Zim

 Zim is the starring character in the cartoon series Invader Zim. Zim is an Irken alien sent to earth on a fake takeover mission. The funny thing is that he doesn't know it is fake and reports to the Almighty Tallest (who were trying to get rid of him) on his efforts to take over the planet. While they end in failure it is his antics and fellow characters on the show that keeps fans coming back for more. Zim is obnoxious and overzealous and this only makes fans like me love him more. He is the epitome of never giving up despite horrible failure and his entertaining factor is only matched by GIR his incompetent robot SIR Unit. He loves shouting, hurting humans if they dare get too close or try to reveal his alien nature (Dib). His main nemesis is Dib a human boy who constantly does his best to thwart Zim's plans and reveal the alien to the human race. It's a shame Nickelodeon cancelled Invader Zim barely two seasons in but a great show never dies. So whether it's through DVDS, conventions, re-aired episodes or online posts and comments like this - Zim forever!

Source: Wikipedia

So now the A-Z April Challenge (2014) is at an end. While I did miss out on a chunk I have decided that I still deserve a badge for my efforts and have posted the survivor badge with a slight change courtesy of Photobucket. So for all those who did their best but didn't quite do all 26 letters. This badge is for you and congrats. For those who did survive straight through, congrats as well and a big thank you to the founder and hosts who made this year's challenge possible.

Oh and please take the time to vote on my Enders Game 2 Petition. Ender's Game was a really good movie and I'm hoping to help convince Lionsgate and co. to do a sequel through votes.

Enders Game 2 Petition and Goals Hop

Please Note: I just realized after 7pm tonight (Monday) that the link for the petition was incorrect. Sadly I was unable to check before because I was home sick and don't have access to a personal computer. It has been corrected and you can go to the right page now.

Hi everyone! I'm back from my time off and good news I'm up and running. Bad news at half mast because I got hit by another bug but it isn't as bad as the last one. Mostly it's a round about headache that is trying to get the better of me. But I'm here and glad to be blogging with you all.

First bit of news is that I have started on online petition for an Ender's Shadow Movie (Enders Game 2). You can sign petition here and since Vampire Academy's petition was able to get over 20,000 votes begging for a sequel I'm hoping that I can get up to 10,000 votes for Enders Shadow. For now I have the first hurdle of getting 99 votes and have five so far. If you watched Enders Game or enjoyed the books I implore you to sign the petition. Enders Game was a good movie and sadly suffered from an overly saturated market, competing against other franchises including Catching Fire and the controversy with the author and the gay community (there were boycott parties that got a lot of support). This movie was not only well received by fans and critics but also a very good movie in general. Please help give this movie a second chance and convince Lionsgate and co. that there is an audience who wants to see a sequel.

Source

Do You Have Goals Bloghop

Unfortunately due to getting sick, A-Z Blogging Challenge that I ended up dropping out of and other misfires and happenings I was unable to do anything particularly beneficial to my goal this month. There is still my AYA Forever Blog that I'm glad has had it's first post and I have plans for more including guest spots for authors with books that represent the genre. Wish me luck and sorry for late post.

The Husband Maker Cover Reveal

I'm taking a moment from my break to share the cover for Karey White's upcoming new book. I saw a request in my email since I had posted another reveal for her in the past. I love supporting others, especially authors. So take a moment to drink in a new cover and read about a new character with a new set of challenges in finding love.

Coming July 15th from USA Today Bestselling author Karey White

The Husband Maker

Charlotte’s a girl with nicknames. She may not love being called Charles or Chuck, but the hardest nickname to take is the one she was given in college, the one that’s followed her now for too many years. They call her “the husband maker” and sadly, it fits. Every guy she’s dated since high school has become his next girlfriend’s husband. Not hers. Not three girlfriends down the road. The next.

Is she doing something wrong or is she just cursed?

