She Geek

Yes, No, Maybe So?

2015-01-11T03:33:00.001-05:00

Hello World.

So... It's 2015 who saw that coming? LOL
Well I've been toying around with the idea of starting a new blog for ages. I think I'm basically about to which should be exciting? Well... Maybe new at least.

I may start writing soon but I might hold off until I can workout getting a new laptop, since my imploded.

This stuff is totally outside my wheel house but has been something I've wanted to try.
I'm thankful to my 1st boyfriend for leading me down this path in 2011
(Seems like a lifetime ago! LOL)

And I'm sure everyone is wondering what this blog is going to be about!

Well...

Hee! Super excited!

I've done some Mixed Martial Arts and while fun I sure I'll never sadly be a wrestler. But I can be a total smark, talk crap and pout opinions online! YAY!

One final note... Wrestling or MMA it is and always will be CLOBBERING TIME!

STAY TUNED!!

Why everyone needs to LEAVE IGGY AZALEA ALONE!

2014-12-22T18:01:00.001-05:00

Just want to say this stuff usually isn't the kind of thing I comment on but today I felt the need...

OKAY EVERYONE! LET'S GET TO IT!

Why all the hate?

What makes Iggy Azalea any different and or worse than say - Kanye West or Snoop?

He just might...

It would be one thing if Iggy was lambasting rap and 'black culture' BUT SHE ISN'T!
She grew up liking something and followed her dream of wanted to be like those she admired. Just like every other person in sports, music or acting. She went after something she wanted and got it.

I think she grabbed one of Vince's 'brass rings'

In relation to Iggy's awareness of 'race issues' what does she have to express or comment on?. She can stand on the side of the #blacklivesmatter argument but why are people insisting that she must shout this out to the world with a blow-horn when so many others in the 'media spotlight' have remain mum on the issue?

People may be right with the notion that Iggy's awareness and/or understanding of 'race issues' is a bit off BUT everyone seems to FORGET she's NOT AMERICAN! She's from AUSTRALIA!!

100% AUSTRALIAN!

'I come from a land down under' a lyric that most people holding the pitchforks won't understand.

90% of Australia's population is of European descent mainly split between English and Irish. Those of 'African/African American' population may well be less than 0.001%. My Australian friend has said he'd only seen one Afro. American person growing up, and even today he rarely sees them.

Twilight doesn't get as much hate. But it should

Iggy raps. Nothing is said about the countless other artists who accents aren't heard when they preform - take Adele, Amy Winehouse, Estelle, and Lady Leshurr for example. Hints of their accents can be heard but the same with Iggy when they preform it is mostly hidden. Even with countless actors many don't use their natural accent.

The backlash seems to be mostly motivated by Azealia Banks who comes off as being nothing but jealous of Iggy's success. Everyone into top 40 music around the world now knows who Iggy Azalea is with her string of hits led by the song 'Fancy'.

Fancy Smanchy

I'd and many, may others had never even heard of Azealia Banks before the press started going crazy tripping over themselves to write about a silly feud push mostly by Azealia.

Who?

For one thing instead of putting all her energy into trying to slam and put down Iggy, Azealia Banks and her PR people should you know focus on her music? Because I've never heard this chick on the radio! That has nothing to say on her talent, but where's her mainstream acclaim and public knowledge in relation to her music?

Still haven't heard her on the radio...

Banks and her PR also need to attempt to prepare her image because she comes across as a childish, jealous, whiny child who's crying and trying to snatch someone else's doll because her's is missing an arm.

'IT'S MINE B*TCH!'

Let's all allow this dumb crap to die off and actually focus on the talent of both women instead of pushing for both of them to slam each other for the hell of it.

-Q

Chicago TARDIS 2014

2014-12-05T23:08:00.001-05:00

Well.......

Surprisingly an update! lol

Haven't been around here much, had a BIG loss awhile back but surprisingly wasn't hit by it that hard.

Anyways, I missed the 2nd LI Who this year because a VERY LATE train and nonrefundable train tickets. As a worker and help I was very pissed and I know surely I won't be asked to help out next year which pisses me off! >.<
So... Chicago TARDIS was very laid back this year. Very. In bed by 1am all nights and sleeping by 2am! Crazy right?! IDK maybe it was just something in the air this year? lol Only did a bit of cosplay and two panels but for the first time I help one of my best buds who works for Alien Entertainment work in the dealers room! :)

Got to meet Billie Piper and Noel Clark! Had rounds of breakfast with Nick Briggs (with tons of backup bacon)! (Voice of the Daleks!)

And finally did 1 of my 2 final costume contest outfits. After 2015's Gally I'm leaving cosplay competitions. Yep!

Cosplays for this weekend were (of course) Martha Jones, Abbie Mills from Sleepy Hollow and The Playboy Bunny TARDIS!

The real meeting between Martha and Rose! (Will update with a proper scan later!)

Friends? Not sure about that...

Martha and her man Mickey! (Will update with a proper scan later!)

Love!

Abbie Mills!
The ever lovely Taylor bought me a real Sleepy Hollow badge for my Bday! :) It went wonderful with my outfit. But I didn't like it 100% needs a new jacket but anyways.

Here's The Playboy Bunny TARDIS!

I actually danced for the contest! I was totally freaked out about but as walking of stage one of my friends shouted "CAN'T DANCE MY ASS!" Lol :D

DANCE?!?!?

Well Q is off! WOOSH! <3

Lack of Black Women in Comic Writing

2013-07-23T20:03:00.001-04:00

I'm an African American women, seeing people like me in fields that I wish to go into is important. It means that I'm not alone, I have people I can look up to. I'm not saying that I can't look up to people not of my race, but with those of my race we have a shared experience.

Ever since I was a young child around age 10 or 11 I had a huge interest in writing. I loved it, I would write stories in notebooks and create story-lines in my head. During my senior year of High School I took a creative writing class that helped me decide that writing was the career path I wanted to take, I loved writing and story creation that much.

