Rachel Shensa

I'm a storyteller, writer, vampire enthusiast, NBA fanatic, shopaholic, social media junkie, and observer of all things.

Creative Side: loves writing, making jewelry, telling stories, video editing, taking pictures, writing briefs, deep cultural dives, big ideas, and consumer insights.

Grounded Side: loves market research, survey writing, discussion guides, focus groups, writing briefs, target segmentations, mind mapping, and problem solving. 

Posts

July 02, 11:43 PM
Exodus

365 days ago, I left my safe and warm house full of support and love for the unknown. As I watched my folks in my rearview and choked back a few tears, I was feeling a range of emotions. I felt sadness, fear, anxiety, anticipation, hope, and maybe a touch of insanity. My brother fiddled with the CD player. Thank the gods he was with me. I don’t think I could have made it without him.

I had made the decision months before and saved up the necessary cash. It was still so surreal. I was moving across the country, in one of the worst economies in decades, without a job. I wanted change. Adventure something out of my comfort zone. Two hours on the road and I started to understand the difference between wanting something and actually making it happen. I felt shaky and uncertain and possibly a little sick. I kept driving.

I started to think about our trip as a vacation – a classic American adventure that I would just come back from in a few weeks with tons of pictures and a handful of stories.

We trekked through Las Vegas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma (dislike button), Tennessee, Virginia, DC, New Jersey, and finally New York.

New York was oddly familiar but foreign for both of us. We grew up there many years before. We went back to some of our old spots, saw old friends, and wandered streets that used to mean something significant but that significance had long faded. It was like walking in a dream that you only half remember.

Then it came time for me to say goodbye to my brother. That’s when it hit me. I’m not going home. California is past - a beautiful sunny dream. I was headed to Boston; a place I had spent some of my happiest childhood memories, the place where my beloved grandparents lived and passed on – where my mom grew up. I was headed to my Aunt’s house to crash because a girl without a job and limited money left had no other choice.

As I pulled into my Aunt’s horseshoe driveway, I felt the love of my grandparents shine down on me. I felt more hope than fear. I knew I would be ok.

Fast forward to today. I have found an incredible life here. I have roommates that have become my sisters, I have good friends, and I job that I love. I’ve had hard times, love, loss, struggle, heartache, frustration, and feelings of great joy. I wouldn’t change a thing!

Happy 1-year anniversary of my Exodus!


August 15, 04:04 PM
My Fantasy Husbands


I was talking to a friend of mine the other day who is smack in the middle of an “Age of Anxiety “ meltdown. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this condition, I will explain further. Once women get to a certain age (usually late 20’s early 30’s) they start to think about finding the perfect man to marry and pop out a couple of kids with. Luckily, this condition has never infected me.


Anyway she was complaining about the lack of available decent men out there and asked me what my perfect man would look like. I laughed at first knowing fully that no one is perfect. I then decided that I could pick and choose traits from my plethora of fantasy husbands to appease her.
James Franco – He is highly intelligent and talent plus he looks like a Greek God.
Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard) – Since this is purely fantasy it doesn’t matter that Eric is a character and not a real person. He’s tall and a Viking. He is also sexy, quick, strong and a vampire (so he will look that good forever). If the book and series are any indication, he is an amazing lover. It doesn’t matter to me if he’s got amnesia or if all of his memories are in tact.
Nathan Fillion – He is my Geek husband. There will always be a place in my heart for Captain Mal Reynolds. He is also hysterical, witty, and such a kind hearted prankster.
Brandon Flowers – He is my rock husband. He has a beautiful voice, talented lyrical ability, an interesting fashion sense, and he’s not hard on the eyes. I could however do without his religious beliefs.


There you have it, my perfect man would be a highly intelligent, talented, tall vampire with a beautiful singing voice, features of a Greek or Norse God and a bit of a geeky side. Wouldn’t that be hysterical criteria for my Match.com profile if I had one?









June 21, 12:25 PM
Twilight Versus True Blood



Vampires as mythological creatures have fascinated people for centuries. As the years pass, the depictions and opinions change with the times but the passion never dies. Vampire stories tend to sync up with the culture of the times in which they are written.

A new stage in Vampire Culture has risen from the dark ashes of Dracula's world. Stephenie Meyer and Charlaine Harris have both managed to infect the masses with a new-found vampire fever. Although their message is completely opposite, the characters of these two female authors do share similar traits.

The Twilight Saga and the True Blood series have taken pop culture by storm. There are many attractive traits about the supernatural that help feed our curiosity and fascination. While investigating why Twilight and True Blood are appropriate for today's culture, I created a brief cheat sheet to help highlight the differences and similarities between these two supernatural universes.
Please click on picture for a closer view. Keep clicking to enlarge photo.


Ode to Jacob Black and Sam Merlotte


I really feel for these two hotties. They are always the confidant and never get what they truly want. It sucks to be considered a good “friend” and not a lover. It doesn’t help that both of their desired women have a huge vampire fetish.


Dear Jacob,

You are hot in all ways. Your body temperature is toasty and you have magnificent abs. You also make an adorable pet wolf. You are part human and alive. You age slowly. You are fully capable of finding a woman who appreciates you (not a little girl). Give up your Bella obsession. She likes the cold, hard, pale type that enjoys overacting and reading people’s thoughts.






Dear Sam Merlotte,

You had your chance but you blew it. You are sexy, funny, sweet and magical. You also make a cute pet who doesn't even need walking. Sookie has a thing for Vamps and one sexy Werewolf. You will never be able to make that transition from trusted friend to lover. Instead of sleeping with her best friend, Tara find yourself a trustworthy shifter or Were.







July 20, 09:49 AM
The NBA's Terrible Tattoos





Since I am utterly disappointed in the contenders for this year’s NBA Finals, I decided to write one last fun blog discussing the league. I have noticed recently that NBA players keep getting more and more hideous and ridiculous tattoos. I thought it would be fun to put them on visual display and comment on just how ludicrous they are.


Chest and Back:


Praying with a Gun - Stephen Jackson

His tattoo of two hands praying with a gun doesn’t surprise me. Although it’s not a shocker is still makes my worst idea to get permanently inked onto your body list.


Crazy Chest Tree – Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis, WTF was going through your mind when you made this unintelligent decision? I understand that you are a family man and love your kid. That is fantastic but scarring your body in this way is just foolish. You are also kind of repetitive. You have a giant tree on your body with a picture of your son and the words “Family First” eternally inked on your chest. Why do you also need Ellis family on your arm? Are you afraid people won’t realize which family you are referring to?


Angel Wings – Paul Pierce
Really? The angel wings and heart shaped tattoo makes Deron William’s panther look downright manly. This is a chick tattoo. Can you imagine the tattoo artist’s face when he picked this feminine design out? Thank god he wears a shirt on the court otherwise all the other players would just laugh him out of the arena.


Super Cool Beas - Michael Beasley

I am sure Beas is his nickname but someone should tell him, if you have to tattoo that you are super cool on your back, it means you aren’t super cool. Plus he needs to hop in a time machine and return those angel wings to the late 80’s early 90’s where they belong.


