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. 

Walkin in an Olympic Motherland

Hello everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Tonight the Sochi Winter Olympics welcomed everyone with their opening ceremony. Teams from all over the world gathered in Sochi, Russia to represent their nation and strength. The Olympics is a special time of the year when viewers everywhere see the athletic talent of other countries. With every performance, a nation’s culture is displayed by how an athlete interprets a song through ice skating or how an athlete shows their skills in bobsledding.

As mentioned before, I am not a sports fan, but I am fond of ice skating. I’ve always enjoyed the grace skaters displayed while performing with bladed shoes. To this day, I am still fascinated by their skill and beauty.  Although there will be tons of figure skaters in Sochi’s Olympics, I still refuse to watch this special program.

• The Olympics is a time of coming together and celebrating various nationalities, regardless of race, color, and/or orientation. When asked about having homosexuals in Russia, Putin replied that they are not accepted; especially after he passed an anti-gay law last July. This led to an onslaught of violent attacks towards those who are interested in those of their own gender. Not only does this go against the purpose of the Olympics, but it terribly violates people. In response to this outrageous treatment of homosexuals, Google has changed its Olympic logo to the colors of the rainbow – the symbol for homosexuality. The Canadian Institute of Diversity and Inclusion also rallied for homosexuality in Russia and the Olympics by making a PSA.

CNN.com

• In order to prep for the coming of the Olympics, Sochi had to clean up its town. This meant getting rid of trash, restoring some of their hotels, and killing stray dogs. Yes, the last one is sickeningly true. Apparently, dogs roamed around the parks in Sochi, and no one seemed to mind; they even enjoyed the company of a fluffy, four legged friend. But with the Winter Olympics approaching, this drastically changed; pest control was hired to kill dogs by any means possible to make the Olympic Village more sanitary and beautiful. Thankfully, animal rescue shelters and charities have been able to save most of the dogs from death.

The Olympics is a celebration of life, strength, nationality, and unity. When the country that’s hosting the Olympics abuses homosexuals and murders dogs, it’s a contradiction. There are other places that would have been better suited for the Winter Olympics that uphold the themes of unity and admiration.

Where would you like to have seen the Olympics?

Feel free to comment and as always, feedback and followers are welcomed.  

Coca Cola's Vision of America

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

With the Superbowl finished (the Seahawks slaughtering the Broncos and taking the trophy (just as The Oatmeal predicted)), people are still abuzz about a few things; namely, the game and the Coca Cola advertisement.  For those of you who didn’t bother to watch the game, here is the Coca Cola commercial that everyone is fighting over:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8iM73E6JP8 – Coca Cola: America, the Beautiful

People have been tweeting Coca Cola no sooner they saw the commercial. Each tweet contained a message of people deeming Coca Cola “un-American” and vowing to never drink their product. Their ultimate reason for this is because that the song America, the Beautiful was sung in eight foreign languages.

(theblaze.com)

But what is America exactly? Most of us have different definitions of it. America is patriotic, idealistic, the land of opportunity, the home of dreams, and my personal favorite, the ultimate supplier of bacon. Coca Cola envisions America as a diverse melting pot, culminating with races and languages of different nationalities. This theme was seen and heard throughout the ad which featured a homosexual couple roller skating with their daughter, a family dinner, friends engaging in various fun activities such as surfing and watching a movie, and various nationalities joining in on the fun.

Coca Cola’s intent was to “get people talking and thinking about what it means to be American” (Lee, USA Today). While their attempt was promising and understandable, most people thought otherwise. As for myself, I’m not a big fan of Coca Cola for what it does to your body, much like other sodas. However, I believe the commercial was decent and carried out a meaning of America that has been always defined this nation.

America has always been a melting pot that speaks more than one language. The most popular languages spoken in this nation are: English, French, and Spanish. They are languages that have migrated to this country by way of people. Over time, more people have come to this country in search of a new life, and with it, they brought their language regardless if it was Japanese or Italian. So why are we now causing a commotion over something that has been happening for ages with this nation?

Feel free to leave your comments below and as always, feedback and followers are welcomed.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Greetings everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

This Sunday is the Sunday football fanatics have been waiting for: Superbowl Sunday. The Superbowl is a time honored event when two triumphant teams fight each other for bragging rights, a ring, and a trophy. While most people tune in for this special occasion, others like myself, only enjoy it for a few things. Honestly I’m not a big fan of football, I tried to get into it, but it just wasn't my jar of jam. Yet I still like the Superbowl for the following reasons.

