The Walking Dead Compendium One

I am going to start by saying I am completely and totally in deep with the television series... Reading the comic (the compendium is the equivalent of 48 comics-1088 pages, I read it in just over 24 hours) has just expanded on the show, each doubling the pleasure in the other...
The comic is far more intense... Some characters from the show are missing, while we are given other characters... They are absolutely fearless as writers, killing off important and main characters so effortlessly just to give the reader more insight to how easy it is to underestimate the walkers, and also into human nature...
I absolutely devoured the book... It was so heavy that my muscles ache from holding it for hours on end, putting it down only to parent!
If you like the show, zombies, comics, awesome characters, read it!!! Can't wait to get into the next one!!!


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Chesterfield Farm

www.chesterfieldfarm.com.au

Was looking for something fun and local to do with the kids on Good Friday... Emailed the farm and they said it was business as usual... Only $35 for a family of four, which I think is awesome value, entry to the farm and another dollar for some animal feed... There is a show on at 11, but we didn't want to stay until 12, so we just stayed for an hour and a half... You could easily get 2+ hours of fun here, especially if you were checking the show and going on the tractor ride...

Marley LOVED it, cuddling the goats, rabbits and pigs... Feeding (watching Daddy feed) the cows, horses, deer... It was really lovely, especially because it was such a beautiful day weather wise, nice to soak up the last of the sun before Autumn really kicks in! Mace was less impressed, hopefully by the time we go back he will be properly walking and get the animals a little more... On the plus side, he learnt the word goat!


















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The walking dead season 2

I know that there were mixed reviews on season one, but I was sold from the get go... Season two gripped me from the start!
Definitely faster paced this season, felt like the story moved quickly, with enough character development to truly capture my mind... The zombies brought enough fear and suspense, they got me in to this show, but it is definitely the characters that will keep me watching... This show reminds me of Lost, which to me is a good thing... In an unprecedented situation how do humans cope? How do we survive when we don't have safety, laws, our families, homes, and can barely rely on what is left of humanity to save us? I love this type of story...
Was not impressed with losing two main characters in the last two episodes, but it looks like we will be getting more next season! While I was looking forward to some zombie free dreams, I have decided to mess that up and start reading The Walking Dead Compendium One that I bought Mark last year...




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Chevron Renaissance Towers Surfers Paradise

Chevron Renaissance Towers
Surfers Paradise
www.chevrontowers.com.au

We had a 16th floor 2br apartment in the the third tower for a week in March... The apartment was awesome, large, roomy, with everything we needed... Location was brilliant, we usually stay a bit closer to The main strip and beach, but this was just as good...

The facilities are amazing, indoor and outdoor pools, both beautiful... Coles just downstairs so easy to get supplies... Loads of parking...

I highly recommend staying here... We will no doubt be back! Below are the views from our apartment...







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The Lady of the Rivers Philippa Gregory

I had read all of the books in her cousins war series... They have all been brilliant, true to her style... This one is no different! I love the different perspectives of these books, so much so that I have downloaded 'The Women of the Cousins War' historical essays... Together it all gives a unique take on the women of these times... If you are a fan of the period, or of Philippa, read it...


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Ringer - TV

To be very clear: I only started watching Ringer because it has Sarah Michelle Gellar in it... I am a huge Buffy fan and try to keep up with what most of the Whedonverse actors are up to...

So I start watching and quickly become addicted... Not in the Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad or Homeland way... In the super cheesy, predictable, so bad it's good way... Then as the season progressed I feel like it actually got good, really good... There is no saying whether it's even going to get picked up for a second season, but I sure hope it does...




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The social network - film

We finally got around to watching The social network while we were on holiday, and yo be honest I kind of wish we didn't... The concept was great, a story I was definitely interested in... Just felt it was looooooong... Took two sittings to get through... Glad I have seen it, even more so that I never have to again!


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American Horror Story

If you like scary, you will like this... I was seriously freaked out, couldn't get to sleep, had to decide that I can't watch it... But it is all I thought about for days afterwards, even read the episode guide so I could feel like I watched it... It is that good... Can not believe that it comes from the same dude that does Glee! Seriously effed up...


