tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70581322024-03-18T15:57:47.370-05:00Beyond the BalconyA place to explore movies, the creative process and life itself.Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.comBlogger3377125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-39624040503785333412024-03-18T15:57:00.000-05:002024-03-18T15:57:01.614-05:00I Love This!<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJMpxukGMdFdHTN0ucb7NPxf8YuAFbSn2WeBoBXJcHIjsPdfoywjplZPWQpBYiqCFrbGaN7ePfxpu2WULChNQOtsZFSi6O9W3G2fbgmlgnUYn77jOeDZIdQRvYHQznotvP_TqUWBsso2ic3Qt0FQkg1Pm2k8Qbq6_2Y7cM-ihJE3QBZ0XatlR_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img data-original-height="275" data-original-width="413" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJMpxukGMdFdHTN0ucb7NPxf8YuAFbSn2WeBoBXJcHIjsPdfoywjplZPWQpBYiqCFrbGaN7ePfxpu2WULChNQOtsZFSi6O9W3G2fbgmlgnUYn77jOeDZIdQRvYHQznotvP_TqUWBsso2ic3Qt0FQkg1Pm2k8Qbq6_2Y7cM-ihJE3QBZ0XatlR_=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It may be blurry but I absolutely adore this picture and the pure joy on Danika's face. This was her birthday gift back in 2018 when we took her to see Disney On Ice. Danika still loves dressing up and putting on shows, but it doesn't compare to this time. It was rare if she wasn't in a Disney Princess Dress and doing her own version of a musical number, </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Do you want to build a snowman?</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Okay. . . bye.</div></div><p><br /></p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-48782334912417653472024-03-12T09:14:00.000-05:002024-03-18T14:54:05.455-05:00The Marvelous Cake Magician Has Stitched Together Another Creative Cake<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qdd0ybKWpxKQtpVdb1mOfuYbRbw5cxqIW4LZGgjlkJElckHm5Y09XbU4flBJhwCNrNlG5Qk9osTGL_f7VqSn9w1z-M1J49YpWFoFdU8VFmCTHZxfbjII2YON5zEwaKneF4KIkvgTZqPeA-n1g6XSn5ull-tS5PrP2jZxLTBRsKO5DRUZMk90/s5184/IMG_4442.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qdd0ybKWpxKQtpVdb1mOfuYbRbw5cxqIW4LZGgjlkJElckHm5Y09XbU4flBJhwCNrNlG5Qk9osTGL_f7VqSn9w1z-M1J49YpWFoFdU8VFmCTHZxfbjII2YON5zEwaKneF4KIkvgTZqPeA-n1g6XSn5ull-tS5PrP2jZxLTBRsKO5DRUZMk90/w640-h426/IMG_4442.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />There are a few guarantees in life. The sun will rise in the morning. Mosquitos will swarm cottage country in June. School will begin in the fall. Christmas will come on December 25th. Emily will make a creative Birthday cake for the kids.</p><p>Except the last one almost didn't happen for Danika's birthday. The birthday party landed on a Friday, which meant Emily didn't have her usual day off to conjure her magic. Emily pitched that she'd make a cake but maybe not one following the theme of the kids' latest beloved character or movie. Danika was less than enthused with this information.</p><p>Emily left for work later than usual on March 1st, because she is an amazing mom who would rather make her daughter's day by staying up insanely late to make one of her cake masterpieces than get a few needed hours of sleep.</p><p>This is all you need to know about Emily. She pours her love into her family by the hours and hours she devotes to their happiness, edification, and well-being. She delivered in ensuring Danika squealed with joy when she woke up on her birthday and was surprised to find out that her mom did make a special cake.</p><p>For those not embedded into popular Disney characters, this is Stitch, and he is apparently way more popular than either Emily or I was aware. The original <i>Lilo & Stitch </i>movie was over 20 years ago, but apparently, he is really hip with the kids. Interestingly enough, despite Danika's love for the character, she didn't actually see the original movie until after her party for a special before bedtime treat. </p><p>Every day I am reminded I hit the jackpot when it comes to being married to an incredibly talented and loving superwoman. This cake is the latest proof.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Tvmf27wn01koeTGanpIYijD4rYVcqoc4wR7TVBoL1FmhK1dVh5GQWxadUTA5xaM2VXwZ4rfdPEaAKORjRjPbYnAb0nBV20uHmelIqDQCz8oHYV3SusFiOy6or4sWZIaJCpydNJXxTlyFUKEb0Rnj2nGr6U-xzw5VArk9jeFMQk11b9pl8aII/s5184/IMG_4411.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Tvmf27wn01koeTGanpIYijD4rYVcqoc4wR7TVBoL1FmhK1dVh5GQWxadUTA5xaM2VXwZ4rfdPEaAKORjRjPbYnAb0nBV20uHmelIqDQCz8oHYV3SusFiOy6or4sWZIaJCpydNJXxTlyFUKEb0Rnj2nGr6U-xzw5VArk9jeFMQk11b9pl8aII/w640-h426/IMG_4411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For something that is a few months late, here is a sample of Danika following her mom's path of cake creativity. Here are some turtle cupcakes she made during Christmas along with her Aunt.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhuM7OX3dwmhBDc3pgs5EXiiLK2BgTrYA-_gNOO2X1tF2I3PBoIHeb_-v3eFeYxCFSNJtw4X0OGQMp2vdykNd-39mhD4fsmfiICXeAom7LuvwlWS4Qp8tOk3aWdqrTRl2cCq86op_PMnTHAXtB3nmcdgZKW3q-F4y0a3CVaR1tBAnvSGsjcCW/s5184/IMG_4401.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhuM7OX3dwmhBDc3pgs5EXiiLK2BgTrYA-_gNOO2X1tF2I3PBoIHeb_-v3eFeYxCFSNJtw4X0OGQMp2vdykNd-39mhD4fsmfiICXeAom7LuvwlWS4Qp8tOk3aWdqrTRl2cCq86op_PMnTHAXtB3nmcdgZKW3q-F4y0a3CVaR1tBAnvSGsjcCW/w640-h426/IMG_4401.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu884_gj0nCkL56QyFoBfdmBcgX4uC1sTLOTw7PqktTC6a9yVBLGZ_v48PyPVc5549xVFqgShd2nBvjqU6Ksp-ZdxcyZyDL1cDK64R7My0g9a2sSyC7GgEEVw7MeGv99Mr5KHTrAUGbxB_1Bd10U31KX8N-BJ3g-jANi8dcMF4sZLZA1_RVQME/s5184/IMG_4400.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu884_gj0nCkL56QyFoBfdmBcgX4uC1sTLOTw7PqktTC6a9yVBLGZ_v48PyPVc5549xVFqgShd2nBvjqU6Ksp-ZdxcyZyDL1cDK64R7My0g9a2sSyC7GgEEVw7MeGv99Mr5KHTrAUGbxB_1Bd10U31KX8N-BJ3g-jANi8dcMF4sZLZA1_RVQME/w640-h426/IMG_4400.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><p><br /></p></div>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-35882771226049919322024-03-11T16:18:00.006-05:002024-03-18T14:54:37.585-05:00Quality Over Quantity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaTvL94U8vr3fNDM2Xz5PA9FTq5MrNbbxOudXEVYURVNnrrcD4p7qndP6lYDZt1sGwXPpSQM28ab2dSEMkFjpUa0t_oW9AZjiTbb7COWncEdfuKpwR7fx1X0afhs6AxPaVxUN7YNnYLQ9i-BBARy73U6UKg6VwDbWM1kZ2RugRmDqqOvs_Bqec" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="183" data-original-width="276" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaTvL94U8vr3fNDM2Xz5PA9FTq5MrNbbxOudXEVYURVNnrrcD4p7qndP6lYDZt1sGwXPpSQM28ab2dSEMkFjpUa0t_oW9AZjiTbb7COWncEdfuKpwR7fx1X0afhs6AxPaVxUN7YNnYLQ9i-BBARy73U6UKg6VwDbWM1kZ2RugRmDqqOvs_Bqec=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yikes!<div><br /></div><div>Well, there goes the streak posting every day on <i>Beyond the Balcony</i> this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>It wasn't really an impressive one anyway, since most days I was just throwing up a few-word anecdotes for the sake of the goal.</div><div><br /></div><div>I smacked into a wall when I aimed to review <i>Dune: Part Two</i> but got tangled into a dangerous web of anxiety, stress, and self-doubt.</div><div><br /></div><div>What?!? This is entirely new information!</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay. Maybe not.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have written about my emotional and mental warfare many times on here. Sometimes it seems like it is all I write about.</div><div><br /></div><div>I apologize. There may actually be a few people who come here with a hankering for movie review and analysis. Or writing that is more compelling than wallowing in my emotional muck to justify the lack of quality writing on the site.</div><div><br /></div><div>My excuse has been my lack of feeling in control of my finally acquired client work, a healthy work/life balance, and my emotional state. The Caramilk Secret is that I'll likely never feel fully in control and it is just another example of allowing my Imposter Syndrom to reign supreme and the negative voices to call the shots.</div><div><br /></div><div>'Dare to be awful'.</div><div><br /></div><div>I need to just dig in and start creating again. But also not be so obsessed with getting a post up every day, but be gentle enough to allow myself time to craft high-quality work that I can be proud of. </div><div><br /></div><div>The streak is done. I am fine with that. There will be a future with <i>The Movie Breakdown </i>podcast, movie reviews, and other creative works. </div>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-67341075800908802312024-03-01T13:00:00.004-05:002024-03-01T23:05:12.063-05:00Happy Birthday, Danika! 9 Years of Adventure, Creativity, Music, and Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXVXJHoxbL5Gq2CJVn9uP9_M0671J5qXUO06pcJAmJwqvq_qfWRcWD67LT6qZxog9tc-jLLrqbIf0YBLvCFWfMD6VyjmQlKDGZofmRPfxSmRL1TPT9XM1NYEYH9Z0FiWl4Z0Z93pPq-N4URkKicwAgGz8c75tWUY9a8Xz-fiHbWuqZpto5QgK/s4032/IMG_0666.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXVXJHoxbL5Gq2CJVn9uP9_M0671J5qXUO06pcJAmJwqvq_qfWRcWD67LT6qZxog9tc-jLLrqbIf0YBLvCFWfMD6VyjmQlKDGZofmRPfxSmRL1TPT9XM1NYEYH9Z0FiWl4Z0Z93pPq-N4URkKicwAgGz8c75tWUY9a8Xz-fiHbWuqZpto5QgK/w640-h480/IMG_0666.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>9 years ago I was thrilled to discover that my second child would be a girl. Emily was thrilled that we now had both genders so she wouldn't need to be pregnant again. There was an excitement when I held her in my arms and knew she'd always be my princess. Little did I know the adventure that I would go on as her dad. Everett was an amazing first child, but he didn't prepare for the delightful craziness that is Danika. </p><p>I think I can count on one hand how many times Danika has gone to bed without bargaining for one more snack, story, or game of hide and seek (a game that sometimes I may not even be aware I'm playing).</p><p>When Danika was younger, it was gambling that would shock Las Vegas if I dared to leave her in a room by herself for just a minute. I have couches seasoned in cinnamon, drawers used as ladders, and lipstick spread in any place possible to prove this.</p><p>A younger Danika also proved books worked for both reading and snacking.</p><p>Everett still has some battle scars from when he dared to provoke her, and her bedroom is a warzone (with many mines waiting to twist an ankle if you dare enter it).</p><p>But. . . </p><p>She has also put on several musicals that were created on the spot to entertain us at night,</p><p>There has never been an object that she couldn't turn into a piece of art or become some magical item on one of her adventures.</p><p>She tells stories that rival anything a bestseller could come up with, but you sometimes may need to clarify if it is fiction.</p><p>She has an internal emotion radar where she senses when someone is having a bad day and immediately is there with a hug.</p><p>Danika is filled with compassion, creativity, kindness, energy, imagination, joy, music, thoughtfulness, intelligence, and love. She inspires me every day to be a better person by spreading love to as many people as possible and always daring to think outside the box.</p><p>She is destined for great things, and people who aren't as biased as me have shared that opinion.</p><p>It has been a pure joy watching her instantly make friends wherever she goes, turning a cereal box into a majestic palace, continuing to push herself to be the best at school, grow as a cello player, and shine on the stage with the various theatre programs and productions.</p><p>My life with Danika has been magic, and I can't wait to see what is next. </p><p>Happy Birthday Danika! I love you forever and ever. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_CNs61UXjBSUOXDenp5C7f6haFoJXxVGROG5WbQJpX1FvDqhBlA1A_82fXuJlNTiIgVuDku87Z52E-MvMYVqq0L8HFWuJ_zFGPqmq-mHLhw9AkrntbvDp8tA3P6iuRxSB_w5_dSec2DZrMiXbmFq3TabWS_rvCvz3r4ppiAdREVeBWbfNUFN/s4000/Fall%20Winter%202014,%202015%20127.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_CNs61UXjBSUOXDenp5C7f6haFoJXxVGROG5WbQJpX1FvDqhBlA1A_82fXuJlNTiIgVuDku87Z52E-MvMYVqq0L8HFWuJ_zFGPqmq-mHLhw9AkrntbvDp8tA3P6iuRxSB_w5_dSec2DZrMiXbmFq3TabWS_rvCvz3r4ppiAdREVeBWbfNUFN/w640-h360/Fall%20Winter%202014,%202015%20127.