FRINGE

For Day 21 of my 30 days of fun, I watched the season premiere of Fringe.

I am just telling you now, if you watch Fringe and have not yet watched the premiere, I'm about to give a spoiler.

You've been warned.

I'm just saying.

Don't blame me.

I am twenty minutes in and I have not seen Peter. For crying out loud! He is the eye candy and the levity. Siiiigh. Even with Walter I am not sufficiently entertained. If this goes on for more than this episode, I might have to stop watching and catch up when I know he's back. I was hoping during the big fight scene that maybe Olivia would have some good old head trauma and maybe remember something.  But no. All we get is a few reflections. Argh.

Favorite line? "I know what it's like to have a hole in my life. It's been there as long as I can remember."

I WANT PETER BACK.

There, doesn't that sound fun?

Smart People Movies

I've been scouring my Netflix options for good documentaries. The goal is to show mentally stimulating, insightful, entertaining documentaries. As a result I have the suspicion I will be watching quite a few documentaries in the coming month or so. I have come up with a cajillion that have very good potential. Who knew there were so many out there! On the top of my list:

1. After Innocence: A look at convicted prisoners released from jail after being cleared by DNA evidence. I am actually watching it right now. I feel like it could be better.

2. Exit Through the Gift Shop: All about underground street art and street artist Banksy, who does stencil art and is all kinds of famous or something.

3. Food, Inc.: Looking at effect of food industry on our health and environment. Because my sister reeeeeeally wants me to watch it. And I suppose I should educate myself on food and junk.

4. No Impact Man: A man and wife and baby try to make no impact on the environment for a year. That's some dedication.

5. Murderball: About Rugby-playing quadriplegics at the paralympics. Sounds hardcore.

6. Good Hair: Chris Rock looks at African-American hair and the views surrounding what is "good hair" and how women get it. I hear it's super good.

There are quite a few on my list. We watched Rize last week, which is about Krumping and Clowning (dance movements) in LA. Quite interesting. I've got quite a few historical ones on my list, because I like a good historical education. Those might be more for my interest than ones that will be contenders for our summer documentary series...

Do you have any favorites?

Commercials that Make Me Giggle

I don't have cable, so I really have not been in the commercial world too much lately. I know some of you will be shocked to read that I don't have cable. Never fear, I have wifi and I watch all my shows there. Really it allows me to watch more in less time because there are less commercials. But every once in a while I see funny commercials that make me miss commercials. Mostly I just think, man, I'm glad this is the only commercial I have to hear. But these ones... they make me giggle.

Do. Da. Dippity. And some hamsters.

And the cute little cows!!!

And she loves him... ardently!



And of course...


Sadly... he isn't me...

What is With the Running from a Blowing Up Building Thing?

As I was flipping through the crappy TV tonight (WHAT is UP with this season, btw???), I flipped past the requisite Running from the Burning Building Which Explodes As the Last Guy Exits, Throwing Him in the Air scene. Um, really, TV writers? You need to step up your game. That shot is so Magnum PI, 1983. I'm just saying. It was cutting edge (sort of) THEN. Now, it's just goofy. And sticking a kid in the group is just silly. Especially after the scene before that with the two chicks fighting in the pool trying to drown each other, interrupted by the brute of a man with a gun held to an innocent looking little boy's head. Um. Dumb. Not even suspenseful. Just dumb. And kind of bringing to mind that one stupid commercial by the medical company I will not name because I have their stupid insurance and I hate them with a passion that will not die. You know, the one where he shoots down all their stupid story plot lines, and they continue to describe what can only be Really Bad Soap Opera material. Okay, some of their bits kind of describe Grey's, but whatever, Patrick is hot. So shut up.

And another thing. WHAT IS WITH THE LAW PROCEDURALS??? The other night all three of the major network channels had one on at the same time. And all three sucked. Are they having a suckage contest? WHYYYYYYYYY?? And right behind that in the suckage competition is the Medical Procedurals. Um, are there no other professions in the world? Why, networks, why? If it were not for Castle, The Mentalist, and Fringe, I would despair for the world. Because clearly mysteries are better. Also they are funny.

