Ingenue Perspective

HappyThankYouMorePlease

2012-01-28T13:53:00.001-05:00

Lew and I watched this last night for our Friday night in-house date night. I absolutely LOVED it! I didn't know quite what to expect. It's written and directed by Josh Radnor of How I Met Your Mother. He also plays the main character. I love him on HIMYM, so I was interested when I heard about it! I watched the preview and decided I was definitely going to watch it. I've been waiting for it to be on my Blockbuster Online.

It is really so great! The story is interesting and different. I love how it is one of those that include lots of different people and how they relate to each other. The relationships between the characters are just so real. That was my favorite thing. All the relationships. There were several parts where Lew and I both were just like, "oh that was great." The way he has them interact and the way he shows that is just so authentic and sincere.

I really enjoyed it and I think you would too!

So there ya go!

Pilot Scoop

2012-01-28T13:46:00.000-05:00

Every year, I follow the new TV show forecasts pretty closely. I get excited to see what new shows I could pick up! This year, I started watching New Girl, Ringer, Hart of Dixie, Suburgatory, 2 Broke Girls and Secret Circle! Let's point out that 3 of those are on the CW - probably my all time favorite channel. It has the most shows that I watch on it.

Well, the TV stations have started picking up pilots, so I'm following along with anticipation! So far here are the shows that look promising to me...

Let's start with my favorite...the CW

CW has ordered another medical dramedy by the producer of Gilmore Girls. I didn't watch Gilmore Girls, but I want to and I know lots of people who like it! The plot sounds similar to Hart of Dixie, mixed with Grey's Anatomy. That could be a downer that there are already shows similar to it, but since I like both of those, I'm willing to give it a shot.

CW has also ordered The Carrie Diaries, based on the novel by Candace Bushnell. It's a prequel to the Sex and the City novels, based on Carrie in high school. I love Sex and the City, so I'm pretty sure if they do this well, I'd love it too!

Finally, CW has ordered a Beauty and the Beast-type show, similar to the 1987 series with Ron Pearlman and Linda Hamilton. I haven't seen that, but according to IMDB it looks kindof like a more modern take on it. Not sure how I feel about this, but I tend to give the CW the benefit of the doubt, so I'm going to try it.

Now, probably my 2nd favorite channel...ABC

First of all, ABC is also ordering a Beauty and the Beast-type show. Weird that there would be 2, but this one sounds more like a Once Upon a Time kind of thing. I have loved that show so far, so this one also sounds fairly promising. But I also find it weird that they would have Once Upon a Time and a Beauty and the Beast show on their network.

ABC has also ordered 666 Park Ave., based on another book. It is created by the producers of Vampire Diaries, Secret Circle and Gossip Girl. They had me at producers of Vampire Diaries. I'll watch.

Shonda Rhimes has created a period drama for ABC called Gilded Lilys. It's based in 1895, with the first luxury hotel in New York. She's done great with everything I've seen of hers so far and I love New York, so that idea sounds interesting.

NBC

NBC has picked up 8 comedies. Once a couple of them sound good to me.

Jimmy Fallon is producing a comedy based on three 30-something guys who are parenting even though they haven't stopped being children themselves. Sounds funny and I love Jimmy.

There is also an untitled Hilary Winston project about a shy, focused woman who dumps her fiance and allows her coworkers to help her come out of her shell and get revenge. Sounds kinda cute.

TBS

TBS ordered Men at Work, with Breckin Meyer and Danny Masterson. It's about a recently dumped nice guy whose friends help him become manly again. It's got some funny guys in it.

Golden Globes Favorite & Least Favorite

2012-01-15T22:03:00.002-05:00

Favorite: Charlize Theron

Least Favorite: Sarah Michelle Gellar

Movies I Need to See: Golden Globe Edition

2012-01-15T22:01:00.001-05:00

The Descendants

I have to wait for Dollar Theater or DVD.

The Help

I'm waiting until I read the book! I know it's crazy I haven't read the book yet. I'm working on it, people!

The Ides of March

George Clooney AND Ryan Gosling. Yes. I'm waiting for Dollar Theater or DVD.

Moneyball

This looks great & I love Brad, Jonah & Chris!

The Iron Lady

Meryl Streep rocks my socks off.

Midnight in Paris

Rachel McAdams. I love her.

My Week With Marilyn

Can I just say how surprising it is that Jen from Dawson's Creek ended up being the most critically acclaimed actor from the show? Love it.

Young Adult

This just looks funny.

Beginners

Love Christopher Plummer & Ewan McGregor. Waiting for DVD.

I need to get on this before the Oscars!!

Golden Globes Best & Worst...Continued

2012-01-15T21:41:00.003-05:00

Best

Freida Pinto - Very simple, but she looks so great!

Kristen Wiig - She looks fantastic! I love her hair.

Charlize Theron - Love her hair & makeup! Kinda love the dress, too!

Angelina Jolie - This was actually on the worst list for me, but when I saw her talking to Ryan Seacrest, she actually looked really great! Pictures don't really make it look good.

Sarah Hyland - She's just adorable & the dress is so simple & beautiful.

Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan - Favorite couple. They're adorable & they look fantastic!

Worst

Salma Hayek - While her hair looks lovely, I think her dress looks like something from Tron.

Nicole Kidman - Oh just no. I just really don't like it.

Dianna Agron - Love her. Just don't love that dress. Laser-cut swans? Really?

Lea Michele - Just don't love this either.

Side note: my Golden Globes snack of choice is the Pretzel Chip. I bought the Snack Factory brand at Target. Original Deli Style. Yummy!

Golden Globes Best & Worst...so far

2012-01-15T20:51:00.003-05:00

This is as of the first part of the red carpet.

Best

Ariel Winter - very cute & appropriate

Shailene Woodley - beautiful

Worst

Sarah Michelle Gellar - looks like paint spilled on her

Jesse Tyler Ferguson - he looks like a butler

Golden Globes 2012

2012-01-15T20:22:00.000-05:00

It's award season again!!! I love it. It's 8:15pm and I'm just now starting the red carpet coverage on DVR! My first thoughts...what is up with Kelly Osborne's hair? And I'm super pumped to hear what Ricky Gervais has to say!

Stay tuned for some Cameron commentary. Always fun.

Reading Update

2012-01-01T20:52:00.001-05:00

I've read several books lately that I felt like I needed to share! I'm in a major Young Adult phase right now. Mainly I think it's because I've been working and I just don't have time to get into something that requires a lot of thought. I used to read books like The Count of Monte Cristo and I loved it! But it required me to really think through everything! Now that's not to say that what I have been reading isn't really great, because some of it really is! But it's just not deep-thinking kind of stuff. That being said, here's what I've been reading lately!!

Matched and Crossed by Ally Condie

Both of these are dystopian novels about a society where at 17, you are matched with someone and you spend the rest of your life with them. Everything is planned out for you, including your mate, your job, your home, your leisure activities, etc. It takes place around this one girl whose match gets mixed up and she ends up questioning everything about her society. It's a trilogy and the first two are out now. I read them both. I liked the first better than the second, but I still liked both of them. They definitely weren't the best books I've ever read, but they were worth the read!

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

This book is really strange, but I liked it. I'm not sure if everyone would. It takes place again, in a dystopian society where a generation found the cure for all illnesses, including cancer, HIV, etc. and there was a generation who lived into their hundreds. As a result, though, their children started dying at the age of 20 for girls and 24 for boys. The generation who is living so long has started to create polygamous marriages for their sons where they marry young girls who haven't reached the age to die yet. The purpose of these marriages is for the girls to bear children to be tested and experimented on to try and find a cure for this new virus that is killing the children. It takes place around a girl who is stolen and forced into one of these polygamous marriages. It's really interesting and strange, but in a really good way! The second one comes out in February, so I'll be reading that one too!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

I kept seeing this book on my Amazon Recommendations, so I finally decided to read it! I really loved it and couldn't put it down! It's about a group of boys who wake up in this place alone and with no memory. They arrive at the rate of one a month and they are in this huge courtyard surrounded by a huge maze. They have been there for a couple of years and are trying to figure out a way out. The courtyard closes every night and there are thing in the maze that come out and will kill you if you are left out there at night. It takes place around a boy who arrives and then a week later, a girl arrives with a message that she will be the last one. Everything changes and it's really fast-paced and interesting! That being said, though, I tried to read the second one and I just couldn't get into it. It's a trilogy and all three of them are available now. Maybe you'd like them all more than I did!

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

I actually read this one a while ago, but I don't think I ever posted on it on either of my blogs. My friend Sara, who recommended Twilight to me the first time, is the one who told me to read it. It's kind-of like Twilight for adults. It's about Vampires and Witches, but rather than being something that is light and fluffy and just a love story, it is actually really well written and intelligent! The author takes vampires & witches and puts them into historical context among lots of other things that have happened in the past. I really loved the way she put it all together! It is also going to be a trilogy and I'm excited about the next one!!

Fallen and Torment by Lauren Kate

These are the most recent ones I've read. I just finished Torment last night. They are the first two in a series of four. They remind me a lot of My Name is Memory that I read this past summer. It's about two people whose love spans lifetimes and centuries where she is a human who keeps coming back after traumatic deaths, but he's a fallen angel. It ties into a lot of biblical things with the fall and angels and demons and things like that. I really liked it more than I thought I would! I want to read the third one, but it's checked out at my library right now. I have placed a hold on it, so hopefully I'll get to read it soon!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I have to say, this is my favorite book I've read so far this year! It is right up there with The Hunger Games for me! It's about a dystopian society where at the age of 17, I think, you choose one of 5 factions to belong to. Once you choose your faction, it affects everything about your life. The story of where the factions came from and why there are five and things like that are all really interesting! This is about a girl who has to choose between the faction her family belongs to and making a choice that goes against everything she's ever known. It's AWESOME. I am so excited about the second one, which is coming out in May! It will also be a trilogy. I recommend this one to anybody.

Books on my "to read" list...

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

Passion by Lauren Kate

Rapture by Lauren Kate

Breaking Dawn (Major Spoilers)

2011-11-19T12:30:00.001-05:00

WARNING: I do not hold back in my details. This is pretty much nothing but spoilers. If you have read the book, you'll be fine to read this. If you have not read the books & have not seen the movie, don't read this.

Overall...I hated it.

But to be fair, I don't think it's the movie's fault that I hated it. I absolutely hated the first half of the Breaking Dawn book. Pretty much right where they cut off the first movie is where I finally got a little bit on board with the book. As soon as Jacob imprinted, everything made more sense to me about all of the other books. I suddenly got why Jacob & Bella had always had that connection. I had read the other books where it described someone imprinting on a baby and the way they had described it made it seem way less creepy and weird. I don't think there's a perfect way to portray that in a movie.

So I pretty much felt about the movie the way I felt about the book. I loved the wedding stuff, honeymoon stuff. I hated it when Bella got pregnant. I thought it was embarrassing and awkward. I feel like Bella is a horrible role model and a horrible character in general. She was never my favorite in the books or the movies. (Give me Hermione Granger any day!)

