What I'm Looking For

I'll be honest. I don't know what I'm looking for. Right now, I just want to have a fun time. I am so unbelievably happy to not be in my last relationship that it shocks me every time I realize it. At the same time, while I miss the comfort of having someone I could (sometimes) rely on when I needed human contact, I definitely don't want to be in a relationship now. Not if I have to fight through the beginning stages that always seem so nice at the time. I guess I just don't want to deal with that right now. I want the happy ending. I want the first letter in "Slay the Critics" at the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8, Issue 22. I know what the ending is, but I don't know how I'm going to get there or who it's going to be with.

For those who don't have access to this issue of Buffy, allow me to enlighten you. The very first letter was led into with these simple words from Scott Allie (the man who answers the letters sent in), "And now...a very special Slay the Critics. Please read the following letter, everyone." To say the least, he has never instructed the readers to make certain to read a specific letter. In fact, he has commented on getting flack from fans for not printing the entirety of every letter in the past. Yet this one was somehow special. I read on to learn the story of a guy who is not only new to Buffy, but to Joss Whedon in general. He told the story of meeting a girl. A girl who tried to get him to watch Firefly to no avail. A girl who he compromised with (without telling her) by watching Buffy, without realizing that she didn't even like the show at the time. When he shared his news, they agreed that if he watched Firefly that she would watch Buffy. They both loved all of it in the end. And now they are eagerly reading Season 8 in comic book form. Now for the important part, as this letter-writer put it. He ended his letter with a proposal to his girlfriend.

My initial thought? "Where can I find one?" But what about this story makes me wish it was mine so much? I think what I desire most about this isn't the nerdy boyfriend/fiance. It isn't the amazing and perfect proposal in a comic book/Joss creation. Sure, these things are both great and amazing, but what I really want is the relationship where happy compromises are made, where interests are shared and valued, and where life improves. Ha! You thought I was going to say I wanted the happy ending, didn't you? Well, I do. But it's not what makes this story or this relationship particularly poignant.

Yes, I know relationships require work. Yes, I know they're hard. But this is what I long for: the simplicity of just loving someone for all they are.

I'm jealous.


Buffy art from: http://www.whedon.info/

One of those days...

Today is officially "one of those days"... You know the one. It's the day the alarm didn't go off, you woke up after you were supposed to already be at work, and it all just frustrates you beyond means. Top it with feeling shitty the night before and managing to use it all as an excuse to take a day off work.

Plan for the Day

1. Buy new alarm clock
2. Watch more episodes of Angel
3. Read some graphic novels

And now... to make things a little better, I am leaving this off with an adorable lollercat.

WonderCon '09

A week ago, I went with a few friends down to San Francisco to attend my first convention - WonderCon. Let me just say it... freaking awesome day! I met people I admire, people I love as actors, and people whose comics I enjoy. I also found out about various comics, music, and other such nerdy things that I would love to learn more about!

We got to the con a bit later than we had hoped. Christie and Mojo were already inside and waiting in line to meet Felicia Day. They said the line was already cut off and she was supposed to leave soon, so I ran and snuck into line with them. Terrible, I know... but the fact that Felicia Day was there and doing that signing was the number 1 reason I went down there in the first place. While we were in line, Mojo pointed out Kim Evey, the producer of The Guild. He, being an employee at PAX, knew her and introduced Christie and I briefly. Then it was time to meet Felicia Day. They were sold out of Dr. Horrible DVDs, so I had to satisfy myself with just The Guild instead of the pair. Felicia Day signed it and chatted with Christie and I. She is totally down to earth and extremely fun to chat with. Great times!

Next on the list was Adam Baldwin. Oh Adam Baldwin. I can't deny that he's amazing. A great actor playing a phenomenal character in Firefly and Serenity. Gotta love him. When I first got up to him, I was a bit worried that I would be disappointed when I met him - that he would be rude or apathetic. And at first I thought my fears were manifesting themselves. But in the end, Adam Baldwin was just a stand up guy who was extremely pleasant and nice. It was a rare pleasure to have the opportunity to meet two people I admire so much as actors and have them both turn out to be just great!

After Adam Baldwin, I decided to do a bit of wandering. I came across a ton of comic book writers and artists. Really just anyone and everyone who wanted to spread the word of their work and hopefully make a sale or two. As I was wandering, I would stop whenever something was at all intriguing to me and have a chat with the people behind the tables. In the end, I had a ton of great conversations with people, artists, and writers. Some of them were just so excited to have someone so much as talk with them, it was pretty hilarious. I think they just sit behind those tables all day long for three days and have hardly anyone actually stop and talk to them. So in the end, it turned out very well because a few of them were just so grateful they even gave me free stuff. One woman, after telling me about her book when I asked, decided that she had a feeling about me. As I was walking off she called me back saying, "Wait a minute! I have a feeling about you. I just have this feeling." At that moment, she grabbed a copy of her book, asked me how to spell my name and signed it to me. I have been reading Watchmen so I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but once I have, I've promised to email her and tell her my thoughts. I want to send anyone interested toward her site, though. She was just so nice! The book is called Fortress and you should totally check her site.

In addition, I got to meet Ted Naifeh, the writer of the Courtney Crumrin graphic novels. I had no idea he would be there, and when I saw him selling some original artwork, it was all I could do to walk away without the intention of finding one of my friends to borrow a bit more money from. Sadly, he wasn't as nice as I would hope - more interested in making a sale than talking. Once I told him I didn't have money but I greatly enjoyed the Courtney Crumrin stories, he just lost interest in me entirely. He did have little things to hand out for free and was nice enough to sign one for me anyway... so at least there was that much, right? Better than nothing, I guess. Like I said, though... he had some original artwork there and I wanted some of it so badly. I guess I'll just have to wait until the next time he's at a con or something of the sort nearby and I can afford to spend a little extra cash on it.

Anyway, other than all that, it was mostly hanging out with friends, attending a couple panels, and just having a generally good time. I can't wait until the next con, to say the least! PAX, here I come!

An Introduction

So this is it. Me.

A little about me. I'm Dinah. Fondly known in the Wizard Rock world as Dinah Saur. To be honest, I had the nickname Dinah for somewhere near 4 years before I realized that adding a "Saur" on the end turned me into the extinct beast with which I have so long been fascinated. Sometimes I'm just a little slow on the uptake. Similarly, one of my greatest weaknesses is probably the fact that I'm extremely gullible. No, not enough that I'll look it up in the dictionary when you tell me it's been spelled incorrectly, but I sometimes take a bit of extra time to figure out when someone is speaking in jest.

I am a huge fan of Harry Potter and pretty much everything created by Joss Whedon. I am a gamer and enjoy a good graphic novel or interesting comic. I not only listen to Wizard Rock, but I help run a site dedicated to spreading the word and the love of the genre.

More than anything else, I highly doubt anyone will want to read any of this. I don't see myself being interesting enough for people to check my blog or any of it. Despite that, I find it's just nice to have somewhere to let out my thoughts. So enjoy when it comes up!