TV

Alexz Johnson.

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

Many of you may not know Alexz Johnson, but allow me to introduce you to her, she is an incredible talent.

Disney kids may recognize her from a Disney show- So Weird. Where as a young girl she played a character who dealt with strange almost supernatural occurrences. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKzRRGNiBaI

But when I hear her name a different show comes to mind- Instant Star.

Her red hair and punk rock style was EVERYTHING! And Even when she went blonde, I still thought she was the coolest thing! I always wanted her star ring! haha

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Instant Star was a Canadian television program which aired from September 15, 2004 to June 26, 2008- 4 seasons. The series starred Alexz Johnson as adolescent music competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison’s experience in the recording industry whilst focusing on character development. The program began to air on CTV in Canada prior to being picked up by Viacom-owned teen network channel The N, now TeenNick, in the United States. The show became the second most popular program on The N with Degrassi: The Next Generation, a Canadian show also produced by Schuyler and Stohn, ranking as most popular.          -Wikipedia 

Show Summary: At age 15, Jude Harrison (played by Alexz Johnson) won a national singer/songwriter talent search. With the overnight fame and the recording contract came some tough decisions. Now she’s more mature but still struggling with success and her often-problematic love life which just so happens to include balancing love trysts between her best friend Jamie- who’s had a crush on her for years, an asshole of a R&B singer Shay, and her older yet so gorgeous producer and former Boyz Attack boy band member Tom “Tommy Q” Quincy played by Tim Rozon.

Tommy was the one who takes up most of her time, and whom I “shipped” her with before shipping was even a thing. Tommy was 22 and Jude turned 16 in Season 1 putting him about 6 years older than Jude. But somehow they just had such a connection that you just forgive the inappropriate age gap- Age ain’t nothing but a number when it comes to these two. And you end up rooting for them. It’s super fun to watch the spunky teen give Tommy’s laid back (at times jealous) nature a run for his money. They have so many adorable moments in the studio while working on her albums. And the way they look at each other is just everything. Granted there was a TON of drama, and Tommy wasn’t always the best at handling his strong feelings for Jude. But the story was one I’ve always loved and thanks to YouTube I can re-watch it all over again. Start watching HERE!

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Sadly the show got cancelled and season 4 felt a bit like a rushed wrap up. Leaving Tommy Q with a broken heart. He proposed marriage on the brink of Jude’s career exploding and going international. She agreed but when it came time for them to ride off into the sunset together and for him to join her on her international tour, she declined. And chose to go alone. I get it, she was quite young and she needed to find her own way, and find herself. But after so many seasons of waiting for them to finally be together, it was very disappointing.

Needless to say they had some incredible moments, and the show left fans with some incredible music and opened my eyes to all that Alexz Johnson truly is. The music for the show, is so so good. The lyrics are amazing, the vocals are fire. Johnson has released many of her own material as well, since the show ended, and it’s amazing. Her voice is like a crisp, clear day. It cuts right through to your soul.

Check her stuff out- http://alexzjohnson.com/

Here are some of my favorite Tommy & Jude moments.

(Pardon the repeated scenes)

Tommy talking about how he wishes he could be with Jude, but she’s too young. Plus their first kiss.

“But if she was 21?” “Ohh in a spilt second.” AHHHHHHH I LOVE THIS!!!!

“There’s my look.”

“You know exactly why.”

“I want all of you, with me, forever….because I love you.” 

The kiss that made them reunite one last time!!!

Some of my favorite songs from the show are listed below. (Yes I own some of the soundtracks! That’s how much I loved the show and the music!) *You can listen to them all on YouTube or Spotify! Also check Alexz Johnson’s projects out on there too! I love the songs; Running with the Devil, Look At Those Eyes, Hunger Pains and Skipping Stone. 

24 Hours

Waste My Time

Let Me Fall

Skin (my absolute favorite*)

Time To Be Your 21

It Could Be You

Picking Up The Pieces

That Girl

My Sweet Time

Your Eyes

Anyone But You

Where Does It Hurt

I Don’t Know If I Should Stay

Don’t You Dare

How Strong Do You Think I Am

Natural Disaster

Liar Liar

I Still Love You

White Lines

2 a.m.

 

*I do not own any videos/images used.*

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Calls the Heart Chat & Style Files

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

Hallmark series When Calls the Heart is such a wholesome gem. I fell in love with it last year when I binge watched it and got caught up before the return of it’s 4th Season. 

Now it’s in it’s 5th season, and I unfortunately no longer get the Hallmark channel. And I miss it so much! Not only do I miss the fun seasonal movie themes but I miss this Sunday night series terribly! I try to keep up with it through social media, but it’s just not the same.  

I haven’t found a free, reliable way to watch online either. 😦

All I know is there was a Christmas Special which I missed, and then the first 3 episodes have aired. Last season we left off with Jack proposing to Elizabeth who obviously said yes! But then he had to leave to go fight in a war. Leaving us #Hearties heartbroken. 

So Erin Krakow’s Elizabeth Thatcher was left waiting for quite a long time. Waiting in worry. 

Daniel Lissing who plays the role of Constable Jack Thornton, was absent from many of the ending episodes of the 4th season. And from what I’ve learned online, he wasn’t in the first few episodes of the 5th season either. [However it did appear he was home for Christmas briefly]. I hated not having our favorite smouldering Mountie at Elizabeth’s side. 

Needless to say he returned in this past Sunday’s episode and their reunion was so sweet and charming, as usual. Thank you to the sweet soul on instagram who uploaded clips!

