Sayonara 2014

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Today is New Year’s Eve. A night of entertainment and reflecting waits as the clock begins to count down the last minutes of 2014. This year has had its ups and downs, its deaths and uprisings, and like any other year, has culminated into a unique time.

For me, it has been a year of new experiences. The rearing head of my depression hitting harder as an adult than I had ever expected, camping in the mountains (which is new for me since I’m a city girl), trying new foods, finally doing the things I want to do, gaining some sense of independence and becoming stronger, and finding myself more with every chance to do something new. While this is only the start of opportunities to come, I can smile knowing that I’ve made a sizeable dent in this past year.

So my advice to all you followers, friends, and foolish mortals is as such:

• Live life. This is your only chance to do so until you’re reincarnated as another human or an animal or a Dorito chip.
  
  
• Accept and love yourself. If people refuse to accept you for who you are, what you love, who you want to be, and what you want to do, smile and shrug them off. They are you and never
  will be.  Only you can be as awesome as you can be. Let no one steal your awesomeness.
  
  
• Always be open minded to everything (and I mean everything). New food, new destinations, new opportunities: be open to them. With every new experience you will find more of yourself and understand yourself better. You will also gain more independence which will help you greatly in life.
  
  
• Do not let fear dictate your life because it will ruin it. Paranoia and anxiety are horses of different breeds, but with time and experience they can slowly be remedied.
  
  
• Sometimes you have to abandon logic and think with your feelings and/or heart. Yes, this sounds completely foolish because logic is the ultimate guide to analyzing, understanding, and thinking. However, there are times in life (you will know them when you encounter them) when you have to abandon all sorts of reason and let go.
  
  
• Treat yo self. This concept is so true because you work endlessly and break your back for a job you may love or hate. Set up one day for yourself every day and work towards that day where you can use your hard earned cash to buy something that makes you smile.

As the new year approaches, keep my advice in mind, and remember it when times are tough or you’re uncertain of what to do. I’ve walked the roads before and always fell back on these helpful kernels and believe me, they have helped.

Happy New Years everyone and may you have a good year. 

It's a New Year for Eating

Greetings everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Ah yes, the day after Christmas. It’s time to shake off that hang over (until next week), celebrate Boxing Day and Kwanzaa, delve deeper into the functions of your Christmas presents, and snap yourself out of that food coma.

With just five days away until the new year, here are some recipes to lift your spirits regardless if you’re alone in welcoming 2015 or with friends and family.

5. Kahlu-hoo

Chocolate milk is a classic childhood staple. As an adult, a glass of Yoo-hoo is good every now and then, but why not shake it up for New Years? Simply fill your glass with Kahlua and Yoo-hoo. The best thing about this beverage is you can regulate how much you want of both ingredients. If you’re a featherweight, you can have a little Kahlua and a lot of Yoo-hoo. Or if you want an even balance, you can go half and half.

4. Bacon Jalapeño Cornbread

Not too long ago, I was given Fleischmann’s Cornbread Mix because I love baking. I also love bacon. Put those two together and you have a match made in the kitchen. You start off by making the cornbread mix (instructions are found on the back of the box) and throw in chopped up bacon and chopped up jalapenos. Make sure the seeds are out of them and proceed to bake as the instructions inform.

If you feel like adding a little cheese (whichever one you prefer, in this recipe I usually use cheddar) to your cornbread, there are two methods you can use. The first method is to allow your cornbread finish baking and remove it from the open. While it’s still hot, spray cheese wiz all over the top. The second method is to add cheddar cheese (bagged or sliced (I usually use the bagged one)) to the top layer of your cornbread while it’s almost done baking. If you add cheese to this recipe, sour cream would be a great for spreading onto the finished cornbread or dipping.

3. Pesto Dip

Pesto is what bacon is to chocolate: amazing; just like this recipe. Mix together 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1 cup of sour cream, 7 ounces of pesto sauce, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ black salt in a bowl. Chill it until you’re ready to serve or eat it no sooner you’re done making it.

