The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series by Micheal Scott

Terrorist attack in paris and how I feel about it

Brian Griffin: Death and Revival

As many people already know, Brian Griffin was killed off in the Family Guy episode "The Life of Brian". He was brought back in a few episodes later in "Christmas Guy".

The death of Brian Griffin brought on a huge response from the fan base, starting petitions to bring him back, saying the show was past its prime, and many fans vowing never to watch again.

I heard about Brian's death,but I personally had not seen the episode. So, I brought it up on Hulu.com, and I watched it. I have to agree with what many observers of the episode said: the death, handled very real, seems almost quick and sudden. It's only really the subject of one act, and then we introduce Vinny (the replacement dog for the family).

Its very obvious to me by the way Vinny interacts that he was never meant to be a permanent addition to the cast (though they cleverly added him into the introduction sequence). Vinny is a very one note character. Albeit, Brian was the same way when he started, but we did learn more about him as we moved on. Vinny just spouts Italian stereotypes and really is a very one note character.

I heard about Brian coming back in "Christmas Guy", and I just finished watching the episode. I have to admit, how he comes back is very clever. Recall in "The Life of Brian" that Stewie destroyed his time machine and was unable to get replacement parts when he wanted to save Brian. This was to give Brian's death a sense of finality. But, very cleverly, Stewie had a cutaway where he went to Christmas in the future to buy the newest toy early. In "Christmas Guy", Stewie sees himself buying the toy at the toy store. He grabs this Stewie's time pad and uses it to go to just before Brian got run over and saves hi.

I have to give credit to the writers of these episodes. That was cleverly done. This is far better then it being a dream or a simulation, or some other TV twist.

Was this a stunt? Yeah, it kinda was. But, it drummed up all this attention for the show and how much fans really loved Brian. I missed him. I missed the Brian and Stewie dynamic even before time had come for it to sink in with Vinny as a new character.

To be fair though, I do wonder how much longer the show will continue. Seth has said he knows the series is past its prime (though I have to admit still laughing). I thought the new blood of Vinny might have worked to bring in new life to the series.

But you know what? I'm happy to see Brian again. I don't think we have seen the end of Vinny though....

The Hunger Games Book Review by Firewizard23

OK, so I just finished reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This is the first book in the Hunger Games Trilogy.

I want it to be clear. I have NOT watched the films. I did watch a review of the first movie -- so the plot did get a little spoiled. But, here is how I feel about it.

I read a book called Battle Royale, written by Koushun Takami. In this book, a class of middle school kids in a future China (Japan?) school are transported to an island to be part of the Program. This Program is them killing each other off till ones survives -- as a way to keep the kids under control of their gov't. Each chapter of that book during the actually Program serves as a small vignette of how each student deals with this situation. Kills happen frequently. The emotions and bonds of the kids are completely analyzed and thought over, and the book has a rebellious ending.

Does this sound familiar? Not only is The Hunger Games similar to this -- save that the Hunger Games are broadcast -- the plot is extremely similar. Not only that, but Battle Royale was just a better book. It focused on ALL the kids, not just a pair.I don't really know what to make of the Capitol in HG. They seem to like watching the games, but this was never analyzed in the book. They just come across as hollow and nameless. I don't understand why they tolerate it. I know why the Districts hate it -- they have to sacrifice their kids. But, what is the deal with the Capitol? Don't they see these kids as people too? Do they even care? It just feels soulless without that piece.

Now, yes, Battle Royale lacks that information, but the focus is so much on the characterization of each kid in BR that I don't have to stretch it to far to understand why the Gov't is bad. I hate seeing those kids die. I learn who they are. I see their struggles.

Now, ask me, tell me all about each kid in HG and what their struggles are..

..or can you only tell me about Peeta and Katniss?

I thought so. 3 out of 5 for me.

Enjoy the Holidays

As the 25th of December approaches, I cannot help but remember my childhood.

Yes, my family celebrated Christmas. We would all gather at Grandma and Grandpa's house with all my brothers and sisters and my mom too, and we would get to open presents together. Then, we would have the big Christmas dinner with all the fixens: Turkey, Stuffing, Corn, Cranberry Sauce, and Scalloped Potatoes (I still hate those so much). I loved those memories.

Now, I'm all grown up. My grandparents have passed on, my brothers and sisters don't live with me anymore, and my mom lives by herself with her new husband.

I wouldn't mind any of that... except we don't celebrate Christmas anymore.

We don't gather together anymore. There is just so much tension in the family now a days that no one wants to be together (for a multitude of reasons).

I miss that time. I miss being together.

Yes, I got presents. I loved that part. Who didn't? But you know what? We were TOGETHER. We shared our lives together. And, I feel giving presents is just part of the holiday spirit.

You know what else is too? The tree. My roommate put up a tree in our apartment. You know what? I missed having one. I missed how it makes you feel about the holidays, and the memories it brings out. I will have a tree wherever I live from now on.

I remember the huge tree we had at our Christmas's. My family doesn't do it anymore.

"We don't have any little kids anymore. What's the point?"