When it got into Jacob's view and you see the wolves talking and everything, it seemed like some sort of Disney channel animal movie. Just felt cheesy and again, embarrassing for me. I spent the last half of the movie practically with my head in my hands, or covering my face because I felt so awkward about all of it.

I will say that I loved the ending when Bella became a vampire. When it goes through that whole thing and then she opens her blood red eyes. Yep, I'm ready for Part 2. I loved Part 2 in the book! I loved the whole thing with the Volturi and with meeting all the different types of vampires from all over the world. I loved it when Bella was learning about being a vampire, so I look forward to seeing all of that in the last movie.

So let's see, I loved the wedding and honeymoon. That was about 25 minutes or so. I loved the part when Bella became a vampire. That's the last 2 minutes or so. I have a combined total of less than 30 minutes of the movie that I liked. That leaves 3/4 of the movie that I hated. Overall, not great.

But bring on Part 2.

Fall TV Update

2011-10-11T12:33:00.002-04:00

Fall TV Update

So I've got some winners & losers so far. I posted about the fall shows I was planning on watching, so here's how everything has panned out so far.

Absolute favorite new show of the season: New Girl

Others that are high up on the list: Ringer, 2 Broke Girls, Suburgatory

Here are the ones that aren't my favorites, but they've been added to my regular rotation: Hart of Dixie, The Secret Circle, Up All Night

The shows that just didn't make the cut: The Playboy Club (although this one was canceled anyway), The X Factor, Pan Am

I'm still waiting for: Once Upon a Time

But I just have to say again that New Girl is just the best thing that has happened to tv this year! I love Zooey Deschanel & the guy who plays Schmidt is hilarious! They're all just great characters on the show! Sadly, I loved Damon Wayans Jr on the pilot episode, but I'm ok with the new guy. But I do like Damon Wayans Jr's character on New Girl better than his character on Happy Endings, so that's kinda sad. Oh well.

As far as returning shows go, I'm LOVING Vampire Diaries. Everything else is good, but Vampire Diaries always takes things in a direction I didn't expect & I just think that's good writing. So way to go! I've stopped watching Raising Hope and my anticipation for Bones new season is just out of control! So excited for November 3!

What are your thoughts on Fall TV this year?

TV Shows - The Breakdown

2011-09-04T13:44:00.000-04:00

If you want to see my ridiculous DVR spreadsheet, click here to check it out!

I've been sharing my spreadsheet with several of my friends & I always get the same reaction: "How do you have time to watch all of those??" There are 46 shows on the list, so I thought I'd share my process.

The "ASAP" shows

These are the regular shows that start in the Fall & go through the Spring. I love them & I usually watch them the day they come on. They're my favorites.

Gossip Girl

Glee

Big Bang Theory

Vampire Diaries

Grey's Anatomy

SNL (Always watched on Sunday morning)

I've added these two this year. We'll see if they stay on this list.

Ringer

Hart of Dixie

The "Sometime This Week" shows

These are the regular shows that start in the Fall & go through the Spring, but I usually wait until a convenient time that week to watch them. That could mean I watch them the day they come on or it could mean I wait until Friday, Saturday or Sunday night to catch up for the week. These are also most of the 30 minute shows because I can easily fit them in here & there throughout the week.

How I Met Your Mother

House

90210

Modern Family

Happy Endings

Bones

The Office

Private Practice

I've added several to this list this year. We'll see how they go:

Two Broke Girls

The Playboy Club

New Girl

Suburgatory

Up All Night

The X Factor

The Secret Circle

Once Upon a Time

The "When I Have Time" shows

These are regular Fall to Spring shows. They're still good enough that I don't want to take them off the DVR, but I may save them & catch up at a time when regular shows are off the air for the week or something. I don't usually watch them the day or week they come on.

Raising Hope

Parenthood (This one could be moved up to a "Sometime This Week" show this year. It was awesome last year!)

Castle

The Summer/Winter Break shows

These shows come on in the summer & then come on in January again when most regular Fall shows are on hiatus for winter break. It makes it easier to keep up with them because they aren't really on at the same time of year as the Fall shows.

White Collar

Project Runway

Suits

Mid-season shows

These start later in the year, usually January to May. They make my Spring schedule a little more complicated, but they're still really good!

American Idol

Cougar Town (this year)

One Tree Hill (this year - haven't decided for sure if I'm going to watch this last season or not)

The short-season shows

These shows start random times throughout the year and usually only last 6-10 episodes or so. They can complicate things for a little while, but they're not long seasons, so it's easier to keep up with them.

NY Ink

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Holly's World

World of Jenks

The Buried Life

Million Dollar Decorators

Surprise Homecoming

Ridiculousness (Lew & I just started watching this one. Not sure if we'll keep watching it.)

And finally, The daily shows

These come on every day at times that don't interfere with anything else. I watch Ellen everyday, but the others I only keep & watch the ones that have people on that I'm interested in.

The Ellen Degeneres Show

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Late Show With David Letterman

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

The Amazing Spider Man

2011-07-23T14:55:00.000-04:00

On top of the fact that I think Emma Stone is just absolutely adorable & I see all her movies & a lot of my friends apparently think we are somehow similar (possibly the awkwardness that she can pull off in her movies - I am nothing if not awkward in a semi-charming way), I now have even more of a reason to be hyped about the new Amazing Spider Man movie! Andrew Garfield's little speech at Comic-Con is just the cutest thing I've ever seen, I almost cried. So excited about this one!!

Blockbuster Movie List

2011-07-04T13:49:00.000-04:00

(Out of all of these, White Collar is my favorite!)

I've been really using my Blockbuster online account this summer! I've watched so many movies!! I thought I'd share a run-down of the best & worst. (In order from the most recently watched.)

The Adjustment Bureau

I was actually surprised by how much I liked this one. I tend to really enjoy Matt Damon movies, though, and I think Emily Blunt is adorable!

Sucker Punch

This was just not great. It would've been better if it was actually about girls with super strength & power fighting things, but the fact that it was all in her mind just came off as silly.

Just Go With It

I loved this!! I had heard it wasn't that good, but I thought it was so funny!!

Beastly

I'm a little embarrassed by how much I liked this, but not that embarrassed. It was good! I really like Alex Pettyfer! Too bad he's apparently crazy in real life.

The Rainmaker

Yep I decided it was time to rewatch this one. Haven't seen it in years! Lewis had never seen the whole thing! It was just as great as the first time I saw it!

City of Angels

Another old one that I decided to watch again. I love that Goo Goo Dolls song in it. I think that's the best part of the movie. Nicholas Cage kinda makes me feel uncomfortable.

White Collar

I watched the first 2 seasons of this & then started watching season 3 on USA this summer! It is absolutely one of my favorite shows now! I love it so much!!! The dynamic between Neal & Peter is just hilarious.

I Am Number Four

Another Alex Pettyfer. Lewis and I both really liked this one! It was WAY better than I expected. I'm actually looking forward to the next one!

Jackass 3

I've seen all the Jackass movies. I don't know why I like them so much, but I do! I watched this about a week before Ryan Dunn died in Pennsylvania. Sad.

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

Okay, confession: I watched this twice while I had it rented. I was absolutely shocked by how much I liked it! I made Lewis watch it with me the second time and he kinda liked it! He goes, "I hate to admit that this almost makes me like him."

The Next Three Days

Action. Russell Crowe. Not too bad!

The Green Hornet

We didn't even finish this one. We just didn't like it that much.

The Dilemma

I fell asleep halfway through this one. I never do that. Obviously it wasn't that appealing.

No Strings Attached

I thought this was really cute and funny! I actually kinda want to watch it again! I'm excited about seeing Friends With Benefits and comparing the two!

Private Practice

This is another TV show I finally started watching. I don't like it as much as White Collar or Grey's Anatomy, but I did like it & I'll be adding it to my DVR list for the fall.

New Harry Potter Trailer!

2011-06-17T13:57:00.000-04:00

My excitement for this movie is just crazy! I get goose bumps on my whole body when I watch this trailer.

My Fall TV List

2011-05-19T13:22:00.000-04:00

All the networks have been announcing their Fall TV Schedules & I am overall really happy!! There are a few shows that I'm sad have been canceled (Hellcats, Off the Map, Mr. Sunshine), but there are also a bunch of new shows I can't wait to watch!

First, let's talk about what I'm excited is returning! (In no particular order)

House

Fox, Mondays at 9pm

I can't believe that Cuddy isn't coming back, but I do feel like House is still giving us crazy storylines that have me completely on the edge of my seat. One main example: House's absolutely insane & disturbing surgery on himself in this week's episode. OMG.

Glee

Fox, Tuesdays at 8pm

Of course, this is just amazing and it makes me really happy and I want it to keep coming back year after year. And I'm ready for Finn & Rachel to be back together. And definitely for Puck to stir up some trouble next season. I feel like he wasn't enough of a troublemaker this season.

Raising Hope

Fox, Tuesdays at 9:30pm

While this isn't one of my absolute favorites, it does make me laugh regularly & I think that's all you can ask for.

Bones

Fox, Thursdays at 9pm

I absolutely cannot wait for the finale tonight to find out if Booth & Bones did it! LOL. I will keep watching this one even though they completely make me angry regularly with there back & forth kind of junk between the two of them. It's been way too long. Just let them get together already!

Parenthood

NBC, Tuesdays at 10pm

If you are a parent or you have parents or you have siblings (which I should've covered everyone by now), you should be watching this show. It's beautiful and challenging and funny and just a really lovely family show.

The Office

NBC, Thursdays at 9pm

So curious about next season without Steve Carell!

Castle

ABC, Mondays at 10pm

Eh, it'll remain on my DVR, but depending on how the beginning of next season goes, this one could be off after a few episodes.

Modern Family

ABC, Wednesdays at 9pm

Hilarious. Keep 'em coming.

Happy Endings

ABC, Wednesdays at 9:30pm

This was a midseason pickup this year & I have been so surprised by how much I LOVE it! It's just hilarious! The combo of those 6 characters is really great! It's right up there with the Friends or How I Met Your Mother or Big Bang Theory combo of characters for me. I hope it has a great second season!

Grey's Anatomy

ABC, Thursdays at 9pm

I just never get tired of this show.

Private Practice

ABC, Thursdays at 10pm

Okay, this is one I just started watching a couple months ago & I'm within half a season of being caught up. Thank you, Hulu Plus, for having the whole fourth season available to me! I love this!

90210

CW, Tuesdays at 8pm

Loving this one still, too! Is Naomi really pregnant?? Because I feel like she's lying to get the nerd to stick around.

Big Bang Theory

CBS, Thursdays at 8pm

This is just one of the best shows on tv. If it didn't come back, I would freak out.

Cougar Town

ABC, Wednesdays at 9pm (midseason)

Coming back mid-season - really?? This show is awesome!!!!!

Gossip Girl

CW, Mondays at 8pm

Love this! I really wanted Chuck & Blair to get together again, but I kinda get it. Maybe she'll really get to be a princess! And I now need to read The Beautiful and Damned this summer.

