"al azar" (that's spanish!)

sitting at work...thinking "al azar" thoughts

• went to 2 gigantes games last weekend. came back with a new sweatshirt, a new BEAT LA tshirt (which has instantly become my favorite shirt EVER), free rally scarf and Willie Mays bobbleheads, fun memories and a 4-0 record on the season for games that I attend.
• looked through pictures on my facebook and started to mourn my long hair.
• read online that McDonalds used to put sugar on their fries to help kids crave them. I see this having the potential to be accurate. They do something to make you crave them.
• I've been getting 7 hours sleep a night and yet I continually wake up desiring more sleep. Could this be my childhood and college years catching up with me?
• I recently passed the 20 months left of my 20s mark. yup, that's less than 2 years. what a strange thought. an even stranger thought? how much can happen in that short amount of time.
• fresh strawberries are a good start, but I'm beyond ready for some peaches, plums, apricots, and pluots picked from the tree.
• I want to do a Star Wars marathon.
• It's the final week of the TV season. I find myself not caring as much and yet caring way more than ever....if that makes any sense. Suffice to say, LOST shall be consuming my entire weekend.
• It hasn't really sunk in that I get to hang out with my dearest friends from college memorial day weekend for a mini-reunion. Shall be good fun.
• On the other hand, my 10 year high school reunion is in July and I couldn't really care less about going.
• I've actually kept up fairly well with my 2010 year long commitments {read the bible in the year with my bible study group and take a picture a day for project 365 with a group of college friends} Only missed one day in project 365 and I'm only a week behind in the bible reading.
• went to my childhood church a couple of weeks ago. saddened and led to multiple cusswords. sigh.
• purchased 2 VHS copies of Billy Blanks Tae Bo but have yet to actually be productive with them. soon. real soon.
• speaking of VHS, I had to go to wal-mart to find some (5 pack for $8!) so that I can be my historically minded pop culture junkie self this weekend. I shall be adding the LOST finale shows to my VHS finale collection which includes: Full House, Home Improvement, Boy Meets World, Dawson's Creek, Friends, etc. Someday I'll get one of those fancy VHS to DVD converter thingies and transfer. But as much as I love my TV on DVD collection, there's just something special about watching the VHS....especially seeing the commercials that were on :)
• I moved in over a month ago and have yet to put away my laundry....that's not good...huh?
• Wes Anderson was created to make stop-motion animation films. Tis his purpose in this world. If you haven't already watched The Fantastic Mr. Fox, what the cuss are you waiting for?!
• I want to go to the beach, I want to go hike around the mountains, I want a tan. It would be ideal to combine all these wants.
• As a huge fan of Gladiator and of Robin Hood, I was most excited to see the Ridley Scott directed Robin Hood. Let me tell you, I've never been more disappointed watching a movie. Horrible and not Robin Hood. It's basically an origin story. No shenanigans and hardly any archery! Terrible. Only highlight? Kevin Durand (Keamy from LOST) as Little John.
• I want to actually become bilingual in Spanish. I should be more proactive in achieving that Super Random Life Goal.
• 45 minutes and 2 days left in my work week. 102 days left in my Americorps VISTA commitment. Not that I'm counting or anything...

Fandom Classifications

So, I'm an absolute Pop Culture junkie. This we know. But now, I have learned the actual names and classifications that partially define me. Oh the joys of being a geek. And I know I'm not alone here. So, what's your classification?

Which fandoms are you a part of?
In pop culture, there are many fun classifications and names for different types of people. Which ones do you belong to?
By @EWFrontRow | Survey created less than 2 days ago | This survey ends on Feb 28, 2010

1- Which of the following fan groups do you consider yourself a part of?

