First off in the awesome news, I'm watching an episode of "Murder, She Wrote" featuring a very young Neil Patrick Harris. Je s'adore.


Second, today was pretty awesome because I spent it at Epcot in celebration of Cinqo de Mayo. We lunched at Mexico and drank at nearly every other country. Lovely.


Third, both my birthday and my half-birthday are holidays. Like, real ones...not "Sweethearts' Day" or "May Day." Who else can say that? Neither are American holidays, though...damn.

[For the curious, the aforementioned holidays are Guy Fawkes' Day and Cinqo de Mayo. Rock.]


Fourth, I like the idea of being able to watch tv episodes online, but it's been my experience that most of the network websites are crap. Except ABC. ABC.com's full episode videos are the most reliable and easy to use of any major site. Well done, ABC.


That is all.

So I've been marathoning "The Office" (seasons two and three yesterday and today). And I do really enjoy the show. It's fantastic, though not my favorite. I like "How I Met Your Mother" better. And "Psych" beats it out, too.

Probably because Michael Scott is my least favorite character. Sometimes he can be funny and most of the time he's not incredibly annoying, but he can be so over the top and awkward. That's hard to watch. I love almost everyone else better. Creed, Kevin, Oscar, Angela, Dwight, Toby, Meredith, and even Ryan the douchebag. And it really goes without saying that Jim and Pam are my favorite(s) (either as a couple or separate). I mean...come on. They alone are worth watching the show.


Though that's not the point of this post. What I meant to say before I got off on my tangent was that they have really interesting people writing and directing episodes of the show.

I watched one last night directed by Joss Whedon. And the one I'm watching now was directed by J.J. Abrams. Whoa and what? A bit of a different genre for those guys, but totally awesome none the less.

And I suppose it makes sense that the writers would come from the creative team behind "The Office," and guys who write themselves into the show as well. B.J. Novak is credited as the show's creator, as well as a producer, has written episodes, and plays Ryan. Paul Lieberstein is a co-executive/consulting producer, episode writer, and Toby.

I don't know if people pay attention to the little white credits that flash across the bottom of the screen, but I do. And I think that's really cool and crazy interesting.

Mark: Hey, if you were sleeping with Rose, I could understand why you're spending time with her, but you're not. And it's... it's just I thought that uh... you know. I thought it was just gonna be you and me!
Derek: Having sex?
Mark: After! After Addison, after Meredith. I have been patient. I have waited when you partnered up with these chicks, but now they're over. And it's supposed to be just us! You and me; two guys on the prowl, on the hunt.
Derek: You're having trouble getting laid. And you need my help.
Mark: I can get laid.
Derek: Mm-hmm.
Mark: I can get laid whenever I want.
Derek: Uh-huh.
Mark: I do get laid whenever I want.
Derek: Uh-huh.
Mark: That's the point. Women are everywhere. I only have one person I can talk to.
Derek: That's sweet.
Mark: Shut up!
Derek: No, it was really warm and fuzzy; very sweet.
Mark: Shut up.


So after that long intro...I wanted to discuss a bit of "Grey's Anatomy." (Feel free to skip the rest of this entry if you are not a "Grey's" fan.)

I was initially sad when I discovered Kate Walsh would be "returning to Seattle Grace," which I assume means that "Private Practice" has been cancelled. I had been enjoying "Private Practice" more than "Grey's" lately for the simple fact that it was less dramatic and more fun and Tim Daly is ridiculously good looking (especially given his age). Though I am glad that Addison isn't being dropped entirely. I do love her so.

[Edit: I just saw a commercial that "Private Practice" is returning in the fall. So ignore all of that...and yay! Tim Daly and his 52-year-old sexiness will be returning.]

And when I watched an episode of "Grey's" from January (three episodes ago), I was disheartened by the amount of drama and found my favorite parts were Mark Sloan and Erica Hahn (with whom I'm secretly in love).

I'm glad that Derek and Meredith have split up. I was a supporter of theirs for so long, and I have always been a staunch Meredith-lover despite her crazy commitment-phobic-ness (or possibly because of it, because I see a lot of myself in her). However, it got to the point where she was backpedaling and protesting and digging her heals in the sand too much. He had been patient. He waited. She was given the time and if she doesn't feel sure about things yet...it's time to cut loose. I still love Derek (who doesn't love some McDreamy), but Meredith is falling by the wayside.

So I'm concerned. I feel less for the characters than I used to. Their neuroses tend to piss me off more than make me like them, and I'm hoping for some changes in their lives/behaviors. I think a good example is George. After his disastrous marriage to Callie (who I only like now because of her relationship to Hahn), his awkward fling with Izzie, and his failure of the residency exam, I'm really glad he's moved in with Lexie. He can get passed the drama and the really crappy parts of his life/character and try to get back to the good old George we all knew and loved. It's Etch-a-Sketch style, perhaps, just dropping everything and moving on...but I think it's what the show needs.

