GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ I Smell Sheep: December 2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Sheep Talk: My Christmas Experience! (Plus a movie review—Jumanji—as a sidebar...)

Reviewer Jeanie G shares her story... as well as a review of Jumanji and SharonS adds her thoughts on Jumanji too!

Traveling to our children's homes for Christmas is always packed with a myriad of activities and rushing. Wrapping then packing a truckload of gifts and hoping for decent weather is always the first hurdle. This year, not so bad. We made it to our daughter's the 23rd of December and had plenty of time to prepare for our Christmas Eve get together. We are her "basement renters" in the winter when we visit the area...as my 7 year old grandson reminds me! It's easier for him to visit us in his basement than it is to travel 4 hours...plus he thinks he can play by Nana's rules down there instead of Mom's rules upstairs. Sly dog!

Anyway, Christmas Eve afternoon and evening was hectic with the adults, two 7 year olds, a 5 year old and 2 one year old children. Trust me, you couldn't walk through the house without kicking a kid, dog or present. My son in law is a little OCD so the wrapping paper was his nemesis for a couple hours. It all was heartwarming and fun of course.

Christmas for us was up at 5:30 to be at our son's by 6 to watch the 3 other grandchildren open their gifts. Then back to our daughter's to finish watching the other 2 finish their gifts and help put some supper together. Trust me after those 3 days, I was ready for some quiet time! SOOO...the day after Christmas my husband and I asked two grandchildren (7&5) if they wanted to see a movie. I figured "Great", two hours being entertained then some supper then home to kick the feet up. HMMMPH.!

We get to the theater about 20 minutes early for the 1:30 showing of "Jumanji". I noticed the parking area was packed so as my husband was parking the car, we went in to get tickets. Not a long line (Whew). But that was because the 1:30 showing was already SOLD OUT! The ticket sales lady said "we still have some seats for the 3:00 movie but they are almost gone". Of course I ask for 2 seniors and 2 children before she had time to put out the closed sign!

We decide to eat a late lunch before returning 30 minutes prior to show time. Hey, I saw the lines at the first visit! Again my husband drops us off to park and while walking in I take the tickets from my purse and YIKES, there are only 3 tickets. Now, I didn't count the tickets when I received them earlier, nor did I even look at the amount I paid while swiping my card. I rush to the ticket window and plead for just ONE more ticket..even if it's just a space along the wall...but NOOOO. So, I have to give my husband the bad news that only one of us gets the pleasure of seeing the movie with our angelic grandchildren! I could tell how crestfallen he was as he hurried back the way he came yelling..."I'll be back in a couple hours" over his shoulder. Traitor.

Remember, we are 30 minutes early (25 by this time) and as we go find the theater number I notice a snaking line down one wall turning to snake down the opposite wall... hmm... I'm thinking maybe it's for the bathroom. No such luck. It's the line to enter the theater for the showing! Again, remember I have a 7 and 5 year old that I am sure are going to ask for candy or popcorn any minute and I am NOT giving up my place in line. As luck would have it, they didn't, I didn't have to leave the line, and they opened the doors after 15 minutes of waiting in line.

Trust me, if I hadn't already promised the movie, I would never go through all this headache. I couldn't understand why it was so crowded on a Tuesday afternoon with 2 theaters showing the same movie. Then I looked at my tickets again and someone said: "it's always busy on $5.00 Tuesdays!" OOOHHH, school is out and all movies, all day are only $5.00! Sort of makes me wish we were staying one more day and went to the movie on Wed.!



Jumanji (2017)
Directed By: Jake Kasdan
Written By: Chris McKennaErik SommersScott RosenbergJeff Pinkner
Dec 20, 2017
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Bobby Cannavale 
Rating: PG-13 (for adventure action, suggestive content and some language)
Genre: Action & AdventureDramaKids & FamilyScience Fiction & Fantasy
Runtime: 112 minutes
Studio: Columbia Pictures
When four high-school kids discover an old video game console with a game they've never heard of--Jumanji--they are immediately drawn into the game's jungle setting, literally becoming the avatars they chose: gamer Spencer becomes a brawny adventurer (Dwayne Johnson); football jock Fridge loses (in his words) "the top two feet of his body" and becomes an Einstein (Kevin Hart); popular girl Bethany becomes a middle-aged male professor (Jack Black); and wallflower Martha becomes a badass warrior (Karen Gillan). What they discover is that you don't just play Jumanji--you must survive it. To beat the game and return to the real world, they'll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, discover what Alan Parrish left 20 years ago, and change the way they think about themselves--or they'll be stuck in the game forever...

Jeanie G's Review

SO, on to the movie. "Jumanji " was worth the wait. I am glad I bought the 3:00 tickets and I'm glad I waited in the line to get a seat. I really loved the first Jumanji movie with Robin Williams and I also loved the sequel. They did a great job of making the old new and keeping the humor and excitement alive. The first movie took place in real life "outside" of the game. This edition takes place "inside" the game and I thought that was brilliant. If you are any type of gamer (experienced or not) you will appreciate the storyline and innuendos written into the script. High school students serving detention find an old Atari game (ancient to them) while cleaning out a storeroom and decide to play. After choosing their characters then get "transported" into the game and must save the world of Jumanji to get out alive. The "Rock" Johnson, Jack Black and Kevin Hart are hilarious. I had not seen any reviews or looked at any ratings and didn't even know who was starring in this film. If I had I might have been a little leery of the type of humor but I was pleasantly surprised. 

Now even though they kept it clean (even for a PG-13), I counted a couple of "Oh shits" and a couple "bad ass" and two chaste kisses. No harsh foul language or nudity or sexual innuendos. WHEW! Of course, what does my 5 1/2 year old (going on 20) remember most about the film? One of the high school girls was a "bad ass" and there were two kisses. Plus, one of the girls was turned into a male character and she had lost her phone that had been "attached" to her hand!

