Interview: Jaz from Superheroes XYZ Pt. 1

Hello friends and happy Friday! 

I had originally planned to post this interview last Friday, but since Mo has surgery and I was taking care of him and cleaning the apartment, I kinda didn't get around to posting this interview. Better late then never I suppose. Sometimes real life just gets in the way.

So I met Jaz through the Female Geek Bloggers group on Google+ and I love her blog. I am definitely a nerd, which you all might know by now, so I really enjoy reading her blog. She even went to Hawaii and took her Lilo & Stitch Funko! Pop Vinyl's with her, but that is the second part of this interview (which will be posted next week). Without further ado, here is Jaz::

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1.     Please introduce yourself and tell me about your blog

Hi! I am Jasmine Tiger 26 Years old nerd bird daydreamer fundraiser starter try new things out kind of girl. My faith, Princesses, sci-fi, shooting, off roading, comic books, thrift stores, treasure hunting, picture taking, Star Trek are only a few of my current obsessions; I mean Subjects of Interest.

2.     What made you decide on your blog name? I like it

Thank you! Well I had been wanting to start a blog for a while and my dad helped me pick it out.

I wanted a web address other than a dot com and something different. He told me there was a dot XYZ available along with Superheroes. I thought that would be great since everything I was thinking of writing about was going to be superheroes comic cons and other variables of the nerdy geeky world and thought that is exactly what XYZ is… variables. Hence Superheroes.xyz

3.     What is something important you’ve learned from blogging?

Something I have learned from blogging is be patient yet keep up. That made sense I was thinking about my answer. I have so many things I want to write about but need to pace myself and find the right time to post them. Also by keeping up as in if I write about events or movies and such is get it done; the sooner the better as there is already numerous posts and yours will be lost in the sea of them if you wait too long, by that time readers have already read what they want to read yours most likely misses the train no matter how great of a post you think it is.

4.     Why do you blog?

I blog because I love going to conventions! Now there is more than one in my life, I have so many pictures and things I want to share. I want to share it with people that get just as excited as I do and/or passionate about certain things as well. I can only discuss comic books, movies or talking about a comic con and the days leading to it for so long before some people want to tune me out or duck tape one of the two. Being able to see others get excited or read the things we have in common is great, reading about their take on the same topic has been a great experience for me. I am also in hopes that one day, the posts, or future posts and tips and things I would like to post will somehow make a nerdy friends day or something all the better.

5.     What is your favorite social media site and why?

Well it used to be facebook, now Instagram takes the favorite. I got on the bandwagon late with Instagram and originally started it for San Diego Comic Con in 2013 as I take an insane amount of pictures. I really like Instagram due to the fact of taking a regular picture and making it look like art. It is also a challenge for me as it pushes me to try and think of creative ways to take a picture, and see things different. I try to make it stand out in the sea of pictures there are today and ask how would a picture of this be different from all the others.

6.     Tell me about your favorite comic book series

I recently got into comic books about a year or so ago. There are so many I want to follow and still figuring out where to start, but the one I have managed and have the most issues is Thor from Marvel Comics. When I heard Thor was going to be a female I had somewhat mixed feelings about it, the issue came out on stands and I decided to wait and see what happens which I do not recommend waiting to buy a number 1 issue (learned the hard way) I bought issues 2 and 3 with her and it has grown on me. I was pretty excited for the issue of Thor vs. Thor which I have yet to get but I am glad the direction they have taken for the goddess and so far and have enjoyed it. I also love her suit of armor which I thought they had done a nice job on being both suitable and manageable for her and not just focusing on assets and can be taken seriously.

7.     Tell me about your favorite convention

Favorite convention is the San Diego Comic Con I have been lucky enough to make 7 years in attending and this year 2015 will be my 8^th year the experiences, the free goodies, the picture, the movies, the TV shows. I have met some fun people and love the insane and craziness it offers. I volunteer their most of the time and is fun to see some of the behind the scenes action. Although I must say that the Phoenix Comicon is slowly creeping up to becoming my favorite due to the variety it has to offer and the more intimate setting it has compared to the San Diego Convention. San Diego Comic Con will always have my heart as it is in my hometown and gives me a reason to go back every year. We have had a few mishaps such as losing my camera one year with so many great pictures and the year I decided to cosplay as Batgirl. But I have forgiven the forces at hand and still continue to attend.