When Kyle Aldsworth enters the picture and sweeps her off her feet, Charlotte begins to hope that maybe she's not destined to be single forever. A senator’s son with political aspirations of his own, Kyle's wealthy, handsome, and in need of a wife. Will Charlotte be disappointed yet again, or will she finally be able to make a husband for herself?



Author Karey White

Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.

She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 5/15/14

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mike Wazowski from Monsters University and Allegiant

Mike Wazowski is a character from the animated movies Monsters Inc and Monsters University. But it is his character in the latter that I'm focused on today. Mike starts out as a child monster who wants to belong, then an experience on a tour of Monsters Inc. inspires him to become a scarer. He gets into the prestigious Monster University as a student in the highly revered Scaring Program. The challenge he faces with smarts and fearless drive helped propel a wonderful movie that sadly didn't all the credit it truly deserved. Of course anyone who knows Mike also remembers his humour in Monsters Inc and that essential part of his personality isn't lost in the movie prequel Monsters University.

Mike Wazawski is memorable to me because he is a reminder that perseverance is the driving force behind success and no matter what your dreams and goals are not only important but an essential part to who you are. I can't say more without revealing major spoilers but Mike is that dreamer in all of us. The dreamer who is willing to put in the hard work and defy naysayers in ways not even he expects. Which I think goes for all us as our dreams transform with time.

Oh and this scene is just a taste of his never give up humorous charm.

P.S.:  If you think your University Dean was (or is) hard on you? Watch this.

Allegiant

I read the final book in the Divergent trilogy over the weekend. Oh my GOD this book was beyond incredible! If you read the other two books go get this now. Hell if you haven't read this series yet get started.Veronica Roth you are  writing goddess and I'm ready to grab the next series/book you move on to. Be Brave and show us fans what you are made of.

Tired Out and Thanks

When I started 2014 A-Z Blogging Challenge I was excited. I hadn't done my posts in advance but I was determined to take part for a second year. What I didn't anticipate was how much of an inconvenience not having a personal computer and also being under the weather would be. At first I thought it was just a little bug but now I have a full blown flu that has not only made me quite sick but unable to get much of any sleep since Thursday night. Also for nearly two days my father had computer issues and couldn't bring the laptop home. When I had reached H, I had decided to  finish the week then end it but issues got in the way of me commenting on other participants. Which is something I hate when so many visit me. So I refuse to post when I can't comment back.

So I will be finishing up now but I want to say this year has been the best. So many of you have stopped by to read and marvel at posts that I sometimes create right before posting. The fact that you enjoyed them so much was heart warming. I do plan to do a post for M (Tuesday) and use part of Saturday night to comment on all those who visited H and try to catch up on some blogs on my blogroll.

Thanks again and just for Old Times sake I'll write what I planned to do this week.

I - Ice: Hey before you judge did you see Frozen? I haven't but the movie  trailers are amazing and ice plays a special role.

J - Jesus:  If you need an explanation, please just go.

K - Katnis Everdeen: This one was decided long before. The Hunger Games Trilogy is a literary and Katniss is a big part of that.

Source

Anyway see you Tuesday after which I will be taking a break until April 28. Love you guys.

Harry Potter Series

The Harry Potter Series spanned seven books and eight movies. Every character had their role to play and while every fan can remember Harry, Hermione, Ron and Albus Dumbledore, they alone did not make this series great. Dobby, Luna, Tonks and many others inserted their bit of greatness and whether they came in early or on the tail end of the series they and many more characters added flavour to this amazing series. My favourite character will always be Severus Snape and I thank Rowling for bringing such a dark yet devoted and complicated man to life in her books.

What makes this series memorable. Every damn single thing.

Oh and did anyone watch Marvel: Agents of Shield last night? Holy Rabies (from Hotel Transylvania)! I can't wait for next week and I'm officially triple clinched to see Captain America 2 next week at the movies.

