Happy Halloween!

Boo!

Happy Halloweeny!

Starring Buffyfest (Tara as "The Mad Scientist", Michelle as "The Bride of Frank" and Bitsy as "Dracula") with supporting roles by Tom Lenk as "Frank" and Sarah Michelle Gellar playing an unusual part, for her, as "The Werewolf".

Fine Art Friday

Direct from the King of Seattle comes this beautiful demon painting. Our long time friend Aaron Bell from Slave to the Needle painted is especially for us. What a great gift.

He even included the Pulse logo. Along with being a tattoo staple in Pacific Northwest Aaron has created a ton of great flash that we sold the wheels off for years. I would bet you could stop in to almost any street shop in America and find Aaron's designs on the wall. He has a great eye for creating what the customer wants.I also seem to remember that I spend a bunch time riding Aaron about parting with the above sailor girl painting. It was a Skin & Ink magazine cover as well as a best selling print. I love that painting (I only own a print of it) and hope he will tire of it on his wall one day and part with it. One can always hope. Still going strong -Slave_to_the_Needle_Here

Also this week comes a strong painting from artist Mike Shea. I always liked the way the classic style and tattoo elements were twisted just a bit. Mike is always doing nice work up in Boston. http://www.redemptiontattoo.com/

Little manly Neeps

A headless chicken, that's what I am at the minute, a feckin' hen without a head running in circles about to collapse and go bye bye. I'm having yet ANOTHER f-ing panic attack and it is killing me. I've taken a sedative but I am quite maniacal and have vacuumed the whole house in the past 10 mins and tided up and got washed myself. I am going to have a break down, I'm serious, I've been having loads for weeks and there ain't nothing any of my Dr's can do but tell me to stay calm and take sedatives if I need them. I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING MAD. I'm not afraid to say that, I am not ashamed to be ill, just desperately, totally overcome with sadness and frustration. And panick.

So, as you can turn to another wonderful blog or tut at my self pity, or get annoyed that this girl is talking about herself like this again; I can write here without worrying about upsetting anyone and without hearing the disappointment in your voice, seeing the confusion on your face, hearing your questions that I don't have answers for.

I want to talk about normal stuff and I have photos I'd like to share. It's about Turnips and Leeks, wonderful grow our own produce to boast about.

I need to take a deep breath...

Right, 'Purple Top Milan', quite possibly the prettiest, peppery-est, easy to grow turnip I know. (I don't know many, this is the one we grew last year as well as this year again; my knowledge is thus limited.) Oh it is one of those veggies that just wants to grow, they push each other out of the way just to prove some point about how 'I want to grow more than you do, get out of my way, I mean it, I'll grow round you sucker!, this bed ain't big enough for the both of us'. Thus:

Well, they were all ready, the ones that you pull out, obviously leave a little room so the ones left behind sprint on - this bed has done us proud. (I see them as feisty Italian men, with too much testestrone, just a thought.) However, too big and they aren't as tasty so it was time to harvest the lot. We didn't need them right away so, after watching Gardeners' World we decided to store some in sand. Now luckily Mamma G happened to have some sand, (so thank you to her) and we had a gorgeous wine box = turnips topped and tailed, wiped with a cloth and allowed to go to bed. Thusly:

It was pouring out of the heavens by this time - hence the soaking wet sand but it'll be fine. They're stored in the dry safety of the shed and should hopefully last us a wee while.

"What if" with Scott Allie, Redux

"What if...it was Cordy, would Xander still have left her at the alter?"

It's a toughie, the stuff fandom 'shipping debates are made of. We honestly didn't know how Super Scott Allie would react to such blasphemy, but he did it on the spot and with poise. You can listen to his answer in full, below:



click play

Here's an exerpt:

"Wow. I do...like my gut reaction is like yeah, he definitely would have because if anything, the Cordelia relationship was more dysfunctional. But at the same time, and I'm sure this is gonna put me in hot water, I think, if anything, Xander did love Cordy more genuinely than he loved Anya...but Cordy abused Xander way more. Anya and him didn't really work, but I do think Xander loved Cordy more, but I still think he would've bailed - unless things had gone radically differently. But if say Cordy hadn't left for LA, she stayed in Sunnydale, they continued to date for another couple of years and then they were going to get married: I very much could see him leaving her at the alter.

Poor Xander.  He's just a mess. He can't function."

-Scott Allie

Dark Shadows at Twilight: A Paley Center Vampire Weekend

Super vampire fun! Wonder why they didn't do this closer to All Hallow's Eve? The New York branch of the Paley Center just announced a vampire themed event the weekend of November 13th, with screenings of several past PALEYFEST events—with reunions of the casts and creative teams of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, True Blood, and Dark Shadows, and more. Didn't know they did an Angel Paley event in 2001! There will also be a live panel with a bunch of bloggers and editors. Also:

"The Paley Center for Media has partnered with Entertainment Weekly to explore what’s going on. EW’s Ken Tucker will moderate a panel of informed fans to debate the relative merits of vampires across media, with special attention to the rankings of the Paley Center's TV Vampire Poll (vote through November 2). A display of EW’s coverage of the undead phenomenon will be on view in the Spielberg Gallery through November 15."

note: love the comparison of Angel/Spike to Bill Compton/Eric Northman in that poll.

Click below for the deets:
http://paleycenter.org/dark-shadows-at-twilight-a-paley-center-vampire-weekend

Σκορπιός

Επιτέλους...

...ο σκορπιός μου είναι έτοιμος!

Embracing the Autumn

A new background to help me deal with the fact that, yes, it is the Autumn, the trees are going to sleep and it is dark and miserable. I think I need to move south of the Equator for these next few months - summer is over; I'm a big girl I have to face it. Autumn is here.

This conker feel from a tree recently and almost killed me (evil nut). Very beautiful but so violent - why?

The Whedonverse Wins!

Everyone knows how I love me some lists and this week there were loads of them that included our favorite Whedonverse peeps and characters. Go vote where you can or just gloat where you can. Enjoy!


