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.

1984

I recently finished the book 1984 by George Orwell.

I'm probably the only person of my era that has just read this book. Almost everyone I've spoken to has read this book, and even more people have read Animal Farm.

I was in a meeting when our CEO recommended that everyone read this book. So naturally I went out on and purchased the book on my kindle and started reading.

And I could not put the book down. Every few minutes I had - which are not many by the way - I was in 1984.

It's one of those books where you're hoping for the happy ending that you know if just not going to come. So why continue to read.

Many of the books I've read almost always have a "happy ending" if not happy at least an expected ending.

What intrigued me most about 1984 was the very scary fact that such thinking can and actually does exist, and I want to think that the only reason such an economic system has not evolved in our world is precisely because of the reason laid out as "failures" in the book.

Morally speaking I think most people of our era would abhor such conditions, but we seem to not realize that we are creating everyday the means by which 1984 came about. Everyday we are allowing "Big Brother" into our lives a little more each day. Everyday we are openly sharing with "Big Brother" everything they need to know about us. Every  swipe of a card, every text message, every post, every tweet, every BLOG! opens us up to "Big Brother's" vision.

What are you sharing with Big Brother these days.

Prometheus (2012)

I recently went to see the movie Prometheus. Yes I know I'm  a little late, but better late than never. I would say however in this case it was better never.

All movies have their appeal to different groups of people. I don't know what the appeal in this movie was for every man, including my husband, who said the movie was great. Every woman I talked to thought the movie was crap.

Now statistically speaking my sample population was very small so I'm not going to just go on these few opinions however the movie as a technical work of art was great!

Unlike other science fiction movies where everything in it appears to be unreal except the actors, Prometheus attempted to make the scenario feel real - like this could actually happen in our own time. Pretty far fetched given that space exploration programs are cutting back right?

Anyway Prometheus seemed so "out there" that it had to be imaginary and yet it played on some of the common questions that people ask themselves today. Folks you won't find the answer in space. What's disturbing about this movie is that it eludes to the fact that creatures created humans and not God. We as humans are so obsessed with meeting our maker that we will put on the screen all our ideas about who our maker is. There are some who will believe the screen and other who will just chalk this movie up to plain old fiction - some would say even really BAD fiction.

Never the less, a lot of money went into moving this film and although I can not say it was a great movie based on its content, it was one of the better made sci-fi flicks I've seen in a while. It "appeared" real on the screen, which made it convincing except for the fact that we're NOT made from some distant alien species. The special effects, camera angles, the sets were really convincing. At some moments I thought I was watching Star Wars, but then the stupid story line will wake me up and I'd realize I was watching Prometheus.

70: Remembering a Revolution

I was not even thought of when the Black Power uprising took place in Trinidad and Tobago in 1970.

I was privileged to have the opportunity to go to see the documentary film of this period. Directed by Alex de Verteuil and Elizabeth Topp, they brought to the screen the various views, images and memories of those who were involved in this movement.

The film technically speaking was a great piece of work. Although for someone like myself who knew nothing about that time there could have been more editing techniques used to keep the audiences' attention. I stayed awake during the film because I wanted to KNOW. But the film lacked the power of keeping someone's attention and I believe that even for those who don't want to know we need to find a way to portray this information so that they at least want to listen.

When I left The Little Carib Theatre where the screening was held, I must say I left with lots of emotions swelling up inside of me. Feelings from remorse and sorrow to feelings of anger and disgust.

My angry feelings were directed at a period that I "believed" tried to do something about a situation but only made it worse especially for those who had to live through 1990 and beyond. Coincidentally in 1990 there was another uprising in Trinidad and Tobago.

I felt sorrow and remorse for those who had to live through a type of discrimination that really and truly should have never existed, but the fact is it does exist and still exists and we don't know when it's going to disappear. For my generation I think we've reached a stage where we accept and we don't care if people discriminate against us - our attitude now is, "your loss". But that's because we have options now.

What I keep in mind about this time is that, as I said before - I was not even thought of. So I do not know what situations the people of 1970 were living under. However when they describe these situations I look around and feel that it is same. There is still racial discrimination, class discrimination, educational discrimination. So although now a little black girl like myself can get three degrees in Engineering and Business and get a job, I am still not of the "class" of people who can afford a house and a car.

For myself and many young people today, whether they be white or black, Chinese or Indian there is a different level of discrimination that exists today and tomorrow it will simply be replaced by another. For the disenchanted among the youth, I will ask you to view this film and not judge the people of this era because there were some benefits that came out of this period but rather see how it is possible to rally around a right cause. The methods I will never agree with but the cause was important.