How I Met Your Mother

CBS, Mondays at 8pm

Barney is getting married?!? When do we get to meet the mother???

The Vampire Diaries

CW, Thursdays at 8pm

This is my favorite show on TV right now. I am so curious about everything coming up next season! Cannot believe Jenna is dead. Kinda ready for Elena & Damon to get together for a while. Cannot believe Stefan is bad again!!!

Saturday Night Live

NBC, Saturdays at 11:30pm

I mean, really, it's just a TV legend. It must continue.

Project Runway All-Stars

Lifetime

Excited about this - don't know when it comes on, though!

Now, the one I'm not in favor of returning...

One Tree Hill

CW, Tuesdays (midseason)

Yes, I have been a One Tree Hill fan for a really long time now. I have been in support of it returning every year that it's been on. But this season, they ended it perfectly. Everyone is happy. Everyone has a baby or someone who loves them or has somehow made amends or whatever. It's just all wrapped up. What else is there to do? Especially in only 13 episodes of a mid-season pickup? I feel like it will just be creating drama for no reason. I wish they had just left this one alone. The finale this season was a perfect ending to the show & I just don't know if I'll continue watching it next season. I wish they would go out strong & positive. I mean, Jamie running across the bridge with the basketball & the Keith Scott motors sweatshirt?? How much more perfect of an ending do you need??

And the new shows I will be trying out in the fall are...

New Girl

Fox, Tuesdays at 9pm

Zooey Deschanel is coming to TV! Of course I will be watching. I don't even know what the show is about, but I'm there.

Suburgatory

ABC, Wednesdays at 8:30pm

I was not really interested in this one, but then I watched the preview. It looks funny! And it's a dad/daughter show & I'm always up for giving those a shot.

Once Upon a Time

ABC, Sundays at 8pm

Jennifer Morrison & Ginnifer Goodwin star in this show about a city where fairy tales are coming true. Cheesy? Maybe. Interesting to me? Definitely. I'll give it a shot.

Secret Circle

CW, Thursdays at 9pm

This is starring Brit Robertson, who I loved in Life Unexpected. It's based on more books by LJ Smith, who wrote The Vampire Diaries. I'll be reading the books this summer & adding this to my DVR this fall! I'm definitely interested!

Hart of Dixie

CW, Mondays at 9pm

Rachel Bilson is returning to TV. I think she's adorable & I've liked pretty much everything else she's been in. Plus it's on the CW & I tend to like most things on the CW, so I'm in to give it a shot!

Ringer

CW, Tuesdays at 9pm

Sarah Michelle Gellar. On the CW. As a monumental Buffy fan, I feel like I need to offer no other explanation.

What are you looking forward to in Fall TV??

Return to My So-Called Life

2011-04-05T14:05:00.000-04:00

I finished Season 1 aka the entire series of My So-Called Life last night. I've been watching it on DVD for the last couple of weeks. It is so strange how something that so perfectly hit home for me in middle school and high school can somehow be completely off base and completely perfect still at the exact same time when I re-watch it at 26 years old. It was an interesting journey, following along this time.

My initial thoughts were as follows:

Why did I like this so much?

Wow Jordan Catalano is still all that.

How do shows from the 90's get me saying things like "all that" again?

This 90's music is fabulous.I had totally forgotten about Toad the Wet Sprocket!

Why is he always leaning? Oh right, because he's high!

(I just like how he's always leaning. Against stuff. He leans great. - Angela)

Good looks are just not enough to overlook illiteracy.

Claire Danes is a fabulous actress.

This reminds me so much of how I felt in high school!
(Huge events take place on this earth every day. Earthquakes, hurricanes…even glaciers move. So why couldn't he just...look at me? - Angela)

Some of this reminds me so much of how I feel now!
(This life has been a test. If it had been an actual life, you would have received instructions on where to go and what to do. - Angela)

I love Rayanne Graff.

Wow I remember why I liked this so much.
(Sometimes it seems like we're all living in some kind of prison, and the crime is how much we hate ourselves. It's good to get really dressed up once in a while, and admit the truth -- that when you really look closely, people are so strange and so complicated that they're actually...beautiful. Possibly even me. - Angela)

Why in the world did this get canceled???
(People always say how you should be yourself. Like yourself is this definite thing, like a toaster or something. Like you know what it is, even. But every so often, I'll have, like, a moment when just being myself, and my life, like, right where I am, is, like, enough. - Angela)

As you can see, many of these thoughts were related to Jordan Catalano - as I'm sure most girl's thoughts are when they watch it. (Remember when Jared Leto looked like that & not like he does now!) The rest of them are just all the reasons why people loved this show! It hits home to people. I remember that feeling of not knowing who I was and not knowing exactly how to find out. I remember the feeling of not wanting to be like your parents, not exactly trying to rebel, but trying to find some way to identify where you become separate from them. I remember feeling awkward & uncomfortable with my looks, my body, the way my life - physically and emotionally was just changing. It's a rough time and some part of that continues throughout your adult life because life continues to change and move on. We have to adapt, discover a new version of ourselves that works for this stage.

There are so many quotes from the show that leave you thinking "um heck yes that is exactly what I'm thinking!" Even now - at 26. I'm no longer a teenager. I'm no longer interested in the "Jordan Catalanos" of the world. (It's always tempting to lose yourself with someone who's maybe lost themselves. But eventually, you want reality. - Patty) But I'm still struggling to discover who I am, where I fit, what parenting strategy fits me and my family - what insecurities can I overcome today - what decisions are best for me, for my husband, for my daughter. The show is about people. It's about life. And call me too introspective or over-identifying with it, but I think it has something to offer anyone who has ever felt that struggle, that need to find your place in the world.

Sure, there are people who never watched the show, never liked the show, even today would probably not identify with it. But I did. A lot. Again. At 26.
(Sometimes someone says something really small and it just fits right into this empty place in your heart. - Angela)

You know how sometimes the last sentence you said, like, echoes in your brain, and it just keeps sounding stupider? And you have to say something else just to make it stop? - Angela

The worst feeling is suddenly realizing that you don't measure up, and that, in the past, when you thought you did, you were a fool. - Angela

There are so many different ways to be connected to people. There are the people you feel this unspoken connection to, even though there's not even a word for it. There's the people who you've known forever who know you in this way that other people can't because they've seen you change. - Angela

You think you understand, but you don't! You just analyze everything until it barely exists. - Angela

Hunger Games Casting: Peeta & Gale

2011-04-04T14:07:00.000-04:00

It was just announced that Josh Hutcherson has been cast as Peeta in the upcoming Hunger Games movie.

Liam Hemsworth was cast as Gale.

I can get on board with Liam, but I totally don't see Josh in that role. I'm hoping we don't have another Twilight situation on our hands. I still hate some of the casting in Twilight when I watch it.

I guess we'll see. I'm going to rent The Kids are All Right so I can get a better idea of what I think of Josh. You can see Liam in The Last Song.

American Idol Season 10 Picks #3

2011-03-17T20:35:00.000-04:00

These are my favorites from last night!

Casey Abrams

He's still towards the top of my list. Smells Like Teen Spirit is not the greatest vocal performance, but he's got some guts to perform that & he totally pulled it off!! I loved when they used the word fearless to describe him!

Lauren Alaina

She had a much better song choice & did a much better job last night! I just think she's adorable!

Stefano Langone

He hasn't been my favorite really, but I thought he did really well last night & I love that song!

Pia Toscano

She can just sing. Dang. Every time I'm like "this girl is crazy amazing."

Jennifer Lawrence is Katniss Everdeen

2011-03-17T20:29:00.000-04:00

Jennifer Lawrence has officially been cast as Katniss Everdeen in the upcoming movie version of The Hunger Games!! She wasn't my first choice, but I'm totally happy with this choice! I'm leaning towards Alex Pettyfer or Hunter Parrish as Peeta. I guess we'll know soon who they pick for that!!

What do you think of Jennifer Lawrence playing Katniss Everdeen?

American Idol Season 10 Picks #2

2011-03-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

Here's my Top 3 from last night:

Casey Abrams

James Durbin

Pia Toscano

Not necessarily in that order.

American Idol Season 10 Picks: Girls

2011-03-03T20:41:00.000-05:00

I thought the girls just really weren't as great as the guys last night. Oh well, here are the five I'd pick to go through, even though I wasn't totally obsessed with all five of them.

Lauren Alaina

Kendra Chantelle

Naima Adedapo

Pia Toscano

Thia Megia

Click here to see the full list of contestants.

American Idol Season 10 Picks

2011-03-02T20:55:00.000-05:00

I'm actually loving this new season of American Idol!! While I adore Steven Tyler & I think Jennifer Lopez is beautiful, the judges aren't really what's doing it for me. What's really working for me is the fact that they finally have TALENT back on the show!!! Here are my top 5 guy picks from last night's episode:

Casey Abrams

Jacob Lusk

James Durbin

Paul McDonald

Scotty McCreery

The one I'm hoping gets picked on a wild card: Brett Loewenstern

Click here for the full list of contestants! I'm excited to see the girls tonight!!

Oscars 2011

2011-02-28T21:48:00.000-05:00

Favorite Dress: Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

Honorable Mention: Michelle Williams in Chanel Haute Couture

Least Favorite Dress: Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior

It looks like a napkin or a table runner.

Oscar Picks 2011!

2011-02-25T21:50:00.000-05:00

I'm preparing for my Annual Oscar Party!! It's low-key this year, but I'm still really excited! I think I'm most excited about James Franco & Anne Hathaway hosting! It's going to be a great show! Obviously some of these are just major guesses, but here are my Oscar picks this year:

Actor in a Leading Role: Colin Firth, The King's Speech

Actor in a Supporting Role: Christian Bale, The Fighter

Actress in a Leading Role: Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Actress in a Supporting Role: Melissa Leo, The Fighter

Animated Feature Film: Toy Story 3

Art Direction: Inception

Cinematography: Black Swan

Costume Design: Alice in Wonderland

Directing: The Social Network

Documentary (Feature): Inside Job

Documentary (Short Subject): Strangers No More

Film Editing: The Social Network

Foreign Language Film: Biutiful

Makeup: The Wolfman

Music (Original Score): Inception

Music (Original Song): "We Belong Together" (from Toy Story 3)

Best Picture: The Social Network

Short Film (Animated): The Gruffalo

Short Film (Live Action): Wish 143

Sound Editing: Inception

Sound Mixing: True Grit

Visual Effects: Alice in Wonderland

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): The Social Network

Writing (Original Screenplay): The Kids Are All Right

I Am Number Four

2011-02-09T20:14:00.000-05:00

I really had very little interest in seeing this movie.

Then I found out Dianna Agron is in the movie. And I love Glee. Then I found out she's dating the dude in the movie. Then I saw him on Ellen. Then I saw this trailer with the Adele song "Rolling in the Deep."

Now I really want to see it! And I think my breaking point was the song in the trailer! That just shows you how much music does for me. I love that song.

