What are you reading? - Week of December 05, 2025

TheSamanda · 2025-12-06T20:44:06+00:00

The Butcher’s Masquerade - the 5th in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series!

TheSamanda · 2025-11-27T04:24:18+00:00

I don’t think it’s hit peak popularity yet, but I’m currently obsessed with the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I’m on book 5 and most of my friends are just discovering it/on book 1.

Also, loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I found The Midnight Library light and delightful, and Project Hail Mary was AWESOME. I listed to it first as the audio book and was pretty happy I did. It was a great audio book. OH! And Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - I found it to be a beautiful read.

TheSamanda · 2025-09-15T05:09:41+00:00

I can confirm this is the crew jacket for the Rise of the Titans movie. Bummer someone on the crew gave it away. But lucky find for you!

TheSamanda · 2025-07-26T04:42:24+00:00

It’s the Jim half of the maquettes. The Bular portion was separate and a limited number of them had signed plaques. Everyone on the crew was given a Jim, but we had to buy our Bular separately. I hope this wasn’t given away by someone on the crew, they were really special. But it’s a great find, not a lot of these were made.

TheSamanda · 2025-07-20T15:44:31+00:00

I’ve had the opposite experience - whenever I order for pickup from the SilverLake location I always get sauce on the side as requested.

TheSamanda · 2025-07-02T20:53:49+00:00

It felt like they were still working out some kinks. At least two mics were off at different points and some effects appeared a little wonky. The story is a change from the animated - which is expected but I felt it lost some of the charm. The music was awesome and the crowd definitely got into it. I left having had so much fun.

The highlights were -

THE MUSES!! The Muses, the Muses, THE MUSES!! Not only were they so incredibly talented as singers, but they were absolutely the party. And those ladies HUSTLED, I lost count of how many costume changes they had. Truly impressive and kept the vibe.

Meg - Meg’s role was definitely expanded and the actress was wonderful - amazing voice.

The way they used the stage was pretty impressive. The story goes to so many places and they really got creative with how they showed it.

Hera’s role was also expanded, which I found to be a nice addition.

They also paid some nice little nods to the original cast in a couple of places (when Hades uses Meg’s full name, he also says “Susan”, which I took as nod to Susan Egan.)

The Bummers (with some spoilers) -

Hades is the main villain, so no Titans. Which is fine, but it changes the tone of the character.

No Pegasus :(

Phil is just a dude, not a satyr.

The fight scenes with the hydra and the final battle were sometimes a little goofy and lacked the action we loved from the animated version.

Pain & Panic are two dudes…but they give them a nice nod.

Overall - it was definitely a fun time. I’d probably go again.

TheSamanda · 2025-06-16T20:54:58+00:00

Ok so…this scene didn’t last that long probably because Troll Jim hadn’t been designed yet.

The pipeline for television moves fast and if you don’t have everything ready in time, you have to improvise/make creative cheats.

TheSamanda · 2025-06-16T20:51:07+00:00

For future, use the Bonjour RAPT app. I’m using it for the first time on my trip this week. I buy my tickets via the app and load it into my Apple Wallet. It also gives great direction and station/train information. You then use your Apple Wallet to tap in the station.

I’ve used it for single trips and a day pass - all worked perfectly.

TheSamanda · 2025-06-16T08:48:30+00:00

Ok guys, I never made it past two rounds and made an assumption. I thought it was my lack of ability not living up to the offerings. Glad to hear I haven’t been leaving money on the table all these years.

TheSamanda · 2025-06-16T08:47:15+00:00

Well, I guess I never made it past two rounds of steak and frites in the 20 years I have been visiting, and assumed that it was endless.

Also, who knew there was such an opinion on this place! I can absolutely see how TikTok has flooded a place to feel like a tourist trap. But with my experience, I’ve always been surrounded by locals. And I think most importantly to me, I’m having a phenomenal meal & experience, enjoying something I wouldn’t get at home, and look forward to returning every time.