Gollum

Gollum from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is one unfortunate character indeed. His obsession with The Ring (Precious) has degenerated him into a ghastly figure but he is still dangerous and clever. I only know him from the movie trilogy but he is made unforgeable both by 'movie magic' and excellent acting. I'm sure in the books he must be quite a character.

Source

Frying Pan

Hail the great Frying Pan. Whether it is used to cook food or as a weapon it is the ready made tool any man, woman or boy and girl can use. How many times in a movie have you not seeing a frying pan cooking up something delicious for a family, group or a solitary soul to eat? How about during a fight? Both action stars and even the minor male or female actor has used the frying pan in a scene to thwart an attack. Even cartoons take advantage and recent memory brings to mind Tangled, Disney's 2010 remake animated movie of Rapunzel. Remember, frying pans brought down crime. And knocked out thieves who sneaked into lone female's bedrooms. And guards. And even hurt the 'holder'. So beware and awe...at the power of the frying pan.

P.S. : Of course in books too.

Source: Ladyheart

Ender from Ender's Game Movie

Ender (Andrew 'Ender' Wiggin) from the film Ender's Game is a character who I just saw and learned most about late 2013 after seeing the movie in theatres. But I felt a connection to him right away. I could parallel certain parts of my family life with his and while he was the over achiever and I ended up being the 'underachiever' of my family, I could relate to the pressure of family approval and being looked upon to set the best example. Also I could feel for the siblings who fell short because I know that my parents would be happy with me being just about anything besides a writer (as long as it wasn't minimum wage and definitely if it involved having an office - I shudder at the idea of working full time at a 9-5. One summer job in July 2012 was enough for me. But I liked my co-workers though). Mine are the opposite and I am proud of them excelling in their chosen field and university.

Also the manipulation by others to make Ender do things there way was interesting to watch. But most of all was Ender himself. He was a brilliant boy with responsibilities thrust upon him at too young an age at a dire time for the human race. He has to grow up fast and make decisions that have long reaching consequences. I am sad that news so far don't point to a high chance of a sequel but there are books and Ender is a memorable character that I won't soon forget.

Source: Wikipedia

Daffy Duck

Daffy Duck is a cartoon character who is a popular animated character owned by Warner Bros. He has appeared in hundreds of cartoons and multiple movies. Daffy Duck was created in the 1930's to counter the everyman cartoon characters like Popeye and Mickey Mouse. He was crass and antagonistic. Unlike most protagonists he wasn't kind or a great role model for kids. He was often at odds with Bugs Bunny who is considered one of the 'golden boys' of cartoons.

But I love Daffy. Why? Because he is different but most of all he is honest. Not honest as in trustworthy but honest about himself. He is mean, untrustworthy and will rarely come through for you in a pinch. But he isn't evil and won't go out of his way to kill you intentionally. Well...not necessarily. There are only a few lasting characters that are like Daffy Duck and that to me makes him very memorable in my book. I mean who hasn't seen a character that you can compare to Bugs Bunny (note I don't hate Bugs, he is just more mainstream) who have maintained popularity to this day? Daffy Duck having lasting doppelgangers is rare and that to me is quite special.

Source: Wikipedia

Carlisle Cullen

Carlisle Cullen from The Twilight Saga is a vampire who adopted a family of non-human blood drinking vampires. His journey started after being savagely attacked but his heart of gold and life of faith wouldn't let him feed on humans and he adapted to living off the blood of animals. While the Twilight series focus on the romance between Edward and Bella there would be none of that without Carlile. He turned Edward and gradually drew Edward into the life of no human blood drinking. While Alice and Jasper were already vampires before being adopted into the family the rest wouldn't exist without Carlisle.

Also I am drawn to his determination to help humans and live a life of goodness and protect his family. His willingness to help Jacob despite him being a werewolf and his ability to walk away from the Volturi despite the chance of power just solidifies my admiration and respect for this character. To me he is the Nelson Mandela of vampires and while some might gawk because he's from Twilight, no matter what you might think of the books, take a closer look at Carlisle. He might just surprise you.