'Tis the Season! Buffy wins best TWOP Halloween episode with one of Tara's all time favorites "Halloween" and "Fear Itself" in a tie for the #1 slot.


Who's the geekiest of them all? Whedon is kicking Abrams butt at the moment:

Buffy makes #3 in the list of "Chosen Ones" which is pretty impressive given the people she's in line with in this list.

SMG at #11 and Dushku at #26 make Empire's 100 Sexiest Women.

"Hush" wins the #4 slot in the Scariest TV episodes category. Not sure I agree, but it is a scary episode.

Wow, that's a lot of lists!

Feeling sorry for myself

I haven't blogged in days, I haven't read many friend's blogs in days; I haven't been one bit interested. I'm going through (and as I think about it, I must be doing better if I'm writing today) a really rough patch again. Panic attacks and severe depression are eating away at me like a cancer. I feel heavy and confused in my head, my back and shoulders ache from the stress, my blood pressure is all over the place and I can't eat. Even my arms and legs feel heavy and my fingers are not typing the way they should. Who ever invented the delete button should have been made monarch of the world. I just wish there was a delete button in the real world.

Sorry to moan, I'm just feeling so awful. Photos of our 4 hour blitz at the lottie have been uploaded as I write and there are a couple of stories to tell. My words just won't form either in my head or straight from the finger tips like usual.

Instead I leave you for today with a befittingly sad photo. This poor sunflower had been blown over and the stem torn by the storms of last week. I cut the flower head off and went to take some pictures, it began to rain and then I noticed the damn slug there, just waiting to finish her off. It just encapsulates how I feel today, down, down and down, the world conspiring against me. It's dark in this place and the ropes lowered down by my few dear friends aren't long enough for me to reach.

Review of Rock of Ages starring Tom Lenk

I went to see Tom Lenk in Rock of Ages on Broadway this past Saturday, but got yelled at by a beastly security woman for taking photos. Like really yelled at and actually made to delete them. That was new. In the beginning of the show they said no flash photography and I thought that meant I could take the flash off. Shame because I got some fantastic ones of Tom in all his glory. Oh well, here is straggly cell phone photo of the awesome Sunset Strip themed set:

So, Tom Lenk joined the cast of Rock of Ages in September. Bitsy and I had seen him a few months prior, in his little last minute show at a comedy club in the theater district. He was actually in town at that moment to audition for Rock of Ages, which obviously went well. That night, Bits and I marveled at his charismatic performance, excellent singing voice and straight up good story telling. So naturally, I expected greatness out of him in this, his Broadway debut, and he didn't disappoint. Tom Lenk was truly incredible. He plays 'Franz', a role he originated in the Los Angeles and Las Vegas productions of Rock of Ages. The part is pretty demanding with big singing, dancing and a fun German accent to boot. The boy can work it. If you are in the New York area, I highly recommend seeing this fantastic show, especially if your a child of the 80's. Bring your non-Whedonite friends too. It's full of raunchy 80's hair band debauchery...so there's something for everyone. :)

Synopsis:

"In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA's most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the '80s. It's Rock of Ages , an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Foreigner and many more.

Following a successful off Broadway run and the sale of the film rights to New Line Cinema, Rock of Ages opened on 7 Apr 2009 at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre, following previews from 17 Mar, where it is currently selling tickets through to 28 Feb 2010."

Click below for the official site and ticket info:
http://www.rockofagesmusical.com/

David Boreanaz Cheating Scandal!

Look, it's a little known fact that behind the scenes of Buffyfest that I'm the one that tends to frequent the  the tabloids. A little Perez from time to time is my guilty pleasure. It seems, though, that I missed on all the major goss sites this juicy bit of controversy: David Boreanaz allegedly cheated on his Playmate wife of 8 years, Jaime Bergman, throughout her recent pregnancy with a miss Rachel Uchitel. Classy! She apparently broke it off after he failed to leave Jaime just after the birth of their new daughter! She, ironically, found it in poor taste that he called her during the baby's delivery when, you know, he was supposed to be leaving her and all. Double class! To quote Harmony "Ugh! Just Ugh! That's....Ugh!" Well put, Harm.

In the mean time, this story has sparked such creative headlines as:

"David Boreanaz gives 'Bones' a whole new meaning"

"Rachel Uchitel: Boning Bones Star David Boreanaz!"

and, of course "David Boreanaz is no angel."

Then again this info comes from Star magazine and their apparent "anonymous source" (gee I wonder who that might be, Classy Miss Rachel.) They are not exactly known for their achievement in professional journalism. I can't say that I would be all that surprised, though. It was a widely reported rumor back in the day that Boreano cheated on his then wife, Ingrid Quinn, as soon as he hit the big time with an upcoming starlet named Sarah Michelle Gellar. Who knows if that was true or not (that probably came from the reputable "Star" as well), but I think there's a small part of the hellmouth in all of us that thinks the real life Bangel is too fun a thing to resist.

Michelle will be waking to this devastating news just hours from now. We all know Boreano is her go to subject matter. Ah Boreano, if this is true, you're really in the doghouse now. Next time, try to keep it in your pants, dear. We don't like showing so much love on this site to douche bags, you hear? To quote bits, k thx bai.

I'll let you read the rest of the gory deets at the below linkage, so as to not totally soil the front page entirely:

Source:
http://www.starmagazine.com/david_boreanaz_cheating_wife/news/16164

**UPDATE** Sorry to say, the rumors are true. Source:

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20366077,00.html

The New Specialist, I Think We Got It

Over the last year we have been revamping our entire line of tattoo machine frames to incorporate out new vise. It works so well that we wanted all our frames to get the treatment. When it came time to add the new vice to the Specialist a bunch of questions came flooding into my mind about some of our design choices. The Specialist was our first frame and I felt it could use a little updating. The first thing on my wish list was to do away with the back tab and the channel that we created to slip the solder lug into. It made it very easy to put the back binder onto the machine and wire it, but it also made us cut binders down just for this frame for years. It also feels a bit lopsided, I also saw an opportunity to create a window in the rear stay like the Corsair. Which I love. I also felt the side plate of the machine could go on a diet and become bit more streamlined. We have taken it in, in a bunch of places.

