BLOGAVERSARY!!!!!!

Can you believe it … Aug. 2, 2014  … 11 years ago …. we posted our “test post” which frankly didn’t have much on it but it was a start. It was the push that propelled everything else that followed. It was the “first post” and yeah we could have stopped there but we didn’t we just kept pushing through. On August 3^rd we did an introduction post about what the blog was going to be and more importantly what it wasn’t going to be and then we did some introductions to each of us … myself .. and my partner in crime Golden.

 This blog started out as a way to take two people being crushed by the world and help them remember that they have it in them to be creative. Golden did this for me and I know that but having her along the way gave me … I don’t know a sense that if I didn’t see it through I’d be letting her down as much as letting myself down. So I’m grateful she came on this ride with me. Truth is she’s better at this than I ever wanted to be. The way she uses words like a paint brush to tell a story fills me with an envy that I can’t fully express.

 That August was a good month for us with 27 posts but then again it was new, exciting and we went to Dragon Con which always helps with content. Here I sit … again looking our 10 year anniversary of Dragon Con (it really feels like we’ve been going longer but my calculations say 10 years so 10 it is – math is hard yall) and I can’t wait for that 4 day break with my bestie. I need it and more important she needs it. We might just veg the entire time playing video games but we’ll at least be doing it in the same room.

 A lot has changed for Golden and I over these 11 years. She’s changed jobs for one. Sometimes I think it’s for the better but other times I’m not so sure. I’ve gotten a few promotions at work and am now leading a team of people which is very daunting and I’m not sure I like it at all. She’s been through a few fur babies, which were really tough to watch her go through cause as you know dear reader I’m too far away to just go over and make sure she’s ok.  We have both lost family members along the way, and we have both also gained family members, which has been more fun than the losing. We’ve gone on a few more trips, most recently to Atlanta to see the StayKids which I admit was far more fun than I anticipated.  Sickness we have both dealt with our fair shar of sickness over the years mine mostly watching others be sick and Golden being my Medical Marvel. Neither of us really use Twitter (I refuse to call it anything else) as much as we used too but have migrated to other platforms. Social Media has always been a cesspool and now it’s somehow worse.

 I admit finding content to post here without a lot of feedback wasn’t always easy so I started little challenges for myself. The thankfulness challenge in 2014 was particular a highlight for me as it was a post a day for the month of November and I succeeded. Is every post worth a read … not really but there are 30 posts in the month of November and for that I am proud. I tried it again in 2019 and it was equally successful. Maybe I bring it back this year?

When we started this blog we said we’d not “teach you anything” but like the former journalist that I wanted to be I added but we might … which helped open the door for my Blog with a Purpose posts that focused on a few charities that Golden and I have supported over the years. I hope those were interesting cause I really enjoyed writing them.

Oh and the greatest challenge of all is that this blog got me writing again. Here of late I’ve been doing my Writing prompt challenge, which has been interesting. However, over the years I used this to share some of my original  fiction which was both fun and scary at the same time.

Several reoccurring themes have popped up too including music, books, tv, the aforementioned drama with fur babies, etc., which has also helped in keeping this thing going. Oh and I’ve wasted a post or two a year on my silly TV movie calendars for Halloween and Christmas and while that is slowing down I don’t see it stopping soon. Tho Microsoft doing away with publisher I might have to come up with another plan for those in the very near future. My gripes at Microsoft have also  made a few appearances too over the years. Year end posts or new year blogs helped kick off the year or end it and made for some good content as well. Random Thoughts/Grind my Gears were also fun ways to get topics bouncing around in my head out of my head and onto the screen so I could move on.

So the point is if you have been with us this long than you, if you are new here enjoy going through the archives to the right, and if you are a casual reader it’s been fun seeing you around too. This blog isn’t dead yet and while I know sometimes it looks and feels that way that’s just what we do. We don’t post for the sake of posting we post when there is something worth saying and in my opinion that is more fun. It’s about quality not quantity but know there will be typos.

So thanks again Golden for the push and let’s keep it going a few more years at least!

