Opinions, Observations & Other Oddities

Movie Meme

2011-11-24T10:46:00.003-05:00

Got this from JoJo's blog. Thought I'd work on it while waiting for the turkey to cook. I watch way too much television and movies. Oh well, there are worse bad habits. Here goes!

*Favourite Film: Dr. Strangelove - Dark comedy with Peter Sellers in three roles. Absolutely LOVE it.

*Least Favourite Film: Can't really pick just one as there are so many. Pretty much any frat boy movie or chick flick you can think of. Not into those at all.

*Favourite Comedy: Monty Python & The Holy Grail - I've memorized lines from this movie as I am a Monty Python fanatic.

*Favourite Drama: The Life of David Gale

*Favourite Action: Raiders of the Lost Ark

*Favourite Horror/Suspense: The Shining - No one does crazy like Jack Nicholson. lol

*Favourite Thriller: Saw I & II - the rest of the series became just gross

*Favourite Foreign Film: Das Boot & The Seven Samurai - sorry, can't pick one over the other as I love both.

*Favourite Kid's Movie: The Wizard of Oz

*Favourite Love Story: Ghost

*Favourite Chick Flick: Okay, okay, I did like Steel Magnolias. lol

*Favourite Play Adaptation: Jesus Christ Superstar

*Film That Is Your Guilty Pleasure: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

*Film That Made You Cry The Hardest: Terms of Endearment

*Film You Don't Want To Watch Again: Terms of Endearment - great movie but I can't stand the crying I end up doing at the end.

*Movie With Your Favourite Actress: Stir of Echos (Kathryn Erbe)

*Movie With Your Favourite Actor: Full Metal Jacket (Vincent D'Onofrio)

*Movie You Wish You Could Live In: Any Star Trek movie - love that future

*Movie That Inspires You: Invictus

*Movie(s) With Your Favourite Soundtrack: The Big Chill

*Movie With The Most Beautiful Scenery: Howard's End/Remains of the Day - anything based in England really.

*Movie You Are Embarrassed To Say You Like: Talladega Nights (I generally don't care for Will Farrell but this movie made me laugh)

*Movie With Your Favourite Villain: Silence of the Lambs (Hannibal Lecter still gives me nightmares)

*Movie With Your Favourite Superhero: Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade - I'm taking this from JoJo's lead with Luke Skywalker. Indiana Jones is my superhero. ;-)

*First Movie You Ever Remember Watching: Mary Poppins - with my mom, aunt and two cousins. Made me appreciate being an only child when I got my own book and my cousins had to share. They fought over the book while I sat reading mine on the way home. Ever since then, I told my mother to scratch the idea of a brother or sister - especially not a sister. lol

*Last Movie You Watched: Fair Game (Not great, not horrible)

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans. Hope you all have a great day!

[R.E.M. - Man on the Moon]

A Couple of Videos

2011-11-15T11:06:00.000-05:00

First, the non-political one and then the political one. For those who want to stay out of my political views, feel free to skip. I know politics is a hot button topic but this is who I am and I can't help myself even if I try to avoid it. Also it's a response to the person who tried to comment via a newly made up fake blog account because he/she is a coward.

In any case, the first video is from The Colbert Report. It was a nice surprise and I wanted to share it here and have it on hand for easier viewing. Stephen Colbert, who has excellent taste and who admires R.E.M. as much as I do and he had Michael Stipe on as a bit of a tribute to the band. His guest that evening was Brian Eno - another artist I also absolutely love - and the three of them sang Lean on Me. Stephen Colbert is genius. He really makes what he does look easy.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Brian Eno, Michael Stipe & Stephen Colbert - "Lean on Me"

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

Video Archive

Maherjunkie gave me the heads up on this. I've been watching the Republicans debate and have wanted to alternately laugh at the buffoonery and scream at my television screen for them to STFU and pull their heads from out of their ass.

The only exception - Jon Huntsman who is a decent fellow, very bright and not insane and in denial about reality. He served as ambassador to China for our current president. The man is not a nutjob like the rest of the panel. I may disagree with him on some issues but basically, he's not stupid enough or crazy enough to gain any traction in the Republican party of today.

By the way, this in no way means I think the Democrats are great. They're not. They have many failings of their own. I just find them to be more acceptable than Republicans. They don't cheer for the number of people murdered in the state of Texas by the death penalty. They don't boo an American soldier serving in Afghanistan just because he happens to be gay. They don't yell "let 'em die" when discussing people who are too poor to afford healthcare in this country. Republicans cheered these things at their debates. They are horrible human beings. They are what is dragging this country back into the dark ages. They are what is wrong with not just America but the world as there are conservatives everywhere.

Posted by alhanablue on YouTube. The song is by Lily Allen. The actual song is called Fuck You (Very Much).

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T07:14:00.000-04:00

Not planning on doing much of anything today but thought I'd try and get into the spirit. We're having a potluck thing at work today. Some of us are dressing up. I haven't dressed up since...well, I think I was thirtyish.

Saw this generic cat but...

I liked this one better.

The only problem is he won't pose on demand. He also won't wear any humiliating stupid witch hat and he certainly won't even sit nicely in the window to act as Halloween decor. That's what I love about Leaper. He has a mind and will of his own. But he does love me.

Oliver didn't want to come out and cooperate at all for pictures. I'll try and get a few of him later. Off to work and a day of eating. There goes the nine pounds I lost by not eating sweets. lol

[NP: Ryuichi Sakamoto - Living In The Dark]

Funny Cat Playing Basketball

2011-10-21T17:55:00.000-04:00

Found this yesterday and it made me smile so I thought I'd share it. It was posted by TheRobcis. This is just one of the most adorable things I've seen. The cat reminds me of my little Oliver. This is my new go to video when I'm in need of something to make me smile.

Cuteness

2011-10-16T21:47:00.000-04:00

I gotta give it to the Tigers. When they fail, they fail spectacularly. The only consolation is that it wasn't to to the Yankees. And on the upside I can catch up on my regular television watching now that baseball isn't taking up all those evening hours. lol

So here are my precious bundles of kitty joy. A few may have already been posted but what the hell. They're my babies and like any proud parent, I've just got to share the photos.

Kitties in a Basket

Ollie grooms Leaper

Cuddle Cats

Let's try the bottom bed now....

How about the rug in the kitchen?

The sofa is nice, too....

Sofa is nice...now if only someone would close the blinds

I have a few more but apparently my phone doesn't want to send them. Well, it said they were sent but I haven't seen them yet. Just wanted to post them here so I can reference them more easily. I'm just so happy I have cats who want to cuddle! The last group of three we had manged to tolerate each other but they never cuddled. Obake and Harley hated each other. Bob got along with both of them but was very Japanesey and didn't like touching anyone or any other cats except to wrestle. lol

[NP: Radiohead - Paranoid Android]

It's October....

2011-10-14T04:08:00.000-04:00

...and I'm breathing a little easier. Jim is recovering from September's hospital stay. It's cooled off and warmed up but it's been pretty nice overall.

And of course, I am watching baseball in October. Seriously odd that I should be watching baseball at all what with my being a non-sports oriented person. But, apparently the Detroit Tigers are in the American League Championship Series. Yep, they beat the Yankees. I'm so proud of them. lol   Even if they don't win against the Texas Rangers I think they did a superb thing. Of course it would be sweet if they beat the Rangers but losing to them wouldn't be like losing to the Yankees. I just can't stand the Yankees. One day I'll go into detail about why - considering I'm not really a sports fan and only since I moved to Michigan have I even bothered to watch any baseball. They're down one game and need to win the next one to stay alive in the series and need to win two games to win the American League Championship Series. I would LOVE to see them go to the World Series.

Other things I'm watching this fall are returning favorites like Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-O, Modern Family and The Middle. Watched the first three Harry's Law but the show seems to be turning away from the quirky - law office in a shoe store to typical lawyer show ala David E. Kelly. Nothing wrong with that but it can become a 'been there, done that' kind of thing and I'll be bored. Although the first story was rather compelling. Alfred Molina guest starred. Also liked Jean Smart who has been showing up as a bad guy a lot lately. She was killed at the end of last season's Hawaii Five-O. Not sure how much longer I'll watch this season.

The only new show I'm quite taken by is A Person of Interest with Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson of Lost. Interesting show with lots of secrets we still need to learn. The past of both of the principal characters - mainly Michael Emerson's character, etc. It seems to be doing well in the ratings, something I'm not used to lately with shows I like a lot. Hopefully the trend continues.

I am also watching Dexter. Just finished season 4 and have the first four episodes of season 5 waiting to be watched between baseball games.

Oh and on cable where most of my 'Geek TV' shows are, I've been watching some geek and non-geek shows. My favorites are all shows about the universe and scientific developments plus the non-geek stuff like Project Runway, Oddities (although I think this is borderline geek), Rocket City Rednecks (this could be geeky, too in a way), Myth Busters, Pawn Stars, American Pickers, American Restoration and am waiting for Flying Wild Alaska to come back with more new episodes.   It seems to take all these shows to make up for the lack of LOCI. Heard Vincent D'Onofrio and Ethan Hawke will be starring in a new television cop drama called Blue Tilt. Can't wait for that!

Yes, I watch a LOT of television. I think I'm making up for all the years I had no time to watch. I was the girl who was in Dallas the summer after the whole 'Who shot J.R.' thing with that night-time soap opera Dallas. My questions as we walked through the airport in Dallas were "Who's J.R.?" and "Why is the guy from 'I Dream of Jeannie' on all these t-shirts, glasses, mugs and other things?"   My fellow travelers informed me I needed to get out from the rock I was living under. I thought the whole thing was stupid.   lol   Ah yes, the days of college where I had no time to do much television watching.

So I need to try and get some sleep now. Seems I'm having a bout of insomnia for some reason. My brain just won't shut down tonight. More than likely I'll be out like a light tomorrow night. I'm not one to not sleep for very long. At least that's what I'm hoping. As one ages, one's body has a mind of its own sometimes. And it often disagrees with what I would like it to do. If so, I'll probably put up the photos of my kitties I've been taking and saving and not sharing for some reason. Probably my lack of online life any more. lol

[NP: Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet With Butterfly Wings]

This Sums It Up Nicely

2011-09-30T21:30:00.000-04:00

This cartoon ran in a sister paper earlier this week. I think it sums things up nicely about the Republican party line-up. It's looking good for President Obama is all I can say.

Oh and I'd like Chris Christie a lot more if he weren't an obnoxious ass who yells at his constituents that where his kids go to school is none of her business when it's a matter of private (where his kids go to school) and public (where her kids go to school) and he's creating legislation that takes away from public schools. Isn't she one of the people who pays his salary as a tax paying citizen of the state of New Jersey?

It's a shame that Republicans are either stupid, crazy, obnoxious or all three - like Sarah Palin.

Ah well, that was good for a laugh. Here's hoping that's all they will be getting in 2012 - a lot of laughs.

Oh and for those who missed those debates they've been having, the highlights were those assbags - the audience of Tea Party Nutbaggers - booed a gay soldier currently serving in Afghanistan when he asked a question because he's gay, cheered that Rick Perry has overseen 258 (? not sure the exact number but it was definitely a lot of state sanctified murder going on there) death penalty executions, and yelled 'let 'em die' when Ron Paul was asked if he would let a person unable to pay for his health care die.

Compassionate conservatism? That's a real oxymoron isn't it? I see nothing compassionate about them. I also can't imagine that I will ever vote for anyone who doesn't believe in evolution and denies global warming despite all the FACTS.

[NP: U2 - City of Blinding Lights]

Another Thing I Adore is Going Away

2011-09-25T17:01:00.000-04:00

It's the end of my world as I know it and I don't necessarily feel fine. R.E.M. just announced earlier this week that they are done as a band. Sounds like it was all very friendly. R.E.M. never struck me as a band of egomaniac assholes as can often be the case with rock stars. No acrimonious fighting in the press like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones (who are as far as I know still rolling) or Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith (I think they're still on but they do take breaks).

This band was really a joy to discover for me back in college. I was the Music Director of the student radio station when I came upon their E.P. Chronic Town. I thought they were rather interesting as a band. I liked their sound and when Murmur was released shortly after, I absolutely fell in love with the band. Along with U2, R.E.M. really caught on in the college music scene. No one else was bothering with them. I believe in the state of Hawaii I was probably the first person to put them on the air.

Years later as I grew up and they grew up, I still hold both bands in very high regard as they have conducted themselves with grace and dignity and have stood up for many causes I also believe in. They are most humble in their approach to their careers – despite what the right-wing nuts who hate them for the liberal causes may say out of their willful ignorance.

Both bands my contemporaries and I feel we all grew up together. It's hard to say goodbye to such wonderful musicians who provided me with the soundtrack to my adult life. U2 is still going strong but R.E.M. will be releasing a retrospective in November and then bowing out.

All things must come to an end. It's just I'm tired of many of the things I enjoy entertainment-wise coming to an end this year. I can't wait for 2011 to be over. It sort of sucked for me on many levels.

At least it's cooler and my favorite season is starting. Here's hoping for better things. And here's hoping the individual members of the band go on and create even more awesomeness. I miss them already.

[NP: R.E.M. - Pretty Persuasion]

Really? This Asswipe Gets Probation & Time Served???

2011-09-10T07:36:00.000-04:00

So it seems our justice system is in need of some tweaking. Juries without a clue and judges without a clue are flooding our system as of late - or so it seems.

The Casey Anthony jury was out to lunch - clearly. They actually ignored common sense in favor of some CSI kind of 'gotcha' evidence. Something that only happens as effectively as it does in television shows and movies.

Then there's this case with my favorite actress Kathryn Erbe. So this psycho nut job isn't even kept in some psychiatric institute for treatment? You know, like locked up? He can just go home? Oh right. Probation makes it better. WTF?

I read in another article I can't seem to locate at the moment that the man claimed to have been raped in prison. Really? Well considering previously he was convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl, maybe it's just poetic justice.

This loser creep also brought his daughters in to plead for his release. The same daughters he accused of having perpetrated some of the crime. Like defacing a photo of Kathryn's daughter, etc. I think he should have his kids taken away from him. His wife should be ashamed of herself to let her daughters go through this after he used them to try and defend himself before. They're both unfit parents if you ask me.

Having been involved in a situation where my roommate in college was stalked, I know it's a horrible ordeal for everyone involved. The victim and her family and people around her. I kept an old cane that used to belong to my grandfather next to the door just in case. Sometimes we would go to our respective parents houses just to feel safe.

Stalking isn't something that should be handled with a pat on the hand. Stalkers should be put away for the entire sentence they were given if nothing else to give peace of mind to his victims.

This man threatened her brother and ex-husband, too from what I read about the case. They both testified about the creep in court.

I think the judge who let him out on probation needs to learn more about stalking cases. He should read up on more of the subject and see the kind of damage that is done to people's psyche when they feel they may have to actually arm themselves before leaving their homes. Or feeling as if they have to stay away from their home to feel safe. It's not right.

I hope this creep behaves himself and has learned his lesson. Of course if he's got mental issues as the judge says, can he learn any lessons? He's still using his kids to save his sorry ass and he may now have reason to be even more angry at Ms. Erbe and her family.

Oh and to some of the posters at Yahoo who made some pretty sick comments about this whole thing, I hope you all one day get your very own stalker. Someone who takes offense to you for some stupid reason and then tries to make your life a living hell. You deserve it. Just like Charles Nagel deserved everything that happened to him in prison.

Another rant over. Hope I'll feel better soon so I can stop ranting. I'll probably have to avoid the news and politics in order to do that....

The Swamp

2011-09-08T23:53:00.000-04:00

I haven't been active online as of late. Once LOCI ended, so did my enthusiasm for looking around for LOCI information. lol But something was bugging me for the last few horrible weeks of ridiculous heat. Despite the cool temperatures of the last week, I still feel a little disgruntled about the horrible conditions we're supposed to work under.

I work in a swamp. Yes, that's right, a swamp. It's cleverly disguised as a newspaper office but really, with the lousy air conditioning system, the leaky roof, periodic flooding of the back room and I'm sure some kind of moldy growth in the walls and ceiling and under the back room carpeting.

The swamp disguised as an office

It's hot and humid and when it rains really hard, there's a waterfall in the middle of the office and the water overflows from the sewer drainage pipe in the parking lot and backs up into the back office. It's happened many times. The worst was during a particularly awful storm over a year ago in May. The electricity went out, the waterfall started behind my desk and it was already after 4 in the afternoon anyway.

Source of office waterfall just behind my desk

We decided to close up shop and leave until we got to the back office to head out. Water was already about five feet into the office from the door. We considered making our escape through the side door in the back room where the drivers pick up the newspaper every morning. That was worse. Then we were told by people who had been back there, there was a smell of gas or something back there.

Oh joy. We called the fire department. They're right across the street so in just a few minutes, the fire truck arrived. Firemen came in, wading through the water and making a joke about the lake we had installed in the parking lot and apparently in our back office office.

After they ascertained that it wasn't gas they were smelling but old ink that apparently had spilled on the floor like oh, I don't know, about 12 years ago at least as that was the last time the paper was printed here - we now outsource. So good news, no gas leak, bad news, the water was still rising. We put stuff up on blocks to keep things from getting soaked.

The editor and one of the reporters were trying to put sandbags in front of the door to see if it would help. Once the lightning started we encouraged them to stop as standing in water coming half way up your calves is not a good thing in a thunderstorm.

So it's dark, it's storming and we're trapped. My worst nightmare is to be trapped at the office. This is a swamp. It was built in the late 1940s and I'm sure there's asbestos in the building. And of course with all the flooding I'm sure there's also black mold. We always joke when someone sneezes or coughs..."It's probably just the black mold."

By the time the thunderstorm passed, the water was half way into the back room. It was still raining but no thunder and lightning. We decided to risk wading through now knee-deep water and get to our cars. The night crew at the paper wished us luck and went back to the front office where the waterfall had slowed to a drip and emptied the trash cans so it could catch more water.

By the time the lightning stopped we found a knee deep lake outside. My car was still drivable. I waded over to it and got it out just in time. I parked at the low end closest to the building and I have never done so since. How odd is it that I tend to park at the farthest point from the building when it rains hardest? Welcome to my life.

I got home and my husband looked at me and asked what happened to me? I rolled my jeans up to my knees and still they were wet. Others from our office swamp survival group had the same problem.

Right now, it's cooled off and there is respite from the swamp. I'm hoping it stays cool until it gets downright freezing around here. That's the only way the office is tolerable. Sure we have to sometimes wear our jackets/coats because the heat isn't all that great either.

Why do we put up with this crap? Because otherwise we wouldn't have a job. Someone remind me what a dumbass I am when I come down with some disease thanks to black mold and potentially asbestos being released from the broken ceiling tiles. I'd call OSHA but what's the point? If they shut down the damn building we'll end up having to go work at a sister newspaper located out of town. I just know those cheap assholes as corporate wouldn't want to cough up the money for another facility. They'd rather spend it on hiring people who's sole purpose is to hold fucking webinars where they repeat the same thing over and over again in a different manner to make us think they're saying something new.

Okay, rant over. I'm just really stressed out I think. I hate hot.

The one oasis of calm in my office is this:

Oops..not quite...this is my crappy cubicle

This is it! The Mac computer and the desktop

photo of my three angels

All right. I'm feeling better now. Will try and make a happy post soon. I think if the weather keeps trending cool, things will be looking up.

[NP: 10,000 Maniacs - Cherry Tree]

It's Official - RIP Criminal Intent

2011-07-16T16:04:00.002-04:00

Well, the final word came down this week. I suppose you don't have a final season if you're not going to make it a final one. However, there was some hope that the show would come back if it did well. Saw this yesterday in my Google Alerts.

So it just confirms that the bottom line is money. I'm not surprised nor should anyone else be. And yes, it was nice of them to go ahead and try to make amends to fans who were pissed at the loss of our Goren an Eames. I'll give them that much I suppose. But if the ratings don't justify the costs then I understand completely - even if I HATE the idea of no more Goren and Eames.

I do like the ending. It wasn't a gut-wrenching horrible ending finale where someone dies, quits, gets fired or the department blows up. But that's okay. Those are all cliched endings unless done cleverly like the ending of Oz. In a way it was ambiguous, too. Just because they had to evacuate the prison indefinitely didn't mean they couldn't go back after a period of time. But the show knew how to move on. It was really one of the two excellent series endings ever. Oz an Six Feet Under. At least as far as dramas go. M*A*S*H* did okay, too but not that good. Bob Newhart is still the king of best endings to a sitcom ever.

LOCI ended fittingly. No hysteria, no tearing out of hair, beating of chest or any other kind of over-the-top apparently everyday occurrence at the only remaining L&O show SVU. Just a quiet ending with little dialog but lots of emotion from Goren and Eames.

I am very grateful for the last eight episodes. I've already praised all involved to the high heavens so I'll just say thank you one more time to all involved including USA & NBC/Universal. Now if your parent company GE would just pay it's fair share of taxes I might actually like you again some day.

Yep, it's really dead.

(Strange Visitor Photo)

I think I'm kind of glad it's over in the sense that this show or more accurately Goren and Eames are like crack to me. I'm so addicted I can't stop watching if they're on. I have to visit sites for information an while this show has a fantastic fan base, there are some who are just plain annoying and act as if people who don't see things the way they do are imbeciles or crazy. It will be a relief to not see them any more.

Specifically, one particular annoyance who couldn't understand why people didn't understand that final means final. Well maybe because the people who were holding out hope for another season went by what Dick Wolf said. So saying you don't see how they could have thought after all the final season promo stuff that they still had hope makes you the stupid one. This is not to anyone who reads this blog, btw. I'm just venting and I doubt this person will ever see this. I have no idea if it's a him or a her as it throws out insults regularly and only has a blogger account to do so apparently.

I still say in a couple of years maybe they could do a 2 hour television movie ala Columbo. Then again I don't know how things may have changed in the entertainment industry and the cost of doing that might be unreasonable.

Goodbye for real Goren and Eames.

