I have experience less than handful of funerals and none for immediate relatives until now.  Imagine my surprise when I saw money in sympathy cards.  My initial thought was, wow, this is so in poor taste.  I realized, though, the money gifts were coming from older family members and friends, and not from the younger generation.  Curious, I Google the etiquette for this occasion.  Apparently, in the States, money gifts are appropriate when given in card of sympathy.  Money is sometimes donated to charity.  For international sympathy gifting, it varies by country and custom.  For example, Germans identify giving money as a sympathy gift is in bad taste.

Caprica youth.  A virtual reality of the disenfranchise youth who has all the privileges except beliefs in themselves.  Destruction, virginal sacrifice, shootouts and violence in the streets, orgies, all experienced using Caprica’s latest technology, the holoband.  Caprica youth is dead inside.  The pain they feel isn’t real.

Say it so our world will not go this way of technological advancement.

With Edward and Bella getting married in Breaking Dawn, I find I wasn’t as immerse in the movie as before with the previous installments.  There are good parts – Edward and Bella playing chess.  Edward breaks the bed as they consummate their marriage.  The facial expression on the female servant’s face was priceless.  I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing out loud in the audience.  I don’t know if her expression was a look of confusion or fear or maybe a combination of both.  She knows Edward is a vampire.

Breaking Dawn has the same sweet and innocent feel to it as the previous movies.  What I missed is the balance of romance and action that kept me interested.

My biggest complaint, the story dragged in parts giving us lots of panoramic views.  I love beautiful scenery but never in lieu of good, well-paced storytelling.

Then there is Bella.  Her obstinacy in having the baby was annoying.  Did she give one thought to Edward and his feelings.  Think about the possible endangerment to the community.    To her father?  Bella in her immaturity risks everything for an unknown.  I came away from the movie thinking this is one for the pro-lifers.  Have a baby at all costs even if you die and the child is without a mother.

Breaking Dawn is a two part movie.  The first one felt every bit of the producers stretching the movie to cover the required airtime so they can reap the benefits of Breaking Dawn, part two.

I’m not familiar with the books, so I can’t comment on the faithfulness to the film adaptation.

What do you think.

Birkoff is cool though.  I like this version so much more than the original Birkoff in LFN.  He’s sarcastic, humorous, and generous both monetarily and with his material goods.  He is in love with Nikita no matter the stuff that falls out of his mouth about Michael.

God, doesn’t he proves it when Amanda has her way with him.

Amanda scares me.  As simple as that.  She’s worse than LFN’s Madeline.  If I recall correctly, Madeline did horrible things really for the sake of maintaining true to Section One goals.  Sure, she was a psycho, but not to the extreme of Amanda.

Really, did you have to ruin Birkoff’s hand slamming it with a hammer.  Cringe…

Then there is the threat of extracting Birkoff’s brain cells.  At this point, Amanda is seething.  Birkoff refuses to give up Nikita’s whereabouts.  She loses it mentally, although, her exterior was cold and deliberate.  She wasn’t doing her job.  She takes revenge on our geek.

Much of Division is out of Amanda’s tight control.  Alex skulking in Russia without her permission or knowledge.  She can’t maneuver Sean without having momma, Madeline, coming down hard.  Because you know, Madeline has the authority to off Amanda at any time.  Percy is having great fun feeding Amanda whatever and whenever in his good ole sweet time.  Then there is Nikita…

Interesting tidbits

1. Nikita tells Sean to open up his eyes to his real mother.  Um… she used the “B” word.
2. Percy spews his solemn diatribe on the 99 percenters.  Reminds me of LFN when Operations used real life situations as an argument for his despicable deeds.  Back then, eyes were on Saddam Hussein.
3. Nikita is losing it without Michael by her side.  Sloppy reconnaissance puts Nikita and Birkoff in danger.
4. I think Sean is sweet on Alex.  Momma tells him to use her to get to Nikita.  Will Sean have a showdown between the girl he loves and his momma?
5. I love Alex’s show of compassion for the sex slaves.  She squirrels them away from the Russian airport.  She could have easily left them there for pickup by their handlers.  Offers them the account numbers so they can have the money they earned as slaves.  Revenge hasn’t taken over Alex’s soul.

Fair Trade was a good Amanda and Birkoff episode.

Bought a Red Velvet Cake.  My contribution to a school fundraiser.  I should not eat this.  I’m a diabetic.  It’s staring at me calling my name.  Invited friends over tomorrow to help get rid of it.

I recently experienced a situation where the company I purchased my internet security app initiated my automatic payment more than 30 days in advance of the due date.  Which wasn’t cool because they shouldn’t snatch payment knowing the current service was no way near to expiring.  I also thought I had turn off this function within their website.  But who remember these things from year to year.

Well, I now understand why.  Today is Black Friday and they are having a sale.  Around the time I would have renewed my subscription.  The creeps actually got $30.00 more because of the automatic payment function.  I consider that another form of thievery when a reputable company swindles away your money.  Don’t you think it’s poor business practice especially since I have the option to name the company and spread the word.

1. DVD – $8.99
2. Blue Ray  2 Disc – $12.99

Oh man, I hate this. I always miss the bargain sale. This is a golden opportunity.  I paid close to $30.00 for my Blue Ray.

I spent three enjoyable hours watching the last three Nikita’s episodes.

Kudos to the producers for bringing Alberta Watson to the cast as Senator Madeline Pierce giving LFN fans a continuity between the old and new Nikita.  Alberta Watson as Madeline in La Femme Nikita was awesome as the spooky and the very creepy strategist, right hand to Operations.  She was the epitome of cold and unemotional.  As Senator Madeline Pierce, she has carryover the characterization from LFN to the new show.  I wonder will she torture her son into staying inside Division. 

I’m continually amazed at the ease Percy can manipulate Alex.  I love the dream sequence where Alex ends up imprisoned in Percy’s glass house.  Birkhoff warns Alex the best way to play Percy’s game is not to do it.  Birkoff’s warning and the dream, possible foreshadowing of the future and yet, Alex apparently just doesn’t get it.

They say the ultimate sacrifice is to let the one you love go on their way.  Nikita pushes Michael to spend time with his son.  I didn’t like how Michael’s eyes would gaze over Cassandra.  If they make Michael and Cassandra an item, I think I’m going to scream.

Percy may manipulate Alex but poor Sean has his work cut out for him.  Apparently, Alex is no pushover and she doesn’t trust Sean.  Good for her.  Did he think he is so charming Alex would easily give up the kiss?  Here’s my hand buddy.  Kiss the princess and maybe she will grant you an audience.

Nikita is an excellent fighter.  However, the producers of the show are doing just fine keeping her fight routines realistic.  Because I’m certain if Michael hadn’t come into the building to backup Nikita, Nigel would have kicked her backside and finished her off.

Overall, I enjoy London Calling.  Clawback was a better episode, which saw the return of torture and assassination, shades of the LFN.

I can’t wait to see how Ryan will settle in his new job as a Division operator.

She stayed for her husband, her children, and the grandkids.  She stayed after suffering a major stroke two months ago.  She stayed knowing we needed time to accept and to grieve.  She stayed until she couldn’t anymore.

On Saturday, 11/12/2011 at 4:50 pm, my mother passed away in peace.

God Bless her.

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