Free eBook and Choose Your Way!

Guess what? I finished the massive project I’ve been working on! After months spent wrestling with Audacity, DaVinci Resolve, and all the magical text tools, I have not one, but TWO stories for you that explore the realm of aliens and monster love.

To celebrate, I'm giving them both away. The coolest part is the Choose Your Own Adventure story—I created a YouTube narration you can listen to while you click your choices in a simple Google Form. It’s been a total blast figuring out how to make that work! You also get Door Levels, a quick short that dives deeper into the Spōn World lore.

Honestly, getting this done was a huge personal win. I pushed myself to learn all these technical skills—the video, the audio, the Google Form tricks—and it totally paid off at my book conference. Now that it’s done, I feel that pure excitement of completion (and I may have slept for a week after!).

So, if you're up for some sensuous adventures, you can find both stories by completing the form. It’s totally free, no newsletter commitment needed.

[Start and Go here] to check out the gift!

Until Next Time!

Choose Your Life's Path

 

Sigh. Life. Choices

If one looked outward at their life, they would scream, cry, laugh, cringe or smile. One could even view it as...a book!

Choices make such heavy and small meanings on our journey, and all are stepping stones, I believe, that we place ourselves. When I was younger, I loved buying the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, where, at the end of each chapter, you're given a choice on what to do next in the story. It will present a page number to turn to, and you can see if you made the right choice (ending in death or caught) or the wrong choice (having a happy ending). You can always flip back to the previous spot where you made your choice and start over.

Sometimes, we can do that in life. Start over. All the time, we're given choices on what we should do. However, at all times, we must keep the spirit to fight for our happiness. The key to doing that is to make a plan. There's a time and place to allow fate to take control, and there's a time and place for you, yourself, to plan and take control. Things always work with a plan, a reasonable and investigated plan.  A plan you've researched, studied, received outside opinions or mentoring on--a plan of value. That is what makes a life's plan successful.

I've had this "Choose Your Own Adventure" idea and actually wrote and finished the first draft. I'll share a sneak peek later. In the meantime, make sure ya'll make those valued choices out there, and plant those stepping stones one spot at a time...towards happiness.

I know I am! ☺

Until Next Time!

I have to be frank. When I heard about Disney making The Princess and the Frog, and selecting the main character to be African American, I was apprehensive. There was so many things that could go wrong.  There was so many things that could happen to not allow this Princess to be accepted in the long list of Disney Princesses.

And so the year 2009 came, and I went to the theaters to see this version of the Disney's African American Princess.

And I came out of the theater... Very Disappointed.

I am a fan of the fantasy element, the magic, the Happily Ever After, the True Love and True Kiss. It's what makes Disney... well... magical.  But this film.... This film tried to make things, forgive the urban or slang usage.. "keeping it real".

I'm sorry. I don't like "real" when it comes to magic and for the impossible to becoming possible. I wanted the same Princess that I read about in the Frog Prince tales, with a twist, like all the other Princesses.

But Disney's choice for this story made it much too singular, and thus making it not as globally accepted as it should have been.  I mean... New Orleans? Come on. Not everyone is familiar with the culture, nor is everyone universally into that type of unique sounding music. Personally, there is just a few zydeco music I would listen to. As for the Jazz, there are quite a lot of universally accepted Jazz out there, accept for the Jazz in this film. I mean, who hasn't heard of Funny Valentine's breathy and sexy song? But the Jazz choices for this film? It made the story too isolated to one place, and selected to just one type of people. At least, that was the way it was presented.

Let's look at a different way of presentation....

There was Moana that represented the Pacific Islanders, Lilo and Stitch for Hawaii, and Mulan for China, Pocahontas for Native Americans, Jasmin from Aladdin for India, and not to mention The Lion King for Africa, though not with a lead female character, yet still in the cultural mix. And ALL of these films were universally accepted.

All of these films where presented in a way that held a story and music that could be accepted by a large population of people and yet Tiana....felt... isolated.

I haven't heard a single song from The Princess and the Frog that was played over-and-over again like those other cultural Disney movies I just listed above. I mean the other films had songs that became popular hits! In The Princess and the Frog, every song was almost forgettable. Its songs were missing that true heart of music. The kind that sinks into the human soul like, A Whole New World, Colors of the Wind, Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride, and Reflection.

And I know Disney knows the magical formula to reach the hearts of people through music. It just wasn't conjured up for the The Princess and the Frog,

But what was REALLY disappointing about this Disney film, was that Tiana was not a REAL PRINCESS!!!! Nor was her Prince (Prince Naveen) of the same cultural background, but just thrown in to represent "brown". Tiana does become a princess through marriage, like Cinderella and Belle, but Prince Naveen, initially, is looking for a "princess," but not of royal lineage, to kiss him and change him back from frog to human. A Princess of Mardi Gras? This was about a parade, a grand city party! Not a land and people. Not a Princess of bloodline, but one who was voted in for a moment in time.

I'm assuming this decision to have to "keep things real" is why the Frog Princess wasn't provided a real princess title.  I figure this reasoning was so that the low income can easily and readily identify with her. But for me, we already have Cinderella and Belle stories for that.

The Princess and the Frog could have been done with magic, and a real Princess title, along with a plot twist in the story to make the heroine a strong woman, who matches her man of choice, be it prince or otherwise. The original Frog Princess was spoiled, and we could have started with that. A Princess who had everything, took it for granted, looses everything (dirt poor), and then had to work her way back to the top, with obstacles thrown in her way. Then, after overcoming these trials and tribulations, only then would she become a deserving Princess, who has learned to share her golden ball.

Like Once Upon A Time's version in Season 7.

I am SO GLAD, this show came to correct, and make a better story, for Tiana than the animated version.  We will now have a Princess (played by Mekia Cox) who will earn our respect, who starts a path seeking help from others, until then finding the strength inside herself to become her own hero. Not to mention, she also doesn't spend most of her time being a frog, but actually helps a frog (one who is being blackmailed by the use of his imprisoned True Love), who was the one needing saving, to become a stronger person.
And...and...and... and...and... She Is Actually A REAL PRINCESS!!!!