The new rear tab is way more aesthetically pleasing, I love the new radius and the fact we can now use a regular binder for the rear, no more shorties! All in all I am really happy with the re-design. The machine also has the new vise, is a bit lighter, and still runs those 3's and 5's like the devil. It's a whole new Specialist, and it's ready to come live with you. Check it out AllNewSpecialistHere

fanvid sunday: "these are the daves I know" edition

I have no idea what the subject of this post means either. Except, of course, that I'm a fan of The Kids in the Hall from way back. Anyway! On with the show. Our first video is a mashup of the first season of Angel which never gets enough love. I mean... I love it. Why don't you? This fanvid should serve as a reminder of what made it great:


Find more videos like this on BAM Vid Vault


In addition, I'd like to call attention to a first time fanvidder and friend of Buffyfest, Steph, aka thegingerpire. She made a Doctor Who vid which is great for me since that's my other fandom and, oh look, it's all about Donna Noble who is, you guessed it, my fave companion from the new series. Check it out! Also, watch Doctor Who if you haven't been.



Did you think we were done? Not without this lovely coda that was emailed to us recently:



Okay, now I'm done. Happy Sunday, minions o' the fest, and have a great week.

The Best Angelus Story Never Told - Angel vs. Frankenstein

...until now, that is. It's not unknown at this point that some people find Angel to be kind of a bland, whiny, dude. I love him to pieces but I know that's sort of fringe thinking these days. Angelus, on the other hand, is generally accepted as being the best, most terrifying, and sinister villain Buffy has ever faced. It's a wonder more time has not been spent reveling in the time when our young Liam was the most sadistic son of a bitch in the known universe. Cue John Byrne to jump on the opportunity and craft an absolutely stunning period piece that pits our favorite evil vampire against one of the most well known monsters of all time: Frankenstein

Back when we interviewed Mariah and Chris, they told us that John had been kicking around the idea for this story since "Blood and Trenches" and that it was ultimately decided that it would work best as a kind of Halloween story. I wish that the book landed on a less cluttered month though, because I haven't seen anyone talking about even though it is, for my money, the best comic for fans of the 'verse to come out.

The story is a simple one, leaving plenty of room for these two larger than life characters to get in some suitably clever and creepy dialogue before duking it out. Angelus comes to Geneva, Switzerland for the same reason he goes anywhere: to cause a little mayhem, eat a few attractive women, and steal the fortune of a well-known family. Alright, that last thing took me a little off guard but, honestly, how else does Angelus do the things he does if he doesn't swipe off another man's wealth from time to time? What ties Angelus's antics to our mythic monster I'll leave as a surprise but, in short, it's darkly funny in that very Angelus sort of way.

What really sells the book is the treatment the two characters receive from Byrne. It's not easy to pen a tale where there really isn't a good guy and still have the audience care but does it with effortless aplomb and he does so by making sure to keep these characters fun and interesting (take note, Dollhouse writers). With Angelus, especially, I found myself wondering what kind of delicious acts of evil the bastard was going to get up to and I was never, ever disappointed. That's what makes it easy to root the Angelus, he's just so damned likable. Frankenstein's Monster acts as an incredible foil because he is deep in the moral gray, tragic, and downright scary even though he's kind of the hero of the piece. Byrne really captures the essence of the monster in a way that fits with Mary Shelley's mythos while simultaneously bringing a fresh approach that helps fit the character into an Angel story.

As for the art, much like "Blood and Trenches", Byrne finds that important middle ground between obsessing over making the characters look identical to the actors who played them and using artistic license. What impresses me most is the consistency. Even with good artists, I find that some panels are good while some seem rushed. Every frame, every moment is well crafted. It's sequential art at it's best, each beat pulling you further and further in. I especially love the look of Frankenstein's monster, all gaunt, sanguine, and zombie-like. He's really scary looking but not in a stupid, lumbering, Michael Meyers sort of way. There's a real intelligence that comes through not just in the writing but in the art as well.

If the goal was to make this into sell this as a Halloween story then let me remind you that Halloween is still a week away. Get yourself to your local comic book store and get this before the holiday passes you by. It's the perfect read for a scary night of kids in shoddy costumes coming to your house demanding candy.

Mingling with the hoi poloi

Yesterday Andrew and I had lunch with the Mayor in the Town Hall. Sounds very fancy and really is was very nice. We weren't alone though (we aren't that important), instead we were part of a large group of winners and runners up in the Carrickfergus in Bloom competition. Oh, the photos in the papers and the acolade of winning Best Kept Alloment of the year 2009 wasn't enough, no, we also had a gorgeous lunch, a certificate, a gift bag, Lottie book and our fabulous vouchers for the local nursery. Then again, there were another few photos taken for the papers; our 15 mins of fame is over.

It had been a very long time since I had been in the main hall of the Town Hall. I used to do solo singing when I was wee there, for the Music Festival. I always came 4th every year ( 5th once) - which is great but I never once got a prize or a certificate. Wick. I remember one year I was the 149th (last) person to sing, everyone was so bored and it ended up with most of the audience singing the bloody song with me! Can't blame them, sitting listening to that may kids sing the same song that many times I would go insane now.

So, to me the Hall was tiny, not the huge venue it was when I was 6-11yrs old. There were people from all over the brough and the whole age range too. We had a lovely elderly couple at our table who came second in the' Container Gardens' section and the winner of the 'Childrens' Painting Competition', Gemma, and her parents.

We had a very tasty lunch and red wine (yummy) and a short speech by the Ulster Co-ordinator of Ulster in Bloom, Ken. He spoke about how he was visiting his doctor recently and she asked wheater he was still in the post, telling him that gardening wasn't just good for you physcially but mentally too. I nearly jumped out of my seat I was so happy. Had to go over to him and have a wee chat. I've said it before.....Ecotherapy Rocks!!

