One for the Money Trailer

I found the trailer for the new One for the Money movie! Starring Katherine Heigl!
Based on the Stephanie Plum series written by Janet Evanovich

You're probably going to need to full screen it. 

Skinny Bitch

Normally I wouldn't read a book like this, but a friend recommended it to me and insisted I read it. So I did. I was quite surprised at what I found. This book is a big smack in the face. It really opens your eyes to everything going wrong in the food industry.

The book is called Skinny Bitch and it's written by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. Not only is this book kind of hilarious - just because they tell it to you straight - but it's also very informative.  Let me clarify that I didn't read this for weight loss purposes. I read it because I wanted to find out what all of the hype was about.

Some of the things written in this book are absolutely shocking, and some are down right disgusting. They talk about aspartame and how technically it shouldn't even be legal, and they managed to get in FDA approved by paying people off. They talk about being vegan and how it's the only way to be; which for me is a bit extreme. I am a carnivore after all. They also talk about how animals are treated in slaughter houses and they take quite a few quotes from a book I that I think is called slaughter house. The quotes are quotes from people that have worked in slaughter houses admitting to things that they have done to the animals. And let me tell you, this is not for people that don't have a strong stomach, it is absolutely disgusting and extremely disturbing.

Another point that they discuss is organic foods. Let me first point out that this book was written by american authors, and I know that Canada has much stricter laws about these sorts of things. But, in the US foods have to have a label that says organic on them. However, some companies cheat, and somehow work into into the name or for eggs they say "free range" which, apparently, means absolutely nothing.

This book is definitely an eye opener. Though it is supposed to be a diet book, of sorts, I think that it is an important book for everyone to read. Just so that you realize where your food is coming from, and how food companies can trick you into thinking their product is more natural or healthier then it really is.

One for the Money

A few years ago I read a book called One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. It's probably my favourite book of all time. It's actually a series. I've read the first 15 books I think there are like 16 or 17 out now. She comes out with a new one every year. 


The series is about a woman named Stephanie Plum. She is around 30 years old. It starts off with Stephanie losing her job as a lingerie sales woman. After months of jut barely scarping by, off her savings, and selling her appliances and what not to make rent, she finally decides to take a job at her cousin Vinny's bail bonds agency. She becomes a bounty hunter. 


In the first book of the series she is after a man named Joe Morelli. She used to go to high school with him and has a bit of a history with him. The book is really funny and suspenseful. It has everything a good book should have. Action, adventure, suspense, and just enough romance.

This book is so good, and I highly recommend it! It is so good, that they are even making a movie! It's coming out at the end of January of 2012.  Which is the whole reason I'm writing this post. The movie is going to star Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum, Jason O'Mara as Joe Morelli, Daniel Sunjata as ranger (a love interest), and Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur (the comic relief)

I can't wait for this movie it's going to be great! 

Stardust

Cover of Stardust by Neil Gaiman

So I have come to the conclusion that I am just never going to finish reading Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I tried so hard. The sad part is, I only have approximately 30-40 pages left. I just cannot get myself to read it. Especially with school starting up again, I haven't really found the time. But, any time that I find that I have a few extra minutes, or on the weekend when I'm not crazy busy, I have no interest in reading it. I look at it on my bedside table and just grimace, and I always say to myself "maybe next time." I think that it's time that I just admit that it's not going to happen. I haven't even picked it up in over two weeks!

I guess that means that I can't really give it a good review. To be fair, when I am/was reading it I enjoyed it. It just wasn't really a page turning, however, I still found it interesting.

There just wasn't enough suspense for me. I give this book a 2 out of 5.
The movie was a lot better.

I feel really bad when I start a book and don't finish it. Like I've failed, not only myself, but others, like the author or something. Like I owe it to the author. By choosing his/her book to read and not finishing it, I feel like I'm insulting them.

Well, I am very sorry Mr. Gaiman, I tried, and failed. In fact, I failed us both. But don't lose faith in me! I have a bunch of your other books sitting on my bedside table, collecting dust/waiting for Christmas break, to be read. And I will not only start them, but I will finish them. Or at least some of them, I doubt I can get through all of them in the short 2 weeks we get as break.

