My second guest on today’s show is NYT bestselling author, Tosca Lee. I’ll be chatting with her about her latest release, First Born, the concluding part of the YA thriller series The Descendants Of The House of Bathory, collaborating with Ted Decker, and her somewhat controversial books about the biblical characters of Eve and Judas.
Join me and my guests, live, today Fri at 1pm EST.
https://www.artistfirst.com/kantas.htm
Let’s go on a binge.
So, if you’re like me, you’re will hear or come across a show that looks interesting. I normally know after the pilot episode whether or not I’m going to like the program, and then I binge. Now I’m not referring to one or two shows a day. I have health issue that leave me at home, so I have a lot of time on my hands. Unless I’m writing, working for a client, or generally busy, I’m streaming my favourite TV shows. I will get into actual dramas in another post, but this one is about reality shows.
The Kardashians
Haters hate and kickers kick, but don’t think I watch this show because I like them. They are a vain, conceited, spoiled, a mentally unstable family. But it’s bloody entertaining. I binge watched as early back as I could. I’m up to date now and don’t miss an episode. Leave a comment if you love or hate this show and why.
Undercover Boss.
I just loved the sound of the title. I watched the USA version first and then the Canadian and then the UK (and that was a waste of my TV time.)
So for those of you that have never heard of this is show. It’s where the big wigs/top brass (unless they are too well known then they get their unders to take their place) go undercover in their own company, on the front lines. Yep, they get a make over/disguise and some are truly dreadful. Then they go cleaning sewage, dinner plates, collect the garbage, work as a shop assistant or a baker and get to see how tough the jobs are. And they get to see how amazing their workers are and how tough their lives are. Sometimes they get to hear the home truths about their own company and what the staff think about the corporate heads. It’s actually a very humbling show and you can tell, that if there was any set up, it wasn’t much. It’s truly realistic and makes me cry on every episode. The only thing the annoys me about this program is that they hand out thousands of dollars to these five works that the top dog worked with to help them with living expensive, debts and student loans and costs, but what about the other thousand workers they have. Everyone has a story, everyone has problems. Just seems a little unfair.
But I love the show and don’t miss the weekly episode. It took me around three weeks to watch from season one up until now.
Face Off
Wow, from the first episode I knew this show was going to hook me. If you love special effects, monster movies, then you will enjoy this program. If you love entertaining reality shows, where the contestants are put through grueling tasks that test their talent, time management and strength both mentally and psychically, then you really have to watch this show. Contestants have but a few hours to do a foundation make up and they are unbelievable. In return they can win immunity from the spotlight challenge or get a pretty awesome prize. Then for the spotlight challenge they have to design a character from head to foot in only three days and one of them is for application. Each episode we say good bye to one of the talented make up artists, until three are left for the final. I have nothing negative to say about this show. It’s truly fascinating and entertaining at the same time.
There are ten seasons up till now and I have binge watched six of them and still loving it.
Leave a comment on your favourite reality show, as long as it doesn’t have the initials BB. And let me know if you watch any of the three I have mentioned.
SOA, for those of you that have been out of the loop, Sons of Anarchy, is a TV show on FX based on the thrilling life of a bad ass outlaw motorcycle club.
SAMCRO Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original lives and runs Charming a fictional town in the central Valley of Northern California, and the residents don’t seem to care (it’s all about tough love.)
The programme showcases some of the meanest talent on TV, and even the women are tough; well you’d have to be if you want to earn the title of LADY.
It’s not worth me going through a list of who’s who, as SOA is on its 5th season and season four left us with a change of power which most fans thought was well overdue.
Creator, writer, genius, Kurt Sutter’s original idea was to base the show on Shakespeare’s Hamlet… and we all know how that story ends.
Mr Sutter is not afraid to speak his mind as those that follow his tweets know. He also films regular video blogs called W.T.F Sutter, where he answers questions from his hard-core fans. Although he won’t admit it, he cares about what people think regarding the show.
You can follow Kurt Sutter here blog and tweets
And if you’re a die-hard fan or a newbie, feel free to join one of the many friendly Facebook fan pages.
SOA Merchandise
HUNTRESS Book two of the OUTLAW series.
Come and hang out with the Wolves one of the baddest MC in fiction,
Buy now
SOA, for those of you that have been out of the loop, Sons of Anarchy, is a TV show on FX based on the thrilling life of a bad ass outlaw motorcycle club.
SAMCRO Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original lives and runs Charming a fictional town in the central Valley of Northern California, and the residents don’t seem to care (it’s all about tough love.)
The programme showcases some of the meanest talent on TV, and even the women are tough; well you’d have to be if you want to earn the title of LADY.
It’s not worth me going through a list of who’s who, as SOA is on its 5th season and season four left us with a change of power which most fans thought was well overdue.
