It was so much fun to be in front of the camera again especially when you get to hang out with friends.

Also I received information that I landed an interview for a summer internship, it would be non paid but the experience is what I am looking for. Here is the kicker the company is in New York!! I was shocked that a highly profiled company asked for an interview, we will see how things go, lots to work out but very exciting to even be considered!

And for fun, here are some random entertainment information because well that’s what I do best.

-Does anybody watch Downton Abbey? I don’t want to assume everybody does, but you should take a few days and just catch up because it is amazing! Anyways Disney has been in the works for a live-action Cinderella movie and non other than Rose McClare has been casted as Cinderella.

A little unexpected but I think the choice was great.

-So I ended up buy another book last night, Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham. Yes, the mom from Gilmore Girls. “The book is set in 1995, and Franny Banks has just six months left of the three-year deadline she set for herself when she came to New York, dreaming of Broadway and doing “important” work. It’s a story about hopes and dreams, being young in a city, and wanting something deeply, madly, desperately and finding an acting job.” (source)  Already a few chapters in the story was really relatable. The character is sarcastic but shy at times, also determined to make her dream come true. The moment I read about this character I was already seeing a few of my own characteristics in her. I can’t wait to see where this story goes and if you are on the look out for a book check it out!

- One random fact: did you know Steven Spielberg didn’t go to USC, but Long Beach. He applied to USC for film but wasn’t accepted. I had a debate with my dad the other day, he thought that Mr.Spielberg had in fact graduated from USC because of there highly accredited film school. Me being a film nerd was certain that he didn’t and was right. Did you know he actually got his break by interning at Universal Studios? It also makes me look at things in perspective, your time will come when it’s meant to be, sooner or later great things will happen.

That about wraps it up, hope you all have a great day!

-Taylor

Questions:

-What’s a good book you’ve read lately?

-How far have you traveled for a job/internship?

There’s a place in Universal Studious, Singapore wherein you’ll be able to capture a glimpse of Egypt. In there was a ride called Revenge of the Mummy. In fact, it was an indoor roller coaster ride.

As for me, I experienced the ride. But before entering into the realms of Revenge of the Mummy, I had the chance to eat Egyptian food.

Anyway, the ride, it was… TOTALLY WICKED! Good thing I didn’t puke when I was riding the roller coaster. I was actually full and went directly inside to wait in line. Luckily, the waiting area was deserted.

Good evening!

Merlion with the Marina Bay Sands background

It’s always my dream to visit this city. So when the opportunity came I immediately grabbed it. But planning a visit to this highly developed country is not easy at all. Factors are to be considered like careful planning of itinerary and keen choosing of accommodation—so having enough knowledge about the island’s cityscape, attractions and transport route and system is also very important. Having less preparation will cause you to lose your precious money and time.

Palawan Beach in Sentosa

So with these things in mind I devised a travel plan that will make me visit Singapore the most efficient way possible. Let me share to you my experience.

I was scheduled to go back home to the Philippines this month of April and thought of embarking from Kuala Lumpur. At least, initially this was my plan. But for some time of thinking and considerations I was able to plan a trip that brought me to Singapore. Details of this travel will be discussed in my blog above.

On my travel plan I’ve got to spend a day and a night in Singapore before taking our flight to Clark, Philippines the following morning. I, together with a close friend Linda Caplis, arrived in SG early in the morning of April 3. Since I don’t really know SG’s whereabouts I strategically locate myself in a backpackers’ inn in Clarke Quay where in transport like subways are accessible that will bring us to our itinerary and it is near the Marina Bay—where the statue of The Merlion is erected and the view site of the Marina Bay Sands, which I want to take a photo of.

Merlion at night

When we arrived there we wasted no time and went immediately crossing items on our itinerary list. First on the list we visited Sentosa Island. The island accommodates several theme and amusement parks, with several premium hotels and casinos including the Universal Studio, Palawan Beach and Resorts World to name a few. Because of the constraints of time we only got to spend some time visiting and taking pictures of every good scene we pass through. Weather in SG is humid and I can say it is really very hot—and this prompted us to get back to our hotel at around past 12 and rested for some time before strolling to Marina Bay.

Because we are too excited to visit the Marina Bay and the Merlion we got there early. The view when it is still bright is not really good, so then to kill some time we decided to visit the garden at the back of the Marina Bay sands (I don’t know exactly the name of the garden). View is nice, the landscapes are well crafted. But going there is not easy at all; one will pass thru the mall at the foot of the Marina Bay Sands itself then cross a bridge going to the main hotel of the said building then after that a magnificent bird’s eye view of the garden will great you (Images are inserted in this blog to give you a picture of the garden.) We spent some time there until dark—we intend to do that to wait for the view of the Marina bay sands at night and take photo of it. After all that’s my goal. I was really glad to uphold the Marina Bay Sands in person and admire her beauty at night. This excitement was also fueled when a light and fountain show was being presented. The swooshing and the blinking of lights were so well coordinated that it projects a very magnificent and extraordinary-one of a kind show. That was actually my first time to witness such show.

After the show and taking of pictures, we decided to head back to our hotel and rest for tomorrow’s travel back home to the Philippines.

My trip back home was so full of fun and adventure. The excitement of seeing my family again after a year was being spiced by my visit to Singapore.

So then this simple and short visit to Singapore made me dream of bringing my family here someday to experience the same exhilarating experience I had about this sexy and scintillating Singapore.

In the 4th day we went to Universal Studios!