Remember the days of A-Team, Wonder Woman, and Magnum PI? When every-day joes (ok, not totally every day-- I personally never wear my leotard out of the house, let alone in my invisible jet) would save the day? Siiigh. Those were the DAYS. Networks, this sensational crap isn't working for you. How about some actual good writing? Go crazy. You never know where it will lead you. Because, so help me, if I see one more show about the rookie chick cop with something to prove and the perfect hairdo and figure to boot, I am going to... well, be forced to Netflix Magnum PI. Because clearly the fact that I referenced it twice means I need a little more Higgins in my life.

Wow, Oprah, That IS a Very Serious Issue.

I was just watching the Oprah episode in which we meet the cast of Glee. Which by the way, I heart Glee. A lot. I don't understand people who don't. You know who you are. I still love you and all, but I'm a little sad for you, seeing as how your life is not complete. Anyways, I was just watching this Oprah, and they did the little "tomorrow on Oprah" segment right before commercial. Tomorrow on Oprah, they are having couples talk about their dysfunctional sex lives on national television, which, you know, will totally help. But one of the women literally refuses to kiss her husband because "it makes (her) skin crawl." Seriously? I would get if he had gotten all funny looking in his old age, but in the clip he actually appeared fairly attractive and as though he visits the gym far more regularly than I do, if that's possible. But perhaps there is a certain funk that you cannot detect seeing as how tv's don't broadcast smell? What could it be? I'm so intrigued. Almost intrigued enough to watch. But I go to Dr. Phil for my dysfunctional family moments. I don't know if I can cheat on him like that.

Have a Good Weekend!

That would be the phrase I kept enthusiastically using today at work. And then the person wold look at me funny and I would wonder what their deal was. Because I seriously thought it was Thursday, if not Friday. Because that's how long this week has been so far. I mean, draaaaaama. You have no idea. Reorganization at work has resulted in some, um... let's call them growing pains. My poor partner in crime who has yet to receive a blog name because nothing is coming to my brain is ready for a vacation. Which is annoying since that means I have to endure days with no entertainment at work and nothing to occupy my time but... work. Gross.

P.S. Just glanced up at the screen to see a woman plop a finger on the table and the profilers on Criminal Minds look at it with interest, like it was a drawing of a cat or something. Also Mrs. King raised a botoxed eyebrow and shrugged a shoulder. Then we cut to commercial. I heart Criminal Minds.

I'm In Love with My TV

I'm going to have an affair with my TV. First of all, Carrie gave me one of her old TVs because her hubby got a new one for Christmas. I am totally willing to be the depository of things like that (Note to self: when something is breaking/broken, complain about it on MyFace).

Second of all, we were FORCED to upgrade our cable package. Okay, not forced, but they offered us a package that's like 8 or 9 bucks a person more expensive per person per month. We decided it was worth it. At least until the "special package" price is over. At which point they will try to charge us through the nose/upgrade us to the next level. At which point I will have to break up with TV because we will be forced to downgrade back to basic loser cable, since the higher price/better package thing will not be working so much after this price range. So it's an affair with an expiration date.

We are all digitalized now, and I have rediscovered the joy that is having two channels of Law and Order to choose from at most times of day. This, my friends, is the definition of bliss. Also two channels of Criminal Minds, my new procedural show I've been sucked into. ALSO: I can watch Leverage, the new love of my life, LIVE. For reals. I am telling you, WORLDS have opened up to me. It's like I have a whole new set of friends. And no need to ever leave my room again. Except work. And food. I still like food. But did I mention we have the food channel also? All I need is a replicator and I would be in heaven. Yes I just made a Star Trek reference. And you understood it. So you cannot mock.

I suppose there is the sticky subject of that whole goal to go to the gym, which is attached to my two incentives:

1. the mp3 player I bought myself with the understanding I would go to the gym
2. the heart rate monitor SusieQ bought me for Christmas.

