Visitors flock to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras ‘Fat Tuesday’
Happy Mardi Gras, everyone!
The Best Oscars Recap You’ll Ever Read
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The Best Oscars Recap You’ll Ever Read
I love the Betches for their hard-hitting commentary. And, snark.
I watched and live tweeted throughout the show on “tvtag.” It was one of the best Oscars shows I’ve seen in years. If Ellen is not available to host, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, should be considered. The female comics keep the jokes funny and tasteful.
“Portal to Hell’s” New Owner: Zak Bagans
I have mixed feelings about Zak Bagans’ Travel Channel show “Ghost Adventurers,” even though I am a fan. They seem to have a knack for disrespecting spirits and taunting demons. However, their show is a nice contrast to the more serious “The Dead Files,” which takes a methodical, more global approach to examining places with possible paranormal activity. “The Dead Files,” pairs Amy Allan a medium with Steve Di Shavi on each case. Amy and Steve disseminate evidence separately, then provide the families a comprehensive report, with historical data, about events that may have lead to hauntings. They also provide suggestions on how to deal with any paranormal activity. Zak and his crew have a more of a “bull in a china shop” approach.
As The Haunted Librarian notes, Zak recently purchased a property in Indiana, known as the “portal to hell.” He plans to live there, while his team investigates any activity. What could possibly happen? Oh boy. Dangerous, does not begin to describe the world of hurt they may be unleashing, if they go into that situation ill-prepared and full of piss and vinegar. In other words, the way they walk into all of their investigations.
API will be discussing this case and possible repercussions on their show, Thursday and I am curious to hear their take. Tune in, folks.
Supposed “Portal to Hell” House
“Portal to Hell’s” New Owner: Zak Bagans
Granted I’m a tad tardy to the discussion, but I’ve decided to jump into to fray. Ghost Adventurer’s Lead Investigator Zak Bagans has purchased the “haunted” house on Carolina Street in Gary, Indiana. He paid $35,000 for the “modest” property. Bagans is quoted as saying: “I really [have] a passion for this stuff… .” This smacks as a publicity stunt!
Charles Reed, the former owner, sold the property days after a local newspaper published a story whereby calling the house the “Portal to Hell.” Former renter Latoya Ammons, along with her three children and mother, moved into the house in 2011. During the following year, Ms. Ammons claims that one child levitated over a bed, another child walked backwards up a wall, ominous footsteps were heard, and the animal elicited strange behavior. Catholic priest Rev. Michael Maginot exorcised…
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El Bachelor es un Gran Pendejo and We Can’t Stop Watching
SPOILER ALERT: If you have not watched this week’s episodes of The Bachelor stop reading, immediately.
I have watched ABC’s The Bachelor and The Bachelorette on and off since the first season. I usually watched the first few shows, dropped off in the middle and picked it back up when the contestants had been narrowed down to four or five. Of all the reality TV dating shows, The Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise had the best track record of lasting relationships. Two Bachelorettes and one Bachelor reached the altar with their chosen “Final Rose” recipient. The majority of the couples dated then broke up.
I questioned the motives of the male contestants and Bachelors, because it could be a meat market for unscrupulous men. Fortunately, most of the men have taken the process seriously, whether they have found Ms. Right, or not. Moreover, most of the female contestants were truly looking for love – in the worst possible scenario and under international television scrutiny – but, once all the hype was stripped away, they wanted to make a love connection. This show was for folks with brass cojones, as they were willingly subjecting themselves to an artificial dating environment and giving up their privacy. In fact, the group dynamics were fascinating (cringe-worthy) to watch from a sociological perspective. (I hope there were mental health professionals available to assist them as they transitioned back to the “real” world.)
On Desiree’s season of The Bachelorette, there was a contestant who stood out as special. His name was Juan Pablo Galavis and along with so many women (and men) I fell under his mesmerizing spell. I was thrilled when he was named the next Bachelor. Finally, a Bachelor I could root for! Juan Pablo was an attractive, Latino, single dad, completely devoted to his daughter, who carried himself as a charming gentleman. Desiree eliminated him relatively early, but his loyal fans ensured ABC knew how popular he was, and he was selected to be the next Bachelor.
All of us who expected to see the same man who enchanted us, were duped! Juan Pablo started off charming enough, but quickly became quite the megadouchetart. As the weeks progressed and he narrowed down his selection of contestants, we saw sides of his personality that sent up puzzling red flags. Was he plagued by a language barrier or simply a “guy,” versus a “man” as eloquently expressed in Cameron Crowe’s 1989 movie Say Anything? Long story, short…..he was a guy…the lowest version thereof.
