The Exciting Beginning of 2013 - Hosting

This is the first time that I am able to look at the year ahead and to be excited about it. There are projects, field trips, zombie runs, and who knows what else this year. These are the basics.

I'm gonna break it down for ya, so this isn't a super long post.

PART THE 1ST:

HOSTING!

My friend Cindy Marie Jenkins and I entered a partnership last Fall to discuss the rapidly growing world of the webseries. Since then, we've grown out of a Google Hangout format and we've begun to shoot and produce a true show. We've been very busy in this new year, what with the Vegas Trip, and with our new world of interviews. Have a look-see over here.

Our friends Kristen Nedopak and Bill Ostroff, founders of The Geekie Awards have asked us to lead weekly G+ Hangouts with their judges. The RUGeekie Weekly Hangouts begin this Sunday at 1:30 to talk with Bonnie Burton. *cue Mom squeeing over Bonnie*

On top of all that goodness, we were also asked to start a podcast on CSICON.com. Eeee, a podcast!

This is all truly amazing because after Comic-Con last year, I was left feeling a little out of it. I was so happy to be around friends and fellow creators, twitter peeps, it was such a Nerd Summer Camp. However, after the last dinner on the last night, (and it was a fantastic time, let me tell you), I was overcome with the feeling that I wanted more. I wanted to be able to proudly declare that I was part of something, that I had created, or co-created a project that had an impact among my peers. Because really, I was introducing myself as "Jessica Mills' old roommate." And as much as I love Jessi, and I am so thankful for the time we had working on Awkward Embraces, being the old roommate of someone doesn't really give you creative clout. I couldn't lean on Jessi's achievements any longer.

I started wondering what I could create. I'm not a writer, I don't even have ideas to create shows or characters that another person can write. On my road trip home that summer, I began listening to The Nerdist Podcast. About halfway up, I realized that a podcast was something I could do! I mean, get me with a group of friends and let's start talking! My parents don't call me Chatty Patty for nothin'. But how do I create a podcast? My funds are limited right now, I could do a G+ Hangout... maybe? I dunno. Then, out of the blue - Cindy says, "Hey, we should do a show about the webseries world." You can imagine my glee. It's like The Universe/Higher Power/Gods and God Alike all said, "here - have Cindy" and she's a fantastic partner. She steps in easily in places I don't even think of, she's a total social media maven, she's super smart, and laughs at my dorky jokes. She also has pets that I adore. This is what you want from a creative partner, yes?? I'm feeling very lucky, and very grateful.

So in just the past two months projects have been taken to the next level. Ideas are flying in my head. I've even begun a weekly massage therapy series where I answer questions about the biz and my experience in the world. It's all very new, just one episode up, but it's something that I've been wanting to do for quite sometime.

I have a few more big projects to announce, but I'll save 'em for another day. This is what has started off my year, and I really couldn't be more excited.