- Abramsologist - You consider J.J. Abrams a genius and love many of his movies/shows
- BSGer - You consider Battlestar Galactica one of the greatest shows of all time
- Dunderhead/Dunder Mifflinite - The Office is one of you all-time favorite shows
- Fanboy/Fangirl - you're obsessed with at least one cult TV show or franchise, or belong to a very active fan community
- Film Snob - you're not ashamed to admit it: you know a lot about movies and like sharing your thoughts and opinions with others
- Foodie - you love food and food TV and enjoy reading and learning about restaurants, food preparation, and food personalities
- Gleek - you’ll never stop believing in Fox’s Glee
- Idoloonie – American Idol makes you crazy (in a wonderful, obsessive sort of way)
- Janeite - you regularly read and re-read the works of Jane Austen, and have watched at least a few of the film/TV adaptations of her works
- Lostie/Lostaway - Lost is one of your favorite shows and you love reading or coming up with your own theories about what is going on
- Maddict – you’re so in love with Mad Men, you’re this close to joining Maddicts Anonymous
- Potterite/Potthead - you think that Harry Potter could very well be the greatest book series ever
- Psych-O - you’re a huge fan of USA’s Psych
- Reality Head - unabashed lovers of reality TV
- Scaper - Farscape rocks your world
- Shipper - you are deeply invested in the relationship of at least one TV couple
- Team Mars/LoVe – Still waiting on that Veronica Mars movie
- Trekkie/Trekker - Star Trek fan
- Trubie/Bon Tempest - True Blood coarses through your veins
- Twihard - you have a mildy unhealthy Twilight obsession but are proud to admit it
- Vultures – new episodes of Bones give your life meaning
- Warsie - you are a Star Wars fan
- Watch and Learner – you love watching educational/true TV that teaches and informs you; true stories and how-to shows are among your favorite shows
- Whedonite/Browncoat/Active - you adore and evangelize the works of Buffy, Angel, Firefly, and Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon
- Whovian/Torchwoodite – You adore the world of Dr. Who and love the shows Dr. Who and/or Torchwood
- X-Philes - fans of the TV show X-Files
- None of these

So, for the record, I am:

An Abramsologist-Dunderhead-Film Snob-Gleek-Lostie-Shipper-Vulture-Warsie.

And I like it

http://twtpoll.com/uyxr7c

A Return to Normalcy

I don't know what it is...16 years of school schedules...rotation of the earth...baseball winding down...but whatever it is, September seems to be when life goes back to normal. Don't get me wrong, summer is fantastic. Even when you are employed, there is just something different about summer life. But, maybe I'm more a creature of routine than I thought I was.

I'm pumped this week. This week, normal life returns with it's ordinary wonderfulness.

Last night, my bible study group started back up. It truly is a community, which is as rare as the Loch Ness Monster (or Ryan Garko) these days. But it does exist. And it's fabulous. We meet. We eat. (which will be potluck-style this year! Absolutely I am bringing Jell-O next week) We read. We discuss. We pray. It is simple and it is good.
And after bible study, I go play volleyball for 3+ hours. We've been up and down in our numbers but after about 7 years we've still got a good group. It's certainly changed through the years. Lots of people coming and going, one marriage, and its been equal parts trash-talking and endless support. A rarity to say the least. But it's a group that I love. We are a family as well. Basically, normalcy is exhaustion and soreness on Thursday morning. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

And this week, television begins it's fall return. Tonight: Bones (!), Fringe (which found itself the last half of the season and ended with a barrage of twists, turns, and jaw-dropping awesomeness. You should be watching. That's all I am saying), The Office (hooray!), and I already watched Community's first episode that is airing tonight. And it's entertaining. But the joys and tragedies of DVR and Thursday nights. Once Grey's returns next week (and based on my reaction every time I've seen the promo for the season premiere, I'll be an emotional wreck) the great debate on what to watch live/DVR and what gets to be watched online. I think NBC comedies are going to get the online treatment. Thanks to whoever's internet I'm borrowing in my apartment complex!

