This Is The Way of May 2026

May always seems to be a super busy month and this year was so busy that every time I tried to make a post another fan culture moment was happening so I figured I would round them all up into one mega post!

Free Comic Book Day

My local comic book store (Comics for Collectors) was a buzz with people but I managed to get my desired free comic book - Dungeon Crawler Carl! How adorable does Princess Donut look!

Devil Wears Prada 2

I took in an afternoon showing opening day and was pleasantly surprised by this film. Without naming names, I have worked for people who have "Miranda" traits and one would think that I would avoid both these films so as not to relive the trama. However, for the first film I take comfort in the feelings of breaking free (I had a similar throw-my-phone-into-a-fountain Paris moment while working for a different employer). In the sequel, it is interesting to see how the characters have grown, changed, evolved within themselves and with the world.

Star Wars Day

My family and I usually celebrate with themed food but this year was kinda low key. Instead of Porg-tatoes and Yoda Soda, we launched our rewatch of The Mandalorian in prep for the movie release. Although, I saw this idea and recipe for Jawa Cookies and I have to admit I'd like to give it a try.

Friends of Tompkins Public Library Book Sale

This book sale is no joke - I have lived in the Ithaca area for over 20 years and people take this bi-annual (Spring and Fall) sale seriously. Hours long LINES around the block in the rain, seriously. I didn't have the time for the first day line but managed to get in first weekend Sunday afternoon to find this copy of "The Comics" by Coulton Waugh, first printing, copyright 1947.

I haven't had the time to settle in to read much of it but I am almost certain I will do a solo post about it - the art work is just too cool!

Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 8: A Parade of Horribles

I have listened to this audio book twice already this month - so good. I keep waiting for my cat to make the biscuits so I can take a video and add it to the growing number of Princess Donut videos on TikTok. I will never not like one of those videos. Princess Donut FOREVER!

Graduations

Since the pandemic I have grown fond of listening to graduations speeches because frankly, we all need that kind of encouragement from time to time. Sometimes you also learn about the speakers themselves or about what the hot topics in culture are. This year the hot topic was AI did less inspiring and more enraging. I am proud of the graduates who booed the speakers - that is their day and instead the speakers made it about their own opinions and talked down to the graduates. Three of my favorite speeches from this year were Queen Latifah, Jane Lynch and Conan O'Brian.

End of the Late Show

Stephen Colbert and his entire team are LEGENDS! If you haven't seen the last episode, I recommend it not just for the humor. Stephen genuinely knows how to use his celebrity and influence as a tool for good. The puppies, the World Food Kitchen, and so much more. Take the time to find Stephen on YouTube for his Only in Monroe guest host gig. I know that this won't be the last we see of Stephen and the many talented people who worked on that show.

The Wienie 500

Have you ever wondered what it would look like if six hot dog shaped vehicles raced on an iconic race track? You are in luck! You can see this unique spectacle of automotive and food marketing once a year in Indianapolis. The commentator puns give new meaning to bad dad jokes but the whole thing is a master class in brand identity and fan culture experience building. Read More and Watch the Second Annual Race.

Spider Noir

For the second time this month there is a fan culture moment that my whole family has an interest in and its great - but slightly frustrating. I haven't been able to watch any episodes because my family wants to see it too. I am fairly certain that watching this together will be more fun than solo so I am going to be patient and wait until we can watch together. My daughter has said that we will watch the Black and White first and I'm so glad she gets it!