Living Beyond Tolerance Scholarship

Do Not Own

Living Beyond Tolerance Scholarship

Qualifications as well as the timeline of when you can enter/the auctions has been edited. Read for more:
To enter-

*You must classify as LGBT or an LGBT Ally

*You must live in the United States to be elegible (Any State!)

*You must be between the ages of 15 to 25 when you ENTER

*You must be somehow working to make sure everyone is more than tolerated, but accepted

*To apply for the scholarship…write an essay between 1-4 pages about why you deserve to win and personally fit the bill for this scholarship. Email it to: shootingstarsmag@aol.com with the subject line:

Scholarship: (and then your name)

*You must be planning to use this money for education of some sort, whether that’s high school, college, technical school, etc.

*You can apply from the beginning of June 2011 to March 1, 2012

*The upcoming auctions will be during the month of January 2012, which is how we’ll raise most of the money for the scholarship…people can simply donate as well if they wish.

-if you have something you want to donate FOR the auctions, please email here: lauren51990 AT aol DOT com and put "donation item" in the subject! If you need good donation ideas, check out this site.

*This will be at least a $250 scholarship. Whatever is not donated through the auction/people’s kindness…I will fill in the rest. The goal is to raise more than that so the scholarship can do more good for the winner though!



 Please enter if you qualify and if you do not...tell those you know or simply post about it online so that word can spread. We need donations for the auctions and people willing to bid...but to really make this work, we need applicants!

Ultimately, the winner will be decided by me and a panel of judges. Those judges will be decided on in the future!

Bridge the Gap is Back With...

Bridge the Gap is the second blog I've started. First, it was meant to cover entertainment from non-USA countries. It got to be a bit too much...and I figured I'd just add that type of things to Shooting Stars Mag, because I still love international books and films and whatnot. My second take on the blog was to let people know about giveaways and contests throughout the blog/online world. That lasted for a bit, and while I still enter tons of giveaways, I don't really post about them on blogs anymore. I tend to stick to the other entries more.

However, I'm back with this blog for a couple reasons. One, the title fits a lot of different themes (Bridge the Gap), I didn't want to create an entirely new blog for something that won't last too much past 2011 I don't think (but perhaps!) and I already have some followers here...so why not keep those starting out?

Anyway...Bridge the Gap is back with my new project. If you know me, this isn't shocking. I often try and take on a bunch but I really want this to happen and I hope everyone out there can help me in their own little (or big) way.

I'm currently running auctions for two very deserving people and I hope you'll check that out for now as it will be ending next month and we'll split the money down the middle. My latest idea involves auctions though. This time though, all the money raised through the auctions and just kind donations will go to ONE person...for the most part...and it will be as a scholarship. This person must identify as LGBT or an Ally.

I'm going to make a post after this that has more full details for those that wish to apply for the scholarship or want to spread the word to anybody that might wish to enter!


i do not own the above photo!

Hollyoaks the Soundtrack: Part 1

Yeah Yeah, I know it's been forever since I've posted something here but you know...that's how it goes sometimes.

Okay, if you've read either this blog or Shooting Stars Mag before then chances are you have heard me talk about the UK soap Hollyoaks. I really wish I had this show so I could watch the full episodes, but courtesy of awesome youtube people, I've been able to follow certain character's storylines for the most part...I get most of it, at least.

Through my love of Hollyoaks, I have come to realize that a lot of the actors and actresses on the show can sing. No big surprise there, as a lot of people in the U.S. have similar dual talents. However, I think that Hollyoaks should have their very own SOUNDTRACK, with songs by PAST and PRESENT cast members. These songs of course would be cover songs, most likely, as that is the easiest way to go.

It would be amazing and I'm sure a lot of people would pick up a copy, especially the U.S. fans of the show that can't really enjoy all things Hollyoaks based on where we live, and the c.d. could give a percent of the money to a charity or something too if they wanted. Basically, it should just happen.

"Use Somebody"-Gerard McCarthey (plays Kris Fisher)


"Hear You Me"-James Sutton (played John Paul McQueen)


"Molly's Chamber"-Barry Sloaned (played Niall)


"Take a Chance on Me" - Jodi Albert (played Debbie Dean). Also includes Carley Stenson (plays Steph Dean)


"Candyman"-Carley Stenson (plays Steph Dean)

Hollyoaks the Soundtrack: Part 2

"Jailhouse Rock"-Chris Fountain (plays Justin Burton)


"Unbelievable"-Gemma Merna (plays Carmel McQueen) and Andrew Moss (plays Rhys Ashworth). This song also includes Carley Stenson (plays Steph Dean) and Chris Fountain (plays Justin Burton)


T-Rex Medley-Kevin Sacre (played Jake Dean), Loui Batley (plays Sarah Barnes), Summer Strallen (played Summer). This also includes Gerard McCarthey (plays Kris Fisher).