Up in Smoke

Tonight's episode of 90210 was, in my opinion, a great start for season 4. I was especially thankful for the "previously on" because I couldn't remember a thing about what had happened at the end of last season. Basically what happened was Naomi thought she was pregnant, Liam left to go on a fishing excursion, Ivy and Raj got married, and nothing too significant happened to the rest of the gang. I think that Dixon went on tour or something?? I wasn't too clear on that.

The way the episode kicked off was great. At the doctor's office. I was really disappointed in Max's reaction when the doctor gave them the news. But, to be fair, what can you expect from a 18 year old. It really got good after the opening credits, a couple of minutes in, when Liam came into the picture. Like, Really Liam? That's how you ask the girl you love to marry you? "Okay, I'm ready, let's do this!" Did you really think that that would work? If Annie truly was the love of your life then you would know that that is not the way that she would want to be proposed to.

Poor Naomi, trying so hard to forget about Max. Every one just keeps bringing him up. Naomi, let's be honest here, you have major boy ADD and I think that in a few months you would have been over Max anyways.

I'm so proud of Teddy! He finally came out to his dad. Even though it was over the phone. Sometimes it's just to hard to tell someone face to face. I think that its just important that he did it. I hope his dad understands.

Finally the Adrianna drama! That's the best part of the show! I was so happy when she was the one that walked out of the washroom. I can't decide if she is truly genuine. At first I thought maybe, and then she came out of Dixon's roommate's room and that just doesn't seem like something that someone who has changed would do. So I'm going to go with no, Adrianna is still a backstabbing whore. Just the way we like her.

Things were just not going well for Naomi this episode. First the everything with Max, then getting shut down at the beach, and then her party bombed. Especially with all the weed, oh man, that's going to me a disaster. I can't believe Navid's sister though, how did she not learn her lesson the first time? Idiot.

So, I always wondered how these kids got their alcohol. And now we know! They pay the bartender copious amounts of dollars for copious amounts of liquor! Finally the mystery is solved.

All in all, this episode was a great way to kick off the new season. And a great started for all the upcoming shows. Vampire Diaries starts Thursday! Woot woot!

When I Die

To those of you who really loved the latest season of True Blood all I can say is this: Please, stop reading now, or you may be severely disappointed. To those who were as disappointed as me, or at least think they were, read on my friends! I'll be honest, I liked how the season started off, they stayed fairly true to the book. Oh wait, no they didn't. The only thing they kept from the book was that there were witched and Eric lost his memory. But, only for a fraction of the time he did in the book. This season was just an all around disappointment.

Maybe, the reason I was so unimpressed was because between season 3 and 4 I was feeling a little True Blood withdrawal and decided to read all of the books (well, 1-9.) I really enjoyed the first 3 seasons and really enjoyed Eric in them *wink*wink*. However this season just did not live up to its full potential. 

First of all, there was not enough Sookie drama for me, by that I mean the love stuff. Whether it be Eric, Bill, or Alcede - personally I prefer Eric - they gave us practically nothing! Let's just all be honest here, at least all of the women out there, half the reason we watch this show is to see that! Maybe I'm wrong, maybe its just because I'm still young and love all of the love triangle crap. But I love the way HBO puts an adult spin on it. 

Second, the whole witch thing was done way differently then in the book. Which I understand they are obviously going to change stuff - and they have in past seasons, and it has worked well for them - and although Fiona Shaw did an amazing job as Marnie, I really just didn't dig the way they spun it. There were supposed to be evil twins, a brother and a sister, but instead reincarnation? That's just going to far for me. 

Third, and most importantly I might add. Eric. I loved the third book the most because of Eric. They just butchered it. I probably wouldn't have even minded so much if they had just taken away his memory of what happened during the period he lost his memory. Wait, does that make sense? Well, in the book, when he finally gets his memory back, he doesn't remember anything from when he lost his memory. It drives him absolutely crazy not knowing what happened between him and Sookie, and he knows that something happened. I feel like that would have made great TV.

