Riverdale Season 3- Let's Play G&G!

Time for my thoughts/observations on Season 3 of Riverdale.

Why doesn't Fang have a scar from his bullet wound?

Archie, why would you do that you dummy?

Hold up, is there legit magic? 

G&G huh? 

Cults creep me out.

But is there really magic or not?

Riverdale does Breakfast Club. 

I think I want to play G&G.

How convenient that the Midnight Club members all had kids at the same time.

Riverdale does Prison Break.

Did Hiram really put a picture of himself above his mantel?

Guess even rich people have crappy internet.

Is every character going to end up with the psycho sisters or what?

Jughead's point about Archie getting kidnapped and beat up a lot was valid and funny. But it should be noted that Jug also gets beat up a lot.

Are Jughead and Archie at THE farm or just A farm?

Archie is such an idiot.

Jelly Bean, sorry JB, is feisty.

So not magic, drugs. Drugs are bad m'kay.

Y'all really gonna let Archie run off alone? He will be caught instantly. 

Time for the purge or...?

What is happening?

Where is your bear spray, Archie? #unprepared

Varchie broke up. I hope it lasts. Probably won't.

How is FP qualified to be sheriff?

Hello, Clarice. I mean Betty.

Riverdale does 50's crime drama.

Nana Rose is hilarious.

Veronica has good business sense for a teenager.

Is that Kelly Ripa?

Ooo, plot twist. 

Did no one hear that gunshot? Why are hospitals in movies and TV always empty and creepy? 

Don't out people, Cheryl!

The Breakfast Midnight Club reunites!

If someone kills Kevin or Moose imma be pissed.

The sisters strike again.

I hope Archie and Josie don't kiss. Team Sweet Josie.

Noo! Don't go, Moose!

Damn it.

I am concerned about cults too, Betty.

I hate watching people get punched in the face.

30 compressions, 2 breaths. 

OMG Kevin, do not.

You'll fly too. Is IT about to show up?

These people are awfully skinny to drink so many milkshakes.

Why not have a gang of teenagers be sheriff's deputies? Anything goes in this town apparently.

Why do we keep letting strangers stay in our homes? It always works out well.

Changed my mind. I don't want to play G&G.

Is Betty about to set her house on fire?

Yes.

Jughead is too smart for you, mom of Jughead. Gladys? 

I don't blame Reggie for being upset. V has been taking him for granted. You traded the man's car!

Okay, Mike Tyson.

Another musical, huh? I ain't mad about it.

Did Jughead set his old house on fire?

Yes.

Is Chad Michael Murray the cult leader?

I get why these people are susceptible to cults, their lives are terrible, but damn.

I thought you could only get a marriage annulled for a short period of time?

Apparently you can get a marriage annulled in most places if you've been married for less than 3 years. Presumably V's parents have been together for at least 17. Is this legit? 

So there is magic? Or more drugs?

You can die from having your teeth pulled out? Wouldn't it take forever to bleed out from your mouth?

I think Betty has been spending too much time with her dad.

Jellybean!

How many times is Archie going to be set up for murder?

Why am I not surprised the Farmies are antivaxxers?

Poor Betty, man.

Did I mention I don't like rich people?

Only criminals have flip phones. 

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has said the word endgame on this show.

Why doesn't Hiram have a scar from his gunshot wound? People are healing quickly around here.

I want proof this joker is dead. Where the body at?

So wait...Archie literally fought like 12 people in a hour a few episodes back but now he can't fight 2 matches in a day?

This is a cool prom theme.

Varchie is getting back together, aren't they? Sigh.

What is this, I Know What You Did Last Summer?

I don't think we're going to see Fred anymore. :(

Can you buy Farm merch?

Yes.

Is Cult Michael Murray hypnotizing people?

Also yes.

Not the Boy Scouts!

Illegal organ transplants? Holy geez.

We haven't seen the last of Hiram.

Where is the world is Ja-son Blossom.

Aw shucks. Archie was too late.

This is quite the dinner party.

I love when gangs come together to fight a common enemy.

Ooo, if everyone in the FBI looks like that I want them to come to my house.

Weird for Bughead that they share a really hot brother?

Can't wait for spring break!

Season three was an adventure. A quest if you will. Although I can't say everything was executed perfectly, I liked the game concept. I'm glad the black hood is gone for good, and wish I could say the same for the cult. I did like the twist that Alice was a mole. I'm assuming ascension just means moving somewhere else because we got caught? I half expected it to be a mass suicide. 

Overall I liked this season. It might be my favorite so far.

So what's next?