A Princess who's very large dreams are crushed, but then are stitched back together, and slowly becomes a reality--with hard work and the strong support of loving friends.This is the type of story that every little girl can relate to, and learn from, to become the "Princess" in her own life. And THAT'S how you "keep it real".

Thank You SO MUCH, Once Upon A Time!!!!!!

I write this blog because things are now right in this world, and I can now enjoy an African descent Princess of Disney.

So, now Disney, can we have a African Disney Prince? No? Yes? Or perhaps I'm asking for too much. Heh. Heh.  I just may have to settle for The Black Panther (Shuri), with her intelligent, whimsical, bad-ass! Yibambe!

Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Everywhere I see

I think I've mentioned this before, but I SO love this age of TV. There's fantasy and magic all OVER the place. There's so much going on, I can't keep up with them all.

• Once Upon A Time
• Sleepy Hollow
• Tomorrow People
• Grimm
• Almost Human
• Being Human
• Under the Dome
• Haven
• Dracula
• American Horror Story
• Game of Thrones
• True Blood

And those are just a few that I watch. There are more that I don't keep up with like The Vampire Diaries or Supernatural, but there's just so much to choose from, I'm just giddy with the choices!!

It makes one wonder: Why the Slew of Speculative Shows?

What's even more interesting, adults watch them--those brought up with Star Wars and Star Trek under our wings. Yet there are those who "just don't get it," who can't identify with why these shows have so much appeal....

I believe that these TV shows are the same as the stories that have always been told. They've been collected by Wilhelm Grimm and Jacob Grimm, by Andrew Lang, told by Hans Christian Andersen, by Jean de La Fontaine, by Charles Perrault, and told in Aesop's Fables. These are fantastic tales that pull us to them and provide a way to tell a story of basic human life. While for others, it's just entertainment, for some of us, it's much, much more. For some of us, the way the morals are presented, help support and strengthen us in our daily decisions.  With a magical touch, we learn to be better people.

So, let it continue, these fairy tales, until the end of time. For some, it's our only hope.

Until Next Time!

Is There A Soul In There...?!

Because I'm into the weird and strange; and anybody who's into vampires, werewolves, fairies, mermaids, and all those inhuman monsters, can find something about them attractive, tantalizing, or just simply AWESOME!

Am I the only one who got turned on by an ape in Planets of the Apes (2001)?
Huh? Yes? It's just me?  ... Oh.

BUT I LOVED GENERAL THADE!! 

Yeah, I thought that chimpanzee was just TOO SEXY! Or maybe because he was played by Tim Roth, and I found that little guy just SEXY!! Especially in that TV series Lie To Me.

And why am I talking about sexy monkey's?

Love works like that. You don't see anything ugly, wrong, disturbing, bad, or amiss with the object of your affection. And if that sounds strange or untrue to you, try seeing it in the point-of-view of a Beauty and the Beast, a favorite fairy tale of all time. And then there's the Princess and the Frog.

Nothing is too ugly, new, big or small, for the eyes of the beholder.

We can get hopelessly devoted to unordinary things, which makes a person want to sing!.


I think it's what's inside that counts...inside of ourselves that defines the outside.

It's what we view inside ourselves is what we project unto the object of our love and thus we are seeing with an "inner-eye" that makes us blind to what's on the outside.

Sometimes I think we blind that "inner-eye" so that we can't see what's exactly in front of us. Sometimes it is not blinded and we can see what really IS in front of us....and that's a good thing.

"Is there a soul in there?" General Thad questioned, while prying open a Human's mouth.

I would like to name it "soul" or a "holy spirit", when we actually SEE what's inside ourselves.

Either way, who we are in the inside, makes us who were are; and it also creates what, and who, surrounds our lives.

Keep that Lil'l Light burning...!!!!

Oz Broke My Heart!

Oz the Great and Powerful (2012) film was definitely an eye opener for a broken heart.

For those who haven't seen it yet, please don't read this post because it would just give away the movie for you. Thus, I'll put that special word so that you can see.

Spoilers!!!!

Soooo.... anyone want to sing Pat Benatar's Heartbreaker song with me?

Your love has set my soul on fire, burnin' out of control
You taught me the ways of desire, now it's takin' its toll
You're the right kind of sinner, to release my inner fantasy
The invincible winner, and you know that you were born to be

You're a heartbreaker
Dream maker, love taker....

Yep, that's what Oz was. A heart breaker. And what did he say about making those women fall in love with him and using them and breaking their hearts? Yep. She'll get over me..just like the others.

Heartless! A Heart of Stone Coldness.

But there's a lesson to be learned from watching this film. One should not give you heart away so quickly. And also that old saying: Beware Of Those Bearing Gifts!

I know that everyone wants to believe, so strongly, about love and how it comes like a Cupid's Arrow, and "love at first sight" does exist, and Charming is there to sweep us off our feet; but there are also those predators that use those hopeful hearts as well.

Oz was not only cute and charming, he gave his "grandmother's music box" to every female he wanted to shag. He even gave them job opportunities and a lovely dance.

These women meant nothing to Oz and he shrugged off any thoughts of actually hurting them as if it was their own faults for falling for such smoke and mirrors.

Yet...even HE had his heart filled with someone, but could not give it to her because he knew he would only cause her misery. Auntie Em chose the right man, though she truly loved that carnival magician.

Then, that undeserving thing happens. That heartbreaker actually PICKS someone. And that lingering question always come about with those who so love that heartbreaker. Why did SHE get him? What did SHE do that I didn't? Why did he pick HER!?

That famous, notorious, question... and no one seems to know that answer except the heartbreaker, who doesn't give much of answer when he's asked.  

What is certain is that a road must be followed and things must take place. For he must have his heart warmed, first by someone loyal (a bellhop monkey), then by someone in need (very delicate china doll), and then face himself and his trespasses (the evil witch). When this road is completed, then, SHE appears. 

For SHE just happens to be The One. And only SHE, who already knew what kind of man he was, who could see him for who he actually is, could he love. For SHE was never broken by him.