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYJ-IMS9M9fqVjVZK6mWP7gXmaKSyNOq66aY3iZE46vNrxKc5CmCGti9MZRueMQLQmf0MNv4ViEbOdkf1yukFyuGNK2drS21fqBY2xm0p4Fa_vntB39UZPAPjNiNXsIHvHRqvY7euTo3_7FwgTyJTamkaUjTQLJe15pNeqtjuDBhqOF8EZitQX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYJ-IMS9M9fqVjVZK6mWP7gXmaKSyNOq66aY3iZE46vNrxKc5CmCGti9MZRueMQLQmf0MNv4ViEbOdkf1yukFyuGNK2drS21fqBY2xm0p4Fa_vntB39UZPAPjNiNXsIHvHRqvY7euTo3_7FwgTyJTamkaUjTQLJe15pNeqtjuDBhqOF8EZitQX=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhyVaZCt77-DRkb99dqsCQBRntcnpzp9TXPVRIoeRkkkZGFht4nR4L5m0YfL5FEGJMEZgUq7tjKL93Peq46oIEioQE5PiIVkRlqsPm2SuX3OxL_Lw-KJSCLzCvwst9Tk8CMSm-8iCKk2wlKkgo_DV7ZpqWWTw3bEVxFh0LM1JxH49DynKWvukN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhyVaZCt77-DRkb99dqsCQBRntcnpzp9TXPVRIoeRkkkZGFht4nR4L5m0YfL5FEGJMEZgUq7tjKL93Peq46oIEioQE5PiIVkRlqsPm2SuX3OxL_Lw-KJSCLzCvwst9Tk8CMSm-8iCKk2wlKkgo_DV7ZpqWWTw3bEVxFh0LM1JxH49DynKWvukN=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPcahZPYu4zud7sjQI-RCXczSqUmG33zRP4ItZytq0Dr_OLZLFfqpeaeivmVfeG7fnfJswFvxRngXTHAmoBThVNTkjARo9pERfk9Xhq63Pctncd2AwETGi5E_44EnGvyr3aCfUPy9HC1zDPmVk1hVFAVM10FkbpOS-HGJnoeTfSjXuvRrn8Iuf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPcahZPYu4zud7sjQI-RCXczSqUmG33zRP4ItZytq0Dr_OLZLFfqpeaeivmVfeG7fnfJswFvxRngXTHAmoBThVNTkjARo9pERfk9Xhq63Pctncd2AwETGi5E_44EnGvyr3aCfUPy9HC1zDPmVk1hVFAVM10FkbpOS-HGJnoeTfSjXuvRrn8Iuf" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvRETfbtS6tNwiJxpEmVRALXGINoYTUUd6rMXJsiC4WUtDFXLcN64B43uZj4c7A53pMSMsRNuqsfGf5osb0ecyc7DnTZ0YDKUnTP0vyeXHb3c4P7bTDEsVzYaaoGYICr32ZF1p33-mCVi1QHKUSHtdQIlbyBUIM1CaV9l1yDCXLZagf6JoPNr0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvRETfbtS6tNwiJxpEmVRALXGINoYTUUd6rMXJsiC4WUtDFXLcN64B43uZj4c7A53pMSMsRNuqsfGf5osb0ecyc7DnTZ0YDKUnTP0vyeXHb3c4P7bTDEsVzYaaoGYICr32ZF1p33-mCVi1QHKUSHtdQIlbyBUIM1CaV9l1yDCXLZagf6JoPNr0" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPQQQ8Dc9xLh4-P5oM0KgV93H4M0BxlyCE5tZG9JfqMVOsM5ugeDozx5znMXYOnbQl3kgOD4QVHebEnAivwnUSJKDjLLKIKdk44Oq6DBk9OOEUHANfVWWz7xWVb8FvHUaGCyMYfN2vINGkXwpyvWzUNtIe4vosBSHYc-2lW60KbH_VU09tJNTY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPQQQ8Dc9xLh4-P5oM0KgV93H4M0BxlyCE5tZG9JfqMVOsM5ugeDozx5znMXYOnbQl3kgOD4QVHebEnAivwnUSJKDjLLKIKdk44Oq6DBk9OOEUHANfVWWz7xWVb8FvHUaGCyMYfN2vINGkXwpyvWzUNtIe4vosBSHYc-2lW60KbH_VU09tJNTY" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga4LbHJ5XwIXLCfuainDCcJUaSLlKW7BLo7-Mni6WvUWH2W1oqgYdysAfHdrMSIUxo6YN-0M1wMMYp-7qTCN_lnnZLNo4QfPRGLeHq_koveu7TXkf2ttEhmw9GEfbbGeiktDAWFFkHBw3hoHiUahEecOf8-axBqKkg_ABBATpkBZiI9l8uDvO-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga4LbHJ5XwIXLCfuainDCcJUaSLlKW7BLo7-Mni6WvUWH2W1oqgYdysAfHdrMSIUxo6YN-0M1wMMYp-7qTCN_lnnZLNo4QfPRGLeHq_koveu7TXkf2ttEhmw9GEfbbGeiktDAWFFkHBw3hoHiUahEecOf8-axBqKkg_ABBATpkBZiI9l8uDvO-" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibZCnMi0Tl5Ykd0eWoukrt2hhTVYSX98sz0i0lVW5uJDCxBPQO5KSxeRQvCZRhsTIKIIzfS8K_NZ24q8gHI4XmNL2yo-nmyPQalWcO8m31dKABWUfFYiq7ps0uaYdyWl8iWQkNED1vc_uj65CVLFiSNl2OCHzbqSGfJFGX9_OHCe-C5LIfuE6U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibZCnMi0Tl5Ykd0eWoukrt2hhTVYSX98sz0i0lVW5uJDCxBPQO5KSxeRQvCZRhsTIKIIzfS8K_NZ24q8gHI4XmNL2yo-nmyPQalWcO8m31dKABWUfFYiq7ps0uaYdyWl8iWQkNED1vc_uj65CVLFiSNl2OCHzbqSGfJFGX9_OHCe-C5LIfuE6U=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWeAaL_QVq4BZ9sIp9oB_uEdUbWhj9SUrhTwlvEesvmJ53uHVEyAUFJvhtbe5n7bdFKSYffSc2UfCLbvXnYISlBQ8GG9fncYmIpjKcgkDE3zVoZuNrQo0gMZhPdDAzC-b_SyhDhCvkeGCyk7Oyfix1jW9_Yhvpnpwi7ZfV8vi16VNRrOJYoQGr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2248" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWeAaL_QVq4BZ9sIp9oB_uEdUbWhj9SUrhTwlvEesvmJ53uHVEyAUFJvhtbe5n7bdFKSYffSc2UfCLbvXnYISlBQ8GG9fncYmIpjKcgkDE3zVoZuNrQo0gMZhPdDAzC-b_SyhDhCvkeGCyk7Oyfix1jW9_Yhvpnpwi7ZfV8vi16VNRrOJYoQGr=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtu-IS83X7CPe-za2F0xIjQbXn7oYXLOFbQderrRoc8oWVzSjQzkxE0lSV1lTJoHousexw5ZMu-n0CMGdlSdeq29ezAMxcD8lHHQnjfpV0gOStakmWnNUFMSY0HwgSRd7L_Sj_c0pYyLQh8C3ylg-Zw1-IhM-ZdpNrUa0qk8JeVlaCGvAcZexx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtu-IS83X7CPe-za2F0xIjQbXn7oYXLOFbQderrRoc8oWVzSjQzkxE0lSV1lTJoHousexw5ZMu-n0CMGdlSdeq29ezAMxcD8lHHQnjfpV0gOStakmWnNUFMSY0HwgSRd7L_Sj_c0pYyLQh8C3ylg-Zw1-IhM-ZdpNrUa0qk8JeVlaCGvAcZexx" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixDMS-pgaWBlZGSwu9bHFD7UuozThVOXqO21CeFRR9NiHmAmVopw11pHyBs9T--cKjSixgkJ9vhX6CzLd5vap-qFgz4Z-HXrYbZOxYYvvMrbLLp41p2WEThQfSBfXAdXT-KQ7SNQyzve5oPBpbsxJOwwgAhKdOjCX5zFqL6l46AjXjHWAG5pL4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixDMS-pgaWBlZGSwu9bHFD7UuozThVOXqO21CeFRR9NiHmAmVopw11pHyBs9T--cKjSixgkJ9vhX6CzLd5vap-qFgz4Z-HXrYbZOxYYvvMrbLLp41p2WEThQfSBfXAdXT-KQ7SNQyzve5oPBpbsxJOwwgAhKdOjCX5zFqL6l46AjXjHWAG5pL4=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsbXbr7y-IusIYYBMn_nKmwdYckrQxorUE6CMEZ5ZBlILdvpsPPGNwwwCQ87QGLG2m5M_WzFup09leeixwDMTZZ2jfG6LlLkUdiUrJ3ozUqT83GdFb_X3VTDbPxC0bzUQBIStPz9y0J8rydSfKhhkseKOUgMAzIbYbyz7kRgPBCt5SJCPyoy1h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsbXbr7y-IusIYYBMn_nKmwdYckrQxorUE6CMEZ5ZBlILdvpsPPGNwwwCQ87QGLG2m5M_WzFup09leeixwDMTZZ2jfG6LlLkUdiUrJ3ozUqT83GdFb_X3VTDbPxC0bzUQBIStPz9y0J8rydSfKhhkseKOUgMAzIbYbyz7kRgPBCt5SJCPyoy1h=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisy23OSvqvW05X6RhkkQK68PTXAfRhVX2UgQbB0ihk0xEBPxRoAorXZqklZ5svE71eeidhqG1YymPfpvayKt7vi5K3Bj-9-u8l58q9GHEZ6JcTBgOM7X0T3e157nZRHL4qclgVNvO8Ureh3iXh0NbjgFnBBpVqp53jqWrWRjd5ZfYY0Dh7wQZN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisy23OSvqvW05X6RhkkQK68PTXAfRhVX2UgQbB0ihk0xEBPxRoAorXZqklZ5svE71eeidhqG1YymPfpvayKt7vi5K3Bj-9-u8l58q9GHEZ6JcTBgOM7X0T3e157nZRHL4qclgVNvO8Ureh3iXh0NbjgFnBBpVqp53jqWrWRjd5ZfYY0Dh7wQZN" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWChfB2ZKYV0p9CU3_Z5XuQzG1bJ-JOF0l-aBLYH09qccADpuN1vD55XCegkIgU8oCQ0A7k3cxTIQeHIli-FrOvVwf6qSFyJHUsHQpCFkQSgAZG4Vdgw3IQRa2nak3c_I7cEyNdS00DtXkYiu4erBPGhGa39_cnoYfksDtRztKct6MswWu4qsb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWChfB2ZKYV0p9CU3_Z5XuQzG1bJ-JOF0l-aBLYH09qccADpuN1vD55XCegkIgU8oCQ0A7k3cxTIQeHIli-FrOvVwf6qSFyJHUsHQpCFkQSgAZG4Vdgw3IQRa2nak3c_I7cEyNdS00DtXkYiu4erBPGhGa39_cnoYfksDtRztKct6MswWu4qsb=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOow-bY424y2Pr6mmGJV36S-VpcBEiPh83--qzJCtYC4CCis23tpZFGwGrO9XL120cniehqZU1bWua8Jreyo8uSVLSQU3KysswmajWbRy5haPochbID2URZH1L5fOTXFV_AZaPgDZBlJDnu_Vmzjlm5_pyqQ5AYFwEWDQnZkmn0lCGE0kPhw4M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOow-bY424y2Pr6mmGJV36S-VpcBEiPh83--qzJCtYC4CCis23tpZFGwGrO9XL120cniehqZU1bWua8Jreyo8uSVLSQU3KysswmajWbRy5haPochbID2URZH1L5fOTXFV_AZaPgDZBlJDnu_Vmzjlm5_pyqQ5AYFwEWDQnZkmn0lCGE0kPhw4M" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxIX4Q6CAaRx7Adf4-aL1RULur1LwCc9BFzNw2_YKkc42_tL10tE-zf13BYtnpc3WU6N25mk7OuQMS_nHhSTW1wrzgWqkIyYkgQiOiPvQDNxM5DI6iP0keRleWGBURBPKC_YJhmD4O436Ps-ZoiJB9IUFAUve2gky9rXoMS9y36n_ZufJg-PJd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxIX4Q6CAaRx7Adf4-aL1RULur1LwCc9BFzNw2_YKkc42_tL10tE-zf13BYtnpc3WU6N25mk7OuQMS_nHhSTW1wrzgWqkIyYkgQiOiPvQDNxM5DI6iP0keRleWGBURBPKC_YJhmD4O436Ps-ZoiJB9IUFAUve2gky9rXoMS9y36n_ZufJg-PJd=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu08qBYOLFMM5kOmsz46oj7eHd5-7e6yV2A8RGIAE9dRp4wJpfhxgb_I6yrZZb96kYHgk8snHge7oGyUyKDwz_r6EGwojR0GAlelrIzk1o0qehrBo2BOq8K954eo6mAveb7lG3AWI5uQS1cTnkbMeBP6rkx6rbHg7nx32rlqZEPN249fydg5Q8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu08qBYOLFMM5kOmsz46oj7eHd5-7e6yV2A8RGIAE9dRp4wJpfhxgb_I6yrZZb96kYHgk8snHge7oGyUyKDwz_r6EGwojR0GAlelrIzk1o0qehrBo2BOq8K954eo6mAveb7lG3AWI5uQS1cTnkbMeBP6rkx6rbHg7nx32rlqZEPN249fydg5Q8" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2868Do1_bxs8uciXvfyqoQrlrQ-oA2EjP7nctA3Ij_hBcYmpnflXb9KMpWJ6lAnzGdaXjw9CbGBH8Yd5F16Uf0fgdlB1appPiKL9MrpXxFW2mfibBdwU2OkHx1TslslKh8SzVKJrx7xMovtTxsUKRT2ZfnU6EuEF3V0G9JrQsSTodTyw2XPLb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2868Do1_bxs8uciXvfyqoQrlrQ-oA2EjP7nctA3Ij_hBcYmpnflXb9KMpWJ6lAnzGdaXjw9CbGBH8Yd5F16Uf0fgdlB1appPiKL9MrpXxFW2mfibBdwU2OkHx1TslslKh8SzVKJrx7xMovtTxsUKRT2ZfnU6EuEF3V0G9JrQsSTodTyw2XPLb=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN39Fo9Ol-8JFJLMEZy5qs68pK8kqhGGHcU_efPLnPZ0Cu6u4e023R8FJcNMKSe0ONFysNDW4nTFXhQl_fAACGvfg7TKcil8pZwpZnAvyDklCqnTkOZwIJeGEW11I5dgLcQnUT1MG6YQOtl_qFcJBJBFej747weOxuCt9-JL2Q0oiSY9du_wGx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN39Fo9Ol-8JFJLMEZy5qs68pK8kqhGGHcU_efPLnPZ0Cu6u4e023R8FJcNMKSe0ONFysNDW4nTFXhQl_fAACGvfg7TKcil8pZwpZnAvyDklCqnTkOZwIJeGEW11I5dgLcQnUT1MG6YQOtl_qFcJBJBFej747weOxuCt9-JL2Q0oiSY9du_wGx" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcBS8p9na4DxUQkhkiexOavuPrac2EblfAsiWm3rU692PMYqWdYpQHk8yFbH53X0QT8ZVHdC5z9D3HhXx89iscnjcAwCaVaz7tFwnhJ3S5ZUneKR7P32r8ug9XWnYEZL5x31EJmwmBOBjQjVKZnqL6dn-o-wSvFzJgnmOLHCGGHFjXZf6RbSuC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcBS8p9na4DxUQkhkiexOavuPrac2EblfAsiWm3rU692PMYqWdYpQHk8yFbH53X0QT8ZVHdC5z9D3HhXx89iscnjcAwCaVaz7tFwnhJ3S5ZUneKR7P32r8ug9XWnYEZL5x31EJmwmBOBjQjVKZnqL6dn-o-wSvFzJgnmOLHCGGHFjXZf6RbSuC=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8yawuY2J5sPwEuCg8oAveDm4vwWudFgXvsKFEEL_bg0plaI8A2U4y05RnNtLrdPUtw7LWQnXE1UeKINf-jdABd3_CpbkKT9pnNXRLLguvk2mFx04hZeKNr7zKMGbTRgTkw6_FsxDQzppVpQn3rNCgUpS8slP55wxFhyC98Fofoj4AJz0U9NjL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8yawuY2J5sPwEuCg8oAveDm4vwWudFgXvsKFEEL_bg0plaI8A2U4y05RnNtLrdPUtw7LWQnXE1UeKINf-jdABd3_CpbkKT9pnNXRLLguvk2mFx04hZeKNr7zKMGbTRgTkw6_FsxDQzppVpQn3rNCgUpS8slP55wxFhyC98Fofoj4AJz0U9NjL" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqPIElK2x-c_MDAqVHKfhRudJgOUlQanzz10dw3ldNODGaHSRTyHf3kVfhjxxm-3nFd2mvj-Zp-4_ypiMBBsf5-UKlx1oB4wF7kSDZjoeWO__AVJY71UZhuE0sfLhlVYxakPSvzpmd-MLYtEyR4Yxxy9kT6GqdpI2kMQwAlFsVKmIs_TDyAZqD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqPIElK2x-c_MDAqVHKfhRudJgOUlQanzz10dw3ldNODGaHSRTyHf3kVfhjxxm-3nFd2mvj-Zp-4_ypiMBBsf5-UKlx1oB4wF7kSDZjoeWO__AVJY71UZhuE0sfLhlVYxakPSvzpmd-MLYtEyR4Yxxy9kT6GqdpI2kMQwAlFsVKmIs_TDyAZqD" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-9FdBNDFF1O_nWSbdU3mHkBNouNmQEfhbe4o3E99HWsbN0P9LxM_xkw3zgtmLP63SXjf9HyO_YemMcNS1QiErxJgxfwSo3KyCHl5IBVe3jCpD5nR4WnCxHnAcVNV1X0KsZ3ddyJfmMO0vS8pVpso2xsNt7RK0eI8LaCIbdvtzNt3BESjGYMRq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-9FdBNDFF1O_nWSbdU3mHkBNouNmQEfhbe4o3E99HWsbN0P9LxM_xkw3zgtmLP63SXjf9HyO_YemMcNS1QiErxJgxfwSo3KyCHl5IBVe3jCpD5nR4WnCxHnAcVNV1X0KsZ3ddyJfmMO0vS8pVpso2xsNt7RK0eI8LaCIbdvtzNt3BESjGYMRq=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuezt8Ip9ZUkNbtP1OFmdkZCMH0epwXS0TT2Mysp2nDjVzhHEAdooCXCMViAo851NkZTVp4P7_E07Pijs9HiLYic7sVNACcYGvdjoqPmRIP7Z_HzY1MKi4p56b7A5ZWefvasIz2kjr5-I1XHuC1zM8Bz9B2spkF1V_1c0rgjOfNHEN1YTYk-S6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuezt8Ip9ZUkNbtP1OFmdkZCMH0epwXS0TT2Mysp2nDjVzhHEAdooCXCMViAo851NkZTVp4P7_E07Pijs9HiLYic7sVNACcYGvdjoqPmRIP7Z_HzY1MKi4p56b7A5ZWefvasIz2kjr5-I1XHuC1zM8Bz9B2spkF1V_1c0rgjOfNHEN1YTYk-S6" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO92T5IEf01w_Cc4K3_Kisve3B1miK7Yg_Zkm2YRRb9U4W6iFdrUtQ8p7bITUPX3HXyzhjJkOk9OlFNkn1dD2EOYA2Nu1d-UMkflwU2DkwLeW6P_cpWKtK9TbmAkmrhzrDPAUkReC-tjp4rC3kfRFklYWuRIzerr4OadUnWeC0FEreTeOWzEUy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2248" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO92T5IEf01w_Cc4K3_Kisve3B1miK7Yg_Zkm2YRRb9U4W6iFdrUtQ8p7bITUPX3HXyzhjJkOk9OlFNkn1dD2EOYA2Nu1d-UMkflwU2DkwLeW6P_cpWKtK9TbmAkmrhzrDPAUkReC-tjp4rC3kfRFklYWuRIzerr4OadUnWeC0FEreTeOWzEUy" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD09m6L_O8eKBGTCOEDIANYgX6bs19CruzjJOW9AFMkYmYOm8RkvbFqPjgvTnH1fR5HJ8KqBEwMVoRybTiEtWInnsl_JB2xMBxXfS5efhMrNVHTZpvXCqzi9wzVMdlE6fXA7_j3I3No8EZGsXLbkKh3OYHKk0jb2hFv1-bNhbsws6Ly_3i8sYb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD09m6L_O8eKBGTCOEDIANYgX6bs19CruzjJOW9AFMkYmYOm8RkvbFqPjgvTnH1fR5HJ8KqBEwMVoRybTiEtWInnsl_JB2xMBxXfS5efhMrNVHTZpvXCqzi9wzVMdlE6fXA7_j3I3No8EZGsXLbkKh3OYHKk0jb2hFv1-bNhbsws6Ly_3i8sYb=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLZ02HolG61UUulZPHbEPpWFT_rXtvcT5whog_Ph3HGpymYnJG51Igxp_axfgtf09m87g9mZqFv1TwK4gJMD4EDtOqo4WUdM5VJ4Wr_qwWHH54g_moEjNvjh0pIX5RT8HSvRRHqe6VcrCDhoNHzCWQ6klx_KcKij8UZhNmPsDwv4Lliw9F9brV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLZ02HolG61UUulZPHbEPpWFT_rXtvcT5whog_Ph3HGpymYnJG51Igxp_axfgtf09m87g9mZqFv1TwK4gJMD4EDtOqo4WUdM5VJ4Wr_qwWHH54g_moEjNvjh0pIX5RT8HSvRRHqe6VcrCDhoNHzCWQ6klx_KcKij8UZhNmPsDwv4Lliw9F9brV" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO9QiWreLmpTLh-WBEkg1QDhNqVQqMf8yCpDFWsj2RIqzpNNMkAGk7Yh3EllBpGyh7EdGla_8kgCNM81n8PBLy-8-_eG9ofripWrosQ55_4LKG_uKrKSHjf7IYLjm81ZltC8cFfAjEVkXmFhx_yPGKGamjSYODQOyJbSeo_YK1xmGEJyL0C0bq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO9QiWreLmpTLh-WBEkg1QDhNqVQqMf8yCpDFWsj2RIqzpNNMkAGk7Yh3EllBpGyh7EdGla_8kgCNM81n8PBLy-8-_eG9ofripWrosQ55_4LKG_uKrKSHjf7IYLjm81ZltC8cFfAjEVkXmFhx_yPGKGamjSYODQOyJbSeo_YK1xmGEJyL0C0bq" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPDWa1q4kFtsdlmAY08V4x9ynM24ay9gkdnBhjRpXi7QeuHr_d_B3vljG5fZHhgPiYy8AMjjBdmN2GwOF9YH0ylU_ntYFqk4kBS3hXzEDBEiVw1RVeOjuTyd9BDDb9-6L-Tr-zn-XqIKB8a1b38QPw7fnwBVCAqTuoeYx7SUATkpjRmxu684aZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPDWa1q4kFtsdlmAY08V4x9ynM24ay9gkdnBhjRpXi7QeuHr_d_B3vljG5fZHhgPiYy8AMjjBdmN2GwOF9YH0ylU_ntYFqk4kBS3hXzEDBEiVw1RVeOjuTyd9BDDb9-6L-Tr-zn-XqIKB8a1b38QPw7fnwBVCAqTuoeYx7SUATkpjRmxu684aZ" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiBY8w8P7BfKagstsgJ_H45RIS8-k5EAvixgvHPkjaxOtGUXkdl3rsOUOuiLg5fa9IRAKW2sSNhFpQendiPlWZsxFbcq68nlXDYVsagn7RKfVi-hknSW8XlZjQZkBH4FNyfewev2al0hrEpXaqYShoQ1LlI1LCFGAnZswWhT-PyGAJlT3bYZ1k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiBY8w8P7BfKagstsgJ_H45RIS8-k5EAvixgvHPkjaxOtGUXkdl3rsOUOuiLg5fa9IRAKW2sSNhFpQendiPlWZsxFbcq68nlXDYVsagn7RKfVi-hknSW8XlZjQZkBH4FNyfewev2al0hrEpXaqYShoQ1LlI1LCFGAnZswWhT-PyGAJlT3bYZ1k" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCb-AMA-CFA-7ofduFbd4SE5MUqELjBloMGqs_AVYVkbn147iQ0EJpoW0X-M2oO-po7wufBe5ADqCaNdLWEYg0gpxo97N1ZhICpnTlUwMHSBXQXTYZZ3JPZoK5vyu36RbcL1rqv-7AhzGSklC7ePPH5xP9VCEJE2Jtds0AHvzlJvwh2CcgHAym" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCb-AMA-CFA-7ofduFbd4SE5MUqELjBloMGqs_AVYVkbn147iQ0EJpoW0X-M2oO-po7wufBe5ADqCaNdLWEYg0gpxo97N1ZhICpnTlUwMHSBXQXTYZZ3JPZoK5vyu36RbcL1rqv-7AhzGSklC7ePPH5xP9VCEJE2Jtds0AHvzlJvwh2CcgHAym" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUYy3Q6FGw4-5j4pHhX-bznf1mDxqO_U3jAMAchc1JeUb-uo582tUKmMlQBfZEUdjGkL1Olf38klicVV3miCSR8BCsvhDf0S3Mwq01zqYYD9PKz7Ha6vIebT-B3_CdFWEkLMOf_