8.     What is your favorite geek community and why?

I have yet to find more but so far one of my favorites is the Female Geek Bloggers group on Google plus. It is one of the only reasons why I use Google Plus. It is nice to be able to share your work and find others who are doing some what the same things as you. It is nice to ask for advice when stuck or trying to go about things and being somewhat new to the blogging world it has helped. Seeing how others have overcome the obstacles, and see the rewards their blog has to offer is nice to read about as well. Helpful blogs, fun blogs, informative blogs, read every post they have blogs, so many.  Even coming across the virtual -ships, to possible friendships, and opportunities it has to offer.

9.     Anything else that you want to share with us?

Yes? I had an online fashion magazine for a year, created fan sites for bands, started a fundraiser for my dad, planned fundraising events, started blogs that died off and have done random things here and there. But this, having a blog within the nerdy geeky community in itself has by far been one of the best things that I am glad I got involved in as I have been in it for years and being able to share everything with you all. For example this opportunity thanks to awesome Jenn is a great feeling and is very uplifting to know that we can all be here to help and support each other.

 Thank you Jenn for this opportunity to share with you and your readership it is greatly appreciated and am very thankful, I am looking forward to continuing our new found friendship

You can find Jaz at the following links! Make sure you check her out and leave her some love!

Website www.superheroes.xyz

Instagram https://instagram.com/superheroesxyz/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/superheroesxyz

Twitter https://twitter.com/superheroesxyz

Google? https://plus.google.com/108108884599463141649/about?hl=en

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/superheroesxyz/

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Thanks to Jaz for agreeing to be my second interview here on the blog! I am pretty excited to have her join me today. Make sure you stay tuned next Friday for the second part of her guest post, where she talks about her trip to Hawaii ((I am kind of jealous, although hopefully this time next year, Mo and I will be in Hawaii!)) Make sure you go drop by Jaz's social media and leave her some love!

Interview: Mandy Elliot from Record Life

Hello friends and Happy Saturday!

If you've been around at least for a couple of weeks, then you've heard the name Mandy or Record Life at least once. She is the mastermind behind the #ThisWeek prompt that I share weekly, and she has also become a good friend to me.

One of my Goals Before 2017 was to conduct 10 interviews and Mandy graciously agreed to be the first interview for me! Mandy is incredibly inspiring to me as a blogger, new memory keeper, as well as a photographer! I am super stoked that she agreed to let me interview her for you guys. So, without further ado, here is Mandy!

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1. Please introduce yourself

Hello, I'm Mandy Elliott - I am a wife, daughter, photographer, licensed real estate assistant, and avid memory keeper.  My faith and family always come first, then my "real job" and love of being a small business owner as a pet and portrait photographer fall in second.  Somewhere in the midst of all that, my passion for documenting daily life falls into play as I enjoy Project Life scrapbooking, crafting, journaling, baking, decorating, vacationing, and so many other things.

2. How did you start blogging?

I began blogging back in 2009 when I bought my first DSLR camera. I enjoyed photo blogging and after I started my photography business later that year, I continued to share regularly.  In the latter part of 2014, I started sharing things about my memory keeping process on my photography blog and soon after I migrated those posts to Record Life, a memory keeping blog designed to share my work and encourage others in their memory keeping habits.

3. How did you get started in Scrapbooking?

Oh goodness, it goes way back!  It all began when my mom's close friend, who owned a stamping company, got her started on scrapbooking. Just so happened that this friend's daughter and I were best friends so we also used to do some of our own scrapbooking with left over papers, pictures, and such.  

4. What made you gravitate toward Project Life?

After my husband and I moved into our first house, a little over a year after getting married, I wanted a way to display the square Instagram photos I'd been taking and sharing of the new house, our old apartment, new jobs, and a new life.  I was researching binders and page protectors for square photos and found Becky Higgin's website.  I loved the concept of Project Life because it was so simple, would allow me to be creative in my own way, and would still be something I could easily keep up with.  I began using the Project Life system two years ago and have stuck with it ever since.

