Jurassic Life

 So we all know about the Jurassic Park films, right?

Well, Netflix made a mini-series based around the recent film, "Jurassic World".

It follows six kids who are campers at the new Camp Cretaceous. One of them got in by winning a video game, one because her family sent her, one so that she could blog about it, one is an Olympic runner, one got in because his mother works for the man in charge, and the last one is rich and his dad owns a condo on the island.

During the 8 episodes, you visit familiar locations in the film and get to know the reasons why everyone is here.

All the jumps of dinosaurs included all the mayhem of a park that shouldn't have created dinosaurs, and all the Steven Speilberg and John Williams you loved before now back again.

Holy cow, what a ride that was.

W.I.P. May-Day

(Forgive the late post, I've been sick since last Friday and haven't been doing much of anything except watching "Miss Fisher's Murders", "Midsomer Murder", "Death In Paradise", and "Haven".)

Here is a little ditty - or what have you - that you may find interesting. As always, leave a comment below with what it is you're working on, or just to say hello. :D

Daylight

has no place for

my shadows.

And my love that

is fading,

like the winter,

away.

Like the morning

I yearn to turn

my face to the day.

But I’m waiting

for the dark.

Have a fantastic week!

Hart of the South

Because Netflix is a wonderful way to watch any TV show (provided it's on, hasn't been taken off, and has all seasons) you can watch almost anything in one or two sittings (or more if you have bladders of steel and a mini fridge right next to you - oooh, maybe even a table with a microwave!)

Over the past two months I have been watching a particular show that is only four seasons long. The first three seasons have about 22 episodes, while the fourth and final has only 10.

"Hart of Dixie" was not a show that interested me at all when I caught my sister watching it a few years back. It looked obnoxious and every kept hating on the main character. It wasn't interesting at all .....

Well.

I got hooked.

The main story is about how a fancy New York doctor, Zoey Hart, is told to go out and get some General Practice. To treat her patients like actual people, not dieases. She remembers a random doctor who sent her post cards since her graduation. So she heads down to the deep south - Bluebell, Alabama.

Cue: Southern Belles, home town doctors (who don't want her there), a retired Quarter-back mayor with a pet alligator, and a typical dive the Rammer Jammer with an attractive bartender.

While trying to break into this practice of home-style doctoring, Zoey also has to balance her personal life, attractions to lawyers and bartenders, and trying to keep her mother from coming down.

With many twists and turns this show is actually a fun one to watch. And there are only four seasons - so 98 episodes to get through. Have fun watching!!

(I am not paid for any name dropping.)

December Flicks

While I could write about something to do with Christmas, I've decided to go the simple route - NETFLIX!

Binge watching shows on Netflix is something that has become much of a fad. Because it’s often difficult to find the time to sit down and watch a show live, and even though DVR is something we can use – not every person has it.

While it may take some time for your favorite show to appear – or the next season to crop up – Netflix is a fast way to catch up. You can easily catch up on a season – pause it where you leave off and easily pick up where you left off with it. It tracks where you are with it, and there’s no judging. (Though I have heard that Netflix will often ask if you are still alive if you watch for too long – it hasn’t happened to me yet. Fingers Crossed.)

It’s a way to sit down and relax after a day of work, school, both of them – and give you a reprieve from the world at large.

Some of the shows currently on (and on my To Watch and Re-Watch list) that you may enjoy too are (in no specific order or favorite ranking):

Once Upon A Time

This is a fantastic ABC show that takes everyone from the Disney verse and sets them all together in Storybrooke, Maine. It follows Emma Swan, daughter of Snow white and Prince Charming, whose son Henry is currently being parented by the Evil Queen. Currently on its Sixth season (with the possibility of more) you have five seasons to watch. Gold! (No pun intended.)

Supergirl

DC is having a fierce time with hit shows on the CW. I’m only two episodes in, but it is definitely something to keep tabs on. This show will also be tying in with The Flash and Arrow. So stay tuned!

