Showing posts with label a to z challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a to z challenge. Show all posts

Sunday, May 4, 2014

A to Z Challenge Reflections (With Gifs and Tweets)

The A to Z Challenge is now over, and I have to say that it was a blast! I loved meeting a few new bloggers, and reading some wonderful posts. I'm not finished either. I didn't have time to visit all the blogs and posts I had wanted to, so I'm going to go back through as I have time to read and comment.

As some of you know, I started my blog on the first day of last year's challenge, and had so much fun that I just had to do it again. I also sort of felt that I had to, since A to Z is the reason this blog exists in the first place.

It was a bit tough for me this year, mainly because I gave myself a difficult task. I wanted to create at least one brand new gif each day, on the day of the letter the gif represented. For example, I went out and took photos of hearts, then created my H-day post on H-day. I knew it would be hard to keep up with it, but I've been wanting to speed up my gif-making. I thought the challenge would give me a chance to do that.

Well, I think it worked for the most part! I found new, creative ways of making various kinds of animated gifs, along with learning how to do them a bit more quickly. Best of all, I had fun! And now, I will end my reflections with the gif I created for the announcement my theme for this year's challenge, followed by some tweets:
#AtoZChallenge:
Here's my #AtoZChallenge Reflections post for last year, and here are some reflections tweets:
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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Z Is for Zapped in the Heart by Cancellation: #SaveAlmostHuman!!

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I was all prepared to create a gif of me getting zapped by all the static electricity around here, until many sites began announcing the cancellation of my favorite TV show, Almost Human! True sci-fi shows are the only shows I truly love, and Almost Human was my absolute favorite. In fact, there have only been four shows in the past decade that I really truly cared about: Firefly (although, that's about a year outside the decade mark, so it's technically three), Stargate Universe, Fringe, and ALMOST HUMAN!! There have been others, such as Lost, that I really liked, but not many that I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

So, please help me in saving my favorite show. There is a tweetout tonight, in about 15 minutes from the time I write this, but there will be more of those (details in an image below). There is also a petition to bring the show to SyFy, a Facebook page dedicated to saving the show, and a Facebook group of fans. Below, I'm also posting four gifs I had already created for past recaps. I didn't have time to search for clips to use, so these are the ones that best represent "zapping." Please enjoy them! I've also made them available on this Tumblr post.
This one best represents FOX's decision to cancel the show: utter disaster!

Ouch! This is kind of how I feel right now. Why have you done this to me, FOX?

Is this what the fans are to FOX? Just an MX that doesn't matter?

We need to be like Dorian and zap back the controls on our show!
#Zapped:
#Zap:
#Zephyr:
My families first big TV was a #Zenith. It was huge because that was before flat screens!
#Zulu:
My "Z" for last year was "#Zany #Zzyzx #Zoning":
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Monday, April 28, 2014

X is for 'X-Files' (and Xylophone)

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X-Files was one of the best sci-fi series of all time. Heck, even a few sci-fi haters I know loved it! Sci-fi fanatics such as myself loved the extreme sci-fi aspects of the show, but it also introduced a relationship aspect that everyone could enjoy. Mulder and Scully were one of the best partnerships of any TV series, whether science fiction or not. The fact that Scully thought Mulder was nuts most of the time also helped the less sci/fantasy inclined viewers relate to the show.
I have also made this gif available on this Tumblr post.
I used to love playing with my toy #Xylophone as a kid. Here are some grown-up xylophones:
#Xanadu:
My "X" for last year was "'#X-Files' #XXVI: #X":
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Saturday, April 26, 2014

W is for Wind (and Weeping Angels)

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Wind is prevalent in the high desert of California. I did most of my growing up there, during my teen years. In fact, I'm there at this moment, at my parents' house, doing my work and blogging from home. The wind was very strong yesterday, and especially last night. It has died down considerably today, which is why I was able to capture it on a gif. Although not as strong as earlier, you can see how my video slowly tilts, as I tilt to the wind. I also put on a neat filter, which was actually just a way to make the file smaller while keeping the length and pixel size.
I have also made this gif available on this Tumblr post.
The #WeepingAngels are my favorite Doctor Who creatures. Those things are creepy!
#War:
#Wriggle:
#Wiggle:
My "W" for last year was "#Wacky #Wheat #Widens #Waistlines":
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Thursday, April 24, 2014

