Trust Us

Ode to the Series Part Uno

2011-08-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

Recently I saw most of the HACK group and it reminded me about our lovely little blog It also re-invigorated me to start again. And when this morning I woke up with an idea in my head to write about- I set to it.

I am making a new commitment to the old blogging, if we were married we would have a renewal of our vows somewhere on a beach (in my head all renewal of vows are on beaches).

I also saw most of the HACK group at the last Harry Potter movie where I cried real tears. Tears that I knew would turn into the ugly cry so I shoved my tongue against the roof of my mouth to make it stop (bt dub it also helps with sneezes). And it was not that the movie was so depressing it just felt like the end of something I would miss. The movie taught me a couple of lessons: never trust anyone at a bank, or anyone who has a fascination with snakes, sometimes you should trust some people and Dragon Abuse is never funny. But this made me think about all the series in my life and while there is something great about one book there is also something fantastic about revisiting characters over and over again.

So this is part 1 of a 3 part blog Ode to the Series. Why? Because then maybe I will blog. Ha ha self I tricked you.

First part the books, second part the movies and third part the miniseries.
-HP: If you know some die hard Fantasy/Sci Fi fans you may get some flack for loving these and extolling all their originality. But I cannot help it. I read the first when I was 13 and was hooked from then on. It was so easy for me to walk into this world. And the fact that the series ended when I was only a few years older than the main characters made me feel like we got to grow up together.

-The Hunger Games: My little sister recently read the first of these books while in a cabin in Russia with the rest of the people from her school program. And she found herself wondering who each of them would be and what action they would take. That is what these books do to you- they shake your mentality a little bit. Make you wonder how you would behave in a world that demands you to kill others to survive yourself.

-Mercy Thompson Books (Patricia Briggs): These are books about a shifter mechanic who is entangled with the local werewolf pack and den of vampires. They are a heavier fluff mostly fun but some dark elements. Except the one with the demon named Cory in it because well it freaked me out to hear my name doing those things. Thanks a lot Patricia!

-Merit Books & Dark Elite: Chloe Neil writes about The Vampire Houses of Chicago in the Merit Books and a Boarding School with rumblings in the basement in The Dark Elite. And she uses Chicago like an extra character in her book, making me want to go there more and more. These really are just fun fantasy novels she lets one out every 6 months or so too so you don’t have to wait that long to check in with your charecters.

Holding off but I love the first book:Warning these first 2 are in the very beginning of their runs and both books end with so much in the air I was convinced my trusty Kindle had malfunctioned and left the last few chapters off.

-A Discovery of Witches: Genetics and Witches and Vampires oh my. A smart novel about the origin of all and the question of the difference between them. This book is also about power and who gets to make the rules between all these groups.

-My Name is Memory: A book about 2 soul mates quite literally who travel from life to life searching for one another. And another soul who is also looking for them- well at least that is as simple as I can make it.

-Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Some of you die hard Austen fans might take offense. But the dark humor in this book was hilarious to me and you still get most if not all of the original P&P story. There is also a prequel and a sequel I am going to start soon. Oh and in case you are still not sold Elizabeth is not the zombie she just kills them. I also got each for $1 on Amazon and that never hurts.

Ok so what series are the rest of you into? Come on sharing is caring.

Good Reads Website

2011-03-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

Warning this site is completely addictive and you will be on their forever.

Basically this is a website where you can connect with your friends and all the books they have, are or will be reading. It is like having access to their booksleves at all time. You also rate and review them. My friend Kelley signed me up and now I am spending far too much time on it.

So try it out and if you like it friend me!

www.goodreads.com

13 Reasons Why/ Adele 21/ A Discovery of Witches

2011-03-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

13 Reasons Why By Jay Asher
This is a story about a girl who commits suicide and then records 13 tapes each side has a a different story that involves a different person who she says contributed to her act.

I have no idea why I liked this book maybe it is because you never really know what these people are thinking- even after reading this book you do not know. To be honest I was just curious as to what she would say to the people she felt take part. Would it be vengeful, angry, reflective or more at peace with it all? And I also just cared about the character in the book who receives the tapes. The one who we are listening to the tapes with. I want him to be ok, to be able to not let this wreck him and get something, anything out of the situation. But I would recommend this book to anyone who deals with teenagers, works at a crisis line, has depression in their family (friends included) or even had a bad time in HS. Because it could always be worse, and sadly enough there are signs. It gives you a small piece of the puzzle and that is more than most can do.

And honestly she tries she does.

Adele 21

I loved her first CD 19 and to be honest I like a girl who stands behind her voice and talent and not the flash. I was a little wary with this CD because many of the reviews I read referred to it as a Classic. And while I would not go that far, the girl has lungs. and it will remain in heavy rotation in my library.

Love love love: Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain, Rumor Has It- well most of the CD.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah E. Harkness

I am a quarter through this book, and here is what I think it is about. OK we have the Witch/Vampire friendship going. Their search for their origin- why they are the way they are. It involves evolution, genetics, accepting your power, and basically the class system all the supernatural creatures have set for themselves: The Witches, Daemons and Vampires. What grounds it is this Vampire/Witch combo are professors, have doctorates in various fields and are going after this idea from both sides. They are researching it and using their supernatural powers to look into it. It all takes place at Oxford. So far I love it, but really mix genetics even slightly in with anything supernatural and I am hooked.

Check out if you need to spice up your Music Library: The Black Keys, Sleigh Bells and Sharon Jones. Very unique sound for each and lots of talent and last time I checked super cheap on Amazon MP3.

Oh the Fall I Love You Mostly for Your TV & the Boots & Sweaters ...

2010-09-14T09:59:00.001-07:00

So since I was beyond late on answering the weekly question- so sorry I am a slacker but now sitting here at my computer with a belly full of Breakfast Burrito I am ready to contemplate all the wonder that Fall TV has to offer me and you! I am a fair amount OCD so when I get my Fall TV EW I write all the shows I am interested in into my trusty planner- I know but I have real stuff in there too. Here is the list with premieres dates after:

Alright all of these I am putting together because they are on the same channel and well we all know what this channel is about since these premiered early too this is also a tad review.

Gossip Girl- I love this show because most of the time it is just fun and dramatic and since I tend to live a pretty drama-free existence it is perfectly fine for me. And the premiere was just that pretty fluff with the flair for the dramatic.

Nikkita- I am still looking to fill that void Alias left. While this show is more fun than Alias was, so far it is worth giving a chance too. I find myself contemplating this though is man I wish they would mix this in with Covert Affairs I feel that would be the perfect cocktail of spy show!

The Vampire Diaries- While I am more of a Paul Wesley girl I have a feeling that, even though they are doing the tired addition of Werewolves, this season is going to be as Oh My Heck as last season. And from the first ep it is definitely true.

Supernatural (24^th) - I just got into this show because I was able to catch all of the last seasons on Cable. And I am now addicted- the last seasons have been really well done and I am looking forward to more Winchester Brothers. It takes that whole monster a week show to a new level.

I am also looking forward to these shows too:

The Good Wife (28^th) - this show is so tight as far as storylines, characters and the acting goes it is pretty insane. Although I am new viewer thanks to my mom I can’t want to see who she chooses: her old college friend/boss or the man she stood by and the fact that I consider either a choice shows how well the show was done!

Hawaii 5-O (20^th)- Umm fun!

Grey’s (23^rd) - Of course after that crazy finale last year I want to know how my Seattle Grace is doing!

And then old faves: Cougartown (22^nd), Bones (23^rd), Glee (21^st), Justified and Chuck (20^th)!

Yes my DVR is going to be a land of plenty this year and now I will go back to trying to convince myself that 80 degree weather is perfectly suitable for jeans tucked into boots. Happy Viewing!

Book Review-Secrets of a Lady

2010-09-13T22:13:00.000-07:00

So, I finished this book a couple of days ago, and I wanted to jump right on FB and shout out that this was one of the best books I've ever read. But then, I reconsidered, I didn't want to sound to dorky blah blah blah. However, I am now shouting my dorkiness from the rooftops on the HACK blog! Part of why I'm so excited about this book is because it's not a hugely popular book. I found it at the library just browsing, picking out books that looked intriguing. Little did I know I'd want to read it over and over again. When I discovered she has a sequel in the Melanie and Charles Fraser series (this book is the 1st), I just about ran in my pajamas to my library to pick it up. I mean, if I didn't already have a niece named Melanie, I would seriously consider re-naming Kyndal.

Synopsis: It takes place in London, around 1819 (after all the Napoleon Bonaparte business). Charles and Melanie Fraser are high class, the picture of perfection. Charles is the grandson of a Duke and Melanie is beautiful (of course). I don't want to give away too much, in case anyone wants to read it, but one night while they are at a party, something terrible happens. It forces them to venture into their past as well as into the nastier bits of London to find an heirloom ring. It forces their deep secrets into light, and forces them to decide how far their deceptions can go.

Gosh, it is so very good. The story was really great, lots of good plot twists and things I didn't see coming at all. My favorite part though was how it read, the author did a fab job of describing the characters, both physically and their emotions. I, to be supremely dorkily honest, read the majority of the book in an English accent to myself (and French for Melanie). I adore when books get turned into movies, and I'd like to personally go to Hollywood and find someone who'll make this book a movie!!! Superb. Lovely. Compelling. Done, the end.

Fall fall fall

2010-09-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

Here's my question not only for my fellow hackers, but just in general (since I haven't decided yet).

What show are we MOST excited about in the next couple weeks? Whether it's starting new or coming back from recess???

Heidi: I am so many things that I'm excited for I kind of can't choose just one. But I'll try and list them out just because I'm borderline narcissistic and think you care :).
First: Community. Um can we just say Betty White with blow darts. Cannot wait for this. This also opens the door for all the other comedies such as Modern Family (by far the funniest show of last season) and Glee. Granted Glee should prob be another entry but it just looks way awesome.
Second: House. I completely adore House and can't wait for more borderline mean one liners that I can say in my head when I'm judging people.
Third: Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice. I actually haven't seen when this starts but I'm excited anyway.
Fourth: Football. I won't elaborate but I'm excited.
I think that's about all I have right now. Or at least all I can rememberize.

Abbey: Modern Family!! I need me some Phil! And Cam! Funniest show on TV, hands down. I know, I know, Community could go for that title as well, however, the humor kills me in ModFam. I like the fake reality show format, it makes for some really excellent situations and comedy.
Community!! Joel McHale has been sorely missed in our home, 1/2 an hour a week of the Soup is just not enough!
Glee!! Duh. No brainer.
Grey's/PP!! I need my drama fix!
CSINY!! I'm a sucker for the forensics stuff.
Justified!! I.need.more.Boyd.Crowder.in.my.life. STAT. Like, soon. Oh and Timothy Olyphant is a fabulous added bonus.
All the teenage-y shows I rarely admit I crave-90210, OTH, Vamp Diaries (ok, I'll admit to that one because DAY-UM Ian Smolderhalder is my 2nd favorite person in the world to drool over), and this new Hellcats show that I think I hate but I still want to watch.

This week in news....

2010-08-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

Well I thought I would get this going this week (pretending that we've been doing this every week :). But I really only have one thing. Just the thing that I love this week. And here it is.

Lifetime shows three episodes of Grey's Anatomy per week day. Last week they started from the very beginning of Season 1 which I never saw. Needless to say I am SO excited to have me some Grey's over the summer. And even better (and the part I l.o.v.e. this week): we have reached the part in the season in which one Chris O'Donnell comes to Seattle. He is possibly my most favorite teenage crush. Three Musketeers anyone??!! I'm just fabulously excited to have me some drama that I've been sorely missing over the summer. And it's making me so very excited for the upcoming Fall.

I cannot think of anything I didn't particularly like this week...everything else was just standard.

Kara: Way to get us rolling on this, Heidi! I've been thinking how I need to do this all week, so thanks for providing the motivation.

I'll start with the worst, and this is something Abbey and I have talked about before (she might have even blogged about it too) but I was reminded of again during a few morning nursing sessions this week. I can't stand Regis Philbin. My mom likes Regis & Kelly, and I find Kelly pretty funny and as morning talk shows go, its not bad. But seriously, why does Regis have such a big ego? Why is he even famous? Why does he think he's so much better than everyone around (guests included?) And has he always been this blatant with his pretentiousness? I stopped watching after a few minutes because I wanted to smack his ridiculously blonde head.

That said, the best thing I watched this week was Anderson Cooper guest hosting with Kelly. Those two have really good chemistry, and Anderson Cooper was surprisingly down to earth and funny. He also handled being teased by Kelly really well, which definitely isn't always the case with guys in show business. Case in point: Regis. Ugh.

I also loved this week's (last weeks?) "Royal Pains." I'm really liking the story line with Evan and this new girl he likes, and him getting shot by her father in the rump while hunting was hilarious. I liked when he told Divia and Hank that he was still being her paid escort because it made him happy to see her happy. "Wow," Divia said. "They grow up so fast." "They really do," Hank replied. I've been quoting that all week.

The Best & Worst

2010-07-18T23:29:00.000-07:00

All right fellow HACKers, here's my group blogging activity idea #2, sort of a new spin on the Weekly Question. Think TV Guide's Cheers & Jeers or "The Colbert Report" Tip of the Hat/Wag of the Finger: The Best and Worst Thing I Saw This Week. Can be TV, movies, songs even, whatever, but I think it'll be a short enough format we can easily answer it every week (unlike my Emmy nominee which is tantamount to writing a small pamphlet to answer, sorry about that ladies!) and could keep us up to date on things we're not watching or let us commiserate/celebrate the things we all love.

So, for me this week: The Best Thing I Watched was "Covert Affairs," the new show on USA starring Piper Perabo as a CIA agent.

Also, totally loved the premiere of "White Collar," got into "Psych" when they did the all-day marathon before its season premiere on Wednesday, "Burn Notice" was great this week, "Royal Pains" totally took a MacGuyveresque move with Hank saving Tucker and his friend after they fell into a wine vat . . . pretty much everything I see on USA, I love. Funny, since with the exception of "Community," everything I see on NBC, I strongly dislike. But "Covert Affairs" was my surprise love for this week, I wasn't expecting it to be so good. So it wins The Best for me this week.

I don't really have anything totally worthy of The Worst Thing I Saw This Week, except for maybe the five seconds I caught of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" before I fell asleep this afternoon. I do not get the appeal of those shows. It makes me sad to see grown women behaving that way, must Bravo take feminism back fifty years with all of its programming?

Heidi: I totally support this idea. I think it's utterly fantastic and I wish I had thought of it first. Haha just kidding. Alright let's just jump right into this. Best thing I saw this week was Timothy Olyphant. I saw him in three different movies this past week. First: The Crazies. This is a horror movie. And I realize that Cor and I are the only ones in the group who do horror, but really, horror is about fifty times better when you have him to look at. The Crazies was a terrible movie that I completely would not recommend to anyone but he was phenoMENal as always. Then I saw him in Catch and Release which I forgot he was in, and also in Hitman. Both those movies were randomly on tv. I just can't get enough of him. I caught thirty seconds of an interview with Jennifer Love Hewitt about her Lifetime movie The Client List where she turns prostitute to save her family's financials and the girl asked her who she would put on her "list" if she were picking this kind of thing in real life. Well she added Ian Somerhalder. So I of course started compiling my own list and it is definitely topped with Ian, and Timothy. TOPPED.
OH WAIT. I take that back. While Olyphant is definitely top this week it was not my absolute favorite. My absolute favorite is most definitely going to be the return of Eureka. It came back two weeks ago actually but I've just this week caught up on it and I must say I missed it. I love that show with my nerdy heart and soul. Love it to the depths. It's witty sarcastic and science-y. What more could a girl want?
The worst thing I saw this week actually has to be Covert Affairs. Not because it was bad. It was actually pretty good, and I must say I absolutely adore the blind guy. But I just wasn't immmmpressed. I'm so used to the quality of White Collar, Psych (which I haven't kept up with but also absolutely adore when I catch it), and first and foremost Burn Notice. I feel like it's good for summer when the pickin's are slim but that's all. I haven't even decided if I'll tivo it or not...

Cory: Ok I also agree that this is a super idea but also hold no illusions about myself and know I will totally forget every week. OK BEST was all the eps of Friday Night Lights I caught up on this week. The show continues to amaze and is all heart. The best thing though is that all the stories are not only original but also extremely well acted. And if that is not enough for you one word girls: Riggins that is all you really need to say.
WORST hmm why I agree I was underwhlemed by Covert Affairs it was more because it is basically a vanilla Alias. My standards were just too high I think. And although I enjoy my lovely Housewives (I think it as more of a case study of crazyiness and it always makes me feel normal), I tihnk it had to be The Good Guys. I was looking forward to this show for the funny that only Colin Hanks can deliver but alas he does not. Oh well after giving it a few weeks it is off the old DVR.

And The Winner Is . . .

2010-07-08T17:09:00.000-07:00

I have a few ideas here to get some Hack Group Blogging going on here, and I will mention those in a bit, but first, I believe it is time that we begin a tradition of making our predictions for awards shows. The Primetime Emmy Nominations were just announced, so I say its time for us to make our predictions, cheer for the nominations we're happy about, and boo at the people who were totally robbed. (Joel McHale, we love you. Like, seriously. And you did a good job announcing the Emmy noms, even though you didn't get one.)

There are about a billion categories, and to be honest I'm not that interested in the outcomes in some of the races, and in others I just don't know enough about the skills involved to make an informed choice (I honestly don't know a thing about directing, so I can't necessarily judge those categories.) If my other Hacks would like to, however, add on another category and we shall all make our predictions!