I don't know the critic's rating nor do I care, the three of us laughed out loud during the move, neither of them asked to get out of their seat for anything and the movie was highly entertaining! I would see it again and I rarely give that kind of accolade. Only "Dirty Dancing" and "Sixth Sense" earned that from me.

If you get a chance, grab a grandchild and spend the day eating, standing in line and laughing at a really well done movie!

The whole day got 5 "gleaming" sheep from me!






Sharon's Review
The Breakfast Club meets Tomb Raider.

Went to see Jumanji with my husband and 16-year-old daughter. The trailer pretty much sums up the movie. It was silly fun with 13-year-old boy humor (dick jokes galore) but predictable. Pretty much a cookie-cutter action comedy with stereotype characters aimed at the preteen crowd.

It is worth checking out if you like that kind of movie, but you can wait for the DVD. It would have gotten a 3 Sheep rating from me, but Dwayne Johnson is nice to look at, and the ending was touching.

We all gave it 3 1/3 "Dance fighting" Sheep





SharonS


Winning the Internet this Week...Dog punks cat, David Lee Hoth

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Saturday, December 30, 2017

Sheep Movie Review: The Shape of Water (2017)

The Shape of Water (2017)
Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
Written By: Guillermo del Toro, Vanessa Taylor
Dec 22, 2017 Wide
Cast: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, Octavia Spencer
Rating: R (for sexual content, graphic nudity, violence and language)
Genre: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance
Runtime: 119 minutes
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
From master story teller, Guillermo del Toro, comes THE SHAPE OF WATER - an other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment. Rounding out the cast are Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones and Michael Stuhlbarg.

Went to see this with my 16-year-old daughter. She was a little freaked out by the thought of the woman having sex with the very not human sea creature <G>. You don't see them having sex...it is a behind closed doors sort of thing.

The Shape of Water is a character driven story. It pays homage to the old monsters movies like King Kong, The Creature from the Black Lagoon and Dracula. The "monster" falls in love with the girl, but The Shape of Water takes it to the next level which was unacceptable back in the day. The girl falls in love too.

The story moves slow with moments of suspense and humor and for the most part predictable. All the characters are lonely in one way or another and live banal lives. So when they become entangled in the fate of Eliza and the fishman they are willing to fight for their unconventional love. But if the same movie was made, but with a human man instead of the fishman, then this would have been a dull and pointless movie.

I did enjoy the movie... it was very different from what I normally watch (nothing got blown up) and there was some nice cinematography. 
Seeing it on the big screen doesn't add to the experience so if you aren't into the artsy film scene then wait for the DVD.

Holly and I both give it 3 1/2 "cat eating" Sheep






SharonS

Friday, December 29, 2017

Selah's Manic Manga Reviews: Sweet Rein by Sakura Tsukuba


by Sakura Tsukuba
November 5, 2013
200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Genre: Fantasy, romance, manga, comedy
Demographic:  shōjo
3 Volumes
A magical romance from the creator of Land of the Blindfolded

Sad at the thought of spending Christmas alone, Kurumi Sagara goes out for a walk. While she’s crossing the street, a boy bumps into her, and a rein suddenly appears that binds them together. The overjoyed boy tells her she’s his master and that she’s a Santa Claus. Kurumi dismisses him as a crazy person, but then he transforms into a reindeer?!

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for teen audiences.

Since we’re still in the season, I thought it only appropriate to cover a series that not only encompasses the imagery of Christmas, but is also pure, unadulterated, sugary crack. I want to start sliding into some Shojo titles as we get into the new year and February (since so many titles are all about the lurv), but this one is perfect for the holiday season. This time, we’ll be taking a look at the delightfully over-the-top Sweet Rein.

Part of what I love about manga is the range of stories. You get things like 20th Century Boys which is somewhat close to a traditional plot arc (many times over), and there are titles like Natsume’s Book of Friends that are episodic and really take the time to delve into the emotional experiences of the characters.

Then there are the titles that seem like they’ve sprung from random word-association exercises. And while I may not always be the best source of how good these things are, I can tell you that in the right mood I absolutely live for stuff like this. And so do the friends who suffer through my texting them through each volume.

All I have to say is: reindeer shifter magically bound to a girl by invisible cords.

A quick tutorial for those unaware: Christmas in Japan is more or less focused on the secular and is more of a date night than what we consider the holiday. So it’s much more about Santas and getting cake and fried chicken (no, seriously), and hanging out with friends and crushes. Their new year is somewhat closer to what we’d consider our Christmas. Kinda. (Really, the best ways to get the feel of these differences is to just read a lot of manga). So if you’re expecting that this might offend any sensibilities whatever, nah, you’ll be fine. It’s mostly Christmas silliness throughout the whole year long (Reindeer on trips! Reindeer on the beach!)

Kurumi is the classic manga character whose parents are conveniently not around that much to interfere with the plot. She’s sad at spending Christmas alone, so she goes on a walk. She bumps into a random dude (Kaito), and out of nowhere a reign (like you use to drive a horse) appears, binding them together. Dude declares that she’s his master and Santa Claus because…he’s actually a reindeer shifter. Well, that’s my explanation for it because he does have a human form and I’m just really not sure I want to consider the other options. While a lot is explained, there’s a lot of subtext that will probably give you entertainment for whole other reasons if you’re older (or have a terrible mind, like me). Through the first volume we’re educated on what the Santa/reindeer contract is (Most of Kaito’s family are reindeer), and see Kurumi help deliver presents and come to grips with her new role (In this world, there are multiple Santas who help deliver presents, which is actually an interesting take on the whole situation).

The Good: It’s just adorable and if you’re looking at something for surface value, it’s a cute little romance. It’s cute and funny, and at 3 volumes, it’s not going to take much time to read it, and it’s a nice little alternative if you’re tired of traditional Christmas stories.

