Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Wildflowers























I went on a hike on Monday. I was hoping for clear skies, sunshine and clear views but it was the total opposite. May gray was in full effect. However, my beloved California continues to take my breath away! Crystal Cove was covered with beautiful wildflowers within every turn. The sun slowly started to burn the marine layer and eventually crept through. 

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Binge Watching



Something about me, I LOVE watching Television! If you're the type of person that doesn't own a TV or doesn't really watch much TV, I probably can't be friends with you. I like everything from comedy, romance, dramas,  action (not to much though), foreign and anything in between.  So it's no surprise, I've seen a show or two. Recently we switched cable providers and when we switched I lost so many recordings on my DVR.  That day my heart 💔 broke a little. Your probably thinking, well now a days you can stream episodes or watch on demand. Well that was my only consolation, until I  tried to use our new cable. Let's just say our new cable is not really my best friend. So I started watching new things. Since this blog is a little bit of everything of my life I figured I would share what I watched and what I thought (keep in mind that this is in a span of 3 months or so). Get ready because its a lot, okay lets do this! 

1. LOVE (Netflix Original Series) Netflix has categorized this show under the genres of romantic, comedy, and drama.  Yep, it falls under all of those categories. This show is about two unlikely people who start dating each other. The female lead has a lot of issues and the male is a little more squeaky clean. Like I said, its an unlikely pairing but they're cute together. I'm not gonna lie, throughout the 2 seasons I would get really annoyed with the female character! One more thing I forgot to mention, I get really caught up in story lines and sometimes I feel like punching the TV... I felt that with the female lead of this show! However, at the same time I was rooting for her to get her shit together. This show takes place here in Los Angeles so it was cool to see some familiar spots. Sex and drugs are a big part of this show so it's not really appropriate for kids. This show has two seasons out right now, and yes I watched both of them. I will definitely be watching any upcoming seasons. 

2. Flaked (Netflix Original Series) Dramedy, a program that combines elements of drama and comedy, that basically sums up this show. This show is based in Venice, California and follows the story of a recovering alcoholic who has a secret and lying comes easy to him. This show has heart and made my feel for the characters and at the same time made me literally laugh out loud. The jokes are not knee slappers but you really need to pay attention and listen to the dialogue for a great laugh.  There is currently only one season of this show consisting of 8 episodes so that was a quick watch. Season two comes out June 2nd, 2017, but it's only six episodes! What?? I can watch that in one afternoon!

3. The Crown (Netflix Original Series) This is definitely a drama. This show is about Queen Elizabeth and her new role as Queen. I really enjoyed this show, I don't know a lot about the royals but the little that I do know seems to be accurately portrayed in this show. If this show is 100% accurate or loosely based on the Royal's lives it made me feel some compassion for them. I got really interested in their history and I went on to research their story. This show is definitely award worthy, great acting, cinematography, costumes and direction. Currently there is only one season of this show and I'm ready for season two.  

4. Stranger Things (Netflix Original Series) Set in the 80's, this show follows a group of friends in a small town where things suddenly start to go strange when one them goes missing. I finally got around to watching this show, I know I'm behind with this one. This show was super popular when it first came out and I honestly don't know why it took me so long to watch it.  I'm glad I finally I did and you should too! If you haven't watched this show because you think it's scary, its not. This show was great and the kids are such great actors. There are only 8 episodes of this show and I need more!!! I can't wait for season 2. 

5. Making a Murderer (Netflix Original Series) Among all the shows I watched, one was a documentary.  Awe man, this show had me with mixed emotions! This documentary is about a young man from a small town in Wisconsin who is accused of a crime and is later found not guilty but it doesn't end there. His freedom is cut short when he is accused of another crime. When I started watching this show my opinion on his innocence for the first crime was firm and when he was accused of the second crime my opinion was also firm but as I kept watching, my opinion changed and then it changed again. It's such a horrible situation and if he really didn't commit the crime it makes it even worse. Sometimes I think that it would be better for it to be true because someone spending their life in jail for something they didn't do is just awful.  I wanted to read up more on this story because I believe his kids spoke out about their father but I haven't gotten around to it. This documentary is 10 episodes. 

6. Lopez (TVLand) George Lopez returns to TV with this show but its not your typical sitcom family show. This show follows him around as he tries to become relevant and hip in the Hollywood industry. This show reminds me so much of Curb Your Enthusiasm, because it follows a fictional character played by a celebrity that experiences some sticky situations partially caused by himself. It definitely has some laugh out loud scenes. Although George Lopez is Hispanic and the majority of his stand up is Hispanic related, I strongly believe this show can be enjoyed by anyone. My husband and I binged watch season one and now are watching season two as they air every Wednesday. 