It was fun, we have to try really hard to at least be runners up next year and get to go back. Oh and Stephen if you're reading this.... I didn't get a name badge and my name isn't on the certificate!! Shame.

For all the winners, runners up and a chance to see Gemma's fab painting check here.

Fine Art Flowers

This set of paintings was created by tattooist / painter Jay Langer. Jay had done a beautiful series of paintings that interspersed bones with flowers. It was a nice mix of morbid beauty, I loved the concept and the pieces were great to mount together with the ribs up top and the hip in the lower position.

Jay is a very talented guy, along with holding down full time duties at his studio he paints, plays in a band, builds bikes, designs for a T Shirt Co., makes flash...yeah Jay is one of those guys. Super energy, super productivity -great combo. Check him out -http://www.myspace.com/jaylanger.

Another great painting that hangs at Pulse with a beautiful traditional flower comes from Grez DNA. If you are familiar with Grez then you know how clean and strong his tattoo work is. His paintings stand up to that same visual test. He has a great eye for structure and a great grasp of those classic images that define western traditional tattooing.

Is that not the perfect tattoo rose? I also remember eyeing this pieces for half a day as I cruised through a convention. I came back to buy it right before I left and was really happy. As I was thanking Grez and walking away from the table CIV had walked up and was asking Grez about this painting, it seems he also wanted to purchase it. I am sorry about that CIV, but I love the piece. Grez has been tearing it up over at Mike Rubendall's Kings Avenue Tattoo. http://kingsavenuetattoo.com/

Whedonverse Holiday Ornament Swap 2009!

It's that time of year again! Get ready for another round of our Annual Whedonverse Holiday Ornament Swap. Last year was big fun and we ended up with some fabulous Whedonverse themed adornments! See for yourself the results of everyone's craftiness here:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/buffyfestholidayswap/

Wasn't that awesome? If this is your first time reading about the swap..let us explain. The purpose of this event is to craft 4-6 ornaments with a Whedonverse theme and send them to 4-6 different recipients. In return you will receive 4-6 completely different handmade ornaments to adorn your tree or any place you'd like. As you can see from the photos, you really can make them out of whatever you want. Wood, knit, sew, paint, draw, sculpt, paper craft, glue, recycle old ornaments (earth friendly!)....have fun with it!

If you want to be down, Whedonverse Holiday Ornament Swap sign-ups begin right now. Sign-ups will end on Friday, November 6th at 11:59 U.S. Eastern Standard Time. Please be willing to go through with this entire thing before signing up. Deadbeats will ruin the holiday cheer for everyone and make people sad. Here are the guidelines:

1. Sign up for the swap by sending an email with the following information to buffyfest@aim.com by November 6th.
- name
- address
- email address
- your website or blog (if you have one)
- whether your are willing to ship internationally

2. On November 9th you'll receive an email from us containing the addresses and email addresses of 4-6 other swap participants to send your ornaments to. (Again, you will have access to each others home addresses, as well as email addresses. Please contact each other with any disputes, questions or praise.)

3. Design a Whedon themed ornament that you can create multiples of (or make each one unique, up to you) and make your fabulous ornaments.

4. Package your ornaments well - especially if you create anything fragile. (Note that most international shipping requirements do not allow for any plant life or food type stuff.)

5. Send one of your ornaments to each person on the list of 4-6 other swap participants in your group by December 1st.

6. Sit back, relax and wait as you receive 4-6 lovely Whedonverse ornaments in the mail!

7. If you would like to share photos of the ornaments you make and receive, please do so in the swap flickr group here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/buffyfestholidayswap. You will need a flickr account to upload photos. A flickr account is free and easy to set up. you are responsible for posting your own photos if you wish to do so.

8. A note on international shipping. Please only select international shipping if you are willing to ship at least 2-3 of your ornaments overseas. Research the cost of shipping and take that into account when you design your ornament--lighter and more compact ornaments are cheaper to ship.

Any questions? Email buffyfest@aim.com

I've done a terrible thing

I have fallen for a house, no I know it's not as bad as cheating on my hubby or hiding chocolate biscuits. I haven't lied, stolen or killed anyone but I feel so terrible and wrong. Yes, I love a house and we're going to see it again tomorrow night.

I've been playing about with the estate agents brochure and changing things, all your darn blogs have me full of ideas for the quite large back garden and I think I may go mad. If I explode (as I think I may - we haven't sold our house yet and the Hubby has loads more houses he wants to see) and if I do this is my last will and testament (or at the very least, what I can think of now to put in one).

I, Carrie, of Grow Our Own, being of sound mind (hahahaa, maniacal laugh) here by leave everything to my Husband and dog (Maggie aka 'the Magster'). My body is to be cremated and put in the compost or round the roses I don't know what's best for human remains.
My lottie and all within in should stay in the name of my Husband and should be a place of happiness and fun for all. My blog shall end with a heartfelt post by my nearest and dearest with a slide show and rousing music. Jaffa Cakes must be eaten all day everyday for a month after my demise and Shiraz and/or Merlot drunk by the bucket load.
Here endth the last will and testament of Carrie.

Yes, I may explode; moving house is a scary, wonderfully exciting experience, I just don't know if I'm cut out for it. I've picked the one I want and now I am going to drink my 2nd glass of wine to ease the pain of what could be unrequited love.

N.B. to Andrew ~ please take a photo of said exploded body, could be very artistic. Get Colin to exhibit it under the Vent Collective please.

Deeper shade

Deeper shade:
Η επιστήμη της δερματοστιξίας σε διαφορετικούς τόνους.
Οι άνθρωποι με σκούρο δέρμα έχουν περιορισμένες επιλογές σχεδίων και χρωμάτων λόγω της σκούρας απόχρωσης του δέρματος τους.

Οι δημιουργοί και οι πελάτες τους πρέπει να συμβιβαστούν λόγω του ασυμβίβαστου μερικών χρωμάτων και των τόνων τους.