OYxm1NMOWSgmSY7Z6ONxxerIpaECh6vUDGbf9RMYx8f5DHG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUYy3Q6FGw4-5j4pHhX-bznf1mDxqO_U3jAMAchc1JeUb-uo582tUKmMlQBfZEUdjGkL1Olf38klicVV3miCSR8BCsvhDf0S3Mwq01zqYYD9PKz7Ha6vIebT-B3_CdFWEkLMOf_OYxm1NMOWSgmSY7Z6ONxxerIpaECh6vUDGbf9RMYx8f5DHG=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4DpLUGa8i1PRkkdu6CsnCtL3wK_vzAX0t8TNmd1QS6j_BZuVe0uV1IhGc1z7-wGjLjSIPdS6BI76tGNxHkqSwVcOcWgdvmzXhjqLX0HmseLN_3DhK_ZQtAiioTA4ZDF2pc8HBVaL9DKYBFM26rrp3_76KwcYRa2-4X_r2WETk4wWVu-n3LfMC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4DpLUGa8i1PRkkdu6CsnCtL3wK_vzAX0t8TNmd1QS6j_BZuVe0uV1IhGc1z7-wGjLjSIPdS6BI76tGNxHkqSwVcOcWgdvmzXhjqLX0HmseLN_3DhK_ZQtAiioTA4ZDF2pc8HBVaL9DKYBFM26rrp3_76KwcYRa2-4X_r2WETk4wWVu-n3LfMC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizV-Y4PNUXynPAp17qywCZFthBBs-gNSyFhPNCpCtLGKc4f8pebjCPddqoopvRo2hOtURtKyEFmkI0Ul0f86mBEe00C7pocmGXZwfNFpyaB4rzHe3-UPaLMICczcNgu9ENeH8RV6HNJpSPfpodUMDDhzAcrjAwPOoGStHGp9iR-u7awJm11Q96" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizV-Y4PNUXynPAp17qywCZFthBBs-gNSyFhPNCpCtLGKc4f8pebjCPddqoopvRo2hOtURtKyEFmkI0Ul0f86mBEe00C7pocmGXZwfNFpyaB4rzHe3-UPaLMICczcNgu9ENeH8RV6HNJpSPfpodUMDDhzAcrjAwPOoGStHGp9iR-u7awJm11Q96" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN9ix_Ow9wPwYkEdZ6nWCTdgHM8flBHTJL1ftez8YPwNCZYgjc0PD--ndRo4qSrVlSE3sdxT-6beDJMhl_CEkvvNSs4SGsYjwzOx9gYsMRcCX5kVtu2cpO-jCykn1--zV_ZTKU94Q93nUIx2tzxHn43YdLlOmSlczJzeVdtCiJJjapUTSxqPNP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN9ix_Ow9wPwYkEdZ6nWCTdgHM8flBHTJL1ftez8YPwNCZYgjc0PD--ndRo4qSrVlSE3sdxT-6beDJMhl_CEkvvNSs4SGsYjwzOx9gYsMRcCX5kVtu2cpO-jCykn1--zV_ZTKU94Q93nUIx2tzxHn43YdLlOmSlczJzeVdtCiJJjapUTSxqPNP" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt-N5utTsKNvPGmwqS6eaWjUoC0V_jNoueXl7z8imjk2AI0O70pPkxUfMQnofdPSI3RKM0wFtt_M9z5BkPJZ2xDesGI-y_bjzACE41qcsa4OST7-m2--UXiLrPebuS7cr0g_hjlpAGqnTU91t6Lr464I3_CE1mL3QOG7R10ouVBDz2UsvgmO4m" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt-N5utTsKNvPGmwqS6eaWjUoC0V_jNoueXl7z8imjk2AI0O70pPkxUfMQnofdPSI3RKM0wFtt_M9z5BkPJZ2xDesGI-y_bjzACE41qcsa4OST7-m2--UXiLrPebuS7cr0g_hjlpAGqnTU91t6Lr464I3_CE1mL3QOG7R10ouVBDz2UsvgmO4m" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwVwSzh_diniD4OsyGr3wvjsOBULPWQB7FKkzog647w35w32bsOIj1GBvjwbGIZETwk29DImX_QdHZ6bsHNbNcaGVCJQWsLrIKiXLYCcPPcInOQZyGwDX8eFMihcW1Pw2ufVu8fnForHkGfouBlvCzXOC7LXB6zcO6Me2vsOS8YdVgAn8eUc7M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwVwSzh_diniD4OsyGr3wvjsOBULPWQB7FKkzog647w35w32bsOIj1GBvjwbGIZETwk29DImX_QdHZ6bsHNbNcaGVCJQWsLrIKiXLYCcPPcInOQZyGwDX8eFMihcW1Pw2ufVu8fnForHkGfouBlvCzXOC7LXB6zcO6Me2vsOS8YdVgAn8eUc7M" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPGoM61-SVFWu2KPVDnqhjiE0lF4uupP0mxfNZlItutlUnfmO1-WgkIgmRsFvYOlb_nopC-lZ-DvT8YOl-_TomSMt8muJlOz-vadP3JmeOuw31jk4izL8VkKRsIAXfL1SVwDkbLxw_XX1QCDx4F1jwyx_aPvpyzHDqb-xXxcM3Mk2R1OMG27SI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPGoM61-SVFWu2KPVDnqhjiE0lF4uupP0mxfNZlItutlUnfmO1-WgkIgmRsFvYOlb_nopC-lZ-DvT8YOl-_TomSMt8muJlOz-vadP3JmeOuw31jk4izL8VkKRsIAXfL1SVwDkbLxw_XX1QCDx4F1jwyx_aPvpyzHDqb-xXxcM3Mk2R1OMG27SI" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihw9yxgB7yY2hOvKbeZM1qMQ-tD7xYn0cg9zdYZ15nOw8XDKyhLO2A9PINg-Hb2xVaA8h5URe21jwhU1kgQLfD8f_Mol1PU1C4Asc3eQJmPMyYaNfHEHNgHhR5o-C_qKkUTH3C619FB_YnU505slfa3AM05qcUis_sAtLkD101j8mrE8_iWVAE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihw9yxgB7yY2hOvKbeZM1qMQ-tD7xYn0cg9zdYZ15nOw8XDKyhLO2A9PINg-Hb2xVaA8h5URe21jwhU1kgQLfD8f_Mol1PU1C4Asc3eQJmPMyYaNfHEHNgHhR5o-C_qKkUTH3C619FB_YnU505slfa3AM05qcUis_sAtLkD101j8mrE8_iWVAE" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6-mVxv3PTG0ENDhOmHAY0PUk2v1_Iq6STRGAYpxBlSVdjQZwayQKbq_RuWGnpK7U96KkKThDgC0QdsmWmEd5xnzze9isq_u2sAzXhPCF0KaCZlC1nqLd68vr0gNe_eoXL7U4Sli-i3dVcnFRRCsRBvWOt-XQGi9NZzU1c_9TA_Nb7_mxWP3Sr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6-mVxv3PTG0ENDhOmHAY0PUk2v1_Iq6STRGAYpxBlSVdjQZwayQKbq_RuWGnpK7U96KkKThDgC0QdsmWmEd5xnzze9isq_u2sAzXhPCF0KaCZlC1nqLd68vr0gNe_eoXL7U4Sli-i3dVcnFRRCsRBvWOt-XQGi9NZzU1c_9TA_Nb7_mxWP3Sr" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk_Axo10ekIbgbHBlh6a-C2rPfzAl8qoJy0W3dGDvM3oQ0MG2LKLydgTSzT6yVMgqeBx33pfQMHV9TmPslZymgS3ndzg1qmjHD98VO4irEWW0frotMkKXBBcrwyDoX6ueMlFOtz-tA0v0uk1brs1QAKKd4907CXH2pX0cXYguvM-w8NLu9AwWS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk_Axo10ekIbgbHBlh6a-C2rPfzAl8qoJy0W3dGDvM3oQ0MG2LKLydgTSzT6yVMgqeBx33pfQMHV9TmPslZymgS3ndzg1qmjHD98VO4irEWW0frotMkKXBBcrwyDoX6ueMlFOtz-tA0v0uk1brs1QAKKd4907CXH2pX0cXYguvM-w8NLu9AwWS" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbBFqGQLKd1ffFy6AVFdvknYa5JVjW-csiUMWCqjtvovBEYC1iurAvAMbMv1sq0Q2_WiKxuuVh8V3RC05-Qyb_O-RNBUWj8ZNjhHTIjdY7dZ86n-1jsijw3LlBs2eqzBJjcEp-jE6HVl6P0HzlsEUp2529WcTtpAoDK16vF5H93x2xc-aBamjq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbBFqGQLKd1ffFy6AVFdvknYa5JVjW-csiUMWCqjtvovBEYC1iurAvAMbMv1sq0Q2_WiKxuuVh8V3RC05-Qyb_O-RNBUWj8ZNjhHTIjdY7dZ86n-1jsijw3LlBs2eqzBJjcEp-jE6HVl6P0HzlsEUp2529WcTtpAoDK16vF5H93x2xc-aBamjq" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZr0fMyyqEYmvL-tqmyUkMRdB4FVSckHQsofyyvWT9_sDjW1GzpRmLvVh2D7F3nKC6jHythdfyc1YdwMNBxKHQlO9P8sF4u1gf4w0V4s-2UlMWswVSSeL-92pornaWL5OOIALhRH-Uq2BMhZS4cTh5VgYVFhV2DPvgUePXDHxksdt4pirB3ifb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="2816" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZr0fMyyqEYmvL-tqmyUkMRdB4FVSckHQsofyyvWT9_sDjW1GzpRmLvVh2D7F3nKC6jHythdfyc1YdwMNBxKHQlO9P8sF4u1gf4w0V4s-2UlMWswVSSeL-92pornaWL5OOIALhRH-Uq2BMhZS4cTh5VgYVFhV2DPvgUePXDHxksdt4pirB3ifb=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1gMcp3wp-n_AsPmC6WDz52Lami8k7IJO0j7H0TEnxqSygJOSHyzg7nvJP3cEaOt83lY8H5ULQoxpnut-c2RqNsX8DbDD_oUINc7T2K3GpjNSEX_L8tu3z8CZGvCVf7U77dTl6iRtAlF2JHfBLHlBYs1DMkodTLmkJrk3S3CBn6OpJ5goiuhhe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="2816" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1gMcp3wp-n_AsPmC6WDz52Lami8k7IJO0j7H0TEnxqSygJOSHyzg7nvJP3cEaOt83lY8H5ULQoxpnut-c2RqNsX8DbDD_oUINc7T2K3GpjNSEX_L8tu3z8CZGvCVf7U77dTl6iRtAlF2JHfBLHlBYs1DMkodTLmkJrk3S3CBn6OpJ5goiuhhe=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR09Y7FIKMaNolIbPh-CENG8v0GAQOkVhWjxtxQflsR2qDXLCZi7uFR233qcoEp0Xx0cUwPnP4irUwTeMrToZQUdm4Njx96ybXuaVIvt5jmewCkoJsnK56nOBmH13e1gKgzEAm-tUTViDTc5-cywYGXKOoDOEVP6G7MC9uRrW_MfWwP0UdDEae" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR09Y7FIKMaNolIbPh-CENG8v0GAQOkVhWjxtxQflsR2qDXLCZi7uFR233qcoEp0Xx0cUwPnP4irUwTeMrToZQUdm4Njx96ybXuaVIvt5jmewCkoJsnK56nOBmH13e1gKgzEAm-tUTViDTc5-cywYGXKOoDOEVP6G7MC9uRrW_MfWwP0UdDEae" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6vDCrCL0MOiFOG0qltmL2r8VgFx0gKAyeaxaaVxsJcSStAya8dBBJ32exn4rEYPufrQZV6-OpD5C5j4g1nJ2PgPUnNdGDY-nt-nPiaZnuU9xkJCaerW_JRbwN6ctpaYQA8MRXEBosmO7n8W2JI2jYGMcfGNCKWs1uXgxjx_vTQYoMYnGqFKMX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6vDCrCL0MOiFOG0qltmL2r8VgFx0gKAyeaxaaVxsJcSStAya8dBBJ32exn4rEYPufrQZV6-OpD5C5j4g1nJ2PgPUnNdGDY-nt-nPiaZnuU9xkJCaerW_JRbwN6ctpaYQA8MRXEBosmO7n8W2JI2jYGMcfGNCKWs1uXgxjx_vTQYoMYnGqFKMX=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtWGCR30mMUFWYcZTTan5gUTj91yTG4MGRiVZMLocLRIQ78dL3Ive9XVsIbMTEtqNDSxCz44Wp23iJiEwRrKVBIp-PH4yo6SzfBzkTUD4Rc0qOCDCZF5VHnzU3NQHW-k3-0xIlwIA---IRoxHwcDr6Bg_k7gZq_pWX1VR1c8lkOq2izqhE8jNq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtWGCR30mMUFWYcZTTan5gUTj91yTG4MGRiVZMLocLRIQ78dL3Ive9XVsIbMTEtqNDSxCz44Wp23iJiEwRrKVBIp-PH4yo6SzfBzkTUD4Rc0qOCDCZF5VHnzU3NQHW-k3-0xIlwIA---IRoxHwcDr6Bg_k7gZq_pWX1VR1c8lkOq2izqhE8jNq=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghsV-SllPH7mwc4Qn3nkyYWHtLjvGYJg5WBgg-Y3xaOu_whQGdgA7ptx2fQop1A2ehGvxalKFJ7MbKjH65fxOkLjZofiXJtOaQHNMx-uTGOKDYB0ERJyEpPxutANoQiKdDKbhEdAIJzj5x5MWxWcknsP5fNMSNJcUipBsQJiJhyji9chVeGDg0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghsV-SllPH7mwc4Qn3nkyYWHtLjvGYJg5WBgg-Y3xaOu_whQGdgA7ptx2fQop1A2ehGvxalKFJ7MbKjH65fxOkLjZofiXJtOaQHNMx-uTGOKDYB0ERJyEpPxutANoQiKdDKbhEdAIJzj5x5MWxWcknsP5fNMSNJcUipBsQJiJhyji9chVeGDg0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguuNEvv-VGWgaADJBodVbNfwdlFUjaxElveYh-d2N09IXUmrNnqsOMUJuH1BM4rJXLU9eBc0SZ-yOE3S3FuV3o4pWGvf6mpVE95yycaHv95bQI5nFjj17__9HWrEg2IjdZ9niqxgkZZhdnXKLDJrPmeWxQJdy9NITOfNSpHtQW8joh9BedmOw8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguuNEvv-VGWgaADJBodVbNfwdlFUjaxElveYh-d2N09IXUmrNnqsOMUJuH1BM4rJXLU9eBc0SZ-yOE3S3FuV3o4pWGvf6mpVE95yycaHv95bQI5nFjj17__9HWrEg2IjdZ9niqxgkZZhdnXKLDJrPmeWxQJdy9NITOfNSpHtQW8joh9BedmOw8" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglUT65JTpDgAXdtTwalhDjFITf-25Us35sP3CHyCC0Nbhj_lVB5q0bWed52oXbnPhz1_bVGwyHfXZht33xvi6PYn_XBIp0MhS5YviJBUqgViczTK7FKHb91w-kPbpyJv3HHt7Xk0Lo1lUCNdmaiT5uyFACt_ighTP5Jl_CANrOO-W_3QLATw77" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglUT65JTpDgAXdtTwalhDjFITf-25Us35sP3CHyCC0Nbhj_lVB5q0bWed52oXbnPhz1_bVGwyHfXZht33xvi6PYn_XBIp0MhS5YviJBUqgViczTK7FKHb91w-kPbpyJv3HHt7Xk0Lo1lUCNdmaiT5uyFACt_ighTP5Jl_CANrOO-W_3QLATw77" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq2kipl07yWYmCiB7Ac601_SgFFBjh7eCXHbnL1XbE-3xxbDw9wss9KHEeGzfiJykPYoFJr88rM65A6kKXPg0JHy3UAG6vfOsmEi0ul07zKX2O1Vcpx5eK6GL0sQ0eMydobk1WY4N6qweIGIK6iFBuyCI4-mkFND76r4wrda6G8gC5vQnRUQK6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq2kipl07yWYmCiB7Ac601_SgFFBjh7eCXHbnL1XbE-3xxbDw9wss9KHEeGzfiJykPYoFJr88rM65A6kKXPg0JHy3UAG6vfOsmEi0ul07zKX2O1Vcpx5eK6GL0sQ0eMydobk1WY4N6qweIGIK6iFBuyCI4-mkFND76r4wrda6G8gC5vQnRUQK6" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV0khxG4V8Bh1LVMEK09R4qbj_1kDwL-Jm_Lp1Bqih81tbsiKVDt22a9-j2w5WFGR1x3jZmJhMyUOdvc6ymZT7b3940oxyq-3Tl_Ia0pr0pNN3HNymWYcZPEZytZtzCPRbIgO65RaTaoGCHJgWD-6aotGQJklRxm8FTbxCwIAZflGxPJ4wZR8V" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV0khxG4V8Bh1LVMEK09R4qbj_1kDwL-Jm_Lp1Bqih81tbsiKVDt22a9-j2w5WFGR1x3jZmJhMyUOdvc6ymZT7b3940oxyq-3Tl_Ia0pr0pNN3HNymWYcZPEZytZtzCPRbIgO65RaTaoGCHJgWD-6aotGQJklRxm8FTbxCwIAZflGxPJ4wZR8V" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFB8uYIoUs9-q4tREnp0rkjG4ZXvtONfUOMQcyAloCVMc_GWtEfZ1VRn_pjCWuiaE2dVGx7otMQcifIoJqzvQ8zL5wf0BhE88m8oJLY4MjkHots9myPmA6zeFH5gLWG53Y_ogm1PsHiGhjRqw3DQF1ps-62srHEfRagFnFXrm41vTZgBrdhPDW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFB8uYIoUs9-q4tREnp0rkjG4ZXvtONfUOMQcyAloCVMc_GWtEfZ1VRn_pjCWuiaE2dVGx7otMQcifIoJqzvQ8zL5wf0BhE88m8oJLY4MjkHots9myPmA6zeFH5gLWG53Y_ogm1PsHiGhjRqw3DQF1ps-62srHEfRagFnFXrm41vTZgBrdhPDW" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2utT3SpGFC_NxQgmkdrPU1NFbqWmhyhHOUlGiJQgMMRZg419t8pyO0hrqEJTP8u_w7TTASLTFaLtIM99yHRthFy85bJ8CotKIbFX_3POscqNuFEt15sGSwhNuRW0kGivGZK-qft7nr5_Dme7HxpYdAn5M8TfnQxmi8cU9Ypwcdcx0xfZvUKrX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2utT3SpGFC_NxQgmkdrPU1NFbqWmhyhHOUlGiJQgMMRZg419t8pyO0hrqEJTP8u_w7TTASLTFaLtIM99yHRthFy85bJ8CotKIbFX_3POscqNuFEt15sGSwhNuRW0kGivGZK-qft7nr5_Dme7HxpYdAn5M8TfnQxmi8cU9Ypwcdcx0xfZvUKrX" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_iO9p4m4VQ-lZuCSmGaD8LoP8zGEFUy34dWdIlPKLTm7Fi0GCixlvCvKG2OdJBbsR_Xn7qGXXL2gK4FDD-IJ5Rh7bEpwKvaAwng6XV_E7DPzBxllg_Lde-pY2Q1n5WvPw_z9YX6lsuqvpUtI2OEU_VZDuIubhtE9l5h-RVPTR1l6KowKoDscG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_iO9p4m4VQ-lZuCSmGaD8LoP8zGEFUy34dWdIlPKLTm7Fi0GCixlvCvKG2OdJBbsR_Xn7qGXXL2gK4FDD-IJ5Rh7bEpwKvaAwng6XV_E7DPzBxllg_Lde-pY2Q1n5WvPw_z9YX6lsuqvpUtI2OEU_VZDuIubhtE9l5h-RVPTR1l6KowKoDscG=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWrswyOQ-zeePuTeCzrpBJYoqlBo_lHrxOzJ4DIRhhvRM02glClpqI7Qdm6YyL7XJ8onez5y12p_PE6LzITdan002hvtvVGX--6kbjZcVc8aW6BVGD3GjaXLEOXqznPfUDf8lDsFVY3DDcW87E1zrDJaDKVR8EfPDAPbtgtTZr4ZYQadEXspuW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWrswyOQ-zeePuTeCzrpBJYoqlBo_lHrxOzJ4DIRhhvRM02glClpqI7Qdm6YyL7XJ8onez5y12p_PE6LzITdan002hvtvVGX--6kbjZcVc8aW6BVGD3GjaXLEOXqznPfUDf8lDsFVY3DDcW87E1zrDJaDKVR8EfPDAPbtgtTZr4ZYQadEXspuW=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-514491632993693612024-02-29T14:55:00.000-05:002024-02-29T15:29:19.266-05:00The Beauty of Embracing the Beast That is Musical Theatre<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTgA5qzXGKOw5oYezCXLeV3Zj1DVdpWF9iisTcKBtKvaRz7y7w82v3c29kE10hTpijNB2T2iA_pbh-92H_hR2gAAJtXrDO513BH6LNfVSPe8BRLeGqsc-2VF6nh_uB7gqkEqJb2bKZ-QfA7iSx0hrFalnncQwtaCAaTTwNDf3lXqqgnCNXvcf/s4032/IMG_1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTgA5qzXGKOw5oYezCXLeV3Zj1DVdpWF9iisTcKBtKvaRz7y7w82v3c29kE10hTpijNB2T2iA_pbh-92H_hR2gAAJtXrDO513BH6LNfVSPe8BRLeGqsc-2VF6nh_uB7gqkEqJb2bKZ-QfA7iSx0hrFalnncQwtaCAaTTwNDf3lXqqgnCNXvcf/w480-h640/IMG_1162.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />My spirit was gently prodded by a magical wand when I watched <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/02/theatre-ancasters-newsies-jr-proves.html">Everett perform on the stage for Theatre Ancaster's Junior Broadway production of </a><i><a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/02/theatre-ancasters-newsies-jr-proves.html">Newsies Jr</a> </i>in January of 2023. Both Danika and Everett had already been a part of the company's youth programs, but this was a large-scale musical on a big stage with professional-level production value. I have beamed with<a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2022/05/now-for-proud-dad-moment-my-kids.html"> pride over both my kids' hard work and commitment to the arts</a> and after the pandemic forced isolation, I recognized how valuable it was for <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2022/05/a-few-weeks-old-but-just-as-proud-my.html">their self-esteem, confidence, and mental health.