Army Wives

So we all remember when Army Wives first aired on Lifetime.

There have been many positive and negative comments that emerged from a range of people.
Six years later we thought we would have been saying goodbye to the cast and show that has captured many hearts around the world. Last week's Finale left many wondering if this was the end of the show or the end of the season. With a finale that left you hanging as to who was supposedly reported dead to General Holden we can only assume that Army Wives has a few more episodes left in it.

Needless to say, I think we know that we're saying goodbye to most of the original cast.

Army Wives has touched on many issues during its time on air that didn't necessarily give a solution to the problems that society, army wives and even non-army wives face on a day to day basis. Even in this
Finale episode yet again another "hot" topic in society was raised about sexuality. I'm not here to discuss what's right or wrong. But it is good that the show raises the issues so that they can be discussed openly. The show has allowed us to understand that you have to create a way to start the discussion, they showed us how to continue the conversation. They informed some of us of the things that happen in army life and provided ways that seemed find a solution at the time.

I started following Army Wives because of the familiar actors from some of my favorite shows; including Charmed and NYPD Blue. *I have a tendency to watch shows with the same actors.*

I grew to love this show because there was something real about the situations even if the setting was a little too perfect for reality. The writers did try to show the various situations that women at different "economic" levels go through. Most of all it showed that everyone has problems, regardless of what you have, don't have or who you are. What gets us through these problems are the people around us.
The finale of army wives was probably typical of any army unit -lots of unwanted change for many families in the Army, disruption of normal living, news of loved ones being killed and family decisions being placed on hold.

For many, Army Wives was a very cheesy, artificial show that was not realistic.
I beg to disagree - but each person has their own freedom to define anything.

Thank you Lifetime and I do hope this was not the end of a great series but just a season finale.

Looking forward to next season.

The Screwtape Letters

C.S. Lewis has a wealth of amazing collections. My first book that I ever read from him was "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe". We read this book for literature back in high school, I eventually read the entire series "The Chronicles of Narnia" years later. Now more people are familiar with his work thanks to Hollywood for bringing Narnia to the big screen. 

But The Screwtape Letters, is another type of story. After reading it I had to applaud Lewis for himself NOT getting wrapped up in the characters. For anyone to write about the Devil I believe you're toying with something very sinister.

The book is essentially about "letters" between a Senior and Junior Devil or demons so to speak. (relatives actually - an uncle speaking to a nephew).

Strange book to write on! Right? Very true, but this was his way of sharing with  us how he thinks the devil world works against us.

In the book Lewis lays out the systematic methods that the demons employ in attempting to "win" souls to hell! When you read Screwtape letters you realize that the Devil sometimes uses things that are "good" and use them against us for evil. Who would ever think being hospitable is a bad thing ?!!? Or praying? It's a wonderful thing to be hospitable and a very good thing to pray. But when you're hospitable to the point of not paying attention to your guests then this becomes bad. When you're praying so that other people will see you then it's not such a good thing.
The soul that the Junior devil was trying to "win" to hell had a mother just like that. He also interacted with people who the "devils" either liked or disliked at various times in his life. 

They always seemed to position the "evil" in very easy places for access. But our Soul always seemed to have Allies to help get through the rough situations. I described this book as "A slap with the Holy two-by-four piece of wood" - that wakes you up to the games that are being played to bring our souls to eternal hell. It shows how one has to be very aware of who they are and who or what they believe in. The Devil likes nothing better than souls that are indifferent. Our author here gives the impression that these are the souls that are simply collected and groomed for "the kill" so to speak. Very little effort is required to get these souls to hell. 

Our Author however describes how the devils FIGHT for the border line souls AND the good souls! They fight tooth and nail to "win" souls to hell. When one of these souls is "lost" to the glory of Heaven there is a lot of mourning and sorrow in hell. But there is also the destruction (meaning the execution) of the Devil that DID not secure that soul to hell. 

At the end of it all we are given the example of how to live a life that will have the Devils crying in anguish. 

