Silver Linings Search: September

Wow, the year is flying by like crazy. I was working so much this month that I sort of forgot to add to this blog as time went on but I have tried. This month went by in an absolute flash. Honestly, I am writing this on the 25th of September and I swear the 1st of September was only last night...
How bizarre. Because of how much I worked, I neglected the blog a little and although it was a good month, I didn't really log as much goodness as I have previously. It's entirely my fault, I guess, but it means that this post is a lot shorter than some of the previous posts. I'll make sure to focus more in October.
Oh well - here's my little list of good things that happened throughout the month.

• A new manager took over where I work and instantly we saw positive change. He's honestly making it a better place to work and treats us like human beings.
• I worked a lot therefore I earned a lot. Always good. I'm currently saving up for a future holiday.
• I saw some good films. I saw some awful films too, but I made quite a few cinema trips this month.
• I've taken on some more responsibilities at work which puts me in good standing for future promotions. That said, I'm not sure I'll still be around by the time they're hiring. We shall see...
• I booked off some holiday time for October and will plan and book further holiday and maybe go somewhere nice.
• I wrote. I managed to write a little bit. Sure, that's not much but it's something.
• My partner and I went into London to see Miranda Sings. If you don't know who Miranda Sings is, she's a YouTube personality created by Colleen Ballinger. Miranda Sings is a spoiled singer with an inflamed ego and her warbling voice and foibles reduce me to tear-soaked laughter. The show was great - we even spotted Louis Cole and Alfie Deyes in the crowd!
• My partner and I had a wonderful day out in London where we visited the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. The Natural History Museum is, to me at least, one of the most beautiful buildings in existence. I spent a good deal of time just standing in the Hintze Hall admiring the detail in the architectural structure. It was a marvellous day.
• I met up with an old friend for drinks and a walk in the forest. It was brief but it was good.
• Some exciting plans were made for the future.
• I've started some serious planning which will mean I get to travel before the end of the year
• My partner started her new job and I'm honestly so, so proud of her. This is a really big step for us as a couple and her earnings will be saved up for our future. 
• My partner and I took my mother out for drinks and we all had the chance to chat and bond over a bottle of wine.

The Giver: Review + Response

I recently went to see The Giver. Following a spattering of dystopian book-based films for young adults (Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, Divergent) I went to see the most recent addition to the genre. Based on the 1993 novel of the same name I was pleasantly surprised by this refreshing film however it did leave me scratching my head with too many leftover questions about the plot.

The film follows Jonas, a young boy who lives in a seemingly Utopian society where pain and fear have been eliminated along with all other emotions. In their community, they must use precise language. Their job is selected for them at the end of their childhood. Jonas is given the role of Receiver of Memory, a high position where he will one day be used to help the council elders with their decisions on how to govern the people. This was a strong film but not the strongest out there. It poses as an interesting coming of age story in a world where Jonas has the ability to really open his mind and question his surroundings, a message that many youth today could benefit from listening to. This, however, is a message we're quite familiar with from dystopian media so it was a fine instalment but nothing ground-breaking. Also after her brush with scientology it was really interesting seeing Katie Holmes play someone wrapped up in a controlling society. It was an interesting cinematic piece as most of the film was in black and white thus giving it a real visual appeal with the use of colour and monochromatic scenes. This is definitely worth seeing and it really sets up what could be a larger narrative.

My questions at the moment are: Why does the Receiver of Memory receive memories of other people? How can they enter the minds of others to see into their memories? How does penetrating the wall (on a sledge, no less) unlock the minds of the townspeople? Why do they suddenly see the memories of people long before their time? Where is he taking Gabriel? Why do they have the marks on their arm? Thankfully the book that inspired the film is part of a series of four books so I hope that the film earns enough money and success to make a sequel. If not, I shall order and read the books.

Tunesday is on the way!

Hi guys!

Following the recent announcement that I will stop doing song of the day and start doing tunesday (a weekly instalment rather than a daily one) I thought I'd scribble down a quick update. I'll be starting in October. If you remember, last year I worked really hard to have a Halloween themed song for every day in October for maximum spooky power! This year, I need to take a bit of a back seat as preparing a song for every day of the month takes up a lot of my time. Thank you for being patient - I promise to bring some cool, fresh tunes for you and I hope you enjoy what I have in store.

Many thanks.

Trailers For Upcoming Films I'd Like To See

So this is a segment I've only started doing again fairly recently. I post a handful of film trailers for films I have seen recently. In sharing them with you I hope to inspire you to seek out films that may not be big blockbusters so that we can all support the wide film industry. Here are some trailers for films that I've chosen to share with you...