Chosen 1 - LeBron James

The ego on King James is unprecedented and the fact that he has chosen 1 tattooed across his back is no surprise. He is arrogant, obnoxious, and immature. His back tat reflects exactly who he is.


Neck Tats:

Free Bird – Chris Anderson A.K.A Birdman

Horrible strangulation of color and distaste. Even Lynyrd Skynyrd would cringe if they saw this one!



Virginia Slim - Allen Iverson
Allen used to be one of my favorite players but I will be the first to admit he has a number of stupid tattoos. The most absurd is his prison neck tattoo that has the words “Virginia Slim” surrounded by cobwebs. It just makes him look like a thug out for some yard time.



Swish – J.R. Smith

We all get it J.R.; you like to make the ball go swish. No need to tattoo that piece of info on your neck. Don’t even get me started on the Young Money tat underneath it. This just makes you look like a fool.



Believe – Matt Barnes

I love Matt Barnes. He is kind of a punk so a neck tattoo suits his persona. His choice is just ridiculous, even if he got it when my beloved Warriors were actually good.



Shoulder Tats:



The Panther – Deron Williams

Not hideous or over the top this black panther tattoo just seems cheesy. It would be cute on a girl as a tramp stamp or on an 80’s glam rocker. On Deron it just looks wrong.



Vanessa - Kobe Bryant

I love Kobe. He is one of my favorite players but yes he f**cked up. Besides buying his wife the trillion-dollar ring he got this tattoo. A queen’s crown with a butterfly her name and some horrid representation of her hair. He could have bought her more jewelry or a car instead. No need to defile his body with such repulsive art.












June 04, 07:38 PM
NBA Finals: My Thoughts on Game 1 and 2

As I have already stated this year’s finals is quite different from the last few years. I’m not sure where my loyalty lies because I have negative feelings for both teams. This year, there is no clear hero or villain. The one thing that remains is that I love the game of basketball. So of course I have to watch. Here are my thoughts on the first two games.


Game 1 - Heat 92 Mavericks 84

Overall, I was unimpressed by the offense in this game. Despite the fact that the Heat won by 8 points the first two quarters looked ugly on both sides. I think both teams were shooting under 40%. Both teams had a long rest between series. In the fourth quarter, the Heat stepped up their defense and began making shots. The Heat scored 27 pts and shot about 48%. In the final 10 minutes of the quarter, the Mavericks only scored 10 pts and shot about 40% (their lowest of the playoffs). At the end of this game all of the commentators and Miami fans were guilty of hubris. This was just game one. Dallas fans worried about Dirk’s hurt finger.


Game 2 - Mavericks 95 Heat 93

Game 2 was a completely different story. It was a competitive game for the first quarter and actually exciting to watch. Both teams had stepped up in the offense and defensive departments. At half time the score was tied 51-51. The Heat owned the 3rd quarter. They were shooting 53% with LeBron making 8/11 and Wade making 11/15 shots. Dallas was turning over the ball left and right. Even with the Heat scoring numerous times in the 3rd, Dallas was only down by 4, when headed to the 4th quarter.


The second half of the 4th was when the momentum of the game shifted drastically. The Mavericks went on a 17-2 run. Everything worked for Dallas and the Heat seemed like they were asleep at the wheel. Every shot Miami put up was off the mark. They couldn’t make an offensive play to save their lives. The two points they scored were actually foul shots. Dallas ended up winning the game in a thrilling come back victory. I found myself actually rooting for them and forgetting my dislike for the team because of this riveting win. Just as I kind of pledged my allegiance to Dallas, the camera shot to Mark Cuban jumping up and down. I then quickly remembered why I don’t like the Mavericks.


Side note: The Heat and Mavericks series just got interesting. Miami heads back to Dallas for three straight games, so I can’t wait to see what happens in game 3.


Unrelated note: Steve Nash was at the game to support Dallas and he looks really hot now. I guess divorce agrees with him.




May 30, 12:31 PM
2006 Revisited
As most of you already know, I am a basketball fanatic. This made the Eastern and Western Conference Semi-finals especially hard to watch. I wanted to see Chicago and my MVP D. Rose shine. I wanted to see the smug grins wiped off the faces of Miami’s Big Three. Most of all, I wanted to see “the Chosen One” fall. That obviously didn’t happen.


I knew that the young Thunder had no chance against the veteran Mavericks. I knew that once Dallas swept the Lakers, (it still makes me a little nauseous when I think about it) they would be the team from the West in the Finals. I hoped that Oklahoma could win at least 2 games in the series. That also obviously didn’t happen.


Sadly, both underdog teams lost 4-1. I also think that both Chicago and Oklahoma are 1 player or 1-2 years away from having their shot in the Finals.


Where does that leave us?


It’s a rematch of the 2006 Finals where Miami beat Dallas. I remember at the time, I was rooting for Miami because that was the Wade/Shaq combination. I also hated Dallas and Dirk, which hasn’t changed in the last few years. I recall Miami was down 0-2 and came back to win it all. I was in Cancun on vacation and met a bunch of rowdy guys from Houston. We bonded over Mexican beer and our mutual hatred for Mark Cuban and all things Dallas (except maybe J.R. Ewing).


Things are completely different now. How can I in good conscience root for Miami? If I do its like proving LeBron, Wade, and Bosh right. Their collective egos would explode like a volcano. They are like the Yankees of the NBA, although as a New Yorker, I love the Yankees.


On the other hand, I still detest Dallas. I hate Cuban and Dirk. I have love for Jason Kidd, especially when he was in his prime with the Nets. I also respect Jason Terry because he preformed well for me this fantasy season.


It’s like picking the lesser of two evils. I’m not even sure if I’ll watch the entire series. For a basketball freak that is practically insane.


Wade and Shaq 2006 Finals


I will be rooting for: not sure jury is still out!


Who will win: Dallas has a giant axe to grind and the Triple Threat have something to prove. I pick Dallas in 6.

May 30, 12:36 PM
My Thoughts on NBA Finals Round 2
Like the first round of the playoffs, the second round was full of drama and shocking upsets. Some of the NBA elite teams were brutally eliminated, young stars played up to their full potential, and two teams engaged in a battle royal that brought us our first 7 game series of the post season. I personally found this round hard to watch and even more challenging to write about. Luckily, I’m a professional and just because my team was annihilated doesn’t mean that I will ignore my love for the game (and analyzing it). Here are some my thoughts.

The West

Dallas vs. LA (4-0)


I knew a three-peat was not in the cards this year but the last thing I expected was a sweep. This is hard for me to say aloud but I think the dynasty is dead. Phil is gone and what way to go out. The Lakers lost the first two games at home and were completely humiliated in that last game. The once glorious two-time champs were shamefully swept by the Dallas Mavericks.


Luckily, I chose food shopping with my mother (Mother’s Day) over watching that last game. Watching SportsCenter was a nightmare that night. Much to my dismay, we had the wrong Gasol. Pau’s game was atrocious. I was happy to see Bynum finally get aggressive in many of the games but once he let loose he couldn’t be contained. If you need any more proof just ask J.J Barea. Odom didn’t seem to show up maybe because he was busy shooting his reality show with his annoying wife.


