2021

 

I'm sure by now many people realize since the events of January that choosing to vote for someone unqualified carries with it a high price. Part of me was not at all surprised by what occurred January 2021. 

As those of you who have been with me know, part of my disenchantment with blogging was that it got to a point that I wasn't sure who my readers were. Seemingly overnight I realized there are many people who are filled with hate toward immigrants, believe in religion which as a believer in Science is preposterous to me, and believe climate change is a hoax. Because Texas having such a drastic Winter today totally makes sense. That said, don't get me wrong I don't hate religion and religious people but I do think religious people are misguided and come off as crazy. 

I might lose readers for this but I don't care, I believe strongly in justice and for me politics is serious because it affects every part of our lives. We can't ignore issues like these especially when the income inequality gap has gotten out of hand, one that if you look closely affects certain groups more than others. 

I look forward to blogging this year on here and I do it because I know there are some of you in liberal states and liberal local regions. But honestly, if I lose some of you that might be for the best. I don't want to have anything to do with conservative scum.

Cassandra 

Blog continuation to mark off important pop culture landmarks

No, had no idea I would be back blogging but here it is. As I look back on it, blogging was important to me for a reason and that is it helped to chronologize any big pop culture landmarks as they happened and later just look back on them. Yep, it's actually pretty neat. 

It's something I won't allow anyone to keep me away from. 

So I guess that's why I have decided to continue the blog. In the months ahead unlike past times I won't make a plan I think that puts pressure on blogging but instead I'll see what pops up in movies or anime. In movies, Jojo Rabbit, Lucky Day with Nina Dobrev has caught my eye, and the new animated Addams Family movie. While in anime not new but continuing the Psycho-Pass anime franchise will premiere this Fall with Psycho-Pass 3. 

Moving to Mexico

I am sure by now most people have heard of the U.S. election. And due to the results I have gotten the courage to leave Georgia. It's a big decision but why not? I don't like racism or racists or entitled men who wish to be presidents out nowhere and people who vote for those like that. While it was nice that some voted Hillary Clinton it doesn't change the fact that the majority didn't. It disgusts me and a part of me cannot forgive it. I guess I believed in the good of all Americans and that is why it hit me the hardest knowing that I was wrong about the U.S.A. 

Thanks states like Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, Vermont, and Maine. I just wish more states and Americans had not voted for someone preposterous who happened to win. 

This means change for this blog. Considerable enough I wasn't sure how to address further blog posts. Since I am moving I'll be trying to whip up one last book review. That review I needed to get up for Sunborn Rising but after that who knows. This blog will still get maintenance in updates on the about the blog page and I will still occasionally use Twitter because of my loyalty to it but now mostly incognito. On Twitter I won't be offering any personal notes about myself any more and on here I likely won't be volunteering any new content. It will all be mere maintenance. 

Good or Bad and a Pool by Porches CD Giveaway

It's been a while but I have very good reasons for the delay. Been very busy coming to some decisions, now reading a lot of Science books and studying. 

All of which are making time go by faster than usual for me. Even though time is relative.

But the good news or bad news depending on how you take it is my Pool CD by Porches suffered a liquid spill and I am thinking of getting a new copy because this is a release I love. But since I believe in eco-friendly I want someone else to use this copy if possible rather than me having to throw it away. How wasteful would that be?

Believe me you're not getting a terrible-looking CD I just really want it to be how it used to be in a very pristine condition.

In person, as you can see it has these tiny light brown watermark dots in some areas from the spill.

On the blog: Pool by Porches Music Review

A Return to Blogging

I guess I am back. I am pretty sure it won't be like it used to be. I'll just push out output when and how I feel like it considering some days I feel more up to it than others.

Let it continue.-Cassandra

Going on hiatus but Jesse might continue to do some blogging

I think this is it for a while at least. I am going to stop blogging. I don't know what to write about really. Books aren't all that interesting to read for me, so different from when I started this blog and anime isn't something that holds my attention all that well either. Music while I hoped would be the saving grace I needed has proved to be another disappointment. Can't say I was surprised with music though despite how "some" people say you just haven't listened to enough. Wrong they are, they just cannot see it. 

With all these things at a standstill I think it's okay for me to take a considerable break especially as there isn't anything in Entertainment requiring my attention or that is making waves. Goodbye for now. It was fun!

