Nerd in New York

I recently went on a last minute trip out of town, and had a free day to run around in New York. It’s been eight years since I’ve been in the Big Apple, and I’ve missed it quite a bit. I’m from small town, middle of America, and big cities are always fascinating to me. It’s a constant feeling of go-go-go, where there is always something to do or somewhere to go — pretty much the opposite of how it works where I live! And I hate to be bored, sooo…

I took the train into the city, and headed straight for Times Square. I was greeted with comforting images:

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Cosplans: Suicide Squad premiere

HarleyQuinn

It’s no surprise that I’m pretty excited to see the first appearance of my favorite character on the big screen. I’ve been a fan of Harley Quinn since day one of Batman: the Animated Series. And now, I get to see a version of her inspired by her appearance in Suicide Squad (the comics), and portrayed by the lovely Margot Robbie!

So, of course, I had to plan an outfit for the occasion. Here’s the cosplay progress so far:

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Day Trip: Elephant Rocks

Hiking and nature trails are among my top favorite things to do on weekends. Luckily, I live in the middle of nowhere, and there are loads of state parks and trails and everything else around me to go adventuring on. One of my favorite places is Elephant Rocks.

elephant rocks

Elephant Rocks, named for the giant boulders, which some compare in size and/or shape to elephants. The hiking is fantastic, and has some stunning scenery.

And there are some fantastic adventures to be had on this trail.

If you’re planning to visit Missouri, or maybe you’ll be passing thru the state sometime, and wanna check it out, you can visit this site here and learn more.

I’d love to cover more trails and parks in the future! Let me know what you think!

~Angel

HHN 26: Hell Comes to Haddonfield

Halloween

Halloween Horror Nights 24 gave me a chance to enter into one of my favorite horror film franchises, Halloween. Iconic scenes, the Myers house, being chased by Michael Myers, etc. It was a dream come true, and still one of my favorite houses.

Now, we get to return to Haddonfield.

Just announced for Halloween Horror Nights 26! Halloween: Hell Comes to Haddonfield. We’re going to pick up where the first house left off, and then, according to the release, be pursued by Myers through Haddonfield, into Haddonfield Memorial Hospital. How’s that for a house sequel?!

I cannot WAIT to see what they do with the house this year. Which of the houses are you most excited about?

-Angel

Day Trip: Six Flags St Louis – 7/5/16

Tuesday we took our second trip to Six Flags St Louis of the year. Having a season pass this year has actually been pretty fantastic, and been a huge incentive to return to the park multiple times, after not going for years. Can’t beat free parking on top of that one time payment last year to go however much I want this year!

We started the day at my favorite ride – Justice League: Battle for Metropolis.

HallofJustice

My little Super Heroes! Gotta raise ’em right, even if they’re just nieces.

From there, we rode an ABUNDANCE of water rides. The Log Flume, which was a first for me, we rode three times – twice down one path, once down the other. There’s a right side and a left side, and the path for each is a little different, with the end result the same – up a big hill, to drop down for a big splash.

We also rode Tidal Wave A LOT. This wasn’t my first time, however. It’s a very quick, simple ride. Get in the boat, go up the hill, round the corner, and then HUGE DROP. We had 5 people, and each row can handle up to four. I was the only person that rode EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. We mixed up the party a bit each time, so someone was always waiting with the bags that would be unavoidably SOAKED. But never me. I probably rode seven times in a row, at least. I didn’t have a dry spot left on my body. And that wasn’t including the times the girls and I waited on the bridge to get splashed by the other riders on their way down.

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After Tidal Wave, we caved and bought refreshments. Those blue cups are around $22 and some change individually, slightly less if you buy more than one. We bought two at around $21 each. Which, I know, it sounds RIDICULOUS for a cup of soda. However, this particular cup includes free refills ALL SEASON LONG. And since most of their sodas were $4-$5 and non-refillable, I thought this was a pretty decent deal since I’m planning to return. And the first sip of nice, cold Coke on that insanely hot day COMPLETELY convinced me it was worth it. So, we filled our new cups and headed for the train ride. We looped back through the park to the same station we boarded at, then took the girls to ride some kiddie rides for a bit.

We hopped in line for one last ride on Battle for Metropolis, then headed into some shops, so my happy little collector heart could be satisfied.

I honestly cannot express how much I adore the amount of cool stuff they have available. While I couldn’t spend the amount I typically do when I’m there, I did buy myself some things:

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Such as this super cool Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice shirt that I had my eye on the last time I was there. As well as…

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A Harley Quinn plushie I didn’t have yet, a cardboard desktop standee, and this badass Batman mug. My Batman collection, particularly the Harley Quinn section of it, was very pleased with the new additions.

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All in all, it was a great day with my nieces, filled with fun and nifty Batman stuff. I can’t wait for my next trip back!

~Angel

 

Universal Dining: Three Broomsticks

Harry Potter fanatics, such as myself, rejoiced at the initial announcement of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter being added to Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios, Orlando.

WE GET TO SEE THE CASTLE?! WE GET TO EXPLORE HOGSMEADE?!

And for those who have been, you know – it’s like walking onto the set, and everything is magical.

That being said, one of the things I was ridiculously excited for, was the opportunity to dine at the Three Broomsticks.

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The Three Broomsticks restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is a quick service option for those of us that are go-go-go at the parks.  They offer a handful of different options, including fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, Cornish pasty, turkey legs and fresh vegetables, plus items on the kid’s menu for picky little eaters.

What do I always get?

ThreeBroomsticks

This huuuuuuge plate of deliciousness! Seriously, you get you money’s worth with this restaurant.

So is it worth a visit? Definitely, especially for fellow fans of the books and movies.

And you can’t forget the best part of the visit: BUTTERBEER!

Butterbeer

~Angel

 

Travel Plans: London Calling

LondonCalling

I’ve wanted to go to England for what feels like forever now. In particular, I’ve had my little heart set on London, and all it’s wonder. There have been several times I’ve said “Okay, that’s it, I’m going next year” – and then I didn’t, for whatever reason.

But I’ve decided there will be no more of that. No more putting it off. I’m going to make serious plans now, even if I have to go alone.

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Rage Against Death: On Meeting Kevin Smith

RAGEAGAINSTDEATH

You can read the original post on my more personal blog, Misadventures of a Misfit if you want. But this is going to be a bit of that with something else.

Remember how I was going to Wizard World Reno the weekend before Thanksgiving, and then, despite the fact I indeed went to Reno and did go to Wizard World, my posts lacked in any info of my fantastic adventures?

There was a reason.

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Saint Louis Art Museum

You may or may not know this about me, but I actually started college as an Art Major. Yup. I had studio classes and left covered in a variety of random materials, took Art History classes that I devoured, took classes for Honors because spending countless hours on a project for class just wasn’t enough. So, you could say, I kinda dig art.

It makes me exceptionally happy that we have a wonderful art museum only an hour and a half(ish) from where I live. Good ol’ St Louis, having all the things and stuff. Well, a lot of things and stuff.

But ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved going. I’m grateful to my mother for starting my interest so young, so that I never once whined that it was “boring” – in fact, I whined to go to the Art Museum all the time!

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