Hopefully we finally get rid of the cult. I still think Archie and Betty will be a thing eventually, although it still hasn't been set up. Idk how I feel about that anymore. I already know the first episode of season 4 is called 'In Memoriam' so I suspect it will be a goodbye to Fred. Otherwise, I think Hiram will continue to be a problem for Veronica, Archie and Jughead will both get beat up again, and Betty will be put through more traumatic events. Also someone will let a stranger move into their house and it will end badly.

On to season 4!

12 Bodies and, yes, a Wedding - Body Movers Finale Thoughts

It has now been a few weeks since I read the final book in the Body Movers series and it's time to share my thoughts. Last we left it, book 11 had me annoyed and despondent. Knowing the upcoming and final book was entitled 12 Bodies and a Wedding, I was not especially looking forward to it. As you may know, if you read my last installment, I was preparing myself for a disappointing and bland ending (ie. Carlotta marrying Coop). So what happened? How did it all end? How is my mental state? Read on to find out!

First off, we will discuss what happened to Wesley and the side characters. Wesley spends the book trying to prove himself to Meg's dad, who does not approve of him. Jack vouches for Wes at his court hearing, which helps him out with the judge. Wes also decides to finally tell his dad he does not want to run the golfing business with him and instead wants to go to college to be a doctor. His dad, surprisingly, says he supports his son. I thought it would be more difficult than that, so good on him I guess. Meg's dad finally gives Wes a break and she goes as his date to the wedding. Throughout, Wes is wary of Jack and his part in the wedding but decides he doesn't hate the man anymore.

Hannah finally tells her parents about Chance and the baby and let's him move in with her. Chance starts working for Wesley's dad, determined to get back on the straight and narrow for his wife and child. The Wrens and Prissy didn't really play a big part in this book besides being around for the wedding planning and festivities. Although Carlotta does decide to approach her half sister to try to form a relationship, she also decides it doesn't matter who her biological father is. Randolph is her dad.

Now for Carlotta and the love triangle (you know, the important part):

We start off a few weeks after the engagement. Carlotta says she and Coop are getting married soon and everyone questions her decision to rush it. She ignores them and sets about planning, albeit slowly. Honestly, I started to have hope pretty early on in this book because Carlotta seemed really disconnected when making all of her wedding plans. She just seemed to agree with the first thing put in front of her when it came to picking out rings and invitations. She even forgot about Jarold Jett offering to make her wedding dress until Jack reminded her. She did blame her distractedness on Patricia's case, something she hadn't been able to let go of, but, to me, it seemed like more than that. 

Strangely, Coop asks Jack to be his best man. And look, I know they are friends, sort of, but why wouldn't he ask Wesley over Jack? As later speculated by Carlotta, maybe it was to one up Jack? Or test Carlotta's loyalty? Either way, I found it perplexing. More so that Jack agreed. Also, if Jack is Coop's closest friend, that is sad.

A few things I have been waiting on finally happened. Carlotta follows Jack home one evening and discovers he lives on a boat named Serena. She wonders about this but doesn't ask. Later, Jack comes to tell her that her bio dad is responsible for Peter's death. He then tells her he also lost someone he loved (just as I theorized!) and that is why he works so much and has never been able to tell Carlotta he loves her. She realizes this is the woman he named his boat after. Carlotta also mentions that when Jarold Jett sent her dress, he sent a note with it wishing her and her detective a happy wedding. Weird, she tells Jack, that he thinks we're the ones getting married. (Is it, though?)

The preverbal icing on the cake is when Carlotta tells her therapist her relationship with Coop is easy. That is how she described it. Easy. Which, on the surface, isn't a bad thing to say. But when that's the only way to describe your relationship with your fiancé... probably not good. The therapist also points out how she hasn't told Coop about her father or her continued obsession with what happened to Patricia. Coop doesn't even find out until Jack rats her out for trying to use him to get DNA results.

As far as the case goes, Carlotta convinces Jack to keep investigating and she eventually discovers the very bizarre truth. Patricia had accidentally swapped makeup cases with someone who had intel on a political figure (a used condom) and someone had killed her to get it back. After another confrontation that almost gets her shot, Jack arrests the perpetrators and rushes Carlotta to her wedding.

Throughout, Carlotta dreams about what her future would be like with Coop (the neighbors love him, the kids are organized and well-behaved, life is simple) and then later with Jack (everything is chaos). But the simple fact that she is dreaming about a future with Jack should tell you something. Also, when she sees a psychic at her bachelorette party, the woman tells her she will marry the best man. I mean... that is not subtle.

At the wedding, Carlotta has a bit of an out of body experience. She even stumbles, thinking about how she'll be with Coop until she dies. She looks to Jack for reassurance but he looks like he might faint (also she actually thinks 'if only' about Jack while walking down the aisle). The ceremony has barely begun when Jack interrupts the minister with a simple "stop". Coop responds by punching him in the face and Carlotta responds by fleeing the church. After a little scuffle, the men break apart and are both surprised to find Carlotta gone. Jack apologizes and tells Coop to go after her.

