Why TV Doesn't Mean Much Anymore (And Neither Does This Blog)

I started this blog in 2011... ish? It's been so long, I don't honestly remember, and I'm too lazy to look it up. Back then, we had cable. My son had a list of children's shows he loved to watch. I enjoyed some of them, and really did NOT enjoy others, so this blog became my way of sharing that information for other parents out there who were in the same position.

A lot has changed in five years.

For one, my son is now more into Minecraft than television. He'll sit for hours building what I'll admit are really cool things... an underground train station, complete with turnstiles and signs, a Tardis that is actually bigger on the inside... stuff I never would have dreamed of when I was his age. Of course, when I was his age, the high tech computers were Apple IIe's and I was excited when the ones at school had color screens; the one I had at home had a monochrome screen of black and orange.

Another thing that has changed: our television stand. Here it is...

(That's Louie, our spoiled Chinese Crested)

Notice anything? No, I'm not talking about the layer of dust I should have gotten rid of before I took the photo. Or the adorable spoiled rotten dog in the dog bed. I'm talking about what isn't there: a cable box.

We have been cable free for almost two years now. Our television subsists solely in terms of Hulu, Netflix, and an antenna. Yes, that's right, we have an antenna. We enjoy a channel called Laff TV that shows old 80's sitcoms and movies. In fact, we watch Night Court pretty religiously nowadays as we go to bed at night. It's pretty great.

Back to the lack of cable. We don't get any of the big networks anymore. All the Discovery Networks... gone. I missed the death of Hub Network, turned Discovery Family. No more Nickelodeon. No more Disney Channels.

You know what? We really don't miss it. Our network shows, we can basically watch on Hulu the following day, which is what we were doing with DVR anyways. Even our favorite @Midnight from Comedy Central posts the following day. We splurged for the $11.99 commercial-free plan. It's worth it. We use Netflix for the kid stuff mostly, and some of the other shows we didn't watch when they were originally airing, like Breaking Bad. We basically only watch television shows during dinner these days. I know, I know, it's not great for family time, but meh. After that, we're doing other things: playing our pinball table, playing a videogame as husband and wife or daddy and son. Spending time on our amazing lake-view deck.

Life is definitely different post-cable. And this is the main reason this blog is basically obsolete. About.com doesn't pay me to write about cartoons anymore (even though they are currently advertising my former site for a writer... I'm pretty sure that's a glitch though). From the friends I knew who were still working with them, they've cut their writer force significantly in the past few months. Almost all of my network connections have since moved to different jobs. Sure, my email box is probably filled to the brim with press releases, but they've basically realized I don't work for a major online outlet any longer and have stopped contacting me with opportunities for awesome freebies to review or trips to attend.

I have to come to terms with the fact that this phase of my life is over. It saddens me, because I was given some amazing opportunities through this outlet. I got to interview amazing voice actors, directors, producers, television stars. I got to meet famous people IN PERSON on red carpets. I got to hug Bill Nye for pete's sake! That was one of the most incredible things EVER!

Obligatory Bill Nye hug pic!

I got to review movies before others even saw them. I got to go to Los Angeles three times! For all of this, I am thankful. It was so much fun while it lasted! Memories were made, friends were made, dreams came true.

I never really became a "famous blogger" like some of the people I had the chance to work with: Nickida from www.NickisRandomMusings.com, Meredith from www.SanityInSuburbia.com, David from www.DadAllDay.net, Nancy from www.MediaMedusa.com, Matt from GeekDad, Mitch from www.GayNYCDad.com, and soooo many more I can't even begin to list. These folks have the right stuff. They made it big and continue to do amazing, awesome things with their blogs. I'm so honored to have met and worked with them.

It's time for me to hang up my blogging pants. While I'm obviously sad this phase is passing, I'm hoping to do more amazing things in my future. I'm working on a tech-thriller novel. I'd love to do a podcast (if I can figure out something awesome to talk about that others would enjoy listening to). Maybe eventually I'll even find more freelance work that pays me to write about awesome things.

To all my readers, thank you. I know there aren't many of you out there. I was never a "popular" blog. To all my PR people, thank you. I couldn't have done 90% of what I did without you. And thank you to television, for giving me something I never thought I'd get out of you. I'm humbled beyond belief.

Thank you, and goodnight.

This is a post all about how my life got flip-turned upside down...

We didn't become royalty of any LA suburb, unfortunately. However, the TV household is no longer based out of Columbus, Ohio.

It all started back in July. TV Dad got a job offer after not having taken down his resume from LinkedIn. Yes, you're reading that right, someone found him on LinkedIn and offered him an interview. He asked me if he should go, because the interview was for a job in another state. It was something we had never discussed before. I told him to go for it, what's the worst that could happen? So he did. And the offer they gave him, basically on the spot, was amazing. The company was fabulous. There was plenty of growth opportunity for him, something his previous job no longer afforded him.