</a><p></p><p>It also whisked me away to my much younger years when I was enrolled in a drama class where the kids with the guidance of our leader, Larry Brown (a wonderful and creative man who I'd love to know what he did next), would create a play that we would then perform for an audience at the end of the session. I continued acting into high school where I was part of a few productions, but it was always plays. I never thought anyone except the shower nozzle would ever want to hear my attempt at singing. </p><p>A desire for the stage had been stirred inside me again when I watched Everett excel and embrace a love for performing. There were also those notorious dark negative voices that mocked my aging brain's ability to recall lines and the reality that the last time I did anything on a stage was a one-off play in University. Plus, when those voices really get some momentum they chuck in a few jabs that I'm probably just not that good at acting and oh yeah, my writing stinks too. </p><p>Writing doesn't have anything to do with acting, but those voices try to nail as many insecurities as possible. Jerks.</p><p>Any reader who suffered through my output in 2023 knows it wasn't an award-winning year instead I was being gobbled up by negativity and energy-draining sadness as I clawed desperately to resuscitate my writing career. It also meant that my awards for being a husband and father weren't coming in the mail either, and I needed to find a way to reconnect with my family.</p><p>This was part of the reason I jumped at the audition for <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/07/the-spicer-acting-empire-is-expanding.html">Brant Theatre Workshop's production of <i>The Misadventures of Pinocchio</i> where Everett and I landed supporting roles.</a> It was not huge parts, but a nice way to ease me back into that world since there weren't too many lines to memorize but enough to sink me into the characters and try out a few roles. Unfortunately, the fates of theatres crashed down upon us and the planned six shows ended up being one and a half. I am still very grateful for the experience.</p><p>It left me craving more. But what I was imagining was another play, but then Playful Fox Productions scurried into my life.</p><p>The production company had a variety of shows that I could audition for, but the real objective was to share that stage with Everett. The only productions with kid's parts happened to be musicals. You know, the shows where one is expected to sing and dance along with acting. Outside of a few elementary school concerts where I was able to hide amongst a crowd, I had never sung in front of anyone and was deep in the belief the world was better without me attempting. I was already stepping out of my comfort zone by memorizing and presenting a monologue but now it would be a giant leap where I had to had to perform a song to demonstrate my range. I doubted they wanted to be anywhere near my range when I tried to belt out a tune.</p><p>Not only was my singing good enough that they didn't immediately kick me out the door, <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/09/check-box-on-something-i-never-thought.html">but I got the pleasant surprise of landing a few roles in upcoming musicals</a> and the best surprise was Emily and Danika joined to make it an entire family affair. Danika also was drawn to the stage but as a spur-of-the-moment decision, Emily graced them with her angelic voice to land a part.</p><p>In yet another wondrous surprise, we found out that on top of the musicals we auditioned for, we were given roles in the upcoming <i>Beauty & Beast. </i>Everett landed Chip,<i> </i>while the rest of us got to have significant ensemble roles. The coolest part was part of our run was going to be at the historic Brantford Sanderson Centre. It was living a dream that I had ignored for decades.</p><p>It was stressful devoting several hours a week to a musical while trying to ignore the voice of diminishing self-worth barking that I was destined to make a fool of myself. It was a big commitment while frantically trying to grasp secure client work and trying to manage my shaky mental health to be a strong, devoted, and loving husband and father. But joining the adventure of musical theatre was one of the best decisions I've made in a very, very, very long time. </p><p>I have always loved the arts and creativity. Performing has brought me much joy throughout my life. I mentioned my experience in plays as a kid and teenager, but as an adult, I showcased my dramatic chops by performing at campfires in front of many kids while I worked at Medeba. When my kids were younger, delving into the world of imagination was a daily ritual, and sometimes there was an audience of friends or parents. I have been podcasting for over a decade, which is also a form of performing. I'd largely decided that writing and podcasting would be my main form of creation with maybe some videos thrown in. It didn't take long while rehearsing for <i>Beauty & the Beast </i>that this nourished my soul and lifted my spirits beyond the dark clouds. Then, being on the stage at the Sanderson Centre and the Little Guelph Theatre ignited a love for acting and entertaining that I'd been denying for too long.</p><p>It was great finding a group that shared my love of arts. 2023 was a year when I retreated to my emotional cave and barely ventured out into the sunlight. It was invigorating to feel that ray of joy as I shared a love for performing and creativity with others. There is something magical connecting with creative people who are uniting through the goal of putting on a show destined to spread joy and entertainment to others. This was confirmed when I saw so many little princesses in the audience jumping up and down being transported to a magical world provided by our show on the stage. </p><p>The true magic was sharing this experience with my family. It was amazing seeing Everett and Danika shine on the stage. I loved witnessing Emily showcase her gifts but also witness her embrace performing as much as the rest of the family. This was a gift that was huge for <a href="https://www.thedoe.com/2024/02/12/church-musical-theater-saved-marriage/">bonding our family and strengthening our love for each other.</a></p><p>It also turned out to be a massive rocketship-level boost to my self-confidence. After the shows, friends and family remarked how I belonged up there and joy seemed to resonate from my soul (okay, maybe I add some poetic touch to their exact words, but the message remains the same). My Mom mentioned that she and Dad enrolled me in drama as a kid because I showed a love and passion for it. She was so proud to see me return and it was clear to her that I was meant for the stage. The biggest moment was when Emily let me know she was proud of me and believed this was something I'd continue to shine if I pursued it</p><p>I will continue. Along with my talented family, we are set to perform again for Playful Fox with their production of <i>Anastasia. </i>We are determined for this to just be the start of our musical and theatrical journey. To the point that not only are we looking at getting some lessons to improve our kids' skills, but I also want to go down that path so that one day I can dare to do a solo in front of a packed house. For now, the biggest treasure has just been sharing it all with my family and making some new friends too.</p><p>It is a little disappointing I took so long to write about this experience. As I continue to devote my time to building this site, the plan is to share more about our adventures in theatre, and hopefully inspire others to push themselves and try something new and exciting.</p><p><i>What is something that scares you but you'd also love to try?</i></p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-4459420316219870252024-02-28T06:30:00.003-05:002024-02-29T20:18:45.977-05:00The Breakdown of Argylle, Mean Girls, Society of the Snow, Lift, Good Grief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5wQBO5cTWU4QSDlLzcDGV2D54SL8YK-vCKEwXkVudZ5DozHiP4zxYQSdHsr-bLlmeagV_4xTzzd8Ef9BzPzeHN8G6f3sUKwVk6ZVgDm_NbTzBA2d2nutSotqZchbJSIwaUhIXaJF-ZchXnW2-D-TkvyKODL0BaSCCWKkMb4xxhyphenhyphenVNpVuQLP5/s1200/Argylle.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5wQBO5cTWU4QSDlLzcDGV2D54SL8YK-vCKEwXkVudZ5DozHiP4zxYQSdHsr-bLlmeagV_4xTzzd8Ef9BzPzeHN8G6f3sUKwVk6ZVgDm_NbTzBA2d2nutSotqZchbJSIwaUhIXaJF-ZchXnW2-D-TkvyKODL0BaSCCWKkMb4xxhyphenhyphenVNpVuQLP5/w640-h336/Argylle.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a way too long hiatus but <i>The Movie Breakdown </i>is back. Sort of. It is just me again, but I catch up on all the 2024 movies and get you geared up for next week when Scott will return. It is a short episode again, but a nice sample of our reviewing style. You can find out if <i>Argylle </i>is better than its critical consensus. Does <i>Mean Girls </i>work as a movie musical? Plus, I reviewed three Netflix movies, and one of them is the best of the year so far. Of course, I admit I haven't seen too many movies this year yet. But everything on this show is better than <i><a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2024/01/night-swim-review-deep-dive-into-tired.html">Night Swim.</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are always so thankful for you listening to <i>The Movie Breakdown</i> and the amazing support you have shown the show. If you love this episode, then please help us out by sharing it on social media. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can also help the podcast grow by rating and subscribing to us on <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-movie-breakdown">Spreaker</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5d8wIdhKIXDa8dzIoXJ6qc">Spotify,</a><a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-the-movie-breakdown-90526750/"> iHeart</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-movie-breakdown/id1059913424">Apple Podcast</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmZlZWRidXJuZXIuY29tL2Jsb2dzcG90L3Rob0da">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Movie-Breakdown-id123944?country=us">CastBox</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/d573769c-75f9-4d1d-9eca-8ada5aef646d/The-Movie-Breakdown">Amazon Music</a>, or wherever you love to listen to your podcasts. Another way you can support us is by listening to us directly on the Spreaker App, <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast-app?ref=footer">which you can download here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><a class="spreaker-player" data-chapters-image="true" data-episode-image-position="right" data-height="200px" data-hide-comments="false" data-hide-download="true" data-hide-likes="false" data-hide-logo="false" data-hide-sharing="false" data-playlist-continuous="false" data-playlist="false" data-resource="episode_id=58882954" data-theme="light" data-width="100%" href="https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-breakdown-of-argylle-mean-girls-soceity-of-the-snow-lift-good-grief--58882954">Listen to "The Breakdown of Argylle, Mean Girls, Society of the Snow, Lift, Good Grief" on Spreaker.</a><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Movie Rating:</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><i>Argylle ***</i></div><div><i>Mean Girls </i>(2024) ***</div><div>Society of the Snow ***½</div><div>Lift **</div><div>Good Grief **½</div><script async="" src="https://widget.spreaker.com/widgets.js"></script>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-15129223511856190572024-02-27T19:40:00.001-05:002024-02-29T15:46:43.245-05:00FAIL!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXm51yDqDyNgY-receD9UOlU2zkwyxbxR08m-n87CFkkFgsG_C25FIFDSCZNX8RrTPbGNz5YkySIS-VVrfS_nBF0OBQ2e2Dk4lEkyXalUQRapjkBT0KVD6TcnMMtU5gcN2eG7dwB28U7b_qQGbq93RXx0Gb7Q57H9YVheRmpyf4goUB8Ffn_A7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img data-original-height="465" data-original-width="612" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXm51yDqDyNgY-receD9UOlU2zkwyxbxR08m-n87CFkkFgsG_C25FIFDSCZNX8RrTPbGNz5YkySIS-VVrfS_nBF0OBQ2e2Dk4lEkyXalUQRapjkBT0KVD6TcnMMtU5gcN2eG7dwB28U7b_qQGbq93RXx0Gb7Q57H9YVheRmpyf4goUB8Ffn_A7=w640-h486" width="640" /></a></div><p>I hate to say it, but I dropped the ball <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2024/01/a-creative-way-to-start-new-year-my.html">when it came to the Toronto Star Short Story contest.</a> I am not going to make the deadline. Rather than wallow in my defeat, I will refine the story and either have it ready for next year or shop it around. I'm not giving up publishing fiction.