First stop was the “Shrek 4-D®“. It’s a simulator 4D of the famous movie that I love: Shrek! In the movie, it release smells and move the chairs. It’s so funny! “Shrek and Donkey are back! Join our heroes on an all new adventure that puts you in the story between the Oscar-winning film “Shrek” and “Shrek 2″” – Universal Studios.

After we went to “Twister®” and the “Revenge of the Mummy”. The “Twister” is a quiet attraction. You enter in a filming set and ,suddenly, cows started to fly and things catch fire. This is other simulator that is inspire in the movie: Twister. The Universal Studios says: “What it’s like to be a real storm chaser, looking a tornado right in the eye and braving the worst nature can throw at you. Twister…Ride it Out® re-creates all the nail-biting excitement and unforgettable moments from one of the most action-packed movies of all time. “

The “Revenge of the Mummy®” is a simulator with a roller coaster. The roller coaster goes through interactive scenarios that left me a little scared. “The curse is real! The Mummy has arisen…wakened from his centuries-long slumber, the evil Imhotep is once again freed from his wraps, unleashing his wrath on all who dare enter the sacred temple.” – Universal Studios.

Now it’s time to adrenalin! The “Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit®” is the best roller coaster! It’s so fast, the climb is at an angle of 90 degrees! You can choose a song to listen in the ride! “Adrenaline pumping and music thumping, you start climbing straight up. A moment later, you’re screaming at 65 mph, 17 stories over Universal Studios.” – Universal Studios.

Close to midday, we had lunch. We stopped at “Mel’s drive-in®“. It’s a restaurant with a thematic ’50s. The hamburger is delicious and they make it so fast! “Rock around the clock at this ’50s drive-in featuring golden oldies on the jukebox and delicious Burgers and Fries, Chicken Sandwiches, Chicken Fingers, Onion Rings, Root Beer Floats and Frosty Milk Shakes.” – Universal Studios.

After we took some pictures with some characters and with a parade of the “Despicable me”.

Continuing, we went to the “World Expo” area where we have two attractions that we went to: “The Simpsons Ride®” and the “Men in black Alien Attack®“.
First we went to “The Simpsons Ride®“. It’s other simulator that we sit in a car and they put us up to other area where is all white. Suddenly, the film start. The car move too much and drive me goon, but I like this simulator. “Ride along with The Simpsons™ as they visit Krustyland, the low-budget theme park created by famed TV personality and shameless product huckster Krusty the Clown. Is somebody out to sabotage the park? You’ll find out as you join Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie and enter through the carnival-like midway.” – Universal Studios.

After, we went to “Men in black Alien Attack®“. It’s a interative attraction where you have to kill the Alliens helping the Men in black. “All right rookies… this is no drill! It’s up to YOU to protect the Earth from aliens in MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack. As an agent trainee, you’ll zap aliens as you chase them through the streets of New York in this high-tech, interactive ride based on the hit movies. But be warned… these aliens zap back, spinning your vehicle out of control. ” – Universal Studios.

To finish our day in the attractions, we went to “Disaster”. I think that this attraction is so tiring… We stay at the line for one hour! “Go behind the scenes at Disaster Studios and learn the secrets of disaster films from the “Master of Mayhem” himself, writer/producer/director/studio executive/self-proclaimed genius Frank Kincaid.” – Universal Studios.

After, we decided to stay walking in the park to take some pictures.

Next day we will go to the magical world: Magic Kingdom!

Now, word has come down that Deanna Durbin has died at the age of 91 in France, where she had lived in peace and quiet for more than six decades. The moment I heard this news I was suddenly transported back to my tour guide days and began giggling again over 100 Men and a Girl jokes. (I guess at heart I’ll always be 14.) Ultimately, the more mature side of me took over and I thought a brief retrospective of this extraordinary person was in order. If you have never heard of Deanna Durbin, please allow me to introduce her. You’ll like her.

And, as this is principally an architecture blog, I will intersperse her biographical sketch with a series of Maynard L. Parker photographs of Durbin’s beautiful, but sadly now lost, Brentwood Heights estate @ 421 North Saltair Avenue, designed by the highly talented and highly regarded Alan G. Siple in 1942.

In 1942, The Architectural Digest did an extensive layout of the new Deanna Durbin – Vaughn Paul residence in Brentwood Heights. All photos by Maynard L. Parker.
Siple designed a charming English Colonial for Durbin.

Deanna Durbin was born Edna Mae Durbin in Winnipeg, Ontario, Canada on December 4, 1921. When she was one year old her family moved to Los Angeles where her father became involved in the stock and real estate markets. At an early age, friends and family members began to take notice of the child’s remarkable singing voice, a voice that continued to grow stronger and more resonant as she headed into her teenage years. By the time she was ten years old, her older sister Edith convinced Durbin’s parents to invest in singing lessons for their talented offspring and for the next few years Durbin took weekly lessons from a local vocal coach named Ralph Thomas.

Siple pulled out all the stops in designing the Durbin residence. Note the variety of materials used including brick and shingles. Lacy wrought-ironwork gives the house a New Orleans feel. The stonework on the patio is beautiful but does not lend itself well to bare feet!

