Events Leading Through January and February 2024

I have a really bad habit with not writing in the winter, usually due to hibernating, and becoming a hermit, but I’m trying to be better on that front. 2023 has come and gone and going into 2024 has been a challenge for a lot of reasons. The first of the year, we got hit with snow and rain, and it was like we were stuck inside for the whole month. However, in that time, I have been getting inspired again, so let me begin.

Around February, there was enough decent weather for me to go out, and get some important errands done. The piles of snow are still about but were starting to melt. Downtown Burlington is full of hearts, and good stuff to see and do before catching the bus home.

I also got some serious house cleaning done. Things have been starting to look up, so I’ve just been keeping at it. Our cat, Dulce, hasn’t made it easy, but we’re working on getting around him. I’ve found some order in my room, including my futon that I bought.

I thought of some great series for my edited videos. Comichorde is what I label several of the series of videos I edit, the series, and seasons based on comics, like the DC comic, including The Sandman, and now, The Dead Boy Detectives. And these are just some of the projects I’ve gotten started.

Books into Movies and Series: Jenny Han

Two different series, based on two different books, but all by the same author, Jenny Han. The first time I ever heard of this author, was when the Netflix movie, To All the Boys I've Loved, came out. After I watched the first movie in the series, I loved it, and I was hooked.

Then, I saw the trailer for, The Summer I Turned Pretty, I was intriqued, especially by the fact that the book series was written by the same author of the Netflix movies. After I watched this new series, I was addicted yet again by the stories this writer created.

I love that the main character is a female, not sure of herself, trying to figure herself out on her own terms. I think that’s awesome. I also like that in the movies, both characters are portrayed by actresses, who are not just your usual brunettes.

The Blacklist: Another Thriller I’m Obsessed With

Like some of my other series, I got started on this one by finding a video on YouTube. I was just surfing, looking for something interesting, and possible romantic, when I found this one video. The characters looked interesting, so I looked up the trailer for The Blacklist, and it seemed a little promising.

I saw the premiere promos before, and I thought it might be twisted, so I didn't start watching at first. Now, I started watching on Netflix, just to test the waters, and I became hooked. The beginning was awesome, and the longer I watched, the further down the rabbit hole I went.

Starting with the pilot episode, Raymonde Reddington heads to the FBI, to “surrender” to them, when in truth he offers an incomparable deal, starting with the name of a notorious criminal, who was believed dead. The one caveat, Reddington will only speak to Elizabeth Keen. A new agent, and profiler, Keen gets yanked out of her world, and into one manipulated by this man, and his Blacklist.

Issues Today and What it Takes to Be Heroic

There are so many issues these days, it’s hard to separate the heroes and the villains, because it’s not all black and white. There is so much hate in the world right now, we need to keep talking, keep fighting, and break down those walls we try to put up.

One unique kind of vigilante, portrayed by our very own Queen Latifah, is from the series, The Equalizer. An exceptionally strong African American woman, who has retired from the CIA, now works to help those who have nowhere to turn to. She uses her guts, and skill set, alongside her friends from the old days, including an awesome Asian American lady, played by Liza Lapira, and her hacker husband, Adam Goldberg.

More recently is the story of an Asian American female warrior, who grew up in Chinatown, San Francisco. Let me pause right now, and tell you I grew up in California, and we went on day trips there, so this setting is somewhat familiar to me, but it also gives us a look into the culture of this area, and community, which makes it even more special to me. This series in a culmination of my favorite things, including Chinese food, martial arts, and romance. This young woman is fighting for her home, family, friends, community, not to mention, saving the world.

When we come across the people in reality who want to hate on people because of differences, or circumstances, it’s important to remember what heroes look like and how we can stand up to them. So, you tell me, what makes a hero today?

Going Forward in the Story: 1x06-08 T@gged

Continuing where we left off, I’m getting back to finish the video series I was edited, for my favorite moments. Starting with T@gged, an interesting thriller I discovered a while back, I hope to be able to post more videos, and share some awesome moments from my favorite storylines.