3. The Puppy and Kitten Bowls

Because how can you resist the playful glimmer of puppy eyes or the soft, sweet little meows of kittens. This Sunday, the Animal Planet channel will be hosting the tenth puppy bowl at 3 pm.  However, for those who enjoy fluffy kittens over puppies, the Hallmark Channel will be showcasing the first ever kitten bowl. Tons of adorable meowing cutie bombs will take over television on Sunday, at 2 pm.

2. Feasting and Drinking

Who doesn't love a drink, especially on a day filled with excitement, frustration, and insanity? While some may consider watching the Superbowl to be incredibly boring, a drink can easily remedy that. If you’re not much of a drinker it’s all right because Superbowl food is fantastic. Hoagies, party snacks, football themed desserts all wait to enter your stomach and make you want more.

1. The Commercials

The commercials are the second thing that draws the attention of many to the Superbowl. These ads have been known to be controversial, funny, sexy, and strange. So far, we’ve only seen a few of this year’s Superbowl commercials leaked onto the Internet. One of them in particular is Budweiser’s Puppy Love ad, featuring the friendship between the beer’s iconic Clydesdale horse and a sweet little puppy. This commercial has caused many hearts to melt and increasing urges to get a puppy. Bud Light has revealed tons of secretive commercials, hinting at what content may be shown in the Superbowl ads for this year. Even Doritos has unleashed some ads by means of the Internet.

Are you a Superbowl fan? What do you enjoy the most about it? Feel free to comment and as always feedback and followers are welcomed.

School's Back in Session

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Before I begin tonight’s post I would like to thank my followers and readers for taking the time out of their busy lives to read my work. As a writer, I greatly appreciate it and hope you continue to enjoy my blog and pass it onto your friends. If there’s anything you want to see me write about or improve on, feel free to comment or inbox me. I’d be more than happy to respond.  Enjoy tonight’s entry. :D

For many students, the winter break has ended and the new semester has begun. By now, college students have moved back into their dorms and reunited with their friends over the holiday filled vacation. Other students have returned to hard desk chairs and an empty board before them, just waiting to be written on. However, while we are taught the basics and details, there are just some things that schools don’t teach us that we need in life. Here are a few of those things.

4. Home Economics

I put this one last because there are some schools that actually teach this. For me, home economics was a club in middle school. I regret not attending all the meetings because I usually forgot about them or had to study. But home economics include how to properly do laundry, how to cook something other than toast, basic car maintenance, how to sew, and other lessons that should be taught in a classroom, not in a club meeting.

3. Tipping

Tipping at a restaurant, valet, and other places are just one of the little lessons school never taught us. While there are apps that help us give the proper tip, there are those who aren't as tech savvy as most of this generation. There are even tons of web sites devoted to telling you how much you should tip. But it comes down to two things: your overall opinion of the service that was performed (moving, waitressing, etc.) and simple percentages.  

2. Mortgages and Other Payments

At some point in your life, you will rent an apartment and eventually move into your own home. Either way, there will be payments due. Some of these payments include rentals, mortgages, gas bills, electric bills, and a ton of other money draining taxes. But of course in life, you will also accumulate credit cards and a car (or more) which you will also need to pay off. Some of you may even have school loans or loans from other places, which sooner or later you’ll have to get rid of. Regretfully, school doesn't teach you how to pay off your credit cards, loans, mortgages, car insurance, and taxes.

1. Tax Returns

A few days ago I received the required paperwork for my tax returns. To be honest with you readers, I looked at the papers and called my dad in because I was completely and utterly confused.  This isn’t to say I can’t read or write (believe me, I read and write like a sailor curses) but the tax return materials are mind boggling. There are so many forms, sections, questions, fill in spaces, it’s insane. I know you’re supposed to learn how to do these things on your own, but it would be better for school to teach us how to properly fill everything out. That way we won’t stare at the pages like they’re written in some secret, government language and will be able to understand what to do.

What is the one thing you wish they taught you in school? Feel free to comment and as always feedback and followers are welcomed. 

Lights, Camera, 2014

Greetings everyone and as promised, here is Monday’s entry of The Magical Mystery Blog.

Despite Hollywood’s descent into unoriginal movie ideas, 2014 looks like an exciting year for movies and film ideas. While this seems like another year filled of retold fantasy stories, a few interesting ideas have managed to slip through the cracks. Here are just some glimpses into movies debuting this year and have attracted tons of attention.

