My Binge-Worthy Challenge: A Movie a Day Keeps the Boredom Away! 🍿

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

This is the first post of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE

Hey friends! 🙌

Guess what? I’ve gone a tad bit cuckoo and decided to dive headfirst into a crazy challenge: to watch a movie EVERY SINGLE DAY for the next YEAR. Yep, you read that right. The next 365 days are about to get reel! (See what I did there? 😜)

Why on Earth…?

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “Umm, don’t you have a life? Why on earth are you doing this challenge?”

Honestly? I’ve just been feeling like I’m in a rut lately, now that the weather has turned colder (it snowed yesterday!). With the year winding down, I wanted to do something fun and different. Plus, (and this is a biggie) I’ve got this MASSIVE movie queue on multiple streaming services that’s been gathering digital dust. I mean, honestly, I think I might be singlehandedly keeping some of these platforms in business. So, another sneaky goal? Figure out which services I truly love and which ones to kick to the curb. Also, movies, well, they’ve always been my jam. So why not? 🍿🎥

Originally, I was going to only do this challenge for 60 days – November and December.  But then I thought, “Roger, what’s the fun in that?  Where’s the challenge?  Anyone can do 60 days.”  And I was right.  So I made it a little more challenging and a little more interesting…and a lot more lengthy.

The Rules

Alright, folks, it’s not just about popping a bag of popcorn and zoning out. I’ve set some “guidelines” for this little challenge of mine:

  1. No repeats! That’s right. No matter how tempting it is to watch “Lord of the Rings” for the umpteenth time, it’s a no-go. Every film must be one that I haven’t seen before.
  2. Mix of genres: From rom-coms to documentaries, I’m diving into it all.
  3. Old and New: One day it might be a black & white classic, and the next, something that just dropped on Netflix (or one of the other zillion services I’m subscribed to) or even a film at my local theater.
  4. World Cinema: Gotta expand those horizons, right? A sprinkle of Bollywood, a dash of French romance, and whatever else the world offers.
  5. Feature Length Only: No cheating by watching movie shorts.  Only full length feature films allowed.

What I Hope to Gain

I mean, besides an excuse to munch on popcorn and stay in my PJs?

  • A broader perspective: Movies are like windows to different worlds, cultures, and experiences.
  • Conversations: Trust me, give me a topic, and I’ll have a movie reference ready by the end of this.
  • Whittling Down My Queue: By this time next year, that intimidating ‘to-be-seen’ list better be way shorter. And, who knows, I might find a few new all-time faves!
  • Streamlining Streaming: By the end of this, I hope to have a clearer idea of which streaming services are worth my bucks and which ones get the boot.
  • Creative inspiration: Who knows, I might just pen down a script by this time next year! 😂

Join Me!

Fancy a movie night (or 365)? If you’re up for it, join me in this madness! Share your recommendations, your reviews, or even your rants. Let’s make it a communal cinephile experience! 🎬

Will I make it to the end without turning into a couch potato? Will I finally understand the hype behind “Inception”? There’s only one way to find out. So, folks, grab your blankets, your popcorn, and let’s get this movie marathon started!

Stay tuned, and may the film force be with you! 🌌

Until next time,
Roger

P.S. Day 1’s pick? “Bullet Train” — a pulse-pounding adventure flick about assassins. Wish me luck! 🌟

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

My Binge-Worthy Challenge: A Movie a Day Keeps the Boredom Away! 🍿 Read Post »

Growing a ‘Stache for November: The Whys and Hows

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Photo by Ketut Subiyanto

Hey, friends! 🧔

November is knocking on our doors, and with it comes the delightful and ever-popular tradition of growing a mustache, affectionately dubbed “Movember.” It’s not just about sporting some stylish facial fuzz, but there’s a deeper meaning to this whiskery adventure. If you’re thinking of joining in or just curious, buckle up! We’re about to embark on a hairy journey together.

Why Grow a ‘Stache in November?

Movember began in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia. It started with a group of friends aiming to bring back the mustache as a style trend. However, the movement soon evolved to serve a larger purpose – raising awareness for men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

Each ‘stache you see in November becomes a conversation starter, an opportunity to discuss topics that often stay in the shadows. Plus, it’s a chance to raise funds for research and support services.

Tips for Growing Your First Mustache (from personal experience and research):

  1. Patience is Key: Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a glorious mustache. You might experience an itchy phase or uneven growth, but stick with it!
  2. Regular Maintenance: Trim using a good-quality beard trimmer, and consider investing in mustache scissors for more precision.
  3. Stay Clean: Wash your mustache with a beard shampoo to keep it fresh and hygienic.
  4. Moisturize: Beard oils or balms can help reduce itchiness and keep your ‘stache soft.
  5. Style it Right: Once your mustache has some decent length, you can play around with various styles using mustache wax. The Handlebar? The Pencil? The possibilities are endless!
  6. Stay Healthy: A good diet, rich in vitamins and minerals, can support healthy hair growth.