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES:

True Blood, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Dexter, Lost, The Good Wife

Kara: The Winner: Lost- It becomes painfully obvious that I don't really do the drama thing, because I have only seen three of these shows, and I haven't seen that many episodes of any of them. However, my vote for Winner goes to Lost because I think as a cultural phenomenon it eclipses these other shows. I do like the character study/developments of "Mad Men," and I know a bunch of people who like "True Blood" but truth be told, I'm kind of vampired out. I already sold out in reading/begrudgingly liking the Twilight series, so I can't go any further down that road. The Snub: House- I don't particularly like the attempts at incorporating the "old team" with the newer players, but the episode with Kutner's suicide and everything going along with House's breakdown were stellar.

Abbey: The Winner: Lost- Duh. Oh wait. Abbey, wha??? Yup, heard that right. I have returned from the depths to grace you with my presence. Anywho. I appalingly haven't watched any of the other shows nominated, nor have I ever watched Lost. But, like Kara said, it is for sure the #1 culteral phenomenon of the last 6 years, it has to win after it's last season just on principal. And yeah, no True Blood for me because I don't like Steven Moyer. Isn't he, like, 45? Too old (for me, for Anna Paquin, for the rest of the tweens who enjoy vampirism).

Heidi: Okay. I'm conflicted. Lost was a cultural phenomena I freely admit. And the last season was even more of a boundary pusher. But I feel like the writer's got so caught up in being 'edgy' that it lost the edge. Although the last ep was fairly amazing. I would be okay if it won. And it is probably the best up here. I don't know. I guess I just wasn't completely floored by it as I was the first couple of seasons. But then again the last season was MUCH better than the third. So yes. Lost is the winner. I would also be okay with Mad Men just because of the era it portrays and looks straight in the eye. The infidelity and "role" of the perfect housewife and all the other things. I have difficulty thinking of House as a drama because I'm laughing a lot. But it should have been nommed anyway. Snub: In Plain Sight. If Friday Night Lights is a drama then this sure is! I would TOTALLY vote for this if it was on here. Are they just against USA??

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:

John Hamm as Don Draper from "Mad Men"

Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House from "House"

Bryan Cranston as Walter White from "Breaking Bad"

Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor from "Friday Night Lights"

Matthew Fox as Jack Shephard from "Lost"

Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan from "Dexter"

Kara: The Winner- Matthew Fox- I personally would vote for Hugh Laurie, but I think its going to be Matthew Fox. The poor guy has never been nominated ever, and did really great work for five seasons on "Lost." I'd also be okay with a Kyle Chandler win because I really like "Friday Night Lights" as well. The Snub- No one. I really would need to watch more dramas in order to have an informed opinion here.
Abbey: The Winner: Hugh Laurie. I absolutely adore Hugh Laurie, as do I adore Mary McCormack. The pattern? People who can be bitingly sarcastic and cruel and yet I love them all the more. Sarcasm is my lifeblood, and when done as well as Hugh Laurie does it, I applaud. I love how people who are fabulously funny and pleasant in their real lives can pull of super mean and heartless convincingly. I think it's talent, and should thus be awarded.

Heidi: I would actually be okay with anyone except Kyle Chandler. Matthew Fox, I agree with Kara, he did awesome for so long he should be rewarded. Hugh Laurie, agree with Abbey, the way that he completely changes his innate personality and carries it all off is amazing and absolutely awesome to watch. Michael C. Hall. Um. Wow. He's a serial killer, and still somehow endearing. His character suckkkksss you into his world and somehow makes you want to be there even though you know you're watching a killer. I think it's phenomenal acting. He's amazing although I cannot watch Dexter, it creeps me out that I'm watching it and could continue watching it because it's fascinating. Brian Cranston, also amazing character. I think I'm drawn to him because I could see my dad as a high school science teacher becoming a meth maker and making lots of money from it. I don't watch the show but I've seen it a few times and him going from terrible dad on Malcolm to this is insane. John Hamm, same reason as voting for Mad Men above. I just vote against FNL and Chandler because I don't believe that his drama is of the caliber of these other dramas. Perhaps because it's about high school football but I just don't see the drama as much as in the other shows. Although he does do a great job. Wow, just realized that I know ALL these shows....hahaha guess I'm the dramatic one of the group : ).

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES:

January Jones as Betty Draper from "Mad Men"

Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson from "Law & Order: SVU"

Julianna Marguiles as Alicia Florrick from "The Good Wife"

Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson from "The Closer"

Glenn Close as Patty Hewes from "Damages"

Connie Britton as Tami Taylor from "Friday Night Lights"

Kara: The Winner- Glenn Close- I would vote for Kyra Sedgwick (and she still might win) or Connie Britton, but I think Glenn will probably take it because she was really, freakily scary in "Damages" and a lot of people think its ridiculous that FX canceled that show, and will likely vote for her in protest. Judging from the nominees in Outstanding Variety, Musical or Comedy Series, that seems to be how the Emmy voters rolled this year. The Snub: No clue. See above as a reminder that I'm all about the comedies.
Abbey: The Winner: Kyra Sedgwick. Because she's married to Kevin Bacon. And I think she's adorable. Haven't ever seen the show, but from the clips, she's spot on. I'm terrible!! I do need to school myself in all of these dramas. Close 2nd for me though is Mariska Hargitay. I adore her. I do watch Law & Order: SVU and I watch it mostly for her and Elliot (not all the sad story lines). She's been Olivia Benson forever, and she does so well at it. She is by far my favorite L&O detective, out of all the spin-offs.

Heidi: Um Glenn Close. She is absolutely terrifying in this show and it's awesome. She straight up acts people into the ground and it's scarily good. I would also be okay with Mariska. She pulls off her terrible job so well and is fascinating to watch. Again with my comment on FNL. I like Kyra as a person but have never watched the show so I'm not sure about her. Although she pulls off the "I'm smiling sweet but I'm going to send your ass to jail" really well. Snub: Mary McCormack.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:

John Slatterly as Roger Sterling from "Mad Men"

Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman from "Breaking Bad"

Andre Braugher as Owen from "Men of a Certain Age"

Martin Short as Leonard Winstone from "Damages"

Terry O'Quinn as John Locke from "Lost"

Michael Emerson as Ben Linus from "Lost"

Kara: The Winner- Terry O'Quinn- his character's story line got very weird this last season as he was actually playing Locke reincarnated as other people, and he did a great job subtly letting the audience see clues that he wasn't quite himself. Even his fellow cast members didn't know that was the nature of his storyline, and kept wondering why he was playing Locke so differently and erratically. The Snub: Robert Sean Leonard- the bromance between House and Wilson is funny all the time, dysfunctional often, and touching at just the right times.
Abbey: The Winner: Martin Short. It's been well documented that I haven't watched any of these shows, so I'm chosing Martin Short because he is pure brilliance in all he does. Done, the end.

Heidi: Martin Short hands down to the floor. In Damages he is like evil and it's terrifying. Awful because he still has his "hi I'm ridiculously funny" smile and then he's trying to murder you. I would also vote for any of the Lost peeps because those two were absolutely phenomenal in their characters. Especially Michael Emerson, he was my most favorite character in Lost because he was so twisty and bendy.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES:

Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris from "Mad Men"

Archie Panjabi as Kalinda Sharma from "The Good Wife"

Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson from "Mad Men"

Rose Byrne as Ellen Parsons from "Damages"

Sharon Gless as Madeline Westen from "Burn Notice"

Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart from "The Good Wife"

Kara: The Winner- Sharon Gless- she's totally not going to win, but that is my pick. I'm a little divided over whether I think "Burn Notice" is a drama, however . . . The Snub: Gabrielle Anwar as Fiona Glenanne- again, if you're going to say "Burn Notice" is a drama, then Fiona needs recognition. Or she'll blow up your car. Girlfriend carries C4 in her trunk.
Abbey: The Winner: .... A) I don't think Burn Notice is a drama, and B) I'm choosing Gabrielle Anwar even though she wasn't nominated. Sharon Gless is awesome in BN though, and I loved the episode when Cagney and Lacey were reunited-super fabulousness. But Fiona is formidable in many ways, and for sure needed recognition!

Heidi: Sharon Gless or Rose Byrne. I agree with Abbey that I don't think Burn Notice is a drama because I am laughing too often, but if you have it up there then Gabrielle needs to be nommed. Sharon Gless is truly awesome though so I would totally support her. And Rose Byrne is just good at being scared on Damages and still maintaining her smarts. Love it.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES:

Curb Your Enthusiasm, Nurse Jackie, The Office, Modern Family, Glee, 30 Rock

Kara: The Winner- Glee or Modern Family- I am very, very torn between which show I want to win because they are my absolute favorites. Both rank as high as "Friends" and "Gilmore Girls" with me (I have almost all of those episodes completely committed to memory) and are slowly eclipsing "The Office." The others don't come close, and I'll be pissed if "30 Rock" wins again. I love Tina Fey, but I've given that show many, many chances and do not find it funny. The Snub: Community. Seriously, this show is also fantastic and is one of only two quality shows on NBC, so it definitely needed some Emmy love.
Abbey: The Winner: GleeModernFamilyCOMMUNITY!CougarTown. Ahhhh, my area of expertise for the last year! I think some subconsious part of me desperately needed comedy more than it needed drama this past while, which is why my favorites were ALL comedies. Glee, insanely brilliant. Each character was well developed, you knew their idiosyncracies and you feel all their personal pains. Gosh, sure did love the music, but that's an aside. I love all the sterotypes they played into and I could go on for hours. Oh oh oh, have to mention that I have an overly zealous crush on Jonathan Groff. Like, really bad. And yes, I know he bats for boys, but goodHEAVENS. He does it for me. Glee-perfection. Modern Family-perfection. My husband joined me this year watching tv (woo hoo!), and this was I think our favorite. One of my most favorite noises to hear is Ben laughing his fabulous belly laugh, and watching MF, it was heard often. Phil was freaking awesome.
Ok, in all seriousness though, Community got super snubbed. Were people pissed because Joel makes fun of them on the Soup so they didn't vote them in? Each character on Community as well was amazing (especially Abed, holy cow). And Joel, well, Joel is... Also perfection (did they miss the episode where he played pool in his skivvies?...).

Heidi: Um Modern Family. I love the Office but I have to say I'm disappointed. I also hate to say it but I think it's outlived it's funny. Now that Jim and Pam are together, Michael is still awkward and the only reason I watch it anymore is for the rare moments when Dwight gets to shine with a fantastically terrible scheme. And those moments just haven't been there. Glee I LOVE, but for the music. I don't think it's ridiculously funny. I must agree with Abbey though that I have a man crush on Jonathan Groff. I say man crush because we're both going for men but geez I just wish we could be friends so I could be hot by association. His voice is just yum. Modern Family just has me rolling on the ground every week. The stupid little boy in the episode where they get the dog had me laughing for days afterward. I love every character on there. If it doesn't win it's a crime against humanity's funny bone. Super snub on Community and Cougar Town which were both phenomenally funny as well. I think 30 Rock is the most unfunny show I've ever seen. And I have a funny-crush on Alec Baldwin. Him on SNL is my favorite. But I just think 30 Rock is dumb.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:

Larry David as himself from "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

Steve Carell as Michael Scott from "The Office"

Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper from "The Big Bang Theory"

Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk from "Monk"

Matthew Morrison as Will Shuester from "Glee"

Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy from "30 Rock"

Kara: The Winner- Matthew Morrison- "Glee" is so amazing because its a show filled with triple threats- the cast can sing, act, and dance. Really, really well. The other actors don't necessarily need to have all of those skills for their shows, and that's fine, but the fact that they don't have to showcase them week after week makes them not as good as Matthew Morrison's Will Shuester. Therefore, Mr. Shue wins. I would also be okay with Jim Parsons winning because he is consistently hilarious as Sheldon and this is his first nomination. If Alec Baldwin wins, I puke. The Snub: Joel McHale. Hilarious, consistently solid work was turned in week after week by McHale and should've been recognized. Tony Shalhoub's nomination is already a joke in this category, and his slot definitely should've gone to McHale.
Abbey: The Winner: Jim Parsons. Let's check off who I'm not voting for. Not voting for Larry David, he's a class A a$$hole. Really, he's just plain mean. Saw him both on Regis & Kelly as well as The Marriage Ref and he's a super bitter, pompous, flat out jerk. So, haven't seen his show, won't see his show, even if it's funny. Steve Carell, not voting for him because the show lost it's humor somehow this past season. Which I'm phenomenally sad about, the Office is an epic show. Not enough awkward situations for Michael? Who knows. Either way, Steve is hilarious and has a great movie career outside of the Office and doesn't need this win. Not voting for Tony Shalhoub,,, merely because I haven't seen the show. I'm sure he's brilliant in it (anyone portraying someone with OCD comically has to be), but I also can't get Men In Black out of my head (seeing his tiny little head grow back...). Not voting for Alec Baldwin, only because I just sit and say "heh" (really, it's that small of a laugh) when I watch 30 Rock. I feel like it should be making me roll on the floor laughing out loud and it just.... doesn't. Do love Alec though, mostly in animated form (Zumba from Madagascar2 and also the banker from Despicable Me). Perfect bad guy! Not voting for Matthew Morrison, because I didn't think he was the funniest part of Glee. Is that blasphemous of me? He is insanely talented and he is perfect for Mr. Shue. I just didn't laugh a whole awful lot when he was talking. Ok, VOTING FOR Jim Parsons because no one can be that obnoxious in real life, and so he has to be the best actor out there! Shelden has to be one of the best characters ever created, he makes me laugh even though I watch the show alone :(. Shelden and Boyd Crowder top my fav characters list for the past year (Uh, HELLO, just reminded me, where are nominations for Justified???!!!)

Heidi: Jim Parsons hands up to the ceiling because I'm raising the roof. He is absolutely brilliant in BBT. I've seen him in interviews and he said he doesn't know science. Um hello, brilliant meet my friend actor. He is so funny and I love his comments. Especially in response to a sarcastic comment made my Penny or Leonard. I don't think Matthew Morrison was funny enough in Glee to warrant a win. Alec Baldwin is my funny crush but again 30 Rock is my buzzkill. The others are good in their roles but I just don't think they get the win. (I don't know anything about Larry David so he is left out of this assessment, or a**essment as the case may be)

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES:

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope from "Parks and Recreation"

Julia Louis-Dreyfuss as Christine Campbell from "The New Adventures of Old Christine"

Toni Collette as Tara Gregson from "United States of Tara"

Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton from "Nurse Jackie"

Lea Michele as Rachel Berry from "Glee"

Tina Fey as Liz Lemon from "30 Rock"

Kara: The Winner- Lea Michele- again, the triple threat thing. She consistently has to showcase way more skills and talent than the other ladies. The Snub: Courteney Cox from "Cougar Town"- I started watching this show halfway through the season and was surprised at how good it is, and Cox is possibly better than she was as Monica on "Friends."
Abbey: The Winner: Lea Michele. She also played obnoxious brilliantly (wow, my theme must be actors who can act like crappy people!), and she's totally what I picture when I think of a girl in HS who is the lead in any sort of glee club. Plus, holy bisniss, girl can SING. I do wish I'd seen the US of Tara, I saw her on a few talk shows for it and it looked fabulous but I didn't ever watch it. I bet she was great. Amy Poehler was pretty funny in Parks & Recreation, but. That was another show I wished had made me lol more. And, agreeing with Kara on the Courtney Cox snub. She is perfect in this role, and all her supporting actors are gold as well.
Heidi: Um... I actually don't think I can get behind any of these noms. I love Lea and the girl has her pipes but I just didn't think she was SUPER funny in Glee. Although how she plays her character is right on and she plays it to the wall. So in that respect she is the best in the category. Amy Poehler is funny but I haven't really watched Parks & Rec, and the other shows I haven't seen. If Tina Fey wins again I will be disappointed. Where is Courtney Cox???

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:

Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett from "Modern Family"

Jon Cryer as Alan Harper from "Two and a Half Men"

Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker from "Modern Family"

Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummell from "Glee"

Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy from "Modern Family"

Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson from "How I Met Your Mother"

Kara: The Winner- Anyone but Jon Cryer- I love this category because I adore every character except Jon Cryer. Eric Stonestreet is my favorite, Cameron is one of my all time favorite TV characters, but Ty Burrell is hilarious as Phil and Chris Colfer has the triple threat thing. Although, I'd argue that Colfer doesn't contribute to his show the same way that Burrell and Stonestreet do (partly just because its a bigger cast and he doesn't have to), so it should go to someone from "Modern Family." They make up half the nominees, after all. The Snub: Ed O'Neill from "Modern Family." Everyone in this show submitted themselves as supporting actors/actresses because they believe in the ensemble nature of their show. I read that Emmy voters believed O'Neill should've submitted as Lead Actor, not supporting, and hence the snub, but I like what that cast did and think he easily eclipsed Cryer's work on the aging "Two and a Half Men."
Abbey: The Winner: Ditto Kara. I find him insanely annoying. But that aside. Eric Stonestreet!!! Ty Burrell!!! NPH!!! Chris Colfer!!! Sure do love these supporting actors. They are all phenomenal. Cameron in MF is ah-mazing. He kills me. Phil. Kills me. Kurt, love his voice and he does his part well. NPH, freaking awesome in anything he does.

