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shadowkatBloody December...it's pitch dark by 4:40pm. So I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark.
No wonder we have all these holidays with lights. Need something to cheer ourselves up. Speaking of cheery or rather depressing thoughts? Apparently Eastern Europe has let the cold dark winter play with their heads...the tv told me that in the NY Times, various people in Russia were convinced the end of days was coming because the Mayan Calendar ends this year. First off, I thought we all went by the Roman or Greek or Latin Calendar, not the Mayan. The Mayan's if memory serves were conquered by the Spainish and Portuguese about several hundred years ago. The end of days for the Mayans has come and gone, they no longer exist as far as I know - so if memory serves...they were off by about 200 years?? Second...isn't it possible the ancient Mayan's just didn't think past 2012? The other bit that had me more roaring with laughter - was a minor notation that there was a run on garlic supplies in Serbia, after a public health agency reported that a vampire was on the loose. (Those crazy vampires, we just need to figure out how to lock them up better...you'd think after all this time and all these stories, we'd know?)
Lovely church service - was all about how music brings people together...we did lots of interactive singing. Including a history lesson on the creation of Samba music (which a co-workers plays in taverns around Long Island). At any rate...this warm gathering of community and collaborative spirit..was just what the doctor ordered. All the nasty tension and irritiation of the past week gone. Also got a few warm hugs in the mix, and gave a few. Took a while to get there though...the subways are out, and the bus crawled, stopping at every stop-light, and packed beyond capacity. But well worth journey.
On the way home, purchased my favorite ice cream from Blue Marble, a homemade ice cream biz in Brooklyn. Uses local and organic ingredients with no perservatives. So basically home-made peppermint stick ice cream. It's rare that I can find it - few companies offer it. I have this habit of falling in love with rare and hard to find things. I don't why this is.
I'm looking for a bright cheery Xmas thing to put up in my apartment that won't wilt and die on me or for that matter breed mold spores and attract dust mites - causing all sorts of havoc with my allergies. So far no luck. Maybe more candles? I'd use glass window hangings, but they tend to fall down and break, also don't quite work with blinds.
TV week...round-up? Should at some point do a year end-best of 2012 roundup? Will have to think on it. There's a lot of tv shows I liked in the Winter/Spring that I did not like as much in the Fall and vice versa. For example - Vamp Diaries was great in the Winter/Spring of 2012, but it sucks beans this fall with an increasingly offensive not to mention wonky plot thread about Elena being a vampire. Bad guest stars. And plot holes you could drive a truck through. I'm thisclose to giving up on it, thinking you know...some tv shows have short life-spans and that is a good thing. While on the other end of the spectrum, Glee sucked beans in the Winter/Spring of 2012 and I almost gave up on it, only to do a brisk turn-around in its finale of that year and be actually palatable and entertaining in the Fall of 2012. So...can't really give either a place on the list, can I?
Anyhow...this week, so far?
1. Big Bang Theory had me on the floor roaring with laughter this week. Okay, that is an exaggeration. I was roaring in my armchair. Very happy. Even if the Momster kept interrupting me with phone calls. It was a hilarious fight between Harold and Sheldon...that pulled in Amy (Sheldon's girlfriend) and Bernadette (Harold's wife) into the mix, with poor Penny in the middle.
They were fighting over a parking space that Sheldon never uses, because Sheldon neither owns a car or drives. But as Sheldon put it - doesn't matter, it is the principal of the thing. I adore absurdist situational comedy.
Big Bang Theory is basically the 21st Century's version of Seinfield, it's just not as dark and evil as Sienfield, with nicer and more lovable characters. In some respects I prefer it to Seinfield. Definitely less misanthropic, not to mention less racist and sexist than Seinfield, but keep in mind Seinfield was a 1990s tv series, Big Bang is the 21st Century tv series.
2. Raising Hope - not quite as laugh out loud funny as Big Bang, but it is adorable.
3. Glee...charmed me this week. I loved the Sarah Jessica Parker/Chris Colfer/Lea Michele number - Let's Have a Kiki...a song that I must download. What a great dance tune. So delightfully nonsensical...reminds me of Queen's Bohemian Rhaspody, which I can listen to for hours.
Not much of a fan of earworm songs, but I do like nonsensical ones.
