The Wednesday Tales: The Palace Of Laughter (No.1)

Author: Jon Berkeley 

Rating: 3/6

This is a story about a young orphan, Miles Wednesday. He lives in a barrel with his stuffed bear, Tangerine, which lives in his coat pocket. Miles decides to attend a circus show one day which shows up in his town, when he meets an unusual little girl with wings. The girl is called 'Little". One thing leads to another and after Miles rescues Little from the perils of the circus, they embark on a journey to rescue Little's friend and Miles's bear, who have both been captured by the circus. Their journey brings them countless adventurous encounters including riding on a talking tiger.

Okay, there are two ways to look at this story:

1. You are insanely imaginative and are into this sort of stuff...you know, talking tigers; flying little girls, etc.

2. You are not insanely into this sort of stuff but however, you entertain it sometimes.

I fall into the second category. I was honestly disappointed by this book. You want to know why? I read it for two whole months, that's why! For the first time, I made excuses to put down a book and take a nap...for two months! I'm not saying it's a terrible read. No. In fact, the storyline is quite good and the author articulates his words in a rather commendable manner. It started off with a bang! and I was really hyped with all the suspense and what not...but aye, as it continued it just went downhill (the hype). I think though that there was no zoosh! as it continued. It did not spark my interest. Too much was happening and it was over-exaggerated. Again, this is probably just a matter of taste though. Some people (like me) hate onions, while others eat them like an apple (this is relevant, right?). 

Anywho, what I'm trying to say is, if you are a die hard adventure-fantasy loving reader; then this is for you. If you aren't, then I suggest you don't waste your money on buying book no.2.

So does Ziggie recommend this one? Err...if you must!

Stacie Orrico

OMG, I loved this girl! What ever happened to dear Stacie Orrico? She was so big during MTVs 'TRL' era and then she just disappeared off the scene. Those kinds of scenarios are called one hit wonders I think.
The 25 year old Seattle born Stacie first graced my playlist with her hit song, Stuck. It was so catchy and I thought it wasn't half bad...the charts thought so as well. It was her song- and video for the song- (There's Gotta Be) More To Life, that had me in awe of her talent and star quality. These were all from her self title album Stacie Orrico. Where is she? That's a good question!

Apparently Stacie decided to leave the music biz after a while- yes, she quit. She has since volunteered in South Africa to help children with AIDS (you go girl!) and now she lives in New York.

...well, that's all for today!

The Curse!

Hey

I just had a major announcement to make. I was going to wait until Friday but I can’t hold it in. People, dear readers, chummettes; I would like to announce that my manuscript, Bridge Over Paradise, which I’ve been working on for almost a year now, has finally been completed. Yes, it’s true! I want to sing and dance and twirl around in little circles on the same spot because I feel independent again. I feel alive, like the pressure has been relieved off my brain and thoughts and dreams.

Believe it or not, it has just over 60000 words (disappointing, but it's a start), I haven’t edited it yet (I read somewhere that you should wait a few days after completing a novel before you can edit it…what? I want to see where this’ll go). I would love to tell you what it’s all about, I do, but I honestly don’t think you’re here to read synopsis’s (is that right?) to my work. I’ve no official plans for the manuscript. It was my first take on Fantasy so I’ll probably keep it, revise it and use it for future projects in that genre.

I just want to mention what a curse having the knack for writing is. I don’t know about other writers, but sometimes working on a long piece of writing for so many months tends to be a chore for me. I’m under a lot of pressure to see things work out and to finish what I started. Sometimes I get writers block, then I have to wait for it to go away, but that could take a long time; then I’m stressed again. It’s a never ending rollercoaster, but I must finish. I think what you must also understand is that, in as much as it’s interesting for the reader to reach the climax of a story and find out what happens in the end, the writer also feels the same way. I also want to find out what happens in the end or how I’m going to end. It’s an adventure for me too, so I have to complete it.

Another thing, I have to always be writing. I finished writing this manuscript in the wee hours of the morning…okay, it was 11 in the morning; and already, I’m planning my next story and short stories that are going to come in between. Advantageous it may be, but writing is a curse!

Who’s with me? (…anyone?)

Smash Mouth

Members
-Steve Harwell
-Greg Camp
-Paul De Lisle
-Randy Cooke

What ever happened to Smash Mouth? That's a good question. This American pop rock band, which was formed in 1994, had popular hits like 'All Star' and 'I'm a believer'. I don't care who you are, but if you were a fan on teen high school movies during the early 2000s and you've watched the first Shrek, you know Smash Mouth...or at least their songs. Anyhoo, after so many years, and band member changes, the band is still alive and kicking (who knew?). Apparently they are set to release a new album July this year, something reminiscent of their earlier material.

