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Author Archives: onlymystory

About onlymystory

I love the Fs, pop culture and mythology. Fs being food, faith, friends, family, football and fall.

Launching My Etsy Store

This is one of those things that really should have happened like six months ago. But you know how you have ideas or you work on ideas but you never really get anything all the way done? That’s been me. However, the last couple weeks my good friend Erin and I have been talking about needing to get on the ball as far as some of our side projects go. See, I don’t do well in standard 9-5 jobs. It’s just never been my style. I work graveyard shifts right now and it’s pretty much perfect for me. Unfortunately it’s not enough. Student loans are a money suck. Anyway, long story short is that the first thing on the list in my attempts to earn a little extra money is to finally launch my Etsy store.

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This Means War

Reese Witherspoon once said in an interview that she chooses to do more romantic comedies and lighthearted movies because when she goes to a movie, she wants to escape. She certainly didn’t insult indie films or the actors in them, noting that great work can come from more depressing fare. But for her, she likes to have a couple hours to escape from the world, so she makes movies that help people do that. I’ve always loved that opinion because it’s one I share. When I see a movie, I want one that takes me away from the world I actually live in. “This Means War” did just that.

It was a fun movie and clever for what it was. Look, I’m not going to nominate it for an Oscar obviously but if you want a feel good romantic comedy that doesn’t completely pander to the audience, “This Means War” is an excellent choice. I laughed, quite hard at some points and let me tell you, neither Chris Pine or Tom Hardy are bad gentlemen to stare at through a movie. And Reese Witherspoon has the cutest outfits. I want like all of them.

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Posted by on May 1, 2012 in Movies

 

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Dance Academy: “Make a Group of Friends You’ll Know for the Rest of Your Life”

Dance Academy is Center Stage meets Dawson's Creek & My So Called Life in Australia.

There’s this show. This amazing, wonderful, touching, soapy, delightful show called Dance Academy. I started watching Dance Academy last week after my friend Melissa (@phantomrat) confessed to really enjoying it. There are currently 2 seasons, each with 26 half hour episodes. I finished the series in 3 days. Nonstop, up all night, three day marathon. There’s been a bit of a domino effect too with fellow twitter friends. We’ve all mainlined the show like it was TV crack (which it is) and become completely obsessed. And to the credit of everyone watching, no one is revealing what happens in the last few episodes of season 2, so that everyone can enjoy it unspoiled. That’s a rare gift in TV marathoning. With that in mind, I will be discussing the end and several other major plot developments so if you are not done with the show, STOP READING AND COME BACK WHEN YOU ARE. TRUST ME.

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Posted by on April 30, 2012 in Let's Talk TV, Uncategorized

 

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TVD Chicago Review

If anyone spent time on twitter this last weekend, you probably saw quite a few tweets about TVD Chicago. Creation Entertainment held their second ever Vampire Diaries Con in Chicago. Overall, I do believe it was a successful con. It was my first show specific con and it didn’t make me hate them (always a plus). Some of the issues I had weren’t those of others and the atmosphere seemed pretty satisfied. I’m also not interested in autographs or photo-ops so my impression wasn’t affect by this part of the con. My focus was on the panels and vendor room.

*My friend Erin (@entertainocd) should be posting her own review at winestainedlife.com. She did do photo-ops with Paul and autographs with everyone but Torrey so I’d look to her for that part of the experience.*

I am also writing up a personal post about my overall trip, which will have more to say about some parts but this is my official review.

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Posted by on April 22, 2012 in Life Moments & Observations

 

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The Originals: A Familae Semper Fidelis Chapter 3

Klaus turned as James walked into the room, a small notebook in his hand.

“Is that it?” asked Klaus, reaching for the book.

“Every werewolf and potential werewolf in New York & the surrounding area,” noted James, handing it over. “I included addresses and pack information where available.”

“Excellent,” replied Klaus. “Thank you, James.”

“Of course, sir. Will there be anything else?”

