MonthJune 2017

Finally, Some Good News

It’s been a long time since I wrote anything, and a lot of that has to do with thinking that I can only write when good things happen. I’m not disproving that today, unfortunately. I am a long way from writing when I’m down, or when things are awful, because I had to keep a lot inside over the past few years and I’m not ready to be “okay” with writing it out.

Let’s stick to the good stuff, and keep on pretending that I’m a-ok and don’t have hundreds of dollars of future money that will need to be spent on therapy.

June was good. It was nice. I even like all the thunderstorms we’re having. Brandon and I are closer than we’ve been in the past, and we’re communicating better, too. It’s not perfect, but what couple is? Tell me your secrets, Perfect Instagram Couple (though still know that I hate you and your perfect-looking life). Rationally, I know every couple has their problems, but DAMN it is a bitch with everyone only putting the good, beautiful moments on social media. Makes a girl feel like no matter how great her relationship is, it is still garbage, and she should just pack up and die alone already.

I FORGOT. WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THE GOOD THINGS.

Brandon’s an amazing man who has stuck by me, even when he shouldn’t, because I am awful. He loves me for some reason, and I am a cold, unfeeling robot who can’t function properly. This is self-diagnosed right now, but give me time, friends. I’m pretty sure I have dysthymia, which is a low-level depression that can last for years. Starting a business and being a high-functioning depressive is not a great combination, I’ve learned.

Since I’m talking about the store, it’s going really well.  Could always be going better, so if you know anyone who hasn’t been yet and likes reading, please pass the Variant Edition information along. I find when we say we’re doing great, people assume no growth is needed. More customers is always better. ANYWAY, we are doing better. Since the move, the store has been more balanced and only gives me the normal level of stress. Which is the say, high, but not emotionally draining on *top* of all that like before. We’ve been in the west end for about 9 months, and I’m looking forward to celebrating our independence anniversary. A lot of strings have been cut in the past year, and it’s only been onward and upwards.

I’m thankful every day for the friends and community that rallied around us, and happy they still come to the store, week after week. There have been constant new faces, and I’m excited for our first summer in the new location, because there are more people who live nearby, more families, and we’re on a better road for both car and walking traffic.

The store has been beating last year’s numbers every month (and if we don’t, we come very close), which as an business owner means a lot to me. It mean we’re growing at a steady and healthy pace. More money in the bank means I can bring in new and unique product, that I may not be able to take a chance on otherwise. I can take more risks, and put money back into the store. This year, it was new lighting and our custom Alberta shelf (can you link to a picture from our Instagram here?). Over the next year? To start, I’d like to expand our All Ages section, and create a more movable store so the shelves can be moved for events and I can rearrange the store easily to keep it fresh and interesting. We’re growing bit by bit, and claiming the space as our own. Making it as unique as myself and Brandon. Making it “us”.

This next good thing is *well* overdue. Brandon and I are taking a vacation in August. I’m so happy to let Randi take the reigns for a week this summer. We’re leaving the store in good hands. My parents are even filling in a few hours that week, so I hope it’s fun for them.

Until next time.

Doctor Whooch // Episode 119 // The Fires of Tumblr

In which we have no regrets. But also, no egrets. 🙁

Holy hell, is this season almost done? No? Oh FFS. Whelp whatever. On this episode, we’re talking about “World Enough and Time” which was boring until very suddenly it wasn’t. Marvel as Danica explains the show we’ve all been watching for over a decade! Swoon as Brandon yells about how Stephen Moffat is terrible at gender politics! Or actually, they both do that. A lot. That guy is NO GOOD.

Outro music is “Monster Hospital” by Metric

Podcast picture is by GIRL NAMED SHIRL PHOTOGRAPHY

The Rot

I can’t seem to organize my thoughts enough for a proper post, so indulge this random post:

Dig into your guts and pull out the hurt. Set it on fire, and watch and laugh and laugh and cry.

Do this so that you can continue. Do this so that you have a chance of surviving. Do this because you don’t deserve the rot and the pain, because the world can be great as well as horrible, and you deserve so much better.