In 1935, MGM announced plans to make a film based on the life of Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink and were looking for a young girl who could sing to play the legendary contralto as a child. Through Thomas, Durbin was brought to the attention of talent agent Jack Sherrill who in turn took Durbin to MGM to test for the role. The studio was suitably impressed and signed her to a six-month contract while details were worked out on the upcoming production.  Before production could get underway, however, Madame Schumann-Heink died and the project was dropped.  Now MGM found itself in a dilemma: A few months earlier they had signed another promising young singer named Judy Garland. Both Durbin and Garland were unknown and untested, and the studio realized they only needed one of them. Which one, however, was not clear. While trying to figure out what to do with the girls, the studio put them both in a short film entitled Every Sunday (1936), in which they performed a contest, with Durbin singing classical and Garland singing jazz, to draw crowds to a weekly concert in the park. The short was essentially not just a contest on film it was a test to see which girl the studio would keep. In the end, it was Garland who was chosen and Durbin’s contract was not renewed. On the surface, it appeared that Durbin’s promising young start had come to nothing, but across town events were developing at another studio that would ultimately change the course of Durbin’s life and career.

The Entrance Hall. All interior decorating was executed by the venerable firm of W. & J. Sloane.

Producer Joseph Pasternak had been the head of European operations for Universal Pictures until the threat of war had brought his operation to a close. Forced to return to the States, Pasternak and director Henry Koster had been given a two-year production deal by studio chief Carl Laemmle Jr.. Before they could even be set up in offices, however, Laemmle sold Universal to a syndicate of investors. The sale came at a time when the studio was struggling through a major financial crisis so serious that it was, in fact, teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. To cut costs, the new owners were anxious to cancel any deals made by the previous owners and they immediately sought to nullify the Pasternak agreement. The agreement, however, could not be abrogated, and the new vice president in charge of production, Charles E. Rogers, reluctantly assigned Pasternak and Koster office space and ordered them to come up with an idea for a low-budget film.  Koster suggested the title Three Smart Girls, and from there they built a story. As it turned out, the story was the easy part. Finding the right girl was another matter altogether. As Pasternak later wrote, “We needed a twelve-year-old girl with the indefinable charm of the girl who was once rightly called America’s sweetheart. That’s all. The plain fact was, everybody told us, there was no such creature.”  After searching fruitlessly for some time, Pasternak and Koster were considering changing the story to Three Smart Boys when Rufus LeMaire, Universal’s talent scout, informed him that he had found just the right girl and brought them a print of Every Sunday. Pasternak and Koster were thrilled with both girls, but after being informed Garland wasn’t available, they readily agreed they had found their perfect girl in Deanna Durbin. Pasternak recalled that Durbin on screen, “had a sweetness without being arch or cloying; she was a natural; she was pretty; she was wholesome; and she sang beautifully with a skill and ability far beyond her years.”

Although you have to look to spot any books in the “Library,’ it was nonetheless quite a charming space.

The fourteen-year-old Durbin was immediately signed to a contract at $125 a week and Koster personally took it upon himself to coach her in acting lessons in the weeks prior to shooting. The production of the low-budget film generated very little interest around either the Universal lot or Hollywood in general, yet Pasternak and Koster both knew something special was in the works. It wasn’t until the studio executives saw the first rough-cut of Three Smart Girls that, they too, knew they had a real find on their hands. As a result, Rogers increased the film’s meager budget and, although it was ostensibly about three smart girls, it was obvious that one of them, Durbin, had the makings of a star and scenes were rewritten to bolster her role. The plot of the film centered around three sisters’ efforts to keep their beloved father from marrying a shameless gold digger. Along the way, Durbin managed to find time to sing “My Heart Is Singing,” “Someone to Care For Me,” and “Il Bacio.” When it went into previews in December of 1936, audience members reacted with the same delight the studio executives felt about Durbin and suddenly a buzz began around Hollywood that long-suffering Universal might have discovered a new star. During this same period, Durbin was invited to sing at a party for Universal executives and their guests. One of those in attendance was comedian Eddie Cantor whose program on NBC was one of the most popular shows on radio. Cantor was so impressed by the teenaged songstress that he invited her to be a guest on one of his upcoming programs. Her appearance reportedly generated 4,000 fan letters. Cantor brought her back again and again until she became a regular on the program at the munificent salary of $1,000 a week.

The living room featured a piano that was actually used regularly.

Released on New Year’s Day 1937, Three Smart Girls became the studio’s highest grossing film of the year, bringing in a desperately needed $1,600,000 to Universal’s badly depleted coffers. The film was such a success that it spawned two sequels with Durbin, Three Smart Girls Grow Up (1939) and Hers To Hold (1943). In 1948, the film was remade by MGM as Three Daring Daughters with Jane Powell in the Durbin role. To capitalize on the great success of Three Smart Girls, Universal quickly launched another Pasternak/Koster/Durbin vehicle, One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937), which went on to even greater success than the first film. Depression-era audiences couldn’t seem to get enough of the pretty teenager with the angelic soprano voice who solved problems for the adults around her. Over the next few years, Universal churned out a series of popular Deanna Durbin films, films that were so successful that they are credited with single-handedly lifting the entire studio out of bankruptcy. It was estimated by at least one source that, by 1938, the Durbin pictures alone were generating seventeen percent of the studio’s total gross profits.

The dining room.

The Deanna Durbin phenomenon generated fan clubs worldwide and also brought about a merchandising bonanza with Deanna Durbin dolls, pajamas, hats, dresses, songbooks, and other such items, which netted the actress some $100,000 a year in royalties.  From the late thirties and into the forties, Durbin’s income increased exponentially until she became the highest-salaried female in the United States, earning, at her peak, nearly $500,000 per year. In 1938 she was honored, along with Mickey Rooney, with a special “juvenile” Academy Award that was presented, “for their significant contribution in bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth, and as juvenile players, setting high standards of ability and achievement.” As Durbin continued to grow into womanhood, producer Pasternak carefully orchestrated each step and in 1939, when she received her first screen kiss (from Robert Stack) in First Love, the event made headlines the world over. Two years later, she made the transition to full adulthood on celluloid with It Started with Eve.