Marcy

NEW YEAR ….. frankly same blog

I've been thinking a lot about this blog since posting the other day. About its original purpose, to be a creative outlet when the world was sucking the very soul out of my body. A Place I could come to play, vent, challenge myself and well share some insights on the world. However, i'm not really using it for any of those things. I'm not really being creative, yes I'm writing things but am I being creative. No. I'm not challenging myself, nor encouraging others to do anything in particular to make their lives better or different. Frankly the world is scary enough without my useless 2 cents being involved. It is scary out there yo!

So has the focus on this blog shifted, does it need to. I don’t post to just post. It’s usually I have something I want to say or something relevant to what’s going on in the world at the moment. I’m never going to be a blog a day kind of person. There are just too many things pulling on me that allow me to have a goal like that. I might could keep it up for a week, I did a month once, but for long-term posting I know that’s not a realistic goal. If I can’t meet said goal I’m not going to set it. See I’ve watched Social Media “influencers” and I use that term very very loosely set those kind of goals for themselves and spend most of their time apologizing for not meeting said goals. An Influencer I am not … tho if you want a chuckle the latest episode of the Simpsons in which they basically mock the influencer is hilarious and one you should flock to Disney+ to watch ASAP.

We also barely advertise the thing, we post on Twitter, and that’s pretty much it. That’s right the platform that was on death’s door is still kicking, likely Elon wishes it were doing better but if he’d leave it alone it might be. I’ll post and tag Golden she will RT it and that’s where it dies. So, the fact that we get any views at all is pretty impressive to me. Imagine what would happen if we actually promoted the darn thing. However, then I’d feel like I have to deliver. I kind of like the obscurity of this blog. No one really expects anything so if I deliver at all I’ve already surpassed those expectations.

However, I would like to get my creative side flowing again. I really enjoyed writing the Haley and Michaels series (Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV can be found here) and let’s face it the Royal Family could use some attention. Who knows maybe I’ll find a new muse and get to going or come up with an original idea something that Hollywood can’t seem to do but maybe…just maybe I can. I’d also like to get Golden back on this thing cause she’s way better at it than I am, I mean did you see the words she strung together for Betty White last year ?  I still pull up Golden's blog about her eye surgery when i need a good chuckle to get me through a crap day. PS she did eventually have the surgery and while it didn't go perfectly it went well and she does not in fact look like PAtchy the Fucking Pirate. I don’t really make New Year’s Resolutions anymore but those are things I’d like to accomplish for 2023.

The point is … if you have stuck around this long, stick around a little longer 2023 should be fun and It will be more fun if you all take the Journey with us.

 

Marcy (@beaslma)

Golden (@Theonlygolden)

2017 Christmas Calendar

PLEASE find below a Jpeg of the 2017 Christmas TV Schedule, in original size ... which makes it look like it is falling off the page but that makes it a better quality when you click and save it.  I am also putting a link to download the PDF which is, in my opinion, the easiest way to see it. I think it’s best to save the PDF to your favorite portable device so you can keep the calendar handy. It also saves your eyes by allowing you to zoom in and out to read that ever so small type. The jpeg breaks up the more you zoom so if you can the PDF is the way to go.

Link to PDF: 2017 Christmas Calendar PDF

This year I tried to highlight new specials (meaning had not aired previously before Jan. 1, 2017) in GREEN but as they are new be mindful of what you and your family sit down to watch. I vouch not for their quality, their rating level, or even their sappiness. As always this calendar is filled with new shows, some old classics, and some mediocre stuff that just fills the time slots throughout the month that are fun to have in the background as you wrap gifts, make cookies, fill out Christmas cards .... though my lawyers tell me I should inform you not to do all of those things at once, then again you are an adult and if you can multitask go for it, I myself would burn the cookies, waste the paper and end up sending Christmas cards to the wrong person.  

Unfortunately, the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) started their Christmas right after thanksgiving which is why it’s hard to find Frosty, Rudolph, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. I’m not seeing that these will be reairing but I mean that’s just dumb right?! So keep an eye on those coming back to your screens. I hope they do. As stated below, I can’t find the Grinch cartoon showing in December. It was all over the place throughout November but starting Dec. 1^st it’s only the Jim Cary movie which is fun but the cartoon is fantastic.

