Happy Halloween!!

I just finished carving my pumpkin so I thought I'd share it with the world! Check it out...I think it's pretty awesome! It's Cheshire from Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland!

Oh and just for fun, here's my Twilight pumpkin from last year (yes it's Edward and Bella...if you don't see it look here and it'll show you a similar picture!)

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN GUYS!!!! :) Have a safe one!!

Vampire Diaries

I am always one for a good book. And when it comes to books to movies (or in this case books to tv series) I usually like to read the book before I watch the movie/show. When Vampire Diaries first came out I was skeptical because it was yet another show that had to deal with vampires. Now don't get me wrong, a major genre in my book collection is sci-fi/fantasy, but with the tremendous success of Twilight, True Blood and other shows, I was just not that into it - that is until I watched a few episodes.

It's just into it's second season and already, each and every episode is incredibly compelling (no pun intended) and interesting in every nature. It's easy to get caught up in the episode, find yourself cheering for the good guys and caring whether or not they make it through the show (Vampire Diaries has a LOT of killing...supernatural and humans). I honestly don't know what it is about the show (besides the obvious that I've already pointed out) that makes me want to come back to it each week. It's dark, dreary at times and keeps you guessing. Maybe it's the talented actors and actresses that make me want to come back or maybe it's even the crazy idea that it could possibly happen in the real world (I know, I know, I I'm a dreamer).

Anyways...

The main character, our one and only Canadian girl Nina Dobrev, is Elena. A broody teenager with a traumatizing past. With her and her younger brother losing their parents in a freak car accident they go to live with their (young) aunt, and try to reconvene life as normally as possible. Then Elena meets Stephen (Paul Wesley), a dark-horse, mysterious type who she can't quite figure out...until one day she finds out that he and his brother Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) had been around before (she saw picture proof), and found out they were - you guessed it - vampires! Damon is the bad boy that everybody can't help but love. He's got a sensitive side that comes out with Elena but keeps screwing it up because of his big ego and fast temper. It's become a love triangle in a sense even though it's clearer as the show goes on that Elena loves Stephen.

Now I could go on forever about the vast array of characters but it would take me a lot longer and I don't think I'd captivate you for THAT long. Now, in the first season we were introduced to Vampires (Stephen and Damon along with a few others that weren't main characters) and Witches (Elena's best friend Bonnie) , and now in the second season they've introduced the Werewolves. They're cursed by the moon but the catch is, the curse doesn't affect the Werewolf until they've killed a human. It's interesting to see how they'll develop this storyline as they recently (as in the episode I just watched) altered the plot!

With all these different supernatural beings in da house (sorry...), there naturally comes conflict, drama and action. There is definitely no shortage in each and every episode that I've seen. You can never get tired of watching it because each episode brings something totally different. What I DO have to say though, before I move on, is that the character Caroline (played by Candice Accola) has definitely grown on me! She used to be annoying, bitchy and just downright useless. Now that's she's become one of them she's a whole new character. She's strong, wants to help and do the right thing and even though she may be leading a constricted lifestyle, she's still determined to keep it somewhat normal. I have to say she's probably one of my favourites in the show!

I can't give too much of the plot away because why would you watch it if I've already told you the details? I just watched Thursdays episode (Oct 21) and I was so enthralled. There was so many emotions and situations going on you don't know what to think. Elena's (and the vampires) arch nemesis is that of Katherine. Katherine was the reason Stephen and Damon became vampires and is now the reason for all the craziness happening  on the show. The kicker is that she looks exactly like Elena. All I can say right now is that it left me wanting to watch more NOW. I don't want to wait until Thursday to get another dose of this great show!

I recommend taking a peek at this show because I can guarantee most of you will like it (well unless you're my mother)! In Canada it airs every Thursday at 8 p.m. on A Channel (which is Barrie for me) or CW if you have the American channel and Fridays at 7 p.m. on Much Music.

For more information go to the CW website to see the preview for next (well this week's) episode with the Masquerade Ball as well as some other fun details! 