After finding, and rescuing Elisia, the girls, plus Ash, try to figure out what happens next, considering there still a timer set. Hailey starts losing it with all the pressure mounting up. While thinking she’s meeting Ash, she falls into a ditch, right next to the dead body of the girl in the video that started everything.

Now, the girls wrestle with telling their secrets, in order to trust each other figure out what this “Monkey Man” wants from them. Please keep checking in to see more.

Check out more series storyline videos in the link above in the menu. I'll be posting more videos and clips soon.

People Need to Be Looking Back

Plans for the spring include working on my videos, starting my podcast I keep talking about, and try to ride my back again. I would like to be more active since I received my Fitbit Tracker, and live healthier after all we’ve been through.

I’ve been enjoying a lot more anime, and going back to some of my favorites lately, which has also sparked by interest in the Japanese culture again. I’ve also been looking at other cultures as well, French, and Italian, and I’ve been really interested in a lot of the different foods. The cultures of the other countries like Japan have fascinated be over many years, and I would like to apply some of that into my life.

Lately, a lot more shows have been back in the swing, and even some awesome new movies like Disney’s Raya. It’s made for some awesome watch time. I’ve even found some new anime, like the continuation of Inuyasha, which is all about his and his brother’s, Sesshōmaru, daughters, Yashahime. On some of the social media, there’s been a bit of negative feedback, though, about Charmed and GH too. Everyone is continually criticizing about something, when they need to stop, and wait for the good stuff. Particularly on soaps, and drama series, they like to wait until the middle, or right around the seasons middle, or end for things to get really good.

In about a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, things have changed, and nothing feels quite normal, or how it used to be, but maybe that’s a good thing. It gives a chance for all of us to do better. We’ll see what happens during and after the summer.

Through the Early 1810's: Starting with Bridgerton

On the streaming series, Bridgerton, starting in 1813, Great Britain was under the reign of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and King George III (also known as Mad King George). In the series, Queen Charlotte was the face of the crown, she was the one who debutantes presented to, and Her Majesty was presented at various events for the royal family.

They King and Queen had 15 children in total, 13 of whom survived to adulthood, two of whom were future British monarchs, George IV, and William IV; as well as Charlotte, Princess Royal, who became Queen of Württemberg; Prince Edward, the father of Queen Victoria; and Prince Ernest Augustus, who became King of Hanover. Early in King George's reign, Great Britain defeated France in the Seven Years' War, becoming the dominant European power in North America and India. Further wars against revolutionary and Napoleonic France from 1793 concluded in the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Fashions of the Period

The fashion style between 1813 and 1815 was inspired by the classical antiquity, modeled into the high-waisted neoclassical silhouette, increasingly broken by trim, colors, and a new angularity as the tubular skirts were gradually replaced by triangular versions. I focus on the women, because I am a woman, and their clothes always fascinate me.

First was the shifts, or chemises, that were meant to protect the rest of the undergarments from the body’s perspiration. Corsets were necessary, yet unbelievably uncomfortable, made with whale bone, and tightened to give women a more feminine figure. And then a petticoat, which was a layer between the women’s clothing and underwear.

Clothes worn inside the home was called the morning dress, and lacked a whole lot of decoration, and was modest, simple, and hopefully comfortable. While, evening gowns were meant to be seen at parties, and were styled with more colors, accessories, and embellishments.

The classical influence extended to hairstyles. Often masses of curls were worn over the forehead and ears, with the longer back hair drawn up into loose buns or Psyche knots influenced by Greek and Roman styles. Here are some videos of modern versions of the styles I’ve been inspired by. This is just a small sample of the period, and culture in the early 1810’s.

First Month of the New Year 2021

This January, there has been so much going on, I’m just now getting caught up, and posting. A lot of new seasons, and even some new series on streaming channels, have begun, and I’ve even got caught up in plenty of older series, so now I would like to share so much.

For starters, I’ve been discovering a lot of interesting period dramas, going back to Bridgerton, and finding other series connecting to that time frame. Belgravia takes place in 1815 which is two years after, right around the Battle of Waterloo. Queen Charlotte and King George’s reign was during the Napoleon wars, and their descendants including Queen Victoria, who along side Prince Alfred were mentioned in Belgravia, twenty years after the first scenes.