Heidi: I for real love every one in this category except Jon Cryer. NPH is so completely another man crush of mine and I love him. His cameo in Glee was my favorite of the season. All the MF people were bloody fantastic and should all win. And Kurt from Glee was really funny and really good in his role. Jon Cryer is good just not up to the caliber of the others who were nominated.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES:

Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester from "Glee"

Kristen Wiig from "Saturday Night Live"

Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy from "Modern Family"

Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroni from "30 Rock"

Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett from "Modern Family"

Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper in "Two and a Half Men"

Kara: The Winner- Jane Lynch- again, I would be okay with wins for Bowen or Vergara (would probably pick Vergara's Gloria over Bowen's Claire), but no other winner is fully acceptable. I'm totally experiencing Sue withdrawals- I actually watched "Another Cinderella Story 7" or something like that on the Disney Channel the other day because Jane Lynch was in it and her stepmom character was definitely a precursor to Sue Sylvester. The Snub: Dianna Agron from "Glee"- her work in the season finale had to be better than anything Jane Krakowski has done this year, and she's a bigger part of her show than Holland Taylor.
Abbey: The Winner: Jane Lynch. Julie Bown and Sofia Vergara are both excellent, but come on people. Jane Lynch is absolute hands-down amazingness. Goin' with the theme still, love my mean people!! I can't imagine being on the receiving end of her insults. I'd be laughing my face off uncontrollably. How she delivers them is just *sigh*. Wish I could channel my own inner Jane Lynch sometimes, ya know??!!
Heidi: Jane Lynch. It appears we have a sweep going here haha. She was THE funny of Glee. All the way, she was the part I thought was funny in the show and she carried it. I adore her and her comments on people lower than her. "Here's a thought, try not being homeless!" Bahahahaha I laugh. She was great. I would be okay with MF wins here as well as they were both great.
Um side note....I didn't even know there was a woman in Two and a Half Men......

OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES:

The Colbert Report, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, Real Time with Bill Maher, Saturday Night Live

(The same shows have also been nominated for Outstanding Writing)

Kara: The Winner- AACK! This is perhaps the hardest category because three shows that I am passionately, consistently devoted to are nominated, but I'm going to go with Conan O'Brien because I'd like to stick it to NBC and Jay Leno. I el-oh-vee-ee that even though NBC submitted Leno's version of "The Tonight Show" for nomination, he got totally snubbed in every single category, whereas Conan submitted himself and received a nomination in every single category. Team Coco rocks on! "The Daily Show" frequently wins this category, and for the past few years Stewart has humbly acknowledged that he thinks Colbert and several others are doing better work than him now, and its time to share the love. So while I'd be fine with him winning again, it should be The Report or Conan's turn. Plus, I really, really want to hear what Conan's acceptance speech would be! For that reason alone, I'd like him to win either show or writing.
Abbey: The Winner: Colbert Report. I love the snippets I catch of all these shows, and the clips that Kara & Heidi send me (thanks girls for making sure I have some daily show culture in my life!!). But, Colbert rules all in my book. He's stinkin' hilarious and I am afraid of what might happen were I to ever be in the same room with him. I could not ever even possibly wish to verbally spar with him! Even if it were just "Hi, I think you're great", I couldn't hang. He's too witty. While I catch his jokes as quickly as he spews them, no chance would I ever be able to respond without massive amounts of stuttering. I heart him. I love all his facial expressions too, they complete it!

Heidi: Um wow. I don't even know where to begin here. The Colbert Report is insanity. He's so witty I can hardly keep up with the banter and I second Abbey that I would never like to meet him because I'd be on the floor laughing and at the same time horribly embarrassed because I just because the butt of 40 jokes in 10 seconds flat. I adore all his little segments, but I hate watching his interviews. Haha because I feel bad for the people. The Daily Show, I love Jon and the many other John's he has. They are all phenomenal, but he's won a lot so I think someone else should win. SNL was not as funny as it has been so while it's great it shouldn't win. And Conan. Enough said. He's supa funny and should be acknowledged for that. So much funny, so little time....

Knight and Day

2010-07-08T15:26:00.000-07:00

Um let me just start by saying that I el oh vee ee Tom Cruise. LOVE him. As an actor. In his movies. I think he is actually one of the best actors. Total whack-a-doo in real life, but his movies are just great. And this one is no exception.

It was an action movie which is always one of my favorites, but also super cheesy and quite funny. Tom's character is just super dry humor which is fun to watch. And Cameron Diaz plays a perfect girl who needs to be saved. There were some moments where the cheese was a little too much for me and I physically had to groan, but overall I completely loved, completely recommend it as a date night/night out movie, and just grab the popcorn!!

Robin Hood & A-Team

2010-06-29T14:46:00.001-07:00

Double Summer Feature Review- Get Your Popcorn and Frosty Drinks Ready!

First the A-Team.

I think I should add a disclaimer that I love Bradley Cooper deeply and have ever since Alias. I also should warn you I saw this movie with my mom who Liam Neelson she claims at least “melts her butter,” direct quote there. This movie was pure summer popcorn movie and I loved it for that. Murdoch the semi crazy character who tries to hotwire a car with a defiberlator is pretty hilarious at all times. Face is just that pretty and funny and rocks a suit as well as no shirt at all. And the rest of the A-Team are really great at their parts. And everyone else was great too except you Jessica Biel- where are your BDUs!

If you just want a fun Iron Man kind of movie go see this. Smart yet not intense and just plain fun.

Robin Hood was much more serious and to be honest I was a little unexcited about this prospect. But it was really marvelous and had light and dark parts. It is more of a origin story and I was really interested becuase it told the story in a completely different yet great way. What I loved most about this movie and I have to admit I kept tearing up which I still cannot figure out why. Was just the straight out fight of the people even when they were not really in the best situations.

My only complaint had to do with Marion at the end and if you have seen this you know what I am talking about. I don’t disagree with what she did but how she handles herself in the situation. Go see it if you want a great story with some gorgeous scenery. And as always Blanchett and Crowe deliver.

The Best Of . . .

2010-06-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, an actual new post from me- it's been awhile! As Heidi said, that whole having a baby (and doing so in dramatic fashion, once again!) has really taken it out of me. And I of course should be sleeping right now since the baby is, and the toddler is, and its 11:34 pm, but I'd rather do something that brings back a semblance of my old life. Blogging, hooray!

It's time for a year in the review for the 2009-2010 TV season. I'd love to know what the rest of the Hacks think too, since everything is now in reruns I can catch up on something you all loved that I may have missed this past year. Hard to imagine that I missed much, since between 26 weeks of morning sickness and bedrest at the end of the pregnancy, I'd say I definitely watched more than my fair share of TV this year, but still, I may have missed something fabulous that I can now watch while nursing the baby. Thank God I was born in the era of two TVs minimum in every home!

1- The best thing about this past season was that comedies are back! Hooray! These are my favorites, I'm all about the half hour sitcom in most cases, and pretty much since "Friends" signed off there's been a dearth of them in my TV viewing. But now, thanks to "Modern Family," "Cougar Town," and the fact that I've started watching "How I Met Your Mother" and "The Big Bang Theory," there's a good two hours of solid laughs. Cameron from "Modern Family" is perhaps one of my favorite characters on TV right now (I crack up just thinking about him shrieking when they left their adopted daughter Lilly on the elevator in the Hawaii episode). We would totally be friends (you know, if he was real.) And although I was initially very off-put by the idea behind "Cougar Town," I discovered that its a quality ensemble comedy with an absolutely terrible, misleading title. Give it a chance!

2- "Glee" deserves the award for the best new thing in TV. I can't think of another show like it, or one that has influenced other aspects of pop culture so well. I read an interview with Ryan Murphy, the creator, where he said at first he was having a hard time getting artists to agree to let their music be used. But after the Madonna episode's soundtrack went to #1 on the Billboard 100 chart before the episode even aired, musicians are now asking him to use their stuff on the show. He brings in a good mix of show tunes, modern, and more classical stuff, and all of the actors are insanely talented. Any show that can give plum spots to Idina Menzel and Neil Patrick Harris is tops in my book.

3- Crazy, complicated, irritatingly addictive dramas ruled the one hour drama spot with the end of "Lost" and the rising popularity of "Fringe." I should admit that I don't watch either of these shows (well, sort of- Shiloh watches "Fringe" so I see it but don't pay that much attention), but I'm going to start streaming "Lost" on Netflix as soon as I figure out how to get our Wii hooked up to our WiFi and then use that disk I got from Netflix, and I believe I'll love it, from what I know, but also be super annoyed by it. I love J.J. Abrams, I've watched everything he's done starting with "Felicity," so I will always give his work a chance.

4- And finally, "Community" wins my award for the Show with the Most Characters that I Wish Were Real People. This show cracks me up week after week, I seriously want to join that study group or teach at Greendale Community College. Abed is my favorite (love his encyclopedic knowledge of all things movie/tv), but Troy got some great storylines as well (favorite line: "Troy, why do you have a monkey?" "It's an animal that looks like a dude. Why don't I have ten of them?") and Joel McHale is my new favorite comedian. He's even got me watching the "E" network, something I would never, ever have done before seeing "Community," because only one half hour a week of Joel McHale's snarky, sarcastic humor is just not enough, and thus "The Soup" has become another show I'll pretty much always stop on.

I've read up a little bit on the new TV lineup for fall, so a future post with what I hope will be the best of the next season is coming. But I think it needs to be stated that summer TV is pretty freaking awesome right now too. I know Abbey loves "Wipeout," she and Heidi got me into "So You Think You Can Dance" this past year, and who doesn't love every single show on USA Network? Not sure why NBC can't get decent programming on their primetime lineup, but God bless whoever is in charge of programming on USA. "Burn Notice," "In Plain Sight," "Royal Pains," "White Collar" and "Psych" are all pretty much must-see viewing for me (and blessedly available for free from Medicom On Demand, so I can watch during these many, many nursing sessions every day.)

The Men of the World Cup

2010-06-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

*I'm sorry Kara, I just have to mention something about it : ). But I promise it won't dwell on the sport part haha.*

Now when I say men of the World Cup, I'm not talking about the ridiculous amounts of eye candy that surrounds every single team and game (however on that note, after taking a poll the US team does have the highest per capita ratio of hot men...., we could think of no one on team who was truly ugly. Yay US!!)

No I'm talking about the men who are near and dear to my heart because they've been around for all my life. They're my announcers. I love when great players who I loved to watch become amazing commentators so they can still be in my life and additionally have a sense of humor. I have three who I absolutely love.

Alexi Lalas. He was legitimately my hero when I was little and the main reason I wanted to be a defender. He was awesome and I wanted to be awesome. His personality is really sarcastic and often the things he says are 'controversial'. He likes to go against the main stream and isn't afraid to just say that someone is sucking. And now that he's lost the nasty hair and beard I must say he's muy good looking.

John Harkes. Also a good looking individual. He played around the time that Lalas played so they've been together for a long time. Someday it is my dream to hear them commentate a game together. Harkes was a forward so he scored lots of goals. Mainly what I remember about him was just how graceful he looked playing soccer. He is always calm and it's very soothing to listen to him matter-of-factly tell the game.

And last Jurgen Klinsmann. He played for Germany and was their coach for a little while. Currently he lives in Los Angelas with his American wife and kids. I mostly just love him because he's German. And he's the only one with the nerve to say that in "that situation [a breakaway] the player just should have fouled. A professional foul. His coach should have told him that."

Love them all!

Sue Sylvester

2010-05-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

I realize that I mentioned Glee and Sue in the last post that I did, but this is more of an homage. I have always loved Jane Lynch in pretty much everything she's been in because she's always the sarcastic, borderline mean person and I find that really funny. I know that I maybe shouldn't because she is being mean, but just like Kara admitted she laughs when people fall, I'll admit I think it's hilarious when others are mean (in a purely fictional set-up of course ; ). Honestly if I was an actor on this show I would have a very difficult time not laughing when I'm being mercilessly insulted by Sue. I believe my favorite insult of the season was when she sensed Will was behind her and then said, "Ah Will, I knew it was you from the baking cookie smell coming from the little elves that live in your hair." HA! How incredibly random is that? I loved it. So all that has been impressing me, but then for the icing on the cake, in the last couple of episodes she has sung! She's done Madonna and Olivia Newton-John. And she's been amazing. Her music videos are pure gold and have just made me like her even more. I think she is my favorite character on tv right now. Well favorite girl character anyway! Yay team Sue!

And we're back...

2010-04-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

Whew! Been a long time. But I'm feeling like I don't want to work SO here I am. Haha apparently, finding new jobs, finals, having children, etc. really fills up our lives! But I thought I'd lighten the mood and give a review of a movie I know at least two of my other Hackers has seen.

Now I did not see the 3D version, one because they are 5 extra dollars here in Michigan, and also because I truly dislike 3D movies. But I did go to a late night version with my friend and a blanket and it was awesome. This movie was super cute and I totally adored all the voices in it. The dragons were SO dang cute and I loved that they didn't talk. I think it totally would have ruined the movie if the dragons had talked. And it allowed them to have such cute facial expressions. Overall it was just a super cute cartoon and is added to my growing list of favorites. What can I say, I'm just a kid at heart always.

Some other things that I've been enjoying lately are the abundance of good tv shows on. My favs include:
*In Plain Sight. Honestly I just can't get enough of this show.
*Cougartown. So funny and I love Courtney Cox and the neighbor.
*Modern Family. Funny. The. End.
*Justified. Oh my Timothy Olyphant. Him and his Southern accent I could watch all day and night...
*Glee. As always. Love the singing and love that crazy Sue Sylvester is back.
Love it.

April 30th

2010-03-13T16:21:00.000-08:00

This is coming to Phoenix's Dodge Theater April 30th:

Possibly the best tour title ever (his exit agreement with NBC even prohibited him from giving interviews until September, they really don't want him spreading any stories about what horrible people they are. Fortunately Andy Richter is doing it for him- did you see him guest hosting with Kelly on "Regis & Kelly" last week? It was awesome.) Also, Conan is not making any money off of this personally- he's doing all right with his $32.5 million from NBC, of course- but instead is employing his former staffers to work the tour.

So, I'm going to be 32 weeks along in this pregnancy tomorrow, and because of the horrible ending of the last one we're looking at inducing at the earliest at 36 weeks (April 12th) or at the latest April 26th. How bad would it be to take 5 day old, 1 week and 5 days old, or 2 weeks and 5 days old baby to a Conan show? It's never too early to teach them what's really funny in life, right?

Jane Austen is a Genius

2010-03-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

Last night I was reading "Northanger Abbey," the fifth book of my journey through the writings of Jane Austen that I've undertaken this year. So far, its proving to be my least favorite; she uses a different writing style, the characters aren't nearly as likable, and the women are even less engaged in useful activities than her previous works.

But then last night, I read a passage that absolutely cracked me up and I had to get up in order to not wake up my sleeping husband. Silly young heroine Catherine Morland is talking to two of her older (and obviously wiser) friend:

Catherine begins with "I can read poetry and plays, and things of that sort, and do not dislike travels. But history, real solemn history, I cannot be interested in. Can you?"

"Yes, I am fond of history."

"I wish I were too. I read it a little as a duty; but it tells me nothing that does not either vex or weary me. The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars and pestilences in every page; the men all so good for nothing, and hardly any women at all, it is very tiresome; and yet I often think it odd that it should be so dull, for a great deal of it must be invention. The speeches that are put into the heroes' mouths, their thoughts and designs; the chief of all this must be invention, and invention is what delights me in other books."

"Historians, you think," said Miss Tilney, "are not happy in their flights of fancy. They display imagination without raising interest. I am fond of history, and am very well contented to take the false with the true. In the principal facts they have sources of intelligence in former histories and records, which may be as much depended on, I conclude, as anything that does not actually pass under one's own observation; and as for the little embellishments you speak of, they are embellishments, and I like them as such. If a speech be well drawn up, I read it with pleasure, by whomsoever it may be made; and probably with much greater, if the production of Mr. Hume or Mr. Robertson, than if the genuine words of Caractacus, Agricola, or Alfred the Great."

"You are fond of history! And so are Mr. Allen and my father; and I have two brothers who do not dislike it. So many instances within my small circle of friends is remarkable! At this rate, I shall not pity the writers of history any longer. If people like to read their books, it is all very well; but to be at so much trouble in filling great volumes, which, as I used to think, nobody would willingly ever look into, to be labouring only for the torment of little boys and girls, always struck me as a hard fate; and though I know it is all very right and necessary, I have often wondered at the person's courage that could sit down on purpose to do it."

"That little boys and girls should be tormented," said Henry," is what no one at all acquainted with human nature in a civilised state can deny; but in behalf of our most distinguished historians, I must observe, that they might well be offended at being supposed to have no higher aim; and that by their method and style they are perfectly well qualified to torment readers of the most advanced reason and mature time of life. I use the verb 'to torment,' as I observed to be your own method, instead of 'to instruct,' supposing them to be now admitted as synonymous."

"You think me foolish to call instruction a torment; but if you had been as much used as myself to hear poor little children first learning their letters, and then learning to spell, if you had ever seen how stupid they can be for a whole morning together, and how tired my poor mother is at the end of it, as I am in the habit of seeing almost every day of my life at home, you would allow, that to torment and to instruct might sometimes be used as synonymous words."

"Very probably. But historians are not accountable for the difficulty of learning to read; and even you yourself, who do not altogether seem particularly friendly to very severe, very intense application, may perhaps be brought to acknowledge that it is very well worth while to be tormented for two or three years of one's life, for the sake of being able to read all the rest of it."