Also, I mean, come on, this is sheer insanity covered in frosting and It. Is. GLORIOUS. You meet the reindeer family and follow Kaito’s brother and his feelings on finding his Santa at one point, there are DARK REINDEER AND DARK SANTAS who put Kurumi and Kaito’s bond to the test, plus there’s the whole fact that they’re connected by this invisible ribbon and Kaito can be fairly tactile. There are plenty of transformation scenes and Kurumi trying to help Kaito cope as she struggles with her feelings for him. Because he’s a reindeer and kind of supposed to be somewhat subservient to her. I know! This really doesn’t delve much into innuendo like some Shojo titles do, though it’s a little impossible to read it without inserting some of your own, because I’m sorry, you cannot give me a book on a Santa and reindeer shifter bound by a contract with light exploration of power balance and expect me to not wonder what the heck that’s supposed to imply.

Plus, mating season is covered in volume three, so there’s that.

Look, I just review em, people.
Ahem. There’s some nice emotional exploration with Kurumi, and some fascinating little tidbits about the actual implications of reindeer/Santa bonds (what happens to one when the other dies, what if they start falling in love, what if one likes the other more than they like that person, what if they don’t connect and pass their tests). There’s some other, more cliché vignettes where Kurumi and Kaito make visits to people out of season (one where they visit and ailing boy springs to mind), which are interesting breaks in the main arc.

The Bad: I don’t think there’s anything really bad, just that the series really doesn’t go into a huge amount of depth, which is fine. It accomplishes its goal of being a cute little story, but I was a little confused as to whether the third volume was the definite end or not (I think it is? I doesn’t look like there’s anything published in Japan or in progress, but each volume seems to have followed each other after a wait, so I’m not sure). It also feels a little rushed in places, and some things could have been explored a little deeper. When it’s going with definite vignettes/side stories, it’s fine, but strangely, the parts that serve as the arcing plot never really are enough for me. I honestly don’t know what else you could do with something like this and keep it YA, so I applaud the author for that, but I did kind of want a little bit more to the actual story.

The ick: None. It’s all pretty clean, and anything that may have you going ‘wait, what’ is most definitely provided by your own thoughts.
I’d honestly recommend it if you want something different than the norm and still want your holiday vibes. It’s definitely something you can read on a holiday vacation or break. Plus, these are the kind of titles you read just to experience a chaotic jumble of plot elements that you normally wouldn’t necessarily see portrayed in this way. These are the titles that are AWESOME to tell your friends about, because there is nothing so effective as shutting down a conversation as saying “So I’m reading about this female Santa in a bond contract with a reindeer...oh, and there are dark Santas trying to keep them apart, and then they go to the beach.”

3.5 Sheep with antlers





***
About Selah Janel:
Selah Janel is a writer who is trying to start doing that again instead of reading manga all the time.


Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Comic Review: Metaphase by Chip Reece from Alterna Comics

comic book, Metaphase, down syndrome, cover
Metaphase
Writer: Chip Reece
Editor: Peter Simeti
Illustrator: Kelly Williams
May 1, 2015

All ages
paperback, 88 pages
Alterna Comics
Metaphase is an all-ages graphic novel written by Chip Reece with artwork by Kelly Williams. The story is inspired by the author's real-life superhero son, who has Down syndrome. Lash is one of the greatest superheroes of all time, but his life is forever changed when his son, Ollie, is born with all the physical vulnerabilities that come along with having heart defects and Down syndrome. As Ollie gets older he becomes tired of his dad's over-protection and unwillingness to include him in his superhero adventures. Ollie has lived his life listening to the world tell him he will be limited in what he can do and with the added frustration of being compared to a dad with unlimited abilities. Fueled by his desire to be "super", Ollie turns to Meta-Makers - a company that claims it can give anyone superpowers through chromosome tampering. Unfortunately, Ollie's decision may be disastrous for the greatest hero of all time... his dad!
Comic book writer Chip Reece's son, Ollie, has Down syndrome. As an avid comic book lover Chip wanted his son to have a superhero, he could identify with. There were very few superheroes with disabilities and none with Down syndrome. So he did what all writers do when they can't find what they want...they write it. 
The real superhero, Ollie
Metaphase is the origin story of Ollie, a 16-year-old boy with Down syndrome. His father is the famous superhero, Sentinel. The first few pages of the story explain the complications in Ollie's first 5 years of life and why his dad doesn't want him to become a superhero. But as Ollie grows up, he has other ideas.
Metaphase follows the basic superhero story formula. The characters are drawn with exaggerated facial expressions which work well to convey the emotions and tone of the story in the many dialog-free panels. The panels with text tended to be a little dialog heavy. The art is relatively simple line drawings with harsh shading, and in most panels, minimal or no backgrounds. It all works together to convey an easy-to-understand story with a few surprises thrown in.
This is a great comic for kids with disabilities, but even better for kids who don't. The key to acceptance and understanding the differences in individuals is to introduce kids to those differences through media like TV and books (comics). It can open channels for healthy and productive discussions. In the past, self-published webcomics and small independent comic presses were the only places to find comics willing to address issues of disabilities, gender, sexuality, and race. But more mainstream comic producers like Alterna, are entering the game with winners like Metaphase.
As a fan of graphic novels (kid to adult comics), I found Metaphase enjoyable and look forward to the next installment due out next year.

4 "Meta" Sheep






SharonS

About the Creators:

Chip Reece
blog-Twitter
Writer of Metaphase and father of the most amazing kid in the world, SUPER OLLIE! He is a social worker by day and aspiring comic book writer by night (or whenever else his son decides to sleep). Chip has been a force of support for crowdfunded comic books most notably through the website StashMyComics.com, where he is also the editor for the blog and longtime admin. You can keep up with him via.

Kelly Williams

Artist of the book, who has also been involved with a slew of indie comic projects. Recently he successfully funded the graphic novel The Cabinet with writer Christian Sager and is involved in the weekly web comic Ego Tripp with writer Ross Thibodeaux.

Peter Simeti
Aside from being the letterer for Metaphase, Peter is also an artist, writer, teacher, hockey player and the owner/operator of the book's publisher, Alterna Comics. His book The Chair is being turned into a live action film!