Για να καταλάβουμε γιατί ορισμένα χρώματα είναι ασύμβατα με σκούρα δέρματα, πρέπει πρώτα να εξετάσουμε τους μηχανισμούς του ίδιου του δέρματος. Στο tattoo δουλεύονται μόνο τα δύο πρώτα επίπεδα του δέρματος που ονομάζονται επιδερμίδα και δέρμα.

Η επιδερμίδα είναι βασικά φτιαγμένη από κύτταρα μελανίνης και κερατίνης.Αυτά τα κύτταρα παράγουν την πρωτείνη που δίνει στην επιδερμίδα προστατευτική ιδιότητα.
Αναπαρ'αγονται κάθε 35-45 ημέρες και σταδιακά συμπυκνώνονται και απορρίπτονται από το δέρμα σαν νεκρά κύτταρα.

Τα μελανοκύτταρα παράγουν μελανίνη, την ουσία που δίνει στο δέρμα το χρώμα του.
Οταν παράγεται μελανίνη απορροφάται από τα κύτταρα της κερατίνης με σκοπό την προστασία του δέρματος των ανθρώπων.Η διαφορά στην ποσότητα της μελανίνης μας δίνει τους διαφορετικούς τύπους δέρματος των ανθρώπων.

Εχοντας αυτά υπόψιν προχωρούμε στο δέρμα.
Αυτός ο ιστός είναι κάτω από την επιδερμίδα και εμπεριέχει όλα τα νεύρα, τις ρίζες των τριχών και τα αιμοφόρα αγγεία.Οταν κάποιος κάνει tattoo οι βελόνες εισχωρούν στην επιδερμίδα πιέζοντας και αποθηκεύοντας μελάνι στο δέρμα μόνιμα.
Γι αυτό αν και τα κύτταρα της επιδερμίδας συνεχώς ανανεώνονται τα tattoo παραμένουν.
Το δέρμα είναι ημιδιαφανές και γι αυτό τα χρώματα φαίνονται κάτω από τα επίπεδα της επιδερμίδας.Αν το δέρμα έχει μεγαλύτερη συγκέντρωση μελανίνης τότε είναι λιγότερο διαφανές και έτσι επιτρέπει σε λιγότερα χρώματα να φαίνονται.

Δεν νομίζω πως σας είπα κάτι που δεν γνωρίζετε! Προσπάθησα όμως να σας εξηγήσω με επιστημονικό τρόπο, γιατί τα χρώματα είναι μουντά σε ανθρώπους με σκούρο δέρμα, αν και το αποτέλεσμα σε κάθε περίπτωση διαφέρει! Το δέρμα είναι μοναδικό και ότι είναι καλό για κάποιους τύπους δέρματος μπορεί να προκαλέσει προβλήματα σε άλλους.

Η καλύτερη συμβουλή που μπορώ να σας δώσω, είναι να βρείτε έναν δημιουργό, που να έχει τη γνώση και την εμπειρία που χρειάζεται, για να καταλάβει την πρόκληση του να δουλεύει σε βαθύτερους τόνους δέρματος! Δεν υπάρχουν πολλοί.....

Scott Allie Exurbia Signing This Weekend

For any southern California Buffy fans, Scott Allie, our favorite Dark Horse editor and one of only a few people who know the identity of Twilight, will be signing copies of his graphic novel Exurbia at two locations this weekend. If you want to know more about the graphic novel, check out the interview we did with Scott here.


Here's the location info:

October 23rd at The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach - 3 to 5 pm.

October 24th at Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles - 2 to 4 pm.

"What if...?" with Brian Lynch

Hello again, dear friends! Had you suspected that Brian Lynch had something more to say? Did you think that, mayhap, team Buffyfest was holding out on you, that there was some part of the interview that we'd kept a super secret? Well... actually, that's true and thank goodness for editing because some of the stuff Brian and I talked about was more than a little ridiculous. However there is one more question! A glorious "What if?" that I hope you'll enjoy to the best of your ability. Enjoy, damn you!

Buffyfest: What if Joss gives you the blessing to make an actual Angel: After the Fall movie but you can only keep one of the original stars. Who do you keep and who do you cast to replace the rest?

Brian Lynch: I think you'd have to keep Angel if it's called ANGEL. But fans wouldn't accept anyone else as SPIKE so he's not in it.

Buffyfest: Marsters would be easier to get

Brian Lynch: I could get David Bananas, don't you worry. But it's called ANGEL, so we need ANGEL. Right? Well, if the movie is called ANGEL:AFTER THE FALL, and we don't have Angel in it, that would be weird. If we go with James, it will be called SPIKE. You said it had to be called ANGEL.

Buffyfest: I did. Unless it's the Spike movie that you want to make. I'll allow the option.

Brian Lynch: Well I would kill to do SPIKE:ASYLUM.

Buffyfest: Alright, perfect. You get Marsters and then you're wide open to cast everyone ele as you see fit.

Brian Lynch: James as Spike, Michael Keaton as the voice of Betta George. If Beck was older, Jewel Staite. If Beck is younger, hmmmm. Give me one moment. See, I don't know many teen actresses. Are there any good actresses on GOSSIP GIRL or something. Brunettes?

Buffyfest: I watch Gossip Girl, actually. Much better than watching, say, Melrose Place...

Brian Lynch: Wait, the girl from VAMPIRE DIARIES, that was also on DEGRASSI. She's not too bad. Though the whole vampire of it all might be weird. Pick your favorite GOSSIP GIRL, then. And go with her

Buffyfest: I actually kind of like the girl from Zombieland: Emma Stone

Brian Lynch: Oh good call. Duh. Yeah. She's great. You win this round.

Buffyfest: I do indeed

Brian Lynch: Alright, I have to go cry.


And there you have it. Surely, one of the most fascinating and important moments of your life and mine!

The Duality of Autumn

It has been bloody pouring all day, the wind is up, the house has had to have the heating on, I'm wrapped in my comfort blanket and Maggie has so far refused to go out and pee (she hates bad weather). I'm going to grab her when she least expects it and throw her out! It's also dark and thus headachey, can you tell I'm not exactly chuffed with the day we're having?

