Giddiness Over The Last Airbender

In case you did not know I have a degree in Film and Video. My love of cinema makes me keep an open mind to new shows, movies and yes, even animation. I was living with my then in-laws when I caught the very first episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I was making my former nephew observe a much needed time-out break on the sofa. He did not find it interesting but I was hooked.

Last year while indulging in my latest childhood-nostalgia-turned-summer-blockbuster-movie I saw the preview for this movie and immediately turned into a kid. Think I lost cool points with my date, he had no idea who Aang was and had the nerve to ask me what was an Airbender? (He lost cool points for that one)

I have been looking forward to this movie for a solid year. You can find the original Nick animated series here. I am a little worried about M. Knight being the producer, he is known to be a little Tarantino-esque with his thinking but the original storyline and Japanese animation were simply awesome and got better with each season. This film is sure to have a major following.

This is the original opening from the animated series. Yes, I have seen every episode. Would love to have the box set on DVD.

Intro. A clip from Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Complete Book 2 Collection. @ Yahoo! Video

This is the original full-length movie trailer (the one that had me jumping out my seat screaming at the big screen "No! Can't be...It's Aang! It's the Avatar!") does a pretty good job at explaining the characters and storyline.




This trailer is better if you like action. Not sure of the effects translating from animation to real life but it looks promising.




I think I am going to take my 11-year-old cousin, when I mentioned the film he was the only one as excited as I was. I know where I will be for at least two hours this holiday weekend :-)



Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

Humans, Our OWN Worst Enemy

The place that holds many of my childhood memories now looks like this:



I agree with the Governor of Florida, it breaks my heart to see the photos of my beloved Pensacola Beach covered in oil. This CNN article has photos of a murky brown beach that was once coveted for its white sand.

My heart remembers what it looked like and the wildlife that was always there to greet you when you stepped foot out of your car. I remember the days when my entire extended family would pack up everyone and spend the day on the white sand, playing in the waves, making burgers on the grill, the sea gulls crying for bread and the coolers (one for the adults and one for the children). I remember not even a year ago when I accompanied my sister and her hubby as we took my niece to the beach for the first time.

Sadly my sister and I stood in almost the exact same spot that a few of these photos were taken:



In my mind it will forever look like this:



Humans...so often we are our OWN worst enemy. *sigh*




Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

And Like That...He's Gone

I tried.

Tried to look past the things I did not like and enjoy the things I did.

Yes, he was kind. Yes, he saw me. Was understanding and patient with my damaged heart. I appreciated it. But some things can not be changed. I attended a few of his events. He is a good DJ and plays to his crowd. Almost makes it effortless but the Man Behind the Mic syndrome is funny to me. I noticed at the last event he started to stay behind the DJ table more than usual. I laughed until I cried when one chick stopped at the table and literally bent over in front of him in a barely there dress.

Really? Are we that desperate now? Wow...simply wow.

I've dealt with my issues of him being younger, having a past with one of my acquaintances and being a member of the Blue & White fam. But the son and the son's mother is pushing me over the edge.

I always attract dads, they either have custody of their children or share custody. Please don't get me wrong it is a trait I find extremely attractive but at times as a woman without children it can be frustrating. He has his son for the summer. A very hyper and rambunctious 3-year-old. I am not a fan of meeting family or children until we know what we are doing and what type of 'relationship' this it. I avoided meeting the son for weeks until he blatantly asked for me to come hang out with them.

It was way too soon.

This little boy jumped in the sofa, yelled at me to play with him, jumped and rolled in my lap and almost kicked me in the face. Thank God I have great reflexes. All dad said was 'calm down' a few times.

Ummm...ok.

I was sent barreling over the edge when dad was making lunch and I told the son to stop jumping in the sofa. He stopped jumping, looked me dead in the eye and said 'No' before continuing to jump. I knew it was time to go before I snatched this kid up and tore his little ass out the frame. I was not raised that way and could picture myself jacking him up against a wall. Who am I to discipline your child when you will not?

I am dating with a slightly different purpose now. I still date for fun and enjoyment but also to see if we fit into each others worlds. I can see myself having issue with him because of his disciplinary beliefs. Not to mention mom calls every two hours and he walks the house while talking to her. What are you saying that you can't say in front of me?