Also loved the riff off of Simon and Garfunkle's Homeward Bound, which seemed to sync into some country number. The plot...eh...I couldn't think any longer when I watched Glee. What I love most about Glee is you do not have to think to watch it. It is actually better if you go into the show, with a desire to vegetate. And just enjoy the funky musical numbers.
Very relaxing.
4. Grey's Anatomy...not as good as two week's ago or even last week. But okay. I liked how the resolved things. April, who is a whiny cliche, got her come-uppance, finally. But I can't stand the character who is the tv cliche of vestal virgin. I'm sorry tv writers but these characters do not exist outside of your heads. I'm not saying virigins don't exist - there is quite a few people out there who have not had intercourse - the full nine yards - but they aren't anything like April.
(ie. whiny religious nincompoops.) Who is a caricature. And must go away. Now. Grey's like all tv shows doesn't handle sex well. American culture doesn't handle sex well...not sure why, I'm tempted to blame the puritans, but I'm sure there's more to it than that.
I admittedly watch this show for the Cristina Yang/Meredith Grey friendship and for Baily, Kerev, Callie, and possibly...no that's it.
5. Vamp Diaries - beyond dumb. First half hour, I laughed my ass, second half I rolled my eyes.
Note to TVD writers - you were wonderful last year - what happened? How can you ruin such a lovely plot twist as Elena becoming a vampire? Get your act together, or I'm done. The first half hour saved your sorry butts, as did the hot sex scene, but only just. There's other shows opposite you that I can watch instead...like I don't know...maybe Community will pop back up again. OR 30 Rock. Or maybe the tail run of Last Resort? There's only so much that Ian Sommerhandler can do to save your sorry butts.
6. Once Upon a Time...I'm hoping they don't drag this story out too long. The whole will they or won't they get home bit is bound to bug me eventually. But my guess is (and spoilers I've read) that they won't - they'll get back at season break. They've learned their lessons from the tv series LOST. I rather like the character Hook. I did not like what he did to Sleeping Beauty and not quite sure how you can redeem that. On the other hand, it's no different than what Evil Queen did to the Huntsman. Or what Rumplestilskin did to ...well a lot of people.
7. The Good Wife...mixed bag of tricks. Case of the week? Issue heavy and sort of boring. Individual character moments quite fun. Particularly Cary vs. Nick...or Cary reminding Nick that he is his attorney and can really fuck with him, if so inclined. Also liked Stockard Channin's turn as Alicia's Mom.
8. Revenge...convoluted, but fun. Good use of flashback.
Haven't gotten to the rest yet. I watch too many tv shows...may need to cancel a few. Will assess which ones come January.
Top 5 Favorite Holiday Films in no particular order:
1. The Christmas Story...the one with Ralphie and the bee-bee gun. Although it does begin to get stale on the 20th viewing.
2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - the only Chevy Chase National Lampoon movie that I like.
Favorite scene? When the cat gets electrocuted by the Xmas tree lights. (She survives, it's a comedy, not Stephen King, hello.)
3. Nightmare Before Xmas by Tim Burton...which also gets old after the 20th viewing.
4. It's a Wonderful Life (see Christmas Story)
5. Meet Me in St. Louis (which is known for the Christmas Song - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Now. I actually prefer it to Little Women and Sound of Music, not sure why...maybe because romance is secondary and the family dynamics are front and center? )
On the cartoon/holiday special front?
1. The Year without a Santa Clause (which gets old after the 20th viewing admittedly, but was loads of fun to play drinking games with in college)
2. The Grinch who Stole Xmas
3. Santa Claus is coming to town (which was clearly a thing of its time)
4. Charlie Brown Xmas
5....Eh, not sure, drawing a blank. I liked Frosty for a bit. And there were a couple weird ones that popped up then disappeared. Oh, I know - my favorite was The Star Wars Xmas - LOL! If you remember this one, then you had to be between the ages of 8-20 in the 1970s- early 80s. Can't imagine anyone older than that watching it.
They had a bunch of good ones on tv when I was a kid...now not so much.