Pretty much I am inviting eternal mockage if I don't use them. Stupid goals. I need to remember to stop setting those. They get in the way of my affair.

Fah Who Door Ay!

I love me some grinch. But tell me, dear people who own the rights to this, why must you block things from being posted on youtube? It does not stop me from wanting to buy it, or from watching it on tv. I just wanted the one eensy weensy song. I'm building viewership for you here.

Coolness

Seriously, how cool is Google this week. Happy, Happy Birthday Sesame Street!

Psst...

Can I tell you a secret? I would just say it on myface except that I think I might get lynched for it there. I feel like you and I are tight enough that you will accept me, warts and all. Not that I have warts. Cause I don't. Just to clarify. But I will say this. You know that new show, Glee? That one everyone seems to be RAVING about. Yes, it's in my top five. And it's funny. And I love the music. But...

Come closer.

It's not THAT good.

I mean, don't get my wrong, it's still one of my top shows. But this whole, posting that you are watching it as your status and then raving about it (29 comments later) with your near and dear friends and their near and dear friends? Seriously? Simmer down, folks. I mean, shoot, you would think your imaginary husband Edward/Jacob was on the show.

PS When did this new mohawk trend start? I'm not opposed to mohawks, but this new buzzed mohawk looks a little... trashy? I don't know about kids these days...

Top Five Reasons I Heart TV

Here are five reasons why, when people tell me, all smug-like, that they don't watch TV, like they should get an award, or angel wings or something, I weep inwardly.

Castle. Seriously. Witty, charming man meets snarky, tough, beautiful lady cop. It's like it's about me but, you know, as a cop. And without the charming man... And.... Okay, but it's seriously good. It's partially about the mystery, but also very much about the characters. I mean, Witty Charming Man has an adorable teenage daughter who is normal, not painfully angsty and overdone, and they do things like have laser gun fights in their living room.

Fringe. If you like Sci Fi, I mean like good Sci Fi, not cheesey, gonna get cancelled after two seasons Sci Fi, this is totally your dream show. It has mystery. It has suspense. It has wierdness. It has grossness. And it has a hot guy here and there. And a cow. Also a crazy scientist who totally makes the show. I tell you, it's hilarious and freaky all at the same time.

Glee. It's snarky. It's awkward. It's like a musical that just doesn't end. I heart it. Especially the awkward single teacher with the impossible crush. Who totally sings in the car. The only objection I have so far is, I'm sorry, what high school are your kids going to where they can sing "I wanna sex you up." With your teacher. on a stage. With parents and the principal looking along and grinning like fools. Um, no. If it could happen, that school needs to be shut down. But then, this school is not meant to be just like yours. It's cartoonier and full of musical numbers.

Law and Order: SVU. You gotta give me points for waiting till number 4 to bring this up. It's got Mariska. It's got Christopher. There is drama. There is justice. There is the doink, doink. Also, we learn about Important Social Issues.

Grey's Anatomy. Four words. Candle floor plan. Wait, that's three words. If you don't know what I'm talking about, well, I'm sorry your life is so empty and meaningless. Also, the ELEVATOR SCENE. You know, That One. Siiigh. I've loved Patrick ever since Can't Buy Me Love with the poofy hair. He still has not let me down. (and Yes, there's the small matter of the wildly unrealistic medical problems and happenings--see The Bomb-- but I can suspend reality. I only excuse KJ from watching for that reason because of her medicaliness. The rest of you should be watching.)

Austen Eli Eli

I have some good news for you. BBC is making a new Emma, and I think it will be fabulous. Also JennaL tells me she thinks it will be four hours. Which is AWESOME. And if you don't think so we can't be friends anymore.

I feel the sudden urge to watch me some Eli Stone.

