Monday, December 25, 2023

December 25th 2023

It was nice to sleep in a bit. Was up and at 'em in plenty of time to get ready for Dad to pick me up and take me down to their house. Nathanael and Mitchell got there just before me. Immediately sampled some of Mom's baked treats. She had made a whole bunch of cookies and brownies and fudge and had already packed up some for each of us! We had a very nice dinner (I might have spoiled it by eating too many cookies and brownies). Then we unwrapped presents. Mitchell got me something very cool and Nathanael got me some peanut butter fudge from Cabela's. Mom and Dad got me several cool presents too. I felt silly that I hadn't got anyone anything, but I'm completely broke. (I even forgot their cards at home :( ) Nevertheless, we had a good time. When I got home, I watched the Doctor Who Christmas Special and then went to bed. 



Saturday, December 23, 2023

December 23rd 2023

Worked my shift. My phone was working really inconsistently this morning and I was getting worried it would cut out altogether before I could get a replacement. Unfortunately, while I was still at work, it died for good. No more waking this bad boy up. Fortunately, over the last week with all the trouble it has been giving me, I've moved all my files over to the SD card I use for additional storage and the memos over to my email so that I can access them from everywhere. When I got home, I used my laptop to message Mom and let her know that I'll be a little harder to contact until I can get a new phone. Spent the rest of the evening working on my computer and watching shows. It will also be more difficult for me to keep track of what I've done day to day without my phone camera. 



Thursday, November 30, 2023

The Last Day of NaNoWriMo - November 30th 2023

My primary concern after work today was to finish my 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo. With my shortcoming yesterday, I had 5,752 words left to accomplish my goal. Unfortunately, I was terribly ill during the afternoon with an awful fever - freezing cold and couldn't warm up. I thought it was merely the weather, but I realized it was some sort of ailment later on. I allowed myself a couple of naps during the afternoon, nodding off in my chair in between writing. In the end, I did succeed. At the eleventh hour, but a success nonetheless. With 5,840 words, I surpassed 50,000 words for my novel and with that I fell asleep.  I wasn't satisfied with the quality of the story I'd written, but I'm certain there are aspects which will survive in revision.

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

November 29th 2023

I was quite tired today and managed to work (there was a beautiful sunrise!) and then tried my best to write, but I struggled even more than I did on the drive home yesterday. I only managed 1,547 words today.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

The Drive Back to Ohio - November 28th 2023

I wanted to get up and get going as quickly as possible, as I didn't take tomorrow off work, so I didn't want to be out too late. We left around 10am. About 11:30, we stopped at a deli in Hoboken for a cannoli for Mom, she was very sad that she wasn't able to come with us and she said that she would very much like for us to bring a cannoli home to her, so I found one before we left the New York/New Jersey area. Then we got back on the road and headed home.

I worked on my writing of course, though I was troubled in my thoughts and it never flowed quite as certainly as it did on the way down. Nevertheless, in my determination to turn in an impressive word count on the last day of my little getaway, I persevered and turned in 4,101 words. We stopped at another Wendy's during the afternoon for a bite to eat and I arrived home around 9pm and retired. 

Monday, November 27, 2023

The Day of the Event! - November 27th 2023

I woke up very early and didn't get up at first, because I didn't want to disturb Dad, it turned out he couldn't sleep because of his pain. I got up and began writing at the desk in the corner. I wanted to hit my word count before the event, if at all possible. Initially, I had hoped to go into the city early and see some things. With the lack of funds, I chose one thing I really wanted to see, which was the Museum of the Motion Picture - also the venue for the event. Unfortunately, I had overlooked that they are closed on Mondays, a fact that my friend Ken informed me of.

I managed to get my word count for the day - a healthy 3,800 words. Dad watched some Star Trek: The Next Generation in the meanwhile. Then we got ready to go to the event. We decided to go into town a few hours early, to find our parking and some good pizza! We noticed a place while circling the area looking for a good place to park and decided to try it. It was a pizza chain called Uno that I never had tried before.

Once I had figured out how to pay for our parking space (I definitely couldn't afford to be towed) we went to get our pizza. I was terribly hungry by this point. We met some other Thomas fans there, as a number of people had gathered there to await the event. (Great minds think alike!) There were even people from Los Angeles here for the movie, which is very exciting. This is huge!

