Where Has All The T.V. Gone?

Posted in TV by

Now that it’s the holidays, t.v. has gone on a vacation until the new year.  It’s slightly annoying, but I guess the actors needs a break, right?  Besides, it’ll give me a chance to catch up on Revenge and Person Of Interest, since I’m woefully behind on both shows.  I definitely like Revenge, and Person of Interest is interesting.  I like it, but I’m still on the fence about it.

America’s Next Top Model had their season finale this week, and it was certainly interesting.  I wanted Allison to win, but no such luck.  However, the last 20 minutes!  That was a very unexpected twist- they had to reshoot the final judging, since information came out about Angelea that disqualified her from the competition.  And they wanted to judge both Allison and Lisa on their own.  Absolutely no explanation of what happened with Angelea, but all signs point to her winning and posting that she won on Facebook.  It’s just a rumor, but it does seem likely.  And the way she was portrayed would certainly indicate she’d be the type to shout it to the world.  But who wouldn’t?  Still, for someone who really wanted to win, why would you potentially mess it up to post it on Facebook or whatever?

Then again, who knows why anyone does anything?  I’m sure next season will be interesting too, but I’m sad Andre Leon Talley is leaving the show.

I’m not sure what else to say about t.v., other than I’ll probably get far too used to reruns of stuff.

Laugh Until You Cry!

Posted in General by

I have been reading Cake Wrecks a lot over the last few days.  It’s absolutely hysterical- funny pictures combined with even funnier commentary means that I have laughed until I’ve started crying.

Half the time I don’t know if I should be horrified, confused, or laugh.  Or possibly all three.  It’s been known to happen.  If I ever need a good laugh, Cake Wrecks is definitely at the top of my list.  It’s rare that I laugh ’til I cry, but Cake Wrecks manages to do this rather frequently.

Also on my list is Doctor Grumpy!  It’s a blog written by a doctor, who blogs about funny headlines and news stories and weird products out in the world, but mostly it’s about life as a doctor and the funny/bizarre/annoying patients he encounters.

And Doctor Grumpy led me to This Is Not Artisan.  Basically, this woman posts about different processed foods that have “artisan” on the label, and points out how they’re not really artisan.  I know that description doesn’t sound like it would be funny, but it is a lot funnier than it sounds.  Seriously, go check it out.  With things like artisan Tostitos (the very first post) and Artisan Cola Soda Syrup (one of the more recent posts), how can you not be baffled by the things that have artisan slapped on?

Somehow, things always seem to be better when I’m crying because I’m laughing!

What To Do?

Posted in General by

It’s a week into December, and not writing everyday is still a little weird.  For all the thinking I’ve done about how much I wanted to work on old projects, I have yet to work on anything.  But since we’re only a week into December, there’s still the rest of the month to get writing. 

I’ve been thinking about inspiration the last couple days.  It can come from anywhere, and even when I’m not writing, I try to let my mind wander.  Listening to podcasts or a song, letting my mind wander while I’m crocheting, or reading a book can all provide inspiration.  

I guess this could possibly be a time of regrouping.  I know which projects I want to work on, but I do have a few projects that I’d like to work on at some point.  Like the roller derby novel and the historical fiction novel.  Maybe I’ll actually be able to decide on a plot and start planning it over the next year…after some reading of course!

I think I’ll try and get back into some sort of writing schedule.  What that is, I don’t know.  It might be everyday, it might be a couple days a week.  I think I’ll have to try different things and see what works. 

Perhaps I should crochet myself a really cool hat that can be my writer’s hat and get me into the writing mood!  Or something else, like a writing scarf.  Definitely something cool, that I only wear when I’m writing.  Perhaps that could lead to a plot bunny…

Fruits Basket, Volume 12

Posted in Books by

Book: Fruits Basket, Volume 12 by Natsuki Takaya

Pages: 192 Pages, Paperback

Summary and Review: In Volume 12 of Fruits Basket, Yuki meets the rest of the student council.  Tohru also meets with Kazuma (Kyo’s adoptive father) and asks how to break the curse of the zodiac.  He doesn’t know how to break it, and tells Tohru that it is hard for the members of the zodiac to resist Akito because of the blood bond they have.  Kyo and Kagura have a date, and she takes him to the place where she first saw his true form.  She admits that she clung to him because she felt guilty that she had it easy in comparision to Kyo.  Her love for him was based on pity, but Kyo tells her that he cannot love her.  She gives up on him, even though she still loves him.  We also see some of the parent-teacher conferences- Tohru is going to get a job after graduating, while Kyo is uncertain, because he doesn’t know what wil happen when he graduates. 

It’s getting really good, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!  I mean, I know what happens, but I’ve sorta forgotten, so I’ll be reminded.  The artwork is great, and we learn about the year of the monkey.  Plus, the fan art is really interesting to see, and there’s even a poem included in the fan art section. 