If only I had read this before going to grad school and spending six years getting a Ph.D. in history! I think Catherine's perspective gives me a little insight into the minds of the Arizona Board of Regents, and the State Legislature. And its really too bad they aren't as smart as Mr. Henry Tilney. This would be a much better state to live in if they were.

? of the Week

2010-02-26T13:06:00.000-08:00

Ok guys it has been a while since we had a ? and so I thought I would post one. Ok here it is a simple ? from me for once barely any thinking to do. You can answer as much or as little as you want. I am going to call this ? The Roll Call.

What are the last books, CDs & movies you have read, listen to or seen? And what did you think about them? Or what are you in the middle of right now?

I will post my answer tonight, but I love to know what people are in the middle of so that is my ?.

ABBEY. Oh em gee, stop the presses, I am blogging. My brain has been back on static mode and I can't see through it to think about much. It's tuning back in though, so, phew. Here we go *rubbing hands together*:
Books: Slashed through the Vampire Diaries books finally, and I thought the books were lame. The show is 1000 times better, I hate Elena way less on the show than I did in the books. Cdub did a fantastic job with this one, I heartily commend all the (numerous) changes they made. I also read a book my mom gave me a yearish ago called the Whistling Season by Ivan Doig. The writing was probably some of the best descriptional work I've ever read, and I felt myself swooning as I do when I listen to piano music. It was magical to read. The problem was that the story was boring. So boring. Conflicting feelings on this one because it was so great to read, but I wished the entire time there was a little more action. If you're hungering for lovely reading though, then I recommend.
Movies: Saw Couples Retreat, hahlarious. Vince Vaughn is creeping up my list of favorite comedians, I love all the words and the smart stuttering. Plus "There isn't much to say" is probably one of the best lines I've ever heard. The girls were good on this one too, I thought Kristen Bell (new fav girl) was great as a neurotic organized person. I got to see When in Rome (with Kara!), and it was super cute. Josh Duhamel is super cute and a great comedian as well. Plus I enjoyed the return of Napoleon, and Dax Shepard was totally awesome as someone suffering greatly from narcissism ("I'm going to have to say I didn't really learn much from this experience, but I'm glad I got to help you grow!..."). Nice abs too, Dax. Mmmm.
Music: Adam Lambert is still unreachably high on my playlist, and if my computer hadn't contracted a virus no antibiotic would touch, I would also do that review right now too. But since I have a sad pathetic memory, I'll have to wait until I have 3.7 hours to put my music back on this machine. I just moments ago downloaded Ray LaMontagne, and I fully recommend taking a listen to him on iTunes. I don't know why, but I am a super fan of the breathy, raspy men (Matt Wertz is a frickin' fantastic example of this, do yourself a favor and check him out as well). I totally just want to chill whilst listening to my new best bud Ray. I feel calm. Now if my husband were home, we'd totally pull a 1950's married couple and dance together swaying in the middle of the living room.
I need recommendations for books girls, so get 'em up here!

Cory
Ok here we go on the nightstand at the moment The Historian digging it greatly, hardly in but this story is mesmerizing. And all the little European towns in it are very enchanting love to read about places where old meets new. It is also about vampires, but so not! More of an academic mystery. Vamp D books I heard were awful so sorry you had to go through that Abbey. 2 fave authors I recently rediscovered were Alice Hoffman and Billie Letts so check them out as far as recommendations go.

I know I did not say but TV, add that in. Ok I am currently obsessed with Supernatural. I always wanted to watch it but never got the chance, but since there is now cable & syndication & the lovely DVR!!! I got my chance and I am loving Jensen Ackles his whole cocky but actually really sweet guy thing works for me in all the right ways.

Last movie I watched was Kinky Boots a British comedy about a shoe factory that starts to make ummm shoes for men who dress like women. Because it is a market they can sell too and also it might keep their factory open. Besides they too need well made shoes in the latest fashions As always the people in it have more layers than thoughts and the human spirit wins so yay! I also saw When in Rome and agree with all of Abbey's comments. Kristin Bell will always be my girl because of Veronica Mars.

Music V.V. Brown has an amazing CD out it is upbeat and fun yet still smart and the more I listen the more I dig. Brenden Bensen also has a great CD, if you want a more alternative option. Plus I swear at times he sounds just like Paul McCartney which freaks me out in the good way. Ok that is all I got- what about the rest of you?

Kara

Books: I'm working through the collected works of Jane Austen this year. It started over Christmas when I began reading "Sense & Sensibility," but then forget it at my mom's house when I came home. Then I realized my grandmother had given me some of her old classics when she and my grandpa downsized to a smaller house, and she owned a book that has all 6 of Austen's novels. "Sense & Sensibility" was the first one, so I finished it and then kept going. My goal was to finish them all by the end of the year, but its the end of February and I've already read 4, so I may beat that! Although that means I've gotta get through "Mansfield Park" & "Northanger Abbey" before the baby comes . . . probably not going to happen. I love them, I think they're fabulous, but I constantly think, "My word, these women do nothing." Their entire lives consist of visiting people and planning picnics and playing the piano or drawing. It's absurd and totally confirms my opinion that for women, there are no good old days. So far "Pride & Prejudice" is my favorite. Nobody writes smart, opinionated women like Jane.

Music: I haven't been doing too much new with music lately, sad to say, but tonight on the way home from my friend's mom's funeral, I heard a wonderful Pearl Jam song that made me cry. The DJ said its called "Just Breathe," which is a lame title, but it was beautiful. I'm about to download it off iTunes so I can memorize it (and probably cry again) but the line I'm remembering right now that stood out to me was in the very beginning, and he sings something like "I'm lucky to be able to count the people I love on two hands, some people can do only one and some people have none."

Movies: Again, not too much new here, but Abbey and I had a much needed girl's night last week and saw "When in Rome" and I totally loved it. Jon Heder is a genius, and Dax Shepard's line "I'm glad I got to help you grow" (see Abbey's earlier post) still makes me laugh. I'm constantly on the lookout for a chance to use that quote in my life. This isn't particularly a review of one movie, but I'd like to give a shout out to Netflix for making my teaching life significantly easier this semester. Thanks to their vast selection of historical documentaries that are all available for instant streaming, and ASU Poly's super mediated classrooms I teach in, I have been able to stream said documentaries from my personal laptop into the classroom's computer system. This is fantastic, because it allows me to only lecture for 45 mins then do portions of documentaries for the last half hour, and thus allows me to eat on my marathon teaching day. God bless Netflix.

HEIDI - Alright I guess I'm just a massive slacker this past week.... but I'll try and make up for it.
Okay I'll start with Books. I've got nothing. Really in the past two and half months since Christmas I've only read the entire Percy Jackson series (this is really not that impressive because I think each book took me about 4 hours each....). Well I suppose I also read Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom and I totally loved(!) it. I start the Poisonwood Bible on my trip to D.C. and it's interesting but I just haven't been in the mood to read much the past few weeks. Cor told me I should read The Help though so I'll check into that.
Music, I've totally been digging Kesha. I know she's super dirty in most her songs, well the ones on the radio, but if you search through her cd to Boots and Boys and Blind then you'll love it. Her beat is so catchy and just fun to rock out to. I've also been Lada Gaga obsessed a little bit, especially Telephone. And of course Adam Lambert. And I've rediscovered my love of punk rock in the form of my "reject boy" playlist (yes Abbey I am playlist obsessed but this playlist combines my love of Fall Out Boy, All American Rejects, Bowling for Soup, Hawthorne Heights, Green Day, and many others).
Movies....um ya sad to say but the last movie I saw in theatres was Holmes. Totally loved it though! Oh wait haha just a couple days ago Ab, Ben and I saw Valentine's Day. I was all ready to be skeptical of this movie but it was actually super funny and I totally loved it. On netflix I recently got Gamer, which was violent but I really liked it. It made me think in the way that Law Abiding Citizen made me think and love that. Plus the guy who plays Dexter was so amazingly fantastic I can't even describe. So violent but really intriguing. Oh I also watched Couples Retreat and totally agree with Ab on Vince Vaughn. Funny guy. And I watched the end of the world movie with Keanu Reeves as an alien.... can't remember the name right now...dang. It was actually passable. It was definitely about how we're destroying the earth but still had it's interesting parts... Tonight and tomorrow I'll be seeing Shutter Island and Alice in Wonderland so we'll see how those go.
Alright tv shows, on Netflix I've been working my way through Moonlight which is about a vampire who is a private investigator. I like it. I think I may be becoming a genre person in my like of vampire dramas but really they just intrigue me especially the different takes everyone has on the same horror. The past two weeks was taken over by the Olympics and I had to forego all other shows in an effort to keep up with what was happening. It was fun but I will be happy to go home and work through all those shows I've missed. Although I did keep up with The Soup because I can't go without it for a week. Ya I think that's all.

The Olympics

2010-02-24T11:09:00.000-08:00

I don't know if this counts as a tv show or not but....I don't know what else it would be. Special feature maybe? Oh well, anyway, since my entertainment life has been entirely taken up by the Olympics in the past week and a half I thought I would mention a few of my thoughts about it.

- While I love the Olympics and can't wait for every other year when they come around, is it really necessary for all my other shows to quit for two weeks (or in the most grievous case a month and a half)? Trust me, my tivo can handle it!

- Cross country. Honestly I think it's on every day. And to me it all looks like the same event. I can't tell the people apart, much less if they're men or women, and it just looks so unbelievably hard. I commend them greatly on their endurance (my Heaven their endurance and leg muscles!) but really I find you boring cross country. A contributing factor to this may also be the fact that the United States is really terrible at it. However, the announcer for cross country events gets SO excited about everything that is slowly happening, that each time I'm sucked in thinking it's interesting, and then I realize I don't know who he's talking about because he's using the people's names, and I need him to bring it down to my level and use the colors of their uniforms and poles. And the mass start biathalon is just sheer chaos! You have 20 people at one time on the shooting range and people are missing you don't know who's who and you just really need to give up.

- Men's figure skating. I'm curious as to when this sport changed from something that really strong, small men did, to where it's now somewhat of a make-up and costume competition. Don't get me wrong they're still amazingly strong but it just seems there's a higher percentage of guys batting for the other team then there used to be....

- Ice Dancing. Really this is a cool sport. I think that it flows really well and I like watching dancing on ice because the moves and turns seem so much smoother and just generally prettier. But the woman announcer just about drove me to insanity. She was a little to intense about her sport and how it is harder than any other Olympic sport....rrriiiiigggghhhhtttt. I think I should just watch it on mute. And the Russian pair really scared me. They are not people I'd like to meet in a dark alley because they strike me as completely psychotic. Did you see their creepy facial expressions while they were doing the weird Aboriginal dance????

- The snowboarders are my absolute favorite. Watching their interviews is just awesome because they're all so laid back and happy! You kind of wonder whether they care about winning or if they're just happy they found some snow they can ride on. Shaun White is AHmazing. And Johnny Moseley (yes I know he's skiing) is my Olympic crush....

- I love Chris Collinsworth. He's my favorite NFL announcer and every fluff personal piece he does on random athletes I have to watch. I love his voice and he's just a funny guy. And Steven Colbert makes me laugh out loud. Especially with his moose.

- Why do they have to show the qualifying rounds of some of these sports? I honestly don't really care and isn't there other sports you could put on that aren't qualifying? Like a curling match or a hockey game.... I don't need to watch the quarters, semis, second semis, and two final rounds of short track speed skating (I'm not kidding that's how many rounds there was). Just give me the finals. Maybe this makes me impatient but I'd rather see a short time of a lot of different events then just one for 2 hours.

Okay this probably sounded like a lot of complaining. It really wasn't, just some observations I had and ideas on how to make it better. Because we all know the IOC and NBC wants my opinion. I do love the Olympics and will be sad to see them go for another two years....but happy to have my other shows back too :).

News?

2010-01-29T14:40:00.001-08:00

I don't know if Jon Stewart qualifies as entertainment or news. I know there's been debate about this for awhile now, but I'll be totally honest here- I get way more of my "news" from his show than any other so-called news source. And it's much, much funnier- or at least intentionally funny. I often laugh at CNN and Fox News, but I don't think they'd appreciate the parts I think are funny.

But anyhow, I think because this clip is so funny, it can be on a blog related to criticizing all forms of media. But I also found this story both hilarious and disturbing, so of course I needed to share it. As Stewart says here, I now understand why South Carolina didn't try to impeach Governor Mark Sanford after he disappeared for a week to meet his Argentinian mistress (under the guise of "hiking the Appalachian Trail"- even his staff couldn't find him.) Their Lieutenant Governor is a nightmare! And he's now running for governor- and I believe is the leading Republican candidate. What?!? I would be okay with letting South Carolina secede (again) if this guy wins. There may be a good argument about not creating a dependency culture, but it should NOT involve starving children. Sheesh.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

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I'm WIth Coco

2010-01-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

I just finished watching Conan O'Brien's last "The Tonight Show" (which, incidentally, is probably the last time I'll watch that show myself) and man, I totally heart that guy.

I was at Abbey's house ridiculously late one night this week because of weird house title/deed stuff we had to get done, and as luck would have it our internet was knocked out by the storms we've been having in Phoenix. (Four inches of rain equalling is a storm is a little pathetic, but what are you gonna do? Us desert dwellers can't handle it.) I had her turn on Conan since Joel McHale was on- and I think we've pretty well documented what fans we HACKs are of McHale.

We started talking about what was going on with NBC deciding to essentially just blow up their late night programming schedule, and I was telling her about this clip that Conan showed when the whole debacle started going down. (Yes, I'm excited that I've finally learned how to embed videos! Welcome to technology that was available about 2 decades ago, Kara!) This sums it up pretty nicely, I think:

So basically, NBC is the heartless pimp (although is there any other kind?) out for profit, which is interesting because they're not really making any right now anyway, can we say 4th place network? And Conan is the nice ho who's getting screwed.

I've always been a big fan of Conan, I started watching Late Night with Conan O'Brien when I was old enough (ie when I went to college and could stay up as late as I wanted) and have loved him ever since. I don't think he was as funny at the 10:35 time slot yet as he was a little later (lets face it, not all jokes play well at that time slot and you have to kind of tone it down- or go to cable- speaking of, might I propose some sort of Comedy Central venture with a Conan/Stewart/Colbert lineup?) But he was still hilarious. I watched Leno's 9pm show about twice and its not funny. I didn't think he was particularly funny when he was on "The Tonight Show" and never really watched then- so I guess the fact that I will probably never watch the show again isn't really going to hurt NBC's numbers too much, given I've only been watching for the past 7 months. Eh. I don't think Letterman is funny, he's always struck me as sort of a dirty old man (which apparently is true, if his recent tabloid struggles are any indication) and I find Paul Schaefer grating. Jimmy Kimmel is funny, he's better at taped gags or pre-recorded stuff than a monologue though, but since he comes on after Nightline and I'm not a huge fan of our local ABC news station, I'm never watching that channel and usually only see his stuff online. I recently was told I would like Craig Ferguson, so I checked out his show after Letterman and I do indeed think he's pretty funny. I also would've guessed he was drunk, except apparently he doesn't do that anymore. But his show conflicts with my viewing of "The Daily Show" & "The Colbert Report," which are my late night priorities, and the reason why I never watched all of Conan when he was on so late.

So, all that to say, I was thrilled when he got "The Tonight Show" gag because it really filled in that hour of television-less time in my late night schedule. Goodness knows I have nothing else to do with that time period, and Conan is a great way to end your day. Right before Stewart and Colbert, if I can stay awake that long. If not, its great online naptime viewing! Cory and Heidi are big fans of making top ten lists, and I'm not sure if I'll get all the way to ten, but over the past few weeks I've been thinking of all the ways I love Senor Conando, so here's a list:

1. He's smart. Like, ridiculously smart. Dude went to Harvard, wrote for SNL, The Simpsons, then got the Late Night gig when Letterman got hosed out of "The Tonight Show" (by Jay Leno too, hmm, pattern?) and had a terrible early run, but found his stride somewhere through the second season and rocked it for 16 years. He knows historical and pop culture references and uses them with ease, which also makes him cool (well, in my book, and I hold a Ph.D. in history, so we all know how cool I am.)

2. He's self-depricating. I guess maybe you have to be, with hair like that, but I'm finding that the older I get in life, I just can't deal with people who can't be self-depricating. They're annoying. They take themselves too seriously and that makes them irritating, and often exhausting, to be around. Leno's humor is actually kind of pompous (things like "Jaywalking," while admittedly funny, are designed to put himself in a superior light to the poor saps he accosts on the street.) Conan doesn't do that. He does gross (Masturbating Bear- or Self-Pleasuring Grizzly, as Robin Williams suggested he rename the bear when he goes to another network because NBC claims to "own" all of his "intellectual property.") He does weird physical comedy (string dance, funny spin and jump thing he opens his shows with, sometimes he just hops around the cameras.) This annoys some people, who find him juvenile, but its actually brilliant because he is perfectly comfortable being the butt of the joke himself. Everyone watching can just be entertained, and nobody needs to feel belittled. Well, except for NBC lately, but some people just deserve it.

3. He supports new artists. I've seen a lot of new musical groups and bands on his Late Night show, and he continued the pattern with "The Tonight Show," making sure he booked up and coming guests as well as established, crowd pleasing names. Neil Young said as much after he played "Long May You Run" on Conan's last show.

4. He invites guests just for the fun of it. Yes, late night guests are plugging new projects, and we all know that when we watch, but it can get annoying. Conan does it too, he has to, but he also brings on friends who are just funny to watch him interact with. I don't know when the last time I saw Norm McDonald doing anything was, but he was on Conan's show about 3 times and was hilarious each time.