After a quick run back to the car, it was time to get ready for the event and we were all lined up outside the venue, waiting for the doors to open. There were at least 200 of us in line! (It was a sold out event!) Once we were in, we got a few photos on the blue carpet and then were seated. It was the perfect venue for it, with all the blue in the theater. As an executive producer (a fancy way of saying I made a contribution and wanted my name in the credits) there were seats for us in the reserved section at the front, which was exciting. 

Then it was time for the main event! Josh, one of the producers and an old friend of mine, introduced the director, Brannon Carty and he in turn introduced our surprise guests - none other than Rick Siggelkow (creator of Shining Time Station) and Britt Allcroft (creator of Thomas & Friends) following which, we watched the film! Without giving too much away, (as I want you all to watch it when it becomes available), the film was amazing! I was absolutely blown away. 

I never doubted for a moment that it was going to be amazing, but it somehow managed to be even better than I had imagined. The interviews were edited to perfection, blended almost seamlessly into a cohesive narrative that kept the film moving forward. The musical score was absolutely breathtaking as well, perfectly highlighting all the right moments with emotion. I'm also quite fond of the title sequence and credits as well! All in all, a fantastic film and I can't wait for my copy and to be able to show it to the rest of my family. 

After the screening, there were additional surprises as we discovered one of the models used in Thomas & Friends was still intact and in the possession of a fan who put it on display for the event! We got a fantastic Q&A session with key people behind the documentary and then another amazing Q&A with our special guests and the fan whose interview was central to the film. (I really wish I'd have recorded these.) I finally got to meet Ken and Dylan in person and we got pics together! Got pics with some of the talent behind the film as well (Carty, Josh, Ahmad, John, Matt). 

I also swung by the autograph table and said a few words to Britt Allcroft (I was so excited I got a bit choked up and was speechless afterwards) Unfortunately, I can't remember what I said to Rick Siggelkow, but he was very nice and gave me an additional autograph on my new in package ERTL Thomas in the Shining Time packaging.

Also, I got to witness a proposal! Jadan proposed to his girlfriend Jacqueline, who funny enough is from Ohio as well! After all this excitement, we headed back to the hotel, and stopped by the food truck out front and then I crashed. It was such an amazing and exciting night!

0 Days: Checking in Before the An Unlikely Fandom Premiere

 Today's the day! Had a nice drive yesterday, took US-80 almost the entire way and now we're here. I'm operating on a strict budget this time, but we're planning on grabbing a New York slice sometime before the event. It's gonna be awesome! Wait until you all see my outfit! 


Teasing the 'fit... more pics later!


Started at the bottom, now we here! 

                                                                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

For more about An Unlikely Fandom visit: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram 

I'm blogging the countdown to the An Unlikely Fandom premiere, 

New Thomas content coming soon to my YouTube. 

You can visit the Thomas the Tank Engine Wiki by clicking here.

Also be sure to check out the Sodor Island Fansite and Sodor Island Forums
if you're looking for more great Thomas the Tank Engine content and discussion.

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Drive to New York City - November 26th 2023

Dad picked me up late in the morning, bringing me a lovely breakfast Mom had made for me, and we were on the road before noon. (I packed very last minute, but thankfully remembered everything except for my Starry Night ring). I determined to write as much as I could during the drive and I found the changing scenery and the speed of the highways quite elucidating for my writings. I shared some other ideas with Dad, including one I'm now calling "The Things We [Don't] Know" and which I hope will be something in the future. 

We stopped at around 6:00 for dinner, at a Wendy's. Wendy's and other fast food are good for when you're traveling on a budget, because the pricing is pretty standard. I concluded my writing for the night before we entered the city and our last leg of the journey, with 5,600 words. (After the month ended, I realized this day had the single highest word count of any in November). We got into the city and it took us a couple hours to cross New York City and then we checked in just before 10pm.

I went to sleep pretty quickly.

1 Day: Countdown to the An Unlikely Fandom Premiere

 Well everyone, it's 1 day until the premiere of An Unlikely Fandom in New York! I'm getting ready to head out. Today's picture is of some of my ERTL die-cast Thomas characters that I've found new-in-box on eBay. I'm sure you're gonna hear a lot about the event and the film afterwards! See you then! 