</p><p>Well, I <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/07/why-yes-it-is-another-random.html">have published fiction</a>. I just <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2010/11/exclusive-excerpt-from-novel-ill-never.html">meant fiction published</a> beyond here. </p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-46826434794891730322024-02-26T15:31:00.001-05:002024-02-29T15:39:06.548-05:00Revisiting the Site: Don't Give Up: The Rambling of Constant Dreamer<p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAR007tWsMc/X8NqjZjTG0I/AAAAAAAALJs/a2KL6SMQ_oQiu3Jys1g4CM7PdaDXASesQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Stephen%2BKing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="1024" height="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAR007tWsMc/X8NqjZjTG0I/AAAAAAAALJs/a2KL6SMQ_oQiu3Jys1g4CM7PdaDXASesQCLcBGAsYHQ/w558-h293/Stephen%2BKing.jpg" width="558" /></a></p><div><b>(CS: Let's revisit a piece where I aimed to be positive and inspirational. Because today seems like a good day for that. This was originally posted on November 30, 2020.)</b></div><br /><div>We are on the last day of National Novel Writing Month. The month of November is when many, many, many writers take up the challenge of writing 50 000 words of a novel. For the sixth straight year, I have accomplished the challenge. I am now aiming to nail 60 00 words, which will be the most words that I've ever written for the contest. I am currently over 59 000 words and have already beaten my past record, which was a little over 55 000 words. <b>(CS: My record is now a little over 70k, which I achieved in 2022) </b>But the real challenge is the upcoming months.<p></p><p>I currently have five manuscripts from past Novembers that not only need to be proofread and reworked, but also need to be finished. As someone who has wanted to be a novelist since I was a little kid and have been writing stories since I learned how to hold a pencil, I know that I need to take the big plunge and do the work needed to be able to send out my completed manuscripts around to literary agents. I can't have a career as a novelist if I don't have finished and refined novels to sell.<b>(CS: I'll confess that self-doubt and a fear that I will reinforce my negative feelings about myself and my ability have remained a major stumbling block in my career.)</b></p><p>My big breakthrough as a professional writer was writing for the sadly now defunct <i>The Collective Publishing</i> where I was the weekly pop culture columnist and the movie critic. My first ever paid movie review was <i>The Avengers</i> in May 2012, and that pushed my career towards writing about movies and TV. By the end of 2012, I had a bit of a readership and was feeling pretty comfortable in my movie reviewing skills, so I decided to launch a podcast along with my great friend Scott Martin, which is the still running movie review podcast, <i>The Movie Breakdown. </i></p><p>I'm proud of my work with <i>The Movie Breakdown. </i>and I really appreciate the amazing listeners that 'tune' in each week for the podcast. But I am also well-aware that over the last few years I could have made moves to increase the podcast's exposure and I could have been more aggressive in marketing the show. While I've done some work in landing sponsors, I know it is something I could have done sooner and pushed harder. <b>(CS: Why hello my good friend, 'What If'.)</b></p><p>One of the downsides of the podcast is that for whatever reason even though I was writing movie reviews before the podcast, I have now really decreased the amount of reviews I've written, instead allowing the majority of my reviews to be just for the podcast. My movie review writing mojo has run off with Austin Powers. I keep wanting to write these ambitious reviews that stand out from the pack, but as I go to write them, I start questioning what I really have to add and if my reviews are worthy of the movies they are analyzing. I can justify skipping the written reviews because I have the show to cover my thoughts. It is silly. <b>(CS: It is a toxic perfectionism that plagues far too many creators, but something I've had anchoring my writing and career for far too long.)</b></p><p>I have years of experience writing various kinds of reviews and I know that I am at least a competent reviewer, Plus, I already do reviews every week on the podcast, so I just need to return to writing them each week. I know for a fact that I have fans of my old movie reviews that do not listen to the podcasts, which means they've been missing something that they used to get almost every week. I want to be a great movie reviewer that follows in the path of the legendary Roger Ebert and I want to get into the Online Film Critics Society and become a Rotten Tomatoes approved critic, but that can only happen if I return to writing reviews every week. They don't need to change the world or be these sweeping 2000 plus reviews, and even just a few hundred words would get me back into the game. <b>(CS: <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2024/01/night-swim-review-deep-dive-into-tired.html">I only have one written review this year.</a> There are several months left to correct that.)</b></p><p>I know several people that have recently left Facebook and other social media because of the toxicity and propaganda and dishonesty plaguing lots of social media. I keep telling them that I would have left most of the sites if it wasn't for the fact that I need it to promote my podcast, site and writing. But I'll be honest, I haven't really been that great at attracting many followers on any of the platforms. My goals have always been to use social media to gain a following and leverage it into readers for many of my projects. I would like for the site and books and things that I have more control over to slowly become a bigger part of my career rather than sales copy and ghostwriting, but I recognize being established on social media is a key ingredient in making it work. I also recognize that I need to spend less time getting discouraged with numbers and more time writing daily stuff that grabs people's attention. I can't gain a following if there isn't daily high-quality stuff to follow.<b> (CS: I spend way too much energy getting frustrated over how someone posting that they are at Home Depot gets 100 times more likes and engagement than a post that I've spent over an hour crafting. The reality is the success of one doesn't have much to do with my own creations and journey to garner an audience.)</b></p><p>I relaunched this blog as <i>Beyond the Balcony</i> in October. I knew from day one that it would be hard to write on here as much as I wanted with the kids being home all day and needing my time without them to be devoted to sales copy and client work. I also know that if I ever want this site to be a major part of my career that I need to write on here daily. Many days I'll write a piece that I am not happy with how it turned out or have a tribute to a movie star that I fear my words can't do them justice. I keep telling myself that I need to 'dare to be awful' and write anyway. I can just write something short, but at least I'm getting stuff on the site. I can't draw back my lost readers and I can't grow the site without there being a reason for readers to come here every day. <b>(CS: 'Dare to the awful' is the idea that rather than refining a piece for days or coming up with reasons for why it isn't ready that instead just post it even if it does suck because something is better than nothing. Then the creator promises themselves to strive for something better the next day, and so the cycle goes until there are actual things to see and read.)</b></p><p>I've been working on adding features and making the site more professional. Some of my code and work hasn't worked yet. I've been consulting forums and asking for help, but a few issues including trying to set-up AdSense continues to not work. It is frustrating. I also know like everything above, success can only happen if I persevere and stick with it. <b>(CS: I think that I sorted out this issue, but don't really want to launch it until there is a monetary value in having ads clutter up the space.)</b></p><p>I just went through a several stage hiring process to be a regular contributor to a major site. After all the work and making it to the 'finals', I ended up not getting the position. I've been pitching to several publications and I've been getting some positive feedback, but not landing many of the big gigs that I want. It is discouraging. I know that I'll never land that dream article or story if I stop pitching altogether.</p><p>There is a famous story that Stephen King initially crumpled up <i>Carrie </i>and chucked it in the trash. He was a teacher during the day and at night was writing short stories that he sold mostly to men's magazines. <i>Carrie</i> had soared past being a short story and he feared it would be too hard to get a novel published, since it wasn't in his comfort zone. He also did not really like what he had written and felt he failed to get the voice of his female characters. His wife, Tabitha, found the manuscript crumpled in the trash and encouraged Stephen to keep on writing and promised she would help him nail the female perspective. <i>Carrie </i>went on to be a bestseller, was adapted into a box-office smash hit movie and launched Stephen King into being one of the most successful novelists of all time. <b>(CS: I have thought about this story constantly because I tend to scrap things when I find them 'hopeless.' It is crazy to think what the future of literary horror would have been if <i>Carrie</i></b><b> was never dug out.)</b></p><p>George Lucas originally wanted to make a <i>Flash Gordon</i> movie. He grew up loving the serials and desired to craft his own version. He failed to obtain the rights that were bought by famous producer Dino De Laurentis. Not giving up, he spent several years writing several drafts for his own space opera adventure picture. He eventually called it <i>Star Wars</i>, and shopped it around to every major movie studio, and most of them rejected it, Except for 20th Century Fox, which the legend is was down on its luck at the time after several flops. Even then, they were not confident it would be a hit, and had to force movie theatres to carry it or they wouldn't get what they thought would be the bigger hit an adaptation of a Sidney Sheldon novel, <i>The Other Side of Midnight. </i>After Lucas screened the movie to some colleagues and executive, almost everyone didn't get it and thought it would be a disaster. As we all know now, it may not be the behemoth that is <i>The Other Side of Midnight</i>, but <i>Star Wars</i> did okay. <b>(CS: Seriously, has any reader ever seen <i>The Other Side of Midnight?)</i></b></p><p>As many of my readers know, I've been trying to adopt positive thinking this year to help me control my depression and get myself into a success-driven mindset to realize my dreams. I've written about positive thinking a few times this year, and every time, it is about things that I've implemented and have worked for me. I feel that I am in a much more optimistic and positive place now then I was at the start of 2020. I am now more focused than ever on achieving all my dreams or at least, believe that if not these dreams then something better will come if I stay committed, confident and focused. <b>(CS: Positive thinking is a daily choice. One that I constantly battle towards.)</b></p><p>George Lucas created my favourite movies of my childhood and <i>Star Wars </i>is easily the movie that I've seen the most in my entire life. Stephen King is my favourite author and I think is one of the best writers ever, even if many dismiss him as a genre writer. Both creators have had a huge influence on my life with their amazing works. But I think the two above stories have had the biggest impact on me this year. These are men that had obstacles and challenges, but they also had dreams and goals. They persevered. They persevered even when they may have thought what they created wasn't very good and they were even told by powerful people it was time to give up. They stuck with it anyway and now are two of the most successful creators of all time. <b>(CS: <a href="https://www.grunge.com/303354/the-tragic-life-story-of-a-clockwork-orange-author-anthony-burgess/">The story about Anthony Burgess becoming a prolific novelist due to a cancer misdiagnosi</a>s has become a recent inspiration as well, about how quickly we can turn around our fate when we put some pressure on ourselves.)</b></p><p>My crystal ball is in the shop, I don't know my future. I look at these two men to remember the importance of not giving up, creating something every day and believing that I can achieve my dreams. I don't have a best-selling novel. My blog and podcast audience are modest. I am not drawing in a sea of followers. But I continue to believe every day that I am going to achieve my dreams. I promise to continue to write and strive to be better every day. <b>(CS: One of the big things that I need to remind myself is that there is no 'perfection has been reached' moment, and the journey is about always becoming a better writer and creator.)</b></p><p>I am so thankful for the readers that I have, especially if you have stuck with me through the last decade of my career. I am so grateful that you enjoy my stuff. I am very appreciative and humbled by the many readers and listeners who have taken the time to send me incredibly kind notes about how they appreciate my work. You drive me to be better and I promise you more of my work is on the way.