5. How do you decide what to include in your spreads?

Oh, that's a tough question because I feel like anything and everything goes into my spreads!  I'm a firm believer in documenting as much as I can and as often as I can.  I've got some crazy things in my scrapbooks, including mementos from trips, receipts, art, christmas cards, letters, poems, award certificates, and so many other things I can't even think of them all.  To me, anything that I feel is worth remembering in 20+ years is something I feel is worth including.As for pictures that go into my spreads - all my photos go in. When it comes to journal cards and embellishments, I like to stick to simple things.  Most of the time my spreads are pretty clean and minimalistic.  

6. How long have you been scrapbooking?

When I started scrapbooking, I was about 11 or 12 I believe. I continued to scrapbook through my teenage years and then began working full time. When life got too fast paced for me to scrapbook often, I continued to photograph and journal. After my husband and I had been married for a little over a year, I decided to MAKE time for it once again and I'm very glad that I did.

7. Tell me about #ThisWeek and the idea behind it?

#ThisWeek is a weekly photo and story prompt that I share each Sunday on my blog. It is designed to encourage others in their memory keeping process, even if they just focus on that one theme for the week.   After documenting with Project Life for two years, I desired to focus more on telling the stories of our life, not just taking photos.  I created the #ThisWeek prompt series not just to encourage others but also to challenge myself to look for the things that should be documented and record them.  Lastly, I wanted to encourage beginners and busy women/mothers to document at least ONE thing per week.   I made it easy for others to join in as they can just post a photo and story on Instagram or Facebook using #hashtagthisweek or they can create a project or blog post and link up on my blog.  My hope is that everyone will find it to be fun, creative, and encouraging.

8. What is your favorite part of scrapbooking or memory keeping?

Creating!  I'm a visually inspired person so I love looking at pictures.  I enjoy creating them in camera as a professional portrait photographer and I enjoy printing and documenting my personal photos in my Project Life.   Its always fun to look back over the years and see how much has changed or have a photo spark a certain memory.

9. I know you're also a photographer. Can you tell us about it?

Of course!  I started my business in 2009 after taking some in depth photography classes.  I initially started out creating portraits for children and families but later found my niche was pet photography.  I still offer portrait sessions for families, high school seniors, and couples, but I really enjoy photographing pets because my own pet holds a very special place in my heart.  You can view some of my latest work on my blog at http://www.mjphotographyTN.com.

10. How does being a photographer play into your memory keeping, if it does at all?

Oh it does!  Again, where I'm a visually inspired person, I like to capture things in camera. While I try to use my "big girl camera" as often as I can, I find myself grabbing my iPhone more regularly because its close it hand.  I tell myself that it doesn't matter what camera I'm using, it just matters that I'm capturing the moment.

11. Who or what inspires you?

My Instagram community.  I spent a lot of time there, getting to know other creatives and seeing their work. I have several favorites of course, but there's too many to list.  I enjoy browsing lifestyle photography and that often inspires me.  Other times, just taking the time to enjoy my happy, amazingly normal life inspires me and makes me want to record it.

12. Anything else you want to talk about?

Yes, one last thing --- I want to encourage everyone to do some form of memory keeping. Its so very important, if not for you, but for those who come after you. Memory keeping is a type of legacy you can leave behind.   I encourage you to find a system, whether it be a planner,  journal, scrapbook, or other form, and make it work for you. Adapt it so that its easy for you to keep up with, enjoyable for you to do, and then document your life.  You won't be sorry you did.  You can drop by my blog anytime or follow me on social media for ideas and tips, plus I'm always available to answer questions!  HAPPY MEMORY KEEPING!

Jenn, thank you so much for allowing me to share on your blog.  I appreciate your new friendship and wish you all the best! 

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Thank you Mandy for taking the time to answer my questions. And for just being an all around sweetheart! Make sure you guys check Mandy out on all of her social media!

You can find her at

Blog: Record Life

Instagram: Mandy Elliot | Record Life Blog

Facebook: Record Life

Pinterest: MJ Photography | Record Life

Google+: Mandy | Record Life

My interviews will be bi-weekly, so make sure you check back in two weeks for the next interview I am hosting with a geeky friend of mine Jasmine!

If you would like to participate in an interview with me, please send me an email or get in touch with me through my Get In Touch Page!