What else can I say except Dallas out played the Lakers. Dirk knows how to take over a game and lead his team to a possible championship. I have my fingers crossed that his Hasselhoff loving ass falls short. I can’t believe I am saying this but if it comes down to a Dallas/Miami series; I have to root for Miami. It would be quite poetic if Dallas gets back to the Finals only to loose to Miami again just like in 2006.






Oklahoma vs. Memphis (4-3)


This series has been a battle of shooters, scorers, and pure will. In fact it’s not only the first 7-game series of the finals but probably the most interesting to watch. The Grizzlies were an 8 seed team, who people thought would be crushed by San Antonio in the first round. Oklahoma is a young team with talented players that can score when it counts. I had never seen Memphis play in a regular season game but Zach Randolph was on my fantasy team and he performed miracles for me every night. I wasn’t surprised to see him continue his reign throughout the post season. 

Every game between these two teams (except the last one) was a battle. Durant and Westbrook are sleek and speedy shooters and Randolph and Gasol are a combination of brute force and talent. As most people expected Oklahoma won the battle in the end. They finally figured out how to contain Randolph, when it really mattered. I found myself a bit disappointed in the end. The last game wasn’t really that competitive and I was rooting for the underdogs. I know that the Thunder have a better chance against the Mavericks, so for that I am grateful. Despite that last game, I have a newfound respect for the Grizzlies and I hope that I am not the only one.


The East


Miami vs. Boston (4-1)


This series surprised me. In the regular season Boston had no problem beating Miami. I truly expected this match up to be more competitive. The fact that Celtics only won 1 game at home is almost unbelievable. I must admit that I was a little giddy that they preformed so poorly. I was rooting for them only because of my loathing for the Heat. After the way they humiliated the Knicks, it seemed like justice that they almost got swept. The Celtics might have been over confident and had too much rest. They also probably regretted that Perkins trade.

The bottom line although I cringe to acknowledge it is Miami has figured out a way to play balanced basketball together. The big three are making quite the unbeatable team. Wouldn’t it be horrifying if they proved everyone wrong? My last hope is Chicago but if it comes down to a choice between Miami and Dallas in the finals, I might have to swallow my pride and root for Miami. My hatred for Dirk and Mark Cuban runs deeper than my disgust for LeBron. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to that difficult choice. I’m putting all my faith in my #1 fantasy player and current MVP, Derrick Rose.


Chicago vs. Atlanta (4-2)


The Hawks played well and deserve respect especially because they managed to beat the Bulls at home in game 1. Joe Johnson scored 34 pts during that game and the Bulls had a scary moment where D. Rose starting limping at the end of the game. Thankfully, he recovered quickly and played his heart out the rest of the series. D. Rose proved just how healthy he was feeling in game 3 with a career high of 44 pts. The Bulls shine as a great defensive team as well as an amazing bench team.  As long as Deng, Boozer, and Noah need to keep up their competitive roles and Gibson, Asik, and Brewer keep playing hard, the Bulls have a shot at beating the Heat.  Hopefully their strong bench will be the key to their success in the Eastern Conference Finals.


Predictions:


Dallas will win the Western Conference Finals 4-2 (Hoping the Thunder will win at least 2 games at home)


The Eastern Conference Finals could go either way. It will be a tough defensive battle. It could go even go 7 games. I am picking the Bulls (wishful thinking) but I know it my heart it’s could be the Heat.



April 30, 05:11 PM
Deep thoughts on the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs

Surprisingly, this year’s first round of the playoffs have become Must See TV. Most of the series match ups have been both unpredictable and exciting. I almost feel that kind of March Madness thrill, where the underdog has a real shot and anything can happen. Let’s take a closer look at some highlights and brutal truths.


Lakers vs. Hornets (Final 4-2)

This series threw me for a loop. As a Lakers fan, I was really worried after the first few games. I want to take a moment to marvel at Chris Paul and his obviously extraordinary talent. Although he struggled throughout the regular season (averaging his lowest 16pts and 10 assists a game) he made sure that the playoffs meant a fresh start. Despite his size and stitches over his right eye, Chris Paul came to play. In the two wins he averaged 30pts and 15 assists a game. CP3 is and will remain a Triple Threat. Bravo. I am ecstatic that Bynum, Gasol, Odom, and Artest decided to help Kobe out and win the series. I know in my heart that a Three-peat is probably not in the cards for this year.


Grizzlies vs. Spurs (Final 3-2)
This was by far the most shocking series in this round. A Cinderella story if Cinderella was shaped like 2 bulky brute big men (Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combined weight is over 500 pounds). This match up proves that brute force can beat experience and a stellar record. The Grizzlies held the number one seed in the West to a shooting percentage of under 42%. Crazy. Marc Gasol (Pau’s younger/bigger brother) owned the paint. Zach Randolph (one of my fantasy players) preformed magic on the court. Unfortunately, for the Spurs, not even Manu Ginobili and his growing bald spot, could save them from a first round elimination. Congrats to the Grizzlies for being just the second 8 seed team, to knock out a number 1 seed team, since the league expanded the first round to a 7 game series. We all know that the other team to do it was my beloved inconsistent Warriors.


Thunder vs. Nuggets (Final 4-1)

I expected this match up to be better. I realize the combination of Durant, Ibaka, and Westbrook is a deadly one. This young team is explosive to watch. I think they will probably make it all the way to the Finals this year. With all that said, since the trade of Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks in the regular season the Nuggets played fantastic. I have love for the Nuggets because they have Raymond Felton and a few other choice Knick players. I was hoping that they would win more than one game but at least they didn’t get swept like the Knicks did.


Bulls vs. Pacers (Final 4-1)

Unfortunately, this series falls into the predictable pack. D. Rose, future MVP and my personal hero from my fantasy team is just a force to be reckoned with. In game 1 he had 39 pts and in game 2 he had 36. There was a scary moment in Game 4, where he tweaked his ankle but luckily his teammates Boozer and Noah stepped up. He is amazing to watch. I just can’t wait to see the level he will be playing at in the next few years. Here is a quote from Frank Vogel (the Pacers coach) that I feel accurately describes his talent. “He’s got Allen Iverson’s speed, Jason Kidd’s vision, Chauncey Billup’s shooting, and Michael Jordon’s athleticism. How do you guard that?” I couldn’t have said it better myself.


Mavericks vs. Blazers (Final 4-2)

This series became competitive once Portland played at home and I was hoping for Portland to put up more of a fight. Dirk as usual is a clutch player. He scores when he needs to. It’s hard for me to truly appreciate his talent because I hate Dallas and in particular his Hasselhoff loving ass. I am happy that in Game 4 Brandon Roy landed 24 pts in 24 minutes. I am also looking forward to the Lakers kicking some Texan booty in the second round. Fingers crossed.