The CW, along with a few other channels, have released new seasons of their series. Starting with a brand new Batwoman. Kate Kane has been presumed dead after a plane crash, she was on. Now, Ryan Wilder has found the suit, and wants to take up the mantle to give justice to those in Gotham. On Netflix, the rebirth of interesting story, Fate: Winx Saga; Bloom and her friends reimagined in an interesting tale.

All of these and more, there is so much starting with this new year, I hope to keep writing and sharing, without fall behind.

"Bridgerton" in the Timeline

The new series on Netflix, based on a series of books by author Julia Quinn, is a period drama and is awesome. I have read the first four books of the series, and I loved the storyline. After watching the series, it is pretty different, but also pretty incredible too.

While several young women are making their debut into society, in order to find suitable matches for marriage, a society paper, kind of like a gossip column (a little like Gossip Girl), premiers as well, a tell-all about the Ton, a reference used during this time period, a term commonly used to refer to Britain's high society during the late Regency and the reign of George IV, and later. The first season focuses on Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest daughter, and fourth in an exceptional large, loving family, and her finding love with the Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset, portrayed by Phoebe Dynevor, and Regé-Jean Page.

Capturing Authentic Moments

Based loosely on the Regency period, in 1813 London, the show gives a glimpse at some fashion, and culture of this era. Starting with fashion, I recognized the empire dress, a silhouette also from Pride and Prejudice. This one of my favorites, because of the slim, elegant look, even on slightly small forms, was inspired apparently by the neoclassical look, meaning a simpler and elegant style of women’s fashion. Corsets were also in style, and while these were beautiful in design, they were probably not as comfortable, back then in history, or present for the actresses who had to wear half corsets for the show, while the bloomers were a little different.

While women were meant for extraordinarily little, we see in both the books, and the Netflix version, that they were a force to be reckoned with, and had ways to manage any situation they found themselves in. Particularly in the social seasons, the mothers were a driving force, for their sons and daughters.

How much of all this is historically accurate, the creators left some wiggle room, but did a lot of research to show a truly inspired period of time, and an incredible story. The first season was amazing and I’m excited to see what happens next.

Working on Sharing More of My Favorite Moments: T@gged 1x05

Been having trouble posting on YouTube, but so far Vimeo is working out well, and I'm also using MixDrop, and Userload now. I hope these don't these for anyone interested in my videos.

The night before, Jake and Rowan spend the night together. The next day, Rowan and Hailey figure out who knows where Elisia is. Ash helps the girls find, and rescue her, and they tell show him the video.

 

Loosely Based on the Books, Starting with Riverdale Mentioning

Several series have been returning to their networks, including Riverdale, and Nancy Drew. These are two of my favorites, but now, one of them maybe reading for its series finale, which always makes me sad.

Last season of Riverdale was somewhat epic, beginning with the actor Luke Perry, and his character, Fred Andrews, who had died, which was sad. It also kind of mentioned two series which we have heard of. Jughead starts attending a creepy prep school, where there is a competition to be the next ghost writer for the Baxter Brothers, a book series franchise. Moving forward, this sounds an awful like The Hardy Boys, especially when you add another character, Tracy True, into the mix. The season ended with Jughead, Betty, FP, and their half-brother, and Jughead’s grandfather, solving a horrific secret, and series of murders, surrounding this empire.

The Real Nancy Drew

Season two has finally released its first promo, and it looks even spookier, and mysterious. There’s a new sheriff in town, and Nancy and her friends are dealing with a scarier entity that wants payback, probably literally.

After re-watching the first season, I saw something near the end that caught by attention. Lucy Sable had her baby, and after giving her to the Drew’s, she went over the bluff to her death. While we all thought she just slipped off the cliff or jumped, what if she saw something that freaked her out, and she stepped back. At the end of the first season finale, Nancy had a vision of her being scared of something and falling backward on the bluffs, maybe just like Lucy.

The Hardy Boys Makes Their New Debut

On Hulu, we see a new version The Hardy Boys. It looked interesting, so I gave it a watch. It looks a little different than the actual books, or older series, but in the end, it was incredible series, and I hope there is another mystery for them, and their friends to solve.

