Had to Share This 25

Well, I did warn you it would be sporadic for awhile...so to get you all back on your feet--ah, who am I kidding? This is just for me! Hey, Whovians! Donna and the Doctor can sing!

We Go Together - David Tennant and Catherine Tate (Much Ado About Nothing)

See you later! At least, I hope so...

Your pal,
Angels

Tumblr Reblog: Through a Rapist's Eyes

Yes, something much more serious than usual today...this popped up on my Tumblr dashboard and it seemed important enough to share over here. Gals, take the time to give this a read, especially if you do a lot of walking, like me:

”THROUGH A RAPIST’S EYES” (PLS TAKE TIME TO READ THIS. it may save a life.) Reblog this!
  
It seems that alot of attackers use some tactic to get away with violence. Not many people know how to take care of themselves when faced with such a
situation. Everyone should read this especially each n every girl in this world. THOUGHT THIS WAS GOOD INFO TO PASS ALONG…

FYI - Through a rapist’s eyes! A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:



1] The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle.
They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun! , braid, or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.

2] The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women who’s clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around to cut clothing.

3] They also look for women using their cell phone, searching through their purse or doing other activities while walking because they are off guard and can be easily overpowered.

4] The number one place women are abducted from / attacked at is grocery store parking lots.

5] Number two is office parking lots/garages.

6] Number three is public restrooms.

7] The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to a second location where they don’t have to worry about getting caught.

8] If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn’t worth it because it will be time-consuming.

9] These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas,or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands.

10] Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you’re not worth it.

———————————————————————————————————————————-

POINTS THAT WE SHOULD REMEMBER:


1] If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk:
can’t believe it is so cold out here, we’re in for a bad winter. Now that you’ve seen their faces and could identify them in a line- up, you lose appeal as a target.
 
2] If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell Stop or Stay back! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they’d leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would 
not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.

3] If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes,) yelling I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.

4] If someone grabs you, you can’t beat them with strength but you can do it by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm between the elbow and
armpit or in the upper inner thigh - HARD. One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it; it really hurts.

5] After the initial hit, always go for the groin. I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy’s parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you’ll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our
instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause him a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble, and he’s out of there.

6] When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible. The instructor did it to me without using
much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.

7] Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don’t dismiss it, go with your instincts. You may feel
little silly at the time, but you’d feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

——————————————————————————————————————————-

FINALLY, PLEASE REMEMBER THESE AS WELL ….

I know you are smart enough to know these pointers but there will be some, where you will go “hmm I must remember that” After reading forward it to someone you care about, never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.


1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do it.

2. Learned this from a tourist guide to New Orleans : if a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you…. chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or
purse than you and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car: Kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping,eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON’T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side,put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU CLOSE the DOORS , LEAVE.
 
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
a. Be aware: look around your car as someone may be
hiding at the passenger side , peek into your car, inside the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. ( DO THIS TOO BEFORE RIDING A TAXI CAB) .
b. If you! u are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
c. Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
 
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot).

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked “for help” into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
  
Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it’s better safe than sorry.


If u have a heart or compassion reblog this post.
‘Helping hands are better than Praying Lips’ – give us your helping hand.
 
REBLOG THIS AND LET EVERY GIRL KNOW
ATLEAST PEOPLES WILL KNOW WATS GOIN IN THIS WORLD.
So please reblog this….Your one reblog can Help to spread this information.
I hope you all will Reblog. Lets See how many of you really care for this.
DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT NOT REBLOGGING THIS! IT COULD ACTUALLY SAVE A LIFE.
My grandma was tied up by Ted Bundy (She got away) so please please be aware.

Some good information there, plenty of common sense, and a few new things I learned. Please, keep these things in mind when out and about. This world is full of some seriously twisted individuals, and I want you to stay safe.

Your pal,
Angels

Photos! Captions! Wallpapers! Oh My!

Wow, look at that! My one-year anniversary on Blogspot!

Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, Final Lair

Not my favorites, per se, but I have a lot of love for them as my introduction to the show. And I don't care how many times I see this photo, I still love it!

2004 movie poster

Yeah, we already know how I feel about the movie...*wink*

The Red Death

With an attitude!

Gina Beck and Ramin Karimloo, "The Music of the Night"

Favorite Christine. Period. I'm just annoyed it took me so long to find her!

Lon Chaney and Mary Philbin

Oh come on, you know you're laughing!

2004 film, Final Lair wallpaper

Beautiful kiss, and followed by the most heartbreaking thing I've ever seen in a movie. Ever.

Hadley Fraser and Ramin Karimloo

See, that's what's so awesome about the two of them being in both Phantom and Les Mis! We get crossover humor like this!

