BEST BLOG INTERVIEWS OF 2010

Merry Christmas!!

It's A Wonderful Life

1 Day Till Christmas!

I'm being a little bit naughty over the next few weeks. I'm busy working on a really cool travel writing project while cramming my Christmas shopping, cookie baking, goofing around with friends and spending time with my beautiful family into the interim time. So in lieu of my usual blog posts, I figured I'd share short scenes from some of my favorite Christmas movies over the 12 days leading up to Christmas. ENJOY!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

2 Days Till Christmas!

Scrooged -The Truth is Painful (Warning: Clip contains profanity)

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

3 Days Till Christmas!

It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

(And one extra one...just for you, Melissa! ;o)

A Christmas Story

4 Days Till Christmas!

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

TOP 5 BEST AND WORST SONGS OF 2010

In honour of the 6 month anniversary of this blog (a project I consider an integral part of my achievements in 2010) and a new year, here are MY Top 5 best (least annoying), worst (most annoying), or most memorable (or, um, "most weird") songs of 2010! P.S. This thorough review is also dedicated to my loyal fans and haters who may laugh with - or at me - for my (hopefully) entertaining comments and useful insights. Enjoy :) I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a new year filled with prosperity, love, and good health. Thanks, everyone!

TOP 5 BEST

1. "Airplanes" (PART 2 ONLY) - BOB featuring Hayley Williams and Eminem
This may be BOB's song, but Eminem's highly anticipated resurrection and guest appearance just somehow default Part 1 to pale in comparison. As inspirational as it is passionate, this piece's rappers both reminiscence back to their pasts of poverty and loss of hope where they may still reside if they didn't follow their dreams, but again, Eminem wins us with his most promising verse of all: "Pretend he even had a friend to say was his friend...He wasn't socially awkward and estranged as a kid. He had a father, and his mother wasn't crazy as SH#!..." Eminem proves he still speaks with raw honesty in songs like "Love the Way You Lie" - where he collaborates with Rihanna on depicting the typical love/hate relationship inside a relationship involving domestic violence - and in this next song, which makes my list...

2. "Forever"- Drake, Lil' Wayne, Eminem, and Kanye West
4 rap powerhouses join forces singing - and rapping - on how they "just want this SH#! forever." It's arguable as to what this song is REALLY about, as many factors come into play regarding the true fruits of global domination. But when once-newcomer and now-overnight success, Toronto/Canada-bred Drake coins the phrase "Last name EVER, first name GREATEST," you know this song foreshadows one of the best hip hop music teams of all time: not just with Drake but with Lil' Wayne (Drake's sidekick who's famous for his sexually explicit lyrics in songs like "Lollipop" and a favourite of many mainstream urban duets like alongside Nicki Minaj and TPain, just to name a few), Kanye West (who's notorious for his scandalous verbal assaults and feuds against Taylor Swift and George Bush), and Eminem (who they had to beg to help them with this song and finally gave it a chance).

3. "Life After You" - Daughtry
I chose this as my #3 for no specific or special reason, other than that just because I love Daughtry and have a *tiny* crush on their heart-moving rhythms and romantic lyrics. Sacrifice their pride in convincing that "there's no life after you" (or you) - or any life worth living, an empty life worth remembering - without that special someone. Of course, I imagine "you" means "me" whenever I listen to this song, which brings back good and bad memories - or "what-if" hypothetical ones - where I see myself being seen by my many failed love pursuits, infatuations, or "friends" I've been through this year. But, enough about me; moving on :)

4. "Just A Dream" - Nelly
After (was it 5, 10 years?) of musical silence in the industry, Nelly also makes his comeback with his now overplayed hit single "Just A Dream" (which is less annoying than most overplayed songs, I have to admit). Nelly usually strives for more dance-y, upbeat tunes yet still succeeds in complimenting his raspy voice and casual ad libs with this softer song and theme about losing someone and letting go; repeating the thought process and hallucinations responsible for human insanity and mental deterioration required in missing him or her: "I was THINKING about her, THINKING about me, THINKING about us, what we're gunna be. Open my eyes, and it's only just a dream..."