So I went to college for creative writing, I learned a few things but there is something I did notice during my time in my BA program where I think the problem begins. I was studying creative fiction writing. I was 1 of up to 7 black people (all women no men at the time) in my program, and they were studying poetry except for 1 other women.

I know there weren't that many black women as fiction writers to start with. But where are the black women writers and creators in the comic industry?!? But I know over time collectively the number of black women wanting to write comics has to have gone up? But through all my research I haven't found any information on any black women working in the comic industry. I've asked around, my tweet has gone around to "big" comic people, and no one has anyone's name to give me, or any answer for me.

As a young writer I can't even find any way to break into the comic industry to help change the statistic that there are no black women working in comics.

The "Diverse" Gender in Comic Book Panel @ SDCC

At SDCC this year there was a The Gender in Comic Books Panel which really upset me. I know there is quite the unbalance in men to women ratio in the industry, and it needs to be talked about. But on the other hand we have the lack of other dynamics in the field being totally ignored!!!! Not one person of color sat on that panel! NOT ONE! And they called the panel diverse! I mean the issue race in comics isn't even being talked about! It's really upsetting.

It shouldn't just focus of black women, it should focus on all under represented demographics in the comic industry, and allowing new blood to break in.

-Quiana

Doctor Who and Race

2013-05-31T08:36:00.001-04:00

I have a piece In the upcoming Anthology 'Doctor Who and Race'! Which is due out in July.
I wrote an essay titled 'Humanity as a white metaphor ' with Robert Smith?

This book is causing a firestorm, because people are judging the book without reading it, which is a shame. I say read the book first before passing judgement.
' Doctor Who and Race' is about cultural significance of race in the programme, which is very important.

Not just criticising Doctor Who

You can read more about the book here

Cosplay Gallifrey 2013!

2013-02-24T16:22:00.000-05:00

Finally an update!

Had a great time at Gallifrey this year! Thanks to everyone that help me get there, from the bottom of my heart I am thankful! <3

I brought back the Leela cosplay but I didn't get many pictures of it this year. :/

Next up is Snakedance Tegan! Again only got one picture of it this year :/ Oh well, next time.

I also did a Femme 4th Doctor and only got one picture of it. I'm going to get a new skirt and do a photo shoot in this one sometime soon.

Last but not least! I finally brought back my Martha Jones cosplay which proved to be SUPER popular! People actually thought I was Freema! LOL

Freema is such a sweetheart! We both fangirled when we saw each other! <3 She also wore my Martha jacket for my photos! <3 <3 <3

I finally got some pictures of my Martha costume I'm super proud of this year!

You and Who

2013-01-17T22:29:00.001-05:00

You and Who

is now available from Miwk Publishing!!!!!

The Second book I've ever been published in is out now!!!! How exciting!!!! :)

My essay is titled: An Origin Story

Edited by J.R. Southall, "You and Who" is an anthology of stories, written by fans, in which those fans reveal how, and why they became Doctor Who fans.

Starbust Review

“It's a wonderful idea,
and I'll be sure to buy the book.”
Robert Shearman
(author The Chimes of Midnight, Dalek, Tiny Deaths, Love Songs For the Shy and Cynical)

All book proceeds go to Children in Need!

Buy it here!

Minorities in Doctor Who fandom?!

2013-01-05T15:30:00.000-05:00

How can I get in touch with more Doctor Who fans that don't consider themselves well represented in fandom?

Where are the women of color, and the LGBTI fans?

Where is our voice?!

Get in touch....

Quick Cosplay Blast!

2012-12-30T18:44:00.003-05:00

A quick cosplay blast!

Hey everyone! I hope you all are having good holidays! I just thought I'd post some new costumes for you.

(Also I just graduated from college!!! I'm looking for a job right now, I'm having a really hard time right now so if you could donate anything it would really help a great deal! Thanks if you can and if you can't it's no problem I still LOVE you anyway! :) )

First up is a femme (female) version of the Third Doctor.

Next is River Song from the 'Doctor Who' episode 'Let's Kill Hitler'.

And just for fun a little graduation picture for you guys. Because I love you so much :) <3

She Geek Out! <3

Last minute Geeky Gift Ideas

2012-12-20T22:14:00.002-05:00

Hey there everyone!

This post is to give everyone out there some last minute geeky Holiday gift ideas for friends, or family on your shopping lists. :)

First up,

We have Finn's Hat from the hit show Adventure Time!

From Hot Topic

Get it Here!!

Next for Doctor Who fans we have a TARDIS Teapot!

From Who North America

Get it Here!

For the Gamers Portel Bookends!

From Thinkgeek.com

Get it Here!

For the inner 1980's nerdy child in us all an Optimus Prime Hoodie!

From 80 tees.com

Get it Here!

And last but not least, for the movie buffs a Ghostbusters Proton Pack Backpack!

From Amazon

Get it Here!

Economy Link Costume

2012-12-02T19:22:00.001-05:00

Cosplay: Economy Link Costume

Introduction:

Since 1986, Link, the Hyrulian hero of The Legend of Zelda, has captured the hearts and minds of generations for decades. As such, it’s no surprise that many, including you, have elected to honor their favorite character by dressing up as him.

Many variations of costumes exist of dizzying complexity and skill. The purpose of this instructional set is to help you construct a Link costume of economy-class with a minimum amount of sewing and cost. While the costume will not be the most ornate or expensive with a budget range of $25-$50, it is easy and quick to assemble, and you will at least have a passing resemblance to Hyrule’s beloved hero.

Section One – Materials to Acquire

Ready made materials to acquire:

White undershirt (long-sleeve/turtleneck)

Khaki pants

Brown knee-high boots

Standard brown belt

Blond medium length wig (Optional)

Wig cap (Optional)

Elf ears (Optional)

Toy sword

You can find the items:

Online
Brick and Mortar Stores (Goodwill, Payless, Wal-Mart, Salvation Army)
Trade or borrow items with friends and acquaintances

Section Two – Construction

Green Hat

Materials: 1 ½ yards of green cotton fabric, fabric tape measure, scissors, pencil/pen/marker, piece of paper, and fabric glue.

