The Poopstick

I recently spent a week in Shallote, North Carolina with my family at my great grandparents house. It'd been over ten years since I'd seen this distant land, and had so little recollection of it. However, since I'd seen my great grandparents off and on since I'd been to NC, memories of them were still strong.

In October of 2009 my great grandfather passed away just before he turned eighty-seven. Thankfully it happened surrounded by his wife and children in his daughter's house in Utah, as opposed to in a hospital. If things got bad, he said, he didn't want to be in a hospital or nursing home.

On this earth, my grandfather was an eccentric guy: not quite up to date in political correctness, said anything on his mind, and could make conversation with anyone. Around my hometown and in North Carolina he was very well known and well liked. He was a riot and the family often reminisces about the things he had said.

Similar to him, was his wife-my great grandmother. She too says the priceless things, in her Greek accent. The night we had arrived on our recent visit we were trying to figure out sleeping situations. She told me that I could sleep in her bed with her, to sweeten up the deal she said "I don't fart or anything."

The next evening the family would get into a conversation regarding farting, would lead to a story I had never heard before. This story was about the infamous poopstick.

The "poopstick" was a device used to manipulate excrement down the toilet upon the occurrence of clogging. Every time my uncle would visit North Carolina, my Grampy would remind him of the poopstick-should he ever need it- and would show him where it was. My question was why they didn't just use a plunger, but I suppose the stick was a more effective tool.

On this trip I was the first one to need the poopstick. To my horror, I couldn't flush. And it triggered in my mind. I walked out and said "Mom, I need the poopstick." We were at the door to the garage and my mom, laughing, told the family we needed the poopstick. It seemed we gathered around to the resting spot of the holy wand. It was nestled in a plastic bag, with its wooden 'clean end' sticking out. The tip was metal, for maximum effectiveness.

The poopstick had been put to use for the first time in over a year, and I like to think it was a way to honor my Grampy.

Comic Book Convention (Part 4)

New England Ghost Busters- donate to charities and get others

interested in doing so, to find out more check out there site

http://www.newenglandghostbusters.com/.

They're really for a great cause and not to mention,

their costumes are awesome!

Comic Book Convention (Part 3)

Comic Con was so fantastic. Never in my life have I felt so cool. Everybody knew me, they greeted me with a smile "Hey Psylocke!" They wanted me, they needed me. I got compliments, people asked for pictures with me, I got into conversations with strangers, and nerds came on to me without shame. Not only were people wanting me, I was wanting to maul some of these cosplayers, they were so hot. The costumes were gorgeous and I needed in on that action. Not to mention the comics were cheap-o! I got tons of comics (and even a discount on a Psylocke one.)

Comic Book Convention (Part 2)

Tomorrow is comic con.

My costume is almost done, I just have to figure out what I'm going to do with the fabric for the belt. Today I spent about five hours sewing the leg bands and shaping up my second glove.

The only issue at the moment is that I need to figure out what to do for the boots. I don't have enough material to create boots the size of Psylocke's; I'm considering wrapping the material from my ankle to just below the knee, have no idea about shoes though... At some point before Comic Con I'll figure that out. I dyed my hair back to purple just for the occasion.

But I am so excited, I'm gonna get comics, and an official shirt, and I'm gonna go crazy with pictures! FIRST COMIC CON!!! This experience is close to being as special as a first kiss, not really, but its pretty fantastic.

Comic Book Convention (Part 1)

Yes, YES, yes. Recently (last month) I discovered that a comic book convention was going to be nearby! I had been going into Newbury Comics to get some more manic panic for my fading blue and just by chance -fate, if you will- I caught a glimpse. A brightly colored sign, yes, oh yes, those words. Boston. Comic. Con. For about a year I had been thinking about when the con of the comic type would occur, and finally there was an answer.

It took me quite a while to decide on which hero to be. My first thought was Psylocke, then I considered the fact I was not quite leotard material. Then I contemplated Rogue since I already have my own x-men jacket similar to hers, but I didn't want to have to get a cheesy wig. Also Jean Grey (as the Phoenix) but again there was the trouble with the hair. But finally I settled for my favorite Psylocke. I decided people at a comic book convention weren't really going to judge me. In reality most of them won't have sexy bodies anyway.

I began by searching online for a leotard and found the perfect shape. I wished the color was a little more similar to hers, but it would have to do. Afterwards I bought some blue lycra and red material to make gloves and the belt. My first glove is finished.

Six days left.