The Hunger Games Fantasy Casting

2011-01-27T22:05:00.000-05:00

If you haven't yet read The Hunger Games trilogy (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay), I highly recommend you step away from your computer, go buy them & start reading immediately. They are so awesome!! I like them as much as Twilight & they're not nearly as cheesy as Twilight, so I think they are appealing to a wider audience. Here's the plot description from the book website:

Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Lionsgate has acquired the rights to the movie adaptation of the books and they recently announced a release date of March 23, 2012! No casting decisions have been announced, so I decided to do my own fantasy casting. I've never done one of these before and I'm only doing the main characters because doing these things really stresses me out! I have such a hard time picking just one person for each role. I did Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Cinna, President Snow & Effie.

All character descriptions are taken from Wikipedia.

Katniss Everdeen: Katniss is sixteen years old and is described as having long, black hair, usually in a braid, gray eyes, and olive skin. She is small in stature and light for her age, being one of the smallest tributes in her games, but due to her outdoor life, she is strong for her size. Collins has described Katniss as being an independent survivalist, lethal, but good at thinking outside the box.

My pick: Emily Browning
Strangely enough, she was also my original pick for Bella in Twilight. She'll have to get a tan, but I think she could totally pull off the hardcore, but fairly naive thing.

Peeta Mellark: Peeta has blue eyes, and is described by Katniss as being "medium height, stocky build, blond hair that falls in waves over his forehead." Peeta thinks very well on his feet and has a very likable personality and a flair for showmanship.

My pick: Hunter Parrish
He was who I pictured through the whole book. I know he's not "stocky," but he could gain some weight. I love him in Weeds & I loved him being so cute in It's Complicated & I just think he'd do really great!

Gale Hawthorne: Gale has the common look in District 12: black hair, olive skin, and gray eyes. When he first met Katniss at the age of fourteen he was already over six feet tall. He is described as being very handsome and masculine. Gale is good at keeping things under control and does not get angry very often, though he often rants and mimicks the Capitol.Katniss describes him as "a rebel since birth".

My pick: Michael Trevino
He plays Tyler on Vampire Diaries & I love Vampire Diaries!! I just think he'd do good for this part, too. Seeing him be the werewolf on Vampire Diaries shows that he can be more strong & defiant, plus he could definitely be all angry at the Capitol. He's been pretty broody on the show.

Haymitch Abernathy: Haymitch is described as a "paunchy, middle-aged man." He is often not sober due to his drinking problem. Haymitch's most notable trait were his grey eyes, and black hair as almost every member of the Seam. Haymitch can sometimes be extremely rude when he is intoxicated. However, he displays much kindness and honesty toward Katniss, and often tells her exactly what might happen without worrying about scaring her. He is often used as a comic relief in a way with his sarcasm.

My pick: Joaquin Phoenix
Just read that description again & I feel like I need no further explanation as to why I see Joaquin for this part. He's perfect!

Cinna: Most people who live in the Capitol follow very absurd fashion trends. This is not the case for Cinna, who normally wore simple black clothing. His one strange fashion choice was gold eyeliner, which brings out the gold flecks in his green eyes. Other then that, Cinna looked very normal, with close cropped natural dark brown hair. Cinna is described as being a very sweet, lovely, enigmatic person who takes pride in his work. He is also a very caring person. (Description from The Hunger Games wiki)

My pick: James McAvoy
He is just different enough to be from the Capitol, but just normal enough to be as kind as they describe him. He's clearly intelligent & after Wanted, I think he definitely has that strong quality that Cinna shows in later books. I think he'd be really fun in this part!

President Snow: The main antagonist of the series, President Snow is the extremely evil ruler of the Capitol and all of Panem. Though laid back, he is full of sadistic thoughts. President Snow is described as having very puffy lips which was most likely from an appearance altering operation that is very popular in the Capitol. Katniss describes him as exuding a smell of blood and roses.

My pick: Tim Curry
He would completely creep me out in this role! He's got that fake nice thing going on - remember him in Home Alone 2 or Annie?? He's also totally creepy & he's got not super tiny lips like some of the other people I've seen suggested. He could pull this off in a wonderfully awful way!

Effie Trinket: Effie has bright pink hair, speculated to be a wig - as she gives speeches, she constantly has to get it under control. She is very strict about manners and is always punctual.

My pick: Meryl Streep
Think The Devil Wears Prada mixed with pink hair. I love it!

Here's my favorite site right now with some casting picks! I found some inspiration on there & chose others on my own. Several of them I just had in my mind throughout the books!

Who are your casting pics??

BIG LOVE!!!

2011-01-16T14:18:00.000-05:00

Although I will be watching the Golden Globes tonight, I'm also DVRing the Big Love Season 5 premiere!!!! I'll be watching that with Lewis tomorrow night! We are big fans of Big Love! I'm excited and nervous about this last season!! I've heard they've got some major things in store for us loyal viewers!

At the end of Season 4, Bill won a position as a Utah state senator and then came out publicly with his wives as a polygamist!! Adaleen set fire to JJ's fertility clinic with JJ & his wife inside! We also know that she's pregnant with JJ's inbred eugenics-produced baby.

Drama, drama, drama!

Will you be watching this season of Big Love??

Golden Globes 2011!

2011-01-16T14:06:00.000-05:00

My DVR is set to record all the fabulous pre-show, red carpet & awards festivities! I am SUPER excited that Ricky Gervais is hosting again this year! I loved him last year! I think he's hilarious!

The strange thing about this year is that it's the first year in a long time that I've seen a very small number of the nominated films over all the categories.

Click here for the full list of nominees.

Here are the movies I've seen:

Inception

Love and Other Drugs

Easy A

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

The Town

How to Train Your Dragon

That's not many considering there are a lot nominated for different things.

The shows I watch that are nominated are:

House

The Big Bang Theory

Glee

Modern Family

United States of Tara

The Office

That's it!! So obviously those are the movies and tv shows as well as actors involved that I am rooting for!

Who are you rooting for?

2011 Movies!!

2010-12-23T20:55:00.000-05:00

I love movies!!! I've been very happy with my Blockbuster online subscription. We've got so many great movies waiting in our Queue! Here are a few I'm excited about seeing in 2011!

Water for Elephants

I read this book earlier this year and it was just fabulous. I thought their choices of Robert Pattinson & Christoph Waltz were perfect! Reese Witherspoon was the only one I didn't picture like that, but she's such a great actress, I think she can do anything!

Fast Five

Lewis and I love all the Fast & Furious movies! We would see this even if it looked awful - but thank goodness it doesn't!! I'm excited that everyone is back in this one!

Source Code

Jake Gyllenhaal is one of my faves. This looks pretty good! It definitely seems different to me, although it reminded Lewis of Quantum Leap. I've never seen that.

Beastly

Kinda worried this one isn't gonna be good because the trailer has been out forever, but the movie isn't coming out until March 2011. I'm still gonna see it because I like Vanessa Hudgens & Mary-Kate Olsen.

Sucker Punch

I've mentioned this one before, but Lewis & I are both really pumped about it!! Girl power. LOL

Haircut?

2010-11-22T22:24:00.000-05:00

I'm really considering doing this to my hair - cut & color.

Thoughts?

I heart Amazon

2010-11-20T10:40:00.000-05:00

Anybody wanna buy me an early Christmas gift??

Most of the shows I want on DVD are on sale right now on Amazon!!!

Grey's Anatomy Season 6 is only $22.49!

Big Bang Theory Season 1 is only $15.99!

Big Bang Theory Season 2 is only $17.49!

Big Bang Theory Season 3 is only $28.99!

You could buy gifts for less than $30 & I'd think you spent $50! LOL

I'm only kidding, but those are still great deals on Amazon right now! Check them out!!

TV Update!!!!

2010-10-18T20:45:00.000-04:00

Here's where I'm at right now in my shows:

I am definitely not on board with keeping couples apart in the TV shows. I'm really annoyed with it right now.

Grey's Anatomy - Seriously - Lexie & Sloan need to be together. Like yesterday.

Bones - There was a point where you should've finally gotten Bones & Booth together & that point was at the very latest sometime last season. Now you haven't done it & my husband will no longer watch your show with me. Jerks. I am holding on, but it's not really worth it.

90210 - Liam & Annie need to stop all this annoying back & forth "we like each other & then we don't" kind of junk.

Some things I'm happy with right now:

House & Cuddy are doing good. Relatively.

Elena & Stefan are staying strong in Vampire Diaries.

Meredith & Derek as well as Owen & Cristina are staying together.

Also, I love Mondo on Project Runway. He needs to win. Bad.

One thing I'm not okay with: political commercials. I have the weeks leading up to an election. Makes me want to throw things at the TV.

Jimmy Fallon & JT: History of Rap

2010-10-05T20:26:00.002-04:00

This is one of the best things I've seen lately! I love it!!

Fall Shows Premiere 2010 - Week 2

2010-09-18T20:38:00.000-04:00

Last week The Ellen Degeneres show premiered & I loved seeing Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Mary-Kate & Ashley & Ben Affleck!! I missed Ellen this summer! In the 90210 premiere, I was really ready for Annie & Liam to get together & I'm kinda annoyed that they didn't. I don't enjoy the whole situation with Naomi for several reasons. Overall, though it was good. Gossip Girl was good, I just hate this Dan/Georgina/baby thing. Ick.

On Tuesday there was One Tree Hill, Life Unexpected & Parenthood! One Tree Hill was okay, but I'm still not 100% convinced that it's good that they are having another season. I hope it gets better. Next week is another of the episodes where they have someone in a coma or dead but they're walking around like they're all good. We've seen this with Keith & Karen & Lucas already before. We'll see how that goes. Life Unexpected was great! I surprisingly didn't see the Lux & her teacher thing coming. I want Cate & Baze to be together & I'm sort-of ok with Lux & Bug breaking up. Parenthood was pretty good. I just really like that show & I can't explain exactly why. It makes me happy!

This week is a big week for tv premieres! These shows are premiering:

Monday

House

How I Met Your Mother

The Event

Castle

Tuesday

Glee

Raising Hope

Wednesday

Modern Family

Cougar Town

Thursday

Bones

The Big Bang Theory

$#*! My Dad Says

Grey's Anatomy

The Office

Saturday

Saturday Night Life

Favorite Music Videos 2010

2010-09-12T22:40:00.000-04:00

Watching the VMA's is making me think about music videos this year. There have only been a couple of music videos that stuck out to me this year & that's probably because the first 2 weeks after Isis was born, I left the TV on AMTV2 all night, so videos were always playing when I woke up to feed Isis. Those were some rough nights with my baby blues & just being exhausted, but these videos made me feel better somehow! Now I think they'll always remind me of those nights with Isis & while at the time they were rough, looking back on it is great for me because they were my first days with my baby girl!

30 Seconds to Mars

Kings and Queens

Owl City

Fireflies

Paramore

Brick by Boring Brick

Kings of Leon

Sex on Fire

What were your favorite videos this year?