Carlotta, who fled the scene in her car, realizes she can't marry Coop because, and I quote, "her soul yearned for another man". Although quite obvious by this point, she is in love with Jack and, even if he doesn't love her back, she can't commit to Coop while wondering 'what if' about Jack. She sees the limo behind her and prepares herself to break Coop's heart. But it isn't Coop in the limo. It's Jack.

He comes up to the car, apologizes for making a mess of things, and confesses that he's in love with her. He wonders if it is too late for them. It is not, she says, and they kiss. Then comes the surprising bit. Jack asks her to marry him, right now. She agrees and they run off and get married at the court house. We get a final intimate scene between the two of them before Jack is called into work. Carlotta finally calls Hannah (everyone is worried about her, understandably) and breaks the news about Jack. Hannah is shocked at first, but then concedes she should have seen it coming. The books ends with the two of them headed to pick up a body at the crime scene Jack just left for.

So obviously I was happy with the ending. My ship set sail and got hitched. I think it leaves a lot of possibility for the future if the author decides to revisit these characters. I'd like to see Carlotta and Jack solving crime together. I would also very much like to see Prissy's reaction to their marriage as she always said she was going to marry Jack. 

I was surprised that Coop and Carlotta actually made it to the alter. I really didn't think Carlotta would break Coop's heart that way. I mean, I'm not mad about it, just surprised. I was disappointed by her decision to purchase a house with Coop. As my friend Courtney pointed out, contracts were involved and it probably wouldn't have been easy to get out of it. Coop may have been stuck with a house, assuming it wasn't in both of their names. I wish she had said 'let's think about it' instead. 

I do feel bad for Coop, but even he admitted that he shouldn't have tried to come between Carlotta and Jack. And though Jarlotta (just made that up) were mostly to blame, Coop obviously wasn't completely blindsided. He had to have realized Carlotta wasn't really into planning the wedding. He had to have known something was off. They even decided not to have sex, after that one time, until the wedding, which is sweet in some respects, but also suspicious based on my knowledge of the characters. Maybe Coop will show up in one of Stephanie Bond's serial novels. Or maybe he and Raine will make it work. 

Overall, I did enjoy the book but I wish it was longer. Like the last several, it was pretty short. I read the whole thing in about 3 hours. I wish many of the scenes had been longer and that we would have gotten to see some of the things that happened off page (Jack and Carlotta buying wedding rings at the pawn shop, for example). But I have to give it plus 1,000 points because I've been obsessing about it for 6 years and I got the ending I wanted.

Now, maybe, it is time to move on. 

At least until one of these characters show up in Elevator Girl, coming this July.

Riverdale Season 2 - Daddy Issues

I watched Riverdale season 2. I made notes along the way. Here they are:

It is 22 episodes. Sigh.

So Ms. Cradle Robber gets murdered and that's it?

Did Archie always have a dog?

Betty's mom is bipolar.

Who is the guy with the glasses and where did he come from?

More Nancy Drew references.

When Veronica said she wanted to be in the room where it happens, was that a Hamilton reference? I'm going with yes.

The red dot vigilante group is kind of lame.

I guess Jughead is joining the Serpents.

That rich rapey dude deserves what he gets.

Jingle jangle is a dumb name for a drug.

I feel like I've seen this Sweet Pea kid before. 

I don't know how I feel about Juggy and Archiekins. 

Betty might not be so willing to be Serpent adjacent if she knew Jughead slept with Serpent with the good hair. 

I would never put on a strip show in front of...well almost anyone...but definitely not in front of my mom.

I want to like Veronica more than I do. 

Cheryl man.

It was definitely not the janitor.

I think I am team Archey. Barchie? Berchie?

Typewriters are cool. 

Update, I looked it up and it's Barchie. Are we not gonna talk about this kiss?

How do we know this guy is really FBI?

I guess Archie isn't so nice since he beat up a guy with two broken legs. Although, dude deserved it.

Y'all gonna let this creep you just met move in? What?

Surely a school can't make some students wear uniforms and not others.

I just don't care about Archie and Veronica's love.

And now you have to cover up a murder. Good thing you took this guy in.

I do not like rich people.

Why is Archie so loyal to Mr. Lodge? Is he running a long con? I surely hope so.

Chic is hella creepy.

As if Jughead & his dad aren't already in enough trouble, let's ask them to help cover up a murder.

So... not FBI, as suspected.

Why does Archie have to carry everyone's bags? Carry your own stuff, people! 

