Fran Friel's Blog, page 5

Super-Duper LOOPER

GO SEE IT!
Yes, it's as simple as that--Go see Looper.  The only reason not to go to see this film, is if you're hyper-sensitive to violence.  Otherwise, the violence isn't worse than you'll see on most television police series.  There's also a little nudity, but it's brief.

Anyway, with all the caveats out of the way, Looper really is an excellent science fiction film with a great cast, but mostly, it's an excellent story.  The foundation of the story is based on time travel and the altering of reality [I'm not telling you more--1) because I'm a lazy reviewer, and 2), because it will spoil the story you, and I hate when that happens], but the characters are deliciously complex and faithfully drawn, the story threads are all artfully tied together (in a time travel tale, that's saying something!).  Basically, this is just excellent storytelling, directing, and acting.  I'm telling you, kids, Looper is worth the price of admission--one of my favorite films of the year!

Go...See...LOOPER...Now!

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel

PS - Let me know if you enjoyed the film!  What did you think of the kid's acting (

"Spidery Black Objects On Mars"

FODDER
Yahoo's news headline reads, "Spidery black objects on Mars surface raise speculation."  Hmm...my thought is that might just be the understatement of the year, especially considering "they appear when the surface of Mars begins to warm, showing up in the same location most of the time. And then when the Martian winter approaches, they disappear with the same precise regularity."  Heck, I'm having flashbacks of Dune's Sandworms, aren't you?  All that said, for me, this information is a treasure trove of story fodder.  Maybe Mr. Herbert was doing more than storytelling.  
"The Spice" awaits us.

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel

Remainder of the Day

Our Walking Shoes
It's the last day for our motely crew at the Haunted Mansion Writers' Retreat 2012.  We're reluctantly packing up and putting on our walking shoes, getting ready to head back home.  It's been an exciting weekend, but most importantly, it's been a weekend full of friendship and creativity.

The ghosties were an eventful addition to our activities, but this was truly a writers' retreat with abundant inspiration at every turn, especially the opportunity to be surrounded by other working writers.  It's really fantastic to have company for a change!






A few of us still remain in the salon, soaking up the ambiance and the camaraderie.  Our fearless leader, Rain Graves, continues the rally the troops and entertain us with excellent stories and her amazing energy.  Thank you, Rain, for an awesome weekend!

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel


PS - Thank you, Sephora Giron, for the colorful walking shoes/socks inspiration.

Darklings in the Hall

Dark Portrait
I know this photo is dark, but maybe it's better that way.  Maybe, in fact, it's better that it's hard to make out their faces.  Although the portrait is beautiful, it has a very sad tone to it.

Not surprising, this portrait hangs in the hall between rooms at the Haunted Mansion where some serious ghost activity has been experienced.  As I write this, the marvelous paranormal investigators, the Ghost Girls, are busy recording and analyzing data collected in this area of the Mansion.  They've already shared recordings of previous investigations at this location, and some of what they shared was chilling.

It will be "interesting" to see what they discover while we're all here rustling up the ghosties with our stories and wanderings around the house.

We'll keep you posted...if we live to tell the tale!

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel

Chicken, Chicken!

FOWL FRAN

Yup, I'm a chicken.  I admit it.  I proved it last night by moving from the dreaded third floor of the Haunted Mansion back down to the second floor.  Actually, it was a move from being ALONE up there is scaryville to rooming with a kind and heavy sleeping friend who wasn't disturbed by my snoring.  Thank you, Rena!

Further mocking my chickenly ways, the rooster in the coop beneath our room cockadoodle-dooed at me this morning when I went out on the balcony.

Yeah, pal, I got it.  I'm a chicken...but not as pretty as you.

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel

Note:  The lovely chicken photo is from http://www.avianmedicalcenter.net/Portals/0/chicken.png. Many thanks!

Like Day and Night

 Day and Night

By day the Mansion is inviting, delightful even.  The grounds are lovely, including the abandoned pond.  We've gathered, done the tour, found our rooms, and had a truly scrumptious dinner.  All seems peaceful, lighthearted.

But I'm a newbie, and it's hard to ignore the stories from the previous Haunted Mansion Retreats.  Spirits haven't been shy here in the past, and they're likely not going to be shy tonight.  I suspect this weekend will make "believers" of us all.



Not surprisingly, the group is huddled together in the lounge, chatting happily, drinking, blogging, and seemingly avoiding going off on their on.

I've taken a room on the infamous third floor as a public service to my planned roommate--I'm sparing her from my snoring.  I may regret this.

Who will be the first to head off to bed?  Or will we avoid bedtime all together and entertain each other gathered together in the lounge until the sun comes up?

Wish us luck!

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel

Snap Judgment Storytellers Kill It [Entertainment Yada]

Storytelling on Speed

You know how I love a good story, right?  And you know how I love to share stuff I love with you.  Well, I've been on a podcast tare lately, listening to storytellers do their thing in audio form.  They make it sound easy, but heaven knows it's danged hard to sound that effortless.

Anyway, you might also recall that I'm a HUGE This American Life fan, listening to Ira Glass and company almost daily.  But fearing that I would eventually deplete their amazing archive of shows, I started branching out, and I found some amazing audio shows on the web...and they are FREE.  With the cost of entertainment these days, it's THE best deal going.

So my find today for you, is the awesome storytelling at Glynn Washington's, Snap Judgment.  We're talking raucous, raw, powerful, delicious, funny stuff.  Put on your headphones, do the dishes, wash the car, sit back on your commute to work, and prepare yourself to be entertained.

Here's just one of the many amazing gatherings of Snap Judgment storytellers:

Snap Judgment LIVE! on NPR - "Drama Momma" | Snap Judgment

Enjoy!

Yours,
Fran

Zero Time by T.W. Fendley [Book Yada]

Some Goodreads Goodness

Zero Time by T.W. Fendley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, just started reading T. W. Fendley's, ZERO TIME--awesome concept...can't wait to read more!

UPDATE:

Finished! Sorry for the long delay in my review. It'll be short, but very sweet.

This SF page turner is rich with Mayan magic, intrigue, and deeply developed characters. It whips you along through time-shifts, plots twists, and wonder. Add it to your TBR list and let me know what you think. I can't wait to read more from this gifted author.

View all my reviews and Join me at Goodreads!

Happy Reading,

Fran

I Dare You Not To Cry! [Music Yada]

Mongolian Song for Mother
This young boy broke my heart, singing for China's Got Talent.  He lost his mother (and father) when he was eight, and here he sings for her.  I know it's cliche to say so, but he sings like an angel. 
I dare you not to cry!


Happy Mother's Day!

With Love and BIG Hugs,
Fran

The Domino Effect [Yada Fun]

You'll Love This

So you thought only dominos could tumble artfully, did you?

Check out this great collection of videos:

Seven Amazing Domino Creations

http://games.yahoo.com/blogs/unplugged/seven-amazing-domino-creations-232629590.html

Was I right?  Did you love it?

Do you have a favorite "domino" video?

Thanks for stopping by, gang.  Always a pleasure.

Yours,
Fran