Hello Again! Finally!

Sorry that it’s been so long for a new blog. I’ve gotten really bad at these and I will try to be better at them this year. I couldn’t remember the email or the password! I got it figured it out, obviously.

So, a lot has happened since I last posted a blog. I moved back to the East coast and then back again. I left my former job at a hotel, got a new one on the East coast, got fired, and once I returned to the West coast, I got my old job back! Thank God for leaving on a good note!

I no longer have my niece, but that’s okay. As painful as it is.

On to my work. It took a very long time to get a new novel published. Though I do have a few new ones out in the time that I’ve been gone. They are: Deadly (short story collection), Haden (a Delta Files spinoff series), and Key Moments (a short story collection).

Not only that, but The Delta Files now has two spinoff series: Addyson Private Investigations and Untold Stories.

I’m a bit exhausted today, but I wanted to get something off my chest today. Before I signed off.

I’ve had a bad run of luck lately. Once I returned to the West coast and it was decided that my husband and I were staying, I bought a car from a friend. It went to hell a few short months later: the transmission went to hell; the rear brakes were shot (as in there were none!) and it was leaking something terribly. So, I had to get a new car. Well, new to me. Since then money has been tight and this is the only the second time that I’ve asked my sister for money. I recently borrowed money from a friend, and I used that money to get litter for my cat (that she gave me mind you. My sister, not my friend), some soda, and cigarettes for my husband. It left me with $2. I asked her for $5 before I left for work and she groaned and said, “you need to budget better.” Well First off, no shit. But I also don’t make $18 an hour. I have a wage garnishment plus medical coming out of my check. I also am still paying on the down payment to my car and making car payments and paying my car insurance. Not mention buying food for the house and paper plates and plastic cutlery and stuff.

She made me feel so shitty. We’ve never not paid her back. My husband has asked for cigarettes and we always pay her back. I just felt really small. Like I actually wanted to ask for money. I just wanted to make sure that I could get to work until some money comes in.

                Anyway, that’s all. See you all in the not-so-funny-pages.

Fear the Walking Dead, Ep. 1

Fear the Walking Dead

August 23, 2015

Season 1, Episode One (Pilot)

Cast

Nick's friend, Gloria

Kim Dickens—Madison Clark

Cliff Curtis—Travis Manawa

Frank Dilane—Nick Clark

Alycia Debnam-Carey—Alicia Clark

Lorenzo James Henrie—Christopher Manawa

Elizabeth Rodriguez—Liza Ortiz

Ruben Blades—Daniel Salazar

Mercedes Mason—Ofelia Salazar

Patricia Reyes Spindola—Griselda Salazar

THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!!

Synopsis (from the Fear the Walking Dead webpage on AMC.com)

A highly dysfunctional blended family is forced together when they realize a reported virus is actually the onset of the undead apocalypse.

I don’t usually get to see a show from the beginning. I usually start somewhere in between the current season and past seasons. Sometimes I get to start at the beginning of the current season, but still I rarely get to see the very first episode.

With Fear the Walking Dead that wasn’t the case. I may not have got to see it on its premiere night, but I got to see the series premiere. Like I said, it rarely happens.

I came into the Fear the Walking Dead series late. About halfway through its run and thanks to Netflix I was able to get to see the entire series in a matter of days. I had avoided the show (I’m unsure why at the moment), but after hearing co-workers always talking about the show, I had to see it. I’m glad that I did.

I’m extremely glad that I got to see the very first episode of Fear the Walking Dead, but while it had its moments of GOD WHEN IS THIS GOING TO PICK UP, I thought it was still pretty good. I can’t wait to see the second episode.

Alicia and her boyfriend, Matt

It’s still early to tell how I feel about all of the characters, but I can say this:

Alicia kind of upsets me. I can understand where she’s coming from when it comes to dealing with her drug addicted brother, Nick, but after he ends up in the hospital, I’d still be there for him. Sure, he may make you look like a fool when it’s done, but at least be there for him.

Nick, I feel bad for him and I’m not sure why. He’s a drug addict and apparently been doing it long enough that his entire family, with the exception of his mother’s boyfriend, Travis, and soon-to-be stepfather, that there doesn’t seem to be anything “redeeming” about him. Yet, at the same time, I get the feeling that ultimately he’s going to come into his own. I don’t think he’ll have a choice given the way the world is going.

