If you're like me, life in the desert is definitely not conducive to the general feeling of Christmas. The temperature stays in the 60s with sunshine, clouds and Palm trees. But that sounds wonderful, you say. Not when all you want is Jack Frost nipping at your nose and days spent trying to decide if you should wear another long sleeve under your sweater or maybe just two sweaters. The majority of the northern states are being sucker punched by old man winter right now--1 to 2 feet of snow in some places...Happy Thanksgiving. I would gladly trade places right now. Yes, I'm aware of what entails: shoveling, scraping, slipping, salting, snow tires, delays. But as Freddy Mercury once sang, I want it all. It would be worth it to have an actual winter and the other three seasons. I was built for the cold, I'm certain of it, not for roasting in 110 degrees (Fahrenheit) during the Arizona summer. Our four seasons consist of: Fall-ish, Summer, Burning Inferno. If you're lucky enough to escape the valley and head up north on a regular basis, you'll actually get winter. At least there's that.
So next week of course, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. After the tryptophan coma wears off and pants are re-buttoned, we will usually set about starting with Christmas decorations. Then it's full steam ahead into December and the most wonderful time of the year. But it's not easy getting into the Christmas spirit when there are snow birds walking around wearing shorts and t-shirts. They've escaped the snowy clutches of their winter prone habitats to come here and cause traffic delays during rush hour. You're visiting, why do you need to be on the road at 7:00am in the morning when people are trying to get to work?! Huh? Why? Ahem, sorry, rant over. But it doesn't really make sense to me. There are a few things that help, but...they seem to be starting earlier and earlier every year. I'm pretty sure it was still the first week if November when I saw the first Christmas related commercial on TV. Of course, stores were already pulling out the Christmas gear in October. But this was the first commercial of the holiday season. That was followed by Christmas music on the radio (non-stop) during the second weekend of November, this was even earlier than the station that holds the claim of being the Christmas Music Station of Phoenix. The other station started last week. I love Christmas music, one of my favorite things about the holiday season along with tasty holiday treats.I know just about every song by heart and will not be ashamed to be caught singing in the car (which is usually where I do most of my singing anyway). But even I was astonished, when my sister came across a cousin's Facebook post about The Oasis 95.1 playing Christmas music. My first comment was: They're playing Christmas Music this early? BEFORE KEZ?! (99.9 KEZ is the station where for them playing X-mas music is a big deal, the former is a brand new station this year). I had every intention of waiting longer before tuning to the channel permanently. The plan lasted about as long as it took me to get ready to go out and run some errands, because as soon as I got in the car, I caved. Nearly two weeks later and I've barely listened to anything else, except for podcasts, there will always be time for those. Then we have Christmas cards. I'm a big fan of Christmas cards, sending them and receiving them. Sending holiday wishes across the country and the world can be a lot of fun.
But the main thing, that really helps get me in the Holly Jolly mood--rather than scrooge-y and grinch-y. The Christmas specials, from holiday movies to Rankin & Bass cartoons. There's nothing that says Christmas more for me, than snuggling up in front of the electric fireplace (yeah, we can't burn stuff here) with a cup of tea or hot cocoa and watching the favorites: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snow Man, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, The Little Drummer Boy, The Snow Queen, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Holiday, The Last Holiday, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, Muppet's Christmas Carol...the list goes on and on. Starting Dec.1st, there is a permanent stack of VHS tapes (video cassettes that came before DVD and Bluray for you young folks) and DVDs sitting on the floor by the living room TV, constantly being cycled through. My own 25 Days of Christmas countdown movie marathon. They usually sit next to the stack of Christmas CDs that gets cycled through the CD player. I think I might go out and actually buy some Christmas vinyl this year to play on the record player--that would be cool and different for a change. We'll see what money will allow.
Suffice to say, it's getting to the point where I can hardly wait to get started. I think it's important to never lose that child-like sense of excitement and wonderment. Because Christmas isn't just about the presents, the food, the music...it's about family and together-ness. The spirit of helping someone less fortunate to have a happy holiday as well. I know, I'm sounding like a hallmark card. But, it's truly my favorite time of year. Everyone tries to be a little bit nicer, a little bit more generous--a whole lot of fun if you throw in some egg nog. But while surprising a loved one with a gift on Christmas Eve or Day (depending on how you celebrate it) can be fulfilling, just being together with loved ones you may not see for the most of the year...is sometimes all you need.