Cheryl is so petty. I kind of love it.

Veronica said Bughead. Is that legit? 

Archie and Jughead should kiss.

I don't know if I can handle dominatrix Betty. They're all like 16 still, aren't they?

Moose, if you want to be a viable love interest, stop lying to Kevin.

I feel like an opportunity was missed when Veronica said 'this is like an episode of Saved by the Bell'. Why not say Beverly Hills 90210?

I like Toni.

Tell me again why we let Chic move in?

Is Mr. Andrews really qualified to be mayor?

Shankshaw?

Why in the ever loving hell would you let a creepy ass dude you've known for five minutes take two small babies out for a walk alone?

I still don't understand why they want to build a prison.

I hope Bughead destroys Varchie in this election.

Hey, it's Cassie Newton from that one episode of Buffy!

Why do people believe in conversion therapy? That is so awful.

So we're the black dot club now? 

Archie really needs to get away from the Lodge's. All three of them. I don't think he's running a long con.

Get em, Cheryl!

Hold up, is there a musical episode of Riverdale?

A Carrie musical... interesting. I like it.

Well I didn't see that ending coming. This might be one of my favorite episodes of this show so far. 

Chic isn't Betty's real brother? FP was the real baby daddy? I'm shocked. *sarcasm*

Now there's a Nancy Drew book. So maybe they don't exist in the same world.

Mr. Lodge is such a manipulative snake.

So Betty's dad is the black hood? I guess that explains his mood swings and why he holds so many grudges, but is a little bit anticlimactic since he was the main suspect at this point. Is everyone's dad a murderer or what?

Is a teenager the best person to run a gang?

Is someone under 18 allowed to manage and/or own a bar?

Is Ethel going to be president now?

I was right about Kevin getting sidelined again.

I am now officially finished with Season 2 of Riverdale. Perhaps I am thinking too much into a lot of things. This is a CW teen drama after all. Overall, season 2 was pretty good. My favorite episodes were the one where the black hood first called Betty, the Christmas episode and the musical. 

I am still not at all invested in Archie and Veronica. I do like Betty and Jughead, but I still would like to see Betty and Archie together. I attribute this mostly to the fact that I am a fan of the slow burn. However, I spent a good portion of the last part of the season being annoyed at Archie so my shipping was put on standby. I really thought there would be more of a love square than there has been so far, so I am curious as to how Archie and Betty will become a thing. I am still convinced they will. At this point I need more build up. The Christmas episode teased it, but then it was basically ignored the rest of the season.

I am ready for Hiram to be taken down. Wealthy arrogant a-holes who buy themselves out of trouble and use money to use and manipulate other people just really piss me off. Did I mention I'm not a fan of rich people?

So what's next? Well, I guess Archie will have some legal trouble to get out of. Jughead will probably get beaten up again. I probably still won't like Veronica no matter how hard I try. Betty's life will continue to be traumatic (Polly is full on cult now, right?). All of the parents will continue to be horrible, except Fred (and maybe FP). The characters will drink at least a dozen milkshakes each. And I will continue to binge this show because now I'm invested.

I Watched Season 1 of Riverdale and I Have Thoughts

Spoilers obviously.

Back in my teens and twenties, I was really into teen dramas. Dawson's Creek, Buffy, One Tree Hill, Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, The Secret Life of the American Teenager... But somewhere along the way, teen dramas and I parted ways. 

I held out on the CW (aka Teen Drama Network #1) finishing shows I'd been watching since they aired - I literally watched Supernatural for almost half of my life - but I rarely picked up new shows on the network. 

When Riverdale premiered back in 2017, I seriously considered watching it. There was a murder mystery afoot and I love a good murder mystery. But after somewhat watching the premier, I never went back. Until now.

Flash forward to 2021, here I am browsing Netflix for something to watch after finishing the newest season of Lucifer (great show) and, for whatever reason, I decide to give Riverdale a second go. To be honest, I don't even remember the first episode at all so I can't even be sure how much of it I actually watched back then.

I watched season one's 13 episode run in approximately 3 days (I am the queen of the binge watch) and now have no one to talk to about it because I know no one else who watches the show. So instead, I thought I would come here to write out my thoughts on the season and maybe make predictions for the future. 

Without further ado, here are a few thoughts I have after finishing season 1.

1. The acting is questionable. Not quite as bad as Secret Life (those were dark days, my friends), but not as good as other CW shows I've seen.

2. It is weird seeing Cole Sprouse in a serious role. I used to watch the Suite Life back in the day and that's really all I've had to go on until now.

3. Archie is a much nicer character than I thought. For some reason, I thought he was going to be more of a jerk. I don't know why.

