But I felt like it was only appropriate that we post and let you all know that we’re engaged!

Our Propsal

I am not the biggest fan of my birthday.. it’s in the summer, and usually plans fall through, or people can’t make it.. it is always a big let down.  So this past birthday, Alex promised to make it as easy as possible.. we were going to go camping.  So we packed up his car, and went up into The Sequoia National Forest with Alex’s brother Adam, his best friend Kenny, my brother Josh, his girlfriend Tammy and her best friend Jacquie.  We stayed at this gorgeous campsite called Belknap, which was tucked away up in the mountains.

On the day of my birthday, everyone tok their time waking up and getting ready because we had all stayed up late the night before.  Around noon we hit the road toward Crystal Cave in the national park.  It was around 1:30ish by the time we got to the visitor’s center to buy the tickets.

As soon as we walked into the visitor’s center, the first thing I saw was a sign saying all the tours for Crystal Cave were sold out for the day.  You can imagine how much everyone was bummed, seeing as how we just drove for over an hour to get there. Distressed, Alex went out to his car to look at the map and figure out an alternative plan.  As I followed Alex out of the visitor’s Center, the rest of our group explained the situation to the guy working there, and he was able to pull some strings and get us two tickets to the candle light tour of the caves.

So, at 6:00 Alex and I started our tour of Crystal Cave using only the light from these really neat candle lanters. About 20 minutes into the tour, our guide, Myles, took us into a room called The Dome Room.  In there he started explaining to us about the stalagmites and stalactites, and how they start forming in caves as separate identities, and eventually, through time, the meet and join and become one.  Through all of this, Alex had been standing behind me, and had quietly gotten down on one knee.  As soon as Myles had finished his story, I heard the lady behind Alex gasop, so I turned around to find Alex down on one knee.. and he said “Megan, Will you marry me?”. Of course I cried, and said yes, and everyone clapped, and the lady behind Alex cried. It was very romantic, very special.. and just.. perfect.

If you want to keep up with any of our wedding plans, I’ve started a separate blog dedicated to only that: HITCHED!

Now that I have discovered Imagekind, I have gotten brave and added some of my own art on the site. Just a few digital print I’ve had gathering digital dust on my hard drive for a little bit.  They’re now available on Imagekind.

Even if you aren’t print obsessed, and just like to support emerging artists, you need to check out this site.

Imagekind, run by the cafepress people, is the perfect place to go if you want amazing art and not pay an arm and a leg.  Or, if you’re an emerging artist (like myself) you can open your own store front (accounts range from free to $11.99/mo or $94.99/year) and put your art up for sale. They also offer high quality prints, canvas or framing of your own art for a very reasonable price, without you having to open up a storefront.

Honestly, this site is amazing!

Below are a few samples of some of mine and Alex’s favorite prints for sale. We’re all for supporting emerging artists! Click the image to learn more.

5. Tripods (War of the Worlds)

To be honest this spot almost went to the Daleks from Dr. Who. But as I reassessed the #5 spot I decided to go with the Tripods. In Speilberg’s War of the Worlds these things are just brutal. Buried within the Earth and driven by an alien force that shows up in lightning storms. Their destructive power is showcased in an awesome moment when people try and investigate what’s happening. The theme of our own history with the Native Americans is another tremendous aspect to these ETs.  Aesthetically they are a pretty cool piece of alien technology that actually mirrors their physical appearance. The Tripods are a very ruthless, but very enjoyable extra terrestrial experience.

4. The Strangers (Dark City)

The Strangers are a very vampire-esque alien species.  In Dark City they create this total noir environment that really makes an impression, and puts them on this list. Their whole mission of human manipulation and study as their driving force just makes them so fun to watch. The fact that they are parasites just adds to the whole vampire aspect of them. They are ever present and all powerful and a great alien villain.

3. Zabrak  (Star Wars)

This species gave us Darth Maul and Savage Opress, that’s almost enough said right there. My reason for liking them is mainly these two characters. Darth Maul is basically everyone’s favorite part of Episode I (if not please let me know what else there is to like about that movie). He is a fast, furious lightsaberist who just flat out looks remarkable. Sure, he went out like a punk, but putting that aside he is still one of the coolest things to happen to Star Wars. Then you have Savage Opress. If you aren’t watching Clone Wars right now, you should be (it’s rad). This new character makes a good show even better. Honestly if a 3rd cool Zabrak character shows up, I may have a stroke.

2. Timelords (Doctor Who)

Sure they just look like normal dudes. They have two hearts and that’s about all that physically distinguishes them from humans. But the last of their species, the Doctor, has something that is so cool. The TARDIS. Being able to travel in time and space makes the timelords an easy number two for my list. They are able to see and do things other aliens can’t even dream of. On top of that, they regenerate. With each regeneration comes a new face, a new personality.. a new person! This makes for a lot of good television to watch as each doctor has his adventures with his human companion.

