Who’s seen the latest installment in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe? The newest iteration of Spiderman, played by Tom Holland, flew onto the scene in Captain America: Civil War with youthful exuberance, hilarious energy and a brand new Spidey suit, which we get to see him sporting again in Spiderman: Homecoming until events occur that causes Peter’s mentor Tony Stark to take away his suit leaving him to his own devices and his own homemade Spidey suit. That’s where my interpretation comes in:
We are on the verge of Civil War…no, not the North vs. South kind…no, not the Dems vs. GOP kind. The Marvel-ous kind!! The #TeamCap vs. #TeamIronMan kind!! The kind that will have grown men and women crying in the aisles come Thursday, May 5th (for the early birds) and Friday, May 6th for the rest of the viewing public.
There are those who have already laid eyes on this highly anticipated entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the word is GOOOOOOOD!!!
So get ready for it…if you can. You’ll probably need lots and lots of tissues. Marvel has probably purchased stock in Kleenex cause they know we’re gonna need them!
To prepare for this journey I am watching the entire MCU in order starting today, Wednesday, April 27th and going all the way till the premier of Captain America: Civil War.
Join me over on Twitter every night for live tweets. But be warned…my gif game is hella strong, so if you choose to join…you better be ready to bring it!
We know where Spiderman stands…and Black Widow and Hawkeye and Ant-Man and Rhodey and The Winter Soldier himself. But where do you stand, nerd?? WHERE!
My feet are firmly planted in the #TeamCap camp!! But there is room for everyone in my nerdy family. (Even those who make bad choices…looking at you #TeamIronMan *wink…just kidding…i love ya…but seriously!)
Day 10: Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) from Avengers: Age of Ultron
If you haven’t seen Avengers: Age of Ultron then you must be living in a dark cave somewhere, far away from civilization and a movie theater. As of now, the movie has made over 1.3 billion dollars worldwide. So…yeah. It’s kind of a big deal. And if you’re looking for a favorite Avenger, allow me to present Black Widow! She is one seriously bad ass lady, especially since she has to deal with so many men. That a tough gig!
Not to mention that Natasha’s hair manages to be ready for action and/ or a photo shoot at any given moment. If I had to kick bad guy’s butts on the regular, I promise you, my hair wouldn’t look this good all the time!
Day 6: Lois Lane from Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
This was one of my very favorite shows growing up. Superman meets Danielle Steele, who could resist such a thing. Plus it was family friendly which meant I got to watch it in the first place. There have been some amazing Lois Lane’s over the years (and some not so great ones) but Terry Hatcher will always be cemented in my mind as that intrepid reporter from the Daily Planet. Especially in season 1 of the show where she sported this fierce, sleek bob.
As I’ve said before, I have very curly hair. So sleek and straight doesn’t come naturally to this nerdy girl’s hair follicles. Luckily I have my Chi hair straightener for just such an occasion.
If you’ve seen this week’s episode of my web series, then you know about my Sci-Fi Debate Club. If you missed it, take a look…
We didn’t plan it. We didn’t mean for it to happen. But when two of more nerds are gathered together, nerdy…geeky…dorky debates are bound to ensue! And yes… they can get rather heated at times. We nerds are passionate about our fandoms (to say the least.) But I think we can all agree that we are united in the way we love. We love with intensity. We love with all we have.
Here are some of the hottest debates (not all are science fiction related) in the nerd community…
#1 -Star Wars vs. Star Trek
Photo from FuriousFanboys.com
Do you prefer a galaxy far, far away full of rebels and stormtroopers, blasters and lightsabers, the Dark side and the Light side. Or do you tend to lean towards the order of Starfleet. The uniforms, the space exploration, the strange new worlds and civilizations? Personally, I don’t like to choose. I grew up with both of them in my life from a very young age and have never known a time when there wasn’t something to look forward to in the world of one or both of them. That being said, Star Wars does hold an extra special place in my heart. I cried when I saw the newest trailer for The Force Awakens and none of the Star Trek’s have elicited quite that response. But I do love both world greatly.
#2 – Would sex with Superman kill Lois Lane?
Photo from io9
Gotta admit that I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about this one. But I sorta think they’d find a way to make it work. Love will conquer all… even super powered nether regions.
#3 – Who’s the best Doctor?