Personally I blame this period for a lot of the lawlessness that exists in our country today. This period dealt poorly with a military mutiny that in my opinion left the impression on all citizens that you can do the unspeakable in this country and get away with it! I was told by one born years before 1970 that perhaps it has something to do with the fact that our country is named after The Trinity. That is why we are so forgiving.

Needless to say for someone who cared very little about the history of my own country I must thank the producers and directors for helping understand why our country is the way it is today, where we've come from and a glimpse of the vision that was held for this country. I still feel we have a long way to go.

The Alchemist

I remember that when I was younger I had a vivid imagination, somewhere along the way that imagination just seemed to dry up.

My husband said it was because I had given up on my dream. I told him I don't think I ever had any dreams.
Then he gave me this book to read - The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. He has become one of my favorite authors.

The Alchemist is one of those  books that reminds you that you DO have a purpose even if you forgot it. I'm sure like anyone who has read The Alchemist, it had a tremendous effect on how you looked at your life.

Fiction has a profound way of hitting the nail on the head, we always what to travel all over the world to find our calling in life, when the only place we should really look is right within ourselves. I have recommended this book to many of friends, because regardless of what stage in life you are at, if you really have a desire to live your life to the fullness it is never too late to start.

Another element of the book that I love is the emphasis of the concept of the journey. I realized for myself that I was always caught up with what the end will be - the finish line - and I never took time to enjoy the journey to the finish line. It also reminds you that sometimes we get 'distracted' on our journey, but we have to always remember to stay the course and see where the road leads you, and who knows maybe those 'distractions' will come back into your life as a permanent "feature".

The best part about this book that has propelled me to consistently work towards my dream, is that this little shepherd boy stopped 'dreaming' and started doing. The only way we get somewhere is by doing something, and for years I would sit and dream of being this or being that.... now I do what I want to be, so that one day I can be what I dream of being.

Memories Before and After the Sound of Music

I'm sure we all remember the movie The Sound of Music - Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. It was the first movie I could remember the entire script for.

But then years later after this version of the story of the Trapp Family Singers got stuck in my mind, I was almost devastated when I read the Autobiography of Agathe Von Trapp a member of the original Trapp Family singers. Here was the person who's life had been cemented in the world's mind in the movie of The Sound of Music, but their actual story could not be more different.

I can't remember how I happened to come across the book, but when I saw it I thought, "This is wonderful! I get to read the story from the actual lips of one who lived the Trapp family singers experience"

As I turned the pages of the book - I saw a completely different family to what the big screen producers depicted.
You can almost say they got it all wrong! Then I remembered as Agathe herself stated in the book, that movies are movies. But I did feel her pain and sadness when to think that so many people would have tried to associated her with one of the seven children in the movie.

The book shows the real family of the Von Trapp's. It talks about a loving father, and a loving mother. It talks about the challenges of living with such a big family. They also talked about their faith. How their faith, their beliefs kept them together as a family.

Although large families are so scarce these days reading this book brings comfort to those who wish to have large families. We can't say that the Von Trapp's were "rich" but they were rich in spirit, talent, love of their family and most of all love for their faith. This is what kept them together for all those years and what allowed them to survive the various trials.

Agathe sets us straight making us realize for those of us like myself who were so naive to think the movie Sound of Music was their life.

A wonderful book about an old tale that we know so well.

Rome Sweet Home

There are two authors that you will see a lot of my opinions from - Paulo Coelho and the one and only Scott Hahn.

Yes "Rome Sweet Home" is this first Scott Hahn book I ever read. The simplicity of his writing is what first allows you to sit for an entire weekend and read a book. (This is coming from someone who never used to read much).

This book is a book about the journey one man took to coming home to the Catholic Faith.
As a good student of "science" I took a completely different route to Scott Hahn, but the journey's were similar. Unlike Scott Hahn who in his book he very careful describes his complete abhorrence for anything Roman Catholic, I started my journey in the Catholic Church.

Hahn shares with his readers what he called in one of his speaking sessions, a detective story, the horror story and then the love story. He shares the journey of his youth, his studies of religion, theology and most importantly he shares the fact that the last thing he'd ever be is a Roman Catholic. Ironically if you think about it being a Roman Catholic is the last "thing" Scott Hahn is.

For those Catholics who have drifted away or for those who don't believe the truths that are inherent in the Catholic Church, I recommend this book.
Even if you as a Catholic struggle with certain teachings this book and many other of Scott Hahn's books help us all understand the very deep meaning and "evidence" so to speak of Our Faith.

Critics of the Catholic Church need to read and meet Scott Hahn, because after reading this book I didn't think they was anyone in the world who was more opposed to the Catholic Church than him. His book details the research, the journey, the challenges he faced on his journey back home to Rome.