Life is back to normal. And I'm a big fan of that. Ü

ponderings and emotions

• this giants/dodgers rivalry is back full force and I love that! and thankful we didn't get swept.
• I've recently discovered Bejeweled Blitz on the facebook. I'm beyond addicted. But yesterday as I was playing, I had to wonder if my addiction was simply because I'm so awesome at the game (which I am) or because the voice telling you "Go" and other stuff is eerily similar to the "Finish Him" voice on Mortal Kombat II. That was a great game. Many hours of my youth was spent on my Sega Genesis playing that before my mom took it away because it was "too violent" I'm still bitter about that. That bitterness rivals only my bitterness of giving away my original Nintendo and my bitterness of not getting to watch Casper in 8th grade because there were ghosts involved.
• I'm ready for the new job. though it really has been a bit nice to not do much. but it shall be nice to have a purpose...not A Purpose-Driven Life, but just living with purpose. Yeah, there's a big difference.
• ready for some new TV shows to start up. I'm going through some withdrawals.
• I've said it before, I'll say it again: I HATE THE DODGERS, but I love Vin Scully.
• went to Target the other day and saw that all the seasons of Alias were only $12.99 a piece. That was disheartening when I thought about the fact that you could get all the seasons for how much I paid for one and a half. The curse of tv on dvd addiction.
• I'm excited for fall to get here. When I was in Monterey a couple weeks ago, there was fog, I wore jeans and a sweatshirt, I ate soup, it was glorious. I'm over the upper 90s. Bring on the fall!

weekend cable movie time

There is just something about the cable channels that know how to plan a movie marathon to suck you in. Especially on the weekend. Recently, I enjoyed a bountiful marathon on AMC of Hook, Rookie of the Year, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (RIP John HUghes) it was beyond words amazing.

Anyways, so, today Stick It! (one of my favoritest movies) was on ABC Family. So, after watching the Giants lose I was watching the comfort food weekend cable movie marathons. But the movie that followed Stick It! was by far the one of the worst movies I've ever bore witness to. I couldn't even leave it on for background noise. It was so bad, I couldn't even "not turn it off to see the horrible badness that is actually funny how bad it is"----and this coming from a girl who owns Crossroads on VHS and watched all of the craptacular Nickelodeon tv movie Spectacular! The offender of the day was a "film" called Picture This "starring" Ashley Tisdale. Seriously bad. Not just the acting. But the storyline, the message it was sending out....I was outright offended. And it was using the story motive of Camelot. Poor Camelot....what did it ever do to deserve such a horrible fate?

So, basically, steer clear of Picture This if it ever comes and invades your Sunday afternoon TV watching. Any movies that you've ever dubbed "Too Bad to Even Watch and Make Fun of" ?

Weekly TV Roundup

Yes, I'm a slacker. But this week warranted that I actually do this.

MONDAY

• Big Bang Theory. Klingon Boggle. Smart creepsters tracking down the ANTM house. The Battle Royale between Penny and Sheldon. Humor all around. Watch the show people, it's fun times.
• HIMYM. Not A Fathers Day (there is an actual website. I love the interaction of this show!) The correlation between a baby and drunk Lily was brilliant. And Ted is already a dorky dad. Love it.
• Chuck. This show is so awesomely reminiscent of the cheesy action crime shows of the 80s it makes me happy. Plus it's a hybrid of The OC and Alias. Plus it's got Tony Hale from Arrested Development.
• OTH. It was good...save for the USO concert. I was actually really disappointed in that. And the thought kept running through my head "would a bunch of military men be so stoked for a concert with a couple of slow emo-ish songs sung by ladies? i mean really." But I am excited for the next couple weeks episodes.
• Heroes. This show is so lost right now, it's sad. I could tell what it was trying to do, but it just didn't do it for me. Here's to hoping for better things in the second half of the season.

TUESDAY

• Fringe. It felt like forever since there had been an episode. And it had been. But, it wasn't too bad. I think it's still finding its feet. I still say it needs a little Greg Grunberg...

WEDNESDAY

• Bones. So stinkin' happy it is back. And loved the episode this week with Booth's bro. We finally got some insight to Booth and I really appreciated how it was written and played out. Definitely one of the better episodes all season...getting back to the characters and away from the random cases and intern shuffle.

