Attention geeks, nerds, dorks, and fangirls of the world: prepare yourselves, because Comic-Con International kicks off  this Thursday, July 23! (Yes, I know it’s exciting. Grab a paper bag and breathe.)

For those not in the know, the San Diego Convention Center becomes a mecca every summer for fans of comics, science fiction, fantasy, and a lot of stuff in between. But even if you’re not a fan of any of those things (or a self-proclaimed geek like me!), Comic-Con has expanded over the years to encompass whatever’s hot in pop culture.

So if you’re going to be in SoCal from July 23-26 and can get yourself a pass, here are some reasons why you should check out Comic-Con (and if you can’t go this year, definitely mark your calendars for 2010):

1.   Check out upcoming films way before they’re released and hear from the filmmakers and cast.
The movie panels are a big hit each year, and 2009 isn’t going to be any different. Dozens of movies are going to be previewed at Comic-Con, but here’s just a sampling of what’s on the schedule next week: Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Avatar, Zombieland, 2012, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus (Heath Ledger’s last film), Astro Boy…and, of course, Twilight. Yes, the cast is going to be there. Including RPattz.

Cue fangirl screams.

2.    Sit in on discussions and upcoming season previews with the cast and crew of your favorite TV shows.
Get the scoop on TV’s most popular shows from the writers themselves (and the hott-with-a-double-“t” cast members!). Shows that will be represented include Smallville, True Blood, Heroes, Dollhouse, Family Guy, Chuck, Lost, 24, and Dexter. If I could just see Stephen Moyer, Milo Ventimiglia, Joss Whedon, and Kiefer Sutherland, I would be able to die a happy, happy woman.

3.   It’s not just about the shows, movies, and comics – there’s intellectual discussion to be found!
Comic-Con will be hosting several discussion panels with college professors, writers, and other experts on everything from parody in art to the anthropology of Star Trek. There are a number of panels relating to women in pop culture and comics specifically, so put your thinking caps on, ladies! Read More »

Nadya Suleman fired her free nanny service.

Even teachers post incriminating photos on Facebook.

Is Twitter to blame for John and Jen’s breakup?

What’s better than gummy bears? Vodka gummy bears!

Nicole Richie designing maternity clothes.

Not-s0-natural natural foods.

Amanda Bynes needs bigger shorts.

We’re too fat to serve our country.

Go bold with scarves.

Whoa there, Cindy Crawford!

Yay! Jack Bauer is coming back.

The economy is in the hole and the job market sucks. You thought you were screwed, but not anymore.

The FBI is currently looking to fill 850 agent positions and over 2,000 other spots!

This is the biggest FBI hiring spree since 9/11, and probably the biggest hiring spree this country has seen all year. While everyone else is firing people, the FBI needs men and women with all sorts of experience.

Don’t worry, though; the high number of openings does not mean the U.S. is about to be blown to smitherenes. The FBI assured, “The FBI’s unexpectedly large number of job openings results more from attrition and a wave of retirements than from growing government appropriations.”

Phew.

How cool would it be to be an FBI agent? Think about the possibilities: hot male agents, top secret information, all those awesome gadgets that Jack Bauer gets to use…

Too bad there’s a background check and drug test. Count me out.

I remember watching The Lost Boys a few years after it came out. I was still young then, easily impressionable and scared of everything. Needless to say, the movie had me sleeping with the light on for weeks.

A few years ago I happened to catch it again. Although I’m still very easily terrified, the 80’s classic was no longer a nightmare waiting to happen—it was a dream come true. Big hair, dated special effects, comedy, Kiefer Sutherland before he was in that completely irrational and unreal Fox show…and best of all, the film introduced the world to what we now know as The Two Coreys.

Corey Haim and Corey Feldman were the Lindsay and Britney of the yuppie era, adorable, famous, and then drug addicted and ruined. Only a few years after they starred side-by-side in the vampire extravaganza, both men were strung out Hollywood garbage.

But guess what? They’re back!

Of course.What forgotten celebrity doesn’t have a TV show these days? The Two Coreys, debuting on A&E on July 29 at 10:00 / 9:00 central, is the comeback extravaganza for the now clean and sober BFFs. Read More »

I love me some girly TV just like the rest of us. I don’t know if I love or hate Lauren Conrad, but I absolutely have to know what is going on in her life. But The Hills is not must-see TV for me. The one show that under no circumstances whatsoever I can’t miss, is 24. Jack Bauer would kick Spencer’s ass into the next millennium. And I’d cheer. Maybe he’d rip out his big, too white teeth one by one first….

Perhaps I’m a classic case of a good (ish) girl who falls in love with bad boys because seriously—when Jack starts round kicking, and pummeling some evil, leather jacket clad terrorist—I almost slide off my seat. It’s just so… masculine. Damn.

This season has been slightly disappointing—every episode looks like its going to be the “big one” where Jack takes out at least 7 people in a five minute time span, and then… nothing. But with only three episodes left, you can bet blood will be shed. Which is why this is the time to get together with your friends, and play the 24 drinking game.

There are many different variations of the game, but the most common rules are—Jack kills someone, take a shot. Jack says “damn it,” take a shot. Jack goes rogue, take a shot. And even though 24 is the best show ever of all time (and don’t try and argue with me—you are entitled to your opinion, but I will never be swayed), there are certain things you can count on that the script writers always throw in there. Which is why everyone ends up hammered by the end of this. Read More »