2. Cream Cheese Candy

I think this is by far the easiest candy recipe I’ve ever seen in my life. It could be made by children, procrastinators, adults, dragons, anyone.  All you need to do is mix 1 (3 ounce) package of cream cheese, 3 cups of confectioner’s sugar, and ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract in a bowl until smooth. If you have any confectioner’s sugar left over, proceed to knead it into the dough. Afterwards, take the dough and shape it into ½ inch balls. Place them onto baking sheets, flatten them with a fork, and allow them to set up for an hour and twenty minutes. Proceed to eat them up when they’re nice and firm. For storing them, use an airtight container and put them in the refrigerator.

1. Snow Punch

Winter is the magical season where half the world freezes and is sometimes enchanted by the white wonder that is snow. Snow is a curse and a blessing for driving, school, and shoveling.  So who would want to drink this wintry weather? You do, of course!

Simply take 6 chopped up bananas, 2 cups of half and half cream, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup of white sugar and blend until smooth. Proceed to pour this concoction into a punch bowl and slowly stir in two liters of lemon-lime flavored soda. Top it all off with a scoop of Dumbeldore’s password (aka lemon sherbet) and serve it up.

If there is anything you like to read about on this blog, feel free to comment or PM me. Feedback is always welcome and I am always open to writing about new topics and ideas. Happy Holidays and here is tonight’s question:

What do you enjoy baking for the holiday season? 

Hints for Surviving the Holidays

Season’s Greetings and Welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Folks, it’s just two days away from Christmas and I’m more excited than a dog with a chew toy. The holidays can usually be a hit or miss time of the year, especially with family and friends.  Some people dread the holidays due to in-laws, parents, being alone, and other reasons. Here are some tips for the upcoming holidays.

5. Baking Makes Any Soul Happy

As I’ve mentioned before, I have depression. I know the symptoms too well and still suffer them, but I accept it as a flaw of mine that can be healed with time. You know what makes me happy though and forget my depression? Baking. Baking is as therapeutic as cleaning and is an art. Baking takes your mind off everything and helps you focus on the situation at hand: to ensure that you bake the best food the universe has to offer.

It’s your baking; you do it how you want to and it will teach you what you did right or wrong. If people don’t like what you made, it’s not your fault. You didn’t ask them to eat what you made, they just decided to eat it. You just made it because it made you happy and there’s nothing wrong with that.

4.  Treat Yo Self

Ah, yes the concept from “Parks and Recreation” that the Internet has adapted. You may be someone who doesn’t celebrate Christmas or any holiday for that matter. You may be a person who doesn’t buy gifts for people. Either way, you have your reasons. However, this is the season of giving and there is no harm in giving yourself something. You’ve worked for it all year, you’ve had your eye on that one thing that you know will make you happy. So by all means, order it online, go to the store and buy it, because you deserve it.

3. You Don’t Need a Partner

One of our primal needs is intimacy, which can be thought of as love. The first and most important type of love is to love yourself. Accept everything about yourself even if your mom hates your hair or your aunt thinks you could be prettier if you lost some weight. Whenever anyone criticizes your appearance, you immediately question what they were like at your age, and disregard their negativity.  Chances are they were like you in their youthful years and will never admit it.

After loving yourself, there are many types of love: infatuation, admiration, adoration, and so many others. Then there’s true love, the type of love you often associate with a relationship. When your family questions why you have no one during the holidays you just tell them that you don’t need one. That’s it.

You don’t need a partner for the holidays. It doesn’t make anything more magical or special, if anything it just offers companionship which you can have with a friend online or in person. Even if you never want someone to stand by your side, that’s perfectly normal and all right. You are a strong person who can stand on their own two feet and love yourself in a way that no one else can. It’s a special type of love that only you can have and makes you feel fantastic.