In Secret

Here we go - a good Victorian murder flick!
A woman, displeased with her arranged marriage to a husband who cannot satisfy her passions, begins a heated affair with an artist and the two eventually murder her husband to be together.
With sex, murder and secrecy it looks like it could be a promising flick.







13 Sins

From dark... to something darker.
This film looks harrowingly brilliant as it explores what depth we will go to just to earn money. This looks like a suspense filled thriller that I'd love to see.









Into The Woods

After the success of Maleficent, I'm really excited to see Disney's next big budget, live action film. It boasts such an excellent, star-studded cast and promises a lot of fun. From what I've heard, it's based on the Broadway musical and I have no knowledge of the musical. I've not heard a song, I know nothing of the plot-line so this is an eagerly anticipated one for me.

Sex Tape: Review + Response

I've seen so many films recently that I meant to write a review for. Into The Storm, Before I Go To Sleep, Lucy... All of them were better than Sex Tape and far more worthy of a review but here we go, this is the review I'll start with.

I went to see Sex Tape and shared the cinema screening room with one horny (and potentially rather drunk) couple who spent the entire film laughing manically and falling over each other mid make out session. Sex Tape will pander to that kind of American Pie loving audience. I went to see the film with very low expectations. It didn't exceed those low expectations.

Sex sells: that's why people have gone to see this movie. Our culture is so obsessed with sex that it was sure to get butts into seats. The film follows Jay and Annie, played by Jason Segel and Cameron Diaz, who are an older couple with two kids and they are struggling to re-kindle their sex lives. One night they decide to really spice things up by making a sex tape having had a discussion about porn. Then, disaster strikes, Jay forgets to delete the sex tape and manages to sync the iPad he filmed the sex tape on with several other devices. Now their sex tape is available to many of their friends and family and they go on a not-so-thrilling adventure to get the sex tapes back. They have managed to send it to Annie's mother, their best friends, Annie's new boss... It begs the question: Who has that many iPads to give away? Who is so wealthy that they can afford to give iPads away to people they've just met? Who gives their mail man an iPad? Who? What? How? This film seems so stupidly unrealistic to be believed. Though the film isn't as smutty as you'd imagine, it's just darn silly. It didn't arouse my interest and the film was (excuse the pun) somewhat anti-climactic. It wasn't funny. It wasn't sexy. By the end it's some weird family-focused farce that is too far-fetched to enjoy. The film was a feeble attempt at humour that didn't bring out a laugh in me and I left as soon as the credits hit the screen. This was a real flop for me. An over the top wild goose chase...

I'm not sure if this film is a good or bad advert for Apple products.

Recommended Reads!

Hello, petals!
It's Wednesday again which means it's time for recommended reads, that glorious weekly segment where I offer up a few links to things I've spotted around the internet and share them with you. In doing so, I aim to give you some different and new things to look at and experience. I hope that you enjoy them too.

Here are my picks for this week:

• Here's a blog with financial advice for anyone interested in being a screenwriter 
• If you DO want to consider screen writing then why not check out this cool script writing software
• Are you a vegetarian? Interested in trying veggie food? Here are some quick and easy vegetarian recipes
• Housing in your area too expensive? Why not look at this post on different housing alternatives? It might just persuade you that brick and mortar isn't the only way to live...
• Ever wanted to learn how to draw anime/manga? Here's a whole wealth of information on how to do that.

DIY TIME

So it's September, time when many of you are going back to school.
Don't be sad - let's get crafty instead!
This is a DIY master post. I do one each month and they simply contain info on cool DIY projects you could do. Some are from blog posts or YouTube tutorial videos etc. Either way, the idea is to inspire you to to and make new things because DIY is fun and important.
Here are my picks for the month:

• Here are several back to school DIY projects. It shows you how to make a colourful calendar to stay organised, how to make a pretty memory board from a patterned fabric and how to create a personalised pencil holder for your desk.
• How to make some cool, personalised notebooks.
• How to make a custom notebook from an old cereal box
• How to actually MAKE your own ruck sack for the new school year
• More ways to spice up your notebooks.
• How to make cute fabric bows
• DIY Dry Erase Board
• DIY Journal Smash Book and Wall Organizer

Recommended Reads!

Hello my little pixies,
It's Wednesday!
Wednesday means one thing!
Actually... Wednesday means quite a few things.
Okay, but here on this blog, Wednesday means it's time for recommended reads. Recommended reads is a segment where I suggest a few things from around the internet and share them with you in the hopes that you'll enjoy them too.

