Betsy Snow White Bibliophile

Tag: my favorite things

  • The Comedy Brilliance of What We Do In The Shadows

    In 2014 when a comedy film about a group of vampires sharing a home in the modern world was released I watched it eagerly having no idea what to expect. What I got was one of the funniest films I had ever seen. The film addressed how awkward it would be for them to fit in the modern world, how hard it can be to seduce a victim, and even the reason they always prey on virgins. Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement lead an amazing cast who grasp the concept with such sincerity that the ridiculousness of the characters is tempered. It quickly became one of my favorite films.

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    Imagine then my excitement when it was announced that a TV series based on the films would be coming to FX. My excitement built as I found out that they had cast Matt Berry for the series. I had watched the series Toast of London on Netflix and kind of fallen in love with Matt. He can do bombastic and pompous better than possibly anyone. The very idea of him made me excited even as I was disappointed that Taika and Jemaine would not be returning.

    The series would prove to be just as funny as the film, and keeps much of the aesthetic that this is a reality show about Vampires being followed by a film crew. The vampires in question are quite old, and slightly complacent, and not altogether very threatening. In the series we are following the married vampires Lazslo and Nadja, Nandor and his familiar Guillermo, and their roommate Colin Robinson who is a psychic vampire who feeds on people by sucking their energy away by being incredibly boring. Guillermo is hoping that Nandor will eventually make him a vampire. Nadja, who is played wonderfully by the gorgeous Natasia Demetriou, can play exasperated with fangs with a passion rarely seen.

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    I want so badly to spoil a particular episode which involves the vampire council, but I won’t. Watch it, and then message me to discuss.

  • Things I Love Thursday – GLOW

    Things I Love Thursday – GLOW

    So, it all started a couple of weeks ago when I was staying up to finish a paper for school. My husband had gone to bed so I decided to turn on something random that I wouldn’t have to stay up to finish. I decided on a documentary about women wrestlers from the late 80’s called GLOW: The Story of the Glorious Ladies of Wrestling. I ended up staying up quite late to finish the documentary.

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    I fell in love. Instantly. I did not watch the show when it was on, and honestly younger me would not have appreciated it, but oh it hit something within me. The glitter, the drama, the silliness, the humor, the insane costumes, and everything. If you have not watched the documentary then you should.

    Then just a few weeks after I watched the documentary Netflix announced a show based on the original show called GLOW. Starring Allison Brie, Marc Maron and Betty Gilpin. We binge watched it as soon as it hit, and I loved it. At first Allison Brie’s character, Ruth, was ridiculously annoying. By the end of the season, though, she had grown on me and really come into her own as a character. I cannot recommend the series more.

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  • Things I love Thursday – Go Team!!

    Things I love Thursday – Go Team!!

    I will be walking in a 5k this weekend called the Cheddar Challenge at a local Dairy Farm. We have participated in this 5k for a couple of years, and it is seriously fun. You get a milkshake, and cheese samples. The course takes you through the barns and by the baby cows. It is so much fun.

    Our team for this race consists of myself; my husband, Seth; my sister, Traci; and my mother, Karla. We are The Lactose Intolerants. I laugh at that stupid name every time. Last night, I made the team shirts for everyone.

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    My shirt with nickname, AlphaBetsy
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    Seth’s shirt with nickname Tuna.
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    Traci’s shirt with nickname Shmoo
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    Karla’s shirt with nickname Kage.

    After the race we will grab a shuttle down into the Yellow Springs Street Fair. Yellow Springs is a wonderful little alternative community just outside of Dayton Ohio. There are beautiful galleries, lots of little shops, and a generally lovely feeling to the whole place. This is the town where Dave Chappelle lives.

    At the street fair I know we will find our absolute favorite soap company, Elder Forest Soap. We swear by Katie’s soap, as well as her salves, and natural deodorant. I am so excited to renew my stash.

    This is a photo from our team in 2014. I can’t find a more recent one.

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  • Things I love Thursday – Bath and Booze Edition

    Things I love Thursday – Bath and Booze Edition

    Last Friday my husband and I used a Groupon to take a tour and tasting at Middle West Spirits/ OYO, a Columbus Distillery. We were beyond impressed with the breadth of flavor that they have achieved in their spirits. They also have a really impressive set up, and the restaurant/ bar is going to be amazing once it is complete. We purchased a bottle of their barrel aged honey vanilla bean vodka and their Pumpernickel Rye Whiskey. The groupon got us two of their glasses as well. And we purchased a bourbon board game for Seth’s dad for Father’s day. You can find out more about them here.

     

    Of late I have become a frequent purveyor of the bath bombs from Witch Baby Soaps. I am beyond impressed with the quality of the bombs. They smell delicious, last a long time, and leave your skin feeling soft and beautiful. In the last two weeks I used two from the Tarot Card collection: Death and Two of Swords. I highly recommend both. You can find Witch Baby here.

  • Writing Challenge – Day 28

    Writing Challenge – Day 28

    Day 28: Post five things that make you laugh-out-loud.