THURSDAY

• Ugly Betty. I'm digging Marc's new emo boy haircut. Great one liners. The heart is definitely back this season.
• Greys. The episode ended with a big WTF. Seriously? Ridiculous. Really pissed me off. I love me some Jeffery Dean Morgan and his scruff and ability to look good in a T Shirt but seriously? Enough already. I truly feel sorry for the actors who play Alex and George. When are they getting decent storylines for their characters again? But I really appreciate the McSteamy and Callie friendship which will eventually lead to a true relationship that neither have had. (though the whole Little Sloan stays out of Little Grey was great) And the Yang/Hot Army Doc tension/relationship is excellent. and p.s. I think that Vaughn needs to come back and kill Lauren Reed again. I'm just saying. That's always who she'll be and I irrationally already hate her character.
• The Office. I missed the beginning but who cares. The Oscar/Andy drunk dynamic was fabulous. I love it.

And now I'm off to go see Bond 22. Yay!!! I've only been waiting 3 years. This last couple of hours has been killing me. Slightly excited. Have a great weekend!

Live from New York...

Hello. My name is Jen. I have watched Saturday Night Live for as long as I can remember. And I think and hope that my head shall explode this weekend. Not that my head will literally explode, that would be quite the Debbie Downer or even quite McGruber-y. But I have hope that this week could continue the upward trend of this season's SNL redemption. Last week's Jon Hamm's John Ham. Brilliant. Coldplay's multiple performances. Lovely. Adele's performances a couple weeks back just furthered my appreciation for her awesomeness. The Weekend Update Thursday editions..hilarious. After a decade of touch and go I think the show may be back. But then again, I fear my SNL experience with no Amy Poehler. But this week with Ben Affleck and (sigh) David Cook and it being the last one before the election...I have high hopes.

random ramblings and observations

• I am a deranged individual at times, I know this. I can't help laughing and rewatching when someone gets hit by a vehicle on TV or in a movie. And then last week, it almost happened in real life. I was driving home from work and this old man was jaywalking across the road and he didn't see me coming. Luckily, I saw him and slowed to a stop. As I stopped, he finally noticed me and started old man running to get past me - and into the next lane of traffic with another oncoming car. Luckily, the oncoming car was able to stop in time but literally I was seconds away from seeing an old man get hit by a car. And that's when it hit me that it is actually a great fear of mine to see it happen in real life. Maybe that's why I like watching it so much, in hopes I'll never have to witness the real thing. But I really can watch Brad Pitt get hit in Meet Joe Black over and over and over again.
• It is Halloween on Friday. I don't really care about Halloween. What I do care about is the fact that it means that November is this week which means we're really really close to 2009. And that scares me a bit.
• What also scares me a bit is something my friend Jo and I realized yesterday. Next Presidential election, I'll be 30. That scares the crap out of me (along with who knows what is going to happen between then and now)
• I've been over the election for a good long time now. And I haven't begun to peruse the handbook yet. All I know is this: NO on 2. and I'm thinking that the whole high speed railway plan doesn't sound that thought out or absolutely necessary.
• My friend recently posted this on her blog:

5. I've never seen any of the Back to the Future movies, Harry Potter movies, Lord of the Rings movies, Narnia movies, Star Trek movies (or shows), Indiana Jones movies, Matrix movies, Jurassic Park movies or Pirates of the Caribbean movies, nor do I have any inclining of a bit of desire to see them. My friend J might disassociate herself from me for that, but it is true.

I am the friend J that might disassociate and I'm here to say I shall not. I myself have never seen the Harry Potter films (or read the books), I could care less about the Pirates movies, have only seen the Star Trek movie with humpback whales in it (though am actually really excited about the new one. Call it the J.J. factor), hadn't seen the Indy movies until high school, read the Narnia books until right before the first movie came out, never read the Lord of the Rings books (but did find myself a willing participant in the awesomeness that was Trilogy Tuesday), and I only own the Matrix on VHS. But the one that hurts is Back to the Future. That's my true all time favorite/comfort trilogy. I love me some Star Wars...but sometimes you just need a little McFly (p.s. we're almost 6 years away from 2015...where's my hover board?!)