So...  I spent the remainder of the summer packing our house, finding a new one, qualifying for the mortgage, figuring out what to do with our old house, making moving arrangements, and figuring out a temporary living situation for TV Dad. He moved out to go to work and would come home on the weekends.

He was less than 200 miles away, but it felt like it was across the country. I gained a new respect (not that I didn't have respect before, but now it was magnified) for spouses who are either parenting by themselves or while their partner is deployed. It was the hardest four months of my life as a mom.

October 23rd, we officially signed the mortgage paperwork for our new home in Indianapolis. It's my dream home (except for the kitchen, unfortunately, which was designed by a tiny Asian woman who wanted something like she had back home... I get it, but I have grandiose plans to redo it eventually). It's more than double the size of the house we were living in. It's got a finished basement, which we have given mostly to TV Boy to house his toys/video games. It also has a lovely mother-in-law suite down there, which has served well for the many visits of TV Grandma (sorry Mom, that's the name you get here!). We finally have a real guest room. All amazing things.

But I had to leave everything I've ever known behind. For the first time in my life, I had to get to know a new city. Yes, I was one of those freaks that went to college in the same city I grew up in. I never lived in a different city, unless you count my father's house after he remarried, which was a suburb of my city, haha!

Anyway, I digress!

Moving has been hard, mostly because I left my entire social life behind. TV Boy made friends with kids just up the street. TV Dad has new friends at work. I've been struggling to find groups to make new friends for myself, but no one tells you how hard that is in your thirties!

All this to say, I'm so sorry to any of my loyal readers (did I ever have any of those?) that I let this gig fall by the wayside. I'm hoping to force myself to get back into it! I'm considering making a change to more general entertainment instead of just kids stuff in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience. All in the pipes for now, of course!

As a fun little bit, I have actually been keeping up with The TV Mom Facebook page. Just this past week, as part of a farewell to MythBusters, TV Boy made a little LEGO scene of Jamie Hyneman blowing up a TARDIS. I posted a video of him explaining it to the Facebook page, and it went WILD! I still don't know if Adam or Jamie saw it, but look at these numbers!

17K people saw this... what???

So, do TV Boy a little favor and hit up the page, watch and click like/share/or comment on his video. He would lose his mind if Jamie or Adam replied to it! Help his little six-and-a-half year old dream come true!

Here's hoping for more new content from your (presumably) favorite TV Mom!

Big Hero 6 on Blu-ray TOMORROW!

Image courtesy Big Hero 6 facebook page.

Are you ready to own not one, but TWO Academy Award-winning films? Tomorrow, Tuesday February 24th, Disney's Big Hero 6 comes out on Blu-ray combo pack and DVD! And it includes the theatrical animated short, Feast! Both Big Hero 6 and Feast won Oscars last night!

Images courtesy Walt Disney Animation Studios.

It's no secret that I am a huge, ginormous fan of Big Hero 6 and it was one of my favorite movies last year! Check out my full film review HERE.  The cats of the TV Household have been remiss since I saw it as I've taken to calling them "Hairy Baby" every time I pick one of them up! There are just so many great things about the movie. Thankfully, the Academy agreed! Congrats to the teams that worked on Big Hero 6 and Feast! Both awards were well deserved!

The Blu-ray combo pack features:

• Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD copy
• Feast theatrical short
• The Origin Story of Big Hero 6: Hiro's Journey
• Big Hero Secrets (check out a sneak peek on the Big Hero 6 Facebook page!)
• Big Animator 6: The Characters Behind The Characters
• Deleted Scenes

And don't forget to pick up Big Hero 6 on Blu-ray combo pack or DVD tomorrow!

Disclosure: A copy of Big Hero 6 on Blu-ray was provided for this post. Please see my Disclosures tab for more information.

Rejoining the blogosphere... with COMIC BOOKS!

I have been one of the laziest bloggers ever lately. I'll openly admit that. I had fallen into a funk, gotten tied up in novel writing (with which I still am not finished), had the holidays to deal with and recover from, and so much more. I even applied for some new writing gigs... one of which, I got! I am now one of the Comic Book contributors for SoundOnSight.org! My first article is already live over there, and I'd love for you all to pop over there and give it and SOS some love for me! Click the image below to read my take on the new Female Thor!

I'm still going to be promoting my work here, and maybe occasionally doing the random review here and there for my blog. However, I am working on having new things to focus on, new frontiers to explore, and hopefully more to talk about for all of you fabulous readers of mine. Plus, hopefully now I'll be able to head off to more comic cons--on business, of course--and participate in panels, meet cool people, and parade TV Boy around in his 10th Doctor cosplay!