7. Z: The Beginning of Everything (Amazon Original Series). This show tells the story of Zelda S. Fitzgerald, the wife of  Scott Fitzgerald (author of The Great Gatsby). As a fan of the Great Gatsby I had to watch this show. I love to watch shows that are based on different eras. A great show can make you feel like you are transported to a different era. This show did that to me (actually so did The Crown). These type of shows make me wish we lived in a time where people cared more about their personal appearance and made an effort to look put together and polished. This was also another show that is based on a real person whom I really don't have much knowledge on but got me really interested in their life. I think I want to read a book on Zelda but I need to do some research to make sure I get the most accurate information, any recommendations?  This show also only has 10 episodes, and I need more!! 

8. 13 Reasons Why (Netflix Original Series) Teenagers, secrets and suicide, that pretty much sums up this show. Is this show limited to teenagers? No, I don't think so.  Even though this show takes place in High School, I feel like it really applies to anyone . It demonstrates how our words and actions can really affect others. Sometimes things may not appear like a big deal to us but to others its life crushing. I definitely learned that we are not all the same and should be careful with our words and actions. This show also reminded me of how we should all try to be a good friend and be there for our friends when they need us. While the story line does get intense through out the show there are definitely lessons to be learned here.  This show had me tensed and stressed and I finished watching it in 3 days. I think season 2 will be super intense as well.

Okay so that pretty much sums up what I've been watching lately. Looking back that's a lot to watch in 3 months. I also started to watch Mozart in the Jungle but for some reasons jumped to another show but I do want to go back and finish it. I saw a few episodes of Santa Clarita Diet and even though I love me some Drew Barrymore, that show wasn't really for me. I'm currently watching Dear White People on Netflix. What do you guys think, should I do more post like this in the future? 



Thursday, May 18, 2017

'Tis the season...


Wedding season that is! Are you guys ready? I have a wedding this weekend and it's the first one of the year. This wedding has been in the works for more than a year and when I first knew of the date I thought wow that is so far from now, but like always time escapes us and before we know it the year has passed us by. I've been feeling so crummy that I'm really looking forward to this wedding. I'm looking forward to dressing up and getting glam. I've decided that even if I'm feeling crummy, I'm determined to have a good time! 

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Teenagers



Why do teenagers think they're hot shit when they don't know shit? Maybe that question was a harsh way to start a post. Seriously though, teenagers want to be original and unique but fit in at the same time. Sometimes I wish I could knock some sense into the teenagers in my life and let them know that they're missing out on a lot of things because of their attitude. I know that being a teenager and making mistakes is part of life and growing up. I know, I know you learn from your mistakes. It's just that some mistakes can be very painful and tough. Some mistakes can be avoided.

After spending some time with some of the teenagers in my life, I realized its not entirely their fault. Lets face it, sometimes the parents are at fault. Sometimes I wish I could tell the parents that they're being stupid on how their raising their kids. That the path they are permitting their kids to continue on will probably lead to no good.  That the choices and actions as a parent, influence the lives of their kids and will probably effect them throughout their lives. Its crazy how an outsider can see all of this but the people in the middle of it can't.

p.s. This photograph is far from perfect and probably can't be fixed with editing but it reminds me of  the teenagers in my life. For reasons I can't explain, I sort of like the blurry haziness of it.  Anyway, just thought I would provide some insight of this photo.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Change



















When the year started I told myself I was not doing a new years resolution, I was going to be selfish and do one thing for myself every month. Its May now and I only did this 2 times. Lately I feel like I've done the opposite. I feel so overwhelmingly busy that I feel like I have no time for myself not even for my own personal grooming and I'm tired of it. I have been thinking of how tired I am and wondering how did things get to this point? I came to a realization. I got so caught up with working hard and staying busy to distract myself of the loss of my dad that I lost myself.  I sort of gave up on myself. I guess I felt this at the end of the year and that's why I felt like I had to at least do one thing for myself but still haven't mastered this plan of mine.  

The loss of my grandma helped me realize this. When she died, once again I felt like I had missed out a lot. I stopped frequent visits to avoid feeling sad and partially because I was really busy and didn't make time for her. I'm tired of it! I'm tired of working, I'm tired of being responsible for others, I'm tired of dealing with people, I'm tired of WORK!  I feel like I need change, I feel like I need a mental break. I want to wake up and exercise, go on a hike, eat a breakfast at my own pace and read  a newspaper. I want to take time to do my makeup. I want to learn how to sew. I want to spend an entire day with my mom. I want to do something fun with my sister. I want to go on a vacation with my husband. I want to do things that bring me joy. But how do I do it?