• I'm ashamed of myself as a baseball fan. It completely slipped my mind that the game was on last night. Granted, it was called on account of rain but still. I should have been watching.
• I watched an all day West Wing marathon yesterday. How I miss that show...it was season 3, a real good one. And it got me thinking about a post I did on xanga many moons ago about movie presidents. I still think Bill Pullman in ID4 is the coolest, with a Russian ass-kicking Harrison Ford in a close second, and Kevin Kline in Dave a ultra close third. But TV wise, it's tough to chose between President Bartlett and President Palmer. I still am campaigning for Tom Hanks to play a movie President. Someday my dream will come true.

"the ultimate present"

Today we got a catalog in the mail "Wine Country Gift Baskets" and it brought a smile to my face as I was reminded of this moment:





Michael: Ryan wants everything in our company to be about emails and ims, but I think he is forgetting about the original instant message…letters attached to baskets of food.


*****

Michael: In the last year we have lost seven clients to the big chains. These gift baskets are a ticket back into their lives. We’re going to show up at these businesses unannounced and we are going to win them back.
Ryan: With gift baskets.
Michael: With peanut brittle. With macadamia nut cookies. With chocolate turtles. With raspberry jam and a little bit of fat and salt. Because you know what? That’s what people like.

*****

Michael: Gift baskets are amazing Phyllis. Gift baskets are the essence of class and fanciness. They are the ultimate present that a person can receive.
Andy: What about cash? With cash you can buy whatever you want, including a gift basket. So, it’s kind of the best gift ever.
Jim: What about a gift basket full of cash?
Andy: Yes! Cash basket!





and in case you were wondering, gift baskets are surprisingly well priced. Who knew. I'd totally accept a gift basket...I'm just saying.

"ouch, that hurts the soul" vol. I

To steal from EW.com's popwatch blog "Things that make me want to die inside" I present my own "Ouch, That's Hurts the Soul" posts. Here's a way to start it off.

I just read this on TV Guide.com

"ABC FAMILY to bring 10 Things to the Small Screen"

http://www.tvguide.com/News/ABC-Family-Developing-20114.aspx

Terrible. Absolutely wrong. And I thought the Miley Cyrus "7 Things" song was bad enough.

No One Can Top This. I miss Heath.

Weekly TV Round Up (little late)

Well, last week was a shortened TV Week thanks to the V.P. Debate. The debate was pretty good...I only got to see the end but both seemed to hold their own...but I was a little peeved to get my shows back for one week and then get denied a new episode for 2 weeks. Seriously, why not just wait to premiere until after the debate? But I digress.

MONDAY

• HIMYM has really hit the ground running this season. I was worried about the gimmicky-ness the Regis Philbin guest star would offer but there was no need to worry. It fit in perfectly in the absurd world. And how amazing was the spoof "Fifty Million Dollar Heads or Tails" and the fact that jobless Marshall was watching. Underpants ratio=brilliant. One should watch this show simply for the sheer amount of awesomeness that is coined in each catch phrase. True Story.
• OTH went all slasher movie at the end there. I mean seriously, there are not corn fields all over the Carolinas. But the beauty of Deb smashing psycho nanny in the head with the "no more dan" victory bottle of champagne was great...as was dan actually finishing the job. They actually unknowingly worked together to help their family. And Nathan's dream of playing basketball got his hopes up and then crashing back down after being offered the coaching job instead. The GM of the team? The racist best friend of Gerry Bertere on Remember the Titans. Hard to believe it's been 8 years since that movie...
• Heroes. Lots of potential. Looking forward to where we are being taken this season.

TUESDAY

• Fringe was great. Pacey is in for real now. I should really start referring to him as his new character name I suppose... But anyway, I am just loving all the different relationship dynamics...and the awesome F/X. Fantastic.

WEDNESDAY

• Bones+Office=good TV. Interesting twists for sure and as my friend put it: "I'll never look at my stapler the same" And I'm actually starting to like Cam and Sweets as characters.