As they used to say... STAY TUNED FOR MORE!

#HubClubBloggers - Parents Just Don't Understand and #BarkWeek!

Did you know that Hub Network is a Discovery Network? On the heels of their sister station Discovery Channel's famed Shark Week, Hub Network is airing all kinds of Dog Themed Fun for #BarkWeek! Tune in Sunday August 17th and running for the entire week, catch tons of poochy programming, featuring Animal Planet programs and Hub Family Movies starring some of your favorite pups (like Snow Buddies, Scooby-Doo, and Cats & Dogs).




Following all the Bark Week excitement, Hub prepares to air it's newest reality series, Parents Just Don't Understand hosted by former N'Sync singer Joey Fatone. Parents and kids are given the opportunity to swap lives "Freaky Friday" style for an entire day to see who really has the harder life!

Image © Hub Network

While parents are faced with foreboding tasks like sports practices and schoolwork for subjects they may not remember so well...

Images © Hub Network

... the kids are given a rude awakening of their own dealing with family obligations, caring for their siblings, running errands, and going to work!

Images © Hub Network

As a Hub Club Blogger, I was given the opportunity to preview the first two episodes of the series. The idea of the show is adorable, and what kid doesn't think their parents have the easier day? However, I think Hub is missing the mark a bit with a couple very minor things. First of all, they definitely missed an opportunity to capitalize on parent nostalgia by not featuring the famous Fresh Prince rap by the same title. That's right, no Will Smith here folks. Sorry. The other thing is that a lot of the in-between banter is obviously filmed later. Logistically, I see why they had to do it, but a lot of it feels forced. I would much rather hear more from the participants as they experience everything in their day versus them sitting in front of a green screen. Hopefully the series relaxes a bit as it continues and settles into a smoother presentation, but still I think for sure kids and parents will be given a meaningful dialog and co-viewing experience as they watch the program. Tune in to see the premiere episode "The Touchdown Maker and the Cupcake Baker" on Saturday, August 23 at 7pm Eastern/4pm Pacific. Pop over to my Facebook Page or leave a comment here telling me your family's thoughts on the new series!


Disclosure: I was provided a screener of the new series Parents Just Don't Understand as part of my membership in the Hub Club Blogger program. Views expressed are purely my own and are not in any way influenced by nor representative of Hub Network. Please see my Disclosure tab for more information.

#MLPmegaMareathon! Plus, I've been NOMINATED for something!

SO MUCH GOOD STUFF TODAY YOU GUYS! KERMIT FLAIL!

First and foremost, I want to make sure my Brony community fans know about the amazingness that is about to happen on Hub Network next week! Starting on Monday, August 4th, Hub Network is going to be airing 50 HOURS of back-to-back My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. That is *EVERY SINGLE EPISODE* of MLP:FIM, plus My Little Pony: Equestria Girls and three My Little Pony Specials airing for the first time! (Phew! That's a lot of emphasis for one sentence!) So be sure to tune in to Hub Network starting at 9am Eastern/6am Pacific to catch more ponies than your eyeballs can handle!

Image © Hub Network.

Finally, I've been nominated for a Liebster Award! My new blogger buddy Kristen over at Ready, Set, Parenthood! nominated me! Thank you Kristen! I'd like to thank the academy.... wait, wrong nomination.

The way the award works is as follows: 1. Each person who is nominated must post 11 things about themselves. 2. You must also answer the questions that the tagger set for you in addition to creating 11 questions for the people you nominate to answer. 3. Nominate 5 – 11 of your favorite bloggers and link them in your post. 4. Go to your nominees’ pages and tell them. 5. Thank and link back to the person’s blog who nominated you.
Okay, so eleven things about myself... this ought to be interesting!   1. My eyes are two different colors. Like a husky. Well, one is all blue-gray and the other is half-blue-gray, half brown.  2. When I was an older kid (think 9, 10, 11), I wanted to race motorcycles like my dad. I wanted to be the youngest and first female street racer.  3. I have the early stages of Rhumatoid Arthritis. I don't have the titers in my blood yet, but everything else points to me having it.  4. I met TV Dad when I was just 13. I was a freshman in high school and didn't turn 14 until after the first quarter.  5. I used to speak German fluently. Now it's kind of Germanglish in my head, but I'm sure if you dropped me from a plane in Germany with nothing but my wits about me, I could survive just fine.  6. I've already done every single job I "wanted to be" as a kid... morning radio host (my senior year in college), teacher (the four years between college and having TV Boy), working in a brokerage firm (yes, I was a dorky kid, and I've done it several times), professional writer (About.com). I'm running out of dream jobs! 7. (Blank stare... this is how unexciting I am, haha!) I'm working at opening a pinball bar here in Columbus. Yes, for real! I'm aiming for a first of the year opening. Fingers crossed! 8. I've only ever lived in Columbus, Ohio. Even for college.  9. I'm an honors level Thespian in the International Thespian Society. However, the last time I did anything theatrical, I was 8 weeks pregnant. It's been a while.
10. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in three years and one quarter.
11. I've never had a roommate aside from TV Dad. Didn't live in a dorm or have a roommate in college, I lived alone my senior year.