1. To measure head for hat, place tape measure one inch above ears.

Note: if you are wearing a wig with the costume, measure your head with the wig on so the hat will fit over the wig.

2. Wrap tape measure around head.

3. Pinch tape measure where it meets back at 0.

4. While still pinching, remove tape measure from head.

5. The number on the tape measure that you are pinching is your head measurement.

6. Divide head measurement by two then add 1 or 2 inches for a final measurement.

Note: pick 1 or 2 inches depending on how tight you want your hat to fit

7. Write the final measurement down on a piece of paper, for future reference.

8. Lay fabric on a table or other flat surface and fold fabric in half so that there are now two layers of fabric.

Note: form an even ledge without overlap

9. On bottom edge of fabric using the tape measure, measure from left side edge towards the right, 0 to the final measurement.

10. With pencil/pen/marker, make a small dash mark indicating final measurement on fabric.

11. Divide final measurement by two to determine middle point measurement.

12. Using tape measure for reference, find middle point measurement and make another dash mark.

13. From bottom edge of fabric at middle point measure upwards a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 18 inches

Note: the number of inches will be based on your personal preference for length of hat

14. With pencil/pen/marker make a final dash mark at the 10-18-inch point.

15. With markings showing fold fabric over so that 0 and the final measurement are now on top of each other, the middle markings should now be at the centerfold of fabric.

16. At the bottom edge of the fabric beginning at 0/final measurement cut diagonally to upper middle point.

Note: your fabric should now resemble the shape of a triangle

17. Lie out one triangle layer and apply fabric glue to outer right and left edges, leaving the smaller bottom edge unglued.

Note: this is inside of hat

18. After fabric glue is applied lay second triangle on top of bottom triangle so all edges are matching, and the fabric glue is at the same point on both triangles.

19. Allow time for glue to dry.

Note: follow fabric glue instructions for drying time

20. Once glue is dry, turn fabric inside out so that glued edges are now inside hat.

Green Tunic

Materials: Green mid-thigh length, short sleeve shirt or tunic, fabric tape measure, scissors, pencil/pen/marker, fabric glue, fabric hole punch, and 2 feet of brown yarn or brown suede thread.

1. On the right side, facing you, cut one slit 5-6 inches upwards from the bottom shirt hem.

2. Fold ½” of fabric at the slit inside shirt.

3. Glue ½” of fabric to the inside of the shirt.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 on left side.

5. 1.5 inches from bottom hem of the right sleeve facing you, at the middle of the width of the sleeve, punch two holes with fabric hole punch, one inch across from each other.

Note: The width of the sleeve should center on shoulder hem.

6. ½”upwards from first set of holes punched, punch two more holes directly above original holes punched.

7. Thread brown yarn/suede through the four punched holes in an X pattern.

Note: the length of yarn will be based on personal preference of the design choice.

8. Repeat steps 5-7 on left sleeve.

OUTSIDE IN: 160 NEW PERSPECTIVES ON 160 CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO STORIES BY 160 WRITERS

2012-11-18T19:10:00.000-05:00

OUTSIDE IN - 60 NEW PERSPECTIVES ON 160 CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO STORIES BY 160 WRITERS

Outside-In , the new book offering 160 unique articles on Doctor Who is available for pre-order, the book is due out on November 23, 2012 with a launch at Chicago TARDIS 2012.

Pre-Order Here!

There are many books and websites that review all these Doctor Who stories – tales that fans know very well – but editor Robert Smith? (Who is the Doctor; Time, Unincorporated 2-3; Braaaiiinnnsss: From Academics to Zombies) set out to create an unprecedented archive of opinion from throughout the professional and fan communities, just in time for the 50th anniversary of the greatest television show in history!

My first published piece is in this book! I'm #159 out of 160, and I review The Doctor Who story Survival.

Here's a link to the first review on the book:

http://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/book-reviews-latest-literary-releases/3998-book-review-outside-in-160-new-perspectives-on-160-classic-doctor-who-stories-by-160-writers

Cosplay Update!

2012-11-05T18:43:00.002-05:00

Another Cosplay post.

I know I haven't posted in a while, been busy with school and other things. But don't worry I'll be back for regularly soon. But until then I figured I'd post a cosplay update with costumes I've done and ones I have planned. I've also updated that old mega post with base photos!
*Swoosh!*

First is Uhura from Star Trek TOS

Nichelle Nichols Approved! ;)

Next is Sarah's ballgown from Labyrinth. I <3 David Bowie!

My friend Taylor was Jareth!

We even made the newspaper!!!!!!

I LOVE Adventure Time so I put together a Black Fionna.

Upcoming Cosplay:

Femme 8th Doctor (Doctor Who)
Femme 4th Doctor (Doctor Who)
River Song (Doctor Who)
???? (Doctor Who)

Well that's it for now expect more after Chicago TARDIS my readers! <3

Cosplay mega post Countdown to website!

2012-06-08T16:47:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone!

I'm working on my own cosplaying website, it will be going live soon but until then I wanted to make a mega post with some of my costumes! :)
People of Color can cosplay anything and everything they want to!!!

Martha Jones

Romana 1: The Ribos Operation

Leela

Bikini Peri!

Mel Bush: Time and The Rani

Tegan

Sidenote: Thank you for your support everyone! Like stated above I am working on launching my own website within the next month. But not related to that, currently I'm without a job and money is very very tight. Please if you are able to donate to me through my Paypal button any funds I would be forever grateful! Currently the money would be used to help me get a membership to Chicago TARDIS in November and Gallifrey One in February.

Write up on Gallifrey One 23

2012-03-03T18:57:00.001-05:00

I was looking though photos today and realized I never did a write up on my favorite moments from Gallifrey One.

