The Past Month
November 3, 2008
OK, ever since Facebook entered into my life, I can’t seem to visit my old friend WordPress. Sorry!
So, this past month… Let’s see.
Got offered a job that pays almost twice what I make now. And, with a decision I’m sure to regret, I turned the offer down. Crazy, right? Probably. But, I wouldn’t have been happy doing the work. I’ve spent so long looking for a better job that I can’t just give up for a better paycheck. I’ll take a pay cut to find something I like.
Which I might have found… I talked with someone else about a job I really want, and I think it was tentatively offered to me, but then… Nothing. Haven’t heard from the Director since. Hmm… Fingers once again crossed.
What else? I took some time off of work, which was fantastic! Went to the park everyday and just enjoyed the freedom. It’s been hard getting back into a work routine though. I guess that’s the downside of a staycation.
Went to the reunion. Ugh. It was pretty bad. I was pretty much the ONLY single person there. All the guys are old, fat and bald and all the ladies are very… I don’t know… Southern? Conservative? Desperate to get into the country club? Maybe I’m not being fair, but I was not impressed with how my class has aged and developed. Thank god I didn’t actually travel to get to the thing.
I did see a few people that I had missed. One of which has moved to Nashville and has talked me into doing a half marathon next month. Oh, lord. Don’t worry, I’m planning on walking it, but I still have to keep up a pretty speedy pace to finish officially (and get the medal!!! I’m obsessed with the medal.) Considering how badly I wanted to lose weight and get in shape, the timing is good. So, I’ve started “training”– A lot of walking, a little running and eating better. The goal is to lose 15 pounds by Christmas. Do-able, but still tough. However, I did run for more than 30 minutes today, so how ’bout that?!
What else? I’m falling back in love with music. This week it’s Ray LaMontagne and Brett Dennen and their new albums. And Bon Iver! I’ve just been introduced and I’m a big fan. Last week, I spent the days with Miles Davis and Nina Simone and that was pretty good too. I’m enjoying it all so much that I have to force myself to watch TV. (I’m completely out of DVR space, thanks to Season Two of Mad Men. I couldn’t watch it when it came on, because I wasn’t ready to watch them chain smoke. Now it’s not a problem, but I just haven’t found the time to sit down and watch it all.)
So, just because I can:
The Most Trusted Man in America
August 16, 2008
SYTYCD Final Thoughts
August 9, 2008
I’ll try to make this quick. Happy for Joshua, although I had a strange realization during the finale: I didn’t care who won. They all seemed like nice people and I found them all entertaining. But, big ups to Joshua. He was wonderful all season long.
Phillip Chbeeb totally kicked Robert Murraine’s ass. Apparently everyone but Mia was watching something else.
For once I completely agreed with the picks for the best performances of the season. I really enjoyed watching them all again, though I’m not sure where they would rank in terms of past seasons. And, even though I don’t normally enjoy Debbie Allen, I LOVED her L’il C impression. And can they please give Mary’s permanent judgeship to Shankman? He is so much more interesting.
Where the hell is Sabra?
Loved seeing the all-stars, but I really couldn’t see them all that well. Are the cameramen all drinking during the show? (It didn’t help that my local station was displaying election results on part of the screen.)
Congrats to both Nigel and Mary on having the guts to take the stage and for not making fools of themselves. I think every judge should have to prove themselves in a similar manner.
Cat Deeley for President. Oops… Foreign born. Well, hell. It’s time for a new amendment.
SYTYCD
July 5, 2008
Season Four–I’ve got a lot to say and limited battery power, but here goes…
I’m extremely disappointed in the judges this year. They are spending entirely too much time congratulating themselves on “the best season ever” than actually watching and evaluating the performances. It’s clear that they are going to push their favorites through, no matter what actually transpires on stage.
Cicely & Olisa suck. I know that’s harsh, but they are just not good enough. Time to go. I’m sure there are some other hip-hop choreographers who deserve a chance.
I love Mary, but even she is getting annoying. She’s pushing too hard to be full-on Mary all the time. Take it down a notch, sweetie.
Praise be to Adam Shankman. I have never really been a fan, but I wish he were a judge more often. At least he really gives constructive criticism.