5. He has fun. When he signed off on "Late Night," he said a lot of people have done better shows than he has, but no one has had more fun doing it. And I think that's obvious when you watch his show. He's so happy doing his job, and that he can be as goofy and ridiculous as he wants to be, and that life has worked out so well for him, that its a pleasure to watch. The only other late night host I see the same enthusiasm from is Craig Ferguson, which is maybe why I enjoyed his show.

6. He's kind. On his last show, he said nobody gets what they think they're going to get from life, but if you work hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. Right now, I'd say that it seems like if you're kind, you're gonna get screwed, but Conan would rather do the right thing to his own detriment than be unkind to others. Leno is getting his old time slot back because his show was a huge, unfunny failure at 9 pm. The network's first brilliant idea was to move Leno to a half hour show at 10:35, then have Conan air at 11:05, followed by Fallon and then I guess Carson Daly, although I have no idea what on earth he does at 1:30 in the morning or whenever he's on. Conan felt like this would fail (he was right, his show would seem repetitive after half an hour of Leno, and what on earth would Leno do with a half hour comedy show?) and rather than ruin the franchise, and probably muscle Jimmy Fallon out of a job too, he stepped aside. Because he's kind like that. I've heard people defending Jay Leno, saying he's such a good guy, but there's been two big late night wars, and he's been at the center of each of them. I'm kind of inclined to agree with Letterman and say, "This is vintage Jay."

Conan's getting over $30 million from his severance package (and paying his staff over $12 million personally- he did the same when the writer's strike aired, paid everyone who couldn't work out of his own pocket) and its not like he's going to be hurting financially ever, so I don't feel sorry for him in that sense. But money isn't everything, and watching his dream die and seeing him lose his dream job for such odd reasons is still kind of heartbreaking- even though he can laugh all the way to the bank.

I don't know what to do with my hands.....

2010-01-22T11:03:00.000-08:00

So I think that none of us really know what's happening with the weekly questions so I'm just going to slap one up here since I have an idea. I recently saw the movie Holmes and it had a line that made me laugh out loud and honestly I want to remember and quote it for the rest of my life. I should set up the scene for those who haven't seen it yet: Holmes makes fun of the police inspector constantly for being an idiot. So at this point in the movie the Lord Blackwood has come back from the dead and the police are inspecting his grave. Holmes asks the inspector if they've brought up the coffin yet and the inspector replies "We're in the process of doing that right now." Holmes then looks around and sees about 6 officers just standing there looking scared. He then delivers my favorite line: "At what stage in the process are you exactly? Contemplative?" Oh man I loved it, so funny and applicable in SO many situations. And it got me thinking about all the movie lines I use in my life that I shamelessly stole and have adapted to many different situations. So the weekly question is:

What movie quotes have you seamlessly transitioned into your everyday vocabulary and are you favorites??

Cory: So many I probably use and don’t even remember where they are from.

Umm” Fine” I yell this at people at the top of my lungs if they are pestering me with the same questions over and over. From America’s Sweethearts.
And this one is a quote from a kid from a Dr. Seuss movie. “I’m So Excwited.” Like that not the other way. I have never seen said movie but I know this kid very well.
And there is this whole scene from Big Trouble that my whole family quotes,”well I know we are arriving at the aiport but we are departing from here so do we go to arrivals or departures?” Total misquote but imagine a dirty Johnny Knoxville and you get the funny.
We also all quote the entire scene from one of those Griswold movies where they are at the Hoover Damn “You can take as many damn pictures as you would like. You can purchase as many damn souvenirs as you wish. They are many damn visitors each year.”
Most of the other ones just float around in my head and pop up at certain moments when things remind me of them. Like yesterday I saw this Southern Guy and suddenly all I could think of was Sawyer quotes from Lost. Or like Heidi when I see incompetent people I don’t think of the Holmes scene, although now I will. I think of the scene in Departed where Marky Mark says ” I am the guy doing his job, you must be the other guy.“

Kara- There are so many, I'll probably keep adding to this one for forever! Nice question, Heidi, well done! But, off the top of my head, here are two:

1- Ruh-tard. I challenge anyone to see "The Hangover" and not start calling people "ruh-tards." Can't be done.

2- "Why didn't they just build this city on the effing sun?"- In "Fools Rush In" Matthew Perry actually says the real word, not effing, but I'm a good girl like that and really can't even bring myself to say that word even if I'm quoting someone. Also, he says this about Las Vegas as he sits on the leather seats of his black convertible, but I've found at least daily uses for this quote living in Phoenix during the months of April-November.

HEIDI - Ha okay I finally get to it. I had so many floating in my head I had to remember where they all came from. And now that I sit I've forgotten most of them...
* Totally second Kara's Ruh-tard. Love it.
* "You stay classy San Diego" - most often I am being sarcastic and never talking about San Diego but this quote just fits SO often it's hilarious. Will Ferrell in Anchorman.
* "Oh no words are comin out. OH NO!" This is way funnier when Brian Regan is saying it and I'm not typing it out but I say this often...because I say things I shouldn't.
* "Well" Okay this one is from Horton Hear's a Who and it's Carol Burnett and just they way she says the one word is fantastic. Like totally resigned to the situation and whenever I say 'well' now I say it like that.
And I really can't remember any more.... I'm sure they'll come to me soon. BTW the "I don't know what to do with my hands..." comes from Will Ferrell in Talledega Nights when he first does an interview and it's so awkward. I feel this way often.

2 Books and A CD

2010-01-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

The Help By Kathryn Stcokett
This book is set right on the edge of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi, and it follows almost the entire way through. It is written from the point of view of Abileen an African American Maid who cares for mostly children and tends to leave before they are old enough to get mean with her. Minny another maid who has a mouth and mind for sassing but also a hard life and a lot to offer. And Skeeter a white Southern girl just returned from college, to hang out with her league friends and is really useless because not married.
There are so many reasons I would recommend this book I really identified with Skeeter because like her I have just graduated from College and really the displacement you can feel, and for so many other reasons. Plus to peek into this time and place was amazing, and not even because of the obvious differences pre -Civil Rights Movement. The way people dress, entertain, live it is so different from now (at least here). Although there are a lot of horrible stories in this book you really feel it is hopeful. And for each sad story there are stories that make you believe in the good of people, even fake people. Their stories are written very well, her voice is good and I was quite surprised when I read the back cover to see it was her first book. The Author herself had a maid and talks about the problems she faced writing this book. It is something she is not supposed to talk about but at the same time her maid meant so much to her.

Belle Isle by MoZella
This CD I love (well you know that otherwise wouldn’t take time to talk about it). I can’t even describe it is pop but I feel like it is the new version of that 60’s throw back we had recently. Once you hear it you get what I am saying. Mozella’s voice carries the CD though, the entire way through. OK the best way I can think of how to describe it is to compare it to other stuff. Jason Mraz’s first CD that fresh, happy feel even in slower songs it has that. Mozella her voice reminds me of Duffy who sang Mercy, it is strong. Let me just say this if she was a drink she would be a cold 7-Up refreshing and light. As for my fave songs I really love all of them so go give it a listen. But I will say Four Leaf Clover is my Current ringtone.

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
This is a book about a cooking class each chapter is another class and another member of the class and their story. The food descriptions are scrumptious, and in fact the way she describes everyting made me think I was sitting there in the class. Usually a book of a bumch of tied together vignettes has a lot of issues with continuity but this one does an amazing job. At the end it feels like one of the recipes in the books put together perfectly in just the right way. It is a short book and I read it in a few days a nice little detour.

Back in the Day . . .

2010-01-11T22:29:00.000-08:00

I've never tried embedding anything on here yet, but its quite fitting that my first attempt would be from "The Daily Show." In my course reviews from last semester, the top two things students wrote in as being their favorite things about my classes were something to the affect of she's funny (I make fun of myself a lot, that's basically what they mean there) and "she uses awesome clips from The Daily Show."

But anyway, as a professor of history, I often get irritated when people start talking about "the good old days." I'm telling you, there weren't any good old days. I don't mean to sound totally pessimistic here, but the adage "Life is hard and then you die" has always been true, but in the past life was really, really hard in super sucktacular ways, and then you died. Usually early, and of some horrible disease that we don't have anymore. Or, for us women, childbirth- its no coincidence that women didn't start outliving men until medical advancements made childbirth about a million times safer. (And its still super risky- this spring one of the doctors treating me told me that when he started practicing 20 years earlier, they would've lost me after the abruption I had with Emma. He said he's only seen 7 abruptions as bad as mine- and those moms were drug users, of course- and I'm his sole survivor.) So for me, even 20 years ago would have sucked (although I was alive then too, but not able to have children yet.)

There are other reasons why the good old days never existed either, particularly in America. I'm usually appalled when people ignore things like civil rights when they talk about simpler times. It truly was only about forty years ago that this country started letting African Americans VOTE- 1964, people! And even then, it took awhile to actually be put into practice. There were no good old days, we've just traded lynchings for terrorists (and there's definitely an argument to be made that lynchings are a form of domestic terrorism.) There's always a downside, and life never was, and never will be, idyllic.

So, I laughed OUT LOUD when I saw this clip on "The Daily Show." John Oliver is my current favorite correspondent (although Asif Mandvi does some great stuff too), and this helps prove why.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Even Better Than the Real Thing

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First Weekly ? of Oh-Ten

2010-01-07T22:47:00.000-08:00

I have absolutely no idea who's turn it is to get the weekly question rolling again, but since I thought of one I was going to make my own post about, I decided to reinstate it. Here we go, first question of Oh Ten (I'm using Abbey's name for this year. I like it.)

Its a variant on a question I've done before actually, but as I thought about my answer to it, I realized that its pretty revealing about what I've been through in the past year (because I think we're all pretty aware that my family and I are rather thrilled to say "good riddance!" to 2009. May we never see another year like this one again.) So, the question is:

What songs define 2009 for you?

(I'm still compiling my list, but thought I'd put the question out there before I'm ready anyway. Heidi finished her abstract today, so we all know she's itching for something to fill her time . . . :) )

HEIDI - When I first saw this question I thought well this will be easy I'll just pick the songs I listened to the most this year. Well wrong because those songs are pretty much just the ones with the best beat not the ones that I truly feel define my mindset/experiences/attitude. So here they are and please know they are in no order. I don't think I could do an ordered list...
* Broken - Lifehouse - My absolute favorite line in this song is "I may have been lost now, but I haven't forgotten my way home." There have been many experience this past year and my whole life where I've felt lost. But I've been thankful to always know my way home so to speak, to find myself again. Love it so much.
* Come Back To Me - David Cook - This song is of course about a girl leaving him, but I like the principle much more. She needs to find herself but he'll always be there waiting for her. For me it's about being there for people; friends, family, anyone when they're trying to find themselves. You'll be supportive and just so happy when they come back.
* Someday - Rob Thomas - "Maybe someday, we'll figure all this out, put an end to all our doubt. Someday." I guess we can only hope to someday figure every thing out. But until then we'll just stick together.
* If I Can't Have You - Kelly Clarkson - This song illustrates the many crushes I had this year, boys and otherwise, that burned bright and burned out quick. Haha if I can't have you, then I don't want anyone....until I change my mind again. : )
* Never Gonna Be Alone - Nickelback - Truly I got amazingly sick of Nickelback this year so I don't even own this song. But I do love the words about all the things I wish I had told you, and I hope you know you're never going to be alone. I really like this sentiment because when I moved to Michigan I realized how much I had taken for granted with respect to my relationships. I didn't tell the people in my life that I love them enough. So I tried the rest of the year to tell them often. Probably so they're sick of me but I don't care. I miss them and I love them.
* Leave Out All the Rest - Linkin Park - "Help me leave behind some reason to be missed." I think this is such a good way to live your life. I just want to treat people well and not have regrets about what I've done.
And some honorables that perhaps didn't mean as much but ones I just totally loved: Falling Slowly - Kris Allen. Life After You - Daughtry. And finally 99 Times - Kate Voegele.

Cory-So Heidi (yeah You) always has to have a meaning and for me sometimes I am just about the music, not the lyrics and some of these were just all over the place this year so I had to include them.
1. Tik Tok, Ke$ha- I have to add this one I know completely ridiculous but if this song is playing on my clock radio I actually do get out of bed instead of hitting snooze. Which if you know me quite the big deal. It is awful and pretty much if I knew this girl I would find her annoying but in song form I love her for some reason.
2. Countdown, Jupiter One- This song was on one of my fave shows Greek pretty early in the year and since then heavy in rotation on my iPod. But the reason I love it besides the fact that it is just great is I felt like a lot of this year was waiting, waiting for graduation, etc. And then after all the waiting there is the other part of the song which screams wake up at you.
3. Don’t Be So Shy, Boomkat- This song sums up my feelings about all boys throughout the year, do not flirt and then no follow up action. I get the shyness but come on!
4. Hate on Me, Glee Cast- Well umm I love Glee and the music. But this song was my fave and really go ahead Hate on Me when you stop caring what everyone you don’t really care about thinks of you, it is really much easier to be happy in your life. Especially since like in this song it is about them not you. So thanks for that P-S-Hey Glee.
5. Matt & Kim, Daylight-This song was everywhere, and really lovely, I still dig. Plus when a song starts with “we cut the legs off our pants, we walked into the ocean,” you really got me because of the gorgeous pic you just stuck in my head.
Oh and all of these too!
Running Up that Hill, Placebo another song I kept hearing everywhere, it just I don’t even have words, its intense give a listen. Say Hey (I Love You), Michael Franti great fantastic song. Empire State of Mind & Run This Town, Jay-Z so good I don’t even care he calls himself the new Sinatra. Use Somebody, Kings of Leon it was their huge year and I enjoyed hearing this song everywhere and still do.

Paper Heart

2010-01-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

First off I love these cute little quirky movies because I know I can definitely be quirky if not just plain weird. But let me lay it out for you Charlene Yi thinks she is incapable of falling in love and sets out to find out if it is true. She interviews countless people on the subject all over the country including Albuquerque. Here is where this movie is different though, during the filming she starts to date Michael Cera (yes that cute, adorable, sarcastically awkward funny pocket size Michael Cera) and the director Nick wants to tape it since it is now part of her journey. And when the interviewed couples tell stories from their relationships they are acted out with these handmade dolls- this sounds creepy but is actually really original and these dolls are some fun art.
This movie is a short little treat which ends like you want it too and is filled with heartwarming moments. From the little Southern gentlemen answering questions about love on the playground who is far wiser than his years, to other hilarious scenes like Nick and Charlene running towards a fireworks shop shouting Fireworks. If you do rent it make sure to watch the deleted scenes I found myself wondering why some were not included in the movie. Overall I would definitely suggest it in fact this and 500 Days of Summer would be a lovely double feature. These are the kind of movies that leave you happy and hopeful.

New Years Greetings!

2010-01-01T13:03:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year and share my excitement for things to come!!

A few of these things:
*Sherlock Holmes (which of course has already come out but I have not yet had the time to go)
*New season of Chuck - I'm just in love with him
*Alice in Wonderland - Crazy but I just can't wait
*Lost - I'm still lost but I'm considering trying again....
*Harry Potter - I think the first one of the last book comes out this year?
*Eclipse - because I just have to

Love you all and hope you're excited too!!!

Also as an added New Year's BONUS I'll throw in a book review. On the plane home I was able to read one and a half books (not more because I get sick). The first was The Alchemist. Fascinating read I must tell you. It's about a boy who is trying to fulfill his 'personal legend'. It puts a really different spin on destiny. I recommend it highly (especially since it only took me 45 minutes to read). But, definitely read the foreword by the author before reading the book, it helps explain things a lot and lets you get more out of it.
The second one I'm almost through with is Mitch Albom's newest book Have a Little Faith. Love it just as much as I love his other books. It's about him being asked to give a eulogy for his Rabbi. There is also a story about a man who I believe becomes a Priest but I haven't gotten there yet. I already know though that I love it and I recommend it too!

This is reality....Right?

2009-12-12T21:16:00.000-08:00

Okay I don't know how I can top last week's question so I'm not even going to try. Maybe this is too easy but I liked thinking about the answer. So in honor of Survivor's four hundredth season or whatever it is (never liked/watched the show honestly) I would like to know everyone's opinion on their favorite reality show. Now this is not reality like game show kind of think like Jeopardy or anything like that, this is cuthroat, drama-filled off on a island with no tv REALITY show. Haha but we won't go into how reality it is.... So there we are:

What is your favorite reality tv show?!

Heidi: My choice for this is definitely going to be Real World/Road Rules Challenge. I can not get enough of this show. And even though they seem to always have the same people on and the same drama I love it. I mean they breed the drama; endless supply of alcohol, no television, basically the only thing for them to do is drink, hook up, and fight with each other. Which they're awesome at. But the part of the show that I truly love to watch are the challenges. They are so original and more puzzle like than any I've seen. I really really enjoy watching the relatively unintelligent people solve puzzles where they have to spell words or drop 100 feet into the water. It's priceless. And the physical challenges are fantastic because they guys are so macho that they get so unbelievably into the competition. It's fantastic and I just love it. Each round gets more awesome. Well except for the survivor style one, I wasn't that into that one. And they get super hosts to come in each season, like TJ Lavin who although he looks like a total bore to be around, he's still nice to look at.