SHE was simply fated to be with him.

Simply put.

Sometimes we can't have the man we love because we just aren't made up to be his. 

But we are made up to be another's.

Until Next Time!

Welcome to Tirna Magique!!

Got a novella up and ready for those hungry for a romantic short. It's a magical 150-page novel, thus it's called a novella because of it's short length. Filled with all the things I like about fantasy: dragons, dwarves, mermaids, and fairies, I quite enjoyed writing this heartfelt story.

Here's a summary of what this story entails:

With the Earth becoming uninhabitable, Humans are being evacuated. Thanks to the Gapie race who offered their homes to all willing Humans, life can continue on, but mostly in darkness. Transition to this new world, which only has four hours of sunlight, would take over twenty years. Earth is now in year twelve.

Only Alesa knows the true reason for the Gapie's "helping-hand", and she has plans of her own. But first, she must get her girlfriends to trust her, and that took a few years to do. Now, she would implement her plans and take her friends on an adventure that would change their lives, and their hearts, forever. 

So, there you have it! Just wanted to share that another romantica element has been added to my bookshelf store to engorge.

Check out Tirna Magique at the local online eBook of your choice (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.) for less than a DOLLAR!


Until Next Time!

The Hobbit... My Two Cents of My Preciousss!!

"If precious asks, and it doesn't answer, we eats it, my preciousss."

So, I watched the  2hr 46min‎ film, The Hobbit, the first weekend it was out. I was shocked that the theater wasn't filled to the rim with people--there was only about 15 people. My sister said there was a total of 4 people in her theater.  This surprised me because The Lord Of The Rings were so popular  What happened and why didn't any one want to see this movie?

Well, what I didn't know was that the film would only contain the first 6 Chapters. I hadn't done my research on it, and the title didn't state anything about Part 1 of 3 (and it does have 3 parts, which I learned later), though there was a subtitle of some of the chapters of the book that came up while viewing the movie. More epic films? Not that it was yet another movie divided up over three years was much of a problem for me, because what was covered in this movie, and how it ended, was a great, satisfying ending for me.

What I found out was that I do understand why some might find this movie boring, and I'm glad something happened that made me see this film in a different light. 

I had decided to prove to someone the WHY I had never read The Hobbit stories. I remember it going on and on and on and on and on and hardly ever getting to the action, the beef, of the story, and it kept explaining this and that and the other on what every species of character was being presented in the book. It was bloated.  So, I found the first few pages online (Like over here or here or here) and began reading it out loud. It proved my point on how it kept going on and on and on and on; and for books during that time, people had time to sit and enjoy reading every-single-descriptive-word-of-a-very-very-long-story and taking the time to be entertained in a world with so much detail and humor.

Readying those first few pages again...I'm SO glad I did that!

For the first few screens of The Hobbit (2012) was almost basically word-for-word from the few pages of the book that I read! The singing, the conversations, almost everything I read was verbatim! And because of that, I quite enjoyed the movie because it mentally set me up that I would be seeing a book-on-film, and I didn't have to read, and undergo, every word to get into the story.

My sister had wondered, "Heck! Was this a movie or a musical!" So, the singing portion confused her on what type of film it was supposed to be, and I explained that it was following the book...exactly. There was a lot of prose in the novel and that was also placed in film, which would really confuse those who didn't read those pages, and because I pridefully wanted to "show-off" on the WHY I never read the book, while watching the film after ready the few pages that I had read, it made me quite enjoy it even more... I enjoyed it!!

So, for those of you who are still on the fence of seeing The Hobbit, or those waiting for Netflix like I do sometimes for films, I suggest just reading a few pages first and you'll see what I mean. It will place you in the mindset of a novel and have you understand what the film was aiming at and why it was produced the way that it was.

It's all in the frame of mind.

(Oh! And before I end this post...I just LOVE Gollum, my precioussss!!!!" He was the highlight of the movie!!)

Until Next Time!

Facebook Love & Affairs...

You ever heard of Emotional Affairs?

Flutter. Flutter. Flutter.

How we feel the excitement in the air and our blood boiling with lustful dreams when we reconnect with that old flame.  It's an opportunity to "get things right this time around"; it's fate which gives us a "second chance". Those flashing warnings of "remember, you broke up for a reason" or those "what happened in the past, stays in the past," all goes out the door.

And it should!!   ...Sometimes...

Why not take that opportunity, given a chance, if you have it now. Why not?!

I say, GO FOR IT .... if you are both already available, that is.

Be careful of that dream catcher when you are already in a dedicated relationship. That love, or lustful, excitement for that OTHER PERSON would only last for so long (two years most times) when you do GO FOR IT. 

And when it's just an "online thing" it isn't, IS NOT, "just innocent" when you're already in a relationship.  You could rationalize all you want that, you're NOT doing that physical connection, or "horizontal dance," as some call it....  You're just chatting. ONLY chatting. You're just texting. You're just emailing. You're just doing it online.  No harm done.

Because in the beginning, you're really just curious and you're really JUST FRIENDS.

There's a new type of an affair in town, people, and it's rapidly spreading. It's called

Emotional Affair, and it's just as harmful, if not more so, as a physical one.

What's so powerful about it is that it all takes place in the mind, and the mind can be a

powerful place to make things come true, which included the negatives. Once the idea is in your mind, it's like an addiction, and you can't get over it; you can't get under it; and you can't get around it.

You're stuck!

You can't wait until that next instant message, to see their availability online, to smile, to laugh, to desire, to love. You crave for it. You hunger for it. You can't control your thoughts, your mind, because you're always thinking of the next time you will be able to make that connection again.

It's an UPPER! It's a DRUG!! There's someone out there who thinks you're wonderful, who understands you, who desires you like no one else. It feels like the perfect way to fulfill your desires without the actual guilt of doing the "actual act". And, in most cases, it feels like True Love.

And the problems in your current relationship SWELL.

You're too busy concentrating on the good feelings of that online connection, that you don't want to deal with the negative ones any more; the ones that bring you down, your current relationship. You just want to feel what LIFTS YOU UP.