No wonder we have all these holidays with lights. Need something to cheer ourselves up. Speaking of cheery or rather depressing thoughts? Apparently Eastern Europe has let the cold dark winter play with their heads...the tv told me that in the NY Times, various people in Russia were convinced the end of days was coming because the Mayan Calendar ends this year. First off, I thought we all went by the Roman or Greek or Latin Calendar, not the Mayan. The Mayan's if memory serves were conquered by the Spainish and Portuguese about several hundred years ago. The end of days for the Mayans has come and gone, they no longer exist as far as I know - so if memory serves...they were off by about 200 years?? Second...isn't it possible the ancient Mayan's just didn't think past 2012? The other bit that had me more roaring with laughter - was a minor notation that there was a run on garlic supplies in Serbia, after a public health agency reported that a vampire was on the loose. (Those crazy vampires, we just need to figure out how to lock them up better...you'd think after all this time and all these stories, we'd know?)
Lovely church service - was all about how music brings people together...we did lots of interactive singing. Including a history lesson on the creation of Samba music (which a co-workers plays in taverns around Long Island). At any rate...this warm gathering of community and collaborative spirit..was just what the doctor ordered. All the nasty tension and irritiation of the past week gone. Also got a few warm hugs in the mix, and gave a few. Took a while to get there though...the subways are out, and the bus crawled, stopping at every stop-light, and packed beyond capacity. But well worth journey.
On the way home, purchased my favorite ice cream from Blue Marble, a homemade ice cream biz in Brooklyn. Uses local and organic ingredients with no perservatives. So basically home-made peppermint stick ice cream. It's rare that I can find it - few companies offer it. I have this habit of falling in love with rare and hard to find things. I don't why this is.
I'm looking for a bright cheery Xmas thing to put up in my apartment that won't wilt and die on me or for that matter breed mold spores and attract dust mites - causing all sorts of havoc with my allergies. So far no luck. Maybe more candles? I'd use glass window hangings, but they tend to fall down and break, also don't quite work with blinds.
TV week...round-up? Should at some point do a year end-best of 2012 roundup? Will have to think on it. There's a lot of tv shows I liked in the Winter/Spring that I did not like as much in the Fall and vice versa. For example - Vamp Diaries was great in the Winter/Spring of 2012, but it sucks beans this fall with an increasingly offensive not to mention wonky plot thread about Elena being a vampire. Bad guest stars. And plot holes you could drive a truck through. I'm thisclose to giving up on it, thinking you know...some tv shows have short life-spans and that is a good thing. While on the other end of the spectrum, Glee sucked beans in the Winter/Spring of 2012 and I almost gave up on it, only to do a brisk turn-around in its finale of that year and be actually palatable and entertaining in the Fall of 2012. So...can't really give either a place on the list, can I?
Anyhow...this week, so far?
1. Big Bang Theory had me on the floor roaring with laughter this week. Okay, that is an exaggeration. I was roaring in my armchair. Very happy. Even if the Momster kept interrupting me with phone calls. It was a hilarious fight between Harold and Sheldon...that pulled in Amy (Sheldon's girlfriend) and Bernadette (Harold's wife) into the mix, with poor Penny in the middle.
They were fighting over a parking space that Sheldon never uses, because Sheldon neither owns a car or drives. But as Sheldon put it - doesn't matter, it is the principal of the thing. I adore absurdist situational comedy.
Big Bang Theory is basically the 21st Century's version of Seinfield, it's just not as dark and evil as Sienfield, with nicer and more lovable characters. In some respects I prefer it to Seinfield. Definitely less misanthropic, not to mention less racist and sexist than Seinfield, but keep in mind Seinfield was a 1990s tv series, Big Bang is the 21st Century tv series.
2. Raising Hope - not quite as laugh out loud funny as Big Bang, but it is adorable.
3. Glee...charmed me this week. I loved the Sarah Jessica Parker/Chris Colfer/Lea Michele number - Let's Have a Kiki...a song that I must download. What a great dance tune. So delightfully nonsensical...reminds me of Queen's Bohemian Rhaspody, which I can listen to for hours.
Not much of a fan of earworm songs, but I do like nonsensical ones.
Also loved the riff off of Simon and Garfunkle's Homeward Bound, which seemed to sync into some country number. The plot...eh...I couldn't think any longer when I watched Glee. What I love most about Glee is you do not have to think to watch it. It is actually better if you go into the show, with a desire to vegetate. And just enjoy the funky musical numbers.
Very relaxing.