Merlin

This show has been around for a few years (coughsince2005ish). There are only five seasons it’ll be a quick get through if you binge with earnest intent! And Author and Merlin – what more could a history buff want?

Stranger Things

Granted there’s only one season so far (season two has been promised and will coming soon!), but each episode is completely worth it. It’s a unique take on the 1980’s genre, coupled with Dungeons & Dragons, a mystery, and spooky thriller. Take a peek on it – it’s worth the watch!

Penny Dreadful

This one took me by surprise. I first watched it on a plane to Alaska (got through five and a half episodes before reaching Seattle for the transfer, but that’s still a record). It takes the old Penny Dreadful stories (no pun intended), adds a bit of Mary Shelly, Oscar Wilde, and Bram Stoker (so far). This isn’t a series for the faint of heart though, as battling any sort of monster fight comes with its fair share of blood and gore. So be warned of anyone under 18.

The Pinkerton's

I have yet to delve into this one, but just hear me out. The Pinkerton's are to America what Scotland Yard is to England. This will be a fantastic show to watch through – so keep it booked.

Fuller House

Hear me out – this is based off of Full House, only the girls are grown up and living in their old house. The shenanigans involved with the three single woman is a fun comedy to watch through.

Supernatural

I would be a terrible person if I didn’t include this on the list. While I am not up to date with the current season (I’m still on Season five, sue me). There’s a reason why this show has lasted this long. Currently on season eleven, it’s full of everything you could want in a show. Take a look at it – there’s quite a few seasons to catch up on – all of them worth it.

Galavant

While it’s sad this only lasted two seasons – each episode it only twenty minutes. The trick: they’re all musicals. The singers are spectacular, and we fans would love to see the return of this. Netflix said it might just happen if enough people watch it on Netflix – so GO WATCH IT!

(EDIT: Didn't mean for this particular picture to be so big - but it's worth it!) 

What are some of your favorite shows to watch?

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to these pictures. I do not get named for name dropping either.

Time Off from Class

In my final post of August - the final post centering around school - I'm going to discuss something school seems to miss:

Time off.

While you get 'vacation days' every few weeks or so, it's good to take a few extra days off.

Keeping yourself fit and healthy is a great way to ensure that your grades don't slip, your on time, and you are continually looking your best.

There are dozens of things you can do on your Day Off:

1. Guiltless Netflix
     We all have friends that guilt us over how much we binge watch. If you are taking a 'You' day, don't let anyone tell you it's bad. Not only is it relaxing, but you can catch up on all those episodes. :)

2. Cookies
      Who doesn't love cookies from scratch? Or from the package. Fire up the oven and make up some of your favorite flavors, grab milk and hunker down with #1.

3. Music
      Have a Music Hour. Find that album you've been meaning to listen too, set up, and just let the music flood over your. It will be relaxing and fun.


What are some things you'd love to do on a Day Off? Leave a comment below.

Getting a Little Clancy

When I was younger my older brother had a favorite movie. I always thought it was boring, tedious, dragged out, obnoxious.... you get my drift.

Well, fast forward years later it has become one of my favorite films to watch. No only because Sam Neil was in it, or Tim Curry, or Alec Baldwin. Not even because of Sean Connery (though if I was vain enough, I would say that it definitely was a factor in me watching it the first time).

The film was titled, The Hung for Red October.

I didn't know it at the time, but it was based upon a book by Tom Clancy. A book that's based upon a series featuring a CIA analyst by the name of Jack Ryan.

The basic plot: Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) is asked to brief the Sectary of State about a Russian submarine captain, Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) after he sets sail in an new submarine equipped with Stealth technology. When it heads for America both sides are in a rush to reach the sub before the other.

Did I mention that James Earl Jones also plays in it?

Trust me, it is far better than I'm writing it out to be.