5. "Live Like We're Dying" - Kris Allen
Now, I'm not sure if this Kris guy has any other songs (perhaps he's just a one-hit wonder), but his non-superficial lyrics and sing-along pop-rock beat here shouldn't fall under that same cliche category of cheesy, horrible songs. This song has a message, a meaning - the same one as Carpe Diem "Seize The Day," but only better and more specific: "We only got ? seconds in a day, to turn it all around and throw it all away.."

TOP 5 WORST

1. "Smile" - Justin Bieber
As much as 13-year-old girls shriek, hyperventilate, and break restraining order laws to touch or breathe on him, let's say it altogether now: "Justin Bieber is sooo oversold." He now has a line of barbie dolls, lunchboxes, and condoms (yes, I said condoms - I must be missing something else?!) to promote his Beatles-mocking fame even more. In his 2010 smash hit "Smile," Justin sings "you smile, I smile" (how original). In his debut single "One Time," he was merely a prepubescent 15-year-old boy from Stratford, Ontario who wooed over girls with lyrics like "your world is my world, and my fight is your fight, and my breath is your breath." This is the same guy who suggests in his second hit "One Last Lonely Girl" that a girl would "pack up her bags and leave," because, you know, no one under the age of 5 (sorry, 18) doesn't need a letter of permission or parent to leave the country. It's called "running away," Justin. But, oooh, now, he's flaunting a deeper voice and interest in porn, which can lead to a sexier, more mature persona. See you in the next 2 years, fellow Biebers.

2. "Fireflies" - Owl City
This song (and attaching music video) was created for 2-year-olds who need lullabies to soothe them to sleep. I decided :)

3. "Just The Way You Are" - Bruno Mars
I think this guy was on crack when he wrote this song, which explains his arrest for coke possession. Actually, I was thinking to his crack in this song. Come on, who has "hair that falls perfectly without her trying" and "eyes that make the stars look like they're not shining?" Crack! When you're on it! I especially confirmed my belief in his lack of geniality in his songs, when "Grenade" came out - until I heard the lyrics. Of course, then I thought it was a publicity stunt. Thanks, Jersey Shore.

4. "Telephone" by Lady GaGa featuring Beyonce
A pair, because they're both arguably the most iconic, richest artists in the world right now? Sure. A pair, because they match in vocal skill and visual style in dressing themselves and killing people for no apparent reason? Not so much.

5. "California Girls" - Katy Perry
Nice functional bra, Katy? Is this Candyland or Planet Mars? Oh Snoop Dogg, how much I love you - but why are you here?

5 Days Till Christmas!

Polar Express (First Gift Of Christmas)

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

6 Days Till Christmas!

Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal)

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

7 Days Till Christmas!

Frosty The Snowman

8 Days Till Christmas!

Christmas Vacation - Squirrel! (Warning: Clip contains profanity)

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

9 Days Till Christmas!

Charlie Brown Christmas (The True Meaning of Christmas)

10 Days Till Christmas!

Miracle On 34th Street (I Believe)

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

11 Days Till Christmas!

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

ELF - (You Sit on a Throne of Lies!)

Quote of the Week

"You must want to enough. Enough to take all the rejections, enough to pay the price of disappointment and discouragement

while you are learning. Like any other artist, you are learning your craft—

then you can add all the genius you like."

~ Phyllis Whitney ~

Image by: HandsLive

Author Interview: Heidi Willis

As many of you know I posted a review of the book, Some Kind of Normal on my blog last week--I just loved it! The book was written by debut author Heidi Willis who kindly consented to an interview. So now, curious readers and aspiring authors want to know…

1. Was Some Kind Of Normal the first novel you ever wrote?

No. Right before I wrote Some Kind of Normal I wrote my first real novel, a book I titled Ocean Deep. It took over two years to finish it. I queried and got three immediate requests for partials, and then three immediate rejections. I realized it still needed a lot of work and I might have worked on trying to revise it but then I'd gotten the idea for Some Kind of Normal, and that just took over.