Master bedroom.

Master Bedroom.

1941 proved a watershed year for Durbin and it marked the beginning of the end of her unprecedented rise to stardom. That year, much to the objection of all around her, including Pasternak and Universal, she decided to get married to cameraman Vaughn Paul. That same year, Pasternak left Universal for MGM and, without his expert guidance, Universal suddenly began to flounder in knowing how to properly handle their top-rated star. Over the next few years they placed her in one misfire after another most dramatically in 1944’s Christmas Holiday. With such a cheerful title, audiences were expecting a warm holiday romp with their singing do-gooder, instead, they were shocked to find a dark and depressing film noir with Durbin appearing as a singer in a seedy nightclub and married to an escaped killer played by none other Gene Kelly. The film was a rare Durbin flop at the box office, although she personally believed it was the best acting she had ever done. Durbin’s fans were still reeling from her 1943 divorce from Vaughn Paul when she married her producer on Christmas Holiday, Felix Jackson on June 13, 1945, a man considerably older than Durbin.

The Recreation Room was the most charming room in the house.

Recreation Room.

Recreation Room.

Durbin continued making films for Universal for the next three years, but after the failures of Something in the Wind (1947); Up in Central Park and For the Love of Mary (both 1948) she dramatically announced, at age twenty-seven, her retirement from motion pictures. Durbin did not mourn the loss of her screen career, having never felt comfortable with all of the publicity and the constant exposure that came with worldwide stardom. In 1949, she divorced Jackson and the following year married producer Charles Henri David. With her third marriage Durbin achieved what she had secretly dreamed of during her years as an international celebrity, “to live as a nobody.” The pair moved to France, settling in the village of Neauphle-le-Chateau, where she remained in blissful retirement for more than six decades.

Hier stehe ich gerade für den “Dragon challenge” Rollercoaster an, der sich neben Hogwarts befindet.

Hogwarts

Wenn alles klappt folgt Donnerstag vor Abflug noch ein Video des abendlichen Disney Feuerwerks.

Bis dahin!

Winners: Oreo, Graubunden Tourism board, Turner Network, Allstate, Nike, AT&T, Mustang, AirAsia, Lay’s, Grey Poupon, Universal Studios, Intel/Tobisha, Heineken, Adam Tensta, CIL Paints, P&G, OAK

For anyone who reads on a device other than a Nook or a Kindle, now you can download Lisa Mason ebooks!

I’m excited to see how this experiment expands my readership. As I’ve blogged earlier, we resisted going this route due to security concerns.

In one of my chat groups on LinkedIn—I think it’s called Books and Writers—someone recently raised the question of how best to distribute ebooks. I haven’t had time to check in over there with my observations (busy, busy, busy!), but I’ll set out the question for you here.

The author wanted to know which works best: offering a book on Amazon Prime (used to be called Select) or opting for multiple site distribution.

Amazon Prime works like this: you offer your book to readers for free, and readers borrow it like borrowing a book from a library. Amazon has set aside a fund from which it pays you a fee for each book borrowed. In the past year or so, the remittance has hovered around $2.00 and is decided by Amazon at its sole discretion.

You must sign up for a three-month period (first catch) and either auto-renew at the end of the term or decide whether you want to continue and opt in again. I recommend against auto-renewal so you may assess how the program worked for your book. You may stage a promotional announcement that your book is free for five days during the three-month period. During your five days, you earn no fee for books borrowed on that day. So there’s the second catch. I’m not sure why Amazon has this policy; it kind flies in the face of the whole purpose of Prime.

The result is your readers can sample your work for free, and you still get paid a decent royalty. Best of both worlds, right?

Here’s the big, big catch, though, which the author’s question addresses.

During the three-month period, you cannot offer your book anywhere else at any price or for free. You must list exclusively with Amazon. And according to an author in one of my Facebook groups, they check! If you violate their policy, they will unpublish your book.

My publisher and I decided to offer my six short titles—novelettes and novellas previously published in respected magazines and anthologies worldwide—as Prime titles. We took the titles down from Barnes and Noble, as required. At the end of three months, we’d had virtually no free borrows.

In other words, free didn’t make a dent. (Which supports my theory that discerning readers are suspicious of free titles. How can the work be any good if it’s free? I can tell you, I myself never, ever acquire or borrow any book just because it’s free.)

As announced on WordPress with my Virtual Bookstore, my publisher restored everything to Barnes and Noble and offered those titles for sale again on Amazon. It was like opening a floodgate! Every title sold immediately on Barnes and Noble and sold on Amazon, too.

So there you have it, my friend. By all means, try Amazon Prime if you want to. Maybe it will work for you. You can always take the book off in three months. Do not check auto-renew or you’ll be stuck for another three months.

As for Smashwords, I’ll let you know how that goes. Stay tuned!

Here are our Smashwords links so far. All are included in the Smashwords Premier Catalog, which means they’ll ship to the Apple iBookstore, Kobo, Sony, Diesel, and other stores.

The Garden of Abracadabra, Volume 1 of the Abracadabra Series, on Nook, Kindle, Smashwords, and UK Kindle.