                                                                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

For more about An Unlikely Fandom visit: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram 

I'm blogging the countdown to the An Unlikely Fandom premiere, 

New Thomas content coming soon to my YouTube. 

You can visit the Thomas the Tank Engine Wiki by clicking here.

Also be sure to check out the Sodor Island Fansite and Sodor Island Forums
if you're looking for more great Thomas the Tank Engine content and discussion.

Saturday, November 25, 2023

November 25th 2023

Put in my shift at work (my last for the next few days, as I'm going to New York) and then went home to get more work done on my novel. I was having another day where I found it frustrating, and wished I had taken it a bit more seriously earlier on in the month. I took a break in the early afternoon and watched a show, after which I returned to my writing. By the time I went to bed, I had managed 4,249 words. 10 more than yesterday, which after my struggles in the afternoon was quite a relief.

2 Days: Countdown to the An Unlikely Fandom Premiere

 Only 2 days from the event Thomas fans everywhere have been anticipating - the premiere of An Unlikely Fandom! I'm planning on leaving for New York in the morning 

(pictured are carry cases for the ERTL trains I had when I was a kid, the bottom one is the one I've had for almost 28 years and the top one is one I've had for about a year, a Goodwill find)

                                                                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

For more about An Unlikely Fandom visit: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram 

I'm blogging the countdown to the An Unlikely Fandom premiere, 

New Thomas content coming soon to my YouTube. 

You can visit the Thomas the Tank Engine Wiki by clicking here.

Also be sure to check out the Sodor Island Fansite and Sodor Island Forums
if you're looking for more great Thomas the Tank Engine content and discussion.

Friday, November 24, 2023

November 24th 2023

Put in my shift at work and as I suspected I was the one to replace the messages on the sign, of course I was glad to be sent outside as usual. I got home and took a little nap after which I went down to Mom & Dad's and helped with a few things (primarily taking the Christmas tree downstairs for Mom) and then after going home and fixing myself dinner, I worked on putting in some more writing for my novel. I had only managed 100 words yesterday with our Thanksgiving festivities, so I was eager to get back into it today, I stayed up awhile and managed 4,239 words.

3 Days: Countdown to the An Unlikely Fandom Premium

3 days until the premiere of An Unlikely Fandom! Ya'll have no idea how excited I am! (pic of some of my Thomas & Friends USA DVD releases)

                                                                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

For more about An Unlikely Fandom visit: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram 

I'm blogging the countdown to the An Unlikely Fandom premiere, 

New Thomas content coming soon to my YouTube. 

You can visit the Thomas the Tank Engine Wiki by clicking here.

Also be sure to check out the Sodor Island Fansite and Sodor Island Forums
if you're looking for more great Thomas the Tank Engine content and discussion.

Thursday, November 23, 2023

November 23rd 2023

Thanksgiving Day! I was able to sleep in a little because Wendy's is closed today. My parents and two of my brothers are coming over for Thanksgiving dinner. Mom's cooking, but we're having it at my place. I cleaned up quickly at the last minute to get ready for everyone. 

Nathanael showed up a couple hours early and we started watching The Santa Clause. Around the time Mitchell arrived, we started into The Santa Clause 2 and then Mom and Dad showed up shortly after and as Mom prepared the food, I ran to the store for a few extra items that we needed.

After we got back we ate and finished watching The Santa Clause 3. We had a really good time, but unfortunately, Nathanael and Mitchell had to be going soon after dinner. Mom and Dad stuck around for awhile after and we watched a few shows, including the original Doctor Who episode from 60 years ago (tonight was the 60th anniversary).

A lovely Thanksgiving Day!

4 Days: Countdown to the An Unlikely Fandom Premiere

 Happy Thanksgiving everyone! So psyched for the premiere of An Unlikely Fandom in just 4 days! I'm planning on driving to New York on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing everyone, it's gonna be a blast! 

                                                                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

For more about An Unlikely Fandom visit: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram 

I'm blogging the countdown to the An Unlikely Fandom premiere, 

New Thomas content coming soon to my YouTube. 

You can visit the Thomas the Tank Engine Wiki by clicking here.

Also be sure to check out the Sodor Island Fansite and Sodor Island Forums
if you're looking for more great Thomas the Tank Engine content and discussion.