“No, that will be all.” Klaus dismissed James and returned to the book. He and Kol had discussed the need for advanced security a few days ago. They needed more warning than  enemy knocking on the front door. Klaus suggested sentries, posting lookouts in shifts throughout the city and outlying areas. He felt that a combination of vampires and protected humans would work.

It was Kol who had suggested hybrids and Klaus quickly agreed. Hybrids were naturally loyal to him which meant he didn’t need to spend as much time checking up on employees. And as Kol pointed out, hybrids were immune to the restrictions of the sun. Klaus had James put a list together, including anyone who had yet to trigger their werewolf gene. Klaus wasn’t risking his security network on incomplete information.

Klaus marked several pages in the book. He wanted loner wolves, those who had hinted at wanting to be hybrids, or people with no family who had yet to trigger the change. Wolves in packs weren’t as open to the hybrid idea. Klaus wasn’t ready to risk making an enemy who could go after Caroline by turning the wrong hybrid. Once he had his list of wolves to turn, Klaus grabbed a few vials of Elena’s blood from the secure storage locker and headed out.

It took only a few minutes to reach his first stop. A young wolf named Allie had been going out with them socially and become close with Rebekah. She was rather infatuated with the idea of hybrids in general, though not specifically with him. Caroline had made quite certain that Allie understood the need for distinction on that front.

He rapped loudly on the apartment door. “Allie? It’s Klaus. May I come in?”

Allie swung open the door. Like most wolves, she kept a simple style. Jeans and boots with a loose oxford knotted over a black tank top. She looked slightly puzzled at Klaus’ sudden appearance at her door. “Klaus? What’s going on?” She stepped aside to let him in the apartment. He’d been over a week ago with Caroline so the official invitation was no longer necessary.

“I’m curious,” said Klaus. “Do you have any interest in gaining a few powers?”
Abby smiled. “You’re making hybrids.” It was more of a statement than a question but she still paused to allow Klaus to confirm her conclusion with a brief nod. “Then I’m very interested. What’s the catch?”

“I need sentries throughout the city,” explained Klaus. He saw no point in hiding his purpose. Those who were on board would be leaders in his security team. Those who weren’t…well Klaus found anyone could be persuaded eventually.

“So what do you need from me?” asked Allie. She had already rolled up her sleeves to leave her veins open. The wolf was very familiar with how the hybrid transformation process worked. She also knew that Klaus didn’t tell people about his plans until he was ready to execute them.

“Leadership. Once you turn, I want you heading up a team to watch this particular neighborhood. If an enemy makes it into the city undetected, I don’t want to find out in my living room.” Klaus spoke matter of factly but his tone made it very clear what would happen to a sentry who let a threat slip by.

Allie nodded. “Okay.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “And what do I get in return?”

Klaus as slightly taken aback. Not that he was overly surprised that someone would want to make a deal, he just hadn’t expected Allie (or any of the wolves) to realize they could ask until they’d been turned. And then of course his own feelings on the matter would persuade them not to ask. His demeanor reflected none of these thoughts as he answered Allie. “My protection.”

“Regardless of whether I am currently working for your family,” insisted Allie. “And I want Mikaelson protection, not just yours. Can you grant me that?”

“Clever. Very well, for so long as I, or a member of my family is capable, we will protect you if necessary for so long as you are loyal to us.” He reached out to shake Allie’ hand to seal the deal.

“Swear it,” said Allie.

Now Klaus was truly impressed. While Originals were known for keeping their word, it could still be broken. Swearing invoked an ancient magic, sealing the promiser to his words. To break a sworn oath was risking death, no matter what your supernatural ancestry.He wouldn’t offer this deal to most wolves, or anyone, but the fact that Allie was smart enough to ask was enough to make him agree. It would also further secure her loyalty, making her the perfect leader for his troops. And Klaus was no stranger to a well-worded oath.

“This I swear,” he said now, uttering the words that would secure his oath.

Allie smiled. “Shall we then?”

Klaus bit into his arm and held it out for her to drink. Allie drank quickly and cleanly, leaving only a single trickle of blood as the wound healed.