I do have a good feeling that it will try to return to the humor and lightness that it had when the series began. I liked it because it was mostly a comedy with a little seriousness peppered in. It wasn't all train wrecks and ferry disasters and depressing storyline after depressing storyline. It was witty and interesting, and the characters were fucked up in really good and fascinating ways.

But I'm still concerned. Concerned that the characters will not change. Concerned that the plot will continue down the strictly dramatic route and forget its roots. And if that happens, maybe I'll be able to start watching "The Office" and "30 Rock" on a weekly basis, because "Grey's" will fall from my TiVo's To-Do List.


Just some thoughts.

For the first time since probably sophomore year of high school (so...7 years?) I left my place of residence without ANY makeup.

No foundation, no powder, and (most shocking of all), no eyeliner.

Whoa.

(To put it in perspective, I don't even take out the trash or walk across the parking lot to get the mail without putting on foundation and eyeliner.)

I'm so Tilda Swinton. ;-)


Additionally, I went out in public without a hoodie over the tank top I'm wearing. Bare arms outside...so not me.


Granted, I was just going to the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market to return a couple Redbox DVDs and get some dinner via drive-thru.

Which brings me to my next talking point...I love the Redbox. I had a promo code for a free rental, so yesterday I went and rented The Golden Compass (about which I expressed my disappointment earlier) and Cloverfield (which I felt was ridiculously good in many ways...mostly in filmmaker-y creativity).

Both movies cost me a total of $1.07.

Perfect.


And as a final note: I'm having my weekly "why the fuck is everything on at 9pm on a Thursday night?" dilemma. My TiVo is currently recording "CSI" and "Grey's Anatomy."

And I know I should be grateful that it can record two shows at once. Except that I'm missing out on "The Office"/"30 Rock" AND "Don't Forget the Lyrics" featuring Bret Michaels.

Boo.

Apparently, my TiVo needs to be able to record 4 shows at once. Damn you Thursday night TV!!!

I think today was "phone calls from friends" day.

I received calls from Zoe, Caitlin, and Candace. And I called no one. Because I'm clearly a terrible friend.

But it was so cheerful!


Anyway, so I'm back in Orlando after a week of traveling to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for my cousin Tiffany's wedding (she just turned 22, BTW).

The wedding was pretty good. The night I stayed at my sister Fayanne's house and got to meet my newest niece (who is a total cutie) was the best part of my week. The worst was most certainly spending 50 hours in a car with my parents. Ugh.


In other good news, I got an email today from my art history professor/thesis advisor about a possible internship, so I sent a resume to a woman at the Orlando Museum of Art. Still waiting to hear from her. If I don't by Monday, I'll start applying for other jobs (movie theater, Disney, whatever).


So yes. Family, friends, possible job. Things are feeling good.

Plus, I'm back in my own apartment with my own bed in my own room and my own bathroom. Which always feels good.


Oh, and I watched NPH on Ellen (he watched the Idol too!), and started watching "How I Met Your Mother" before Idol started. I love him. I really need to go see Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay...just for my NPH fix.

Mmm...Pirates is on USA.

It really goes without saying that it makes me exceedingly happy and pains me greatly to have to turn it off.

But alas, I have work to do. And I've seen it close to 10 times already.

And to be completely honest, I think I like the second one better. Evil Tom Hollander, a scruffy and dirty Commodore Norrington, a three-way battle between the hottest men, a lip-lock between Jack and Elizabeth, and Elizabeth dressed as a boy pirate? Really...it kicks the first one's ass.

Not to mention that it has significantly less plot holes. Because honestly, the Aztec curse makes no sense.

Though the original does have some great lines. So very quotable.


Damn, I love me some Commodore Norrington. And to be honest, Will is a bit of a pussy. I'm not a fan.

I take back what I said about Ted Levine not being entirely recognizable as Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs while portraying Capt. Leland Stottlemeyer in "Monk."

It turns out that in the earlier years of the show, when his hair was darker and shorter, and his mustache significantly smaller...he is very much Buffalo Bill.

Eww.

I will still watch the episode, of course, but I never really liked the early seasons anyway. And Natalie is ten times better than Sharona (she was so annoying and kind of mean).

----

In other news: I just took my Geography exam, so I'm done with that class FOREVER. Sweet.

And grades will be posted later TONIGHT. Double sweet.

----

It's my Mom's birthday today. She turned 60. Whoa.

Additionally, I was the first of her children to call and wish her a "happy birthday" so I think I get a gold star for that.

