We’re heading into a new year, and with it, I’m steadily working on plans to make it a great year for Wandering NerdGirl. This is a rough idea of how I aim to approach next year, and there is always room to add or remove things.
spiderman
STL Comics Summer 1 Day
I first heard about the STL Comics Summer 1 Day show when I saw a flyer at Villainous Grounds, a while back. It sounded awesome – a con focused on comics, with loads of vendors, and only $5 admission for adults. THIS was something I severely needed in my life, since our area feels like it’s lacking this sort of event. That was one of my huge complaints about Wizard World St Louis this year – where the hell were the comics?
Fan Expo Canada: July Updates
This is it, folks! Nearly a month away from my first trip to Canada, and my first time at Fan Expo. Here’s what’s new:
- Flight – BOOKED! I arrive Thursday, return Sunday. It’s all fancy and official. Which leads to…
- I’ve figured out my transportation to the hotel from the airport, and vice versa.
- MY FREAKING PASSPORT FINALLY CAME IN! Which, you know, was pretty vital for this adventure.
- I have tickets to the con! I went with the Premium Package, because it comes with some exciting goodies:
PREMIUM PACKAGE INCLUDES THE DELUXE FAN EXPO PASS, PLUS:
• Admission to all 4 days of FAN EXPO CANADA™
• Access to Special Preview on Thursday at 2pm
• Exclusive Priority Access into buildings
• Exclusive Premium Lounge Access
• Limited Edition FAN EXPO CANADA™ Premium Badge
• Exclusive FAN EXPO CANADA™ Bag
• Exclusive Comic from Major Publisher
• Limited Edition Superhero Lithograph
• Exclusive Collectible
• Limited Edition FAN EXPO CANADA™ T-Shirt
• Limited Edition Show Program
• Exclusive Pre-Sale for Celebrity Photo Ops
• Exclusive Pre-Sale on Select Events
• Exclusive Ticket Counter
• Free SINGLE DAY General Admission pass (excluding Saturdays)
to ALL FUTURE FAN EXPO HQ events until, but not including,
FAN EXPO CANADA™ 2018.
Hellooooooooo, goodies!
So, yeah. Here we go, guys. Next month, we pack and head north!
~Angel
Wizard World St Louis 2017
Boxes are from Boxes in Action
It’s that time again, boys and girls. Wizard World St Louis – a time I can attend a con and
drive my things home at the end of each day, and not have to worry about safely getting everything home in luggage that may or may not arrive at my destination with me. This particular con makes my little collecting heart happy. BUY ALL THE THINGS!
My con prep was a little more involved, this time. I had two new bags to try out – reviews to come on those, plus I needed to sort through some of my comics to figure out what I needed to fill in some gaps, if the dollar bins would be kind to me. So, my handy dandy notebook of lists got a few pages added to it. But, aside from those things, I also needed to locate shirts, roll up posters, find my plastic protective sleeve things I use for prints, etc. Don’t even get me started on trying to figure out panels and schedules. Ooooh boy.
This was actually one of my least busy cons, but somehow felt like I was trying to do more. Funny how that works, huh?
Fan Expo Toronto: Updates
After a week of exciting guest announcements, I’m getting really anxious for my trip. Here’s the guests announced so far:
Villainous Grounds
A few months ago, I went to a tiny con in Farmington, MO called Max Con. While there, I met the lovely shop owner of Villainous Grounds in Perryville, MO. I’ve never been to Perryville, but decided that I’d make the 50 minute trip to check out the shop on a weekend. It took me a couple months, but I did it! Totally worth the drive!
There are two floors to Villainous Grounds. The first floor is a cool and welcoming coffee shop. The second floor, which is where I darted to first, has three rooms of comics and collectibles, etc, as well as The Mad Hatter’s Tea Room – a cozy place to enjoy your beverage ordered downstairs, or to host a small event for a reasonable fee.
Upstairs was my haven. I loved how comfortable I felt, as well as the selection of newer issues. And that DC Rebirth wall? Ooooh, yeah. I need to go back in with a list of what I’m missing and catch myself up!
But, the comfort was a big thing for me. I have, on occasion, felt very uncomfortable in some shops, as odd as it sounds. I feel like I shouldn’t look or touch, or I shouldn’t even be there, etc. However, in Villainous Grounds, I felt at home. It was clean and cool, but also felt like you were in a welcoming environment. Plus, you can’t beat the delicious smells coming from downstairs. Then, there are the nerdy little touches:
After I made my selections, I headed back downstairs to pay, and ordered one of the most delicious hot chocolates EVER to go. You can check out their menu here.
My haul:
I hope to head back soon with some friends, a list, more time, and a wad of cash. And, hopefully, make it in for an in store event. If you live in Missouri, or happen to be visiting, definitely go stop in if you have a chance. I hope to spend a little more time during my next visit, and plan to do another, more detailed post when I do.
You can visit Villainous Grounds on their website or check out their Instagram ( @VillainousGrounds ) for some fantastic pictures.
-Angel
Savings Challenge
I can be a very motivated money saver when I need to be. If I want something badly enough, I’ll pinch pennies and hoard money and come up with ways to get some extra cash. With an upcoming Orlando trip in September/October for Halloween Horror Nights and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, I need to start putting money back. Here’s the game plan:
Captain America Diner – Universal Orlando
One of my favorite quick service restaurants to eat at when I go to Universal Studios, Orlando is the Captain America Diner. Top reasons:
Marvel Universe Live
Sunday was a fun-filled day of adventuring to St Louis for a few reasons. The first reason I’m covering is for the show Marvel Universe Live!
Here’s the trailer:
Marvel Universe Live is essentially a family friendly stunt show with a story line that involves more than 25 Marvel heroes and villains. I’ve been waiting for this tour to come through St Louis for well over a year now. I heard of it some time after the unfortunate end to Batman Live! (these two shows are not, from what I understand, connected to each other in any way in terms of companies), and decided since I loved Batman Live! so much, I’d definitely check this one out. It’s a similar premise – a super hero stunt show – and it was coming somewhere within a reasonable driving distance. I bought tickets a few weeks ago for myself, my nieces, and my mom and brother.
Geek on the Go: Gift Ideas
The season of gift giving is upon us, and everyone is stressing about getting the perfect gift for the special people in their lives. I know everyone that has to buy for me has a terrible time figuring out what to get. So, I spend a lot of time looking for my own gifts for other people.
Do you have a nerdy traveler in your life? Because I have some ideas for you!
This Stormtrooper luggage from American Tourister is seriously perfection. It’s on my own personal wish list! It also comes in Darth Vader and R2D2.
For the Tolkien fan in your life, or anyone looking to share in an adventure, you could pick up the Hobbit Location Guide.
There’s a variety of cool, nerdy passports out there, like this Marvel Comics passport holder.
While you’re picking up the Marvel passport holder, you might as well grab them this cool Captain America travel pillow. It’s also available with Iron Man and Spider-Man.
Road trips? Train rides? Chilly airports? This Survey Corps Snuggler blanket is the perfect way to bundle up on the go. Also available as a female Survery Corp member, or a Titan!
Any Gryffindors on your list? This Gryffindor luggage tag will help them spot their bags next time they head to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Does your Geek-on-the-Go head into chillier weather often? Bundle them up in this Supernatural Anti-Possession Scarf from Hot Topic.
I hope these gift ideas help you with any last minute shopping for anyone with wanderlust on your list. Let me know how you like the products! I may go after a few for myself.
~Angel
Wandering NerdGirl 