Learning Jenn (Part 2)

Happy Sunday dear friends!

Me yesterday after going to see The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies.
Rocking my Batman obsession with my 70's Batman shirt, my new ring, and new earrings
I forgot my necklace(s)
And I even have a Batman symbol on my shoulder.

Here is the second half of the self-interview that I found through Alice at The Geeky Burrow! You can find my Part 1 here. Onward and upward...

26. What’s something that amazes you?
People. People never cease to amaze me... with both the good and the bad things.

27. Do you prefer that people shoot straight with you or temper their words? Why?
I would rather people be straight forward with me instead of beating around the bush.

28. Where’s your favorite place to take an out-of-town guest?
In the town I grew up it's either Downtown Dunedin (neighboring city) or one of the beaches.

29. What’s one thing you’d rather pay someone to do than do yourself? Why?
Cleaning. I love being organized but I hate cleaning.

30. Do you have a catchphrase?
Not sure.

31. What’s your reaction towards people who are outspoken about their beliefs? What conditions cause you to dislike or, conversely, enjoy talking with them?
I'm ok with people who are outspoken about their beliefs, as long as they don't try to make me believe the same things they do (if I don't already) and they don't try to shove their beliefs down my throat.

32. How and where do you prefer to study?
Some place comfortable (where I live now it's kind of hard to get comfy so I spend a LOT of free time sitting on my bed) with a notebook. I like to take extensive notes on things so I can better understand and have an easier time remembering what I'm studying.

33. What position do you sleep in?
It depends. I occasionally move around a lot. I find myself on my side a lot though or on my stomach.

34. What’s your all-time favorite town or city? Why?
Dunedin (again). It's a nice little town and the people there are amazing. They come together so well to celebrate holidays, for parades, and when they honored a friend of mine that died.

35. What are the top three qualities that draw you to someone new?
Personality, voice, and attitude

36. How has your birth order/characteristics of siblings affected you?
I don't know that it really effects me a whole lot. I have two younger siblings and one older sibling, although my brother is old enough that he was already out of the house while I was growing up so I was the oldest in the house.

37. If you could eliminate one weakness or limitation in your life, what would it be?
Anxiety.

38. If you could restore one broken relationship, which would it be?
There are none. 

39. If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
My middle name Leigh

40. Do you believe ignorance is bliss?
Nope

41. What do you consider unforgivable?
Cruelty towards people or animals, abuse of any kind.

42. Have you forgiven yourself for past personal failures? Why or why not?
It depends. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

43. How difficult is it for you to forgive someone who refuses to apologize?
It depends on what happened. You can always forgive people, but never forget what they have done and how it effected your relationship with them.

44.Do you hold any convictions that you would be willing to die for?
Yes

45. To what extent do you trust people? Explain.
I don't trust many people, and the ones I do trust it has taken time. I've been burned too many times in the past and do my best not to make that same mistake again. I give everyone a chance, but I don't trust anyone until they've earned it.

46. In what area of your life are you immature?
My geekdom

47. What was the best news you ever received?
I am not entirely sure.... um... when I found out my mom was better and being released from the hospital, when we found out that the start of this trip was going smoother then we expected and we got extra time with family in the states.

48. How difficult is it for you to be honest, even when your words may be hurtful or unpopular?
A little, because I try to find the best wording. It's not that it's difficult to be honest, it's difficult to not sound hateful or uncaring or rude sometimes.

49. When did you immediately click with someone you just met? Why? What was the long term result? Conversely, are you close with anyone now that you really disliked at first?
It has depended on the person. My best friend and I have been friends for over 10 years now. Sometimes it doesn't end as happily and there are people that I clicked with that I am no longer friends with.

50. When do you find yourself singing?
More often then not. I was in chorus in middle and high school and I absolutely love singing. I mostly do it when I am alone because I don't want to bother people with my singing. Although I sing a lot in the car when I'm going somewhere.

I hope you've enjoyed the second half of this interview. I want to say thank you to Alice for sharing her interview with us and inspiring me to do the same!

