Looking forward...

Hi everyone, this is Tiny. I've been running this blog since 2009. And as you can see, I haven't updated it with new content since 2014. Life is taking me into a different direction, I still watch heaps of stuff from Netflix, Disney+ and more DVD marathons of some of the older shows, particularly during this usually challenging time of our lives. 

Supernatural is reaching the end of what's been an extremely successful run -- 15 seasons is an epic journey, one that everyone including Jensen, Jared, Misha, everyone single regular and guests star, producers, writers, crew members, catering, drivers and FANS, should be very proud of. I've made a lot of friends, and I am still on Twitter. Rather than being a blogger and review the show every week, it's a nice change to be just a fan and watch the show the old fashion way. 

I've been following a lot of other great reviews and podcasts out there, not only on Supernatural, but pop culture in general. The entertainment industry is massive -- when you think about it, it employs not only the production team, but it also supports a wider community, and fans are certainly a big part of it. 

Fans are used to hiatus. And when this fight is over with Covid19 (we are all in this together), we know what to do. We will keep watching new released episodes/ movies, writing new reviews, doing new episodes for podcasts, perhaps fandoms will go back to butt-heading with each other. Fandoms never die.

It is super tough and stressful time for everyone, but if there are any lessons we could learn from our heroes over the years, we know we just have to hang in there, look out for each other and keeping on fighting. That's what Dean and Sam would have done. 

As for this blog, it is retired, for now (officially). May be one day I will come out from my retirement, and blog about The Mandalorian and every single Disney+ shows? I quite enjoy reading my own reviews actually (I am so full of myself, I know! LOL). Honestly, blogging to me is like keeping a diary and it has kept me going for a long time. The Impala's Trunk is certainly not the best thing ever, but not the worst thing either. For that, I weirdly am proud of myself.

See you on Twitter.

Tiny
 

Once a fan, always a fan

Hello, after a long absent, I am back. I am alive. I won't bored you with my life details. If they are interesting, I am sure I will write a story about it and make silly money from it. But they are not, so... let's move on.

I was watching the 200th episode of Supernatural. I got a bit teary and completely lost it when I heard Carry On Wayward Son and when I saw Chuck appeared at the end. Supernatural reminds me of a very period happy and carefree period of my life. I met a lot of friends, and I did things I didn't think I could do. Reality is overrated and reality isn't all rainbows and unicorns. Just like the life of Dean and Sam. When crap happened, I thought to myself -- What would Dean do? What would Sam do? Carry on! Crap makes us stronger. Crap makes us better.

That's what Supernatural is all about. Life is always going to be crap, crap things will always happen. But I think crap things make us appreciate life and the people around us more. Crap makes us heroes. 

I am impressed with how season is going. I can't say I was a big fan of Dean being a demon. It just wasn't him. But it was a journey he had to have. I am also glad Sam came through too. The brothers always do. Stop being a jerk, bitch.

Oh Gosh... How long has it been?

My bad! I am well aware of the fact that I have been absent from blogging since September last year. Miss me? Guess not... 

Reasons? Adulthood and real life have got in the way. I cannot begin to tell you how much had happened since last September. All well thought, nothing bad. Just got so busy with a very demanding job and I went through an unusually weird dating situation. He happened to be a Supernatural fan, how awesome is that? While it's over, I am glad I am moving on.

Happy days continue...

I have been watching Supernatural for sure!!! I just haven't been blogging about it. I think if I can sum up season nine now, it would be -- it just got better! I know I am bias, but here is what I meant.

The show has come a long way -- from the Kripke days to Gamble days to now, the Carver days. If you look at the show closely, the transition has always been good. I have no problem with the way characters are growing -- Dean and Sam and other supporting characters -- and the way the story has developed. We are going forward with the storyline. The elements are there, you just KNOW it's Supernatural! Our characters are growing, it's very organic. This is not The Brady Bunch, happy days are non-existent. Dean and Sam break your heart with the issues they are dealing with, but it's great drama. The logical question is logical! How can you sustain a relationship after all these years of secrets, sacrifices, death, the apocalypse...? 