Celtics vs. Knicks (Final 4-0)

For so many reason this was the most painful series to watch. It was also the only sweep. I feel nauseous just thinking about it right now. The first two games were competitive, heartbreaking, and close. It was just downhill from there. It doesn’t matter if you blame it on Billups’s health or that the big 3 haven’t really had enough time to gel. You could even say it’s because Rondo is a beast. Any way you look at it, it’s just the epic failure of the NY Knicks once again. They should have won at least one game at MSG. As a native New Yorker and a long time Knick fan, we must move on from this all too familiar sore subject.


Hawks vs. Magic (Final 4-2)

This series came as another unpredictable shock. I fully expected the Magic to advance to the second round. To be completely honest, I am an avid NBA fan and besides Al Horford, I have no clue who even plays for the Atlanta Hawks. I didn’t even watch all of the games in this series. What I did see was Superman fighting alone (averaging about 33 pts a game). The problem was that the rest of the team didn’t seem to show up. I must say, I am impressed with the Hawks and looking forward to watching them more closely in round 2.


Heat vs. Sixers (Final 4-1)

It wasn’t a surprise to see the Heat roll over the Sixers. I was happy that the Sixers won at least one game. I was hoping for two. The Sixers have great potential and a very young team. I was happy to see both Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young (2 more fantasy players) fighting to stay alive. Despite their best efforts, everyone knew they were no match for the Heat. Miami has come a long way from their 9-8 start. They seem to compliment each other and have found a balance. Since Miami is my least favorite team in the entire NBA, all I can say is…Go Celtics! If you truly knew me you would realize just how hard that was to say and that yes hell has frozen over.






April 16, 02:38 PM
Close, But No Cigar



As the NBA playoffs approach, I lament the passing of yet another year of Fantasy Basketball. This year I came so close to winning, that I must admit how much I detest the sting of second place. I would rather come in towards the bottom of the pack then a mere 2.5 points behind the league leader.


Even though my pride is wounded and the competitor in me wants a recount, I am still proud of my standing in the end. Out of the 12 teams, I was the only female manager. I had to prove myself multiple times during the season. At least once a week, I would get a trade request from another manager that was ridiculous. I’m not sure if they thought I was stupid or were just trying to test my skills but most of the trades were downright insulting. Yes, I am a girl but I know my basketball stats. I am well aware of each player’s worth. You cannot have Kevin Love or D. Rose.


This season I was in it to win. Although I played in a free public league and there was no money on the table, I had my eye on the prize. I strategically sat out some players so I wouldn’t max out any positions before their time. The winner of my league played hard-core all the way through and ended up maxing out 4 positions in the last few weeks. I would have landed on top, had I not spaced out during March Madness and forgotten to play key players when it mattered most.


The end of this season was bittersweet. Now that I have almost tasted victory, I am looking forward to kicking some fantasy basketball ass next season! I just pray that I end up with a team as awesome as the one I had this year. Thanks boys!



My Awesome Team


April 06, 04:26 PM
My Return to WonderCon
Photo by: Jonathan Shensa



It was great to be back at WonderCon this year. Having unfortunately missed last year’s event, I was eager to reconnect with my geeky roots.


As usual there were some comforting aspects to being thrown back into supreme Geekdom. Here are some fun facts about WonderCon for those not so familiar with the conference.


Sci-fi / Fanboys are the most fanatical fun breed of fans in the “Verse”.


You get lots of free comics and other cool geeky swag.


They have panels that give you a sneak peak at upcoming Sci-Fi TV shows, movies, and comics.


Fans enjoy dressing up so it feels like Halloween on a pile of steroids.


There is a ton of cool merchandise.


Side note: For some reason people assume all comic book fans are very large men, so they have all this cool merchandise but the sizes are way too big.


On the bottom floor they have an autograph area where you can see your old favorites and take photos with them for a price. This juxtaposition is always entertaining because WonderCon seems to have Sci-Fi gods at the top of their game mixed in with Old School favorites charging $25 a pop to make ends meet. 

This year’s biggest autograph stars were:


Lou Ferrigno - The Hulk on the classic TV show

Honky Tonk – old wrestler

Herbert Jefferson Jr. – The original Lt. Boomer in the classic BSG (Battlestar Galactica)

Peter Mayhew – Chewbacca (what a wookie)

Cindy Morgan – The original Tron girl


The highlight of my day was getting to sit in on the Green Lantern panel. I confess that although I do speak superhero and I am well versed in Sci-Fi Geekdom, I am not familiar with the story of the Green Lantern nor do I know his sacred oath. The panel was not only entertaining but educational as well. I even got to hear the crowd and the actors recite the sacred oath.


I was pleasantly surprised by the likeability of Ryan Reynolds. I also felt that he had great chemistry with Blake Lively. Speaking of Blake, I knew she was good-looking but I had no clue she was drop-dead gorgeous in person. Sitting about 5 feet from her, I was taken back with how truly stunning she looked. We were lucky enough to have a sneak peak at the movie and it looks like a blast.


Fun fact: Ryan’s Green Lantern suit is made of pure CGI energy so his body looks completely smoking during the whole movie. This is a fact that gave the ladies (yes there were other ladies at WonderCon) something to scream about.


Photo by:  Jonathan Shensa

March 16, 09:44 AM
My Boston Perks

I have decided to embark on a new adventure this summer. I am moving back east to Boston. Born and bred in New York this is a welcomed challenge on many levels. I have been living in California for over a decade and news of my drastic move has been met with a surprising flood of negativity. I keep hearing the same whiny question. People spend their whole lives dreaming of living in California. Why would you ever leave and move back to the East Coast? They keep reminding me of the harsh weather extremes and the fact that I will be abandoning both friends and family. At first I just smiled sweetly and tried to rationally explain my decision. Now I am starting to get pissed off.


Fact: I love California and will be back. I would never desert my immediate family, close friends, and adorable cat, Buffy.


Fact: I have lived here over a decade.


Fact: I need a new adventure. I want to live somewhere I have never lived before.


I have decided to respond to the naysayers with some positive reasons why I am making the move.


Some of my Boston Perks:

4 seasons

A real summer (where you can actually wear a mini skirt at night and sit on your stoop drinking some beer)

The Boston Commons in the Fall and Spring

The Cape

Family, Friends, and more…

Fenway Park

NYC is only a short train ride away (see more of my old friends)

New opportunities, people, and places to explore

Crab cakes at Legal

The North End

The Rocky Horror Picture Show in Cambridge (where I got my cherry popped on stage)

Living in an old historic city

Being surrounded by so many educated and young people


Thank you naysayers for making me even more determined and excited to start this new chapter of my life.








February 28, 01:13 PM
My Favorite Oscar Moments


I am a sucker for the awards season and even though there were few real shockers this year, I still remained glued to my TV for three plus hours. I lost my annual Oscar pool to my brother this year but I am still proud of my 15/24 score. Here are my personal favorites from last night’s show.


Kirk Douglas copping a feel of Melissa Leo’s boob as she left the stage with her Best Supporting Actress award. I also dig the fact that she was the only one who dropped the F-Bomb in her acceptance speech.


Trent Reznor gets an Oscar for Best Original Score prompting female fans to really want to Frak him like an animal.


