Lava Music Festival 2015

If there were any certainties about my four years at WM, it's this one.  If there was live music, I was probably there.  And apparently grad school in Williamsburg means more shows.  Case in point, Lava Music Festival.

This past Saturday was the inaugural Lava Music Festival, at Suffolk's Executive Airport.  Ten bands, no overlapping sets, a free retro arcade, and food trucks.  What's not to love?

To start the day off, the weather was absolutely amazing, perfect festival weather.  We came to Lava when it opened, checking out the pinball arcade and the merch area, before we settled in to watch Major and the Monbacks, one of my local favorites.

Major and the Monbacks

We stopped by the food trucks and ended up getting fish tacos at Bro's Fish Tacos, and a pint of Bold Rock.  I was definitely looking forward to the fish tacos, and they did not disappoint.  We got a little bit of face paint before Robert Delong, then watched the up-and-coming LA artist perform.  The rest of the night included frisbee, a few more amazing bands, and my first Of Montreal show.  Needless to say, it was a day to remember.

Robert Delong

Kishi Bashi and Tall Tall Trees

Kevin Barnes, Of Montreal

Overall, this was an incredible first year for Lava and definitely something I'd consider attending next year.  For another review of the festival, check out AltDaily's review here.  Their critique is on point, in my opinion.

Me, gettin' my face paint on.

Currently listening to: "Don't Say a Word" Major and the Monbacks

Philadelphia Wizard World

This past weekend, my sister and I attended Philadelphia Wizard World.  Similar to a smaller Comic Con, the convention hosted hundreds of artists and vendors, thousands of guests, and an incredible lineup of actor appearances.  Not to mention, an ideal location in the middle of downtown Philadelphia (right across to Reading Terminal Market).

Over the weekend, we attended a few pretty great panels, ate at Reading Terminal Market (although, not enough times, in my opinion), and met some cool people.  I did end up purchasing my own tiny top hat and another timepiece necklace, but realistically...what blog named "in a world of my own" doesn't have some sort of Alice in Wonderland paraphernalia.  And also, it makes it that much easier to create an Alice in Wonderland costume for a future convention/Halloween.

Photos of only a few of the amazing cosplays at the con.

The Mad Hatter from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Osgood and Dalek from Doctor Who 

Me (and my newly purchased tiny top hat) and the Tenth Doctor

Lady Captain America and Bucky Barnes from Marvel's Captain America movies

Krista Lenz from Attack on Titan

And no nerd convention wouldn't be complete without its fair share of guest appearances.

Summer Glau (River Tam from Firefly)

James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley)

Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter from Marvel's Captain America movies and Marvel's Agent Carter)

While I had and still have more than a few angry words to say to the Wizard World organizers, I had a really great time.  I think more than anything, I really just enjoy traveling/exploring new cities with my sister, and I've been pretty grateful to have had multiple chances to do so in the recent past/future.

 Currently listening to watching: The Social Network (one of my favorite movies; I've been watching it pretty frequently recently)