Valuable Social Values Discussions Sparked by Trashy TV

Since it's summertime and almost every show is on break for the summer, I keep getting sucked into really worthwhile TV time. Like that silly "reality" show about couples who have been hemming and hawing over whether to tie the knot. I've avoiding this show, because these kinds of shows drive me more than a little bit nuts. The producers obviously manipulate certain situations to amp up the drama by setting up certain conversations and confrontations that would not have happened otherwise, and would not normally have happened on camera. By playing up these situations, they are toying with deep, personal emotions for the entertainment of the masses. Possibly national television is not the place to address sensitive, painful, personal family issues. And yes, I feel this way about certain episodes of Dr. Phil, too, but at least he's a trained professional and trying to educate the masses about mental, emotional and social issues in addition to entertaining them.


Anywho, I confess, I'm currently filling my brains with mental cotton candy and deep fried snickers bars. Pretty soon I will have an obese brain. But here's how they sucked me in: the hurtle standing between them progressing in their relationship is the groom's "Mama". She has this cute little nickname for the bride-to-be... "the white devil." In the teaser at the beginning, they show her saying things like "I would rather see (dude) marry in his race (his race being African-American)," and "I can't support something that I know in my heart isn't right," and "I just hope that in the end he makes the right decision (the right decision being not marrying his girlfriend of 10 years because of her race)." Seriously, Mama? I cannot find the words to respond to those statements.

So I had to watch to see if Mama wins. The couple seems very sweet. They have nothing but kind words, and they seem twitterpated even after ten years together. They appear to be in a very loving relationship. They asked the groom what annoyed him most about the bride, and he said the worst thing he could think of was the fact that she always looks at the nutritional facts on foods and counts calories (yeah I hate when people do that *cough*K*cough*). Both of them seem pretty hurt by his family's inability to accept the bride due to her race. He seems to be fairly close to his family, and shows concern for not damaging that relationship, and that is lovely. But I say it's time to cut the apron string. When you are a grown man, you can listen to your Mama, and respect your Mama, but Mama shouldn't tell you who to marry.


I loved the scene where the groom told his parents they were thinking of getting married and mamma's response is "You didn't give me much time, did you." They've been dating for TEN YEARS. Although I suppose what she really meant was that he did not have a long enough engagement for her to talk him out of it. The groom asked Mama what her problem with his bride was, and she said her problem was essentially "the way that she presented herself when she first came." She tells the camera that this means "she doesn't know how to cook, she doesn't know how to clean. He did everything. And I had a problem with that." She also told the camera that"In the Carolinas, racism is very much alive.... (Inter-racial marriage is) really not acceptable in the south." I have never been to the South, but I've heard this before. I don't doubt that there are still issues with racism in that part of the country. In fact, even if I have not observed any blatant and open racism in Seattle firsthand in years, I don't doubt that it is alive and thriving here. There are stupid people everywhere. But, at this point in history, are these feelings a reason to avoid a marriage that could thrive and succeed? Should the fact that people disapprove stop you from doing something if you know it's not wrong?


Of course, there was a showdown where the bride and groom go meet with Mama to seek peace before the big day. Mama tells pretty much a bold-faced lie when she says "I don't have no hatred in my heart for you, I just don't like your ways." In words that I'm sure would have had feminists everywhere howling, if there were in fact people besides me watching this show, Mama said that she will accept the bride if she will take the time to cook and learn to be a 'proper' wife. She goes on to say that not enough women know how to cook and take care of things for their husbands, and that's why so many women have such a hard time keeping their men. Wow. I have not met an actual person like that. Not to that degree. You see them on TV and in books, but she was dead serious. Cooking and cleaning to contribute to the household is nice, but it's a two-way street, I say. From there Momma went on to call her a liar (she never really would specify what she was lying about), and a tattle-tail (probably for telling the groom that Mama called her a White Devil). The "discussion" culminated in the bride telling Mama she heard her call her "snowflake" and "the white devil." When Momma heard the words white devil, she looked at her and said, "well you are." And then told the bride to stop crying when her eyes welled up. Dra-ma.


As an aside, let me just tell you, the hoochy girl hitting on him at their combined bachelor/bachelorette party boggled my mind. I'm thinking that particular party might not have been the appropriate time to tell him she wanted to toast with him to their own relationship instead of making a toast to him and his wife. And then to tell him he should marry someone "more tan" as she batted her fake eyelashes at him.