1. Krogan (Mass Effect)

The Krogan in the Mass Effect series are the end all be all of alien warriors. Living on a planet where predators are a constant threat, as well as the major cause of death, the Krogan embrace violence as a way of life. These reptilian looking aliens are hostile and impatient, but man when you have one on your side in Mass Effect, you are happy to have him. Their culture and mannerisms are very well developed for a video game species.  Whether it’s Wrex or Grunt, it’s great to have them in your shore party any chance you get. If you haven’t played these games yet your missing out on a ton, not least of which is a chance to experience these astounding alien behemoths of combat.

I decided to count down my top 5 favorite Stargate moments. This is in both Stargate Atlantis and SG-1. They might be different from your favorites, thus why I am saying they are MINE (for those of you who might choose to disagree with me).

5. “YOTZ!” – SG-1 spoofs Farscape:

For those of you who are both Stargate and Farscape fans, then, like me, you must have beamed with joy when you saw both Ben Bowder and Claudia Black in seasons 9 and 10 of Stargate SG-1. And, you probably flailed when Stargate did a short spoof of Farscape for their 200th episode.

4. Steve the Wraith + John Sheppard = BFF? :

You have to admit, Shep is pretttty amazing at naming things (unlike Ford, who had his naming privileges revoked), especially Wraith. Bob, Todd, Kenny and (my personal favorite) Steve are some names to be found among the Wraith our dear ol’ Shep has encountered. It’s the moments between Steve the Wraith and Shep that have brought me giggles and glee in the first season of Stargate Atlantis.

3. Exchanging Recipes with the powerless Ori:

Now, of all the moments of SG-1 that I could choose for my 3rd most favorite, there are plenty I could have gone with.. but I had to choose this one. Why? Because it was the moment that I knew I would love SG-1. See, I did the Stargate thing all bass ackwards and watched SGA before SG-1. When I decided it was time for me to get into SG-1 it took me 4 months just to get through the first season. The first season just didn’t do it for me.. I don’t know why, maybe I wasn’t attached to any of the characters (except for Daniel.. but that’s because he was adorable and geeky, just my type). But I knew that there had to be something that people loved about the show, I mean, you don’t get a massive following and 10 seasons for nothing. So, I cheated and skipped ahead 8 seasons to season 9. I knew Ben and Claud were in it, so if I still wasn’t feeling it, it wouldn’t be a total waste. Season 9 had it’s moments, and I was enjoying it much more than I had season one, but it wasn’t until the scene where Cameron was telling the Ori his recipe for goat cheese omelette that I knew I would enjoy this show. I mean, if 9 season into the show they have a character doing something that random and silly, it can’t be that out of place compared to events that occurred previously.

2. “And a pretty girl and a caveman” – McKay got shot in the bum bum:

I adore Rodney in SGA. It took me a while to warm up to him, and now he’s one of my most favorite characters ever. I know he’s one that people either love or hate, and I love him. The whole scene from him getting shot in the ass to him laying face down on Beckett’s operating table describing the other members of his team, had me in tears from laughter. And that is when I realized, even though I started watching the show because of Sheppard’s amazingly beautiful pointy hair, I had started to stray from those strands of love and began to adore Rodney’s eccentricities and massive ego.

1. “In the middle of my back swing?!?!” – The events of Window of Opportunity.

Honestly, what can I say? This ENTIRE episode is one of my most favorite (non-Jossverse) episodes of television, ever. In SG-1 when both Teal’c and Jack get stuck in a time loop, and Daniel points out to them they can do anything without consequences… awesomeness ensues!

I know it’s late, but still within the first month of the year! Below I have taken the care of letting you in on my favorite movies of 2010. Granted there are some great movies I missed, here is my list of 2010.

10. Iron Man 2

I loved Iron Man and did have pretty high hopes for this. Normally that’s a recipe for disappointment for me, but not at all for this. Great story that fits in perfectly with the previous one, and some of the most memorable comic book character moments I can recall… ever. Visually pleasing if not a little dull in the sound department. All in all though, I’m glad they’re stopping at 2 (please don’t make another X-Men 3).

9. Scott Pilgrim vs The World

This movie had a very uphill battle for me. A comic that I was never into and a lead actor I really don’t care for. Even the awesome trailer and very talented director couldn’t allay all my fears. Long story short, I wasn’t going to be able to skip this one and I’m glad I didn’t. Super funny and incredibly fun to watch, this movie was always going to be in my top 10 as soon as the end credits rolled. If you are even remotely entertained by video game reference (visual and audio) or like tongue in cheek comedy, this movie is good to G. O. for you.

8. The Wolfman

I know I’m gonna get a lot of shit for this one. Oh well. There is no getting around that Joe Johnston makes movies that are fun to watch. And this is one remake they did right. Captures some of the original while being it’s own film. Despite the jarring editing, the music and overall look of the film is amazing. Don’t care what you say, one of the best modern horror films period.

7. Kick-Ass

I really thought this was going to be my movie of the year. Seriously. Almost too much fun to watch. I didn’t care where they deviated from the source material. It was just too damn good, GREAT costume work. AMAZING job by Nic Cage. It will always be one of those no brainers that I can just watch and enjoy the hell out of. Funny, entertaining, courageous, talented film making.