Cory: Well Heidi kind of stole my answer but then I was thinking about it and I can’t stand when all the guys are like oh the girls, we don’t need the girls and then they hit the puzzle and 9/10 times it is the girl solving it. But since Heidi is a big fat thief! Here is my new choice pretty much any of The Housewives shows I find them hilarious and ridiculous and well they make me feel very normal. For example I find it very funny when a character says when I was 27 I only needed 1 Botox shot and now that I am 32 I need 2 shots. When in my head I am thinking you got Botox when you were 27! That is only a few years older than I am right now! Full of priceless moments like this from all over the country. I can’t even describe why I find it so funny. But that is my choice because I tune in every week.

Dinner Party!?!

2009-11-24T13:18:00.000-08:00

It is my week for the weekly ? and since I have a feeling I will be no where near a computer for the next few days here it is early. If you could invite any 3 people to a dinner party at your house from the entertainment industry (books, movies, music, etc.) who would it be? Dead or alive. And magically you would all want to be there, food would be provided, along with a killer outfit and your house would also be clean. So not that we have all that other stuff out of the way,who would it be? Me well I am still contemplating and making some cuts. But who would you send an invite to?

Heidi - Okay whoa this has taken me SOOO long to think up an answer to. I mean there are so many things to consider. Gorgeous guys are a pitfall because, well I'm a nerd and get worse around pretty men. Gorgeous women are a pitfall because well....I don't want to continue this line of thinking. Funny people seem like a must but could also be tragic because I don't want to look super unfunny. Can you tell overthinking this is involved? But I have come to a sort of conclusion. And this weekend Cory, Ab, and I decided that couples count as 1 invite, so keep that in mind. Alright my first invite gets sent with much anticipation and joy to Joel McHale. What can I say I just love the guy, he's good looking, funny would keep the conversation going, it would be golden. I also think he could put every body at ease. But let's face it, I'm just totally in love with him and his funny, he could even bring his wife if he wanted. My second invite is a couple invite to Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend. I know she is an absolutely gorgeous women but she just sounds like a ton of fun whenever she's on talk shows. And Stuart Townsend is my favorite Dorian Grey. And my last invitation is also a couple one and it's for Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal. They just look like so much fun too and would be easy to talk to. And they're just so dang cute together I can't even stand it. Oh man my party just sounds like so much fun except I need a dang date! So let's just add Ian Somerhalder in there as my date ;).
Some close seconds: Kristin Cavallari from the Hills, just because I'm curious about her in reality. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Okay really no but it would be interesting to see if they're as wacked out in person.....

Cory- Ok it took me a really long time to think of who I wanted to fill these slots and after much deliberation I have my answer. First guest Donnie from the local radio station here The Peak 100.3. He grew up in and still lives in Moriarty and well he is just funny. I think he would be great to have a conversation with and complete fun also I think we would become good friends after and have cupcake dates (or maybe that is just delusional fan thinking). Second guest J.J. Abrams and his wife who he says very nice things about which just makes me like him more. Ok so I would probably lie to JJ and tell him to show up an hour earlier so I could get all my Felicity/Alias/Lost/Fringe questions out of the way before the other guests showed up. What I would have appetizers and really it would be so the rest of the guests could miss this geek fest. Third and final gues and this is the stop I could jsut not fill no one was either cool enough or would mesh well but last night it came to me: Mindy Kaling. You may know her as Kelly on The Office but she actually writes & produces the show too. She also has a blog solely about shopping, so worst case we could gab about that. Either way another fun addition.
Considered but thrown out: Joss Whedon (it would just be too much in one room), John Mayer (so I could tell him to knock it off!), Shia LaBeouf (purely curiosity, although it would wreck my crush because I would see how short he actually is), and stolen from H Kristin Cavillari (I like her!).

Abbey:
This is by far the hardest question yet, and the one you have to really dig deep and think about the most because, let's face it, I want to have the best dinner party of all. My dinner party focuses on the funny, since I think we've established that's all I really do. All of my guests are all couples, that is the best way to get all the funny packed nicely in.
First deliciously designed invitation gets sent of to:
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos (Regis can stay home). I have the hugest girl crush on Kelly Ripa, she is probably one of my top 5 favorite people ever in the entertainment industry. The two of them together are a) the cutest couple ever and b) super funny separately and together. They could carry the conversation, make everyone feel great about themselves, and keep us laughing. Plus then, I could get an in with Kelly and please Lord, become her bff. And I don't want to sound conceited or anything, but Ben and Mark would get along great together.
Steve Carell and Jim Carrey. I am fully aware these two are not a couple, but I am forcing them to be one to save my last slot. I love love love Jenny McCarthy (yet another funny blonde, hmmm, what do you think I wish I was?), but she would spend the evening talking far too much about autism and healthy living and that's just plain a downer, so she can stay at home and hear about how great the evening was from Jim afterwards. I don't think much further explanation on this couple pick is needed, seeing as how their names are Steve Carell and Jim Carrey. Preeeety much the funniest men alive. I want Steve to say something off color and give us all that famous that-was-awkward-but-you-know-it-was-hilarious smile that makes me laugh the hardest whilst watching The Office. That is my wish for the evening.
Darius Rucker. I am aware this is a bit obscure, and so obscure that I don't even know if he's married or not, but I heart him. Hootie and the Blowfish was my very first ever CD purchased, and it still tops all else. My parents thought he was terribly monotonous, but their songs just grabbed me and I love them. They're included on that yet-to-happen list of songs that make me cry. Darius recently went country and his album is fabulous, I still adore him. Really, if it wasn't so blatantly a black name (not in a bad way, back off ACLU), I would've named my son Devin, Darius. If you can have a crush on someone that isn't an attracted-to crush, but an I-just-love-everything-you-do crush, he is mine.
Honorable Mentions: Adam Lambert, I would love to include because even after his super grosso antics on the AMA's, I still have a crush on a gay dude. Excluded because he's a little bit too much and while I appreciate the yell, I don't want it occuring at my dinner party. Rainn Wilson, included because he's so creepily hilarious (my favorite character on The Office), excluded because, well, I'm mean, but he's not very pretty. And I didn't have another spot. Man, she's showin' up everywhere, but Kristin Cavallari. Included because I lately have loved the bad guys in most of the shows/movies I've seen. She's great, I totally love her. Mostly because everyone hates her and I think it's hilarious. Excluded because she'd try to steal the show, and that's unacceptable.

Kara: This post is unacceptably late, and I honestly still don't have a really good answer for it. Way to make me think, Corey! I don't think I've spent this much time mulling something over since grad school. Sad. But, like Abbey, I think my guests would pretty much all focus on the funny. I have very little patience for people who don't have a sense of humor, especially lately, so my guest list is entirely composed of people that I believe would entertain me for the two to three hours that we'd be eating the delicious food Shiloh lovingly prepared.

Jon Stewart: I love him, think he is pretty much a genius and would honestly know very little about world politics if I did not follow "The Daily Show" and then go read up more on the topics he brings up. He's self-depricating, which is a must in humor for me (as Abbey has pointed out, Regis Philbin is also quite funny, but he's so full of himself he's intolerable. So no invite.) I would have to ask him to watch the f-bombs, I realize that if I had actual conversations with him I'd probably be horrified without the Comedy Central censors making his witticism PG-13 for me. But he'd do it, and it'd be awesome.

Steve Carrell: Also hilarious, also self-depricating and extremely humble. Also, I'd invite their wives and kids because both of these two have been married for quite awhile (Steve's wife played his real estate agent on "The Office") and seem to be devoted family men, and I would love to see that play out in person. The other thing with funny people is that sometimes they don't like being around other really funny people because its competition for them, but since Carrell got his start as a correspondent on "The Daily Show," they already get along and now how to play off each other. And the rest of us can just enjoy it!

John Krasinski: Again, really, really funny and adorable in a very relatable, normal guy kind of way. Already gets along with Steve Carrell (at least I think so, never read anything about any of that cast fighting), doesn't have to be the center of attention so he wouldn't be one-upping anyone, just contributing to the general hilarity. He would also bring his fiancee, Emily Blunt, who I think is probably equally funny, and whom I love for uttering one of the best lines ever in "The Devil Wears Prada": I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight."

Movies from Books

2009-11-20T15:42:00.000-08:00

In honor of the release of Twilight: New Moon lets talk about movies created from our favorite books. Sometimes they are perfect at capturing the scenes just as we pictured them while reading. Other times they are a huge disappointment because the Director/Producer didn't portray things as we would have wished. I generally have a very low expectation when I walk into a movie that comes from one of my favorite books, so I am generally not disappointed in the outcome, but I know people who really wish things had been done differently. So I have two questions for this week...
What is your favorite movie from a book? AND What is the worst movie from a book?

Megan
While I hate to keep pulling the scinece fiction card I have to go with the Lord of the Rings as the best (ever?) movie trilogy from a book. Peter Jackson, the genius behind the movies has actually been labeled a hobbit. He's short, fat and hariy! He is a true fan of the series and it show in his attention to detail and desire to stay true to the story. Granted it did take him over nine hours to portray the story but no one can claim that Tolkien wouldn't be proud to lay claim to the movies. Plus who doesn't like looking at Viggo Mortenson and Orlando Bloom? As for other really good movies from books I would have to name Harry Potter as my second favorite (notice a series theme here???). The Harry Potter series does lose some of it continuity due to all of the different directors, but I still love the way they have managed to keep the same actors from movie to movie.
As for a worst movie, that is harder for me to determine. Like I said I usually have fairly low expectations so I am not easily disappointed. I would have to go with Eragon for the biggest disappointment. I absolutely loved the book, but I felt that they didn't stay close enough to the story when they did the movie. Of course the special effects were great. I just had higher expectations.
In any case it is always an adventure to go see your favorite books translated into moving pictures!

Heidi - Mm okay this is hard. And it's hard because I read a great many books that are also movies (hear here the reference to how awesome I am). I try really hard though to not compare books to movies because they are so different. You can get so much more detail from a book, but a movie offers and environment and emotion that is really hard in a book. Both have their merits. But I do still have some favorites and some not so favorites.
I believe my favorite movie from a book is probably Stardust. This movie actually didn't follow the book very closely at all, but I loved the movie more than the book. The addition of Robert Di Nero as a gay pirate was awesome and Michelle Pfiefer is amazing. As for movies that follow the books most closely I would also have to go with Lord of the Rings. I saw the first movie before I read the books and it was a really good adaptation.
As for least favorites I'm going to have to hit Twilight. It followed the book okay but just that kind of emotion that was throughout the whole book, was really annoying on screen (if you've ever talked to me about this before it's the "look into my eyes" moments I don't enjoy). And the special effects were ridiculously cheesy. I believe laughing occurred when they ran. My other least favorite is one that breaks my rule of trying to keep books and movies seperate and that is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The third book is my favorite of the series and I thought the movie was terrible. They decided they didn't want the movie to be long (because they had such a problem with that before.....losers) so they cut out so much of the back story about Harry and Sirius that was important. Those are the only ones I can think of right now...

Kara- As a general rule, I try to make sure that I read a book before I see the movie. The notable exception to this rule (and reason for its establishment, actually) was the Harry Potter movies. I didn't start reading them until the 6th one came out, partly because I'd been in grad school and had no time for reading that wasn't included on my 700+ comprehensive exams list. But partly because I thought I didn't like fantasy stories, and I don't- I just like the Harry Potter series. After reading the books, I liked the movies even more and now I try to keep the correct order in reading/movie watching. That being said, I have to say the Harry Potter series as a whole is probably one of the best adaptations from a book I've seen. J.K. Rowling has such a vivid, descriptive writing style and the characters and places took root in my imagination, and were amazingly accurate on screen. I only saw the first movie without reading the book, and each time they introduce a new character they seem just like I pictured them when reading. I do agree with Heidi, though, that the third adaptation skipped many significant points- Harry & Sirius' relationship as well as the reason for Harry's patronus being a stag. Seriously, just let the Harry Potter movies be five hours long and get it right. We won't complain. My other favorite adaptation is "Gettysburg" from Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels." I also love this one because it had such detailed historical accuracies as well, Shaara had done intensive research that included getting conversations between the generals as correct as possible, so seeing that come to life on the screen was about as close to observing those events as I'm going to get.

For worst movie adaptation I have to agree with Heidi again that "Twilight" was pretty bad. Robert Pattinson was a surprisingly bad actor, and the whole angst-ridden teenage romance just didn't work as well on screen as it did in the book (although to be honest I found it annoying in the book too. It was just worse on screen.) Also, a movie like that cannot be done on a small budget without being obviously cheesy, and every supernatural event was obviously cheesy. They did much better with "New Moon," someone sent Pattinson to some acting classes, because they stuck to the book he was absent for a good part of it and the delicious Taylor Lautner was apparently contractually obligated to be shirtless for about 90% of the movie, and the special effects were great. I was cringing just thinking about how terrible watching the werewolves phase would've been with the "Twilight" budget, but fortunately it was awesome.

Abbey
I love going to see movies from books. I love to see what I've read played out in front of me, and I almost don't care that parts get missed. Most people watching the movie have also read the book (couldn't make a movie unless the book was popular in the first place), and so details can get missed and the audience can fill in the blanks. Mostly my favorite thing is just seeing what I've imagined already up on the big screen. I loved the book probably, and I know I'll love the movie too.
I'm going to admit something here, that might seem weird. One of my favorite books of all time is To Kill A Mockingbird. I had to read it in high school (along with the rest of civilization), and I loved it. I read it a few times actually, before I knew that there was a movie. Not entirely sure how I missed that, but. I love Scout, I love Calpurnia, and I love Atticus. When I finally saw the movie, I was totally engrossed. The movie was made in 1962 and I think it's one of the best ever. Watching the movie was like me sitting there reading straight out of the book with all the different accents and all. Atticus was so calm and cool, portrayed perfectly. Scout is just fabulous in any form. My favorite actor in the movie though was Robert Duvall as Boo Radley, he is fantastic. While watching, I feel like I'm sitting right there on the street watching all this happen in front of me in real life, and it's pure joy.
Honorable mentions are those already mentioned: Harry Potter (another one that's like sitting right there in the castle watching it all play out in real life), and Stardust (LOVE). I hope that future movies from books (Hunger Games and the Mortal Instruments and Lovely Bones) are just as good.
Hmmm, as for worst, I don't know. I guess I'll say Twilight too, also because of the effects. But mainly because ROBERT PATTINSON IS NOT CUTE. I'm sure after having said that, a slew of rabid Twi-hards are going to track me down and beat me over the head with his cardboard cut-out, but too bad. He's so not Edward, and that comes close to ruining it all for me. He has girly hands, his eyebrows are trying to overtake his face, his jeans are ridiculously skinny, I just can't find him *ahhhhh sigh* Edward at all. Taylor Lautner is totally adorable though, and in 5 years when he's of age, I'll allow myself to think he's cute as well.
Honorable mentions for worst: Any movie made from a Jodi Piccoult book (mainly My Sisters Keeper) or Nicholas Sparks (mainly the Notebook). These ones are just way too damn sad for me to enjoy them, and I don't go to movies to be emotionally pummeled. Which is also why I won't read their books. Sorry to the majority of females in the US. I know that's blasphemous.

Cory

Ok so not to totally disagree with Abbey but I have tho say the best is The Notebook. And like always there is a story why. I had that book when I was 16, could not stand it sent it home with a friend half done because I could not make myself finish it. Then came the movie where I will admit one of the only movies I have cried at (I know I have the emotions of a robot). And then we took our mom and she cried too. And all of us looked awful walking around Target after. So I thought hmm maybe I need to give this book another chance, wrong! Book still awful and slow and annoying, movie still good. Better even gives a story that breaks your heart and a romance you want to survive.

And I agree with all the comments on the Harry Potter movies & Stardust & To Kill A Mockingbird (brilliant movie and book) I love all of them. Twilight I am not that hard onbecause well not that huge of a fan, and I have to admit I like Rob I don't have stickers on my desk or Team Edward shirt or anything but I like him.

Worst is probably Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts this is a wonderfully warm book about a young pregnant girl in the south who faces a lot of trails to say the least and meets some wonderful people on the way. But the movie was discombobulated at best and while I enjoyed it, it is not nearly as good as the book.

Books I've read in the past month

2009-11-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

I decided it was time to tally the books I've read lately. I was having trouble remembering and was going to make a list so why not be a critic at the same time? I have enough opinions!

Lovely Bones - By Alice Sebold. This book is about a girl who tragically gets murdered. Then she journeys with her family through their grieving process. It's fascinating actually, both her view of heaven and how different members of her family deal with the loss they've had. She is very matter-of-fact about all the things that happened to her and that she witnesses after she's died. This makes it a lot easier to take actually. Reading about a girl who has died is not ever fun but this book was much more than I thought it would be. I definitely recommend it, especially if you're going to see the movie. Read the book first, it will help you be less stressed I think.
Side note: Stanley Tucci as a bad guy....scary and love it at the same time.

City of Bones - The first book in the Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare. Here we meet Clary and are introduced with her into a world that has demons, vampires, werewolves, faeries, and most importantly Shadowhunters; those that expel demons from our world and keep us safe. It is the classic save the world from the evil Father, but this story seems a lot more fresh than other versions. And the characters are witty and sarcastic and dynamic. You have a love story like trilight but a brand new world like Harry Potter. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and series. I read this book in two days.

City of Ashes - Book two of the Mortal Instruments. Characters still trying to save the world (sorry I can't add much to the plot here) but you get to know them better and feel their struggle even more. Read in one night.

City of Glass - The last book of Mortal Instruments where the great battle takes place and Michael the Archangel arrives at the climax. Read in 5 hours. (Can you tell my obsession level that I can't just put books down)
Side Note: I love series that end. I know that we all love characters and I do love the stories. But I'm an ending girl. I spend the entire series worrying that everything is going to end up as I think it should (which is what is important). This fuels my need to read books quickly but also my need for them to end. Harry Potter really tested my limits. Usually three is all I can take and four for Twilight was a lot.