And even when people say, and even when you know, that EVERYONE, including that online digital connection you feel so strongly for, has ISSUES, you just can't seem to see it: their faults, their negatives, their issues.... Because it just feels too good.

What has happened is that your love tank in your current relationship has run dry. It's

completely empty. And you can't find a way to fill it up again except with this digital love or

lust.

The love tank. I learned about that in that book The 5 Love Languages I blogged about previously. It's the perfect definition to explain what happens in relationships that fall under this new wave of affairs: The Emotional Affair. It's just so easy to concentrate on the good and positive of that digital affair than to deal with the negatives in the real and current relationship.

But you can only run from your problems for so long. And jumping into another relationship, no matter how great it appears to be, would only bring about other issues that you just didn't see when you were in that drunk emotional state.

Yeah. You are drunk. Drunk! Emotionally Drunk. Inebriated by that desire, or love, and you can't see straight, or see the most common sense issues, with that new focus in your life. You have no sensible logic or reason, and your mental faculties are impaired.

It's time to take that 12-Step program to get over that emotional-addicting behavior. And I'm

not saying this will repair or make things work with the current one, but it should be done so

that you would have a much clearer mind, instead of the the emotionally drunk way of thinking, when making that decision to go into that other relationship. You would also have a clear conscience that you made the right decision, rather that is to leave your current relationship or go into the next.

You just might find out, in most cases, you won't want either person: your current nor your

digital one, because neither is right for you.

Release the fear and accept the dream.

There's a reason why you're emotionally addicted, because there's a dream that you want, and currently you don't have it. You must first be sure to know what that dream is, and with who.

The steps below could start you off on making your dream come true by detaching yourself from the addiction and move forward to having a sober mind on where you heart should be.....

Step 1: Be honest with yourself: Admit that you are crazy about this person, which is usually quite easy for some, but some don't openly admit it at all. They just keep denying it. So, be truthful.

Step 2: No you CAN NOT BE FRIENDS!!!: This person wasn't a friend before and isn't now. This person was in your soul and in your heart. Be truthful to yourself as in Step 1. You can't be a friend with this person. Period. And you MUST tell yourself that you can't be friends. It will just be too painful, and much too tempting, to try to "turn back the clock". The "friend cage" is not where you want to be, because eventually the charade will come undone, and you're unlocking the door of the cage. What will pour in would be pain and guilt. Don't even attempt to do the "friend game". You must let go completely.

Step 3: Write a list: People say this, but I always thought it was stupid. I already know what the problems are and what I want, why do I have to write them down? Admittedly, you really have to just try it out to see how it helps. Acknowledge the reasons why you're unhappy in your current relationship. Write down a list. Write it! Write it! Do it! Do it! Yes, do it! Write the list. What you'll find is that the list will help you focus and put things in perspective. A list of what you don't like and what you do like, will make things quite clear and real. It makes it so it's not really just in your head. Putting the list down on paper (or digital word process or

spreadsheet) and looking at it again, makes it truthful to yourself. You might find yourself

adding more and more once you get started. The list help to accept what you want and what you don't want and provides a clear understanding for yourself.

Step 4: Remove all connections with your love/desire:  Yeah. This is a hard one. Because you'll be scrambling around trying to find that information again when you want to get back in touch with that person. But, you can't keep focus with something sitting on your stomach. I mean literally. Imagine someone sitting on your stomach. They aren't going anywhere. They only way to get them off of you is to move them out your way. Push up hard and kick them out. Take baby-steps and just BLOCK them from Facebook, remove them from your chat list, so you won't see what they're doing and know when they're logged in. Delete all the history and remove/block from them from your cellular phone. All of these lines to your love/desire, all of these things are TORTURE DEVICES. Removing them from all digital devices will make you, force you, to take steps where you start concentrating on other things besides your emotional addiction.

Step 5: Don't be a ghost:  This goes along with step 4. That person you are connected with deserves to know what you're doing and why you're not communicating anymore. Be honest. Explain the confusion and the pain and that you need to figure things out. How would you like it if you keep calling, texting, IMming someone, and they just completely ignore you? It doesn't feel good. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Speak YOUR truth and then they will be forced to understand it. It might not go over very well, and that's why most people avoid doing it, but it's feels better in your own soul and your own being to be true and righteous. And, along with step 2, be honest to state that you CANNOT BE FRIENDS!

Step 6: Mourn your loss: You just let go of something connected to your heart, and it hurts like HELL. Don't deny that you have love or desire for this person (step 1), because it just makes things hurt worse when you find out that THEY'VE moved on. Accept that you love them, and mourn that they are gone now. You're grieving on "what could have been" not "what is". You're mourning your current circumstances of where you are NOW, and you don't want to be there. You want to have a clean and positive relationship that has a free and non constricting heart and love. Addiction is not part of love.

Step 7: Do What you Don't want to do: The current relationship that you are in, that's not your digital one, is broken and you should try to repair it even when you don't want to. Yeah. Do the steps of repairing it even when you're heart isn't in it. It feels fake and forced, because the feelings aren't there, it's with the other person, but doing something repeatedly makes it a habit, makes it become real. Sit down and have a chat of truthful things. If this can't happen, then it's time to take a break BUT PLAN A DATE WHEN TO COME BACK TOGETHER. It's important to have a break to bring back what's important in one's life.  Separation is a GOOD THING when used to heal a relationship. But you must plan to get back together. It's not a time to go have fun with someone else. This is alone time only. And if that current relationship isn't working for you, it's time to do step 4 - 6 with that person too. If children are involved, of course you can't break all connections, but make the focus on the children ONLY, and make the move to your new life which is NOT in a relationship. A relationship must come much later when you're all healed.

Step 8: Do stuff and Get Busy: It's the Do Today what you will put off tomorrow. There's some things that you had wanted to do and just felt you didn't have the time or money to do it. Start making those baby steps to DOING IT. The sense of accomplishing something will slowly fill you up inside where you were empty. This is something for yourself and NOT some external factor, addicting, emotional drugged relationship, that you felt would "save you". It's time to start getting busy for YOURSELF!