Learning Jenn (Part 1)

I love finding new blogs, and tonight was no exception. I was sitting on the couch with Mo and his parents watching Jim Gaffigan while looking for new geeky blogs to follow and I stumbled across Alice from The Geeky Burrow and her most recent post was the first part of a two part series called That's me in 2015 and it peaked my interest. I thought it seemed like a cool idea, I like getting to know the bloggers I follow and figured that I could participate in this too. I will be posting this in two parts (original post here) because 50 questions are a lot to share in one post.

You can find Part 2 of this interview here

My Uncle's Steampunk-Superhero themed wedding
I went as a Steam Punk Dark Phoenix

1. What are your nicknames? What do you prefer to be called?
My first name is Jennifer, but I only go by that when it comes to the military or when I am in trouble with my mother. My nicknames are Jenn, JC, It, JM, Dark Phoenix, and Proby just to name a few. There are some interesting stories behind a couple of these. I'll be happy to share if you're interested.

2. What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
There are so many books that are begging to be read. You can find a list of them here

3. How often do you doodle? What do your doodles look like?
I doodle every once in a while, mostly when I am bored at work or when I am on the phone.... I hate being on the phone

4. What do you do if you can't sleep at night? Toss and Turn? Try to get up and do something productive?
Toss & Turn.... and write down all the ideas that come to me on a pad of paper kept by my bed.... or I read...

5. How many days could you last in solitary confinement? How would you do it?
A couple of days at least.... I am pretty good at keeping myself occupied.... I sing, write, draw, read....

6. Do you save old greeting cards and letters? Throw them away?
I didn't used to keep them. I started keeping them while I was deployed as some good stuff from home. Now it's mostly christmas cards that I keep and they are placed in my December Daily album

7. Who is the biggest pack rat you know?
Not sure... there are several.

8. When making an entrance in to a party, do you make your presence known? Do you slip in and look for someone you know? Do you sneak in quietly and find a safe spot to roost?
I don't go to parties that often, but when I do I am with people I know and say hello to other people I know. I don't really make a scene about it and I don't sneak in. I am somewhere in the middle.

9. What is your strongest sense? If you had to give one up, which would it be?
My strongest sense? Probably sight because it goes with being a good observer (part of being in the military is being aware of your surroundings)... because my eye-sight is kind of crappy and I need glasses.
Giving one up? I honestly don't know.....

10. How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?
Maybe twice? I am not a vain person in the least bit and don't usually care what I look like. It's partly because I don't have a high level of self-opinion... 

11. What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?
Don't really know. I believed in a lot of things as a child, but I don't know what was strange.... it depends on your definition of strange?

12. What is one guilty pleasure you enjoy too much to give up?
The internet.... its how I keep up with most of my interests.....

13. Who performs the most random acts of kindness out of everyone you know?
My friend Momma Brandi

14. How often do you read the newspaper? Which paper? Which sections?
I don’t read newspapers. I don't enjoy gossip and it's so hard to tell what really is the truth anymore and what is embellished.

15. Which animals scare you most? Why?
Hmmm, I don't really know. Large spiders I guess.... like Tarantula's and things like that.

16. Are you more likely to avoid conflict or engage it head-on?
It depends on what is going on. I sometimes engage things head on, but most of the time when it comes to people I try to avoid conflict.

17. What was the most recent compliment you’ve received and savoured?
Something from Morales' mom... most mothers don't like me and she really seems to like me!

18. What is something about yourself that you hope will change, but probably never will?
It's not that I don't have self-confidence, I just don't have a high opinion of myself.

19. Are you a creature of habit? Explain.
Yes. I catch myself doing it all the time..... habits make life easier. 

20. Are you high maintenance? 
Not really

21. When was the last time you really pushed yourself to your physical limits?
The last time I worked out with my buddy MN at the gym

22. Do you have a whole lot of acquaintances or just a few very close friends? Why?
I have some close friends but I am generally friendly with people I meet. 

23. Are you more inclined to “build your own empire” or unleash the potential of others?
A mix of both. I can't chose one or the other. 

24. What’s a strange occurrence you’ve experienced but have never (or rarely) shared with anyone?
I have a life full of strange occurrences, but I don't know that there are any or many that I haven't shared with someone. All the strange things usually involve friends of mine.

25. What do you think about more than anything else?
Crafting and photography

Be on the lookout later this week for the second half of this post!