Overall, I liked it. There were some tense parts. Like the final moments of the episode. I had a feeling about Nick’s friend, Cal, from the moment he came on the screen. Something was saying NO NO NO, he’s not to be trusted. His reaction, maybe, to seeing Nick’s mom, Madison showing up at his house. I was right about him. After Nick calls him several times, they meet up at a restaurant and it’s revealed that Cal (who was supposedly clean) was actually the person supplying Nick with the drugs. Cal takes Nick for a drive and then tries to kill him. Nick ends up killing Cal to protect himself. He leaves and calls Travis to come and help him. Nick does get a smidge upset when he realizes that Travis had brought his mother with him when he’d asked him not to.

Travis, Madison, Nick, and Cal

Nick goes on to explain what happened and leads Travis and Madison to where he’d left his dead friend. When they arrive; however, he’s gone and Nick has a slight breakdown. As they leave, Travis spots Cal, moving slowly and limping. Nick looks back and begs Madison and Travis to just stay in the car. They don’t listen and Cal ends up attacking Madison. Travis stops the attack and Nick runs his dead friend over, a couple of times to save his mom and her boyfriend. Ultimately, it does no good (as we fans all know) and the episode ends with Madison asking “What’s going on?” to which Travis responds “I have no idea.”

Like I said, I liked the episode and I have a feeling that it will be around for a good number of years. All shows start out slow. It’s how they keep out attention that makes them better.

I’ll be watching next Sunday night, will you?

Silver Thaw Review

I just read Silver Thaw by Catherine Anderson and I loved it.

Silver Thaw is the first of a new series by Ms. Anderson and I’m so excited to be coming in at the start of a series and not in the middle of one. Silver Thaw is about a young woman named Amanda and her daughter, Chloe. They’re hiding from Amanda’s abusive husband. Amanda works only a few hours a day at the school Chloe attends, so they have very little funds. Amanda waits until little Chloe goes to bed and then writes notes on little slips of paper that she releases in the wind.

Jeb Sterling, a neighbor of Amanda’s, finds her notes along his property and gets upset, thinking someone is simply littering from the nearby road. However, as he reads them, he begins to love the woman writing the notes.

Soon a terrible storm hits the rural Oregon town of Mystic Creek. Jeb and a couple of his neighbors decide to help those that need in, just a check to on  those who can’t help themselves. And this is where the story truly begins.

This is a story of regret, hope, faith, and love.

I couldn’t put this novel down for one second. I even tried to come up with reasons to keep reading it after work and when I should have been sleeping for the shift later that night, but I wanted to keep reading.

This type of novel isn’t something that I normally read, but a co-worker had the novel and I looked at the cover and the name, read the back cover, and I asked to borrow it when she was finished.

I’m glad that I did. I laughed, cried, and cringed my way through this novel. It seems to have everything in one. I can’t wait for the next novel to come out so that I can read it as well.

I give this book 2 thumbs up!

Girl Meets World--Season 1, Episode 1

Girl Meets World

Season 1, Episode 1

Girl Meets World

Cast:

Corey, Riley, and Maya

Rowan Blanchard: Riley Matthews

Sabrina Carpenter: Maya Hart

Peyton Meyer: Lucas Friar

Corey Fogelmanis: Farkle Minkus

August Maturo: Auggie Matthews

Danielle Fishel: Topanga Matthews

Ben Savage: Corey Matthews

Rundown of the Episode:

          Riley Matthews is trying to reinvent herself and be just like her best friend, Maya, much to the chagrin of her father, Corey. (Yes, ladies and gentleman, that Corey Matthews)

          After Riley and Maya receive an assignment to fight for something they believe by their history teacher, Corey, Maya stages a walk out. Riley joins in and surprises Corey. Farkle can’t decide what to do and faints.

          The next morning (I’m assuming) Riley reveals to Maya (after the latter does some prodding) that she did her homework and Maya’s and liked it a lot. When its time for presentations, Corey calls on Maya first. Maya tells him that she didn’t do it, but has something to say anyway.

          Farkle grabs his assignment and after gathering all of the other kids’ homework, Maya grabs a sparkler from Farkle’s presentation. She stands on her desk, ready to torch the homework. Corey grabs the homework from her and she lifts the hand holding the sparklers beneath the sprinklers, setting them off.

Riley, Maya,and Lucas

          Corey sends Riley and Maya out of the room as he tries to peel Farkle off of him. He meets them at their lockers and tells Riley that she missed her chance to stand by Maya since she wasn’t being herself. After Riley and Farkle leave, Maya reveals she has no one to help her with her homework.

          Later, on the subway, Maya tells Riley that if they can’t hang out anymore its fine with her. Riley decides that she’s going to stand up to her father. He tells her that he never wanted Riley and Maya to stop being friends, he just wanted Riley to be herself.