Natalie Portman shows the world that you can look hot and really pregnant at the same time.


Tom Hooper beats out David Fincher for Best Director. This was one of the few surprises of the night that also screwed up my Oscar pool results.


I know there are many haters but I thought my fantasy husband, James Franco and Anne Hathaway did a great job hosting.


Side note: I was really happy that James Franco finally got recognized for his work in 127 Hours. Thank you Independent Spirit Awards (Best Male Lead). Any other year he'd probably won the Oscar.


Until next year….



February 21, 05:21 PM
My Deep Thoughts on All-Star Weekend
As you all know by now, I am an NBA fanatic. To me, All-Star weekend feels a lot like an early Christmas present combined with some awesome socks from Hanukkah Harry. Because I love my 15 followers so much, I am going to give you my impressions (likes as well as dislikes) broken down by events.

Friday Night
2011 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

Things I learned from watching the game:

White men can jump thanks to Michael Rapaport.

Common’s got game.

Scotty Pippen still has it.

Justin Bieber is succeeding in his evil plan of world domination. Not only was he in the game but he also was named MVP. Really?





2011 Rookie Challenge

Highlights:

DeJuan Blair proved that ACL’s are overrated.

Cousins kicked some serious ass.

Adidas has a hideous line of sneakers coming soon to a store near you.

John Wall deserved to be the #1 pick and MVP (unlike Bieber) with 12 points and 22 assists.

John Wall’s Bounce Pass Alley-Oop to Blake Griffin was reason enough to watch the game.

The Rookie Challenge used to be played more like an actual game. This year it was almost as bad as the veterans. The game was all offense with high scoring and no defense but still extremely fun to watch.




Saturday Night
Shooting Stars

Defending champs Texas seemed like the favorite but Atlanta came from behind in the second round to knock them out of the winner’s circle.

A slightly fatter Kenny Smith still has game. He made the half-court shot on his first try. I am sure Charles will never hear the end of it.


Skills Challenge

My pick to win this was one of my favorite fantasy players, D. Rose.

I was not only surprised but also ecstatic when my hometown hero Stephen Curry took the prize. Way to represent buddy 28.2 seconds. Bravo!


3-Point Contest

I was looking forward to this event because it was pitting two Celtics against one another. I was curious to see who would take home the trophy, returning champ Paul Pierce or the 3-Point Guru, Ray Allen (who was my personal pick).

I felt bad for Durant when he scored only 6 pts in the first round. I agree with my man Charles, he is a scorer not a shooter.

In the end one of the only Heat players I don’t detest stole the show. James Jones beat out both Celtics for the win. Awesome.


Dunk Contest

Blake Griffin is the shit and he deserves respect but can’t we just remove ourselves from all this razzle-dazzle. I can’t wait to see him in a few years. He has actually made the Clippers a watchable team again. Do we really need cars, choirs, stuffed animals, and multiple hoops?

My favorite Blake dunk of the night was the spinning one. He has an amazing combination of power and grace, not to mention upper body strength.

Why didn’t Serge Ibaka get a 50 for his dunk where he took off from behind the free-throw line?

You be the judge.



Sunday Night

The All-Star Game

My Highlights of the actual game:

When Doc Rivers put in his second rotation that consisted of four Boston Celtics and a cringing Dwight Howard the crowd in the Staples Center erupted with boos.

Then Ray Allen air balls a three and hears it from the crowd.

Watching in suspense as Ginobili’s bald spot grew larger and larger.

Seeing Kobe shine with 37 points and a much deserved MVP award.

All kidding aside in the fourth quarter the game became competitive and actual defense was played (probably due to LeBron’s pep talk).

In the end the West proved that they were best.

West – 148 (51% shooting)

East – 143 (47% shooting)
















February 12, 07:32 PM
The Scene of my Embarrassment (Part II The Franco Experience)


In case you missed my last post, I was attempting to meet and politely stalk James Franco at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Part I of the Mission:  The Dry Run


We went to the Arlington the night before to scope out the scene. Annette Bening was getting an award for her brilliant performance in The Kids Are All Right. We watched her arrive with her dashing husband, Warren Beatty. The fans were stationed in a designated area across from the theatre. It was shaped kinda like a giant horseshoe. Inside the gates the photographers and videographers anxiously awaited the red carpet walk. I watched Annette greet her fans while my brother snapped a few photos. We were ready to hit the bar. We got all the information we were looking for. Hello, James Joyce bar how I have missed you.


Part II: The Stalking


We arrived outside the Arlington at about 6:00pm. The event (which we had tickets for) was supposed to start at 8:00pm. James was scheduled to arrive at 7:00pm. We were concerned that if we spent too much time waiting across the street, we would not get the prime seats we wanted for the award ceremony.


My brother and I scored a first-rate spot. We were in the front row behind the gate at exactly where the limo arrived the night before for the drop off. Now all we had to do was wait. At this point, there were only about 40 fans hanging around outside. We waited some more.


The crowd began to grow and grow. I looked around at the sea of people. Mostly women of all ages. We found out later that there were over 500 people waiting in the street. These fans had come prepared: mountains of posters, photos, and Pineapple Express DVD’s. I gripped my copy of Palo Alto tightly, hoping James would get the chance to sign it later. You couldn’t even see the end of the street anymore. It got later and later. Still we waited. Children waited on their parent’s shoulders. A group of really young girls held out a sign that read, “We are Legal.”


There were two false alarms where security cleared out an area for the car to enter and a car never came. It was now 8:15. The line to get into the event had vanished. We didn’t know if we should just give up and get seats or wait it out to catch a glimpse of him before he hit the carpet. Just when all hope seemed lost a black SUV pulls up through the gate. We see that James is in the passenger seat.

The crowd screams as he gets out of the car. He passes right by us. We all think he’s just going to go straight to the Red Carpet where tons of frustrated photographers are waiting. He points towards the beginning of the horseshoe shaped line and makes his way over to the barely legal girls. Everyone simultaneously figures out that he plans to walk the entire outside of the fan area. More screaming and squealing. I realize that I am the loudest. Frantically snapping pictures and video like a mad woman. Waving my book in the air and my black sharpie. I feel like a 13-year-old girl at a New Kids on the Block concert circa 1986.


He’s five feet from me I shriek at him to sign my book. He smiles and nods. I remain silent for the next 30 seconds. James is right in front of me. He signs my book and we exchange words. I regain my composure and take a few more extreme close-up pictures. We fight our way out of line and run into the theatre. The moment we break free from the crowd our spot is swallowed by 50 other crazy fans. We find some decent (not prime) seats and wait. It feels good to be sitting and away from the madness.



A little too close to James Franco

SBIFF 2011 James Franco

James Franco signing a fan












February 07, 02:32 PM
An Awesome Super Bowl Distraction


This year for the Super Bowl, I was in an unusual predicament. Not only did I have no allegiance to either of the teams but I also had no extreme hatred for them (which can make the game a bit boring). So, I was hoping for a good game to distract me from this harsh reality. The first half of the game didn’t deliver but luckily I had an entertaining distraction this year.