Fall Shows Premiere Week 2010 - Week 1

2010-09-12T13:45:00.000-04:00

Last week Vampire Diaries Season 2 premiered on the CW. Hellcats and Nikita also had their series premieres on the CW! Vampire Diaries rocked my socks off! It was absolutely amazing - probably my favorite show on TV right now. Diana & I are now having Thursday night pajama parties watching it together at her house! Hellcats was ok. It wasn't my favorite & I'm giving it one more week. Nikita, on the other hand, didn't even last 10 minutes for me. I hated it from the very beginning. It will not be added as a permanent addition to my DVR.

This coming week these shows premiere:

Monday:

The Ellen Degeneres Show

90210

Gossip Girl

Tuesday:

One Tree Hill

Life Unexpected

Parenthood

None of them are new series for me, so I'm pretty pumped about all of them!

Saddest character death

2010-08-30T12:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #30

I made it through the meme!!! Here are my 5 saddest character deaths.

Buffy on Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The Gift

I mean, come on. It's Buffy & she died! And we didn't know at the time that they were going to move the show to UPN so not only the viewers, but also the people who made the show thought this was the series finale! It was super sad.

Libby on Lost

Two for the Road

We all thought that Hurley finally had a woman who loved him, so he'd have a girlfriend!! I'm pretty sure most people connected to that because Hurley is just so sweet! But then she gets accidentally shot by Michael & I cried.

Denny Duquette on Grey's Anatomy

Losing My Religion

I also included this scene in the best scene ever category. It was just heartbreaking! Denny was so lovable & such a great character on the show! I love that he's been back a few times, too. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is just awesome.

Joyce on Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The Body

Her actual death is shown at the end of I Was Made to Love You, but The Body is all about the death. Besides being super sad, I think that is one of the best episodes made on Buffy because it was just so different & so emotional. No music, lots of long takes. It was just really captivating.

Keith on One Tree Hill

With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept

I cannot even tell you how much I cried the first time I saw this episode. It was unbelievable. It really was shocking to me! We all still miss Uncle Keith!!

Fall 2010 TV Premiere Dates

2010-08-29T15:40:00.000-04:00

These are the shows that I watch, so it's not a full list. I've included links to the pages with all the network premiere dates as well so you can go find your favorite shows that I don't watch.

These are in order of premiere dates so that you know what's coming first!

Wednesday, September 8

Hellcats (CW) - New Show!! - 9:00pm

Thursday, September 9

The Vampire Diaries (CW) - 8:00pm

Nikita (CW) - New Show!! - 9:00pm

Monday, September 13

The Ellen Degeneres Show - 4:00pm

90210 (CW) - 8:00pm

Gossip Girl (CW) - 9:00pm

Tuesday, September 14

One Tree Hill (CW) - 8:00pm

Life Unexpected (CW) - 9:00pm

Parenthood (NBC) - 10:00pm

Monday, September 20

House (FOX) - 8:00pm

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - 8:00pm

The Event (NBC) - New Show!! - 9:00pm

Castle (ABC) - 10:00pm

Tuesday, September 21

Glee (FOX) - 8:00pm

Raising Hope (FOX) - New Show!! - 9:00pm

Wednesday, September 22

Modern Family (ABC) - 9:00pm

Cougar Town (ABC) - 9:30pm

Thursday, September 23

Bones (FOX) - 8:00pm

The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - 8:00pm

$#*! My Dad Says (CBS) - New Show!! - 8:30pm

Grey's Anatomy (ABC) - 9:00pm

The Office (NBC) - 9:00pm

Saturday, September 25

Saturday Night Live (NBC) - 11:30pm

Tuesday, September 28

No Ordinary Family (ABC) - New Show!! - 8:00pm

TV Guide Fall 2010 Schedule

TV Guide Fall 2010 Premiere Calendar

Current TV show obsession

2010-08-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #29

There are a lot of shows that I watch regularly right now. But there are only 3 that I really think I could categorize as a current obsession.

Glee

This show makes me giddy.

The Vampire Diaries

I am a young adult vampire fan. No True Blood for me. This completely satisfies my TV vampire interest.

The Big Bang Theory

This show is hilarious. I laugh out loud at something in literally every episode & I can watch them over & over. I never get sick of them.

First TV Show Obsession

2010-08-28T12:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #28

I think this was the first...

Dawson's Creek

I LOVED this. I remember I was super excited before it even started & I watched it from the very first episode. I loved Dawson & Joey. I loved that her name was Joey. I thought it was so cool that she climbed in his window. It was all just super fun! I kinda fell off the bandwagon after a few seasons, though. I never was on board with the Pacey & Joey thing & I never saw the last couple of seasons. I really do need to pick it back up. I keep saying that!!

Best Pilot Episode

2010-08-27T20:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #27

I'm making this short & sweet because my life is overwhelming me right now! haha!

These are the pilot episodes that had me hooked into the shows immediately.

(Again, obviously add Friends & Buffy to all my lists like this.)

Grey's Anatomy

One Tree Hill

Gossip Girl

The OC

Lost

OMG WTF? Season finale

2010-08-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #26

Vampire Diaries - Season 1

I freaked out when Elena was Katherine & Damon kissed her & she chopped off the dude's fingers, etc. It was just all crazy.

Big Love - Season 4

Bill wins the election & comes out as a polygamist. J.J. is doing all kinds of crazy in-vitro inbreeding craziness & Adaleen sets fire to his fertility clinic office. Oh my gosh.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season 2

Buffy kills Angel right after his soul is restored. Then she leaves. We all cry & wonder what will happen the next season.

Gossip Girl - Season 3

Chuck was shot!!

Friends - Season 4

Ross says Rachel in his vows at his wedding to Emily. OMG

A show you plan on watching (old or new)

2010-08-25T12:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #25

I shared a post earlier this summer with the new fall shows I plan on watching. Here's a show we've been meaning to watch for a while now. I know it's ridiculous we haven't been watching it already!

30 Rock

I know, you're shocked. I really need to watch it ASAP.

Best quote

2010-08-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #24

There are so many quotes that I love from TV shows! I could pick a couple of Grey's Anatomy ones & of course some Friends quotes. Sex and the City has great quotes!! But the only one that stuck out right off the top of my head was the one at the end of the school shooting episode of One Tree Hill. I think that's saying something, so I decided I'd just go with that.

"Does this darkness have a name? This cruelty, this hatred, how did it find us? Did it steal into our lives or did we seek it out and embrace it? What happened to us that we now send our children into the world like we send young men to war, hoping for their safe return, but knowing that some would be lost along the way. When did we lose our way? Consumed by the shadows. Swallowed whole by the darkness. Does this darkness have a name? Is it your name?"

One Tree Hill

With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept

Most annoying character

2010-08-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #23

Georgina

Gossip Girl

She just gets on my nerves every time she's on the show. I feel like she's unnecessary & always creates drama that I don't want to be there.

Deb

One Tree Hill

I kinda think she's a bad actress & I just didn't like a lot of her storylines.

Naomi

90210

She's way too whiney.

Dawn

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Again, whiney! Maybe I just don't like Michelle Trachtenberg.

Dr. Erica Hahn

Grey's Anatomy

I just don't like this actress & I didn't think she went well with Callie & it was just all really awkward when she was around. I was never a big fan of her being introduced as a real character that we're actually supposed to like.

Favorite series finale

2010-08-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #22

[THIS HAS MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED THESE FINALES]

I don't think I can avoid doing Friends or Buffy for this one because most of my favorite shows are still on the air, so these are the only 2 that have actual series finales. And I didn't love the Lost series finale enough to put it on here.

I love the Friends finale because it's just really funny. There are several quotes from Friends that Lewis & I both still quote on a regular basis that came from the series finale. I love that Chandler & Monica have the babies & Ross & Rachel get together! Phoebe is so happy she's singing like in a musical! It's just a great episode.

I love the Buffy finale because it's like girl power to the highest degree. I love the whole part at the very end where all the girls from all different places are standing up & becoming slayers & realizing that they can take on the world. I love that Spike sacrifices himself & that Buffy finally tells him she loves him (and I believe she really does). It is awesome!!

Favorite relationship

2010-08-21T08:00:00.003-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #21

Apparently on other 30 Days of TV memes, this one is called "favorite ship." I think that's stupid. So it's favorite relationship on my blog. Again, I have a top 10 in no particular order. And by the way - I'm having a hard time with all these favorite whatevers. I've already thought of like 10 more favorite kisses that could've fit somewhere in my top list from yesterday!! It's so hard to pick!!!

Mark Sloan & Lexie Grey

Grey's Anatomy

Video

I've already said that I love that he goes from a major player just going from girl to girl & not really caring about anybody to being totally changed by his relationship with her. I'm all about that.

Buffy & Spike

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Video

I have always been a little more partial to the relationship between Buffy & Spike over her & Angel because Spike chooses to be good based on his observance of how Buffy lives. Angel is cursed, not making a choice.

Buffy & Angel

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Video

They were the original. Forget Bella & Edward or Elena & Stefan. Buffy & Angel were the original human/vampire couple for me & I love it!

Booth & Brennan

Bones

Video

Seriously, these two have got to get together soon or I'm going to stop watching the show. Okay, that's not true, but I'm going to keep threatening!

Nathan & Haley

One Tree Hill

Video

I like it that they got together in the first season & have been through a bunch of crap, but are still together almost 8 years later!! It's awesome. I am not one who likes when TV shows bounce people from relationship to relationship. I think it's great shows that can make one relationship work over that amount of time.

Jim & Pam

The Office

Video

They are just the sweetest. I don't know how to even begin to describe why I love them except that they are just so sweet! It's really cute.

Monica & Chandler

Friends

Video

They complement each other perfectly! He's quirky & funny & she's neurotic & organized. It's lovely.

Rachel & Ross

Friends

Video

They were just meant to be together. What more can you really say?

Rachel & Joey

Friends

Video

I was definitely on board with Joey & Rachel & actually would've been ok with them ending up together rather than Rachel & Ross. But I would've been fine either way I think.

This last spot is a toss-up between Chuck & Blair from Gossip Girl and Carrie & Big from Sex & the City. You pick.

Favorite kiss

2010-08-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #20

This is a tough choice!! I had to do a top 10. My lists are never in order, so this is random.

Buffy & Angel

Angel

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

It's the first time they kiss & the first time that I'm like, "Augh Buffy & Angel!!!"

Video

(can't find an actual video of this kiss alone, but it happens about 35 seconds into this video - and I hate the song in the video by the way)

Ross & Rachel

The One Where Ross Finds Out

Friends

It's just a major "finally" moment!! Theirs is an epic romance. LOL

Video

(yeah I can't find a picture of this one)

Lexie & Sloan

All By Myself

Grey's Anatomy

They are my favorite Grey's couple & I got really excited when they got together! I like it that Mark goes from being a bad guy to a good guy with her.

Video

(the scene is about 2:30 into this video)

Bones & Booth

Santa in the Slush

Bones

Even though there wasn't really much to celebrate here - no relationship, no confirmation that they like each other - this was still really exciting because you could kinda tell that they secretly love each other. We're STILL building toward a relationship 2 years later, but still. It was exciting.

