I have a 6 year old, so I've spent the past several years watching cartoons. Watching the SAME cartoons amd shows..over and over and over. And soooo many of them are ANNOYING, like, guerilla warfare tier annoying, and I'm pretty sure this this kid picks them on PURPOSE! From the shrill voices of certain moms to the most obnoxious songs and dances... I've lived in the trenches! Through it all there have been a handful of shows I can enjoy or at least tolerate (even day in and day out on repeat). Of course, none of these could include MY OWN childhood favorites because my girl wants nothing to do with THOSE (I'm so sorry, David the Gnome). One cartoon that my family absolutely, 100%, LOVES is Bluey! The Australian hit about a family of Blue Heelers has something for everyone. The main character is Bluey, a little girl who experiences life along with her little sister, mom and dad, and a cast of excellent extended family and friends. One part of what I like about the show (there are so many parts!) is that not only do we get a childhood perspective that little ones can relate to, but we get to see glimpses through the eyes of the adults, too. The characters both young and old learn from each other, love and laugh with each other, and have good times and not so good times (which is heaaetwarming to see in a kid's show, how do we deal with the not so great moments in life?). The Heeler's do it with patience, understanding, acceptance and A TON of laughter! You will find yourself laughing and crying and sometimes both- an emotional connection we as adults tend to get from grown-ups only tv shows and movies. Like those programs, you won't want Bluey to end, you'll want to stay in this world as long as possible...And if you have little ones like me, this is a really good thing because it'll likely be the ONLY thing you'll be watching until the house goes to sleep (even then I might "forget" to press the stop button). Here's a clip of one of my favorite episodes!

🎩🍫🎟️🏭👴👦🔵🤠🍭

I'm going to respond for both comic and book:

Comic Adaptation: Now, I'm not an avid comic book reader, so I don't have any strict guidelines on this one. However, I have a very strong stance that the BEST Batman movie is the 1989 Batman, followed by Batman Returns.. because Michael Keaton will always be MY Batman. Then you have Jack Nicholson's take on The Joker, followed by Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as Penguin in the sequel. These were amazing performances, and with the rest of the cast from both films, they're just movie magic! I love the dark gothic aesthetic mixed with the CHEESE and camp factors reminiscent of the old Adam West series. Keaton did well both in the mask and as the man behind it. He was relatable, somehow an average guy trying to do good in the world, even though he's also a deeply troubled billionaire... He didn't go too far into the "troubled", he didn't go too dark with his demons. Let's face it, Michael Keaton was, IS and always will be.. Batman. He's pretty much declared it himself, lol.

As for Book to Movie Adaptation:

I'm going with Practical Magic (and not just because a new movie was recently announced!)

I loved the movie when it came out (who didn't?!). I made the mistake of trying to read the book by Alice Hoffman (an author whose other works I've enjoyed)... and the movie just ruined the book for me. It's been on DNF status for almost a year now for me. It's just a completely different vibe from the movie. It's darker. The relationships are more strained than portrayed in the movie. The influence of the Aunts is way different and not as prominent. And Sally's kids are older and more angsty than in the movie. Plus, I don't recall a Midnight Margarita scene in the book..if it was there, it definitely did not compare to that of the movie.. but then, what could? PSA I'm not necessarily saying the book was bad.. it just wasn't what I thought it would be... If i had read it without ever seeing the movie, my opinion of it could be totally different. Unfortunately, the bias is there and it is strong. If you've ever danced around while putting the lime in the coconut, I think you'll agree with me on this one!

Nellie! Ms. Bly! Over here!! Nellie Bly, with a twinkle in her eye, is pensively pondering the perils of the Pale... Give us a quote Nellie! "It is only after one is in trouble that one realizes how little sympathy and kindness there are in the world."

As stated in my Instagram post, books are all over my home, so I've highlighted a few of my favorite shelves!

I know who I want to choose but I have to call them "one of" my favorites. It's difficult to pick one songwriter to beat them all, especially because the lyrics are what I cling to most in a song. I love the poetry of lyrics, they speak to me, help me deal with my own emotions and memories, they inspire me, calm me, and help to make the song personal to me.

I'm going to highlight Roger Waters during his time with Pink Floyd, and mainly his lyrical contributions to The Wall, Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. A lot of his lyrics seem to come from his personal experience or how he had perceived his experiences or those around him. Mental Health is either directly or metaphorically emphasized in so many of his songs, as well as the concept of life and how fleeting is, and those lyrics are ones I really connect with, as they make me feel seen and heard, and gift me words to explain what's happening to me inside. (Special shout out also to David Gilmour, his voice soothes me like no other, and his composition and lyrics also molded this band into "Greatness/Legend" status).