Tom Hoefner
Editor of Metaphase. He is also a director, teacher and writer who is working on the novel The Unlikely Adventure of Race & Cookie McCloud. Click the link to read the Casefiles of Race & Cookie.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Book Review: Year One (Chronicles of The One #1) by Nora Roberts

Year One (Chronicles of The One #1)
by Nora Roberts
December 5th, 2017
Hardcover, 432 pages
St. Martin's Press
It began on New Year’s Eve.

The sickness came on suddenly, and spread quickly. The fear spread even faster. Within weeks, everything people counted on began to fail them. The electrical grid sputtered; law and government collapsed—and more than half of the world’s population was decimated.

Where there had been order, there was now chaos. And as the power of science and technology receded, magic rose up in its place. Some of it is good, like the witchcraft worked by Lana Bingham, practicing in the loft apartment she shares with her lover, Max. Some of it is unimaginably evil, and it can lurk anywhere, around a corner, in fetid tunnels beneath the river—or in the ones you know and love the most.

As word spreads that neither the immune nor the gifted are safe from the authorities who patrol the ravaged streets, and with nothing left to count on but each other, Lana and Max make their way out of a wrecked New York City. At the same time, other travelers are heading west too, into a new frontier. Chuck, a tech genius trying to hack his way through a world gone offline. Arlys, a journalist who has lost her audience but uses pen and paper to record the truth. Fred, her young colleague, possessed of burgeoning abilities and an optimism that seems out of place in this bleak landscape. And Rachel and Jonah, a resourceful doctor and a paramedic who fend off despair with their determination to keep a young mother and three infants in their care alive.

In a world of survivors where every stranger encountered could be either a savage or a savior, none of them knows exactly where they are heading, or why. But a purpose awaits them that will shape their lives and the lives of all those who remain.

The end has come. The beginning comes next.


Wow! I am amazed at how easy Nora Roberts crosses genres. I have read a fair amount of her books but this one embodies many storylines...Horror, fantasy, paranormal, suspense, romance...and does so with seamless effort. I was invested from page one, then addicted by the second chapter. I felt tinges of "The Stand", "Wayward Pines", "Blackout" and many great paranormal stories.

A devastating plague, caused by contamination of consecrated ground, affects the world's population and opens the gateway for paranormal powers to grow. We follow those that survived (both normal and magical ) and share in their fears, heartaches, and triumphs with bated breath and pounding hearts. They pick up the pieces of their lives and try to reestablish some semblance of society. Can they survive together? Given a chance to essentially start over. will the earth's population learn from the mistakes of the previous society? There will be a "One" to save humanity but how will people survive until that time comes?

I couldn't put this down and am devastated that the next installment in this trilogy is not available. No matter what genre of Nora Roberts' writings are your favorite, you must try this on for size. I guarantee you will not be disappointed and you will join me in the support group of "junkies waiting for the 'Year One' sequel".

Getting 5 "Doomed" sheep!






Jeanie G

About the Author:
website-FB-Pin
Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, the youngest of five children. After a school career that included some time in Catholic school and the discipline of nuns, she married young and settled in Keedysville, Maryland.
She worked briefly as a legal secretary. “I could type fast but couldn’t spell, I was the worst legal secretary ever,” she says now. After her sons were born she stayed home and tried every craft that came along. A blizzard in February 1979 forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate.
Born into a family of readers, Nora had never known a time that she wasn’t reading or making up stories. During the now-famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981.

Nora met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Since that time, they’ve expanded their home, traveled the world and opened a bookstore together.

Through the years, Nora has always been surrounded by men. Not only was she the youngest in her family, but she was also the only girl. She has raised two sons. Having spent her life surrounded by men, Ms. Roberts has a fairly good view of the workings of the male mind, which is a constant delight to her readers. It was, she’s been quoted as saying, a choice between figuring men out or running away screaming.
Nora is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the publishing industry. Recently The New Yorker called her “America’s favorite novelist.”

Monday, December 25, 2017

Sheep Wishes for Ewe this Holiday!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Holidays to everyone around the globe. Thank you for supporting this crazy site! We are humbled to have you stop by each and every day. Every single one of us is sending love to you and yours this year.

We are also proud to, once again, donate a sheep to a family in need. This donation is made through an amazing organization called World Vision .
 
This group gives other animals as well, like chickens, goats, ducks and more. Plus job training for women and water wells!


You can check out all the wonderful work they do around the world at the link below and if you can give something, please do! 



Sunday, December 24, 2017

COMET TV December GIVEAWAY: Tank Girl Exclusive Swag And Cult Classic Goodness!

COMET TV December GIVEAWAY: Tank Girl Exclusive Swag And Cult Classic Goodness!
FILMS ON COMET IN DECEMBER

Tank Girl (1995)

Want to warm up this holiday season? Take a trip to the year 2033, where cold isn't an issue but an apocalyptic lack of water is. Starring Lori Petty as the titular hero, and Malcolm McDowell as the villainous Kesslee, Tank Girl is an action-packed adventure that's so explosive you might just end up putting jetpacks at the top of your holiday gift list.
Friday, December 29 at 8P/7C
Saturday, December 30 at 8P/7C



Earth Girls Are Easy (1989) 
If you thought Jeff Goldblum was charming in human form, just wait until you see him when he's an alien. Also starring Geena Davis, Jim Carrey, and Damon Wayans, 'Earth Girls are Easy' sees a trio of aliens crash land on Earth and take the California dating scene by storm. Even tjhe hardest to please Valley girl is no match for the charms of these furry Cassanovas.
Friday, December 15 at 8P/7C
Saturday, December 16 at 8P/7C
Saturday, December 30 at 6P/5C

Martian Holiday Movie Marathon 

Sunday, December 25 starting at NOON/11C


Mars Needs Women (1968) 
Starting at NOON/11C
The Angry Red Planet (1960) 
Starting at 2P/1C
Queen of Blood (1966) 
Starting at 4P/3C
Red Planet Mars (1952) 
Starting at 6P/5C
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) 
Starting at 8P/7C

December FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIES
Friday Primetime Movie 8P/7C 
Saturday Encore Presentation 8P/7C
Leviathan (1989)
Friday, December 8 at 8P/7C
Earth Girls Are Easy (1989) 
Friday, December 15 at 8P/7C
Supernova (2000) 
Friday, December 22 at 8P/7C
Tank Girl (1995) 
Friday, December 29 at 8P/7C

December Weekly Themes 
Airing weekdays at 4P/3C throughout December,
check schedule at CometTV.com
Haunted House Movies (12/4 – 12/8)
Vincent Price Movies (12/11 – 12/15)
Creature Features (12/18 – 12/22)
Cult Sci-fi Movies (12/26 – 12/29)

GIVEAWAY
The Comet TV December Pack has:
1 - Limited Edition Tank Girl x COMET TV T-shirt: "Look, if you want to torture me, spank me, lick me, do it." .... Lock and load with this exclusive Tank Girl goggle-eye tee and get ready to break necks next time you're stocking up on ammo.
1 - Tank Girl 4"x9" UV Print: SPLOSH, BAM! If you're a true Tank Girl fan like we are, you couldn't get enough of the film's animated sequences. We're paying homage with two variant UV prints pulled right from the film and custom made for this kit.
1- Stargate Atlantis x COMET TV SnowGlobe: Tis the season to be Stargate! Bring home the bubble city trapped in this limited edition SnowGlobe... where else are you gonna snag this?
1 - COMET TV Collectable Card: You’ll get one of two collectable COMET TV cards featuring Earth Girls Are Easy & Tank Girl.


Step up your social media game, the people miss you! Tweet @WatchComet and let us know about your latest sighting, abduction or let us know what you'd like to see on COMET.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winning the Internet this Week...Naughty and Nice pets

Here are the naughty pets...
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Here are the nice pets...
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Saturday, December 23, 2017

The Story Behind the Story: Busted by Michele I. Khoury + giveaway


Ten years ago I took a Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Writing Course from the University of California at Irvine’s Extension Program. One of the first assignments was to plot a novel. While driving home from class, the idea came to me. The following week I presented my outline, and my professor said, “This is fascinating. You have to write this book.”

What’s the story?

Three main characters—a female artist, a male drug dealer, and a male DEA special agent—collide over cocaine.

The problem

I knew nothing about drugs, including cocaine.
Through networking, I found and interviewed a DEA agent, a Lt. in Narcotics, a CIA agent, two plein-air artists, several party animals, a prosecutor, a defense attorney, a Superior Court Judge, and an ER Doctor. Many scenes reflect their experiences.

Library Research

I also did a ton of library research, details of which I wove into the story when appropriate. For example, an article in the Los Angeles Times provided the basis for the airplane scene.

Jail Tour

I met Orange County Sheriff Hutchens, and she arranged a jail tour. I’d interviewed two women who’d spent time in jail, and I was skeptical of their reports until I witnessed the guards’ brutal treatment of the inmates. I was shocked.

Dealer for Pablo Escobar

One of the most memorable people I spoke with was a “gentleman” who’d sold cocaine throughout the Southwest U.S. for Pablo Escobar in the late 90’s. After being caught, convicted, and serving time, he runs a halfway house for individuals transitioning into society. What makes him noteworthy is his theory about how drugs came to the U.S., and who the "real" drug dealers and suppliers are.

How the Drug Trade Began

He said the drug trade began during the Viet Nam war, where many in the military used drugs to deal with the atrocities. When they returned home, many left their drug habits behind. Some didn’t. When they needed to feed their addictions, the demand for drugs grew.

Allegedly, the CIA believed if they supplied the drugs in the U.S., they could control the flow and fund their “black ops” that Congress wouldn’t approve.

What happened?
The demand grew faster than the CIA could supply, which opened the door for Pablo Escobar.

My contact claims the CIA has become the biggest drug supplier in the world. Because of the constant budget cuts, they supplement their funding through the black market.

Hogwash?

A parallel example of the CIA involved in illicit activities for financial gain is the Iran-Contra affair. Remember when Oliver North brokered a deal to sell arms to Iran under the guise of freeing kidnapped Americans, then funded the Nicaraguan Contras?

I asked a CIA Agent

I spoke with a senior CIA agent, explained the dealer’s theory, and asked if it was true. He said, “No. If it were true, the press would have reported it by now. You can’t say that.” While he continued denying it, I thought of the infamous Shakespearian quote: “Methinks thou dost protest too much.”

Labor of Love

Creating Busted was a labor of love. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Busted
by Michele I. Khoury
April 13, 2017
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Publisher: Page Publishing
Paperback ISBN: 9781684097708
eBook ISBN: 978-1-68409-771-5
Number of pages: 380 (Print)
Word Count: 90K
Impacted by the recession, twenty-four-year-old artist Gina McKenna is down to her last few dollars and days away from living in her car when a successful businessman buys a painting and commissions another. As their relationship evolves, she’s seduced by his charm and mesmerized by his luxurious lifestyle until she discovers he’s a drug kingpin. Her world turns upside down, and she struggles to survive vicious brutality.

Miguel Lopez is a cocaine supplier with a weightlifter’s physique and “the rules do not apply to me” attitude. Maniacal and ruthless, he has no qualms about killing anyone who interferes with his distribution network, including Gina.

Dedicated to eradicating illegal drugs, DEA Special Agent Bobby Garcia spent months and hundreds of thousands of dollars working undercover to buy his way up the dealer chain to identify the moneyman. When his fourteen-year-old daughter overdoses on cocaine, he traces the blow to Lopez. As Bobby's mission becomes personal, he makes emotional decisions, which negatively impact civilians and his job. Unable to let go, he risks his career to orchestrate the biggest drug sting in Southern California. What happens isn’t what he expected.