(NBC/Universal Photo)

[NP: U2 - One]

Meme Time

2011-07-15T09:09:00.000-04:00

In lieu of actual content as I am starting to enjoy blogging on a more regular basis but with the end of LOCI it seems that has sort of stopped so here's a meme my friend Marie shared with me.

1. What last TV show have you watched on TV?

Some re-run of Deadliest Catch. I missed the actual season. I have been watching DVD's of old LOCI episodes.

2. What was the last movie that you watched at the theatre?

It's been years since I've been to the theater. Probably some kids movie as I more than likely took my oldest granddaughter but I can't remember what it was.

3. What was the last movie that you watched at home?

The Life of David Gale. Powerful movie. Makes you really think about the death penalty. Never saw it before although we've been meaning to watch.

4. What was the last audiobook that you listened to?

Don't listen to audiobooks.

5. What is the last song that you heard?

Velvet Underground - White Light White Heat

That's all I got for today. Hope you all have a great weekend!

The Beginning of the End?

2011-07-13T22:52:00.001-04:00

I certainly hope so. It's sad when some things end. The end of my beloved LOCI made me sad. But as sad as that made me, this potential ending elates me!

Rupert Murdoch, the scourge of the news business in this country, is in trouble due to dirty dealings. His tabloid in England, News of the World, is officially done. His deal to buy a television broadcasting station looks like it's in the toilet, too.

He hired convicted felons? That's the accusation anyway. One of them. They're investigating his holdings in Great Britain. Thank goodness for them they caught him before he could expand and pollute their media even more than he already has.

Rupert Murdoch

(a.k.a. Dr. Evil in my household)

This man is not to be trusted. He owns the infamous FOX news network (although what he calls news I call tabloid trash). He owns FX and the FOX entertainment network as well. The man also owns the New York Post and in recent years acquired the once esteemed Wall Street Journal. It's always been considered somewhat conservative as it is the newspaper of Wall Street. However since he purchased it, it's turned into a piece of trash, IMO. How else can I see it when you let the likes of Rush Limbaugh (that 'big fat idiot' as proclaimed by Al Franken before he became one of the two senators from Minnesota) and Sarah Palin (who can't even speak proper English let alone write anything anyone could understand) write editorials. I couldn't help but laugh as I read them. I was wondering if it was just one big bad joke but unfortunately it wasn't.

Murdoch turns everything he touches into gold for himself and into crap for the rest of us who have the ability to think things through. I'm so sick of him and his FUCKED news network.

Congress is supposedly talking about investigating his American media outlets. Nothing would please me more to see his empire blow up. Congress please investigate this guy!!! Oh wait, they're too busy NOT getting business done because conservatives want to protect rich people from suffering any more taxes. Poor rich folk would have to give up a yacht or two or maybe a condo or beach house or something. Lower taxes create more jobs? Really? So where are all those wonderful jobs since taxes have been this low since George Bush decided to give all his pals a break. Maybe when the country is bankrupt they'll start creating new jobs with all the money they save? You know, like GE, the company that paid NO taxes at all. How does that happen? Maybe if they and other corporations paid their taxes like everyone else, we wouldn't have a budget crisis and we wouldn't have to keep borrowing money from China!

I'm just so disgusted by the way things are going in this country the only thing that keeps me going are people like Jon Stewart and his Daily Show co-horts. They really have a way of cutting through all the crap.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Have No Fear, England's Here

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

The Daily Show on Facebook

[NP: Joss Stone - Spoiled]

Random Thoughts

2011-07-02T11:05:00.001-04:00

LOCI is officially over. I am still missing Goren and Eames even if it's only been one week. And of course we all know they will always be around in reruns. I even have the first four seasons on DVD. Am considering getting the rest but I don't know since, season 5 being kind of blah with only three episodes I'd consider great, and seasons 8 and 9 of course were boring and at times just downright stupid. Well, actually to be honest, season 9's Loyalty was downright stupid. No idea on the rest of the season as I refused to watch. Didn't watch USA any more either. Still don't watch anything but LOCI on that network.

Now I'm in search of something new to obsess over. It could have been Detroit 1-8-7 but ABC has decided it didn't want an intelligent crime drama on their station. They'd rather have The Bachelor - you know that intellectual powerhouse (heavy on the sarcasm here). So basically Americans would rather watch a bunch of women whoring themselves out on television for a fake relationship (they never work except for that Krista person I think found her boy toy on her try at finding 'true love') fighting over some mimbo who turns out to be an asshole.

The vast wasteland of television and all I can look forward to is Hawaii Five-O, which isn't exactly rocket science. It's just in Hawaii and I can see weekly glimpses of home and the guys are all hot and Grace Park I'm sure appeals to men. Although my husband says 'she's got no boobs.' lol He also thinks she needs to eat more as she disappears when she turns sideways. I love my husband. :-D

Blue Bloods is an interesting show. Unfortunately, the showrunner Ken Sanzel, is leaving due to creative differences between himself and Tom Selleck, who stars as the show's patriarch. Ken Sanzel wants the show to be more of a procedural an Selleck wanted to explore the personal aspects of the family members in this family of police officers and lawyers. Sounds like Balcer and D'Onofrio to me.

So it's up in the air now as to whether or not the show will continue to be good. Although I do prefer the family side of the story.

But still, it's not LOCI. I need to explore more cable shows I think. Weeds and Dexter sound interesting. I tried Mad Men but something about it leaves me flat.

So if you have any suggestions, let me know. At the moment, I'm looking forward to Project Runway. Yes, I know, fluff. But it's creative fluff and I love Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum. ;-)

In the meantime, I'm a little late for Vincent D'Onofrio's birthday and a little early for Kathryn Erbe's but I figure somewhere in the middle is good since work has been kind of hectic as of late.

So Happy Birthday to my favorite actor, Vincent D'Onofrio on June 30 (same as my stepson so it's not like I forgot) and my favorite actress, Kathryn Erbe, July 5. Hope they get all the wonderful things they deserve.

Vincent & Kathryn at USA Upfronts

Well, have to get things ready for cooking out on the fourth. Jimmy works so it will be just me and my hubby. Later this week we're doing a belated Father's Day, Happy birthday Jimmy combo thing. For my upcoming birthday, I'm celebrating by basically being left alone. Will have a cake and sit with my husband and have our own LOCI marathon. The man has excellent taste after all. ;-)

Hope all my fellow Americans have a Happy Fourth! To everyone else, hope you have a great weekend. Looks like ours will be perfect for cookouts and fireworks.

[NP: Rolling Stones - Salt of the Earth]

To The Boy In The Blue Knit Cap - LOCI Highlights

2011-06-27T10:55:00.004-04:00

Well, it's over and done and Goren and Eames ride off into the sunset. I am sad to see the show end but I'm happy that Warren Leight wrote that final scene. The rest of the episode was so-so.

Once again, SPOILER ALERT!

Don't read if you don't want to know who-dun-it.

Where's Justin Timberlake?

Goren and Eames investigate

(USA photo)

The story was obviously based on the movie The Social Network. Rival internet companies, twin brothers ripped off by someone they hired to work with them to help them develop software, etc. It was written by Chris Brancato and Julie Martin and it was an okay case file with a supposed re-write by Rene Balcer. I wasn't impressed by the case file - I think Icarus was much better - but there were some fun moments in this one. Goren and Eames go to question one of the suspects Rex Tamlyn (played by James Van Der Beek). Here we see Goren being Goren. He gets all in Rex's space, squeezing into the seat next to him. Also loved the expression on Goren's face after Rex asks Eames to dance and she says no thanks and Rex tells her it's her loss. Goren looks like I felt. Let me make room for that guy's ego! lol

Loved Goren's line "I'm a concerned citizen with a badge." That was also to Rex Tamlyn after Goren and Eames accuse him of cocaine abuse.

I was glad to see M.E. Rodgers and her line about hating to admit Goren was right made me smile.

Loved Goren's telling Gyson he took anger management classes and it just made him more angry. Kind of like these sessions are making him more angry. lol

I pegged either PJ or Danielle as the murderer but couldn't work out which one it would have been until Goren and Eames narrowed it down.

Also found it interesting in aria, Danielle admits to what she did and in the process says she loved Thomas. They were so different she says. Just another Goren/Eames parallel for me and I'm sure others. There have been many this season.

So this story about internet rivalries, lawsuits and love at first sight was all right overall. As I said, Icarus would have been a better for the final episode as it was a stronger case file and much more over-the-top fun. Hey, Patti Smith's cameo alone would have made it a worthy last episode.

Maybe I was expecting more because I heard Balcer was involved in the re-write. I just thought it should have been a little better.

However, I honestly don't care overall about the case file. I was more interested in Goren and Eames and the series ended well as far as I was concerned. Warren Leight delivered. He didn't go the over-the-top route of having everything blow up. No one got fired, no one quit and Goren and Eames didn't elope or anything stupid like that horrible X-Files ending. It leaves the majority of viewers happy I think. I know a few were disappointed but it's not like we all see things the same way.

The psychiatric session ended a little flat. However, it was believable as there is no way Goren would be cured in seven sessions with all his emotional and psychological baggage. Love that Goren also pointed out that obviously, the sessions were to evaluate him, not to necessarily help him. That's what I figured all along while people were grousing over how unrealistic it all was. In the end it was an evaluation. She recommended follow-up sessions to work on his anger issues. The answer to the riddle was kind of stupid - sorry, just me being stupid maybe but I was thinking why did it take her seven weeks to figure that out? Yeah, I didn't have any answer but I wasn't thinking about it either. And I'm not a brilliant psychologist.

Of course my favorite part was that ending. Goren walks out to find Eames waiting for him. First of all, he called her Alex. Yes, I know it's stupid but that made me ridiculously happy as he's only done this one before in Amends. In Baggage he referred to her as Alex but never actually addressed her like that. It's a shippy thing so never mind if you don't get it. lol

Shiny, Happy Goren and Eames

(USA photo)

There wasn't a lot of dialog but with D'Onofrio and Erbe you don't need much. Warren Leight having worked with them for six seasons would know this and he really made me happy. I know Eames was concerned and was wondering if he's all right and if he's still with NYPD. He tells her everything is good and she's obviously happy to know he will still be working with her. She tells him they have a call out on another case. They both finish her sentence together about getting to the crime scene before the FBI gets there. They smile. She says let's go and hops into the SUV. Goren stands and contemplates as he watches her. He finally gets into the SUV and they smile and exchange those glances they have always done throughout the entire series. And off they go to another case. Both of them smiling and obviously happy to still be working together. For people like me who see more there than what is spoken, I saw Goren thinking over possibilities that aren't platonic at all. My husband saw that, too. He never looks for that sort of thing. I don't either but after being sold on the whole Goren/Eames subtext thing, I see it whether I want to or not.

It wasn't the heart stopping OMG kind of ending. But fitting for LOCI and Goren and Eames. And I am satisfied that it's over with Goren and Eames firmly in place at Major Case. Who knows? Maybe they'll have a 2 hour movie a year or two from now? They did it with Columbo once it was over. I don't see why they couldn't do it with LOCI.

So whether or not you liked it, it's over. We all have to move on whether we like it or not. Maybe there will be another miracle if we all write to TPTB. I never thought I'd get these last eight episodes. As Kathryn Erbe stated, they're like a gift.

Thanks to cast and crew for the wonderful final season. I will miss Goren and Eames but they live on in reruns. I will be following Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe in their future projects and I hope to one day see them back as Goren and Eames - even if it is for a one time 2 hour movie. I so adore Goren and Eames I would watch them sit in their SUV for an hour. lol

Goodbye and Good Luck to Goren and Eames

the best detective team ever

(USA photo)

[NP: Bauhaus - Silent Hedges]

Summing It All Up...

2011-06-26T15:05:00.000-04:00

So I'm reading all the farewell articles about the last ever LOCI episode. I'm sad and excited all at the same time. Found this particular article by Ken Tucker for Entertainment Weekly, which kind of reflects my feelings on the matter. It really reflects how I feel about SVU. What a horrible show it is and it's the only one left. It is creepy and while I know Warren Leight will be taking over as show runner, he can only do so much with an already established mess.

Here's the best part of the article:

L&O:CI is certainly going out on a high note. Last week’s superbly typical yet nutty hour was a classic L&O ripped-from-the-headlines entry, a satire of Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark complete with a delightful cameo by rock-poet-memoirist Patti Smith, and Cynthia Nixon soaring higher than any super-hero as a hightened version of director Julie Taymor (“Spectacular! Brighter! Dazzle me!”).

As I said, you’ll still be able to get a fresh, if impure, stepped-on L&O fix with SVU in the fall, and heaven knows we’ll be able to watch all forms of the franchise in reruns until this rock called Earth disintegrates to a pebble. But to me, once Goren asks his final interrogation question, the whole history of Law & Order will pretty much come to a jail-cell-clang close.

I'm so sad this show is ending. You'd think with my liking all these excellent shows that not a lot of other people seem to like - the most recent being Detroit 1-8-7 - being routinely canceled that I'd be used to it. But this one is different. It's been around for 10 years and it's given me two very compelling characters to obsess over. Maybe it's the amount of time they've been around - with breaks as Goren described the years he and Eames have been partners - or perhaps it's the way Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe skillfully portray their characters. I have a feeling it's a little of both and the fact that Chris Brancato and the writers for this final season have given us marvelous episodes to end the show with. I think if the shows were as weak as season 8 were, it would be easier to let go.

Homicide: Life on the Streets ended pretty weakly. Then the 2 hour movie that was supposed to give us closure ended even more sadly. I was sad to see it go but relieved as well. With Criminal Intent, it's leaving on a high note. I suppose that makes me happy on some level but mostly I'm sad because I think I could use 8 more.

(USA - NBC/Universal photo)

I feel like that glass. Like someone threw a rock at me and I'm shattered.

[NP: Mary Chapin Carpenter - Almost Home]

To The Boy In The Blue Knit Cap (Preview)-Law and Order: CI

2011-06-25T18:57:00.000-04:00

Seems I've gone from posting once a month to an overload of posts! Hey, what can I say? When I obsess, I obsess. lol

We've seen a lot of promos that tease us and not much with the case - just one I've seen. Here's the actual opening crime scene.

To The Boy In The Blue Knit Cap (Preview)-Law and Order: CI: "In the series finale, Goren and Eames investigate the murders of two staffers at a Web company involved in a heated lawsuit."

So it's a take on The Social Network and of course the recent incident where Facebook got caught trying to plant negative stories about Google. Sounds like a real war going on there. I'm rooting for Google as I find them helpful and I find Facebook to be insidious.

Looks like another good one. Season 10 is definitely going right up there with my favorite seasons 4 and 7.

[NP: R.E.M. - At My Most Beautiful]

Vincent & Kathryn on Weekend Today Show

2011-06-25T13:41:00.000-04:00

There's so much information out there with the finale coming up. Here's Vincent and Kathryn visiting The Today Show this morning.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Oh those heels! Kathryn looks lovely! And of course Vincent is his usual gorgeous-self. Love the way they look at each other a lot like Goren and Eames. lol It's cute.

And one more article I didn't have at the time I made my previous post that indicates Vincent is just as perplexed as we are as to why USA did not choose to renew the show with ratings up and fans asking for more.

[NP: Death Cab for Cutie - Title & Registration]

The End of an Era?

2011-06-24T09:40:00.001-04:00

So the end for LOCI is coming up this Sunday. It's the final episode of LOCI ever...or is it? I know when I heard they sold off all the props and heard the sets were gone to make way for a new show to film at the Chelsea Piers studio that was home to this show since day one, I figured that was it. It's really done.

However, those among us who are more optimistic and upbeat are once again rallying to Save Goren and Eames. It's been done before so let's try again. It may get us nowhere but you can't get there if you don't even try. Got this info from the Saving Goren and Eames site:

Well, we were able to see our heroes come back for one more season...and what a season!! Fabulous!! Stupendous!! And joyous for all of us Goren and Eames fans!! It's what we dreamed of and fought for.

But it seems to be over all too soon. Vincent, Kathryn, and Dick Wolf have all indicated that if we write to USA Network, we might have another chance at seeing our favorite show renewed. We'd like to take that chance and try another email campaign, even though Vincent stated yesterday that it will be "gone forever" after the last two episodes. If I recall correctly, during our original campaign, he said he wouldn't be coming back - but he did! Things change. And people can make change happen!!

Below are the email addresses I've been writing to every day:

brad.bernstein@nbcuni.com

bonnie.hammer@nbcuni.com

andrea.epstein@nbcuni.com

farrah.hersh@nbcuni.com

jean.guerin@nbcuni.com

jeff.wachtel@nbcuni.com

lynn.weiss@nbcuni.com

There is also a poll on the USA LOCI Message Board that our own Outerbankschick set up, where you can vote for renewal.

Join Law & Order: CI on Facebook and leave a comment.

Tweet your thoughts on Twitter.

Email your friends and ask them to write to USA Network.

If you have a blog, do a blogpost and tweet it.

LOCI is worth fighting for. None of us thought we'd get this 10th season, but we did! Let's give it another try! An 11th season is possible!!!

Thanks so much!!

So write and hope that we can create another miracle. I'm not holding my breath and quite honestly I'm not sure I want to keep this going until it falls apart again. But I could seriously use 8 more episodes like the ones we have so far.

Reshooting scene from the final episode

(Photo from News.com)

Also found this TV Guide interview with Kathryn Erbe who encourages us to all let TPTB know how we feel. She knows we brought them back before and we could possibly do it again. I feel a little better knowing we will have a better ending for Goren and Eames than we did the first disastrous time around.

Here's an excerpt:

Despite her continued hope for a Season 11, Erbe says she thinks the end will be a happy one for fans if Sunday's episode indeed serves as the series finale. "I know we set out to make it satisfying and we're going out much more OK than we were the last time," she says, referencing Goren and Eames' first exit in 2010. "The one thing I know you're going to see is that Goren and Eames are on much better, more solid ground. Healthier, happier and in good shape."
Both Vincent and Kathryn will be on Twitter this Sunday. I'd try and participate but I have no desire to create a Twitter account as I have no desire to become a Twit. And I can't pay attention to the show and the twitter feed at the same time. I'm limited like that. lol

And finally, I came across this charming video of Vincent and Kathryn sending us a fond farewell.

I am so going to miss these two. I think at this point I really don't even care about the case files. The fact that they've been great are a bonus. I am just happy to see Goren and Eames again and I am grateful for the opportunity to see them off in a better way.

So you know what I'll be doing at 9 p.m. Sunday evening. I'll have my box of Kleenex with me just in case. Even with a happier ending for Goren and Eames, I will be sad at the thought we will have no more new adventures with these two.

Goodbye Goren and Eames

(Photo from News.com)

[NP: Fleetwood Mac - Dreams]

Icarus - LOCI Highlights

2011-06-20T19:50:00.004-04:00

Wonderful episode! Another one written by Julie Martin. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode.

SPOILER ALERT: Once again, I will mention who-dun-it so don't read until you've seen this episode.

Goren and Eames fidgeting

(USA Photo)

Based on the Broadway play Spiderman Turn off the Dark this episode was fabulous. It not only ripped from the headlines the difficulty of the real life play, but took the opportunity to poke a little fun at the craft of acting and Broadway in general. It made me chuckle at various points throughout.

This episode contained just about everything I love. Greek mythology, Broadway plays, Patti Smith, music in general, and getting to the root of Goren's anger issues. Patti Smith did a fine job with her part. It's been a while since we've seen any of Goren's interesting friends. They popped up a lot more in earlier seasons. It was a nice touch and a sign that Brancato - unlike Walon Green - did his homework and KNOWS these characters and this show.

Loved the obvious parallels between the actual Spiderman play and the fictional Icarus. The stunts producers play for publicity's sake. The interesting jab(?) at Bono and The Edge with the self-absorbed and rather insecure 'rock star guitarist' turned composer for the show. Funny line about actors needing approval from everyone and Goren's - I know - response. Interesting the sparring between the actors/director/producer and whatever the 'drama-turg' (sp>) was. The director/actors/composers on one side of the issue and the producer and drama turg on the other. Artistic vision vs financial profit.

Cynthia Nixon was a wonderful Julie Taymorish character.

The show was fraught with accidents and technical delays. In Icarus the leading man dies. Like it's real life counterpart, the show actually sees ticket sales increase. Never underestimate the appetite of most people for real life disasters.

The show opens with obvious conflict between director and star and subsequently the star's death as a harness wire is cut and he falls to his death. We first see Goren and Eames on set of the ill-fated play, with Goren apparently messing with the set, rearranging the rocks of a maze. Kind of like he's rearranging things in his shrink session. Only instead of keeping people from getting out, it seems Goren is trying to keep people out. Even himself as he tries to avoid introspection and looking at something he truly fears.

The show really went all out with creating a scene from the play. There was even an original song written entitled "This is Hubris." It was hilarious to watch it be performed and then it's followed by a drunken Cynthia Nixon eulogizing the late actor. Loved it when Goren comments to Eames how emotional she is and Eames replies that alcohol will do that to you.

Looks like Eames could use some of that alcohol
the director obviously had to get through this...

(USA Photo)

So many interesting moments in this one. Parallels in this one not only ran between Icarus and the real life Spiderman play, but in the way the feelings of loneliness and 'yearning' as Cynthia Nixon's character says, parallels Goren's own. Also how Eames also seems to share in this as rock-star/composer describes Nixon's character as someone on a downward spiral. She has no husband, no kids, just her job. Very much like Eames.

Goren moments are back in full force. Not only with him messing with the maze but taking the water cup out of the understudy's hand and the clove cigarette from the composer's.

I really enjoyed seeing Christopher McDonald as the murderous producer. I've been enjoying his character on Harry's Law - Tommy Jefferson. He does smarmy very well. I actually didn't think he had anything to do with it. I did suspect the drama-turg. As the show progressed I just wasn't sure if it was Cynthia Nixon's character or McDonald's who put him up to it. The character didn't seem to have the backbone to have done something on his own without prompting or encouragement of someone else.