Summer of Love, A Time Travel (a Philip K. Dick Award Finalist and San Francisco Chronicle Recommended Book) on Nook, Kindle, Smashwords, and UK Kindle.

The Gilded Age, A Time Travel (a New York Times Notable Book and New York Public Library Recommended Book) on Nook, Kindle, Smashwords, and UK Kindle.

Shaken, an ebook adaptation of Deus Ex Machina published in Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, republished in Transcendental Tales (Donning Press), and translated and republished worldwide on Nook, Kindle, Smashwords and UK Kindle.

Tomorrow’s Child, The Story That Sold To The Movies on Nook, Kindle, Smashwords, and UK Kindle.

If you enjoy a work, please “Like” it, add some stars, write a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords and spread the word to your friends. Your participation really matters.

Thank you for your readership!

Visit me at Lisa Mason’s Official Website for books, ebooks, stories, and screenplays, forthcoming projects and more, on my Facebook Author Page, on Amazon, on my Facebook Profile Page, on Goodreads, on LinkedIn, on Twitter at @lisaSmason, at Smashwords, and at Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

James and Oliver Phelps, Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films, at the initial announcement of the Hollywood theme park, December 2011.

NBC Universal has announced that plans for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood have been approved and construction will start this summer.

The Harry Potter theme park is a $500 million part of NBC Universal’s “Evolution Plan”, a $1.6 Billion investment in production and tourism in the Los Angeles area. In a press release, Ron Meyer, president and COO of Universal Studios, said that “Evolution” “sets the stage for our next 100 years in Los Angeles.”

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood is set to open 2015 or 2016, according to initial reports back in December 2011. The park will be similar, but not entirely identical to the one in Florida. The Hogwarts castle will still serve as the centerpiece of the theme park.

Don’t forget that along with the new Wizarding World in Hollywood, the original Orlando park will also be expanded. The expansion will reportedly include a replica of the Hogwarts Express and London/Diagon Alley, including Gringotts and Leaky Cauldron pub. Construction photos are constantly being shared by our friends at Hypable.com. Check out the latest here and here.

What a great week that was in Los Angeles! Where should I begin?

Monday night Tease! at 3Clubs on Vine street! Celebrating Betty Page’s Birthday! Great event!

Want to know more? Click to visit my website and see my work!

Vegan night with friends at SunCafe! My very first baby coconut! Yummm!!!

Considering purchasing a great property..

But that was at the backyard.. (yes, if you guessed Universal studios, you were right!)

Checked out the 11th Annual Korean Music Festival at the Hollywood Bowl!

As I’m writing this, I’m sipping a great mug of Coconut Chai tea.

Are you more of a coffee or a tea person?

Hope your week was awesome, and you are ready to make this week a success!

xoxo,

Katalin

Now, twenty years after its release, Universal brings back Jurassic Park in all of its edge-of-your-seat excitement, though some of the transfers into the 3-D format leave much to be desired…

Jurassic Park 3D Blu-Ray Cover Art, courtesy Universal Home Video, 2013

Now unless you’ve been living under a rock (or in the Cretaceous Period) these past two decades, and aren’t quite sure what I’m talking about here, allow me to bring you up to speed: Jurassic Park tells the story of eccentric multi-billionaire John Hammond (Sir Richard Attenborough) who decides to invest in the research of finding scientific means to clone and breed extinct dinosaurs, in order to open an exclusive, one-of-a-kind amusement park safari tour, on a remote Costa Rican island. Prior to opening said park to the public,  Hammond invites a paleontologist (Sam Neill), a paleobotanist (Laura Dern) and a chaos theorist (Jeff Goldblum), along with his two grandchildren (Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzello) for a test-run of the facilities.

When a massive storm front heads towards the park, its damage potential, paired with the nefarious deeds of a greedy insider, causes the park to malfunction, setting free a multitude of hungry dinos out for some fresh meat, or failing that, humans as well. A quest for discovery becomes a mission for survival, as the small group of explorers must navigate the various paddocks in order to safely reach the chopper headed for the mainland.

The T-Rex escapes in a pivotal scene from JURASSIC PARK, courtesy Universal, 2013

Now everyone has a favorite scene in this film, whether it be the eye popping introduction of the massive T-Rex, the Gallimimus Stampede or my personal favorite, the Raptor Kitchen Hunt. Director Steven Spielberg knows how to provide inventive entertainment, unafraid to explore new technologies in order to offer the most up-to-date visuals possible to help further the story. What’s even more impressive is that Spielberg also managed to deliver Schindler’s List that same year, which went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars. But I digress.

It only stood to reason that, with the advent of 4K remastering and 3-D upgrades, both on Blu-Ray and in theatres (where this film recently saw a re-release), most action/fantasy films would be converted for the home video format. This proves to be a double-edged sword of sorts, begging the question of whether we’ve reached a sufficient level of hardware sophistication, so to not lose out on quality, just so we can see a few fierce raptors jump towards us that much more closely.

A group of Gallimimus heads towards Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and the kids in JURASSIC PARK 3D, courtesy Universal, 2013

First off, the pros: given that this is a top-tier Universal catalog title (by Spielberg, no less), one can expect to really milk the most out of a decked-out entertainment system. With a lossless 7.1 audio output, the film’s many layers of sound effects and John Williams’ memorable themes both really resonate, just as they did in the summer of 1993, when the film’s release was one of the earliest to provide DTS sound in-theater. Also, the print used to up-convert to 3D has a warmer color palette which helps some of the daytime scenes, with some mustard hues which appeared way too green in earlier releases. Many of the film’s  key scenes use 3-D well, with the foreground elements remaining unobtrusive.