Here are the questions Kristen gave me to answer:

1. Why did you start your blog? Honestly, I was bored. Yep, really. And watching a lot of kids' television shows. I figured I'd put my skills to good use and review them. Then I got hired at About.com, and it blossomed from there. Now, About is gone, and here I am!
2. What is your blog about? Kids' entertainment and geeky stuff. Because that's my life!
3. What is your theme song? Me personally? For most of my life it was "November Rain" by Guns n' Roses, so I guess I'll stick with that because I can't think of anything better haha!
4. What actor/actress would be cast to play you in the movie of your life? Natalie Portman, hands down.
5. What is your most prized possession? Tough call... I still have my loveys from my childhood, they're pretty special and irreplaceable. Aside from that, I'd have to say my autographed Star Wars t-shirt with Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)'s signatures on it. Which reminds me, I need to pack that for Fandom Fest in Kentucky this weekend! 
6. If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Well, I already met Bill Nye (although I'd have loved to have more time with him and say something not stupid like "I'm a huge fan" repeatedly like I did... derp.) and I met Neil DeGrasse Tyson back when I taught at a STEM school and before I knew who he was (d'oh!)... I think I'd like to say Zach Braff or Chris Hardwick for now. But not because I have huge crushes on them or anything.... (whistles and walks away)
7. What is your favorite post you have written? My Uncle Grandpa post. It was the only one that inspired actual hate mail. That was when I knew I'd made the big time!
8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? California, somewhere near or around L.A. After having been out there three times in the past year, I'd give anything to move there. 
9. If you found a magic lamp with a genie, what would be your 3 wishes? 1, The money of someone making $250K a year (don't feel like dealing with taxes higher than that). 2, a second car for TV Dad so I don't have to drive him everyday I want the car. 3, A vacation home near some body of water with free flood insurance. 
10. What is the last book you read? Uh, it was a comic book... the new Doctor Who 10 and 11 comics and the 6th issue of Serenity. If we're going actual books... Charlotte's Web with TV Boy.
11. If you could give your 18-year old self one piece of advice, what would it be? If you really want to have a career, don't major in anything liberal arts. Also, you know that picture you think you look fat in? Yeah, you don't know jack sweetie. Enjoy your speedy metabolism and single digit pant sizes while you can!

On to the nominations! I would like to nominate the following amazing bloggers for a Liebster Award!

Nickida at NickisRandomMusings.com
Lynsey at MoscatoMom.com

Meredith at SanityInSurburbia.com

Becky at WhatUTalkingBoutWillis.info

Tonia at WhyNotMom.com

Misty at The-Top-Shelf.com

Amber at MeMyShelfandI.com

Claire at FastForwardGirl.blogspot.com

And now I have to come up with questions for you to answer... hmm...

1. What's your favorite cartoon and why?

2. If you had a million dollars, and you *had* to spend it, what would you spend it on?

3. What famous person would you love to sit down with for an afternoon?

4. What was your favorite subject in school?

5. What was your "dream job" as a kid?

6. What is your favorite fictional book?

7. Who is your hero?

8. Why do you write/blog?

9. What is one feature you love about yourself?

10. What is your biggest pet peeve?

11. What is the coolest thing you've gotten to do for/with your blog?

Phew! Lots of work, but be sure to check out all my amazing bloggy buddies! Thanks again for the nomination Kristen! 

*Stay tuned to my Instagram this weekend for shots from Fandom Fest in Kentucky! Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy is going to be there! Squee!*

Happy 5th Birthday TV Boy!

In case you've been wondering where I've been, I've been in party planning mode for a certain TV Boy, who turns five today! Last night was his family Doctor Who theme party, and to celebrate, he debuted his new 10th Doctor David Tennant cosplay in front of our Tardis door.

You can't see very well in the image, but the suit is indeed pinstriped. And yes, he wore it the entire night, even playing outside in high 70 degree weather. Now I need to find a coat for him. Did you know that pretty much no one makes full length trenchcoats for kids? So I'm going to alter a juniors one for him. That's my plan anyway... we'll see if it works out the way I'm hoping. (As evidenced by my Instagram today, very little goes according to my plans...)

