most badass geek flasks I've ever seen. But really, the first thing that caught my eye was the craftmanship. This is sold in the shop GrimmSister, which sells a lot of other leatherwork.

$45.00 USD

I don't typically like these Euro-style stickers, but this one makes my inner geek giggle with joy. Maybe it's the appropriateness of putting "shiny" on a car? Maybe it's because non-geeks won't get the reference and think 'well, it would be shinier if you washed it." Either way, this is cool. AND inexpensive. It's sold in the shop NalaSerenity, owned by Kimber McDermott.

$4.00 USD

This pendant is nice and understated. I particularly like that it is bronze, and not another metal. It's the same Serenity symbols as the flask above, but I like the hand-smashed (for lack of a better word--I don't know much about metal work and I like the word smash) imprint of the letters on the circles. This is sold at the store Piece of Shine, run by Cindy Pope.

$30.00 USD

I also like this Wash quote bracelet from the same store.

$35.00 USD

Finally, here's a Shepherd Book print that I like--mostly because I find that the expression on the drawing's face matches the quote perfectly. There is a print for most of the other characters as well (though I didn't notice Zoe or Wash), as well as a print of the group. I'd suggest checking it out, since it also has The Dark Tower and Marvel prints. The shop is Bensmind, run by Ben Smith. They also have multiple-purchase discounts--2 for $30, 3 for $45, and 5 for $75.

$19.99 USD

Well, tomorrow I promise I will put up my review of NBC's new tv show Revolution. I was going to put it up today, but then I realized it was Tuesday--and Tuesdays traditions cannot change. I also have a tube-top tutorial that I hope to get up by Saturday. You might get three posts in a week--craaazy.

Escapism

My computer has been refusing to connect to the internet for a while now. I just finally convinced it to connect when I hook it to an ethernet cord, so I was able to come here and update my blog (which I have been wanting to do for a few days now). In the time since I last updated, I saw The Dark Knight Rises as part of AMC's Trilogy experience (I will write up a review once I see it a second time), made significant progress on my first DIY tutorial, cleaned the house for some guests that are coming this weekend, and planned my combined graduation party with my brother (which is on Saturday). Along with working almost-full time this week, I have been busy.

Being busy usually leads to me being stressed. Combining this with some of the horrors that have been in the news lately--plus the death of a good friend's father--I've been driven towards escapism. Here is a list of my favorite escapist movies and tv shows. I also polled some of my friends for more ideas (unfortunately, they were pretty much the same shows I already had listed). What are your favorite things to watch when you just want to take a break from the real world?

4) Firefly/Serenity

Image from firefly.wikia.com

The only thing that makes this a poor escapist TV show is that there are not nearly enough episodes. When I want to "escape" with Buffy, I can be "gone" for weeks. With Firefly, it's a just a few days--even if you throw in Serenity. The longevity of the show's passionate cult following is testament enough to how immersible the world universe Joss Whedon created. The characters are equally hilarious and heartwarming (despite being on the wrong side of the law), and what's not to love about a space western?


3) Doctor Who: The David Tennant Years

Image from herocomplex.latimes.com

David Tennant is widely held to be one of the greatest Doctors, usually only contending with Tom Baker for the top spot. While Doctor Who presents an excellent look at the universe through the adventures of everyone's favorite Time Lord, the fact that the show is as old as my parents shows how well it is able to suck in its audience. I could happily watch Doctor Who forever--it's more like the real world gets in the way of me watching Doctor Who than it is that Doctor Who takes me away from the real world...as sad as that may sound (but I'm okay with it.)


2) Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Seasons 1-3

Image from www.wikipedia.com

Buffy is something that I have always loved, and always turn to. Joss Whedon's creation takes itself seriously, while still having fun with itself--this is especially true in the first three seasons. Except for the Angel  storyline in Season 2, the problems are serious enough to draw you in and thrill you but manage not to be depressing.

1) The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Image from www.rottentomatoes.com

LotR has always been an escape for me, since I first read the books at the age of ten. A good thing about reading the books at that age was that I learned more and more with each re-reading. The reason I chose the first Lord of the Rings movie as my escapist movie of choice is that this movie, more than the others, is able to draw you in to a new world. As the first movie, it introduces you to Middle-earth in a way that transports the watcher into this other world. The other movies do not do this, as they are sequels--to appreciate them, you have to let The Fellowship of the Ring bring you into Middle-earth.

Sweet Geek Tattoos

Since I'm saving up for my next, Lord of the Rings, tattoo (and waiting for League of Legends to update), I thought I'd spend some time looking at pretty geek tattoos and share some of my favorites with you.

1) Harry Potter Quote
This tattoo is simple and sweet. I simply love it.

2) Nintendo Controller
Old school nintendo controller--this is my childhood!

3) "You're a Kitty!"
This is one of my favorite xkcd comics--mostly because I've discovered that it's very true since I've adopted my cat.

4) Bioshock
I love the subject and I love the quote--Bioshock is probably my favorite video game. In fact, I'm thinking of cosplaying as a splicer for C2E2 in April. And it's a girl's geek tattoo (so is the first one), which makes me happy on the inside.

5) Uhm...
Spockthulu?

6) Boba Fett
I like this take on the iconic bounty hunter. It's pretty and badass at the same time--and a combination of chibi and classic tattoo styles.

7) Krang
Not really a "pretty geek tattoo" but it made me lol so it's on here with the rest of them!

8) Portal
Short, sweet and to the point--and the artwork on the pictures are pretty cool. I love the shading on the companion cube.

9) Whedon Love
Every good geek girl has got to love Joss Whedon--whether for Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dr. Horrible, or all of the above. And along with my love for Joss, comes my love for this little fella.

Good night, everyone!

The First Avenger has the First Perspective

     I haven't worried much about The Avengers movie that is coming out this summer. It's probably because Joss Whedon's at the helm, and those are basically the most capable hands I know of in Geekdom. He's always done well with large casts, from Buffy to Firefly. And I like the way he is approaching The Avengers. While he assures us that all characters are going to be featured equally (though I still can't shake the feeling that Hawkeye is going to get the shaft, pun intended), the movie will be largely from Steve Rogers/Captain America's perspective.
     And this makes me happy.
     First, we aren't going to get muddles down with a thousand different points of view. Second, I think the Captain America movie was the most successful of all the individual movies that led up to The Avengers. I know that this may not be an opinion that is shared by everyone--especially since Iron Man was so well-received. I thought that Chris Evans was great in the role, and I was completely ready for the movie to go on for another hour or two after he work up in the present day.
     So I am basically getting my wish, since Joss made Cap's perspective the dominant one. We get to see him adapt to a whole new world (Thor, though technically in a different world, goes to enough of them that it doesn't really phase him--especially if he has Mjolnir). It's this journey I look forward to seeing.
Also, this gives some credence to the rumors that Hugo Weaving will be reprising his role as Red Skull. Whether he will actually show in the present day, or only be there in flashbacks (though what the flashback to that we haven't seen in the Captain America movie is certainly a question), I'm excited to see him again. Hugo Weaving is excellent in any role, especially when he plays the villain.