This is a case of…why choose? Although, if I really did have to pick between all of Doctors that have ever been, I’d definitely choose the tenth Doctor, played by the incomparable David Tennant. (I guess I chose after all!)
#4 – Mac vs. PC or Android
This is more of a geeky tech debate. But it’s one that is had often and can get heated. Mac people are loyal and unswayed in their devotion to the apple. I used to be unflinchingly Mac oriented. And when it comes to computers, my loyalty stands. Now when it comes to phones…different story. 4 years ago when I finally upgraded to a smart phone, I was ready to take my place in the iPhone community, but alas, T-mobile did not carry iPhones at the time and that is the service my family uses. So I was forced to join the world of Samsung instead… and I’ve never looked back.
#5 – Bale vs. Keaton
What this boils down to is more of a best-Batman-ever-debate. Contenders: Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Kevin Conroy, Christian Bale & Ben Affleck (I guess we still have to wait and see about that last one.) I’m firmly in the Kevin Conroy camp. For those of you not in the know, Conroy voiced Batman on the beloved Batman: The Animated Series from the 90’s. The same series that hosted Mark Hamill’s icon voicing of the Joker (another popular debate among nerds: Best Joker ever.) Keaton comes in as a solid second for me (Batman Returns is one of my faves…I love Pfeiffer’s Catwoman!)
#6 – Marvel vs. DC
Photo from Kweeper.com
This is an issue where I really don’t want to take a stand. I could argue passionately for both. Though Marvel’s immersive world is just so unique and impressive right now. I grew up on the Batman and Superman animated series. And Superman has long been my favorite superhero of all time. Now as for favorite superhero team, I love The Avengers and I also really love X-Men. But my favorite villain is Harley Quinn. My imaginary superhero boyfriend is Captain America. But my imaginary best friend is Catwoman. See… I’m all over the place. I dip my toe in both pools and I just don’t wanna choose…so I won’t!
#7 – Game of Thrones vs. Lord of the Rings
This is a no brainer for me. One is a pop culture phenomenon. The show that brought dragons to the mainstream audience. That’s an amazing feat, to be sure. But the other is a piece of classic literature. A set of beloved stories that a parent can pass down to their children. An epic tale of hope and fellowship. An author who inspired the other so much that he went and added R’s in his name for that very reason. Any other argument is made invalid by that fact alone. (mic dropped…Liz out!)
#8 – Pirates vs. Ninjas
Photo from baconbag.com
Ok… we have to talk first about where and why and in what time period are these pirates fighting the ninjas. Are they allowed to bring their pistols to the sword fight? Cause pirates fight dirty, while ninjas are all about tradition. Though my coworker just brought up a good point…the pirates would probably be inebriated for the fight. So there’s that.
#9 – Captain Kirk vs. Captain Picard
There is a greater debate along these lines, who’s the best Starfleet Captain of all? Are you a Kirk fan? A Picard follower? Is it Captain Sisko that really gets you? Perhaps Janeway is the lady captain for you? Or maybe….nope that’s it! (Sorry Scott Bakula… I love you, but Enterprise doesn’t count.) Personally I’m a Captain Picard girl. I was a child of the 80’s and a preteen of the 90’s. And my parents l-l-loved Star Trek: The Next Generation. We used to watch it together all the time. So there’s a great deal of nostalgia and warm fuzzies attached to Jean-Luc. And while I really enjoy all the other Star Trek series as well and think they have stellar captains at the helm, it’s Picard for me!
#10 – Did Han shoot first?
Artwork by Fitz Fitzpatrick
This one is less a debate and more of a sore spot for hardcore fans of Star Wars. See… here’s the story. Star Wars was released in 1977. Beautiful, iconic, practically perfect in every way! 20 years later, George Lucas remastered his masterpiece to include some new things. Including, but not limited to, the scene between Greedo and Han Solo in the Mos Eisley cantina. In the original, untainted version of Star Wars, Han shoots Greedo, killing him and thus ending their conversation. This gave Han a cold-blooded killer persona. One that the Maker did not intend for Han. So when the remastered editions came out, George took the chance to set the record straight and added CGI footage of Greedo shooting first, missing and then Han shooting and killing him afterwards. Fans were unhappy, to say the least (the very least.) In actuality, fans were pissed!! 20 years of believing something about their beloved hero only to have it changed? This isn’t the only thing about the remastered versions that would upset the fans. But George Lucas maintains that Greedo shot first, while fans insist the opposite. Han Solo himself (Harrison Ford) was asked about this nerd debate in a 2014 Reddit conversation. His response…”I don’t know and I don’t care.”