Cynthia Nixon as the director of the ill-fated Icarus

being questioned by our dynamic duo

(USA Photo)

I enjoyed Patti Smith as one of Goren's friends. I think her real life admiration for the character of Goren and her real life admiration of Vincent D'Onofrio as an actor shines through as she tells Goren, if anyone can solve this case it's him. It was a nice moment. Short but sweet and it's so cool to know Patti Smith is a fan. Saw an interview with her where she even says she got a television just so she could watch LOCI. How cool is she? :-D

Goren consults with his friend Cleo Andrews

at Columbia University

(USA Photo)

In any case, the psychiatrist scene was in the middle again. I know some find it disconcerting but I find it a nice change of pace rather than have it predictably at the end every time. Dr. Gyson is surprised he's returned after the previous week's blow up. She calls him out on the fact that he's asking her what she thinks a dream he has means. He obviously knows what it means and yet he's asking her what she thinks. She's also surprised that he is avoiding talking about the previous week's incident. He apologizes to her for his behavior and she addresses his anger issue. Beneath all of his anger is fear she tells him. He's afraid to face the issues he's buried deep inside under all that anger. She's beginning to find her way through that maze he has carefully set up to keep people out.

I know a lot of people seem to think this therapy session is supposed to fix Goren. I felt it was set up to evaluate if he could function effectively. I mean seven sessions does not cure a lifetime of building up walls around oneself. I expect the show to end with Goren finally recognizing things about himself he's been trying to not only hide from others but himself as well. There's so much there for him to want to bury.

Whether or not Goren actually get's 'fixed' I hope the show ends with him moving forward. I think shrink sessions to help Goren wouldn't have been left at seven sessions. I know they only have seven sessions but really, I think he's supposed to be assessed. Like does Gyson think Goren could go off the deep end and hurt others around him kind of assessed.

These sessions have been the highlight of every episode they've been featured in this season. I know I keep saying how much I love Warren Leight but I can't help it. I am really glad Chris Brancato brought him back. Right now, season 10 is quickly moving to the top of my all-time favorite seasons list.

In the end we get an aria where Goren pushes all the right buttons and plays the perps to get them to confess. It was beautiful. Excellent episode all around and I'd say Julie Martin has made up for any flaws in Cadaver. Yes, I'm still annoyed at the whole tiger mom angle. lol

So there was a promo for next week's series finale. It's generated a lot of conversation. I think it was interesting it didn't focus so much on the case as it did on Goren himself.

Again, I'm not expecting Goren to be all fixed up and happy by the end of the season. I expect Dr. Gyson will either find that Goren is fit for duty or he's not. Goren will more than likely face his greatest fear - whatever that turns out to be - and he will move on. Hopefully he won't move on from Major Case or NYPD and Eames.

My happy ending would be Goren and Eames going about their business as usual. I don't want any romance between them or between them and anyone else. We can take care of that in fan fiction. lol

[NP: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Born to Run]

RIP Clarence Clemons.

You are already sorely missed, Big Man.

Behind the Scenes of "Icarus": Kathryn Erbe-Law and Order: CI

2011-06-19T11:14:00.000-04:00

Here's a clip of Kathryn talking about Icarus:

Behind the Scenes of "Icarus": Kathryn Erbe-Law and Order: CI: "Kathryn Erbe discusses the episode 'Icarus'."

And Vincent discussing the same:

I think this episode may end up being my favorite. Subject matter - based on the Spiderman play on Broadway produced by Bono & Edge of one of my favorite bands, written by Julie Martin - a favorite since she wrote for Homicide: Life on the Streets, and with guest star Patti Smith - the woman who opened up the world of alternative/punk/new wave music for me.

At this rate it seems season 10 will end up being my favorite season of LOCI ever.

[NP: Rolling Stones - Moonlight Mile]

Patti Smith Guest Stars on LOCI - Icarus

2011-06-17T08:56:00.001-04:00

Can't wait for Icarus this weekend! Found this article and clip in my Google Alerts.

I am a fan of Ms. Patti Smith. Have been since the 70's when I heard her album Horses. She just blew me away. She looked scary as hell. lol But I loved her boldness, her unique style and ultimately, when she left her career behind to be with the love of her life, Fred "Sonic" Smith, I really thought she was pretty awesome to give all that up. He was a guitarist and founding member of the rock band MC5 with whom she had two children. Basically, this rock and roll icon gave up her career to be wife and mother and I have a lot of respect for her because of that.

Her husband passed away in 1994 and she returned to her career. She is a remarkable woman.

Apparently Vincent D'Onofrio must have thought so as well since she says in that interview that he made it possible for her to be on the show. If he's a fan, he's got great taste!

This season just keeps getting better and better and it's heartbreaking to think it's almost over. Icarus and then To The Boy In The Blue Knit Cap will close out an abbreviated season 10. It's not over and I miss it already. I'm just so happy to have had these eight episodes.

Of all the Law & Order shows, this one was the best. And Patti Smith has great taste, too. :-D

Patti Smith

High Priestess of Rock & Roll

[NP: The Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated]

Cadaver - LOCI Highlights

2011-06-13T18:22:00.000-04:00

This was an okay episode. I think part of my feelings are based on my own personal dislike for these stereo-typical "tiger moms" popping up since Amy Chua wrote that book.

SPOILER WARNING - I haven't been discussing who done-it in these things but this time I address it right off the bat so stop now if you haven't seen this yet and don't want to know until after viewing.

They do what with cadavers?

(USA photo)

I think this was an okay episode. I kind of guessed who the murderer was right off the bat. Even before the victim was killed, I focused in on tiger mom. Rosalind Chao (who I always think of as Keiko O'Brien from Star Trek: TNG and DS9) played tiger mom who almost compulsively pushes her daughter in that stereo-typical Asian way. She's so fanatical she even resorts to murder. That was a bit obvious to me for some reason. Maybe it was just my sneaking suspicion they were going to make her the horrible one. And of course she was stereo-typically just that horrible.

This episode was written by the marvelous Julie Martin whose credits include Homicide: Life on the Streets (my favorite crime drama of all time - even though Goren and Eames are my favorite detectives of all time). Normally I really like her work but I think in this case I was put off by the subject matter of tiger moms. Just because Asians tend to emphasize education and discipline in scholastic matters and success, it doesn't mean we're all a bunch of fanatical individuals. [For those who are unaware I am an American of Japanese ancestry who was born and raised in Hawaii amongst other Asian cultures and we all stress education as one of the most important things in life but we no where near as fanatical as Amy Chua]

I don't know why I suspected tiger mom as the perpetrator. It was purely a gut thing because there were a lot of suspects but for some reason I just knew she was going to end up being the bad guy. Again, I think my dislike for this episode is due to my personal offense at the way Asian women have been portrayed lately. It tends to piss me off as much as the 'geisha' crap.

Doesn't tiger mom look guilty?

And she didn't even commit the crime yet!

(USA photo)

I did find it a bit interesting and rather funny that tiger mom as petite as she was, managed to get Goren to back his big old 6'4" frame as she almost viciously gave her confession in that lab. I was afraid she was going to actually try and hit him. Rarely does anyone intimidate Goren. Usually he's the one doing the intimidating. Asian women may come off as demure but don't piss us off. ;-)

I like the way the case unfolded. Wish Steven Weber had a larger role. I enjoyed him on Wings and in some subsequent things he's appeared in. I even liked his character and this time I liked him and tiger mom's daughter. On some level I even felt sorry for tiger mom. But I think I really liked tiger mom's other daughter. The one she disowned and pretended didn't exist because she ended up as a bartender or something. lol

Reminded me of my mother's reaction when I, at age 10, thought I might want to be a bartender because the one at the bar my uncle owned made me a Shirley Temple drink and I thought mixing drinks would be neat. Not good. Dad got in trouble for taking me there - even though he was just dropping stuff off for my uncle and the bar wasn't even open. The bartender was just setting up. lol My mom wasn't a tiger mom but at that time she came close.

Over all the case file was fine. I'd probably see this in a better light once all the tiger mom crap dies down. Right now I will admit I am a bit touchy about it and the next person who asks me if my parents were like tiger mom, I'll probably react like Goren did in his shrink appointment at the end.

Speaking of which, once again it was my favorite part of the whole episode. Did I mention I love Warren Leight? lol

Goren's discussion with the shrink seemed to start off well. He apparently gave some thought to a romantic relationship with someone he admires and respects and asks if she thinks it's too late for him. Did he miss the boat on that? When Dr. Gyson is evasive and doesn't give him any answers he gets frustrated. He accuses of her of thinking he's hitting on her - which I doubt very much he was doing as in MY mind he was probably thinking of Eames. He gets incredibly upset and gets in the good doctor's space - like he didn't do with tiger mom who got in his space.

It seems Goren is still uncomfortable with the situation he's in and when he didn't get a definitive answer - I think he was looking to Gyson to give him the approval or reinforcement he needs to move ahead with his life and perhaps look into the possibility of having a romantic relationship with someone - in my head that would be Eames in other people's just your generic someone else. When he didn't get the "oh it's not too late" reply he was hoping for, his insecurities probably got the better of him and he probably resented her having brought up these issues in the first place.

He's angry and says he's not suited to psycho-therapy. When Dyson tries to apologize and get him to calm down, he walks out, slamming the door behind him saying if they want his badge, they can have it. It seems poor Bobby is not dealing well with introspection.

So really, even when he says he gets it that his drawbridges are up and he wants her to be honest with him that he can take it, he can't. I think nothing short of having the doctor tell him he can be capable of having a normal romatic relationship with someone even after all these years of having withdrawn and putting distance between himself and everyone else would have made him feel okay.

Goren gets defensive

(USA photo)

So things aren't looking up for Goren at the moment. We do know we have two more episodes and two more sessions so it could turn around. Goren seems to realize he does need help - even though he seems to have trouble dealing with that and the potential consequences. Facing one's own demons isn't easy. He also doesn't seem to like that he's being scrutinized like he scrutinizes others. I think it makes him incredibly uncomfortable because he doesn't think he will like the answers he will find with introspection.

Scenes from next week's episode show Goren dealing with anger issues. I know there are only two more episodes left so I highly doubt we are going to see any kind of resolution one way or another. At least not in a believable way. Goren has a lot to deal with and a lot to work with. Walking out on the doctor and cutting the last session short didn't help either.

"So she thought I was hitting on her but I was really

asking about you...."

(USA Photo)

I'm just hoping they will resolve things to a point where we have hope for Goren to be able to stop carrying around all the anger and unresolved family issues.

In the end I don't want an 'ending.' I would love it if we were left with the idea that Goren was left to do what he does best - solving crimes with Eames. Ideally our last sight of them would be both of them going out to start working another case. I am so tired of everyone having to actually leave. Since the show is ending, I see no reason why they can't just leave them all there.

Homicide: Life on the Streets was disappointing because of the way it ended. There was this definitive END for most of my favorite characters. At least Detective Munch got to go to NYC and end up on SVU. I didn't like that Lt. Giardello ended up dead and Baylis ended up in jail and Pembleton had to put him there. It SUCKED. I know they were trying to give the show closure but the way they left it was better than the way they tried to fix it.

So here's hoping no departure from Major Case or NYPD for Detective Robert Goren.

[NP: Cage the Elephant - Ain't No Rest for the Wicked]

Warren Leight Tweets

2011-06-12T09:10:00.001-04:00

Warren Leight just tweeted this:

"I wrote all the shrink scenes and the final episodes last beat scene. Rene did a re-write of the final episode. Closure of sorts for both of us"

Here's his twitter feed. I looks like it was posted Saturday night (June 11).

So it's true that they are really pulling out all the stops to make the final episode a good one. I'm anxious to see the case file as Balcer is master of those. It's nice to see them both working on the episode. It also makes me feel better about the end of this marvelous series. I like the sentiment of closure. I will miss this show so much. It's become a part of my life - as seen by the way it's kind of taken over my blog, which is not supposed to be an LOCI blog.

Unlike most shows which stay on this long and lose my interest by season 5 or 6, this show has managed to keep my attention for the entire run - minus season 9 as it by then the show had become all about Goren and Eames to me and apparently a lot of other fans. Without them there was no point to watch the show any more.

I'm thrilled they got a second chance to make a graceful exit. I feel confident we will be left feeling like we got closure, too.

At this point, I'm resigned to the end. They had a fire sale for all the set items on Friday, June 9. I've been told Balcer has said the sets have been torn down and the Chelsea Piers studios are being used by a new show. I seriously doubt they will bring the show back now. I believe LOCI was already pretty expensive for USA since it was a network show and networks have bigger budgets to work with. Chances are they won't want to spend the money on building all new sets from scratch.

All things must come to an end. It's time for this show to end as well it seems. I will miss it and I will miss my Goren and Eames. Here's hoping they both have a happier ending than they had with that awful Loyalty.

Thanks to Janet for the heads up!

[NP: Nothing but I keep hearing Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show theme playing in my head - lol ]

Trophy Wine - LOCI Highlights

2011-06-09T08:37:00.000-04:00

This episode was a bit complicated. It was written by Warren Leight - the entire episode, not just the psychiatric portion, which was my favorite part, btw.

Goren & Eames investigate
(USA photo)

This episode harkened back to earlier episodes where the case file got rather complicated and it took a couple of viewings to figure it out. Overall it was a pretty good episode but my favorite part was Goren's shrink appointment. The case file got a bit confusing. But I thought the way the victim died was very interesting. His wine was spiked with Viagra and he had a heart condition. He was also locked in his wine store room so he panicked.

All the people in this episode were very unlikable. The very rich and the people who try to take advantage of them. Even the victim was unlikable. I was actually kind of happy he was killed after all the stuff we learned about him by the end of the show.

Goren is really back to being Goren. He's sticking his foot in doors to keep them from being closed, he's touching things that are extremely valuable and easily breakable. And I LOVE the size 13 reference in this episode.

The case file was very complex. Took a couple of viewings to figure it out. I think the confession coming so early threw me off so my mind sort of went back to the psychiatrist's office. It was wonderfully written and acted and the subtle messages and themes really made me remember what I missed about Warren Leight's tenure as show runner on this series.

I know he wasn't liked by many who thought he ruined the show because they were so enamored of the format. But I thought he brought welcome insights into the characters of Goren and Eames.

In this latest episode he has Goren confronting things he's spent years ignoring. The drawbridges he's put up to protect himself and his feelings for Eames. I love the way he talks his way around it, finally saying she's like a sister to him, then going on about people being professionals without any romance, etc. Then Gyson (? I should know her name by now but I'm so fascinated by Goren I tend to focus on him and the brain shuts out everything else) says, she thinks he really wants her to know he has no romantic feelings for her - which immediately makes me think he's not sure.

I seriously wonder if he's ever thought about how he truly feels. And in the end we see how almost tragically sad it is that Goren does feel very much alone. He doesn't answer the question if he's lonely but from the way he sat quietly contemplating it would seem he is. I also believe he's uncomfortable looking at his feelings for Eames who is one of the only people who has even come close to crossing those drawbridges.

Anti-shippers are sure he's NOT in love with her but for those of us who see the potential (and those who are ardent shippers) it seems impossible for someone like Goren to never had entertained thoughts at the very least of Eames as more than just a partner. His discomfort when it's brought up by either brother, mother or psychiatrist speaks volumes.

Great insight and brilliantly written by Warren Leight. Unlike the 'purists' I appreciate the insight we've gotten into Goren thanks to him. I am glad he is writing for the show again. I knew he was writing the shrink sessions but am glad to see he contributed an entire episode. I don't know if it was the strongest episode of the season but certainly another strong episode in a great final season.

Goren in treatment

(USA Photo)

I hear rumors that Balcer wrote the final episode. Not sure if it's true but should be interesting. I just hope it wasn't a 'full rewrite' because it makes it sound like he marched in and took over. I'm hoping he was just asked to write it and any rewrite would have been of his own work. I suppose it's fitting that he end the series as he started it. Having Leight and Balcer back with Brancato at the helm makes it seem like the best of the best is being put into this show.

I'm both dreading and looking forward to the end. I love this show but mostly I love Goren and Eames. It may have started off as procedural with the regular characters just being there to move the story along but it ended up to be so much more.

So far this final season has been fabulous. Vincent and Kathryn seem very happy, too. :-)

Goren and Eames doing what they do best

(USA Photo)

[NP: Tori Amos - God]

Law Order CI Getting Personal Promo USA

2011-06-04T08:29:00.000-04:00

The following was posted on YouTube by allthingslawandorder. It's also on her blog and on the USA site. I just wanted to have it here as it's drummed up so much angst amongst the shippers vs non-shippers. lol I find it all great fun. I trust Warren Leight and Chris Brancato to leave it all up in the air so I'm not particularly concerned. And I enjoy watching it over and over again. lol

The Last Street In Manhattan - LOCI highlights

2011-05-29T19:38:00.001-04:00

Been a busy week so this is a week late. I hate when real life interferes with my LOCI obsession. lol

This show just keeps getting better and better. So far this episode has been my favorite of the season. Perhaps even one of my favorite episodes ever!

Goren & Eames investigate a crime that takes them

to Eames' childhood neighborhood

(USA Photo)

This was a fabulous episode. I really am enjoying Chris Brancato's work as show runner. I think I like him best of all in fact. Balcer will always be the master of great case files and for developing the main characters or Goren and Eames. But he was incredibly stingy on the personal stuff for people who grew curious about the backgrounds and personal lives of Goren and Eames. He started giving us information about Goren but those of us who love Eames just as much felt incredibly frustrated. Leight did a lot better in that department but as much as I saw his time on LOCI as having breathed new life and insight into the show, adding a lot of new dimension to it, I was sometimes uncomfortable with the way the show tended to step over the live old emotional overload line upon occasion. And while Leight was masterful at developing the personal turmoil of Goren and Eames, I have to say the case files weren't all that great. But by then I think I didn't care because I was really more interested in Goren and Eames as opposed to the cases they were investigating.

However, Brancato is - so far - perfection. He has solid case files and we get to see Goren and Eames background/personal lives without having them overshadow the case file.

With The Last Street In Manhattan, the series steps up the case file portion AND gives us glimpses into the personal backgrounds and how BOTH Goren and Eames relate to this investigation. The relationship of all the principals with their fathers comes into focus. We get to see Eames go back to where she grew up. Where she went to school, where she grew up with some fun background information about boyfriends and we even get to (FINALLY) meet her much mentioned but here-to-fore never seen father, Johnny Eames.

It turns out he is apparently a rather bitter old man. At least that's my impression. Goren and Eames go to talk to him about the case as having lived in the area and he is a retired cop, he has some insight to offer. He seems to be all right with Goren. I always wondered if he was going to be disapproving of the unconventional partner of his daughter. He does make a comment I wonder about as it could be either complimentary or an insult depending on how one takes it, about Goren being smarter than he looks. Then, after Eames is picking up after him and bringing him lunch, etc., makes a comment about how he has his daughter to protect him. Eames smiles and says yes, she carries a gun. Mr. Eames smiles and says, yes, she carries a gun but no grandchildren. Earlier he makes a comment about how did she manage to find a corned beef sandwich in the neighborhood with all the taco stands. Eames makes a comment about his losing his 'white man's paradise.'

So it seems that while Johnny Eames is certainly no Frances Goren when it comes to torturing one's child emotionally, he's not exactly a slouch. That whole, love-hate relationship between father and child is the main theme of the episode.

In Goren's shrink appointment, we see him having another flashback to his interaction with Mark Ford Brady, his biological father. When he speaks, however, he speaks of the man he thought was his father. The womanizing father who taught him to lie to his mother. Who Goren feels taught him that everyone lies.

Goren at his shrink appointment

(USA photo)

I'm really enjoying the shrink sessions. Warren Leight is excellent at this sort of thing - getting into Goren's psyche. I am glad to see him back on board even if it's only for the shrink sessions.

This episode really had everything. Great case file. I think it's right up there with those from the first few years of this show.

Very satisfying all around. Loved the way it focused on Eames in a way. Loved Goren's 'Lucky Nicky' comment after Eames told him her boyfriend dumped her after she kissed some kid named Nicholas Farro during recess. Loved the expression on Eames' face after her father's comment about grandchildren and the way Goren looked at her to see how she was dealing with it.

I think we're supposed to see more Mr. Eames. KE mentioned something about a family reunion so I have hopes there will be more. It's obvious there is some strain there between father and daughter. I would like to see that elaborated upon a little more.

(USA photo)

And in ending, saw this on YouTube and wanted to share. They've already wrapped up the season/series. I feel a bit of sadness but I'm okay with it. And who knows? I made peace with no more Goren and Eames and look what happened? Who says miracles can't happen. ;-)

Posted on YouTube by akeats88. This is Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe thanking the crew for all their work throughout the years. Quite sweet. I'm going to miss this show. Hope it gets renewed - never thought I'd say that after the disastrous seasons 8 and 9.

[NP: R.E.M. - Imitation of Life]

Boots On The Ground - LOCI Highlights

2011-05-16T21:42:00.000-04:00

The quality of the episodes maintains in this episode. I'm very happy to have Chris Brancato as a show runner. I'm also very happy to see the actors are happier. I know the past seasons were supposed to be dark and depressing but it seemed from season 8 the actual actors were tired and as bored as many of us were. The actors can be the best in the world but if the writing is lackluster as it was during season 8 and 9, the show definitely suffers. At the moment they seemed as thrilled as I am.

Goren & Eames investigate

(USA photo)

So we have cyber wars going on with an interesting cast of characters. Rival security networks fighting for government defense contracts, secret love affairs, an old school anti-establishment protester still carrying on a war she's been waging for decades. A complex web of relationships presents more problems. And of course Goren and Eames get all the bad guys in the end as it seems most of the suspects were guilty of something.

Like the way they played the suspects off of each other and discover in the end both defense contractors were guilty as they conspired to kill the cyber-spy who was scheming to bring them both down. Sure it's been used before but still it was well done.

Everything seems to be happier with this show lately. It looks visually brighter, Goren and Eames are smiling more and laughing. This week's favorite line from Goren was "I really like this place" in reference to the lingerie shop their investigation led them to, which in turn causes Eames to smile. Both of them have been smiling a lot more lately.

