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A Strike for Dad

A pleasant memory is much more valuable than another golf shirt or the latest Grisham novel. And, clearly, a memory involving me is sure to be pleasant. Hence, I decided that the best thing to give my dad and brothers this year for Father’s Day was an incredible night out with their coolest relative… and some of the rest of the family. My mom and several siblings hopped onboard with this plan quickly. Yup, they know a genius idea when they hear one.

Although Father’s Day was months ago, this exceptional scheme was only recently carried out. Fourteen of my family members assembled for dinner at India Palace followed by an hour of bowling. Andrew was the unlikely winner of our match, trailed closely by Jason. Those turkeys were so far behind initially that no one even heard their gobbles coming.

These bowlers supported and harassed each other in equal parts, just as family should.
These bowlers supported and harassed each other in equal parts, just as family should.

The heckling opportunities, which were as plentiful as the pins in our lanes, continued with a couple rounds of laser tag. Unfortunately for my critics, my tagging skills are inconsequentially mediocre and not even taunt worthy.

The boys in my family got a heap of togetherness that night along with a large helping of Indian bowling pizazz. Perhaps a golf shirt is sounding pretty good to you about now.

Rachel October 20, 2015 No Comments

A Comic Education

Jason and I are steadfast nerds so there’s no need to consult Professor X about whether we ended up at Salt Lake Comic Con again this year.

This looks like a family portrait.
This looks like a family portrait.
Chris Evans and Anthony Mackie, surprisingly, didn't make me feel like a shrimp.
Chris Evans and Anthony Mackie, surprisingly, didn’t make me feel like a shrimp.

Salt Lake Comic Con 2015 proceeded very much like its predecessors. We went to panels featuring Felicia Day, James and Oliver Phelps, John Barrowman, Anthony Daniels, Walter Koenig, Jenna-Louise Coleman, Studio C, Ian Somerhalder, Chris Evans and Anthony Mackie.

Every Doctor needs some Time and Relative Dimensions in Space.
Every Doctor needs some Time and Relative Dimensions in Space.
Ian Somerhalder surprised me when he squeezed in for a real hug instead of the customary celebrity hold.
Ian Somerhalder surprised me when he squeezed in for a real hug instead of the customary celebrity hold.

Those panels were more amusing than Darth Vader on a rollercoaster but we didn’t limit ourselves to just chanting like Ewoks for Anthony Daniels or giggling at John Barrowman’s lethal plane-fart stories. We also spent plenty of time on the exhibit floor snuggling with screen hotties like Ian Somerhalder and purchasing inevitable collectables.

You never know what diversions you will discover as you wander the exhibit hall.
You never know what diversions you will discover as you wander the exhibit hall.
Fashion demanded I pose with this AT-AT.
Fashion demanded I pose with this AT-AT.

Furthermore, we amassed something at comic con even more essential than Totoro truffles and lightsaber earrings. Yes, like Mario stashes coins, we gathered crucial trivia and tips. Here’s a bit of what we added to our memory engrams thanks to SLCC:

  1. Although they played the Weasley twins very gingerly, James and Oliver Phelps are in fact brunettes. For the record, they are also about a foot taller than me.
  2. Anthony Daniels originally thought playing a robot in a B sci-fi was beneath his Shakespearean roots. He’s a classy droid.
  3. John Barrowman sings like a diva and welcomes anything during his fan photo shoots except kissing on the lips… and I do mean anything.
  4. Ian Somerhalder may play an immortal that doesn’t give a crap but he does actually care about stuff and, more importantly, gives great hugs.
  5. After waiting in a bathroom line longer than pi, don’t expect the luxury of toilet paper.
  6. Chris Evans isn’t as imposing in person as he is on the big screen.
  7. The Emperor likes my Hoth dress. It’s true, just ask him.
  8. Walter Koenig’s lovely locks in The Original Series are real. Shatner’s are not.
  9. The Utah Symphony puts on one spectacular Sci-Fi Spectacular.
  10. Felicia Day is not afraid of a poop joke… or ten.
This Clockwork Man clocked me.
This Clockwork Man clocked me.
The Phelps twins even made Jason look stunted.
The Phelps twins even made Jason look stunted.

Salt Lake Comic Con, as always, was both a trial and triumph. The chaotic crowds on Saturday, by far the busiest day, made me feel a little like a bewildered Borg drone in an Icheb-infected cube. Still, widened aisles, RFID wristbands and an expanded ballroom made shuffling through the masses of superheroes and stormtroopers easier than in the past. An adequate supply of toilet paper in the bathrooms would have been nice though; I’m just saying.

Rachel October 9, 2015 1 Comment

An Update on the Outdated

A suit and tie may be standard professional attire but I prefer bloomers and a hoopskirt. Jason and I have been vintage dancing for a couple of years now. Our group of historical steppers gets employed to teach and perform at events pretty regularly. Of course, Jason and I slip antique styles on for our own affairs too. Here are just a few of our costumed occasions from recent months.

Last spring, our troupe was hired to demonstrate and instruct at the Once upon a Fantasy Masquerade Ball. It was a formal affair with a large number of attendees. The audience was rather enthralled by our antiquated maneuvers. According to feedback, we were the best part of the evening.

The Once upon a Fantasy crowd eagerly participated in our dancing schemes.
The Once upon a Fantasy crowd eagerly participated in our dancing schemes.

In July, we put on obsolete apparel to teach fancy steps at the Colonial Heritage Festival, which is an elaborate recreation of America’s early past and part of Provo’s Freedom Festival. Their ball was held on a grassy knoll and was just a few fiddles away from being completely authentic.

The Colonial Heritage Festival was founded to preserve the skills, culture and history of America's beginnings.
The Colonial Heritage Festival was founded to preserve the skills, culture and history of America’s beginnings.

Although Jason and I often don cravats and corsets for gigs, we also like to mix costumes with pleasure. We attended Steampunk Night at the Museum at the Hutchings Museum of Natural and Cultural History last fall in full regalia. For this event, the museum remained open late, served refreshments, added interactive exhibits, brought in friendly animals and organized educational games.

Prehistoric poop is just one of many reasons to check out the Hutchings Museum.
Prehistoric poop is just one of many reasons to check out the Hutchings Museum.

Since we obviously have a passion for steam-powered fantasy, we likewise went to the Salt City Steamfest, Utah’s steampunk convention, all geared up. We found ourselves twirling around that gathering too but just as jovial participants not patient tutors.

These owls were one of the fluffy additions the Hutchings Museum brought in for their steampunk night.
These owls were one of the fluffy additions the Hutchings Museum brought in for their steampunk night.

It seems like our vintage dancing group is being called to prance more and more. During the last month, we’ve performed at weddings, parties and senior citizen centers. Who knows, being behind the times may actually be fashion forward.

Rachel September 22, 2015 No Comments
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