Step 9: Get away: If you can't afford to go on a trip, or check into a hotel, then take a walk around the neighborhood.  It's the physical removal that will help mentally remove your need for that person.

Step 10: Forgive yourself: Be honest. You've done some mean things. You were a part of having a relationship that was NOT working, rather you chose that person wrongly, or it was right "at the time", or you did something that cause them to distrust you and treat you differently, or for whatever reason...You MUST take your part of the blame to heal. Admit your wrong doings and then forgive yourself for doing them.

Step 11: Get some sponsors: Yep. Sponsors. Those who will support you while you're making your transition and self-change. You don't need the ones who will be negative towards you and your decisions, but one who will be supportive. That's what sponsors do. You'll need the support. You can't do it alone. You need POSITIVE support (I emphasize POSITIVE) from friends and family. It's not the Human Way to be alone. So start making a schedule when to hang out and talk on the phone and help paint their house.  You might not even want to do ANY of these things, but keeping busy and doing for someone outside yourself, helps decrease your need for that love or desire, slowly but surely, and bit-by-bit. And anytime you feel like falling off the wagon and reconnecting to that love/desire, you call your sponsor to walk you through the reasons why you need to stay on track.

Step 12: Believe in yourself: Everything you dream can exist, and it can only exist through achievement and success. This goes along with Step 8, where if you achieve something, you've completed it, and you feel successful. You can't start believing and loving yourself if you feel put-down all the time, rejected or that you always "f&$K stuff up"!!  Forging a path of things you CAN DO, is a path of loving yourself. And to love yourself will empower yourself and make your dreams come to you.

And with these steps, steps to healing yourself from addiction and past judgments, and doing these steps without going out to LOOK for your heart desire, everything that you want and dream will come to you!

I wish you the best of luck!

Until Next Time!

Fairy Tales, Fairy Tales...everywhere!

Just like in my blog: Stop Teasing....Let The Inhumane Get Some!, where all my wishes came true and I got what I wanted, the same goes with Fairy Tales.

In this modern day and age where  technology reigns and fantasies are limitless on the screen, everything that everyone had ever thought of, has ever dreamed of, has ever wished for, is being brought to life.

I've been watching Once Upon A Time and Grimm, and these two TV series keep my eyes glued. I like to record them, pile them up to about three episodes, and then....gorge!!!!!  If I had to actually wait every-single-darn-week, I wouldn't be too interested, to tell you the truth. But since I can watch the story lines consecutively, I'm hooked!

I'm not sure how long Grimm will last, but I do so enjoy the intrigue of the royal families' internal games and assassinations, and the really sexy prince, Captain Sean Renard (played by Sasha Roiz) that I had to raise my eyebrow at when he was on Caprica. It's those eyes and those eyelashes...oh my!! And then, when he gave a kiss to Juliette when she was in that coma...yeah. I had to now focus on his lips as well. Hubba. Hubba.

I also think Monroe, you know the wolf guy (Blutbad), the comic relief of the show...yeah...he's sexy too. I know. I know. He's silly and awkward looking, but I LIKES him. There's something about him that  makes me say, "Oh yeah! Sexy. Sexy." He's silly/nerdy, he's heartfelt, he's vicious! All the things I like. I Likey. I Likey.  This is an acting role that's making him shine, I think, and I hope he continues to get that spotlight.  For me, if it wasn't for his character, Grimm wouldn't be as much fun to watch.

I do hope we get more Hexenbiests on the show, though. They were scary and beautiful--a great combination for evil. And we like it when they're nice to look at and also like to rip out hearts.

And speaking of ripping out hearts, how we do like the Evil Queen (played by Lana Parrilla) in Once Upon A Time. She has those cute cheeks (that aren't rosy like Snow White's but cute nonetheless), and those perky little lips. Her smile can melt rose petals, and her tearful eyes filled with pain and anger are simply striking. I think I've mentioned it before, but I do so love evil characters that have a  background on why they became they way they did. Some are just prone for revenge when their hearts are broken, and they don't care who they hurt because they were hurt too. Yet, they seem to not have an "off switch" and just keep going. Hurting others.

I do love the slight twists of the fairy tales in Once Upon A Time, especially about Rumpelstiltskin who is Mr. Gold in the real world (played by Robert Carlyle). For him to also be The Beast for Belle in the twisted tale of Beauty and the Beast....that was an episode that would steal anyone's heart. "Skin Deep" (Season 1/Episode 12) was the best story yet to be told. I want to just keep that one hour episode in my pocket, and take it out when I'm in that romance type of mood.

And what about those lips on Prince Charming, eh? Oh yeah!!!! For something kissable, and a role that has a character that needs a lot of kissing, those of the lips one dreams of. Played by Josh Dallas, he's one convincing Prince for me!

And my cutie is Jiminy Cricket, played by Raphael Sbarge. His red hair and cute smile is just adorable! Too bad in Storybrooke he has to be a insect.

I'm definitely looking forward to the nun, Astrid, who is the clumsy fairy named Nova (played by Amy Acker from my favorite TV Series Angel), and Grumpy's (the town drunk, Leroy, in the real world) budding romance. I do hope they go back to their story. A love, not quite completed, is a hurtful thing indeed.

I haven't said much about the leading, and main, characters (Emma Swan, Henry Mills, etc.), because I see those around them being much greater. Yet, I wish that Red Riding Hood (played by Meghan Ory) would have a love of her own.

Again, my wishes come true, and I love the way fairy tales are being written and rewritten and incorporated into our "real" lives. Because I write along with those types of stories, of fairy tales, and I believe in the "Happily Ever After".  I'm so hooked on stories such as these. To show the dark side of life, and the "reality-prone" actions of those that surrounds you, does put that shadow-of-a-doubt that anything of light in stories could be real. Yet, the story is told and retold, which has to mean something!  We want those happily ever afters, and we love to watch them and hope. A mixture of reality and fairy tale is the perfect match for me, and I hope that it can be in your life, and mine, one day...if the right balance is achieved.