You can not be that worried or interested in your child staying with his father because he would behave much differently if you were. If you took the amount of time with him you spent calling over the summer when he is with you he would have better manners. Yes, I know what 3-year-olds are like. I taught pre-school for three years and guess what blog fam? You got it - I had the 3-year-old room complete with 21 of them.

I love children and would like to have a house filled with children's laughter. To help mold the next generation of leaders and genuine good people. But this situation?

Not good. No warm fuzzies there.

There are a lot of warning signs and this time I'm listening.



P.S. - You get MAD cool points if you can name the film that inspired the title of this post.



Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

Damaged

As I sit here waisting my life away at the DMV I decided to give this mobile blogging thing a try.

Damaged
So Damaged
I thought that I should let you know
My heart is damaged
So Damaged
And you can blame the one before....

Tell me are you up for the challenge
'Cause my heart is damaged.
Lyrics from - Danity Kane


It is true.

My heart is damaged.

In being pursued I am very honest with my suitor and myself and I know just how damaged I am. In being honest with myself I have confessed my shortcomings, explained why I like moving in tortoise speed and am leery of words. He says he understands. Looks me in the eye when he asks me to "stop running" and will tell me when I can't even realize it "you're running again."

He is patient, he is kind. I wonder if I will get tired of running before he tires of the chase. It is not done on purpose. It is almost instinct. There is no maliciousness in my running and I sincerely do not wish to hurt him. My past creeps up on me like a ninja in the night - totally unexpected and unforgiving. I have come a long way in this healing process but have a long way to go before I am fully healed. Often I wonder if I will ever heal completely?

I have emerged carefully from behind my wall a few times and immediately retreated to its safety when things became too intense too quickly. He looks at me and sees me. I wonder if what he says is true. If his actions are sincere or rehearsed.

Only time will tell.



Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

Storm Breaker...Six Kids

Thought I would keep the mood light before tackling more issues. My sister sent this to me and I thought it was hilarious...Enjoy!!!


Six Kids

A guy boards a plane followed by six kids.

The flight attendant says "Awwww, are these your kids?"

The man responds "No. I work for Trojan, these are customer complaints!"



Awwwwww, come on. These are just jokes! :-)

Peace & Blessings...

Meditating in Mexico

I found her.

I went on my very first cruise and I found myself again. I had lost her in the drama of the world and somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico I found this woman who was exhausted from wandering. She whispered in my ear and took her rightful place in my life. Like she had lived there all along and had never disappeared.

My cousin and I took our first trip 'sister girl' trip together. It was a cruise to Mexico. We went with a group of about 20-30 people and had a great time.

Before the ship left the dock

I can scratch taking a cruise off my 50 things to do list. As well as drinking tequila and Salsa dancing in Mexico. I had to convince this Cuban guy named Leo that I was not Cuban or of any Hispanic decent. He seemed convinced I was Hispanic because of the way I Salsa. I have to tell my instructor he complimented him on his teaching methods :)

Every morning I would wake up early, put on my swimsuit, hat and sunglasses and find a quiet spot on the deck to enjoy the breeze and watch the waves. There are no words to explain the feeling of being there in the moment. My phone turned on airplane mode, slow music playing softly in my ears and the serenity that came with it. No sense of time and no sense of urgency to be anywhere by a deadline.

I looked like this every day - only the swimsuit changed



My morning view looked like this



This was considered the cloudy day

I meditated, thought out some feelings/conflicts and just enjoyed myself, enjoyed the company of nice people and great drinks. Sitting alone or with a group I always met someone. Some very nice ladies from Toledo, a Jean-Claude Van Dame look-alike from Tampa, a group from Detroit and countless others.

By the time we set sail to return from our destination we knew our crew members by name and began to learn more about them. It was great to be on a smaller boat because you really get the chance to enjoy the company of new friends. You began to see the same faces and they remember you as well.

The sunset and nights with a full moon on the water were absolutely breathtaking. I would spend every evening with a group of photographers trying to capture what we were seeing on digital film. Every photo was great but did not come close to seeing it in person. Thank God my camera also does video. It took exactly 1 minute and 30 seconds for the sun to dip into the water.



The only down side is I did not get my passport stamped but this view and the sampling of tequila more than made up for it.

The ships docked in Mexico

I have learned enough Spanish to communcate in port, one lady started speaking to me in French and became really confused when I responded to that as well :)

The travel bug has bitten both my cousin and I and we are already looking for great deals and our next 'sister girl' destination.

Watch out world...here we come!


Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...