-Maleficent

A few days ago the second trailer for Maleficent was released. This movie focuses on the villain of the iconic Sleeping Beauty story and tells the back story of the horned sorceress. In this teaser we see that at some point, Aurora and Maleficent meet and engage in multiple conversations. In one specific meeting, Maleficent informs the young beauty of an evil that not even she cannot protect her from. Notice the word in that sentence is ‘protect’ – thus giving a new idea to the audience that maybe Maleficent isn't vile, but rather another person defending Aurora much like her father and the fairies.

Throughout the trailer we see that the animated classic is the basis of Maleficent’s history. We see that the castle is kept nearly to the same design as are most of the characters. However, people are already bashing Elle Fanning for being Aurora mostly due to her voice and appearance. I believe that Elle is a fantastic choice because in the original story of Sleeping Beauty, she was fifteen to sixteen. Elle so happens to fit the same age as Aurora and embodies the youthful nature of the princess. This movie is set to hit theaters on May 30th. 

-The Lego Movie

The Lego Movie is just as what the title reads: an entire movie dealing with Legos. Not only are the Legos generic little yellow men and women, but in this film there’s Lego Batman, Abraham Lincoln, and even God (voiced by Morgan Freeman of course). The plot focuses on one average Lego man who stumbles onto something greater and discovers that he plays a rather large part of the Lego world. Although this movie is intended for children, chances are adults and geeks will flock to the theaters on February 7th to see their favorite childhood pastime come to life.

-Guardians of the Galaxy

This movie has received the most hype from Marvel fanatics everywhere. It has also attracted some Whovians due to the fact that Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) will star in this as well. The plot centers around Peter Quill, a man who happens to find himself caught in the war filled cosmos of the Marvelverse.   By his side are the Guardians of the Galaxy including a genetically engineered raccoon, a tree alien of royal descent, a revived human turned killing machine, and a powerful assassin.  Together they take on Nebula, Ronan the Accuser, and the ultimate villain, Thanos. Thanos, for you Marvel lovers, appeared at the end of the first Avengers movie. It’s rumored that the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy may or may not fuse at some point.  If they did, then it would be one colossal movie that would be out of this world. Guardians of the Galaxy will premiere on August 1st. 

-Dumb and Dumber To

Dumb and Dumber was a classic, laugh until your sides hurt comedy featuring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.  In this sequel, they reunite twenty years later to find one of their children. While the plot sounds all right, the idea of them having families and children raises so many questions. Who would ever fall for them, how was their family life, did they change to fit the role of a father? So many questions, so many days to go until it hits theaters on November 14th.

What movie are you looking forward to? Feel free to comment and as always, feedback and followers are welcomed. 

Sherlock: Crazy. Sexy. Beautiful.

Hello everyone and welcome to yet another Monday at The Magical Mystery Blog.

Last Sunday, the third season of Sherlock premiered in the UK. Within hours, the Internet was bombarded with gifs of lovable characters from the show, fantastic quotes from the writers and actors, and gifs of every single thing that happened in the premiere.  Sadly, while I do not live in the UK, I was able to locate a video of the premiere entitled The Empty Hearse.

geeksofdoom.com

WARNING: IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS, DO NOT READ ON.  BUT KNOW THIS: SHERLOCK SEASON THREE WILL PREMIERE IN THE UNITED STATES ON JANUARY 19^TH, 2014 AT 10PM ON PBS.

This premiere could be summed up in three words: Crazy. Sexy. Beautiful.

The amount of insanity in this show has induced fans on a high that cannot be obtainable by any drug. With every fight, rescue, and perilous event this premiere displays, the insanity seems to grow. It’s enticing and shatters the mind with every passing second, leading to a climax that bursts your brain entirely. But just when you think it’s over and your mind starts to piece itself back together, another twist of craziness comes forth, and breaks your brain once more. It’s a never ending game for Sherlock and it is dangerous as it is crazy.

Benedict Cumberbatch is the core sexiness of the show, making fans cheer with glee at his inevitable return. Yet what’s even sexier than the man in the trench is the mind palace he frequents to. It’s deep and wrought with intelligence and information that only he seems to possess. It’s complex, like a rubix cube, and oh so inviting like an adventure.  Of course there are other scenes worthy of sexiness, like how Moriarty and Sherlock almost kissed, Sherlock giving a rather epic kiss to Molly, and a few other moments.

