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Farewell...

May 23, 2017

Hey Gang!


  Hello! If you are seeing this blog post, then that means you have come across my old blog. The original home for Nerdette At Large. I had a lot of fun here, and made a lot of memories. In the end, blogger was not the proper place to do what I needed.
 I'm not sure if you came across this page, from some old social media, but perhaps you were just browsing and came across me. I'm happy to have you. I would like to direct you to my new home.

www.Spokhette.com
www.Spokhette.com
Twitter.com/Spokhette
Instagram.com/Spokhette
Youtube.com/user/vulcansugarandspice



 I hope you enjoy your stay. Stay a while and read through my old archives. I was a pretty unique blogger back in the day. The content hasn't really changed, just the way I relay it. When You are ready for something new perhaps you'll stop by the New Nerdette At Large.


www.spokhette.com
www.spokhette.com
Twitter.com/spokhette
instagram.com/spokhette
youtube.com/user/vulcansugarandspice.


So long old blog,
You served me well.


~ Spokhette!~



Series #27: Why Pretty Little Liars Stopped Being A Game

May 19, 2017

Hey Gang!

 I don't talk about Pretty Little Liars a lot on the blog. One reason is that the story is so encompassing that if you aren't watching it you are going to be missing out on something. Another thing is that I am trying to do better about spoilers on my site. However, Having watched up until Episode 14, at midnight on a day off was a terrible idea, because now I have so many thoughts and theories floating around in my head that have to be dumped somewhere.
 I understand if this isn't your type of post, but I literally am going to burst, so here goes nothing. I think its pretty safe to say that this post will have certain spoilers, if you are not caught up to episode 14 please do not read past this line.



Nerdette Minute #49: Mini Shopping Haul and Sabrina

May 18, 2017

Hi Gang!

 It's been like 3 weeks since my last youtube video. I am the worst, Burr. I just have to chalk all this up to my crazy 2nd job taking up all of my free time. Luckily, there is only one more shift and then I will be free for 3 whole months! I won't know what to do with the free time. I plan on using it exclusively to work on my content.


 In this video, I talk about the stuff I got from Hot Topic and Rockin Rooster Comics. I fangirl about the revival of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and the super cute Baymax ringer top I got. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out!



Have you read Sabrina Yet? 

Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy, ~Spokhette!~

D.I.Y.: Alolan Vulpix Ears

May 15, 2017

Hey Gang!

 I know it's been a while since you've seen one of these posts. I would really like to do more of them, but I only really craft, when I'm cosplaying or closer to Halloween. I don't craft for others, more myself, and I'm trying to be better about buying/making things that I don't use. I'm trying to cut down the clutter, as they say.
  For C2E2, I wanted to be Alolan Vulpix, the ice fox. If you've read my master post, you'll know what happened to the original ears, In my haste to make sure my costume didn't ABSOLUTELY fall apart, I created these ears on the fly on the drive to the convention center. With the super easy instructions below, you'll be able to create them too.


Materials:
1 page of White Felt
1 page of Blue felt (As close to ocean blue as possible.)
Super glue, or Hot glue. 
Scissors
bobby Pins or hair pins

Step 1: Create two triangles with concaved bottoms from the white felt. I like to make two, hold them on top and cut out another two so they are all the same shape. Make them a bit bigger than you'd like so you can cut them down if need be.

Step 2: Cut 2 smaller triangles from the blue felt, make these a bit smaller so they fit inside the white triangles. Place both on top of each other and cut three small waves at the bottom. So the white felt can show through.

Step 3: Wherever you cut your triangles from, cut the excess felt that is left into small strips. You will use this to stuff your ears, so nothing is wasted.

Step 4: Line up all of your triangles. Make sure they look even and the way you want them to be. Once they are perfect, a few drops of super glue on the top and sides will keep your ears together. Once the glue is dry on the sides you will glue the blue triangles to the white. Once that is dry, feel free to use the scrap felt to stuff your ears!


