Megan's Favorites From Year One

by Megan S.

From "Miss Universe Pageant or Hunger Games Costumes"

Holy crap!  I can't believe it's been a year since we began Stellar Four.  When I first mentioned starting a blog that covered the girlier side of science fiction, fantasy and science to a few friends back in January of 2010, I never imagined it would turn into this ginormous labor of love.  Guys, I've never taken on a project just for fun that lasted more than a few weeks, let alone over a year.  As of today, we've written 539 articles, talked with some of our favorite authors and writers, uncovered the latest geeky awesomeness, made new friends across the world, and changed ... well, changed my life for the better, anyway.

Seriously, I'm getting a little teared up here as I write this and it's only supposed to be a round up of my favorite posts over the last year.  OK, buck up and get on with it, Megan.

Alright, drumroll please.  My top five are (and I promise four of 'em are much funnier than the above):


Handy Tools for a Private Eye, Magical or Not

All of my favorite urban fantasy heroes solve mysteries.  Some are detectives like Kelley Armstrong's character Paige Winterbourne, others are debunkers/investigators like Stacia Kane's Chess Putnam, but all of them have three things in common: they go where they are not supposed to, get stuck in unfortunate jams, and all carry choice pieces of gear to help in either situation.  Their gear is usually something like an enchanted bracelet or their own blood but, as a norm (read: muggle,) I'd have to rely on more commonplace tools.

So, what tools should a would-be (and totally magic inept) private eye carry in her purse just in case she ever gets in a sticky situation?


What It Means to be a Geek Girl

...Until very recently, reveling in science, science fiction and fantasy (being a geek) meant you were usually an outcast in mainstream society.  Even now, being feminine and reveling in science, science fiction and fantasy means you are usually an outcast in geek society.  Liking things that are associated with being female such as makeup or cute t-shirts are often shunned by the majority of the group.  I'm not sure why that is exactly.  Maybe it's because in order to have a sense of self, a sense of "us," it also means you have to have a sense of "them."  In the end, it really doesn't matter why.  It just is.

Top 5 Reason 'Phantom' is Actually About a Crazy Fanboy

2011 marks the 25th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera, the longest running musical on Broadway. It's the story of Erik, one of pop culture's most iconic fanboys, and his unrequited love for a beautiful opera singer.

Wait, what?

Yup. The Phantom is actually an insane fanboy. I'll prove it.


Four Ridiculous TV Crossovers Ideas That Would Be AWESOME

If I had a magic wand, I'd use it to make these Star Trek, Firefly, Fringe and Chuck crossovers come to life.  The four plots are completely ridiculous yet would be completely AWESOME if they were real.  I mean, come on, if we can have Stewie from Family Guy make an appearance on Bones is it so much of a stretch to have Captain Malcolm Reynolds on the soap opera One Life to Live?

Miss Universe Pageant or Hunger Games Costumes?

 Could this be the latest photo released from the filming of The Hunger Games?  She definitely looks like she could be the tribute from District One, dolled up by a crazy Capital stylist to represent the luxury goods the area manufactures.

Buuuut, it's not.  It's actually Miss Netherlands from this year's Miss Universe and she's not alone in the crazy-ass costume contest.  Check out eleven other ladies that look like district tributes from the Games after the jump!