4. Grey's Anatomy...not as good as two week's ago or even last week. But okay. I liked how the resolved things. April, who is a whiny cliche, got her come-uppance, finally. But I can't stand the character who is the tv cliche of vestal virgin. I'm sorry tv writers but these characters do not exist outside of your heads. I'm not saying virigins don't exist - there is quite a few people out there who have not had intercourse - the full nine yards - but they aren't anything like April.
(ie. whiny religious nincompoops.) Who is a caricature. And must go away. Now. Grey's like all tv shows doesn't handle sex well. American culture doesn't handle sex well...not sure why, I'm tempted to blame the puritans, but I'm sure there's more to it than that.
I admittedly watch this show for the Cristina Yang/Meredith Grey friendship and for Baily, Kerev, Callie, and possibly...no that's it.
5. Vamp Diaries - beyond dumb. First half hour, I laughed my ass, second half I rolled my eyes.
Note to TVD writers - you were wonderful last year - what happened? How can you ruin such a lovely plot twist as Elena becoming a vampire? Get your act together, or I'm done. The first half hour saved your sorry butts, as did the hot sex scene, but only just. There's other shows opposite you that I can watch instead...like I don't know...maybe Community will pop back up again. OR 30 Rock. Or maybe the tail run of Last Resort? There's only so much that Ian Sommerhandler can do to save your sorry butts.
6. Once Upon a Time...I'm hoping they don't drag this story out too long. The whole will they or won't they get home bit is bound to bug me eventually. But my guess is (and spoilers I've read) that they won't - they'll get back at season break. They've learned their lessons from the tv series LOST. I rather like the character Hook. I did not like what he did to Sleeping Beauty and not quite sure how you can redeem that. On the other hand, it's no different than what Evil Queen did to the Huntsman. Or what Rumplestilskin did to ...well a lot of people.
7. The Good Wife...mixed bag of tricks. Case of the week? Issue heavy and sort of boring. Individual character moments quite fun. Particularly Cary vs. Nick...or Cary reminding Nick that he is his attorney and can really fuck with him, if so inclined. Also liked Stockard Channin's turn as Alicia's Mom.
8. Revenge...convoluted, but fun. Good use of flashback.
Haven't gotten to the rest yet. I watch too many tv shows...may need to cancel a few. Will assess which ones come January.
Top 5 Favorite Holiday Films in no particular order:
1. The Christmas Story...the one with Ralphie and the bee-bee gun. Although it does begin to get stale on the 20th viewing.
2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - the only Chevy Chase National Lampoon movie that I like.
Favorite scene? When the cat gets electrocuted by the Xmas tree lights. (She survives, it's a comedy, not Stephen King, hello.)
3. Nightmare Before Xmas by Tim Burton...which also gets old after the 20th viewing.
4. It's a Wonderful Life (see Christmas Story)
5. Meet Me in St. Louis (which is known for the Christmas Song - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Now. I actually prefer it to Little Women and Sound of Music, not sure why...maybe because romance is secondary and the family dynamics are front and center? )
On the cartoon/holiday special front?
1. The Year without a Santa Clause (which gets old after the 20th viewing admittedly, but was loads of fun to play drinking games with in college)
2. The Grinch who Stole Xmas
3. Santa Claus is coming to town (which was clearly a thing of its time)
4. Charlie Brown Xmas
5....Eh, not sure, drawing a blank. I liked Frosty for a bit. And there were a couple weird ones that popped up then disappeared. Oh, I know - my favorite was The Star Wars Xmas - LOL! If you remember this one, then you had to be between the ages of 8-20 in the 1970s- early 80s. Can't imagine anyone older than that watching it.
They had a bunch of good ones on tv when I was a kid...now not so much.
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Date: 2012-12-03 03:09 am (UTC)My favorite holiday movie would have to be Love Actually. I try to watch it every year. I also enjoy variations on the Christmas Carol; the Muppet version is the one I probably watch most often. I also remain fond of the stop-motion Christmas specials (Rudolph and whatever that one with Jack Frost is) and of course, the original Grinch.
The one holiday movie I actually don't like is It's A Wonderful Life. It's entirely too treacley-sweet and sentimental for me. I know Christmas is a time when you're meant to be sentimental... but even on Christmas, I can't handle that movie.
You might be surprised how many people are familiar with the Star Wars Holiday Special now. I think it's become an internet rite of passage to watch it ironically/use it for MST3K or bad movie parties. I haven't seen it myself though.