U is for 'Under the Dome' (Which is Unnerving)

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Under the Dome has become a fun part of my TV viewing. It is based on a Stephen King novel by the same name. I have to admit that I used to "hate-watch" the show. In other words, it was so hilariously bad that it was enjoyable to watch. I would just sit and watch it with my family, and we would joke about how bad it was. Then it actually got pretty good. The story is becoming really interesting, and I'm actually enjoying it. It also differs from the book quite a bit, which is a good thing.

Don't get me wrong. The show still has problems, and I tend to half-watch it while doing other work. The children are the best actors on the show, and some of the characters are so stupid, it's ridiculous to believe they would actually live as long as they have. Others are so horrible that you actually hate them and want them to die badly (and soon) rather than love to hate them. I guess in some sense, I still "hate-watch." I'm just beginning to enjoy parts of the story.
This is the first episode, when the invisible dome first comes down, creating havoc
The Season 2 premiere airs Monday, June 30, at 10 p.m.
I also made the gif available on this Tumblr post.
#Understanding:
#Udon:
My "U" for last year was "#Ugly #Urban #Utilities":
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Monday, April 21, 2014

R is for Revolution (and Robromance)

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Revolution is currently one of my favorite shows on TV. It's about a future Earth where all power has gone out, and is not recoverable. The reason the power can't come back on is a very sci-fi reason, having to do with nanites. The nanites are mostly invisible, except when they make themselves known in the form of fireflies. Oh yeah, they can also control your brain, and kill people with spontaneous combustion.

The first season did not have so many sci-fi aspects, which is probably why it was more popular. As a sci-fi fanatic, I love that the show has come fully on board the sci-fi crazy train. Unfortunately, that makes it less popular with the general public, so the show is in danger of not being renewed for a third season. If I could only choose one renewal, I would choose Almost Human. But if I could choose two, Revolution would be my other choice.
Revolution airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC
Please excuse the low quality gif, as I could only find the clip I wanted online
I've also made the gif available on this Tumblr post.
Speaking of Almost Human, one of the best things about that show is the hilarious and wonderful "#robromance," as in, a bromance between a human and an android.
I also shared this gif under "A" for Almost Human
I had also shared this gif on this Tumblr post.
My "R" for last year was "#Remembering #Rugged #Roads":
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Saturday, April 19, 2014

Q is for 'Quantum Leap' (and Other Quirky Things)

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Quantum Leap is another of my favorite sci-fi shows, which aired on NBC for five seasons, from the late 80s to the early 90s. It starred Scott Bakula (one of my fave actors!) as Dr. Sam Beckett, and Dean Stockwell as Al.

Sam went back in time through his own lifetime, but only his mind went back. He would take over the consciousness of other people, seeing things through their eyes. Al was his sidekick, but only appeared as a hologram that only Sam (and animals, children, and the mentally impaired) could see. Sam was stuck in this quantum leaping loop, unable to get back home. He always made his next leap at the end of an episode, letting out a big fat disappointed "Oh, boy!" when he realized what he would be getting into next.
This was Sam's first leap, at the beginning of the first episode.
I've also made this gif available on this Tumblr post.
#Quarters:
#Quilt:
#Quail:
#Quasar:
#Quiet:
#Quantas:
My Q for last year was "#Questing #Quirky #Qwerty":
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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

N is for Nature (and Nimble)

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Ah, Nature! I love nature, and I love that my cats and dog love nature. I know that the cats have scent glands in their cheeks, and they like to rub things such as leaves with their cheeks to mark their territory, but they also love the way it feels. I mean, look at little Gracie here. She really, really loves her log. In fact, all the kitties love the natural logs I have laying in the yard for them. They also love rubbing their cheeks on the leaves, climbing the trees, and just being generally surrounded by nature.
I've made this gif available on this Tumblr post.
I have to include one more photo (a still one this time) of Cheetah in the pear tree, because it's one of my favorite pictures.
N is also for #Nimble. I used to be incredibly nimble when I was a teen. We used to have a clothesline in the backyard when I was in grade school and junior high, and I used to do all sorts of gymnastics tricks on it. I was obsessed with that thing. Well, I finally decided to buy a chin-up bar. I already dug the holes and bought the cement. I just have one step left!
#Nickles:
#Naples:
#Now:
My N for last year was "#Nothing (#Boston #Bombings)":
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Monday, April 14, 2014