Here are my picks for this week:

• Ever seen the film or read the book Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistlestop Cafe? It's one of my favourite films and I hope to soon read the book. I found a cool recipe for fried green tomatoes which I'm gonna have to try. 
• Here are some bucket lists that will hopefully inspire you to write your own.
• Though the article is from 2013, here are some resolutions you should make to improve your overall health and beauty.
• Here are 4 Terrifying Psychology Lessons Behind Movie Monsters 
• 'We Found Our Son In The Subway', a heart-wrenching tale about abandonment, love and family bonds.

Anne Rice's 'Sleeping Beauty' To Be Adapted For Television

Well, the positive Anne Rice news just keeps pouring in!

First we were treated to the announcement of a follow up novel to her Vampire Chronicles: Prince Lestat (a book that will surely be the literary highlight of my year)
Secondly, news hit that filming has begun on her eagerly anticipated Christ The Lord.
Now news is coming out that her Sleeping Beauty novels, a series of erotica published under the name A. Roquelaure, are to be turned into a television series. This seems like a very positive move as the 50 Shades of Grey movie is set for release in early 2015. This could mark a rise in popularity for the erotica genre. Anne Rice always seems very positive and open about the possibility of her work being adapted for screen.

2014 seems to be a great year for Anne Rice - long may she reign.

Time For A Holiday

I'm starting to think about taking a little holiday somewhere. Next month I want to go back to the town in which I attended university and in November I'm thinking about going abroad somewhere nice. If I do, expect some cool travel articles and reviews. If you have any recommendations for cheap holiday destinations in Europe, let me know in the comments.

Motivational Monday: Keep Moving Forward

We all get the that awful point where we want to throw in the towel. We feel like we're not achieving the things we want to be achieving. We're not going the places we want to be going. This could be with our careers, our personal lives. I think sometimes we don't realise all of the little things we do and how valid it is just to keep going. Sure, we may not be getting the rewards we seek right now but as long as you keep going that's admirable.

Sometimes you've got to remind yourself that just moving forward can be enough.
It is enough.

Trailers for 2014 Movies I'd Like To See

Hey gang!
I've just gotten back into doing these little posts. I post some trailers for a few 2014 films that I like the look of. If you like them too then go see them, check them out on DVD. I have a real passion for film so I want to share it with you to hopefully spark your interest as well.

Here are my trailer picks for this week:

In Your Eyes

Well, we all know that I'm a sucker for anything made my Joss Whedon.
This looks like a really sweet idea of supernatural love. I'd really love to watch this. Sure, we all get a bit sick of rom coms but this seems like a really sweet twist on your typical lovey flick.

After The Dark

This film looks really interesting.
In some post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller where people are trying to figure out who gets to survive based on their skills from previous careers I think there's potential for the basis of a great movie. This trailer alone has my interest. Here's another trailer that more adequately shows the nature of the film.

Foxfire

I really love the look of this film - it's a flick about a bunch of girls who, unsatisfied with how men and society treat them, decide to take matters into their own hands and become a notorious girl gang. The trailer doesn't give too much away about the plot of the film as a whole so it leaves me curious and wanting more.






The Face Of Love

This one looks really interesting.
I love Annette Bening as an actress and the world is going to want to see the last few films graced by Robin Williams. As someone who has found the one true love of their life, I often fear losing that love. A film following a widow who is grieving and trying to cope with it in her own way seems like a really compelling film.

Will Underworld Be Awakening? The Underworld Franchise Is Set For Future Reboot

News has emerged that the Underworld franchise is set for a reboot in the not too distant future. Lakeshore Entertainment is working on the project and, although it is in the early stages of production, Priest script writer Cory Goodman is set to work on the project so things are starting to take form. The films follow Death-Dealer, vampire-chick Selene (as played by Kate Beckinsale) on a seemingly never ending war between lycans and vampires. In the last instalment, Underworld: Awakening, vampires and lycans had put aside their differences to take on a new threat: humans. The most recent Underworld movie (Underworld: Awakening) was the first Underworld movie to be shot for 3D screenings which shows that the producers and directors aren't afraid to take creative risks. Nothing about plot lines or characters is known so far about the reboot. Here's hoping that the Underworld reboot has a promising future as these films are my guilty pleasure.

Silver Linings Search: August

Oops! This post is coming a few days late but better late than never, right?

Goodness, the year is literally whizzing past! I'm glad I've been keeping a record of the nice things from this year. I think I'll continue it into 2015. If you're a regular to this blog then you know the drill... I write down and document little positive things from the past month to remind myself that good things happen.

