Russian Roulette Games People Play with No Hollywood Ending #april #atozchallenge #atoz #inspiration #friday

“If you play, you play for keeps. Take the gun and count to three. I’m sweatin’ now, moving slow. No time to think, my turn to go. And you can see my heart beating. You can see it through my chest. Said I’m terrified, but I’m not leaving. I know that I must past this test. So just pull the trigger.”

“Russian Roulette” by Rihanna is one of my favorite tunes from her Rated R album. I like this song because -- references to romantic partners aside, it reflects a game that takes an all-or-nothing approach to how players survive each round. There is no halfway route or shortcut to circumvent the risks associated with playing Russian Roulette and as such, most people would likely avoid this game of chance. Yet, many of us are comfortable with living in a manner that is less than exciting, despite the fact that we are all mortal.

In one of my favorite sports movies, "Any Given Sunday," Al Pacino plays a football coach who tells his team that life is about inches and yards and it's the man who is willing to die for that extra inch who is going to succeed. The movie scene where he says this should resonate with anyone who wants to live their very best life, which you cannot do if you're overlooking actions that support those goals.

It reminds me of how unnecessary and wasteful it is for a person to participate in any activity, personal or professional, that he or she would not die for. In a way, doing so is like playing Russian roulette with your life because your taking chances living through things that make you bored or unhappy or jaded or unproductive or angry or bitter or sad or depressed or stressed out or hopeless, etc. (the list goes on) while at the same time, hoping for a better tomorrow -- despite the fact that none of us have tomorrow -- we only have today.

If you're not willing to go the extra mile for the things that are in your life, then why do it in the first place?

While you think about that for a minute, can you name the title of the movie that the following image featuring actor Robert DeNiro, is from....

What movie is this scene in?

Answer:  __(Leave Your Answer in the Comments Section)

Quiet Storms amidst Brad Pitt's Sack of Troy #atozchallenge #atoz #music #movies #games

"...can kill me but they comin' wit me. How about that, send the Queen bee to attack, only a fly b**ch like that can leave em and laugh. Rock 'em to sleep, make 'em think the drama is dead. Yo, I smile up in your face, though I'm plottin' instead."

“Quiet Storm (Remix)” by Mobb Deep featuring Lil’ Kim is a hip-hop song that gets fewer plays on my playlist than many other tunes mentioned in previous A to Z Challenge posts. Still, I find it to be an entertaining track that you kinda have to be in the mood to listen to -- You can rock out to it in a nightclub, at a house party or even bump it in your car.

Since I’m not gangsta, I don’t really read much into the lyrics but I had no idea that this song is from the soundtrack for the crime drama “In Too Deep” starring Omar Epps, Nia Long and LL Cool J. The movie is about an undercover cop who develops a close relationship with a local drug lord whom he is supposed to bust.

I never watched “In Too Deep” but am almost certain that it’s somewhere on my Netflix list. The only quiet storm that comes to mind where movies are concerned is the scene in “Troy” starring Brad Pitt, where the Spartans invaded Troy during the Trojan War. The Spartans were mighty clever with their sneaky little approach to overtaking their enemy, by dressing something up as a gift or friendly gesture of peace. Now, that’s what I call a quiet storm!

Sack of Troy:

So the next time you’re at a birthday party or having guests over for a casual dinner, host an activity based on “Troy” that will bring people together instead of tearing them apart.

Create a matching game where guests in your household have to match the Greeks, Myrmidons and Trojans with the corresponding photos that depict scenes from this movie (*example: Photo of Brad Pitt is accompanied by multiple choice Greeks/Myrmidons/Trojans and each player must circle only one of the three for each actor or character's name on their game sheet), similar to my movie themed baby shower game but maybe more challenging because players in the “Troy” game would have had to pay attention to this movie whenever they watched it.

*If any of you reading this want a visual example of the “Troy” game, let me know and I’ll add one to this post, over the weekend.

Until next time, in the words of the great Achilles.....

"Is there no one else?"

Do YOU think the sack of Troy cruel of the Spartans or simply a case of one side doing whatever it takes to make sure that they are not defeated?

Private Parties, Purple Rain Style! #atozchallenge #atoz #superbowl #halftime #movies

“I never meant to cause you any sorrow. I never meant to cause you any pain. I only wanted to see you laughing. I only wanted to see you laughing in that purple rain”

“Purple Rain” by Prince is always welcome whenever and wherever I’m listening to music -- that could be in the bathroom, while working on the computer and during bedtime. Although I haven’t seen Prince in concert, I did enjoy watching his Superbowl XLI Halftime Show, in 2007. Those who remember this particular football game featuring the Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicaco Bears may also recall the rainy weather everyone endured at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Prince closed out his Superbowl performance that day with none other than “Purple Rain” -- singing and playing his guitar in the Miami downpour, amidst an enthusiastic crowd. Mother nature, the NFL nor Prince could not have timed this event any better -- well, maybe Mother nature knew what she was doing. Prince quickly turned what could have been a downer, into a very memorable show for football audiences in attendance and watching on television. The song is on the soundtrack for his movie of the same name -- “Purple Rain,” a drama also starring musician Morris Day.

So in honor of Prince, the “Purple Rain” movie and Tina at Life is Good’s halftime locker room talk for the A to Z Challenge, here are some group party and private party ideas -- complete with a Purple Rain Cocktail recipe, that you can enjoy regardless of whether a rainy day is in the forecast for your town.

The Purple Rain Group Party - Rated PG-13

Host an 80s theme Sweet 16 party where you all play karaoke games and then have a costume contest based on the "Purple Rain" movie. Turn the party location into a nightclub setting that resembles First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis. You could also "book" guests as a fun method your RSVP method, which also doubles as a guarantee that those in attendance will participate in the karaoke performances.

-and-

The Purple Rain Private Party - Rated R (for Adults)

Learn the choreography from the scene where Apollonia 6 performs their song titled "Sex Shooter" at First Avenue nightclub and then treat your boyfriend or husband (...or girlfriend, if you swing that way) to a "Purple Rain" flashback for Valentine's Day or a surprise evening alone together.

Serve up a Purple Rain cocktail before your bedroom (or living room or wherever!) surprise for your honey. This drink does not appear to be associated with the "Purple Rain" movie but you can still enjoy it nonetheless, since it shares the same name:

1 ½ oz. Gin
Cranberry Juice
1 splash of Blue Curacao
1 splash of sweet and sour mix
1 splash of soda water* 

Fill a tall glass with ice and then pour in the gin. Fill the glass with cranberry juice and then add blue curacao, sweet/sour mix and soda. Shake glass gently (or maybe stir, if you’re prone to making a mess) and then add more blue curacao until the drink has a royal-purple tint to it, and serve.

*I suppose, 7up could be used as an alternative for soda water if you don't have the latter. Purple Rain cocktail recipe courtesy of Drinks Mixer.

Now, everybody together, put up your lighters and wave them in the air....

(Although I couldn't find a clip of Prince's "Purple Rain" performance at the time of this writing, here is another portion of his halftime show, where he covers songs by Jimi Hendrix and The Foo Fighters)

Which one of the Purple Rain parties listed here would YOU be likely to attend?

Would YOU drink the Purple Rain cocktail?

What is YOUR favorite Prince song?