My creative space to write about whatever is currently on my mind or what I'm interested in.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Friday, November 14, 2014
Friends vs Acquaintances
An interesting topic was brought up on a recent episode of the 7DAG podcast. Jason, Jeremy, and Grant were having a conversation with Neil & Annaleis of the Dark Angels & Pretty Freaks podcast (they were guests on the episode as part of the 30 days of podcasting). Grant poses a question to Neil & Annaleis: Have you had the situation where someone has gone through and listened to all your shows, this is not someone you know, and they communicate with you in a way that it's weird because they feel like they know you?
Now, I'm paraphrasing here, it wasn't that exact question word for word, but it's late and I'm tired. Basically, the question was meant to get their opinions on how fans of the show interact with them and whether they felt it was on a level where the fans treated them like they were friends with the hosts because they had heard so much about them in their podcast episodes. Neil explained that they have had experienced with this type of communication and while it was a bit weird at the beginning because it was new to them, Neil expressed that he found it cool that people would reach out to them and quote things from the show or about how they have things in common like having the same dog or relating to a certain situation. He didn't mind.
The topic seemed finished at that point, until Jason and Grant get into a conversation that sparked this post, the topic of Friends vs Acquaintances in regards to people meeting through social media. Neil set the ball in motion when he mentioned how great it was to discover all these other indie podcasts, when he started their podcast. Where he could really relate with the hosts because they were like him--they weren't celebrities with podcasts. He went on to say that through podcasting and starting to listen to these other indie podcast, he started to hear from and communicate with some really cool people on Twitter. People he felt like were really similar: in taste, personality, sense of humor, etc. He could really see himself hanging out with these people outside of the social media world because he has come to see these people as his friends. Maybe not in the way as a friend you would ask favors from, like helping you to hang doors or something. But still friends that he could have real conversations with.
From there Jason tries to make a point of bringing up the arguments (by which I mean discussions, not fisticuffs) that he and Grant have had regarding the subject of regarding people on Twitter as your friends. Grant had the following stance on the topic: You don't know these people, you can't call them your friends. Jason didn't agree and that he could call them his friends because he did know them to a certain extent and did talk to them on a regular basis. They then have an argument about how that was not what the previous argument was about. Do you see why I enjoy listening to the show now?
Grant makes the point that the actual argument had been the difference between calling someone a friend or calling someone an acquaintance and how those two differed to him. Grant goes on to say, you can be friendly with people but that generally meant those people were acquaintances: people you know, people you get along with, people you enjoy. His definition of a "true friend" as he calls it is: that person you can call in the dead of night and they will be there no matter what. He explains that he doesn't necessarily mean that a friend is only someone who does something for you,but someone who you have interaction with outside of just Twitter. He uses Neil & Annaleis as an example. He started out conversing with them on Twitter but then they had Grant as a guest on their podcast so he spent four hours talking to them on what was basically a phone call, in podcast form. He got to know them more that way. He doesn't think that you can be friends with someone on Twitter and actually form a connection with that person when it's simply based on 140 character conversations.
At this point, Annaleis supplies the comic relief by saying they haven't been drinking and it was getting a little deep--cue the laughter. Neil adds, that for him Twitter has opened the doors to establish friendships but he needed some other form of communication with the person: Skype, phone text, email. He may use the term friend to describe the person, but it would be meant in the acquaintance sort of way.
So, the point being, Jason and Grant had opposite view points on how they thought about people they talk to on Twitter. This has been a topic that has interested me for quite some time. Mainly for the reason that I have friends (met on Twitter) that I have never met in person, and I have no issue calling them my friends. I also have friends that had it not been for Twitter, I would have never met in person and enjoy their company so much. I agree with points made by both Jason and Grant. In both cases, my communication with my Twitter found friends has evolved to outside of twitter. For me, that's a good basis for determining whether someone is your friend or just an acquaintance. If you've met in person, or if not in person (because they live in a different country) at least in some other way besides one facet of social media. I talk with friends in the UK everyday and hope to meet them all some day, a couple sooner than that (next year). We text and email. Another determining factor: we know so much about each other. I know about their families, what they do for work, their likes, their dislikes. We exchange gifts for birthdays and Christmas cards. But most importantly, there's support and compassion. I can tell these women anything and vice versa, without feeling embarrassed or insecure. My friendship with each and every one of them means a great deal me.