Joining the Cause:

Growing a mustache is fun, but remember the deeper purpose. Join the Movember movement by signing up on their official website, creating a profile, and spreading awareness. You can also raise funds, host events, or simply share your mustache journey on social media using the hashtag #Movember.

Wrapping It Up:

Movember is more than a facial fashion statement. It’s a global movement that unites people for a significant cause. So, whether you’re growing a ‘stache for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, remember the impact you’re making, one whisker at a time.

Let’s grow, show, and support together this November! 🖤👨🏽‍🦱👨🏼‍🦳👨🏻‍🦰👨🏿‍🦲🧔🏻🧔🏾🧔🏼🧔🏽🧔🏿

You can learn more about Movember HERE

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto

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Returning to Writing: A Year in the Rearview

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Pexels dziana hasanbekava 7063763It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a year since I last put my thoughts into words on this platform. It feels both like a blink of an eye and a lifetime. The white page in front of me seems more intimidating than it did a year ago, but as I type, the familiar rhythm is returning, reminding me of the joy and solace I find in writing.

Life has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? For those who have been with me for a while, you’d recall the frequency and enthusiasm with which I used to share my thoughts, musings, and stories. It was as much a passion project as it was a form of therapy. But, as with every journey, there come detours and pauses.

A New Chapter in a New Condo

One of the most significant changes in my life was the decision to sell my house and move into a new condo. Anyone who has ever moved residences knows the magnitude of this undertaking – the endless packing, decluttering, the emotional heaviness of parting with memories tied to a place, and the simultaneous thrill of crafting new ones. This transition, though an exciting one, was certainly more time-consuming and draining than I had imagined.

Health First

Amidst the chaos of moving, my health decided to chime in. Without delving too deep into the specifics, the past year saw me grappling with health issues that demanded both my physical and emotional bandwidth. It was an eye-opener, a period of introspection, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Writing, though my solace, took a backseat as I navigated this unfamiliar terrain.

Looking Forward

With all that said, I find myself in calmer waters now. The health storm has passed, and the new condo feels more like home every day. With these hurdles behind me, I am elated to announce that I will be returning to regular blogging.

To my ardent readers, here’s a little treat to look forward to: Over the hiatus, while my blogging ceased, my writing in the background did not. I’m thrilled to reveal that there’s a completed book in the editing stages — a gay Christmas romance novel. More details will follow in due time but know that it’s a piece of my heart and soul that I can’t wait to share with all of you.

And for those who have been patiently waiting, I have some exhilarating news to share: the final installment of the Ghost Oracle Series is nearing completion! It’s been a profound adventure, crafting this tale and sharing it with all of you. Every twist, every character, and every spectral encounter has been leading us to this culminating moment. I’m as excited as you are to see how the story concludes and to share that experience with each of you. Stay tuned for further announcements, cover reveals, and release dates.

Here’s to the grand finale of our ghostly adventures (though Nick and the gang may return for future adventures)!

Gratitude

Before signing off, I’d like to express my deep gratitude. To those who sent messages, checking in, offering support, or merely sharing their stories – thank you. Your warmth and understanding served as a comforting balm during challenging times.

As I embark on this new chapter (pun intended), I hope you’ll join me. Whether it’s life updates, thoughts on the world, or snippets from my upcoming book, the journey promises to be an enriching one.

Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava

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Review of The Long Run by James Acker

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Long Run cover imageBlurb:

Two track and field athletes find an unexpected but powerful love in this unapologetically blunt and unforgettably real YA debut.

Sebastian Villeda is over it. Over his rep. Over his bros. Over being “Bash the Flash,” fastest sprinter in South Jersey. His dad is gone, his mom is dead, and his stepfather is clueless. Bash has no idea what he wants out of life. Until he meets Sandro.

Sandro Miceli is too nice for his own good. The middle child in an always-growing, always-screaming Italian family, Sandro walks around on a broken foot to not bother his busy parents. All he wants is to get out and never look back.

When fate—in the form of a party that gets busted—brings these two very different boys together, neither of them could’ve predicted finding a love that they’d risk everything for…

Review

Going in, I thought this was going to be a sweet YA romance story about two boys in their senior year of high school, but it turned out to be much more intense than I expected — intense in a good way. There are definitely some tender, sweet and silly moments between our two flawed protagonists, and I enjoyed the strong chemistry between them. But there are also some darker and grittier moments as well — the kind that makes your heart ache and brings a tear to your eye.

The long run offers a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of two teenage boys who are navigating their senior year when they discover each other. The story is told via a dual POV, and I loved how it allowed us to see the situation from both Bash’s and Sandro’s perspectives, both of whom spoke in distinct, original voices. I also enjoyed traveling with Bash and Drove during their journey of discovering themselves and each other and overcoming the various obstacles placed before them. And through this process, we also witness their inner growth and insight, a difficult but beautiful process.