The Cast of The Vampire Diaries - Photos Courtesy of CW

Review x2: Hedley

I can honestly say that I've never really had a bad experience when it comes to seeing this band. For every show I've been too there have always had some awesome memories to go along with it. From every show starting from a small dinky theatre in Brampton back in 2005 to a sold out crowd at the Barrie Molson Center on Tuesday and again at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph last night, they have always made my night.

I know I may be a little biased seeing as Hedley is considered to be one of my all-time favourite bands. From the moment I listened to their first single I was in love. I loved their music, the lyrics were catchy and different and I loved lead singer Jacob Hoggard's energy. The band in general  have an appeal to them that allows people of all ages to just get up, let loose and have fun. They're music is catchy, creative and cleverly disguised ("Don't do all the thinking with your little head" - Don't talk to strangers) and most importantly, they are about the fans. After meeting them so often (more so back when they were smaller as opposed to now) they would put aside what they were doing and just talk to their fans. That's probably one of the best things I admire about them.

Okay. So on with the show(s). For both nights the openers were Hamilton born San Sebastian. Sound familiar? They most recently came out from winning Much Music's "Discovered: Disband" show a few months back and ever since then they've been touring constantly and singing their hearts out. Although I don't know any of their music - well, except their song "Wake Up" - they were so catchy and fun to listen too. They have that beat that just makes you want to get up and dance. I couldn't really hear the lyrics, mainly because the lead singer had the mic right up to his mouth...but you could probably blame my lack of hearing as well...but we won't mention that again!

Next up to bat was Toronto born LIGHTS. This cute little lady may be small in size (herself and her "band") but her voice makes up for it. Her music itself doesn't really appeal to me, but I can't ignore the fact that this girl has amazing vocal range. Her voice is so powerful for somebody who is tiny in nature and seems so quiet. She was great talking to the crowds and keeping everybody energized for the final act...Hedley!

 As I said before, I may be biased because Hedley has been a favourite of mine since forever ago, but not one person can ignore that these guys are through-and-through performers. They know how to entertain and please people of ALL ages. At both shows i witnessed more than one parent getting on their feet and dancing (and singing!) along to the music as well as kids as young as four or five singing their little hearts out. Being one of those "fans" from the begining, it's amazing to see a band grow and expand to allow more than one generation to enjoy their music. It's almost a "proud mama" feeling knowing they're going somewhere and giving others the chance to hear what they've produced.

The mixture of songs from all three albums was well done and not too obvious (the first time around...when you go to more than one of their shows in a tour, you know what's going to happen next, obviously). Being able to listen to old favourites and new singles, just brings back all the great memories this band has produced. I for one was singing every song and dancing to every beat without a care in the world. For anybody who knows me, I don't dance and sing because I can't do either. I'm not exactly talented on that front. With songs like "Trip", "On My Own" and "321" from their first album, to "She's So Sorry", "For the Nights I Can't Remember" and "Never too Late" from their second and then "Cha-ching", "Amazing", "The Sweater Song" and "Don't Talk to Strangers" among many others, everybody was having a blast and singing along.

They played for a good hour and forty-five minutes and had everybody pleased by the end of the night. The most moving thing of these nights though was the speech Jacob Hoggard (lead singer) gave to the crowd while playing a beautiful piece on the piano. He went on about how Hedley fans are "the best in the world" and that they'd be nowhere without them. He also mentioned "...If we come back? Will you?" This made me tear up to no end because it's incredible at how humble they still are. I know a lot of bands that become well-known (not to mention any names...) that dismiss their fans once they've made it big. Now I know Hedley is still in the process of becoming known in the States (proof: Canadian tickets cost approx $50 if you don't do the VIP route, while American tickets (they're touring the States right now) are going for $12 approx), they're still rooted in their Canadian style and as good-natured and humble as ever. I mean who else would stand outside for fans after the show (non VIP fans) and sign autographs, take pictures and talk?

I may be "growing old" for this kind of stuff, but I'll be one of those fans enjoying their music until the end. I