 

“I’m home.”

 

Jack and Elizabeth have FINALLY set a date for their wedding, maid of honors and best men have been picked and Rosemary is clearly already in planning mode. 

It’s so sweet to see how happy Jack is to start his life with Elizabeth. He even created a rough blueprint for their future home, and took her to the land he bought for them. 5 bedrooms! He’s planning on growing their family that’s for sure! #LoveScene? 😉 They even had a sweet candle lit dance with a music box he bought while on his travels through the Northern Territories.

“There are so many rooms!”- Elizabeth

“Family is going to grow, right?”- Jack

“Apparently by a lot.”- Elizabeth *Of course Elizabeth has her shy eyes on.*

“I want to put a big dining room right here.”- Jack

“How big?”- Elizabeth 

“Well big enough to fit all of the Thornton Clan.”- Jack

So cute! I can’t take it. He’s so excited!

However, in sneak peeks for future episodes. It appears that the wedding planning doesn’t exactly go so smoothly. With a fire in the church, I imagine that will set things back. And a few moments of pain inflicted in Jack’s eyes, hints that we may get a bit into what he suffered through during the war. There seems to be a potential post traumatic stress disorder story on the horizon. If you ask me that is so realistic and makes total sense. Jack is very quiet in his emotions, very laid back. Never likes to make a fuss. Even when he and Elizabeth had their breaks in their relationship he was never overly dramatic about their confrontations. Sure he’s well skilled in the grand gestures, but he’s worked on them for 5 years, at the beginning of their courtship boy did he stumble over his feet.

Jack is so grateful to come home to the love of his life, but he’s throwing himself into planning their wedding and their future life together without taking a break. It’s all going to come crashing down on him. And I sense from what I’ve seen  so far, that Elizabeth knows that. She’s asked him several times to “Take a breath,” to “rest and relax because he must be exhausted.” She also has been asking him about the war and what it was like, to which he often deflects saying it “was what is was, and it’s over now.”  

“I’ve waited so long for this.”-Elizabeth

“It’s good to be home.”-Jack

“Now we can go back to where we were.”

“No.”- Jack

“No?”-Elizabeth

“I don’t wanna be engaged.”-Jack

“What?”-Elizabeth

“”I wanna get married. Build a house. Start a family.”

“Okay. Catch your breath.”-Elizabeth

“I don’t need to. The thought of coming home to you, and having you there everyday, it energizes me. It got me through some rough times.” 

I just love them. They are so sweet together and he really loves and respects her so much. I get all giddy just thinking about all the sweet little moments they’ve had together over the seasons- playful banter, disagreements, kisses, all the small looks and smiles. Even when they talk about each other with other people they’ve said such sweet things. In fact this past Sunday in a chat with a younger man- Jesse who is courting Clara (Abigail’s daughter in law whom came to live in Hope Valley after her husband was killed in the mine accident along with Abigail’s husband) asked for some advice. Jack responded that he knows he’s smart enough to know how lucky he is. When Jesse inquires if he and Elizabeth ever broke up, Jack answers that there were times when they put things on hold. He and Elizabeth took some time getting back to each other but they did in the end. Jack further explains that if Jesse and Clara are meant to be they will find their way. It was so sweet to see how he is now in this position to give a younger man advice. Many times he would seek his own advice about Elizabeth from sources like Lee, Bill Avery, and Abigail. He and Elizabeth have come a long way and have really grown together. The list is endless, I could go on all day. In fact I’ve been re-watching seasons on Netflix just to get my WCTH fix. I miss it so much! Lol. 

It’s so crazy that they are at this point in their relationship, I mean from their early scenes together, it’s beautiful to see them now so in love. It seems like time flew by. I mean granted I binged on Netflix, I’m sure those who watched live feel like it’s been an eternity. But in many ways I too feel like it’s taken them quite long to get engaged and now married. I mean Jack was courting Elizabeth for quite a while, and Rosemary and Lee even got married in season 3, before our favorite Hope Valley couple Elizabeth and Jack. Lee and Rosemary are super cute though too! I love how he is so patient with her and all her craziness! Lol. 

Although Rosemary came into Hope Valley at the end of Season 1 hoping to win Jack back (Plot Twist she and Jack used to be engaged!) It’s so crazy to see how much has changed, Rosemary and Elizabeth used to be each other’s competition, and now they are the best of friends. And so are Lee and Jack! Lee didn’t come in until the beginning of Season 2 and the two wed in Season 3! So it’s been a bit of a fast track for the Coulters.

So mind you, you can imagine how anxious we #Hearties have been to see Elizabeth and Jack finally on their way to tying the knot. IN TWO WEEKS! Gosh it’s going to kill me not to watch it! It’s such a big season for them! And I am very passionate when it comes to television and my ships! After all he’s had the damn ring since like what Season 1 or 2, I think! It’s been a long, beautiful journey and I really miss watching it live! 

I guess I’ll have to stick it out and wait until Season 5 is on Netflix. 😦 

In the meantime I wanted to chat about the things that make this show so charming. And a lot of that has to do with the fact that it’s set in a small town. I love small towns, and quaint little cafes, church and shops. I love the simplicity of their life, (not to mention that they have such a comradery in hope and faith throughout the town). 

And last but not least I LOVE the FASHION.