The Rising Tide - My true love genre - historical fiction. This book is by Jeff Shaara, an amazing amazing amazing historical fiction writer. This book is about the US beginnings of WWII, specifically everything we did wrong in Africa. He uses journals and first hand accounts and then writes from those characters' perspectives. You hear first hand what Eisenhower thought about Patton, and what a paratrooper was thinking as he went behind enemy lines. I love this stuff. It pulls me in. It doesn't however addict me as much as emotional books like Twilight so I don't have to finish it in one night (holy 700 pages). This book actually took me 3 months to finish but I loved every page.

Hunger Games - Okay this description I completely admit is screwy. I was told to buy this book long before I did because I read the summary and thought I had the wrong book. This book is by Suzanne Collins about a girl who gets 'drafted' into games where 16 children fight to the death. The one left standing gets to go home. This girl is a survivor and tries her best to do only that and not care about anyone else. This book is also a series so you know it doesn't end (shock = sorry). The main character though is dynamic and you get to take her journey with her as she grows up and learns the difference between being alive and surviving. This book also took me a night.

Catching Fire - The second book in the Hunger Game series we continue following the same character (again sorry). Where she tries to understand and control the many changes that have happened since she was forced into the Hunger Games. 4 hours done.
Cry Wolf - This is a book by Patricia Briggs about a werewolf pack. Werewolves have come out into the public and one girl who was changed against her will realizes that she is different from the other wolves. This book explores something we haven't really had before in a werewolves. It isn't amazing but it definitely entertainment. Cor and I call it fluff but it does its job of distracting me from the world. Two nights I think....I restrained.

Blood Bound - This book is another by Patricia Briggs that involves werewolves. It follows a girl who is a mechanic who has kind of been sucked into the world of the supernatural. Not the most deep book but it is entertaining and the perfect escape from whatever it is that I do in grad school. 3 hours if that tells you anything.

The Shack - This book by William Young is one of my most favorites in a long time. I love books that make me think about the world and the people around me and this does just that. In the book a man has lost his daughter to a tragic abduction. He is bitter and mad at the world and God. Then he gets a personal invitation to spend a weekend with God at a shack. So he does. No matter your religion (trust me on this) the things he brings up have relevence and put God in a way that makes him accessible to everyone. I think Ab might be writing more on this later so I'll stop now but definitely READ IT. If you read nothing else on this list of randoms that I've read over the month read this one. This book took me a week to read. I had to go slow to absorb and ponder.

Some other books I am currently reading (sorry I get bored so I need more than one at once): Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara about the Revolutionary War. And I Was Born on a Blue Day about an autistic sevant. So watch out for those reviews!

Here Comes Santa Claus!

2009-11-13T15:19:00.001-08:00

Four of the five HACKs have lived in the Phoenix area (and I believe Corey has at least visited many, many times), so we all know that in Phoenix, there are no seasons. Well, there are, but they're "What the Rest of the World Calls Fall but We Call Winter" (sort of what's happening today), "Hotter than Anywhere Else Spring," "Welcome to Summer," and "Why Didn't They Just Build This City on the F'ing Sun?" (Bonus points for anyone who can tell me what movie that's from!) So, to create the illusions of seasons at least within my own home, when its still in the upper 90s in mid November for crying out loud, I do many things. I'm not particularly domestic, but I've really gotten into seasonal additions to our decor (see my blog for the Thanksgiving table), I burn candles that smell the way seasons should smell, and I start Christmas early. Really early. Like after Halloween!

Actually, that's a new addition this year, since we leave for ABQ for the holidays around the middle of December, Shiloh said he feels like he gets gypped with our holiday decorations only being up for the two weeks after Thanksgiving. So he gave me permission to start decorating after Halloween this year, and I'm having fun! Its also put me in the mood to start my other create-a-season tradition, watching Christmas movies! I have a long list that I must see each holiday season, and while this is not normally the case, with Christmas movies, I'm a "the cheesier the better" kind of gal. Something about having a tree and snow and Santa somewhere in the movie just makes up for every ridiculously cliche line of dialogue and plot. So, I'm bringing the HACKs with me on this early Christmas journey and asking,

What movies are on your holiday must see list?

Kara: As I mentioned earlier, the list is long. And oddly enough, gets longer every year. I don't know how they keep coming up with ways to work story lines into Christmas scenarios but they do! And I like to see at least one new one every year. But the classics are:

1- "All I Want for Christmas-" loved it since I was a kid, Ethan Embry and Thora Birch before they did "real" movies are fantastic as the kids trying to get their parents back together for Christmas, and Lauren Bacall and Thora do a "Baby Its Cold Outside" duet that's worth the price of admission.

2- "What a Wonderful Life-" this is a classic for a reason, it never gets old and is worth the three hours every single year. And I truly believe that no man is a failure who has friends.

3- "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" & "Frosty the Snowman-" the old school stop motion and animation classics are on TV somewhere several times every season, but I got them on sale at Target after Christmas last year so now I can watch them on my schedule. Love that abominable snowman!

4- "How the Grinch Stole Christmas-" with Jim Carrey, although the cartoon is also fantastic, cracks me up. I like being able to recite the Grinch's too-busy-to-attend-the-festival schedule and want to do my hair like the Grinch women.

5- "Holiday Inn" & "A White Christmas"- make me miss my dancing years and have the best songs and sets.

I love "Shrek the Halls" (watch Puss 'n Boots try to tell the Christmas story while not getting distracted by the ball hanging off his Santa hat) and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" for non full-length feature films, and I think the new movie I want to see this year is "Fred Claus." It came out last year, but I never saw it and I love Vince Vaughn!

Heidi - Okay I love Christmas more than anything but this love manifests itself most often in the form of listening to music 24 hours a day not watching movies. I'm so sorry to everyone but I actually don't like the little motion movies at all. At all. Don't get me wrong I've seen them all but I don't enjoy them. But I have a list nonetheless. (BTW Kara I am ALL for starting Christmas after Halloween :) Not in any order but my thoughts:
1) It's not a set conscious tradition but I do manage to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but it's either the live version with my hero Jim Carrey or I listen to it. I really love the music of the Jim Carrey version though.
2) Okay this isn't a movie but I think it counts anyway. When I was small we used to go every year to see the Nutcracker ballet. I love this ballet more than any other Christmas tradition we have (other than looking at lights on Christmas Eve). When we stopped going I miss it every year and secretly wish we could go again.
3) Last but not least White Christmas. Reference my earlier comment about my adoration of Christmas music and you'll understand my love of Bing Crosby. And as someone who has lived in the desert with not much snow at winter time I appreciate completely finding the Christmas spirit without snow all the more.

Abbey: Ahhhhh. Here I sit smelling the fan-friggin-tastic scent of Gold Canyon Cinnaberry, I too am dreaming of a not 90 degree Christmas. Ben flat out refuses Christmas music until Thanksgiving, but trust me, I am waiting with bated breath (yes, that's how it's spelled. I Googled). I know these have all been done already, but too bad.
*I did love Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman when I was little, and every time I see them I get a little sentimental. I haven't watched them for many a year, but now that my kids are around I will have to make these a must watch for my Christmas season.
*How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Jim Carrey style. I love this movie. Jim Carrey is the end-all be-all around our house, so this is always a Christmas must. I could really watch it over and over.
*White Christmas. Oh, White Christmas. This is the first old movie my mom had us watch that I totally loved. Even as a bratty teenager who thought all things old were lame-o, I love this movie. I love their voices, they're all smooth like butter even when they're just talking. The movie makes me want to break out into song, it always has. But if I'd done that as a 16 year old I totally would have destroyed my much worked for persona. It has always been my wish to spend christmas in Vermont. Someday, I will make Ben take us there to spend it at a bed and breakfast. Promise.

Cory- Ok so I actually do know where you are coming from I lived in Gilbert for 6 years and then in Mesa for 2 a time before that. So I get the whole going to Christmas Dinner in shorts and a tee thing. My family is all about the Christmas and really we have every Christmas movie and Christmas CD out there (you think I am joking but literally dozens) and leave decorations up until at least New Year's to make it last much longer. I am with Heidi here though I don't particularly like the stop animation shows and some of the stuff we watch is probably a little unconventional, but here it is.

1. Love Actually: Ok warning British movie so expect boobs and swear words. But this movie set at Christmas is one of my fave movies period. Me and my sister always watch it, it is a bunch of stories tied together and while they are not all the happiest they are some really good moments in this movie and all very well acted and told.

2. The Simpson's Christmas: Umm not so much in rotation now but when we were kids we almost broke the tape. Highlights Bart getting a tattoo for his mom's present. And then he has to get it lasered off and Maggie keeps poking him and all you hear over and over is "Ow, Quit it."

3. The Santa Clause: Tim Allen is the man in our household so one of these always gets pulled out.

4. Whatever we marathon that year: we are weird and usually on Christmas what ends up happening is all of us huddled in the living room in some ridiculous flannel PJs and blankets watching whatever we just got for Christmas. Last year it was Life Season 1 my dad got it, all of us got hooked including my visiting grandparents and Heidi for a spell and it lead to us basically threatening each other like you better not watch this without me! So who knows what it will be this year. I need to see Band of Brothers so that might happen then.

Megan - I totally get the Phoenix thing. I always had such a hard time with it not getting cold for the holidays. Even without snow christmas should be a cold event. I have never really been into the candle thing so I don't really get into the season with smells. For me it is always about CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! Mannheim Steamroller (So jealous that Mom, Dad, Rob and Kelly are going to the concert without me!!), Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Charoltte Church, and then all the pop singers take on Christmas. I usually try and limit myself to only listening after thanksgiving, but I normally give in before that.
When it comes to movies I have to go with all the old favorites that everybody has talked about above. How the Grinch Stole Christmas, White Christmas, The Santa Claus, etc, but each year I also rewatch old favorites like Cutting Edge, Lord of the Rings trilogy, etc. There's just something comforting about curling up on a cold day and watching movies that I've seen a million times.

Dashboard Baby

2009-11-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

Alter the Ending - Dashboard Confessional

There are a few voices that I can just listen to all the time no matter what the funky lyrics the happen to be singing. Dashboard happens to be one of those voices. This is their newest cd and I am pretty sure it has surpassed Dusk and Summer for my favorite album of theirs. Stolen is still my all time favorite song but every single song on this cd I totally love. Example: I just bought the cd this afternoon and I have listened to it twice all the way through.

Another awesome feature of this cd is that it is the delux version. Normally I would be annoyed that I'm forced to spend and extra $3 on the cd but then I realized that it is delux because you have the regular 12 songs and then you have those same 12 songs in acoustic version. The acoustic version let's you listen even more to the beautiful voice of Chris Carrabba. All the songs sound somewhat the same but the lyrics are all completely different and really good.

A few of my fav songs off of this album are: Belle of the Boulevard, Even Now, The Motions, and my fav Until Morning.

Other Albums that I am totally looking forward to listening to:

For Your Entertainment - Adam Lambert (Nov. 23!!!!!)

Kris Allen - Kris Allen (Nov. 17)

Play On - Carrie Underwood (Out Now)

Christmas from the Heart - David Archuleta (Out Now but I can't listen yet!!! Haha due to my extreme amount of love for my bestie Laur)

Outta the Box

2009-11-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

Oopsie, little late for this past weekends question,,, since it's almost next weekend. Anyway. My question to all the lovely ladies (all the lovely ladies, all the lovely ladies, all the lovely ladies... Single Ladies anyone?) this week is:
What is your favorite movie that is totally out of your normal "box"? If you are a horror person, let's say, what is your favorite romantic comedy? Etc, etc.

Abbey
I am definitely a comedy person. Comedies, romantic comedies, the like. I do enjoy my dramas (Cast Away, Shawshank, etc), but for the most part I am a comedy person. I really could pass on most thrillers/action movies. Haven't seen the 2nd Transformers yet because I can't handle the stress. It's intense the entire time, and not just intense, but BIG intense, and I just don't want to put that anxiety on top of my own anxiety. So I'll probably see it down the line sometime, but for now, pass. Anyway. That said, I LOVE Gone in 60 Seconds. Love. Can I say it again? Love. I love all the characters, Giovanni Ribissi is probably one of my favorite people ever. Nicolas Cage I can't stand most of the time, but he was fab in this movie. It was before Angelina Jolie was huge and virtuous so she is super fun in this one too. I totally love Gone in 60 Seconds. The music is fantastic and totally makes me want to go out and drive cars super fast (even more than Fast & Furious, which I also enjoy).

Kara

This is kind of a mean confession to make because I have very, very dear friends (and a husband!) who fall in this category, but I am in no way, shape or form a science fiction fan. I have never seen a single show, movie or even commercial on the SyFy channel (I spelled that wrong last time, and one of said dear, dear friends corrected me and I really hope I'm spelling it right now because I'm totally not sure.) I don't like science fiction movies, or even fantasy movies (with everything Harry Potter being the lone exception)- the same goes for books. I love to read, but I have tried to read "The Hobbit" dozens of times and can't handle it. It drives me crazy- unless I'm having a hard time falling asleep and then its fantastic. I think this makes me a bad person in many ways, but there you go. However, as I mentioned, I have friends and a husband who LOVE this particular genre and as such I have seen numerous Star Trek movies on opening night and saw all of the "Lord of the Rings" series on opening nights with a large group of very devoted fans. I had fun with the friends, developed a hard core crush on Viggo Mortensen (but only as Aragorn, he does nothing for me if he's not dripping wet and storming a castle door against threat of attack), and liked the movies, but I've never had even the smallest desire to see any of them again. We own all of them and I think two of them might still be in their store wrapping. And the Star Trek movies honestly frightened me- aside from not being very good, the rabid fans scare me- at one in high school I admitted to a friend that I'd never seen an episode of the show and a man behind me in full costume and speaking Klingon got up and yelled at me, screaming that I didn't deserve to be there and I'd taken a ticket that could've been given to a real fan. He probably had a point, but still, at normal movies that hardly ever happens. Weirdos! So imagine my trepidation when early this summer, Shiloh tells me he wants to go see the new "Star Trek." This is what being married is all about, I go see his stupid movies and occasionally he agrees to be drug to mine, and then we have a few that everyone wants to see. But he was way excited about it, so I knew I wasn't going to get out of it, and I think it opened only a month after we'd lost our daughter Emma, so both of us were into doing anything and everything that could make the other person happy for a few hours. And it turns out, this movie was freaking awesome. So, so good and I would have willingly gone to see it again. My sci-fi/fantasy crushes now equal three with Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine added to the list, and it solidified my opinion that basically anything J.J. Abrams touches is worth whatever time I spend watching it. From "Felicity" to "Star Trek," the guy makes everything awesome.

Cory

This is a really hard ? for me since I really don’t think I have a box, I like most types of movies. So after discussing with Heidi I realized I have an aversion for the Tear Jerker. I think it has something to do with watching Titanic 3 separate times in the theater and the trauma that caused to my pre-teen psyche but I tend to avoid these more than seek them out. After all that, here is my answer Atonement this movie is a wonderful movie! From the acting to the music to the bloody curtain fabric choices everything is perfect. But it will also kill you, emotionally speaking. And while I am not the girl who goes home closes the blinds and watched Sophie’s Choice for the 50th time to cry it out. I do love this movie. And even if you have no interest in the story, the clothes, settings, and the way things are shot make this movie gorgeous to see. Honorable Mention: While I love The Notebook which is a Tear Jerker to the core, I think that just comes from me being a card carrying girl.
And after reading Kara’s I pretty much agree while I dig some fantasy movies like HP and Stardust. I have never been one for SciFi movies in fact they did not even cross my mind that is how far off my radar they are. I too have never seen any Star Trek except the current one and have not seen all the Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. And the only thing that got me out for the new Star Trek was my undying love for all things JJ! And Chris Fine!

Heidi
Ya know I kind of like going last because then I get to comment on everyone else's, think about what they said, and change my answer accordingly. This q was WAY hard for me, even more than Cor I think because I actually do watch Sci Fi (Chronicles of Riddick anyone?) and everything else, horror, romance, old school, action. So I decided to pick my least go to genre. Which happens to be comedy. But not just comedy, stupid comedy. Things like Old School, Scary Movie, things where it's best if you're high or just not wanting to think that day. So my outta box movie is Airplane. I adore this movie. I remember watching it late at night and laughing so hard I couldn't breath. The person who would randomly leap across the background was my absolute favorite and I think I remember my friend Autumn and I doing that at odd times for like the next month. Mostly I don't have the patience for slap-stick kinds of things but Airplane I totally loved and would definitely watch over and over again.
Side note - Go Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto! Love them both!

Megan
I am almost a complete opposite of Kara. I am a total action/sci-fi girl, so I rarely go to comedies. At least not on my own, but I almost never turn down an invitation to go see any type of movie. (Except of course horror, I haven't seen one of those since Big Bird goes to China) As far as an out of the box movie goes...I have to go with Liar, Liar. I generally like Jim Carrey but I have a hard time with the "stupid comedy" that sometimes comes from him. I was plesantly surprised with Liar Liar though.

Noisettes- Joss Stone-Greek

2009-11-03T07:59:00.000-08:00

Once again I am too lazy to post three times so here it is all at once.