My Impressions:

          He and wife, Topanga life in New York now with their two children: Riley and Auggie. Riley is a sweet, but naïve young girl. She’s very much like Corey at the same age. Auggie is the perfect combination of Corey and Topanga; and the best parts: sweet and charming.

          Riley’s best friend, Maya, is definitely the Shawn Hunter of the group. A rebel, an outlaw, and a bad girl with family issues. Farkle Minkus is definitely a Minkus. A know-it-all, yet funny and more charismatic (in my opinion) than the original Minkus. Lucas is a country boy tossed into the big city, but adapting well. Riley is immediately smitten with him.

Corey and Topanga

          I think that Rowan Blanchard is absolutely adorable as the 11 year old Riley Matthews. She’s sweet and fresh faced. At times she may try to hard, but it works for her and for the character.

          Sabrina Carpenter shines as Maya Hart. She’s spunky, sarcastic, and utterly loveable. It’s going to be fun to watch her grow.

          Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel are still completely loveable and adorable as Corey and Topanga. They still work so well together and I can see why Boy Meets World fans have been pushing to see more of them. 

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland

Once Upon A Time In Wonderland

Alice (Sophia Lowe) &
 Knave of Hearts (Michael Socha)

Cast:

Sophia Lowe: Alice

Michael Socha: Knave of Hearts/Will Scarlet

Peter Gadiot: Cyrus

Emma Rigby: The Red Queen/Anastasia

Naveen Andrews: Jafar

John Lithgow: The White Rabbit

Episodes:

1. Down the Rabbit Hole: Alice's stories about Wonderland get her admitted to an asylum.
2. Trust Me: A flashback reveals how Alice and Cyrus fell in love.
3. Forget Me Not: Will Scarlet convinces Robin Hood's Merry Men to steal from Maleficent.
4. The Serpent: With the Knave's life in danger, Alice must decide on whether to use one of her wishes; Alice learns more of the Knave's backstory through her friendship with Lizard; Jafar's plan puts the Red Queen in a difficult position.
5. Heart of Stone: Will Scarlet and Anastasia pass into Wonderland only to discover it isn't what they imagined; the Red Queen gains her royal status.
6. Who’s Alice?: The Knave is awakened by magic with the help of an unlikely ally and he goes in search of Alice only to find her in terrible danger, and Cyrus does his best to evade the Red Queen.
7. Bad Blood: Alice learns her father is in Wonderland and they start healing their relationship; young Jafar is distressed by his mother's death.
8. Home: In flashback, we learn about Cyrus' origin story while Alice seeks out the White Rabbit for answers involving his actions in Wonderland
9. Nothing to Fear: Cyrus and Alice reluctantly work with the Red Queen to find Will but must also be prepared to defend themselves from Jafar. Will has troubles of his own when Lizard finds the bottle.
10. Dirty Little Secrets: Cyrus remembers the events that led to the binding price he and his brothers have to pay; the Red Queen and the Knave are faced with the Jabberwocky.
11. Heart of the Matter: Knave must choose between his friends and the Red Queen when Jafar threatens her life. Alice and Cyrus launch an attempt to rescue Jafar's prisoners. In the past, Anastasia makes a new friend-Cora, who Will confronts with a request.
12. To Catch A Thief: In a flashback, the Knave hunts for Alice, while in the present, the Knave does Jafar's bidding; the Jabberwocky tries to get free.
13. And They Lived…: After a successful plan, Jafar imprisons the Jabberwocky; Alice and the White Rabbit form an army to fight Jafar.

Review:

The Red Queen (Emma Rigby)

            I love Once Upon a Time, but I never got behind Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. I admit that it got a little better as time went on. The action got better, but I can see why the creators wanted this to be a summer series. I think that ABC wanted too much too soon from OUATIW. Given the success of OUAT and the response to the Mad Hatter on the show, they probably had good reason to believe that.

            Alice was convincing as a woman in love and wanting to find Cyrus, her true love and her Genie. She is so believable in her conviction that true love conquers all that you want her to find him. You want Alice to be with Cyrus, despite the bit of chemistry between her and the Knave of Hearts.

            Cyrus was an okay character, but I think that the actor was miscast. I think he would have been better suited as the Knave of Hearts, because he and Alice didn’t have as much chemistry as Alice and the actor who portrayed the Knave of Hearts. It seems to me that if Cyrus and Alice were supposed to be so in love with each other that it would radiate off the screen; however, I felt the actor portraying Cyrus and the actress portraying Alice weren’t suited for each other.