THURSDAY

• The only new show was Ugly Betty and I thought it was one of the best episodes they've had in a very long time. for realz. Betty kicking a puppy. Amanda singing Marc a lullaby as Betty took his job. Good times all around. Good to see it getting back to season one glory.

SATURDAY

• SNL. It had really gone downhill the last few years. I watched the season opener (Michael Phelps hosting...obviously I am in) and got a few chuckles from the Palin/Clinton cold open and the Phelps diet but besides that...eh. Caught a little bit last week. This week, I missed the first 20 minutes but recorded the rest and surprise! Found myself laughing. A lot. Especially at the Mary Poppins bit. Supercalifr....will never be heard the same :) And good ol Weekend Update. I wonder, who's taking Amy's spot when she goes on maternity leave? Will Seth go the old skool route of solo anchor a la Chevy or Norm? Or will we get a whole new team? I still worry about the whole cast in general without Amy Poelher...she's still in like every sketch and makes everything funnier. Who's stepping up when that baby pops out?

old skool skillz

I was going through my storage unit and came across a box full of good ol VHS tapes. Among the treasures were a tape full of Series Finales (Full House, Boy Meets World, Dawson's Creek, etc)...episodes of Friends...Mel Gibson's 20/20 interview before Passion of the Christ...the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn that we went to the taping for where Dave Grohl ran through the audience and touched my hand and you can hear me, Becca Wemple, and Ryan McCray yelling "We love you Dave" and we discovered you could hear us on the version that made its way to Napster (like I said, old skool)...and others.

The gold amongst the treasures? Videos I had edited in college. One, was for Small Group Leadership in which I got Murr-Dogg to do a Pert Plus commercial. I'm still a legend for pulling that one off. The second, my awesome 3 minute video on procrastination set to dc Talk's "time is ticking away" Word. I rewatched. I smiled. If I knew how to put the VHS to this site, I would. But I was only TV Film for 2 years...probably better I made the Comm Studies switch...especially as evidenced by my skillz of editing.

Weekly TV Roundup

I meant to start this last week, but I'm a slacker. Plus, at the end of the week, no whining about spoilers. So here we go...

My Week in TV

MONDAY---The level of excitement for returning shows was quite high, as were expectations. And let me tell you, my shows delivered.

• How I Met Your Mother continues to be one of the greatest shows on television. My friendship with Briana Moore is on hold until she watches the episode "Do I Know You?" and if you are a Star Wars nerd like some people I know, my friendship with you is on hold until you watch it too. Also, it's possible to catch feelings, even if you use protection. That's an important lesson learned thanks to Barney. Watch it people!
• Big Bang Theory...just started watching last season. It's fun...and funny. Not must-see tv but a good time in a land with too few sitcoms. Check it out.
• Let me put it this way, I was still on a Heroes high Tuesday morning. It is defintely on its way back to good. Mohinder has been so hungry for superpowers that I think it could be very interesting to see where it takes him...I hope so anyways because some of it just came out of left field. But future Ando and Hiro!! And future Peter (which I actually called as the shooter). Have these guys never watched Back to the Future?! Or even Bill and Ted's....you just don't mess with the Space Time Continuum (another reference to the HIMYM episode, actually) But overall, really glad to have it back and explore the dark side.
• Not a season premere but One Tree Hill still has become one of the best written shows on tv. It's my guilty pleasure that is now guilt-free. Though I am ready for a little more humor and a little less psycho nanny.

TUESDAY

• Fringe. I am enjoying it so far. I'm not a sci-fi junkie by any means and I never watched X Files or have gotten fully hooked on Lost but it's got enough Alias-J.J. in it that I can appreciate it. Plus, Pacey/Charlie. Enough said. And the dad is hilarious. Let's make some LSD. Seriously? Excited to see where it goes.

WEDNESDAY

• BONES. Oh how I love thee...as a girl who was raised on the sexual tension of Moonlighting and more hour-long crime/medical/mystery shows than you could throw a stick at...it's everything I love in a show. Smart, funny, rewards long-time viewers, true to life and ridiculous at the same time. I have mixed feelings on the Zach situation. Of course he could figure it out and that everyone loves him, but really, taking him out to pie at the diner? I don't know. But, it's been great so far this year and shall get better I am sure (Booth's brother is coming to visit. that shall = awesome, no doubt about it)

THURSDAY---Oh Thursday. It's been my TV night for as long as I can remember, thank you Must See TV. And this season it tis once again.