4. What happened to Ms. Cradle Robber? Clearly she was lying about her past right? Her story arc can't be over? It felt so...unfinished. 

5. Why does almost every teen drama feature a teacher/student affair? 

6. The relationship twins have is so bizarre to me. 

7. I do not understand Cheryl. All I can figure is she is on her own side and that is all.

8. Why don't more adults call Jughead by his real name?

9. Am I supposed to be really invested in Archie and Veronica? I am not. I preferred Valerie.

10. Did anyone think Archie was genuine when he told Veronica he was only jealous of Jughead and Betty because he realized he wanted what they had with Veronica? I didn't. 

11. Jughead and Betty are kinda cute, but they got together really quickly so I'm certain it won't last.

12. Are Archie and Betty endgame like Kevin predicted? I don't hate that idea, but my ships have not been quite set in stone. Don't think I didn't catch the bit where Archie said "I always thought..." which I took to mean he always thought he and Betty would end up together. Although, he did say early on he'd never thought of Betty that way so who knows.

13. Shouldn't Kevin have been more upset his boyfriend was using him? I hope he gets a better love interest. I like when Kevin's dad asked if there were any nice gay guys at his school and he said "yeah me".

14. Speaking of Kevin, sometimes it seems like he is part of the main group and sometimes not. He might be my favorite character, he deserves more screen time. 

15. Archie's dad is the best parent on the show. I'm sad because I know he will be gone at some point since Luke Perry passed in 2019. I don't think he's going to die from his gunshot wound.

16. Is Betty going to absolutely lose it and murder someone at some point?

17. Wouldn't it have saved a lot of trouble if Betty's dad had just told his wife and daughters they were related to the Blossoms? Passing down family vendettas through generations is so unnecessary. 

18. I never thought Jughead's dad killed Jason. I was surprised that he cleaned up and dumped the body though. Why didn't he just turn Mr. Blossom in if he had that video? Why torch the car and steal the jacket just to hide a flash drive in it? Maybe I wasn't paying enough attention.

19. Why wouldn't the police have tracked down Polly to talk with her since everyone knew she and Jason were dating? Especially after they found out he was murdered.

20. Why did Jason's jacket have his name on it but Archie's doesn't?

21. Is Jughead really joining the Serpents? And if so, for what reason?

22. Is anyone else suspicious of Ethel?  

23. This exists in the same world as The Totally Bizarre Chilling Adventures of Sabrina right? Will there be magic?

24. Isn't Nancy Drew (the show) also part of this world? In one episode, Cheryl calls Betty Nancy Drew. Is that because Nancy is famous in this world? Or a writing flub?

25. Based on how much people seem to love this show - all of the actors have 20-30+ million followers each - I was surprised to find the average IMDB rating is only 6.8. 

26. I won't say this is going to be a favorite show of mine, but I will probably keep watching it.

So what are my predictions? First off, I do know a few things that happen on the show thanks to headlines and promos I've seen over the years. However, I still don't know much.

1. Archie and Betty will get together at some point.

2. Someone else we know (besides Archie's dad) will die.

3. Kevin will continue to get sidelined. Sadly.

4. Betty will have a(nother) massive meltdown.

5. Polly and her babies will leave the show somehow.

That's really all I've got for now. Let us venture into season 2 and see what awaits. I really hope it isn't 22 episodes. I much prefer shorter seasons.

It's My Body, I'll Complain if I Want To - Body Mover's Update

 As I am writing this, I have just recently discovered the next and last Body Mover's book comes out next month. It has been quite the emotional journey for me over the past 5+ years. A part of me doesn't want it to end, but another part is ready find out how it will. I am equal parts excited and nervous as we enter this final chapter. But before I talk about my hopes for the ending, I wanted to do a little recap of the past three books.

Last time I made a post about this series, the eighth book had just come out. Three more books have been released since then and I have thoughts. Recap time!

In book 9, which was the least enjoyable book of the entire series IMO, very little actually happened. It was super short, the mystery was almost non-existent, and my ship continued to sink. Hannah had joined a roller derby team and someone was trying to poison them. I don't even remember who...it was so unimportant. The main plot of the book seemed to be Carlotta reconnecting with her parents and her newly discovered sister. Somehow the elder Wrens managed to slip back into their old life, fancy house and all. Coop figured out (somehow) that Carlotta's mom didn't actually have dementia and they were able to give her medicine to make her completely coherent again. Carlotta decided she was going to date, and finally sleep with, Coop. Wesley tried and succeeded in winning Meg back. And Jack only showed up to find a MIA Prissy and remind the audience that he does in fact believe in love. The main highlight of this book was that it was revealed that Liz was legitimately crazy and had never actually been pregnant. Jack is not going to be a dad! Carlotta had a brief moment of feelings about that and, though she decided she was still choosing Coop, it took her a little too long. Coop flew the...well you get it...saying he couldn't play second fiddle to Jack anymore. Carlotta and Wesley also finally opened those Christmas gifts they'd been holding onto for 10+ years and Carlotta discovered Randolph isn't actually her dad.