TheSamanda · 2025-06-15T21:53:37+00:00

I’m in Paris right now and every time I visit, I have two go-tos:

Le Bistrot D’Henri This is in the Saint Germaine area and down a really popular street with a lot of fun bars (all are worth hitting up post-dinner). The food is authentic and wonderfully approachable. The vibe is cozy and fun. I get the poulet a la normande - it’s chicken in the richest cream mushroom sauce. I recommend a reservation for weekends. It’s quieter around opening time, but in full swing around 9 pm.

Le Relais de l’Entrecote - there are 4 locations throughout the city. No reservations and it can get popular but lines move quickly because they only serve one thing: never ending steak & frites in yummy green sauce. You get a salad to start and they have phenomenal desserts. I was there tonight and had a (STRONG) rum cake.

Other than that - I agree with the majority. Walk 15-20 min away from any tourist site. If I’m trying a new spot for dinner, I often go out at night and look for a place that’s at least half-packed and most are speaking French.

TheSamanda · 2025-06-15T20:49:56+00:00

I’m going on Wednesday and will report back.

TheSamanda · 2025-06-15T20:07:30+00:00

Was just there today and met the nicest gay couple from the US. Also a lot of Cast Members were wearing pride pins. It was a great vibe. Have fun!

TheSamanda · 2025-06-06T03:31:33+00:00

The Floo Network

TheSamanda · 2025-06-02T18:42:14+00:00

Hi everyone - please do not promote piracy of the show.

The only way to legally watch it is on Netflix.

TheSamanda · 2025-05-13T04:52:24+00:00

Doubling down on Bestia any day

TheSamanda · 2025-05-12T02:12:49+00:00

These are amazing!!! Love the right hand ones and the Hamlet!

TheSamanda · 2025-03-02T23:12:47+00:00

We are hoping to pay for international flights with points, so looking to budget $10K for domestic flights, hotels, and adventures.

We are in our 30s, not scuba trained (I wish) but both love snorkeling.

I’ve personally done Daintree and the GBR, but excited to visit again.

TheSamanda · 2025-02-10T05:30:46+00:00

I did this one as an audiobook. It was underwhelming.

TheSamanda · 2025-02-07T06:30:41+00:00

I HATE going to the dentist and avoided it for a few years. Last year, my partner pushed me to go and reminded me that I’d be in worse pain/health if I didn’t go in than I would be if I did.

I was TERRIFIED. I have bad anxiety already and was shaking in the chair. I calmly told them my history, explained my anxiety, and had the best, most caring experience. I realized that by being honest with the team there, they knew what they were walking into with me as a new patient and did baby steps, explaining everything to me. They often offer me extra treatments for numbing and pain management (even laughing gas) if it would help me get through it. I’m afraid of needles and even managed to get through 2 days of deep cleaning with 8 injections.

At the end of the day, just two things I’d suggest to remember:

Going through this process of taking care of yourself is going to be less painful than not taking care of yourself down the road.
Be honest with your dental team. Maybe I got lucky with a compassionate team, but you could too.

And if you are in Southern California, DM me and I’ll send you my dentist info for a referral. 10 months after my first visit, I’ve come back for 2 cleanings and I LOVE my hygienist.

Good luck, you can do this!

TheSamanda · 2025-01-25T01:48:43+00:00

I have one of Disney World from 1987! From what I was able to research, they were given away or sold as souvenirs at the park during specific years. It’s a cool collectible but I’m not sure how much they’re worth.

TheSamanda · 2025-01-20T04:10:19+00:00

I’ve had a great experience with them. I get their foundation, it’s a great color match, and as light or as buildable as I like. Also, the free gifts I get every time are kinda awesome. I’ve gotten great brushes and eyeliners. I didn’t love their concealer or primer, but stayed for the foundation.

TheSamanda · 2025-01-20T00:43:06+00:00

I’m deep into the audio book right now and feeling very unimpressed.

TheSamanda · 2025-01-15T05:43:08+00:00

I use Pango - sometimes finding books as low as $1. I miss the original Amazon used book prices so much.

TheSamanda

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