2. How long did it take to finish Some Kind of Normal?

It ended up being about seven months, but I worked much harder and longer on it than I had the previous book I'd written. Instead of writing when I had time, I made a decision to view myself as a writer instead of a mom who sometimes wrote. That made a huge difference in helping me make priorities and sacrifices. Also, that year all three of my kids were finally in school. :)

3. To outline or not to outline?

I'm firmly of the belief that every writer should do what works for them. I was a pantser on my first book and discovered that it absolutely doesn't work for me. I combine two different outlining approaches. I divide the story into three acts, and also divide it by percentages. At each point, I know something has to be happening to move the story forward, so I have those basic events in place. After that, I just let my characters take over. Even though I have some idea about where I'm going, I still face tons of surprises as I write! For a better description of my "outlining" process, you can check out my blog: http://heidiwillis.blogspot.com/2009/05/methodology.html

4. I understand you're part of a writing group. How did you find them?

My writing group is fantabulous! I think Heidi Bailey is the first person I met online, and that was through Nathan Bransford's blog back in early 2008 or late 2007. Then Jen Blom found the two of us through blogs and that started the core of our group. Erin Halm and Brit Lary were in another online writing group I'd joined in 2008. They were by far the two most dedicated and talented writers in that group, so when Heidi and Jen and I decided to start our own group, I asked Erin and Brit to come with. Jen had two other fantastic writer friends, Kerri and Marsh, she brought along, and there we were! We span three continents, but we write each other every day and have become close friends as well as colleagues.

5. Your characters and their relationships are so authentic. Where did the voice of Babs come from?

I have no idea where Babs came from. She just showed up the day I sat to write. She is unlike me in almost every way, and unlike anyone I know. I have to admit that for a while, I was a bit afraid of her. She'd say things and I'd delete them, thinking "You can't write that! Do you know how many people you'd offend with that?" And then I'd realize it wasn't me writing and talking, it was her, and I needed to just let her tell the story.

6. Did you use an agent?

I did not end up with an agent. I queried over a hundred of them. I had a fair amount of agents request partials and then fulls, and almost all of them gave me personalized rejections, most explaining they loved the writing but just didn't know who to submit to, or they just weren't taking on new literary fiction authors. It was tough.

7. How many rejections did you get before your story was accepted by NorLights Press?

Over a hundred. Ouch. The querying and waiting were like a festering sore. I finally decided it wasn't going to happen for me. I stopped sending out queries and when I received the rejection on the last request I had out, I figured the boat had sailed on this book. Less than a week later I got an email from a friend I'd met on Twitter whose publisher had seen my blurb on his blog and was intrigued. They wanted to see the book. The rest is history.

8. Did you have a platform established before you were published?

I've been blogging for about three years and developed a pretty good network of people through that, although I like to think of those people as friends rather than just contacts. I Tweet, I Facebook. I'm a diabetic myself and am involved in groups that fight for cures, and so that was a natural in with this book. I also belong to a couple online book groups, writers groups, and Christian groups.

9. What are you working on now?

I've just finished my latest novel tentatively titled PRODIGAL. It's the story of a runaway girl who comes home at the begging of her younger brother and ends up eyewitness to the murder of her parents, which leaves her as the sole caretaker of her brother in the town she'd tried so hard to escape. It takes place in the same town as Some Kind of Normal with some of the same peripheral characters, but it has a completely different feel to it. It's really the story of forgiveness and hope and defining what family means.

10. What advice do you have for aspiring novelists?

First of all, surround yourself with other writers who will encourage you and be positive, and yet be honest about your work... people you trust and like. Find them in your book club, or library, or online. The road to publication is bumpy and often discouraging. You need other people who are going through it with you and can help KEEP you from jumping off the ledge.

Read books in the genre you write, and read books about writing. And write. A lot. The only way to truly get better is to keep writing.

And take to heart that just because you've been rejected doesn't mean you don't write well or you don't have a good story. Rejection just means that book wasn't for that agent. Or the timing just isn't right. It's not personal. Keep sending out your work, and keep writing, because if not this one, maybe the next one.

Visit Heidi's Blog: www.heidiwillis.blogspot.com
Purchase Some Kind of Normal: HERE

Quote of the Week

Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.

~ Seneca ~

Image by: Sakeeb

NELLY'S CHRISTMAS WISH

Millenial legendary rapper Nelly - whose hit single "Just a Dream" is topping the charts - introduces us to his mission to fulfill dreams of families in need this holiday season. Along with DoSomething.org, Nelly is featured in a new video telling teens around the country to participate in their "Tackle Hunger" campaign and gather 1 million pounds of food in December. The initiative collaborates with Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic relief charity, and motivates teens to assemble food from their homes, communities and schools to make sure no person is starving this holiday.