L is for 'Longmire' and 'Lost' (and Loddy)

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Longmire and Lost are two of the best shows ever created. Everyone knows about Lost, as it was I believe, the most popular series in the world at one point. I actually watched the whole thing for the first time last year, and loved it. A show you may not have heard about, however, is Longmire.

Longmire is a modern Western, set in Wyoming. I know I'm usually a sci-fi freak, but this one is special to me because it reminds me of when I grew up on a farm in Central California. The setting is gorgeous! The show is about Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor), a Sheriff who returns to work one year after the death of his wife. His deputies, Victoria "Vic" Moretti (Katee Sackhoff) and Branch Connally (Bailey Chase), help him investigate unusual crimes. In a way, it is a combination of two of my favorite things, as it looks like home, and also stars Katee Sackhoff from Battlestar Galactica, one of my favorite sci-fi shows!

I also have to mention that Lou Diamond Phillips plays Henry Standing Bear, Walt's dry-witted best friend. He was also on another of my absolute top favorite shows of all time, which you will find on letter "S."
Humorous scenes such as these are common on Longmire
Season 3 airs on A & E in Summer 2014.
I've also made this gif available on this Tumblr post.
#Longmire:
#LOST:
I know this is a bit longer than my usual A to Z Challenge posts, but an old nickname of mine also falls under "L." A friend of mine went on a "Lovey" kick after hearing a character on TV call all of her friends "Lovey." One day, my brother asked why she was calling me "Loddy," and the name stuck. She began calling me "Loddy" from that day forward, and I called her "Lodster" once in awhile to protest.
My "L" for last year was "#Lovely #Lady #Lulu":
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Friday, April 11, 2014

J is for Jumping Cats and Dogs!

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Jumping dogs and cats are the subject of today's gif and top tweets. Below, you will see a gif that includes my cats Tippy and Booty jumping out of an empty pool. Miss Kitty, their rescued mama, watches nearby. The next part is of Max, my brother's new puppy. There's not really anymore to say about it. Just enjoy the cuteness.
I've made this gif available on this Tumblr post

#JumpingCats:
#JumpingDogs:
#Jump:
#JumpTheShark:
#Juicy:
#JuicyCouture:
#Jingles:
#Jars:
#Jello:
My J for last year was "#Jotting #Junky #Jabberwocky":
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Thursday, April 10, 2014

I is for iPhone (and Indian Food)

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iPhone is the subject for today. I had a flip phone all the way up until October 2012, just a couple of weeks before I rescued Miss Kitty and her six kittens. In fact, I had that same phone for over 10 years, until I broke down and got an iPhone. One of the reasons I went ahead and got a smartphone at all is because I wound up in sort of a bad situation because I wrote something on paper, then forgot to bring it with me. If it had been on my phone (which it is now), I would not have had a problem.

Anyway, Miss Kitty had perfect timing, because I suddenly had reason to put my phone to use. I joined a daily photo group on Instagram, and started taking constant photos of the kitties and my dog. I've actually filled up my phone several times, even though I got the 32 GB. I'm definitely getting 64 GB or more next time! I had to buy an external hard drive for storing everything, and already have cloud storage as well, for redundancy.

I got the black phone, and my mother thought it was so great, that we got her a white one for her birthday. Since I can't take a video of my own phone, I'm giffing hers. Plus, we both have the same cute photo background of Lulu.
Please excuse my broken fingernail
I've also made this gif available on this Tumblr post

I also love #IndianFood:
#Indium:
#Illumination:
#Illuminati:
Last year, my "I" post was "#Infinitely #Increasing #Imagination":
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