So the whole thing with this show is they have them walk down the aisle and meet each other there, and they literally decide at the alter if they will go through with it. I'm just going to say it one more time. Drama. I know by looking at them that the bride is ready, but the groom is very conflicted, because he loves his bride and he loves his Mama. At least Mama had the decency to dress up for the wedding. And come. And Daddy is apparently a minister and is conducting the ceremony. But the groom has a look on his face like he's going to jilt her. That would be bad. He's not looking her in the eye, and his "words" he prepared were short, like he was having a hard time getting them out. But when they asked the magic question, he said "I do." Phew. See? Riveting. And now you don't have to feel like you missed it. Plus you have some important discussion points. See, it's almost like a book club.

1. If people disapprove of your actions because of their racist beliefs, should it stop you from doing something if you know it's right and will make you happy?
2. Should Mama get a say in who you marry?
3. Are you a hooch if you hit on a man at his engagement/bachelor party?
4. Are reality shows evil? Why does Holliberry watch them when she knows they are trashy?
5. Is there a point to checking the calories on your favorite treat? Especially at restaurants? Doesn't that take some of the fun out of going out to eat? And why do people think that it's more healthy for you if it's wrapped in a tortilla. It totally isn't. K told me so when she looked at the blasted calorie counts at Red Robin. Also it doesn't taste good.
6. Have I had a hard time keeping (read finding) a man because I don't cook and clean enough? I bake things. and I just cleaned my room just today. Okay, it still needs a good vacuuming, but it's not too trashy in here. You can walk and everything.

Discuss.

Good News Minute!

In Relief Society at church, we have a Good News minute every Sunday, where the girls can all pipe up and share happy things in their lives. Some people go what some opine is waaaaay overboard and share things like "I had a good day at work," while we also experience our fair share of "I'm engaged!" We are, after all, a singles branch.

My good news for the day, which I'm fairly certain I will not share on Sunday, is that Chris and Mariska renewed their contracts.

It would not be the same without them. They saw me through a very miserable bout of the flu a few years ago, and we have been tight ever since.



Turns out that they don't like to share, so it was really hard to find one on youtube to embed. Sillies.

Also, what higher endorsement can it receive:

Feel Better about your Crazies

I've been trying, but failing, to avoid all the annoying "news" coverage of a certain reality show couple with a plethora of children. I've been torn about blogging about it, just because saying something means I am participating in the gossipy annoyingness (technical term). I just cannot believe what is going on, though, so I am giving in and just saying my piece.

I don't care about their marital problems. I don't care if he's cheating, and I don't care if she's a control freak. I don't care if they are getting counseling. Okay, not totally true, I hope they are, because I hate seeing a marriage fail, but it's not my business.

I know that the argument is that they made it our business when they pretty much sold their lives to a television station for fame and money, and cool vacations and experiences. But to me, that argument only partly works. No one would have bought it, or continued to pay them for it, if there weren't so many voyeurs in the world wanting to get a view of their homelife. I'm not saying people are awful for wanting to watch. A family with sextuplets, plus a pair of twins is fascinating, and having an adorable three-year-old nephew, I cannot imagine multiplying his energy by six and putting them in one room. So there's the curiosity factor there. But I don't think that the afore mentioned couple was thinking about their relationship being dissected when they signed on. The focus of the show, from what little I have heard/seen is the children, and how their parents survive each day, basically.

I also don't think that the fact that they signed a contract to be put on television gives us license to renact our worst moments of adolescence. It does not automatically mean that we as a society can behave like the Mean Girls at your local junior high school. Chasing them around, taking pictures, passing them around, discussing it every day... sounds kind of like our good old teenage angsty days, doesn't it? Minus the internet component, of course, for most of us. And the pictures, because we didn't waste film like that back in the pre-digital days. But I can tell you it sounds like some of the bullying that goes on nowadays in your local junior high and high schools. So... gossiping and spreading nasty rumors is bad in Junior High School, but as adults, we should not only support it, but pay for it? Mmmkay. Way to teach the children, guys.

