Shanon Norman
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Thelma & Louise (The Sequel)
This is not a movie review of the film "Thelma and Louise". I know the film, and I'm hoping any readers of this piece of writing know the film also. If you have not seen the film I will give you a brief summary and explain why I think this film is important and useful.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Futurism
Sansa and Daenerys
Before I begin my analysis of two characters I want to admit that I did not read the books that George R.R. Martin wrote. My analysis is based only on my fanship of the H.B.O. show "Game of Thrones". I was obsessed with the show and had all of the DVDs in my personal collection. I thought the dialogue was brilliant and always looked for wisdom from all of the characters that Martin introduced us to in this epic.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Geeks
An Important Film: 55 Steps
Yesterday was June 5th, and I thought about the significance of the day to me: 1. My beloved grandmother was born and died on that day. 2. I got married on that day. My husband took me to breakfast and later I watched a movie. That was the extent of my celebration of the day. The movie that I watched was titled "55 Steps" (a DVD that I borrowed from Netflix) and I thought the movie was important - enough to warrant writing a review about.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Geeks
Thoughts on the Film: Rush
Although the film "Rush" came out in 2013, I did not see it for the first time until several years later. I don't know how the dvd came into my possession or why I decided to watch a movie about car racers as I have never been a fan of the sport or educated in the history of the cars or racers. Yet this film had such an impact on my soul that it is ranked as one of my all time favorites on my mental list.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Geeks
Mother, May I?
My mother didn't want to be a mother at first. It was after she felt a sense of pride about me as her child - that's when she started enjoying her "mother" status. My grandmother always offered unconditional love and protection, but my mother was different. She was my teacher and coach, which meant that she could not always offer lovey-dovey mushy stuff, and sometimes she had to teach discipline, which did not resemble protection. In symbolic terms, she was like a dragon fiercely interested in her status as guardian of the "prize" - me. I would not accomplish "prize" status unless she accomplished her mission of teaching me and disciplining me enough to be the "prize".
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Families
The angels who helped me survive
For the first twelve years of life, regardless of what happens or changes in the world, a child can easily define their existence. I'm a child, or I'm a student, or I'm a dependent. Upon reaching the 13th birthday, the definition begins to get grey. They are "teenagers" at that age. Teen bodies are different than child bodies. They feel different feelings. They go through changes. The metamorphis is stressful enough, yet they still have 5 or 6 more years of formal schooling if that is the goal. They might decide to start their own family early. Sacrifice their diploma or graduation for the opportunity to be a mom or a dad or a husband or a wife. Life presents extremely difficult choices at an extremely difficult biological time. I remember it well.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Beat
Interior Decorating as a Calling?
I started playing a Play Store game on my cellphone less than a week ago. I got addicted to it on the first day. I love decorating rooms and this game satisfies my passion for that enjoyment. It allows me to use my tastes and preferences of art and furniture to design a beautiful room and house. I have had very few opportunities to do this in my real life, so this virtual experience is truly wonderful.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Gamers
For the Buffet Lovers in St. Pete
There are not many buffet restaurants in Saint Petersburg, Florida anymore. Several years ago you could enjoy the best variety of buffet at The Golden Coral restaurant, but that didn't survive. Now the only buffet restaurants are few and far between. Cici's Pizza Buffet is still around along with Country Pizza Italian Grill, so if you like an Italian buffet they will satisfy. If you're looking for Americana buffet, I don't know what to tell you. I haven't seen one around. However, I did find The Big Apple Buffet which serves a large Chinese food buffet. If you love crab and sushi, then you will fall madly in love with The Big Apple Buffet as they have a wide variety of crab dishes and sushi on their buffet tables.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Feast
A Closer Look at the Homeless
The issue of homelessness in America has disturbed me for a very long time. I was not raised to become homeless, yet it happened to me anyway. I was shocked and scared each time. When you get evicted from your home, it feels like you're a chicken with your head cut off and you're running around with your last breathe of life trying to figure out if there is a way for you to survive. It's truly horrible. Not all, but most homeless people suffer from drug addiction or mental illness or both. There are a few who simply got in trouble with the law and can not achieve employment because of that. Whatever the reason, the problem of homelessness in America is still occurring and it still disturbs me.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in The Swamp
A Bipolar Checks in during March
Not everybody knows or will admit that mental health is connected to bodily health and spiritual health. Last year, I was looking and feeling good about myself. This year it's all gone downhill. Last year I weighed about 165 pounds and I liked what I saw in the mirror and in photographs. This year in March 2021, I'm up to 200 pounds and I hate myself.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Psyche
A Viewpoint of Personal Current Events
I had written an article for Vocal titled "Why Can't People Be Kind" (The Case of the Broken Bicycles) in regards to people (like me) who have helped others only to be taken advantage of and forgotten. When you're a person with compassion (like me) it's very difficult to see other people who are less fortunate and not want to help. I've often reached into my purse or pocket to give pan handlers a donation. I've often shared food or a ride if I could to someone who didn't have that and needed it. After you hear people mocking you and calling you a fool for doing so, and after you've hit rock bottom and seen so very few people willing to do what you had done in the past, you discover within yourself the will to say "No more. I've shared enough." It happened today. We stopped at a convenient store. I was outside smoking a cigarette. A pan handler asked me for some change. I dug into my purse and gave him some change. I felt bad that I couldn't help this homeless pan handler more than that. Later we stopped at the pharmacy to pick up our prescriptions. My doctors want me to take Abilify to tame down my Bipolar symptoms. I showed them my insurance card and they said that the $700 medicine would cost me $20 with my insurance. I already pay $200 per month for the insurance. I declined to buy the medication. Then I sat in the car a little upset thinking about homeless people and how annoying it is that I feel guilty that I can't help them, when I still can barely afford to help myself. Yet the irony is that it usually is the poor who are willing to help the poor. The rich are rich because they have no problem saying "Buzz off creep," when they are approached for help.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Humans
The Diamond in the Rough
Today (Wednesday) was payday for me and I wanted to celebrate and splurge because I made it through another month without having to pawn anything. That's a joke, but if you live check to check like I do, then you know that a little splurge can surely do wonders for cheering up the spirit. I asked my husband if we could do a "memory lane" stroll through my favorite town in Pinellas County: Gulfport. He agreed and we chatted as I gave praise to all the beautiful houses there as we drove up main street. I saw some new buildings and businesses, remembered the places I stayed when I was getting to know the town, and then had him drive off the beaten path to see if the old "greasy spoon" was where I used to dine with my mom. It is, but it's no longer a greasy spoon. It has been updated and given a face lift. The outside has fresh paint and stylish tables, the inside is cleaner and has a new look, and it is now called "Comfort Cafe" with the little French chef logo. It's absolutely charming and we had a lovely lunch there.
By Shanon Norman3 years ago in Feast