Video

(only the first 15 seconds were actually shown in the episode)

House & Cuddy

Help Me

House, MD

I think everybody has been waiting for this since the beginning of the show. House & Cuddy finally, legitimately & lovingly getting together was just the best thing ever in the show!! I loved it!

Video

(3:50 mark)

Sawyer & Kate

There's No Place Like Home, Part 2

Lost

This is when Sawyer kisses Kate before jumping off the helicopter to save everyone. It was hard to pick one kiss of theirs that is my favorite, but I like this one because you see that Sawyer has changed & that he loves Kate.

Video

(2:00 mark)

Jim & Pam

Casino Night

The Office

Who didn't love it when Jim finally kissed Pam after he told her he loved her?? Oh my gosh I was so excited!!! I also really like when he kisses her when they find out she's pregnant. That scene was one of the best scenes ever in TV in my opinion.

Video

(2:30 = casino night, this video has the other one at the 2:50 mark)

Seth & Summer

The Rainy Day Women

The O.C.

This is just plain fun. I loved Seth & Summer & this kiss is just cute! And it's when they finally get back together!! You gotta love it.

Video

Nathan & Haley

The Wind That Blew My Heart Away

One Tree Hill

The kiss where they're in the rain & Nathan is getting all of Haley's newspaper clippings to show that he was still proud of her even though she left him to go on tour. I just love it. You know that they're going to be okay!!

Video

(2:30 mark)

Buffy & Spike

Intervention

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The one at the end where Buffy is pretending to be the Buffybot to find out if Spike told Glory who Dawn was. I know this is a weird one to pick, but it's the first time Buffy kisses Spike on purpose because she thinks he deserves it. Something about it has just always stuck with me. I probably watch it like 3 times every time I watch the episode.

Video

I've already thought of about 4 more that I could add to this. Oh well.

Bring back my TV shows!!!!

2010-08-19T15:27:00.000-04:00

I would like to interrupt my 30 Days of Television to tell you how incredibly excited I am about my TV shows starting back up in September!! We are just a few weeks away!!! I love TV. For some people, they like to read, for Lewis, it's playing video games - everybody has something that they do to shut off the world & take some time out. For me, it's TV. It's an escape. It's like a little party in my brain.

Here, watch the recap of the way the relationships in Season 5 of Bones left off!! And be expecting some more promos for the new seasons!! I'm pretty pumped!!!

Best tv show cast

2010-08-19T09:11:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #19

Friends & Buffy, which I think have 2 of the best TV show casts EVER. I think that's why their shows lasted as long as they did & were so popular. But I'm trying to branch out from those 2 because not only could I pick them for almost every category, but they're not on the air anymore & I'd like to try to highlight some current shows!

Glee

I have to say right now I'm really loving the cast of Glee! They're all super talented & seem to really enjoy what they're doing! I don't think I'd enjoy it nearly as much if it weren't for the cast.

Favorite title sequence

2010-08-18T09:52:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #18

This one was a no brainer.

The Big Bang Theory

Our whole universe was in a hot dense state...

Favorite mini series

2010-08-17T14:02:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #17

Okay so I can't think of a single mini-series or popular made-for-TV movie that I've ever watched! I've never seen Angels in America or Band of Brothers - although I feel like I need to see both of them. I never watched HBO's Recount, John Adams or Grey Gardens. So I'm going to have to show off how utterly nerdy I really am & choose the following 2 made-for-TV movies. Don't laugh.

High School Musical

Disney Channel

Yes I did get sucked into this phenomenon & I am actually not ashamed of it. I love all 3 of the HSM movies!!

Three Days

ABC Family

This comes on every Christmas & has Kristin Davis from Sex & the City in it. Lewis & I watched it together at Christmas in 2002 - the year we first started dating. We have watched it every single year since then. I always find it on the DVR around Christmas time. (And just so you know - that picture up there makes it look oh so much worse than it really is!)

Your guilty pleasure show

2010-08-16T21:44:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #16

America's Got Talent

I don't usually like reality TV, but I do like this & American Idol. And Girl's Next Door (but only the Holly, Bridget, Kendra version) & Holly's World. Augh! And any reality TV would be considered a guilty pleasure for me.

Favorite Female Character

2010-08-15T12:00:00.001-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #15

Monica Geller

Friends

This was a toss-up for me between Monica & Rachel, but when it comes down to it, I really have to go with Monica. Not sure why!

Brooke Davis

One Tree Hill

She's feisty & super fun! Plus she has cool clothes & pretty hair. What more can you ask for in a female character?

Temperance Brennan

Bones

Her social awkwardness is just hilarious! But I also love it when she opens up & you can tell that she wants to love Booth, but is just holding back!

Favorite male character

2010-08-14T10:08:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #14

Apparently the thing I look for in favorite male characters is that the make me laugh. Every single one of these just absolutely crack me up!

Chandler Bing

Friends

He's just hilarious. No explanation needed in my opinion.

Seth Cohen

The OC

He is what drew me to this show. His humor is so sarcastic & right up my alley.

Sheldon Cooper

The Big Bang Theory

I love nerdiness. I love quirkiness. I just love Sheldon. He cracks me up every single time.

Andrew Wells

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

I know it's an odd choice for my favorite, but he really is. He makes me laugh more than any other character on the show!! Definitely a favorite.

Favorite childhood show

2010-08-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #13

How far back should I go?? I'm sure I'm missing something in this list...

Fraggle Rock

Going way back. I loved this show!

Saved By the Bell

Elementary School. I watched this & Gilligan's Island every day on TBS before school started.

Salute Your Shorts

I can still sing the entire song. Camp Anawanna, we hold you in our hearts...

Hey Dude

I don't even remember what this was about. I just remember I watched it all the time.

My So-Called Life

Major major major crush on Jared Leto. I thought Claire Danes was way cool.

Dawson's Creek

Who didn't love this? Of course I kinda lost track of this somewhere after the 3rd season or so. I really want to rent them all from Netflix & watch the whole series.

An episode you've watched more than 5 times

2010-08-12T12:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #12

I have watched literally every episode of Friends or Buffy more than 5 times. Especially Friends - I can play the episode The One Where Ross Finds Out in my head - no problem. I also know every word to every song in Once More With Feeling from Buffy.

Saturday Night Live

The Christmas Justin Timberlake episode 12/16/2006

I love it!!! Homelessville, the infamous box song (this is a family-friendly blog), his chapped lips at Target, then I really liked when he performed What Goes Around. It's a fabulous episode!

One Tree Hill

Pilot

I've introduced this show to so many people, so I've seen this pilot way more than 5 times.

The OC

Pilot

I've also introduced this show to so many people, so again - way more than 5 times.

A show that disappointed you

2010-08-11T20:45:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #11

This one is hard for me. The main one is probably Ugly Betty. I fell in love with the first season. I could even be okay with the second season, but by season 3, it just lost it's appeal & I stopped watching it. So sad because I had such high hopes for it!! Definitely disappointing.

A show you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving

2010-08-10T15:19:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #10

There are a few shows I thought I wouldn't like, but ended up loving. 3 of the 5 are shows on the CW. I've learned not to underestimate the CW.

The Vampire Diaries

The only reason I watched this was because they kept showing previews in the middle of my One Tree Hill episodes & because I was at home with nothing to do on a Friday night & there was a re-run of the pilot episode on. So I watched it & absolutely loved it from the very first episode!! It's way better than you'd think.

Modern Family

I have no idea why I thought I wouldn't like this. For some reason it reminded me of The Middle & I don't like that one. I just never started watching it. I also think that Al Bundy being in it really made it not so appealing. As soon as I gave it a shot, though, I thought it was hilarious!!!

One Tree Hill

I wasn't interested in this until I decided to give The OC a shot & my friend who had it on DVD had lent it out already, but he said he had One Tree Hill on DVD & it was similar, so I gave it a shot. Literally watched the entire first season in 2 days.

Gossip Girl

This just looked stupid. I never got the appeal of Blake Lively. She annoyed me in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I didn't want to watch a show she was on. Oddly enough my cousins watching this just to see her were the reason why I ended up watching it. They don't consistently watch it or anything, but now I do!!

The Big Bang Theory

This was probably the biggest one that I underestimated. I just didn't get the premise & didn't think I would enjoy it. My dad finally brought the DVDs over earlier this year when I was staying home with Isis. I got Lewis to start watching it to & it is now one of our favorites! We also watch all the reruns when they play!

Best Scene Ever

2010-08-09T12:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #9

Okay, this is hard. It would be absolutely ridiculous for me to think I could actually come up with one scene that I think is the best scene on a TV show ever. No way. So here's what I did, I went with the top 5 scenes off the top of my head that I could remember thinking "oh wow that was awesome." I feel like with all the tv I watch & all the shows I've ever seen, for there to be a few scenes that stick out as breathtaking for whatever reason, they should at least be mentioned. But these are not in order & I make no promises that I won't think of something better a week or month from now. Also all of these but 1 comes from a season finale. I guess finales just have the best scenes!

Friends

The One With the Proposal: Part 2

The final scene where Chandler realizes he's going to run back & propose to Monica & he thinks everything is all messed up - he gets back to the apartment & Joey says Monica left all upset & Chandler is crying & I'm crying & he opens the door & it's candles everywhere & Monica standing there & it's just the best thing you've ever seen in that one moment! I cry every single time I watch it. "There's a reason why girls don't do this!!"

Video

Friends

The One Where Ross Finds Out

You know the one. Ross & Rachel argue at Central Perk because Ross & Julie didn't get a cat. "You had no right to tell me you ever had feelings for me!" And then he leaves & she's mad & then she cries & then you see Ross in the window of the door & she opens the door & they kiss & it's raining & oh wow it's just good stuff.

Video

The OC

The Dearly Beloved

Ryan finds out about Trey attacking Marissa. He goes to Trey's apartment to confront him - things get violent, Marissa comes in & tries to break it up. Trey's hitting, kicking & choking Ryan. Marissa is crying & screaming, she finds a gun, she points, she shoots, Imogen Heap plays & things go slow mo to fast & back all at once. Not the happiest of scenes, but overall totally awesome in the way it's done.

Video

Grey's Anatomy

Losing My Religion

The whole part with Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol playing in the background. Denny is dead. Izzie is crying. Alex holds Izzie, Cristina holds Burke's hand, Izzie tells the Chief that she cut Denny's LVAD wire, Meredith is left to choose between Derek & Finn. It's just sad & emotional & packed with a bunch of drama in about 4 minutes.

Video

One Tree Hill

All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

Haley goes into labor, Karen goes into surgery, Lightning Crashes by Live is playing. The scene where everyone is wheeled into the hospital - Haley one way, Karen another & Lucas & Nathan meet in the middle & just hug - that's a good scene.

Video

A Show Everyone Should Watch

2010-08-08T20:04:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #8

Well, I'm trying to branch out from Friends & Buffy, so besides Friends, which I really think has something for everyone, I think a show everyone should watch is...