My Summer Music Playlist (June 2016: Part 2)

Vega International Night School [CD] by Neon Indian

About Neon Indian

Alan Palomo of Neon Indian

Neon Indian is an Electronica band from Denton, Texas. Brainchild of Alan Palomo. 

Neon Indian Website

New on the blog!

Check out my unboxing Youtube video for TK from Ling tosite sigure's new music release, Egomaniac Feedback! One of the hottest music artists right now you probably haven't heard about. Go now!

My Summer Music Playlist (June 2016)

Announcement: Losing Interest in Things so Changes are Coming

It's important I get this out of the way. Lately I am not reading as much as I used to and that has made me come to reflect that it might just be that I don't really have an interest in it. And in truth that is why I always valued reading (besides the knowledge it gained me) because it allowed me a way to distract myself from anything that was bothering me but as I said not anymore. 

It's like when I am reading the pleasure is there but it is lessened. Not only that but some days when I think about getting some reading done I just can't find the will. 

And the more this happens the more it reminds me that something is missing. It's not a pleasant feeling. It's actually stressing me out, so I have decided to focus on movie and music reviews instead because at this time music is the only thing that is having a positive affect on me and that is being powerful enough to distract me. 

So without further ado. More movie reviews (although probably not even those, lack of interest) and music reviews will be happening on here. That said, I'll still continue Latest in Blog Visiting and Giveaway Hints. 

My Top 15 Favorite Male Authors

For a time I had a nagging suspicion that many of the authors I read are mostly female. And while I don't believe any gender in particular has better knack for writing better I thought I would recognize male authors that in particular have touched me, despite the uneven ratio. This is a celebration to all these male authors that have come and gone in my life. You are incredible and if anything I am indebted to you. Keep on writing!

1. Tom Pollock
2. Tom Becker
3. J. Gabriel Gates
4. Oscar Wilde
5. Steven L. Shrewsbury
6. Jeff Neal
7. Eion Colfer
8. Chuck Wending
9. John Hart
10. Matt Haig
11. Peter V. Brett
12. J. D. Salinger
13. Khaled Hosseini
14. Nicholas Sparks
15. Paulo Coelho

Tom Pollock: Tom Pollock is incredible! Actually when I first came across his book, The City's Son, the first in the Skyscraper Throne I was perturbed. I wasn't quite sure what I was reading. Precisely because he used a literary device not commonly used in books, at least, not this prominently. You can imagine my reaction. First I was speechless, then I was confused, but then I rationalized that it was extraordinary, it just wasn't something I was used to. It was something not seen before.

At the time in 2012, I was envisioning the thoughts and movements of buildings and inanimate objects. As you can tell, all this sounds crazy on paper but it is true. You have to read his writing, particularly The City's Son to understand it. And truly Tom Pollock is remarkable as is his writing, especially as it is those that are vastly original that truly end up being the most interesting.

Tom Becker: Funny. Tom Becker was an author I came across by mere chance. One day I was at the library and I looked at a book called Darkside. My interest was incited due to its cover looking like something out of the Tales from the Darkside movies/TV series and the Tales from The Crypt movies/TV series.

I guess I liked that and afterwards from the premise, I was further taken in. Once I read I got a look into a darker side to London, England. Writing was rich from characters and universe development. Not to mention Tom Becker knows how to skillfully move words in an exquisite manner. Reading his books reminds me of all the times I have fallen in love with great books. Those where you can tell the author has a natural talent for writing as if they were meant to be writers and nothing else. My only sadness is I wonder if he is known enough? I sincerely hope so because truthfully I feel with every fiber of my being that he is one of the greatest writers in the universe. Genre be damned.

J. Gabriel Gates: Ironically, I wasn't expecting much with The Sleepwalkers. While I was excited for it and intrigued by the premise I wasn't sure it was going to be anything mind-blowing. Mostly because a lot of Horror I have read has not been all that noteworthy. I was wrong with The Sleepwalkers. 

From the first moment I read it, I was like. Wow, I was so wrong. Good thing, I am not embarrassed to admit I can be wrong. 

Oscar Wilde: For a few years, I encountered Oscar Wilde getting quoted by Cassandra Clare in her The Mortal Instruments series but never put much thought in it besides the fact I really thought he was witty and insightful. 

Only to years later watch Dorian Gray a movie based off The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Interestingly enough this is the only full-length novel by him.