6. Shutter Island

Hard to say that this one wouldn’t be loved. The book is simply an amazing piece of work by Dennis Lehane. Add a great team in Decap and Scorsese and it’s very statistically unlikely to have a bad movie. Dark, dark, dark; one cannot stress enough how bleak a story is being told here. But no doubt the journey the character (and the viewers) take is one that will stick with you. No matter it’s placement on the list, one of the best films of all time.

5. Tron: Legacy

Wow, I mean wow. Going in expecting a good movie and having my eyeballs doused in one of the most amazing experiences ever was not what I was expecting. Many moments where Lucas should take note on how he could have done the prequels better. Amazing sci-fi movie that just looks and sounds so great, you will no doubt want to watch it again as soon as it’s over.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

It’s hard to believe that out of all the movie made in this series they keep managing to make good ones. HP7P1 is no slouch, amazing color and editing work, and acting that has grown up in many senses of the word.  One of the best in the serious that in no way, shape, or form feels like half a movie.  The animated sequence ALONE is worth the price of admission. Great set up for the last film on top of being one itself.

3. Inception

It’s hard to include this because it’s fairly certain to be most people’s number one. That’s a good thing, the fact that I didn’t want to include but have to shows how good it is. What a yarn. For as complicated as the story is, it unravels at an even and incredibly understandable rate. Simply amazing acting. It’s hard to think a movie like this will come along again anytime soon. One get’s caught in this movie from beginning to end and much far beyond that.

2. True Grit

Good western, a term that get’s kicked around a lot more than it’s deserved. There are some enjoyable movies that take place in a western setting and then are good westers. Modern films of the genre are hard to come by. This is such a western. A masterwork of the Cohen brothers who show that they continue to have an amazing talent for versatile humorous filmmaking. A Bridges role that should go down as one of his very best in his career. Nor is he alone in this superb cast with untouchable talent in their roles. The original is good, no doubt, but this is the True Grit.

1. Toy Story 3

Movies that strike a strong emotional chord that resonates are the ones that stand the test of time. This movie may not appeal to everyone, but it does have a broad audience. There is absolutely  no movie this year that comes close to the amount of skill and craft shown in this move. This encompasses all the a great movie should be. Not the specifics like imagery or sound. Or the nuances like humor or sound. It’s a movie that makes you believe these characters are real and care very deeply about the journey they are on. It’s hard not to cry in this film, even if you have to choke back tears as Andy says goodbye. A film thats tale will never tire or fail to give inspiration to anyone who’s a child at heart.

- Take a drink if the guys (Grant and Jay) are at a Roto Rooters Job and get a call about a case.

- Take a drink every time a “haunted” location claims to hear foot steps or doors opening and closing.

- Take a drink every time someone explains what an EMF, EVP, COLD SPOT or K2 Meter is.

- Take a drink every time someone asks:
“Hello?”
“Was that you?”
“Is anybody there?”
“Did you hear that?”

- Take a drink if someone jumps/screams/gets scared and there’s a cut to commercial break.

- Take an extra drink if it wasn’t because of something paranormal.

- Take a drink for every piece of evidence they capture.

- Take 2 drinks for every piece of evidence they debunk.

- Chug your drink if they have not captured any evidence.

**Please note : This post has NOTHING to do with whether or not you think everything in the show is real.. Any comments made on that subject will be deleted. Thanks

With the holidays just past, I’m sure a lot of people had wish lists at their favorite online stores.  Well Kaboodle is a site where you can have one GIANT wish list that includes items from any online store, and it is SOOO addicting!

From Kaboodle’s website:

“Kaboodle is a social shopping community where people discover, recommend and share products. Kaboodle’s powerful shopping tools allow people to organize their shopping through lists, discover new things from people with similar style, get discounts on popular products and find best prices. At the heart of Kaboodle is a fun and engaging community of people who love to shop. Community members create and join groups, share advice, feedback and product suggestions and personalize their profiles with polls and other widgets.”

I would have to say that my favorite part about Kaboodle are the style boards you can create with items from your wishlists.

For example, here’s one I made including all the vinyls from my wish list.

You can view my kaboodle profile here: http://www.kaboodle.com/lovecrafted

And you can view Alex’s kaboodle profile here: http://www.kaboodle.com/alexanderfisk

The 365 Project is where you take one picture a day, for an entire year, and post it in a collection online. Some people use flickr, tumblr, livejournal, blogs.. or 365project.org. It’s fun and amazing to look back at all the pictures you’ve taken, and literally see how your life changed in the course of a year.

Back in 2009 I started and completed a full year of the 365 Project (you can see it here), and I started one for 2010, but didn’t last 2 months.

You can see my 365 project for this year here: http://365project.org/lovecrafted/365
And you can see Alex’s here: http://365project.org/alexfisk/365

It’s not too late to start your own. If you start today, just make sure you end it on Jan 6 2012.

Don’t be shy, it doesn’t tell us who voted for what..