Until Next Time!

Fringe...My Two Cents

Fringe. I just wanted to put my two-cents on my over-all observation of this Science Fiction TV Series. Mainly, I'd like to talk about the characters.

Olivia Dunham: Played by Anna Torv. She doesn't give much out on emotions; however, I think that fits nicely with her abilities being similar to those of the Observers who don't have much emotions either. I didn't see too much of a different between her and her alternate universe version, though they did mention she "smiled more". I saw how the actor even change the way she walked, but her overall personality wasn't much of a change for me. That doesn't say that I don't like the character, but she's a character that goes along with a puzzle piece where she's needed, but not a main focus point, even though she is the main, and central character. She helps the story move along.

Peter Bishop: Played by Joshua Jackson. What can I say about ole baby face. He always looks like he's going to laugh. And when he was introduced as a genius, con man, and supposedly on a "bad list," I just didn't see it. Actually, I pretty much forgot about that part of his history as the seasons went on. His emotions, like Olivia, aren't very strong  though they are a wee bit higher than Olivia's. Yet, when these two are together, I can feel a strong connection. And when they talk together, Peter carries Olivia, where both characters become real. With each character alone, they're not much, but together, they carry out a connection with the audience.  You cannot  have one without the other, and both halves make a whole.

Walter Bishop: Played by John Noble. All I want to say is....Can I have one? Please! Please He's just SO CUTE! I love those cheeks of his, and his character never fails to make me laugh. There are some characters who are comic reliefs that, after some time, just makes you want to kick them. Walter Bishop never does. I look forward to his quirkiness and silly jokes each and every time. And when we met his alternate version... WOW!  All that fun went out the door when Mr. Serious stepped on the scene. I didn't like him at all, which makes a great actor indeed. I wanted my cuddly Walter Bishop back every time I saw the man. And THAT'S acting.

Phillip Broyles: Played by Lance Reddick. He's the same as Olivia and Peter. Not much personality here, but he's vital to making the puzzle complete. He's a believable leader and pretty much all I can see him as. I know he had a family, but I just don't see that loving father thing about him, though there were episodes of that...I just wasn't feeling it. He's a solid character, with a stern hand, and that makes a great character leader for this group.

Astrid Farnsworth: Played by Jasika Nicole. What a cutie! Yes, she is!! Now this is a character that transformed to someone else with her alternate version. She was even believable during her kick-ass scenes. Cute and a Kick-Ass? That's a combination that's hard to pull off, but she did it. You can see her utter concern for her fellow co-workers, and even her heart is shown, deeply, when she lied to her alternate version about her life. Also, back to her alternate version, again, this was acted so, so well. She's a puzzle piece that is vital to this Fringe Division. A care taker of them all, and a brain on top of it. I don't know about many, but I would miss her when she's not around.

Nina Sharp: played by Blair Brown. Not much to say here, though she does play her characters well. Rather it be good or evil, you can see them both. Being the counterweight to Phillip Broyles, these two are leaders, and you can't have a good team without them.

Observers: Last but not least, I had to talk about this group of people. They're smooth and emotionless ways make them definitely stand out amongst the rest. And it's not just because they have those shiny balds either. When they were just mysterious and helping and Observing, they were interesting; but when they took over the world, their sinister ways were ....well, pretty darn scary!!! Mixing up blood-dripping politeness and expressionless faces as they carve out your mind and feed it back to you.... Now THAT'S evil!

FIVE SEASONS - And I'm sure I missed some important things in my list, but I wanted to jot down those that stood in the forefront of my mind.  This is a series that kept it's characters going and it's story line remained fresh every step of the way. From dark scenes to light scenes; from mysterious to terrifying sinistering.

And I'm all in for entertainment.

Until Next Time!!!

Stay Connected To Your Light

"Don't Worry, Be Happy!" Words that are repeatedly stated in the same verse as it's title name, are something worth thinking about. As sung by Bobby McFerrin, worrying just makes it double, so it's best to not worry... But, do what?

Get Busy With Staying Connected To Your Light!!

Start up that day-to-day plan on how you're gonna get yourself out of that rut. Identify what it is that's making you unhappy and figure out how to change to. Just worrying and mulling around on something doesn't make it go away. It just puts you in a very bad way.

Staying connected with your light is the same as staying, and doing things, that make you happy. And if you're not happy, then you have to figure out why and make the steps to change it.

Trying to get over that "someone"? Tell yourself, each day, not ever week, that you're not going to call him/her and put yourself to work doing something else. Make that list of what's not so perfect about him/her and concentrate on what will be perfect for YOU.

Overwhelmed with bills? Ask for some help. And I don't mean go borrowing money, but get some financial guidance. Search online for free advice (you're online now, so you have access to the internet to do so). Start by concentrating on the SMALLEST bill first to pay off and then use that money to put on to the next bill. This gives you a sense of accomplishing something.

Can't accomplish a goal? Figure out the reasons why and DON'T make them ole excuses. Planning is always the key to finishing. Step-by-step is the way to reach heights.

Need some more help on how to stay connected to your light and be happy? I highly, highly, highly, highly (did I say highly? Yep. I'll say it again...), HIGHLY, recommended this book: Getting A Success Change: How To Be Happy In A World Gone Mad by Ed Brodow.. I talked about it in my blog...."I Hate Self-Help Books" But....  It will wake you up and make you remember who you are and where you want to be.

It's dark out there. Having your own light is your only guide, and way, out!

Until Next Time!

Stranger In Your House....Get Out!

You ever been that that heated discussion, or rather, argument where someone says to you, rather defiantly: "You don't know me!"

And you pause...a second.

And your response, having thought during that second, is that you've known this person over several years, or even raised this person, or married to this person, and they're claiming: "You don't know me!"

What does that actually mean?

What it means to "not know" something is to not to have knowledge about a certain, place, person or thing. And if this person is claiming that "you don't know" them, that means that they've been keeping some kind of knowledge from you. And if they're keeping something from you, then the next question is: Why?