For those who don’t know Gallifrey One is the largest Doctor Who convention, and it takes place in Los Angeles, CA every February. ‘Who’ fans call the convention ‘Gally’ and this year was my second time out. Since I left LA in 2011 I had been waiting, and counting down the days until Gally 2012. I had an amazing time, even better than the year prior.

As a girl from Michigan who hasn’t traveled much, I am forever stuck by the amazingness of LA. For the time I was out there the weather was lovely and the sun was shining. My flights were nice and relaxing, and as soon as we were over LA I was excited.

Every Gally I get to hang out with friends I only am able to see a few times, or once all year. But the number of times I see these people doesn’t matter because our friendship just restarts from wherever we left off at. I find it to amazing the sense of warmth and friendship at such a big convention. For me someone who doesn’t have very many friends in my day to day life, Gally makes me feel so liked and loved. Friendships are built, fixed, and made at Gally through this mutual love of Doctor Who fandom and it is awesome.

Me and Friends! <3

Gally has some of the best Doctor Who cosplayers around. I’m always gob smacked by the high level the cosplayers set every year, and I’m glad to have my little costumes along in the awesome ocean.

Awesome Cosplay!

One of the best things to me about going to cons is being able to meet and interact with those who are involved with your favorite show. Meeting the writers, actors, and directors is so much fun, and I’m always amazed at those who come to cons and meet their fans.

I was in awe of Paul McGann (The eight Doctor) all weekend, (every time I saw him I let out a loud, happy yelp). I got to meet him and get a photo. He shook my hand and introduced himself to me as Paul, (as if I didn’t know who he was, that was why I was there). He said my name and I nearly melted. Yes… I took the photo as a chance to wrap my arms around him, and it was LOVELY! I had to scream in the hallway afterwards BTW. ;)

Me with the HANDSOME Paul Mcgann!!! :D <3

For the second time I got to meet the LOVELY Louise Jameson (Leela). I was dressed in my Leela outfit and my friend let me have his K-9 in the photo as well. Louise remembered me! That made me super happy! She was still in love with my costume too. After the photo she grabbed my arm, smiled and said “I had to spend an hour in makeup to get my skin to look like yours,” We both giggled, and still grinning like a madwoman I floated off, but not before hearing her ask the camera man for a copy of our picture. : )

Me, K-9, and the sweet Louise Jameson! :)

Another amazing thing I’ve learned is that some of the kindest, friendly and funniest people to hang out with are writers. Someday I hope to be seen as a writer, but while I wait for that to happen it’s awesome to spend time with those who work in the craft. At this Gally I was able to spend some time with the brilliant, sweet, and hilarious Phil Ford, Richard Dinnick, Nicholas Briggs, Graeme Burk and Robert Smith? Laughing, drinking, talking, in some cases singing with, and generally slumming around with these guys most definitely counts as one of the highlights of my weekend.

Me and several awesome writers

This year was so special in so many ways. The memories made this year are ones I shall cherish for the rest of my life. I and others I know are already making plans for next year. It’s Doctor Who’s 50^th anniversary, and I know it going to be huge and very special. If you’re not planning to go you should be.

-She Geek (Quiana)

Rest In Peace David (Davy) Jones

2012-02-29T16:16:00.000-05:00

I am completely and utterly devastated.

Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE The Monkees. I know it’s very dangerous to say this but I love The Monkees more than The Beatles. (I’m expecting tomatoes)

In high school I discovered the wonder that was The Beatles and fell head over heels for them. But that was nothing like the way I fell for The Monkees. The underdogs, the blacklisted ones, the guys that made me laugh as much as I loved their music and their show.

The Boyz

The year I graduated from high school I got to meet Micky Dolenz, and he was WONDERFUL! He put on a GREAT show and renewed my love for the four guys who forever in my mind still lived in that awesome pad on the beach and were trying to make it as stars.

A 17 year old me with Micky Dolenz!

But the four guys I LOVED where stars, and although people still complained about the controversy from the 60’s I knew Mike, Micky, Peter, and Davy were amazing and I just wanted the rest of the world to know it too. I introduced my (very) little sister to The Monkees. She’s eight now and she thinks they are cool which makes me super happy. J

In my mind and heart The Monkees were invincible. And unlike with the Beatles I still held onto the hope that all four of them could get back together in a peaceful reunion (unlike what we got last year with Papa Nez).

When I found out that Davy Jones had passed away my heart broke.

By no means was Davy my favorite Monkee but I loved him all the same. He was insanely cute, British and short. I loved Davy for everything he was to Monkee fandom. He still preformed, and I kept trying to see him but never got the chance. That fact makes me super sad. I wanted to thank him for everything he did and has done for the world of entertainment. But I’ll never get that chance now, as he is gone. I would be weeping over my keyboard as I write this but I’m at work and must hold my tears in.

I will be watching The Monkees in my mourning.

R.I.P. Davy Jones

You will be forever loved and missed.

-Quiana

Cosplay from Gallifrey One 2012!

2012-02-26T17:33:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd do a quick post of some of my cosplay from this year's Gallifrey One convention in LA! I had an amazing time running around in costume, hanging with friends, ect.

Again this year I brought my Leela Cosplay, which is one of my all time favorites! I also got a lovely photo with Louise Jameson and K-9 which I will post later; along with my adorable photo with the sexy Paul McGann. :D

A compilation of the best shots of my Leela costume!

Also again I brought my Romana 1 outfit from "The Ribos Operation".

Me as Romana 1 and my friend Taylor as Romana 2

New this year I did a Mel Bush cosplay from "Time and the Rani"

Taking Musical Notes (Writing Sample)

2012-02-23T18:31:00.000-05:00

Hey there everyone! :)

Since I shared with everyone an example of non-fiction writing, I thought I would share with everyone an example of my fiction writing. This is the first chapter of my unfinished book "Taking Musical Notes". It's told from the POV of my character Gordon, who is a young musician. I know my accents are off but oh well....