In book 10, Carlotta sets off for Texas with a co-worker for some sort of expo. They have offered her a job to run a new bridal boutique offset of Neiman Marcus. While there, her co-worker is found dead in her hotel room. Carlotta calls Jack to come out and help her figure out if there was a murder (the girl was supposed to be meeting some guy the night she died), though she's been avoiding him lately because he keeps trying to talk to her and she thinks he is going to profess his love and I guess doesn't know what she is going to do about that. Jack agrees with the Texas officers that it looks like an accident. They share a moment, but Carlotta pushes Jack away when he still won't offer up details about where he lives or how he feels. He tries to come back to her room later to talk to her, but she isn't there, having snuck back into her dead co-workers room to snoop. Back home, he finally fesses up that he's been wanting to tell her...her dad isn't really her dad. She doesn't seem nearly as upset at him for not telling her that as she does that that was what he'd been wanting to talk to her about. Coop decides he's changed his mind and does still want to date Carlotta. Meg goes to Europe on vacation and then goes missing, worrying Wesley. Carlotta also quits her job when they decide to axe the boutique idea. She's tired of working in retail.

In book 11, Wesley spends most of his time trying to figure out how to get to Europe (even though he had an ankle monitor and isn't supposed to leave town, much less the country). He's peeved at Randolph who is trying to get him to become a great poker player. Randolph has opened some sort of golf place, but is secretly running not-so-legitimate poker games out of it. Wes doesn't think his dad believes in him as he scoffed at the idea of Wesley becoming a doctor someday. Meg is finally recovered after Randolph sends his caretaker to look for her. Wesley starts to forgive his dad somewhat. Carlotta is dating Coop, but spends most of the book unsure if she loves him. She also decides, after a little encouragement from Jack, that she is going to become a fashion blogger. Since her dad's old company went down, the police have been looking for Walt Tully (one of the owners) but he has been hiding out from them. Carlotta discovers he is being holed up on a houseboat in Lake Lanier. She is caught snooping and is tossed into the lake. Jack, who she previously called for help, shows up and saves her from drowning. Irritatingly, he still won't answer her questions about himself. At the end of the book Carlotta discovers her real dad is actually Walt Tully, who is now in prison. Can't catch a break in the dad department. Hannah is preggo. Oh, and Peter gets murdered in prison. Carlotta then goes to a bar and gets drunk, mourning Peter and thinking about life, and then (while still completely toasted) tells Coop she loves him and sleeps with him for the first time. Ugh. Then...THEN...like a week later they go for a picnic, Coop proposes, and she says yes of course like she didn't just spend the rest of this book trying to convince herself that she loved him. Minus 10 points.

So here we are, awaiting the final installment that is annoyingly titled 12 Bodies and a Wedding. Hopefully it's 12 Bodies and Not a Wedding.

If you've read my other blogs on this series, you know I am Team Jack. And you know I am annoyed about what has happened with his character. That annoyance has only increased as I've read these last three books. Why won't he just tell Carlotta where he lives? When she showed up at Lake Lanier to look for Walt I thought 'this is it...this is the moment she finds out where Jack lives', but no. 

And then she's gonna marry Coop after 5 minutes because she's suddenly decided she loves him? After her ex dies? After she has to get drunk to tell him she loves him and sleep with  him? After Jack once again doesn't tell her how he feels? Yeah, this is totally legit. You should definitely marry someone you weren't even sure you wanted as your boyfriend last week. I don't know if we are supposed to believe in their love, but I don't. Not at all. 

The author did post a bonus scene on the fan Facebook page from Jack's POV. He was visited at work by Marigold (Coma Girl) after hearing the news about Carlotta's engagement. Marigold encouraged him to tell Carlotta how he feels because her husband was once engaged to the wrong person too. He says he isn't sure but agrees to think about it.

Now listen, I have obviously been waiting for 10 books now for Jack to confess his feelings. If he doesn't in this final book, I am going to be unbelievably peeved. And I expect there to be a good reason for his silence too. I posted my theory in one of the other blogs and I hope I am close to right. I hope the author doesn't just try to write him off as a commitment-phobe who shies away from love for no good reason at all. I have waited this long and expect a great confession scene. And he better not freaking die.

So what are my hopes for this final book?

First, as previously stated, I hope Carlotta and Coop do not get married. I hope Jack finally confesses his feelings and that Carlotta realizes she is still in love with him and they end up together. 