            At first, I admit that I hated The Red Queen, but I came to love her! She was like, Regina, you love to hate her. In this instance, I just loved her. She wore her costumes well and portrayed the character with so much emotion that it was a great fit.

            Overall, I think this was a decent attempt to bring more life into an already amazing ratings beast. I think that if they want to try this with a different Once Upon a Time realm then maybe it should just be a summer thing. A limited run series; maybe then a Once Upon a Time spin off will do better.

OUAT in Wonderland S1 E1

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland

Season 1, Episode 1

Title: Down the Rabbit Hole

Cast:

Sophie Lowe: Alice

Peter Gadiot: Cyrus

Michael Socha: The Knave of Hearts

Emma Rigby: The Red Queen

Naveen Andrews: Jafar

John Lithgow (voice): The White Rabbit

            So this isn’t your typical Alice in Wonderland telling. This time they think Alice is crazy and are ready to perform a lobotomy on her until the Knave of Hearts shows up. Alice thinks that her fiancée, a genie named Cyrus, was killed by the Red Queen. So Alice gives up all hope and returns home to England and is sent to a sanitarium by her father. There she is worn down until she tells the doctors what they want to hear.

            The White Rabbit hunts down the Knave of Hearts in present day Storybrooke (connecting the two shows as the Knave appears in front of Granny’s restaurant with Ashely (Cinderella) and Leroy (Grumpy) telling him that there was storm coming and to find shelter) and badgering the Knave until he agrees to help him free Alice.

            The Knave shows up just as Alice is about ready to go for her lobotomy. What gets her attention is that he says Cyrus is alive!

            This was different than Once Upon a Time, more fanciful, but I’ll wait a few more episodes before I pass judgment. I have to say that the addition to Jafar from Aladdin was unexpected and interesting at the same time.

            I can’t wait to see what the next episode brings.

OUAT S3 E1

Once Upon a Time

Season 3, Episode 1

Title: Heart of the Truest Believer

CAST:

Ginnfer Goodwin: Snow White/Mary Margaret Blanchard

Jennifer Morrison: Emma Swan

Lana Parilla: The Evil Queen/Regina Mills

Josh Dallas: Prince Charming/David Nolan

Colin O'Donoghue: Killian Jones aka Captain Hook

Sarah Bolger: Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty

Jaime Chung: Mulan

Jared Gilmore: Henry Mills

Robert Carlise: Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold

Julian Morris: Prince Phillip

Michael Raymond-James: Baelfire/Neal Cassidy

            What can I say about the first episode of the new season of OUAT? It was amazing! You get see them attacked by mermaids and the Lost Boys. You get to see Peter Pan and Neverland.

            There was a ton of action and just simply pain from the characters. Especially Emma who still feels hurt by what her parents did to her; sending her through the wardrobe to protect her from the curse.

            You also see Neal aka Baelfire very much ALIVE and back in the Enchanted Forest with Aurora, Prince Phillip, and Mulan. Neal trying to explain what movies are to Mulan was kind of funny but not as funny as the trio’s reaction to Neal being the Dark One’s son.

            We find out that Pan is a not very nice boy and lies to Henry upon first meeting, something that Henry doesn’t like. He knows that his family is coming for him, but I have a feeling that Pan will try to make Henry not believe that.

            Mr. Gold aka Rumplestilskin leaves Hook, Emma, Snow White, Charming, and The Evil Queen on the Jolly Roger to find Henry. He feels that he can find Henry faster. Apparently he’s been to Neverland and knows how Pan can be. It seems that even the Dark One is a little afraid of Peter Pan.

            You may be wondering what happens to Greg and Tamara? Pan kills Greg (as far as we know) by ripping his shadow away. Tamara is shot by one of the Lost Boys’ arrows, but is healed by Gold. She begs forgiveness, but he rips her heart out and crushes it in true dramatic fashion.

            I’ve been so excited all summer about this premiere and it didn’t disappoint. From the Jolly Roger arriving in Neverland to Henry flying using pixie dust was great. The green screen isn’t any better, but what can you do? It’s not about the cinematics of a show, in my opinion, but about how well it captivates you.

            Heart of the Truest Believer had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait to see if Emma and the rest made it through on the Jolly Roger. I admit I knew what was coming, there would be no show without these core characters; however, there’s always that chance that something can go wrong. It’s a TV show and the creators are the same people behind LOST. You never can tell.

            I was on pins and needles waiting to see who was going to play Peter Pan and find out why he wanted Henry. For his heart, naturally, it all seems to come down to the heart of the matter. I will be tuning in for the rest of the season, no matter what. If this first episode is any indicator, we’re in for a great ride!