The downside of this transfer, however, is that the darker night scenes turn grainy and may offer an unexpected added mood and gloom to scenes which originally remained well-lit (for night scenes, anyway) but now come off as exaggeratedly murky. This doesn’t carry well into an already slightly-darker outlook, once you factor in the 3-D glasses for your TV. I humbly suggest you test out the 2-D Blu-Ray (also included in this set, along with the standard DVD and Ultraviolet digital copy) first, for the sake of comparison.

Those not equipped with the 3-D gear needed to maximize this experience will find the 2-D version identical to the previous Blu-Ray released a few years back, both standalone and as part of the trilogy box set.

Dr. Sattler (Laura Dern) and Dr. Grant (Sam Neill) marvel at a dinosaur in JURASSIC PARK 3-D, courtesy Universal, 2013

In terms of the bonus features, most of the ones found here are exactly the same as the previous 2-D Blu-Ray releases, with the exception of “The World of Jurassic Park 3-D“, the sole new feature, only available on the 3-D disc. Some of the regular bonus features left me feeling a bit shortchanged, such as the “Foley Artists” bit, which I’d expected to be detailed, resulting instead in an all-too-brief SD quality 2-minute segment from old 1992 footage. Sigh. As for the rest of the regular bonus goodies, they all deal with the ILM magic of the film, so if you don’t want to know how they made the dinos look so real on screen, skip it altogether. Happy viewing!

3.5 out of 5

I’ve managed to get to Harry Potter World twice whilst on Holiday, and realised that actually- I’ve been to the Harry Potter Studio Tour twice too. A lot of times, when people find that out, they ask me which was better? Which do you like more? Well, here it is- my personal opinion (and review) of both.

Harry Potter World:

My brother. Ain’t he lookin’ suave?

As you may or may not know, HPW is in Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure. It’s next to both Dr. Seuss Land and the Jurassic Park bit, so before we got to HPW, we decided to stop off in Dr. Seuss Land for breakfast. Now, here’s a handy tip – if you didn’t eat BEFORE you left for Universal Studios, EAT AT THE CINNABON IN THE ENTRANCE. Dr. Seuss Land does not have many breakfast appropriate things to eat! Being the lazy and totally responsible elder sister I am, I bought my brother this monstrosity.

It’s the size of his head. I couldn’t believe it either.

Anyway, fed and sunscreened, we continued our adventure (albeit, an adventure partly obstructed by an onslaught of other, rude, tourists) up to Hogwarts.

Honestly? I loved it. They’d pretty much built a Hogsmede- with no exaggeration involved. The Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head and Ollivanders were only a few of the excitingly realistic shops on show, and although it was a little odd to see fake snow on the roofs of these shops in the 30 degree celcius sun, it was brilliant.

Being a wimp, I can’t tell you how the Duelling Dragons roller-coaster was, or how the Hippogriff roller-coaster was, because I didn’t go on them. However, I did grit my teeth and flounce determinedly towards Hogwarts castle to go on The Forbidden Journey, regardless of the fact that you needed to use a locker before you rode. (Aka, the ride was flippy dippy enough that you had a risk of losing things).

I won’t ruin it for you, because I loved every second of the surprise behind that ride. It was brilliant, cinematic and involving – you really DO feel like you’re flying, on a broomstick, with Harry Potter, and there is not one thing about that ride I disliked. (Apart from the fact that I should mention – If you’re a girl, wear waterproof makeup. Because although there’s not a lot of water, I looked like a panda for a while afterwards). ALSO- If you’re going to go on this ride, DO NOT WEAR FLIP FLOPS OR ANY OTHER KIND OF SHOE THAT RISKS FALLING OFF. Part of my enjoyment for the ride the first time was quelled because I was worried that I was going to lose a shoe.

The girl’s bathrooms in HPW are amazing, because of something that I didn’t (but should have) seen coming. Imagine my surprise when, in the loo, Moaning Myrtle’s voice starts echoing around the friggen place. I was definitely surprised – really felt bad for Harry after that one.

The last thing I think I should mention is Butterbeer. Now the fizzy one is IDENTICAL in both HPW and HPS, but you don’t get the frozen kind sold in the UK. I massively prefer the frozen kind – because I don’t drink carbonated drinks – so Butterbeer is definitely better in the USA.

Rating: ★★★★

Overall rating? Difficult to call. I’d go with a happy four out of five. There’s a lack of no-roller-coaster things to do, and a humongous amount of people at every turn (maybe they should stagger entry?), but the effect of the place, the shops and the castle are all undeniably epic. Not to mention the Butterbeer.

Harry Potter Studios:

Now HPS is a totally different sort of place- one designed not for fun-factor, but more for an awe inspiring ‘woah, they really MADE that?’ factor. At every turn there’s something exciting, if you’re a true Potter fan, that is. They actually had an animatronic Buckbeak? They needed over five Ford Anglias in the Chamber of Secrets? Evanna Lynch made her own radish earings because she liked Luna Lovegood so much? Thousands of potion bottles and wand boxes were hand labelled? If those are the kind of things you’d be amazed by, this is the place for you.