Good night, sweet internet.

Doctor Whooch // Episode 118 // Only Scotland Has Caves

In which the monster of the week is all the rave. Trust us, it will make sense later.

This week, Danica and Brandon are proud to have Kat from Verity! on the show to discuss what happened on “The Eaters of the Light”. There’s a whole lot involving noodle rave monsters and Romans and the Scottish and sexuality and bullshit with Missy. It’s a bit bonkers, but a lot of fun, honestly.

Outro music is “All The Small Things” by Blink-182

Podcast picture is by GIRL NAMED SHIRL PHOTOGRAPHY

Doctor Whooch // Episode 117 // #NotAllIceWarriors

Hold onto your butts, it’s a wine episode!

On this week’s show, Danica and Brandon bear witness to “The Empress of Mars” and gave Mark Gatiss the benefit of the doubt because they were drunk. Spoiler alert: they shouldn’t have. Hey. Do you think an episode featuring the colonial British might be pretty racist? Well, at least there’s treasures for them to steal. Also, penis metaphors.

Outro Music is “Underground” by The Sounds

Podcast picture is by GIRL NAMED SHIRL PHOTOGRAPHY

#VERecommends: Beauty

WHAT IT IS: A young woman wishes for beauty in order for her life to be better, but dudes are horrible, and so is she.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: When Coddie unintentionally delivers a fairy from the spell that held her prisoner, she does not realize how poisoned the wish is she gets in return. From repulsive and stinking of fish she becomes perceived as magnetically beautiful, which does not help her in her village. A young local lord saves her but soon it becomes apparent her destiny may be far greater.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT: Beauty is a dark modern fairy tale in a handsome hardcover volume. While the story features familiar light fantasy trappings, the story itself veers headfirst into a vicious cautionary tale with lush illustrations. While there are few redeeming characteristics about many of the cast, the story is compelling, taking what at first blush appears to be a more standard fairy tale and adding modern storytelling blemishes to drive the story through a few bloody curves to quite a surprising ending. Definitely not for children, unless you want them to learn some tough lessons really fast.

Brandon Schatz // Twitter // Facebook

Submetropolitan is powered by Variant Edition Comics + Culture – Edmonton’s best source for comics, used books + mindful pop culture.

Variant Edition // Website // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram

Doctor Whooch // Episode 116 // This Is Not Normal

In which there is not enough alcohol in the world to make this episode of Doctor Who good.

On this week’s show, Danica and Brandon struggle through “The Lie of the Land” and holy heck, are there far too many guns in this. Also: the monks are nothing but dumber versions of The Silence and so many things are garbage. And The Doctor is a dick on a boat, and off a boat. Whatever. MORE ALCOHOL PLEASE.

Outro music is “Ship To Wreck” by Florence + The Machine

Podcast picture is by GIRL NAMED SHIRL PHOTOGRAPHY

Doctor Whooch Is Four Years Old Oh God How

The title of this post really gives the game away.

Anyway: yes! It has inexplicably been four years since we started up Doctor Whooch, and we’re celebrating by re-running our very first episode for you today.

Fair warning: it is rough as hell, but you still probably hear us having fun as we stumble around, trying to find our rhythm.

Enjoy!

In this first episode, Brandon talks about watching the first two episodes of Series One (“Rose” & “The End of the World”) for the first time. Also Danica nearly dies and Brandon takes a joke to a pretty terrible place. Because that’s what he does.

Podcast picture is by GIRL NAMED SHIRL PHOTOGRAPHY

Doctor Whooch // Episode 115 // Pyramid Scheme

In which we’re fist deep in time spaghetti.

On this week’s show, Danica and Brandon are thrown into the deep end of Moffatisms as they try to swim through “The Pyramid At The End Of The World”. It doesn’t go well. They also get into Moffat really only using his own stuff unless an old bit of Who slots in, seemingly so he can take all the credit and be the best boy. Is that too harsh? Whatever. You love it.

Outro music is “Love Is All Around” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Podcast picture is by GIRL NAMED SHIRL PHOTOGRAPHY

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