Like Riverdale and Nancy Drew, the boys are hit by tragedy when their amazing mom, is killed in a car crash with suspicious circumstances. So, their dad packs the boys up to stay with his sister in their hometown, where their maternal grandmother nearby. A throwback to what their used to, the brothers deal their loss, figuring out their mom was murdered because she was looking into something going on in town, dealing with the old families and a mysterious antiquity. Frank and Joe Hardy have deal with thieves, assassins, and a bunch of other crazy people all after one thing. After all that, with the help of their family, and friends, they solve the case, and save their new home.

It was amazing, but there are still some unanswered questions. Hopefully, this means a new season will come forward in the future. I love when they keep those doors open.

Original Reading Material: When Calls the Heart

I have been inspired to challenge myself to do some actual reading. I watched the pilot movie, When Calls the Heart, with Poppy Drayton, and Daniel Sherman, two of my favorite actors, and I wanted to see if the original story matched with the movie, and tv series.

I started reading the actual book, not just an epub file on my phone, but an actual paper bound book from the library. It was hard to get into the story, partly because the names get mixed up in my head. Elizabeth was the name of the protagonist in both the series, and the movie, as well as her aunt. In the show, Julie was her youngest sister, and she had an elder sister too. So, in the first book series, they are talking about the aunt, I think. So confusing.

The story starts out with Elizabeth talking about her family and giving kind of a run down about them all. It’s interesting the different types of writing styles. I’ve always wanted to work on my own stories and put them out there. Reading has always been both enjoyable, and a learning tool for me, in so many ways. This experience will hopefully help me again.

Getting to Share Your Work + T@gged Favorites 1x04

After Elisia is taken, Rowan and Hailey need to solve the clues given to them in order to find her, and now someone is getting closer then they know.  Rowan gives as good as gets, right back at Brandon and his crowd.

Vimeo is really good place to share my videos so far. I hope there enough room for most of what I would like to do. People can also find some of my other stuff on Instagram occasionally.

Publishing Personal Videos + T@gged 1x02+03

I’ve just started to post my own edited videos on Vimeo and YouTube. They first came through really nicely, but they second got snagged because of someone else has copy rights. How do I post the videos of my favorite moments, while not getting in trouble? That is the question. For right now, I don’t have to take the video down, but for those who are having trouble seeing, I backed it up on Vimeo, so check it out.

Rowan, Hailey, and Elisia get messaged a time and place. When they resist going, they get threatened with their secrets coming out. After arriving, Elisia gets grabbed, and driven away, leaving the other to shell shocked.

T@gged Favorite Moments 1x01

I found this one while looking for something new. While searching on YouTube, I saw an edited video about a couple shipped from a web series called, T@gged. I really got into it, so I looked it up. I was able to watch the entire series, in a few days.

Later I edited together some videos of my favorite moments of the storyline, you know the ones you just listen to while doing something else. Rowan, Hailey, and Elisia are all dealing with the stuff in their lives, when they are all tagged in a video from someone shooting a girl.

GH Storyline: 2018 Baby Switch

Recently, I’ve looking back at what happened to Wiley, and how everything got started, beginning with Willow Tait's baby being delivered to GH to his adopted parents.

Michael Corinthos was dealing with Nelle Benson, the mother of his child. Willow’s baby dies, and Nelle manipulates Brad Cooper, one the adopting fathers, to switch the babies.

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Baby Tait is about to Arrive, meanwhile Chase is setting a Trap for Nelle

A post shared by MMMedia Favorite Storylines (@mmmedia.storylines) on Sep 14, 2020 at 6:12am PDT

Getting in the Swing of Fall

Moving into autumn, there has been a lot going on. Between everything going on with the elections, and voting, and working on our home upkeep, and going back into time, watching old episode videos on Youtube, there has been a lot going on in my head.

Working on the hope that it is becoming more routine, I have done some added exploring on different subjects, based on living life, inspired by a lot of what has been going on around us. Now that we are about to hit October, and Halloween at its end, there’s some more interesting events coming, mysteries and drama included.