Not one, but two women walked off the show, effectively eliminating themselves. The first, Sharleen, was ambivalent about the entire process and I am still confused as to how she was selected to participate. The woman was never engaged in the process, but was likely seeking publicity for her opera career. More power to her. On Monday night, however, Juan Pablo went on the “hometown” dates, where met the final three contestants’ families. Each family expressed concerns over the situation the women found themselves in and questioned whether or not, Juan Pablo was seriously committed to each one.
Tuesday night, Andi, the bright, bubbly District Attorney from Atlanta, with the best dad in Bachelor history, left the show. She and Juan Pablo had a disastrous fantasy suite date, where he shared (bragged?) about his “conquests.” After trying unsuccessfully to make Juan Pablo understand, react or reach out to her, she put him in his place, called him out as an arrogant asshole and left. I cheered her on all the way. As I live tweeted through tvtag, the overwhelming consensus was that all the women, who had either left or been eliminated, were better off without Juan Pablo, aka. El Pendejo. His final tweet of the show was “I’de Rather Not Be Appreciated Being Honest, Than Be Appreciated And Not Being Honest…” No te preocupes, querido. Las pocas fanáticas que te quedaban ya no existen, mal criado.
Must see TV indeed. Telenovela writers wished they had this material! I felt badly for the women on the show, but as a viewer, this was reality TV gold. Oh, and I expect to see Andi again. Very soon.
Next week is the Final Rose Ceremony and the rumors abound as to whether Juan Pablo will choose Clare or Nikki. Reality Steve provided spoilers when the season started, but nothing is as entertaining as the teasers for the Reunion Show. It promises to be a skewer-fest as the women have their “day in court.” I will be watching and live tweeting. Pour yourself a lovely glass of Malbec and join me.
In the meantime, here is a toast to Lloyd Dobler , who proved to a man, not a guy. Sigh.
Bella Juarez releases “Hanging By a Moment”
Widower and Air Force reservist, Tom Ryan fills the empty spaces in his life by building dream homes for others. When he’s invited to a client’s party, he meets the owner’s sister-in-law, a tempestuous artist, and discovers that maybe there is a wrong time to meet the right person…
Free-spirited Emily Sanchez is known for pushing the envelope in art, but meeting dependable, and down-to-earth Tom challenges her. The man has submissive written all over him, and she thinks she might be just the woman to peel back the layers and release the brilliant passion inside.
But when they are paired by Madame Eve, Tom turns the tables on Emily, because he’s always been curious about the lifestyle and if the chaotic artist is willing to surrender, they may discover their deepest desire…
Purchase Hanging by a Moment on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or BookStrand.
About the Author:
Bella Juarez is originally from San Antonio, Texas and now lives and writes on a small ranch in South Central Texas. She draws inspiration from the real life heroes and heroines of the United States military and her many experiences in the twelve years she worked within that world as well as from her life in the civilian world. Her love of thrill and adventure are reflected in her stories. When she’s not writing, Bella runs a business and is active in the business community. She also runs half-marathons.
Find out more about Bella on her website, follow her on Twitter, and like her Facebook page.
No Estás Sola Venezuela
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#SOSVenezuela #PrayforVenezuela #PazenVenezuela #PanameñosensolidaridadconVenezuela
In celebration of “real” men.
So many posts are written about female characters, but rarely do we discuss the men. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Rosanna.
As I flit through the social media and romance channels, I hear so much about celebrating “real” women in romance literature. Heck, I have spouted off on this topic myself. However, it occurred to me that I’ve never read anything about celebrating real men.
Does it seem strange to do so? After all, romance is all about those buff, impossibly-delicious dudes who curl our toes. You know, the kinds who don’t exist so we authors have to create them.
Notwithstanding the perfect abs, full heads of hair and penchant for saving their women, I’d be willing to bet my last dollar that most of these unreal book boyfriends had their origins in some very real men. And why not? When I consider the real men who’ve been in my life, I’m struck by a few things.
Yes, they sometimes aggravate us. Sometimes they sit on the couch too much and…
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The ongoing war on journalists
#SOSVenezuela #Pray4Venezuela #Repressionofthemedia
Warning: Reporting what’s happening in Venezuela could be hazardous to your health.
Much has been said about the enormous pressure the government has applied on both domestic and foreign media in the current crisis, but that’s not the entire story. Many journalists on the ground have become direct targets of violence over the last few days
According to this list released on Sunday by the National Press Workers’ Union (SNTP), at least 62 press workers (including camera operators, photographers, production crew members, and others) have been victims of abuse and/or harassment by either police forces, the National Guard, irregular armed groups or protesters:
Most victims work for Venezuelan news outlets, yet the number of international correspondents involved in those incidents is considerable. From France Presse to Deutsche Welle to CNN en Español, from Colombia’s Caracol to Brazilian TV channel SBT, it looks like the pressure against international media…
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San Cristóbal Falls Apart
#SOSVenezuela #Pray4Venezuela #Thewholeworldshouldbewatching
Jimmy Vargas’s mom says goodbye.