Hallmark, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries (HMM on the calendar btw), Freeform, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movie Network have been vomiting Christmas themed movies since like last October (meaning 2016) it seems so only a hand full of theirs made the listings, but truthfully on some days they were the only game in town. If I needed room that was the first place I went to cut and trust me on some days it was a very necessary … but tough decision.

As a wanna be writer it amazes me that that they take the same concept, really the same story, change to a different “snow covered town,” change out the actors (usually Candance Cameron Bure for Lacey Chabert (from Party of Five fame, and Meg on the 1^st season of Family Guy, and Eliza on the Wild Thornberrys—didn’t know that did you? See you learned something by reading my rambling. Good for you!)), add a super cute guy for said female actor to fall for even through her heart belongs to another (another person or her work), drop both into said “snow covered town," wait for the spark to ignight then end on a happy/sappy note as their lives become one. Put a new title on the movie, create a poster of the beautiful people, and BOOM we got us a show!!

As always there are rules or as the guys at my work call them ….. “disclaimers” ….

• NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word. used over and over again, and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full calendar.

• Thanks for your understanding.
• For those that don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list just let me know.

• I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly.

• That said unless otherwise stated the times are PM

• This calendar does not focus on established shows “Christmas special episodes” so watch out for those … some are fun to re-watch this time of year. Psych for instance has a great Christmas themed episode, and so did How I Met Your Mother, Friends, Big Bang Theory, Wings, Family Ties, and other established shows.
• Again, that is not what this is about.  Those are fun but those also air all year around, then again with Hallmark and Freeform I’m starting to think the ones that made the calendar are also available all year but if we go down that road all of this falls apart so … happy thoughts!
• This calendar contains shows I want to see, so a mixture of adult themed shows/movies and kid themed shows/movies are represented. Some are classics and some are new, so PLEASE be mindful of what is on before you sit the kids down with popcorn to watch. If your favorites didn’t make the list… well make your own calendar next year.

• Don’t call me cause your little one watched some holiday movie on Lifetime and now has “questions”. . . . that’s your mess not mine.

¾    Please NOTE: The Disney version of a Christmas Carol (AKA the computer animated Jim Carrey version) is a little dark and can be scary (much like the original story btw), you might want to check it out before you and little man/lady plop down with popcorn and a blanket to “watch a classic” that may also result in sleepless nights for both you and said child. Not me I’ll be sleeping like a baby due to a sleeping pill, you know like an adult. 

• That is also why Psych The Movie (Dec. 7^th USA) made the calendar cause it’s gonna be awesome and you need to see it and so alerting you to it’s presence is your Christmas Present this year!

¾    You are welcome … no thank you note will be required but it is polite to send one. Just saying. Your grandma would be proud of you but whatever, I’m sure she’s proud of you on the inside.

¾    PS extra credit if you know why there is a cool pineapple on the calendar to mark this occasion.

• Keep an eye out for additional shows/movies that pop up throughout the month as networks change their lineups.
• Feel free to add your own specials and traditions to the calendar that’s what it is there for.
• As stated some channels have been vomiting Holiday specials for several months so if a network had several great specials in a row I only listed one figuring you’d be alerted to the others as you watched, hey something had to give right!?
• For you stay at home mom’s they run specials all day long and for the most part my calendar focuses on the after work hour times since that is when I can watch.

¾    That’s right it’s all about me I just share the wealth cause I’m awesome like that!

¾    If you make your own calendar and don’t share it … well you are just the worst kind of person.

A few programs of note:

• A returning favorite made the list (yippie the list is working) Ernest Saves Christmas comes on AMC several times this month, check it out at least once, or twice or many many times … know what I’m saying Vern?!
• TCM is one again doing their “Night at the Movies” every Monday starting at 5:45 which will feature different specials and behind the scenes interviews. Holiday movies on the schedule include Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Carol to name a few. They won’t say when they will air so you’ll have to check it out every Monday to see what’s on that week.
• I can only find A Christmas Story during the TBS Christmas Day Marathon so make sure you work it into your Christmas celebrations.
• Bless you Ted Turner, you crazy old man, may this tradition live forever!!
• I think it’s a rule you watch at least once.

o   If it’s not a rule it should be.