Fashion in the 1910’s were all about the long skirts, and the corsets. The lace, pastel colors, and dainty earrings. The hair was also in a league of it’s own with simple updo’s with a twist or long soft curls. In the first season, Elizabeth dressed a bit more showy, with large hats and flashy dresses, after all she hailed from Hamilton where she lived a wealthy city life. But soon she embraced the more simplistic nature of Hope Valley and toned things down a bit. She found herself, she found her home.

But for a character like Abigail Stanton played by the lovely Lori Loughlin, she had a bit of  the reverse happen. When we first meet her she is all about simple undo’s and no makeup. Beautiful no matter what, but soon Abigail starts to find herself again, she starts to find hope too and realizes she still has so much living to still do despite suffering so much loss when the coal mine tragedy struck taking her husband and son from her. She starts to let her hair down again, and begins entertaining some gentleman callers who obviously couldn’t help but fall for her. All while being a café owner and town mayor. Total Girl Boss. 

Simplicity at it’s best…

Abigail Stanton…

I just love it all. Rosemary spices things up with her red crimson wardrobe as only she could! #Theatrics 

*Get the 1910’s inspired look HERE

One of these days I plan to host a 1910’s inspired party. I need to dress up! I’m dying to play pretend and live in Hope Valley for a day. 

When Calls the Heart airs on Sundays @ 9 pm on the Hallmark Channel. 

 

*I do not take credit for any images/videos used.*

-<3-

 

 

#Karamel #Feels

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

I fell in love with the relationship between Kara Danvers “Supergirl” who hailed from planet Krypton and Mon El Former Prince of Daxam rather quickly. From the minute they met,  you knew it was going to be interesting to watch it unfold. And so this love/hate banter began between them, as Kara tried to train Mon El in learning to control and utilize his strength for good. SPOIILER ALERT: it was just too cute too deny. His smile when he looks at her is EVERYTHING!

Their relationship started off rocky, Mon El came into the show in a FISH OUT WATER like state. His “pod” landed on earth and he was needless to say…confused and he met the girl of steel and her mighty fist quite a few times. Their story has a bit of a Romeo and Juliet feel to it, as their alien lands were once rivals. 

However, they had their ups and downs, they fought, they got drunk together, they flirted, they dated other people (well party boy Mon El mostly did and Kara grew jealous). But it was soon evident that Mon El grew feelings for Kara and he became this witty, adorable man with a crush. Watching him learn the ways of earth and adapt to social cues is hysterical. However, as cute as they had become, Kara is a very independent woman, and Mon El often times would try to interfere with her decisions, they broke up for a brief period when Kara realized Mon El was lying about his past. Mon El was quick to work at winning her back.

At the end of season two, due to a device that was used during a fight with an evil alien (Mon El’s Mother), Mon El was expected to die, and Kara placed him in a pod and sent him off into space as a way to save him. 

When we return this season, in season three- 7 months were spent in fear, wonder, worry for our beloved heroine. Not knowing where he was, or if he was alive. Kara became closed off, and through herself into being solely Supergirl. Kara Danvers was her human side, with a human heart that knew how to love, and she decided to leave that part of her behind. Until one day Mon El returns from living a life 7 years in the future with a wife-Imra a.k.a Saturn girl. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALVu3y8Q9xE

Kara never saw it coming. And neither did I. :/

Here’s a video explaining their full history a bit, better you watch it then read it! 😉 *Seasons available on Netflix!

My favorite Kara/Mon El “Karamel” moments are…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IuwiCwdRWg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oemT5tMREsU

Below @2:15- Mon El is suggesting they watch a Musical and Kara freaks out and gets all excited. This may be my absolute favorite scene of theirs. Because the way he looks at her is so perfect, he loves her so much! And he loves seeing her happy, and she’s clearly so happy with him. #RelationshipGoals #AlienLove 😉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8THkaofridY

Although the next scene is heartbreaking, it really shows just how much Mon El really loves Kara. You can just tell by how badly he doesn’t want their relationship to end. This is the Mon El we are used to, the guy who tears up, the guy who expresses his feelings. The guy completely in love with Kara. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um3HN9Ou4eY

This season has crushed many Karamel shipper hearts. Not only does he have a wife, but he isn’t who he used to be on the surface.

“Your different…” oh gosh she cries, I cry with her. So sad. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs-vIrpYyqE

We see bits of the old Mon El come out from time to time, but Kara has quite the heartbreak over it all. Her boyfriend came back after months of not knowing, and he’s from the future with a whole new life. Not the mention his wife is also a superhero, beautiful and nice, constantly complimenting Kara. Ugh god, could you imagine wanting to hate someone who is always so nice. Torture!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCK5vjj1kac

I really hate how they’ve written this storyline, and how Mon El is being portrayed. Granted Mon El was always a little self absorbed, he usually only thought about himself and his safety but when it came to Kara, he would protect her at any costs and he started becoming a better man for it, caring for others as Kara cares for National City. But the second half of season three, has me questioning Mon El’s character. There are signs that point to Mon El still having feelings for Kara, but there is still something up, something missing. It’s like he doesn’t care for her as genuinely as he used to. I understand it was 7 years for him and a lot can happen to a person in 7 years but to know how heartbroken Kara was when he was left away in that pod, all of us Karamel fans were holding out hope for the day he would return and they could just pick up where they left off. A couple of superheroes so in love. Like Kara says in the 3×09 video clip above…

“I see this very clearly for what it is, we’re just three good people stuck in a really crappy situation, but you know what at least two of us still get to be happy….I really am trying to be okay with this but…this is worse than the worst thing I could possibly imagine and that’s you looking at me with no love in your eyes.”