</p><p>My hope is this little venting session has some value for you. Maybe you have a dream that keeps on getting deterred by roadblocks or you don't feel anyone believes in you or that your stuff just isn't very good. Stick with it. Believe you can achieve all that you want and then use that to drive yourself to be better and do what you need to achieve your dreams. I'll be here sharing my own journey along the way. <b>(CS: A few years later, and I have a long way to go, but on this journey, it is my goal to provide hope, inspiration, and motivation to others.)</b></p></div>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-58309885155702368042024-02-25T21:17:00.001-05:002024-02-28T14:45:19.679-05:00Do You Love Articles About Future Articles?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-dNY3NkMpObsdQ8DzQfdn8gmKZ8WLi6EvlVuVa1jlH0kg0XuGDM8AEMdmf2lhUxq4XbOQAXuvvy_dElTMjjt-xziI7JJG1JwJD98o94oPVYpRK1A-LSvclk60CVvtyDJnrJ1yXs2PHGkgxfdSSyjVnZD4wnt5lEQ9h4cjqERPvSGqMEilr0x/s4032/IMG_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-dNY3NkMpObsdQ8DzQfdn8gmKZ8WLi6EvlVuVa1jlH0kg0XuGDM8AEMdmf2lhUxq4XbOQAXuvvy_dElTMjjt-xziI7JJG1JwJD98o94oPVYpRK1A-LSvclk60CVvtyDJnrJ1yXs2PHGkgxfdSSyjVnZD4wnt5lEQ9h4cjqERPvSGqMEilr0x/w640-h480/IMG_1127.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then this is the post for you!<p></p><p>This week resembles a barn full of manure catching on fire. The raging fire threatens to spread to the homestead while the smell of burnt cow dung suffocates the air.</p><p>I may not pull off my master plan of getting this site back on track with pop culture thoughts and movie reviews this week. </p><p>But if miracles happen, then maybe later in the week this site will start capturing my vision.</p><p>What is that vision?</p><p>I want to pace myself. For the next few weeks, the plan is to have a new episode of <i>The Movie Breakdown </i>every Wednesday, written reviews of everything that is covered on the podcast, and reviews of any other new releases that I may see. The goal is to review at least one new movie release a week. The new theatrical release should be posted on Friday or Saturday. On Sunday, I'll post my media diary with short reviews of anything that didn't get a full review.</p><p>I will then fill out the week with links to work that I can promote. Most of my current stuff is marketing work or ghostwriting, so it is hard to promote. When I have a byline, I'll post it here.</p><p>On top of that, I'd like to have one or two anecdotes a week about parenting adventures, the creative process, or some pop culture thoughts.</p><p>This will be the plan for the next few months as I grow my readers and listeners. If this plan turns out successful, I'll then add my other plans like the MCU and Disney movie review series, creating a weekly newsletter, the weekly fiction story, and videos spotlighting some classic pieces of pop culture.</p><p>I have several other ideas, but I need to avoid burnout and make sure I have a sense of control over work, creative projects, and my family before I start my attempt to take over the world.</p><p>Things are really rough right now. Part of my creativity is being hampered by the stress of some debts that need to be covered ASAP. If you've ever enjoyed my stuff then I kindly ask you to consider a donation <a href="https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ChristopherDSpicer?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US">towards my PayPal if you are in a spot to help me out.</a></p><p>The quicker I feel I have some financial stability then the quicker I can create things on the site and beyond. I do have work lined up, but the payment won't be enough or in time to settle some of the pressing issues. I also hope to set up a Patreon pnce I know I have the readers for it, which will be another way to help along with some fun goodies attached.</p><p>Once again, you are all amazing and wish you a majestic day.</p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-49562967808993334872024-02-24T14:35:00.001-05:002024-02-27T14:57:06.836-05:00Have You Played Oxenfree?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOVX89AzWVBDgPQ6DkYUVCEWk0xYrQ2JjnXggnRu6RAOvg5KmkIJ6bhBW7S_e9t2tIAN0zccKbX8o_bjf-14Wy0JqdSOG12Ps237VYjnuTWT-ZkdAadz1mxoqyIlfbJ1ecOTpOOUqj2sWG3YfEQT_SrqvX_cypFwhTZc5CoscBsHiVNUdv5tI/s1920/Oxenfree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOVX89AzWVBDgPQ6DkYUVCEWk0xYrQ2JjnXggnRu6RAOvg5KmkIJ6bhBW7S_e9t2tIAN0zccKbX8o_bjf-14Wy0JqdSOG12Ps237VYjnuTWT-ZkdAadz1mxoqyIlfbJ1ecOTpOOUqj2sWG3YfEQT_SrqvX_cypFwhTZc5CoscBsHiVNUdv5tI/w640-h360/Oxenfree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I won't be doing a <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2024/02/the-media-diary-will-return.html">full media diary this week</a>, because most of my time has been frantically trying to get client work done and then have enough energy left to be a stellar husband and father. I did spend a few minutes trying out <i>Oxenfree </i>an adventure game from Night School Studios that was released back in 2016. I think, I was aware this game existed but I knew nothing about it.</p><p>It is a supernatural story about four kids that end up on an island that appears to be haunted ans has a dark past. Each character comes with their own past and trauma, and it all gets revealed through conversations and interactions. The game so far is incredibly low on puzzles but the story moves forward based on what of the three responses you choose when having a conversation with the other characters.</p><p>From what little I have played, it seems like the narrative and game alters based on how you decide to respond. You can be an asshole, someone kinder or slightly aloof. I don't know how much each choice really changes my relationship with the characters or steers the course of the narrative until a second playthrough.</p><p>I have really enjoyed my short time with it. It feels like a visual, interactive novel. I'd describe it as cozy as it doesn't command too much brain powers with the lack of puzzle sbut there is exploration and interactivity. The story and writing seem really solid, and it has pretty in-depth characters.</p><p>I'll do a more thorough review when I have a chance to do a larger playthrough, but interested to find out if anyone has played this game and what they thought.</p><p><br /></p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-5613425225433549902024-02-23T16:24:00.001-05:002024-02-26T16:36:36.506-05:00I Apologize. . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9zjVl9Jl1Zt4TvkW085yxmblv8KW8i__48tnXYZV-2oUVbFanftAzdyB1J8nyryNk_W5W3_An0frZKyv3gKlITBEzoalFNVhXtsfBHp7RqUMmkjkpEANAj9QatWLReLx5ytZhx2F2EQzsK2Gphr0oq8STsV8rWo0ulnEb9LPZUMNNs0rZz5a/s300/PayPal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9zjVl9Jl1Zt4TvkW085yxmblv8KW8i__48tnXYZV-2oUVbFanftAzdyB1J8nyryNk_W5W3_An0frZKyv3gKlITBEzoalFNVhXtsfBHp7RqUMmkjkpEANAj9QatWLReLx5ytZhx2F2EQzsK2Gphr0oq8STsV8rWo0ulnEb9LPZUMNNs0rZz5a/w640-h358/PayPal.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have had some client work this year and my career trajectory is slowly progressing, but I have yet to get paid. The scary reality is that some bills and debts are burning down my back and need to be resolved before the payments will arrive. The sadder reality is even with the payments they won't cover what is suffocating me financially at the moment. I have mentioned that I am in a dire situation where I haven't had a phone plan since last summer and I can't afford to give my kids gifts for birthdays and Christmas. While that is still an issue, on top of that I need to pay off a few things to avoid potential creditors and other scary things barging into my life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The work looks like it will start being a consistent reality but I'm in an emergency situation right now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you've ever appreciated my podcast or my writing in the past then a small donation to <a href="https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ChristopherDSpicer?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US">my PayPal</a> would be the minor miracle that I need. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The plan is to start crafting some new articles and podcasts for the site in the coming days to justify my requests.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been a rough stretch, but as always, I am so grateful for the support.</div>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-19922780140522302542024-02-22T15:28:00.001-05:002024-02-25T09:12:43.606-05:00The Media Diary Will Return<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiIZ_A_J6xTQuXX5yGk-FbLTa6ut_kku_9eZMkdUmWyMd477dcy0mC9IRRWiosW5dMUJa1X-lZcABmdZcNwJUN59v2TW5ghEeSuZJIIPJjgTasOpaZMAWomRCuUpwy60PHi-8InYyg1OWiOAF7UcFyldwWjjgwwj4VHQdXcRlx_mReM23fQF2/s1000/Cartoon%20Diary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiIZ_A_J6xTQuXX5yGk-FbLTa6ut_kku_9eZMkdUmWyMd477dcy0mC9IRRWiosW5dMUJa1X-lZcABmdZcNwJUN59v2TW5ghEeSuZJIIPJjgTasOpaZMAWomRCuUpwy60PHi-8InYyg1OWiOAF7UcFyldwWjjgwwj4VHQdXcRlx_mReM23fQF2/w640-h640/Cartoon%20Diary.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The promised article I've been working on is still on its way, but likely won't be posted until Monday. I'm also rather nervous that I won't finish <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2024/01/a-creative-way-to-start-new-year-my.html">my short story by the Wednesday deadline</a>. The cyclone of battered emotions must-complete client work, and attempts at excelling as a husband and father have been tossing and banging me about for weeks, which is why the 2024 output on <i>Beyond the Balcony </i>has mostly <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2024/02/the-prettiest-boy-of-them-all.html">been three to ten-line anecdotes</a> each day. My hope is the article I'm working on can be the kick-off to better articles and reviews very soon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next week I'll jump back into my vision for the site. Yes, I recognize this is probably the thousandth time I have conveyed such lofty dreams. <i>The Movie Breakdown </i>should be back with me doing a solo episode catching up on missed movies. The next episode after will have the return of Scott where we will review <i>Dune Part 2. </i>I also plan to have a written review of <i>Dune Part 2</i> by next weekend along with hopefully a few other reviews.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have also confessed that I can be overly ambitious and there is a lot that I'd love to write about on this site including reviews for classic movies, video games, wrestling, and novels. As of now, there is only one me, and he has many more duties than just building this site. My main commitment at this point is reviews of new releases.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is why I <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2022/01/from-betty-white-to-video-game-history.html">plan to revive my Media Journal</a> where each week I will list all the things I've read, listened to, watched, and played over the week. If I did a full review or discussed it on the podcast then I'll attach a link, and if I didn't then I'll include a very quick little review. This will allow me to spotlight and champion as many things as possible, and keep up my goal of reviewing everything without burning out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It didn't last very long the first time, but I also allowed it to get a little unwieldy. It will likely have much smaller reviews and leave out articles that I used to research for work rather I will focus on my entertainment.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't have much to discuss recently because I haven't really watched or read anything lately as I've been burned out after scrambling to complete client work and then delve into family duties at night where I crash after putting the kids to bed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Though tomorrow I'll have a very quick review of something I spent a small bit of time trying out. . .</div><p></p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-24471399360333807142024-02-21T10:35:00.000-05:002024-02-24T08:41:09.837-05:00DELAYED!<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6xzxEuzrjc40ENGpSGmIk9txAUt4oA0nsWyQJ6YExZHiSQZ4f9tP4SBaWB8o7-SJqjm1b1NRKksb3QF6AneaZ1iQMvUoVFn-BOV_hFPg14YvASb8560YMrhyphenhyphenaSyM8ndYi39wZkaEOluafS1Yyd_t7s1zuZNb9sTwnJ9BzwTclXTlomKG3RBQ/s1000/Cartoon%20Road%20Work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="866" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6xzxEuzrjc40ENGpSGmIk9txAUt4oA0nsWyQJ6YExZHiSQZ4f9tP4SBaWB8o7-SJqjm1b1NRKksb3QF6AneaZ1iQMvUoVFn-BOV_hFPg14YvASb8560YMrhyphenhyphenaSyM8ndYi39wZkaEOluafS1Yyd_t7s1zuZNb9sTwnJ9BzwTclXTlomKG3RBQ/w554-h640/Cartoon%20Road%20Work.jpg" width="554" /></a></p><p>I was hoping to throw together a quick episode of <i>The Movie Breakdown </i>where I ran down the reviews of all the 2024 movies that I have seen. But I'm still caught in the whirlwind of emotions and client work that must be done. It will be delayed. Again. Maybe something in a few days, but I hope the podcast in some form for sure next Wednesday.