• Ugly Betty. I was hooked first season. Got over it a bit last season...missed the fun. This season, I don't know. The whole Meade family dinner with Daniel's french son (where did that come from?! I don't think I like it) And Daniel's sweatsuits at his new magazine? I don't know. So far, bleh.
• GREY'S IS BACK! and I don't mean, hey, the new season started, it's back. I mean, the sassy/sad ratio is back to perfection. The good Grey's is back. and it was G-double O-D good. My actual favorite storyline from Friday was McSteamy and Lexie. Loved the wisdom coming from McSteamy of all people(can't refer to him as Sloan...too many Alias memories). And yeah, it was just good.
• So, last season, as much as I love The Office, by the end of all the one-hour episodes I defintely was beginning to think that a half hour was the perfect amount of Office. But the season premiere used every minute for pure comedic gold. Seriously. Nothing could have been cut out. Nor should have been. Holly putting her foot in her mouth about Kevin being mentally slow...Dwight and Angela's love beeper (and what was with the boombox?)...Ryan back...Pam doing the talking head interview on video chat...Michael in the fat suit with his fat pictures actually making Kelly feel good about herself (question. sure, the fat suit was his sumo suit not blown up all the way..but where did he get his actual suit? It was much bigger than his)...and the rest stop in the rain. Oh my...twas fantastic!
• ER has been a part of my life for over half of my life. I've watched since the beginning. I used to do my vocab during the commercials whilst in high school. It always delivers. And this week it did again. I hadn't even watched last season's finale and I was still bawling. ER just knows how to be great. Great characters...you become emotionally attached. When one passes you feel it, and they do a fine job of offering continuity for us long time loyal watchers. Excited and saddened for the final season.

random rambles from the weekend

• PTL-it is fall officially! I love me some autumn time. I used my heater in my car for the first time on Saturday night (my A/C doesn't work but my heater is a stallion!)


• Speaking of my car...Tomas de la Cruz just passed into the 200,000 mile club. Appropriately, it was on a trip to visit a dear friend from the VUSC whom got to participate in the picture taking cermony in Fres-hole.

• Speaking of a dear friend from the VUSC, I got to hang out with Bri this weekend! It wasn't for a huge amount of time, but it was worth the drive for sure :)


• Speaking of a dear friend from the VUSC, I ended up driving up to Sacramento and seeing Gmar & Jamal on the same day I left Oakhurst. We went and saw The Dark Knight on the IMAX and it was absolutely AMAZING!!!! Third time seeing the movie, first IMAX. Seriously, if you can, you should. You really do feel like you are on top of the buildlings with Batman.


• Speaking of Batman (and its utter awesomeness), I figured something out while watching it this time. Remember the Snickers commercial from back in the day...the one where the guy says "I am Batman!" I used to quote it on end...hadn't really put together that it was actually from the comic and thus real. Though I suppose it's also along the "I am Spartacus" line...


• Speaking of "I am Spartacus", the film That Thing You Do! is one of those I could watch over and over.


• Speaking of That Thing You Do! , good to see Tom Hanks last night at the Emmys, bad hair/glasses and all. I still adamantly believe that he should be our next President in a film.


• Speaking of the Emmys, I really enjoyed them this year...besides the painfully real awkwardness of the opening bit. Add that with Oprah and I thought it equal a terrible evening, but it redeemed itself for the most part. If anything, the combination of two paper company regional managers redeemed the whole thing. I literally laughed til I cried with Ricky Gervais and Steve Carrell (who never said a single word and never broke face. Dear Lord, that's talent!)


• Speaking of Steve Carrell, The Office is BACK! along with HIMYM, Heroes, and a little show I like to call Greys. It's a full week, but this whole DVR thing is rockin'