Friday, March 24, 2017

This is for the Weary Ones:




by Penelope Conway
Posted on March 24, 2017
by MSAA:

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America


This is for the weary ones, the tired ones, and the “I can’t go on” ones.

This is for the ones who cry behind closed doors yet muster up a smile to face the day.

This is for the ones who dream of the day multiple sclerosis is cured so they no longer have to deal with doctor appointments, meds, needles, and pain.

This is for the ones who keep going, even when they know they need to stop for a moment to do nothing but chill on the couch with a good book or a marathon of their favorite show on TV.

This is for the ones who long to take a vacation where they are waited on hand and foot; no laundry, no dishes, no vacuuming, no work of any kind.

This is for the ones who get stressed and overwhelmed with the demands a life with multiple sclerosis brings.

This is for the ones who find it hard to keep going, who long for a break, who need time off, and who deal with too much.

This is for you.

You are an amazing, courageous, beautiful person. You are not alone. Take some time to do something just for you. That pile of laundry… let it pile up. It doesn’t matter. Take time for you.

Treat yourself to a movie, a night out, a steak dinner, a trip through the park, or a giant slice of chocolate cheesecake. Shake off those negative thoughts that cause you to feel worse than MS could ever make you feel.

Stand outside your situation and, for just a moment, try looking in from the outside.

Think about what you would say to someone else standing in your shoes. Would you remind them of their value? Would you tell them to worry less? Would you encourage them to ask for help so they aren’t doing everything alone? Would you show them how to smile through the tears?

You have a mountain in front of you… an Everest. That’s your reality. But no matter how big it may be, it can be climbed. Don’t look at its massive size. Choose instead to take your eyes off of the rock in front of you and look out at the beauty all around. Stop for just a moment and breathe.

It takes courage, determination and strength… and you have each one.

So as you climb Mount Everest with your heart pounding in your chest and your knees buckling under you, give yourself one tiny moment to realize just how incredible you really are. You are worth it.

You matter!


 

About MSAA:
As a national nonprofit organization, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is a leading resource for the entire MS community, improving lives today through vital services and support. MSAA provides free programs and services, such as: a toll-free Helpline; award-winning publications including a magazine, The Motivator; website featuring educational videos and research updates; S.E.A.R.C.H.™ program to assist the MS community with learning about different treatment choices; a mobile phone app, My MS Manager™; a resource database, My MS Resource Locator; equipment distribution ranging from grab bars to wheelchairs; cooling accessories for heat-sensitive individuals; educational events and activities; MRI funding and insurance advocacy; and more.



For additional information, please visit:

or call:
(800) 532-7667.

In support of Multiple Sclerosis research:








Twitter hashtags:

#MS
#MultipleSclerosis
#fums           
#mseducation
#msawareness
#curems
#mymsme
#MSwarrior
#MSstrong
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#MSAwarenessMonth
#stumblingprincess
#OMS
#WalkMS
#WalkTogether
#WeAreStrongerThanMS
#mssucks
#movingmountainsforms
#lesion
#myelin
#demyelination
#disease
#brain
#vertigo
#cure

NEVER GIVE UP!


Thursday, March 23, 2017

The Shining, by Bernie Wrightson:




As a follow–on to my tribute to Bernie Wrightson, who sadly died last Sunday, I include the piece below.

This artwork is for the 1997 three–part mini–series, directed by Mick Garris, and adapted for TV by Stephen King, from his novel: The Shining.


I’m sad to say that, even with a decent ensemble cast: Steven Weber, Rebecca De Mornay, Elliott Gould, Cynthia Garris, Lisa Thornhill, Jan Van Sickle, and even a cameo appearance by Stephen King himself,  the TV adaptation is my least favorite, and I will be going more into that in a future blog, as a comparison between the novel, Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 movie, and Mick Garris 1997 TV version:

For now, in further tribute to Bernie Wrightson’s talent, here is his piece for TV Guide magazine, dated April 26, 1997:


Wednesday, March 22, 2017

The final Gong:

RIP Chuck Barris, author and TV show creator, died aged 87.


I’ll remember him best as the host of the talent show spoof: The Gong Show.


It was crazy and hilarious: the contestants … the panelists … Gene, Gene, The Dancing Machine … The Unknown Comic … 


... and Chuck himself:


 “We’ll be right back … with more STUFF … after this message!”

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

James Franco To Narrate Stephen King's THE DEAD ZONE Available For The First Time As An Audiobook:




News provided by
Simon & Schuster Audio
Mar 18, 2017

NEW YORK, March 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Award nominee James Franco will narrate the audio edition of THE DEAD ZONE by bestselling author Stephen King.

Simon & Schuster Audio will publish the King classic, which has never been available as an audiobook, on April 25th, 2017.

This isn't the first time the author and actor have collaborated; Franco recently starred as Jake Epping in Hulu's 2016 miniseries 11.22.63, based on King's novel of the same name.

"James is a terrific actor," said King. "I knew that he would perfectly capture the vibe and voice of THE DEAD ZONE."

Franco added, "I've been a fan of Stephen King's work for a while now. He's one of the most pleasurable authors to read or listen to. He just guides you along so well. Even though we're from different generations all his influences and things he references and subjects he's interested in seem to be all the things I'm interested in."

Set in the fictional Maine town of Castle Rock, THE DEAD ZONE was made into a 1983 film starring Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen.  The story follows Johnny Smith who awakens from a five-year coma to discover that he can see people's futures and pasts when he touches them. While many consider his talent a gift, Johnny feels cursed. When he encounters a ruthlessly ambitious and amoral man who promises a terrifying fate for all humanity, Johnny must find a way to prevent a harrowing predestination from becoming reality.

"We're thrilled to fill this black hole in Stephen King's audiobook universe," said Chris Lynch, President & Publisher of Simon & Schuster Audio. "James Franco's narration is simply superb."

ABOUT SIMON & SCHUSTER AUDIO:  Simon & Schuster Audio is a leading publisher of general interest audiobooks including bestselling fiction, nonfiction, business/finance, self-improvement, inspiration, language learning programs, original audiobook productions, and children's titles. In addition to a list that includes such unparalleled authors as Mary Higgins Clark, Vince Flynn, Ernest Hemingway, Stephen King, Michael Lewis, and David McCullough. Simon & Schuster Audio has produced audiobooks that have won eight Grammy Awards and earned forty-one Grammy nominations since 1989. For more information about Simon & Schuster Audio, visit our website at:


Simon & Schuster, a part of CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at:


SOURCE: Simon & Schuster Audio