Very similar to Neil's point, there are so many people I have met on Twitter, that are really cool people and I can imagine that were we to meet we would get along famously. I call them my friends, but it's as acquaintances and I'm sure they would say the same thing about me. It's because I don't know as much about them and our contact is limited to Twitter or is not as consistent. Do I enjoy "making friends" on Twitter and chatting with people from all over the country and world? You bet. But it's not my goal to try and meet every single one of my Twitter followers and become best friends with them. I've been fortunate to have gained the friends I do have, but I'm not looking to be uber popular and be known by everyone. I've always been someone who could make friends easily, I've always thought I'm personable, kind and a good listener. But just because we both like the same TV show, does not mean you will automatically be my friend to the point where I'll share all my secrets with you. That type of trust has to be earned. One person may earn that trust faster than another. It can depend. It's not meant to be an exact science, it boils down to the ability to form a bond with someone. You learn how to make friends, through trial and error, from an early age. Playground or social media, you're calling it something different, but the same basic principles apply and you have to determine whether someone could or should be your friend.
Social media has certainly had a hand in changing the way people interact with each other. Communication is instantaneous and while limited in some cases (i.e. character limits on Twitter) you can share just about anything with anyone. On one hand, it's made things easier, but on the other we've lost that personable quality. Gone are the days of pen pals through snail mail, long distance phone conversations replaced by texting and email. At least with email and texting, you still get that sense of privacy, you're having a conversation with a single person. Everything on social media is public, it's out there and will be until you delete it. But the good thing about social media, if you do want instant feedback on an opinion or a topic, your new shoes or t-shirt, you're going to get it. Whether it's negative or positive, you just have to deal with, it's part of it. I use social media to interact with fans of the TV shows I like and to share information about those shows or other things that I like. As of late, I've starter using it as a conduit for my writing. Social media is a good way for people to get noticed for their skills or work, you can reach such a huge audience. But of course, that also means over-saturation, sometimes you just get drowned out by everyone else all trying to do the same thing. You just have to keep plugging away at it, until you get lucky.
Now I'm not in any way trying to promote my writing. It's just something that I enjoy doing, but I also like seeing how people react to it and get feedback on it. Thanks to social media, this very blog is now featured on a website. If you would have told me that when I started this blog, I would have never believed you. It wasn't something I was actively thinking about, but when the opportunity arose, I thought why not. Heck, I don't even think I'm that good. But, we're always our own worst critics. I feel like I've sort of gone off on a tangent towards the end here. Probably due to the fact that it's after 1:00am and I should have stopped so long ago. But hey, I felt this was a great topic to write about and I didn't want to forget. Plus, I didn't want too much time to pass between the episode I'm referencing and this post. How awkward would that be? Another episode would post and people might get confused. Or I'm just way over thinking this. Lack of sleep, yeah.
Now, I'm paraphrasing here, it wasn't that exact question word for word, but it's late and I'm tired. Basically, the question was meant to get their opinions on how fans of the show interact with them and whether they felt it was on a level where the fans treated them like they were friends with the hosts because they had heard so much about them in their podcast episodes. Neil explained that they have had experienced with this type of communication and while it was a bit weird at the beginning because it was new to them, Neil expressed that he found it cool that people would reach out to them and quote things from the show or about how they have things in common like having the same dog or relating to a certain situation. He didn't mind.
The topic seemed finished at that point, until Jason and Grant get into a conversation that sparked this post, the topic of Friends vs Acquaintances in regards to people meeting through social media. Neil set the ball in motion when he mentioned how great it was to discover all these other indie podcasts, when he started their podcast. Where he could really relate with the hosts because they were like him--they weren't celebrities with podcasts. He went on to say that through podcasting and starting to listen to these other indie podcast, he started to hear from and communicate with some really cool people on Twitter. People he felt like were really similar: in taste, personality, sense of humor, etc. He could really see himself hanging out with these people outside of the social media world because he has come to see these people as his friends. Maybe not in the way as a friend you would ask favors from, like helping you to hang doors or something. But still friends that he could have real conversations with.
From there Jason tries to make a point of bringing up the arguments (by which I mean discussions, not fisticuffs) that he and Grant have had regarding the subject of regarding people on Twitter as your friends. Grant had the following stance on the topic: You don't know these people, you can't call them your friends. Jason didn't agree and that he could call them his friends because he did know them to a certain extent and did talk to them on a regular basis. They then have an argument about how that was not what the previous argument was about. Do you see why I enjoy listening to the show now?