Steven L. Shrewsbury: My discovery of Steven L. Shrewsbury all began out of my involvement with small press publisher, Seventh Star Press. To this day, I only hold well-wishes toward Seventh Star Press. Other than having introduced me to Steven L. Shrewsbury they have also introduced me to two other skilled female writers, Jacker Gamber and J.L. Mulvihill.

But back to Steven L. Shrewsbury. He was something particularly interesting. He could write about fierce warriors that seemed as in the flesh. I was in love that someone's writing could do this. And while a lot of Steven L. Shrewsbury's work contains profanity I was surprised I could suspend my adverse reaction to it. I think I chalk it up to given what Steven L. Shrewsbury is doing with his writing, the profanity, at time becomes necessary so that when it comes it doesn't feel completely unwarranted.

Jeff Neal: Gosh! Jeff Neal's book Awful, Ohio is perhaps the one and only most bizarre book I have ever read. Beating even Tom Pollock's The City's Son. Yet, I loved it! 

It's remarkable. Nothing in this world comes close to it. His book shows that you don't have to be a small press published author or even a big house published author. Natural writing talent outs. Wherever it may be.

Eoin Colfer: I used to have a wonderful middle school teacher and I believe she knew or may have liked the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. And while I knew her I never read the series, one day years later I decided to begin the series just to see what all the stir was about and it was wonderful! 

I love the main character of the series who some would likely see as a villain, the Science Fiction elements, and the great story pacing. In addition, Eoin Colfer knows how to write brand-new story situations for his characters with each book. The icing on the cake was when I found out much later that he was a U2 fan.

Chuck Wending: Chuck Wending was an author that I passionately pursued out of the review recommendation from a fellow book blogger called Stefan from over at Civilian Reader. Honest. I read a review of his and later proceeded to buy a copy of Chuck Wendig's Double Dead off of Amazon.com.

The rest is history. I find it funny that like with Steven L. Shrewsbury, Chuck Wending also uses profanity and while I don't like hearing profanity I still appreciate his work. 

John Hart: My introduction to John Hart all happened thanks to the help of Goodreads. I entered a giveaway on there and I won John Hart's book The Last Child. I was worried I would not like his book since I am not much for mystery thrillers but I was dead-wrong. I loved it. His writing was emotional but insightful.

Matt Haig: My love of Matt Haig's writing all began through an online book blog tour. I was simply browsing one day and his book called to me. Once I won his book in a giveaway and read his work I was certain he would be an author that would remain in my memory for as long as I lived. My recommendation? The Radleys. 

Peter V. Brett: All I can say is the way Peter V. Brett writes, a lot, of his books could be either movies or TV series. His is high fidelity Fantasy. 

J.D. Salinger: Reading Catcher in the Rye was an eye-opening experience. It was through this book I learned that I wasn't the only one who had these thoughts. I only wish more books could be this important as a whole in Literature.

Khaled Hosseini: It's impossible to understand how school often produced some of my most favorite authors. Like with J.D. Salinger, Khaled Hosseini is another author. 

Things like A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner make you realize that this whole world is vast and what you may worry about is nothing in comparison to the pain others may suffer. Khaled Hosseini is remarkable precisely because he writes about such sensitive topics but with finesse and beauty.

Nicholas Sparks: Coincidentally, I had watched The Notebook and A Walk to Remember way before I knew who Nicholas Sparks was. And The Notebook and A Walk to Remember are both movies to this day I hold close to my heart, but it wasn't years and years later until I would watch another Nicholas Sparks involved movie named The Last Song and would finally noticed that this movie too was based off a book by Nicholas Sparks. Seeing this I finally read The Last Song in book form and I was converted. I became a Nicholas Sparks fan!

Paulo Coelho: Paulo Coelho is self-explainable. I am drawn naturally to Philosophy since a young age and if you take a closer look Paulo Coelho's writing has this spilling from its every pore and I drink from it like my thirst could never be quenched.

A Delay on my Middle-Grade Madness Reading

Unfortunately while I was planning to have a review for Liesl & Po the book I am reading toward Tonyalee's Middle-Grade Madness out by May 4 that might not happen as quickly. A while ago, I had an unpleasant migraine attack which hasn't happened since 2005 and 2006.

An original idea of Tonyalee over at LilyBloomBooks

So this is going to impact how fast I can review and link up up for Middle-Grade Madness. This doesn't mean I am not participating. I am because I really want to. I'll just be taking longer to post up my review on here and linking up. 