Things are made to be broken, but broken things can be mended. While things will never be the same, somethings will never change. Sam is saying he will not save Dean if the situation is reversed. Oh mate! HE SO WILL! I don't agree with how Sam is behaving -- I get it but ah! Dean has done so much for him. But I get it. Is Dean really selfish? Yes and no. But his love for Sam is 99% more than being selfish. He is blinded by the fact that he has always been this big brother who looks after the little brother. That's his job. He is on auto mode when it comes to Sam. Sam is the little brother who goes "I am not five years old anymore, I can take care of myself." There is no right or wrong. Just different perspective. 

The angel stuff has been interesting. I like how the whole table is turned, I like the chaos, I like how Cas has his own adventure. I like the Cain and Abel stuff. I like the way Crowley is developed into the story this season. There is a lot going on and I think this season is the shape of things to come in season 10. The set up, the drama...everything is leading to season 10, rather than the season 9 finale. I like that.

I am optimistic about everything. It is Supernatural. It is my constant. I made heaps of friends because of Supernatural. Life is good! Life as a fangirl is even better!

What else I am excited about.... I got tickets to the advance screening of Captain America: Winter Soldier. on March 30. I will have a show bag! Woohoo!! I did that for Thor: The Dark World last year. There is nothing better than watching a superhero movie with a cinema full of fans! It was the best movie experience! Do it, if you have a chance. 

For those who are in Supernatural Vegas Con... I was supposed to be there... but hey.. work does not allow me to go. So... best wishes to all. I can see that you are having fun!!

While I may not be able to blog as often as before, I am not missing in action completely. Come chat with me on Twitter! I'd love to hear from you. 

Supernatural 9.02 'Devil May Care' Synopsis; Episode Titles Update

Here is the press release for 9.02 Devil May Care  
 
ABADDON RISES --- Dean (Jensen Ackles) shocks Sam (Jared Padalecki) by popping open the trunk of the Impala and showing him that he has kidnapped Crowley (Mark Sheppard). Kevin (guest star Osric Chau) freaks out when he sees the King of Hell, but Sam and Dean convince him that they need Crowley to find the demons on Earth. Meanwhile, Abaddon (guest star Alaina Huffman) re-emerges and plans to take over Hell. Guy Bee directed the episode written by Andrew Dabb. Source: KSiteTV

GUY BEE!!!! 

Not long to go!!!! Supernatural season nine premiers on October 8!!  

Here's an update on the episode titles. Subject to change. 

9.01 I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here 
9.02 Devil May Care  
9.03 I Am No Angel 
9.04 Slumber Party  
9.05 Bad Boys 
9.06 Dean Dog Afternoon  
9.07 Heaven Can't Wait
9.08 Rock and a Hard Place

Source: SpoilerTV

Supernatural Season Nine -- New Promo Posters

The CW is really dong a great job so far for this season. Finally! This season's promo is not sloppy. Supernatural deserves exactly this! It's the fans who are benefiting from the hottest! OMG! 

I love the fact that they have single poster for Castiel and Crowley. In fact, I think Kevin deserves one too!! I love the assemble cast idea. 

Source: SpoilerTV

Supernatural Season Nine First Promotional Poster; Aussie Air Date

I ate this with my breakfast this morning. CW has released the first promotional poster for season nine titled "Prepared For The Fall" featuring Dean, Sam, Castiel and Crowley. 

The poster has a dark undertone, reflecting this season's theme -- Dean taking care of Sam; Sam going through crap (again); Cas is without angel juice (and apparently gets a love interest played by Shannon Lucio); and Crowley too is under-going some changes as well. What's more... Kevin is gonna cosplay in pink all season. Oh wait.. what? My life isn't the same again since I saw Osric in pink at DallasCon on the weekend!

Moving on... ARE WE READY FOR SEASON NINE? BRING IT! 


Supernatural season nine premiers on Tuesday October 8 on the CW. Watch it live! Tweet it! Hashtag it!

Attention, Aussie fans! Supernatural Wiki tweeted that Eleven is going to fast-track Supernatural starting on Monday 14 October 8:30pm. Watch this space for details/ confirmation!!!

Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D -- Australian Premiere Date

Have you Coulson'd today?

Aussie fans... this is GREAT news! Channel Seven has announced the premiere date for Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. The highly anticipated new TV series will get a double episode premiere on Wednesday October 2 at 7:30pm.
Source: TVTonight

You and I both know how badly behave TV networks can be in Australia, so I hope Seven will stick to the show and give it a full ride. I for one am completely sick of how they treated Once Upon A Time. 