Autumn. It's the season when everything dies (bit dramatic there I know, my Cyclamen are gorgeous, parsnips fat and still growing) and there is rain and muck and greyness and dark mornings and running to the car from the front door yet still getting wet; don't even mention frizzy hair! It's the season were I just want to pack up my kit and go hide out somewhere. Maybe I could be a writer or painter (photography isn't great in weather like this) and just immerse myself in my 'work' for a few months with a huge 'DO NOT DISTURB' sign on my door. My pieces would be dark, brooding and full of depth, hidden meanings and wisdom beyond my years. I would eat only chocolate biscuits and drink copious amount of (decaff) coffee, peppermint tea and the reddest of wines.

But no. I sit here in the full knowledge that I have to go out soon and face the weather-y music. We're house hunting and time waits for no wo/man at this hour. The lottie needs tended to this weekend even if it is blowing a gale and raining so hard I can't see out my glasses. Then of course there will be the usual chit chat about Christmas being just around the corner and NO I bloody well don't have my shopping done, for goodness sake.

~~~

Deep breath.

~~~

Then there is another side of Autumn that I LOVE!! The colours is an obvious thing, the leaves (dry leaves) on the ground just waiting, wanting to be kicked. The boxes of bulbs arriving on the door step, the hard work digging manure into the beds (mainly to keep you from freezing, or crying, or both), the earlier nights and cuddles on the sofa and the blue sky, that amazing azure blue that you only get on a crisp bright Autumn day with the whitest of clouds floating by.

It's also the time when you get to buy jumpers and cardigans and heavier coats and people can't see that little (or maybe not so little) belly you have and swore you'd walk off but didn't.

There's Tree Week and the possibility of sitting with friends around a wood stove outside and playing with sparklers (I like to write my name with them), maybe even apple dunking and the big fireworks displays that are put on. The scary drives into the countryside or the organised trips to old graveyards, hospitals, prisons at the witching hour! Ohhhh.

Yep, Autumn = duality of emotions. Right now though I'm firmly in the 'right Maggie, you are going out to pee' mood, which will be followed by the 'do I want to sign my life away and buy this person's house' mood - eeek! That last one is scarier than any horror movie, BIG decisions - I'd rather do some weeding, in the rain.

Buffyfest Interviews the Lovely Miracle Laurie

It was Sunday morning and Tara and I were sitting in a gigantic pier. Were we taking a boat trip on the Hudson? Nope. We were at Big Apple Con, where we were lucky enough to meet Miracle Laurie of Dollhouse fame. In case you live in a hobbit hole, she plays active Mellie/November/Madeline. After playing a bit of the new Super Mario game for the Wii, we hunkered down into her autographing area and got down to interviewing business.

Bitsy: This is Buffyfest and we're doing an interview here with Miracle Laurie here at Big Apple Con.

Tara: Big Apple Comic Con.

Bitsy: Yes! Or that. Alright, so the first question is: So you've been pegged as being a little bit of an optimist. Let's say, theoretically, since people are trying to make that Dollhouse technology into a reality, do you think there's any chance that it can be used positively? Or is it always going to end in tears?

Miracle Laurie: Well, we actually have done a couple engagements on the show where it is pro bono, where they go and do good things in the world..so yes, I do think so. Is it morally right no matter what? Probably not. (laughs) It's nice that they use it for good sometimes but really that's not what it comes down to.

Listen to the audio of the next part below:



Bitsy: Speaking of technology, talking about one thing everybody uses, you use twitter a lot now...

Miracle: I'm a big tweeter! Yeah!

Tara: So am I!

Bitsy: Yep, we all kind of do the tweet.

Miracle: I resisted all of that kind of stuff in the beginning, just because it's not in my nature at all. And I realized it's kind of necessary and actually quite fun and I've really started to enjoy connecting with everybody.

Bitsy: Yeah, you've connected with a couple of fans now, haven't you?

Miracle: Oh definitely yeah! One in particular - Madelaine Anne is a name that sticks out - and she follows me on twitter and replies to me a lot. She was actually here today and I got a picture with here. So it's fun to put the faces with the names and the handles and stuff. And I just want to tell everyone: even if I don't respond to your replies, I read EVERYTHING. I read everything that people say to me, everything on Facebook. I check it all out every day. I have to get better at replying to everyone but...but I'm there I watch, I listen!

Bitsy: Do you think that twitter played a part, like the campaigns that happened in helping Dollhouse get renewed for that second season?

Miracle: Oh hell yeah! Oh definitely...yeah absolutely. I think that everyone's efforts - The facebook efforts, twitter and all the websites like you guys and everyone else, really added up and became quite the powerhouse that FOX had to reckon with. And they did and they made the right decision.

Listen to the audio of the next part below:



Bitsy: Alright, so I was going to ask you since I know that you were at least a fan of some of the other shows, a hypothetical question. Let's say, if you could play ANY part in any Joss Whedon show other than the one you play now, what would it be and why?

Miracle:
Uh, (laughs) Uh, if I were a man I'd love to play Spike! I thought he was like the hottest, coolest character...super fun and just cool leather jacket, very old school. And I love all the stuff they got him to do when they did all the flashbacks with Angel and all that stuff. I thought that was really, really fun. So he was pretty cool. Or Willow. She's just straight up badass.

Bitsy: Nice!

Tara: Great answer.

Miracle: Goofy and badass at the same time.

Tara: That's a good segue to Buffy. So you're a Buffy fan.

Miracle: Yes.

Tara: What's your favorite Buffy episode?

Miracle: It's not very creative. I love the Musical cause who doesn't? I've never been to a screening, though. I'm sure you know that they do actual screenings.

Tara: Oh yeah.

Miracle: I'd love to go to that. I love the Musical..I love The Body, I thought that was like INCREDIBLE tv making. I thought Sarah was amazing in that episode. Those are probably my top 2.

Tara: Do you have a favorite season, favorite arc?

