For those who do not know, Agnes Nixon created two of the most awesome daytime dramas ever All My Children and One Life to Live. In her autobiography Agnes wonderfully writes her life up until the time the shows she created came to life on air. This autobiography is definitely not fluff like some others where they have not "lived" enough to provide a compelling narrative.
Agnes is such a gifted writer, definitely shows in detail and passion she has about writing. I found that her early life read like a novel, which is rare for an autobiography. She kind of followed the unwritten rule about autobiographies, don't talk smack about colleagues. Agnes lived a long life she didn't have anything to lose by talking smack. Anyhow.....
There are some questions I have that will forever be unanswered. They are as follows:
1. How did Agnes feel with the rise of Luke and Laura on General Hospital? Was there pressure to create "supercouples" for her shows? I found it quite awesome that she ended up working with Douglas Marland, the man who wrote the pairing of Luke and Laura. However "supercouples" were a thing in the '80s..... However I do appreciate that her shows stuck to social issues.
2. When the writers at the time did the unthinkable and undid Erica's abortion on AMC? She threw major shade at the way network executives became more "influential" in story towards the end of the show's run, so I want to hope that she thought the same as I did, how dare they even do this! All My Children was her pride and joy. There's a rule created by Douglas Marland "Learn the history of the show. You would be surprised at the ideas that you can get from the back story of your characters." but to disrespect a groundbreaking story is unethical. This should have not been done, even the plausibility is still incomprehensible over a decade later.
Like seriously these executives have no respect for the history of the shows and hire writers who are no better. I mean ABC Daytime's President Brian Frons and former GH head writer Bob Guza used GH to air their 24 fan fiction (there was even a character named Keifer Bauer, please google it).
3. I know she had tremendous sadness about AMC & OLTL leaving the airwaves, she did create them after all, but what about shows she previously wrote for like Guiding Light, As the World Turns and Another World? Inra Phillips created those shows and she was the one who got Agnes started in the "soap" business, I am sure there was sadness there as well just not on paper. There's this show she created, Loving, that I was not aware of but she created it as well.
4. Did she feel that Ron Carlivati gave OLTL a good send off from broadcast? I feel his writing followed Douglas Marland's rules but the final scene was amazeballs compared to AMC. Now that the ABC/Prospect Park mess is over I hope that either the shows can come back as half hour shows (like British soaps) or more Llanview and Pine Valley citizens can do short stints in Port Charles.
Done with the questions. Agnes' autobiography definitely provided insight into how Erica Kane and Victoria Lord came to be and the complex relationships with their fathers and the legacies their fathers left behind. Although GH has been my go to show for 20 years, there is always a place in my heart for OLTL and AMC, I even own a Mattel made Erica Kane doll. Even now with actors from those shows on GH I still refer to them by their OLTL and AMC character names. That is a good indicator of the legacy Agnes has left, a good one.
To buy & enjoy her autobiography go here:
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Facing the Music & Living to Talk About It - Nick Carter
Nick Carter is a part of my favourite group the Backstreet Boys. OK now I know some of you will not read beyond this point. Too bad for you to not be open minded.
In Facing the Music and Living to Talk About It Nick opens up about his struggles with happiness. Really think about it what does substance abuse stem from? Not being happy about your situation. I abuse a substance, it's called chocolate, why because I am struggling with happiness. No joke. We all use different ways to get us through another day hoping that things will get better such as finding a job where your boss respects that you have much knowledge about your job and processes in the company also shouldn't tell you that your position is supposed to be invisible. Or not having people email you meaning to email another person to complain how you made an honest mistake (that one was the icing on the cake of the first one, yes I am trying to leave but money is needed to live).
Nick has lived a life of expectations that he has worked hard to live up to. He like a lot of people have issues stemming from relationships with family. Along the way there have been some epic stumbles but overcoming these have shown great strength of his character. Nick's book is definitely not fluff.
This book is intended to be a self help and autobiography, he clearly states it in the beginning (don't know why people hated on that in Goodreads reviews). As such Nick is trying to pay it forward with this book trying to help people get the courage to get the help they need. Was some of this book painful to read, yes of course because trying to explain what the dark times were and how you have tried to get through them is painful to recount.
Nick lists many ways people seek help and does repeat himself quite a bit. Guess what I repeat myself too. But in the course of the book he's using this to motivate the reader to get help for whatever is troubling them.
The one tactic that will stick with me is Nick's way in which he kicked smoking's butt. He wore a shirt every night that he wrote "I am not a smoker" (I think that was the phrasing). Anyway the reason was he didn't want to keep starting each day knowing he was a smoker. I also get behind the list/goal making strategy. This is how I am finally paying down my credit card (as much as I like my collector Barbies you have to start the road somewhere and selling them on eBay is the road you need to drive on).
Nick literally changed his scenery, bought a place in Tennessee. I agree it is a wonderful state. It worked for him in the long run but some are unable to move and therefore the road to recovery is harder to get to.
In closing I really didn't know what to expect but I came out with a greater respect for someone I admire.
If you are wanting to read a good self help/autobiography this one is it and you can buy it here:
In Facing the Music and Living to Talk About It Nick opens up about his struggles with happiness. Really think about it what does substance abuse stem from? Not being happy about your situation. I abuse a substance, it's called chocolate, why because I am struggling with happiness. No joke. We all use different ways to get us through another day hoping that things will get better such as finding a job where your boss respects that you have much knowledge about your job and processes in the company also shouldn't tell you that your position is supposed to be invisible. Or not having people email you meaning to email another person to complain how you made an honest mistake (that one was the icing on the cake of the first one, yes I am trying to leave but money is needed to live).