Total Recall 2012

This Summer we've had some really great movies but I think my absolute favorite has been Total Recall.
Not just because I like action films that can really pass off as reality; or because I saw a hint of Star Wars in this movie; or because Collin Farrell is really a great actor.

Hats go off to Jessica Biel for executing a great role. You've come a long way from Seventh Heaven.
Kate Beckinsale, acted like a really crazed mad woman bent on killing her target. Don't ever want to get her upset!

You know I'm always one for finding the "hidden" message. The golden nugget so to speak. I believe every film maker has a message to tell us, but he uses different genres of this art form to send his or her message.

In the midst of all the flying cars, gun shots, labor workers and experimental science involving people passing through the core of the earth, I caught onto one message about knowing yourself!

Collin Farrell's line, "I don't know who I was, but I know who I am" is something that we should really take to heart.

Many will judge you as they did Collin's character Hauser because of who you were. Although what we've done in the past does matter, it's really about what you're doing now to change the future that matters more.

Officially a Samsung Fan

The Android is really taking over!

I'm not one to be a first mover. So after the Samsung Galaxy S III launched, I was now starting to examine the benefits of the Galaxy S II.

Yes I know I'm really far behind. But as I said I'm not one of those first movers. When Samsung launches Galaxy S 5 I'll probably be now purchasing my S3.

Needless to say Samsung has begun a revolution in phone technology that even an extremely delayed adopter as myself can appreciate.

Using their devices is so easy and simple; and whereas I thought I'd never like a touch screen anything, I often find myself touching all screens expecting them to "move" in a similar fashion.

I remember when I first graduated to Blackberry from my coveted Motorola Razor. It was the biggest thing since slice bread. I was able to get my emails in my hand! And of course who could deny the benefits of BBM. But just like everything else, people grow, evolve and change. As we have seen with things as simple as the watch, to the things as large as cruise ships, if you don't move with the technology you will be left behind in the dust!

Although Blackberry may still have their market among the younger generation of smart phone users , Samsung, and other Android platform devices, are very quickly taking over the general smart phone users market.

There is a general conception that Android is "cool" and allows for far greater access to content than any other smart phone to date; with the exception of the iPhone of course! for those who can afford such luxuries and wish to be chained to Apple. 

Samsung has been able to introduce to the market a range of smartphones that really target different markets by the variety of functions available. With the Samsung Galaxy Y or ACE there are specific features not available in the SII or SIII but still make you feel that you're doing something "techy".

For someone like my parents who were around during World War II, these "lower" model Samsung devices are great for them.
They were the users of the very first Nokia's - if anyone remembers those.
But when technology starts to look sleek and smooth as this, you can't help but just go out and get one.

I tossed my Blackberry for the Samsung and now  I don't think there's any turning back. I'm still not going to be an early adopter but I think you may see me starting to get really close.

Brave

I love cartoons! Especially those that have a message. Although I don't know of any cartoon that doesn't have a message. With the exception of South Park.

Brave is one of those films that again re-enforces the fact you always have to go after your dreams, but sometimes we have know if our selfish ambitions are worth the sacrifices.

Knowing what we are capable of is a great thing. Sticking to a plan that will fulfill your dreams is even better.

But when I look at little Princess Merida I realized a great humility that came over her; recognizing that her ambitions were not worth losing her family.

The message that gleamed most from this very simple movie was that family should come above any personal dreams, ambitions or preferences.

Although we could see the daughter humbling herself to give up what she wanted in order to save her mother, we also see that the mother started to understand and accept her daughter just the way she was.

Sometimes parents try so hard to mold their children that they don't realize how much they are hurting them. A child's natural response will be to rebel and "wish" the worse on their parents.
There comes a time when you have to reach middle ground and each person give something up.

I loved Brave because it showed that we can't always get what we want. Sometimes in giving one thing up we can gain something even greater.

Watch the Trailer then go and see this film. It will lightened your heart and make you realize that all family trials can be over come if you have a little love.

The Week the Women Went

I have seen the advertisements for this new series, "The Week The Women Went," and I am awaiting it with much anticipation. 