<br /><br /></p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-14102318875809871902024-02-20T14:21:00.001-05:002024-02-23T14:30:36.680-05:00That Kind of Day<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4BEXKJKaqPBuHCLtcOzXvpVS3hMsTG4LVl1Mn5oxBMkrXH2kQUwbK6Er8PLly5c8yV0Pvb1GnBSYywrUela6Tq-pVLxKekan_klBEmWl4c6GMLQr_kqjRqys9X60Ck0u35UFV-Zco7WgHobS3Mr-4i8QgajUfPuFRT0GlHn7fj8wBYHGnYDp/s1984/March%202013%20Part%201%20012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="1984" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4BEXKJKaqPBuHCLtcOzXvpVS3hMsTG4LVl1Mn5oxBMkrXH2kQUwbK6Er8PLly5c8yV0Pvb1GnBSYywrUela6Tq-pVLxKekan_klBEmWl4c6GMLQr_kqjRqys9X60Ck0u35UFV-Zco7WgHobS3Mr-4i8QgajUfPuFRT0GlHn7fj8wBYHGnYDp/w640-h480/March%202013%20Part%201%20012.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>Everett was a pretty easy-going baby when compared to stories I've heard from other parents. He had a short stretch when his first set of teeth were causing him some pain and fevers. The way to console him was having him snuggle up against his ladybug stuffy. My memory says this was only a few nights, but this would be one of the first cases of feeling heartbreak for my little guy as there was little I could do. This would be February of 2013, so he is a little over a year old, so he must have some teeth but not the 'painful' ones yet.</p><p>Today I am not teething, but I sure could use a giant stuffed ladybug rather than the real ladybugs I occasionally find in our kitchen. Work is increasing along with some anxiety and elevated doubts. I want to get back to longer form posts on here, and I was working on one, but it will need to be delayed to later in the week. </p><p><i>How is your day panning out?</i></p><p><br /></p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-49023405294052572902024-02-19T11:49:00.001-05:002024-02-22T11:54:49.052-05:00Family!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBsJEYc_uliqOatw7MqPxtRiHsGy2Y1itoCwMyu2atjrJFQ39rI7mF14DhdQnmckWMTf8LFSS3tV6G1wwfriTu5AuiiFmOH_c_5yWcueDSAdFmAO0WQzUyK6kzVkNj0elRA99GFRc8VQ8U1_QxY_-wxMWdnJG6QNC5OKbMKF11MEjhnvIx8Ac/s3088/IMG_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBsJEYc_uliqOatw7MqPxtRiHsGy2Y1itoCwMyu2atjrJFQ39rI7mF14DhdQnmckWMTf8LFSS3tV6G1wwfriTu5AuiiFmOH_c_5yWcueDSAdFmAO0WQzUyK6kzVkNj0elRA99GFRc8VQ8U1_QxY_-wxMWdnJG6QNC5OKbMKF11MEjhnvIx8Ac/w640-h480/IMG_1190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Today is 'Family Day' here in Ontario, and ironically, my kids are at my parents for a sleepover, so we aren't actually doing anything as a family. This gives me a chance to focus on client work and that short story I keep using as my excuse for not writing anything significant here.</p><p>If you live in Ontario then Happy Family Day, and if you live elsewhere, have a wonderful Monday. Maybe with your family.</p><p><br /></p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-39975913352049628272024-02-18T23:30:00.001-05:002024-02-19T09:01:11.298-05:00Rev Up the Engines<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wGaDC_peKUbr9US-fis2KtlGMFbrKWcOO7WKy5Jz05-WOlVamTyRDCmY8GN77BWr-CJVxhn__BP-elwV0cuBzrJ8e_9Vp2PhbtQICQ4RjX5eecmYKHIXo6IxNSHmqJNM4FrA4nXsQA3GOH2a5rBs02FOWMTh0czE8YLwkedUfN2BcrU_bZsv/s800/Cartoon%20Race%20Car%20Driver.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="800" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wGaDC_peKUbr9US-fis2KtlGMFbrKWcOO7WKy5Jz05-WOlVamTyRDCmY8GN77BWr-CJVxhn__BP-elwV0cuBzrJ8e_9Vp2PhbtQICQ4RjX5eecmYKHIXo6IxNSHmqJNM4FrA4nXsQA3GOH2a5rBs02FOWMTh0czE8YLwkedUfN2BcrU_bZsv/w640-h346/Cartoon%20Race%20Car%20Driver.webp" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></p><p>VAROOM!</p><p>There is something ridiculous about me using any metaphor involving cars considering I don't drive. But I've used up all the good titles in the past with promises of the site racing on the track toward daily posts.</p><p>Well... the promise has to be more than just daily posts because I have pulled that off this year. It isn't an output that will grow my audience, satisfy my current readers, or put me in the running for coveted blogger awards. Most of my 2024 posts have been an exercise in appeasing the swirling notion that something new needs to be on this site every day. I freak out over missing days despite readers likely not noticing, and the better goal may be to deliver high-quality creations.</p><p>The reasons for the delay have been trying to snag some control in my life as I manage new client work, write a short story, and attempt to be a golden member of my family. I've also recognized that the feeling of such control may not be strutting into my life anytime soon, and if my dream is to actually grow <i>Beyond the Balcony </i>and <i>The Movie Breakdown </i>into major parts of my writing career then I have to turn the key and get that motor running.</p><p>This upcoming week may not be raining skittle, luring dancing bears, and populated with rainbow unicorns when it comes to my posts, but it seems to be the right time to get my mindset back into attempting to create high-quality and substantial posts that reflect my vision for the site.</p><p>You should expect the return of <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2024/01/night-swim-review-deep-dive-into-tired.html">movie reviews</a>, <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/01/kicking-habit-of-comparing-self-to.html">honest reflections</a>, <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2022/06/sidney-prescott-is-scream-and-neve.html">pop culture musings</a>, <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2021/12/six-things-that-i-learned-during.html">creative writing insights</a>, and if the mood <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/07/why-yes-it-is-another-random.html">strikes some oddball creativity</a>. </p><p>I'm not promising all that this week but rather it will be a slow trickle towards filling up my vision for the site as I try to manage all aspects of my life and career. The podcast must return and I'm committed to reviews of new releases, but I don't want to officially declare a relaunch, because that never goes well. </p><p>Rather I admit that my battles with self-worth and my insecurities over my writing skills are derailing the site from regular <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/01/m3gan-review-high-bar-has-already-been.html">movie reviews</a> and <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2022/10/finally-force-is-with-movie-theatre.html">analysis</a> along with my attempts to get a handle on client work. This is my meagre commitment to getting <i>Beyond the Balcony </i>back to the type of site I've been promising and promoting. With the caveat I do have some pressing client work and I am trapped in an emotional cyclone as I try to achieve balance in my life. I also know the swirling continues forever until I hammer down some stakes.</p><p>I pulled the hammer and stake out of my satchel, and now just looking for some ground. </p><p>If you do love it when I <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/02/knock-at-cabin-review-sometimes.html">write reviews</a> or <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2022/07/movie-studios-need-to-reboot-their.html">analyze pop culture news</a> or <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/04/dont-cross-danika-great-cereal-april.html">share personal anecdotes</a> or any other <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2022/08/six-tips-for-billion-dollar-empire.html">forms of my writing</a> then you can ensure I focus more on the site if you generously consider donating a <a href="https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ChristopherDSpicer?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US">bit of money my way</a>. Obviously, only do it if you love what the site has been and you're a fan of my writing and podcasts, and it is something you can easily afford because you have a Scrooge McDuck vault in your backyard.</p><p>As always, I am so grateful for your support. I apologize the site has been filled with very small posts this year, but I hope brought some value to your life. If you have stuck with me through all the years then I am very grateful and humbled. I still aim to make 2024 the best year yet for <i>Beyond the Balcony </i>and <i>The Movie Breakdown.</i></p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-88616957203417326432024-02-17T11:52:00.001-05:002024-02-17T11:52:50.329-05:00The Prettiest Boy of Them All<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIYPEcHbxSU/YC-d2vqP47I/AAAAAAAALfs/UT4bl21siJEyhqTFe6Rp7ly51ESM0HoLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0603.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIYPEcHbxSU/YC-d2vqP47I/AAAAAAAALfs/UT4bl21siJEyhqTFe6Rp7ly51ESM0HoLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0603.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><p>This is from October of 2017 at which I am going to use my observation skills to determine to be the Norfolk County Fair. That may not be the exact name of this fair, but I don't have my handy human fact-checker nearby, I remember going and I think Everett won a watch in a raffle. </p><p>Anyway, you may notice Everett is in what may be an old-timey wedding dress. I remember when he was really young we went to a wedding and he told me after when he grew up that he couldn't wait to wear his own wedding dress. When he was two, he dressed up as a 'fairy princess' for Halloween and most of the people giving him candy thought he was a little girl.</p><p>I know there may be some parents still petrified of their young boys loving dresses or putting on nail polish or doing 'girl stuff'. I laugh at such worries and always allow my son to embrace the pretty. Often when he was three years old, he would dress up in his 'fairy princess' costume and then proceed to play with giant trucks and dinosaurs. Now, he often pretends to be a pirate or a Jedi going on adventures to defeat the bad guys, but he still has no problem dressing up as a princess and trying on make-up. I think it is healthy for males to not freak out about having a 'feminine' side.</p><p>In Everett's case, it was dressing up and playing imagination. He never saw a dress or make-up as a regular part of his wardrobe, but rather just something he enjoyed when it was time to be 'pretty'. I like that he has always been comfortable with that and it was never something that scared me or made me nervous.</p><p>I am very proud of the little man he is growing up to be.</p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-33205965789036112622024-02-16T16:26:00.007-05:002024-02-16T19:44:12.023-05:0010 Things I Hope My Writing Can Do<div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOf3HtScfbmV8Gh8ltES8nQLP22FBXdAKoUs8Fwnuwlspo0cHUQqJarUHxCRZtR8WW3tJmopU-_crMQ-h3tI4r47Z2t_Rjq1_8oHQgY0jFKbqxUwgSdeJNZA_uI2AsLERsBkQ2RWikWQB6AzKA84kx0Q5iObo0izMTsYJ8Lye3uGmwGH_ST-7/s600/Cartoon%20Writer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="581" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOf3HtScfbmV8Gh8ltES8nQLP22FBXdAKoUs8Fwnuwlspo0cHUQqJarUHxCRZtR8WW3tJmopU-_crMQ-h3tI4r47Z2t_Rjq1_8oHQgY0jFKbqxUwgSdeJNZA_uI2AsLERsBkQ2RWikWQB6AzKA84kx0Q5iObo0izMTsYJ8Lye3uGmwGH_ST-7/w620-h640/Cartoon%20Writer.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div class="separator"><br /></div>1. Entertain.</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">2. Be brutally honest. I'm not going to open up about every struggle or challenge in my life or scatter the dirty laundry of all my relationships all over the site but I also won't shy away from those opportunities to be vulnerable and sincere. My hope is my honesty can provide some truth and empathy for readers.</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">3. Build a community.</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">4. Champion great but lesser-known art and entertainment. Usually movies, due to the focus of the site (in theory).</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">5. Take creative chances and experiment with the form.</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">6. Grow an audience, provide value to the reader, and <a href="https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ChristopherDSpicer?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US">make a living.</a></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">7. Motivate me to do more research and learn more about pop culture history. Push myself to become a better and smarter writer.</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">8. Have fun.</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">9. Inspire others.