At the end of the day, we all love and love hard. So what are your thoughts on these very important and pressing issues in the world of nerdy things? Let me know in the comments below!! Even if we disagree, I still love to hear about it!
After 6 weeks of weekly challenges, superhero meal plans and different classes all around New York City, I lost 15 pounds and I feel stronger than I ever have. 15 pounds is by no means as extraordinary amount of weight to lose. But it’s a good amount and it’s enough to be very proud of. There were times I faltered. Times I gave in to the temptation to fall off track. But it’s the getting back on part that makes the difference!!
If you decide to take this #Avengerintraining challenge, remember that any amount of activity is better than none.
-Staying motivated is sometimes hard, but never impossible.
-The second you make it about more than just a number on a scale…that’s when you find out the reason you want to do it in the first place.
-Never compare yourself to someone else’s goals or progress. Not the models in a magazine or fit actors in a movie or your coworker who is always hitting the gym. Their plan isn’t your plan. Their plan might not work for you. Find what does and ignore the rest!
Thank you for reading! I’ve got a couple ideas for some new nerdy workouts in the future. So I hope you’ll check back! And come follow me on other social media platforms! I love to connect with new people.
Iron Man Week (photo by Cristina Fowler)Hulk Week (photo by Cristina Fowler)
Black Widow Week (photo by Cristina Fowler)Thor Week (photo by Cristina Fowler)Hawkeye Week (photo by Cristina Fowler)Captain America Week (photo by Cristina Fowler )
Let me know what you thought about my workout. Did you try it, did you like it? And which week was your favorite?
After hitting the wall during Thor Week, I was back on track and pushing through Week 5. Spring had returned, making morning runs a joy to complete! I really love to workout in the morning. I feel like it’s my personal time to get things done. Like the rest of the world is asleep and the early morning hours were made just for me. I live right across from Astoria Park in Queens and I love to run along the water. It’s a gorgeous view and if it’s a particularly warm morning, the breeze from the water feels wonderful. It’s definitely one of my happy places!
Week 5: Hawkeye Week
Watercolor Art by Blule
Clint Barton was introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Thor, when he was sent to the compound to keep an eye on a certain grounded Asgardian Prince. Barton, aka Hawkeye, is a proficient marksman in archery and joined the Avengers to help save the world from it’s biggest threats.
Jeremy Renner has been doing action films for a while now, The Hurt Locker, The Bourne Legacy, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, so stepping into the role of Hawkeye seemed like an easy fit (though I’m sure the workout regiment was not easy.) Renner is 44 years old, though you’d never know it. Take a look at his fitness regiment over at Muscle World.
Inspiration
Movies
Avengers, Age of Ultron… duh. You can also go ahead and rewatch Thor if you’d like, since Hawkeye is introduced to the MCU in that one. I also added a couple excellent films starring Jeremy Renner. In Bourne Legacy, Renner takes Matt Damon’s place and runs around being awesome! Also, try Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol to keep with the spy spirit. And for good measure and an extra dose of archery, go ahead and watch The Hunger Games.
Music
Hawkeye is a warrior and a soldier, so I put a lot of music in this playlist that made me feel that way. Like I could run through bootcamp and finish the toughest challenges.
Meals
For Hawkeye’s meal plan, I took my shopping list from CelebritiesExercise.com Honestly, I really believe that if you are watchful in your eating and keep to the simple rule of moderation, you could eat just about anything and maintain your health (with glaring exceptions of course.)
Weekly Workout Challenge
To channel my inner Clint Barton, I worked on my abs and did a crunch challenge. I know we see a lot of arms from Jeremy Renner, but the core always comes in handy, no matter which Avenger you are channeling! And since I have a serious sweet tooth, my stomach is one of my problem areas. All that sugar just sits right there. So working on the core and getting it strong was a big priority for me!