Please give me feedback! :)

“Gordon, you’re so fuckin’ useless, get out and find a job!”

My father’s shouting rouses me out of a relatively peaceful sleep. I peek out from under my covers and stare at his tall figure looming over me, creeping out from the nighttime darkness. Everyday my father and I have the same argument; lately he’s found the most creative ways to ambush me with his point.

“Every fuckin’ day I get up before the fuckin’ sun, to provide for this shit family. You need to fuckin’ contribute!”

“…T-that’s just not me da, it just not…” I mumble, sleep still heavy in my voice.

My words frustrate him to no end, and when he turns to leave I’m stunned. I was excepting him to drag me out of bed and knock me about a few times; a repeat scene of our kitchen spat last week, without all the broken glass.

“You’re a shit guitarist, and you couldn’t hold a fuckin’ tune even if you had a bleeding bucket!” He shouts slamming the door behind him.

The walls shake and I’m sure the resulting noise has woken the rest of the family, if not the whole neighborhood. I stare into the darkness of my bedroom listening as my father has a duplicate tantrum with the front door. He slams that in a repeat fashion, before starting up his truck and heading down to his job at the mine. With a yawn I roll over and return to my world of sleep.

Eight hours later I stir again, the midday sunlight beaming through my cracked bedroom window. I strain my eyes to see the wristwatch thrown on my desk, 12:43 the second hand ticks by slowly, as I ease my way into awaking up. I push back the covers and sit up only to realize my room is very cold. The heater must be out again, I wonder. I slink out of the room and down the hall to the cramped bathroom. Standing over the dripping sink, I try not to stare at my battered reflection. My blond hair hangs wildly over my head, hiding my gray eyes that are still filled with sleep. With a yawn, I splash some water on my face, before changing into my jeans and sweater. I walk downstairs, the wooden stairs creaking with my every step.

“Gordon? Are you up?” my mother Sandra shouts in her broken Irish accent.

“Aye, Mum. Is there toast on the counter?” I question, my stomach heaving in hunger.

“Aye, there is, and tea on the stove.”

Although I’m out of school, and jobless, my mother has seemed to enjoy my company. She no longer has to spend the majority of her day at home alone while my sisters and I are off to class, and my father is off to work. Unlike my father and I, we never argue. My mother has always been a saint to me. She joins me at the kitchen table, taking out her hair curlers, while reveling about her daytime TV, some of which the BBC has started broadcasting in colour.

“Are you goin’ down to that bar tonight? She asks.

“Yeah, the owner lets me play after sets if there’s time, and I love watching the other guys play.”

“Aye, aye, But Gordon, you know your father doesn’t like that. He wants you to work. Not fantasize about being a music man,”

“Music is work,” I reply, wiping toast crumbs from my mouth.

After another cup of tea, mother heads out the shop, while I wander to the back room where my guitar is resting against the chair.

I had to be around 11 when I laid eyes on my first guitar. In Durkhim music shop, in the window hung a red, steel stringed, early model Kelar. Not an instrument of quality it must be said, but the object of my affections. On the way home from school, I would drag my best friend Peter with me. There we stood dressed in our short pants, book bags slung carelessly on the dirty ground, gawking at the musical wet dream.

“Gordon, no one can afford that thing!” Peter exclaimed, removing his face from the foggy glass.

I turned to my pale haired friend, a wicked smile plastered across my face. “…Peter that will be mine someday.”

“Yeah right. Next thing you’re gonna tell me how in 5 years time you’ll be the next bloody Keith Richards!”

“Maybe…” I shrug.

In a month’s time that guitar is in my hands, and I’m almost pissing myself with excitement. My gift for passing the private school entry exams, the only smart thing I’ve ever done. My mother wins the argument with my father on getting me a gift. The next afternoon he’s waiting on me in the school parking lot. I’m bursting with excitement walking alongside my father, while he bristles over wasting his “hard earned money” on my little heart desire. Peter is the only one I let play my guitar. I watch as he plinks the strings creating loud noise, feelings of envy crawling under the surface. He begs his parents to buy him one as well. But unlike mine, his parent’s have no reason to; he didn’t pass the private school exams. After that summer I hardly ever see Peter anymore. The change in schools has built an unseen wall between us. We never speak to each other, red faced and frustrated I decide to avoid him.

Things at the new school are bad. I don’t fit in with the rich students; and I’ve hit a growth spurt, tall and awkward I stick out like a sore thumb. An easy target for the older kids who find it necessary to bully me, as if my face shoved down in the grass is proving their prowess. Lonely and frustrated, the guitar helps me transform into an introvert. I’d sit in my desk, ignorant to the instructor’s lesson, lost in thoughts about what note come after the third verse of “She Loves Me”. I’d run home from school, only to lock myself away with my only friend. Mum’s record player would sit on my bed, the same songs playing on repeat, in a dizzying fashion, over and over again as I attempted to learn the chords. She’ll often find me passed out at night, guitar on my lap. She still doesn’t understand my determination but her mind is more open to the idea, than my father who rues the day he bought the guitar.

Besides music everything falls by the wayside. School, friendships, girls, all become meaningless and this is the way things remain today. I’m inspired by the numerous rock bands on “Top of the Pops” each week, who happen to be creating the soundtrack, or more of a standard of living for every young person in the country. The radio stars with the radical clothes and overtly sexual songs that make my parents cringe. Every Thursday night at 6 while my parents yell at each other in the back ground, I’d sit stony faced in front of the TV with my sisters Hannah and Tabitha, watching the musicians display this amazing talent. That was me, the person who I wanted to be. The hellish backdrop of a home life my parents have created is not what I want.