Nick has lived a life of expectations that he has worked hard to live up to. He like a lot of people have issues stemming from relationships with family. Along the way there have been some epic stumbles but overcoming these have shown great strength of his character. Nick's book is definitely not fluff.
This book is intended to be a self help and autobiography, he clearly states it in the beginning (don't know why people hated on that in Goodreads reviews). As such Nick is trying to pay it forward with this book trying to help people get the courage to get the help they need. Was some of this book painful to read, yes of course because trying to explain what the dark times were and how you have tried to get through them is painful to recount.
Nick lists many ways people seek help and does repeat himself quite a bit. Guess what I repeat myself too. But in the course of the book he's using this to motivate the reader to get help for whatever is troubling them.
The one tactic that will stick with me is Nick's way in which he kicked smoking's butt. He wore a shirt every night that he wrote "I am not a smoker" (I think that was the phrasing). Anyway the reason was he didn't want to keep starting each day knowing he was a smoker. I also get behind the list/goal making strategy. This is how I am finally paying down my credit card (as much as I like my collector Barbies you have to start the road somewhere and selling them on eBay is the road you need to drive on).
Nick literally changed his scenery, bought a place in Tennessee. I agree it is a wonderful state. It worked for him in the long run but some are unable to move and therefore the road to recovery is harder to get to.
In closing I really didn't know what to expect but I came out with a greater respect for someone I admire.
If you are wanting to read a good self help/autobiography this one is it and you can buy it here:
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Jamie Lee Curtis Children's Books
Since there is a child in my life why not discuss children's books I have been reading?
Jamie Lee Curtis' (actress, daughter of legendary actors and yogurt spokesperson) books are delightful with their words. I particularly like more crisp visuals with my illustrated/picture books but the use of colour is good.
Our child was gifted these from one of our dear family friends, they said they thought all children should have them. I would say she's right just by the messages in the books.
I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-esteem
As the name implies the topic is of self-esteem, to embrace the so-called flaws and celebrate individuality.
Since I have read the other two more for some reason I became confused as to who was the main person in it as it switches between a boy and girl. But that's just me.
My Brave First Year of Firsts: Tries, Sighs and High Fives
This one my child likes because of a part about having a dog and one of the necessary parts of looking after them. I guess the word poop is good for keeping attention at any age.
Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day
Wonderful for explaining moods (the other one being Happy Hippo, Angry Duck by Sandra Boyton). My child especially likes the face wheel at the end of the book so you can make the face of what the character is feeling. THIS WHEEL IS EVIL WHEN YOU HAVE A TODDLER. There are so many times where I have wanted to cut this page out. Seriously.
Also who has a crush on their teacher when they are in primary school? I know it's for rhyming sakes but still......
These books are wonderful on how they read out loud and the messages they are giving to the Toddler/Preschool age. The rhyming is superb.
Jamie Lee Curtis' (actress, daughter of legendary actors and yogurt spokesperson) books are delightful with their words. I particularly like more crisp visuals with my illustrated/picture books but the use of colour is good.
Our child was gifted these from one of our dear family friends, they said they thought all children should have them. I would say she's right just by the messages in the books.
I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-esteem
As the name implies the topic is of self-esteem, to embrace the so-called flaws and celebrate individuality.
Since I have read the other two more for some reason I became confused as to who was the main person in it as it switches between a boy and girl. But that's just me.
My Brave First Year of Firsts: Tries, Sighs and High Fives
This one my child likes because of a part about having a dog and one of the necessary parts of looking after them. I guess the word poop is good for keeping attention at any age.
Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day
Wonderful for explaining moods (the other one being Happy Hippo, Angry Duck by Sandra Boyton). My child especially likes the face wheel at the end of the book so you can make the face of what the character is feeling. THIS WHEEL IS EVIL WHEN YOU HAVE A TODDLER. There are so many times where I have wanted to cut this page out. Seriously.
Also who has a crush on their teacher when they are in primary school? I know it's for rhyming sakes but still......
These books are wonderful on how they read out loud and the messages they are giving to the Toddler/Preschool age. The rhyming is superb.
In the beginning....
In times of high stress one needs to find an outlet to wind down, my way for the past two years has been reading.
I know what you're thinking only two years? Yes because that's the way life is and stress eating has become expensive. Not that Ben & Jerry's isn't worth it (because it totally is! Especially The Tonight Dough, okay anything with cookie dough.)
Ever since my job function changed and becoming a mom reading has been my way to unwind, although if you looked at my home maybe cleaning should be the way I should de-stress. Or the half finished knitting/cross-stitch/sewing projects or the scrapbook.....
Times of the highest work stress for me are December through April this is where I have been reading the most. Thanks to apps like Goodreads it's easy to look and see what you have read (it's addictive to boot). According to them I have read 11 novels so far this year and it's only March!
Plan on seeing some reviews, I guess if you could call them that. I hope this inspires more reading for pleasure and trips to the library. We all know reading wasn't fun in school but it is now that we're adults!
Ever since my job function changed and becoming a mom reading has been my way to unwind, although if you looked at my home maybe cleaning should be the way I should de-stress. Or the half finished knitting/cross-stitch/sewing projects or the scrapbook.....
Times of the highest work stress for me are December through April this is where I have been reading the most. Thanks to apps like Goodreads it's easy to look and see what you have read (it's addictive to boot). According to them I have read 11 novels so far this year and it's only March!
Plan on seeing some reviews, I guess if you could call them that. I hope this inspires more reading for pleasure and trips to the library. We all know reading wasn't fun in school but it is now that we're adults!
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