This show is beautiful with its combination the actors, the writing, the situations the characters are thrown into, the characters, and the witty, funny humor that the show radiates. Like a rose emitting a perfume so attractive and alluring, Sherlock roots viewers to the source and keeps them there, intoxicating them with lavish ideas, developed plot, and constructed characters.

Sherlock season three will premiere in the United States on January 19^th, 2014 at 10 pm on PBS.

What do you love about Sherlock? Feel free to leave your comments below and as always, feedback and followers are welcomed.

Gaming in the New Year

Thank God it’s Friday here at The Magical Mystery Blog.

A new year is upon us to accomplish many things, do activities we always wanted to do, and make our lives as interesting as possible. Yesterday I managed to achieve something I've wanted to do since Christmas Day: defeat Pokemon Y. Pokemon Y is the latest game of the Pokemon franchise and hosts the sixth generation of Pokemon. This new generation includes Pokemon you grew up with as well as seventy new creatures which is a total of over 700 pocket monsters to capture, train, and play with.

I honestly wanted this game for nostalgia, the incredible graphics, the fantastic gameplay, and to see how my favorite childhood game has advanced over the years. This game did not disappoint me on any of those levels and I was satisfied through and through. Here are a few things I specifically love about Pokemon Y.

5) Music

At first, the music for this was all right. It was your typical battle jingle and victory music. But as you face the gym leaders, Team Flare, and the Elite Four, the themes transcend and evolve into excellent tunes. From what I’ve seen and heard, tons of fans seem to enjoy Lysandre’s battle theme the best. Frankly, I can see why: it’s a mix of wayward insanity, jarring evil, and badassery.  As for myself, I enjoy the Champion’s combat music because it pumps you up for the battle to end all battles, it beckons you to strive towards victory, and it fits the Champion’s character perfectly.

4) Mega Evolution

pokemondb.net

Behold the ultimate power of Blastoise with three cannons!

One of the most anticipated features of this game prior to its release was mega evolution. This concept is given to only a few select Pokemon in which they hold a stone that temporarily enhances them. In this advancement, they have the power of a t-rex tearing through an enormous cube made of titanium bricks and bacon (which is epically powerful). They also get a new look so Blastoise becomes Mega Blastoise, Gardevoir becomes Mega Gardevoir, and so on.  As a long awaited feature of the game, it made me feel like I had the power of the Pokeworld in my hands and nothing could stop it.

3) Pokemon Amie

In the Pokemon movies and shows we see trainers interacting with their Pokemon outside combat. As a child, we probably wished for something like this to happen to us. To be able to play with a Vulpix or surf on the back of a Lapras, it would have been excellent. Some of us to this day still wish for that fantasy to become a reality. In Pokemon X and Y, we are presented with Pokemon Amie, a program that allows us to play with our Pokemon. The more you play with your Pokemon, the more they will interact with you in combat. This is the closest we have ever gotten to fulfilling our childhood wishes and it’s heartwarming. We get to pet our Pokemon, feed them, and even play mini games with them.  We are given the opportunity to see our Pokemon smile and feed them as they cry in content.  What’s even better is if you have Lapras use Surf, you will actually ride a Lapras on the water, and not some cluster of pixels.

bulbapedia.net

Surfing on Lapras before....(Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire)

serebii.net

Surfing and fishing on Lapras after....(Pokemon X/Y)

2) The Graphics

These aren't your 1996 graphics where everything was one primary color in variant shades. Pokemon’s graphics changed with the years and for their new game, they took no chances. They spent hours creating 3D models for each Pokemon and making them move. On top of that, the settings they had to design for this game took days, hours, minutes, and nanoseconds. The results are utterly beautiful and by far, some of the best graphics I've seen. 

1) The Memories

As I've mentioned before, I bought this game for nostalgia. I’m a nostalgic and sentimental person even though I know it’s unhealthy to live in the past and that life only goes forward.  While I do move on with life, there are just some things that never leave me. One of those things happens to be Pokemon. The games always intrigued me because they drew me in, allowed me to combat without the sight of blood or be extremely violent, and gave me some wonderful memories. When I play Pokemon Y, I’m reminded of all the reasons why I fell in love with Pokemon.

How do you feel about the new Pokemon X/Y game? Love it? Hate it? Would never play it? Feel free to leave your thoughts below and as always, feedback and followers are welcomed.

Also if you like what you see here and want to get to know me better, check out my tumblr at #vannillafudge or this link: http://vannillafudge.tumblr.com/.