I suppose, instead of saying, "Yes, I do! I've known you for such and such of amount of years!" Perhaps you should ask: "So, what are you saying? You keeping something from me?" And if the person chooses to bring you in on whatever it is, then you will know them again and closeness is re-established.  If they choose not too, and you hear them say this repeatedly to you, then...it's time to let go, and/or it's time to....

Throw That Stranger Out Your House!

No matter what we might think, people want to feel connected, and if you're not feeling a connection with whoever it is, then your house starts to feel COLD! It's time to WARM THING UP and make some changes and clean house.  Energy is wasted upon those who do not wish to share their heart, time, and entire Being with you. It feels a lot freer to point that energy towards those who you do connect with.

Trying to stay connected to a stranger, just keeps you in the dark and weighs you down.  It's best to look towards the lighter way of life--the life without so much weight of frustration, anger, confusion, and stress.

Let the dark stranger go, and you will feel your Fireworks!

The Calling Series: Book 2 and Book 3 Are Here!!

What a sigh of relief when a project is completed and done! It is definitely one of those times where you just want to lie back and eat Snickers and M&M's one by one...slowly.

Book 2 and Book 3 of The Calling Series is ready, done, completed and available! I got the paperback and book trailers ready to go too!

SIGH!!!

It's definitely a nice feeling to take a break, but then again, it will start all over with the next book or books on the work-shelf to complete.

I'll make this blog short, because I'm taking some leisure time before I have to start working on my other projects.

Below books are ready at Amazon, but it will be awhile before they appear in Barnes and Noble and iTunes and all the other locations. Just keep checking for you preferred book vendor, and it will be there.


Take a Look at the Book trailers and I hope you enjoy them!

Jetta (Book 2)

Creations (Book 3)

Be Happy... Or Else!!

Yes, I've been on hiatus for a few reasons, and one of the reason was a recent cruise where I saw the MOST funniest thing!

I was celebrating this year, a year where I am now 40 years old, along with my sister and close girlfriend from High School who both will also be turning 40 this year.

While I was on the ship, I observed two young girls, sisters, somewhere around six and eight years of age. The eldest had her arm around her young sister's neck and pulling her along. The youngest protested loudly, of course (it look very uncomfortable indeed) and the eldest shushed her and said,

"Be Happy... Or Else!"

I had to literally cover my mouth from laughing!!

This reminded me of how so many times we put ourselves in situations, or are in situations, where we are actually very unhappy, very uncomfortable, and very discontent, but people tell us that we should be happy!

"You have this, or that or what have you...so you should be happy!"
"You better be glad for..."
"Be satisfied with..."
"Don't do it..."
"Things could be worse..."
"You'll be sorry..."
"Fine, then! Don't listen to me..."
"Be happy...  Or..."

Be happy...Or Else! Or else what? Something worse will happen if we complain or try to break free from what is making us so miserable? Do we really know, really know, if "the else" would be worse? How would one know unless one finds out? Isn't that all about growing up and experiencing life?

My mom recently told me a story about myself when I was very young. I came running down the stairs one day, quite upset because I wanted to know why my brother could pee standing up and I couldn't?! Well, my mom referred me to my father to answer that uncomfortable question, and my father, seeming to always know what to say, told me, "Well, if it works for you, do it."

Well, I tried it and, of course, it didn't work for me, but at least I now knew, absolutely knew, the why.

How about asking those who warn you not to "do it" to be there for you if you find out you were wrong instead of saying, "I told you so"...? And if they say they won't be there for you, then... screw them! What are they really saying to you? Ask yourself if they are really displaying love. Do they really care for you? And why can't they show a little understanding and compassion?

I'm not referring to those who always seem to be right and you always seem to be wrong. Maybe then you need to listen and stop making the mistakes that they constantly tell you, you are making.  I'm talking about those life decisions that you just need to find out for yourself, and you know where you presently are is just not happy, and really, if it was suppose to be a "happy place" then you would be happy, right?

So what?! if where you end is worse or just as bad as where you've been, but at least your moving towards that end of where you really want to be. Make a decision and stick with it. And sticking with it is what will make the decision a right one. And then make a different one if it doesn't quite work out. At least you're not putting up with the stagnant position of where you are, but continue to make progress of where you want to be.

And, who knows, it might not be a mistake at all...and then what will the naysayers have to say?

Until Next Time!

I Hate "Self-Help" Books...But...

I really despise those "Self-Help" books. Not the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) types where it shows you how to replace your car's front headlights or how to fold a rose from a single ribbon (which is actually pretty cool by the way. I made boutineers!). I'm talking about those other books that try to help you out in your life during a life crisis. These book are either filled with flowery Hippie connotations, or those that give common sense statements that you've already heard before from family and friends, and those statements just weren't working for you.

 Then, there's those other books.... I really, really, really am annoyed and irritated with those books that start off really good, with a list of those questions you happen to be asking yourself, only to fall short with providing a REAL answer to your problem. That's the most upsetting, and I-wanna-bite-and-stab-something kind of feeling, that makes you throw the darn book out the window. This happens when a book seems to promise ANSWERS and give NOTHING to its resolution.

There's been a lot of soul searching I've run into and came across; and I ran into two books that has been quite a fun read. I was very, very reluctant at first to even take a look, but...I don't know...for some reason I took a peak at these and I actually like these books. And I really, really like this one: Beating the Success Trap: Negotiating Your Own Path to Success.

Now grant it, it's been years and years since I've actual sat down and read books back-to-back (I've read only two fantasy/Science Fiction books in the past three years) but these two "Self-Help" books came into my life while I was asking life questions and waiting for signs for answers. I know many don't believe in such things as signs, but I strongly do because I've always experienced getting answers when I seek them out. I wait on the signs to give me some guidance. Now, the signs don't tell me what to DO, but they do give me an idea, and provide situations, that help in making decisions I'm struggling with. And this book came my way right when I needed real answers--my sign.

I've been reading this "Success Trap" book whenever I got some free time (My PC Kindle states I've read about 65% of the book so far). It's pretty big.