There really isn’t a whole lot to review in this volume, because there really isn’t a lot that happens, but the series is pretty consistent.  There’s a good story and some great illustrations.  It’s really interesting to see the characters grow throughout the series, and the characters are definitely different from when we first met them.  The relationship between Rin and Hatsuharu is interesting, as is the one between Kagura and Kyo.  I always found Kagura’s love of Kyo to be somewhat amusing in previous volumes, but in this one, you get the reasoning behind it, and you feel a little bad for Kagura. 

Rating: 5 out of 5.  I really do love the series, and I’m curious as to how Tohru breaking the curse will work out.

I Love Home Fries

Posted in Podcasts by

I am a fan of the Home Fries network.  It was started by Joy the Baker and they have a few different ones. 

Joy is doing a couple podcasts- one with Tracey from shutterbean where they talk about random stuff and the other is Joy interviewing different food bloggers and various other people.  Like Aarti from the Food Network and the lady who started the Cake Spy website.  At one point, I was listening to the Table Set, which is about entertaining and dinner parties and The Crush is about wine.  I’m not quite sure why I stopped, so maybe I need to give them another listen. 

It’s fun to hear her stories and thoughts on stuff and her conversations with Tracey!  And I’m curious as to who else she’ll be talking with on We’re About To Be Friends.  I laugh, and find myself jumping in on the conversation sometimes.  Come to think of it, I do that with a lot of podcasts I listen to…

Anyway, Home Fries has some interesting podcasts, and they’re what I’m listening to right now!

Gilmore Girls

Posted in Podcasts, TV by

Gilmore Girls is one of my all-time favorite shows, and I was so sad when it was cancelled!  I first came across Gilmore Girls on ABC Family, where they show reruns every weekday, and unfortunately, I only managed to watch 7 season (the last season) in it’s entirety.  I had only seen random episodes of the previous 5 season, and missed season 6 completely, so everything didn’t make sense.  Thanks to the wonder that is TV on DVD, I managed to get all 7 seasons, and watched the entire show in it’s entirety.

Listening to the Gilmore Girls Re-watch podcast, I felt inspired and compelled to re-watch the series.  I’ve seen each episode a few times, so I’m not confused or anything, but it’s a lot more fun listening to it when I’ve seen the episode right before listening.

It’s a great show, with a lot of great dialogue, witty banter, and pop culture references that go right over my head.  Plus, the relationships between all of the characters is really interesing.

I suppose it would be a good idea to talk about what the show is actually about, right?  It’s about Lorelei Gilmore and her daughter Lorelei (nickname: Rory) and their lives in fictional Stars Hollow.  I like the relationship between Rory and her mom, and the very different relationships that both Lorelei’s have with Richard and Emily, who are Rory’s grandparents and Lorelei’s parents.  The biggest thing, though, is the fact that Lorelei got pregnant at 16 and then left home some time after having Rory.  I also love the very colorful people of Stars Hallow- Miss Patty, Babette, Kirk, Luke and Taylor, to name a few.  And of course, Sookie, Lorelei’s best friend and Lane, who is Rory’s best friend.  And Paris…I could go on listing the different characters.

Listening to the podcast has really helped me think about the show in a different way- one cohost (Arkle) is a fan of the show, and Angela (another cohost) is watching the series for the first time.  It’s hilarious when Arkle brings something up, and it’s clear, it’s not trying to spoil anything for Angela.  They’ve had a couple cohosts- Colleen, who was around for a while, and now someone else (I think her name is Nina) when Colleen had to leave.  Both are fans of the show as well, and around the same age as Rory is in the 1st 3 seasons.  It’s really interesting to hear Angela’s point of view since she sometime brings up things I never thought about.  Rewatching the show, I definitely don’t like Dean and I’m glad it didn’t work out with Rory.  If only they could combine Dean’s companionship with Jess’ reading a lot and Logan’s spontaneity…then you’d have a great guy for Rory!

Sometimes, Rory is a little Mary Sue-ish for me.  I can relate to liking school and reading a lot, but sometimes…she’s a little too perfect.  In contrast to her mom, who has made some mistakes.  It’s definitely referenced several times throughout the first 3 seasons that Lorelei has let down her parents and severely disappointed them and that whole bit.  I wonder if it’s done on purpose to show that while the hopes and dreams Richard and Emily had for Lorelei didn’t happen, it could happen with Rory, who is definitely the child they wanted to Lorelei to be.

It’s been pretty fun rewatching it, and I may have to start doing that with a few other shows I like…

It’s Really Over, Isn’t It?

Posted in NaNo, Post-NaNo Wrap Up by

This was certainly the hardest NaNo I’ve ever done. 

I had thoughts of quitting, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.  For one thing, how can I inspire people to keep writing if I quit?  But I have yet to lose a NaNo, and I certainly was not going to let this year be the year that I quit.  My heart wasn’t completely in it, but by the end, I managed to get some energy and heart. 

I liked my original 2 ideas but after attempting to write them, I made the decision to abandon them.  They just weren’t working, and so I decided to start over with a new idea.  The new idea worked out only slightly better, but I decided to shelve the roller derby idea for another time.  And so I found myself in need of another idea.  What did I switch to?  Harry Potter, of course! 

