Ask Victoria!

Photo by Heart Shine Photography

Many people have a variety of questions for me regarding charity work, costuming, conventions, modeling etc. so I decided to bring back the Ask Victoria feature! Questions were left for me on my Facebook Page and now, I bring you the answers. Thank you to everyone who submitted!



Jesse L. Asks:  What got you into doing charity work and what charities normally spark your interest?


Victoria: I survived a horrific car accident several years ago that left me in a wheel chair. At first, doctors were not sure if I would be able to walk again. I know what it is like for your life to suddenly change and the different emotions you experience. You go through shock, fear, depression and anger. Things seem hopeless. Its so important to let as much happiness in as possible. Your sanity depends on it. I want to reach out to others who need help. Kindness goes a long way. Love goes a long way. It can inspire you. It can heal you.

As much as I love costuming, I also have to admit that Im sick of the egos and drama. We can use our talents to give back. Thats a very powerful thing. I wanted to take the focus off of me and put the spotlight on these charities that do wonderful things for children and their families. I dont want to be too self absorbed. If I can give back, I will. With working for the Heroes Alliance, we focus on child-related charities.

Photo by Photos and Designs by Piera

Shaun S. Asks: Would you do a Make-A-Wish for a child?


Victoria: I have worked with the Philadelphia chapter of the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. If I was contacted by them to make a particular wish for a particular child come true, I would absolutely jump at the chance to grant it.


William H. Asks: Will you ever make it to the Motor City Comic-Con in Detroit?


Victoria: I currently have no plans on attending that convention. If youd like me there as a guest, the best thing you can do is write to the people running the show and recommend me as a guest. You can also message me on my Facebook Page so we can communicate about shows in your area.


Ray M. Asks: Who inspires you the most in terms of  just life, fictional and non? Heaven, both if applicable and how?


Victoria: My late grandmother inspires me. She was a kind and loving woman and was always there for her family. She also loved the Lord. She inspires my relationship with my family, to put them first
and always be there for them. She inspires me when it comes to charity work and helping others.

Photo by Green House Photography

 Fictional characters who inspire me are Belle, Lara Croft, Wonder Woman and Snow White. Belle longs for adventure like most of us, is a bookworm like me and sacrificed her freedom for her father without hesitation. Lara is smart, dangerous, sassy, sexy and confident. Id love to go on her adventures even though most of them would scare me to death! She inspired me to work hard when I was going through psychical therapy and learn how to walk again. Wonder Woman was the first female super hero I was exposed to. I grew up watching the Lynda Carter series then later graduated to comic books. Id love to have her life, to train on an island of female warriors. Shes a goodwill ambassador and can kick major butt. She can hold her against the best of the male super heroes. Shes tough yet feminine and lets not forget that shes royalty! Theres so many reasons to love her. Snow White is a survivor. She survived the heartbreak of loosing her parents and survived repeated attempts on her life. She found a support system with the seven dwarfs and kept pushing forward. And she got her happy ending.


David P. Asks: If you could be any of the characters you portrayed, who would it be?


Victoria: Wonder Woman.

Bobby T. Asks: What superhero would you love to cosplay the most?

Victoria: Id love to do Batgirl. That would be fun and different and I can relate because just like Barbra, I use to be in a wheel chair.

Photo by Photos and Designs by Piera

Ian S. Asks: Do you have a costume in mind that you havent tried yet because it might be too difficult?


Victoria: Id love to be Iron Man but I dont even know where to start with something like that.


John C. Asks: Will you be going to New York Comic-Con?


Victoria: No, I do not have plans to travel there this year.


Claudio A. Asks: When you look into making a costume, what do you take into consideration?  Design, characters, values?


Victoria: Its not nearly as that complex for me. I costume who I love. Thats it.


James R. Asks: Do you plan on coming back to any of the shows in Pittsburgh?


Victoria: At the present time, no. Not this year.

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Adfly New Website CashPig gy MORE MONEY!!!

Adfly New Website CashPig.gy ? MORE MONEY!!!

Adfly has a new website that it is called CashPig.gy , i have to say they did this website PERFECT! now we are trying to make more money with adfly and that is the best part of all this

Click here to signup if you just want to start and not read the tutorial!

Click here to signup if you just want to start and not read the tutorial!

As you can see they pay you more with PTC sites and also to complete task, they will add that money to your adfly account all you have to do is attached them together and you are DONE!!

How does Cashpig.gy works?

CashPiggy is a service that allows you to earn some cash in your spare time for your online activities.

Our aim is to revolutionise the Get Paid To industry providing you different ways to earn money!

How can I make money online with CashPiggy?

