(DA) Marvel

I never read comic books as a kid but I still idolized their heroes. I prefer Superman over Batman, and the Flash over Green Lantern. I love The Avengers over the Fantastic Four. I like Iron man over Spiderman, and laugh when Aquaman is brought up.

There's always been a rivalry between Marvel and DC, and having never read the comic books I judge them based off of their movie franchises. And I love the Marvel franchise that has been gracing the Big Screen for the past several years. Absolutely love it.

Iron man
Thor
Captain America
Iron man 2
The Avengers
Iron man 3
Thor: the Dark World
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Guardians of the Galaxy

These were all created by Marvel Studios. There are more movies based in Marvel's Universe such as X-Men, the Fantastic Four and Spiderman, but Marvel studios perfects these movies so much that I cannot help but watch them over and over and over again,

That is, with the exception of the Hulk, and Captain America.

The Hulk is predictable because no one can get through those movies. But Captain America?

I can;t narrow down why I don't enjoy those two movies. I cannot remember anything about the first movie, and barely made it through the second without getting bored and turning it off.

I really like Captain America in the Avengers, but in his own movies, something is seriously lacking, and I wish I knew what it was.

He's attractive, and skilled with his heart in the right place. He's a people's hero, he should be my favourite super hero, but I can't re-watch his films.

The only thing that I did notice was that the musical score in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' was not high on my list of favourites, actually I barely noticed it at all; except when it was out of place.

Marvel usually has me on the edge of my seat in anticipation and excitement. I was so tense throughout 'Guardians of the Galaxy' that my hand had a hard time straightening from a fist when I left the theatre.

-Brandolyn

(DA) MINE!

There was a package delivered to the house today.

Jason opened it and remembered he had ordered it, before tossing it to me to see. I immediately read the title "The Emotion Thesaurus"- A Writer's Guide to Character Expression and I yelled "MINE!" as I ran into the bed room and stuffed my face into the pages reading it excitedly.

This book is SO COOL! It's eye opening, and confidence building (because there are lots of cliche phrasing I already avoid YAY)

I've only had it a few minutes and it's already one of my favourite books.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Excerpt

Here's a tiny bit of the Sherlock story I've been working on.

***

Sherlock’s head dropped to his chest, blood dripping down the side of his face from a cut in his brow. Slowly his eyes closed and the Detective stopped talking. 

“Sherlock? Sherlock, wake up.” John called. “Stay with me mate. You promised.”

Sherlock’s head didn’t move, showing no sign that he heard John.

“For God’s sake Sherlock! Wake up!” He shouted. “You’ve tried every substance imaginable, this can’t be that bad.” He grumbled under his breath.

“Do you regret me quitting?” Sherlock’s voice drifted over to John as the Detective’s head lulled to the side. His eyes were shut tight, his fists holding tightly to the arms of the chair to which he was bound.

“Not even for one second.” John exhaled relieved. “Thank God you’re alright.”

“I’m conscious John, but alright is a significant over exaggeration of my condition.” He said in his usual 'I'm bored with idiots' tone. 

***

-Brandolyn

(DA) Hanger Ugly

My mother and I have a saying while shopping "Hanger Ugly".

We use it to describe clothing pieces that we find terrible on the hanger, try it on anyway (or as a joke) and realize it fits well and looks lovely.

Today however, I saw a sweater in a store window and loved it immediately. It was nice dark colours, a soft knit, long and baggy, and looked great on the hanger. I walked into the store, tried it on and coined a new term "Hanger Lovely". Unfortunately it was the least flattering thing I've tried on in a long time. It was terrible! It clung to all the wrong places, the knit work was uneven and loose and it just didn't do anything for me.

I'm still sad that it looked so bad on, because it was SO nice on the hanger!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Symbols

I have many different symbols that reappear in the stories I tell. Some are small, like the recurrence of different kinds of leaves, some are bigger like flames and fire and guiding lights. But the most common, or obvious symbol I write about is 'Feathers'.

Feathers are the most common symbol I use, and the closest to my heart. Feathers for me represent purity, freedom, strength, agility and gentleness. It is such a predominant symbol for me that it has escaped my writing and also become a symbol for myself outside of my fantasy worlds.

Feathers cover my journals, scarves, jewelry, shirts, hats and socks. If you look closely, I'm often trailing something adorned with feathers.

I believe the fascination started in High school when I discovered that my Great Grandmother is my Guardian Angel. -I don't care if you believe in Guardian Angels or not. But this happened around the time that I started writing and has inspired me ever since.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Choices

Jason and I have several options for upcoming vacations and we can only afford 1, and I'm struggling to choose.

Narrowing down the options is difficult when everything sounds brilliant and amazing.

1. We have friends with access to timeshares for winter wonderland skiing and adventures, who have invited us with them. So, amazing wintery road trip with the buds. -Most affordable option.

2. Jason's family has an extended reunion this spring in Holland. We could explore Europe and stay with family to keep costs down. This is a trip Jason has done, and I've heard all the stories and really want to see. -Mid range affordability

3. We've been dying to go to Australia and we have friends who live there who are willing to help us plan the most affordable trip possible, while couch surfing, camping and exploring Australia. -Most expensive trip, even just the airfare

I know the trip a financially responsible person would pick, I know the trip an expense weary yet adventure craving person would pick, and I know the once in a life time trip that I should jump at.

I am all of these people! And have no idea how to choose. Jason and I have a lot to talk about so that we can narrow it down.

-Brandolyn

(DA) November 1st

Today was supposed to be a day of celebration, and it was much harder than it was supposed to be.

It's Oma's 91st Birthday and the family was getting together for an early Birthday Dinner. Unfortunately, Opa had been admitted to the hospital with chest pains a few days prior. Opa's a tough guy, but he had the family worried anyway. What made everything worse was that Oma had a fall this morning and hit her head on a cabinet.

She needed a couple staples and was a little shaken, but otherwise fine.

Oma and Opa were both laughing (howling in Opa's case), and were sent home later in the afternoon, but it was tough to see them both in the Hospital.

Seeing loved ones injured or sick is always tough, but I feel old enough to be able to judge the situation, and I knew Oma and Opa were okay. There are some things the family is changing to help them with their situation, but they were going to go home today, and that's a good sign.

Unfortunately it was very tough on one of the younger cousins. She wasn't able to look at her grandparents and grasp onto the concept that although they were in the hospital, they weren't dying. They were a little battered and bruised, but they're okay.

Although it wasn't the celebration she wanted, the grand kids all visited Oma in the hospital. She got to have us all to herself for a while and it was lovely to see her smile light up when we showed up.

-Brandolyn