Nelly's video challenge and more information can be found at DoSomething.org/tacklehunger

Book Review: Some Kind of Normal

Title: Some Kind of Normal
Debut Author: Heidi Willis
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Literary/Edgy Christian
Publisher: NorLights Press 2009

Opening Lines

"I ain't one to bash being healthy, but it sure takes the fun out of living. My motivation to be the perfect mom starts about six a.m. when I swing my legs over the bed and ends fifteen minutes later when I stumble into the kitchen to make coffee and figure out what I can cook that won't kill no one."

The Story

Babs Babcock, her husband Travis, and their two children live an ordinary life in a small Texas town. Until page three, that is.

In that split second we all know can happen, their normal family lifestyle disintegrates when 12-year-old daughter Ashley is suddenly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She swiftly develops some unique complications causing a short hospital stay to stretch into months as doctors work to find a cure, and she fights to hold on.

Armed with only a tenth-grade education, Babs is relentless in her search to find the cure for her daughter that doctor's say isn't there. While her home church members offer up prayers and an endless abundance of food, we witness Babs wrestle with her family, faith and science as she explores the answer to the question everyone can relate to: How far would you go to save the life of someone you love?"

My Thoughts

From the opening line of this story, I was hooked. Although I tend to be more of romantic suspense kind of gal, I loved, LOVED this book!

Author Heidi Willis has created an entire cast of characters that are refreshing and genuine. The story is told through the eyes of main character, Babs. And I was instantly drawn in by her distinctive voice. Babs is a frank and sincere woman with a quick, sarcastic wit. Although she has her insecurities to deal with just like the rest of us, when it comes to her kids, she rises up to become as strong as she needs to be—just as all mama lionesses do. (Don't mess with our kids!)

I appreciate how "human" Babs is in acknowledging the tenuousness of her faith, which up until the point of her daughter's illness, had gone unchallenged. The Christianity element of the story is not filled with "holier than thou" preachiness, which is a personal pet peeve of mine. Instead it's filled with realistic people as they deal with the issues in their lives.

As a mom, I could relate to Babs's willingness to consider ALL options in the fight to save her daughter's life—even going up against everything she's been taught to believe, and despite the negative ripple effect this causes among her family, friends and church members. Willis has also authentically captured life parenting teens and the challenges that occur within the family dynamics are extremely believable.

I enjoy learning new things when I read fiction and Willis has masterfully woven information about diabetes and its treatment into the story in such a way that it is never boring or "text-bookish."

The tale was gripping with some surprising twists and held my attention to the very last line. (I actually found myself annoyed that I had to stop reading it to handle mundane tasks like feeding my family or taking care of household chores!) It's honest, poignant, funny and sweet. It's a story about love, about family, and about choices. I highly recommend this book—it would make a great Christmas gift for somebody on your list.

You can purchase a copy here.

About The Author

Heidi Willis, a graduate of Penn State with degrees in Education and Communications, taught junior high English in Texas. As a type 1 diabetic, she has plenty of experience managing the disease and considers herself an expert at carb counting. Heidi is an avid photographer and loves to travel. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and three children.

I will be interviewing the author, Heidi Willis, on the blog next week. I can't wait to pick her brain and discover all her secrets for success! Tune in next week.

*I purchased my own copy of this book and receive no compensation for my review besides the gratification that I'm helping a really great author promote a really great book.

Quote of the Week

"Courage is nothing more than taking

one step more than you think you can."

Proverb

(Discovered on the site of author

and writing coach, Holly Lisle.)

Image by: Alex E. Proimos

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you have a truly blessed time spent with loved ones.

(I was sent this video by a friend and I thought it was adorable. A most fitting reminder to have a gratitude attitude--especially for our food . ;o)

Quote of the Week

Sweet is the breath of vernal shower,

The bee’s collected treasures sweet,

Sweet Music’s melting fall but sweeter yet

The still small voice of Gratitude.

~ Thomas Gray ~

Image by: Unkle_Cheese

The AMAs: Another Awards Show's Excuse for Fashion Success and Suicide

From NKOTBSB's explosive performance to Bieber and Usher's leather jacket partnership, the American Music Awards' nominees and/or legendary stars have reinvented their own list of "do's" and "dont's." And, no, Lady Gaga wasn't responsible for ANY of this!