Come on Bobby, buy something nice for Alex

(Photo USA)

There were some heavier moments for Goren in the psychiatrist's office but the revelations and questions leave hope for some introspection and healing. This week they dealt with his mother. There was a Nicole flashback and perhaps his guilt at what he called "pimping out" his family to try and get a confession. Can't wait for them to touch on father issues.

I was right in believing I would like the psychiatry sessions once I learned Warren Leight was going to handle them. Oh and I do love the mention of Bobby's friend Lewis. It would be fun to see him again if possible. Just the reaction of Eames as he tries to flirt with her will be worth it. lol

Overall a very satisfying episode.

Other highlights for me:

Loved guest star Jeri Ryan. Been a fan since I saw her on Star Trek Voyager as Seven of Nine. The Star Trek series was the last thing I obsessed over.

Great camera work - especially the transition from the detectives investigating the dead body on the cab in the street up to the balcony.

Glad I wasn't in that cab

(Photo USA)

I can't wait for next week!

[NP: Concrete Blonde - Walking in London]

The Best Network Show No One Watched

2011-05-14T23:06:00.000-04:00

Detroit 1-8-7 is the only network show I would call compelling this season.

Cast of Detroit 1-8-7

Headed up by Michael Imperioli

Even my beloved Hawaii 5-O is pretty much all fun and lots of eye candy. Nothing wrong with that. In fact it's great.

However, the best show quality-wise of the 2010-2011 season is Detroit 1-8-7. Unfortunately, like the show it reminds me, Homicide: Life on the Streets, this show is suffering from a lack of viewers. Okay, so it's got around 5 million but in network television-land, that is unacceptable.

It got off to a rocky start with a change in format. It was supposed to be a 'mockumentary' or something like that. Supposedly it followed Detroit homicide detectives as they went about their daily business. Apparently there was some issue with the actual Detroit PD and the idea was nixed and the show was changed to a police drama.

Since I liked the idea of both formats, I continued to watch as the show developed. It has an ensemble cast but as with any show with an ensemble cast, certain characters stand out. Michael Imperioli stars as Detective Louis Fitch. He's an actor I've always appreciated. I loved him in The Sopranos and also in the short-lived but much loved by me, Life on Mars. Even when he's not the star of a show, he seems to steal the scenes he does appear in. In Detroit 1-8-7, he definitely stands out. I am starting to think of it as his show.

I also love James McDaniel as Sergeant Jesse Longford, who started out at the beginning of the season looking forward to his retirement. He bought a villa in Tuscany where he and his late wife had always planned to spend their golden years. He's learning to speak Italian and planning to live in Tuscany more in memory of his late wife than for his own desire to do so.

The entire cast was stellar. So was the city of Detroit. You can see how much the city has lost. It really made me sad to see it. Maybe because I'm living in Michigan now I feel a sense of partial ownership in the city and the decay that's visible in many scenes. However there is also hope there if you look for it.

I like that the show was filmed in Detroit - not the usual L.A., NYC, Chicago, Miami, etc.

It's like Homicide: Life on the Street was shot in Baltimore. Not necessarily the glamor capitol of the world.
It's gritty and real. Not that the other cities aren't. But there's something about Detroit that really captures my attention. A once great city slowing dying or on the verge of rebirth?

Well, I'm not sure about the city but I am sure that we won't be seeing Detroit 1-8-7 again as it was announced that the show is on the cancel list for ABC.

The producer said he wants to see if perhaps a cable network will pick it up but since our new self-proclaimed nerd of a governor Rick Snyder (he's not really a nerd since he's a Republican and they seem to not like smart people) has decided to limit tax incentives to the film industry - which was really doing a lot of work here until now.

I just hope there is new life for this show on maybe TNT? Come on! USA? You saved LOCI once upon a time. See how that paid off? Give it try!

[NP: Smashing Pumpkins - Stand Inside Your Love]

Vincent D'Onofrio & Kathryn Erbe on Today Show

2011-05-14T13:43:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to share a copy of this here. I had no idea they were on and was apparently at work then anyway, but thanks to maherjunkie for the heads up. I just love Kathryn's dress. She's just so lovely with her longer hair. Makes her look younger! And of course Vincent always looks absolutely yummy to me.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I love the way Vincent always says he went back because Dick Wolf asked me and doesn't add 'because the show was a disaster without me.' Very modest and very polite. I guess it's okay because we all know the truth. ;-)

[NP: Kate Bush - Running up that Hill]

Consoler

2011-05-10T09:25:00.000-04:00

Goren & Eames

Consoler

(USA photo)

So we finally get what was intended as the premiere episode and it didn't really give us much explanation. We did discover the new captain is grateful that Goren is back - ergo he was asked back. We also know that Goren has 7 mandatory psychiatric appointments he must go to as a condition of his reinstatement with NYPD. We also get hints that he and the Captain Hannah were familiar with each other in the past when he calls him "Joe" and actually tells him "not to be a moron." Not even with Ross did Goren dare to question his intelligence. But then Ross was kind of Goren-like in his knowledge of the obscure.

Captain Hannah immediately corrects the situation telling Goren that he has his back and Goren needs to respect his face and not get in it. Before he does this he asks Eames if he could have a minute with Goren. You can see in the background as she's heading away from the office, she throws her arms up and grabs her head for a moment in sheer frustration. I loved that. Eames, who absolutely loves working with Goren, still gets frustrated none-the-less.

Goren's shrink appointments are going to be tricky to fit into each episode but the first one was well done, I thought any way. It happens right after the talk with Hannah and shows Goren understands he needs to make more of an effort and just because the new captain is a friend, doesn't mean he can do as he pleases.

The shrink sessions are written by former LOCI and In Treatment show runner Warren Leight so I'm confident they will be handled well. The first one was interesting and provided some fun moments for long-time viewers. Goren challenging the shrink right off the bat with some riddle she says she's going to work on even though he says "You'll never get it."

She doesn't back down, however. She tells Goren she didn't have to fight any other shrinks to get him after his comment about perhaps her being not the best shrink as they all probably didn't want to handle his case. So it seems that they are on equal footing. I think these sessions may be the most interesting part of the whole show for those of us who loved Leight's reign as show runner for this show.

Of course the current show runner, Chris Brancato is doing an excellent job so far. Both Rispetto and this episode were solid shows. I was concerned at yet another show about the Catholic church (I have no love for them but after a while you get a little tired of beating up on them) but it was well-handled.

Neal McDonough was great as the errant priest. The actor tends to look a little creepy to me no matter what he plays as his piercing blue eyes gives him almost a fanatical look. My favorite line from Goren this week was when he leaned over and told him it looked like he has a few Hail Mary's coming.

The humor is definitely back as Goren gets into people's personal space and picks up and plays with things their owners would prefer he not. The tug of war with the DVD was hilarious.

Love the interaction between Goren and Eames. They could discuss their differing points of view without acrimony. It looks like they are back on solid ground. Love the way Eames smiles as Goren informs her and ME Rodgers that olive oil an balsam make myrrh. You can tell she missed his insights and his knowledge of things most people wouldn't know. Just as she enjoyed his pretending to be gay over the phone last week.

I like that they both stayed up all night working on the case and the captain's mild surprise that they were still there when he returned the next morning.

Interesting how at the end of the episode, after the aria, Goren is left alone in the interrogation room after the guilty party is arrested and taken away. Eames and Captain Hannah are on the other side observing him.

Because this episode dealt with abuse and denial, perhaps Goren is thinking back on his own hinted at abusive childhood. I suspect it may be a sign of things that may be dealt with in his shrink sessions. I would like that clarified. And again, I trust they will be well written as Warren Leight is handling that portion of the show.

Hope the ratings stay high. It would be really nice if we could get 8 more episodes if the shows keep up the quality.

Even the actors seem happy at their work. I figure if everyone is happy, maybe USA will help us stay that way. ;-)     Here's hoping!!!

[NP: R.E.M. - It Happened Today]

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-05T19:11:00.001-04:00

Just thought I'd share this adorable photo from icanhascheezburger.com It's early but who knows when I'll be able to do this again this weekend.

And here are more happy kitties and their mom's.

I'm having a birthday party for Lotus and Lula here at our house on Mother's Day. lol So there will be a lot of cake and ice cream. AND a new episode of LOCI later that evening. What a perfect day. :-)

Hope you all have a great Mother's Day, too!

[NP: nothing - just the news]

Rispetto - LOCI Season Premiere

2011-05-02T18:21:00.000-04:00

Goren & Eames

Back at Major Case

(Photo USA)

Goren and Eames are back!!!

No fanfare or anything. Just as if they never left. Now it would have been annoying to me had I not been such an obsessed fan who combs the web for any tidbit of information on the show and Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe. I learned USA decided to run the fourth episode filmed first so we wouldn't be getting an explanation for the return.

At first I was annoyed but after seeing the show, I'm so happy to see them back I don't care why or how. I mean I do care, but I can wait a week for it.

Opening credits do not include the new captain played by Jay O. Sanders. He gets an "also starring" credit along with Leslie Hendrix who plays M.E. Rodgers. So you just get Vincent and Kathryn, which is fine by me. I do wish they redid the opening credits more. They added a few new photos from the current season but mostly it was the same one they used from season 6 through Loyalty in season 9. I understand the reasoning since it does give you a retrospective all the way back to season 1 but mostly I'm sure it's cost issues. Maybe if the season does well and USA decides maybe another eight episodes would be good, they would consider updating it more.

The show overall was okay. Not one of the greats but it was a good, solid show with the old Goren and Eames back. Not the gloomy, no sense of humor Goren and Eames from the last couple of seasons they were on.

My favorite moments were Goren being Goren. The first instance was when he pulled the cellphone out of a guy's hand asking, "Are you texting us? Because we're the ones talking to you." YES!!! I always wanted to say that to someone who does that. It's rude and annoying. Second one Goren playing gay on the phone. lol I love the way he enjoyed doing it and Eames enjoyed watching. They're doing their job like they used to, with more humor and enjoyment.

I absolutely love Eames' long hair. I love that Goren's back to wearing his suits. I love that the show is in the hands of a competent show runner. I am happy. Seems ratings went up by a LOT. See USA and Dick Wolf? You can't just switch out characters and expect to keep your loyal fans.

So this episode dealt with a Charlie Sheen-like character. And there were enough plot twists to keep me guessing. I didn't figure it out until Goren and Eames did. I appreciated that. Been a while since I watched an LOCI episode where I had no clue who killed who.

Jay Mohr did a great job as the manic superstar fashion designer who ranted and raved on television like a mad man ala Charlie Sheen. I enjoyed his performance.

Didn't see much of the new captain but I'm sure Jay O. Sanders will do fine. I really thought he did an excellent job as the professional hit man on Dead. From charming family man to cold blooded killer in seconds flat. In a way it's a shame he doesn't get opening credit but I can understand why. It is - as far as I and many fans are concerned - all about the detectives.

If this episode is any indication, this is going to be a fitting farewell to this show. I just hope when it ends it's not some ending like Goren and/or Eames leaves Major Case. I'd love to see them working cases and end with Goren finally working out his demons and he and Eames continuing to remain at Major Case.

USA is adamant there will be no more new episodes but with a 43% increase in ratings from last year's premiere, a 5.1 million viewership and the second best for a show on USA ever, it's hard to say definitely 'no,' don't you think?

Yes, I know. I was skeptical and I was hoping they would leave it alone and I was worried about what they would do but having seen this one episode, I have regained my faith in the ability of this show to put out quality stuff. Also learned Warren Leight will be handling the psychiatric story arc for Goren. I for one am very, very happy. With his experience on In Treatment and having been a writer and show runner for LOCI, Leight gives me confidence that at least that should turn out well for Goren. He was the one who helped break Goren down, and now he returns to rehabilitate him. I'm certain this show has a good chance to finish on an incredibly high note.

Eames and Goren with new Captain Hannah

(Photo USA)

So I'm sold on these episodes and I forgive USA for having realized how stupid they were and bringing back my favorite detectives for a more fitting end instead of that awful mess that was Loyalty.

All is right now in my corner of the television viewing world. lol Welcome back Goren and Eames!!! I'm only sorry you couldn't bring Ross with you but I think the new captain will be interesting. :-)

[NP: Roy Orbison - Pretty Woman]

Tiny Letters

2011-04-23T21:33:00.001-04:00

A co-worker sent this to me and others a couple of days ago so I thought I'd share it here. It gave us all a nice laugh.

Dear Noah,
We could have sworn you said the ark wasn't leaving till 5.
Sincerely, Unicorns

Dear Twilight Fans,
Please realize that because vampires are dead and have no blood pumping through them, they can never get an erection.
Enjoy fantasizing about that.
Sincerely, Logic

Dear Icebergs,
Sorry to hear about the global warming. Karma's a bitch.
Sincerely, The Titanic

Dear America,
You produced Miley Cyrus. Bieber is your punishment.
Sincerely, Canada

Dear Yahoo,
I've never heard anyone say, "I don't know, let's Yahoo! it..." just saying...
Sincerely, Google

Dear 2010,
So I hear the best rapper is white and the president is black? WTF happened?!
Sincerely, 1985

Dear Windshield Wipers,
Can't touch this.
Sincerely, That Little Triangle

Dear girls who have been dumped,
There are plenty of fish in the sea... Just kidding! They're all dead.
Sincerely, BP

Dear Saturn,
I liked it, so I put a ring on it.
Sincerely, God

Dear jf;ldsfa/kvsmmklnn,
Please lknvfdmv.xvn.
Sincerely, Stevie Wonder

Dear Nickleback,
That's enough.
Sincerely, The World

Dear Scissors,
I feel your pain.....no one wants to run with me either.
Sincerely, Sarah Palin

Dear Osama Bin Laden,
Marco....
Sincerely, United States

Dear World of Warcraft,
Thank you for ensuring my son's virginity.
Sincerely, Parents Everywhere

Dear Batman,
What was your power again?
Sincerely, Superman

Dear Customers,
Yes, we ARE making fun of you in Vietnamese.
Sincerely, Nail Salon Ladies

Dear Global Warming,
You're the best imaginary friend ever!
Sincerely, Al Gore

Dear Ugly People,
You're welcome.
Sincerely, Alcohol

Dear Mr. Gump
WTF are you talking about? There's a little diagram on the lid that tells you EXACTLY what you're gonna get....
Sincerely, Jenny

Dear Katy Perry,
I liked the kiss too.
Sincerely, Justin Beiber

Dear Martin Luther King Jr.
I have a dream within a dream within a dream within another dream.... What now?
Sincerely, Leonardo Di Caprio

Dear World,
Please stop freaking out about 2012. Our calendars ends there because some Spanish d-bags invaded our country and we got a little busy ok?
Sincerely, The Mayans

Dear Snooki,
GET BACK TO WORK!
Sincerely, Willy Wonka

Dear White People,
Don't you just hate immigrants?
Sincerely, Native Americans

Dear iPhone,
Please stop spellchecking all of my rude words into nice words. You piece of shut.
Sincerely, Every iPhone User

Dear Giant Spider on the Wall,
Please die. Please die. Please die. Please die. CRAP! Where did you go?
Sincerely, Terrified

Dear Trash,
At least you get picked up...
Sincerely, The Girls of Jersey Shore

Dear Man,
It's cute, but can’t you pick up peanuts with it?
Sincerely, Elephant

Dear Dr. Phil,
Look man, there's only room for one fake doctor in this world and I was here first.

Sincerely, Dr. Pepper

These are two of my favorite things....

2011-04-08T15:38:00.000-04:00

My favorite morning talk show - Morning Joe - and my favorite actor - Vincent D'Onofrio.

Thought I'd share this little gem with you all. Seems Vincent likes intelligent political discussion, too. :-)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Videos That Made Me Smile and Laugh Out Loud

2011-03-23T17:48:00.000-04:00

First the one that made me smile and squeal with delight.

Yes! Looks like LOCI is back for eight final episodes and they will be good! Seems the new showrunner is responsible for Boomtown, a short-lived but most excellent series kind of Law & Orderish. Also caught sight of actor Neal McDonough who was one of the actors on Boomtown. Been reading about guest stars and apparently Jeri Ryan of Star Trek Voyager fame will be guest starring. Interesting as she was the basis of one of their season 4 episodes entitled Sex Club with Rosanna Arquette as the ex of a state representative. That was Jeri Ryan in real life. Her divorce was rather nasty apparently and she made the accusation that her soon-to-be ex at the time, had taken her to a sex club, etc., etc.

Anyway, I'm sure most fans know this but I'm just rambling because I'm so freakin' happy!!! The video I got from All Things Law & Order's YouTube channel as I'm apparently too addled to figure out how to get it off the USA site. Of course I didn't really try very hard either.

Goren and Eames are back and Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are looking great! There is justice in this world after all. Don't screw with the fans USA. We know what we like and we like Goren and Eames.

The second thing that made me laugh out loud was my favorite comedian as of late, Lewis Black. He's calling out Donald Trump. I personally believe Donald Trump is a huge jerk. He's the typical "ugly American" and generally gives us a bad name. He's rude, he's obnoxious and he thinks he's all that and he ain't all that. Not even close.

Thank you, Lewis Black for expressing all my frustrations with humor once again.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Back in Black - Trump 2012

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

The Daily Show on Facebook

So things are getting better for me in my little corner of the world. Hope they're getting better for you all, too.

[NP: Neil Young - Comes A Time]

2011 So Far....

2011-03-06T21:02:00.000-05:00

.... has been pretty crappy I must say. Husband was sick, I was sick, my Leaper had some kind of weird fur loss, crappy weather, foot slipped on brake and garage wall took a hit (thank goodness for insurance), work was really stressful for the past couple of months for some reason and I've had the winter blues since like November or something.

On the upside, things are looking up. We had a mini spring and now winter is back but not so bad and I'm just glad I don't have to clean the snow off my car anytime it's parked outside.

My husband is on the mend, I'm more or less mended and the cat's fur is growing back in. I'm thinking he's got feline alopecia or something. But we did change his food to something much healthier and he's NOT getting any more steroid shots because he was grouchy and out of sorts.

One thing that proves I'm so hopelessly addicted to LOCI (with Goren and Eames only) that I was in a good mood all day a while back just because I saw the new promo for the final season. So Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are back and they have a new show runner so there is a hope that it will be a great final season for my two favorite detectives ever (okay, okay, so they tie with Pembleton and Bayliss).

Also I saw Michael Stipe on Nightline talking about his playlist - a feature I assume they have as I don't watch it very much since Ted Koppel left. I just watched because Michael was on. R.E.M. has a new album coming out tomorrow - another thing to make me happy.

So in my personal part of the world, things are getting better. It's too bad the world seems to be going to hell in a hand basket. I wish I could get passionate enough to rant about it but really, I hardly think it's worth it any more. I get a little scared for my country whenever another Republican caves in and kisses up to the nuts in their party. You know, claiming Obama is not really an American so they can justify the horrible things they say about him. Otherwise they would have to put themselves in the same camp as the left wingers who criticized Bush. The psychology is fascinating to me on some level but mostly I find it loathsome.

I also am hopeful but fearful of the changes in the Middle East. It seems Mubarek was the only one who had enough sense to finally get out of town.

Ah well, I'll just stop here and leave it with the reason I posted. I want to put up the things that made me happy this week. First Goren and Eames triumphant return to LOCI.

Video posted on YouTube by All Things Law & Order

And of course a man I've had a HUGE crush on since I first heard Chronic Town back when I worked in college radio.

Video from ABC Nightline

Have to get some photos of Leaper before and after. He's so much better now. Funny how I have alopecia and then get a cat who has it! Then again, it could be food allergies. I hope that's what it was. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Hibernation

2010-12-14T11:01:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd actually make a short post for anyone who stills stops by. I'm kind of in winter hibernation mode. Husband was in hospital in October for a few days and since then I seem to have lost all interest in online activities. I still visit a couple of VDO and KE sites but I don't feel like commenting or conversing much. I also visit one music site and feel the same about participating in any discussion.

Things are okay. I am sick of politics, not really keeping up with music and LOCI with Goren and Eames won't be starting until spring so I figure this winter I'm going to keep to myself and hope with the thaw will come more of a need to express myself and interacting with people again.

Hope everyone is having a great Christmas and I hope 2011 brings better things than asshole Republicans putting the rich ahead of everyone else and making getting Obama out of the White House in 2012.

Enjoying the Fall

2010-10-15T23:18:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! I'm alive and well. Just getting into my favorite season of the year. It's perfection for me - well the last two days have been kind of hot - and I feel a lot more vibrant at this time of year. Not too hot, not too cold and it's beautiful!!!

Main street in one of the small villages in our area

I love the turning of the leaves. Makes things look so much brighter and better.   It's a shame it doesn't last very long.

I've been watching a LOT of television lately. Mostly cable geek TV stuff but with the new fall season on network television, we've been enjoying some of the new shows. Detroit 1-8-7 is probably my favorite cop drama. Although I do love Hawaii 5O, it's more just eye candy and fun. The plots are a bit far fetched for Hawaii, IMO. But then it's been a long time since I've been home so I don't know.

I notice a lot of people feeling badly about watching a lot of television. I would but since my husband is unable to get out and about without great effort and I tend to be a homebody, I don't feel badly about it at all. I've been through phases where I don't bother watching television at all. When I was in college I was in Dallas for a conference one summer and didn't know what all the Who Shot JR thing was all about. One of my friends asked me if I lived under a rock as Dallas was one of the top shows at the time. All I knew was, I saw the guy from I Dream of Genie on cups and t-shirts and had no clue he was now J.R. Ewing.

So I'm making up for lost time maybe. And I'm watching a lot of educational stuff anyway. Okay, so Project Runway and Billy the Exterminator aren't necessarily educational but they're fun. And Billy is educational in a way.   And there are the ER shows and the science shows and history shows.

