This = My Experience

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Dead Ever After ... Finally!

Like so many other people, I was super excited to purchase and read the final book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. So, on the day it was released I went to the store, brought it home, and jumped in.

I've been reading this series since 2006, way before True Blood. I took a Creative Writing course as an undergrad, and since Charline Harris lives in my town and is a friend of my instructor of the course, she she was invited to come speak to our small class to discuss her writing career. That was an amazing day for me!

But anyway, I was so excited to start reading this book, and in the end, I was satisfied. I wasn't thrilled or surprised, but it ended exactly like I expected it to. Sure, there were a few interesting twists throughout the story, but in the end everything wrapped up fairly nicely.

I was thrilled to see the return of some major characters from the past:

Quinn
Alcide
Mr. Cataliades
Diantha
Ameilia
Bob
Claude
Steve Newlin
Arlene

Each of these (and a few others) tied into the story and played a part in the overall plot.

I know that there have been a lots of complaints and disappointments in the ending of the series, specifically in regard to Sookie's romantic life, but in my opinion, it was all very predictable. If you didn't see the ending coming, then you must not have been paying very close attention to the entire series. I mean, the ending of the previous book clearly set the stage for what would happen in the final book, not to mention the clues and hints to this ending that have been present throughout the entire series.

Overall, this was a nice ending to the series that was long overdue. While I, personally, feel that this series should have ended a few books ago, this book did a satisfactory job of wrapping up the storyline. And while it may not be what lots of fans wanting as an ending, it was still done nicely. So, there are no complaints from me.

Have you read this one yet? If so, what did you think?

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You still have time to get your name in the drawing for a May Scentsy Warmer of the Month.

Click here for more information.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Super Blog Saturday Link-up Week 1

Happy Saturday Everyone!

Today, we are starting a brand new link-up party.

I hope everyone links up and enjoys the fun today.

I also hope everyone will come back and enjoy the fun next week.

This hop is a way to make some new bloggy friends and get some exposure.

So, feel free to grab a button and share or pop it into your side bar.

There are only 3 rules:

1. Follow your host

2. Share a tweet about the link-up

3. Make some new bloggy friends and share the love

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Farewell to The Office

So, tonight was the series finale of The Office. Not gonna lie, I got a little choked up, I shed a few tears. But, I don't want this to be a super sad post, but I do want to take the time to say goodbye to one of my most favorite shows EVER!

So, with this post I thought I would make a list and share some my favorite moments from this amazingly funny show!

When Michael Scott burns his foot on the George Foreman

Belsnickel

When Dwight loses his desk.

Threat Level: Midnight

Drug testing at Dunder Mifflin

Dwight has a sensitive side.

When Jim dresses up to act like Dwight. "Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica."

Dwight searches for the Holy Grail.

When Jim puts Dwight's stuff in Jell-O

A Schrute funeral

Jim's best prank on Dwight

I don't know how, but apparently this turned into some of the best Dwight moment's of The Office. But this is completely ok, because I think Dwight is my favorite character on the show. I know my Thursday night's aren't going to be the same anymore.

Please tell me your favorite moments from The Office ... I would love to hear them.

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Also, don't forget to get in the drawing for a free Scentsy warmer. Click here for more info.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

As I Lay Dying with James Franco

I've mentioned before that I am a James Franco fan. Seriously though, I am bordering on obsession. I love everything about him. Like DiCaprio, I have been watching James Franco since his 90's sitcom days on Freaks and Geeks.

And truthfully, I think we have a lot of similarities in our interests. Although, admittedly, he has many more options and connections at his disposal, however, I am convinced there are some aspects of life that can be shared regardless fame, money, and financial resources.

I admire his appreciation and focus on intelligence and education. Did you know that he attended college as an English major, with an emphasis in creative writing? I saw him on an interview some time ago where he discussed his ability to multitask at a level that is beyond normal human ability. He has this diagnosed (word choice???) condition that allows him to dedicate immense focus and drive on multiple tasks at one time.

While he was in school he was granted permission to take 62 credit hours in a quarter! Seriously, 62!

Later, he moved to New York for grad school and enrolled at Columbia, NYU, and Brooklyn Film School, and Warren Wilson College all at the same time! He went on to receive a MFA from Columbia, and later on a PhD in English from Yale. He has also taught classes to film students at NYU. He has done all of this while still maintaining a successful acting career.

He was quoted in the Washington Post as saying "I go to school because I love being around people who are interested in what I’m interested in and I’m having a great experience... I’m studying things that I love so it’s not like it’s a chore." I LOVE this quote because I have always felt the same way. There is something very intimate about sharing and being around people who love what you love.

He has also written a collection of short stories entitled Palo Alto and had them published in 2010.

Needless to say, he has been a very busy guy. But, I love the idea of a famous celebrity that values an education and understands that there are things in life that are more important than fame and celebrity. His appreciation for art and literature tugs at my heart-strings and makes me admire him even more. The fact that we are both English majors with graduate degrees in the field make me (wishfully) think that we could be great friends and have long conversations over coffee about books and authors and all other kinds of nerdy things.

So, when I saw the preview for As I Lay Dying with James Franco, I couldn't help but get a little giddy. I love Faulkner. I haven't read this particular novel of his, but I checked it out from the library today, so it will be coming up on my reading list very soon.

Take a look at this trailer and let me know what you think.

*A lot of this information comes from Wikipedia if you would like to read a little more about this fabulous man!

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Don't forget to get your name in the drawing for my May Scentsy Warmer giveaway. Click here for more information.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Gatsby Love

The hubs and I went to see The Great Gatsby this weekend, and I absolutely loved it.

I have read the novel, but I have to admit, it has been a while. Honestly, I didn't really remember much about it other than the main plot line.

I've been a Dicaprio fan ever since his Growing Pains days, so the fact that he was in this movie was one reason I had been looking so forward to seeing it.

So, today I thought I would share the main reasons I loved this movie.

I'm a literary book nerd, so any novels that are made into movies automatically draw me in.
As stated, I've been a Dicaprio fan for a while.
As well as a Tobey Maguire fan
The setting and costuming really made me wish I was rich and living in New York during the 20s.
The soundtrack was amazing. I will be purchasing the entire album. The song from the trailer is my new fave.
The plot is well developed and plays out nicely.