The point is being together. It isn't about the gifts, it's about family. Yes, the gifts are still gonna come from me. If you don't want to give in return...fine. But, I'm not letting that stop what I love about this holiday. Family and friends and being together.

My Feelings About Ebay and Online Selling

A few years ago, and still going on today, there were huge debates raging online about how to tax online retailers such as Amazon. The main legal point that was made was that since 1993 or so, a court ruling established that since these businesses have no physical location to visit (i.e. no brick & mortar store) they cannot be charged a tax since their location cannot be determined. Personally, I feel that that ruling was made very early on in the life of online retail and should most certainly be thrown out and redone with taxes applied as per the state where the item is being sent or shipped. Period.

Now, the subject of this blog will be Ebay. How do you handle the thousands upon thousands of transactions on a site like Ebay where they are just everyday people?

"Those people who sell need to be charging a tax for their state and report it on taxes! Think of the millions of dollars in taxes lost!"

"But, this is like if I had a garage sale. I don't charge tax at garage sales! Why should I here?"

These look familiar? Just some of the statements I've ever heard about this whole mess.

In my opinion, if I sell an item I own using an online site, I feel it is that sites responsibility to collect and get the taxes required (as I stated above). The reasoning is simple: many individuals who use Ebay do not understand tax laws and requirements of their respective states. This would make the process streamlined by applying taxes during payment, and would not involve the seller's input. -- it would just be taken from the buyer. Also, many people do not put vast amounts of items up for sale (an old lamp, a chess set, etc). So, asking them to go through such lengthy tax processes would be too tedious for small sellers.

Now, obviously, some sellers sell quite a bit of items, making full businesses online. At a certain point, these sellers should be put on notice of the tax requirements they must meet, and have to manage it themselves (with access to databases to find the tax amounts they need, I know also that at a certain point amounts made online do have to be reported to the IRS, but I don't know if online retailers have an obligation to report it for each seller). They should also be receiving documentation from Ebay for each year regarding the amount of money received during siad year, and such a document should be sent to the IRS (1099-Misc I believe).

(Btw, if Ebay already does this, my bad. I didn't research this).

Just my thoughts. Oh, btw. Check it my auctions:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/sprcha.rq3c7

My Little Pony Season 4: Priness Twlight Sparkle Review

So, I just finished watching the first two episodes of My Little Pony Season 4 entitled: Princess Twlight Sparkle.

Well, I have to say: not too bad.

First off: MAJOR SPOILER ALERT. Do not read anymore if you have not watched the episode.

Twlight, getting used to duties as a new princess, is saddened that she must stay in Canterlot rather than returning to Ponyville with her friends. Shortly after, a strange set of dark roots start growing all over the land from the Everfree Forest, Princess Celestia and Luna disappear, and the sun and moon both appear in the sky at once. The friends reunite, and, suspecting Discord is responsible, summon him. They learn, though, that this is not his doing (at least directly).

Zecora appears, forced out of her home, and she gives Twlight a potion that will let her see into the past. We see the battle between Celestia and Luna when Luna become Nightmare Moon, and we see the two royal sisters imprison Discord. We also see a new aspect of the series: The Tree of Harmony. It was from this tree that the elements came from.

The friends go to the forest to find the tree. Fearing for Twlight, the friends send her away saying she must remain safe if the other princesses don't return, as the land still needs a ruler. Saddened, she leaves. Discord, seeing her return, chides her for not staying loyal to her duties as a princess and going into danger with her friends. Offended by the comments, Twlight returns to the forest and her friends.

Upon discovering the Tree of Harmony, Twlight realizes they must return the elements of Harmony to stop the dark vines growth. The friends pretest, citing how the elements brought them together, they are used to defend the land, and they are used to ring in Discord if he gets out of line. Twlight says that their friendship will always endure, and, reluctantly, they return the elements to the tree (which is nearly tangled in the vines). Upon the elements returning, the tree glows in brilliance, and the all the vines vanish from the land. Princess Luna and Celestina are freed from their prisons just next to the tree and congrat the six on how difficult it was to give up the elements. We see the tree grow an additional set of vines, and a jewel box appears with 6 locks. Twlight does not know how to open it, but Celestia says that it will certainly be the 6 of our main ponies who will find the way.

After leaving, Discord notes how the elements are gone, but Fluttershy warns against him going nuts again, and forces him to help clean up. He agrees, and, through flashback, reveal that it was his black seeds that were growing. The magic still held within the Tree of Harmony after the elements were gone must have contained his roots for many years until now.

My reaction? Not quite the episode I was expecting. I like how it recapped the main events of the last three years. We saw Nightmare Moon and Discords initial defeats, and we also introduced a new aspect: The Tree of Harmony. I like how the friends are concerned about the changes that are coming, as it reflects how even viewers feel as the series moves forward. Things are going to change. Twlight is a Princess, the Elements of Harmony are back with the Tree of Harmony, and we have that mysterious box with 6 locks. All in all, I enjoyed it. I look forward to the next episode and what the season has to bring.