Oh and I recommend 30 Days, a show by Morgan Spurlock, the guy who did Supersize Me. It's a pretty awesome show. They take people like a couple who live a very modern lifestyle and have them go to a communal living situation where people live 'off the grid.' They grow their own food, are vegetarians, etc. At the end of the 30 days they learn a little about each other and it's a good thing. A woman who is a feminist, planned parenthood type went to live with a pro-life family. Very religious, etc.   There is always some friction but it's nice to see how both sides sort of open up to each other and despite their differences they develop a respect for the other side. One guy went to live with a Muslim family for 30 days, a hunter went to live with PETA people and a Cuban American who patrols the American/Mexican border went to live with some Mexican Americans who came here illegally and who are trying to make a living. You see both sides of the issue and in the end, while the Cuban still disagrees with the family being here illegally, he also understood why they came here. He saw they were also trying to live the American dream and though he still believes it's wrong, he no longer takes his gun and goes out with the border patrol looking for illegals trying to get into this country.

All and all it's an interesting series and it even makes me rethink things. Although most still hold on to their convictions, they no longer tend to view the other side as their enemy. Which is really fantastic. I highly recommend it if you get FX, check it out.

So it's not like I'm watching reruns of Gilligan's Island everyday. Do they even have that any more?

Oh, wait, one show that was a total waste of time was Swamp People. There was actually a line in there where they said something about the swamp losing it's allure for the younger generation. Really? Allure and swamp in the same sentence??? Besides, I don't care much for alligators but don't like watching them being shot because of their apparent overpopulation and people's lives being put in danger.   Who was there first anyway? My husband and I stopped watching after we started rooting for the alligators to take a bite out of Cletus - yes, there is a guy named Cletus.

And of course my guilty pleasure - Project Runway - is coming to an end soon. I am happy that the harpie named Ivy is gone. She was such a high strung nut case. And I'm even happier that the person she seemed to bad mouth and really dislike, Michael Costello, made it to the final four. He's kind of the underdog and all the other designers were really being mean about him despite the fact he won 2 challenges and he did make it to the show in the first place. I love underdogs, even though I'm sure Mondo will win (which is fine as he's talented and a sweet person), so I'm rooting for Michael C. Oh and Andy, the one from Hawaii, is also a favorite bit just because he's from Hawaii but because I love the Asian influence in his designs. If anyone else is watching talk to me!!!   lol   I just love this show, mostly because I love Tim Gunn. :-)

Overall spring is going well. My only problem these days seem to be work and having to deal with the bullshit from corporate. I swear they exist solely to make our lives miserable. That's a whole other post for another time. I'd rant but I already spent most of my work day grumbling about corporate along with my co-workers so I'd say it's time to try and forget about work until next Monday.

[NP: Beatles - Got to Get You Into My Life]

Name 6 of your favourite TV Shows of all time?

2010-09-27T17:39:00.000-04:00

Got this in my email from my friend Marie - hi Marie! As I am not one to do the forward emails thing, I thought I'd do this meme from Saturday Six. Since I've been on a television kick lately I thought it would fit right in. And yes, I am fully aware that today isn't Saturday but it takes me a while to get things going. lol

This is in reverse order:

6. St. Elsewhere (NBC 1982-1988).

(

Quirky hospital drama about a little hospital officially called St. Eligis but nicknamed St. Elsewhere. Great ensemble cast here. Howie Mandel, David Morse, Alfrie Woodard, Denzel Washington, Ed Begley Jr. were just a few who were featured in this drama. I loved the off-beat characters. It this show was always on the verge of cancellation. Kind of like many of the shows I really liked.

I always remember this show fondly and while I was sad to see it go, it did have a nice closure at the end.

5. Oz (HBO 1997 to 2003)

This is one series that probably won't be rebroadcast on any free cable channel due to the extreme adult content. I mean it's a show about a maximum security prison. There's swearing, violence, sex and full frontal nudity of just about every prisoner there at some point in time.

Kathryn Erbe was featured in this for a couple of seasons as the only female prisoner on death row - or in the prison. I believe the reason she was there is because of the death penalty issue. She was sentenced to death for the murder of her own 4 year old daughter.

Oswald Correctional Facility (ergo the name Oz) was full of interesting characters and I think my fascination with it and my interest was held because of the compelling story lines and characters. It's not your typical series where the bad guys all get rehabilitated and go out into the world to live happily ever after. It depicts the real life problems encountered by men who spent a lot of time in prison. Most of them don't transition nicely into the civilized world. Quite often they find themselves back in Oz after a brief time.

I love the way Tim McManus (played by Erbe's ex, Terry Kinney), the overseer of what they call Emerald City within the Oswald Correctional Facility, remains so optimistic and almost childlike in his belief that these men can be saved. Despite evidence to the contrary and many failures of the system and McManus' efforts, he remains hopeful. I suppose if he didn't he just wouldn't be able to continue his job.

All the characters are complex enough that despite the heinous they've done and in many cases continue to do, you learn to actually root for some of them. The one exception would be the character Vern Schillinger, played by J.K. Simmons. He is really a badass to the bitter end with maybe one or two moments of showing potential redemption.

The entire cast is stellar. Ernie Hudson, Rita Moreno, B.D. Wong, Dean Winters, Harold Perrineau, Eamonn Walker, Edie Falco, Christopher Meloni and the fabulous Lee Tergesen as the ill-fated Tobias Beecher, a lawyer who was found guilty of manslaughter for killing a young girl while drinking and driving. I'd say the show really is following him through the prison system despite the ensemble cast. He's the person most viewers can relate to.

All around fabulous drama and very dark and disturbing. Not for everyone but if you can handle it, I'd highly recommend it.

4. Life on Mars (ABC - 2008 to 2009)

This show is based on a British series of the same name. It sounded a little out there but I love Harvey Keitel and Michael Imperioli so we started watching and loved it. It only lasted one season but I think that was probably for the best. The British version only went two seasons (which kind of turned out to be one of ours) and the American version followed the same path and story line.

Great mix of science fiction and crime drama. I loved the interaction between Harvey Keitel's Gene Hunt character and Jason O'Mara's Sam Tyler character. It was a great series with a unique and IMO terrific ending. Makes me want to re-watch the entire series with the complete understanding of what's going on. Can't say any more without giving it away so I'll just say, it's worth the time to watch. It's only about 17 episodes and it's a joy to watch the clash of cultures between 1973 and 2008/09.

3. Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC/USA 2001 to ?)

Of course friends and blog readers should know this would make my top six. lol Starring Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathrn Erbe, Chris Noth, Annabella Sciorra, Julianne Nicholson, Jamey Sheridan, Courtney Vance, Eric Bogosian and Jeff Goldblum. In season 9 you had Saffron Burrows and Mary Elizabeth Mastriantonio but as I did not watch, I do not consider them anything more than guest stars. No offense to the actresses who are probably quite competent. I know Mastriantonio has been in some movies I've really enjoyed and Burrows was in Boston Legal and I enjoyed her there. However....

In any case, the show is the best of the Law & Order brand, IMO. Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe making the difference. It's not the usual format for a L&O show but I think maybe that's what made it interesting to me. The only other detective team I think beats out Goren and Eames would be Pembleton and Bayliss from my second most favorite show to come next.

The actors and characters have great chemistry and I even put up with crappy scripts and an incompetent show runner to watch Goren and Eames. It's an excellent show for the first seven seasons and maybe with the addition of an abbreviated season 10 with the triumphant return of Vincent D'Onorfrio and hopefully Kathryn Erbe, it may end on a high note despite the season 8 and 9 disaster.

I could go on an on about this show but I already have in many posts already so we'll just leave it at, I am addicted to Goren and Eames.

2. Homicide: Life on the Streets (NBC 1993 to 1999)

Best police drama on television ever, IMO. Another show that struggled to survive every year of its existence. Groundbreaking in it's format, camera work and the superb acting made this an instant hit with me. The cast was ensemble but again, even with ensembles you have one or two stars. For this show it was Andre Braugher and Kyle Secor as Frank Pembleton and Tim Bayliss.

I did also really enjoy Richard Belzer's character of John Munch. It's too bad he transferred over to SVU instead of the mothership. His talents are wasted on what I consider the worst of the L&O franchise.

Another favorite was Melissa Leo as Detective Sergeant Kay Howard. She wore no make-up, dressed sensibly and was the most believable female detective in the history of television and even movie crime dramas. She was a career police officer. Single, no family, etc. They didn't feel compelled to make her super-unbelievable woman as many shows try to portray. She doesn't look stunningly beautiful every day with impeccable make-up and stiletto heels while taking care of kids and husband or significant other. A realistic role model we could use more of these days.

The show was great because it wasn't in LA, NYC, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas or Miami. It was filmed in Baltimore. Not very glamorous but very gritty and realistic. The hand held cameras and shaky, jerky film was apparently not to everyone's liking but I found it rather interesting.

The show sorted of fizzled out at the end. Once Andre Braugher left the series it sort of fell flat for me. Considering the Pembleton/Bayliss dynamic was the main attraction for me, I suppose it was expected. The 2 hour movie they threw together to give everyone a farewell was kind of a mess, however, despite the return of Braugher and all the other HLOTS alums.

Favorite episode ever - The Subway with Vincent D'Onofrio as guest star. Wonderful performances from D'Onofrio and Braugher.

If it weren't for the way the show fizzled, it would have probably been my favorite all time show.

1. Six Feet Under (HBO2001 to 2005)

Absolutely the best show ever in the history of American television, IMO. This very dark comedy about a family of morticians was very well done. It was beautifully filmed, well written and the cast of characters really made you care for them.

The evolution of the characters was interesting for me. I started out loving Nate Fisher, portrayed by Peter Krause, and hating his soon-to-be fiancee/wife Brenda Chenowith, played by Rachel Griffiths . By the end of the series I could not stand Nate and felt so badly for Brenda. Brenda's crazy brother Billy Chenowith played by the most excellent Jeremy Sisto had me hating him and feeling so sorry for him by the end of the series.

My favorite character was Claire Fisher the youngest "oops baby" who seemed to always have been an after thought and drove around in an old green hearse. She's trying to figure out who she is and I can relate to her on certain levels. She is played by the marvelous Lauren Ambrose.

This show gave us a glimpse into a modern American family. Sure they were a little offbeat but who isn't? Because the family owns a funeral home it deals with life and death issues every week in a very human and touching way.

Other cast members include Michael C. Hall (currently seen in Dexter) as David Fisher, the younger son who stayed and helped his father with the family business. He deals with his demons as he slowly learns to be open and honest about his homosexuality with his brothers and sisters and mother.

Frances Conroy plays Ruth Fisher, family matriarch. She starts off very rigid and stuck back in the fifties in her manner of dress, her manner of living and even the decor of her home. By the end of the series she has grown and has found happiness with a second husband, played by James Cromwell.

Throughout the entire series, which starts with the death of Nathaniel Fisher, family patriarch played by Richard Jenkins, the family deals with phantoms of their clients and the dearly departed in their own family. Nathaniel Fisher is literally hit by a bus in the opening episode and his death triggers the changes that we see the family going through. His presence is there throughout the entire series as his children and wife speak to him in spirit - actually in their own minds as they work through the changes his passing has brought about.

This was so well done to the very end it is my all time favorite show ever. The ending was so perfect in content and execution. Beautifully filmed, perfect music chosen for the final montage. I love this show and this family so much. I miss them but I'm happy with the way they were let go.

That's it!

[NP: Talking Heads - Road to Nowhere]

Good News, Maybe Bad News

2010-09-21T21:29:00.000-04:00

.....Hawaii Five-O debuted last night and I LOVED it. I wasn't sure how I would react as it was a classic. I was 9 when the original started in 1968. I was in college by the time it went off the air in 1980. So pretty much my childhood memories are kind of wrapped up in that show.

The updated version is actually quite good for the most part. I love the good chemistry between Alex O'Loughlin who plays Steve McGarrett and Scott Caan who plays Danny Williams. They're funny and believable. It's a good pairing and I look forward to the character development. Of course I absolutely adore Daniel Dae Kim who plays Chin Ho Kelly. Kono has lost a lot of weight and has apparently undergone sex change reassignment surgery and is now Kona Kalakaua in the form of Grace Park. I'm not familiar with her as of yet but she seems to be competent in her role. She's certainly easy on the eye but she looks like she could be a native of Hawaii.

My only pet peeve is they didn't seem to cast any locals like the original did. Kona was played by local entertainer Zulu and Chin Ho was played by Kam Fong who was at one time actually was a police officer with the Honolulu Police Department. I think Kim did a pretty good job convincing me he could be a local boy but the local accent just isn't there like it was with Zulu and Kam Fong. And quite frankly, I do miss that accent. I used to think it was stupid and tried my best to NOT speak with the accent but as I grew older and after I moved here to the mainland 16 years ago, I MISS it.

Ah but I digress. The show has been upgraded for the 21st century and I like the way they brought things together. Steve McGarrett is a decorated Naval Officer who returns to Hawaii and is asked by the Governor to head a special task force. He agrees and in return he is given permission to pursue the case of his murdered father - which is pretty much the whole reason he returned to Hawaii is my understanding.

Danny Williams is a divorced father. His ex has remarried some rich guy and relocated to Hawaii. So Williams relocates from New Jersey to Hawaii to be closer to his daughter. He and Steve McGarrett get off to a rocky start but by the end of the premiere, they're already a great team. Both O'Loughlin and Caan do an excellent job and as I said, they have great chemistry so it makes it very believable.

Right after McGarrett arrives in Hawaii he runs into an old high school friend, Chin Ho. Here's another pet peeve. Can't they use real high school names? Do they have to use Kukui High School? I mean seriously? That made it sound a bit hokey. How about McKinley High School? Or if you want a Hawaiian sounding name, Aiea High School or Kalani or a dozen other suggestions. Oh well, it gives us locals - and former locals - something to laugh about or roll our eyes about.

One of my favorite moments was a glimpse of the actual black Mercury Steve McGarrett drove int he original series. It's sitting in McGarrett's father's garage and my understanding is it will continue to make 'appearances' as McGarrett works to restore it.

The opening sequences are fabulous!!! Many of the iconic shots are included. I especially love Steve McGarrett standing on that balcony overlooking Diamond Head. It's so nice to see the statue of King Kamehameha and the Iolani Palace is still serving as the headquarters of the Five-O team.

Overall it was very satisfying and of course the main attraction of the show, the 'star' of the program is Hawaii. Every time we saw something we recognized we wanted to be there. Even the Quonset huts with single wall construction made us homesick. lol

Well, here's hoping Hawaii Five-O lives up to expectations. I was worried it would be a little cheesy but they even managed to work in the "Book 'em Dano" line and make it seem natural and not like I was worried about. So good luck to the cast and crew and may the show continue to make me want to watch for more than just the great scenery.

Scott Caan, Alex O'Loughlin, Grace Park & Daniel Dae Kim

On the maybe bad news front....

It seems USA has managed to lure Vincent D'Onofrio back for eight more episodes of playing Bobby Goren. Found it at All Things Law & Order blog. My comment was posted so you can see my initial reaction. I love the idea of giving Goren eight seasons to say goodbye. I don't like the idea that Walon Green could be the show runner. If what he did with season 8 and 9 Loyalty was any indication of the kind of stories they'll have, it will be like getting seriously ill all over again. Because I will watch if Vincent is back. I just don't know how enjoyable it will be. I also won't enjoy it as much if there is no Eames. It sounds like Kathryn Erbe is still negotiating and I bet she's not happy with TPTB so it makes me nervous about whether or not she will return.

Ah well, we'll see what happens. I just really hope they get a competent show runner. Maybe bring back a couple of the competent writers who were there from the Balcer and Leight days.

Well, in the mean time, I'm happy with my Hawaii Five-O. I'll wait to see if there's more to celebrate about over LOCI or more to worry about later. Right now, I am just happy to say to all those who thought the show would survive without Vincent D'Onofrio - BITE ME you assholes. I TOLD YOU SO. He was and IS the heart and soul of LOCI and he is irreplaceable. Now that USA has recognized it, maybe they'll also recognize that Walon Green needs to go back to writing for a competent show runner and not be a show runner.

[NP: Bob Dylan - Positively 4th Street]

Happy Labor Day

2010-09-05T13:12:00.000-04:00

Well, not really very happy for labor is it?   Oh well, we can hope things improve. We've been through all kinds of adversity and come out okay. I suppose we should just focus on the positive right now as there is very little to focus on.

So I have a three day weekend and spent two of them with family. Lotus was here for a sleepover and she's just adorable. She's started reading already and she hasn't started first grade!!! Kindergarten isn't about just finger painting and listening to stories being read to you. I suppose it's a good thing. There's so much to learn these days. I think a lot more than when I was little. Heck, there's 50 more years of history for heavens sake!

I do not think girls maturing earlier is a good thing. My Lilly just turned ten and needs a training bra. Seriously??? Yep, it's true. I really don't like that at all. She's going to be teenager-like when she's 11 and I am afraid she won't enjoy have a sleep over with grandpa and grandma any more. Right now all three girls argue about who's turn it is. I dread the day they don't want to come.

Then again, I think when they do become teenagers, I may not want them around too much either. lol   I love Jimmy and all and he was pretty good kid. But when he was a teenager, it's like his brain turned off and I wondered if it would ever turn back on. Made me feel sorry for the way I was as a teenager to my parents. And I was an honor student, pretty well-behaved but man did I have a smart mouth on me and I pretty much felt I knew everything. So the "Oh my, God, why the heck are you guys tired? We just went to the store and walked around to shop. Why can't we go to [fill in the blank here]." "I don't want to go to Punahou (President Obama's high school - it's something I'm regretting a bit now), all the kids are probably stuck up and I'll have to get up and leave the house at 6:30 just to get there in time!!!" "I don't like wearing muumuus! Stop making them for me, they make me look fat!" "I don't want to catch the school bus. It takes too long and I'd have to be on the bus with some really annoying people."

I look back at that and think if I had a child I wouldn't give them a choice of going to a private school or public one. I would send them to a school that made them wear uniforms if they complained about the clothes I made (my mom sewed) or bought for them. lol   Oh well, being an only child had its perks I suppose.

So it's September and it's cool outside - for now, it gets hot again tomorrow - and I'm in a fall kind of mood. I can't wait for the leaves to start turning and the air to be brisk and clean. Summer sort of wilts me. Winter freezes me. But fall and spring are really energizing.

It might even make me feel better about my job. That's a whole separate post. I have stories about that!!! Like the flood, the possible black mold, the horrible ventilation, the waterfall in the front office (behind my desk). And of course, corporate. I feel like I'm in an Agatha Christie mystery where people are killed off one by one and soon there are only a handful left. Maybe I'll work on it tomorrow as I have NOTHING to do. I'm so looking forward to that.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

[Alice In Wonderland theme is now playing. Lotus has watched it twice now. lol]

It's Still Just Speculation but....

2010-08-29T12:26:00.000-04:00

....I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Found this article courtesy of maherjunkie. My favorite was this paragraph in the LO:LA preview review:

No matter. The new version will get a boost from the initial curiosity factor - the cast includes Skeet Ulrich, Alfred Molina, Corey Stoll and Terrence Howard - and early indications are that viewers are interested in seeing what the new Law & Order will bring, especially now that it appears L&O: Criminal Intent will join the original on the cancellation pile.

I'm so hoping this guy has some inside knowledge that is leading him to say this as we haven't heard a word from USA. I'm sure if they were planning to continue the disaster that LOCI has become, they would have started promoting through press releases the new stars, etc. Yes, I know, wishful thinking on my part.

Oh well, found a Sunday meme here. And have decided to post it. I need to stop thinking for a bit. With all the incredibly stupid right wing nut job news on television, I have to stop or my head will explode from the sheer ludicrousness of the situation. Yeah, I'm talking FUCKED news nutbags Beck and Palin. Someone said they were calling for a Palin/Beck ticket. Wow, the dumb and crazy party indeed!

But I digress, here's the actual meme - preceded by rules.

Free association is described as a "psychonanalytic procedure in which a person is encouraged to give free rein to his or her thoughts and feelings, verbalizing whatever comes into the mind without monitoring its content." Over time, this technique is supposed to help bring forth repressed thoughts and feelings that the person can then work through to gain a better sense of self.

That's an admirable goal, but for the purposes of this excercise, we're just hoping to have a little fun with the technique. Each week I'll post ten words to which you can respond to with the first thing that comes to mind.

"Rules are, there are no rules." There are no right or wrong answers. Don't limit yourself to one word responses; just say everything that pops into your head. AND you don't have to have your words up on Sunday. Take all week if you want!

Bangs :: Annoying hairstyle feature
Diaper :: Something I no longer have to deal with since the granddaughters are all potty trained
Coffee table :: I need a new one. :-/
Cops :: Goren and Eames
Matches :: Fire
250 :: I got nothing.
Hurricane :: Iwa & Iniki - 2 hurricanes I lived through when I lived in Hawaii. Got through fine.
Bad :: Album by Michael Jackson
Confirmation :: Receipt I got from the Post Office
Fiber :: Nasty tasting cereal. lol

That's it for now.

[NP: Metallica - Fuel]

I'm Punk???

2010-08-21T16:20:00.000-04:00

So I haven't been paying much attention to Blogthings and memes as of late. But today I thought I'd check out Blogthings and found a new one I thought I'd try. Turns out I have a punk soul. lol

You Have a Punk Soul

Even if you don't look particularly punk, deep down you're a rebel.

You stay true to your values, and you refuse to sell out.

Your taste tends to be unique and indie. You never follow the mainstream.

You have a few political causes you feel strongly about, but you prefer to work outside the system.

Is Your Soul Hippie, Punk, or Goth?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Other choices were hippie or goth. I was pretty sure I'm not hippie but for some reason I thought I'd come out goth. Then again at this point I'm not sure what the hell goth is and if it's about teenage, angst ridden vampires, then I am definitely NOT goth. lol

I guess I should go find some Clash or Sex Pistols to listen to now. I know I have them in my music collection somewhere. Ah well, maybe just some Joe Strummer post Clash might do it. ;-)

[NP: Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Midnight Jam]

Sid the Swearing Rabbit

2010-08-17T21:20:00.000-04:00

I was talking about Craig Ferguson a few posts ago and thought I'd share with you one of the reasons my husband and I tape all his shows so we don't miss them.

There is something hilarious to me about a cute, furry rabbit puppet that swears like a sailor. But then I have this warped sense of humor. lol This is one of Ferguson's puppets. His name is Sid and he's from North London. :-D

Craig is on vacation now so we're into repeats. We still watch because it's still funny the second time around. Kind of like Monty Python. We can watch them over and over again it's as funny as ever.