You can get paid completing our External Offers, you can View Ads that pay you or you can play with the PigGrid game.

Every Offer or PTC ad have its own reward, complete them and once validated it will be added on your account!

Click here to signup 

Godbless.

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Photos Buhari hosts Zuma to a state Banquet Osinbajo Atiku Tinubu in attendance

President Buhari this evening hosted visiting South African President, Jacob Zuma, to a state Banquet at the state house. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, APC National leader Bola Tinubu and Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were all in attendance. See more photos after the cut...

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Jillians Cure

This is Jillian. She has a disease called ADOA (Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy) which involves vision loss, hearing loss, disturbances in the nerves used for muscle movement and sensation, and muscle weakness. Jillian has been given an estimation of being blind before her sixth birthday, and she’s currently very close to turning five years old. They say her hearing will be gone as a pre-teen as well. ADOA affects every child differently, so there are many who aren’t as fortunate to have their senses as long as Jillian has. ADOA is one of the most under-funded and under-researched causes that there is, and I’ve been working with Jillian’s family to help raise awareness about the cause and the efforts that are finally being put into place so that research can begin for the sake of Jillian and all others like her. Please help me spread the word by sharing this post and also following her journey on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JilliansCure/) for more information on ADOA, as well as opportunities that you may have to assist in aiding the research efforts so that a cure can be found sooner rather than later.

Reposted from Dustin Doroughs Blog, I Thawed Out For This?

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An Open Letter to the Wizard World Philadelphia Organization

There was a lot of controversy surrounding the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic-Con and for good reason. Complaints were made regarding the ticket prices, guest list and lack of comic talent, among other things. Before you brush this off as just an angry geek girl rant, Id like to point out that I have been attending the Wizard World Philadelphia show for the past 10 years. It was my very first convention and takes place in my home town. I attended it long before I was a cosplayer, Blogger or a professional model. I have many fond memories but in the last 5 years, the show has been decreasing in quality. I am speaking my mind and writing this open letter to the organization based on my 10 year experience and observation. I am expressing my opinion as a fan (a title that is probably best described as "former fan" these days). I certainly am not one of those cosplayers who think I know how to run a multi-million dollar organization simply because I cosplay. There is no ego here. Just an opinion based on my experience at this show and attending other shows such as the San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic-Con, Dragoncon, The Baltimore Comic-Con and Megacon. Below are 6 major problems with the show.

Problem #1: Over Priced Tickets

The Baltimore Comic-Con 2 day weekend pass is on sale for $40.00 on their website. New York Comic-Con is charging $65 for a 3 day pass ($85 for a 4 day). The Megacon Convention is charging $60.00 for a 3 day online pass. A one day Wizard World Philadelphia was a whopping $50, $85-$95 for a three and a half day pass. The ticket price is absurd.


Problem #2: Lack of Comic Talent

While other shows feature such guests as George Perez, Gail Simone, J. Scott Campbell, Adam Hughes and many others, Wizard would rather focus on booking actors who charge for photos and autographs. Im not saying that actors should not be permitted. I like seeing Hollywood celebrities and if you have the extra cash to "meet" them, go for it. But it appears that Wizard has lost its roots. Its not about comics anymore. Its about Hollywood. At this years show, Stan Lee was the big comic draw and.....thats it.


Problem #3: Missing Publishers

It appears that even the publishing gods have abandoned Wizard. Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Top Cow, Aspen and other major publishers stopped attending the show roughly 5 years ago.


Problem #4: Zero Exclusives

There was a time where you could purchase exclusive statues, comics and toys at the Philadelphia Show. Hunting and buying exclusives makes any show more enjoyable. Now the vendors consist of items easily purchased at Toys R Us and Target for double price.


Problem #5: Denying the Press Access

This year Wizard denied press passes to Bloggers and photographers. Photographers were only allowed in if they were union. I know of 3 Bloggers, myself included, who had a good business relationship with Wizard and covered the event for several years thus giving the organization press and exposure. This year our press passes were denied. I would not have minded purchasing a full pass; if it didnt cost nearly $100 each. As a result, my photographer and I only attended Friday.


Problem #6: The Guest List Flub

Im not sure who was in charge of the online guest list but I was completely shocked to discover that two of the biggest names in cosplay were attending the show and not listed on the site. Spencer Doe and Nicole Marie have both gone viral with their Batman and Lady Bane costumes. They had a table at the show where they met fans, posed for photos and sold prints. I would not have known they were at the show if it wasnt for Facebook. How someone missed posting that two of the biggest names in cosplay, who are easily headliners,  is mind boggling.


