Betsy Snow White Bibliophile

Category: Nerd Life

  • Who am I? 20 Facts About the Weird Girl

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    Hi! My name is Betsy White. I will be 39 in about 12 days; I was born in 1981 and I am either a millennial or a xennial depending on what websites you look at. I have been married for 8 years in October to my amazing husband Seth. We live in Columbus, Ohio with a very large cat named Samhain (Sam for short) and a very small dog named Zoe. Now for some more random facts about me:

    1. I have 5 tattoos with plans for many more. I have the word bibliophile on my right wrist. Huginn (thought) on my left arm and Muninn (memory) on my right. I have an interesting looking gentleman on my right calf whom I have named Admiral Flaneur and declared the captain of an airship. And finally I have a cricket on my right shoulder who is wearing a naval officers hat and has an arm extended with an anchor tattoo. It is a tribute piece to my grandparents; My grandmothers nickname was Cricket and my Grandfather proudly served in the navy. My mother and my younger sister also have the cricket tattoo.
    2. I don’t have a favorite color so to speak, because it depends on the day. I love all colors. For clothing I tend to wear black, but I have been working hard to add color back into my wardrobe. I had far too many years as a goth and old habits die hard. In the rest of my world I am all about color and the brighter the better.
    3. I love vinyl records and have quite a collection. My husband bought me a gorgeous record player for my birthday a couple of years ago. I love the sound of vinyl and I prefer to buy albums if at all possible.
    4. My favorite movie of all time is Labyrinth. I have a binder that has the original screenplay that I printed out once upon a time ago when I was bored. I am a genuine Jim Henson junkie, and Labyrinth is my favorite obsession.
    5. I have been writing poetry since I was a little girl, but I do not share it often. I love poetry though, and especially love to read it aloud. I just bought a new poetry book yesterday by Nikita Gill.
    6. I have multiple tarot and oracle decks. I read tarot very well, but I do not do it professionally and I have never charged for it.
    7. I love crazy colorful socks. I am especially fond of knee high or over the knee stripey ones. I own a bunch.
    8. I have been a singer since I was young. I am a high soprano. In another world I would have been an opera or musical theatre major. I still love to sing, though I don’t do it much anymore. I have been considering practicing and auditioning sometime in the next little bit if I can get brave enough.
    9. I am a pretty good seamstress. I learned to sew from my mother when I was a little girl. I can make viking garb in about an hour since I make it all the time.
    10. I love skulls, bones, taxidermy and many things dark and macabre. I have in my personal collection several skulls including a full alligator skull that I inherited from Seth’s Grandpa.
    11. If I am craving change I always just want to change my hair. Dye it or cut it off. I have been resisting the urge for the past couple of years but I still want to do it.
    12. I have a minor obsession with Fairy Tales. I love them all; the classics and the retellings. I have a massive collection of books, movies, comics and other pieces that are Fairy Tale based.
    13. I am a water sign to my core, and I love to take baths. I am obsessed with bath bombs from Witch Baby Soap. I use hand made soaps by a lovely girl named Katie who runs Elder Forest Soaps. I dream of remodeling our bathroom and putting in a larger soaking tub for me to luxuriate in. Someday.
    14. I am currently fantasizing about opening my own business. I have an idea that I am in love with, but I have no idea where to even begin. I would genuinely love to make it happen though.
    15. I love bookstores! and Libraries! and Books! And Books! I visited my newest local bookstore the other day and even joined a book club there. I am so excited. It is the LGBTQ+Allies book club and I am ready to dig in. Our first book I am reading is Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl’s Confabulous Memoir by Kai Cheng Thom. I listened to it on audible today, and I am planning to listen to it again before we meet on the 15th.
    16. I love to play dress up, and have my entire life. I am absolutely unashamed to go out in public wearing the craziest things. It is why I love the lady gang so much, they are dress up girls too.
    17. I have a VCR, a laser disc player, a dvd player and a bluray player. I also have media to watch on each.
    18. I cannot play video games. I had an Atari as a child, but then never had another gaming system in my house until the Playstation. I have absolutely no hand eye coordination in that way. My husband laughs at me because I play so poorly.
    19. I love musical instruments, but I cannot play any. That being said I own two acoustic guitars, a ukelele and several percussion instruments. I am actually working on playing the ukelele but will probably never play the guitars.
    20. I love to make jewelry and specialize in Shrinky Dink charms. I am thinking of making better pieces and trying to sell them.