Step 5: Once they are stuffed to your liking, hot glue the bottoms closed.

Step 6: Attach one-half of the bobby pin to the front of the ear, and slide the bottom into your hair, so the ear will stand up properly. You may need more than one bobby pin, depending on how thick your hair is, and how stuffed your ears are. I use at least 3 pins per ear.

Step 7: Model your ears, love your ears and be your cute, nerdy self! 

 If you guys decide to do this D.I.Y. PLEASE hashtag it, #NerdetteVulpix, so I can see it on Instagram and Twitter!!! 

As Always you can talk to me anytime on Twitter or Instagram!


Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy, ~Spokhette!~

C2E2 '17 Masterpost

May 12, 2017

Hey, Gang!

  I have finally gotten over my post-convention depression and now have the ability to tell you all about the shenanigans that were c2e2 this year. Just a heads up that this post will be open, candid and absolutely chock full of pictures. Let's just dive right in, because this one is a doozy.
Even though I requested the time off in advance, I wasn't able to get it. This proved stressful, as I worked the morning of the day I was leaving for the convention. It also meant that I worked almost doubles all week, and that left no time for costuming OR packing. Even though, I knew the week was ending in something that I had waited almost half a year for, I was still very stressed out.
 By the time that my costume was finished and I was packed, Alex and I left about 7 p.m. It's about a 4 1/2 hour drive to Chicago. Luckily, I had enough forethought to reserve a hotel room, super close to the convention center. However, I didn't have enough to think hey, there might not be parking. So, after arriving after midnight, and circling the surrounding blocks for 15 minutes, just to find a place to park the car and actually go get checked in, let alone to park it for the night, we decided that it might be time to find another hotel with parking attached, even if it was a little further from the convention center. Thank goodness for sites like Expedia and Travelocity.
 It only took 5 minutes to find a proper hotel room, and it was only 20 minutes from the convention. It even came with a refrigerator and a microwave, which was glorious because we packed our own food, and saved money that way. One of the things that suck about Chicago, is that there are quite a few tolls. When we went to C2E2 the very first time 2015, we were hit with toll back to back to back. The 2nd year was bad but not as bad. This year, we didn't come across a toll until we were leaving to drive back to Ohio. One thing I will definitely do next year would be to find a toll-less set of directions.
 I'm not sure what's been going on with me lately, but I have been absolutely craving Wendy's Spicy Fried Chicken sandwich. I was in Chicago for two days and I ate 6 that weekend. One thing I noticed was that Chicago's Filet was WAY spicier than the ones in Ohio. I'm not sure if it is just me, but I definitely noticed a higher kick. We only ate out once, at Giordano's because Alex is all about his deep dish pizza. However, our experience wasn't great. Although our server was very personable, she brought us the wrong pizza, forgot our appetizer, brought one refill for the 45 minutes to the hour that we were there. Of course, we were discounted accordingly, but as a fan of regular pizza, and LIGHT sauce, deep dish pizza just wasn't for me.