That scene was so amazing, although it was so heart breaking, I was so happy when she laid that all out in front of him, because although it’s been 7 years for him, [and Imra has said to Kara how Mon El loved her so much and didn’t look at another girl for years,] Mon El still needed to hear that it is NOT okay for him to be all chummy and kissing his wife right in front of Kara. 7 years, yes ok, but for Kara it’s still only been 7 months, her wounds are still fresh and he should respect her enough not to flaunt his new found relationship. NOT COOL Mon El, NOT COOL. 

Last night I was watching the new episode- 3×10-The Legion of Superheroes- and I was just so angry at Mon El. There Supergirl is lying, nearly dead and there he is just chilling and not helping- throwing out some “I can’t risk dying the future needs us” bull crap. I was livid that he had to be encouraged by Imra of all people- to intervene. Granted, I know he had his brainiac friend from the future helping to coax Kara out of Acoma, but he was just standing around, waiting, the old Mon El would have been freaking out doing whatever he could to save the love of his life. So I ask myself, what gives?  Like in this scene where he tells her he still cares. And sure I believe him, but it’s not the same as it used to be. He’s distant, he’s holding back. And it breaks my heart. 

I’m still holding out hope, the rumors I am hearing are that Imra (Mon El’s wife) is in fact manipulating his mind. And that is why Mon El is behaving the way he has been. That would make a lot of sense, So here’s hoping that’s true. Because I’m sorry I ship, my ships, and I take them seriously. I know I’m not the only one. I can’t accept a world without a Karamel reunion. P.S. 7 years and Mon El still doesn’t end up REALLY helping in battle. Lol. Dude you want to wear the suit, do the work! 😉 No but I love him, I do, I just need this weird version of him to be gone. I miss the old Mon El. Come back to us, come back to Kara. 

Hey at least Chris Wood and Melissa Benoist are a couple in real life!

LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS! 😉 

 

Supergirl airs Mondays @ 8PM on the CW

*I do not take credit for any images or video clips used.*

-<3-

 

 

 

 

Pilot Update-Writer’s Corner

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

So when the Summer first started I posted this blog post about wanting to really work on my own pilot episode for a tv show concept I’ve had floating around my head for years and years and YEARS. And I mentioned wanting to get that pilot done this Summer. I wanted to track my progress by posting updates here on MLW as I go, and yet here we are heading into Fall season and no pilot yet. Ugh! So frustrating! I do this to myself all the time. pilot-season[1]

I did start to write it, and then I just hit a wall.  I just don’t know how to start it all. I have lived in this made up world of characters for so long but to put an official beginning to it all, is so challenging to me. I have all these ideas for my characters, and story arcs for further down the road, even further seasons down the road, but nothing for right now. I have tons of dialogue ideas and storylines for how love stories will play out, and who will be paired with who. But to actually sit down and come up with a way for it to all begin…I’m kinda lost. I have some vague ideas, but I don’t know how to put them into words. How does a writer write, without words?

You research I guess? Right?

I’ve rewatched some of my favorite tv show pilot episodes, and I’ve researched the writing process.

Here are a few things that I learned…

*Scripts can start with a teaser- which is up to 5 pages and shows location/short opening to the story.

*TV scripts usually have 45-63 pages.

*However, each page filmed is about a minute long give or take and so they advise you to keep script length between 50-55 pages.

*Scripts are broken into usually anywhere between 4-6 Acts.

*Scripts can contain character description.

*Act breaks signal commercials- the goal is to leave a solid “cliffhanger” at the end of each act.

*Each Act serves it’s own particular purpose:

Act 1-Current story at hand.

Act 2-Heavy Conflict, trying to get out of it.

Act 3- Lowest point, conflict winning.

Act 4- Characters begin to prevail.

*Each 5 Act teleplay should be between 9-12 page Acts, while 4 Act plays should be 15 pages per Act.

*Less is more- do not over describe in script, just enough to convey style and atmosphere, and substance-dialogue included-to not overwrite dialogue. Ask yourself does the character NEED to say this?

 

So let’s hope these tips can help me on my pilot writing journey.

More updates to come soon!

I’ve still got a long way to go!

 

* I do not take credit for the image used. *

-<3-

 

 

 

 

One Tree Hill Fame Resurfaces

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

It’s been a minute, I know! I was doing good with my post schedule for the most part and then I slacked off the past two post days. Well I didn’t exactly slack off, I was busy babysitting! But today I am back!

I’m no stranger to award show season. I used to live for it! I loved watching the Kids Choice Awards and the Teen Choice awards just to see my favorite stars from my favorite shows win or at least see them walk the “red” carpet. What color was it, orange? green? blue? And the slime, there was always slime. Haha.

As you may know, I was and still am a HUGE One Tree Hill fan girl. I lived that experience of watching that show for 9 years! Even when it drove me crazy, I was always in it for the long haul. Watching and waiting with my best friend.

It was always the little show that could. I can’t even count how many times we would think the show would get cancelled. Season after season we held our breath, and they kept coming back with new stories to tell us.