Miracle: I really enjoy the middle. Towards the end of the last season it got a little sketchy for me.

Bitsy: Oh really, season 7 was a little sketch?

Miracle: Yeah, I mean I watched every second of it, I cried at the last episode because it was over...but I really enjoyed the middle chunk a lot.

Bitsy: I know you watch Fringe and you watch, what is it, Amazing Race? Those are the two I've seen you tweet about.

Miracle: Yes.

Bitsy: I do research. That's right, I looked at your twitter at five o'clock in the morning.

Tara: (laughing) That's your research.

Bitsy: Hard at work. Anything else that you watch? Any movies that you like?

Miracle: I love Lost. I was into it in the very beginning and then the polar bear and I was like "What the hell is happening?" and I left again. My friend was like "You don't understand, it's totally worth it, it you're gonna love it". I got back into it and I just freaked out. I thought it was amazing. So, I'm totally addicted as is my fiance.

Bitsy: Are you gonna be sad? It ends this year. This is the end.

Miracle: I know. Let's see. Sunday television is Amazing Race, nothing on Mondays or Tuesdays for me, Wednesdays is America's Next Top Model. I don't really watch for the drama because really they're all like twelve year old girls, just obnoxious, but...I love all their challenges, I love all the photo shoots and I used to model, so I kind live vicariously through them and remember the good old days.

Tara: I was about to ask if that was the reason.

Miracle: Yeah, it's really fun to watch. Thursdays is Fringe and Project Runway.

Bitsy: That's my favorite reality tv show

Miracle: Fridays is Dollhouse, of course, and that's pretty much it. That's my appointment television. I love rewatching movies I've seen about a thousand times. I love old stuff like "I Love Lucy".

Bitsy: Cool. Do you think you can be objective when you watch Dollhouse? Like, do you watch and say "I liked this, I didn't like that" or is it impossible?

Miracle: It's difficult sometimes. I think I can be objective about myself which is odd. Like some actors cannot watch themselves. I don't mind it. It doesn't feel like I'm watching me. I don't know if I have like a split personality or something that I can just separate but it's fun to just look and say "ew, that's not so good" or "wow, that turned out great". Like for example, when I saw my first episode this season as Madeline with Paul, I was really worried it would really read as Mellie and Paul and that any kind of flirtation would be residual and left over and I didn't feel that way. I felt it was a totally different relationship.

Bitsy: What's the hardest thing you've had to do on the show so far and what do you think is the easiest?

Miracle: One of the hardest scenes for me that stands out is when I had to tell Paul that I was a doll. It was very expositional and I couldn't have a feeling about what I was saying either way vs. nine episodes of working with this guy and just being in love with him all the time and all this emotion and I had to have none in front of this guy that I have this relationship with and Tahmoh was so great in that episode his heart was breaking in front of me for like three hours and I couldn't react to him and it was a lot of dialogue it was like a four or five page scene and it was a lot. It was just very weird to be that neutral in that situation. As a doll you are in doll mode and your in the clothes and in the (doll)house, this is like Mellie/ Paul land which is rife with all kinds of crap and I had to go and do that sequence and so that was really tricky for me and very emotional. Easiest Stuff? I dunno...

Tara: Nothing

Bitsy: Being in bed with Tahmoh Pennikett,

Miracle: Well. (laughs) No he made it comfortable for me. Like that and the fight scenes would be very challenging but I think I was just excited to be there and do the work. It's all been fun and easy and challenging on it's own level. It's just been a total dream.

Tara: You were a model and I’m assuming you’re still into fashion.

Miracle: Not really.

Tara: Do you like how they dress you on the show?

Miracle: Yeah, I do. I should say that I was modeling when I was twelve to fourteen, but I was freakishly tall and had a mature face. So I worked as an adult, but I was still a kid. I was never one of the girls that looked at the magazines and said, “I’m gonna model some day.” It was never really a dream of mine, I always wanted to act and someone approached me in a supermarket and said I should be a model. She took pictures of me and sent them to the manager and the owner and they loved me. So, I started working. It was really, really great, but I did it because I thought it would be a doorway into acting.

You know, I can barely dress myself to be honest with you. I’m just like hippy, hula girl who would rather be barefoot and in a sarong, but working on the show I’ve been educated on many different designers because I’ve worn them. Shoes!? Who knew? I normally hate shoes, but I’m starting to realize how important they are and how fabulous they can be. So, I’m very excited to say that now I’m slowly coming into the fashion world as an educated human being.

Tara: Barefoot, no more.

Bitsy: So, we’re here at a comic book convention. If you could have any superpower which would it be?

Miracle: Oh, flight. Since I was a kid I wanted to fly. I still think it’s possible some day. I don’t know how I’m going to work it out.

Bitsy: Do you have the flight dreams? Dreams of you flying?

Miracle: I have never. Isn’t that ridiculous? Since I can remember, I wanted to fly, but I’ve never dreamt of flying. I daydream...but I don’t need to be like Superman, I just want to fly above traffic. Like, I could just be at building level, it doesn’t have to be anything crazy.

Bitsy: So if we got you like a little Jetson’s flying car, would that be satisfying?

Miracle: That’d be awesome or just a little shuttle pack or a jet pack or I could just hover, like a hoverboard from Back to the Future.

Bitsy: Oh, the Back to the Future 2 hoverboard? I like that one.

Miracle: Yeah, that would work for me.

Bitsy: Couldn’t go on water, though.

Miracle: That’s okay. I just want to be above the ground and feel that sensation.

Tara: Ok, we want to do a quick word association. We’ll give you a word and you give us a word.

Miracle: Okay.

Buffyfest: You don’t have to think too much, just blurt it out.

Miracle: OK

Listen to the audio of the Whedonverse Word Association below:



Buffyfest: The Whedon Fandom.

Miracle: Awesome.

Buffyfest: Paul Ballard

Miracle: Hot.

Buffyfest: New York City.

Miracle: Probably my favorite city in the world.

Buffyfest: Serenity (the movie).