 I still needed three things so we stopped at a Walmart to pick up what I needed. When I say that I didn't have time to pack I really didn't. I actually left my Captain America makeup bag at home, which proved a terrible idea, because I had to buy eyeshadow and a brush for my costume, which I'm 90% sure I already owned. The biggest thing that happened, was in the rush to get out of the hotel room and begin our journey to the convention center, I kind of just grabbed everything that I needed and gathered it up into my arms, instead of putting it in a bag, and between the hotel and the parking lot at Walmart, I lost my homemade ears. I'm not going to front, those ears and the tail were the most work, with all the stress of the week, I was still able to get those done and to lose basically the defining piece to the costume 20 minutes from the convention? I cried. I was really pissed off at myself for not being responsible, that plus the stress of the week caused me to have a little breakdown. Once I calmed down, I realized" DUH!" I'm in the parking lot of a Walmart, I'll just go get felt and make some more. Vulpix ears 2.0 looked a lot better anyway.
 One thing that I regret about this trip is how big I made my tail, and how I attached it to my costume. My tail came up from my tailbone and curved up to my shoulders, it also came out in a curved triangle on each side. We attended Saturday and Sunday, and which Saturday being the busiest means that all Saturday I felt like a hockey puck/player being body checked left and right, or being caught on someone else's costume and being carried away like Princess Peach in a Mario game. Thankfully, Alex and I have a system of staying together in groups, I keep a finger hooked onto his t-shirt, as soon as it feels lighter he turns around to find me stopped at a table nearby or like Saturday, waving my hands wildly as I am being dragged by the person or the current. I hope you laughed as much as I did writing this because while it was occurring, I definitely cried.
  I don't regret my purchases during C2E2 but I definitely spent outside of my general convention budget. I generally budget $300 to shop per convention, not counting the necessities. Ticket, Hotel, Food, Gas and not included in my $300. I probably spent about $500 this trip. I know, both I and my wallet are weeping. I have a full vlog about everything I bought so you can see just how much of a crazy person I became, but I have made a conscious effort, to stick to my budget for the rest of my life, as recompense.
 I brought 5 Comics with me to be signed. Lil' Gotham by Dustin Nguyen, Faith by Jody Houser, Hellcat by Kate Leth, Batgirl and Birds of Prey by the Benson Sisters, and The Wicked and The Divine by Gillen and McKelvie. I got 4 our of 5 signed, the line for WicDiv was so long, that it wrapped around the sectioned off Artists Alley. I had too many things to accomplish to wait in line for that long.
 Meeting the Benson sisters was the best. They are so cute, sweet and really interested in what people thought about their comic. They were definitely the highlight of my trip. They just reminded me of those friends, that are like moms on the go, the ones that make sure you are eating healthy and that your relationship with your boyfriend is going well. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them. I hope I get to meet them again at some point.
 Meeting Jen Bartel was a high point as well. She's so sweet and quiet. Her art was so beautiful, I bought all the things. I also stopped by the Tokyopop booth, even though I haven't read manga in a while, they actually had a mangaka there, Sophia Chan, and I couldn't resist getting her novel, getting it signed and got a picture with her. I knew there were a lot of content creators there, but I literally didn't come across ANYONE. I tried to take pictures with every Pokemon cosplayer I could find.

 There was a group of Squirtle Squad but they were always surrounded so I didn't bother. Alex cosplayed as Ash and got accolades. I was happy for him, but I can't lie, I was pretty disappointed that literally no one asked me what I was, or complimented my costume. I don't even think the Pokemon cosplayers I took pictures knew what I was supposed to be. I've decided that I will only cosplay at small conventions, or on smaller days because Saturday was ridiculously stressful for me. I haven't been that stressed since I was a college student, it definitely wasn't a feeling I missed.
 There was a booth selling movie posters and of course I couldn't resist. I spent most of my money there. I got a 66' Batman, Little Mermaid, Original Halloween, Original Friday The 13th, Original Fright Night, Original House on Haunted Hill with Vincent Price, Scream, Aristocats, Alice in Wonderland and Kiki's Delivery Service completely in Japanese. I've already hung up all the posters, and it definitely makes the living room feel more lived in.

Have you been to any conventions this year? Lets Fangirl together on Twitter about them!

Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy, ~Spokhette!~

April Favorites

May 8, 2017

Hey, Gang!

 I can't believe that it's already May. 2017 is zooming by and the summer is right around the corner. If you've been reading Nerdette At Large for a while, you'll know that I love summer. It's my favorite season, but it is also a completely free 2 months from my Main source of income.
It allows me to catch up on sleep, create content in advance for Nerdette At Large, my youtube; Nerdette Minute, side hustles, hang out with friends and family, who have summers off from school. I will be off early this year, and it's about two weeks away and I'm literally biting at the bit to be free.

Here are a few of the things that I loved in the crazy busy month of April.