Also, this weekend, she's coming out to Orlando (most likely with my aunt Judy) so we can go to a Norman Rockwell exhibit at the Orlando Museum of Art. I'd say "I'm taking her to the museum for her birthday" but that would imply that I'll be paying, and I seriously doubt she'll let me pay for myself, let alone for her.

But it should be a good time. We might even be heading to Downtown Disney afterward for some shopping.

----

I am TOTALLY craving some Pizza Hut. That greasy, yet crispy pan pizza crust is sounding soooo good.

Methinks I'll be ordering some delivery for dinner.

----

Tomorrow, I'm going shopping after class. I am in desperate need of new bras. Good thing I got a $100 Victoria's Secret gift card for Christmas.

I might also look for something new to wear to my cousin's wedding. I'm thinking of sporting the sweater and pants look...it's going to be cold and I really don't like dresses unless they are princess-y and I can't wear a princess-y dress to a wedding that isn't mine. Can't show up the bride and all that. I'll probably wear heels and hose, though, so that's something.

Florida Mall, here I come!

----

I think that's all I've got.

I love Casablanca. I'm not being a pretentious film snob when I say it's one of my favorite films of all time. It is simply fantastic.


"I've often speculated why you don't return to America. Did you abscond with the church funds? Run off with a senator's wife? I like to think you killed a man. It's the Romantic in me."

Oh, Claude Rains. Captain Renault is easily one of the best comedic characters of all time. So glib!

Does anyone else think it's a little odd (but pretty damn cool) that NBC is starting to air episodes of "Monk" and "Psych" on Sunday nights?


I mean...I think it may lead to an interesting trend of starting niche shows on basic cable, and once they make it big (critical acclaim, audience recognition), move it to network.

For now, they may just be hoping to get more people to tune in to the cable broadcasts...but in the future, it's very possible. A lot of shows would benefit. Prime-time TV is risky, and networks are very timid with new shows. If ratings aren't stellar, they get pulled after only a few episodes.

I think something like "What About Brian?" could have been huge on Lifetime, and maybe "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" could have had a longer life on Bravo. (Granted, both of those shows had a full season run before being cancelled, but it's hard to think of a better example, as shows that get pulled after only three episodes don't ingrain themselves in memory.)


I also think it's quite brilliant that they're airing the episode with NBC alumnus Jason Alexander. Try to rope in those "Seinfeld" fans. (I hope it works, "Monk" is excellent.)


In related news, it's really hard for me to watch Ted Levine as Capt. Stottlemeyer when just this morning I watched Silence of the Lambs (in which he plays the woman-suit making, psychopathic killer Buffalo Bill). I mean, he looks extremely different now, but his voice has that same deep, gravelly quality. "It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again." *shudder*

And on a sad note, Stanley Kamel, the actor who played Monk's psychiatrist, died last week.

Oh, just 'cause...


Mac: But our shenanigans are cheeky and fun!
Foster: [referring to Farva] Yeah, and his shenanigans are cruel and tragic...which makes them not really shenanigans at all.
Mac: [in a silly voice] Evil shenanigans!
Captain O'Hagan: I swear to God I'm going to pistol whip the next guy who says "shenanigans."
Mac: Hey Farva! What's the name of that restaurant you like with all the goofy shit on the walls and the mozzarella sticks?
Farva: You mean Shenanigans?
Mac and Thorny: [handing the Captain their pistols] OOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I find that most of the movies I watch on TV...I own on DVD.

Earlier, I caught the end of A Good Year, and I just finished watching John Tucker Must Die (both on HBO).

And now? I've got Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on one channel, and Super Troopers for the commercial breaks.


Now, you may be thinking that it's ridiculous to waste my time watching something I can watch anytime (and in widescreen without commercial interruptions).

But I think differently. See, it goes to show that the movies I like to watch the most, I already own on DVD. So my collection reflects my likes accurately and encompasses films that are suited for repeat viewing (why own DVDs that you'd never want to watch, despite how "good" they may be?).



Additionally, Kenneth Branagh is a total douche bag. He better be amazing in bed, because I don't know how else he could have gotten both Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter. (As an entertaining side note, all of those people have been featured in Harry Potter films.)

I love, love, love "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style."

Mostly because I love, love, love Tim Gunn. (Veronica Webb is good, too.)

Every time I watch this show, I'm reminded how fantastic both he and the show are. So much better than something like "What Not to Wear." The 10 Essentials are so genius and the fact that they always work with the women to feel better about themselves is so important.

Fantastic. But I always end up crying...sometimes as early as 10 minutes in.

Who knew clothing could be so emotional?

My long week is finally over.

On Tuesday, I turned in my completed draft of my thesis.

Today, I turned in my term paper, and then took my Geography test. I think both went very well.