During the time One Tree Hill was on the air, I don’t ever actually recall the show winning any awards. I was always so disappointed. However, I remember Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush winning awards. Whether it was for their role on OTH or their work on other movies, in true OTH fan girl fashion, we were happy just for them to be recognized. A win was a win. Although um, Bethany Joy deserves all the awards…just saying. Give this girl a GRAMMY! #SheNeedsToReleaseAnALBUMFirst #GETITGURL

*Watch my Vlog of her Concert last summer- HERE

But recently, this year the Teen Choice Awards added a new category- Choice Throwback TV Show. And One Tree Hill was pinned against many other favorites like-

teen choice ot h

choice throwback tv show

DHKYZ-HVYAAiNqI[1]

Netflix Generation you lucky lucky littles, you get to stream it all at once, while we had to wait! But I have to thank you for giving OTH a whole new group of fangirls and for keeping the show alive 13 years since it first premiered and 5 Years since it’s series finale! ONE TREE HILL WON A FREAKING TEEN CHOICE AWARD IN 2017! Yes Yes and More Yes! I definitely foresee an OTH movie, or spinoff, or reunion in the future. The cast still hangs out, still keeps in touch, still supports the show by doing those eyecon events-Return to Tree Hill- Conventions. Speaking of, it is a goal of mine to get to one of those at some point in my life! 😉 Hey I’ve met Danneel Harris, Lee Norris, Tyler Hilton, Sophia Bush, Daphne Zuniga, and Bethany Joy Lenz, so I don’t think I’m doing too bad. Sophia and Joy were like massive bucket list points for me!

I just think it’s super cool that One Tree Hill is still teaching young girls (and boys) lessons and giving them a place to call home. Television is home for me. I see stories and characters that I can relate to or that I aspire to be like or are already like me, or gather inspiration from and it is just such a comfort. One Tree Hill took me from my middle school years through high school and even to college, and I have some of the best most special memories because of that show. So much of my adolescence is linked to that show, and it’s always going to be. So for me, One Tree Hill is the reason why I want to write for television one day. So in a nutshell, I’m really happy to see it still being recognized and loved by so many generations.

Now, I’m 26, so no I didn’t watch the Teen Choice Awards so I don’t know how the category was presented, I don’t know if anyone was there to accept it, or if it was just kind of announced in passing. But either way, it’s still super cool that OTH won. To be honest, I probably would have checked in on the show if I remembered it was actually on, but I didn’t. And yes I saw OTH was nominated and I thought it was so awesome, but no I did not vote, because when I was a teen I did and I’ve done my time. It’s their (the Netflix generation) time now, and I had faith in them, Haha. Although let’s be real that category was full of epic shows too!

For the total list of winners click HERE!

Side Note: I was happy to see Supergirl’s Melissa Benoist won and Riverdale swept the stage with a ton of awards! We all know they were both my most current Netflix binge parties. Can’t wait for the fall so I can watch them both live! 😀

 

*I do not take credit for images used.*

-<3-

 

 

Summer Time Changes- Let’s Talk

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

summer-tag-copy[1]I think it’s safe to say, Summer is here and kicking. The 4th is tomorrow and that right there is the epitome of Summer to me. The weather is hot, school is out and life becomes this different existence. Everything is slightly more laid back- or at least it’s supposed to be.

For me, Summer is a bit of an anxiety stressor. My job changes a little bit and I get placed in a new environment, working with new people for the duration of the summer. So that feels like an uproot, and something new I have to get used to all over again. Last year it was actually a really pleasant change and so this year I’m hoping for the same. I’m pretty optimistic that it will be and that’s a good feeling. 🙂

I also don’t do well in the heat so that’s another reason why Summer brings upon anxiety for me. Along with having this extra time during this season, there’s a lot of pressure to make use of everyday and do fun exciting things, everyday. Raise your hand if you’ve compared yourself to anyone on social media lately? #Guilty. I’m sorry I don’t have that kind of money to just be jumping flights, here and there. I have a lot going on in my life that I need to be saving up for, so unfortunately vacationing isn’t in the stars for me. And that sucks, but it’s my reality and that’s ok. Everyone’s life is different.

I think I’m learning to balance my boundaries. Sometimes I know I can push through my anxiety and sometimes I know I have to pull back and give myself a beat. And knowing that has made an incredible difference in my life. This notion is certainly a work in progress, but it’s coming along slowly.

It’s ok, to take breaks. It’s ok, to push yourself a bit, you will learn what you can handle. It’s ok, to say no. It’s ok, to strive for change. And it’s ok, to be afraid of that change, and still go for it anyway. My whole life I thought that I couldn’t use the words risk taker to describe myself. I’m taking that back. Recently I died my hair blue. BLUE! (No not my whole head…they’ll be a post coming soon!) But I have freakin’ blue hair right now and I’m just doing things I’ve been wanting to do for myself.  Different things. I’m just going for it! Sometimes I feel guilty, like wait that’s too much money or I should be here or there or doing this or that. But then I think wait- why can’t if do this for me? It’s allowed! There’s nothing wrong with caring about yourself or the things your passionate about. 

I’ve also been thinking about huge life changes lately. Some will take a while to accomplish, but the building blocks can start now. The other day I was told; “you seem optimistic and seem to be accepting change.” This was an incredible thing for me to hear from another person who knows me and knows how my life is and the things I struggle with. Change is literally the reason why I realized I have anxiety. Anytime change is upon me, my anxiety can peek. It doesn’t always, but if I’m anxious it’s usually because of some change happening in my life.