I have to report that it was nice to see that gift bags had returned. Among other things it featured a free issue of the Walking Dead comic. The seating area had also been expanded and Artist Alley featured a large variety of local talent. Although these are steps in the right direction, it is too little, too late. There are still many things wrong with the show as seen in my list and these problems have been ongoing for the past 5 years. I have traveled and attended many shows around the country and Wizard is easily the most poorly organized national show. Unless some major changes are made for 2014, you can consider this show to be our last.

                                                       Official Facebook

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Chance can turn a surgeon into a killer

Risk-adjusted 30- to 90-day outcome data for selected types of operations done by specific surgeons and hospitals are now being publicly posted online by Englands National Health Service.

According to the site, "Any hospital or consultant [attending surgeon in the UK] identified as an outlier will be investigated and action taken to improve data quality and/or patient care."

After cardiac surgery outcomes data were made public in New York, some interesting unexpected consequences were noted.

Surgeons and hospitals resorted to "gaming the system" by declining to operate on patients who were high-risk and tinkering with patient charts to make those they did operate on seem sicker. This can be done by scouring the charts for all co-morbidities and making sure none are overlooked when they are coded. An article from New York Magazine explains it in more detail.

Interpreting outcomes data can be tricky.

In a post three years ago about a report that nine Maryland hospitals had higher-than-average complication rates, I pointed out that whenever you have averages, some hospitals are going to be worse than average unless all hospitals perform exactly the same way or, like medical students, are all above average.

A much more sophisticated way of looking at this subject appeared in a fascinating 2010 BBC News piece by Michael Blastland, who is the Nate Silver of England [or maybe Nate Silver is the Michael Blastland of the US], called "Can chance make you a killer?"

Blastland set up a statistical chance calculator for a hypothetical set of 100 hospitals or 100 surgeons performing 100 operations each. The model assumes that every patient has the same chance of dying and that every surgeon is equally competent. The standard is that a mortality rate 60% worse than the norm set by the government for any hospital or surgeon is not acceptable.

You are assigned one hospital. Using a slider, you may choose an operative mortality rate anywhere from 1% to 15%. After you do this a number of times and recalculate for each mortality rate, you will notice that the number of unacceptably performing hospitals or surgeons changes randomly for each percent mortality and your hospital may appear in the underperforming group strictly by chance alone.

The whole concept is explained in more detail on the site. I encourage you to try it for yourself. The link is here.

So it may be difficult for the NHS to separate the true outliers from the unlucky surgeons who happened to fall outside the established norms.

What do you think about this?

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Take lecture notes on a laptop computer or use old fashioned longhand

A paper published last year in Psychological Science suggests that taking notes in longhand is the better choice.

The authors, from Princeton University and UCLA, performed three studies on college students. They found that even if multitasking and distractions were eliminated, “students who took notes on laptops performed worse on conceptual questions than students who took notes longhand.”

Previous research has shown that note taking enhances learning by both providing external storage of information for later review and “encoding,” that is, processing information and reframing it in one’s own words.

Although significantly more notes were taken by laptop users, they tended to be more like transcriptionists instead of thinking about and summarizing what they heard.

When tested on standardized lecture material, both groups did equally well on factual questions, but those who used longhand for note taking fared significantly better on questions dealing with concepts.

Even when students using laptops were instructed not to transcribe lectures verbatim, they were unable to do so.

Subjects were tested with and without studying their notes. Without studying before a test, scores did not differ between the two groups, but when studying was permitted, those who took longhand notes again performed better.

From the discussion section of the paper: “Although more notes are beneficial, at least to a point, if the notes are taken indiscriminately or by mindlessly transcribing content, as is more likely the case on a laptop than when notes are taken longhand, the benefit disappears.” [That run-on sentence was probably typed on a laptop.]

The authors concluded that laptops in classrooms may be doing more harm than good.

This dovetails nicely with my previous post on live-tweeting of conferences and lectures. People who live tweet claim the tweets can serve as notes. I doubt that. The live tweeters are deluding themselves. They are simply doing “play by play” of a session and are not likely to retain the information.

From a Guardian essay on this topic: A linguistic professor "conducted a survey of reading preferences among over 300 university students across the US, Japan, Slovakia and Germany. When given a choice between media ranging from printouts to smartphones, laptops, e-readers and desktops, 92% of respondents replied that it was hard copy that best allowed them to concentrate."

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, smart pens can record what is written in longhand and convert it to digital text albeit with some difficulties and inaccuracies. Using a stylus on a tablet computer can also be done, but not as quickly as writing with a dumb pen on paper.

Like reading a real book instead of a digital book, taking notes may be another area in which the gadgets lose.

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