“Apologies for this next part,” said Klaus, before reaching out and snapping Allie’s neck. As the wolf collapsed, Klaus set her on the couch until she woke up. While he waited, Klaus walked through Allie’s house, familiarizing himself with as many details as possible.

As Klaus snooped through Allie’s things he took note of a few details. She lived simply but comfortably, utilizing older furniture over the latest trends. Her personal items were limited, easy to move if necessary, but clearly important. A worn stuffed dog sat on Allie’s bed, pictures were in banged up frames, and a few journals sat on a nightstand.

Klaus didn’t look in the diaries. People still lied to themselves and journals were no exception. The best clues to a person’s self, to their character were always found in the day to day details.

More important to Klaus was the reading material he found on a locked shelf. Allie had the shelf hidden behind another to keep it safe and presumably hidden from unwanted guests. The books and papers he found showed clear research and notes on the powers of vampries and werewolves. Allie’s own notes separated truth from fiction (with a high level of accuracy) and had information recorded from recent hybrids. Allie was careful and thorough. There weren’t plans of takeovers or attempts to speculate on what could happen in various situations. Her notes simply detailed facts.

Research. Thorough research without embellishment from a supernatural meant one thing. A sense of self-preservation of epic proportions. Klaus rarely saw it in supernaturals, the desire for power was usually too strong. Katherine was one of the best. Klaus still hated the bitch but he had to respect her instincts. Vampires who pissed off Originals didn’t live long. That Katherine had at one point or another crossed every member of his family spoke volumes to her priorities.

Unlike Katherine, whose desire to look out for herself first meant her loyalties were fickle, Allie had clearly chosen a side. Her research indicated that she knew the Originals were the side to be on. In the few months Klaus had known Allie, he’s seen that once she picked a side, she stayed there even at personal cost. Which considering Kol’s hothead attitude, happened more often during their nights out than most of them cared for.

After about an hour had passed, Allie woke up with a jolt. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “That was unpleasant.”

Klaus handed Allie a vial. “This won’t be much better. Just take a small swallow. A little doppelganger goes a long way.”

Allie took a quick drink and handed the vial back to Klaus. “How long will this part take?”

“A few minutes,” he answered, as Allie started to convulse. As usual the hybrid transformation happened quickly and Allie bravely refrained from screaming during her transition.

It was when the transformation finished that Klaus realized he had a problem. Allie, as a hybrid, was no longer invited into her home. She was struggling to breathe as the magic behind the invitation attacked her.

Allie threw herself out the front door with a gasp. “Shit! Okay that part really sucked.” She inhaled deeply, trying to recover. Technically the vampire aspect meant she didn’t need air exactly but old habits die hard.

“This is a problem,” commented Klaus. One that he had no solution for.

“I can actually take care of that,” said Allie, fully recovered.

Klaus frowned. “How? You don’t have family and as a vampire you can’t exactly come inside to invite yourself in.”

“True,” answered Allie. “But in my research I picked up on a bit of wordplay. If I understand it correctly, there should be a loophole. Can you grab my phone for me?”

He picked it up off the desk and handed it to her, puzzled about the new hybrid’s plan. “What do you mean by wordplay?”

“The rules say a vampire can’t invite themselves in. It doesn’t say anything about someone’s wolf or human side being unable to extend the invitation,” clarified Allie as she searched through her phone.

“Interesting. But you’re still part vampire now. Unless you have a clone, I’m afraid you’re out of luck,” said Klaus.

“Better,” grinned Allie. “I have a voice recorder.”

The new hybrid hit play on a message. ‘Allie Kane, you are officially invited into your home.’ The message ended and Allie stepped over the threshold.

“Good thing you had that message ready to go,” said Klaus. He needed a better explanation for Allie’s preparation. A move like that was just a bit too clever.

“I did that several years ago when I first triggered my werewolf gene. I wasn’t sure if a normal vampire could turn a wolf. And I like my home too much to lose it on a technicality.” She set her phone down and poured herself a drink, handing Klaus one as well.

