Big Bang Theory and Sitcoms, Thy Geekdom Comes, Alex’s you Rock Awards, and Movie News

The Big Bang Theory Ends

The Big Bang Theory aired its final episode last week and it gave the series a great and heartfelt finish. It was consistently funny over twelve seasons and showed us the lives of many engaging and interesting (and geeky!) characters. We were sad the watch the finale and yet thankful it ended on a high note. (Unlike Game of Thrones, these writers liked their fans!)

Sitcoms come and go. It’s a rare one that can touch our hearts, make us laugh, and cause us to root for the characters as if they were real people.

So in honor of The Big Bang Theory, I decided to list some of the greatest sitcoms ever. It would definitely be in the top ten. Two of the entries are by people who did not one but two very successful sitcoms. In no particular order - except for number one:

M*A*S*H (best sitcom ever!)
The Office
The Bob Newhart Show/Newhart
WKRP in Cincinatti
Cheers
Hogan’s Heroes
Gilligan’s Island
The Goldbergs
Home Improvement/Last Man Standing
Happy Days
The Andy Griffith Show

Some noteables are missing just because they never jived with me – Friends, Frasier, etc.

What are some of your most favorite sitcoms?

Movie News

JoBlo posted about Mel Gibson’s Wild Bunch remake:
As this year's Cannes Film Festival continues to set up promising deals for some of Hollywood's most in-demand projects, the word around the circuit is that Mel Gibson is enaged in early talks with Michael Fassbender, Jamie Foxx and Peter Dinklage to star in the BRAVEHEART helmer's remake of THE WILD BUNCH. Billed as a contemporary take on director Sam Peckinpah's 1969 Western classic, the film centers on a group of aging outlaws fixin' to ride into the sunset after one last score.

JoBlo also posted the top ten cancelled television shows. I certainly agree with their listing of Firefly and Agent Carter.

Grumpy Cat passed away last week at the age of seven.

Coming May 31 on #DCUniverse - The Swamp Thing

And it’s not movie news, but maybe it could be one day…
New release - Leaves of Fall by Patricia Lynne
Armory was born into a post-apocalyptic world torn apart by war between man and nature. Trees are the enemy. But when she’s kidnapped by nomads and taken far from her home, a tree nymph is the one who comes to her rescue…
Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Kobo, and Smashwords

Thy Geekdom Come

Available May 25!

Thy Geekdom Come: 42 Fandom-Inspired Devotionals

Do you dream of dragons, understand Klingon, or consider Pocky your favourite snack? Do you wish there was a book that mashed your faith and fandom together? Delving into the worlds of superheroes, science fiction, anime, fantasy, and video games, Thy Geekdom Come—written by a group of authors and pastors from a variety of Christian backgrounds—relates these tales to an almighty, loving God who is ever present in our beloved franchises. From Doctor Who to The Lord of the Rings, stories impact our lives and can point the way to what is holy if we dare to look.

I had the honor of reading this book before it was published, and it’s perfect for the Christian geek!

Find it on Amazon and Goodreads

Alex’s You Rock Awards

Every year I do this, I think that next year will be easier. I’ve done it for years – surely I’ve given it to the people who matter? Then crap – I have double the number on my list. You guys are all my blogger buddies and deserve high accolades for sticking with me over the years. I hope next year making this decision isn’t as difficult.

First, here are the previous recipients of the award, some of whom no longer blog… Arlee, Yvonne, RaShelle, Hannah, Jeffrey, Gail, Rusty, Chuck, George, Jeremy, Matthew, Old Kitty, Ella, M Pax, Roland, Melissa, Robyn, Lynda, Michael, Heather, Stephen, Father Dragon Al, the late Tina, Damyanti, Edi, Karen, Elizabeth, Suze, Susan, Pat, Jo, Michelle, Brandon and Bryan, Christine, Truedessa, Rachna Chhabria, Fundy Blue, Hank Kaykuala, JH Moncrieff, Nilanjana Bos, Liza, Yolanda Renee, Spacer Guy, Elsie Amata, L. Diane Wolfe, Natalie Aguirre, Sandra Cox, and C. Lee McKenzie

And now, this year’s You Rock award winners are…

Elizabeth Seckman Elizabeth is an author and the mother of four boys. You know she is tough! And yet she’s the easiest person I know to get along with. An Insecure Writer’s Support Group admin and fellow Dragon Fellowship member, I’ve really come to know Elizabeth well during the past few years. We could definitely hang. Elizabeth, you rock!

Magic Love Crow The first thing you notice with this young lady is her strength. And her creativity. She paints and draws and designs, and crows are a big part of it. They are her joy, and thus, our joy. I can always count on her for joyous uplifting. Magic Love Crow, you rock!

Birgit Birgit’s blog is BB Creations and she showcases her amazing handmade cards. Every Thursday, she posts her movie picks as per a set theme, and it’s clear she loves cinema. We met so many years ago, and it’s her enthusiasm that keeps me coming back. Birgit, you rock!

JE Oneil JE is the epitome of snark. From her etymology posts to her ‘from the spam files,’ she shows you humor with an attitude. Let’s not forget her Saturday stick figures! She may seem annoyed with the world, but JE is dedicated to her passions and her friends. JE, you rock!

LG Keltner LG is an author and mother of three. (Well, maybe four by the time this is posted!) She’s been a dedicated IWSG member for years and her stories have been the top winner for two of our four anthology contests. But I just like her genuine nature and willingness to give to others. It’s refreshing. LG, you rock!