Grant makes the point that the actual argument had been the difference between calling someone a friend or calling someone an acquaintance and how those two differed to him. Grant goes on to say, you can be friendly with people but that generally meant those people were acquaintances: people you know, people you get along with, people you enjoy. His definition of a "true friend" as he calls it is: that person you can call in the dead of night and they will be there no matter what. He explains that he doesn't necessarily mean that a friend is only someone who does something for you,but someone who you have interaction with outside of just Twitter. He uses Neil & Annaleis as an example. He started out conversing with them on Twitter but then they had Grant as a guest on their podcast so he spent four hours talking to them on what was basically a phone call, in podcast form. He got to know them more that way. He doesn't think that you can be friends with someone on Twitter and actually form a connection with that person when it's simply based on 140 character conversations.
At this point, Annaleis supplies the comic relief by saying they haven't been drinking and it was getting a little deep--cue the laughter. Neil adds, that for him Twitter has opened the doors to establish friendships but he needed some other form of communication with the person: Skype, phone text, email. He may use the term friend to describe the person, but it would be meant in the acquaintance sort of way.
So, the point being, Jason and Grant had opposite view points on how they thought about people they talk to on Twitter. This has been a topic that has interested me for quite some time. Mainly for the reason that I have friends (met on Twitter) that I have never met in person, and I have no issue calling them my friends. I also have friends that had it not been for Twitter, I would have never met in person and enjoy their company so much. I agree with points made by both Jason and Grant. In both cases, my communication with my Twitter found friends has evolved to outside of twitter. For me, that's a good basis for determining whether someone is your friend or just an acquaintance. If you've met in person, or if not in person (because they live in a different country) at least in some other way besides one facet of social media. I talk with friends in the UK everyday and hope to meet them all some day, a couple sooner than that (next year). We text and email. Another determining factor: we know so much about each other. I know about their families, what they do for work, their likes, their dislikes. We exchange gifts for birthdays and Christmas cards. But most importantly, there's support and compassion. I can tell these women anything and vice versa, without feeling embarrassed or insecure. My friendship with each and every one of them means a great deal me.
Very similar to Neil's point, there are so many people I have met on Twitter, that are really cool people and I can imagine that were we to meet we would get along famously. I call them my friends, but it's as acquaintances and I'm sure they would say the same thing about me. It's because I don't know as much about them and our contact is limited to Twitter or is not as consistent. Do I enjoy "making friends" on Twitter and chatting with people from all over the country and world? You bet. But it's not my goal to try and meet every single one of my Twitter followers and become best friends with them. I've been fortunate to have gained the friends I do have, but I'm not looking to be uber popular and be known by everyone. I've always been someone who could make friends easily, I've always thought I'm personable, kind and a good listener. But just because we both like the same TV show, does not mean you will automatically be my friend to the point where I'll share all my secrets with you. That type of trust has to be earned. One person may earn that trust faster than another. It can depend. It's not meant to be an exact science, it boils down to the ability to form a bond with someone. You learn how to make friends, through trial and error, from an early age. Playground or social media, you're calling it something different, but the same basic principles apply and you have to determine whether someone could or should be your friend.
Social media has certainly had a hand in changing the way people interact with each other. Communication is instantaneous and while limited in some cases (i.e. character limits on Twitter) you can share just about anything with anyone. On one hand, it's made things easier, but on the other we've lost that personable quality. Gone are the days of pen pals through snail mail, long distance phone conversations replaced by texting and email. At least with email and texting, you still get that sense of privacy, you're having a conversation with a single person. Everything on social media is public, it's out there and will be until you delete it. But the good thing about social media, if you do want instant feedback on an opinion or a topic, your new shoes or t-shirt, you're going to get it. Whether it's negative or positive, you just have to deal with, it's part of it. I use social media to interact with fans of the TV shows I like and to share information about those shows or other things that I like. As of late, I've starter using it as a conduit for my writing. Social media is a good way for people to get noticed for their skills or work, you can reach such a huge audience. But of course, that also means over-saturation, sometimes you just get drowned out by everyone else all trying to do the same thing. You just have to keep plugging away at it, until you get lucky.