How I Met Your Mother

I really think this is the new Friends. It's got 5 main characters which gives you several different personalities. Who doesn't love Jason Segel?? And it's got Alyson Hannigan from Buffy in it! Neil Patrick Harris is completely hilarious! I also think the storyline is great - Ted Mosby is telling his kids the story of how he met their mother! I also think Josh Radnor as Ted is a great choice. You just love him! It's funny & sweet & just all around good fun!

Least Favorite Episode of Your Favorite Show

2010-08-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #7

Again, my favorite shows are Friends & Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So, my least favorite episodes are:

Friends

The One Where Emma Cries

Runners-Up:

The One With the Monkey

The One With George Stephanopoulos

The One With Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E.

The One Where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs

Buffy

Doublemeat Palace

Runners-Up:

Favorite Episode of Favorite Show

2010-08-06T17:20:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #6

If you remember, my favorite shows are Friends & Buffy - so my favorite episodes are...

Friends:

The One With the Rumor

Runners up:

The One Where Ross Finds Out

The One Where No One's Ready

The One With Ross' Teeth

The One With the Proposal: Part 2

Buffy:

Once More With Feeling

Runners up:

A Show You Hate

2010-08-05T22:06:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #5

This is no contest...

Seinfeld

I don't get it.

I don't like it.

I realize that a lot of people don't agree with me & it lasted a long time.

But there you have it.

I hate Seinfeld.

Favorite Show Ever

2010-08-04T20:51:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #4

Friends

This show has something for everyone. I believe it is literally perfection in a TV show.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

I will always argue that this is one of the best shows ever on television. It's funny. It's dramatic. It's got lots of pop-culture references. It was a phenomenon. It's all-around fabulous.

Favorite New Show(s)

2010-08-03T22:00:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #3

Vampire Diaries

Stefan & Damon are great vampires! Not too cheesy, not too scary. I like Nina Dobrev. She's not annoying. I just really loved this show this season!! I can't wait for Season 2!

Life Unexpected

Something about this story really worked for me. I also love the name Lux. She's an orphan whose parents gave her up for adoption because they were in high school when she was born, but through a chain of events, she was never adopted & lived in foster care. She ends up requesting emancipation from her parents at the beginning of the show & it re-unites the family. I just think it's great TV. Really cute & it made me laugh & cry.

Cougar Town

Courteney Cox is back!!!! Finally in something I really love her in!!! I tried to watch Dirt, but it really freaked me out a little. This show, on the other hand, is absolutely hilarious! I love Busy Phillips & Dan Byrd & if any of you readers went to high school with me - can we talk about how much Josh Hopkins (Grayson) looks like David Toth in like 20 years?? I highly recommend you watch this if you enjoy laughter at all!

A Show You Wish More Were Watching

2010-08-02T22:29:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #2

Parenthood

This is really the only show I watch that I think could use more viewers. I really like the dynamics of everything. There is a single mom, a stay-at-home dad, a family with an autistic child & just lots of great storylines. I recommend it to anyone who is a parent or has been part of a family. That's all of you, in case you didn't notice. It's totally worth watching!!

A Show That Should Never Have Been Canceled

2010-08-01T22:01:00.000-04:00

30 Days of Television - Day #1

It is ridiculously hard for me to pick one show for almost any of these topics in the 30 Days of Television meme, so I'm going to be okay with choosing a few. Here are my shows that I think never should have been canceled:

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

I love Matthew Perry. I thought this show was funny & I really liked the chemistry between him & Sarah Paulson. I was really disappointed when this was canceled. It was very similar to 30 Rock - based around a sketch comedy show similar to Saturday Night Live, but instead of being fully comedy, it had a little drama & romance. I thought it was so great!

The Black Donnellys

This show was about four brothers in New York. Two of them ended up killing one of the heads of organized crime in New York & subsequently got really involved in that whole world. It had Olivia Wilde in it & I just thought it was fun & awesome.

Samantha Who?

Christina Applegate was fabulous in this! It was so funny! I also loved Jennifer Esposito & Barry Watson, but my favorite was probably Melissa McCarthy. She is so cute & funny! She's going to be in the new show Mike & Molly, but I wish she was still able to be on Samantha Who.

New Fall Shows I'm Adding to My DVR

2010-07-22T22:28:00.000-04:00

The Event

Initially I wasn't interested in this at all, but once I got through the entire preview for the show on the website, I was totally hooked! I'm excited about it!! For some reason, it reminds me of Lost.

No Ordinary Family

You know I watch most things with Buffy people in them, so knowing Julie Benz was in this gave it a leg up - the trailer did the rest. I think Michael Chiklis seems great for this part!

Raising Hope

I laughed about 10 times when I was watching the trailer. I think it's probably because I just had a baby, but I think this looks like it's worth a watch!

Hellcats

I am only watching this because it's a CW show & I feel like I should give it a shot. I think it may only last an episode or 2 on my DVR.

$#*! My Dad Says

Love the Twitter. Love William Shatner. Definitely watching the show.

Nikita

Another CW show I'm giving a shot. We'll see...

Mr. Sunshine

Matthew Perry in a new show. I'm there. No explanation needed. This one is a mid-season start.

Happy Endings

I love Elisha Cuthbert & I love Casey Wilson from SNL. The trailer made me laugh, so I think it's worth watching! This one is also starting mid-season.

Off the Map

I just think this one looks interesting, but I don't have super high hopes for it becoming a regular, but maybe!

[All images used from the official websites of the shows. Please click the links!]

Sunscreen...

2010-07-18T19:42:00.000-04:00

OMG do you remember this???

And this one??

Wow that takes me back...

Breaking Dawn...again

2010-07-11T14:55:00.000-04:00

Since I only read it once before & I've read the others at least 3 times each, I'm reading Breaking Dawn again. I like it better this time because I know what's coming. I remember I HATED the middle part of the book the first time I read it!! Eclipse has just reignited my Twilight obsession!

Movie Review: Eclipse

2010-07-03T11:04:00.000-04:00

Twilight and Breaking Dawn Movie

Maybe it was the new director, maybe it was Bryce Dallas Howard as Victoria, maybe it was that after the first 2 I was just used to them being bad that anything better would seem like major improvement, but I absolutely LOVED Eclipse! I loved that it was a little more dark & scary vampires rather than cheesy & stupid vampires without being completely violent & disgusting vampires (like True Blood which I can't handle). I liked that it showed the back stories of Jasper & Rosalie without being all smoky & grainy like the other movies. I liked that their eyes were distinctly red, brown or black, but normal looking & not crazy like New Moon & not too subtle like Twilight. I guess I've gotten used to the bad acting, too because it didn't bother me - although I was still aware of it. The wigs were still bad & Kristen Stewart still just makes me feel generally awkward & embarrassed. But overall I really really loved it & for the first time after seeing a Twilight Saga movie, I left the theater feeling really excited!

So way to go David Slade & cast. I definitely recommend this one.

(Although I still think you HAVE to read the books before seeing the movies because even though I liked this one, it was nothing in comparison to the books.)

What did you think of it?

This was copied from a post on my Ingenue Mom blog!

Please check that one out when you get a chance!!

Ocean Power: A New Era in Energy

2010-07-01T20:46:00.000-04:00

Guest Post by Marcus Reyes

The month of June marks World Environment Day and World Ocean Day, two environmentally conscious days whose main purpose is to spread awareness of environmental issues taking place in today's world. However, a black cloud hangs over this year's events as 42,000 gallons of oil a day# gushes into the Gulf of Mexico after the Deep Horizon oilrig exploded and sank on April 20, 2010. This oil spill is one of, if not the biggest natural disaster that America has had to deal with and it shows that the time is now to invest, innovate, and utilize specific renewable energy technologies that can reduce our dependency on oil consumption and preserve our environment.

In 1999, assessments# showed that Americans consumed 25 percent of the world's oil production, but held less than 3 percent. In 2009, statistics showed that Americans consumed approximately 23% of the world oil production. It is hard to believe that with all of the new changes in energy efficiency and renewable energy technology that has been created and recognized over the last decade that more significant changes in oil dependency has not been achieved. Without more policy that demands the utilization of innovative renewable energy technology and the implementation of energy conservation measures, the country will not be able to steer itself away from oil dependency. This means continued relationships with unreliable foreign sources of oil (threatening our national security), more drilling along our coasts, (threatening our natural habitats and wildlife), and more chances for disasters to occur like the one currently in the Gulf, (ultimately threatening our economy and our way of life).

Ironically, the reduction of oil dependency and enhanced protection of the world's oceans is vital not only to the sustainability of the planet, but also for the preservation of one of our greatest resources of renewable energy that could help solve the energy problem. In essence, we must utilize the very thing we are destroying in order to save ourselves. More specifically, in order to avoid disasters like the Gulf oil spill and save our oceans we must harness the renewable power of…our oceans. (This reminds me of the 1997 quote by our worry free friend Austin Powers, “Allow myself to introduce… myself”. If only we had listened then, perhaps we’d be singing a different tune now.)

On a positive note, today there are some organizations and initiatives that target oceanic and marine wildlife preservation. One organization that is trying to connect different groups under the banner of oceanic renewable energy is the Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition. The OREC is a national trade association that is "dedicated to promoting marine and hydrokinetic energy technologies from clean, renewable ocean resources." They incorporate over 40 members, all of which work towards these same goals by coming up with ideas and innovations that help build these technologies and put them to realistic use. In fact, some of these organizations are literally "turning the tide" when it comes to renewable energy by using the known green technique of harnessing ocean waves and currents to produce energy:

Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) is a group that was founded in order to find solutions that could harness the energy that comes from the world's oceans. One way that OPT is doing this is via their PowerBuoy 40# that acts as a "wave energy converter" while submerged. As it bobs in the ocean it works a hydraulic pump that drives a generator that produces up to 40 kilowatts of electricity, which then can be sent to shore via an underwater cable. The electricity that comes from just one clean and safe PowerBuoy 40 has the capability to produce enough power for 20 to 25 homes.

The Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) works on breakthrough technologies and environmentally safe projects that use the ocean to produce renewable and clean energy. One of these projects is installing power systems all along the Gulf Stream's ocean currents (which has 21,000 times the energy of Niagara Falls). With the constant flow of the Gulf Stream, if ORPC harnesses just 1/1000 of the Gulf's renewable energy that would still be enough to power up to 7 million homes.

Wave power technology, while underused, has been a known technology, for years. However, a future green application that can boost renewable energy is not the ocean itself, but rather something that can be found within the ocean. Algae sources are considerably new renewable energy options within the ocean that have many believing them to be "the ultimate in renewable energy"#.

Half of algae's weight is based off of oil, which can be made into bio-fuel that could be used on anything from cars to airplanes. Considering that there over 65,000 known algae species this could potentially be a big time future energy source.

Yet, renewable energy from the ocean is only one step towards sustainability. Energy must be used more efficiently. Individual behavior needs to change and become more environmentally conscious. Overconsumption is becoming a big problem in the United States and the unwillingness to give up that way of life is feeding our current dependency on crude oil. Specifically, opting for bigger and better in the auto industry means big engines, lots of horse power and less fuel economy. Recently, we’ve seen a larger effort by auto manufacturers to deliver hybrid and fully electric vehicles. It is up to the consumer to make the decision to purchase these vehicles and drive demand, pushing manufacturers to produce, compete, and continuously innovate.

