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!