This morning, around the same time Táchira State Governor enjoyed an easygoing chat from an air-conditioned Caracas radio booth about how not a single gocho has died during protests on his watch, Jimmy Vargas, 34, was on his way to his charcutería job, as usual. Finding the mall where he worked besieged by the National Guard, he sought shelter from the tear gas and rubber pellets that the Guards was firing indiscriminately into the second floor of the building.
One mis-timed peek out to see what was happening cost him his life. According to eye-witnesses, he fell to his death from the second story balcony after being hit in the face with rubber buckshot (perdigones) and a tear gas cannister and losing consciousness. Once he hit the ground, Jimmy´s lifeless body was repeatedly kicked by the same Guards who shot him, until the…
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Venezuela, here is my voice.
Panamanians stand by our Venezuelan sisters and brothers.
A very close SU friend from Venezuela told me one of her friends from home was murdered today. I have been preparing for some days to write this post, and I have asked many fellow SU students if they know about the situation in Venezuela and most people have no idea. This gave me even more motivation, so I would like to share with you the terrible reality that is going on in Venezuela.
Venezuela has been facing economic, social and security problems, among others, caused by the corrupt Venezuelan government. More than 90% of the murders in Venezuela go unpunished. On February 12, Venezuela’s national youth day, students were tired of the injustice and corruption in their country caused by the government, so they started a peaceful riot for their rights. These students were unarmed; they carried flags, cameras, signs and flowers. The police force reacted aggressively and attacked…
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Blades Le Respondió a Maduro…con Sensatez y en buen Panameño
En el 18 de febrero, Rubén Blades, publicó su resumen personal llamado, Venezuela, sobre la situación trágica que está viviendo el pueblo Venezolano a manos de sus gobernantes y cuerpos militares. Como mencioné en este blog, soy fanática del cantautor, pero no de su ausiencia durante el régimen de Noriega, en Panamá. Esa “persona” (Noreiga) nos dañó la adolecencia a más de una generación y se cago en nuestro país, pero su juicio será por el Todopoderoso, ya que la Karma nos encuentra a todos, al fin y al cabo.
Al leer las declaraciones de Blades, Nicolás Maduro, Presidente de Venezuela, quien ordenó los ataques brutales sobre manifestantes pacificos, transmitió este video. Maduro, quien dice ser fanático de Blades, no solo, malinterpreta la letra y mensaje de sus canciones, si no que invita a Blades a Venezuela. El hombre es un imbecil malvado, cajonauta, con complejo napoleónico de grado superlativo. O como decimos en Panamá…¡Qué poca altura!
El 20 de febrero, Blades le “paró el happy” a Maduro con las siguientes declaraciones eloquentes y prudentes. Rubén Blades estudió derecho en la Universidad de Panamá, obtenió su posgrado en Harvard University y ha creado una carrera sobresaliente como compositor, músico y cantante. Las palabras han sido su lienzo y las usa con precisión en su respuesta a Maduro.
Mientras tanto, las violaciones a los derechos humanos contra los Venezolanos, a manos de su gobierno siguen sin censura alguna del primer mundo. ¡¡¿Hasta cuando?!!
#SOSVenezuela #PrayforVenezuela #JusticiaparaVenezuela
Forbes Discovers “Sunshine City’s” Blossoming Art and Food Scene
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In Sampling St. Petersburg’s New Art And Food Scene, Forbes Travel Guide’s Michelle Doucette provides a glimpse into some of the changes St. Petersburg, Florida has been undergoing to become a destination for art lovers and foodies alike.
I lived in Tampa for almost ten years, before moving to St. Petersburg and can vouch for the eclectic arts scene that exists here. While the article mentions our new and growing craft beer industry and some of the local breweries, it fails to acknowledge the long-time City, County and private partnerships that have contributed greatly to re-investments in the City of St. Petersburg. Our City has dedicated green space and dog parks, and a Mayor, Rick Krisemen, who worked tirelessly throughout his career to ensure our Human Rights Ordinance was developed and passed. In fact, he was the first elected official to sign last year’s St. Pete Pride Proclamation, which coincided with one of the most successful, family-oriented, Pride celebrations in the country. (He served on the City Council when he signed the Proclamation and was instrumental in keeping pressure on previous Mayors to sign the Proclamation).
Add in Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, museums with diverse collections like The Dali Museum, the Florida Holocaust Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the oldest and largest MLK Day celebrations in the country, our beautiful beaches and year-round great weather and you will begin to see why we love our unique slice of heaven.
I can be found at the dog beach at Fort De Soto, alongside Hubby and our sun-worshipping K9 kids: Zeke, Hannah and Charlie.
Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 