When a deputy district attorney meets Gina at a party, he is smitten. As his attraction grows, so does Gina’s involvement with the DEA’s case, of which he is the designated prosecutor. Mindful of his professional ethics, he tries to stifle his feelings.

Sex and violence permeate the twists and turns of this cautionary tale about choosing one’s friends well.


Available through: Amazon, Apple’s iTunes store, the Amazon Kindle store, Google Play, and Barnes & Noble.



About the Author:
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Michele I. Khoury’s writing career began when she took the Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Novel Writing Classes offered through the University of California Irvine’s extension program. She was one of three out of the fourteen students her professor choose to mentor and attended weekly critique sessions for six years. Busted is her debut novel, and she is currently writing her second book, The Sheriff’s Wife, which is about domestic violence and abuse.

She lives in Orange County, California with her husband and rescued dogs, Bubbles and Thriller.



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Friday, December 22, 2017

Vices and Virtues An anthology of the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Dark Virtues + giveaway

Vices and Virtues: An Anthology of the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Dark Virtues
November 14, 2017
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Paranormal, 
Sci-Fi, Suspense/Thriller
Because sometimes, the virtuous are as frightening as the sinful…

Sins will weave you into their webs. They become the Vice you’re unable to shake. There are the values, taught from birth, which ride a razor’s edge. They turn into Dark Virtues, a twisted mockery of their true meaning.

Pride, envy, lust, gluttony, anger, greed and sloth all have their place in the tapestry of life. They are the Vices who lost sight of the Virtues: charity, temperance, forgiveness, humility, kindness, chastity and diligence.

Enter the worlds where the tales of the most sinful of Vices and the darkest of Virtues will entice and intrigue you…

…for even among the most devout there is a dark side.


Sins of the Flesh (Gluttony)
by Stacey Broadbent
It was a balmy Spring evening when I first discovered a taste for human flesh. It was a happy accident really. After having my heart broken one too many times, I'd abstained from any type of physical relationship with a man for years, so when one fell in my lap, it came as quite the surprise.

EXCERPT SINS OF THE FLESH:
Throwing caution to the wind, I slipped my feet into a pair of runners and walked down the road, telling myself it was to clear my mind. But really, I was on the prowl for fresh meat. Someone vulnerable—easy prey. I had to be smart about it; it was broad daylight after all.

Every person who walked past became a possible target. In my mind’s eye, I pictured a computer log for each one, listing their attributes. Having limited knowledge on the ins and outs of cannibalism, I had no idea what the perfect body type was for consumption. Would it matter if they were male or female? Was it better if they were lean and muscular, or was a layer of padding more flavourful? How was I to choose?

Turns out, I didn’t need to think about it at all. On my walk back home, I was knocked off my feet by a man out for a jog. He’d been too busy flicking through the playlist on his phone to see me, and by the time we’d both looked up, it was too late. We collided, my forehead into his chin and mouth. My hands automatically went up, pressing against his chest and sending us both bouncing off each other, landing on our behinds. Apologising profusely, he offered me his hand and pulled me to my feet. The impact had left a red egg on my head and skinned my palms raw. He, however, came across a little worse for wear, sporting a newly chipped tooth, and fat, bleeding lip. As soon as I got a whiff of the blood on his breath, I knew, he was the one.

I pointed to my house across the street, inviting him in to clean up while he called the emergency dentist. It was the least I could do.

Ushering him into the bathroom, I had him perch on the edge of the bath while I rummaged through the cabinet for the first aid kit. I needed to knock him out somehow. There was no way I could do this without it… unless…


About Stacey Broadbent:

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Stacey lives in Ashburton, New Zealand, with her husband and three children. An avid reader and self-confessed book-a-holic, she has always had a love of the written word, so it was only a matter of time before she took pen to paper and began on her writing journey. Stacey is a multi-genre author, with books from light-hearted comedies to zombie thrillers. She is also part of the writing duo 'The Ink Slinging Sisters' with friend S.K. Lessner. You can often find her lurking on social media so don't be afraid to reach out and have a chat.


A Million Clay Wolves (Greed)
by Amber K. Bryant
Living in a squalid encampment in the shadows of a towering city, a young woman able to endow objects with magical powers struggles with her brother's growing determination to use her gift for his own selfish means.

EXCERPT A MILLION CLAY WOLVES :
“Do you remember Jamey? Has a tattoo of a whale on his right arm, wears a red and white striped tank top—Sound familiar?”

Mora nodded. “He juggled knives and guns.”

“That’s right. Jamey is my boyfriend and we’re very happy, only… He has this crazy idea that he should give up the troop, join the army instead. He thinks it would provide a better life for us, but he’s wrong. This is the only life I want and I don’t want it to change. I need you to change his mind.”

“What?” She took a step away from Dare. “I… I can’t do that!”

“You don’t realize it, but you can. I saw it in you. The ability to endow magic. You just needed a jumpstart, and yesterday…” she pointed to the feather, “I gave it to you.”

Mora stared at the feather, still crumpled in her hand.

“Tell the feather that Jamey’s place is with me. In the troop. Tell the feather it needs to change Jamey’s mind. Go on.”

Mora lifted the feather halfway to her face, then paused. This would never work. Clearly circus life had taken its toll on Dare’s mental health. Or perhaps unstable people were attracted to the quirky life the troop seemed to lead. It was silly to give in to Dare’s demands. Then again, if she didn’t do it, perhaps Dare would become so angry, she’d bust out of her purple corset and become a rage-fueled She-Hulk. Perhaps the simplest way out of this situation was to tell the feather to become a mind-changer and then get the hell out of there.

“Fine, whatever.” She brought the feather to her lips and blew words into it. “Change Jamey’s mind. Make him stay. Oh!” She jumped as a tingling sensation moved through her body, from the soles of her feet up her legs and spine, then out to the tips of her fingers and into the feather. “What… what just happened.”