Speaking of, take a look at some of the special series, and videos on Netflix. High Seas has a third season, with rumors of four, but that remains to be seen after that ending. Another really good one is Enola Holmes, based on the book series of the same name, it tells the tale of the sister of Sherlock Holmes, starring Henry Cavill, and Sam Claflin as Mycroft Holmes, their eldest sibling. Wonderful, incredible stories, full of promise, and a possible option for Halloween watch party. Here’s to more series and mysteries to come.

What’s Going on GH

Since General Hospital continued in the start of August, there has been a lot going on. Starting from when Nina was giving her testimony, which ended with Michael, and Willow Corinthos winning custody of Wiley. Then, During the Nurses ball, which became a tele-a-thon, for first line workers, Nelle used Julian to kidnap Wiley.

In the race to get Wiley back and safe, Nelle and Carly had a confrontation, which ended with Nelle falling off a cliff. Wiley got home safe, and Michael and Willow connected, which has not been easy for Chase and Sasha.

After all that we had to say goodbye to a beloved character. Mike Corbin has finally come to an end, due to pneumonia caused by his Alzheimer's. It has been a prolonged farewell, and sad, but in a bittersweet twist, his daughter Courtney came to get him. RIP Mike, we’ll miss you.

General Hospital Resumes Production

For some time, we heard that GH had held up production of new episode due to coronavirus, but they did say they would begin soon. When they finally started spreading news of resuming in August, we knew that things would be different, there would be a lot of safety precautions, and probably a lot less interaction in certain scenes.

Today was the first new episode since, they ran out. It was somewhat epic. And the scenes with one of prominent partners, wasn’t terrible awkward either. I feel it shows a great deal of success in the future episodes despite all the extra work.

Going Forward this Summer

This month has been crazy, at the same time it's been streaming along. With everything that keeps happening, I've just been working on staying busy, looking forward to a lot of new series, and planning for the future.

Between keeping the home from becoming less of a disaster, and getting loss in old series on the computer, I've been hoping for something new to hope, and look forward to. Starting with some interesting Netflix series, and the resuming production of General Hospital, which should be the beginning of August. I'm eager to work on some new videos, to go with what I've been writing.

These last couple of days some interesting new, and promo videos have been popping up. I'm especially excited about the new season of High Seas, a Spanish whodunnit. It takes place on an old steamer, with a woman helping a spy.

I'm hoping to be able share a lot more of my favorite moments from these cool series, on my blog and social media. I know some google accounts have had trouble lately, but I hope to work on keeping up with my blog and keep everything in sync.

Somethings Just Getting Started

One of the interesting things that draws me into a series, or a storyline, is the beginning of a relationship, especially a couple that is just getting started. Seeing how they come together is part of the fun.

These are two examples that I have in mind. On GH, we have Michael and Willow. After Willow had her baby, and he was delivered to his adopted parents, Michael was dealing with Nelle, the mother of his child, when they got into a car crash. Willow’s baby dies, and Nelle manipulates Brad, on the adopting fathers, to switch the babies. So now, both Michael and Willow are dealing with loss. We see them meet, and deal with their feelings, and how they end up connecting with each other. Enter Chase, and then Sasha. Then all four become friends, and then the baby switch is revealed. Now, Michael is working on being a father and giving his child the best life, while Nelle is attempting to take their son, and have him all to herself. Willow still loves the little boy she thought was hers, and it pulls her towards Michael. Chase and Sasha want what is best for their loved ones, and child that keeps them connected. Another bomb is about to drop, on top of life changing choice that Chase and Sasha made, and it may bring together Michael and Willow, in a very unconventional way.

The other example is Kara Danvers and William Dey on Supergirl, an unexpected, yet somewhat predicted duo. Both reporters, both wanting justice, and going after the infamous Lex Luthor. Kara once had a great love, but fate had others plans. After a long time, she has been riding solo as one of fiercest female heroes. She is also a person, and a kick-ass, beautiful one at that, so why shouldn’t we see her paired with someone equally awesome, even if they are not wearing a suit. Even if William does not fit quite as we hoped, this opens the door for Kara to finding that special someone.

All these characters are just starting in these relationships, so it is somewhat early for any criticism. We just have to wait and see what happens next and enjoy all the interesting moments.