After watching this on Netflix last year, I learned there were a few other Jack Ryan movies on Netflix. Such as: Clear and Present Danger (Harrison Ford as Ryan) and The Sum of All Fears (Ben Affleck as Ryan).

Tom Clancy is an expert writer on the CIA and other government back stories. Most of these were based in some truth - although no one will confirm it.

If you're looking for a read I would highly recommend any one of his novels. Maybe even check out the entire Jack Ryan series (it's up to you if you want to read it chronologically or by publication) - for the sake of this list, it's by publication:


The Hunt for Red October (1984)
Patriot Games (1987)
The Cardinal of the Kremlin (1988)
Clear and Present Danger (1989)
The Sum of All Fears (1991)
Without Remorse (1993)
Debt of Honor (1994)
Executive Orders (1996)
Rainbow Six (1998)
The Bear and the Dragon (2000)
Red Rabbit (2002)
The Teeth of the Tiger (2003)
Dead or Alive (2010)
Locked On (2011)
Threat Vector (2012)
Command Authority (2013)
Full Force and Effect (2014)
Under Fire (2015)
Commander-in-Chief (2015)
Duty and Honor (2016


Right now I think it's safe to say that we will have Mr. Ryan around for quite a bit longer.



Who is your favorite serial hero?

Also - if you take a chance on the movies, leave a comment below.

Love - Lust - Nope

Okay – so we’re in the wonderful month of pink and red; hearts and chocolate; wine and roses.

Unless, like me, you are single with no chance of (or much cares for that matter) of getting into the whole dating game by the time Singles Awareness, er, I mean Valentine’s Day rolls around.

With only 12 days to prepare (well, 11 for any men out there reading this) there’s dozens of things to help with either preparing to have a wonderful night out, or a wonderful night in.

This post will be for those who plan to spend this night home. Alone.

Candles in the window

All kids aside, there are plenty of things to help keep your spirits up while all of your non-single friends are out at fancy restaurants, drinking wine – or champagne if your beau is super fancy.

Here I will list a few things to do, at home while cuddling with your favorite bottle of bubbly.

1.   

     1.    Netflix

This one is obvious. So obvious I had to add it.

This time of year there’s going to be lots of lovey-dovey flicks to watch on the Flix. I would recommend the following:

“Desk Set”, with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. A wonderful old-fashioned flick (in color) with tons of wit and sarcasm.

“High Society”, Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Sinatra, ‘nuff said.

“How to Marry a Million”, Betty Garble, Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe.

All three of these are in color, but are old fashioned, clean with wonderful endings and lots of fluff.

22.       Fancy Dinner for One

You don’t have to go out to have a fancy meal. There are lots of recipes on the internet. 

Seriously. 

Have you seen Pinterest?

Far too many on there to count. Because of that, it’s super easy to find and plan the perfect meal (okay, all you dating people. You can use this one too.)

With all the ease of cooking and baking at home, it will taste just like one of those super fancy restaurants. The plus side, if you’re cooking for one, you can make for “two” and have super delicious leftovers the next day. (While your other friends are doing the walk of shame.)

33.       Have a girls night in.

Now I know Galantine’s Day is on the 13^th.

But what if you spread the love over two nights, instead of one? On the 13^th gather your friends at for a night out on the town. Grab some drinks, a fancy dinner, but the 14^th?

Stay in, watch a few movies, order in some pizza. Oo, better yet – have a chocolate bar!

And, no, I don’t mean a small, 12 piece individual wrapped bar.

I mean, lay out a chocolate spread: chocolate sauce, individual wrapped chocolate bars, chocolate cake, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate soda, chocolate ice cream.

The chocolate is endless!

Is anyone else craving chocolate . . . . ?

45.       Sleep

If you can’t beat it – sleep through it.

While some of these may not be for everyone, there are plenty of single activities around that you can get yourself involved in. Doing a book blub date night – try an action novel.

Whether or not you’re going out or staying in, there are plenty of things to avoid doing on this wonderful Singles Awareness Day.