Masquerade

I'd tell you who is in the photo, but I have no idea myself...









See you soon, my darlings!

Your pal,
Angels

Announcements!

Hello! Some special bulletins for you!

1. I've done some thinking about NaNoWriMo, and while it really is stretching the limits of sanity to jump in and try and finish a whole novel in a month (heck, I've been working on the same "short" story for three months now!), there is more to the process of novel writing than, well, writing. That being said, I'm going to do the next craziest thing and try to edit the three finished novels I have lying around in one month. Yipe!
2. I've got another little side project on FanFiction.Net, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with Phantom! It's Sherlock Holmes! Well, to be technical, it's Dr. Watson's advice column...here's a link for ya! A Word From Baker Street, with two chapters waiting for you!
3. I'm nearly finished with that "short" story! You might remember I turned my stress into a post preaching some of the gritty aspects of writing...all that was in conjunction with this thing I've been working on for several months. It has NOT been easy, but it's almost over! Hallelujah!
4. I'm still having a part on Tumblr, so if you're a Phantom fanatic, follow me! :D

Your pal,
Angels

They're Back!

Ah-HA! Didn't forget this week! Now the only question is, what the hey am I going to post?! (That's right,  I have no idea what to do for a Phantom Friday this week. Oh my stars and garters, alert the media!)

Oh, wait! I just remembered it was just the anniversary of the 25th anniversary concert! Ramin and Sierra performed again!

Phantom at the Classic Brit Awards 2012

I'd say that was even better than the concert! I love the incorporation of the Music of the Night poses in the title song, and I'd say Sierra outdid herself with that "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again." And while I admit to not being Ramin's biggest fan as the Phantom (he's got too heroic a voice to be stuck playing a villain! He should be the biggest, most awesomest good guy ever!), I loved that second "Sing!" with that soft urging, like there was nothing he wanted more than to listen to her until the end of time.


Your pal,
Angels

Can I Have Your Attention?

Announcement time! I'm doing NaNoWriMo this November! I've got to wrack my brain some and think of an appropriate project, but I'm going to do it! Woo hoo!

Your pal,
Angels

For the Gals!

Felt like spreading a little girl power today...

And don't you testosterone-pumping gorillas out there forget it!

Your pal,
Angels

Reviews From an HBN (Manifestations of a Phantom's Soul - Michelle Rodriguez)

Time for another book! And I know quite a few people I would recommend this one to!

(Isn't that a gorgeous cover?)

“The Phantom of the Opera” is a story about love, obsession, music, and passion. For the past few years, published author Michelle Rodriguez has been sharing her stories with the Phantom community, exploring the original characters and giving them new adventures and reasons for hope. Take a journey with her through a love story as sensual as it is eternal. “Manifestations of a Phantom’s Soul” is a collection of ten of her most loved stories online combined with two that have never been read before. Whether in the mood for something dark and passionate or something sweet and romantic, you will find a story featuring the disfigured Opera Ghost and his true love and learn that it is more than a face that defines a man.

MY RATING: 5 STARS

And now for my rather lengthy review as posted on GoodReads:

Oh boy, am I ashamed I didn't review this faster! The only problem is that it's so darn hard to review story collections...especially the good ones. It's so easy to just go on and on about them!

I was jumping for joy when I heard that the wonderfully talented Michelle Rodriguez was publishing some of her amazing Phantom stories, and to see not only several of my favorites, but new ones as well, made my day! I laughed, cried, you know, the whole nine yards. Maybe even ten, because Ms. Rodriguez knows how to get to you. It's impossible to pick one single favorite, so I'm going to look over my notes and share a few thoughts on a few specific stories.

"To Look With Blinded Eyes" - This one has been a favorite of mine for a looong time. And it's no wonder why, really. Take, for instance, this line: "At least her fear I could control when her heart was full of lies anyway." That's just heartbreaking, and that's only the tip of the iceberg! Erik's musings on love feel spot-on, and I go from crumbling to melting in the span of a few paragraphs. The tragedy and scope of his character are perfectly detailed in this piece, the love, the pain, the self-loathing, and the certifiable hope. Major love!

"Monsters and Masks" - I was first struck by Erik's views of masquerades, and struck hard. It's not a game for him; he's like everyone else only when they pretend. What's only imaginary for others is real for him, and that just...it hurts, man. It hurts. A maskless Erik being the most intimate possibility of all is a nice detail, because it's true. But I also feel pity for Raoul, loving Christine as he does, yet she hides everything from everyone until she's alone with Erik...and I love the phrase "the truth in the darkness." Love it! Love it to pieces!