• I also think it should be illegal that that’s the only time it is going to air so keep an eye out for it maybe it will pop up a few extra times.
• Then again it’s 24 freaking hours of Ralphie if you miss it that’s on you. SHAME…SHAME!
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, one of the best movies ever, comes on several times this year on multiple channels but especially on Freefrom and AMC.
• Bless you FreeForm! Bless you AMC! Bless you Chevy Chase! Bless us everyone!
• Seriously If you don’t know the joy of Clark finally getting the lights to work…well I feel sorry for you and your family and the people that know you because you are missing the joy in your life. Correct that this year please! Don’t be Todd guys, who I’m sure cheered when Margo was attacked by Eddie’s dog.
• PS did you know that the lady who plays Clarks mom was the same lady that played Belle on Alice all those years ago.
1. I didn’t until Mom pointed it out this year, see kids let that be a lesson it’s never too late to learn new things.
2. Feel free to use this tidbit at you viewing party (during commercial breaks of course – no one likes a movie talker) to gain bonus points with your friends.
• It’s A Wonderful Life –  Dec. 9^th and reairs on Dec. 24^th on NBC It’s also featured a few times on TCM (as said note above states) so you should have plenty of time to see if Clarence gets his wings!
• The “boys” in my life informed me that DIEHARD should have been on the calendar …. boys are silly … however and I couldn’t find it showing anywhere other than say Cinemax, or via online viewing which my boss informs me is all that really matters anyway.
• So yeah there’s that. If you want to watch it … those are your options.

o   Sorry fellas. I tried, kinda.

A few programs of note that are not “Christmas” related but interesting enough to make the calendar include:

• Psych the Movie  - Dec. 7^th USA …. Seriously watch this and enjoy.
• CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute – Dec. 17^th – it’s nice seeing that in a world full of insanity there are some people out there trying to do good and are being recognized for it. It’s a really inspirational night even if this year you have to deal with Kelly Rippa, so check it out.

Anyway, the intention of this calendar, much like the Halloween one is to get your family to pause and spend some time together making memories. In this season where we spend so much time rushing around we forget to enjoy the down time and enjoy the family time. Great specials come and go and if we don’t watch they will go forever.

Today’s “classic Christmas special” may be next year’s no show on the calendar. That’s the other reason for this calendar, if we stop watching they will stop showing. I’m looking at you CBS and Yes Virginia which I’m sure is airing but I can’t find out when so keep an eye out for it. As stated, I can’t find the Grinch cartoon, Freeform aired it like a billion times in their run up to their 25 days of Christmas but not one airing during the 25 days of Christmas, nope after Nov. 30^th all we get is the live action movie which I like but the cartoon has a special place in my heart and the people who decided not to air it during December have a special place in a very hot climate waiting for them. That’s how important it is people.

The point is, just because you have these shows on DVD, Blueray, or via online ordering, take the time to watch it with your family as it airs so that it will air for me for years to come.  If not for me do it for the children, as they are our future, according to some nice lady who I believe has passed away but her voice and legend continue to live on.

So sit back, laugh, smile, and cry (some of these are sad, I mean who doesn’t cry when George Bailey is standing next to the tree with Mary and his friends are coming in to save the Bailey Savings and Loan and Clarence gets his wings, oh no did I give the end away?! SPOILER ALERT) and have a safe and GREAT Christmas!

Marcy & Golden

PS – as always we thank you for reading our ramblings and thoughts, thanks for joining the journey of two girls trying to find their place in this weird wonderful world! #SayWhatMG

Nearly time for Dragon Con !!!!

It’s officially two weeks away from Dragon Con which starts Friday Sep. 1^st and runs through Monday Sep. 4th (AKA Labor Day Weekend).

Two weeks from now I’ll be wandering around downtown Atlanta looking for a place to put my awesome chair that Golden got me for Christmas/Birthday and people watch that is in the shade or better yet downwind from a very powerful air conditioner after watching the DragonCon parade lead Stan Lee, the 2017 Grand Marshall, through the hot and humid streets of well…downtown Atlanta.