1.01 Pilot
 
Agent Phil Coulson assembles a small, highly select group of Agents from the worldwide law-enforcement organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. Together they investigate the new, the strange and the unknown around the globe, protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary. Their first assignment is to track down a man that has powers with could have devastating consequences. Source: SpoilerTV

1.02 0-8-4

Coulson runs into Comandante Camilla Reyes when he and the agents travel to Peru to investigate a mysterious object. Source: SpoilerTV

Supernatural Hotties -- FINALLY! New Photo Shoot!

Supernatural doesn't always get new photo shoot every season. But not this year!!! Which is great!! Awesome fan service!! 

 

More photos can be view on SpoilerTV. Source: SpoilerTV
 

Supernatural Season 9 Premiere 'I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here'; Episode Titles Update

We are getting close to seeing the season nine premiere of Supernatural. It is a very exciting time to see the show back after months of hellatus! I am so excited to see everything -- new and returning characters, epic story line and hot promo pics and clips. ARE WE READY??

Description -- Episode 9.01 I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here 

FALLEN ANGELS --- Dean (Jensen Ackles) is frantic after Sam (Jared Padalecki) collapses and the doctor tells Dean his brother won't make it. Desperate, Dean sends out an all points bulletin via prayer to every angel in the area, asking them to help his brother.  In exchange, Dean will owe that angel a favor.  Numerous angry angels race to find and kill Dean, but one, Ezekiel (guest star Tahmoh Penikett), gets to him first.  Meanwhile, Sam fights for his life and must face some familiar demons to do so. Castiel (Misha Collins) struggles to survive without powers. John Showalter directed the episode written by Jeremy Carver. Source: KSiteTV

For more photos of 9.01, check out KSiteTV.

Here's an update on the episode titles. Subject to change.

9.01 I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here
9.02 Devil May Care 
9.03 I Am No Angel
9.04 Slumber Party 
9.05 Bad Boys
9.06 Dean Dog Afternoon 
9.07 Heaven Can't Wait

Source: SpoilerTV and IMDB

Analogy -- $1 DVD and the iPhone 5C/ 5S

Analogy: People like buying $1 DVD from Bali. Why? Because it's cheap. They would complain if they were to spend another dollar. That's gonna hurt the image of Marvel Studios, right?

Apple announced the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C this week. I have read articles and saw interviews of business commentators, market/ share analysts, tech journalists, PR/ communication consultants, and industry professionals who actually implement smartphone and digital strategies for banks, focusing on different angles -- mostly about the pricing and the innovation. I have also read comments on news sites and LinkedIn. After long conversations with my dear friend about Apple, I have come to a conclusion, people are not so much different from fans who bitch about everything and hate everything.

Sure, there are truths in what these so-called experts speak of -- "the state of innovation of Apple"; "the new iPhone sucks"; "the new iPhone is lame"; "seriously Apple, what are you thinking"; "the stock is embarrassing"; "it's not cheap enough"; "it's gonna hurt the Apple brand"; "is Apple going to be like Nokia or Kodak"; "Samsung never fail". Some people (including professional working people) posted comments on news articles or on LinkedIn have the intelligence of a teaspoon. Some are professionally listed as 'business or communications consultants who can help you to do shit', but they fail to provide constructive comments like professionals and adults should. How am I supposed to trust you to implement tech strategies when you don't even believe in learning or digging deep into knowing what you are talking about before you open your month? And then, there are those who I know for a fact have not used any Apple products before (I've seen the devices they use) and they come out and talk about Apple's state of innovation like they know what they are talking about. Last but not least, sales people at phone shops would actually tell you "...from what I can see, the only thing that changes is the colour." WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? 

Aren't we all educated? Aren't we all trained to do research? Aren't we all think of ourselves as 'not stupid' if so why do we say stupid things? If we are indeed arrogant, make sure we are damn great in what we do. Knowing 40% of the stuff you're talking is not knowing, it's stupid. Knowing 66% of the stuff you're talking about is not knowing, it's stupid. If you do indeed know 100% of the stuff you are talking about, you wouldn't even talk about 12% of the stuff you are talking about.

I've always said, if you have used an Apple product and if your own experience tells you that this is not for you, fine, I understand! But if you talk about Apple products without the first hand experience, that's fine too, but keep your opinions to yourselves and don't get paid to voice your so-called professional opinions in the media. 