I’m a massive Harry Potter fan; have been since I was six and my dad chucked me a copy of the Philosopher’s Stone, asking me if it was any good. Thus, I had an amazing time at HPS – couldn’t stop grinning – and when I reached the end of the Studios I literally had tears in my eyes. The amount of work that had been put into this film series, to make it everything I had imagined – was unbelievable, and I only wished that I could have hugged every single crew member and thanked them personally.

Rating: ★★★★★

It’s not often I give something full marks, but this earned it. Compared to HPW, the numbers of people there were very controlled, and I had an amazing time both times that I went. Again, I imagine you would probably give it a lower rating if you were with young children – because it’s not a children’s attraction by a long shot – but if you love HP as much as I do, I guarantee you’d love this.

-Cissa

]]> http://christinaleona.com/2013/04/28/im-coming-elizabeth/ Sun, 28 Apr 2013 04:13:04 +0000 pinkeleeclad http://christinaleona.com/2013/04/28/im-coming-elizabeth/ Sometimes it’s just easier for me to tell myself that I am going to die.

Jarring right!?!? Ok, guys I am not thinking about putting myself to sleep forever or taking that last nap. So breath, your Christina is still here and kicking. What I mean by this is that if I let myself go, or better, if I let my mind go, I start to worry about everything.

Headache = Brain cancer / stroke or aneurism
Chest pain = Breast cancer
Leg pain = Blood Clots
Short of breath = Lung Cancer

I can so high strung sometimes that merely driving past an emergency room gives me some sort of comfort. Hey if I fall out at least I am in the right place.

But what does it all mean and where does it all come from our fears and nightmares. Personally, I have no freaking idea.

So I start to think about it for a bit and I come up with a hypothesis. I think it has something to do with my fear of not having fulfilled my life’s goals yet. So I start to think about death and how soon it might come. I get super sensitive about everything in my body.

Sooooo, I find it easier to say to myself, “Self, you are going to die one day. Everyone is. Just deal with that fact. But don’t focus on it and live your life, ho!” Ok I don’t really call myself a “ho” but you get my point.

Ok in other news. I am going to be a tour guide at Universal Studios Hollywood!!! So excited (White Girl Voice). ⇐Ok that was offensive to all my white girlfriends, luv you gals!!!! But Yes!!! I start training in a few days and can’t wait. The people seem totally my type of people and there are so many great perks with the job, Holla at ya girl.)

Oh and my new headshots are done, and my LA Casting site is up and running (auditions here I come). Next step = Business cards.

Well I hope everyone is doing well and is going after their dreams, I know I am.

I am going to leave you with this song I have really been digging:

Take care folks,

Christina Leona

XOXO

A high-powered executive is about to lose his estranged teenage daughter to critical burn wounds and only desperate measures may save her life.

Owners of iPhones or other Apple devices, Kobo, Sony, and any other device, now you can read The Story That Sold To The Movies and The Story Behind the Story That Sold To The Movies!

Tomorrow’s Child started out as a medical documentary for the 3M Company, transformed into a lead story published in Omni Magazine, then sold to Universal Studios where the story is presently in development.

The ebook includes my 30-day blog, The Story Behind The Story That Sold To The Movies, describing the twists and turns the story took from inspiration to movie sale.

From the author of The Garden of Abracadabra, Volume 1 of the Abracadabra Series, on Nook, Kindle, Smashwords, and UK Kindle, Summer of Love, A Time Travel (a Philip K. Dick Award Finalist and San Francisco Chronicle Recommended Book) on Nook, Kindle, Smashwords, and UK Kindle, and The Gilded Age, A Time Travel (a New York Times Notable Book and New York Public Library Recommended Book) on Nook, Kindle, Smashwords, and UK Kindle.

New Romantic Suspense! Celestial Girl (A Lily Modjeska Mystery) Books 1 and 2.

Books 3 and 4 forthcoming.

Smashwords links coming.

Lily is not quite a typical woman in Toledo, Ohio, 1896. She may be repressed and dependent on her husband, but she supports the vote for women and has a mind of her own. When Johnny Pentland is found dead at a notorious brothel, Lily discovers her husband is not the man she thought he was.

Pursued by Pentland’s enemies, Lily embarks on a journey that will take her across the country to San Francisco and across the ocean to Imperial China as she unravels a web of murder and corruption reaching from the opium dens of Chinatown to the mansions of Nob Hill.

Her journey becomes one of the heart when she crosses paths with Jackson Tremaine, a debonair, worldly-wise physician. Lily and Jackson begin a passionate relationship as they encounter the mysterious Celestial Girl and her dangerous entourage.

New! Celestial Girl, Book 1: The Heartland (A Lily Modjeska Mystery) is on Nook, Kindle, and UK Kindle! Lily flees Toledo on the Overland train. She must share a seat with Jackson Tremaine and befriends the Celestial Girl, the daughter of a Chinese dignitary. But appearances are not what they seem.

New! Celestial Girl, Book 2: Jewel of the Golden West (A Lily Modjeska Mystery) is on Nook, Kindle, and UK Kindle! Lily and Jackson arrive in San Francisco and discover the murder of an immigration official connected with the Celestial Girl. She and Jackson are compelled into a dangerous murder investigation. As they begin a passionate affair, a contract for murder is taken out on Lily’s life.

Of The Gilded Age, the New York Times Book Review said, “A winning mixture of intelligence and passion.”

Visit me at Lisa Mason’s Official Website for books, ebooks, stories, and screenplays, forthcoming projects and more, on my Facebook Author Page, on Amazon, on my Facebook Profile Page, on Goodreads, on LinkedIn, on Twitter at @lisaSmason, at Smashwords, and at Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

If you enjoy a work, please “Like” it, add a bunch of stars, write a review on the site where you acquired it, blog it, Tweet it, and spread the word to your friends. Your participation really matters.