And in case you were wondering, here's the pose we were copying:

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the kid who made me a mom, my one and only, my TV Boy! Now on to the Minecraft theme party for his friends today... wish me luck!

K5 Learning - Review Announcement!

K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students.  I've been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program.  If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program.

Be sure to stay tuned to find out what I think of the program and what TV Boy thinks! He's heading to Kindergarten in the fall. Coming soon from TheTVMom.com!

Breaking the Silence and Things You May Have Missed!

If you're a regular reader of mine, you might have noticed it has been awfully quiet around here lately. Part of me wants to say something like "I've been super busy, life got in the way", but it just wouldn't be honest.

Well, it's time for the honesty.

So, I have some sad news... mostly sad for myself and my bank account. As of a week from today, I will no longer be writing for the Kids' Cartoons page at About.com. This is mostly what has fueled my radio silence around here. I'm bumming. Hard. I have been with About for two years and I'm definitely going to miss it and the notoriety that came with the brand. I have put in applications for a couple other topics over there, but since one application is entering its seventh month of going unread (according to the status update thingy), I'm guessing I won't be strolling back onto their servers any time soon.

It has taken a lot out of me to even think about blogging or writing lately. The wind has been let out of my sails and even though my parting with About has nothing to do with me personally (the program under which I have been writing for the past two years has ended and they essentially just let my contract expire), it still felt like a major blow to the old self esteem.

I have been pitched by one brand to jump on the ground floor of their marketing campaign for their app. It's going to be a neat opportunity and I'm looking forward to working with the company. Keep an eye out for that either late June or early July. In the meantime, my dear blogger buddy Nickida over at NickisRandomMusings.com has been helping me hone my pitching skills and teaching me some tricks of the trade, and I can't even begin to explain how grateful I am for her help. Be sure to pop over to her site for lots of fun posts and tell her I sent you!

I'm trying really hard to get back up on the horse and ease on down the dusty trail. (Why am I making cowboy references? I have no idea.) I want to get this blog standing on its own two feet--do blogs have feet?--and make TheTVMom.com a brand worth recognizing and working with.

In the meantime, here are some neat things you may have missed in the entertainment world, beginning with my favorite, Zach Braff's new film, Wish I Was Here. I was a part of the Kickstarter, so a special treat to me was my very own copy of the new full trailer showed up in my email this morning. Check it out here, and be sure to imagine me fanning myself like a southern belle when he points at my name!



Next, check out this neat poster for the upcoming Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy!

Image courtesy Marvel.

Heads up on August 19th when "Toy Story of Terror" hits store shelves on Blu-ray combo pack/DVD/Digital HD/Disney Movies Anywhere! The combo pack includes "never before seen bonus features, including parody vintage toy commercials, deleted scenes, audio commentary, and more!" If you happened to catch this cute little short last halloween, you know you won't want to miss owning it!

Image courtesy Disney/Pixar.

And finally, in celebration of the new upcoming Focus Features/LAIKA stop-animation film, The Boxtrolls, kids and families are encouraged to visit TheBoxtrolls.com and build their very own Boxtroll for a chance to have their personal Boxtroll be brought to life as a real puppet by LAIKA artists and other Box-tastic prizes! Check out the video below and see the site for more information and complete rules!



That's all I have for now. Please be sure to check in at my Facebook page to see more fun stuff worth sharing and liking. Thanks, readers, for sticking with me, and here's to all the fun that is yet to come!

My Little Pony Season 4 Finale! #MLPSeason4

I've been teasing this for my past couple entries... this weekend is the Season 4 finale of My Little Pony on Hub Network! Leading up to the two part finale itself, Hub Network will be airing a marathon of pony awesomeness from the entire season beginning at 7:30am Eastern/4:30am Pacific (yikes, sorry West Coast-ers! Set your DVRs perhaps?) with the finale itself airing at 10am Eastern/7am Pacific.

"Twilight's Kingdom - Part 1"

To answer the question my Pony loving friends are asking: Yes, I have seen the finale. Yes, it is pretty rad. I don't want to give too much away, because there is no fun in spoilers! However, this year they have done something entirely different and the season finale is cumulative over the season, whereas before they have been stand-alone adventures. If you've read my Season 4 Wrap Up you might have an idea of HOW that all happens. Hint hint!

Here's what I can say without spoiling much: Twilight is disillusioned with her role as princess, being that she doesn't have a kingdom to protect or an important job like raising the sun or moon. She feels like the only reason she's a princess is to be a figurehead, and that's not something she jives with. When Equestria is threatened from a *new villain*, she offers to come to the rescue, but Celestia has someone else in mind for the task. Twilight, frustrated, turns her attentions to figuring out how to open the chest at the Tree of Harmony, hoping it contains some clues as to what her calling as royalty is. What happens is nothing short of fantastic!