"Something Like A Promise" - This would be one of those new never-before-seen ones, and it didn't disappoint. It's rather decadent...bittersweet, yet with just the right amount of fluff. And hey, look at that! Philippe is here! And...wait for it...I cried! I swear, this woman turns me into the biggest darn baby!

"The Anatomy of a Kiss" - I'm just going to quote straight from my notes on this one, as my thought processes on it were vaguely amusing: Why should so much hang on a kiss? Why are they so important, and if they really are, why are they treated so lightly? Christine's confusion in thinking she'd made a mistake in kissing Erik if she was supposed to be in love with Raoul, then that her kisses with Raoul since the opera were lies after all drove home how mixed up she is. (Recognizing Raoul's worth, but damn it, he's just not Erik! Sob!) I like her hurt at being upbraided in her own choice and her grudge with Erik on that issue. The walking sin comment was really striking, him hiding his identity with the mask, and her hiding hers with the wedding gown, and also a tender image of him holding her in his arms. Sigh-worthy in every aspect. Erik assuming she lied when she kissed him, but being so confused because he doesn't know what a kiss should be, and asking her to make it a lie so he can learn...sob! Going about it as if it was all an experiment was bizarre and genius! Reject Raoul and the lies she felt for him and embrace the truth that comes with kissing Erik! See the light, Christine! See it! Clever observation in that they've only ever lied to each other, so how could they possibly see the truth when it's ringing the doorbell? Short, sweet, and moving.

"Lie To Me" - Favorite! Favorite! (Well, one of them, anyway...) So damn awesome! Intense, seductive, and dark indeed, but in more ways than one. I LOVED Christine's musing in the first few paragraphs. Has this darkness in her soul always existed, or is it of Erik's creation? Is she evil because of it? Will the world see it on her? It sickens her, but she doesn't care, she's that far gone. You know, it's rare to find a Christine so dark, yet sound so in character. And this Erik is...just...WOW! So aggressive, and I mean aggressive, yet still longing for her love and so wounded that she won't give it. He's not so much the Phantom here so much as a man holding on with both hands to what he has but wishing he had even more. He really does love her, but all she is willing to admit to is the desire he inspires within her. I didn't cry; I wanted to beat my head against a wall. It has that effect on you.

"A Passionate Interlude" - Another new one, and...WOW! Good God, I wasn't expecting THAT! Naughty! Kinky! Scandalous! Holy cow! Fluff, you say? I think NOT!...no, wait, that ending has the warm fuzzy feeling inherent to fluff...all I can say is, boy, this was FUN!

Now, about that rumor I hear about a second volume...


You like Phantom, you say? Then by all means READ THIS! READ IT, I SAY!

*cough* You know, if you want...

Your humble book nerd,
Angels 

Phantom on SNL

Forgot what day it was...doh!

And just noticed that it's the next day...double doh!

To make up for it, I'll share something I've been saving for a special occasion. Some Phantom-y skits from Saturday Night Live! What fun!

Your pal,
Angels

Had to Share This 24

This is NOT what I usually listen to...at all. But that goes to show, inspiration can come from anywhere.

And I admit, I do actually like this song.

Love the Way You Lie - Eminem featuring Rhianna

Your pal,
Angels

Artist of the Month - October 2012

It's that time again! And I've been saving this one for a looooooong time...drum roll, please!

*drum roll*

Danny Elfman

October just seemed like the perfect month for this one! Former lead singer of the group Oingo Boingo (but I wouldn't know squat about that, I just thought the name was catchy), film and television composer, and occasional voice actor, he's best known for his work composing the themes for The Simpsons and the theme for Tim Burton's Batman. I knew him first as the singing voice of Jack Skellington, of course. And hey, I didn't know this one! His first round of film scoring was for Pee-wee's Big Adventure! In fact, go over his filmography on Wikipedia, and there's lots to find! He's scored all but two Tim Burton films (one of them due to its already having a composer...*wink wink*) along with Scrooged, Black Beauty, Men In Black (but that one makes sense when you think about it), Flubber, Spider-Man (that one was super cool, by the way), Charlotte's Web, Real Steel, and heaps and bunches of others. You get the idea. I just love his music...hence why he's my featured artist this month, right?

This Is Halloween

It had to be this one! It had to be! I grew up on The Nightmare Before Christmas, so I'm already biased, and besides, it's the season for it! (And I repeat: stop motion animation ROCKS.)

The Simpsons theme song
Spider-Man theme
Victor's Piano Solo (from Corpse Bride)
Black Beauty theme
What's This? (from The Nightmare Before Christmas)

Aaaaand....that's enough. Happy listening!

Your pal,
Angels