Klaus took a sip and waited for Allie to sit before sitting down as well. “There’s still a detail missing. You also died, that means the apartment ownership should go to whoever is named in your will. Thus negating the recorded message.”

“Ah yes,” said Allie. “Thought of that too.”

Klaus raised an eyebrow in question.

“I left the apartment to myself. Dead, alive, or undead, it’s still in my name.”

“Clever little minx,” said Klaus in admiration.

Allie shrugged. “The Boy Scout motto also applies to female werewolves.”

Klaus laughed. “Indeed. I have more people to visit today. Can you put together a shift schedule and response plan by tomorrow? I intend to have enough hybrids for you and I would prefer that you take charge of the neighborhood guard.”

“Of course,” answered Allie. “I can have it done by tomorrow morning if you want to come by and go over it. Then I can meet the other hybrids later and bring them up to speed.”

Klaus nodded, slipping his jacket on as he left. “Perfect. Thank you, Allie.”

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Posted by on April 22, 2012 in Books & Writers

 

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Quick Charmed Update

See that 5 o'clock shadow going on? That is what we call HOT AS FUCK.

Okay so I’m up to 4×6 on Charmed and I’m going to do a quick update. I was really surprised by Prue’s death which in turn surprised me because I knew that at some point Shannen Doherty left the show. But I also found it kind of frustrating because I didn’t feel like the show gave me the chance to really mourn her death. I’m wondering if a rewatch would change that since I’d know what’s coming. Otherwise, the only moment that really got to me was Piper as the fury, screaming at Prue’s grave. And wow did that break me.

As for Paige, I’m going to reserve judgment for now. Honestly, she fits like Prue & Phoebe for me right now. Nowhere near my favorite, but I don’t dislike her either. Piper just has my love as far as Halliwell sisters go.

But the real thing I wanted to comment on was how well the guys are used on the show. As most of you know, being fellow TV watchers, supporting characters can often become plot devices. But so far it seems like Charmed does a really good job of not letting Leo & Cole be around only when the girls need them.

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Posted by on April 19, 2012 in Let's Talk TV

 

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Charmed Season 2-3.6 Review

I totally meant to start writing this out when I finished season 2 but then I just kept hitting the next button on Netflix and wouldn’t you know it, I got six episodes into season 3. So my review is up to this point. First and foremost, I need to discuss how GOOD season 2 was. So many episodes felt like they could have been season finale episodes with all the action, emotion, and character development packed into each one. I talked before about “Morality Bites” an episode that still stands out as incredible to me. The “She’s a Man, Baby, A Man” episode wasn’t a favorite overall but I did love Prue as a man and that Darryl finally came out and insisted on the sisters’ help, even as he didn’t want to know the details. (Which is something I’m loving about Darryl. Andy couldn’t handle not knowing but he also couldn’t handle knowing the secrets either. Darryl seems to have a great grasp on exactly how much he can handle. Plus in that shirtless leather trench at his rave sting? AY-CA-RUMBA.)

I had a really hard time with the drowning episode since water is my greatest fear and I have this whole drowning nightmare and such. I try not to watch water movies or episodes because they give me nightmares. Seriously. So that was kind of tough but it was really well done. The following ep, “Ms. Hellfire” was almost fantastic. Bane was super fun (glad we saw him again) and Prue as a badass was great. The only frustrating part there was that the fear demon was behind it all. He was terrifying when we first met him but this time around it wasn’t the same. Kind of blah. I have a lot of favorites as you can tell. Like the baby Matthew episode when both Dan & Darryl know the baby jiggle and totally calm the kid down. MY OVARIES WERE GOING CRAZY.

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Posted by on April 11, 2012 in Let's Talk TV

 

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Charmed Season 1

I started watching Charmed this week. For the first time ever. When it first started I was still in high school, and since my parents hadn’t yet figured out not being psychotically strict, TV was off limits. Except the World Series. Anyway, the point was that if I wanted to watch a show, I was sneaking out of the house to watch it at a friend’s. Buffy & Friends won out against everything else. And then when Buffy ended & I was in college and had time to catch up on other shows it was 2003. Which meant The OC, Las Vegas, and Joan of Arcadia all premiered and Charmed again lost out. But here we are, 6 years after the show ended and I thought well if Netflix is going to be nice enough to put it on instant, I’ll give it a try.