Creator, writer, genius, Kurt Sutter’s original idea was to base the show on Shakespeare’s Hamlet… and we all know how that story ends.
Mr Sutter is not afraid to speak his mind as those that follow his tweets know. He also films regular video blogs called W.T.F Sutter, where he answers questions from his hard-core fans. Although he won’t admit it, he cares about what people think regarding the show.
You can follow Kurt Sutter here blog and tweets
And if you’re a die-hard fan or a newbie, feel free to join one of the many friendly Facebook fan pages.
SOA Merchandise
HUNTRESS published by MMP is my latest thriller. Come and hang out with the Wolves the baddest MC in fiction.
Tattoo 101
The original word derives from the Tahitian word tatau. ‘ta’ meaning hand, repeated twice to represent the action. And ‘u’ which means colour.
Tattooing is an art form that can be traced all the way back to 3300BC.
Tattoos were first used as a symbol of rank, identification, for protection, to display someone’s lifestyle; such as gang members, armed forces, and prisoners. Nowadays, they have become a popular body decoration. Including cosmetic tattooing known as permanent make up. Tattoos that enhance the eyebrows, permanently colour the lips, eye lines, and even moles.
Tribal cultures cut designs into the skin using non-electrical tools cut from bamboo or metal, and then rub ash or natural dye in the wounds. This is a ceremonial, coming of age custom, which is sure to hurt!
These days, in European countries, tattoo artists use a hand-held electronic machine. Groups of needles are attached to an oscillating unit. Needles drive in and out of the (dermis), second layer of skin, usually at 80 times per second while ink is inserted.
*Did you know* Samuel O’Reilly invented the first electronic Tattoo machine in 1891.
Be safe
A tattoo is a wound, and like all cuts and scratches, prone to infection.
To lower the risk of infection, follow these steps.
There is a risk of Herpes Simplex Virus, Tetanus, and Hepatitis if the instruments have not been sterilized correctly.
There is also a chance of an allergic reaction caused from the ink pigment. Most tattooists will recommend performing a patch test.
Does it hurt?
It depends on your pain threshold. Some say they feel a tingling sensation, others like being stung by a nest of hornets. Again, it depends on the size of the tattoo and on which part of the body the design is tattooed. A recent survey carried out, showed that the fear of pain is the main reason why people will not have a tattoo.
After care
Removal
There are two ways to get rid of an unwanted tattoo. The first is what’s known as Cover-up. You get the tattoo covered over with another. Not a great result, but at least you got rid of your ex’s initials.
The second way is to have laser treatment. This procedure can remove up to 95% of the tattoo, but it is said that the cost and pain will be greater than when you first got the tattoo done. Lesson learned I think!
A recent survey showed that the most popular place on the body to have a tattoo is on the back. People spend anything from $15-$500 on tattoos. 50% regret having the tattoo done. Surprisingly, only 30% felt any significant pain. The most popular kind of tattoo in Europe is symbols, such as star signs, Chinese symbols, and tribal patterns. In America, stars are thought of to be the most requested tattoos.
Henna tattoos are the most popular form of temporary tattoos. In the tourist resort where I work, there are 14 tattoo parlors selling Henna and permanent designs. Everywhere you look women are walking around with Henna tattoos on their arms, legs and back. The guys have then on their upper back, below the neck and the top of their arms. The artist will trace the design onto paper and place it on the desired part of the body. The print remains on the skin and then is drawn over with a special pen. These tattoos can range from lettering, symbols, to animals and flowers. Draw your own design and the artist will turn it into a tattoo. Henna Tattoos can last between 7-14 days.
*Did you know* tattooists traditionally refer to the small bikini line tattoo as ‘Tramp Stamp.’ Might be wise to think about having your tattoo on the shoulder or ankle.
Greeks don’t have a love for tattoos, so there was no way my hubby was going to permit me to get a permanent one. Actually, I had no interest in getting a tattoo until I had my first Henna. I’ve been collecting frogs since I was 15, so a frog tattoo was ideal for me. I had the Henna done on my left ankle it looked as though the frog was climbing up my leg. It was so cool and I deliberately wore skirts just so I could show my tattoo off. I was very disappointed when it started to fade. I wanted to grab a black pen and go over the design. However, I allowed it to die away, as hubby had already agreed how awesome it was and allowed me to get a real one. It hurt like a mother….
Paul, a professional tattooist from the UK, recommends anyone who is seriously thinking of having a tattoo done, to look through tattoo magazines, and when in a studio, ask to see the artist’s work. He said that people that come in already have an idea of what they want and pick a tattoo that means something to them.
Think carefully before you get a permanent tattoo. Many get them done on impulse and then regret their decision, soon after. Others love their life-long tattoo. It may be best to try a temporary tattoo first to see you can live with it. A tattoo is a big deal it’s a life-long commitment.
COPYRIGHT Karina Kantas March2012
Explosive Writer 