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The Carrie Diaries Summer and the City - Candace Bushnell

I only read this out of obligation to the characters... I just had to know what happened... Turns out not much... For the most part they have stayed true to the characters, although I have spotted a few inconsistencies...

Would be awesome if I was a teen, which is who these are aimed at... Will never recommend or re read, but will probably read the next one... Sad I know...


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Homeland - TV Series

Homeland is awesome... Watch it!

If my word isn't enough here are 3 reasons why:
It is reminiscent of 24 minus Jack Bauer
The twists and turns are reason enough, you just can't be quite sure who is doing what for who when
Claire Danes is brilliant

Such a good series, thanks for the recommendation Hayley!!! It just leaves you wanting more, more, more...

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Freedom...

I am sure I am going to be blasted for this, but the first point I am going to make here is that you are free to say what you like to me, you are also free to check the Internet at your leisure, which is where I constantly see people complain that we, in Australia, don't have enough freedom, that this is a shit place to live, amongst many other negative things... That you are allowed to say that in public forums, that you can walk down the street holding hands with your lover, that you can get up in the morning and wear what you want in the street, go to a job that you choose to do, can protest for the things that you believe are wrong with our country, of which there are many, proves that we have basic freedoms that many countries do not...

I love Australia, I know our history is bloody, and we still haven't set to right many of those wrongs, I hope that one day we do... To me, this is a place of hope right now, my grandfather came here 60 years ago from Malta looking for a better life, and this land gave it to him, he met a beautiful Australian woman and they had 5 babies together, his children had children, Maltese, Australian, English, Indian, Italian... Now when we gather at his house once a month, it's all about his great grandchildren, who are English, Swedish, Swiss, Italian, Australian and live all over the world, I love that Australia is this melting pot of culture... I love that my family is made up of different cultures, that our kids all have completely different colourings, you can see that we all belong in each tiny face...

I know we have a long way to go in many ways, equal rights, horrific policies regarding refugees and the like... But the fact that we have groups allowed to advocate for the changes we would like to see, without being shot in the head, is definitely a bonus... Hearing people who speak this way, who constantly slam the way things are here make me sad, sad that we can't all see how much worse it could be, at the same time as trying to make it better... That's the best part, we are free to make it better... And that's a far better approach then whinging and moaning about it!


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The Carrie Diaries - Candace Bushnell Review

This story was a BIG change from the collections that I have been reading lately... Was glad to finally start this, am a big fan of Sex and the City, though I must admit that the book was easily Candace's worst work in my opinion...

This book is light, so light that I barely cared about it... Rarely thought about it while I wasn't reading it, but when I was, it was entertaining... Don't know that I would recommend it... The last few chapters is when I started caring and then it was over... Am going to start the next in the series tonight as the end of this book leaves you on a note filled with familiarity and expectation... Read it if you want, but not because I told you to, because I'm not telling you to!


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Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival Review

Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre - The Plenary

I love Disney, the characters, the films, the theme park... I didn't love this show... Billed as a rocking concert I expected music, lots of music and dancing... What I got was a little music, and a lot of butchered versions of stories about Aladdin and Jasmine, Ariel - The Little Mermaid, a bit about Buzz, Woody, Jessie and Bullseye from Toy Story, all held together by Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald...

Every child there appeared to enjoy themselves, as did Marley, however she usually dances her ways through these sorts of shows, but she couldn't because there just wasn't enough music... Probably better suited to older kids, I can't imagine any parents enjoyed it... I have been to quite a few different shows for kids now and this wasn't one of the better ones...

The merchandise wasn't as awesome as expected from Disney... There were no tour shirts, there was a good selection of toys, and we ended up going for the Ariel rainbow snow drink, ice with sugar, which Marley didn't want to drink/eat... Just too hard and cold...

So overall I wouldn't recommend it... Go to Yo Gabba Gabba, The Wiggles, Rasta Mouse or Charlie and Lola instead...