Thank you Mullen & Radian6 for giving us the Brand Bowl. Being in the ad game, I always wait in eager anticipation for the Super Bowl ads only to be disappointed in the aftermath (kinda like having sex with the really hot guy). This year you made the commercial watching experience even more amusing. I also found out that two of my favorite ads came out on top.


Thankfully the game became competitive and interesting in the second half. The Brand Bowl was still a blast although it prevented me from going to the bathroom (which is kinda tricky while drinking that much beer).



VW's  Mini Vader

February 05, 07:11 PM
I Guess I’m a Superfan (Part I of the Franco Experience)




I am usually careful not to put celebrities up on a pedestal and confuse their acting personas with who they are in the real world.

In September, I tagged along with my brother to observe fan behaviors at the Easy A movie premiere and subsequently broke them up into categories. Here is a crash course.


5 Categories:


The Superfans – These avid fans love the particular actors they are waiting to see. In this case James Franco and Seth Rogen.


Autograph Addicts & Collectors – These fanatics are addicted to meeting and collecting autographs from celebrities. They are not fans of a particular actor/actress but of all famous people.


Paparazzi/ Videographers/ Independent Photographers

Tourists


Random Happenings – Local people walking by sometimes stumble into a celebrity event by accident.


Last weekend I successfully blurred the lines between observation and participation. As many of you already know I am obsessed with James Franco. There are many reasons for my fixation. He is highly intelligent, talented, and looks like a Greek god. Recently I found out he is in the midst of two graduate programs (a PHD in English at Yale and a MFA at RISD). I also have been reading his collection of short stories, Palo Alto. He writes, acts, directs, and is a habitual student.  All these factors only intensify my fascination.


When I found out that Mr. Franco was getting the Outstanding Acting Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, for his work in 127 Hours, I jumped in my car and trekked back to my old college town with a huge smile plastered across my face.


I had a mission. I was going to meet him, take some photos, attend the event, and get him to sign my book. I was going to be a Superfan, Autograph Collector, and Paparazzi all rolled up into one star-struck gal. I didn’t realize I was going to turn into a giggling 13-year old girl in the process.


Part II will have all the juicy details of my mission.











January 25, 05:04 PM
Somewhere There is a Good Film


Sofia Coppola is considered Hollywood royalty because she was born into a spectacular gene pool. I want to root for her as a writer/director because I am devoted to her Pops and think she is a terrible actress (see the Godfather III). I just wish her films were better.


What drives me crazy is how much the critics kiss her ass. I’m not sure if it is out of fear or misplaced loyalty. I know she has promise because her directorial debut, The Virgin Suicides was incredible. Although she did write the script, it was adapted from a novel so the credit is not all hers. Even so this proves that she does have the talent.


Her follow up critically acclaimed hit, Lost in Translation, is either loved or hated. I am an admitted hater but do give her credit for reviving the career of Bill Murray, one of my favorite comedic actors.


Her latest film, Somewhere, let me down in so many ways. The hardest thing to swallow is that this could have been an incredibly interesting film. This film features one of my favorite overlooked actors, Stephen Dorff. I was hoping this film would revitalize his career. Problem is I don’t think anyone wants to see that much of him. We really don’t need to watch him smoke a cigarette on his balcony staring off into the distance and reflecting for 10 whole minutes.


I get what she was trying to do (pierce the Hollywood bubble) but she is unsuccessful. We get it, Hollywood isn’t all puppy dogs and ice cream. A movie star’s life is a lonely place full of emptiness and alienation. We don’t need to examine Johnny Marco so closely to discover he is a sad excuse for a human being. He lives in a party hotel, sleeps with numerous faceless women, has twin strippers perform absurd pole dance numbers in his room, gets stalking texts from women he’s treated badly, and hardly knows his 11-year-old daughter.


Once he is saddled with the responsibility of taking care of his daughter for a week, we as an audience expect change. We want the character to mature. Unfortunately, when he has his epiphany at the end, he doesn’t really grow up. Thankfully Stephen plays the part to perfection and he is a sweet piece of eye candy because we are looking at him doing nothing for long periods of time. Elle Fanning (Dakota’s little sister) has promise as a talented actress given a role in a film with better character development.


Opening scene:


A lone car drives around an empty road for 5 minutes.

As soon as I saw that opening scene, I realized that this movie would drag. I just didn’t comprehend how much. The movie only runs 97 minutes but certain scenes feel like torture. I felt like I was watching a student film that was going nowhere. Someone needs to teach Sofia how to use Final Cut Pro. I don’t think she edited a single scene. Every shot was too long. Once the story got going, I hoped she would cut some of these shots but no such luck. Certain films can get away with a non-verbal script but not this one. The saddest part is that this could have been a great film with a ton of editing and a little bit of restraint on Ms. Coppola’s part. It has an interesting story and two actors with chemistry. I have now learned my lesson the next movie Sofia puts out will have to wait for video no matter how appealing the cast seems.








January 17, 02:46 PM
Hurray for the Hollywood Foreign Press

As I sat glued to my TV for three hours watching the Golden Globes, I realized award season was in full swing. This year however I was impressed that the Hollywood Foreign Press actually honored the right actors. In a year of brilliant performances, it was hard to choose who was “best.”


Highlights of the show:


Ricky Gervais showed no mercy as he attacked Charlie Sheen’s hooker fetish, Mel Gibson’s racism, Robert Downey’s drinking problems, his own Atheism, and Tom Cruise’s sexuality. People were offended. News flash, Ricky is over the top and very funny. He wasn’t acting out of character.


Melissa Leo and Christian Bale winning best supporting actors for The Fighter. This was an amazing film and deserved to win more but these two brilliant performers were definitely the scene-stealers of the movie and deserved recognition.


The Kids are All Right winning best comedy. Excellent storytelling mixed with a great script and incredible acting.


Colin Firth and Natalie Portman winning the best actor/actress in a drama. Both had demanding roles and were brilliant.


The Social Network cleaning up a plethora of awards at the show. Don’t get me wrong I loved this film and I thought it was well done. Even Trent Reznor got an award because of it. I just always find it interesting when a film gets voted as “best” but has no wins in the acting categories. At least they had the nominations unlike last year’s Avatar.


Last but certainly not least, I will mention one TV win that is near and dear to my heart.


Katey Sagal finally got the proper respect she deserves. Her demanding role as Gemma Teller Morrow is a force of nature. Finally Sons of Anarchy gets some recognition.


Once again I would personally like to thank the Hollywood Foreign press for recognizing excellence in a tough year.


Now that the Globes have finished and Ricky has been voted off the island, I am left eagerly awaiting the SAG awards and the Oscars. One of my favorite talented actors is hosting the Oscars. Can’t wait to see the crazy stunts James Franco pulls. Hopefully he won’t end up banned for life like Ricky.



 Jax and Gemma

January 13, 03:00 PM
And the Golden Globe should go to..?






Award season is rapidly approaching and I have finally completed watching all of the Golden Globe nominated films. I will first give a witty summary of the plot then my personal impressions. Like the Hollywood Foreign Press, I will split the films up into Drama and Comedy. Keep in mind I am not a movie critic just a lover of entertaining cinema. I am also going to include two films that made my worst list of 2010 just for fun and a few honorable mentions for acting for those films not nominated as the “best.”


