TV Review: Nashville

Around the House
I am nearing the end of my vacation and I didn't accomplish everything I hoped to do during this time off.  I have not gotten any writing done.  I am feeling a little disconnected from it at the moment.  I need to finish this last edit of Pandora's Last Breath and Part 3 of  For the Love of Brimstone.  It doesn't help that I am in the middle of two other books right now.  I am just feeling separated.  I could use a little support from you guys out there.  So let me know what you all think!

My Thoughts
At the Bar last night Lady B. brought up that she started watching Nashville and really loved it.  I have been watching the previews for it on TV (since I am an ABC addict) so I decided today to see if it was on demand.  It is, so I started watching it.  I have to say I was excited by it.  I was worried it was going to be campy like GCB, but instead it is deep, heartfelt, and fun.  The story line is strong and great.  This is a show I can see going for many years.  So my luck is that I am going to completely fall in love with it and it will end up getting cancelled like every other show I love.

I enjoy the dynamic of watching a new up and coming star and a struggling star trying to regain her footing in the world.  Rayne, is a dynamic and fun character that has a sordid history that is coming back to bite her in the ass.  Her husband has a dark secret the threatens to destroy their family.  And her father is a dark individual that is always trying to get his way in the method possible to help but really he hurts.

Rating: 4/5

Return to Body for Life

Around the House
Wow last night was fun.  Going to Boystown for Halloween was a great surprise.  I hung with Lady B., Kev, Dave, and Lauren.  We hung out at a little bar which actually isn't that small called D.S. Tequila.  It is a great little place that I am so going to head back too.  It has been a long time since I have been on that part of Boystown in the bars and I find that I actually missed the fun.  It is changing again, so I think I will be hitting that up once in a while to see what is going on.  Of course I spent most of my night thinking of my date.  I was so gushy I even showed his picture around to my friends and they agree that is absolutely adorable.  It is sad that I am sitting here waiting for him to text me.  I look forward to each time he texts me.  I so can't wait.  I have never had a boyfriend from
 Halloween to Valentines Day.  Maybe this year is the year.

My Thoughts
Well it is time for another Body for Life Challenge.  I want to get certain things accomplished, mostly I want to fit back into my cute new clothes.  I just need to finish sending this stomach of mine down river.  Wish me luck and shoot me all of your support.

Week 1 starting- The Numbers: A New Beginning

	Start	Week 1	Change
Weight	220.8
BMI	29.7%
Hips	43.5 in
Waist	41 in
Midsection	43 in
Chest	43.5 in
Arm (R)	13 in
Arm (L)	13 in
Neck	16 in
Pants	33

Total change in inches: Well positive change is always a good thing!

Book Review: The Crimson Crown

Around the House
See my other post from today.

My Thoughts
I just closed another book during my vacation.  I at first just wanted to read old favorites until I saw that Cinda Williams Chima put out the next and last book in her Seven Realms Series, The Crimson Crown.  We reach the end of the twist and turns that is the love story of Raisa ana' Marianna and Hanson Alister.  I must say I am sad to this series come to an end since there is so much more to their growing story.  While this book closed the start of their love story and brought the Queendom together, it leaves the reader wondering what will happen next to all of the people currently living in the Fells.  While Cinda does an excellent job of cleaning up the loose ends of the Bayars, Hanela and Alger, and the fight of the Clan and Wizards it leaves us wondering how her reign will shape up.  Will they repeat the love story of their ancestor or will they manage to unit the Queendom and stop the Fells from being encroached on my the enemies of Arden.  If you have not had a chance to read this series I highly recommend you pick it up.  It will bring the fun and excitement to a new world.

Rating: 5/5

Fall TV Review

Around the House
Oh what to say around the house.  I have been extremely lazy with the writing and working out recently.  These are items that I plan to correct ASAP.  I am reaching the end of my vacation which has been a nice change of pace since it gave me some much needed down time to see my friends and rest/recover.  Tonight I am actually suppose to head out for Halloween.  Not sure what I am going to be doing besides making it to Boystown, but I am looking forward to it since I will be with friends.

I just finished with the Letter of Intent for College.  I plan on going back to school.  It never hurts to increase your education.  I always want to be doing better than I was.  I miss being back in school and being exposed to new ideas and thoughts.  I am looking forward to experiencing this process again.  Plus it is always nice to meet knew people.

