Last week I read The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. I wasn’t sure if
it would be wise to read it but I was too curious and after reading the first
page I couldn’t put it down. It's heavy and made me cry most of the way through but I'm glad I read it. It didn't exactly leave me feeling wonderful, it's about dying after all. But it left me feeling hopeful in a way and I wish it hadn't ended. I’m not like Hazel and our stories are very
different. However there were some parts that I could relate to and particularly
the beginning of chapter 7 stunned me a little.
Exchange the word ‘brain’ for
‘abdomen’ and you have a scene from my life circa late December. Just one of
many trips to A&E and every time being sure that I couldn't possibly live
through the pain. But you deal because you have to, there’s not really another
option. Until they pump you full of narcotics, then you can cope just fine -
until next time!
I’ve thought a lot about this
book, and about the last year and about life in general. Things are still a bit
fuzzy around the edges but the human body is incredible how quickly it mends
itself. I couldn’t have imagined ever feeling well again in February of this year. But here I am minus a
portion of my large intestine, running around London (literally), singing in
concerts (ever so slightly Bambi-like still, but I’ll get there) and preparing
to take myself on an epic vacation to San Diego Comic Con (and Los Angeles and
San Francisco). Huh?! Mind boggling, I know.
San Diego… Yes! I’m geeking it up
and getting on a plane to Nerd Central and it’s going to be AWESOME! As it turns
out, life’s too short. Earlier this year James Eatock (writer, publisher, illustrator and all round professional geek)
asked me if I’d fancy going along to the Comic Con as mascot of his magazine Cereal:Geek and I will wander around pimping his magazine to all and sundry
boosting the sales sky high. I’ve even made a cameo appearance on the official He-Man YouTube Channel (blink and you'll miss me around 20 seconds in...) and a few weeks
ago I enjoyed a day of filming various He-Man/geek themed shenanigans for use
in the coming months. Watch this space! Mr. Eatock also has a He-Man/She-Ra Blog which you should also check out here!
Anyway, I thought at first this
trip to the US of A would never happen. But it turns out, it is! And I’m more
excited than words!
But not just this, we’re going to
be living it up in San Francisco and Los Angeles too! But at
the Comic Con, it would only be in
true Marianne style to don some fancy dress and in fact make it myself. So I’m
going to be Jem and Sweet Bee. As one of my active days I met up with Mr. Eatock to hunt down the appropriate fabric to make myself the aforementioned costumes! I already have my Jem
wig at the ready! I have also spotted some comic strip fabric in a shop in town that
I’ve had my eye on forever so I might even make some comic themed bow ties/ties
to really get in the mood!
On the bow tie front here is
another for the Green collection! I present a schmancy silk dupion bow tie – no
patterns this time but it has the slubs adding texture and interest, and it
sure is nice fabric! There’s more where that came from!
As for other things already sold
to happy customers, here is the Glenmorangie bow tie being modelled by its stylish new
owner - guitarist, teacher, music shop owner and blogger - Adie Lawson!