I'm not giving you anything else! I want you all to tune in on Saturday morning, so I have to leave it up to time to share the rest!

However, tonight I will be joining another "What's the Hubbub?" chat with voice actress Tara Strong and head writer Megan McCarthy! This time I will only get to ask two questions, but I'm so excited! You can tune in to watch live tonight at 8pm Eastern by clicking this link. You can also follow all the talent and crew on Twitter using #MLPSeason4 or their individual accounts:

• Tara Strong @tarastrong
• Andrea Libman @AndreaLibman
• Tabitha St. Germain @StTabitha
• Cathy Weseluck @CathyWeseluck
• Ashleigh Ball @ash_leigh_ball
• Meghan McCarthy @MMeghanMcCarthy
• Jayson Thiesen @goldenrussett
• Daniel Ingram @dannyimusic

I will also post the whole interview video here at TheTVMom.com when it's in the can! I can't wait! Stay tuned TV Fans! It's about to get 20% cooler in here!

#IWantMyNerdHQ Home Stretch!

Zachary Levi and the Nerd Machine group are only two days away from the end of the #IWantMyNerdHQ campaign, and we all still need your help to get the word about about Nerd HQ and why it's awesome!

Image courtesy TheNerdMachine.com

Check out this video featuring three years of awesome Nerd HQ Conversations for a Cause!



Also, just released from my friends over at The Nerd Machine... 
"When we reach 333K, one third of our one million dollar goal, every funder that has contributed $5 or more to the campaign will be automatically entered to win the most awesome prize offered to date, a visit from Zachary Levi. That’s right, a funder somewhere in the Continental United States (sorry international funders) WORLD will win a visit from Zac in July before Nerd HQ. He will fly to the nearest city and accompany the winner and a guest to dinner.

And that’s not all.

After the city is chosen, all funders in the area are invited to meet Zac to say hello, grab an autograph, and take photos after the dinner with the selected funder. The Nerd Machine will find a venue close to the winner’s location that can accommodate the event, dependent on how many attendees want to come. When all the details are arranged, we will ask funders who live close enough to attend to RSVP so we can get an accurate count for the venue.

Remember, this incentive is only possible if we reach 333K during the campaign.

Go to www.iwantmynerdhq.com to support the campaign

- See more at: http://www.thenerdmachine.com/iwantmynerdhqupdate/#sthash.BeicvSjs.dpuf"

That's right, everyone who becomes a funder of the Indiegogo campaign is eligible to win a DINNER WITH ZAC LEVI!!! But it's only if they reach $333K by this Friday! Even just $5 helps!

Still on the fence? Here is an awesome list of reasons why you should contribute to making NerdHQ happen thanks to my friend Audra at RealityToDreams.com:

Visit IWantMyNerdHQ.com to contribute or find out more about the campaign or the event! Also, you can use the widget on the right side bar to donate directly. Let's make NerdHQ '14 the most incredible one yet! Thanks to all my nerdy, geeky, fantastic friends who have already contributed! 

Now... whose suitcase is big enough to smuggle me to San Diego in July?

"I'm going on a trip and I'm taking an apple, a basket, a cucumber..."

Who remembers that horrible game? Or, perhaps you're like me and you know that's actually a line from a very funny play by Larry Shue called The Nerd... in which I starred as Mrs. Waldgrave my senior year in high school, thankyouverymuch. (I found a link online to a different, probably more recent production from a different high school... there was no youtube when I was in school... there was hardly internet. I'm old. Anway, link HERE where you can see the whole show, but video number five has the scene I mentioned.)  However, the sentiment in that title is what I'm REALLY here to talk about...

I'm heading to Los Angeles/Hollywood next week! Where it's WARM! And not SNOWING!!!

Image courtesy Disney.

The reason I get to go is even more awesome. I'm getting a sponsored* trip to go check out Disney Animation Studios and some awesome Disney films with a group of new blogger pals (and a few I met back in October at the Hub Halloween Bash event!) in anticipation of the release of Disney's Frozen and The Pirate Fairy on Blu-ray!

I get to board a plane and head for sunny California (BUH-BYE cold Ohio winter weather!) next Monday at stupid-o'clock in the morning, which I'm okay with, actually, because it's a direct flight and I'll have the whole day on Monday when I get there to do some sightseeing for a change! Walk of Fame, here I come! I also managed to score a ticket on my own to a taping of the Comedy Central hit "@Midnight" for Monday evening since the studio isn't far from the hotel I'll be staying at, and I'm secretly hoping I can meet the one and only Chris Hardwick (Geek Squee!). You'd better believe I'll have a Sharpie in my pocket in hopes of an autograph!