People, oh people.  What can I say about the weirdness in my love life.  I have been on a couple of dating sites over the years and recently it has gone nuts with the amount of people talking to me.  Of course it is just usually a quick conversation and then they move on which is highly annoying, but it is the standard in the gay community.  I actually met a guy a few weeks ago.  It turns out Jay and I have a lot of mutual friends.  We met at a local bar, passionate kissing ensued.  We had a first date where I then went with him to bowling where I meet more of his friends that I know.  Unfortunately I have barely heard from him since.  I only push the contact level so much with out getting it in return. 

Now I have been talking to this new guy.  He has the same name as my sister's, two of my aunts, and my cousins name.  It is slightly freaking me out.  We have been talking online then in text.  I am suppose to meet him on Monday.  I can't wait.

My Thoughts
I had some annoyance with the fall line up this year.  First was that Biggest Loser is now a Winter/Spring show which sucks.  At least the fact the Jillian Michaels will be back makes me smile.  I look forward to hearing her yell at the contestants again.  I still remember her yelling "You know what I see when I look at you, Dead Daddy."  God I have missed her.  Then I had to deal with loosing to of my new favorite shows, Ringer and Secret Circle. 

ABC Shows
Castle: So far this season has not been a show stopper.  We are starting in the next chapter of Castle and Becket's life, now together.  I am curious where the show is going to go, but it seems to be missing something since the sexual tension is now gone.  I really hope putting them together hasn't caused a jumping of the shark. Rating: 3/5

Private Practice:  I am very excited by the change in the series.  For a while I was worried that it was on its way out.  The characters had grown static and the stories seemed repetitive.  Now with the the last season and this one having a cast change and more dramatic story lines I am looking forward to seeing how a proper ensemble cast works.  Rating: 4/5

Greys Anatomy:  I am heart broken with the death of some of my favorite characters, but the cast changes are a great turn of events.  The show is feeling fresh and vibrant yet familiar with old friends and new faces.  Rating: 4/5

Scandal:  This is the most surprising show from the creator of Grey's Anatomy.  I generally do not like legal or political shows, but the way the show operates is engaging and fun.  The level of drama and mystery in each episode not only tells an individual tale but each builds to a greater story.  This type of the writing I find makes the best shows.  Rating: 5/5

Revenge:  The drama and mystery of this show continues to surprise me.  The in depth level of writing shows a deep and dark twisted path towards placing the pieces of the puzzle together.  I find it rather curious how this larger story line makes for a fun romp that you can't get enough of each week.  The way Emily's past continues to grow and haunt her is great when mixed with how the other characters lives continue to screw with her plans towards revenge.  Rating 4/5

Once Upon a Time: This show was a surprise to me.  1. A Disney Show, 2. Jumping on the Fairy Tale Bandwagon, and 3. The Time Slot.  I didn't expect them to be able to weave all of our favorite fairy tales into one tales of how characters grow and change.  These writers have taken a fun look at fairy tale world.  You never know what twist and turn to expect, and yet the characters are so dynamic you fall helplessly in love with them.  It is a must watch show! Ratings: 4/5

666 Park Avenue:  I like to give new shows a few days before I latch on to them.  I have found this interesting, but I am not sure if I am in love with it yet.  I enjoy the cast of the show, and the story seems interesting.  I have even gone so far as to buy the books associated with the show.  I was also pleasantly surprised how they put the supernatural element into the show with out making it seem campy or overdone.  Rating: 3/5 to be determined.

CW Shows
Vampire Diaries:  This show continues to keep me happy.  While it does not follow the books it does hold the elements of the books so that readers can appreciate it as well as those who have no experience with the story.  This show is fun and exciting.  I look forward to see where it is going and how it will continue.  Rating: 4/5

Arrow: This show is a break away hit in my mind.  It takes the comic world and brings it into real life.  While I know little of the comic series, I have found I can not stop watching.  I was also very happy to see that it fits with how the Batman movies were handled.  I think DC has finally found the correct way to handle their comics.  Rating: 5/5

Supernatural:  The boys are back for another season.  Why is that Sam gets locked in the cage and Dean gets to have his own like, but Dean goes to purgatory and Sam gets judged for doing the same.  I really hope this show speeds up and gets its edge back or comes to its end. Rating: 2/5

Beauty and the Beast: To be Determined.  I am recording but not watching yet.

New Finds
Cooking Network: Bitchin Kitchen:  Nadia G. is insane.  I love her.  She is engaging, fun, and surprisingly educational.  She has a fun take on how to use food in a health way.  I have actually made a few of her recipes and I have yet to be disappointed.  I am in love with Nadia. Rating: 4/5

Showtime: Gigolos: Well this is a surprising series I stumbled onto.  While it is a highly sexualized show it is refreshing to see the males as the sexual objects and not the women for a change.  While it is not a break away hit or anything it is fun romp to keep a quiet night interesting.  Rating: 3/5

Coming Soon reviews on Beauty and the Beast and American Horror Story Asylum.