Not only does Avril look a little constipated here (I'm assuming everyone reading this knows what that means, because I really don't want to explain it), but she reeks of bad zebra print judgement. Better luck next time, Avril.

New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys (sans Kevin) reunion(s) = totally awesome! Their matchy costume attire and looked-good-when-they-could-move-like-youth choreography? = Ehh, not soo much :)

Katy Perry brings out her famous pearly whites, porcelain glow, and full decolletage recipe in this iridescent, pastel pink diamond-and-flower-like strapless frock.

As for Kesha....well, she shocked with sexy-messy hair, glitter&glam, and cut-out fabric - as per usual.

Oh Miley, I prefer you with your more slutty punk-dominatrix-whatever get-ups, though I surprisingly like the cashmere toilet paper dress in that commercial (What? It's soft, easy to slip out of, and makes for an inexpensive wedding gown), and I applaud Miley for emulating it.

Nicki Minaj, I may not be able to see majority of your outfit, but I have decided - that's because this is probably your entire outfit (you predictably don't leave much to the imagination), and you look like a pink dragon here. Sorry, next!

As much as I can see through (literally and metaphorically) Rihanna's classic Whitney do and JLo-inspired lace gown, I do appreciate the flashback. Thank you, Rihanna.

Not sure if the full bangs are too harsh for Taylor Swift's cute little face, but the shiny disco ball she's wearing sure is groovy. Get it? Groovy? No? Anyone?

Hi, my name is Will.I.Am, and I'm soooo cool and creative, because I'm sporting an exclusive lego-covered hat. That's right - lego! I can finally reach out to a younger audience and entice my older one. Oooh, ahhh.
Ok, it's over. Jokes, Willz, I love you :)

I feel bad for picking on someone so young and I acknowledge her risks all in the name of being fashion-forward, but come on, Willow Smith - what the H-E-double hockey sticks are you wearing? (Remember, PG-rated language here, even though it spells out to be...oh well....).

Top Ten Reasons For My Gratitude Attitude

Thanksgiving doth approacheth! It's that traditional time of year when we all tend to focus on the many wonderful blessings in our lives—those blessings we've sometimes taken for granted at other times of the year. I figured it might be nice, in honor of the upcoming holidays and all, to do a TOP TEN list of things I'm grateful for this year.

So, if I could have a drumroll please…

I am grateful that…

10. God make chocolate a bean so I can be confident I'm always getting my daily requirement of vegetables.

9. My son and daughter have let me be their "friend" on Facebook and haven't blocked me even when I post comments on their wall and put <3 (hearts) on their pages and on their friends' pages for the entire world to see.

8. My son can't hear me when he's on the soccer field and I'm yelling things to the other players like "Does your mother know you talk like that?" "Yo! Stop pushing my kid!" "No cheating!" as well as my myriad helpful tips for the referees.

7. I haven't had to change a diaper in 13 years!

6. My sister-in-law taught me the secret to opening spaghetti sauce jars so I can have spaghetti even when my husband isn't around to open the blasted jar for me. (Man, that was frustrating!)

5. Whenever I blank out on somebody's name I have a whole bunch of over-40 friends who can't remember the name either so I can therefore conclude with confidence that it's not just me and I truly do not have dementia.

4. Naps...'nuff said.

3. My daughter's bedroom has remained immaculately clean for the past three months. (Yeah, yeah, okay. So she's not exactly living in it right now, but it's still really sparkly clean.)

2. My dog shares my home office and actually looks at me when I'm talking to myself—er, to him, so I don't appear as crazy as I really am.

1. I'm RICH, I'm RICH! And it's all because of you--my beloved family and treasured friends both online and in real life.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Image by: linh.ngân

Quote of the Week

I have learned throughout my life as a composer chiefly through my mistakes and pursuits of false assumptions, not by my exposure to founts of wisdom and knowledge.

~ Igor Stravinsky ~

Image by: Moriza

INSIDE A TAURUS' PERSPECTIVE OF THE 25TH ANNUAL GEMINI AWARDS SHOW "FASHIONS"

Yesterday evening, shining Canadian stars - like Glee's Cory Monteith and Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev - took the time to revisit their roots and celebrate their culture at the 25th Annual Gemini Awards (right here in Toronto). Shaking awards and embracing old friends and co-stars victoriously, the following Canuck-born-or-raised celebs not only stood out to prove that the Great White North has inherited some extraordinary talent but extraordinary fashion sense as well. Check it out:

Anna Silk is svelte and pretty in pink, wrapped in this floor-length, a-line number topped off with a Greek Goddess-like, scrunched one-shoulder.