More titles for your reading enjoyment:

Urban fantasy! The Garden of Abracadabra is available in three affordable installments. Begin with Book 1: Life’s Journey on Nook, Kindle, and UK Kindle.

The Bantam classic, Summer of Love is available in seven affordable installments. Begin at the beginning on Nook, Kindle, or UK Kindle

Thriller! Don’t miss SHAKEN, my sexy thriller, an ebook adaptation of “Deus Ex Machina” published in Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, republished in Transcendental Tales (Donning Press), and translated and republished worldwide. SHAKEN is on Nook, Kindle, Smashwords and UK Kindle.

Thank you for your readership!

As noted on their website, there are two locations, one on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City  (the location I visited) and one in the Century City Westfield Mall. Also as I learned from their website, the design of the interior is brought by some of LA’s best architects; building a modern, vibrant, and eclectic dining experience. 

Take A Bao puts a twist on the classic boa dish; they roll it flat, steam it, then fill it with meat and veggies. A delicious mini sandwich, such simplicity in ingredients but never missing the fantastic taste!

On my first ever visit, I decided to try two different Asian dishes;
First being the Bao of course.

I ordered the Original Hoisin Pulled Pork Bao. A good sized “sandwich” bigger than a slider on a Hawaiian roll but small than a 6-inch sandwich. The dough is amazing! Soft, airy, light, and has a flavor to it I can’t put my tongue on it, but it is really, really something different and good. The pork is pulled tender, with the bbq-hoisin sauce lathered on, and stuffed with pickled cucumbers and red onions. Take A Bao also pickles all their veggies, so you know it will be fresh and have a unique twist; these pickles were not over done and very crunchy; a great fresh taste to go with the savory pork!

And the second dish, or bowl I should say, was the Short Rib Bibimbap. This is a huge bowl/dish that comes filled to the top! The short rib was to die for; cut into tender, succulent pieces, it was so tender, so flavorful with asian spices and onions, and the grilling gave it a nice char or crisp to the edges. Along with the short rib, the bowl had “mother-in-law’s” kimchi, as in kimchi you’d better make for your mother-in-law to enjoy! With that, the kimchi was amazing! Some of the best kimchi i have had, with a strong pickled taste but not overpowering when paired with the rest of the ingredients in the bowl; pickled veggies again accompanied the dish, and it was topped with a fried egg and spicy Korean chili sauce. The chili sauce was amazing, like siracha, with that deep spicy flavor that lasts as you eat. The rest of the bowl is filled, and I mean FILLED with brown or white rice, (I ordered brown rice) because they say you are supposed to mix all the ingredients together to create one delicious mosh of a meal. The only thing, a minimal thing, I did not like was just how much rice they actually put; the rest of the ingredients were plentiful, that was no issue; but the rice was just way too much and not needed even when mixing the bowl up!
But, I will be happy to order this again, but with lettuce next time!

FAVORITE FIVE FRIDAY

1.  One of my 101 in 1001 goals is to complete some new things that I’ve found on Pinterest.  It’s a great way to get into some fun projects and actually look through some of the bajillion things I’ve pinned.  This week I went Pinterest crazy and tried four or five new things.  From growing plants in glasses of water to homemade cleaning products, I learned a lot!  Can’t wait to tell you more about the specific things I tried in a later post.

2.  I got to mark off another one of my 101 this week.  I spent a perfect morning with my friend Leah, and she taught me how to braid!  Okay, so… yes, I know how to do a simple braid.  I don’t do them often because A) My hair is long,  B) That makes it hard, and C) I am terrible at it.  However, I never learned how to French braid.  I’ve always wanted to learn.  So, Leah helped me become a real girl and taught me how!  I have been practicing all week, and I am very proud of my new braiding skills.  Mostly it was just fantastic to hang out with Leah. Plus, we got in a fun photo shoot:

3.  Dan and I got to go see our friend Kelli in one of my favorite shows, See How They Run.  I was excited to go because it’s been a while since I’ve actually been able to see a play.  Dan had never seen the show before, and I knew he’d love it, too. We laughed a lot, had a great time, and Kelli was fabulous!

4.  The best part of having an annual pass to Disneyland?  Getting to go (practically) whenever you want!!  (Seriously, it is the gift that just keeps on giving.  Thanks Mom and Dad!)  So, like the giant children we are, Dan and I went twice this week.  That’s right.  We already had plans to go on Tuesday, but after seeing Kelli’s matinée  (just a few exits down from the Happiest Place on Earth) on Sunday… we decided we might as well spend our evening there!  Why not, right?  We had a blast both times, as per usual.  The park is much less crowded this time of year, and we got to enjoy everything we wanted.  Y’all, Disneyland is for lovers and small children.  I will proudly label myself as both!

5.  I GOT A JOB!!!  And I am ridiculously excited.  After weeks of auditions and interviews, I have been hired as a Universal Studios tour guide.  This is a fantastic opportunity and I am just so thankful.  It’s a total dream to find a job within the industry I want to be a part of.  I have the chance to network, expand my knowledge, and to share the magic of film making with all the people who come to Universal Studios seeking a glimpse of Hollywood.  God truly flung this door wide open for me, and I am going to dance right through it!

What a wonderful week.  I hope yours was too!

Happy Friday to you.