I’m at a point in my life, where I can see things a tiny bit clearer and the things I want out of life. The things I want for myself. And sometimes that means being a little selfish and doing my own thing. I hate how some may take offense to that,  because it is not intention. But I think that now is the only time I have to be selfish. Other people do it, why can’t I? And that’s not a dig at anyone, it’s just an observation. Once I’m older, and have a family of my own things will be very different. And my husband and my children will be my priority. So now this is my time to sort myself out so that dream of having that life when I’m older can eventually come true. I don’t want to sit back 10 or 15 years from now and regret not going after the things I wanted. I don’t want to resent my family. So this is the time to get my  mind right and just do my thing.

I’m trying to tackle the things that scare me. Granted, I have my days when I falter and I let that fear hold me back, or I allow the laziness of summer overcome me. But I’m keeping high expectations for myself this summer. There are so many things I want to accomplish on a personal and professional level that I am making strides toward those goals already.

I’ve always wanted to write a pilot script for this tv show I’ve had running in my head for YEARS-since high school. The show is written in shifts and on random papers all over my house-some are on my computer- it’s all over the place. I’ve never written a concise first episode. There’s no organization and I am all about organizing this summer. My planner and inspiration notebook are my best friends! So that ish, is getting written THIS SUMMER. I’ve started to do my research, surprisingly I know a lot of the things I’ve found out which makes me feel kind of good. But there was also a ton I didn’t know- things I’m still learning, still researching. Oh you mean I have an excuse to watch television. Awesome! 😉 Your never going to stop learning, ever. Life is full of lessons.

So there’s that big change happening. Which is huge for me, because researching my craft has always been scary for me. I can’t exactly explain it. It was, I guess something I loved so much, that I was scared that if I researched it I would find out how little I know, or how far from my dream I actually am. But my mind set is different now and I realize that I can’t get there if I don’t try. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it to where I want to be. I don’t know if I will ever get my dream of creating my own tv show. But the show is not ever going to leave my heart or my brain. It could be months, and then a story will pop into my head for one of my characters and I will have to revisit that world. Or a line will pop into my head and I will go-“Oh my god that would be the perfect thing for Travis to say to Sara.” (Shhh Spoilers!) 😉

I’ve been thinking more seriously about my next move. About my career long term. I love where I work right now. I know I haven’t given exact details of my work, but that’s because I truly believe in respecting privacy and I want to remain professional. But basically I do work in a school setting teaching creative subjects like writing, and film. And I think it’s been an eye opening experience for me. You really can learn by teaching.

I have a lot of creative projects I am tinkering with this Summer too. I’m not going to reveal them, because I don’t want to jinx them, or put extra pressure on myself to finish them all. I will overwhelm myself with an over extensive to do list, I know this. So let’s just say that my main creative goal is to get my pilot script written and keep learning more and more about writing and working in television.

I would love to track that process on here for you guys to see, but to also be able to reflect back on it and see how I progressed. I hope you’ll come along on this journey with me.

Happy Summer!

XO

Michelle Leigh

Supergirl Strikes Gold with Cat Grant “Dive” Speech

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As you may know my current Netflix obsession is the CW’s Supergirl. The show’s second season has just been recently added and I have been a very happy girl. In the premiere episode we see a conflicted Kara/Supergirl as she is now faced with many open doors. Finally getting a hold on her role as a heroine, she must explore her options in new areas of her life; her career and her love life. The man she has been in love with; James Olsen-has expressed how he wants something more than just friendship and her boss Cat Grant has decided to give her a promotion allowing her to choose any position she wants. The world is her oyster and she is completely stuck. She’s scared. She’s confused. So Cat gives her the encouragement she needs, the push that only Cat Grant can give, in her fashionable Cat flare. When I sat there hearing these words, they felt real to me. I could relate to that fear and that uncertainty. The need to want to stay within your safety zone. That fear of change. What she said made me think, made me question my own life. And once again I felt such a connection to this show, and I think that is something beautiful.

“Dive. You’re standing on the shore afraid to dive into the new waters. And you’re afraid because you don’t want to say goodbye to the mild mannered, love-lorn Kara Danvers; the sweet and dutiful assistant to Cat Grant. You are standing there looking out at your options- the icy blue water, the fast flowing river, and the choppy sea and they all look very appealing to you, because your dying to go for a swim. But you know that water is going to be cold, and the journey is going to be hard. And when you reach the other side you will have become a new person. And you’re scared to meet that new version of yourself. Now we all get used to our own personas, and we’re used to our own comfort zones, but trust me, in order to live we must keep daring, keep diving.” 

– Cat Grant [Season 2, Episode 1- Entitled “The Adventures of Supergirl”]

Speech @ 5:07

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl-oghg04_Y

 

Stream Seasons 1 & 2 on Netflix Now!

Cat Grant is played by Calista Flockhart and I can promise you this speech is just the first of many epic moments of wisdom and empowerment.

 

-<3-

The Big Speech

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I’m a Romantic. Complete and total romantic. And when it comes to things I treasure, television is a passion for me. I love a good love story. The typical story of boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl and then boy does something stupid and boy loses girl. And how does boy get girl back? By giving the big speech. Full of raw emotional. where he just lays it all on the line, heart in hand. And hopes for the best. Sometimes the roles are reversed and it’s the girl who has to give the speech…just as effective! And sometimes the big speech isn’t always warranted by a mistake or need to apologize, but just to reaffirm their love to their partner. Either way, the big speech is always my favorite.

Here a few of my Favorite Big Emotional Speeches…

(in no particular order…and there are plenty more where they came from.)

Seth & Summer [The OC] 

“You’re undeniable.”

Dante & Lulu [General Hospital]

“I love you, your the sole owner of my heart….Forget hard, I’m trying to make it damn near impossible for you to give up on us.”