That night I swing my guitar case back and forth as I walk down to Desmond’s Pub. The soothing yellowing light reflects into the street, paired with the sound of pints being passed and music being played, I’m always beckoned inside. When not hiding away in my room I spend most of my time in places like this, huddled in my jacket perched up at various bars, guitar case resting at my feet. Unlike the rest of these poor sods, the seductive hand of the frothy pint doesn’t really appeal to me. I’m here to watch the musicians the faithful Madonna’s who lord over their interments, gracing the drunken masses with sweet melodies that I could only dream of creating. I inhale frothy menthol while spinning an idealist future in my head, a musically funded escape from this insignificant place, this dot on the earth’s surface. It’s a sad, empty place. With the boarded up windows and the constantly cloudy skies; it seems like gods having a bit of a laugh on all of us here. The industry all dried up, the jobs all gone. These factory workers, the ones I bump elbows with, sit with sunken faces and fill these and other places like it. They flush away their life’s savings by swelling their guts with beer, to then go home to beat on their wives’ and do it again the next day. Not my life’s ambition I’m desperate for my escape.

“Gordon, you playing tonight?” Desmond, the bar’s namesake and bartender asks as he pours another drink, snapping me down, out of my thoughts and back down into my seat.

“Maybe, if there’s any time left at the end of their set.” I’m talking about the trio of guys all dressed in matching pinstriped suits, filling our ears with a bit of Rogers and Hammerstein, of all things.

A half an hour passes, before the group takes their bows and graces, and there’s just enough time left for me to perform. I take to the stage guitar in hand, and like always the feeling remains the same. Whiskers of goosebumps run up my arms as I take my place before the microphone. With a deep breath I run my fingers over the fret board, before beginning to sing. Despite what I’m doing these people aren’t paying me any attention, they’re too lost, drifting aimlessly in a sea of depression. I could be playing anything from Samba to African drum beats and they still wouldn’t grant me a second glance.

After a second song, I gather my deflated ego and skulk off the stage. It’s times like this when I wonder if my father is right about me. I go to pack up my guitar only to be met by a man who looks off colour to say the least. Faded tweed jacket, scuffed steel toe boots, and a horrid version of the bowl cut atop his head. This guys looking like a mis-matched gangster, who would get his ass kicked by a real skin head.

“Nice set,” he says, extending his cigarette free hand to me.

“Thanks,” I mumble as we shake hands.

“I’m Harry Baker. You’re Gordon James right? I asked Desmond about you. Have you been playing guitar long?”

“Eight years…Am I that bad?” I question feeling the blood rush to my face with each word.

“Naw, you have a lovely singing voice, I just think you’re probably best suited for a different instrument.”

I nod my head in reply.

“So Gordon, do ya like a bit of jazz?”

I smile as my new friend leads me over to the bar to engross me discussion about everything curtailing jazz to Broadway ballads.

I end up following Harry back to his apartment a couple of blocks away. The building once a set of offices now converted into apartments, sticks out with its depressingly chipped paint. The inside of his flat isn’t any better; things are tossed about in a mishmash of mess and pure oddity. Dirty cups cover the coffee table, weeks old laundry is tossed about, yet I notice with impeccable care countless paperbacks and albums have been organized with precision on the lone bookshelf in the corner. I run my trainers through a pile of cigarette ash, near the couch before settling down near the least smelly pile of clothes.

“Hey, jazz man, you’ll love this,” Harry tells me as he walks over and turns on his record player. The record is already placed, as if he was just waiting to show it off. He places the needle gracefully on the 45 and the room fills with the budding undertones of slowly building jazz. The trumpets give an overwhelming blare, leading the way as the strings follow behind, twanging in sweet harmony. Lastly the drums bring up the rear, pacing along steadily with an unsophisticated beat. The music fills me, and it’s in these moments as the record spins that I truly connect with Harry. His understanding and appreciation for this foreign thing called music rivals my own, no longer am I alone.

“Real shite ya’ know?” he asks as the record slowly fades into static.

“Totally,” I reply.

Harry turns to me, a smile painted on his face like a demented Cheshire cat, “Man it just hit me! I fuckin’ knew it would!” He bounds into another room, leaving me while he shuffles and cusses through his jungle of junk. He returns a couple of minutes later, a dusty case in his hands.

“Gordon, I knew it would hit me. For fucks sakes I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. This is your true calling.” He places the case in my lap, begging me to open it. I wrestle with the rusty latches, and a puff of dust flies into my face as it opens.

“Great isn’t it?” he questions, I look down at a battered, overplayed, paint chipped, bass guitar.

“…Ok, but what do you want me to do with it?” I question.

“Learn it, live it, you’ll be fantastic.”

“You expect me to learn to play this thing?”

Harry nods, and I’m astonished that my new friend trusts me enough to give me his bass, and expects me to be “fantastic” at it.

“Er, Harry I don’t know… I can’t take this.”

“Gordon, I see the spirit in you, the raw hunger. For fucks sake, do ya want to be like every other arsehole in this shitty town? Just dragging along until you’re fuckin’ dead?”

Thoughts of dad appear in my head. “Hell no!”

“Fine then,” Harry continues, lighting a cigarette, “Learn the fuckin’ thing, I’ll met up with you again. I have plans for you, Gordon James.”

Harry sends me on my way, balancing two guitar cases, a new supposed destiny in my hands.

From Kalamazoo to LA. My trip to Gallifrey One, Part One

2012-02-15T19:43:00.000-05:00

Gally is the biggest Doctor Who convention in the world. It’s all types of awesome and it’s held in LA every February. This year will be my second year and I’ve been overly excited about it for MONTHS!

This entry is all about getting to LA!

8:36 AM. My cell phone which is charging on the floor on the other side of my bedroom goes off. Still sleeping I’m startled by the ringing sound and I spring up in bed and attempt to reach it. I promptly fall out of bed and hurt my leg. It’s my mom on the other end. She just wants to talk to be before I leave and warn me to be safe (She thinks I’m five lol.) but the call has already put me into a grumpy mood. I kind of fuss with the boyfriend because I’m feeling stressed. A few deep breaths later I’m feeling better and I apologize. Feeling more even, I finish getting ready. I comb my hair, get dressed, and finish packing. After giving my cat Elmo hugs and kisses he didn’t want, Jason and I are out the door. There’s one stop to make before heading to the airport, I need to get money from the bank. With that done we hop on the highway and towards the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek airport.