Dragon Den's Arlene Dickson may show us who's boss in this appropriate yet snappy off-the-shoulder purple piece, but should nix the awkward lighter purple criss-cross for another dress.

Alice's Caterina Scorsone looks super-cute in this youthful, strapless, shiny purple top and waist-cinching, patterned, poufy skirt/bottom combo.

All the Degrassi: The Next Generation alums here look great here, but credit is due to Cassie Steele for her neon pink 80s-style frock and Adamo Ruggiero for his geeky-trendy glasses-and-bow pull-up.

Grace Park (The Border, Hawaii-Five-0) flaunts her sleek, toned silhouette in this clingy, futuristic, foil-like silver minidress - with an intricate slit and delicate fabric design at the ends.

Degrassi: The Next Generation graduate/Vampire Diaries right-hand woman Nina Dobrev accentuates her naturally long limbs and lean physique in this dark blue, satin-y halter gown with an opposing longer back and shorter, frilly, ruffled front.

Sara Morton may pull off this dramatic (unforgiving-on-many), long, silver design that hugs every curve, but I'm not too sure about the black gloves and furry white (wait, is that a coat or shawl?)

Last but (certainly) not least, rightfully-chosen host/Glee star Cory Monteith dresses to impress in this mature light grey suit and dark-pattered tie.

IF I WROTE FOR "LAKE SHORE"....

...This is how it would go.

When Lake Shore released its 8 cast members to the media Monday night, major media channels - like PerezHilton.com, Access Hollywood, and CTV News - scrambled to spread news about the first (Canadian) television program to compete with the notorious MTV hit Jersey Shore. Now, Lake Shore's a hit, before its pilot. Can't say the same about Jersey Shore, now, can we - America?

Being Lake Shore's first exclusive blogger EVER, I have decided to create authority - and the predictions - to write my own hypothetical synopsis of the new Lake Shore episodes. If anyone would like to insert their own predictions for Tommy, Arber, Salem, Joey, Sibel, Robyn, Karolina, and Anni Mei, please don't hesitate to post them under here or my Facebook statuses. Enjoy :)

Who will get together? Sibel and Tommy - after a drunken night of fist-pumping and grinding at the club.

Who will get into a fight? Sibel and Robyn - after Sibel calls her a stereotypically racist Jewish name, and Robyn smashes her to the floor. Joey, Arber, and/or Tommy will accidentally slaughter one or each other in a playful decking match game, or purposely slaughter each other after an unexpected "creepy" visit from "grenades."

Who will hook up? Hmm, let's list all the combinations: Sibel and Anni Mei, Anni Mei and Karolina, Karolina and Robyn, Karolina, and Sibel, Robyn and Joey, Anni Mei and Arber, Sibel and Tommy, and - finally - Salem and a spicy Latino man. Yeeee

As for individual storylines...

Anni Mei - She loves to go-go dance, which is awesome, because Arber gets her some more (modeling) gigs through his various club connections. But, can she keep up?

Salem - Speaking of career demands, Salem is further expanding himself in the fashion industry, which means he's super busy. Will Lake Shore interfere with - or improve - his success?

Karolina - is struggling with her sexuality. Does she like women or men - or both? Rawr :)

And if Lake Shore is "real"-ly anything like Jersey Shore...

Karolina and Anni Mei want to tell Sibel about Tommy and his cheating ways - but through an email (not in 19th century letter format, ahem, Jersey Shore).

Anni Mei develops some self-esteem issues, as she grows more involved in the modeling industry.

Robyn talks &*%^ about Sibel - and then Karolina and Anni Mei. Tsk tsk, Robyn...

Anni Mei soon discovers or reveals her obsession with lemons.

The guys pull out girls from the club, and - guess what - they're from the US. Nutella - I mean, oranges - anyone?

Confession: I Change Endings

A couple of weekends ago, my daughter Ashleigh came home from college and she, Joshua and I attended the high school fall play, Mother Hicks. One of her closest friends had the lead role.