I have to admit to being a little worried about Charmed. I love the old WB shows but when you didn’t watch them growing up, they don’t all hold up as well. I mean, they do in a way, if you watched them, you probably still love them. But I find that trying to watch some for the first time is really tough for me. Like I gave Dawson’s Creek a shot a couple years ago and other than Pacey Witter (because duh) I pretty much hated the entire thing. Felicity isn’t bad pursay, but I got halfway through S1 and gave up. Haven’t had a desire to return. And as much as I know I should start Everwood, it just seems soooo boring. All of this didn’t bode well for Charmed. But I needed something to distract me from the fact that One Tree Hill just ended so I gave it a shot.

And fell in love.

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Posted by on April 9, 2012 in Let's Talk TV

 

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Scandal: A Deliciously Addicting New Show

I think I can safely recommend Scandal as a fabulous new show that you should all be watching, especially if you like talented actors, rapid-fire dialogue, and soapy goodness. I say “think” because so far my track record with loving new shows hasn’t worked so well. Once Upon a Time and Smash were two that seemed fantastic based on the pilot and have since plummeted in quality. However, I’ve now seen two episodes of Scandal and it feels more like having a new Grey’s Anatomy in a political world. You know, soapy, gossipy, people in love with the wrong people, lots of pretty faces, and lots of under the surface damage. So I’m taking a shot and recommending it.

Henry Ian Cusick is absolutely fabulous (as always) as is the rest of the cast. But the true revelation is Kerry Washington. She’s a talented actress but she’s blowing me away in this role. Kerry is just sooo good. You’ll love her. Plus the romantic dynamics and the banter are great. And those of you who are Hart of Dixie fans may enjoy seeing Judson in the pilot episode. The first two episodes are available on hulu if you want to watch. Let me know what you think!

 
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Posted by on April 7, 2012 in Let's Talk TV

 

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Goodnight Tree Hill

The day is finally here. The series finale of One Tree Hill. Oh there’s still the occasional question of would there be a new generation or a reunion down the road and such but we all know the show is over. The cast and most of the crew have moved on, booking other shows, movies, or writing books. It all ends tonight. Several months ago the cast said goodnight to Tree Hill and tonight we do the same. I won’t pretend that I’m okay with this. Hell, my eyes are watering just writing this post. (A post that has taken me about six months to nail down completely so you’ll have to put up with its serious length). I started watching One Tree Hill about halfway through S5. When the show first started it just wasn’t on my radar. I tried giving it a shot in S2 and was like oh hell no. (I know now that was a bad idea. Not that S2 is totally awful, it’s just not a great selling point.) And then a friend insisted I watch and so I agreed. I, like so many other people I know, hated it at first. I thought wow this was boring, stupid, and just awful. And then something changed. I know that it was around Nathan & Haley’s first kiss that I found people to care about. But to this day I can’t pinpoint what made me go from “this isn’t so bad” to “I have to marathon all 5 seasons in a week and then rewatch it several times over.” One Tree Hill sneaks into your heart and ensures that you’ll never want to leave.

There are a few things that I will love most about One Tree Hill and its characters.

1) I love the way this show can take a character that I hate and turn it into one I love. Nathan Scott, Quentin Fields, and Chris Keller are prime examples of these. I couldn’t stand Q for the longest time. And then of course, he started to become a better guy, not a teenage asshat and I started to like him. Especially during his interactions with Jamie. Talk about adorable! But when he died in “Have Cape, Wear Cape, Fly”, I bawled my eyes out. I didn’t realize how attached I’d been. Ever since, I grow a little more attached to Q early on and end up crying that much harder by the time his death returns.

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Posted by on April 4, 2012 in Let's Talk TV

 

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