Some Songs/Lyrics that really have become part of my soul:

Comfortably Numb: There is no pain, you are receding

A distant ship, smoke on the horizon

You are only coming through in waves

Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child, I had a fever

My hands felt just like two balloons

Now I've got that feeling once again

I can't explain, you would not understand

This is not how I am

A distant ship, smoke on the horizon

You are only coming through in waves

Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child, I had a fever

My hands felt just like two balloons

Now I've got that feeling once again

I can't explain, you would not understand

This is not how I am

A distant ship, smoke on the horizon

You are only coming through in waves

Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child, I had a fever

My hands felt just like two balloons

Now I've got that feeling once again

I can't explain, you would not understand

This is not how I am

Hey You: Hey, you, out there in the cold, getting lonely, getting old

Can you feel me?

Hey, you, standing in the aisles with itchy feet and fading smiles

Can you feel me?

Hey, you

Don't help them to bury the light

Don't give in without a fight

Breathe (In the Air): [Verse 1]

Breathe, breathe in the air

Don't be afraid to care

Leave, but don't leave me

Look around and choose your own ground

[Chorus]

For long you live and high you fly

And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry

And all you touch and all you see

Is all your life will ever be

[Verse 2]

Run, rabbit, run

Dig that hole, forget the sun

And when at last the work is done

Don't sit down, it's time to dig another one

[Chorus]

For long you live and high you fly

But only if you ride the tide

And balanced on the biggest wave

You race towards an early grave

Time:

Ticking away

The moments that make up a dull day

You fritter and waste the hours

In an offhand way

Kicking around on a piece of ground

In your hometown

Waiting for someone

Or something to show you the way

Tired of lying in the sunshine

Staying home to watch the rain

You are young and life is long

And there is time to kill today

And then one day you find

Ten years have got behind you

No one told you when to run

You missed the starting gun

Here's a link for the Albums The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon:

Pretty sure I still have my "back in the day" mixtapes in a box somewhere! Especially the one with the radio version of My Heart Will Go On with dialogue from the movie lol.

My taste in music is so various it's crazy and I LOVE IT. I wouldn't have it any other way. I blame the various generations in my family and their musical influences. Also, I would always go right to the Movie Soundtrack section of these places called "record stores". I knew I liked the all the songs, and I got to hear a range of different tunes.

This has carried on to my playlists FOR SURE. I even keep "shuffle" on every one of them to be surprised at what song comes up next. My current mixed playlist is one I made for my daughter and I. It includes songs we love to dance to, or belt out along with, or that are simply fun energy..

Here it is:

Another hard one! I grew up with all different kinds of musical influences, but the biggest genre was Rock and all it encompasses. These guys were all all around at the same time, so I'm not breaking any rules (except for bringing some people back from the dead, but it's ROCK, you're supposed to break the rules!) All of these bands have a member that I think would love to come back and put on a heck of a show once again (and I'd die to see them live!) I'd also love the chance to see some of these bands with the loved ones who influenced me, some are here and some have already climbed the Stairway.. So here they are:

QUEEN: Because, Freddie Mercury! The band is amazing, and NOBODY can replace Freddie. Not only did he have the voice, but his showmanship, his passion coming through, I want to breath the air he's singing into! I love all their albums, and I've been singing the songs since before I could walk. They travel time with you, the songs stay with you and can mean different things to you throughout your different stages. I'm ready for Freddie!

Led Zeppelin: All the bands in this line-up are icons. Again, this is a voice that could never come out of anyone else- Robert Plant. Jimmy Page is one of the greatest guitar players of all time. I love the dark mysticism surrounding their music. I love that I can FEEL their songs. I want to feel them live!!

The Rolling Stones: This one's for my Dad! The Stones are his favorite band of all time. Paint it Black is one of my all time favorite songs. Mick Jagger is another iconic frontman that could never be duplicated (no matter how hard others may have tried). They've also been able to stand the test of time, remaining together for decades and staying relevant even today.

David Bowie: He was taken from us too soon and it's not fair! First of all, he's another Legend, there will never be anyone like him. I also want to watch him duet with Freddie and Mick. I need to be able to see Under Pressure performed live in front of my very own eyes! Also, his music collaborations for the movie Labyrinth are carved into my ear canals forever- not long at all!

Black Sabbath: This one's for my Uncle. These guys were his favorite band. Whenever Ironman or War Pigs comes on the radio, I say hello to my Uncle and I rock out a little extra hard for him! I love the band as well, they're just a prime example of what "cool" looks and sounds like to me. Hopefully my Uncle can tag along for this gig!

I'm not musically inclined at all, and I don't know a lot about the technical side of it.. I just know how it makes me feel, how it makes me think, and how it makes me move. I tend to also lean towards bands with songs with amazing lyrics to go with the notes. OMG honorable mention to The Doors and Pink Floyd, if I can have more, they'd be there too. I'm leaving so many great bands out- it's cruel and unusual punishment to limit to 5! lol

Here's a little Promo for My Dream Lineup:

I love Rowan Atkinson, especially Mr. Bean! He's total KEN! lol

Oooh I love movies! I have to be careful with the pop figures because I will spend everything on them! My collection of movie merch is vast and sprinkled throughout my home. My movie collection itself (yes I still even have vhs) is packed away unfortunately to save space. But that just means more space for the merch right?!