Day 1: 30 Crunches (Middle, Left, Right)
Day 2: 60 Crunches (Middle, Left, Right)
Day 3: 90 Crunches (Middle, Left, Right)
Day 4: Rest Day
Day 5: 150 Crunches (Middle, Left, Right)
Day 6: 175 Crunches (Middle, Left, Right)
Day 7: 200 Crunches (Middle, Left, Right)
Make sure to take all the final day’s challenges from each Avenger with you into Captain America Week.:
-2 sets of Full Front Planks (60 second hold, rest in between)
I loved archery! And Big Apple Archery in Queens is a really great place to learn. They do a great job of showing you proper technique and give you plenty of time to practice what you’ve learned. They have excellent equipment and a great range on which to practice. The class had a decent number of students, but wasn’t so full that it seemed overcrowded or anything. Plenty of room on the range for everyone in the class. I used a Groupon deal to take this class, but the first equipment rental is free and if you purchase a bow from there, the first class is free. Definitely worth a try!
Hawkeye is a warrior, a soldier, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. So I figured he’d have done a lot of different things to train. I took an intro class at Velocity where they focus on conditioning the whole body for different sports. We pulled weights, ran sprints (thought I was gonna die after the sprints) and worked with resistance bands. It was indeed a full-body workout! Every inch of me ached the next morning. An introductory class is free and when you walk in you might be a little intimidated, but don’t be. The instructors are really great and will help you make it through the whole class and finish strong. I trained with 3 other men on my team and it was a really great experience!!
Enter to win these adorably villainous earrings by commenting below. Tell me who your favorite villain is. Doesn’t have to be a comic book villain. All villains are welcome!
Obviously I have a week spot for Joker’s criminally insane girlfriend, Harley Quinn. Darth Vader follows at a close second. I love to laugh and I used to watch Batman: The Animated Series back in the 90’s (who are we kidding, I still watch it!) And Harley always cracked me up. So yeah, she gets my vote over the baddest of the bad, Darth Vader himself. It doesn’t have to make sense. 😉 Life is a little more fun when it doesn’t, in fact!!
Incidentally, if you’ve never watched Batman: The Animated Series, then I suggest you do it… now!! And I am personally crying for your lost childhood, cause this series is amazing and also has Mark Hamill doing t
If you’ve seen this week’s episode of my web series, then you’d know that my family and I love traditions. And we have a lot of unique things we do to celebrate Christmas. (If you haven’t seen it yet, CLICK HERE.)
Whenever I tell people what we do on Christmas, I get 1 of 2 reactions. People are either really confused and borderline appalled… “You do WHAT on Christmas? Well, I nevah!” Or else they want to join in the fun… “Is your family looking to adopt a 27 year old from Sacramento?” (PS, the answer is always yes. Everyone is welcome with our family.)
It all started 6 years ago when my brothers, my cousins and I wanted to take some photos for our family’s Christmas presents. And instead of going to a JCPenny’s and taking boring, “normal” family portraits, we decided to get dressed up in Victorian garb and take pictures in our Granny’s 143 year old historical home, Eastbank.
When we took a look at the photos together we realized a few things. #1. How much fun we had. #2. How much fun we all could have if we did it again at Christmas. and #3. How much more fun it would be if we had a different theme every year. And why not start with Harry Potter.
As often happens in our family, things spiraled from there. Next thing we knew, a green screen was put up, a costume contest was started and friends and neighbors started showing up at our door in costume to join the fun. And let me tell you… it’s a lot of fun!! The best part is that every member of my family gets it. We are all a bunch of nerds. Once one of us gets into something we start to share it and then it spreads like wildfire. My mom read the Harry Potter books and fell in love with them. Then she recommended them to me and my brother. Next we told our cousin and aunt that they had to read them as well. And by then it was all over. We were a family full of Potterheads. Which is why we picked Harry Potter as the theme for our first themed family Christmas.
And the rest is history, Narnia (2010), Star Wars (2011), Lord of the Rings (2012), Doctor Who (2013), Superheroes and Villains (2014) and next year we will have Star Trek Christmas.
So if you’re in the greater Orlando area next year around Christmas time and you have a Star Trek uniform hanging in your closet just waiting to be worn, then come on over, take pics in front of our green screen and have a Christmas you will never forget!! And to see the pictures from Christmas’ past head over to our family Facebook page: CLICK HERE