Image courtesy Disney.

On Tuesday, I get to head to the famous Disney Animation Studios to meet Frozen's Director, Chris Buck, and producers Jennifer Lee and Peter Del Vecho, and participate in a Q&A session. Then, we get a cool hands-on demo of the rigging process used in the film with Character TC Supervisor, Gregory Smith. And, if that wasn't enough awesome behind-the-scenes fun, which you all know I *love*, I get to do a voiceover recording session with the Audio Engineer Gabe Guy! I am seriously hoping there is video involved that I get to post. Voiceover actors are among my favorite interviews I've done, and I'll finally get a look at what they all do every day! There is also a SUPER SECRET event after all of that, which I'll get to post more about later this month!

On Wednesday, I get to truck over to the DisneyToon Studios for an advance screening of the new animated feature The Pirate Fairy, and then have a chat with Director Peggy Holmes and Producer Jennifer Magee-Cook. Finally, we'll all get a walk through of the creation of one of the characters, seeing the character evolve from design to animation. (An About.com review of the film will follow as well!)

I also get to fly home on my first ever "red eye" flight Wednesday night, not arriving back home until Thursday morning. I will then hibernate most of Thursday, haha! I'm glad TV Dad had the foresight to take that day off too!

In anticipation of my trip, I hit up my favorite BIG RED LOGO store (you know, the one you can't go into for two things and come out having not spent over $50?) and picked up some new Disney-appropriate wardrobe...

Geek chic!

I plan on bringing the Sharpie with me when I wear that Mickey shirt on Tuesday, because I want some Disney Animation autographs on that sucker! And Marvel is now owned by Disney. (Because. Yeah. I didn't buy that thanks to my huge geekness or anything...) I still have to find a plain shirt to wear to the @Midnight taping though, they have a policy about that.

Post any questions you have for the Directors or Producers in the comments section! I will have a six hour plane ride on the way there to think of some, but you know I love reader-sourced questions! Also, be sure to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and on The TV Mom Facebook page, all of which have buttons or widgets on the right sidebar, for all the up-to-the-minute coverage of my whirlwind adventure! Keep an eye out for the hashtags #‎FrozenBluray‬ and  #‎PirateFairyBloggers‬, which all of the bloggers will be using during the entire trip (those links go specifically to Facebook, but they will be used on all social media outlets).

In the meantime, check out this awesome video featuring The Pirate Fairy and singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield!





*Disclaimer: I am receiving an all-expense paid trip to LA in exchange for my coverage of these titles and this event. Views expressed in this post and all those related are solely those of The TV Mom and TheTVMom.com and are not in any way influenced by receipt of this trip, nor are they representative of Disney Studios or subsidiaries thereof. Please see the "Disclosure" tab for more information.

Happy 2014!

From my family to yours, we wish you a happy, fun, and joyous 2014! 

Rich Collins ROCKS!

I'm in the middle of a serious fan-girl day. Not only do I get to interview Moises Arias (voice of Antonio in Despicable Me 2 and played Bonzo Madrid in Ender's Game), but Rich Collins, aka "Mover Rich" from The Imagination Movers, EMAILED ME PERSONALLY to thank me for buying from his website! He even sent me this "cool bonus pic" of him rockin' out:

Image courtesy Rich Collins. All rights reserved.

Never in all my life have I had such friendly and PERSONAL service from a musician! So, this is my treatise to all of you readers to check out his site http://www.richcollinsmusic.com/ and buy his album! (His music, I think, is quite reminiscent of Sister Hazel's style of southern rock. Which is why I adore it, because Sister Hazel is one of my all time favorite bands.) Pretty please support his work! He's just too awesome not to!

Love you Rich! Keep Rockin'!

Happy Halloween from TheTVMom.com!

October has been a month of incredible things here at TheTVMom.com and I am excited to get to work on some awesome new stuff for November, including video game reviews... squee!

Here is some stuff to keep you busy for the rest of this very busy week in parenting land (Halloween, plus here in Ohio, some severe weather to go with it! Should make Trick or Treating interesting!)

First of all, Hub Network is replaying the Hub Halloween Bash one more time, at 8pm Eastern on Halloween night. You have one more chance to look for me in the crowd! Now, I obviously know where I sat and I noticed myself right away a couple times (one of which was me quickly shoving a cookie back in my purse coming out of a commercial break... shows take a long time to tape and I was HUNGRY!), however, for the regular viewer, I might be tougher to spot. Check out stage left/screen right in the bleachers and look for green... that's me (I was shiny and sparkly too!) and the gal sitting next to me who was dressed as Peter Pan!