    So…do you feel like you know me a little better? More about me as the month progresses. Do you have any questions you would love to have answered? Let me know.

  • Shrimp’s Oh! Strip! Show

    Shrimp’s Oh! Strip! Show

    On January 25th I brought my husband to Akron to see an amazing Burlesque show. I was lucky to get VIP tickets so we got to be part of a VIP cocktail party before the show where I got to meet a couple of my favorite burlesque dancers. The show was beyond amazing and I was ridiculously excited to see both Siomai Moore and Dirty Martini since they are regional acts that I may never have gotten a chance to see.

    I bought myself a Siomai Moore pin, a couple of really pretty Bettie Page Clothing Bras and a pair of bedazzled cockroach earrings from the amazing Veronica Lockhart, The Countess of Cockroaches.

    I wore a dress I bought several years ago in Vegas at the Bettie Page store. Proudly, I managed an amazing victory roll. I felt very vintage and very cute. We ended up grabbing a bite to eat before the show at Cultured Waffle and Coffee.  The whole evening was lovely and I am so happy I went.

  • “We are made of stardust and stories.”

    “We are made of stardust and stories.”

    I finally finished The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern on Christmas. I was looking forward to this book immensely because I absolutely loved The Night Circus. In fact I re-listen to the audio book of The Night Circus every couple of months; it is read by Jim Dale who brings such life and sympathy to the characters. I need you to know this as I tell you how I felt about The Starless Sea as I am fully aware that I am not the most unbiased source. I will say that when I read the last page of the book I cried, not because it was sad but because it was over and I had to leave that world now. It hurt my soul a little, and still does.

    Zachary Ezra Rawlins is the son of a fortune teller who narrowly escapes an adventure as a child. As an adult grad student he discovers a book in the library and becomes aware of just how close. The discovery leads him into a world of stories that lies beneath our world and just on the edge of a starless sea.

    The world Morgenstern created is so lush and complex, and is laid out in a language of fairy tale and myth in a way that feels as though it was written just for me. I fell into the world freely and gladly, my little escapist Pisces heart happy to be taken away and allowed to live with people out of time, and curious cats. I have read several reviews of the book that say something to the effect of “if you are the kind of person who likes this type of book you will love it but…” I guess I am just that kind of person because I thought the story was original and nuanced, and as everything is starting to come together toward the end of the book her ability to blend and reveal was beautiful and engaging.

    The characters, including our hero Zachary, are unusual, complex and quirky as are the settings. I learned from this book the names of the lions on the steps of the New York Public Library (Patience and Fortitude). I fell a little in love with all of the characters including the cats and with the beauty of the Starless Sea. AS said previously this was obviously a book that was written for someone like me, and I found it beautiful.

    If you are the kind of person who likes this type of book I cannot recommend The Starless Sea more. I plan to read it again and again while waiting for Erin to write me another beautiful tale.

     

     

  • These Are Things that I’m Gonna Do.

    I had so much fun working through my bucket list for the last quarter of 2019, so I decided to do more of them in 2020. Here is what I have so far…

    • Create 2020 Vision Board – Done!! Photos Below.
    • Get prettied up for Shrimp’s Cocktail Party!
    • Meet Dirty Martini at Shrimp’s Cocktail Party! on Saturday.
    • Buy a pair of Veronica Lockhart’s rhinestone cockroaches.
    • Go with the Wenches to Pub Sing at Dub Pub.
    • Wench wine meet up in February.
    • Be under or close to 200 lbs by my birthday March 14.
    • Visit Prologue bookstore.
    • Sew new Viking garb for Seth.
    • Write 30,000 words in my work in progress.
    • Go to Mustache Ride Drag Brunch
    • Go to Archery Range
    • Visit Elizabeth’s Records
    • Set up new Entertainment Stand.
    • Set up Stationary Bike.