And another thing. What is up with their extended family? Of the little that I have watched on tv (and I've really tried hard not to get sucked in), so far the dad's brother and sister-in-law have done a full interview with some "news" show, and the brother of the alleged "other woman" (she swore they were just friends) have come out and talked to the media. Why would you do that to your family? Both of them were making things look worse with their interviews, so it wasn't the protective factor. They were basically "confirming" that the hubby is a cheating you-know-what, and that they are terrible parents, and that the kids are scarred forever. I'm sure they are saying "thanks bro" to both those charmers, and to the sister-in-law (who only did the interview "for the children." I'm sure the children will grow up feeling loved, knowing that aunty trash talked mommy and daddy on national tv).

The argument of the brother of the mom (or really his wife), is that they are tormenting these poor children by having their every tantrum and pouty face memorialized and televized. Only from what I have read, the film crew is only there a few days a week, for two hours at a time. They've had the same crew the whole time in an effort to make it a little less weird for the kids. I'm not saying I would let someone film my life like that, because I wouldn't. I already know I'm crazy sometimes. I don't need America to know that. But the way the news is spinning it, you would think they are there 24 hours a day. And really, if you have to spin it, at some point it doesn't become news, it becomes starting a rumor.

After watching the whole media hoopla fueled by family members of the primary people involved, I have something to say. Aren't you glad your family hasn't humiliated you on national tv? Count your blessings, people! Your crazies only have a local audience!

Just Say No to Tobacco

See how that rhymes? It totally does. Today's hot topic from CNN is smoking. Apparently the American Medical Association Alliance has had enough. They are calling for all movies that depict characters smoking to be rated R. The reasoning is that apparently there is a study that shows that seeing these images inspires teenagers to start smoking. The actual article is much more clear if you prefer facts over vagueness. As much as I will acknowledge that smoking is yucky, and that I wish my friends would not do it (and yes I know it's hard to quit and I'm not getting all Judgey McJudgerson here, I just worry about you), I'm not sure this is the right approach. In conversations I've had with friends about why they starting smoking, usually the answer has something to do with the fact that all their other friends were doing it and it sounded good at the time. Of course, there may be deeper psychological factors that they can't fully pinpoint. Maybe they DO just want to be Sandy so they can hook their Danny.

Think of the movies and shows we loved back in the day that totally promoted smoking:

1. Alice in Wonderland

2. Newsies

3. Footloose (because Bad Boys smoke)

4. Pretty in Pink (because Bad Boys smoke in the hallways of high school)

5. The Odd Couple

6. The Flinstones

7. I Love Lucy (to keep your man happy).

8. The Muppets

9. The A-Team

And, by the way, guess what you are all getting for Christmas.

Not to discount the value in not portraying smoking in a positive light on screen, because I'm sure there is value there, but I think possibly it has a wee bit less to do with what we see on screen, and more with the messages we get at home. K and I were talking about how we watched a lot of the above shows, but we also got the message that smoking is yucky, and that we don't do that. I think parents really do have a lot of power to shape the opinions of their wee ones. I had no idea when I was little that people turn to cigarettes when they are stressed, because of something the nicotine does when you are addicted, er whatever. I just knew it smelled yucky and was bad for you. Also that Mom frowned on pulling the butts one might find in the street apart, and that inside the butts, there was a weird cotton substance. What is that, anyways?

On the other hand, I know kids/adults whose parents smoke who will NEVER smoke having watched their parents go through the struggle of trying to quit over and over, and the health issues, and I know people whose parents abhor smoking who are chain smokers. So there you have it. I guess my point is, kids, don't smoke. Apparently my neighbor missed that memo because I smell smoke wafting through my window right now. So much for that "non-smoking" building.