It is a question that we always want to know the answer to; what will happen to the world if women    

suddenly disappeared?!?!?!?!?!

Thank you to Lifetime for running this experiment. 

We all probably remember a time when our mothers had to leave to go on a work trip, or be away for a retreat, or fall so sick that they could not even get out of bed. Every time mommy goes away all hell breaks loose. It's almost as if the men in the world are completely unable to function without women. 

Dear I say it's not that they're unable to function, but they weren't really made in the same way as women. Things that we women take for granted that we do without much effort, for some strange reason, men have a difficult time even understanding why it needs to be done. 

For my part this is understandable. God made Men and Women differently, giving us different responsibilities and different attributes. If for some reason we actually think the world could survive with only one sex - male or female - then this experiment that Lifetime has put together will probably show us why one sex on earth is probably not a good thing. 

Yes we can all share responsibilities in the home, but I firmly believe that unless you're a very special man, there are just some things that only women will be able to do and there are things only men will be able to do. 

A glass in the kitchen sink will bother a woman to highest heaven; a man will probably look at it and say, "Well that's a waste of water and energy to wash just one glass. I'll wait till there's more to clean up". 

I remember when mommy was away from the house I would often have to step up and help out at home, especially if I had no desire to eat corn beef, cabbage and rice every night!!!

It's not that I didn't like corn beef, cabbage and rice, but every night was pushing it. 

I honestly think that men have a role and women have a role. I'm never going to change a tire, even though I know how to. I have no interest in mowing the lawn even though I'm sure it's a great work-out. I have no interest in learning the insides of my car - that's what a mechanic is for. See! I know my role and I know the roles of men as well. 

I can't wait to see what this show has to offer. And for all those children out there who are lucky enough to have a stay at home mom - show her some love and let her know that you're proud and happy that she's a Stay at Home Mom! 

"The Week the Women Went" - Premiers August 14th 10pm (9pm Central) on Lifetime  

The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises opened with a not so "bright" future. Opening night in Colorado saw the deaths of 12 innocent souls and many injured. Our hearts go out to these people and their families 

But we shouldn't judge the value of movies because a mad man decided to walk into a movie theatre blazing guns! I for one decided that when it was opening in Trinidad I didn't want to take any chances, in case of a copy cat.

The Dark Knight Rises opened last week in Trinidad and Tobago, with no surprises - Thank God. I am never one to "rush" to see any movie. My interest in them is not that serious, but for this particular film I wanted to see what Christopher Nolan brought to the screen this time around given that I didn't too fancy part 2 of his Bat Man series - The Dark Knight - with the one, the only Heath Ledger (RIP)! 

Dark Knight Rises was a bitter sweet movie, in that, yet again another trilogy comes to an end. I must say this is the first movie in quite a few months - that I did not get up to go to the bathroom during the film; that - I forgot I  had popcorn on my lap and I even forgot that it was cold in the movie theater - and I'm always freezing.

I was so wrapped up in the movie from beginning to end that I give my hats off to Christopher Nolan. Well done sir! 
I did hear a lot of people complain about how slow it was at the beginning, that it was too obvious with all the hints that The Bat Man was going to "die" and that the introduction of Robin seems "cheesy". 

Needless to say my opinion is that the film was fantastic. The twisting plots and surprise antagonist; the sense of hopelessness in a city that had to again band together or perish; the loss of one hero; the discovery of the identity of the hero and wonders of wonders to find out that everything always works out in the end. 


I loved the film precisely because it tells us we can all start over! We can all start afresh but the criteria is "death!" One part of you must "die" for you to be free to move on to the next level of existence. 

The Dark Knight Rises - isn't really about darkness at all - it's about everyone's light coming to the surface. It's about re-claiming your vision for yourself. 


If you remember the scene when he spent those days in the pit of darkness - what was he looking up to? The Light! Yes the light! 


The Bat Man saga may have been shrouded in darkness but it was only to reveal to us that light does exist and it always overcomes no matter what. Yes at a cost, but I think it's all worth it. 

Thank you again Christopher Nolan.