2.  Don’t Worry About Life

Yes, you will figure out what college you want to go to, what major you want to pursue, what you want to do in life, where you want to live, and much more. It doesn’t need to be decided in the blink of an eye or as a hurried response to someone who questions your life. They’re asking anyway because they care about you and want to see you succeed in life, which is the want of parents and relatives everywhere. However, nothing can be gained by rushing through life and finding yourself working at a job that makes you miserable with a degree in something you never wanted. You decide what you want to do when you’re ready. Eventually things will work out.

1. Let No One Ruin Your Holiday

I emphasize ‘no one’ because no one: parents, exes, friends, enemies, relatives, should ruin your holiday. This is a day of celebration, a day of looking back and realizing that you made it another year, that you are strong and can go onto the next year, and a day of overall merriment.  Holidays are like your birthday: they only come once a year and since our lives are so incredibly short, it’s best to embrace them, and do whatever we please with them. If you don’t feel like having dinner with your family, but rather see a friend then do it. If you rather sit in your room all day and treat the day like any, then by all means go for it. If you want to do nothing, but drink the holiday away then have fun (just please don’t drive or turn into the Hulk when you’re completely smashed).

In short: let no one take your happiness from you, especially during the holiday season.  Parents and relatives can be ruthless and relentless with their questions, concerns, and antics, but at some point you can’t just run from them anymore. You must stand up for yourself and slay their words with your own sword of justice, crafted by your personality, desires, and emotions.  They cannot rule over you and what you want to do. At best, they can offer ideas, but it’s up to you to take them or not.

BBC Theme Park: The Happiest Place in the World

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Remember how I said that I was going to post something today aka six days before Christmas? Here it is.

Just recently the Internet buzzed with the rumor of  a possible themepark to be constructed in England featuring all of the BBC’s most popularprograms. Such programs include “Sherlock,” “Top Gear,” “Star Trek,” and “Doctor Who”. Now, like most of you I was fangirling faster than the Indy 500; the future attraction is a combination of two things I adore in life: theme parks and BBC programs. This made me wonder what this bountiful BBC land would have in store for many patrons and I have a few ideas.

7) Restaurants Based Off the Shows

Picture a restaurant devoted to foods that each Doctor has devoured. Along with this particular restaurant would be a miniature gift shop on the way out, featuring cook books and little bags of jelly babies, jammie dodgers, cookies, and other little traveling edibles. I can also picture a restaurant reminiscent to the dining area on the Enterprise, complete with an open bar and such drinks as Beam Me up Scotchie, Warp Drive, and other beverages bearing the show’s theme. There could also be a grab-n-go place themed to “Top Gear” with car shows on televisions inside the eatery. There could also be the sandwich shop from “Sherlock” which rests next to their flat.

While I know that the theme park’s main focus is on the shows I have mentioned, I can’t imagine them not including other popular BBC programs within the attraction. I can imagine there being an elegant, medieval restaurant themed to the show, “Merlin” with entertainment focused on aspects of the program. There would be an “Atlantis” restaurant of course, featuring seafood and having an overall aquatic theme.  I can imagine there would be little snack shacks selling a goulash of different foods and some Britain specialty snacks (tea shops, fish and chips, and other possibilities).

6)  The Arcade

Imagine a giant building divided into different sections for various types of game play (ex.: your classic video arcade game, a room where you could win prizes (claw machines, earning tickets for different gifts), simple simulators, create-a-concept game, and so many others). Now imagine all these wonderful styles of gaming set to the BBC shows. “Doctor Who” themed claw machines, create a mystery for Sherlock to solve, choose-your-plot and character creation with “Orphan Black,” creating and driving your own car with commentary from Richard Hammond, engaging in combat with villains using interactive games based on the show “Merlin,” driving the enterprise with your family and friends as the crew just like “Star Trek”, or testing your intelligence with Q from “Star Trek.” I don’t know about you, but I think I just fangirled a bit.