Deeper Wells

Around the House
Sitting at home watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Thank god for Logo to remind me of an inspiration that I missed.  I have always loved everything that Joss Whedon has created.  He has always been an inspiration to me.  The way he writes a story that is quirky, heart felt, and fun while adding tons of dramatic movements.  I think my favorite part of his series is that you can watch just one episode and have a good time or watch the entire season and get a fuller richer story.  It is a hope that I will one day be able to craft stories in just the same way.  I know have added all of the comic paper backs to my order list.  I just need to start buying them to get all caught up on the world of Buffy.  Can you tell I am being all nostalgic for a more fun time of TV shows before the writers strike.

My Thoughts
I am a fan of Charlaine Harris works.  So I read her blogs often.  She has a fun way of pointing out what is wrong with the world in a safe way that makes the reader feel embraced.  She was talking a lot recently about what was going on with people commenting on her Facebook, Amazon, and just general emails.  She made a very good point that I just can't seem to grasp.  She commented that she does not read reviews on websites and dislikes hearing individuals telling her how they wanted her characters to be.  I know the feeling, only I am sitting here craving responses from people.  I want to know what they think of my work and how it makes them feel.  I get how reading reviews can make you crazy just like waiting for reviews can do the same.  I can only hope I have the ability to reach her level of separation from the comments of the individuals and focus on her work of crafting a story she loves.

Book Series Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Around the House
Oh hell what do I say about this week.  I have family issues from a divorce, a wedding, an engagement, and trying to juggle life.  It is a bit rough trying to figure everything out at times.  My aunt says I should take a lot of the more interesting family stories and make them my own.  Let the events of my family inspire stories for the world.  She is convinced that I will make something special.  I am not sure if this is something I want to do, but if I was to do it I know how I would start it.

"It started with a lie.  It was a simple innocuous little lie, but that lie is what started a series of events that made everyone think this life is fiction."

What do you think?  Would you like some family inspired stories to follow.  It actually reminds me of the crazy relationships in the Hunger Games.  I don't know if it is something I want to venture into.  Inspire me that you want to read about a family gone wrong because of the lies of one, and I will start putting it all together for you.

My Thoughts
So in just over the last week or so plowing through the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins while dealing with a two corporate visits.  As of this afternoon I finally closed the final pages of Mockingjay with a slight bit of sadness to let go of a fun  and moving series.  The first book of the series and the movie held to each other so that I was constantly riveted by new information of her father and the pin while neither were turned down by falling short of expectations.  By the end of the book I wanted to reach out and hug Peeta and Prim for everything they had experienced in the arena.  By the end of Catching Fire I was screaming with rage and terror by the unexpected horrors that Katniss and Peeta where continued to force to endure.  Finally my excitement over flowed when I ripped open the pages of the Mockingjay.  The series itself was masterful written, but the ending left me with an unsatisfied finished.  The series ended on a slightly anticlimactic note.  I wish the final book had held the fun, intensity, and emotion of the first two book.  Definitely a must read series, with just a hint at disappointment.

Rating: 3/5

Book Review: The Last Apprentice Lure of the Dead by Joseph Delaney

Around the House
I can't help thinking about Hunger Games AHHH!  I also learned recently that the Ronin Warriors have dvd set that is out of stock everywhere cause it is older.  I loved that cartoon series, and now I can not find it anywhere.

My Thoughts
I alway get distressed as a series reaches an end.  I tend to fall in love with characters and Alice and Tom are no exception.  I was surprised after the last one that I fell in love with Grimmalkin as well.  I am surprised as the realist way this work shows the undercurrent of magic that the normal person fails to see while he still manages to address the other "Old Gods" that could have been loved by people in England.  Now we have only two books to go, one from Alice's perspective and the last one from Tom.  I am interested to see how Joseph will tie up all the loose ends of this world.

This portion of the tales focus on the Spook's need to revive his ruined library while the dark are working to restore the head of the Fiend.  This book is the complete set-up for the end of the series,
while most authors that touch this subject to close a series this author as always makes a fun tale that allows you to learn the information while just waiting to get to the next book.  I look forward to seeing how Tom will now deal with the aftermath of dealing with the Vampyre God and stepping into his new role as the Spook of Chippendale.

Rating: 4/5