The Harry Potter idea worked out the best, but considering that I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, it’s not a big surprise.  It all worked out, and I’m glad I kept with it.  Plus, the time I took off seemed to help, and I got a a breather. 

It’s not really a surprise that I had trouble though.  With a ridiculous 3 novels/150k a year ago, and 2 straight months of Camp NaNo, I was feeling slightly burned out.  Plus, writing isn’t always easy, I’m not always going to want to write, and my heart isn’t always going to be in it.  It happens, and last month, I really felt the burn!  Hopefully next year will be better and I’ll be back to my super-duper NaNo is awesome self!

So where do I go from here? 

I definitely realized that I like writing everyday.  Actually, reminded is a better word.  Because I realized that a year ago, so reminded is definitely more accurate.  And I probably won’t be writing everyday, but at least 2 or 3 days a week.  I certainly have more than enough projects to be working on something everyday. 

So, for the rest of the month, I’ll be going back to posting 5 days a week.  Have a great day!

Ding, Ding, Ding, You Are A Winner!

Posted in NaNo, Progress by

I won!  I can’t believe that I won!  It took me 4 different ideas, almost a week off of writing, and a lot of complaining and forcing myself to write to get there.  But I managed to get 50,381 words!  I didn’t finish on Monday like I had planned, but I’ll take finishing. 

I'm A Winner!

 I managed to win, and Harry Potter totally saved me.  When in doubt, write about Harry Potter. 

I did a happy dance to Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, because that’s what I was listening to when I won, and I had a cookie.  I knew I’d win today, so I made some cookies as my celebratory treat!

I’ll be back tomorrow with a post-NaNo wrap-up.

Wicked

Posted in Books by

Book: Wicked by Sara Shepard

Pages: 310 (Hardcover)

My Review: Wicked is the 5th book in the Pretty Little Liars series.  In book 5, a new A appears, sending the girls threatening texts.  They think it’s a joke because Mona (who was A) dies, and so they don’t take it seriously until they find Ian in the woods.  Emily falls for Isaac, a boy she met at a church event, and feels confused about her sexuality, but eventually comes to terms with the fact that she’s bisexual.  Hanna starts a new clique with Naomi, Riley, and her stepsister Kate.  Aria has feelings for Xavier, who she met at an art show, but he ends up dating her mother, whom he met through an online dating website.  And Spencer realizes that she might be adopted because her grandmother left her money to her “natural-born grandchildren.”  Ian still denies the fact that he killed Alison, and the girls discover that he was murdered by A after discovering his body in the woods.

So far, this is my least favorite book in the series.  I liked it, but it was slightly harder to get into.  We figured out who A was in Volume 4, but then A/Mona died in Volume 4, and suddenly a new A appears?  The girls just can’t get a break!

It didn’t really add anything new to the series, and I expected something more interesting since so much was resolved in Unbelievable.  But Wicked was more of a repeat of what happened in Unbelievable.  But it was still a good read, with a lot of intrigue and the murder of Ian will certainly make the next book really interesting.  In all honesty, it felt like it was written to make the publishers happy.  Like, the first 4 are doing well, so why don’t you write another one to keep it going?  It really felt like an afterthought.

Rating: 3 out of 5.  I liked it, but I just couldn’t get into it.

Unbelievable

Posted in Books by

Book: Unbelievable by Sara Shepard

Pages: 352, Hardcover

 Summary and Review: In Unbelievable, #4 in the Pretty Little Liars series, Hanna survives being run over by A but doesn’t remember who A is.  Emily gets sent to Iowa to live with relatives after catching her with Maya at a party.  Emily runs away, but goes back home to her parents when they tell her they accept her sexuality.  Aria has to move in with her father and with Meredith, who announces she’s pregnant and getting married to Aria’s father.  As for Spencer, she tells her parents that she cheated on her Golden Orchid essay, but they want to keep it quiet.  Spencer admits that she’s scared she killed Alison.  We also learn that Jenna and Alison plotted to get rid of Jenna’s brother Toby.  As for the mysterious A, we finally learn that it is Mona, Hanna’s best friend and a girl that the 4 plus Alison used to pick on before Alison’s death.  Mona found Alison’s diary and used it against the 4 girls, and she also knows the truth about the Jenna thing because she and Jenna used to be friends.  Spencer accuses Mona of killing Alison, but she denies it.  She also says it’s Ian, because he was afraid the Alison would reveal it to Melissa, Spencer’s older sister.  Spencer and Mona get into a fight, and Spencer accidentally kills Mona.  There’s also a scene where Ian pleads not guilty to killing Alison at his court hearing.

There’s a lot that happened in the book, and I thought a lot of the loose ends were tied up really well.  I enjoyed it a lot, and things were definitely changing for the girls and in Rosewood.  It was pretty hard to put down, because I wanted to know what was going on.  In fact, I think it might be my favorite out of the four.  As for A, I didn’t see it coming AT ALL, and yet it wasn’t a surprise to me.  It could have been a number of people, but Mona as A made a lot of sense. 

Rating: 4 out of 5.  It did seem a little rushed, but apparently it was supposed to be the last one in the series.