So tonight? I am having a one-woman party with a bottle of cheap champagne (you know it's quality when it has a twist-off top) and watching a Law & Order: CI episode with Neil Patrick Harris playing a sociopathic killer (not my favorite role for him, but I'll take what I can get). Thank you, TiVo Wish List for picking up on that one.


When this is over, I'll probably put on a Netflix and get to bed by 11:30 or so.


This weekend, I might see a couple movies (I still haven't seen Stop-Loss, and tomorrow, Leatherheads opens). Then, Saturday and Sunday will probably be spent at Disney. My brother, his wife, and their daughter are coming down, so I believe my parents and possibly some of the other Florida family will be heading out this way as well. Yay.

I mentioned before how I watch TV only during meal breaks from writing my thesis and term paper, and just now I had It Could Happen to You on one channel, while A League of Their Own covered for commercials on another.

It kills me to have to turn them off...who doesn't love mid-90s chick flicks?


But I have been SUPER productive last night, and already this morning. My term paper is nearly finished, and it's to a point now where I can put it aside until after I finish working on my thesis.

You see, the term paper is due on Thursday, whereas the thesis is due Tuesday so you may think that I should have been giving the thesis priority. However, the term paper actually lays some of the important groundwork for the central argument of my thesis, so it was beneficial to work out all the logistic in one before plugging it in to the other. If that makes sense.

And so I have been adding to my thesis a great deal, taking largely from what I've already written for my term paper. I've also been editing my thesis to incorporate the comments my professor suggested.

I still have a lot to do, and only two days in which to do it. I'm more than a little nervous. There's a possibility I won't get it all done, but I hope not. I will be staying up late tonight (I'm sure of it), and then tomorrow I'm done with class by 9:30, so I'll have the entire day in which to write more.


And so I have used as my subject line for the post the immortal words of Will Ferrell to cover my bases and call upon all metaphysical beings to help me in completing this most difficult task. I really don't want to have to go into my thesis advisor and say "I know I had a month, and all of Spring Break...but it's not done." Yeah, I was irresponsible...but I was so done with this thing I wanted to shove a spork in my eye.

Well, I should probably get to work, because I don't have a lot of faith in Tom Cruise to help me get this shit done.

Pride and Prejudice was on during my dinner break (I have resolved to keep the TV off all weekend, but I do like to have it on while I eat, so I get about 10-15 minutes of TV viewing each meal).

Anyway, I couldn't resist...


Mr. Darcy: So this is your opinion of me. Thank you for explaining so fully. Perhaps these offences might have be overlooked had not your pride been hurt by my honesty...
Elizabeth Bennet: My pride?
Mr. Darcy: ...in admitting scruples about our relationship. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?
Elizabeth Bennet: And those are the words of a gentleman. From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.
[They look at each other for a long time as though about to kiss]
Mr. Darcy: Forgive me, madam, for taking up so much of your time.


Sadly, that wasn't the part I saw...but I did turn it on just in time for my favorite facial feature of the entire film. When Elizabeth (with her aunt and uncle) arrives at Pemberley and there's a medium shot of her face and she sort of giggles to herself in a way that indicates how ridiculous she finds the large manor to be, as though a house like that couldn't possibly exist in the real world.

It's the same reaction you would have if someone came up to you and asked to borrow a billion dollars. "Yeah, sure. Do you want it in cash form, or will you take a check?"

First off, who doesn't love "The O.C."?

Two episodes everyday on SoapNet? It's perfect. Especially on Tuesdays and Thursday when I have exactly one hour at home between classes, so from 3 to 4, I get to enjoy the unsubtle melodramadie of life in Newport Beach. Lovely.


Second, I have some big plans for movies this weekend. Tomorrow, I have class from 8:30 to 9:20am, which gives me plenty of time to get out to Altamonte Springs for a 10:30am, $5 showing of Run, Fatboy, Run at the AMC. After which I will meander home via Winter Park so that I can catch the 2:35pm Stop-Loss at the Regal there.

I don't know if I'll make it a triple-feature day, or if I'll save 21 for Saturday or Sunday, but I guarantee you, I'll be seeing it this weekend as well. Because I must. Jim Sturgess and Kevin Spacey? And gambling? Yes, please! Lovelyness abounds!!


Third, sadly that's all a lot of procrastination and I have SHITLOAD of work to do this weekend. So methinks that the television is staying off starting at 4pm when I turn off "The O.C." until probably next Tuesday night (I have to watch The Idol in realtime, or I can't vote...everything else important will be recorded on the TiVo).

5 full days without television. Thank god for TiVo.

Oh, and you should be prepared for an inordinate amount of posts. The internet will be my only outlet this weekend.

Good news and bad news.

Good news: "Bones" returns on April 14th.

Bad news: New episodes of "House" don't start until April 28th.


Another month? Ugh.


In other news, I've been procrastinating really bad today. And I have so much work to do. It's really terrible. Boo.