About the blogger

A blogger at Book & Movie Dimension a Blog for years. I Cassandra pride myself on finding the next hottest thing in Entertainment wherever it may hide: books, movies, music, you name it. Huge reader, anime watcher, and huge appreciator of TK from Ling tosite sigure music and Ling tosite sigure music. 

New Reading Plans this 2016

Currently Reading

For those of you who follow me on Twitter I am 81% through with Civilization and Its Discontents. You can check out some annotations I created from my reading with Civilization and Its Discontents. With this the line-up should include one more annotation piece and then that should be complete. 

Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud Annotations and Other Notes Part 1
Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud Annotations and Why Music Holds Value Part 2
Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud Annotations and On the Meaning of Life Part 3

I should be done with it by April 12, 2016. Give or take. Afterwards, I am planning to write a review. So don't be surprised when that shows up on the blog in the near future.
Coming up Next

I think this is self-explanatory. Since I am planning on being part of Tonyalee's Middle-Grade Madness it is important I incorporate a middle-grade read into my reading diet. Luckily I have a copy of Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver lying around.

My only regret is that I'll have to push Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche to the backburner.

Meanwhile, Jesse is reading these: 

  

My Latest Obsession: EDM music

While technically my first taste of EDM (electronic dance music) was back in 2011, it wasn't until yesterday that I really thought to look into more EDM.

And let me tell you as much as I complain that music across all genres is on the edge of always being stagnant (unless you're TK from Ling Tosite Sigure or Ling Tosite Sigure) that is not the case when it comes to the EDM scene.

While taste testing tons of tracks on Youtube under EDM playlists I came across tons of gorgeous tracks. And when I mean gorgeous I mean stimulating music none of the weak, tepid music so many music labels out there want to push at us. This isn't mediocre music, well, most of the time. 

That said, I don't think EDM is for everyone. I would venture to say this is music for those who want a shock to their system since I do agree at times the music can be a little aggressive since this is full-on hardcore electronic music not watered down or mixed into other types of music. Which is what gives it, its power, to make you dance.

If you're interested in music that makes you feel alive, here are some starting points:

• Hakuna Matata by R3hab (Hardwell Edit version)
• Calavera by Hardwell and Kura
• Hollywood by Afrojack and Hardwell

 
 

The Latest in Reading in 2016

Currently Reading

Coming up Next

Meanwhile, Jesse is reading these: 

  

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Might you wonder why is there an insistence on my part to celebrate by way of greeting. Well, when I was younger this was always very much celebrated and I still have fond memories of those times. So that's why. Happy St. Patrick's Day! Have a good day and hopefully you can find a lucky 4-leaf clover. But if you can't, then go enter the March 2016 New Release Giveaway going on now. I am giving away 1 book of choice for up to $20 to one lucky US reader or blogger. -Cassandra

Hello 2016 and the Books I Shall be Reading

Currently Reading

I'm actually reading these simultaneously. Like the old days where I would read 3 or 4 books at a time.

Coming up Next for 2016

As per my tweet on Twitter Amazon has already shipped my copy of Born of Swords and I can't wait to see that show up in my mailbox. And want to know even better news? Wonder Book via Amazon has also now shipped my copy of Vengeance by Megan Miranda. 

And I still can't believe it. I remember reading Fracture by Megan Miranda back in 2011 or was it 2012? and mentioning that I wanted to continue being in that world.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! As of my writing, I just wanted to let you all know I'm looking forward to a new year and a new year of continued blogging here on Book & Movie Dimension a Blog. Like always I'm very dedicated to this enterprise of blogging and I'll continue to do it consistently unless something happens to me. I look forward to seeing all of you here again and just wanted to leave you with, yes, like many have stated online already I also believe 2015 went by in a flash, but I liked it! 

I wish more years went by in a flash and that is why I count 2015 as the greatest year in my lifetime. I look forward to more years going by in a second!

Merry Christmas!

{Blog Updates} Dads T.V. Casual Talk Addition & Amazon.com Buy Options Added

Now available: T.V. Casual Talk-Hilarious Antics in Dads

Though the Dads TV series got cancelled it was thankfully released for home video thanks to Olive Films DVD. You can now buy it through Amazon.com ($19.99) or Best Buy's ($24.99) online store.