</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">10. Become better through consistency, hard work, and passion. <p></p></div>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-13022819060198017312024-02-15T17:48:00.003-05:002024-02-15T17:48:34.996-05:00Liking a 'Rotten' Movie Doesn't Mean the Critic is Paid Off<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/yRGEo73zgeo?si=PfQxzjZM5y_8S-kg" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Chris Stuckmann is one of my favourite YouTube critics, and I have always respected how he analyzes and delves into a movie. I haven't always agreed with his opinion on a movie, such as his love for <i>Prisoners</i>, which just didn't work for me. But I probably disagreed with Roger Ebert more than I agreed (especially when it comes to horror), yet I still value every one of his reviews, and he remains my all-time favourite critic and a huge inspiration for <i>The Movie Breakdown</i> and my approach to reviews.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love both critics for the fact they never gave a damn about the Rotten Tomatoes score or the critical consensus, and Ebert had no problem recommending stuff like <i>Paul Blart: Mall Cop</i> or <i>Speed 2</i>. The fact a critic praises something that most others panned is a positive because it allows one to see the other side of a work. It provides a more balanced view of a movie rather than just piling on to why it fails. A good critic can articulate why something is worth watching even if it is flawed and everyone else is claiming you should avoid it.</div><div><br /></div><div>One thing I never thought when Ebert or Stuckmann recommended a movie with a low Rotten Tomatoes score was that they were paid off by the studios or trying to appeal to the filmmaker. Yet that seems to be the default of so many listeners and readers now when a critic has an opinion different from their own.</div><div><br /></div><div>No respected critic gets paid by the studios. They probably wish that happened, because they'd be more well-off. Everyone can use some extra cash to buy that cottage or more likely, pay off that electrical bill.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stuckmann liked <i>Argylle</i> because he found things worth enjoying like the action sequences, the performances, and the fun energy. He was not paid off. For the record, I mostly agree with everything Stuckmann said in his review, and I have definitely never seen any sweet studio money in my life. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-56285243150747048452024-02-14T12:48:00.001-05:002024-02-15T12:54:04.275-05:00Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdh9jguIYts/YZU3a5MaqYI/AAAAAAAAMOQ/P0fv0AfcGXcfRlUzIexlICAd2KsOTRc0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0497.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdh9jguIYts/YZU3a5MaqYI/AAAAAAAAMOQ/P0fv0AfcGXcfRlUzIexlICAd2KsOTRc0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0497.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><p>Happy Valentine's Day!</p><p>I still need to start on the short story as that deadline creeps closer and closer, and the client work I expected to have all done still needs more attention. My energy is being vacuumed up with some challenging emotional and mental struggles. The podcast, reviews, and new articles will continue to be delayed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Instead, here is a picture of two of the most priceless human beings in the world. Even as a writer, I can't properly convey my love for them. They are my inspiration when I am exhausted and burnt out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes, I could have easily inserted Emily in this spot as well, but I opted for kids today.</div><div><br /></div>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-10039740959643198162024-02-13T15:47:00.003-05:002024-02-13T15:47:36.579-05:0010 Things To Make Sure Today is a Great One<p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPY7rvf34Mo/YFj-lvNO3wI/AAAAAAAALoU/km9nTQdAy1IMCqBmeV2VNUepH2jVDm5swCLcBGAsYHQ/s1182/Top%2BGun.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1182" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPY7rvf34Mo/YFj-lvNO3wI/AAAAAAAALoU/km9nTQdAy1IMCqBmeV2VNUepH2jVDm5swCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h366/Top%2BGun.png" width="640" /></a></p><br />1. Say thank you as often as you can and be grateful for as many things as possible.<p></p><p>2. Forgive yourself.</p><p>3. Say 'I love you' with no strings attach and fling heartfelt compliments in every direction you go. </p><p>4. Take a chance. Be creative despite what the internal voices say. Put your heart into what you do and believe it can change the world for the better.</p><p>5. Listen.</p><p>6. Live in this moment with all your energy and soul. Don't worry about a future you can't change or past that is already done.</p><p>7.Believe in your dreams.</p><p>8. Be ridiculously generous.</p><p>9. Love deeply.</p><p>10. Play like you're still four years old.</p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-56854409793810040202024-02-12T15:31:00.003-05:002024-02-13T12:56:15.121-05:00What is Ahead for 'Beyond the Balcony'<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsMVQsoBIaBlR91tMIVGUY7Dyx5DKHIsO0eez7EcZ6quMHuzyQNJP9aUC9RCf3on2001DA5WxIPT1Iets0vNrQWhY4MRTn-unqizCcXmtAEvcbVezBD8CZYYqNNgR3EBxq0Gjknc2ynAr9zCsa2FXLopVDOn9dxAft2HwIJAk8odFgxpCPaiTD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img data-original-height="221" data-original-width="400" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsMVQsoBIaBlR91tMIVGUY7Dyx5DKHIsO0eez7EcZ6quMHuzyQNJP9aUC9RCf3on2001DA5WxIPT1Iets0vNrQWhY4MRTn-unqizCcXmtAEvcbVezBD8CZYYqNNgR3EBxq0Gjknc2ynAr9zCsa2FXLopVDOn9dxAft2HwIJAk8odFgxpCPaiTD=w640-h354" width="640" /></a></p><p>I'm a few days away from where I feel like I have a semblance of control over my current client work and can start properly devoting more time to the site and podcasts. Anyone who has stuck around for a decent length of time knows <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2023/08/pick-your-poison-deciding-future-of.html">that I have some very ambitious plans for the site.</a> They also know many of those plans usually crumble after I get overwhelmed and burnt out. </p><p>My priorities need to be creating the best work possible for clients to build my business and make a living, devoting quality time to my wife and kids, and managing my mental and emotional health which right now are in ruins.</p><p>This means that the actual chunk of time I can pour into <i>Beyond the Balcony</i> and <i><a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-movie-breakdown--5313796">The Movie Breakdown</a> </i>podcast is limited. I need to alter my sweeping plan and instead pace myself toward my eventual dreams and vision for the site and my career.</p><p>This means that my current strategy is to focus on the site and podcast delivering reviews for new movie releases both in the cinema and streaming. This is what I'll focus on and aim to make the very best I am qualified to craft. I'm also working on a <a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2024/01/a-creative-way-to-start-new-year-my.html">short story for a contest</a>, so I may also share a few short anecdotes about the experience and what I am learning about the creative writing craft. As well, I'll also slowly start adding in a few thoughts on major movie news and sharing things like my parenting experience or any other major Spicer moments.</p><p>Once I start delivering on those promises, and am still able to manage my 'day work' and find the time for fiction and book writing, I'll expand on the site's ambitions. Here are the things I aim to slowly build towards:</p><p>Craft reviews for classic movies including the Disney and MCU movie series.</p><p>Reviews for various other pop culture and entertainment that include adventure video games. classic TV series, wrestling events, and novels. </p><p>One thing I will try to implement this month that may make review goals more reasonable, is to resurrect my weekly pop culture overview with short movie reviews of all the various entertainment I consumed during the week.</p><p>Launch the long-awaited weekly fiction serial, though I haven't decided if it will be on this site or in a newsletter.</p><p>Starts a Substack or newsletter focused on a specific type of review or pop culture not related to movies.</p><p>Weekly videos with a specific focus that will likely supplement the podcast.</p><p>Increase my pop culture and daily anecdotes, where the site will have several pieces a day.</p><p>More in-depth historical movie pieces, which possibly be done through a newsletter or video segments.</p><p>Essentially, I want to take more creative risks and really explore the wonders of imagination and the arts.</p><p>But for now, my plan is to really deliver on the new release movie reviews, and if that succeeds, then continue to build up the site. I also want to start a Patreon and potential newsletter subscriptions that will also help me be able to focus on these projects if I can succeed in attracting and building subscribers.</p><p>At the moment, I need to prove to my loyal readers that I can consistently craft entertaining and insightful reviews and movie articles. </p><p>If you want to help me with my goals and put me in a spot where I can start building up this site, then I will be humbled and honoured if you consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ChristopherDSpicer?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US">donating to my efforts through PayPal</a>. As always, I am so thankful for the amazing support and love.</p><p><br /></p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-76810095684901133142024-02-11T14:52:00.002-05:002024-02-12T14:54:17.415-05:002017 Danika Says Have An Adventurous Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuG4FPi68OY/YD0qgBhpcqI/AAAAAAAALiw/Zz3_82tCf04sC98-ia48WTKu5smaW6RuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG-20171031-WA0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuG4FPi68OY/YD0qgBhpcqI/AAAAAAAALiw/Zz3_82tCf04sC98-ia48WTKu5smaW6RuQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG-20171031-WA0001.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I absolutely love this picture. She looks like she is about to go on an adventure to discover new lands and worlds. That is exactly the kind of thing she loves to do. I hope your Sunday brings you adventure and something new.</p>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-84151272063710183732024-02-10T15:33:00.001-05:002024-02-12T14:35:34.664-05:00Saturdays Are For Big Hats and Goofy Smiles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kY3cIHhaYW0/YGM6uY_L0UI/AAAAAAAALpM/__FTYmxJCUAlvdqEYaGONRv_pufpSmlSACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0604.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kY3cIHhaYW0/YGM6uY_L0UI/AAAAAAAALpM/__FTYmxJCUAlvdqEYaGONRv_pufpSmlSACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_0604.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><p>I learn something every day from my kids. It doesn't even have to be a thing that my kids are currently doing in their life. This picture from October 2017 with a young Everett showing off a goofy smile and taking great pleasure in wearing a giant hat reminds me of the importance of digging for joy every day. Kids are very good at throwing themselves into the moment and enjoying every ounce of it. While I get stressed about my career and battle with anxiety and self-worth, I'm reminded how important it is to love the moment. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now, I'm off to find a giant hat.</div>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058132.post-56657945926276606202024-02-09T16:18:00.010-05:002024-02-12T14:31:27.441-05:00When I Said a Fresh Start with the New Year. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLMzPRqcwfmwXSrIHdIckF-b0ej9td3uhxHLC9rfwmjH8yR52AsWx8cVw8KeR3tWs6uHOwQAFBKLy7IHxUjH7PDdQ5jNo5YSORpMFU74EvTarrjCvZaAaWetDlhwm9_4SVuKQUbUI9eOsZ7qHfyyk7Svd3qYajJbdYzICdsYXZyZKvcTIb8Rmz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLMzPRqcwfmwXSrIHdIckF-b0ej9td3uhxHLC9rfwmjH8yR52AsWx8cVw8KeR3tWs6uHOwQAFBKLy7IHxUjH7PDdQ5jNo5YSORpMFU74EvTarrjCvZaAaWetDlhwm9_4SVuKQUbUI9eOsZ7qHfyyk7Svd3qYajJbdYzICdsYXZyZKvcTIb8Rmz=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The twist is that I meant Lunar New Year all along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay. No, I didn't.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next week should finally see a new episode of <i>The Movie Breakdown. </i>I will create new articles and movie reviews with far more substance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or at least, that is the plan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have seen both <i>Mean Girls</i> and <i>Argyle</i>, and the short answer is I had fun with both, and they were much better than the super disappointing <i><a href="https://www.beyondbalcony.com/2024/01/night-swim-review-deep-dive-into-tired.html">Night Swim</a>. </i>They have energy, personality, and ambition, which are things that often are lacking in recent blockbusters. I aim to quickly mention both in the upcoming podcast if I don't end up writing about either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have a wondrous Lunar New Year!</div>Christopher Spicerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06802497559184935393noreply@blogger.com0