Now I'm not in any way trying to promote my writing. It's just something that I enjoy doing, but I also like seeing how people react to it and get feedback on it. Thanks to social media, this very blog is now featured on a website. If you would have told me that when I started this blog, I would have never believed you. It wasn't something I was actively thinking about, but when the opportunity arose, I thought why not. Heck, I don't even think I'm that good. But, we're always our own worst critics. I feel like I've sort of gone off on a tangent towards the end here. Probably due to the fact that it's after 1:00am and I should have stopped so long ago. But hey, I felt this was a great topic to write about and I didn't want to forget. Plus, I didn't want too much time to pass between the episode I'm referencing and this post. How awkward would that be? Another episode would post and people might get confused. Or I'm just way over thinking this. Lack of sleep, yeah.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Yes, I'm Still Alive
It feels like forever since I last updated the blog. The last post was on the 6th, so that makes...5 days. 5 DAYS?! That's an entire work week worth of no new blogs. I am sorry dear readers. How torturous these past five days must have been for you, without my witty banter. But...you will be happy to know that my word count for my NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) novel is over 12,000 words! Woo! Go me! I've blown past where I was at this time last year, in leaps and bounds. I'm not near where I should be for the official count for day 11, but I'm proud of my progress. Seeing as my personal goal is the halfway mark of 25,000 before the end of the month, I am on task for meeting that goal. Heck, at this rate, I'll go past that before the end. Not going to raise my hopes for 50k, but never say never.
In other news, fall TV continues to be awesome and lay claim to a majority of my time. I wish I had the time to do more indepth reviews of said awesome shows, but alas, I do not. A quick run down of what I'm currently watching: Sunday you have Once Upon A Time and the double feature The Walking Dead/Talking Dead, Monday you have Gotham and Sleepy Hollow, Tuesday has a bunch which are The Flash (this one may not be on Tuesday, but it's hard to keep track of them all without looking it up) followed by Supernatural then Agents of Shield with Forever later on, Wednesday is my catch up with Tuesday stuff day, Thursday there's Haven, Friday we end with Grimm and Constantine. Honorable mentions: @ Midnight, The Voice, Ghost Hunters and a few more that escape me at the moment. These are the shows that I usually let pile up on the DVR and watch on the weekends or throw in during the week if there's time. Just pretty much whenever shows. It's a lot of TV, I know. Oh geez, I forgot Doctor Who on Saturdays! But it was the season finale this past Saturday--which I have not watched yet so no spoilers--I will be filling that spot with my whenever shows and rewatching episodes of Sherlock.
Once November is over and I'm no longer staring at a word doc every night until my eyes bleed, I plan to throw some books in the mix. I've got a stack about 6 high just waiting to be read. There's a few from Chuck Wendig in there, Jim Butcher, Dean Koontz and a couple from new (to me) authors. So much to do, so little time. But, at least my family should not have any issues with figuring out which store to get me gift cards from...Bath and Body Works. I'm just kidding, but I do love that store. Anyway, it's time to tape my eye lids open and power through the rest of the day. Curse you lunch for being so tasty yet making me so sleepy!
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Flash....Aaaa Aaaa
Wrong theme song. As I am talking about the DC character The Flash aka Barry Allen and not in fact Flash Gordon. But darn it, if that Queen song isn't catchy. It's probably common for people to confuse the two when they hear Flash--that or a camera flash, but I digress. The Flash has been around for a long time, first appearing in comic form in 1940. The character it's self has had many incarnations aside from Barry Allen, but Barry happens to be the main character in CW's TV version of The Flash. Why bring this up you ask? Yours truly has finally found the time to sit back and catch up on the series, watching the four episodes saved on my DVR. I've been hearing a lot of feedback from folks watching the show, most of it positive. I broke down and binged all four episodes tonight. I should have been writing, but this show was definitely worth being behind on my word count again.
I thoroughly enjoy the show. It's interesting, well written with a great cast. Not to mention, a lot of well known cameos, by not just other DC characters but actors from other well known TV series/movies. Considering it's on the CW, I'm really impressed. It's not easy to match up to my one and only favorite CW show, Supernatural. Here's a quick run down of the main cast: Grant Gustin (Barry), Danielle Panabaker (Caitlin Snow), Tom Cavanagh (Dr. Harrison Wells), Jesse L. Martin (Detective Joe West), and Rick Cosnett (Eddie Thawne). Grant is well known for appearing in Glee, Arrow, and the 90210 reboot. Danielle has appeared in Yours, Mine, & Ours, Mr. Brooks and the TV shows Shark, Necessary Roughness, and Justified. Ed, Love Monkey, Eli Stone, The Following plus Yogi Bear and a plethora of TV movies grace Tom's list. You might remember Jesse L. Martin from a little thing called Rent, Law & Order and Ally McBeal. Whereas Rick's acting credits include: short film The Elephant in the Room (which he wrote and produced as well), Headland, The Bet and The Vampire Diaries.