    Vision Board – The lovely Molly Roberts held a live event for her Patrons all about creating a vision board. I decided to get in on the action and began building up images and words for my board. I just bought myself a brand new Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary (as previously stated my favorite dictionary) so my old falling apart one became fodder for my vision board. I found these battery operated lights I bought at Target a couple of years ago that have glitter in bulbs around the lights and I decided they would look amazing on my vision board. I bought a shadowbox style wooden box to use and painted the inside neon pink and the outside silver. I used glitter infused mod podge to place my images on the board. I began with bright colored images and then added words and pieces from the dictionary. I found some star shaped push pins and attached the lights to the edge with them. I am really happy with how it turned out. It is going to live on my new altar for 2020.

  • Do you D&D?

    Among my myriad of side quests I indulge in on a regular basis one of them is playing tabletop role-playing games and especially playing Dungeons and Dragons. I began playing in my mid to late twenties (so 2005-2006 ish) with my future brother and sister in law. They gladly began running a campaign when I expressed an interest in playing. We played in 3.5 because 4 wasn’t out yet, and I rolled up a human bard name Philomel. Several weeks and one angry barghest later I rolled up a human battle nun named Beatrice which was more fun for me as a newbie.

    Since then in various campaigns I have been a halfling rogue, a halfling bard, a gnome rogue, a half-elf sorceress, and more I can’t remember off the top of my head. Some of these were one shots, and these were in 3.5 mostly, as we only played 4 for a very short amount of time. Currently I am in two (technically 3 but one is on a brief hiatus) campaigns in Fifth Edition (5e). 5e is much more fun to play than 4, but not as clunky as 3.5. I am really enjoying playing it in a way that I haven’t in a long time. In fact we are beginning a new campaign tonight with several people who have never played before.

    My active characters are a Dwarf Barbarian named Ingemar Thunderblood and a Half-Orc Fighter Eldrich Knight Iva Battlemancer. This weekend I painted up my figurines for these characters, and I am really happy with them, especially with Iva. Ingemar has the red skirt and Iva has the axe and shield. These are photos with my phone, but you can get the idea.

    I also painted my copper dragon this weekend. This is my favorite type of dragon and I had so much fun painting her.

    Seth and I are also planning to attend Origins Game Fair this year in June, so expect a lot more gaming and geeky goodness from me.

    Do you play any tabletop rpgs? Do you play D&D?

  • Entering the Roaring Twenties

    Entering the Roaring Twenties

    2019 is almost over, and so is this particular decade. I am also going to be, gasp, 39 in March. I am moving into this year with a passion and a purpose that I haven’t felt in a long time. I am feeling more creative too, and I am ready to get into this new year and make things happen.

    I have decided on my word of the year for 2020. In case you haven’t seen or read this about me I choose a word every year to give my year focus in lieu of a resolution. Last year my word was Brazen, and I feel like overall my year was guided by that word. I was really putting myself out there and I made a lot of amazing connections. My word for this year is…

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    Wordsmith = a skilled user of words. I was looking for a word that would focus me on working on my writing, but that was more interesting than just the word writer. I did a synonym search and wordsmith pulled my eye immediately. I love the feel of it so much. I also found a beautiful design on TeePublic that I am going to get myself a hoodie, a phone case and some stickers so I can keep the word on my mind.

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    I am pumped to get going in the new year. Do you set resolutions? Or make a word of the year?

  • Craftin’ Outlaws Santa Display

    Craftin’ Outlaws Santa Display

    Please enjoy this video of the full Santa Sonny and Cher experience from Craftin’ Outlaws Alternative Craft Fair.

  • Skatemare Before Christmas

    Skatemare Before Christmas

    On Saturday the 30th Seth and I went out to support Ohio Roller Derby (OHRD) at their fundraiser/ exhibition bout Skatemare Before Christmas. This bout pits team Halloween, The Roller Ghouls, against team Christmas, The Jingle Belles. They also premiered their rookies dividing them into team Candy Corns versus team CandyCanes. I came out to represent team Christmas this year, so Seth decided to root for team Halloween.