Patrick & Robin [GH]

“The fact is I’ve loved you for a long time…I don’t even know when it started…”

Lucky & Elizabeth [GH]

“Everything I am is in love with you…”

“To describe how you look would only cheapen a reality. I couldn’t breathe.”

Nathan & Haley [One Tree Hill]

“I could love you forever.”

Jess & Rory [Gilmore Girls]

“Come with me. I’m ready for this, you can count on me now.”

Ross & Rachel [FRIENDS]

“It’s always been you, Rach.”

Caleb & Hanna [Pretty Little Liars]

“You won’t admit that we’re meant to spend the rest of our lives together.”

Mark & Lexie [Grey’s Anatomy]

“I’m saying you could have a husband.” #BasicallyAProposal

“I love you….oh god that just came flying out of my face…”

Jack & Elizabeth [When Calls The Heart]

“I don’t know if it’s fair to ask you to wait for me.”

What beautiful, beautiful words. They just hit you right in the feels. I love each of these scenes. I love how they display such true love. And I love how you can feel it radiating from your television screen. And that my friends, is why I swoon over love and television relationship arcs.

*I do not take credit for any of the videos used.*

-<3-

TV Show Theme Songs/Introductions

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You sit down on the couch, remote in hand.

And you turn on your favorite show.

You’re pumped and can’t wait to see if Ross and Rachel finally get back together.

But what makes all of that more sweeter?

The musical introduction of course!

The song you know by heart, and involuntarily bop along and sing to as it plays before you dive into the fictional world of your favorite characters.

I love television so much.

I love how you can be catapulted into a world of characters and experience their love and friendships throughout their journey. How you instantly feel like they become your family on that day, at that time. It’s like every week you can depend of them to make your day just a bit better.

And what I’ve learned about my love for television, is that the little bit of an intro matters to me. The song they choose- matters to me.

Because it has to reflect the show’s tone. And the images they place with it too. Of course theme songs are changed, modified, shortened, remixed, throughout the years. But still they set the tone for what’s in store for you and I for one don’t think television would be the same without them.

So let’s talk about some of my favorites- (in no particular order)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

This song was my brother’s and my jam. When we were little every time we would watch the show, the song would come on and we’d just rock out. #IWhipMyHairBackAndForth Girls who wore one or more braids in their hair….you know what I’m talking about.

 

FRIENDS

What would life be like without this song? Unimaginable.  Friends. I’ll Be There For You. You know you clap clap clap when they do, admit it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLisEEwYZvw

Beverly Hills 90210

This is one of the strictly instrumental theme songs out there, but I still get so happy whenever I hear it! Nostalgia.

The Fresh Prince of Bellaire

“In West Philadelphia born and raised….” Cue the rap props. If you know all the words to this song, dust off your shoulder cuz you are a bonified G. Am I right?

Living Single

Gurllllll…..that saxophone tho….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s9fObiIBfU

Charmed

Saved by the Bell

Boy Meets World

There were three different songs, each better than the last!

Sister Sister

The theme song and intro got a little sassier as the girls got into their older years. Haha.

Lizzie McGuire

She was my queen and therefore this was our musical thrown. I may or may not have been obsessed with her tie dye outfit. 😉

That’s So Raven

Nostalgia is so cozy! Ya nasty! 😉 The old school Disney channel was EPIC!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oudFwl5IcZg

7th Heaven

“Where can you goooo, when the world don’t treat you right, the answer is homeeee that’s the one place that you’ll find…” come on now!

Oh hey Jessica Biel, how you doing girl!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLBDjpLuYaY

Reba

This show is my jam, I watch everyday before work!

Gilmore Girls

Do NOT get me started on my girl Carole King. This song is perfection and it’s like drinking a cup of tea (or ya know coffee coffee coffee) on a cold winter night. It’s just like a big hug!

Full House

If you don’t know this feel good song, where have you been?

Family Matters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYvNiKwWvhk

One Tree Hill

Gavin… oh dear Gavin, I thank you for this and for being the introduction to the show that single handedly shaped my writer’s soul. Hearing this song  now, takes me back to watching this story unfold nearly every week with my best friend at my side as we tried to navigate middle school, high school and even the early stages of college. 9 Years people, 9 years, that’s commitment.

The OC

Who else wants to live in California? They make it seem so nice. 😉

Seth Cohen is my spirit animal!

Degrassi

“Whatever it takes, I know I can make it through!” Positive Messages! You know before they hit you with a shit ton of teenage drama. 😉 #ILOVEDSHAWN

The Walking Dead

If you read my blog you may know that The Walking Dead and I have suffered a recent break up. After Glenn’s death our relationship just wasn’t the same and I needed my space. But any time I hear our song, it just brings me back. Another instrumental, but it is so damn eerie, and it is so damn good! Those violins get me every time!

So Little Time

I cannot even tell you how this song can transport me back into time. Put me on a beach in a long sweater and some capris. Girls you know what I’m talking about, watch that intro!

Gossip Girl

Simple, but so effective. Whispers Whispers Whispers. “That’s a secret I’ll never tell, you know you love me. XOXO Gossip girl.”