Being a fan of musicals, I was familiar with Grant and Jesse prior to the show and being the king of TV Christmas movies, the same went for Tom. I haven't really seen much of what the rest have been in. So, I'm thinking that for most of the cast, this show is a pretty big deal. But, they portray their characters very well. It also marks another thing (DC comic related) that TV is doing right. I'll definitely keep watching it, live or at least next day. Rather than just letting it build up. I have enough to watch as it is without letting too much pile up.
But watching the show also gave me some serious nostalgia for the DC Universe Online for Play Station. I was obsessed with that game for a long time. Guess what one of my favorite super powers was? Yup, super speed. Your character would even give off sparks just like the Flash. I of course also had a character that flew like Superman, because who doesn't want to fly like Superman? I think this show has (in a secondhand way) revived my interest in the game. I'll be penciling some gaming into my schedule real soon. I also really need to brush up on my comics. So many comics, so little money.
So if you're a fan of The Flash or just a fan of DC, I highly recommend the show. It's not too late to jump in and the previous episodes can be found on the CW website. New episodes air Tuesdays at 8/7 c.
I thoroughly enjoy the show. It's interesting, well written with a great cast. Not to mention, a lot of well known cameos, by not just other DC characters but actors from other well known TV series/movies. Considering it's on the CW, I'm really impressed. It's not easy to match up to my one and only favorite CW show, Supernatural. Here's a quick run down of the main cast: Grant Gustin (Barry), Danielle Panabaker (Caitlin Snow), Tom Cavanagh (Dr. Harrison Wells), Jesse L. Martin (Detective Joe West), and Rick Cosnett (Eddie Thawne). Grant is well known for appearing in Glee, Arrow, and the 90210 reboot. Danielle has appeared in Yours, Mine, & Ours, Mr. Brooks and the TV shows Shark, Necessary Roughness, and Justified. Ed, Love Monkey, Eli Stone, The Following plus Yogi Bear and a plethora of TV movies grace Tom's list. You might remember Jesse L. Martin from a little thing called Rent, Law & Order and Ally McBeal. Whereas Rick's acting credits include: short film The Elephant in the Room (which he wrote and produced as well), Headland, The Bet and The Vampire Diaries.
Being a fan of musicals, I was familiar with Grant and Jesse prior to the show and being the king of TV Christmas movies, the same went for Tom. I haven't really seen much of what the rest have been in. So, I'm thinking that for most of the cast, this show is a pretty big deal. But, they portray their characters very well. It also marks another thing (DC comic related) that TV is doing right. I'll definitely keep watching it, live or at least next day. Rather than just letting it build up. I have enough to watch as it is without letting too much pile up.
But watching the show also gave me some serious nostalgia for the DC Universe Online for Play Station. I was obsessed with that game for a long time. Guess what one of my favorite super powers was? Yup, super speed. Your character would even give off sparks just like the Flash. I of course also had a character that flew like Superman, because who doesn't want to fly like Superman? I think this show has (in a secondhand way) revived my interest in the game. I'll be penciling some gaming into my schedule real soon. I also really need to brush up on my comics. So many comics, so little money.