Whether in the books or the movies, Carlisle Cullen, I salute you. Plus that situation in the last movie when Esme had the 'devastated face', that was so my reaction on the inside as well. On the outside I probably had Edward's shocked/alarmed face. Anyway, like I said I give Carlisle Cullen an A+ on being a truly good person.

P.S.: I will be commenting as much as I can during the challenge. Sadly due to some money woes (ish) I had to pass my laptop saving over to family members. I am being paid back but I have to start almost from scratch. Good news I have $100 US in waiting from my ghost writing client. Bad news thanks to lending out what I had I need at least $200 more for the laptop I want. But family is family and I can just bother my dad in the early morning for his laptop for a little longer. Well more like swiping it while he sleeps. But he knows and still lets me despite complaints. Good man.

Bo

Bo is a monster from my MG wip Monster City. I know that technically he isn't a memorable character for many besides myself but I know that he has been seared into my mind. Bo (pronounced Bow as in Bow and Arrow) lives a life of hiding in my wip. Monster City is a place where monsters are rounded up and locked away to be used in forced labour. Monster City's real name is Monroe City but the nickname comes from the mayor's and the laws mistreatment of monsters.

Bo belongs to Jupiter and their connection allows him to be invisible. But Bo is so much more than a secondary character to Jupiter, the protagonist. He was abandoned at birth and raised by Jupiter's dad before laws changed and Bo had to hide to keep from being enslaved. Bo is a bright light in a hard world and he loves the only family he knows and is willing to help Jupiter find a way to prove monster's aren't evil but he won't let Jupiter get into extreme danger and can be the word of sense to this adventurous boy. But he is still a fun monster and can't stay completely out of trouble.

What draws me most is a part in the book that isn't even written yet. Where something happens that takes Bo to a dark place and proves that not only is no one perfect but everyone has a breaking point. Even when it means going against the beliefs of those you love.

All I will say is the video below with Tony Stark threatening the Mandarin is close enough to Bo's state later in the novel. It is quite a transformation from the kind monster he was at the beginning.

Monster City one sentence summary: Jupiter wants Monster City to be Monroe City again, but to do that he needs to prove a monster didn't murder a child decades ago.

P.S.: A monster than grow and shrink at will, is naturally awesome.

Albus Dumbledore and April Fools

Kicking off the 2014 A-Z Blogging Challenge....

Albus Dumbledore is my choice to start off my A-Z Theme of Memorable Characters in Books and Film because he is awesome. He was not only headmaster at Hogwarts but was also an amazingly talented wizard, a teacher, a friend and most importantly someone willing to do the right thing despite the costs. Throughout the Harry Potter Books and Films he embodied not only the magic of a talented wizard but the power of what happens when good people don't just stand by and let bad things happen. He was not perfect but he suffered consequences both when he made mistakes and sometimes even when he did the right thing. But in the time he knew Harry Potter and he did his best to help the boy who lived survive long enough to face Lord Voldemort. Albus will never leave me and he will always be a character that touched my heart. Whether on paper or film. His courage lives on even after the series has ended. I believe many others feel the same way that I but yet, not the same as I.

Albus Dumbledore Quotes

Dark tiles lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is right and what is easy.

“That which Voldemort does not value, he takes no trouble to comprehend. Of house-elves and children’s tales, of love, loyalty, and innocence, Voldemort knows and understands nothing. Nothing. That they all have a power beyond his own, a power beyond the reach of any magic, is a truth he has never grasped.” 

“Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here!” 

"There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends." 

"It is important to fight, and fight again, and keep fighting, for only then can evil be kept at bay, though never quite eradicated." 

Source

And lastly a quote from Order of The Phoenix that sums up Dumbledore and his quirks quite well.

“You know, Minister, I disagree with Dumbledore on many counts...but you cannot deny he's got style...” 

Oh and Happy April Fool's Day everyone. Watch out for pranksters.