Dare’s face went back to its friendly older sister mode. “Exactly what I thought would. Thank you, Mora.” She took the feather back from Mora and pinned it into her dark, shimmering hair. “Wiser people than me would tell you to be careful with this gift of yours. Magic can be used for good or for evil. It doesn’t care which, most of the time.”

Confused, Mora toyed with a stray thread from the hem of her t-shirt. “But you’re… not telling me to be careful?”

Dare grasped Mora’s chin and tilted it so their eyes met. “We don’t find out what we’re capable of through advice.” She gave Mora’s face a tiny squeeze and then let her go. “Trial and error, darlin’."


About Amber K Bryant:

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Amber K. Bryant is an award-winning author and a librarian living deep within Sasquatch territory in Washington State. She has co-authored a short story with R. L. Stine, won a Watty for her novella UNSEEN, and won three contests judged by Margaret Atwood. When not glued to her keyboard, Amber can be found spending time with her husband and son, hiking, gardening, and searching in vain for the elusive Sasquatch.

Confessions of an Honest Man (Chastity)

by Cyril Bunt
When I was thirteen I took my oath, I never broke it. But apparently, I broke many others.

About Cyril Blunt:

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My name is Cyril and I'm 32. I've loved writing since I was very young and so I try to create believe lies, one day I hope to be good enough to make a living from writing.

Do No Harm (Charity)

by J. M. Butler
What if someone offered you exactly what you needed? 

Ethics and vampirism hardly go together, and Aestan has concluded he is trapped between two bad situations. A chance meeting with his neighbor Summer changes everything as she offers the solution to his problems. He can have her blood. She's more than happy to give it if it keeps him from robbing blood banks or killing people. Though at first he is relieved, he soon realizes that even what is freely given may yet have consequences he does not desire.


EXCERPT DO NO HARM:
"Summer...I can't take your blood."

"Yes, you can. And if I were a stranger, you would. But we're friends."

"Friends?" Aestan couldn't suppress the sharp laugh. She had an oddly vague definition of friendship. Surely this was a joke. Summer finished the prep and took a deep breath.

"Yes, of course we are. Now...don't attack me or anything, okay?" She stuck the needle into her arm and balled her hand up before flexing her fingers and clenching again. "I can't let you have the blood we collected for the drive, but I can let you have some of mine. And then you know...we can start looking for some substitutes."

Words failed Aestan as he watched. A tantalizing scent rose from the glass, thick, slightly metallic. How could she be serious? Was he dreaming?


About J. M. Butler:

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Seven Days (Humility)

by Lenore Cheairs
TBA


About Lenore Cheairs:
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A Single Mind (Pride)

by Alana Delacroix
Neil Clarins is a very important man with very important research. He could save the world. And he won't let anyone stand in his way.

EXCERPT A SINGLE MIND:
Neil straightens his back and keeps his hand away from his pocket. He’s right. His work is good and more than that, it’s needed. The entire world is about to go up in flames. The environment is a mess. People are fucking dying and what he has in his lab will save them. No way he’s going to let some petty bureaucrat like Mike Bell get in his way.

And if using his own brain as a testing ground is the way it has to be done, so be it.

Knowing he’ll be out for at least a day, Neil puts messages on all his corporate tethers: email, messenger. I’m sick, it says. Sorry, back soon.

He goes to his room and shaves off a small patch of hair. Underneath, the skin that’s never seen the sun is a sickly white-green. He swabs his temple with a topical anesthetic and sits on the bed for a long time, staring at the syringe with its small bolt gun mechanism, so like the one used to kill cattle. He has no idea if he’ll be able to walk after the injection and he doesn’t want to pass out in the bathroom. Too much risk of injury.

Neil takes a deep breath, then another. He thinks of the other scientific greats. Salk and the polio vaccine. Newton digging around his own eyeball with a bodkin.

Then, before he can think any more, he thrusts the needle against the side of his head and pulls the trigger.


About Alana Delacroix:

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Alana Delacroix lives surrounded by books in Toronto, Canada. She loves exploring the city, on the hunt for both the perfect coffee shop as well as ideal locations to set stories. Her debut novel, Masked Possession, a paranormal romance, is available now from Kensington Publishing

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You Made Me (Envy)
by Chris Farmer 
I envied the time I watched you eat, hoping to taste even a crumb of that sandwich. I envied the time you got to stay warm while, I nearly froze on the street. I envied the power you had to destroy my life.

Now it will be you who envies me. Your gluttony has come to an end. One way or another, you will feel the agony of want.


About Chris Farmer:
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Chris Farmer is working on a debut novel, One and Done, releasing in December 2017.



Death Throes (Sloth)
by Lisa Goldman
Born into prestige and wealth, twenty-year-old, indolent Chandler Wentsworth’s biggest worries are working to smooth over his constantly disappointed family and friends. He doesn’t realize how easy his life is until he and his friend go to a carnival, where Roma, an eccentric psychic, delivers improbable predictions and a frightening warning that the eyes are the window to one’s soul. Soon, he not only discovers the true evil behind black oily eyes, but Roma’s atrocious predictions has begun a series of catastrophic events, including soul-shattering death throes.

One Forgives as One Loves (Forgiveness)

by Trinity Hanrahan
I can have peace of mind only when forgiveness has been earned and granted.

About Trinity Hanrahan:

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Trinity lives with her husband and five children in Virginia. She grew up overseas in Turkey and Japan, where her love of reading developed due to a lack of English-speaking television. As her need for written works grew, so did her desire to create worlds for others to enjoy. By the time she was in middle school she had started writing short stories. She endeavors to break the mold where modern stereotypes are concerned and create engaging characters.

When she’s not writing or working, Trinity still enjoys settling down to read a book or doing graphic art in her spare time.



Caveat Emptor (Diligence)
by Kristen Jacques
Captain Niels Fizarian prides himself on quality product: weapons, rare goods, even concubines. It's one thing to be an unscrupulous scoundrel, another to be a poor businessman. But with early retirement looming, what could cutting a few corners hurt? When it comes to interstellar trade, Captain Niels may just learn the hard way to pay his due diligence.