Carlotta will decide that even though Randolph isn't her biological father that he is still her dad and screw that other guy. 

Carlotta will also continue to thrive at her newfound job and will become an official contracted helper of the APD.

Wesley will finally get out from under his dad and go to college.

Hannah stops being so judgy, Chance goes to jail and her a Coop fall in love and raise her child together. (Yes, I realize this one is a bit far fetched and probably definitely won't happen but these are my wishes okay?)

Prissy just keeps being herself because she's the best.

Until next time, when I will write up my thoughts on the end of this series that has consumed my thoughts for 5+ years. Keep a good thought and several fingers crossed for me.

The Bucket List Project

If you've followed my blog at all, you know I love making lists. I had my 27 at 27 and 30 under 30. And honestly, I considered a 40 under 40. But instead, this time I'm starting a lifetime endeavor I am hereby calling the Bucket List Project. I've decided to create a new blog dedicated to this endeavor. Check it out here.

Below is my current list:

 Travel

1. Visit all 7 continents
2. Go on a road trip
3. Fly first class
4. Travel on a plane or train by yourself
5. Stay at an all inclusive resort
6. See the northern lights
7. See an iceberg
8. Hike on a glacier
9. Visit all 50 US states
10. See the Grand Canyon in New Mexico
11. Visit Roswell, New Mexico
12. Visit Glacier National Park in Montana
13. Visit Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
14. Visit Las Vegas, Nevada
15. Visit Redwood National Park in California
16. See the Hollywood Sign and Hollywood Walk of Fame
17. Visit Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida
18. Visit Canada
19. Visit Chichen Itza in Mexico
20. Visit Brazil
21. See the Christ the Redeemer Statue
22. Visit the Amazon rain forest
23. Stand on the equator
24. Visit Machu Picchu/Hike the Inca Trail
25. Go on a Caribbean cruise
26. Visit Australia
27. Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef
28. Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Cave in New Zealand
29. Visit Hobbiton 
30. Walk the Great Wall of China
31. Explore Tokyo
32. Spend the night in a monastery 
33. Visit South Africa
34. Go on an African Safari
35. See Victoria Falls in Zambia
36. Visit Egypt
37. See the Great Pyramid of Giza
38. Visit Petra in Jordan
39. Float in the Dead Sea
40. Visit Spain
41. Visit India
42. See the Taj Mahal 
43. Visit Italy
44. Visit the Colosseum 
45. Ride in a Gondola in Venice
46. Visit the Sistine Chapel
47. Visit France
48. See the Eiffel Tower
49. Visit the Louvre and see the Mona Lisa
50. Visit Greece
51. Visit England
52. Ride the London Eye
53. See Stonehenge
54. Visit Madame Tussaud's
55. Visit Ireland
56. Visit Scotland
57. Sleep in a castle
58. Visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
59. Sleep in an ice hotel

Events

    60. Go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans

    61. Attend a Broadway show in New York City

    62. Spend New Year's Eve in Times Square

    63. Attend the Kentucky Derby

    64. See Cirque Du Solei

    65. Attend Oktoberfest in Germany

    66. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Ireland

    67. Attend the Olympics

    68. Attend a music festival

Outdoor Activities

    69. Spend the night in a tree house

    70. Go camping

    71. Ride in a hot air balloon

    72. Ride in a helicopter

    73. Go sky diving

    74. Ride a horse
    75. Ride an elephant
    76. Ride a camel
    77. Swim with sharks
    78. Swim with dolphins
    79. Go whale watching
    80. Go white water rafting
    81. Go kayaking
    82. Ride a jet ski
    83. "Shower" in a waterfall
    84. Go bungee jumping
    85. Climb a mountain
    86. Go rock climbing
    87. Go snowboarding/skiing 
    88. Play paint ball
    89. Ride a roller coaster
    90. Run/walk a marathon

Learning

    91. Take a dance class
    92. Learn to play piano
    93. Learn to play chess
    94. Learn to sew
    95. Learn another language
    96. Learn to use power tools

Other

    97. Get a fish pedicure
    98. Kiss in the rain
    99. Send a message in a bottle
    100. Write a book
    101. Be an extra in a movie or TV show
    102. Ride in a limo
    103. Go to a drive in movie
    104. Eat at a 5 star restaurant
    105. Donate blood

For progress updates, make sure to check out the other blog!

Dear 2020, You Bitch

Ah, 2020. A new decade full of possibilities. I think I can speak for most of us when I say we hoped that this year would be the one that inspired us to change our lives for the better. There's just something about entering into a new decade that makes anything seem possible. Or maybe that's my inner millennial talking. (We are a bunch of dreamers right?)