• A few strangers said things to me that made me realise there is better out there for me and it really changed my perspective on things. It has pushed me to re-focus my aims and career prospects. 
• I've been writing again and jotting down ideas whilst outlining writing plans for the next few years of my life. I really love having a plan and having ambition. 
• I finished reading Bird Box by Josh Malerman this month and OH MY GOODNESS, YOU HAVE TO READ IT. This book HAS to be a movie. Soon. Please, world.
• *cough* Also, Josh Malerman liked one of my tweets which means he knows that I exist.
• Oh, and then I found out that a Bird Box movie is in the works. Thank you, Jesus!
• We threw a great farewell party for an old friend. My partner whipped up a feast, spending the entire day cooking, and created a marvellous meal, including the best Yorkshire puddings I've ever had.
• My partner and I had the opportunity to take care of the cutest, cuddliest little dog. Since my dog passed away in February I've missed puppy cuddles.
• ANNE RICE READ MY FREAKING BLOG. SHE SHARED A LINK TO IT ON HER PAGE! ANNE RICE HAS BEEN ON THIS BLOG! Seriously, I'm still not over it. She's one of my idols as a writer and as a human being.
• I went out and bought little random things like mugs, home ornaments, books, scented candles. Some are things for when I have my own home, others are for now. I do love a little bit of retail therapy.
• I bought a ton of awesome books.
• My partner and I joined the band Bad Pollyanna on their London leg of The Punishment Tour with William Control. Bad Pollyanna are a great band and are friends of ours from up North. It was so great to see them again. We offered to turn up and sell their merchandise and hopefully managed to make them some money. We also got into the gig for free. I hope William Control remembered me from out last meeting...
• We rescued some lovely ex battery hens. We've been rehoming rescued hens for years but these are by far the worst we've ever taken in. They came to us practically de-feathered, their skin irritated and red. They're all coming along so well and, in time, I hope they'll be wonderful additions to our chicken community. 
• One morning, my partner woke me up with breakfast in bed like when we just had started dated. Wonderful <3
• I did a huge clear out of my room and got rid of some old clothes and stuff lying around. Clearing out old stuff sometimes can be really cathartic. 
• In the cleaning process I managed to find some good MAC Cosmetics make up that I'd never used but put away last Christmas. Suddenly I had lots of good, expensive make up like a gift from my past self.
• I met some rather heart wrenchingly wonderful people whilst at work. They opened up and told me their stories and really inspired me. I managed to give them gifts to take away with them. I know it won't fix the things they're struggling with but it was the least that I could do. Both encounters were truly humbling experiences. 
• I set up a romantic Scavenger Hunt for my partner which lead us both around the places we visited in the weeks running up to the day we became a couple. It was quite cute and really romantic and reminded us of how much love we have for each other.
• I finally met my partner's granny who was lovely and gave us her blessing. It was really important to my partner that I meet her grandmother and I'm so glad that I did. She's such a strong, loving woman who always marched to the beat of her own drum. These qualities, I feel, have been passed down to my partner. 
• Two different people asked me out on dates. It was very sweet, and although I had to turn them down as I'm already taken, I found it all very flattering. 
• I got to spend some quality time with my father. We went to see a lot of films together. I went with him to a football game. We took a tour around Camden. We went to an art exhibition.
• My father and I went to 512 Hours, the Marina Abramovic exhibition. It was such a wonderful experience. If you want to see my review of it, it's up on The Huffington Post website. 
• I started writing short stories again. Yay!
• I received some lovely gifts from my family including some beautiful silver earrings from my cousin Wilma who visited all the way from New Zealand. I did feel a little bit spoiled and thankful for such a wonderful and supportive family.
• I got callbacks for some jobs!
• I've lost a wee bit of weight. I'm looking good. No, I don't feel that is a big-headed thing to say. I get to love my body and celebrate my progress. 
• I started preparing for NaNoWriMo. I'm hoping I can get a novel done by the end of the year. I don't know why it scares me so much.

Recommended Reads

Hello lovelies!
It's time for our wonderful weekly segment: recommended reads!
It's a segment where I share a few links to cool things on the internet so you can check them out too. Maybe you'll enjoy them also.

Here are my picks for the week:

• How To Tell If You're A Woman In A Michael Bay Film
• Wanna set up your own website? Here's some info on how to set up a domain name. 
• Wondering what to do this summer? Here's a list of things to keep you entertained and on the go this summer!
• Senior Citizens Show How Tatoos Look On Aged Skin... AWESOME AS HELL. 
• To finish off, here's an important article about the impact of cigarette butts on our environment. This is definitely an article everyone should read.