The play is set in southern Illinois during the great Depression. It relates the tale of three outsiders—an orphan girl known only as Girl, a deaf mute named Tuc and an eccentric recluse, Mother Hicks, who is suspected of being a witch. The story chronicles the journeys of these three characters as they find themselves, and each other, during this troubled time.

When the play ended, the lights came up and Ashleigh turned to me as we gathered our things, "Well, what did you think?"

"The actors did an incredible job!" I gushed. "Your friend was awesome!"

Then I paused.

Ashleigh cocked her head. "What?"

I took a breath. "You realize I'm going to have to change the ending."

Joshua rolled his eyes and Ashleigh groaned at this.
"Mom," she said in her best I'm trying to patient here, but I've been studying ancient Greek literature for the past two months and you really don't understand art voice. "It's supposed to end like that."

"Yeah, yeah I know." I said, waving my hand airily. "But I need an ending with more…closure."

My family members already know this about me. And honestly, as a writer, I would probably have a BIG problem if I knew people were doing this with something I wrote. But as a reader and member of the audience I've gotta be honest here…

I change endings.

Call me shallow. Tell me I don't appreciate true literary art. But I can't help it. I want happy, satisfying endings! I do not want to be left hanging or confused. I do not like loose ends. And most of all I do not like unhappy endings. I figure there's enough misery in the world without my choices in entertainment adding to it. (For the record, Mother Hicks does not have an unhappy ending, just too many loose ends for my taste.) Perhaps I'll "evolve" at some point. But for now, gimme my happy ending darn it!

Allow me to share some examples of what I mean…

***SPOILER ALERT!***

(I'm discussing the endings of each title listed below.

If you haven't read the books or seen the movies,

you may want to step away from the blog!)

Okey dokey, then. Let's start with MOVIES..

Pay It Forward (2000)
No way does main character 11-yr.-old Trevor McKinney die in the end! That ruined the whole movie! Instead, in my ending he comes to his friend's defense, standing up to the bully, who then ultimately realizes what an awful person he's been, breaks down and decides to become part of the positive "Pay It Forward" movement.

Arlington Road (1999)
Are you kidding me? Sorry folks, but in my ending single dad Michael Faraday, does NOT become an unwitting pawn of the terrorists, blowing up a federal building and leaving the psycho terrorist neighbors to raise his 9-yr.-old son. Instead, Faraday uncovers a critical piece of evidence making it clear that his "crazy" allegations about his neighbors are absolutely true. In a race against time, their plot is uncovered and they're busted just before they can complete their mission.

Pirates of the Carribean: At Worlds End (2007)
Uh…no. Will Turner is NOT mortally wounded while trying to retrieve the Deadman's Chest and therefore is not forced to become the new captain of the The Flying Dutchman, destined to see Elizabeth—his true love and new wife—only once every 10 years. Yeesh. Instead Captain Jake Sparrow is! And he's fine with that because his true love is the sea anyway.

Now for some BOOKS…

Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare
(I know, I know it's Shakespeare. How dare I?) But in my ending Romeo arrives at the tomb to find Juliet presumably dead. He agonizes over her, of course. Then, just as he's about to put the poison to his lips, Friar John miraculously locates him! He relays the message from Friar Lawrence telling him Juliet's only taken a sleeping potion to appear dead. Romeo smashes the poison container against the stone wall and seconds later Juliet awakes to find her true love waiting to embrace her. Then they and their families all live happily ever after.

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult is an amazing writer! And her fans were super hot when the major motion picture of this book debuted with an ending that was completely different from the book. But I was completely frustrated with the book's twist at the end and I've gotta tell you, this time Hollywood got it right. They ended their version the exact same way I did.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
(Ooooh, I'm on dangerous ground now! Heh, heh!) But I was required to make a few minor changes to the end of this final book of the incredible Harry Potter series. In my version, the following people do NOT die:

* Hedwig
* Dobby
* Fred Weasley
* Tonks
* Lupin
* Colin Creevy

I'll let Mad-Eye and Snape go, for dramatic effect and all, but that's it. Everybody else lives happily ever after.

C'mon, admit it. Aren't my revised endings much more satisfying?

Image by: N3T1O™

"LAKE SHORE" TOP 8 OFFICIALLY REVEALED!