"Amy Josh Forever" by the Baby Diegos- Ashley Slanina-Davies (plays Amy Barnes)



"Play" by the Dirty Diegos - Hollie Jay Bowes (plays Michaela McQueen). If you youtube this song, you'll find the actual video.





Now, those are just ten examples of people that can sing, and not all of the videos are ONE person singing...so really it would probably be more. The following are people that I know or heard can sing, but I couldn't find a video for them.

Sonny Flood (Josh Ashworth)
and
Garnon Davies (Elliott)

Life is Beautiful DVD Review (Italy)

Life is Beautiful
DVD Review by Lauren
Country: Italy

Summary from Amazon (Product Description):

An inspired motion picture masterpiece, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL was nominated for 7 Academy Awards(R) -- winning 3 Oscars, including one for Best Actor Robert Benigni. In this extraordinary tale, Guido (Benigni) -- a charming but bumbling waiter who's gifted with a colorful imagination and an irresistible sense of humor -- has won the heart of the woman he loves and created a beautiful life for his young family. But then, that life is threatened by World War II ... and Guido must rely on those very same strengths to save his beloved wife and son from an unthinkable fate! Honored with an overwhelming level of critical acclaim, this truly exceptional, utterly unique achievement will lift your spirits and capture your heart!


I decided to post that above to help you learn a bit about the overall story, as I wasn't entirely sure how to go about doing it myself. Life is Beautiful was an amazing and powerful film. Benigni did a tremendous job as director and actor. The movie has comedy, definitely, but it also has heart and you realize the sadness and pain behind what Guido's character is not telling his young son.

I've heard various people's thoughts on this film, with some liking it and others thinking it's not appropriate. As you can already tell, I think it's a fantastic film. It still shows the horror of living in a concentration camp, and gives a new view on WWII with the types of lives Itlalians lived.

If you've seen this film, what did you think? If you haven't, I highly recommend it. The beginning is more light then the second half, just to forewarn you (I was told as well, so I was prepared).

I just want to mention that Giorgio Cantarini, who plays the son of Guido, was absolutely amazing. It's hard to remember that he was only about four or five, I believe, when they filmed this movie. He did a great job and was so adorable!

Recommended Film!

The Suicide Shop by Jean Teule (France) + New Blog!!

The Suicide Shop by Jean Teule
Review by: Lauren

The Suicide Shop, set in a futuristic world, is about the Tuvache family who sells the means for people to kill themselves (ropes tied for hanging, poison in bottles, and more). Mishima, Lucrece, and their children Vincent, Marilyn, and Alan are in the business to help others, though they cannot personally use any of their products. When asked why not, their mother replies that “I’ve told you a hundred times: because it’s impossible. Who’d look after the shop?” However, the parents have tried out one item and greatly regret this decision for most of the book. You see, they tested a condom with a hole in it (for those that want to die from an STD) and the product was their last son Alan who is a disgrace to the moody family. After all, he’s just too happy!

Alan is the type of kid who likes to draw fun pictures, sing, and smile at his parents. But if you have parents that are dealing with death everyday, this is definitely not their type of child. The family tries to do all they can to change him and make him just a little bit more morose, but nothing ever seems to work. As time goes on, Alan even seems to be rubbing off on the rest of the family, showing them the good and happy in life. At one point, he’s talking to a customer who believes that they are horrible looking and Alan replies with “How are you monstrous? What on earth are you saying? You’re like everyone else: the same number of ears, eyes, a nose…What’s the difference?”

Each chapter is relatively short and overall, the book reads a lot like little short stories that are all connected. Even though this story is called The Suicide Shop, it’s actually a very amusing read and will most likely have you laughing out loud at some points. It also has a great message though, underneath it all, and that is the love of life, just like Alan is trying to show his family.

I must say though that the ending had me quite shocked. I didn’t see it coming at all, but after some thought, I think it’s fitting. This is a quick read that is definitely recommended!

http://www.gallicbooks.co.uk/
French Novel that was Translated into English for a Publisher in England

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On another note, I wanted to mention a new blog that you should all check out. Authors Toni Hargis and Michael Harling (I've got guest blogs/interviews from them on here) have banded together to talk about an American in the UK and a gal from England in the U.S.

http://pondparleys.blogspot.com/

What Countries Do YOU Want To Know About?!

I've had a lot of people offer to help me out with ideas for other countries and I seriously appreciate it. I'm sure I'll be coming to you all in the future with questions. However, I wanted to give everyone ELSE a chance to learn about other countries....whether it's entertainment related or not.

Now, my idea is to find someone who is from that country (or if we can't, perhaps someone who is living there at the moment or has visited) to answer the reader's questions.

If you fall under any of the above categories and don't mind answering questions, let me know with the name of the country.

As for everyone else, what country do YOU want to hear about? Leave your thoughts in the comments and I'll get to work on the first one as soon as I can!