Chemist Ken Ken is a Harry Potter fan and long suffering writer. He’s also quite proud of his ranking on the IWSG blog list. Ken’s been a dedicated friend for years and his insights into writing are so valuable. Ken, you rock!

Sherry Ellis Last but not least is author Sherri Ellis. She runs two blogs (the second is Gone Gardening) and she’s also an accomplished musician. But more than that, Sherry has heart and a great sense of humor. We need more people like her in the world! Sherry, you rock!

I had so many more on the list! You are all awesome to me.

Did you watch the final episode of The Big Bang Theory? What do you consider to be the greatest sitcoms ever? Ready for a new The Wild Bunch or The Swamp Thing? Picking up They Geekdom Come? And are you following this year’s Alex’s You Rock award recipients?

Next Monday is a holiday here (Memorial Day) and I will be offline all week. Catch you June fifth for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

Godzilla Movie Review, How I Found the Write Path, IWSG Milestone, and Ninja News!

Godzilla Movie Review

Caught one of the first 3D showings on Friday, which was great as I was surrounded with die-hard Godzilla geeks.

Did they get Godzilla right? Yes! This is the Godzilla of old, complete with his signature roar and atomic breath. He’s bigger and heavier, but that means he just packs a more powerful punch.

The movie is not perfect. It doesn’t click on all cylinders. I think the main reason is the writers and director weren’t on the same page. The writers went for story and spectacle and the director tried to bring out the human element. He’s a new director, so Edwards probably didn’t have much sway, and the pacing is sometimes a little uneven. (The first big monster fight we don’t really see, as they cut away to the main character’s family.)

The tone of the film Edwards nailed though. This isn’t your campy Godzilla – this goes back to the original movie. It’s serious and scary. Humans are really helpless against these beasts.

The special effects are incredible, from Godzilla swimming in the ocean to the monsters fighting in the city. The dark, gritty feel adds to the realism. And when that atomic breath fires up, be prepared!

The actors do a fine job in their roles. Cranston is probably the best, while Taylor-Johnson holds his own as the young hero.

And ultimately, the big battles at the end will leave you cheering.

Recommended!

Ninja News

Big thanks for Blog Blitz last week! I certainly didn’t expect it. Yes, it did wipe out my previous comment record by about forty comments - there were over three hundred and less than twenty were mine. Big thanks to DL Hammons for starting the Blitz Team.

And don’t forget Write Club is open for submissions until the end of the month! Visit the Write Club page at DL’s site for details.


Sarah Ahiers signed a book deal for All That Remains!

Birgit is a talented card maker and she made one just for me!!

Cherie Reich’s Reborn is now available!

The ABC’s of Sandwiches by Holly Sinclair is available now!
52 sandwich recipes following ABC order. Included are classics (like French Dips), favorites (like Beer-battered Fish Sandwiches), and my own creations (like Veggie Supreme Sandwiches).

Lynn Rush’s Absolute Zero comes out this week and she’s holding a party! Check her site for details.

Jeff Chapman’s Last Request: A Victorian Gothic is out now – buy it at Amazon.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group Milestone!

The IWSG Facebook hit a milestone last week – one thousand members!! Big thanks to the IWSG admins who run the Facebook group – you ladies rock. (I’m not on Facebook. Probably why it’s growing so fast!)

Just a reminder about the IWSG Facebook Guidelines:

1. Since the focus of IWSG is support, the Facebook page should reflect this ideal.

2. You are encouraged to support your fellow IWSG'ers who share their writerly-related experiences, which include accomplishments/disappointments/challenges, with the rest of the group. Keep in mind that writers are at different points of their respective writerly journeys. Some lurk for a long time, before finding the courage to share with the rest of the group. Since the IWSG is all about community, a word of encouragement or advice may be just what somebody needs. Or even just a smiley face/thumbs up...

3. News & Promotional Saturday is your opportunity to add a link. The IWSG administrators reserve the right to remove promotional links, especially if they are posted haphazardly.

How I Found the Write Path

Carrie Butler is putting together a free eBook for writers. To contribute, we were asked to write a letter to our younger selves. Here is my letter, short and simple:

Prepare For Changes!

Right now, you’re writing. It’s comfortable and fun. But once you’re on the path to publication, prepare for everything to change! This journey is going to rock your world.

You are going to meet so many amazing people along the way. Writers, readers and bloggers. Learn from them. Become a sponge and soak it up. You don’t want to go into this blind – learn from their mistakes and their successes.

Be a giver. That’s probably the most important thing. You may not think you have anything to give as a new author, as a social media newbie. But you do. You can support. You can uplift others. You can take what you’ve learned and the blog you established and let it be a blessing to others.

Don’t underestimate the support you’ll receive, either. The writing community is the most generous on earth. They want to celebrate with you. Your success isn’t a threat – it’s a beacon of hope. Let others help you with promotions, as their reach is far greater and packs a bigger punch.

Understand the reach of your work. Don’t narrow its appeal. Think bigger. Think beyond those people you believed you were writing for. What you wrote will have a far greater impact than you can imagine.

Last piece of advice – don’t stop writing. There’s more than one book in you. Your readers will demand more! And with each one, you’ll get better. It won’t be easier, but each time you’ll dig deeper and try harder.

Prepare for these changes and enjoy the ride!

Anyone else see Godzilla this weekend? Excited about the new releases? Participating in Write Club? Part of the Facebook IWSG? And what you tell your younger self if you could write a letter?

Come back next Monday for my X-Men review and the annual You Rock Awards!