Retro A to Z Challenge: Y – Yes 1987 (plus May Movie Preview and Lord of the Clones!)

Yes – Big Generator – 1987

Their follow up to the hugely popular 90125, this album is every bit as brilliant. It had so many standout tracks – Love Will Find a Way, Shoot High Aim Low, Rhythm of Love. Like its predecessor, this album owed much of its success to the influence of guitarist Trevor Rabin.

1987 fun facts –
*Average income - $24,350.00.
*Private 1st Class Army income - $9.385.20.
*Average cost of new car - $10,305.
*Cost of gas - .89 cents
*The US population was estimated at 244.6 Million
*The World's Population reached approximately five billion
*A supernova was observed, the first "naked-eye" supernova since 1604
*Fox Broadcasting Company made its prime-time TV debut
*Work on the Channel Tunnel joining UK and France began
*1987 was shortened by 1 second to adjust to the Gregorian calender
*Disposable Contact Lenses became available for commercial distribution
*Kitty litter was invented in the USA
*The Simpsons debuted on television

Movies released –
The Princess Bride
Evil Dead II
Lethal Weapon
The Untouchables
Predator
Spaceballs
Empire of the Sun

Music released – 
Rush – Hold Your Fire
Dokken – Back for the Attack
U2 – The Joshua Tree

Games released –
The Legend of Zelda
Metal Gear
Street Fighter

And why is 1987 special?
It’s the year Julie Kemp got married and Medeia Sharif was ten years old!

Julie is a writer from Chicago. She blogs about her travels, life, and her sons who have left the nest. Her smile and joy come through in every word she writes and she’s just a delight. Julie blogs at Empty Nest Insider.

Medeia is an author and an avid book reader. She features authors and books every week on her blog, giving back at every opportunity. She’s a beautiful young lady with a heart of gold. Find Medeia HERE

Cover Reveal!

Bella’s Point

By Elizabeth Seckman
 
Release date – June 2014

May Movie Preview Part One

Here is part one of the upcoming theatrical releases for May! (Part two tomorrow.) As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

2 –

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 
Peter Parker runs the gauntlet as the mysterious company Oscorp sends up a slew of supervillains against him, impacting on his life.
Director: Marc Webb
Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Paul Giamatti
Really liked the first one – hope he’s still amazing.

16 –

Godzilla 
The world's most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.
 Director: Gareth Edwards
Stars: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe
 Are you kidding?? It’s freaking GODZILLA!!!!!

Who will be Lord of the Clones?

Visit Father Dragon Al and cast your vote today!!

I need your help! The dwarves have conspired against me to fix the contest. Judge Jeff has been bribed. I need a good score.

If you can't do it for me, do it for Mini-Alex...

Fan of Yes? Following Julie and Medeia? Excited about Elizabeth’s upcoming book? Either May movie strike your fancy? Will you vote for me? (I can send Hot Tamales.) And what do you remember best about 1987…?

One more day! Who will be the last featured blogger...?

The Big Reveal and the Day the Ninja Died…

You’ve been waiting for this moment for months. I’d like to say I was coerced, but nay, I was TOLD this blogfest event was happening. Hosted by Mark “The Madman” Koopman, ”Marvelous” Morgan Shamy, Stephen “Breakthrough” Tremp, and David “Kingpin” Powers King, here it is:

Or as Mark has nicknamed it, the "Hi, my-name-is-Alex-and-I'm-squirming-with-embarrassment" blogfest.

I’ve dubbed it the Day the Ninja Died blogfest.

I’m going to let Mark tell you about it in his own words:

Aloha,

Ever attended a Christmas party where you bump into the person who was always there for you during the last year. You’d thank them for being such a RockStar, right?

If there’s one person in the Blogisfear who you want to say cheers to, who would it be?

For us, it was a no-brainer: Alex “no hyperlink needed” Cavanaugh.

Alex is an awesome blogger who’s helped hundreds of us via book releases, guest posts, guest interviews and always positive comments. While we can’t have a live part-ay for the Ninja Captain, we can host a BlogFest:

Welcome to the “Cheers, Cavanaugh BlogFest.”

Hosted by Mark “The Madman” Koopman, ”Marvelous” Morgan Shamy, Stephen “Breakthrough” Tremp, and David “Kingpin” Powers King, the BlogFest runs from December 10 - 12.

While Alex is an awesome blogger, he’s also an enigma. J

So, here’s four questions: 

In +/- 20 words, what does Alex look like?

In +/- 20 words, who could play Alex in a documentary? (Living or dead.)

In +/- 20 words, who does Alex remind you of?

In +/- 100 words, (excluding the title) write flash fiction using all these prompts:

Cavanaugh
Ninja
IWSG
Cosbolt
Guitar

For Bonus Points:
In +/- 40 words, leave a comment for Mrs. Cavanaugh - thanking her for sharing J

Rules:
Join the Linky List
Be a follower.
Post your 200 (total) word contribution Monday, Dec. 10.
Have Fun!

Two winners – chosen by Alex – will each win one prize:

FIRST PLACE: A signed copy of CassaStar. (Or CassaFire)

GRAND PRIZE*: A picture of Alex and a download of him playing the guitar. (There might be another prize… all depends!)

(*One caveat: Alex asks the picture or download NOT be shared online.J)

The Linky is open until Dec. 12, 2012.

Now the dead Ninja’s thoughts…

When Mark informed me of this blogfest back in September, I was speechless. Literally. (You can ask him.) I NEVER expected anything like this. I’m not co-hosting this blogfest – I AM the blogfest! I’m humbled beyond words.

When I began this journey, I had no idea what would happen. I was just establishing my author platform. I had no idea I would make so many good friends along the way. I couldn’t see more than one book in me, but you encouraged me to keep writing. I didn’t foresee the IWSG taking off and bringing so many writers and authors together. I never imagined I would be so blessed to be a part of this community.

That is why I am so driven to give back to you guys. It took all of you to get me here, and here is far beyond my expectations. I am here before you now as a servant, ready and willing to do whatever it takes to help all of you achieve your dreams.

Thank you Mark, Morgan, Stephen, and David for thinking enough of me to put this blogfest together.

And I want to mention last Friday’s I Miss You Blogfest. I was stunned at the number of people who mentioned me. That meant a lot to me. Julie had a wonderful poem – “A special thanks to our Fearless Leader, Who tends to his devoted ducklings, Like Father Goose on speed reader.” Lisa created an amazing video. Nancy, your words were the most touching. Thank you. And thanks to all who participated. (The links all lead directly to the blogfest posts, so feel free to keep browsing.)

So yes, this is the day the Ninja dies – of embarrassment. (Thanks, Madman Mark!)

Of course, if no one signs up, that would be even more embarrassing…


And if you weren’t expecting this, trust me – neither was I!