They are worth mentioning because, well, they had some pretty catchy tunes back in the day. We'll just have to see if this new album will put them back on the charts again and in our playlists.

Err...?

Hello people of the world!

...speaking of the world, it looks like it didn't end today. Oh well, we move on then from the madness we have to be exposed to day in and day out. Well, what I have to say today is very random, hence the title. I just didn't know what to call this post.

Since I'm quite bored most of the time, I (today):
- Counted the number if Saltwater Girl magazines I have. They totalled 26. (Don't take that number lightly. It's a lotta money!)
- I arranged the magazines in preferential order and well...I have quite a collection.
- Wrote in my journal (it's quite useless because I practically write about the same thing- how bored I am)
- Attempted to count the number pairs of shoes I have. That failed because they are just dumped in one area on top of each other. (Forgive me if I'd rather do something else like stare at my nails than placing my shoes in a neat file).
-I stared at other things I could count in my room but fell asleep in the process.

*Are you bored of reading this? I feel drowsy just writing it.


I went to the city earlier today with my mom and sister. I think shopping makes me feel better about myself, honestly! I mean, I felt fantastic and well rested in my mind (until I got back home and started counting things). Does that mean I'm a shopaholic in the making? Maybe so, but I'm definitely feeling the therapy. If only I had unlimited access to money...wait, then shopping would bore me because I'd afford anything I wanted! Err...?

Join me next time, right here on Ziggie Talk!

Happy Weekend.

Just Go With it

Rating: 5/6

Even though it was over a month ago, I did watch, Just Go With It. I have to say, I was blown away. I thought it was bloody fantastic! Hilarious. However, I am a little biased on this decision because I love Adam Sandler movies. So I'd only recommend this (if you haven't watched it, that is), to the die hard fan of Adam.

So Adam plays a plastic surgeon, also a player (he wears a fake wedding band to con women into sleeping with him), who meets the love of his life one day. Well, to explain his fake wedding ring, he creates a fake family with J. Aniston (his assistant), who plays his 'soon to be ex-wife'. He successfully manages to convince this other woman of his supposed life but eventually ends up falling for Aniston.

Yes, I understand that the movie is predictable and the plot is really weak. However, the movie's humour covers up for everything and it's a good watch overall. Besides, who doesn't have a softie for a good chick flick, eh?
Ziggie recommends!

C ya...

Bubba Sparxxx

Hey.

What ever happened to Bubba Sparxxx? Remember him? The rapper back in the day who had catchy hits like 'Ugly' with Missy Elliot. Who can forget 'Deliverance'? Gosh I loved that song so-so much and I still do.

Born Warren Anderson Mathis, he grew up in a rural area in Georgia. Bubba was a cool dude during his reigning era (the early 2000), working with the likes of Timbaland and of course Missy. After that he pretty much went under the radar. However, he's been pretty active all this time releasing a couple of albums and also starting his own record label. He's due to release another album this year.

I think he's a one hit wonder; but we remember him...right?

Untitled

…Well, I did apologize in my last post. Talkers, Talkeroos; I was almost declared insane by the pros. This exam period was not only hectic, but it was annoying. Alas, my entire schedule got thrown off balance and I let myself go. So, I’m sorry for not posting.

Anyhoo, there are going to be yet some more changes around here. Since I’m no longer in the city (thank Petes of Fleming!) I no longer have access to people and my model. So, I’ll have to replace those segments with something else. I also won’t be posting everyday of the week because there is no life here were I live. Everything is dry like toast with no jam!

Enough about me and my disorganized blog…now, we’ll talk about just me. Huh! I’m home, finally. A lot has happened since we last talked. My lappy crashed for the first time in its existence with me. Thank goodness I bought an external hard drive a week earlier and saved my stuff. Who’d have known that these expensive gadgets could be quite important? So please, if your work is important to you, go and get security. I almost lost the novel I’m working on to that defect. But, my slate was wiped clean and now my lappy is faster, due to the fact that it’s not so congested with useless programs and docs.

I bought yet another Queen poster, oh- and the Ramones. My room looks awesome!  I also bought me an electric guitar. I think I’ll name it Jupiter or Uranus, or after something from the galaxy. It’s funny how things from outer space have really cool names if you think about it.

So, I’ll see ya on another time where I’ll be reviewing something to fill up the non existent schedule in my uneventful life. Hopefully I finish my year long novel. I have other projects that need to be fulfilled. Hmm, I think I’ll write a list again…

Bye!