Here's another bit of Sid who apparently just got glasses. lol Yeah, it's as ludicrous as it sounds and so funny if you're as warped as I am. ;-)

[NP: New Pornographers - These Are The Fables]

It's Hot - And Not In A Good Way

2010-08-14T22:28:00.000-04:00

Hot like hot fudge sundaes is good hot. Hot like a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning is good hot. Hot like Vincent D'Onofrio, Johnny Depp and Robert Downy Jr. is good hot.

Hot like the weather around here lately is NOT good hot. We have an ozone alert day. Meaning, those of us with breathing problems should stay inside. You know it's going to be bad when you wake up and look out the window and notice there's condensation on the glass. I HATE HOT. I'd rather deal with the frigid weather of winter. It costs more to keep my house cool than to keep it warm. I'm an unhappy camper. I am especially unhappy when I have to drive my car that has no air conditioning. It's old. I has to be converted to that new, less harmful to the environment type of coolant. I can't afford that so I deal with it.

I'm not sure if that's what's making me cranky but lately I feel just like Congressman Anthony Weiner feels about Republicans and their totally fucked up attitude, IMO. Yes, I know Democrats play politics, too. But Republicans are particularly heinous as if you look at the things they fight for, it's all for the rich and for big business and they couldn't care less about anyone else but themselves. Apologies to BP, arguing against bank regulations, pandering to the radical right, claiming to want to protect the constitution except for the parts they don't like - 14th Amendment for example, and behaving in ways that make them look like complete assholes.
I'm tired of listening to how they think all poor people want to be poor and how getting rid of those incredible tax cuts for the rich and classifying it as 'raising taxes' while at the same time they bitch about the deficit. If they keep the Bush tax cuts, it will add to the deficit they ran up and are complaining about. Funny how they only want to cut the deficit when the Democrats are in charge. It's okay to have tax cuts that are unpaid for if they're for the rich but it's not okay to keep unemployment payments going to those who have lost their jobs?

I relate to Congressman Weiner a lot. Especially when I'm hot and cranky.

[NP: Elvis Costello - Oliver's Army]

Catching Up

2010-08-09T10:05:00.000-04:00

Lots of things to catch up on. Thought I'd share a couple of photos of Oliver. He went to the vet to get fixed and was none to happy about it. This was back in May but like I said, I'm catching up. lol

Oliver before being fixed.

"Hi Mom! I love you!"

Oliver after being fixed.

"Get away from me you castrating bitch"

He's quite fine now and has forgiven me for that traumatic experience.

[Nothing playing now but Craig Ferguson's theme song keeps going through my head.]

Summer Television

2010-08-07T21:27:00.001-04:00

Craig Ferguson

It's summer and television here in the United States tends to get kind of sucky. Oh sure, we've got great stuff on cable. They don't follow the normal network schedule of sometime from September/October to April/May with a lot of repeats in the middle.

Their schedule makes more sense, actually. So during the summer doldrums, my husband and I have re-discovered Craig Ferguson. :-) Normally we watch The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and David Letterman. We only Ferguson if we're up really late.

However, we started taping him after discovering he's the best thing going on late night television. It's laugh out loud entertainment. And the beauty of it all is he doesn't work from a script. He just sort of wings it. He's got a general idea of what he wants to say and then just goes out there and starts talking. The results are always funny.

His show is very minimalistic. Just him, no band or co-host - unless you count Geoff Petersen, his skeleton robot sidekick that was programmed by Grant Imahara of the Myth Busters. George Takei provides the voice and it's just hilarious. He even does his own theme song.

What I really love about Ferguson is his unabashed love and pride of being an American. He became a U.S. citizen a couple of years ago and even has a "join or die" tattoo on his right arm symbolizing his patriotism to his newly adopted country. He always begins his show saying "It's a great day for America everybody," even when it may not necessarily be a great day for America. It is refreshing to see someone who isn't as jaded and cynical of this country as I seem to have become in my old age.

He also has a tendency towards outright silliness a-la Monty Python at times. His use of puppets and his putting his face right up to the camera just gets us laughing.

Mostly we appreciate that he seems to find annoying and/or ludicrous all the same things we do. I love his disdain for authority. His self-deprecating humor makes him very endearing. The man is just adorable. The Late Late Show has become 'must see' TV at my house.

I'm also quite happy that Project Runway is back. I absolutely adore Tim Gunn! He's always so well put together. Yes, I know he's gay but he still always looks so yummy.

Tim Gunn

I also love Heidi Klum. She has a good sense of humor about herself. I saw her on the Today Show once and she said she absolutely couldn't stand to hear her own voice. lol It was cute and endearing.

I love watching what the designers can come up with all the time constraints and sometimes the off-beat material. It's amazing what creative people can do. While I am no longer as interested in what the latest fashion is as I used to be in my younger days, I still appreciate a well constructed garment and well dressed men and women.

So far I haven't found a show to replace my beloved LOCI. The previews for the fall season haven't been too impressive. I do want to check out Hawaii 5-O only for the Hawaiian scenery. My husband and I love seeing Hawaiian scenery in television and movies. I think we're a tad bit homesick.

Mostly I want to be someplace we don't have tea party types. Those people are just down right scary.

Anyway, if you want to check out a sample of Craig Ferguson, here's one of his most recent opening monologues:

[NP: Foo Fighters - DOA]

The End Is Near!

2010-08-03T23:32:00.000-04:00

Nothing like some LOCI to lead me out of my blogging hibernation. Apparently Jeff Goldblum has decided to not renew his contract with LOCI. :-) Saw it here on All Things Law & Order blog.

So I'm quite happy. I saw there were some rumors or innuendos that they're considering getting VDO back. Guess they haven't been paying attention to interviews and statements he's made regarding returning to LOCI - which is he's not interested.

Good luck to Jeff Goldblum and good for him for jumping that sinking ship. He signed on for 2 years apparently and now he's moving on. I bet if Walon Green hadn't ruined the Nichols character like he ruined Goren and Eames, maybe he'd have waited to see if the show is even renewed. But he's gone.

Now it's just a matter of actual cancellation. Please USA, just do it and stop ruining the reputation of a show that used to be stellar.

[NP: Nothing, just me feeling a sense of peace]

Just Had to Post This

2010-07-02T17:54:00.001-04:00

Hi All!

No I'm not dead. Just found a life outside. Not as much fun as life here some days but mostly it's good.

My husband and I were watching television and saw this little goodie and it made us laugh so hard we had to find it online. Good old YouTube didn't let us down. It's the latest Geico commercial featuring R. Lee Ermey, the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket who got his brains blown out by a psychotic recruit portrayed by my favorite actor, Vincent D'Onofrio. While I was happy to see the drill sergeant get his due, I am quite happy to find the actor in this commercial.

Oh and I missed Vincent's birthday! However, it's the same as my stepson Jimmy's birthday - the month and day, not the year lol - so it's being celebrated tomorrow. ;-)

Hope you all are doing well. I have this list of things to post and I have all these ideas but unfortunately nothing is making its way here. Oh well, I promise not to make one long post - or I'll try anyway. Hope to post more here soon.

Happy Fourth of July to all my fellow Americans!

Lost Without Lost

2010-05-31T12:01:00.000-04:00

Yeah, really, THE Lost on ABC...or that was on ABC. Spoiler alert for anyone who hasn't seen it yet and plans to eventually. Yeah, I know I'm late but it's taken me a while to process it all. I've watched the finale three times already because it was just that good.

Cast of Lost

I sort of had a love-hate relationship with that show. I even half ignored it seasons 4 and 5. But because my husband watches it I got sucked in this final season. And we spent all of Sunday watching EVERYTHING ABC put on from the retrospective and cast interviews to the actual finale - 2-1/2 hours of it!!! - and even stayed up to watch the Jimmy Kimmel live segment with cast members.

So what can I say? It was a good ending for the show. Certainly not the best finale ever. I believe Six Feet Under still holds that title. Perfection. Lost was far from perfect but it was satisfying for fans who loved the characters. The show was about the people and the relationships and connections they formed while on that infernal island.

The strange and somewhat mystical events that occurred and the trials that they castaways went through, were really incidental in the end. It was the characters and how they reacted and how they all, while being slightly flawed in character, managed to come together and bring out the best in each other. The time they spent there was the most important time in their lives.

Do I want to understand the whole mystical point of the island? Sure. It would be nice but honestly, in the whole scope of things, mostly I watched because I was concerned for the characters. I cried a lot during the finale.

It was quite bittersweet. This last season was a tearjerker overall. Oh I was so upset when Jin and Sun died. They spent so much of the last two or three years trying to get back together being separated by not just space but time as well.

I guess what I like about the finale, is that it leaves us with the idea that our friends - and yes, any good show builds a good relationship between the characters and the fans (LISTEN UP DICK WOLF) - are doing well. We care about them and their well-being. And we're happy to see them find each other in the next life.

I went through half a box of Kleenex watching the various reunions and the awakening of memories of people I have come to care about over the last six years. It really said something that they gave the show 2-1/2 hours to say goodbye.

I know some people were looking for more details and there were still some unanswered questions but at the end, I didn't care. The characters I have come to care about all reunited and moved on together. I figure, while Jack wasn't the last one to die - his father did tell him many of them died before him and many died long after - he was the last one who had to come to accept what happened to him.

Watching the first episode on Saturday and the last episode on Sunday, I see how it all ties together and it seems the writers did have an outlined planned out after all. Now I want to watch the whole series over again. This show was planned out and is seriously genius in making people want to watch and watch again and again just to find things they may have missed before. It's certainly more complicated than any other show I've ever watched.

In a way it makes me sad that one of my favorite shows - LOCI - treated characters and fans so shoddily. If it gets canceled it deserves to be.

So I still have a few questions but in the scheme of things, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that it ended on a positive note. All our heroes are reunited and it made up for the deaths and all the crying I did throughout the last season. lol

Thank you to the writers and producers of Lost for giving us such a complex and wonderful show full of fascinating characters we have come to know and love. Despite a couple of years of pure frustration on my part, I feel it was worth it. Now I'm going to have to buy all the DVDs so I can rewatch it all!!!

[NP: Rolling Stones - Salt of the Earth]

One Down...

2010-05-14T20:31:00.000-04:00

...who knows how many more to go.

Excuse me while I do my happy dance. I just saw this earlier today and it made me smile. When I first heard of VDO leaving and KE and EB being let go from LOCI, I stated somewhere that it would just make me laugh and laugh if the mothership ended just short of beating Gunsmoke for the longest running television drama. It happened and I did laugh and laugh. It's karma, baby. Screw with your actors, writers and fans and the universe shits on you eventually. Not that Dick Wolf is going to be hurting any time soon. With all that syndication money and all. Also, SVU - as horrible as it is - is still going strong. Who knows with LOCI. The numbers go up and down but it's still not bringing in all those 'new' fans they were hoping for.

Maybe mothership fans will turn to it. Or maybe they'll flock to LO:LA. Who knows? Who cares?

I'm just happy to know karma came quickly. ;-)

And besides, 20 years is a great run. And the show was still great and made an imprint on the television landscape. I will remember it for the good years and I think of it fondly as the show that led to LOCI and Bobby Goren. It's better to go out and be canceled and not be picked up by TNT as some fans are hoping. I say, let the show die out now before it can be further ruined by someone else. It starts out great but they start to cheapen it and it turns into a steaming pile of crap. Trust me. Just watch LOCI now if you don't believe me.

Okay, happy dance over. RIP Law & Order. You gave us some great characters and stories but it's time to go.

Now if only the CSI franchise would start to die off. I'm beginning to understand William Peterson's dismay when they started cloning the show. It has become just a cookie cutter franchise. And it's not nearly as good as the L&O franchise was in its prime.

[NP: John Lennon - Whatever Gets You Through The Night]

Lewis Black Is Awesome

2010-05-13T21:20:00.000-04:00

Saw this last night and for those who don't watch The Daily Show regularly, here is the latest from Lewis Black - who does commentary for the show. This is his take on Glenn Beck, the lunatic of FUCKED news. It had me in stitches the whole time. Enjoy!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Back in Black - Glenn Beck's Nazi Tourette's

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

[NP: Neil Young - The Painter]

New Community

2010-04-28T10:49:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to point out there is a new community at LiveJournal for those interested in keeping Goren & Eames alive in discussion as well as fan fiction. Not sure how much time I can spend there but it looks like fun. The link will remain at the top of my page for a while so stop by and check it out. It is a shipper-oriented community, though, so for those not so inclined be warned. lol

Still working on posts of more substance but it's slow going. There are two in progress right now. Hopefully they will be finished and posted before I die. ;-)

[NP: Mary Chapin Carpenter - Almost Home]

Why I Love Jon Stewart

2010-04-22T10:42:00.000-04:00

Because he's the only one on television to tell it like it is and he expresses my sentiments exactly every time.

Once again, he takes on FUCKED News and they just can't stop being stupid. In response to this the other night, Bernie Goldberg and Bill O'Reilly took the bait and kept going on and on about Stewart and his 'small audience' and at the same time saying he's the new voice of the liberal left. They're so fucking stupid they can't even see the contradiction in their statements. I'm sure Jon will have more to say about that.

What Bill and Bernie seem to not understand is, Jon Stewart is a comedian. It's his job to make fun of them and he even makes fun of MSNBC and the liberal crowd. But apparently they don't seem to get all bent and spend a good chunk of air time bitching about it. Stewart even ripped on Keith Olbermann and since then, Olbermann's been on his show making fun of himself.

Get a grip FUCKED News. You're a bunch of jerk-offs pushing a conservative agenda and the only people who don't seem to realize it are the people who watch you regularly and believe you're an actual news network. The only reason you have good numbers is these brainwashed morons only watch you because they don't want to see anything that doesn't agree with their conservative views. Apparently moderates and liberals watch all news outlets. You know, just to get a better picture of things and not just the myopic view of one particular network.

So here's Jon Stewart. I LOVE him. He's also done a parody on Glenn Beck that was right on. But for now, here's his recent rant - from a couple of nights ago. I'm slow. lol

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Bernie Goldberg Fires Back

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Bill O'Reilly says he has nothing against Stewart but he believes Stewart actually hates FOX and what they stand for. I can see that. I also feel the same way. Any network that would hire Sarah Palin as a commentator is nothing but a joke. No wonder they feel competitive towards Jon Stewart on the Comedy Channel.

Oh and another thing, Bill O'Reilly made some crack about how Stewart has like 100 writers on his show while he's the only one who writes for his. No wonder his comedy sucks. Maybe he should stop comparing himself to a comedian. He's not even good at that let alone being 'fair and (un)balanced.'

Thank you Jon Stewart for expressing all my frustration and outrage.

[NP: Ryuichi Sakamoto - Wuthering Heights]

New Glasses

2010-04-19T23:08:00.000-04:00

Not me...well, maybe next month. But this time it's Lotus. I'm working on a post about what I'm watching in lieu of LOCI. In the mean time, here's my adorable one with new glasses. Fortunately, she likes them.

Grandma's Little Angel

And here she is on a field trip. I have no idea where they went. lol

Lotus on field trip.

She's such a little ham. :-)

Ah well, I figure cats and kids are great posts for filler when I have nothing else to say. lol Well, I do have something to say. I just don't have time to say it!!!

Hope all is well in bloggerland!

[NP: OMD - Enola Gay]

Loyalty/Puntland....Whatever....

2010-04-09T20:53:00.003-04:00

....at this point I don't much care any more. It was quite a disappointment to see the writers seemed to make the departure of Goren and Eames an afterthought. Part One was boring at best and Part Two was just a mess. It just reminded me why the show should have ended when all the good writers left.

They seriously expect us to do this?

SPOILERS COMING IF YOU HAVEN'T YET SEEN THIS EPISODE - though I doubt anyone hasn't seen it yet as it's taken me a while to get my thoughts in order and written down here.

They really expect us to do this?

Let's go over the good stuff first as there isn't much from my POV.

First of all there was Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe. They did have some nice moments together. Goren comforting Eames when they see Captain Ross' body being taken away from the crime scene. When Eames goes to warn Goren about the FBI being out to get him and Eames says she feels like she should try and talk Goren out of conducting his own investigation. Goren says she knows it would be a waste of time and she gives a slight smile in agreement. And of course the final moments between them had me in tears. There were some awkward moments but Kathryn Erbe had some of her best LOCI moments in that scene. I have to admit it felt odd, though, to have them hug and to have Goren give her a kiss on the cheek. It was rather un-Goren and Eames like but the circumstances were rather extreme. Extreme enough to be rather unbelievable. More on that when I get to the bad part. I did appreciate the gesture as it showed the affection the two detectives have for each other at the end. I love the way D'Onofrio and Erbe play Goren and Eames.

I also liked that they didn't turn Ross into a bad guy. I loved that Goren seemed to finally get that Ross was really on his side despite the clashes. His loyalty to Ross was a nice touch. It did indicate the two men finally came to an understanding. I think after the events of Untethered and Purgatory, Goren realized Ross really was a good guy who wanted to help him despite their obvious differences.

I also was glad about the funeral service for Ross. That they had one at all and that it was brief without getting all maudlin. And ME Rodgers had twos touching moment. The scene where she tells Goren and Eames the FBI won't let anyone near Ross and the crime scene and at Ross' funeral. I am assuming from Eames' comment that the captain seemed to be dating someone when she saw him with the FBI agent that Ross and Rodgers were no longer involved. That's too bad as I thought they were an interesting couple.

Another thing I loved was Eames' line to Goren that he's the best and always will be because it's true.

Okay, that's about it for the good. I wish there were more positive things to be said but considering all the good writers left after season 7, it's not surprising that these two episodes were severely lacking. The story line was a bit out there and in many instances Goren and Eames were not behaving the way Goren and Eames would. It's almost as if they traded places. Perhaps that's why they were wearing the wrong badges as seen on BobbyG's blog here. Are VDO and KE telling us in their own way they realize the characters were written in reverse?

I especially HATE how they spent more time on Nichols and his new partner than they did with Goren and Eames. We'll have plenty of time to watch those two - well, I won't be and having them cut into my Bobby and Alex time didn't make me want to watch them more - let Goren and Eames have a proper send off. Instead it seemed like Goren and Eames were an afterthought. It was an insult to fans and to the characters. They spent way too much time with Nichols and Stevens - the new girl. I was not impressed with her, btw.

Also, did anyone else think Goldblum looked odd in this episode? Yeah, yeah, I know a lot of people think he always look odd but I thought he looked...odd. Like they did something with his make-up and his eyes made him look like Gollum from the Lord of the Rings. Look, I love Goldblum except in these two episodes. [I even thought he was funny and kind of cute on The Colbert Report when he was plugging LOCI] But I thought he looked weird - especially at Ross' funeral where I'm sure he was supposed to look grief stricken. But yeah, Gollum came to mind.

Speaking of the funeral and how people looked, why was Goren not in uniform? Eames and Nichols/Gollum were in uniform. Goren wasn't suspended yet. So WTF was up with that? It bothered me. Yeah, maybe it's a small detail but it shows a lack of attention to detail by the show runner and company, IMO.

Detective Stevens got on my nerves. So she's a language expert, too? How wonderful. Impressing people with her French and all. Give me a break. I resented her presence and felt she should have shown up next week. She took away from Eames time, IMO. It's like Eames always gets a raw deal and it pisses me off.

Speaking of which, WTF is up with Goldblum getting billing over Erbe? I love Goldblum in anything else but this show because they've really pushed him on us and tried to make him a replacement for Vincent who is irreplaceable. They would have done better with Chris Noth's Logan or a character who wasn't so obviously trying to be like Goren.

And it was hard to believe Goren was suspended over roughing up the creep who knew who was responsible for Ross' death? I know the FBI got mad but since when did NYPD play nice with the FBI? I suppose if you stretched it you could say it was an excuse to get rid of him. Or maybe the pro-tem captain didn't like him walking out on him while he was lecturing him.

Also, I felt it was a disservice to Eames all around. Having Stevens come in just so we could be introduced to her and have her showing off her foreign language ability and being the one who asked all those wonderful questions was annoying to me. Oh isn't she wonderful? Hardly. Eames ended up looking like a tag-along. What was the point of her being there if Stevens was there poking her nose in things already? It was really annoying to me.

And once again Eames got crapped on when she gets called into the Chief's office about her potential promotion. At first it seems she's being offered the position because she's doing well and they feel she deserves the opportunity. Then you get the idea they just want her to take it so she can be the one to fire Goren because they're afraid if someone else does it it's going to get ugly. It's almost as if they're threatening her. It seems from what was said in that final scene between Goren and Eames, that they threatened that if he wasn't fired out right, they would drag him through embarrassing hearings that would no doubt question his sanity and make him look bad. So Eames decides to accept the job knowing they only want her for that purpose with the promise of being captain of MCS as a reward. We also know she planned to resign even before she tells Goren he's fired because she tells him she's not going to be captain or pro-tem for long. Goren thinks she's being modest. I think she was already thinking she wasn't going to take their blood money. She really believed it was best to make it a quick end instead of having Goren dragged through the mud and/or having the other pro-tem or worse the Chief fire him. So as soon as Goren is gone, she informs the chief she's not taking the job and turns in her badge and gun and outright quits.

Okay, that sounds all fine and good but it's just so unrealistic it makes my head spin trying to work it all out in my head. I mean Goren's done so many things that were so much worse than slam some low life into a wall. If they were going to fire him, the Purgatory episode would have provided so much more reason to do so. Not to mention he's been so well-behaved in season 8 it was as if he was another person. You know, like Walon Green and company had no idea of what Goren was all about until Ladies Man.

And honestly, why do they have to be so over-the-top melodramatic and have pirates and terrorists dragged into the mix? Couldn't they think of some kind of interesting case file that didn't sound so far-fetched? Or would that have been too much of a stretch? You know, because they needed to bring in the FBI some how and all. Geez, I guess you get what you pay for. USA pays less for this show and the quality suffers.