That is most of what really bothered me about season 4. One thing that I am happy about, and I feel kind of bad about this, is that Tara is dead! Or at least, that's how they made it seem. Who knows. Maybe Eric or Bill, or both will have heard her screaming, and felt Sookie's pain and come running and feed Tara their blood. We shall see. 

One thing that I really liked was Pam. I love Pam. She's awesome. I really appreciated how they let us in a little more. We saw her softer side in the end. I thing it was much needed.

I must say, I absolutely loved Arlene's daughter's Halloween costume! Two thumbs way up! 

One other note, Sookie was looking really good this season. I feel weird saying it, but in almost every episode I remember noting how pretty she looked. So good job to the make up people! And of course to Anna Paquin, as she is a beautiful person. 

Studying

In celebration of school starting up again, I thought I would post some study tips.

1. Always study in the same place. Find a quiet place, with no distractions. Try not to have a computer nearby, if you are anything like me you will be tempting to procrastinate!
   
2. Make sure your study place is available to you whenever you will need it.
   
3. Study at the same time. When you have a set time to study everyday you will find it easier to concentrate.
   
4. Get rid of all distractions! Turn off that phone, or at least put it in another room. Don't listen to music, even if you think it helps, you are really just kidding yourself. And definitely do not watch TV! Again, if you don't need the computer, the put it in another room.
   
5.  Do the more difficult tasks first, while you are still fresh.
   
6. Take responsibility for yourself! It's important to realise that no one is responsible for a bad or good grade but yourself. Stop blaming others for distracting you! If it was that bad you should have left and gone to the library!
   
7. Put it in your own words. If you are taking notes from a textbook it is important to write down what you learn from the textbook in your own words. You will remember it better that way.
   
8. Take breaks. If you have a long night of studying in front of you, set aside some time for breaks. Just short ones 5-15 minutes. On your break do something different then you have been doing. My suggestion; go for a walk and get some fresh air.
   
9. Get the blood pumping. I've found that before I start studying if I do 50 jumping jacks first I focus a lot better. You can do anything, just get the heart rate up for a minute or so to get the blood pumping through your body and your brain. You will be able to focus longer, and take in more information.
   
10. Review your notes after class. I've found that I remember things a lot better if I go straight home (or to the library) and rewrite all of my notes from the lecture. Everything is still fresh in your brain, so if you wrote something illegibly then you will most likely be able to figure out what you were trying to write the sooner you get to it.
    
11. Use colours! It take longer, but it really works.
    
12. Attend all of your classes. You may be able to get all of the information you need for the exams from your textbook, but you professor will go over it in clearer English (sometimes I have a hard time uderstanding the textbooks), and you will be able to figure out what is going to be on the exam if they discuss certain things more thoroughly then others.
    
13. Once you've read a chapter, or just attended a lecture, go tell someone about what you just learned. That way you will realise what exactly you understand as well as the areas that you need to brush up on.
    
14. Use flash cards when studying for an exam.
    
15. Form a study group. Assign each person a section of the textbook, and get them to write up questions, anywhere from 10-20 per person. Next, have a game of jeopardy! Each person gets to be Alex Trebek while they ask everyone the questions that they created. Have some kind of reward for the winner, maybe take them to a movie? 

I hope that these study tips help! Personally, my favourite is to play jeopardy! You have fun and learn! 

Heading Back to the Books, the Textbooks.

University is just around the corner and I am sad to say that I won't have as much time for reading (and writing) as I did before. I will still try to get a few good books in, but I am starting at a new school, in a pretty intense program, and really just don't think that I will have any time. I have already started reading one of my textbooks!

I am currently reading Stardust - and have been for the past 2 weeks, I just can't seem to get through it - I will try to get a review of that up. And possibly compare it to the movie? We shall see!

Thanks to all my readers! I really appreciate the support!

More Hunger Games

I'm hungry for The Hunger Games!
I just found these photos online of Peeta and Gale! I think that they look fantastic! Only 7 more months until we get to see them on the screen!

Woweee they sure look good!
I think that they did a really amazing job on Peeta, with the hair. To be honest I pictured Gale being a little more 'rough around the edges' looking. Not so... pretty. But Liam is a pretty, pretty man, they did the best with what he had to offer.