I check in my luggage (For 25 bucks!L) and get my ticket and Jason follows me up to the security checkpoint. At this point he can’t go any farther and I’m overcome with sadness. We hug and kiss for a few minutes, I remind him to feed and give Elmo water, and to not kill my rambunctious cat. And with that gloomy I head though the check point with my purse, laptop, and I even have to remove my shoes.

10:00 AM I head towards my gate which is right there because the airport in my city only has 4 or 5 gates. I get another phone call from my mom while I’m waiting and I talk to her and she tells me to have a good trip. I call Jason as I board the plane, and I miss him already. I have to fly to Chicago from Kalamazoo to then get the flight to LA. The Chicago flight is SUPER SHORT! I’m only able to listen to 3 songs and get in a slight doze before the captain announces we are arriving at O’Hare airport. It was about a 30 – 40 minute flight. The flight was MUCH easier than driving or getting the train to Chicago but MUCH more expensive. It the trip wasn’t on my dime so I was an okay expense.

I’ve only got about 40 minutes before my connecting flight leaves. So I go in search of some food. O’Hare is like a huge city instead of an airport, there’s EVERYTHING there bookstores, tons of food, clothing shops, but anyways. You see I had been on a diet though Medical Weight Loss since January before my trip to get into shape in order to fit into my costumes. I’m down 13 pounds which is great but I still want to lose more. Anyways I’m off the diet for the duration of my trip because eating well while at a convention is VERY hard. I’ll get back on the bandwagon when I get back home. I end up grabbing a 6 piece nugget, a yogurt parfait and a frappe’, stuff I wasn’t allowed to eat before. I kind of regret it because I already feel fat and my stomach is complaining!

I get onto my LA flight around 11:35 and get my window seat right next to the wing, which I love. The plane is packed but I’m not bothered. I talk to Jason telling him I’m about to take off for LA, I also call me grandmother who was shocked about how quickly I got to Chicago. I even text my aunt in Florida to tell her I’m heading to LA, she wishes me a safe trip. I’m sitting next to a really nice girl who’s heading to LA for a modeling shoot! (Super COOL!) We talk about Chicago, the crappiness of winter, and clothes as the plane takes off. After a while we are able to get out our electronic devices and I pull out my IPod and Laptop. On some flights American Airlines offers 30 minutes of free Wi-Fi and of course I use it! I check and update my Facebook, Twitter and E-mail.

In my e-mail my friend Peter has sent me the voiceover for my skit and I utterly love it! He’s so fantastic at voiceovers and he is always willing to help me out, which his GREAT! After the free Wi-Fi is cut off I watch the Doctor Who DVD I brought along with me, one of my all-time favorites “Talons of Weng-Chiang”. (Swear I’m gonna do a write up on how AWESOME this serial is someday) I have so much LOVE for the pairing of Leela and the Fourth Doctor! (Now only if I could get the boyfriend to cosplay The Fourth Doctor everything would be set! LOL)

11:52 (LA time) I finish my DVD just as we’re flying over the breathtaking, snowcapped Rocky Mountains, and decide to make a trip to the bathroom to stretch my legs.

1:57 I’ve done some writing on my story and some blogging and we make our descent into LAX. Smooth landing and everything flight wise went well. I get my suitcase and head to the shuttle that will take me to the LAX Marriot! I meet some other Who fans on the shuttle who have also come for the convention. I then meet up with my friend Andre’ and help him get stuff from his rental into his room. (Lots of booze! LOL) We talked and then head to In-and-out burger to get food. I’d never been there before so it was cool. Also as a bonus we got to watch Air force one fly overhead and into LAX.

That’s all for today I’ll try and write more tomorrow! J

Happy Birthday Tom Baker!

2012-01-20T20:51:00.000-05:00

Wishing a VERY Happy Birthday to Tom Baker!

How can you not love the 4th Doctor?

He's my Doctor and my all time favorite!

Leela of the Sevateem (Writing sample)

2012-01-20T20:47:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share with everyone a writing sample of mine. Of course it's about Doctor Who, it's about one of favorite companions Leela of the Sevateem.

The Doctor travels with an assortment of companions, all from different times and planets. But in the beginning for every woman to walk through those TARDIS doors they all seemed to be broken from the same mold; with the ability to scream checked double. Was this portrayal part of a tested true formula, or product of its time? That has been argued to death; nevertheless in the Doctor Who world that mold was broken with the introduction of one of my favorite characters Leela.

From 1977 to 1978 Leela of the Sevateem was the Fourth Doctor’s companion. The short lived yet offbeat pairing of the dirty, sexy, violent savage alongside the bohemian giant, with the toothy smile, dragging a scarf behind him, would become my favorite. They might not admit it but they need each other and that is one of the things that makes this pairing work so well. On one hand The Doctor can show off his knowledge, and he can impress Leela with simple actions like writing her name on a chalkboard. On the other hand Leela protects The Doctor, and will always be on his side knife ready even if he doesn’t ask for it. Leela wants The Doctor to be proud of her. Her eyes light up whenever The Doctor acknowledges things she’s learned, which makes the interplay between the two feel deeper than a basic teacher/student relationship.

Leela of the Sevateem was conceived by the powerhouse team of producer Philip Hinchcliffe, and script editor Robert Holmes. She was originally planned as an ‘Eliza Doolittle’ character that would learn from The Doctor. They kept her mind sharp, her body physically able but took away her clothing as if part of some insane compromise. Is the world we live in such a shallow and strange place a woman can spit out Shakespeare while standing on one foot but unless she’s showing some skin no one will give a damn? At least we know that’s what the BBC thought. Some would go so far to argue that a similar standard is still held today in the leggy style of a Mrs. Pond.