- First Cosplay of the Year. Every year, I take the time to attend C2E2, and even though this was my 3rd year, it was my very first year creating a cosplay. I decided to be the Alolan Vulpix, and I chose the ABSOLUTE worst day to wear the full costume including the gigantic fox/squirrel I created. I can compare it to being a hockey player for a day, and being body checked left and right. I had a blast being in costume though, I totally see why cosplayers make one every convention, and every day.


- Getting my 4th Tattoo. I talk about it quite a bit, but I have a list of tattoos that I would like to get done in my lifetime. I'm not saying that I want to be covered from head to toe, but there is definitely a decent amount I'd like to acquire. I went into Artis Inks, the day before Easter and got my much awaited Edgar Alan Poe tattoo. As a ginormous fan of Poes work, there are two things that I want in my life to represent him. This tattoo, and this plushie by Killing me softly.


- Discovering the Financial Diet. The Financial Diet is a Youtube Channel and A Blog by Chelsea and Lauren and they teach millennials and others about money. Proper ways to save money. How to create a side hustle. How to negotiate your salary for your new job. All the things I should have been learning in college, instead of having religious zealot teachers tell me that my sexuality and experiences as a bi black woman didn't matter. They are amazing!


- Adding to my Plushie and Figurine Collection. I got a Mimikyu Plushie (pokemon) at C2E2, an orange peep from Walmart, and a Sailor Uranus figurine from Barnes and Noble.



- Photographing my 1st Easter Shoot. If you've been reading the blog for a while, you'll know that my profession is a school day photographer and that I do photography (of all kinds) on the side, as Checkmate Photo. If you are interested, check out my portfolio. I had the wonderful opportunity to follow up Robin's Maternity Photos with an Easter shoot for Q. He's the cutest baby ever, and was crazy easy to work with. No fretting, no huffing, and no crying.


What did you do, see, accomplish this April? Let's Chat about it on Twitter!

Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy, ~Spokhette!~

Adventures with Spokhette #17 : Bookstore Bonanza

May 5, 2017

Hey, Gang!

  My cousin Brianna turned 23 on the 17th, so I took her out on a shopping spree to celebrate. It was a blast. We had brunch at First Watch. Did you guys know they had shrimp? I didn't, so when I saw that they did, of course, I had to get a side of it to go with my potato and sausage skillet. I know that First Watch is supposed to be a healthier establishment, but I just wasn't feeling it.


We explored Barnes and Noble first, it had been a while since I stopped in, and I'm really glad we decided to visit the one that we did. I didn't get any books, but I did get a Sailor Uranus Figurine! There's never Haruka stuff, so when I saw it, I knew I automatically had to get it. I carried her around in the basket the whole time we were there, and then when it was time to leave, I was like, yeeah, she's coming home with me.



 I'm not sure where this surge came from, but I saw these "from the villain" point of view Disney Novels. There was an evil queen one, Ursula and the Beast. I never really thought of the beast as a bad guy though.. I mean Ursula is one of my favorite villains, but she had her reasons... The evil queen, is simply an evil queen. I don't think she needed a novel for that, they definitely could have done one for Jafar or Melificent instead.


 We then decided to go check out a used bookstore called Wall of Books. The best decision EVER! It was full of Wall to wall bookshelves, on every topic imaginable and new books being dropped off every day. Their rewards program was pretty boss too, it was like 25% off books, and if you buy a book from them, read it and bring it back, then it was like 50% off your next book. You should have seen our eyes, we looked like owls.




 I've been wanting to read The Anita Blake series, by Laurell K. Hamilton for the longest time. The very beginnings of her series, are pretty hard to find. The ones that I have come across, especially on kindle platforms are like $30 per book. I'm not trying to knock anyone's writing ability but.... C'mon! That's crazy! Luckily, Wall of Books had 1-4 so I bought them, and they were only 2 a piece, sure they're pretty worn, but their books, that's the point. It just means they are a good read.



 Do you have a favorite bookstore? Have you gotten any new novels? Let's talk about it on Twitter!

 Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy, ~Spokhette!~

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