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'don't get catty' Sally Hansen Salon Effects

I am in LOVE with Sally Hansen Salon Effects! Thought I should post up the easy peasy, prett,y no drying time, last for 10 days with two kids manicures I do with them!


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Jamie Oliver Tefal Pan

I'm not sure that I have ever blogged about a pan before, but this pan is the shiz! I cook, 5 nights a week, plus a couple hot breakfasts and lunches here and there, I'm not an amazing chef, but I love cooking, chopping, trying new recipes (1-2 new recipe a week)... I rely heavily on my tools in the kitchen, so when I saw this pan on sale I snapped it up... That was almost a year ago!

Then I was pregnant and had a new baby and just didn't get the time or flexibility to try my new pan... Didn't want a dodgy meal if it wasn't so great, so stuck with what I knew, inferior pans that I have had since we got back from England (6 years ago)...

Fast forward to brunch 2 weeks ago, we had a few friends over and I was cooking a full English breakfast for all, I needed all 5 jets on the stove and needed an extra pan for eggs... I whipped out this baby and cooked some good eggs, non stick, no oil - delicious eggs!!! One of our guests commented that those pans are the shit and he was right! Have used it loads in the past two weeks as well as purchasing replacement ones for my other sized pans!

If you love to cook and are in the market for new pans, you must buy one, just to try, you won't look back!

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Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

The last in The Hunger Games Trilogy, I read it in a day... As I have said before, these are easy reads, no brainpower required... This story is much more about the war that the first two stories lead to, so it has played on my mind a bit... A great ending to a great trilogy... I would definitely encourage teenagers, the desired audience, to read it... It speaks to me as I continue to rally to equal rights, as a reminder of all of the basic human rights that we do have...



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Bad Teacher Film Review

Bad Teacher
Even if you have an hour and a half to kill, please don't do this! I know that there is something better for you to do...
Not even Jason Segel can save this movie... It's short but is so tedious it feels about 30 minutes longer than it is... Not funny... Not endearing... Not anything... BOO!

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Breaking Dawn part 1 review

Breaking Dawn part 1



I was lucky enough to go to the movies twice in two weeks, unheard of since having two babies!

Cricket and I went on a date to catch the 4th film in the Twilight franchise... I love these books and the last two films for the cheesefest that they are, I'm not looking for a deep cinematic experience... And I got what I paid for, two hours of solid entertainment, some beautiful cinematography, and a very pg version on what should have been rough sex and bloody labour... In all if you are thinking about it, do it... Best of the franchise so far...

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Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

A perfect sequel to The Hunger Games... Starting where we left off on the return of Katniss to District 12... Following her on her journey against the leaders, her confusion at her feelings for the men in her life, and then her entry back into the arena... Edge of your seat stuff, I read this in a day at the same time as looking after two kids (I call it the sneaky read)... Great for all of the reasons that the first one was, and then some!

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The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins review

As you may have noticed, since getting back from our trip to London and purchasing my kindle, I have been doing a lot of reading... Mostly of the True Blood Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries, then Game of Thrones Songs of Ice and Fire series, and although I wanted to go with something a bit more relaxed and cheesy, I started The Hunger Games trilogy... One of my good mates was reading and suggested I did too! Glad she did because I really enjoyed this book...

First point which I feel really sets you up for the trilogy is that this is a teenage book, not meant for the meticulous minds of adults, this is perfect for me right now after the heavy stories of the last 5 books I have read... This means that it's an easy read, easily digested without too much brainpower... However the message of this story is much more political, and I like it... The biggest thing I got out of it was a reminder of how lucky we are to have our (in most cases) freedom, our government may be effed up, but for the most part we are free to live our lives as we choose in Australia...

The characters are endearing, the story although reminiscent of Battle Royal in the arena, feels original and I would be more then happy for my kids to be reading books like this when they are teenagers... The concept of questioning authority is a good one... You will be sold on Katniss, our heroine, and her story, couldn't wait to start Catching Fire, the next book in the trilogy!!!

Looking forward to seeing the film!

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