5) Attractions Based on Other BBC Programs

“Doctor Who,” “Top Gear,” “Star Trek”, and “Sherlock” are the most popular shows that the BBC has to offer. Yet there are other shows that also explode with praise, such as “Orphan Black,” “Atlantis,” and “Merlin.” I can’t see BBC denying these other hit programs when thinking about their theme park. “Atlantis” could start off as an underwater voyage with passengers in a submarine vessel, going through the sea. When their car arrives in Atlantis, the roof of the vehicle retracts, and riders can take in all the splendors that the ride showcases of Gods and kings. “Orphan Black” could be a shoot ‘em up ride where you board black vehicles with guns attached to them. Every time a villain emerges, you attack them and escape while you have the chance. “Merlin” could have a sideshow of fire breathers, dancers, medieval magic tricks, and essentially become a miniature Renaissance Faire in the heart of this theme park. “Merlin”’s ride could be a journey through the castle, while encountering Morgana along the way as well as others, and finishing it off with a battle between Merlin and the Last Dragon.

4) A “Star Trek” Ride

“Star Trek” is what people like to confuse “Star Wars” with. As for myself, I’m a Trekkie and a “Star Wars” fan though Patrick Stewart, Lenard Nemoy, and William Shatner win me over easily. Designing a ride for “Star Trek” would be a bit of a challenge for creators, because Disney already has Space Mountain (a galactic roller coaster) and Star Tours (a simulator ride).  Yet my brain has brewed something rather interesting to say the least.

In an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” Captain Picard had been transformed into a Borg and the team had to rescue him. This plot could be the idea of a stand up roller coaster where riders enter the Enterprise and are brought to the deck. There, they watch a brief synopsis of what has happened: Picard going with the Borgs, and Data explaining the rescue mission. After this, riders venture to the teleportation chambers where their vehicle awaits them. The vehicle will be a stand up set of cars with safety bars over the shoulders and stomachs. Once they are strapped in, they will propel forward into space. As they slowly ascend the first lift hill, Picard’s introduction to the series is played. After the initial drop, the show’s theme commences as they are shot into a large cube that serves as the Borg’s digital world. The riders zig zag throughout this cube, encountering the Borg as well as Borg!Picard. The ride would conclude with a quadruple corkscrew and a few drops and dips into the ending bay where we see the crew surrounded by Picard returned to normal.

3) “Top Gear” Rides and Show

“Top Gear” would be a bit difficult to construct a ride for, which is why I have a few ideas in mind. The first one would be a bumper car ride featuring all of the different cars they have driven in the past. Another idea would be to have a “Top Gear” car show similar to Disney’s Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show found in EuroDisney and Walt Disney World. The distinct differences between the two would be more comedy, possibly showcasing a new car each month, and clips from the show to help illustrate their points. A final idea for a ride would be to have a raceway based on cars used in the show.  The race way would have a set track, but riders could control the speed with the ride operator managing each car on a monitor. If the operator feels as though they are too close to another car, they can  gently slow the vehicle down to avoid accidents.

2) “Sherlock” Street, Park Event, and Rides

Everyone remembers 221 Baker Street because they know what lies in that particular flat. Somewhere near (or leading up to Todder’s Lane) should be a street solely devoted to “Sherlock”. This street would include the sandwich shop next to 221, the building used for Reichenbach (with a photo op), and perhaps a walkthrough of the apartment itself with commentary from John, Sherlock, and Ms. Hudson playing throughout as well as violin music.

Another idea for a “Sherlock” attraction, would be to have a park event where people are given a Sherlock themed notepad and a deer stalker. Throughout the park would be various clues that lead to the solution for a crime. Once park goers have collected all the clues, they must venture to a place called The Mind Palace. There, they will input their clues, and help Sherlock solve the crime.

With all the Sherlock stories, there are many ideas to mold into rides. While I only have a few in mind, I can imagine ride developers will have a field day.