I really like Tabitha & Napolean. Maybe it’s just because they haven’t been around long enough to annoy me, but I think they present some really interesting work and thoughtful criticism.
How great is Cat Deeley? A truly enjoyable host.
Oh, yeah. I almost forgot! There are contestants as well…
Poor Jessica needs to go. I did like her in Mandy Moore’s piece, but there is no way she should still be dancing while Kortni is already gone. Not that Kortni was the best, but she was a hell of alot more interesting.
I like Kherrington, Katee, Chelsea and Courtney, but none of them has really stepped out as a frontrunner in my eyes yet. As for the guys, I like Mark. And I didn’t expect to. Twitch, Joshua and Will are all good, although I’m not sure Will is the god the judges keep trying to make us believe he is. He’s a fantastic technician and a decent performer, but something is missing and I can’t figure out what. Maybe he really does just need a better partner.
As for the performances, there have not been too many standouts. At least nothing like last year. I think I have to agree with the rest of the SYTYCD blogosphere and say that Chelsea and Mark’s lyrical hip-hop is the best so far. But, I have a soft spot for Twitchington’s Not-So-Viennese-Viennese-Waltz. Celine Dion and all.
Basically, it’s time for the choreographers to step their game up and for the judges to start doing their job. Nigel, are you listening?
Yummy TV Morning
April 10, 2008
So how surprised was I Monday morning? Bravo decided to treat me with continuous episodes of my second-favorite show of all time! (M*A*S*H will always hold that top spot, whether I’m sick of it or not.)
The West Wing was on. Oh, how I have missed having the opportunity to catch up with President Jed, Josh, Toby and the gang. Bravo, please give us a few episodes every week!
And, thinking of my favorite shows… This is still the best series finale ever.
Extra TV Time!
January 15, 2008
Well, since I can’t go to work, I have a bit more time to catch up on all the crap I watch! And I know that everyone else is all frustrated by the writers’ strike, but a strike can’t stop me. I can always find shit to watch. Like:
American Gladiators. Yeah, I know. But, I’m the same girl who can watch Deal or No Deal and not feel an ounce of shame. I loved the original Gladiators. Watched them all when they first aired and then watched them again on ESPN Classic. It ranks right up there with the Great Outdoor Games for me. With the new show, I knew I was a goner on that first episode when the tiny asian chick busted her ass to come from behind and win. I could do without the Hulk, but I still love it.
Brothers & Sisters. I really do enjoy this one. I know that Sally Field is always the same neurotic mother, and Calista Flockhart can be annoying, but I really do think it’s one of the best shows on TV right now. I probably just have a crush on the gay brother.
Intervention. I just discovered this one. (I’m behind the curve, I know.) Holy crap. I’m sure it’s partly because of my own journey this year, but I must say I appreciate this show. And the people who agree to be part of it. It’s pretty raw and ugly, but nothing is better than the final screens of the show, when people have successfully moved forward.
Project Runway. Kevin was robbed. Ricky and his tatters should have been Auf’ed. And, as annoying as Christian is, I’m actually beginning to enjoy him. I’m sure they’ll keep him until the end, since he’s the new Santino/Wendy. I still need some wow, though.
Now, off to watch more crap…
Next Great Band?
December 15, 2007
I think it is clear that if a TV show is created for the sole purpose of selling some sort of product, then I am without a doubt going to be addicted to it.
My latest secret shame? I’ve been watching The Next Great American Band. From the beginning.
It started with the first episode–there was this band called Sixwire that I was sure had Sawyer from Lost as their lead singer. (It’s not him.) And then I got caught up in it. And hooked. Not by the show, the judges or even the level of musicianship of all the bands. I got hooked by one band, and one band only. And while Sixwire is not bad, it was…
The Clark Brothers.
These guys are incredible. Of course I love their roots/new bluegrass style. But what I love most is their way of hearing a common song. I would love to climb inside their heads to hear what they hear. These three guys are incredible musicians and the lead singer is intoxicating.
I loved listening to them so much that I put up with all those weeks of Light of Doom, the kiddie metal band.
That’s love.