There are those (ex-employees) who say Apple is not longer an innovative company. In my experience, you only bad-month a company if you leave the company on a bad term. If you have truly achieved something amazing with a company and then leave for another adventure, you will still show respect. To me, I am not seeing respect here. Sure, you may say this is the truth, but I think you are wrong. 

Moving on...

I get the business perspectives -- Apple is a business, it is about the profits, the shares, the competitions, the marketing and the brand, the consumers -- but to me, Apple is all about designing the user-experience before you realise you are going to need it. It's about integration. I can't help but feeling sad sometimes because I think Apple is still the "...crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes..." who get bullied by others who simply don't want to understand them. I think haters are still waiting for the right moment to bring Apple down. When they do, they are going to kick them and laugh.

On the bright side, there are smart articles with substance. There are those who come out and clarify C is for colourful, not cheap. It is cheaper, but not cheap. There are those who focus on the innovation of the TouchID (which I love by the way) and the payment ecosystem; there are those who dig deep and forward-thinking enough to talk about something really innovative about the new iPhone, and look at the bigger picture. These people remind us, "Apple has a track record of adding features to iPhone that are not new, but are better designed, developed and implemented than others..." @rbaguley

To me, what makes the iPhone so awesome is that they have updated features without telling you what they are. When you discover them while doing things, it's like you've found Easter eggs. My mother and some of my friends use Samsung. Half the time is war at the dinner table -- Who has a better phone? Who gives a shit? My own experience tells me my iPhone is the one for me. The more I use it, the more I appreciate the design of it. I have to use my mum's Samsung because she can't work things out sometimes. It is just not the same, things are not logical at all. The Sumsung feels clumsy and the user-experience is not there. If you like it, good for you. 

The world is moving so fast and consumers expect cool game-changing things every time there is a new product in the marketing. But I really don't mind companies like Apple to stick to their own pace and control their design. If they make a mistake, just admit it and keep going. I really appreciate the mini updates every now and then because that reflects our everyday's changing needs. Nokia manufactured phones, sold them, the end. Apple's iPhone is organic and it changes with you. They may not have game-changing wow things everything time, but to me, as an example, what Apple is doing with TouchID is the shape of things to come. This alone is potentially so big, people don't even get it. Please, don't talk crap when you don't even understand the inner beauty of the design.

Moving on again...

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think Apple has ever come out and said iPhone 5C was going to be 'cheap', the media just ran with the rumors, their opinions and expectations. Apple goes to China to build a presence in a very competitive smartphone devices market to hopefully prevent the production of fake stuff and compete with the mid-range priced Samsung phones. You should know that the Chinese are rich. Half the population there will be going for the gold iPhone anyway. Consumers will always bitch about pricing, people even bargain when they go to the market to buy veggies over there. What on earth would you think they were going to like the pricing? I think the analysts, commentators and media just fail themselves -- OMG I was wrong? 

Apple has this new line of products to compete with the mid-range smartphones, but I do not believe the functions and the capabilities are anything less. I do not believe the quality of the 5C has been compromised. I do not believe the 5C was designed to treat people like second-class citizen by giving them 12% of the moment. You get what you pay for. The iOS7 is the Jarvis to Iron Man, no way that would come with a cheap price tag. If you want cheap stuff, buy yourself something else. If buying $1 DVD from Bali makes you happy, go ahead.

I believe Apple is finding its way through this cruel world of competition where everything is about being cheap and quality along with it. If the marketing sells, people will buy it -- the concept and the product. But what they don't see is the actual innovation, the idea, the philosophy, the integration, the design, the user-experience and the Easter eggs. Apple is shaping the future in ways you cannot even begin to process. Apple is not going to give up. They control the design, the experience, and the innovation.

"I've always wanted to own and control the primary technology in everything we do." 
~ Steve Jobs, BusinessWeek (12 October, 2004)

This is still very much alive at Apple.

As for the iPhone 5S, I am going to GOLD.

As for all you Apple haters out there, I don't give a shit about you, but I'll give you a finger. 

Who am I? I have been a heavy Apple product user for over 13 years. Apple products are relible and never let me down when it counts. It saves my life, my face and my career more than I care to admit. I am currently using four Apple devices. I use PC everyday at work, and I feel the pain because it's dumb. I use my mum's Samsung sometimes because she can't work it out. I am an Apple fan and a user, and I am proud of it.