Those of you not new to this Blog know of Golden and I traveling to Atlanta for the last few years to people watch, cosplay, and see all the pretty things and people that Dragon Con has to offer. Actually Dragon Con was the first thing featured after we started this blog so long ago. This is year 4 for us, tho I honestly don’t remember when we were not going. Golden is better at Cosplay than me, I like to blend into the wall and look at all the pretty. I can’t imagine people wanting to take my picture and also the aforementioned humid/hot weather makes a costume feel … well …… like a lot of freaking effort. See we are never lucky enough to be in a host hotel, no matter how hard we try, which means we either rely on Uber or the Dragon Con Shuttle buses and costumes just aren’t practical. That’s not to say Golden hasn’t made a good show of it over the years, but yeah I’ll just wear my jeans and nerdy shirts instead.

  

This year the forecast is showing 40% chance of rain but here in the south that could mean that it’s raining at the front of the hotel but not the back, or that it will not rain at all … really it’s a guessing game so put your jacket in your backpack and be prepared for anything. That’s the best advice I have for DragonCon. The first year we went, Golden had a plan, and written out schedules of things to do and we quickly became overwhelmed and did very little on the list. Do all the things, quickly changed to … well we can do that next year I guess. If you come with a plan it will quickly be destroyed, have a vague idea of what you’d like to do but remain flexible. That’s the best way to enjoy the Con with minimal stress … well except for in the tunnels between host hotels on a Saturday. On that day take extra anxiety meds and be prepared to be claustrophic, but know it will only be temporary. That’s not to say Panic Attacks aren’t a thing, and I’ve had more than my share at Dragon Con but find a corner, find a chair, get some water, breathe it out and then … get back out there. You only live once right?

So many fun things to do …. Just a few options are listed below:

·       Dragon Con Blood Drive: I encourage all my fellow Dragon Con members to give blood this year. I myself won’t be giving after passing out last year and face planting on the sidewalk (due in part to high blood pressure which hopefully is now in check after several doctor appointments and the insane heat that is Atlanta in late Aug/Sep) resulting in new glasses, a busted and bloody face, and a massive headache that lasted for days. Golden has insisted that I not give this year, as has my boss, the rest of our Con group, and well my family. I guess I’ll listen, but only cause I know others will step up in my absence … right?! Please and thank you. Give Blood… Save a life.

·       The Dragon Con Parade is a MUST view .. it’s a great way to see all the pretty in one place. It will take place Saturday Sep. 2^nd and start rolling at 10am. So either be in place by then or just stay your respective hotel and watch on TV (that’s what our lazy bones did last year – it wasn’t too bad). I had to admit being out there with everyone watching it all walk by just gives you a feeling of community like nothing else.

The parade begins at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Linden Avenue, then heads south on Peachtree, east (left) on Andrew Young International Boulevard and north (left) on Peachtree Center Avenue. It will end on Peachtree Center Avenue between John Portman Boulevard and Baker Street, in front of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Then everyone heads to the food court, like for reals the food court becomes as crowded as the crosswalk between hotels so be prepared to stand in line. There’s a lot of line standing but it’s typically worth it.

·       Fan Tracks: Check out the Dragon Con website for a list of fan tracks because they most definitely leave no one out. There’s a track for everyone. The Britttrack is celebrating 20 years of fun which includes a ton of “British” themed panels (Dr. Who, Sherlock, Harry Potter, music etc.,) each year we have attended the Yule Ball, which is always a good time. The first year of DragonCon we stumbled upon a Dr. Who panel discussion which was really interesting. Their schedule is tentatively posted here, cause everything is subject to change even as you start the last day of the Con. Another panel about cussing the British way is happening this year. It always makes for a fun time.  