Like so many others, I started this year with goals and resolutions. I was going to start some of the projects I'd always thought about doing, but never did. I was going to go on vacations and take lots of professional looking photos for my travel blog. I was going to get fit and eat better because I don't want high cholesterol or blood pressure. I was going to finally start dating after years of flying solo. I was finally going to pay off my credit cards and really start saving money. And I was going to take the first steps towards buying my own place.

It started off well enough. In January, I joined a gym. I felt so official and motivated to work out. I had my vacation planned out and purchased that new camera I'd had my eye on for quite some time. I was working diligently on the travel blog and looking into healthier recipes to cook. 

It didn't take long for things to begin a downhill descent. 

I've never been the biggest professional basketball fan, but even I knew what a legend Kobe Bryant was. I remember watching some of the plane crash footage on a TV at the gym and thinking how sad it was for his family and for the world to lose him and his daughter. What a terrible way to end January.

Then everyone thought there would be a World War III. That is, if the murder hornets didn't get us first.

In probably mid-February while at the gym, I started hearing about the virus we now know as COVID-19 on the news. All I thought about at the time was how scary that was for China and for my co-worker's son who was living there. Then, when cases started rising in other countries like Italy and South Korea, I felt for them too. When we got our first case in the US, I still thought it would probably blow over soon.

Not six months earlier, my friend Courtney and I had gone to Washington, DC. We visited the Natural History Museum while in town and one specific exhibit we checked out was called Outbreak. It was about pandemics and widespread viruses. It was so easy to think that global pandemics were a thing of the past, even as one of the employees took us through an activity showing how easily a virus can spread.

Flash forward a few months and here we are, living this damn exhibit. 

Much like the rest of the world, my life has been affected by Coronavirus. My vacation was postponed a year, my gym closed, other upcoming events I was looking forward to have been cancelled and I've had to spend a lot of quality time alone with my thoughts (never good). Although, complaining about my misfortune seems really selfish and stupid because ultimately my life is still pretty good. 

I didn't lose my job or get my hours cut, I got to work from home for two months before being allowed back in the office. I haven't caught COVID, and neither has anyone close to me. 

BUT... the isolation has really gotten to me. I've been forced to think about a lot of things I was trying hard to push back and, honestly, I've found myself feeling depressed and anxious instead of motivated like I hoped to be at the beginning of the year. What's stressing me out? Besides the possibility of getting COVID and giving it to my grandparents?

Well, I'm in my 30's now and facing the social stigma of being a loser because I live with my parents. And whereas a part of me wants to say 'screw you haters, I'm not wasting my money on rent', another part can't help but feel like I'm not a proper adult. 

I've also managed to wrack up quite a bit of debt, and have virtually no savings. It always bugs me when older generations speak badly about millennials, but it bugs me more when I prove them right. 

I've had a lot of time to think about my life as a whole (relationships... or lack there of, my job, my writing) and it's tended to make me feel worse as opposed to better.

And, over the past month, I've done a lot of self reflecting. In the past, it has been easy for me to ignore protests about racial injustice. It has been easy to pretend that racism isn't really a big problem anymore. But lately I, and a lot of other people I'm sure, have almost been forced to face reality. I've had to ask myself a lot of uncomfortable questions.

I've never considered myself to be a racist, though most people would say that, and I'm not sure how much weight it holds anymore. I can say that I haven't been very anti racist. I tend to ignore things that make me sad and that don't directly impact me. I like to live in a nice little bubble where everything is fine and people don't treat each other differently because of skin color or sexual orientation. But that's just not realistic.

I've been doing a lot more reading and listening than ever before. I've been having conversations with people about race. I've been facing my own shortcomings. And though it has not been a fun process, it has been a necessary one. 

On the slightly brighter side of 2020, I have been somewhat productive during quarantine. I repainted my bedroom after years of thinking about it. Courtney and I started the YouTube channel we've been talking about for quite some time. I've been able to keep up with the travel blog and have worked a little bit on some of my stories (that I hope to turn into novels someday). I helped get ready for my brother's wedding and finished my to do list on time for once. I cleaned and decluttered. I completed two virtual race events, walking over 150 miles.

I list all of that because I know it's easy to lose the good among the bad sometimes. I try to remember the Lauren Alaina song Getting Good: "Once I learn to grow right where I'm planted, maybe that's when life starts getting good." It's easy to imagine that if you just had one more thing - a bigger house, love, money - that everything would be better. But sometimes you just have to learn to appreciate where you are now. To appreciate the things you do have instead of focusing on what you don't (really talking to myself here).

So thank you, 2020, you bitch, for being a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year (even in Australia)... and yet somehow bringing about good changes, both for the world and for me. It's definitely one for the books. And it's only half over.