So if you're a fan of The Flash or just a fan of DC, I highly recommend the show. It's not too late to jump in and the previous episodes can be found on the CW website. New episodes air Tuesdays at 8/7 c.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
That Sound You Heard: A Million Broken Hearts
So, Benedict Cumberbatch blew up the internet today when news broke of his engagement. Sherlock Holmes, would be (hopefully) Doctor Strange, is off the market. Fans all over world have wept a sea of tears. I will admit, I found the 38 year old British actor very attractive, but I'm not shedding any tears over this announcement. Quite the contrary, I'm happy for the guy, he seems very happy and they make an adorable couple. But what I really like, in fact, find freaking amazing is the way he made the announcement. It has to be the most classically romantic engagement announcement I have ever seen, from a celebrity or otherwise. Forget the big diamond ring, or the private publicists running stories out to all the major papers. Six short sentences was all it took. Benedict wrote an advert for The Times, an English paper, in their Births, Deaths, Marriages section. The announcement read: Mr. BT Cumberbatch and Miss S.I. Hunter: The engagement is announced between Benedict, son of Wanda and Timothy Cumberbatch of London, and Sophie, daughter of Katharine Hunter of Edinburgh and Charles Hunter of London. See what I mean? It's so simple and yet so perfect. Sophie Hunter is 36 and a theater director/actress who met Cumberbatch on the set of the 2009 movie Burlesque Fairytales. They have managed to keep their relationship very private and out of the media spotlight, which is not easy for a celebrity as popular as Benedict Cumberbatch. I'll leave off with this: congratulations to the happy couple.
Monday, November 3, 2014
No Nonsense November
So you may have noticed that I haven't written a post since before Halloween. Consider this a quick update as to why. November was the start of National Novel Writing Month which I'm participating in again this year. I'm trying to make an effort at accomplishing more than I did last year. Last year's attempt was laughable, I just didn't put much effort in and it's not going to be the same this year. I spent most of Sunday, trying to catch up on the word count (which I'm now behind on again) but I'm already further along in these past couple days than I was in the entire month last year. I'm taking that as a small victory already. But I of course also don't want to neglect the blog at the same time. The solution to that being shorter posts for now. I'm literally trying to do three different things at once right now. I'm watching my shows, working on this post, and listening to an internet radio show. Commercials are my friend right now.
Halloween! It was last Friday, as I'm sure you noticed. I dressed up at work as Cleopatra and got the most compliments on a costume that I can ever remember receiving. My ego could hardly be contained within my cubicle. It was pretty great. Not bad for a last minute costume the week of Halloween. Next year, I have something else in mind and will try to plan ahead. I was thinking about something that I could use for more than just Halloween. Like a an outfit that could work for a Comicon cosplay as well, so most likely something Marvel or DC related, but it's not for sure yet. This year I also found out that wearing a wig all day is not so bad. It wasn't uncomfortable in the least. Later that evening, I helped taking turns handing out candy and babysitting the little Capuchin monkey, as we've begun to call my infant niece. It seemed as though we had less trick-or-treaters this year, but we ran out of candy at just after 8:00pm (about an hour and a half after it got dark). So, a successful evening none-the-less.
It's official, I'm listed on the Seven Days A Geek website as one of their blog contributors. I even got a shout-out in one of the recent episodes, along with a compliment that really made my day. I would recommend checking out the website, not just for the blogs, but to see what the whole podcast is about. I realized today that I've been listening to the show for almost a year now and it's definitely my favorite indie podcast (which I consider to be a podcast not run or backed by a celebrity). The guys are a great, very entertaining and you can tell they really love doing it. Here's the link, tell them Stefanie sent you. http://aaronhenderson-smith.wix.com/s7evendaysageek
Halloween! It was last Friday, as I'm sure you noticed. I dressed up at work as Cleopatra and got the most compliments on a costume that I can ever remember receiving. My ego could hardly be contained within my cubicle. It was pretty great. Not bad for a last minute costume the week of Halloween. Next year, I have something else in mind and will try to plan ahead. I was thinking about something that I could use for more than just Halloween. Like a an outfit that could work for a Comicon cosplay as well, so most likely something Marvel or DC related, but it's not for sure yet. This year I also found out that wearing a wig all day is not so bad. It wasn't uncomfortable in the least. Later that evening, I helped taking turns handing out candy and babysitting the little Capuchin monkey, as we've begun to call my infant niece. It seemed as though we had less trick-or-treaters this year, but we ran out of candy at just after 8:00pm (about an hour and a half after it got dark). So, a successful evening none-the-less.
It's official, I'm listed on the Seven Days A Geek website as one of their blog contributors. I even got a shout-out in one of the recent episodes, along with a compliment that really made my day. I would recommend checking out the website, not just for the blogs, but to see what the whole podcast is about. I realized today that I've been listening to the show for almost a year now and it's definitely my favorite indie podcast (which I consider to be a podcast not run or backed by a celebrity). The guys are a great, very entertaining and you can tell they really love doing it. Here's the link, tell them Stefanie sent you. http://aaronhenderson-smith.wix.com/s7evendaysageek
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