In 2007, the U.S. depended on crude oil to meet 39% of the total energy demand with the majority of it (45%) feeding the transportation sector in the form of finished motor gasoline#. It is frustrating to see that with new technology coming out all the time, that as of 2010, approximately 46% (nearly the same amount) of U.S. petroleum consumption is used for finished motor gasoline. If we eliminate the use of petroleum based vehicles and get them running on renewable energy, we could curb nearly half of our petroleum demand. In order to do so, we would need to generate 20% of our total energy demand from other sources (more, actually, because all renewable energy sources are not strictly dedicated to supplying the transportation sector).

In 2007, hydroelectric power supplied only 2.5% of our energy demand#. Renewable sources combined provided only 6.7%. As of July 2009, approximately half the states in the U.S. still had no electric vehicle charging stations#. The other half had less than 10 throughout the entire state with the exception of California, which has become a pioneer in electric vehicle support, supplying over 400 charging stations. Oregon is the runner up with less than 50 (big gap). Therefore, an infrastructure made up of fully electric vehicles# recharged by electricity that comes from renewable sources will require a complete overhaul of consumer behavior/demand, manufacturer supply, and energy policy.

Building structures that would also use the oceans (amongst others) renewable energy must be built properly in order to not be wasteful. If buildings are not consciously created to maintain energy and preserve resources then utilizing renewable sources from the ocean becomes a redundant endeavor (as old buildings become less efficient, we waste more energy, etc). This is why it's important that buildings and neighborhoods are developed around the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System#.

According to US Green Building Council, 39% of energy use comes from buildings in the United States alone, but with LEED certified buildings these numbers can allow renewable energy from the ocean to actually have a chance of succeeding and being applicable in the real world. This is why so many companies like Globetrotters Engineering Corporation# (a Chicago based architecture company founded by Niranjan Shah# known for building many LEED certified buildings), Wells Fargo (which built an office tower that is not only LEED approved but saves up to 5 million kWh a year), and Kubala-Washatko Architects & Boldt Construction (which actually built the first ever LEED-platinum certified, carbon neutral building#) all incorporate LEED standards into their designs.

Since the inception of LEED certification, it took several years for the first building to reach platinum certification. Now, it is something that architects strive for. For many projects government incentives are available for businesses that reach LEED certification. Niranjan Shah#, realized that the LEED benchmark is the future of architecture and that creating structures that benefit from renewable energy just makes common sense. Hopefully, in upcoming years we’ll see LEED platinum certification become the standard.

After the oil spill in the Gulf it's clear to see that now, more than ever, protecting our oceans stands for something much greater. By saving our oceans, we are making a commitment to the preservation of our natural resources, our wildlife, and our humanity. Through the promise and development of a sustainable, renewable energy future, we can follow a new path which will redefine the meaning of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Written by Marcus Reyes

Marcus Reyes studied public policy with a focus on energy research and environmental sustainability. He is an advocate of clean energy technology and contributes written work to the blogosphere related to energy conservation and environmental preservation.

Currently Watching...

2010-06-25T18:27:00.002-04:00

The Karate Kid, Part III

Yep, I'm that cool.

Follow Me on Twitter!!!

2010-06-15T11:05:00.003-04:00

I'm using my Ingenue Mom name, but follow me on Twitter!!!

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

2010-06-15T11:00:00.002-04:00

Thanks to this lovely list from BuzzSugar, I've set up my summer reading list!! I'm beginning with Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin! I love it when you get hooked quickly & this one was definitely like that! By the end of Chapter 1, I was all about it - couldn't put it down! I'm already almost halfway through & I'm on Day 2 of reading!!

Have you read it?
Any thoughts?
Suggestions of books like it?

Ingenue Mom

2010-06-15T10:58:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the shortage of posts on here! I'm setting up my Ingenue Mom blog!! I do fully intend on keeping up with both of these, but I'm having a little trouble balancing right now with all the new things I'm doing over there!!

Check it out!!! Please subscribe!!

Lea Michele @ The Tony Awards!!

2010-06-15T10:54:00.003-04:00

Image Source: JustJared - Check out his 2010 Tony Awards posts!

I have never watched the Tony Awards & I must say my first experience with them on Sunday was just magical!! I loved everything about it, but my absolute favorite was when Lea Michele sang "Don't Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl!! So awesome!!!

I also loved it that Scarlett Johansson won an award! I think she's great! And her & Ryan Reynolds are just adorable!!

I also must say that I think it's weird that Green Day has a Broadway show. It seemed...strange...like it didn't somehow fit. I dunno, maybe it's just me.

What was your favorite part of the Tony Awards??

GLEE!!!!!

2010-05-29T22:38:00.002-04:00

Yes, I'm late jumping on this train, but wow. This is just the best thing ever!!! I'm only on episode 8 or so, but I giggle & smile & get all giddy & laugh out loud & just totally love every thing about it!! I love Will & Emma & Rachel & Finn & Kurt & just all of them! Seriously, if you aren't watching this already, check it out!!!

Tori & Dean Home Sweet Hollywood

2010-05-28T22:12:00.002-04:00

I have not really been a big fan of reality TV. Well, I like shows like American Idol where people are competing for something and I like shows like Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution where there is an actual purpose. But with the exception of the original seasons of The Real World on MTV or a few episodes of Newlyweds (Nick & Jessica), I've never really loved the shows that are just following around some people who really have no reason to be followed.

But I have a confession...

I really like Tori & Dean Home Sweet Hollywood!!! I don't know what it is, but I watch it every time it's on TV!! I even started DVRing it the other day!! So funny. I feel like my friend Tina would be proud.

Finales!!!

2010-05-28T21:52:00.002-04:00

Image Source

Ah I'm so sad the season finales are all over!! I wish TV shows were year-round!

Georgina is pregnant! Jen is pregnant! Haley is pregnant! Meredith WAS pregnant! Charles & Reed died! Clay & Quinn were shot! Chuck was shot! Katherine is back! Sheldon possibly found his match! Julian and Brooke are engaged! House and Cuddy are getting together!!!

And that doesn't even include any of the craziness that was the Finale event of Lost!!

It's just too much!! I can't wait until the fall!! I am currently missing Vampire Diaries the most & super excited for it to come back in the fall. Which show are you going to miss the most this summer?

Fall TV Schedules!

2010-05-20T21:09:00.002-04:00

All the TV stations have been announcing their fall schedules this week. They have finally all been announced & I am EXCITED! Lots of new shows I'm interested in! And all my favorites were picked up to return in the fall! I love it!!

ABC Fall Schedule
Castle, Modern Family, Cougar Town & Grey's Anatomy are all returning!

CBS Fall Schedule
How I Met Your Mother & The Big Bang Theory both returning!

FOX Fall Schedule
House, Glee & Bones all returning!

NBC Fall Schedule
Parenthood returns for Season 2!

CW Fall Schedule
One Tree Hill returns for Season 8! Life Unexpected & The Vampire Diaries return for Season 2!

New Fall Shows!!

2010-05-20T20:11:00.003-04:00

These are the ones I'm really interested in! See a full list of the new shows coming this fall at Entertainm ent Weekly!

NBC:
Love Bites
-I'm mildly interested in this one. Mainly because it has Becki Newton from Ugly Betty in it and it is produced by the writer-producer of Sex and the City!

Fox:
Running Wilde
-This one is produced by the creator of Arrested Development. It stars Will Arnett from Arrested Development and Keri Russell.

CBS:
$#*! My Dad Says
-I have followed the guy on Twitter for a while now & I love it that they're making a show! I don't think there's any way it wouldn't be hilarious!!

ABC:
No Ordinary Family
-I follow Julie Benz on Twitter & since I give anything with a Buffy or Friends alum a shot, I've got to at least try it out!

Better Together
-It's got the girl from Privileged in it. It's about 2 sisters & their dating relationships. I dunno, seems like something I'd like.

Happy Endings
-Starring Elisha Cuthbert - she breaks up with her fiance at the altar & the show is about the effect it has on their friends & family. Sounds interesting. I'll give it a shot.

Mr. Sunshine
-Starring Matthew Perry. Any further explanation needed?

My Generation
-Documentary-style. Tracks the life of former high schoolers. Interesting.

Off the Map
-New medical drama produced by Shonda Rimes (of Grey's Anatomy & Private Practice). I think her reputation speaks for itself.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan & Hilarie Burton

2010-05-08T22:43:00.002-04:00

Image Source

Okay, One Tree Hill fans - what the heck is this?!? Jeffrey Dean Morgan & Hilarie Burton were dating??? And not only that, but they had a baby a few months ago??

Weird!!!

Also, apparently she was married before to an assistant director on the show.

Way to go both of them for staying under the radar in Hollywood. Not an easy thing to do!

Palladia

2010-04-28T14:35:00.003-04:00

Image Source

So my new favorite channel on my Directv is Palladia HD! It primarily plays concerts all day everyday!! Some are awesome, some are not so much, but still it's live music most of the time! I've watched Coldplay, Paramore, The All-American Rejects, ZZ Top, The Killers, even Avril Lavigne (ick)! I love it! I'm currently watching Matchbox 20! I'm so all about it. Check it out!

Trailer: Beastly

2010-04-20T11:19:00.002-04:00

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Is it bad that I actually want to see this? An Olsen twin & a High School Musical cast member in a movie based on Beauty & the Beast? I'm totally there!

Five Hours of Lost on Series Finale Night

2010-04-20T10:15:00.003-04:00

Image Source

May 23 on ABC is Lost Series Finale Night!! It's what we've been waiting 5 years for! On finale night, they are going to have 5 hours of Lost Finale fabulousness! It begins at 7pm with a 2-hour recap of everything on the show up to the finale. Then at 9pm is the 2-hour finale. Finally, at 11:35pm, Jimmy Kimmel is hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live: An Aloha to Lost with special guests Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof as well as several cast members. I'll have it all DVR'd, but its difficult for me to watch anything right when it happens anymore because of Isis! But I'm excited!!!

Toe Sneakers???

2010-04-20T10:10:00.002-04:00

JustJared posted a picture of Channing Tatum wearing toe sneakers. They're Vibram FiveFingers KSO toe sneakers to be precise. Lewis and I can't decide if they're totally weird or a really great idea! According to the website, "Stimulating muscles in your feet and lower legs will not only make you stronger and healthier, it improves your balance, agility and proprioception."

What do you think of toe sneakers??

Say No to Cuts

2010-04-08T12:07:00.001-04:00

Hot for Teachers w/ Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green from Megan Fox

Cinemash - Dirty Dancing

2010-04-04T22:04:00.001-04:00

Lewis & I are watching Paper Heart right now & while I was looking at stuff for the movie, I found this! We laughed a lot!

Step Up 3D

2010-04-04T20:26:00.000-04:00

Um, yes please!

Step Up 3D in HD

Trailer Park Movies | MySpace Video