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    The rookie game was up first. The Candy Canes came out strong scoring in the first couple of jams, but soon enough the Candy Corns had tied things back up. In the second half the Candy Canes came back and they would win! Score one bout for Christmas.

    During the time between the rookie bout and the main event there was a show put on by a local break dance school. The kids appeared to be between the ages of 5 and 13. They were adorable and some of them were so talented!

    The final bout was much more fast paced. Once again the Jingle Belles came out strong at first, but then the Ghouls got a good run and took over the lead. It was a good back and forth battle for a while, but in the end the Jingle Belles came out on top.

    Team Christmas wins for this year!

  • Giving Thanks or 30 Days of Gratitude in One Go

    1. Cinnamon…always Cinnamon

    2. Laptops and my $4 led keyboard light from Five Below

    3. All of them…I love color. More color please!

    4. Butternut Squash…It’s like pumpkin potato and can be sweet or savory.

    5. Podcasts and Audio Books.

    6. Big spooky trees, clearings full of moss and acorns.

    7. The memory of baking up a storm with my Grandmother. The memory of making silly ridiculous gingerbread men with my mom and sister. The memory of marrying my amazing husband.

    8. Anything and Everything by Terry Pratchett.

    9. My home and the Ohio Renaissance Festival my home away from home.

    10. The sting of mint.

    11. Christmas…and Thanksgiving for the parade!!

    12. The feeling of the inside of a new sweatshirt.

    13. Creativity, musicality and imagination.

    14. The white of a blank page.

    15. Autumn 🧡

    16. The strength of my legs, the youthfulness of my hands, the beauty of my hair

    17. All knowledge is worth having. I hope I never stop learning.

    18. The pieces my family and friends have made for me.

    19. The feeling when my husband grabs my hand to hold it just cuz.

    20. My husband, my mom, my sisters, my family, my friend, the lady gang, the wenches!

    21. Start Wearing Purple by Gogol Bordello

    22. All the classic fairy tales, especially the dark German ones.

    23. Christmas day tacos and margaritas.

    24. Working full time, school full time and doing NaNoWriMo.

    25. Spending time with Family and Beginning Yule/Christmas Celebrations

    26. Writing!

    27. My phone…there is a whole world on there.

    28. I was acknowledged at work for helping with an issue.

    29. My Seth.

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    30. Singing, though I do not do it much anymore. Writing. Art. Dancing.

  • Written Word Wednesday: The Evening of Writing Uncontrollably

    Written Word Wednesday: The Evening of Writing Uncontrollably

    The Evening of Writing Uncontrolably was this past Saturday at the Wagnalls Memorial Library in Lithopolis, Ohio. My little sister, Traci,  came along to write with me, and we were joined by my friends Jill, Angie and Melissa. Traci and I got there and settled in a nice little nook in the fiction section between Janet Evanovich and Diana Gabaldon. Above us to the right was a bust of Shakespeare. It seemed like the perfect place to write. We settled in and got ourselves all spread out and happy.

    Jill came in a bit later, and was laughing because we had chosen the exact place she always uses when she goes to the library to write, which is often. I thought it must speak highly of the space. She went to get a snack and wander a bit, but eventually came back to settle in with us. Angie and Melissa came in after an hour or so, and joined us in our nook.

    I managed to write 2,866 words in the 5 hours we were there. That was with many drink, snack and bathroom breaks. And breaks to take photos in the beautiful library. We left at midnight, though we could have stayed until 2am. There is a strange naughty feeling being in a library after hours that I cannot explain though we all were feeling it. I felt like the night was successful, and fun, and I am so glad I went.

    I am probably (definitely) not going to win NaNoWriMo this year, but I have learned a lot about myself and my writing style. I am excited to try it again another time, maybe when I am not actively taking classes at the same time. I am glad that I tried though, and glad that I have worked on developing a short story into an actual novel, and one I will continue to work on. That makes the month a pretty big success to me.