#ThrowbackThursday A Visit to Sunnydale High School

For those of you who watched the show, you’ll recognize that facade immediately. For others, a little background. I was flipping through the channels one day when I caught this amazingly sensual scene between a young blonde girl and a very hunky guy. Buffy and Angel. I flipped away, but then had to go back and watch. That was it! I was hooked! I went back and caught up with every show I had missed and faithfully followed Buffy the Vampire Slayer for all the remaining seasons. To this day it is my favorite show of all time and as a writer, I learned a lot about dialogue, character-building and pushing boundaries.

To honor my love of the show, I convinced my family to take a trip with me to Torrance High School, the real life location of the fictional Sunnydale High School where the shot was set in the early seasons. You’ll notice that to make it truly official, I wore my Sunnydale High School t-shirt! And in case you haven’t guess it by now, I am truly a nerd at heart. (I was also a lot blonder and thinner in case you didn’t notice! LOL)

Thursday 13 – Girl Crushes

Girl Crush. Urban Dictionary defines it in various ways. I’ll simplify by saying that it’s fondness and/or affection and/or attraction and/or admiration for another woman, whether sexual or not sexual. I’ve heard many a woman mention girl crushes of one kind or another so today, I’m sharing some of those (and they also include girl crushes on some fictional characters!).

I may not get to 13 on this, so please jump in and leave a comment with any girl crushes you can think of!

1. Eve Dallas from the IN DEATH Series
2. Kate Beckinsale
3. Evangeline Lilly
4. Jennifer Garner
5. Emma Watson
6. Natalie Portman
7. Selene from Underworld (And Yeah, there will be a #4 and Kate Beckinsale will be back!)
8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
9. Sarah Michelle Gellar
10. Wonder Woman
11. Stephanie Plum
12. Anne Hathaway
13. Sandra Bullock

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Photo Credit: Copyright 20th Century Fox

On sadder note, Rest In Peace Steve Jobs. You embodied the American Spirit of hard work, determination and innovation. You will be missed.

Thursday 13 – Kick Butt Heriones to Love

The women in today’s paranormal, suspense and urban fantasy books, movies and television shows are not the heroines of old. They are empowered, know how kick immortal ass and are capable of saving themselves. It’s why I love them and today, I’m sharing 13 of those top heroines from my favorite works (or at least I’m hoping to reach 13. If I can’t, I hope you’ll join in with your favorites).

    1. Buffy Summers. What can I say other than that this character turned female empowerment on its head by proving women were capable of saving the world while still being feminine.

    2. Eve Dallas. Tortured, strong, honorable and with a loving heart that grows with each IN DEATH story, J.D. Robb’s Eve is the ultimate powerful heroine.

    3. Selene from Underworld. Kate Beckinsale totally rocked this role. I could watch the movie and its sequel over and over and over again.

    4. Anita Blake. Some readers think Hamilton’s character went south with CERULEAN SINS, but early Anita is pure gold and not to be missed.

    5. Rachel Morgan. This uber-witch from Kim Harrison’s Witch series touches your heart with your vulnerability, but raises you up with her desire to protect those whom she loves.

    6. Paige Winterbourne. Kelley Armstrong’s heroine from the Magic series is a wonderful character trying to cope with being thrust into a role she hadn’t imagined for herself.

    7. Gracie Hart. What can I say about Bullock’s interpretation of an FBI Agent who is totally not in touch with all things feminine. The transformation of this character is a must-see.

    8. Anna Valerious. Kate Beckinsale makes the list again with this empowered female from the 2004 movie VAN HELSING. Tough and yet vulnerable, she has you rooting for a happily-ever-after with the always gorgeous Hugh Jackman in the role of Van Helsing.

    9. Hermione Granger. Yep, you read that right. This pint-sized heroine packs enough brain power and magic to keep the men in tow.

    10. Lara Croft. Wow, what can I say. Action, adventure and Angelina. Not to mention both Daniel Craig and Gerard Butler as potential love interests. Too yummy for words.

    11. Wonder Woman. Lynda Carter brought class, sass and beauty to this role on the small screen. Filling her shoes in a movie version will be a hard act to follow. Could explain why so far this movie franchise can’t seem to get off the ground.

    12. Supergirl. What can I say? I wish Superman’s little sister didn’t live in his shadow so much. Maybe she needed her own identity? Think of Robin becoming Night Wing. And why not Superwoman and not girl? But regardless, she ranks up there with the top kick ass heroines.

    13. Catwoman. LOL! You thought I was going to say Batgirl didn’t you? Nope, this is one time that a villainess ranks up there, especially since in my hopefully romantic heart I kept on hoping for her to be redeemed and end up with Batman.

Hope you enjoyed today’s Thursday Thirteen. I welcome you to add any of your favorite kick ass heroines in the comments sections.

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Guilty Pleasures Monday – James Marsters

spikeThose in the Buffyverse know what I mean when I say I am a Spuffy gal. I so wanted Buffy to get together with Spike!

So today’s Guilty Pleasures Monday is none other than the bad boy himself – James Marsters. James played the amazing Spike, a passionate vampire who would do anything for the women he loved. As time went on in the series, you learned more and more about how complex he was and what had made him into the vampire he was.

James is also a musician and has appeared on Angel, Smallville and now in Torchwood. In 2009 James will be appearing in DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION.

I hope you enjoyed this morning’s Guilty Pleasure. I’m picking the winners from last week’s guest blog contests but have one coming up for you today! Please take a moment to visit my friend Kaye Monro for a chance to win a SINS OF THE FLESH T-shirt and a copy of SOLDIER’S SECRET CHILD!

Just click here or visit this link: http://kayemanro.blogspot.com/

Guilty Pleasures Monday – David Boreanaz

BONES DVD Season 1Today’s Guilty Pleasure Monday was a tough one. I thought about who to pick all during my walk to work.

Finally, I have to give a nod to an old favorite – David Boreanaz. Many will remember him as the sexy Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He was so intense and sexy in the early seasons before he got spun off to his own show.

Now he’s charming and sexy on BONES, one of my favorite shows. If you caught onto BONES, you can watch the episodes only, just click here. If you haven’t caught Buffy . . . oh no! Rush out and get the DVDs. They are available quite inexpensively now and Seasons 1 to 3 are amazing. Season 5 is probably the best and Spike . . . oh he will get his Monday soon!

I will be posting the names of last week’s b’day bash winners later tonight!

Also take a moment to stop by this morning and share some coffee and chat with me at Over Coffee:

http://siamckye.blogspot.com/2009/03/balancing-work-and-passion.html

Leave a comment for a chance to win a SINS OF THE FLESH T-shirt! They are really cute!

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