1) A “Doctor Who” Ride and Show

I’m not quite certain what the plot behind this ride could be because there so many ideas. But it would have to be something dynamic yet simple. However, I can imagine how the ride would be laid out. People would enter the outside of the attraction which is Todder’s Lane and stumble upon various props from the Whoverse scattered about. Upon finding a particular blue box, they would enter it only to find a rather large loading area on the inside. The inside of the Tardis would be Capaldi’s to keep up with the current Doctor and his voice would be played throughout the area. People would start to line up going upward (where his book shelf is), then descend downward to the main console, which displays the mission at hand on various screens.

Riders would then walk down the stairs to encounter the underside of the Tardis console and a loading dock to get into a car. I can imagine the cars would be designed like the ones from Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland and operate in the same wireless format. The cars would be designed like the chamber that encased the Daleks for the reason of “Timelord Science” (everything is bigger on the inside).

From there, the cars would be thrust into space accompanied by the opening theme, and mild spinning.  The cars would spin every so often throughout the ride other than the initial launch sequence. The ride’s plot could possibly focus on the idea of the Doctor showing his companion (in this case, you) the wonders of the universe. Each room would house a new species or planet from the series or one designed by Moffat or Gatniss. If your vehicle happens to stumble upon a murderous race, the car will shake and slow down as though the monster is trying to attack your car. Your car would be captured in a tug of war between this beast and the Doctor who struggles to pull you into safety, while fending off the monster. When he manages to free you, your car will shoot forward like a rocketship taking off into orbit, and either continue or end your ride.

Another idea would be to have another shoot ‘em up ride, destroying a vile alien race that wants to dominate the world, and make humans their slaves. There could also be a stage show with “Doctor Who,” with a simple plot of Clara and the Doctor investigate an issue, turns out it’s the Daleks’ doing, Doctor calls upon an audience member to help him save the world from the Daleks, all is well.  The “Doctor Who” section of the park could also feature a museum with props, various alien species, and iconic outfits from both new and old series.

If there is anything you'd like to see discussed, have feedback, or would like to get a hold of me feel free to review or comment. Before I end this entry, I have a question for you:

What would you like to see in a BBC theme park?

Guess Who's Back?

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Now I know exactly what you are all thinking: you cold hearted, lying conniver where have you been? For those who are new followers of mine, you’re probably thinking: holy shit this is an actual blog?

Long story short: there was a massive issue at my job that literally took six months to sort which led to e-mails flying everywhere, meetings nearly every day of work, and a whole brigade of bologna. While this was happening, I was also searching for a new job (which has been fruitless) and slowly seeping into the endless canyon that is depression. I’m accustomed to depression; I’ve had it a great deal of my life (from various factors), but like a snake it just knows when to slither at the right moment. While I’m still coping with my monsters, I am still going to write. We’ve all got monsters in our heads, it’s just a matter of how we tame them, and what to do with them. I’m not letting them dominate me nor my life. I’m tired of letting them do that, honestly. I’ve been tired for so long and now, I believe, is the perfect moment to slay them, if not propel them to what I believe is my purpose in life. I know I can’t tackle all of them at once, but I can start somewhere. 

I know that everything I was enduring should not have halted my entries. So I apologize for that, because regardless of what you do whether it be a part time job or running errands, nothing should hold you back from what you really want in life. I know what I want from life: I want to be a writer, marry my current boyfriend, get a full time job, and move out. For now though, my main priority is becoming a writer, quietly climbing the ranks until my works are published, and being satisfied with what I will become. 

Now, about the entries. I’ll be doing a Tuesday and Thursday schedule because I still work Mondays. I know it’s a little late to put up entries about Christmas, but hey no harm in trying, right? I’ll be posting an entry up this Thursday. 

Again, I apologize for being wrapped up in my own self and my monsters. It’s going to get better. If I can hope that it will get better and do my best in life, then chances are it’ll get better. 

If there’s anything specific you’d like to see from this blog (topics, reviews (of anything, really), opinions, poetry,etc.) feel free to shoot me a message. I’m open to new ideas, topics, and writing styles.

Stay tuned for a new entry!