We first encounter Leela in the 1977 serial “The Face of Evil”. In the story’s opening scenes we focus on her. Leela had grown disillusioned with her tribe’s religious ways, causing her to speak out. As she speaks her mind against her tribe The Sevateem her inner flame burns so rampantly it’s as if heat drips from her skin. To them she speaks nothing but blasphemy and they throw her out.

Cast out, shunned, and alone Leela must fend for herself. Like those before her she needs someone. This is where she meets The Doctor. She starts learning from him immediately. On screen you see the shackles of superstition and magic fall away with each moment The Doctor spends with her. He opens her world to so much more; a door once open it’s near impossible to close. Can you really blame Leela for running into the TARDIS? Can you blame her for wanting the “more” The Doctor represented?

Happy Holidays

2011-12-24T17:20:00.000-05:00

Not my picture just added the text. I LOVE Adventure Time!

Happy Christmas and Holidays to everyone no matter what you celebrate!
Hopefully everyone has a nice, safe, fun time....

Brown Skin v.s. Cosplay

2011-12-07T20:31:00.001-05:00

In every Sociology class I've taken (and I've taken a lot) it was always stressed that, your background, and your upbringing, play massive parts into how you view the world as an adult.

Being an African American Female, my eyes are super tinted from a gummy past, soaked in confusion.
From the jump no geek ever feels they belong anywhere. Add being a girl to that and things get weird. Add being black as the cherry on top, and you've got a vomit sundae filled with chunks of questions and crying.

Fun, oh so much fun.

But today I’m not writing about my childhood, that’s another story for another post down the road. Today I’m going to do a quick write up on cosplay.

As I’ve stated several times before and will again, I’m a huge Doctor Who fan. I’ve settled into a nice place with comfy friends who are nice, and caring people. But there are dark areas of all fandoms; which I have waded into at times, and damn do their stabs hurt.

“I hate when people cosplay characters that aren’t their skin color-”

A bit of a tidbit I found browsing the web one night looking for cosplay tips. Like a dirty pizza cutter in the chest. I hadn’t done any cosplay since high school, and now in my early 20’s I was excited to give it another go. Seeing something like this took all the air out of my lungs. And pouring salt into my eyes hundreds of people were agreeing with this post.

…Ouch…

Me as Martha Jones

The idea of dressing up as a character I like seemed like so much fun to me. But as I read what these ghost people of the internet had to say. I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

Why?

Well, being The Black Girl, Who Is a Doctor Who Fan, my options are strictly limited to one character, or monsters. I do love Martha Jones (Many people don’t but that’s another post.), and I have cosplayed her before. ->

But there where so many other costumes I wanted to try, so many characters I wanted to be. But because of my skin being the color it is, according to them I would ruin any cosplay I did!

Heartbroken.

I asked my fellow Doctor Who cosplayers their thoughts on this topic, and I was bowled over by the response. Most had no problem with the color of my skin; they preferred the way my costume was made.

Amazingly those comments reversed my broken heart and wrapped it in tape. My comfort in cosplaying was restored. That was the last time I ever let my skin color be problem thought where cosplay is concerned. Whenever I’m at cons and I met another person of color who mentions they have an interest in cosplay; I tell them to do it! Just dive into it, whatever character you want! I’m sure it will be amazing!

There is a term floating around for the kind of cosplay I do, ‘racebending’. Not a big fan of that term. Why label me dressing up as a character I like just because of my skin color? Why can’t I do something like other people without it being labeled as different? The whole thing leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Negativity aside, I feel like another person when I put on a costume. The shy girl vanishes and the confident woman comes stomping out. After some thought I think I’ve come up with a name for my cosplay self.

Toffee Princess?

Quiana The Toffee Princess?

Not sure if I’ll stick with it. Well that’s one rant down...

Geek girl out.

-Quiana

Discussion coming soon....

2011-12-05T19:02:00.000-05:00

As well as most people know I’m a HUGE Doctor Who fan. My devotion to the show is forever inked onto my back as proof.

<----- SEE

The deeper I dive into the fandom pool, the darker the water gets. I feel it’s time address these issues, along with some of the issues that were touched on while I was on panels at Chicago TARDIS. Hopefully I can start some healthy discussion, similar to what was had at the convention.
-Quiana

My Cosplay From Chicago TARDIS 2011

2011-12-05T18:50:00.000-05:00

Posting some pictures of me in my costumes from the other weekend at Chicago TARDIS. Which was (one thing withstanding) AMAZING!

First up is my Tegan! :) I <3 this costume, I like Tegan, I know a lot of fandom seems to dislike her but oh well. I think her and Janet are just awesome sauce! I didn't get any pictures with Janet at TARDIS this year cause I met her at Gally earlier in the year. I'm happy to say she DID remember me! XD

Five/Tegan GLOMP OF LOVE! <3 Me and this lovely Michelle.
Next Up is me As Romana 1 From 'The Power of Kroll'. This costume kept getting mistake for something else. lol A few of the Brits thought I was some Captain person from some Thunderbirds puppet type show. I just can't remember what it was called... Oh well.
Anyways....

My Dalek dress made a come back this year as well. I only wear it to Chicago Tardis cause it's easier to travel with a dress bag a shorter distance. I did leave my neck rings at home though so that kinda made me sad but oh well.

My big pride and joy this year though was my Rani costume! More of a challenge than my Leela costume I consider this to be my first big real cosplay sewing project. The top was made out of furniture fabric, and I used a modified karate top pattern to get the shape. I was a bit sour towards the costume for a while, but I've mostly gotten over it. The top near the shoulders needs taking in some.... So any ways...
Here is my baby The Rani.

Ignore the messy room! LOL!!

I don't have on my earrings or my eye makeup in this picture so, it's not the best rep of the costume so uh, yeah sorry about that...
:) Just wanted to share with my fellow cosplay buddies! I know this might sound crazy but I'm already planing costumes for gally and next years Chicago Tardis!
*SIDENOTE*