The whole Ross being someone they were looking at because of a 'messy divorce' and his not having his life together is kind of a stretch. He was divorced when he came to Major Case three years ago! He even had his ex and her new boyfriend/husband over for Thanksgiving his first year at Major Case. He had two sons he seemed to enjoy spending time with and he was at one time dating ME Rodgers. So what happened? Oh, right, Walon Green and company had nothing to base it on but since he was just sort of there last season - well, he was better in Nichols episodes with the better writers - perhaps they didn't realize he had a background that made it look like he already had his life together before Eames made that observation just because he was with that horrible FBI woman. Incidentally, when she told Eames she could stick her warrant, I wanted Eames to stick the warrant you know where on the FBI agent.

This was a lousy way to send off Goren and Eames. They deserved better and shouldn't have had to share the episode with Nichols and the new girl quite so much. I'm annoyed and I'm done. I haven't even bothered to watch scenes or checked in at all with anything LOCI. I did try to find some decent photos to use at the USA site but there was so much Nichols and what's her name that it was annoying. I saw not ONE Ross photo. How screwed up is that?

Now Goldblum and his fans can have the show. I couldn't care less. Someone told me a post was made somewhere that said the poster was a Goldblum fan and not everyone is obsessed with D'Onofrio. Well, I got news for that moron, there are less people obsessed with Goldblum than are obsessed with D'Onofrio so he/she can sit through the awful episodes to watch Gollum and I'll leave those fans to it.

It's sad to lose Goren and Eames but it's also a relief. Walon Green had no idea about Goren and Eames and how to write for them. The only episode that came close to having them in character was Ladies Man and that had a ridiculous case file as well. It's sad and it breaks my heart. It reminds me of the mess that Homicide: Life on the Street turned into when they rushed that 2 hour movie to give the show closure. They shouldn't have bothered. Having Pembleton come back only - in the end - to arrest Baylis and having Lt. Giardello die was NOT good at all. What is it with these shows that they have to have such drastic endings with one partner having to arrest/fire their partner?

OMG, I just realized....this LOCI episode seemed to mirror the Homicide finale a lot. Dead leader, one partner forced to get rid of the other against their will....wow. It sucked the first time around and it sucks now.

I've got a headache thinking about it all.

So that's it. Goodbye to Goren and Eames and Captain Ross. And thanks to Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe and Eric Bogosian. You will be missed.

Goren and Eames saying goodbye to each other

and to fans.

Since USA had no caps of Ross from Loyalty

I got this photo of him from the first year

the show was on USA when they still loved LOCI

[NP: Eels - Checkout Blues]

The Beginning of the End

2010-03-30T20:35:00.000-04:00

Well, tonight's the night. Looks like the TPTB have sent their interns or whatever they are out to try and make Goldblum look good and Vincent look bad. They're so transparent it really just makes me laugh. I guess they're just desperate. Every time I make a point, more anonymous people come by to try and prove me wrong but they have no credibility as they all remain anonymous. One particular idiot actually tried to make an argument that Goldblum helped increase ratings for LOCI when it's a blatant lie.

Once that little gem was proven wrong and I commented on how badly Goldblum fans were behaving, a slew of anonymous fans who hated Goldblum on the assumption that they were Vincent fans started making posts swearing and being generally troll like. None of these people are known to me and considering I've been in this fandom for a few years now, I'm sure I'd recognize at least one. They post under names that have no links to blogs or anything because they're not real. Fortunately the blog owner deleted those. I guess they just can't get it right can they? They have to go overboard every time. I think maybe TPTB should pay people so they get smarter people posting. The only things they accomplished were making Goldblum fans look stupid and because the really nasty things they tried to attribute to Vincent fans were deleted, they really just failed miserably.

While I will miss Goren and Eames and Captain Ross, I am almost relieved that it will be over after next week. Then it can look like a ghost town at the sites as most of us will be moving on. At least TPTB can stop pretending to be fake people....or maybe they'll show up as Goldblum fans and gush and talk about how much better the show is without Vincent - something we all know will be a lie. Maybe it makes TPTB feel better in their own pathetic little minds.

So maybe I'm "crazy" as the original pain in the ass ROB said about fans. I may be crazy but I'm not stupid like ROB and all his anonymous incarnations or other intern friends. Now they're just pathetic.

Oh well, I'm taping the show. My husband is bored with it - and he's the one who originally loved it and made me watch it - and wants to watch V. He's not so impressed with it but apparently he thinks it's more interesting than LOCI. I'd watch on another television but I just don't seem to care enough to do it. We'll just watch it tomorrow or some other time.

Quite frankly, the show should have been canceled outright after the abomination that was season 8. Poor Vincent and Kathryn were relegated back to just case files and practically no personal. I bet they missed Warren Leight and company. I sure did.

So as I count down the hours, I just remember how badly we were treated by TPTB and how badly the actors were treated and I breathe a sigh of relief. It's finally over and from what I've heard about the ratings for the mothership it's probably over for that show soon as well. Dick Wolf needs to start thinking of a new format because his old one is dying. All he'll have left is SVU and you know eventually he will alienate Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni. When they become too expensive, he'll give them the boot and we can watch that show implode. I feel sorry for the fans who will revolt at the thought of losing Stabler and Benson. They're going to get a lot of crap heaped on them. Heaven forbid they say they will stop watching. They'll be ridiculed and called crazy. If it happens, I think I'll go help defend them as a show of solidarity. I may not like SVU at all but I do sympathize with fans who care about characters and actors.

So let's be strong Vincent Vixens. And hold our heads up Kathryn Erbe fans. They showed a lot of class in the way they handled themselves. They will be missed and I'm sure TPTB will feel it.

[NP: Neil Young - Harvest Moon]

Curious As A Cat Week #211

2010-03-22T10:53:00.000-04:00

Had Lotus over this weekend so didn't do much. I'd rant about the whole health care reform process and the horrible behavior of the Tea Party folks - yelling racial and homophobic slurs at senators and congressmen - to the accusation of 'baby killer' by some Republican asshole in congress. I'm so sick of Republicans and their closed-minded stupidity, I don't even care that what was passed last night is really not fixing anything. It's a poor start but it's better than anything Republicans have ever done.

Ah well, went to visit Curious as A Cat this morning. Haven't participated much but thought I'd go ahead and do this meme in lieu of actual commentary on things which wouldn't be pretty. lol

Week Number 211

1) What do you absolutely have to do today?

Go to work.

2) What habit is the next one you need to kick?

Well...probably my horrible diet. But the chances of it happening soon are nil. I gave up all my other vices I think it's going to be difficult to give up my food.

3) Where is the next place you will be taking a trip?

Not planning any trips. It's difficult to travel with my husband's health. I also refuse to set foot on a plane so that makes it difficult, too. I miss taking driving trips around the country. But I'm also all right with just staying put.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Reminds me of working at a construction company where I used to put together the booklet for the bids on contracts. Included would be drawings like these.

Short but sweet. I should stop by regularly but it's that ADD thing that moves me around.

[NP: Tori Amos - Silent All These Years]

Cats

2010-03-17T11:11:00.000-04:00

Not much going on - well, actually that's not true. There's a lot going on but I just wanted to share another kitty photo.

Oliver just loves Leaper :-)

I just love my cats. lol

Still flying on the prednesone burst. lol Having a good time and enjoying the wonderful weather. It's almost sixty degrees so no more coats!!! I'm running around with flip flops and wishing it could be sixty degrees all year round.

Hopefully I'll have better quality photos up soon. My husband has re-discovered the camera Jimmy gave him for his 60th birthday. lol

I hope you all are enjoying your spring!

[NP: R.E.M. - Imitation of Life]

This & That

2010-03-14T23:58:00.000-04:00

So I've been to the doctor for my most recent asthma flare-up and got great drugs. High dose prednesone (steroids), a steroid inhaler and cough med with codeine. I am a happy camper. I feel great. I've been actually able to go out and about without using my rescue inhaler. Yeah, I know, the crash won't be fun but at least I can breathe for the next week or so. Hopefully it will stay better. I'm so tired of the coughing and crap.

Anyway, life is moving at a faster pace but I had a need to express myself. lol So what else is new?

Heard Vincent D'Onofrio's movie short The New Tenants won an Oscar. That's most cool. He can do more quality work now that he's done with the mess that LOCI has become.

Speaking of the Oscars, Kathryn Erbe apparently attended. Seems she's traveling about now that she's not tethered to NYC for work. Hope she's enjoying herself. Found these photos of her and thought I'd post them here. I found it kind of amusing that the photographer must have been taken by her feet. lol

Nice shoes. Maybe the photographer - photos from Getty Images - has a foot fettish or something. lol

Heard more about the LOCI premiere. A firing, a funeral and a promotion. Then another one said a funeral, firing and resignation. So my latest theory based on the crap they're leaking is that Ross dies, Goren gets fired and Eames initially gets a promotion but is so disgusted at the state of the department she quits. I'm probably wrong on this one, too, but it's sport. And it's the last time I'm going to care anyway so why not indulge?

Daylight savings is on and I'm starting the month-long cycle of tired before I get used to it. It's so stupid. One of the good things about Hawaii, no daylight savings time. Think about how crazy it is that all of society goes around basically pretending it's an hour later than it really is. It never made sense to me but I thought it was because I lived in Hawaii. I've been living on the mainland for 16 years and it's still stupid.

Oh well, will try and be more interesting once the prednesone wears off and I'm back to being tired again. lol

Hope you're all doing well out in blogger land. I have been sort of keeping up but since I'm trying to take advantage of the energy, I'm also trying to get things in order in real life. Miss you all!

[NP: Mogwai - Hunted by a Freak]

A Music Meme

2010-03-04T11:24:00.000-05:00

A fun meme I found at JoJo's blog. Since I am Music Wench I thought I would participate. :-D

Apparently the original meme called for 25 answers, but I am only going to use 8 answers. These are songs that you can listen to over and over and never get tired of. They don't have to be in any particular order. These are the songs that make you laugh, cry, think of an old friend, whatever the reason. I know it's impossible for many of us to narrow it down to 8. There are just too many songs. Instead, make a list of those 8 songs that move you personally and tell me why. What memory does the song evoke? What emotion? Where were you when you first heard it? Name 8 songs and discuss your emotional connection to the song.

Okay, so here goes! And these are definitely not in any sort of order. I love them all.

1. Tori Amos - Winter

It's a beautiful song and always reminds me of my father. The way he always told me I was smart enough and strong enough to do anything I wanted. Despite being a rather traditional Japanese male, he was a feminist when it came to me. He encouraged me to always question authority (another non-Japanese thing to do) and never blindly accept anything as truth until I checked it out myself. People who know me now have a hard time believing this, but until I was about 12 or 13 years old, I was shy and quiet and was afraid to speak up and not quite sure of myself. Both my parents saw to it that I grew out of that so I could take care of myself. But until I was daddy's girl and while mom had to deal with the daily task of raising me, I got to hang out with daddy on the weekends and do fun stuff. He let me eat ice cream an hour before dinner and generally bought me anything I happen to see in the store that I happened to want. As a teenager I was a bit more of a challenge and throughout my college years my father was not happy with my choices in life. However, by the time he passed away in 1985, we had come to some kind of understanding. I was the strong, self-confident young woman he hoped I would be. With that came decisions he did not necessarily agree with. I first heard the song 'Winter' when I was driving to the store and it actually got me tearing up a bit. I always felt my father died too soon for me to be able to thank him and tell him he was a great father. I had that chance with my mother. So whenever I hear this song, I always remember my father. It has a sadder connotation if you listen to the lyrics but in my case, it turned out pretty good. And it brings up good memories of my father. In my case, it wasn't winter as in Hawaii we have eternal summer. It was holding his hand while walking on the beach.

Tori Amos is one of my favorite artists. I have all of her albums and I admire her work.

2. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

This is a cheat. I have to because the album HAS to be experienced in its entirety. It's a concept album and that's why I believe it needs to be experienced in its entirety. It first came out when I was in high school but I didn't gain an appreciation for it until I was in college - college radio to be precise. I'm sure everyone is at least familiar with the cover art if not the songs. Although considering it's popularity, if you haven't at least heard one of the songs from it I'd be surprised. I remember this album fondly as it was a favorite and many great late night conversations were had at the student radio station as it played in the background. Either when one of us was on the air and others visiting or we were in the enormous record library just hanging out. Some of my best life memories of my single life came from those days spent in the offices and studios of my college radio station. During my time there I was a DJ in the genres of rock, jazz, classical, blues and in the news department. I served as Music Director, Production Director, Interim General Manager and Program Director at various times. I learned to be a broadcaster there. I learned how to be a news reporter there. I learned how to be a sound engineer there. I met some of the most interesting and wonderful people there. Pink Floyd proved to be the soundtrack to all that. This album especially. Later when the album The Wall came out, it got a lot of airplay as well. And of course a bunch of us went to see them in concert with The Wall tour. It was an amazing show and forever cemented the band as one of my favorites. I also had a huge crush on David Gilmour. :-) I can still listen to this despite the thousands of times I've heard it and I know I will never tire of it.

I believe this album was also on my desert island discs list at some music forum. It was one of three albums I would have with me if I could only have three albums to listen to ever again. The other was R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People and the other was The Beatles White Album.

3. Neil Young - Comes A Time

First of all, I love Neil Young. He is an amazing artist. It seems like he's been around forever and really he has. He's been a solo artist, member of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. I love his passion and the great messages of his music. This song is the title track of his album released in 1978. I was in college in my sophomore year and had not yet discovered the college radio station. But I was into music big time and Neil Young was right at the top of my favorite artists list so I bought the album as soon as I heard about it. Comes A Time reminds me of my first years of 'freedom' from my family. Not that it was horrible or anything. But considering my personality, being from a Japanese family could sometimes be stifling. If it weren't for my parents, I would never have blossomed. But being in the dorms and being exposed to different people was very liberating. Once I got to the student radio station, I was ecstatic to suddenly find that I was no longer the weirdest person in the room. Neil Young was also a part of that soundtrack to my early life as an adult and this song represents my early days of leaving the nest and coming into my own as a human being. I remember sitting in my room listening to this song and identifying with it. It's classic Neil Young. A guitar, a harmonica and Neil.

Neil Young is truly one of the most influential artists of our time. His career spans five decades and is still going.

4. Led Zeppelin - Misty Mountain Hop

I discovered Led Zeppelin at age 13. That would be between the release of their officially untitled fourth album in 1971 and Houses of the Holy released in 1973. At this time I was in a transitional phase between my pre-teen crush on Donny Osmond and my rebellious teenage love for things my parents would hate. It was a great time to be a teenager. Out went the posters of Donny Osmond and David Cassidy and up went posters of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant and a lot of others my parents would roll their eyes at and worry. Thanks to Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Who, David Bowie and a slew of other 'loud' artists, dad bought me headphones. He had no problem with my exploring new music as long as he didn't have to suffer. I was particularly fond of the fourth album and really liked all the songs. Misty Mountain Hop didn't stand out for me until - once again - my college radio years. The fourth album included Stairway to Heaven, Rock and Roll, Black Dog and When the Levee Breaks. All those songs seem to get a lot more airplay than Misty Mountain Hop. But that song is the one that served as my theme song for the very first rock and roll college radio show I ever did. It was heavy metal/hard rock with Misty. I chose that name because I was on at 2 a.m. and didn't want to use my real name for fear of weirdos. And there were a few, let me tell you. But there were also a lot of great people who were up studying or suffering from insomnia or even working. Every time I hear the song I think of those late nights, sitting in the control studio either alone or with a few friends, playing great music on the radio and wondering about all the possibilities life held. I have to admit I am a bit tired of Whole Lotta Love, Stairway to Heaven and other Led Zeppelin songs that get heavy airplay but I will never tire of Misty Mountain Hop.

5. U2 - Beautiful Day

Along with R.E.M., U2 is right at the top of my favorite artists list. They switch off for the number one spot depending on the day or moment. I'm especially fond of this band because I believe I was the first disc jockey on the island of Oahu or more likely in the entire state of Hawaii to play U2 on the airwaves. As Music Director at the time this album was brought to my attention by the record company rep, I got to pick the best music and save them for debut on my show. I had moved up to a 9 p.m. time slot. This song I am particularly fond of because it's so uplifting and reminds me of the Obama campaign. It's positive, happy and makes me feel good. I could listen to this song over and over and over again and never get sick of it. It's from the fabulous album All That You Can't Leave Behind. U2 will always have a special place in my heart because after the amazing success of The Joshua Tree and Grammy success as well the band sent out a thank you to college radio because we were the only ones to play their music in the beginning.

6. Sia - Breathe Me

This song is probably the most recent find of all on my list. Therefore I know a minimum amount about the artist except she Australian but lives in the U.K. and was released circa 2003. The reason I LOVE this song is that the first time I ever heard it was the series finale of the best series ever on American television, Six Feet Under. It was the perfect song for a perfect ending to a marvelous series that really touched my heart. When I watched the closing sequence it brought tears to my eyes. The sheer emotion from the beautiful cinematography to the perfect blending of the visual to the music. Plus watching a series for its entire run brings an attachment to characters that makes you feel like they're dear old friends. It was brilliant in it's execution and every time I hear this song I picture in my mind's eye, Claire Fisher driving off through the desert with her future ahead of her. A future we get to take a peek at so we know how all our good friends will fare in life. It was the best ending to a series ever. This song is off of Sia's 2004 album Colour the Small One.

7. Elton John - Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters

This is definitely one of Elton John's most beautiful songs. It also reminds me why Bernie Taupin is probably my favorite lyricist of all time. This song is from Honky Chateau released in 1972. I was 12 or 13 when I first heard the album. Rocket Man was the really big hit off this album. But I remember being much more captivated by this song than that or Honky Cat, which was the other single. It was the first Elton John album I purchased and I remember listening to it from start to finish - a habit I still have when purchasing new music - and it was the second to last song on the album (side 2 anyway, when we had such things). The song is Bernie Taupin's reaction to New York City - the reality versus the idea. It's beautifully written and it was one of the first times I stopped to analyze lyrics. It was also one of the first times one of my favorite songs was not the same as most of my peers, who didn't seem to get it.

8. R.E.M. - Gardening at Night

Not the best-known R.E.M. song - and you knew there HAD to be an R.E.M. song here - but one of the first I ever heard. Fans of the band are quite familiar with it, I'm sure. I wasn't Music Director when this one came out but I was either Production Director or Program Director and still doing my rock show. At that time it had morphed from heavy metal/hard rock to just rock in general including a heavy dose of alternative. The song was off of their debut EP Chronic Town. I found it in the new bin in the on air studio and discovered no one else had played a cut off of it so I debuted the entire thing. It was another of those great finds and the beginning of a life-long musical love affair with a band. I love Gardening at Night in particular because it was one of the first songs I heard from them. The excitement of first discovery has a lot to do with it I'm sure. The first sounds of the jangling guitar, Michael Stipe's distinctive vocals and just the excitement of something new. Even the gargoyle on the album cover intrigued me. I was amazed they were from Athens, Georgia. They sounded more like New York City. Over the years they've evolved and so have I. They provided the soundtrack to my adult life and it all started with this one song and this one EP.

So that's it! I was tempted to do the whole 25 but having returned to work it took me three days to get this done! lol It's not from lack of songs but lack of time. Thanks for the meme idea, JoJo. This was fun. :-)

[NP:: Joe Jackson (live) - Is She Really Going Out With Him]

Just A Quick Change

2010-02-27T23:27:00.000-05:00

In case anyone anonymous wants to comment, you'll have to register or have open ID or something. This is because I noticed when commenting negatively on another blog about USA, LOCI and the future of the show and others showed doubts and one person said they didn't like Goldblum, kind of like some people don't like VDO as one asshole put it, suddenly, an influx of anonymous posters showed up to praise the show and the one writer who wrote a decent script. It was hysterically obvious that they were sent by the TPTB to move the decision in favor of the positive. Fuck that shit. If you don't have the balls to put a URL behind your post, you can go away.

If you're going to sing praises you should be willing to show who you are. At least provide a URL. It's like one person said she didn't like Jeff Goldblum and they showed in droves! It was funny.

Look, I love Jeff Goldblum. I'm not blaming him for taking a job. I'm just really pissed that USA and Wolf Productions are shuffling off Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe without a mention on that fucking press release about the new season of shows on USA. What a bunch of assholes. And the people defending them are nameless - or with names but no URLs.

Apologies to my good friend Marie. Maybe you can get a blog? Email me and I'll tell you how.

Anyway, fuck you anonymous posters who come in to praise after all the negative reviews - barring one who got mad because I called him out as a Balcer groupie. Guess I got him as mad as he got me when he accused us of being conspiracy theorists. Fucking jerk. Can dish it out but is appalled when he gets it thrown back in his face.

Interesting how none of those positive reviewers even bothered to show up when the post was actually made and suddenly they show up one after the other really quickly. And they actually want to paint us as stupid and clueless? How about you use a little restraint in setting up posts like that? Can you say obvious?

Anyway, rant over. I know I sound crazy but those people piss me off so badly. They look down their noses at the fans and think they can make the ones who don't like the changes look stupid.

I do like the blog owner. She's a decent person and a true fan. But those anonymous posters got on my last nerve. No balls or not real fans. Probably the same guy who started the whole positive thing and making that insinuation about fans making things up.

Anyway. I doubt they bother with my blog but just in case, I want to make sure I can check you out before you post. I'd rather have no comments than fake comments from fake people.

[NP: Rolling Stones - Street Fighting Man]

Sick Day

2010-02-26T11:39:00.002-05:00

I like it better when I'm taking a mental health day instead but we all do get sick. Today is my turn. Not feeling particularly verbose but I did want to share this video. It's something my husband found a couple of days ago.

It's about the wonderful health care we have here in the USA. Yes, I'm being sarcastic. It's call We're Number 37. Gave me a good laugh - even now when I'm sick. Okay, so it's actually pretty sad but if you don't laugh you'll cry.