Bloggers on the purple carpet... I'm front row, second from the left!

Speaking of which, I wanted to give a special link "shout out" to all my new blog-world buddies! Please check out the following sites and tell 'em The TV Mom sent you! Be sure to like their Facebook pages and follow them on Twitter too! Spread the love!

• valmg.com
• BeingAlison.com
• midgetmomma.com
• mommykatie.com
• thebraggingmommy.com
• emilythomaswrites.com
• sarahsblogoffun.com
• daysofadomesticdad.com (Yes, we had a Dad blogger!)
• simplybeingmommy.com
• momspark.net
• mommyhasalife.com

(Note: If you're one of my blogger friends and you don't see your site listed, give me a shout! These are the ones who emailed me back and/or I followed while I was in LA. I'll get buttons up soon too for those of you who sent me one!)

Then, this Saturday, Hub Network premieres new seasons of Littlest Pet Shop and.... drumroll... MY LITTLE PONY! That's right Bronies, your pony pals are returning a little earlier than previously announced! Yes, you'll have to sit through another showing of Equestria Girls (heck, maybe you like it as much as my little Brony does lol!), but they're back baby!

Also, be sure to watch here at TheTVMom.com and on my Facebook page for a giveaway to celebrate my 2 year blog-aversary, which is coming up in a couple weeks, believe it or not! (So is my thirtieth birthday, but shhhh! We're not talking about that!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN and bring on November!

It's Time! The Hub Network Halloween Bash is HERE!

I finally have the green light (and the time to sit down at the ol' computer desk) to tell you, dear readers, all about my exploits in L.A. with The Hub Network's First Annual Halloween Bash!

Image courtesy Hub Network.

Thanks to my friends at Hub Network, they flew me out to Los Angeles last weekend (you knew that) so that I could attend the taping of the Halloween Bash.

First and foremost, we got to attend the red... er, purple... carpet arrivals. This was probably my favorite part, and you'll see why in just a second. We got to meet and chat with all the stars who were invited, presenting, hosting, and judging. Picture time!

Family Game Night host Todd Newtorn.

Khylin Rhambo who plays Dink in the new Ender's Game movie!

Kenan Thompson arriving (one of the best shots I got of him all day)

Actor Nick Purcha from the new Spooksville series.

Voice actor Jaden Betts from Doc McStuffins. 

Ian Patrick from ABC's The Neighbors series.

Rico Rodriguez from Modern Family.

Nick Purcha and Keean Johnson from Spooksville.

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (Modern Family) and Chloe Noelle (True Blood)

The only other half decent shot of Kenan Thomspon.

Singer Cody Simpson.

Judge Coco Jones.

Nolan Gould from Modern Family.

Joey King from Oz the Great and Powerful.

Judge Hal Sparks

My favorite pic of Hal Sparks! He looked right at me and made this face.

Judge Martha Stewart.

Musical Guest Fifth Harmony.

Do you see what I see??? (And what stars on the carpet saw!)

The set!

And now for the best parts of the whole day for me: The hug and thumbs up I got from THE Bill Nye The Science Guy! Ahhhh! Does my gigantic smile give you any indication as to how big of a moment this was for me??? I got to HUG BILL NYE! (Insert geek-girl squee here.)

Bill Nye hugged me!!!

Thumbs up indeed!

Oh yeah, and then there's this...

Image courtesy Getty. I don't have an account, so watermark it is.

That's me, photo-bombing Martha Stewart and Hal Sparks. I'm a dork, yes, but the fact this exists in the world makes me beyond proud. I tweeted it to Hal Sparks, but he never responded. Poo. So, Hal, if you read this, sorry you have a dorky crazy redhead over your shoulder, but I did what had to be done! Ha!

My only note for Hub next year when it comes to pulling off Bash #2: Have a kids-only category. I was kind of down to see only one kid in the final six. There were definitely some kids I think would have been up front and center had they not been up against some of these professional costumers and cosplayers. Give them a more fair shake next year and make a "cute kids" category! :)

Now for a sneak peak clip, care of Hub Network! (And yes, I think that *IS* the kid who does the break dancing on SYTYCD!)


 

Be sure to tune in to Hub Network TOMORROW NIGHT, Saturday, October 26 at 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific to see what I saw! Comment with your favorite costume!

Also, don't forget to tune in earlier on Saturday for the new animated series, Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch on Hub Network!

Disclaimer: Hub Network provided travel and accommodations for me to attend this event. Opinions expressed herein are all expressly those of TheTVMom.com and were not in any way influenced by Hub Network. All images Copyright (c) TheTVMom.com unless otherwise stated.