Ok, so the highly-anticipated announcement of the Lake Shore cast members has been leading up to this very moment. If you refer back to my list of who (I think) should be on Lake Shore, my top 8 were: Vonny, Kali, Karolina, Persia, Tommy Hollywood, Easton and Dana (the twins), Manuel Deon, and Robby Simpson.

Who ended up making it? Joey, Arber, Salem, Tommy (correct), Sibel, Karolina (correct), Robyn, and Anni Mei - which means I got 25% right on my predictions.

If you read my analysis - along with my previous chosen Top 8 - you most likely caught my wishy washiness - or lack of confidence - in the selections. For that reason, I believed the top 25 were all somehow equally capable of contributing their own authentic X-factors that would give the show that pizazz? - again, hence my not taking one side of just one or many potential contestants.

But, the key word here is "authentic." The initial purpose of Lake Shore was not just to include people of different ethnicities, races, or religions but to bring people of different cultures and personalities together as one - to not separate people into their little cliques or minorities and put them against each other (unless it's in the "fake drama" way), but to shape them into one multicultural family, country, society - world, even (as cliche as it sounds). Lake Shore could've been seen as a means of battling racism and glamourizing positive acceptance (as it should be, like one would glamourize Angelina Jolie and Madonna's rescuing and adopting poor kids from Africa), but now, I'm not so sure.

Ok, so we have Turkish (Sibel), Italian (Joey), Vietnamese (Anni Mei), Czech (Tommy), Jewish (Robyn), Polish (Karolina), Lebanese (Salem), and Albanian (Arber). Therefore, we have some Asian, some European...but how about the African Americans? Sure, excluding - or just not including - at least one black person into the mix may spark up debates as to how they chose the Top 8 (it wasn't necessarily based on who attained the highest votes). Of course, it may just be a coincidence that they didn't think any of the coloured individuals who auditioned were cut out - or so we think.

I happen to know many Facebook "friends" of Lake Shore - or I - disagree with many of the choices the team has made. Of course, they took the time to thoroughly assess each parameter and combine a group of people who would influence just the right type of drama and dirtiness, but would the viewers - the people who also must want to watch the show to propel the program's success - consent? Again, if Lake Shore's intention was to create diversity, and they didn't note the diversity of an African American person - who should be recognized for their historical significance, for their fighting justice and molding the world into the less legally prejudiced world it has become today - by including them in the Top 8, then the cast isn't exactly as diverse as they wanted it to be. Then again, concentrating on just one race's elimination overshadows the fact that there are more than just 8 ethnicities or cultures in the world, and Lake Shore shouldn't be expected to confront all of them.

Not to say Lake Shore is being racist. However, simply inserting a comment Sibel made in the Lake Shore series premiere sneak peak is a bit daunting and representing Lake Shore as a whole being racist. Sibel says "I'm not racist. I hate everyone equally, especially Jews." Hmm...is she being racist, or did she have a negative experience with more than one Jewish individual that has caused her to believe all Jewish people fall into a specific stereotype? Who knows? I guess we'll find out on the show? P.S. Looks like there's some tension between her and Robyn (who is a Jew). Coincidence?

Guys like Tommy, Arber, and Joey "love to party" every night of the week. In fact, there's no such natural force as daylight for them (metaphorically, not literally, speaking) - even so far as to say that some of them might even be somehow connected - or work - in the club promotions industry. This way, the "party" compensates for both their work AND play. Which begs the question? How many "Situations" does it take to screw in one light bulb? I mean, we need at least one Situation, Pauly D, Vinny, or Ronny to make the show like a "Shore" reality thing, but in this case, it just proves my point: the Situation, Pauly D, Vinny, and Ronny are all somehow synonymous to another. They're all hot and bothered, pumped up, GTL - in their hair gel, wifebeaters, and sick cars - conventional modern day guidos. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but again, the diversity here? Hmm...

One guy that doesn't fit that recipe? Salem - who is as career-driven and fashionably late as they come. He's "blunt, forward, and beautiful" (his words, not mine). As for Anni Mei and Karolina (even the rest of the girls)? Kind of the estrogen-y version of the guys: smexy, smart (business-wise?), and snappy. A Snooki vs. Angelina-esque catfight in the works here? I think so.

The catch? This Top 8 video "accidentally" slipped out of the Lake Shore YouTube womb well premature before its due date. Pardon my pun...everyone thought it'd be a girl, except it was a boy?

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