Best Motion Picture, Drama


Black Swan – A ballerina wants the big role in Swan Lake. We see in great detail her dedication, abuse, grace, failing mental capacities, paranoia, competitive nature, and mommy issues. We also see way too much yuck.


This film has a ton of buzz and in my opinion some well deserved and some hype. I will tell you that it was directed beautifully and Natalie Portman does an amazing job in the acting department. It was just a little too grotesque for my taste.


The Fighter – A working class boxer surrounded by a dysfunctional family wants to prove his worth.


Based on a true story this rocky-like picture is inspirational and well acted. The supporting cast is brilliant especially Christian Bale. His transformation into the role of a crack addicted has-been boxer/attention seeker is a revelation.


Inception – A creative and compelling story about literally messing with someone’s head. Our protagonists practice the art of invading people’s dreams in order to gain access to their unconscious thoughts.


Although the plot was complex at times, I truly enjoyed this movie. It was original and visually awesome. The story and acting both were up to par.


The King’s Speech – This is the story of Elizabeth’s father, George VI, struggling with an indiscreet brother and a massive speech impediment.


I was literally dragged to this movie kicking and screaming and will be the first to admit how completely wrong I was. A stellar cast brilliantly acted this film. It also makes you feel as though you are learning something about an important time in history. Colin Firth deserves to win for his demanding and endearing performance.


The Social Network – We all know this story or pieces of it. A genius Geek wants to impress the social clubs at Harvard and ends up owning the world.


For me, this was probably the most anticipated film of the year. Not the overall best but the one I wanted to see the most. Jesse Eisenberg does an amazing job of portraying the slightly Aspergery, Zuckenberg. The film was well written (just like the book) and well acted. Fincher sets the tone with incredible direction from the beginning of the film to its bitter end.


Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical


Alice in Wonderland – Not the Disney story we know and love but a kinda sequel. Alice goes back to Wonderland, as a young woman to right wrongs and reconnect with loved ones. She also comes to terms with the death of her father and realizes she can do just about anything, even deal with a creepy Johnny Depp.


I am not sure how this movie made the best category. It was visually pleasing and entertaining but nothing that stands out, except Tim Burton’s direction and the Mad Hatter’s lisp.


Burlesque – A lonely girl from small town dreams of making it in Hollywood. She moves to town, meets a merry band of misfits in slutty clothes and finds a surrogate family. She also has a kick-ass voice and falls for the cheesy guy from the OC and Twilight.


I am once again not sure how this movie got nominated except the fact that it’s mostly a musical in a year where there weren’t any others. I was thoroughly entertained by this film. As with any musical, there was a cheese factor but not as much as I imagined. Stanley Tucci has a fun role as Cher’s gay best friend and choreographer of the show. Cher looks very plastic but still sounds good. Christina Aguilera still has that amazing voice and is surprisingly a decent actress.


The Kids Are All Right – The story of an unconventional family realistically dealing with life’s issues. Kids of lesbian parents seek out their “Donor Dad” and both comedy and drama follows brilliantly.


This was one of my favorite films of the year. Superbly written and acted with an interesting and original story. This ensemble cast just radiated chemistry. Although there are indeed comic elements, I wouldn’t call this film a comedy. Another high point of the film was the use of the best phrase ever, “Shut the front door.”


Red – Retired CIA agents become targets by corrupt agents forcing a good ole fashion showdown and lots of explosions.


It’s hard to remember this one because it feels so long ago. I remember the ensemble cast worked well together and that the script had wit. Overall the film was an entertaining popcorn blast.


The Tourist – A case of mistaken identity turns into an entertaining action/spy film. A mysterious sexy woman uses a man on a train as a diversion in order to confuse those chasing her.


This film has gotten terrible reviews and frankly I expected the worst. What I found was a fun and enjoyable movie that was easy to follow with interesting and believable twists.


Honorable Mentions for Acting (films weren’t nominated as “best”)


True Grit – Bravo: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and the young Hailee Steinfeld


Blue Valentine – Well done: Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling


As promised my two WORST movies of 2010:


Salt


The American








January 05, 02:19 PM
2011 Is Where My Story Begins


I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions anymore because I never end up keeping them. This year I decided it’s time for a change. Instead of broken promises about things I need to quit, shouldn’t eat, or how many times I should work out, I am going to predict my own future. This year I will tell two important stories.

My Cross-Country story – this story had been about 15 years in the making. I am finally going to take the plunge. I just hope the Batmobile agrees with me and survives the trip to the East Coast.

My Boston story- this is a relatively new story. In my opinion it’s the perfect choice. I have lived and played in NY. I spent my high school years partying in Boston but have never experienced what the city has to offer as an adult. I also have a bunch of family there willing to show me their support as well as an occasional couch. I will have to learn to keep my hatred for all Boston sports quiet, which will be extremely difficult but that’s a small price to pay for a new adventure.

2011 feels like a year of possibilities and exploration!









December 30, 02:11 PM
Photoshop Tutorial Rap


I just saw this in a blog I was reading. I realize it's a few weeks old but I can't stop laughing. Please enjoy!





December 30, 12:59 PM
Screw You, Maximum Games

As most of you already know, I am a NBA fanatic. With this addiction comes an obsessive fantasy basketball habit that I just can’t kick. This year I am playing the yahoo sports version. I have played in this league before as well as a few others. Unlike the past few years, this time around I actually have a kick-ass team. I am also the only female manager in my league, which consists of 12 teams. I was in first place for the first few months and quite pleased with myself. Then I remembered the ole “Maximum Games” rule and had to make a more tactical play for the top.
For those of you that haven’t had to deal with this ridiculous rule, let me explain.

Each spot on your roster (not each player) allows for a maximum number of games played. Once you exceed the maximum, you will no longer accumulate stats for the position. Of course since this is basketball there are a shite load of games played and the "allowed" number for each position is way off.


Now I am forced to sit people out by the masses in order to be able to compete at the end of the season. I try and make my decisions strategically, examining the match ups and if the player is playing a home or an away game. Even with meticulous planning, I always end up benching some fairly decent player on the night that he has the game of his life.


Right now I have slipped to third place and I still have a bad ratio of maximum games to actual games. It’s hard to justify ever benching Kobe unless maybe he is playing the Heat (painful Christmas performance Kobes). Anyway it’s a long season and I need to bench more guys and just ride it out to the bitter end.


I just wanted to say once again cause it gives me a little bit of fleeting pleasure, SCREW YOU MAXIMUM GAMES!




November 30, 05:11 PM
Flashback to 1994



Last night I was lucky enough to catch Weezer’s Memories Tour, where they played their greatest hits from the last 16 years and the entire Blue Album straight through. The show was amazing. At first I was shocked that they broke it up into 2 sets because the first set (greatest hits) was only about 40-minutes long. 