The character arcs were exceptionally well done, with plenty of growth not just among the boys and their budding relationship but also among their families. James Acker really seems to understand the teenage soul—the longing, the self-doubt, the challenges, the melancholy, the self-awareness, and the confusion. The Long Run is an authentic look at what it feels like to be a teenage boy and all that it entails.

The author tackles a lot of subjects with this book: hiding one’s authentic self, dysfunctional families, pretending to be someone you’re not, sexual awareness, self-discovery, parental neglect, self-acceptance, bisexual awakening, and toxic masculinity, resulting in a profound, authentic and raw read. There’s a lot of depth in this introspective story, and I ended up loving this engrossing novel. Recommended!

What I loved:

❤️ All the Feels

🎭 Family drama

✌🏼 Two perspectives

🤔 Thought-provoking characters and themes

⛹️‍♂️🤾🏽‍♂️ Two lovable high school jocks who find each other

✍️ Amazing character development

🧑🏽‍🔬 Dro’s and Bash’s connection/chemistry was just 👌

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Goodreads Giveaway for Keeping Corey

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Keeping Corey Book CoverI’m very excited to inform you that I just created a Goodreads Giveaway for my upcoming book “Keeping Corey,” a Young Adult LGBT contemporary that takes place at a hockey academy. I’m giving away 20 Kindle copies of the book. If you like to enter for a chance to win, you can enter here: Enter Giveaway. The giveaway only goes through February 4th so you’ll want to enter as soon as possible. The book will be published on February 6th.

Good luck!

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Keeping Corey is Available for Preorder!

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Keeping Corey book cover. Young man in hockey gear stands behind seocnd young man with red hair.I am so excited! My latest book, Keeping Corey, is now available for preorder from online retailers. It’s a YA gay romance that takes place at a hockey academy and will be released on February 6, 2023. The synopsis is below:

After being outed at his last high school, Devin O’Hanlon’s parents enrolled Devin at the Grovesburg Hockey Academy, his father’s alma mater. Never mind that Devin doesn’t have an athletic bone in his body, nor has any interest in sports. The academy was supposed to be a fresh start for Devin — a clean slate where nobody knows him as the gay kid. Unfortunately, being a red-headed non-athlete singled him out with the bullies, and he found himself in the same predicament as his last school. Things only get worse when he learns that his new roommate, a transfer from another school, is a star hockey player—an incredibly hot star hockey player.

Corey Harper has been expelled from two schools. Grovesburg Academy is his last chance; if this doesn’t work out, his father has threatened to send him to military school. But Corey has no intentions of getting expelled again. This school is a new start for him — a place where nobody knows him or about his past. Despite a rough start, Corey and his new roommate Devin find they have a lot in common and soon become inseparable. But Corey doesn’t allow himself to get too close to Devin because he has a secret that nobody here must uncover—and Corey has mastered hiding his feelings. His plan is to keep his head down, do what’s required of him, and bring his academy to the championship. Can Corey juggle his junior year, hockey, a hostile coach, and his friendship with Devin, all the while keeping his secret hidden from everyone?

But when Corey’s secret is threatened to be exposed, he is forced to make a difficult choice—a choice that goes against his heart and his soul.

I had a blast writing it, and I hope you love it as much as I do. You can preorder from the following online stores:

Amazon Preorder

Smashwords Preorder

Barnes & Noble Preorder

Apple Books Preorder

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My Newest Book is Live

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Pushed under the mistletoe print AmazonI am so excited to write this – finally! My latest novel, “Pushed Under the Mistletoe” is now live at online retailers. It’s a heartwarming, small-town Christmas Novel coming in at about 47,000 words. The blurb is below:

Danny Latham is a highly sought-after wedding photographer who has just gone through the worst breakup ever — and right before Christmas. Danny was supposed to have taken his boyfriend home with him to Torch Lake, Florida, for Christmas, but that wasn’t going to happen now. Heartbroken, he instead asks his best friend, Joey to accompany him home for Christmas.

Reluctantly, Joey accepts. Little does Danny know that Joey has been in love with him for as long as Joey can remember. It doesn’t help that Danny’s family keeps trying to get them together, believing that Joey and Danny are perfect for each other.

Will Joey’s heart be able to handle a Christmas with Danny and his meddling family? Or will this be the year Joey finally comes clean and tells Danny how he really feels?

If you’d like a heartwarming friends-to-lovers Christmas romance with a couple of lovable but clueless characters, a meddling family and plenty of Christmas cheer, you’ll want to check out Pushed Under the Mistletoe.

Click to purchase Under the Mistletoe from your favorite online retailer

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