Kitty Update

2010-02-24T11:30:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I posted anything on my kitties. Oliver has grown a LOT. Soon he's going to start growing sideways if he keeps up the eating! I can't leave any food out on the counter or anywhere unattended. Oliver will get into it. He got into cornbread!!! I had leftovers from dinner and left it out on the counter to cool thinking cats won't eat that. Leaper doesn't really like any human food. He has a thing for milk and ice cream but not much else. Oliver is another story. Oliver managed to eat half a square of cornbread before I discovered him on the counter, crumbs all over his little kitty face. lol

So, I'm now putting everything away immediately. I figure Oliver was out and on his own starving for so long before he was found and rescued by my co-worker that he feels he has to eat everything he can find immediately. I found him pulling a noodle out of the garbage disposal one day. Poor baby. He's nice and round now, though. Lots of kitten chow and love. Can't see his ribs, his tail is filled out nicely and he's catching up with Leaper! Here are the photos I took last week.

Mostly I took these photos because Oliver's original mommy - Jasmin in composing - is leaving (or actually has left) to take a better paying job elsewhere. I sent these to her so she has something to remember Oliver. She always asked about him and I always showed her photos on my phone. Since I won't be seeing her everyday at work, I thought she'd appreciate these.

I just love my cats. It's so nice to see them getting along as well as they are. I feel like a proud mommy. lol

[NP: R.E.M. - Exhuming McCarthy]

Okay We Know You're Sorry Now Go Away

2010-02-20T10:29:00.000-05:00

With all the problems in the world, why the hell are we so fucking interested in Tiger Woods? Look, he's another man who let success go to his head and thought he could behave badly and be an asshole and get away with it. It's not special. Look at all who came before him. Bill Clinton, Elliot Spitzer, Mark Sanford, the list goes on and one and on. It seems like 24 hour non-stop Tiger Woods coverage. I'm so sick of Tiger Woods I don't care if I never hear about him again.

And those mistresses of his are making the best of their 15 minutes of fame for being sluts. And people interviewing them are asking them stupid questions. "Do you feel like a victim?" THEY ARE NOT VICTIMS THEY ARE ACCOMPLICES. They are enablers. They are upset because what? They found out he cheated on them AND his wife? What happened to being ashamed of being a woman who sleeps with married men? Is it suddenly acceptable? How are these slutty bitches now victims? I'm sorry, if you're a grown woman and you're fucking a man you know is married, you're not a victim! So take your skanky butts and go away and be ashamed like you should be.

The only victim here is his wife and family. He needs to take care of that and really mean it when he says he wants privacy. He's not going to get it if he keeps giving press conferences.

He said he was sorry for letting us down. He hasn't let me down. I don't know him. I don't care. Go away and fix your marriage and your personal life. Stop inflicting yourself on us and don't give the media any more ammunition to inflict you upon us.

Oh fine, he's the greatest golfer ever. Big fucking deal. He's not the Dalai Lama. He's not the Pope. Life for most people will go on just fine without him. His sponsors are upset probably because they'll lose money. Sorry, I find it difficult to feel sorry for them. Same for the PGA.

Yeah, I know there's irony in my rant. I am just putting it out there again. lol But OMG I am so sick of the media latching on to a story and beating us over the head with it. We need to censor ourselves and not be so fascinated by celebrities behaving badly. If we stop gawking and watching, they will stop inundating us with this 24/7.

Tiger should take time off, fix his personal life and then go back to golf and trust me, people will start to forget his indiscretions. We forgive star athletes, movie stars and musicians their indiscretions as long as they continue doing what they do well. Tiger and his fortune will be fine

Okay, rant over. I feel a little better now. I just can't believe how detrimental 24/7 news coverage can be.

[NP: Tori Amos - Silent All These Years]

Long But Thought Provoking Meme

2010-02-18T09:24:00.001-05:00

Found this at Lynnez's Livejournal page. Thought I would work on it today as it's a sit around and wait for people kind of day.

1. You can press a button that will make any one person explode. Who would you blow up?

Toss up between Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin. One is dangerous the other is annoying.

2. You can flip a switch that will wipe any band or musical artist out of existence. Which one will it be?

I can't choose just one. Probably most country and rap artists would make this list. I do like select artists in each genre but they are my LEAST favorite.

3. Who would you really like to just punch in the face?

See answer number 1. ;-) You can include anyone on FOX (Fucked news).

4. What is your favorite cheese?

Hard to choose just one but I suppose provolone.

5. You can only have one kind of sandwich. Every sandwich ingredient known to humankind is at your immediate disposal. What kind will you make?

BLT I love BLTs. :-)

6. You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie or sports celebrity of your choice. We are talking no-strings-attached sex and it can only happen once. Who is the lucky celebrity of your choice?

Easily Vincent D'Onofrio. Or perhaps Johnny Depp? Guess I'd have to toss a coin. lol

7. You have the opportunity to sleep with the music celebrity of your choice. Who do you pick?

Wow, having met a few music celebrities in the course of my early days in radio, I think I'll pass. You never know what they might have picked up in the course of their carousing with groupies. I'm not kidding.

Maybe I could sleep with Vincent and Johnny since I'm opting out of the rock star option.

8. Now that you’ve slept with two different people in a row, you seem to be having an excellent day because you just came across a hundred-dollar bill on the sidewalk. Holy shit, a hundred bucks! How are you gonna spend it?

Probably on practical stuff because I'm boring. lol In my younger days it would have been clothes or shoes.

9. You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?

Hawaii - for some sanity and escape from the tea party types who live around me.

10. Upon arrival to the aforementioned location, you get off the plane and discover another hundred-dollar bill. Shit! Now that you are in the new location, what are you gonna do?

Buy omiyage for family. That would be Japanese for gifts. lol It's that Japanese thing where whenever you go on a trip you're supposed to buy stuff for people back home.

11. An angel appears out of Heaven and offers you a lifetime supply of the alcoholic beverage of your choice. It is…?

Well, I don't drink much - since college anyway - so....hmmm....maybe Kahulua because I can use it for all kinds of things instead of just drinking. Plus it tastes good and I can make White Russians. :-) One of my favorites.

12. Rufus appears out of nowhere with a time-traveling phone booth. You can go anytime in the PAST. What time are you traveling to and what are you going to do when you get there?

Who the hell is Rufus? Is he the character from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure played by George Carlin? I don't remember the guy's name.

But I digress...let's see, when would I like to travel to? Ideally I'd love to visit ancient Egypt or Rome but it was hot and no modern conveniences so I'll stick to the 1960's. I want to be there when the Beatles hit the ground in America. I was alive then but I was a child. To see it as an adult would be most awesome.

13. You discover a beautiful island upon which you may build your own society. You make the rules. What is the first rule you put into place?

No conservatives allowed.

14. You have been given the opportunity to create the half-hour TV show of your own design. What is it called and what’s the premise?

I'd call it Good News and feature uplifting, happy news stories instead of the horrible stuff we're faced with everyday. NO POLITICS. No kidding. lol Me, political junkie is tired of the negative ragging on each other and screaming. Even the liberals are screaming and it's making me nuts.

15.What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck. I swear a lot but when I do, generally this is the word that comes out. lol

16.One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren’t really doing anything, they’re just standing around your bed. What do you do?

Ask them to get out. lol

17. Your house is on fire, holy shit! You have just enough time to run in there and grab ONE inanimate object. Don’t worry, your loved ones and pets have already made it out safely. So what’s the item?

My laptop. I have everything on it.

18. The Angel of Death has descended upon you. Fortunately, the Angel of Death is pretty cool and in a good mood, and it offers you a half-hour to do whatever you want before you bite it.

Spend it with my family. Say goodbye to the granddaughters and make them know it's okay. Grandma will be just fine. Try and make sure my hubby will be taken care of with his emphysema.

19. You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What’s it gonna be?

I'd like the ability to become invisible. :-) It would be great to be able to go about unseen. Think of the things I could learn as a reporter! lol

20. You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again?

My first date with my husband. :-)

21.You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?

Really haven't had anything horrible happen to me. I mean I've had bad things happen. Illness, etc. Perhaps I would like to erase my husband's emphysema. Yes, I know it happened to him not me but it does affect my life in a big way as well. It's not easy to see your loved one suffer.

22. You got kicked out of the country for being a time-traveling heathen who sleeps with celebrities and has super-powers. But check out this cool shit… you can move to anywhere else in the world! Bitchin’! What country are you going to live in now?

England. I've always wanted to live there for a while. When I was little I used to think it was the coolest place and visiting there was awesome.

23. This question still counts, even for those of you who are under age. Check it out. You have been eternally banned from every single bar in the world except for ONE. Which one is it gonna be?

I don't go to bars any more so it's no big deal to me. lol

24. Hopefully you didn’t mention this in the super-powers question…. If you did, then we’ll just expand on that. Check it out… Suddenly, you have gained the ability to FLOAT!!! Whose house are you going to float to first, and be like “Dude, check it out…I can FLOAT!”?

The grandchildren. They would really think Grandma Marsha is super cool then. lol

25. The constant absorption of magical moonbeams mixed with the radioactive vegetables you consumed earlier has given you the ability to resurrect the dead famous-person of your choice. So which celebrity will you bring back to life?

John Lennon. His death affected me personally the most.

26. The Celestial Gates of Beyond have opened, much to your surprise because you didn’t think such a thing existed. Death appears. As it turns out, Death is actually a pretty cool entity, and happens to be in a fantastic mood. Death offers to return the friend/family-member/person, etc. of your choice to the living world. Who will you bring back?

My dad. I feel I never got to spend enough time with him as an adult as he died when I was 25. I had a lot of good years with my mom - even though she did have Alzheimer's for the last seven of them. My dad and I went through phases. I was daddy's girl until I was a teenager. Then I was a pain until I graduated college. Then I was okay except for my choice of careers - broadcasting - but we got along a lot better. But he died before I could tell him that he was mostly right and I'm becoming more like him everyday. I think he'd like that. lol

27. What’s your theme song?

Find The River by R.E.M.

It's kind of Michael Stipe stream-of-consciousness style of song writing that I love. I get from it life's journey as an observer. Going out and finding my way in life. Going my own way. You know, all that deep meaning of life crap. lol It's the most beautiful R.E.M. song ever and can be found on Automatic For the People - my favorite R.E.M. album. Here are the lyrics.

Find the River - R.E.M.

Hey now, little speedyhead,

The read on the speedmeter says
You have to go to task in the city
Where people drown and people serve.
Don't be shy. Your just deserve
Is only just light years to go.

Me, my thoughts are flower strewn
Ocean storm, bayberry moon.
I have got to leave to find my way.
Watch the road and memorize
This life that pass before my eyes.
Nothing is going my way.

The ocean is the river's goal,
A need to leave the water knows
We're closer now than light years to go.

I have got to find the river,
Bergamot and vetiver
Run through my head and fall away.
Leave the road and memorize
This life that pass before my eyes.
Nothing is going my way.

There's no one left to take the lead,
But I tell you and you can see
We're closer now than light years to go.
Pick up here and chase the ride.
The river empties to the tide.
Fall into the ocean.

The river to the ocean goes,
Afortune for the undertow.
None of this is going my way.
There is nothing left to throw
Of Ginger, lemon, indigo,
Coriander stem and rose of hay.
Strength and courage overrides
The privileged and weary eyes
Of river poet search naivete.
Pick up here and chase the ride.
The river empties to the tide.
All of this is coming your way.

[NP: Foo Fighters - Times Like These]

This Is Unacceptable

2010-02-15T10:49:00.000-05:00

Look, everyone who knows me in the LOCI fandom knows I love Jeff Goldblum. I figure he's just filling in the spaces for Vincent so Vincent could do his half of the LOCI eps. And Goldblum has a quirky personality I find rather appealing. Always have.

However, in the latest USA promo - found in my Google alerts as I no longer watch anything on USA ever, it seems they're already downplaying Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe by implying Goldblum will be in the season premiere with his new little chippy and he's most prominent in it as if the other two are already just guest stars. Okay, maybe I'm just being overly sensitive but honestly, WTF? Fuck you USA and Wolf productions. After eight years you toss away your stars as if they didn't matter at all. I'm just really pissed all over again after having calmed myself and even considered watching the final episode - I call it that because essentially, once they get rid of Goren and Eames it ceases to be LOCI as far as I and many fans are concerned.

Here's the promo. I hope it's Goren and Eames only. Nichols and chippy can have it when they're done.

[NP: Sam & Dave - Soul Man]

Another Reason I Love Stephen Colbert

2010-02-11T09:23:00.000-05:00

This happened on Monday so I am a bit late but this is too good to not share. It just points out even more the hypocrisy of Sarah Palin. The woman has the brain of a gnat.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Sarah Palin Uses a Hand-O-Prompter

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Economy

This is what Colbert does best. Point out the ludicrousness of the radical right and their outright stupidity and hypocrisy. It shows them to be the joke they really are. Of course Sarah Palin doesn't need any help looking foolish and stupid. Makes me wonder how she even got through school. What a horrible thing our American school system is to have allowed her to graduate. Explains her 10 years of college at various schools, though.

I sound like a liberal elitist? Great! And you know what? If you are a tea party nutbag, I do think you're stupid. Why being smart is frowned upon by the right is just beyond me. Guess it makes stupid people feel better about being stupid.

Again, apologies to Val and others who can't get this video. I will check out YouTube later to see if someone has posted it there.

[NP: Neko Case - Soulful Shade of Blue]

I Am So Not A Football Fan But....

2010-02-08T09:58:00.000-05:00

...I do like to see the ads AFTER the Superbowl is over. Came across this one and wanted to have it handy so I'm sharing it here.

Guess Dave and Jay get along better than appearances would let on. Apparently it was Dave's idea. Leno and Oprah flew in to film it at the Ed Sullivan Theater after Dave finished filming the Late Show. All very hush hush and Jay and Dave got along well. I'm surprised NBC said it was okay.

Oh well, that's all I have to say about the Superbowl. Despite my interest in NASCAR for a few years and my interest in Tigers baseball, I'm generally still not a sports person. lol

[NP: Elvis Costello - Radio, Radio]

Kathryn Erbe At Sundance

2010-02-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

Saw this and grabbed it. She's promoting her movie 'Three Back Yards.' Found it here in my Kathryn Erbe Google Alert.

Doesn't she look great? I think she does. I already miss her and they haven't even aired the final Goren/Eames episode.

Wish I had more to say but I'm so annoyed with the state of this country and the moronic mind-set of the conservatives in this country I am stunned into momentary silence. Yeah, as you may have guessed I caught a glimpse of that awful Sarah Palin at the tea party convention. The woman has a voice that makes nails on a chalk board sound soothing.

[NP: R.E.M. - Electrolite]

Something To Think About

2010-01-23T22:06:00.000-05:00

For all my complaints about life, politics and the state of the media in this country, I have to say that sometimes I forget how fortunate I am. I haven't been reading blogs much as of late and when I stopped by fellow VDO fan Basric's blog, I was quite humbled and realized that if my biggest problem is learning new software and dealing with corporate morons, then I'm doing great.

The internet is a wonderful thing most of the time as I have met extraordinary people from all over the world and right here in this country. Read this and the following posts and take the time to know that there are really good people out there who make a positive difference in this world.

Sending out good thoughts to Basric and her colleagues working hard out there to do whatever they can to help their fellow human beings.

[NP: U2 - One]

Former Law & Order: Criminal Intent Stars For Planned Parenthood

2010-01-21T18:11:00.000-05:00

Found this over at These Are Their Stories blog. I wanted to share it here.

Eric Bogosian, Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe and Julianne Nicholson speak out for Planned Parenthood. Good to see them standing up against Stupak. It was just one component of the Health Care Reform bill I am against. No public option is another.

I am so fed up with the whole process I don't even care that the former Republican centerfold from Boston won the election. Maybe this reform should be stopped right now before they make things even worse. I am just amazed at how badly the Democrats are handling this whole thing.

At this point I really don't give a rat's ass what Republicans want. I'd tell them to go fuck themselves like they fucked this country for the last 8 years and pass REAL reform. Until that happens, we will never have true health care reform in this country.

I am glad they are standing up for this and I am on this side of this issue. It's just amazing that our reproductive rights are facing a challenge with a Democratic Congress.

[NP: David Bowie - Rebel Never Gets Old]

Happy Belated New Year

2010-01-20T10:55:00.000-05:00

Well, I think I'm finally getting over my post-holiday doldrums. Not depression, just laziness. I guess after all that activity leading up to the holidays and during the holidays, I just crave silence and solitude and passively reading and/or watching television.

But, recent events have been nagging at me and I thought I'd reach out and let people know that I am alive and mostly well. I would have written pages about the whole political landscape but recently saw Jon Stewart sum things up nicely. Here is that little gem:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Mass Backwards

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

Yep, pretty much I am as frustrated as he is. There go those Democrats, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. WTF? It's disheartening that the Republicans can remain as unpopular as they are throughout this country and still stop a "super majority' of Democrats. If Democrats would grow some balls and tell those fuckers to bend over and take it like they made us take it for eight miserable years, then maybe things would get done.

This country may be going to hell in a hand basket as it were. Between the Democrats fumbling and the Republicans turning our media into tabloid bullshit, it's just becoming surreal. Rupert Murdoch created FUCKED news and now having taken over the Wall Street Journal, you see op-ed pieces in that once revered publication by Rush Limbaugh AND Sarah Palin. Yep. Palin. A woman who apparently doesn't understand how North and South Korea are two separate countries. Wow. Let's not talk to her about Vietnam or her little head will explode....oh wait, on second thought, go ahead. ;-)

Oh well, Jon Stewart summed up my frustrations quite nicely on that.

Now here's my favorite late night talk show host, David Letterman, going over the late night debacle created by NBC.

Now, I think with this latest disaster NBC has effectively hastened their demise. I'm sure Conan O'Brien fans will happily join in on the boycott of NBC that LOCI fans got started recently thanks to the loss of Goren and Eames. Okay, so it's mostly a Dick Wolf debacle but NBC certainly didn't help. The way they treated the show throughout the time it's been on NBC and on USA, they deserve all the crap being heaped on them now.

So I'm with Dave. I'm enjoying the heck out of the whole thing. Now I'm feeling sorry for Conan O'Brien and even Jay Leno, although with Jay being such a company stooge, it's easier to feel sorry for Conan.

I'm a borderline anarchist so I generally don't respect people who kowtow to corporate stooges. And while I understand the POV that it's just business. Generally, I don't respect people who can separate their personal feelings for just business either.

I wonder if Jay remembers how in the beginning, when Dave first started at CBS, Dave kicked his ass in the ratings for a few years before Jay turned it around. So instead of stepping away completely, he hangs around, as Dave said. Kind of makes me think Jay isn't as nice as he appears to be.

Well, all I can say is, I hope things work out all right for Conan. I'm not a huge fan but I see how he was the wronged party in all of this. The knee jerk reaction to lack of instant success in this modern day of television is the reason good shows never get a chance to develop. Explains the lack of good original drama on network television. Hope NBC is the first network to go. Couldn't have happened to a better group of guys. lol

P. S. To Val and other U.K. denizens, I hope the CBS link works. I know Comedy Central is still stupid for whatever reason but hopefully CBS is better.

[NP: Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing]

And I Just Can't Stop...

2009-12-27T20:46:00.000-05:00

...obsessing over what happens to Goren and Eames in their LOCI finale.

I'm sure all my fellow obsessed fans have seen these photos by now.

Our favorite detectives look unhappy.

What would make them unhappy?

The death of a colleague?

Goren & Eames at Ross' desk?

Does this mean what we think it means?

I still don't want to watch the final episode - hey, I don't care what anyone says it's the LAST LOCI episode because Goren & Eames are LOCI - because I just don't know if Eames will end up dead. We've all speculated before and we've been wrong before.

The thing is, I can't imagine what would make Goren and Eames leave just because Ross dies. I can see why Goren would leave if Eames dies and I can see how maybe Ross might be fired or something for circumstances that cause her death because he is the captain and all. You know, like Goren and Eames do something they're not authorized to do and Ross covers for them or something.

Heck, now I'm doing it again. lol It must be human nature.

Oh well, I'm apparently still attached enough to the characters that I'm actually worrying about them. And the idiots at Wolf Productions think they can replace Goren and Eames? Good luck with that.

On the upside, I've actually gotten the outline of a fan fic in my head that will make me feel better. It's been over a year or maybe two since I've written anything. Now I've just got to go ahead and do it. lol

Hope you all had a great Christmas! I'll have more time on New Year's weekend to catch up with you all. We had the force of nature known as our family here for Christmas - well the day after actually - and it was loud, joyful and very precious. And also blessedly silent in the aftermath.

New Year's is a stay at home and do nothing weekend for us. If we lived in Honolulu still I might be tempted to go out somewhere but with the weather, Jim's health and my not wanting to drive at night in the winter it's just too much of a problem. I think we'll watch more of Season 4 of LOCI and enjoy the retrospective news shows.

[NP: Smashing Pumpkins - Drown]

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-24T21:49:00.000-05:00

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas! Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me throughout the year.

I Survived!

2009-12-20T22:44:00.000-05:00

Well, all traces of my cold are gone and I managed to learn something during my week of training on the new software. Now all I have to do is enjoy the next couple of weeks. :-)

Somehow I even managed to finish my Christmas shopping. I'm feeling pretty good about the holidays this year. Normally I'm dreading them. Getting used to the new laptop at home, too. So naturally being the cynic I am expecting something to go wrong at any minute. Yeah, I know, I really need to stop that.

So now it's time to enjoy the season as much as possible. Roy Orbison is playing on the stereo and the house is decorated and the cats are being mostly good. For all the stuff we've gone through this past year - my husband's illness and hospitalization - we're quite lucky. We have a roof over our heads, our budget is being met, we had enough money to buy Christmas presents and food. So despite my complaining I have a job so I should shut-up and appreciate it. It's easy this week. The main boss is out of town and it's a short week. lol

I have a lot I want to blog about but not much time. Will try and get something posted this week. Lots on my mind politically. Been watching some great movies and want to write about Oz's finale. Why couldn't LOCI have ended on such a high? Oh right, some people don't know when to quit.

Anyway, thanks to the email inquiries regarding my health and all. Things are good and will write more later. :-) Hope you all are doing well.

[NP: Roy Orbison - Pretty Woman]