·       The Hall of Fame is a great place to people watch. It’s located in the Marriott hotel in a bank of ballrooms and is the place for meet and greets (tho note that often they will have you line up else where and then march through the con with a guide to get your meet and greet on). That keeps the lines from blocking walkways and makes for interesting conversation as you wait in line. Ask Golden about the overzealous Pop Art guy we met while waiting to meet Felicia Day. The end result was that I’m not allowed to talk to people anymore. Ha! The times for the Hall of Fame are crazy weird …. And by that I mean the first year we went to Dragon Con it always seemed to be closed. Typically it’s open from about 10am – 5pm, sometimes later, sometimes earlier. It’s posted people look it up it’s definitely a must walk through area. Plus air condition. I tell you that air condition and chairs will become your new best friend at the Con. Trust me on that. For the entire list of featured guest click here.

People that I’m interested in seeing this year include (in no real order) Melanie Scrofano, Zachary Levi, Nathan Fillion, John Barrowman, Julie Benz, Jewel Staite, Matt Smith, Frank Conniff, William Shatner, Bill Corbett, Alton Brown, Don Rosa, Sean Gunn, Wallace Shawn, Tad Stones, John Cusack, Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Nick Blood, Elizabeth Henstridge, Casper Van Dien. That’s just to name a few and Dragon Con is still announcing guests. My favorite part of the walk of fame is how artist, actors, actresses, writers, gamers, Puppetters just hanging out and they are all in one room just being awesome!!! I really love when voice actors are sitting there and bust into the characters on the poster behind them and I’m instantly 9 years old again in front of my TV reliving my childhood. It’s a fun feeling one I can’t wait to feel again. Also if any of the above have Social Media -- let's be real they all do -- follow them cause it's fun to see the Con through their eyes.

·       Good Eats Panel - This year … for some reason … Alton Brown is coming, which is totally cool and I’m thrilled about it but confused as well. I mean ok … he is a culinary geek and so he’ll fit in, plus he used to (may still) live in Atlanta so it makes sense but yeah weird too (which might be the very definition of Dragon Con now that I think about it). He’s doing a Panel in the Marriott Atrium Ballroom on Sunday at 4 (which means Golden and I might have to split off as she heads to the Wynonna Earp panel also happening Sunday afternoon). Alton is getting ready to do a Good Eats Reboot which makes this culinary fan so excited. I do hope he gets “W” to join him but Itchy or Twitchy, or his “neighbor chuck” would be fun too. Wonder what Elton is up too … and of course his mom (ABs sister whose name escapes me at the moment .. MARSHA! … so many possibilities I just hope the more recent version of Mr. Brown (Angry Alton from Cutthroat Kitchen) stays away tho BA might be fun.  

·       The Dragon Con Comics and Pop Art Alley is always fun and located near the Vendor Hall. Among the Con goers there are artist of plenty that show up to display their illustrations, sculptures, paintings and it’s fun to see these artist and their points of view on the world around us. Look for it it’s worth the effort to find.

·       If all that were not enough there’s a freaking arcade guys ….. like old school arcade games we all grew up with wishing we had one more quarter, as well as board games and other gaming rooms to enjoy!!!!

I haven’t started packing yet, well mentally I’m making the list of the things I’ll need, chargers for all the electronic things, hotel reservation printouts, my Dragon Con post card, a jacket, a hat, the lap top, headphones, MP3 player (for night time when I NEED sleep but can’t shut off the Con goers in the hallways) bathroom stuff, geek t-shirts, my Dragon Con post card, my camera, cards for the camera, flash drives, my dragon con post card, power strips for the hotel, comfortable shoes, money, and of course my Dragon Con post card, but haven't put a single thing in a bag yet. Seriously don’t forget the post card, I can’t STRESS that enough.

I should start napping now to prepare my body for the Con, tho every year long about Sunday the Dragon Con Coma hits me and hits me hard, it never fails. I am ok with that as long as the Con Crud stays well away from my crew this year, but it never does. Ha!

How about a Dragon Con roll call ... if you will be in Atlanta hit us up so if we should see you we can give you a high five. I might even let you borrow my chair ... insert your laugh here ... get your own chair!

Stay safe out there and let’s have fun and not add to the death toll tally that GDOT seems to think needs to be across the interstate - no that's not stressful at all GDOT ... really it's not ... totes is. 

Marcy @beaslma

Golden @theonlygolden

#SayWhatMG