So, about that whole “I’m going to be better about updating my blog in 2012″ thing that never happened…well, let’s just say that I overestimated my ability to not let real-life issues get in the way of my blogging, podcasting, etc…in other words, all of the fun stuff in my life got put on hold! 
To those of you who have continued to encourage me while patiently waiting for me to come back to my blog, thank you so much for your support, it means so much!!! I am determined to make 2013 a better year for me by doing ALL of the things that I love, and that includes the re-birth of the Grown-Up Fangirl.
So, just a few updates on what I’ve been catching up on, and then we’ll see where things go from here.
BOOKS: I ended 2012 with a resolve to do a lot more reading this year, and I literally began immediately after making that decision. Since New Year’s weekend, I’ve immersed myself in the young adult genre – completing all five books (so far) in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, and I’ve finished Book 1 in The Caster Chronicles, “Beautiful Creatures”; I’ll begin reading Book 2, “Beautiful Darkness”, sometime tonight and will probably finish Book 3, “Beautiful Chaos” by the weekend. Both sets of reads were prompted by movies trailers for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and Beautiful Creatures, which I saw during the previews for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2. I’m not going to post any reviews yet, but I will eventually get around to adding them both here and on my Goodreads page. However, I will say that aside from a few minor irritations, I am enjoying both series immensely.
TV: Aside from episodes that have aired this month, I am completely caught up on Once Upon a Time, Supernatural, and The Vampire Diaries. I still think someone should start a petition to HBO and let them know that these months-long hiatuses for “Game of Thrones” and “True Blood” are agonizing!! Season 3 of SyFy’s “Being Human” has started, and I plan to watch that this weekend. Other than that, there aren’t any other shows I’m actively watching, although I have quite a few (Scandal, Deception) that have been recommended and are on my “To Watch” list.
MOVIES: Sad to say, the aforementioned mentioned “real life” issues kept me from the theaters and without cable TV for 2012. I only saw a few movies: The Woman in Black (loved it), The Avengers (my birthday weekend, and LOVED IT!!!!), and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2 (I DID see that one three times, and loved it as well). BUT, there are so many highly anticipated movies coming out this year (Iron Man 3, A Good Day to Die Hard, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, etc.), that I am going to make it a priority to get to the theaters!! Entertainment Weekly has a pretty good starter list for upcoming films, and I’m excited about quite a few of the films listed, but I’ll make a more detailed post next week.
CONVENTIONS: 2012 marked a first for me in terms of conventions: for the first time since I began attending in 2007, I missed Dragon*Con. Anyone who has been following my blogs for years knows that Dragon*Con is a MUST for me every year, and it really hurt to miss it. However, I am determined NOT to let that happen again, so I will bring you updates as usual. (SIDE NOTE: Writing this entry prompted me to go and check the guest list, and I’m glad I did! Kelly Hu – one of my MAJOR girl crushes – is listed as a guest! Woot woot!!!)
One of my other favorite local conventions is returning this spring as well. EyeCon will invade Atlanta once again with their fan convention for the CW-hit show, “The Vampire Diaries”, March 2-4. The convention will take place at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in Downtown Atlanta, and will feature games, panels, Celebrity Q&As and Photo Op Sessions, Celebrity Autograph Sessions, a “Casino Royale” Party, a Banquet with the Stars, and a Haunted Masquerade Celebrity Party! As of this writing, featured guests will include Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore), Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert), Nathaniel Buzolic (original vampire Kol), and Trent Ford (Trevor the vampire). For more information, visit the EyeCon website.
I guess that’s enough catching up…for now. Feel free to add this blog to your subscriptions, and if you like this blog, be sure to check out some of my friends at the Sci-Fi Party Line website and podcast.