City Guys & Hang Time

These two shows may not ring a bell with anyone. But they were my Saturday mornings! I don’t even really remember what channel they were on, but I loved them and I still remember their theme songs until this day.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meD8-BGc6oY

Hannah Montana

I may or may not have been a little older than the target audience, but yea I was still a fan! #NoShame

Zoey 101

Sabrina the teenage witch

(Last one was always my fav!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkNHBWxwqGk

The Nanny

The Golden Girls

Moesha

 

Theme songs are so important. I know that not all shows have them, or need to have them. But if they do, they have to be good, because years and years later they will stick with you and remind you of beautiful memories. As I wrote this post, the nostalgia was so sweet.

*I do not take credit for any videos, or music used.*

-<3-

The tears were real during last night’s 2017 Golden Globes.

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Last night was full of beautiful long dresses, sparkling jewels, and a dapper host in Jimmy Fallon. But the true inspiration were in the messages within the powerful speeches given by some of the most talented women in this industry of film, tv, and music. As a writer and someone who feels that creative pull and that need to be artistic, these words sung out into the world by the women I admire, in a field I hope to have embrace me in my future, were taken to my soul and felt. They were inspiring and they were hopeful.

Viola Davis presented Meryl Streep with the Cecil B. DeMille award. Her speech was funny giving us insight into their friendship, yet powerful as she explained how much Streep has meant to her and her career.

“Her artistry reminds us of the impact of what it means to be an artist, which is to make us feel less alone.”

“You make me proud to be an artist. You make me feel that what I have in me — my body, my face, my age — is enough.”

Meryl Streep‘s acceptance speech was about having empathy in the face of this world we live in today, as she criticized Donald Trump, calling his real life faults a performance that broke her.

“Hollywood is crawling with outsiders and foreigners, and if you kick us all out, you’ll have nothing to watch except for football and mixed martial arts, which are not the  arts.”

“We have to remind each other of the privilege and the responsibility of the act of empathy…As my friend- the dear departed Princess Leia said to me; “Take your broken heart, make it into art.”

Emma Stone‘s speech was about perseverance in the face of rejection.

“This is a film for dreamers and I think that hope and creativity are two of the most important things in this world and that’s what this movie is about. To any creative person who has had a door slammed in their face either metaphorically or physically… to anybody anywhere really who feels like giving up sometimes, but finds it in themselves to get up and keep moving forward- I share this with you, thank you so much.”  

It’s times like these when you see that sometimes, Hollywood breaks the mold, and special gems are born to shed a light and pave a way.

 

And onto the fashion…

[I don’t care about brands they could wear Target for all I care…but these gowns were gorgeous…so if you really want to know who they are wearing, I’ll leave that to E!’s Fashion Police. ;)]

 

Mandy Moore in stunning navy. She was the first one I saw who really made me fall in love with the fashion of the night. The neckline is something different for her I think but she still looks absolutely classic. The earrings match perfectly and I love her simply sleek middle part.

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Emma Stone sparkling in stars. She never disappoints, ever.

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Gina Rodriguez, my Latina queen. She is my favorite of the night. This dress was like poetry in motion as she walked on that carpet- the tassels just swayed. And what a beautiful color against her gorgeous skin tone. SLAYED.

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Also on the sparkle trend is new comer and young actress Millie Bobby Brown. What a little sweetheart! I love her sleek hair and her bright lip, I love that she still kept herself looking her age in a cocktail length dress.

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Hailee Steinfeld. Can we just take a moment. Anyone who rocks a flowy lavender number, just gets me. What a red carpet steal! And the top and netted plunging neck line make it edgy.

 

74th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals

Lily Collins was next on my favorites! I adored this entire look. Her hair, her makeup is AMAZING, and that dress.  Total princess. She came for the best dressed Trophy.
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This one never changes. Her face is still as young and fresh as the 90’s- #NeverBeenKissed. I love her beachy waves, and her smokey eye, I love her dark nails and her dress is just BADASS. It’s still really feminine but funky, in that Drew Barrymore way. What a class act.

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The yellows were also a bit of a trend, here we have Viola Davis sporting a bright yellow and Reese Witherspoon in a pastel/baby yellow. Both beautiful, both stunning. Viola Davis is someone who I cannot quite get over when I see her on screen. Every time she speaks, I am willed to listen. Reese Witherspoon is a heart, she’s a Hollywood gem and I will never not love her and her sweetness.

 

I had to include a black dress in here….because well let’s be honest, black is never going to be replaced by anything else. It’s chic, it’s sophisticated, it’s sexy, and so is this gown that Kristen Bell is rocking. I love her understated hair and that smokey eye/nude lip makeup combo. It really was the way to go, she really let that sparkle talk. #ThatNecklineTho  Also I love how it is long sleeves and her diamond cuff bracelet lies on top of the sparkly sequins. Paired with that black velvet clutch…now you have a fashionista. I have a new found love for all things velvet. Hello 90’s.

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And last but not least, I wouldn’t be a fangirl if I didn’t acknowledge that Jimmy Fallon is adorable and did great (what with the 12 minutes of air time he actually got, haha) and Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel actually walked the red carpet together. What? Is this new? In all honesty it made me happy. Earlier I joked as I said “You know you’re getting old when you are actually happy to see your ultimate celebrity crush happy and walking the red carpet with his wife.” Haha. Although “Trolls” didn’t win, it looks like Justin and Jessica won the night as cutest couple. 😀 (Although how bout Ryan Gosling being such a gentleman and thanking Eva Mendes in his speech! #SWOONINGEVERYWHERE)

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are a major miss in these clashing patterns, and Biel shows how the night’s daring low-cut trend can backfire at the Golden Globe Awards on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

 

*I do not take credit for any images, links to videos/other articles, or videos used.*

-<3-