Miracle: Almost in it, I think. (laughs)

Buffyfest: Really?!

Miracle: Yeah, I’m not giving one word answers, sorry. (laughs)

Buffyfest: What! Do you know who you were going to play?

Miracle: I don’t know, no. It was a very weird situation, but I think I was almost in it, yeah. Keep going!

Buffyfest: You're like "Moving on!" OK. Faith, the Vampire Slayer.

Miracle: Echo.

Buffyfest: The Dollhouse.

Miracle: Home.

Thanks so much to Miracle Laurie! Click here to follow Miracle on twitter, if for some reason you're not already!

Joss Whedon To Direct an Episode of the Hit Show 'Glee'

Michael Ausiello gets the Whedon-ey scoop once again. This time the juicy exclusive is that Joss Whedon will direct one of the back nine episodes of the much loved show Glee (FOX). NOBODY PANIC! This does NOT mean that Dollhouse has been passed over for it's own back nine. We REALLY wouldn't want that to happen. Especially us here at Buffyfest. We are very supportive of Dollhouse...Michelle in particular.

Ahem.

Joss himself commented about the news on Whedonesque a short time ago saying:

"Whom will I kill? When will that go away? Is death really the only thing I'm known for? I'd hope not. You know how many people in the world actually die? ALL OF THEM. You know how many I've killed? Statistically, somewhat fewer. Can't we focus on another element of my work? Having said that, probably Principal Figgins. (No! I kid! God.)"

...amongst other things. Oh Joss Whedon, you murdering prankster you. Go to Whedonesque for his full statement. Fun stuff.

Holy Geekery! Dr. Horrible and The Guild Screening in Los Angeles

I've been to a bunch of Whedonverse events in the past few years, but Friday night was my first experience on the West Coast. The Guild and Dr. Horrible screenings were held at the awesome Egyptian Theater right in the heart of Hollywood. When we first got to this sold out event, we found our seats about 10 rows back and surrounded by a lovely bunch of people including Joel Champagne (great name), the West Side Browncoat extraordinaire! We were serenaded with the music from OMWF while we waited and fun fact, while Ivan was getting me popcorn, he saw Dichen Lachman standing in the ticket line. No guest list, I guess? Envor Gjokaj was also in attendence (so handsome) and there was a rumor that Amy Acker was there, but I saw no such sighting.

Check out this adorable mini Dr. Horrible who probably had more requests for photos than Joss Whedon himself.

They screened the entire Season 2 of The Guild and the music video "Do you want to Date My Avatar?" I had never seen The Guild before and I really enjoyed it. I'll be checking out the rest of the Seasons in the very near future.

After Dr. Horrible was finished and I cried over Penny's death for the millionth time, it was time for questions. Check out the video below for some of the panel discussion. There were some technical difficulties with shakiness and, unfortunately, the battery died 3/4 of the way through, but there's some fancy notes to enjoy even further down the page with all the info from the night.




- Felicia Day is an online gaming addict and after an intervention by a friend she quit playing. Shortly after, she started shooting The Guild in her house.

- Joss Whedon said Dr. Horrible was partly inspired by The Guild, the writer's strike and because he's a nerd.

- Dr. Horrible took 5 months in total from inception to streaming. it took 6 days to shoot and a few weeks to do the music.

- Ben Edlund (love him) was supposed to be part of Dr. Horrible, but he wasn't available at the time of production. Wonder if there would have been puppets?

- When The Guild first started shooting, none of the cast knew the gaming terms (except for Felicia Day) and they had to study up on their pronunciation.

- Fun Whedon family fact: Joss Whedon used to direct his brother's in movies when he was 8 years old. "Stupid Man" was the title of young Whedon's early film (cute).

After the panel discussion, the floor was opened up to the audience for questions:

- The first was the inevitable question of "Will there be a Dr. Horrible II?" The answer was "maybe" and they have "high hopes". They do have a title already, some songs and "3 1/2 jokes" written.

- Someone asked how Joss incorporates color theory into his filming. His answer, "Color is awesome."

- Felicia Day either can't poop when she drinks coffee or drinks coffee so she can poop. It wasn't clear enough to decipher.

- A fan asked if Joss could save the show Heroes. Zach Whedon answered that question with the awesome: "No one can save Heroes."

- Dr. Horrible was edited on Avid.

- Someone asked about the future of "rogue" entertainment on the internets. Joss said he tells people to get their friends together and do some funny stuff and he always gets the same reply of "...but you're friend is Nathan Fillion." Probably easier to shoot an internet film with Mal/Caleb/Capt. Hammer as your sidekick.

- One person asked if they could be friends with the panel. Joss responded, "Sadly, our quota is filled."

- Jed Whedon responded to a music composition question. He first writes the music and hopes for the lyrics to follow and if all else fails, he asks Joss to write some of it.

- A person wanted to know the title of the Dr. Horrible sequel. Joss wouldn't reveal, but they did come up with a few alternatives like Dr. Horrible: The College Years and Live Free or Dr. Horrible. Ha!

- A proud Firefly fan asked Joss what it is about him that makes us so invested in his work. Joss answered with a humble, "When you find out, let me know."

- There will be a Dr. Horrible: Commentary soundtrack released in the near future.

- As we all know, Cabin in the Woods will now be in 3D, but we'll have to wait another 11 months to see it.

So, that about covers the event and all its eventfulness. Oh, one more thing, check out the picture below and enjoy the irony my fellow Buffyfest Bloggers!

"Knock Yerself Out" - Out Now

"Knock Yerself Out" is the sequel to the best selling Joe Capobianco sketchbook. Joe has returned with this brand new collection of sketches, drawings, and color studies. Line work to fully rendered, the "Capo Gal" never looked so good. Doll after doll is lined up and ready to be inked! Joe created this book to be used like flash and as always it's packed front to back with a bevy of beautys. Full color -Hard Cover- 120 pages - A knockout of a collection and a must for reference, with an amazing price tag -TWENTY FIVE CLAMS!!KnockYerselfOut-AvailableNow