Things to Do When You Have Your Computer

I was without my laptop for a WHOLE WEEK. I took it in last Tuesday, and didn't get it back until this Tuesday. You may mock, but when you are unemployed, the Internet can sometimes be your link to the outside world while all your friends are busy being employed. Sometimes they don't want to chat with you online while their at work (what is that all about, employed friends???). K was nice enough to allow me to use her laptop (with strict guidelines so I didn't break it... so little faith, I tell you) during that time, but it just wasn't the same. It was like staying in some one's guest room. Nothing was where I normally kept it, and some things I wished I had brought with me (saved to a disk or something before turning my computer over). It was more complicated to check my email, I couldn't play with my pictures for my blog, and I couldn't pull up key job search tracking documents I had in my handy dandy laptop. Now life is so much better. It's all fresh and shiny and new. Here are the top ten things I can do with my baby, er laptop, now that it is back home.

1. Download the pictures of my battle wounds from falling down extra scrapy wood stairs face first onto extra firm cement so I can blog about it.
2. Download the weekly free tracks from Amazon if I so choose (I usually don't, but sometimes there is a treasure).
3. Check up on all my blog feeds.
4. Instant Message K on MyFace when she is in her room and I am in mine. Communication is key to strong friendships.
5. Watch the episodes (mostly finales) I missed of Castle, Cupid (I can't believe they cancelled it!), Harper's Island, Lie to Me, Dollhouse, and Fringe online. Be quiet, that's only 6. The other ones have already had their season finales.
6. Check the 2009 Fall Schedule and figure out which new shows are going to redeem the fact that they CANCELLED Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, and Samantha Who. What is wrong with them? I will tell you one thing: Trauma is bound to be pointless. Has NBC forgotten they just barely got rid of the long dying ER? Now they need to replace it with another hospital ER show, because there are so few out there? Blech.
7. Clean out my email. Because I'm in a purging mood.
8. Check my New Year's Resolution to see how badly I failed. I had huge goals this year, so I"m sure I"m failing big. But the thing with goals is that you can't just give up and say you failed because you dropped the ball. You have to pick it back up and keep trying. So all you anti-resolution people just need to know that you are going at it wrong, and I am going at it right. Don't you feel educated now?
9. Learn to do more things on my computer. My favorite IT guy told me about it as his contribution to my job search. I can download a trial version or play with the online test drive. I know there are little things I can do with these programs I have never tried. Woohoo! I'm home-schoolin'.
10. Go Hunting for free books!

Oh, the joys that are to be had!

Truer Words Were Never Spoken, Casey!

Do you ever get sucked into the preacher shows that they show on local channels in the wee hours of the morning? You know, like the lady with the long curly hair and a chalk board with scholarly things on them, and Casey Treat? Since I'm unemployed now, I find that I sometimes do, when I'm not catching up on my Tyra. Don't get me wrong, I am happy with my faith, and I don't plan to switch at some point. But I find the different ways people talk about Jesus, and the Bible, and so on, fascinating. A lot of the basic message is the same. Be nice to each other. Try to be the best person you can. Say your prayers. Have faith in Jesus. That kind of stuff. Tonight Casey caused me to pause and reflect for a moment. He was talking about letting the stuff in your life define you. You know when people come up and ask you how you're doing? And I guess apparently in the grownup world people say "fine." (I personally don't have that filter and will answer you honestly unless you're bugging me in which case I give you monosyllabic answers in the hopes that you will go. Away.) He talked about catching up with someone or something (I was only half listening, there were newsfeeds to be caught up on), and that sometimes you would let things in your life define you. As in:

Person who knows me: Hey, Holliberry, how've you been.
Holliberry: Oh, hanging in there. I got laid off.
Person who knows me: Oh, that's a bummer. Let me tell you about how I have a job and I think you should be a day camp counselor....

That last part is a topic for another time....

Anyhoo, my epiphany was that Casey was totally right about something. People totally do that. And right now I define myself by my employment status. If you've talked to me lately you know that. But then again, other people define me by that right now too. Don't deny it. You asked me how the job search was coming the last time you talked to me, didn't you? Or you asked how that interview went, and had I heard...? (The answer is no, I have not)

So maybe I should think about THAT. I didn't listen to the next part of his sermon. I think his point was, or at least mine would be, that I should be defined by my faith, and what I believe, and that will keep me balanced and help me deal with my problems. Just a guess. It just got me thinking. So, thanks, Casey!