It's mainly about how people spend their lives constructing things they don't want, and don't need, only to cut themselves off from their actual personal selves and dreams:

"When people are cut off from a personal connection to what they do in life, from being in alignment with who they really are, they become disenchanted, sometimes even bitter, and they end up seeking solace in drugs, alcohol, food, and sex. In extreme cases of mental anguish, they may often resort to violence."

This author, Ed Brodow, reminds me of those kind of people who just can't make up their minds on what they want to be and what they want to do in life. First he's going to law school (quits), goes into marines (ends), then back in corporate america (quits), and then he's an actor (stops), and then off somewhere else again. He reminds me of that "Rollin' Stone" song: "Wherever he lays his hat is his home". No commitment anywhere, constantly "looking for something," -- a wild and restless spirit. You know the kind, the ones that people keep saying to them that they will NEVER find WHATEVER it is that they seem to be looking for.

However....

This guy gives ANSWERS and is the perfect rolling-stone-type-of-guy to explain himself and why he's acting that way.  He gives example after example of states of unhappiness that keeps you reading, and then explains, YES HE EXPLAINS, the uncomfortable ways you have to get out of it. It is, indeed, a very deep struggle that you have to do in order to do what is written in this book to obtain happiness ... and very scary too.


Why is it scarrrrrry? Well because, what you would have to do goes against, practically, everything you think you understand and what you think you know. Then it just might isolate you from your family and friends once you've completed the steps. That is, if you have family and friends who truly love you and are willing to understand your drastic change of life, and can accept your new or different assertiveness of what you want, then you might not become a Scarlet Letter amongst everyone around you.

But in the end of it all, you're actually fighting for your Happy Ever After and you would be better for it, for you will be at peace, content, and most of all...have your dreams come true.



The other book, which I finished, was "The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts" by Gary Chapman. This book actually explained a lot, not just about marriages, but about relationships of people in general and what people actual NEED in their lives and how they need to have their needs met or their "love tank" will go empty resulting in bitterness and affairs. I say "need" several times in that sentence because it's an actual "need," just like food and water, that individuals must have in order to function and avoid physical and mental anguish. They need someone to communicate with on how they want to be loved.

As each of us are individuals, we require a individual type of love. Not all of us speak the same "love" language, and thus you must learn to speak the language of your special someone, and they have to learn to speak your language in order to communicate. The mistake is that most ASSUME that you want the same type of love, when actually yotu both can be very different.

For example, if you speak German and your significant other speaks Japanese, it will be really hard to express yourself and feel a connection with your languages being so far apart. You have to learn each other's language in order to feel as one, and that's what this book is all about.

Both books give steps or guidance on what you must do in order to achieve happiness, and reading them together this one year, brought about a certain enlightenment.

So, if you're looking for that path to your light of happiness, try reading "the why" on why the darkness happen and then you'll receive the answers to "the how" to achieve your light.

Make Me A Mixed Tape

Back in the day, guys would create mixed tapes for those special girls in their lives.  The tape was filled with words that they couldn't quite express, or found would be express more clearly...in music.


Music can speak volumes!


So, I watched Happy Feet Two, and I fell in LOVE with, what to me was, the pinnacle song of the movie. The original song is E lucevan le stelle (The stars were brightly shining) from the opera "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini. 


And what does Happy Feet have to do with a mix tape, you might say? Well, if I was gonna have a mix tape, I want this song on it.


I know. I'm strange. But this song....


I don't know anything about the opera, but the song of this animated family musical was a delicious explosion to my ears!


The words wrapped up the feeling and story of the road that was being traveled by Mumble, the tapping penguin, sung by his young son Erik. And it went like this:

After all you have done, you really deserved better.Nothing makes sense in this world. It's all a big pile of crazy.

And the kings are all fools.  

Where is the honor, when a solemn promise is just a pretty lie?

And the mighty mock the courage of the humble. 

Although he's just an ordinary penguin...My daddy taught me. 
You don't need to be colossal, to be a great heart ♥. 
You don't need to fly, to be awesome. 

My hero, my father!

Erik's opera was touching! And the saying where "Action speaks louder than words?" Well, music speaks the words of the heart and the soul.


And you can put THAT, your heart and soul, into a mix tape.


Where we lack in communication, it can be fulfilled with music.


If you hunger for love and affection in the deep, physical kind of way, David Guetta - Turn Me On sung by Nicki Minaj, can express it for you.


If you're really wanting someone to know you care, but you're afraid to let them know about it by speaking the actual words, Bound To You from the film Burlesque, sung by Christina Aguilera, can speak those words for you.


If you want to repeat those "I love you" statements, in a different way, I'm Into You sung by Jennifer Lopez, and rapped by Lil Wayne, can redefine your words for you.


If people are talking about you and you're tired of them "throwing stones" about your short-comings, or they're hating ''cause you're brave to do what is considered by society as "immoral" when they feel they can't, Britney Spears's I Wanna Go and Christina Aguilera's  Dirrty can remind you to stay strong and be proud. 


If you want to make light of the situation of Haters Hating you, have Charlie Puth's Haters Follow Me Like Twitter help you rub it in their faces.


Been cheated on? Carrie Underwood's Before He Cheats and Melanie Fiona's 4AM can help you ease your pain by understanding you.


Been dumped? Stacie Orrico's Stuck can relate, and Mariah Carey's We Belong Together can tell that person you made a mistake and that you want them back.


Wanna Blow someone's mind? Do it with Whoa!!

• Mya's My Love Is Like...Wo
• Aly & AJ's Like Whoa
• And make your man say, "Oh" with Christina Milian's tips in her song Dip It Low

And if you're wishing for those bright lights in a big city; to be famous and rich, then, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys's song Empire State of Mind will empower you; and Travie McCoy's, featuring Bruno Mars, song Billionaire, can wish it out loud and scream it to the world for you.

Yeah. That's right! Make a mixed tape of your life and bring to your heart and soul the strength it needs to lift it up!  Lift up with music.

Music is definitely a gift to help when spirits are down. It definitely lifts you UP!

Until Next time!