About Kristen Jacques

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The Devil You Know (Lust)
by Rebecca Nolan
Ivy feels like everything is finally falling in place from her now that she has a new home. To make things even better, her landlord is sexy, caring Drake Hunter. The problem is Drake isn't what he seems. Will Ivy get her happy ever after or is she doomed to end up in tears.

About Rebecca Nolan:
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Rebecca Nolan is an aspiring writer with several anthologies under her belt. She loves being able to bring characters to life through words. In her spear time she is often found reading or spending time with her family.

The Pain of a Kindness (Kindness)

by Tammy Oja
Anna works with an appointed psychologist for answers when her mother goes missing.

About Tammy Oja:
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Tammy Oja is an active reader and lover of all things word related. She currently writes on Wattpad under the pen name tamoja. Previous works include being published by Gallery books in the anthology Once Upon Now (2016). Her short story Darla was a top 10 finalist for TNT and was optioned for film.

Her favorite things to write are short psychological horror stories that leave you thinking long after the pages are closed.


She currently lives in Michigan and you can usually find her staring at a screen at her kitchen table.
Hell's Match (Kindness)
by Aria Peyton
In my world, too many people are lonely. So out of the kindness of my heart I help them. Those who want someone by their side forever get it. Only they never read the fine print and forever means just that.

EXCERPT HELL’S MATCH:
In a sinuous motion, Cheshire slides off the machine and backs away, book held out in front of her in a warding-off gesture. Anger fuels her when she speaks. “Am I being set up? Did you follow me here? What’s going on?”

I know better than to move, so I stay put, my body jerking with the motion of the tub beneath me. “No, of course—” The rest of the sentence dies at her raised brow and sceptical glare. “Yes. I followed you here.” I act all resigned to this fact but surge on when she tries to interrupt. “But only because Grandmother asked me to make contact with you, and when I got to your apartment, you were already on your way here. I was so intrigued by how you rebuffed her on the phone last night, I had to meet you myself.”

I may have just painted myself into a corner here as I watch the thoughts swirling in her head. I’ve given her too many inconsistencies to process and I know she’ll have a question for each one. But I already have the answer, and realistically, so does she.

“How did she know where I live? How the hell did she know what I look like? And how the fuck did you think this would look, stalking me into the damn laundromat?!” Her voice gets louder and squeakier with each word until others here start backing away. Soon the place is empty and Cheshire is alone here with me. The predator within can’t believe its luck, while the other side of me is fascinated that she didn’t run with everyone else.

“You spoke to her last night. What did she know about you then, huh?”

The glare eases a little, but she still keeps her distance. “Too much is what she knows. I’d love to know what little tricks she has up her frock sleeves to know so much without a word.”

“It’s just her ability. Some would call her clairvoyant or psychic.”

“Or just plain freaky,” she mutters under her breath.

“Or that.” I release a chuckle to lessen the tension hovering between us. Even though it’s refreshing to have a normal conversation with someone, the urgency to get her back to the office of ‘Madame’ still hangs over me. She’s the next match to be made and that contract needs to be signed.


About Aria Peyton:
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I've been a covert operative in a foreign country, jumped out of helicopters for fun, and bungee jumped over the side of a Styrofoam factory into a vat of beans made for beanbags.

I can also leap Lego towers in a single bound, pack school lunches like a boss, and burn myself on any hot surface.

My multi-skilling is out of this world and I successfully masquerade as an average parent 24/7.




Evelyn
by QT Ruby
Dr. Evers says the only way for Evelyn to be free is to remember her past, but is that really such a good idea?

EXCERPT EVELYN:
“Why am I restrained? There is no escape from this room.”

Dr. Evers releases a little sigh. “For my protection.”

“Against?”

“You.”

“Me? What could I do to you?” She waits to respond. I’m unsure if it’s because I have to remember like she said before, or she’s just a withholding bitch. “You will remember. So . . . please, continue.”

I sigh and growl a little. “My family . . . they loved me.”

Dr. Evers writes down my words.

they were afraid of me.”

“How do you know?”

“Because . . .” I pause to remember, to allow memories to solidify, sharpen. “Because I used to harm things.”


About Q.T. Ruby:
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Q.T. Ruby, author of A Matter of Trust and its sequel A Moment of Truth, regularly escapes real-life to fall into make-believe worlds of her own design. Living in her native Connecticut with her two sweet kids, a wonderful husband, and a cat that doesn’t like to get picked up, she teaches tweens full time, hunkers down for cold winters, and tries to write like the wind in the summer.



A Sorcerer's Road to Temperance (Temperance)by Maggie Jane Schuler
Temperance Blanco served to bring order to her family and small town. She thought if she practiced her craft and lead the immoral on a path to restraint, life would be perfect. What she didn't count on was her intense draw to her employer, the handsome new night club owner Raiden Spellman. She thought she had tricks up her sleeve until she found herself captivated by Raiden and unaware of her place in the Cards of life.

EXCERPT A SORCERER'S ROAD TO TEMPERANCE :
Her reaction to him was…extreme, unexpected and intense…and she wondered in what other subtle ways Tempest would affect her. It almost felt like a spell, and somewhat forbidden, but it also felt…good, too. Whether it was the natural lure of a new establishment, or Mr. Spellman was doing something himself to cause such havoc lately, she had to find out either way.


About Maggie Jane Schuler:

Maggie Jane Schuler is a wife, mother of three almost-grown children, and teacher by day. While she has always loved to read, the thought of writing her own prose did not strike until she was in the middle of writing her Master’s Thesis. From that point on she was hooked.

She Resides in Southern California. Besides the family and books, she loves baseball. Since the Dodgers, Angels, and Padres are all within a short distance, and the Giants and Athletics a nice weekend jaunt away, she’s got plenty of games to take in during the season. Additionally, she enjoys cooking, movies, the beach, and the local mountains. She’s most content being with her family engaged in whatever activity they have planned.