    I feel like I should add a disclaimer that I am, in fact, a laugher. I laugh a lot, and at seemingly everything. So…almost anything can make me laugh out loud. My husband and I just crack each other up all the time. It is a thing, I love it, and I think it is how the two of us stay sane. I love to laugh, and I will do it as much as I can. So…here is a list of things that will make me laugh every time.

    1. Those stupid pet videos of animals tripping, falling, jumping into things, making crazy faces, or the gif of the fuzzy cat saying Diabetus. I will watch them again and again and cackle. It is sad, and also makes me deliriously happy. diabetus cat  mqdefault
    2. Acher! I love this cartoon with all my heart, and it often makes me laugh out loud. Shit Snacks! archer
    3. The My Favorite Murder podcast. This is a new obsession of mine, and the hosts (Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark) are so funny. And, yes the subject matter can get heavy, but Karen and Georgia keep it fun and often laugh out loud funny. It has often been listed in the top ten comedy podcasts on Itunes.  Check it out! 427
    4. The Smartest Man in the World podcast. My celebrity crush, Greg Proops, talking about whatever takes his fancy, and keeping me laughing out loud at work. I absolutely love Greg.  Greg’s website. smartestman_4232
    5. Christopher Moore books. If you have never read a book by Christopher Moore do it. I recommend Dirty Jobs, as it is a personal favorite, and more than that recommend the audio book read by Fisher Stevens. But seriously his books are so ridiculously funny that I quote them constantly and crack myself up. So good.  Christopher’s Website chrismoore

     

  • Writing Challenge – Day 22

    Writing Challenge – Day 22

    Day 22: Put your music on shuffle and post the first ten songs.

    1. Purgatory Dance Party – Polkadot Cadaver
    2. Little Sister – Jewel
    3. Lieee – Tori Amos
    4. Dead Heaven – Gary Numan
    5. Snow-Hen of Austerlitz – Rasputina
    6. Ever Dream – Nightwish
    7. Depraved Uncut – Tartan Terrors
    8. Wonderboy – Tenacious D
    9. Sacred Stones of Stonehenge – Kellianna
    10. Do It With A Rockstar – Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra

     

    I have eclectic taste in music. There were also about 5 tracks that were from audiobooks, but I did not post those. They included books by David Sedaris, Terry Pratchett, Patti Smith, Henry David Thoreau, Kim Harrison, and Anne Rice. I am a fairly eclectic reader too.

    Also, I have tickets to see Rasputina in August, and before the show we are going to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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  • Writing Challenge – Day 18

    Writing Challenge – Day 18

    Day 18: Post 30 facts about yourself.

    1. I was born and raised in Newark, OH.
    2. My maiden name is Bailey.
    3. My maternal grandparents names were Crystalene Lucille and Alvin Leon.
    4. I have two Sisters; Krystie who is 8 years older than me, and Traci who is 10 years younger than me.
    5. I am 36.
    6. My husbands name is Seth.
    7. We have been married for 5 years October 6.
    8. We have been a couple for 10 years May 19.
    9. I have an eleven year old Chihuahua named Zoe.
    10. And an eight year old domestic long haired cat named Samhain (Sam).
    11. I am a high-soprano.
    12. I had two poems published as a teen.
    13. I currently have a 3.75 gpa in college.
    14. I am an English/ Creative Writing Major.
    15. I live in a house that is over a hundred years old (built in 1910)
    16. I am an avid audiobook reader.
    17. I listen to 7 podcasts regularly.
    18. I have been a practicing witch since I was 16.
    19. I consider myself an eclectic cottage art witch.
    20. I am an on/off bellydancer.
    21. I love to dance.
    22. I have 12 piercings and four tattoos.
    23. I used to be a singer for the Country Music Fellowship Organization.
    24. I can sew well, and make viking garb for my husband and I.
    25. We do reenactments as vikings.
    26. I do a variety of art and crafts.
    27. I collect hats.
    28. I own two guitars, but I cannot play them.
    29. I cannot read sheet music.
    30. Halloween is my favorite holiday.

     

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  • Writing Challenge – Day 14

    Writing Challenge – Day 14

    Day 14: Post your movies that you never get tired of watching.

    Movies that I can watch at any time:

    Labyrinth
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    Labyrinth is by far my favorite movie ever. I think it hit for me at just the right age, and was just the right combination of fantasy, music, and Jim Henson. I actually went to see it in the theatre twice last year; the first time was right after David Bowie passed and again later in the summer on a double feature with the Dark Crystal.

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    The Princess Bride is another of my favorite movies. My husband and I can literally sit and quote this entire movie, which is undoubtedly annoying for anyone who is not us.

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    Heathers is one of the funniest, darkest, and most painfully true movies about high school ever made. I once watched it on a loop for three days, and that is how I learned all the words to que sera, sera.

    I love movies, so much, so I could go on forever. I also love The Craft, Anything Tim Burton, Legend, Velvet Goldmine, and so many more.