When the band came back it was as though a time warp had swept through the building. The whole demeanor of the evening changed and I was transported back to 1994. Rivers and company did an amazing job recreating the tone of the times. They rocked that mother ship shaped auditorium with a good old-fashioned deafening show.

The whole night made nostalgic for those simple but crazy times of my youth. It also had me pondering the things that really mattered to me in 1994. 

Here are a few of those things:


The untimely death of Kurt Cobain

Graduating HS

My first trip to Seattle where I stalked Eddie Vedder and met some members of Soundgarden

Watching the X-Files

Flannel shirts

Seeing the Grateful Dead’s Summer Tour

Undone – the Sweater Song

Ann Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles (this is when I began my vampire novel)

Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall (the scene where he rides in on the horse is the best)

Drinking cheap wine bought by my older legal friends (Glen Ellen White Zinfandel, the fat bottle)


Thanks Weezer for helping me take my own personal trip down memory lane.

November 27, 06:42 PM
I Give Thanks For...







Things I am grateful for:


My parents have an incredible wine cellar but only bust out the good stuff on special occasions and holidays like Thanksgiving.


Pine Ridge's 3 awesome cabs that more than satisfied my family of winos.


Friends who have been there to support me.


Turkey, stuffing, pies, and homemade cranberry sauce.


The sun.


Although I know it won’t last forever, my fantasy team is still on top.


The fact that Bikini season is a long way off AND my leggings are spacious.


The Buffy’s fondness for eating human food, tolerating unruly children, and sliding belly first across the incredibly long table.

That I don’t have any unruly children just yet.


Most importantly, I am grateful for my family. We have been through a lot this year and it's nice to come together on a happy occasion.



November 23, 02:03 PM
The Strategy of Fantasy Team Names..





As most of you already know, I am a NBA fanatic. Last year I was too late to participate in the fantasy season, so this year I pounced on the opportunity immediately. I am not someone who joins a league for money or to compete with friends. I enjoy joining a random public league and battling it out with complete strangers. This season I started paying too much attention to the names of the other teams in my league. I have become so obsessed by these ridiculous names, that I have started wondering if there is some sort of hidden strategy behind them.


First of all, I am the only female manager and I have a kickass team. I know it’s early and I am probably headed for a huge fall but so far I have been on top. It helps that I have Kobe, Kevin Love, and D. Rose. The name of my team is Whatev (this is a word I used to say a little too much and also the name of my jewelry line). While this is far from the best name ever it reveals something about my personality as well as my interests.


Listed below are the other names of fantasy teams in my league. I am going to make my own hypothesis about the brilliant strategy behind these 11 team names.


Whitey Ford – this guy is a huge baseball fan probably from NY (since that is where Whitey played) or a racist.


Slammer – this is the quintessential fantasy basketball team name that lacks true vision. It’s like naming your cat, Kitty.


Bulls – this name obviously lacks creativity. He is probably a Bulls fan from Chicago. He has Noah on his team. BORING!


Squirrels – hmmm… his team is small and quick, he likes furry animals, gathering nuts, and Richard Gere.


Throbbers- this sounds like a nasty porn name. I bet this guy spends a little too much time on the Internet.


Jaden- I see him as the quiet sensitive type instead of having a tattoo with his son’s name on it, he names his fantasy team after his kid.


Stormtroopers- Best name by far. I love this geek wherever he is. He is my new hero. Hopefully he will climb the fantasy ranks as long as he stays below me. After all he does have Kevin Durant.


Philippine Crusaders – This guy is from the Philippines and he is passionate and dedicated to his team. Right now they aren’t very good. He has the Baron Davis jinx.


Lakers – once again lack of imagination. I understand you are a Lakers fan. I am too but can’t you come up with a better way of expressing it? The Kobe Beefs or something? Btw he doesn’t even have any Lakers on his team (I have 2).


L. James Champions – the worst name yet. Only a d-bag would name his team that. Guess who isn’t even on the team? He doesn’t have LeBron but he does have Wade. He must be from Miami. That is the only place left that actually likes LeBron.


Beast – I actually don’t know what to think of this one. It’s probably some kinda inside joke. His team is decent but for some reason he is in last place. Let’s hope that Beast takes out the L. James Champions on his way up.


May the best team win or Whatev!

Don't You Put Me on the Backburner Blog

Profile

Rachel Shensa
Strategist and Social Media Specialist
Marketing and Advertising | Greater Boston Area, US

Summary

I'm a storyteller, strategist, writer, vampire enthusiast, NBA fanatic, shopaholic, social media junkie, and observer of all things.

Creative Side: loves writing, making jewelry, telling stories, video editing, taking pictures, writing briefs, deep cultural dives, big ideas, and consumer insights.

Grounded Side: loves market research, survey writing, discussion guides, focus groups, writing briefs, target segmentations, mind mapping, and problem solving.
Specialties: I have the ability to juggle numerous projects at one time and talk to just about anyone. My experience with research and advertising has taught me how to balance and understand the art of building a connection between the brand's story and the consumer's story. I have experience with Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, and all things internet.

Experience

  • Oct 2011 - Present
    Associate Community Manager / Communispace Corporation
    Assists teams in creating and facilitating highly engaged communities. Maintains overall community functionality and vibrancy, building upon the social glue that binds members together.
  • Dec 2009 - Present
    Strategist / Flash Monkey Media
    Provides consumer insights for existing clients and new business pitches. Develops innovative ways to reach consumers. Completes competitive analysis and market research. Collaborates with the team to identify specific business problems and develop solutions. Helps develop new brand identities. Produces strategies for using social media channels and digital to cultivate awareness and increase ROI.
  • Jun 2009 - Present
    Planning Intern / SolutionSet
    Participated in qualitative and quantitative study for AT&T U-verse. Wrote creative briefs. Conducted brand studies and competitive analysis for existing clients. Researched new business. Worked on existing projects for AT&T U-verse, Travelocity, and Shoe for Crews.
  • Oct 2008 - Present
    Intern / WiKreate Communications
    Worked with Creatives on new business pitches. Presented ideas in meetings. Wrote creative briefs. Edited copy for websites, brochures, and print ads.
  • Jun 2007 - Present
    Intern / Kane & Finkel Communications
    Researched companies for new business pitches. Wrote press releases for launching of new products. Created copy for websites, brochures, print ads, and TV ads. Edited market research for brochures, websites, and packaging.

Education

  • Academy of Art University
    MFA in Advertising
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
    BA in English Literature

Additional Information

Websites:
Blog, Portfolio, Personal Website
Honors:
Academy of Art Spring Show 2009 Best Creative Brief Silver Award- Jaya Academy of Art Spring Show 2008 Best Outdoor Bronze Award - Zagat
Interests:
Things that make me smile: chocolate, wine, writing, reading, the Beastie Boys, Madmen, 30 Rock, the Killers, Dave Matthews, The Onion, Facebook, vampires, U2, basketball, being outdoors, Tropic Thunder, Role Models, Obama, great ads, a sense of humor, hiking, ones ability to laugh at themselves, Firefly, Evil dead 2, Sublime, Fatboy Slim, Mad Libs, sushi, sake, the ocean, the sun, and BSG.
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