*By the way, you can totally keep asking me about my job. And sending me referrals. And chocolate. And checks/cash/credit cards/funding for trips to Europe. Just don't tell me I should be a camp counselor at $9 an hour, thereby acknowleding that you still don't think my last job was "real," and that I have no professional skills despite the fact that I've been in the professional non-profit world for 9 years, and managed the programs for the entire South end of the county, and mostly worked with adults. Because I will have to de-friend you, as they say in the MyFace world. Also, if you suggest that I work for that other girls organization, I shall have to bludgeon you about the head. If that's possible. Can you bludgeon about the head, or does it only work to do it directly to the head?

It appears that the other post is no longer necessary. Phew. Glad I got that off my chest.

And Now It's Time to Listen to Les Mis.

No doubt most of you have heard about Susan Doyle. If you need your memory jogged, and Fezzik is not available, she is the contestant who wowed the judges and audience on Britain's Got Talent, causing a viral video to circulate like wildfire. When you are unemployed and your only link to the outside world is often the Internet, you have time to notice how much things like this are being talked about. I've been, unavoidably, thinking about this as I run across references to the chanteuse over and over and over and over. My question is this: what's the big deal? Yes, she has an amazing voice, and, at the time of the video, some very crazy eyebrows. Am I the only one here that thinks people are overreacting? I did not realize that it has been established that only pretty people could sing. Apparently I missed that memo.

While Susan's voice is lovely, I was not giddy over the video as many people seem to be. Mostly it just made me want to dig out my Les Mis CD. Also I guess that I just don't care that Simon was surprised. If you watch the American Idol tryouts at the beginning of the cycle, you know that some of the pretty people shouldn't sing, and some of the crazy-looking people can sing. This is not a new thing. And that was not the first time I've seen Simon surprised.

Also, what was up with the two guys back stage? Britain, you may have talent, but you have annoying hosts as well.

*Is that redundant? Viral video and circulating like wildfire? Is that saying the same thing twice? These are the things I ponder on a Sunday evening. I'm almost convinced it is, but still slightly too lazy to rewrite that sentence.

Ok, NOW You've Convinced Me It's a Quality Movie.

Have you been paying attention lately when you've been watching TV shows, movies, and commercials? I've noticed a newish trend that I find disturbing.

As an example, I present to you the trailer for the new Star Trek movie. Notice anything slightly out of place and, um, stupid about that trailer? I actually am kind of excited to see this movie. It looks like it was well made, and having an older brother who always brought home the SciFi movies (not to mention a sister who watched Star Trek every Saturday night at one period in her life), I have an appreciation for Star Trek. What doesn't fit into my idea of what a Star Trek trailer might look like in this day and age is the creepy shot of Captain James T. Kirk (we don't know if he's the captain at that point, but still) hiding under a bed watching a star fleet officer take off her uniform to reveal her undergarments. Um, random? I know that they feel the need to assure us that there will be hot women er whatever in these kinds of movies, because apparently that's what the boys like. But seriously, this is what they choose? This cut of it is not nearly as disturbing to me as the one I keep seeing on TV that shows a shot of him under the bed, then her lower half as he stares at her while she slips off her skirt to reveal her tighty whitey looking panties. Um, is this peeping tom moment supposed to be sexy? And it's so fast you almost don't realize how skeeved out you should be. I'm sure it'll turn out it's one of those wacky moments where he gets backed into a corner and HAS to hide, and can't do a thing about it. Good call, script writers. I'm sure it moved the plot along fabulously.

I've noticed this trend lately. On TV, in movies, and on commercials, I've seen more and more moments where you realize that the camera either started on a woman's chest at the beginning of the scene and then panned up for the dialogue, or did the whole body scan before their discussion about courtroom ethics. What is that? I mean, I expect it in the beer commercials, and on TV shows that are meant to reach a certain young male demographic. But it seems to be the new technique out there.

Someone, please take the camera away from the dirty boy.