The Noisettes – Wild Young Hearts
They were featured on the One Tree Hill ep. a few weeks ago played during Brooke’s fashion show so I decided to check them out and imagine my great surprise and happiness when I found their CD for I think $6 on Amazon to download.
But here is the issue I don’t know how to describe their sound so here is my best crack at it” That Amy Winehouse new old sound with some more guitar/rock feel and a girl with amazing pipes thrown in." The songs have original hooks and lyrics you want to sing along too (or at least in my case). Give it a listen and see for yourself though since everyone hears something different. There is even a song called Atticus as in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Faves: Wild Young Hearts, 24 Hours, Beat of My Heart, Don’t Upset the Rhythm (Top Fave), Every Now and Then, Never Forget You - pretty much the whole CD.

Greek
This show has almost finished its season on ABC Family but last night’s episode was so good I just have to show some love. A musical episode where it was believable and you saw people really practicing for it. This show centers on a brother and sister attending college and their Greek system. The brother Rusty is a polymer science major so you get your smart funny but he also belongs to the craziest frat on campus- he is all about the balance. Casey the sister is on her way to figuring it out and just in time since she graduates soon and belongs to what used to be the best sorority there- they are trying to get back.
So I know what you’re thinking I know people in the Greek System and well they are their own kind of special but this show is so good. There is all this history, inter-house rivals, Crazy Southern Christian Roommates, and oh wait the big part of college trying to grow up thrown in. And they work a pop culture reference in the best way.

Joss stone- Colour Me Free!
This girl is stubborn and you can feel it- and while if you had read anything about the girl she is a fool. That whole New Old sound was all hers to begin with and she shows her chops on this CD. Her voice is as always really good and there are just some songs where the feel is just perfect velvety sultry. If you liked her old stuff you will like this CD and well I liked her old stuff. Plus it is so good I had to skip when it came up studying too distracting.
Faves: Free Me, Incredible, 4 and 20, Stalemate, Lady, Big Ol’ Game, You Got the Love, Could Have Been You (Love Love Love)

Letter from a fan

2009-10-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Kate Gosselin,
Hi, I am a big fan! I totally support you in what you're doing *errrrrrr!* back up, start over. I'm not that kind of fan. Here's the real fan letter.
Dear Kate,
Um, hi. Could we please be best friends? You and I are totally one of a kind in our parenting. You are so sarcastic and fab with your children, although you know them deeply and love them even deeper. I think that you say the exact same words that I've said to my children, and we are bosom buddies even though you don't know it. I think you're sassy and a little to the left of rude, and I can tell you right now that I love it. All those peeps out there who think you're a beehotch are just softies who can't take the truth. I talk to my husband like you used to talk to Jon. Difference there is, that my husband isn't a spineless EdHardy clothed d-bag. He can take it. And he dishes it back, which we all know is what we sassy sarcastic girls want. You're going to raise kids who can mess around with you and joke and tease and laugh and take it! And they'll give it back to you! Some might say it'll create an un-loving environment to be in. I laugh in their faces. We girls need to show the world that we can be brats, but we love fiercely too, and that's what matters. Family comes first, but they get our love shown differently than is conventional. Our sugary sweetness is reserved for those fools we have to deal with at Starbucks who can't figure out how to make a Hazelnut Signature Hot Chocolate (ummmm, add hazelnut flavoring, hi). Little do they know they are being belittled voraciously in our minds. Our family though? They make us insane, so let's tell 'em! Let's tell them they're being little trolls! It'll toughen their hide and make them much cooler to be around later in life. Now on one, two, three.... lets roll our eyes together at the critics! Stay sassy Kate! You know I will, and I will silently watch your show and wish we were besties, because we would have so much fun.
Love,
Abbey
PS I love your hair and if I didn't have a long horse face, I would totally have short hair too.

U2- Glendale- Last Tuesday

2009-10-26T07:55:00.000-07:00

I meant to post this after I got back but laziness and the search for a camera cord delayed me.

Opening for U2 in Glendale was Black Eyed Peas and while they tried their best to pump up the crowd it did not happen. Typical AZ fans (I spent 6 years there going to concerts and still go back for them) are usually too drunk, not even there yet because they are late, or too cool for it all. Which the last one is the worst like why did you come dude! They were good and here is a pic of Fergie because all the guys were in all black and we had awful seats so you cannot see them at all. They sang all their high energy songs and continued to talk about how U2 was the best ever for about an hour. This was my first Rock God Stadium concert where there were literally 90,000 people there. At least that is what they said, and just for reference here apparently about 60K people live in Santa Fe so all of Santa Fe and their neighboring Los Alamos were in the stadium. This tour was called the 360 tour because they wanted to make sure all the fans could see them and really hear them which is where this stage comes in to me it looks like an alien making sense since the stadium we were in looks like a spaceship. The person with me thought it looked like a crab.
Everyone came out and really all of U2 was fantastic and you can tell that this band gets along and they were all very talented and played the entire 2.5 hours, which considering they are not the youngest was pretty amazing. They started out with some of their new songs off their most recent album which while I understand their concept and get there are trying to stay fresh it just does not sound like U2 to me. There are some songs I dig but most I could take or leave. Then they hit the classics and I don’t use this word lightly, and then everyone was excited. Streets Have No Name, With or Without You, Sunday Bloody Sunday- everyone sang alone which are the moments I love. And there was also a point where he pulled three sisters on the stage and danced the waltz with each one- come on he is an Irish man. Then let the sisters sit up there for the next song. OK so here are pics I will explain.

Mr. Bono with his trademark sunglasses, sounded great the whole 2.5 hours.
The shot above was a screen shot, and this is the screen which was tiles all stretched out- yes awesome.
And there were also all these amazing lights etc. that was completely new and original looking. Overall even though Bono had his political moment I found him to be really cool, and well he is a straight up showmen with lots of talent who cares about his fans. I mean look at this stage they designed it takes 3 days to take down but everyone could see them and got a great experience. And all the members of the band are also very good at what they do. You can definitely see why they have been around so long and have so many hits.

Reruns

2009-10-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

I have a good memory for movie/tv dialogue and also get bored easily. It is for this reason that I do not particularly enjoy seeing shows more than once, even shows that I adore and can not miss weekly. The same goes for movies. I can't really explain it but I just don't do reruns or buying tv seasons or anything, even for ones I love. So this weeks question is one that I pose while not knowing how I'm going to answer it yet.

What tv show would you buy all the seasons of (if they weren't hideously overpriced) and watch over and over again?

Abbey-FRIENDS
Pssssshhhhhh. This one is so easy and I'm glad I'm going first. Duh! Friends! I love Friends, I have since it came out. I bought their compilations of each of the 5 best episodes long before the concept of All-Season DVDs came out and they were......tapes. I bought them in college and watched them probably every single day while I ate lunch after class. Over and over and over and never got tired of them. I can quote every single episode, I love them all. FRIENDS people, Friends. I have all seasons on DVD now and I still love them!
Runner-Up of course is the Office. No explanation needed here. Funniest show ever.

Heidi-The Office
Okay I decided. And while I agree with Abbey I can mostly watch Friends over and over, there's still too much of a story line there. And all the shows I love where you solve puzzles (House, CSI NY, Lie to Me, etc) I def can't pick them because I already know how it ends! But the first two seasons of the Office are priceless. I absolutely love Dwight and everything that Jim does to him. It's fantastic. I think it's gotten a little bit less funny as the seasons have gone on but I still love it and can watch it any time any episode. Basically I just love watching Dwight and everything he manages to make way more serious that it needs to be.
Favorite ep: the one where there's a bat in the office and Jim pretends he's been bitten and has become a vampire.

Kara

Okay, here's what's sad- I apparently don't mind paying exorbitant prices because for TV series because I own a complete set of a ridiculous number of shows. In my defense though, we all know I'm a bargain shopper so I'm pretty sure most of these were purchased for less than $20 when they go on sale at Target and Best Buy (check the weekly ads, they have great sales at Best Buy). Or they were gifts. But anyway, I just checked our entertainment cabinet and we (and by "we" I of course mean "me" because I guarantee Shiloh hasn't watched a single disc of any of these shows) already own "Friends," "Gilmore Girls," "24," and "The Office." I even have last season of "The Office," because I purchased that little present for myself as a celebration after my first OB appointment with baby #3! (This justifies paying the $27.99 for it, FYI.) I am only missing two seasons of "Scrubs" as well. Shiloh is apparently not quite as avid a collector as I am although he watches way more TV, but we have a few seasons of "House," "Family Guy," and "The Adventures of Briscoe County Jr." because of his tastes. And for the both of us, we have both seasons of "Burn Notice" and will absolutely be purchasing the 3rd season as soon as its out. But they do that crazy split season thing where the first half of the season airs in the summer and then the second half airs in January, so it'll be awhile before we can add that to the collection. Gives us time to save!

Cory- So many

I am like Kara pretty much if I am in Target it is on sale and I want to see it again I will buy. There are definitely shows I rewatch all the time. Alias- always get something new. Buffy, McLeod's Daughters, Veronica Mars and Felicity I have every season of and will rewatch if the mood hits me. I also have random one off seasons of The Office, One Tree Hill, Lost & some other shows that never finished airing Keen Eddie, Kitchen Confidential, The Black Donnellys. I have Gilmore Girls tape habitually on my DVR as a backup too. I only watch the eps I like and most of the time it is background noise. These shows were on when I was too young to get them or before the lovely invention of the DVR/Tivo which means a lot of it is new to me. But I will admit if I come across an ep of The Office or That 70's Show I always stop and get sucked in.

The Invention of Lying/Law Abiding Citizen

2009-10-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

Two very different movies but that only adds to the fun.

First The Invention of Lying. Honestly I think that Ricky Gervais is one of the funniest human beings and this is such a funny concept for a movie. The human race has not evolved enough to lie, so everyone just says the truth. And apparently people just say everything they're thinking as well because there are no filters. Honestly the truth is a very funny thing, as long as it's not directed at you : ). So Ricky is a 'loser' because he's fat and not very talented, and no one in this world get's to know people, they only judge on what's on the outside. But he develops the ability to lie. This movie is funny because the truth is funny, and him learning how to lie is funny. Jennifer Garner plays his love interest in the film and she is perfect for the role. She is a nieve girl next door who perfectly buys into the lies and tells her truth awesomely. It's not a heavy movie in any way but still has a good message and is so funny. I could say some lines but they would not be as funny in words, so really I just recommend you seeing the movie.

Next movie is drastically different. Law Abiding Citizen has Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler. Butler lost his family to a robbery and Foxx is the DA who makes a deal with the guy who murdered Butler's fam. Butler gets profoundly upset by this and makes it his mission to bring down the flawed justice system. The movie is pretty violent but the message I find really interesting. The way that it makes you think about the justice system, you side with Gerard Butler even though he's doing these horrible things. Butler's character is also fascinating, he's a super smart guy who figures out how to bring the entire justice system down, from the mayor down to the prison guards. Butler plays the character totally believably, he is the grieving father but also the ruthless brilliant man who planned so many killings. I also recommend this movie, it definitely makes you think about things and keeps you interested while you're trying to figure out what's going on just like Foxx is.

Live, With Regis & Kelly!

2009-10-19T12:05:00.000-07:00

I stay at home with the kids, and that means the majority of my TV watching occurs during the day (naptime). I don't watch daytime TV though, I watch last nights DVR'd shows. Except for Regis & Kelly. I tape it and then watch it during naptime, every day. I. Love. Regis. And. Kelly. Mainly because I have a serious wish to be Kelly Ripa. She is so cute, super funny, super in shape, always wears fabulous clothes, always has fabulous SHOES. I love her sense of humor, she's totally unashamed and makes fun of herself, makes fun of everyone else in a kind way, and I think she is a great physical comedian as well. So I have the female equivalent of a bromance on Kelly Ripa. The rest of the show is great too, they always have good segments and since Kelly is so funny, they always get pulled off well. Their guests I think (for the most part) like being there and interacting with them, so the interviews are always good too. The conundrum here though, and what I am focusing on here is Regis Philbin. I can't figure out how I feel about him. Here is a list of my general feelings, and yes they conflict:
*He has a great sense of humor too
*He knows literally everyone in the tv/movie/music biz. Everyone.
*He has a ton of knowledge of basically everything in the entire universe
*He's kind of an asshole
And here's why. Do you ever get the feeling that famous people are just humoring the fans? That they think us normal people are pathetic and useless and aren't worth their time? But they have to act as though they're grateful for us because we make their paychecks nice and fat? Well, that's how I truly believe Regis feels about everyone else but him and those he knows (which is a lot of people, granted, but). Every day they make a surprise phone call to a viewer to see if they can answer trivia questions and then they get a nice vacation. Regis' words are kind, but I consider myself a fairly good people-reader, and I see very clearly that underneath the kind words are "Good Lord, these people are pathetic. Plain, boring, not rich, just normal. How awful would that be to be normal? I can't even imagine. Oh the horror! How long is this segment, how much longer do we have to talk to this fool. I'm so much better than they are". I honestly feel that he doesn't think anyone but those included in his circle are useful, have worth or contribute anything good to the world. This might sound harsh, but I think he's a huge jerk! And yes, he is a great entertainer and really makes Regis & Kelly great, and I won't stop watching the show. But, like I said, I read people very well, and Regis is an ass.

Bootmen / Vampire Diaries /Celebration- Madonna

2009-10-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

So here it is all at once… because I am too lazy to post 3 times.

Bootmen is this Australian movie I got from Netflix, completely worth it. It has 2 very nice looking brothers in it who work at a steel mill in a small coastal town and they are looking for a way out. One brother wants to a buy a rig, the other wants to get out by dancing. Along the way a girl, some local thugs and a dad against it all crosses their path.
There is a tragic event in this movie which I feel I should warn people about and it is R. But the way they industrialize tap dancing is really interesting to watch. And Sam Worthington as in the latest Terminator is in it, it was really shocking in a good way to see him be funny and adorable. Definitely worth adding to your Netflix queue.
There are also just 2 things in general I love about Australian movies/shows: 1. The girls look real and 2. Being a great Dancer and a manly man are not exclusive parties, you can be both. Just look at another Aussie Hugh Jackman.

Vampire Diaries so me and Heidi have already talked last night’s ep to death. But since we are both enjoying it so much I would feel remiss if I did not mention. Ok here are some of my thoughts about last night’s ep: Although I covet Elena’s jacket and hair I really need her to stop asking dumb questions, looking confused in general and keep up with the story here. Old school suits are not flattering even on a boy as hot as that. Umm Katherine you are not that nice and not that cool either. The whole dancing away the day part really was hilarious and Ian Somerhalder pulled off perfectly. Really you are going to send the TV reporter after the vampire not the cop? Really that is your plan here? Hmm well good luck buddy!

Madonna Celebration CD- A greatest hit compilation. All the hits you forgot she had, mixed well with new at the beginning and the end. I literally forgot all these songs and this fun little CD reminded me of them.

New Addition!

2009-10-16T05:54:00.000-07:00

I've very pleased to announce that we have a new addition to our HACKiness, in the form of Abbey's and my sister Megan. Alas she won't be added to the name (because I can think of nothing that we spell now...), unless we go with HACK'M like those Rock 'em Sock 'em punching dolls.... I'll leave that decision for another day.

But we don't just let people into our exclusive golden club!! First we have a trial period ;). Enjoy and Welcome!

**Disclaimer** Since we seem to be accumulating Zipperian's this is the part where Kara and Cory have to keep us in check! I know they both have siblings as well so I'm sure they're more than up to the task of dealing with the three of us : ).

Tear Stained Pages…

2009-10-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

This sounds like a Taylor Swift song. No just me? Cool good to know.

So here is this week’s question a little early but I pretty much was bored. What was the first book you ever cried over?- actual tears where you were literally so involved that you didn’t notice the crying until the dark stains showed up on the pages. I am really not a crier (I do and am not a robot) but hardly ever do I really cry, which is why a book that makes me do so is so special.

And here is my answer Little Women. Me and a group of friends read this in fourth grade back when we would have awesome read-ins. Oh I miss them. No I have HW-ins and clean house- ins, it is simply not the same. But not to wreck anything for anyone but I pretty much balled like a toddler when Beth dies and literally did not finish the book because of it. It still sits on my shelf and I need to read it all, but like a boyfriend who hit me I will not go back. The whole book just sliced my heart out and put it in front of me, to the Laurie and Jo drama and then him moving on with another sister (not cool dude ever!), burning Jo’s manuscript and so on and on. I have a feeling if I read it today I would not find it as melancholy but in those pre-teen years it was very sad for me.

Honorable Mention: The River King By Alice Hoffman I read this in HS and love her books, there is also a semi-funny story that goes along with this book. But it was another that just broke my heart with its sadness. I want to read it again but can never get my courage back up for the emotional wreck it makes me.

Heidi:
When I was small my mother used to read books to us. We read books like Little Women, Little Men, Adventures of Tom Sawyer, all kinds of things. First off let me say I only cry because of animals. Movies, books, whatever, when there are animals concerned, especially dogs... I cry. When I was 8 or 9 we read a book called Rascal. Wonderful book about a boy who finds a baby raccoon and raises it and finds in Rascal a fantastic friend. I also cannot finish this because I will start crying. I don't remember the entire story but I remember the book and I remember crying over my puppy mischief for a good hour. It was a pivotal moment in my life.
*Runner Up (This was added after Kara's because she reminded me of something) Of Mice and Men. I have spoken on my other blog of my love for Gary Sinese. In 9th grade we read, watched, AND listened to this book. It was narrated by Gary Sinese and when it gets to the end, and Lenny has to be dealt with I was totally crying. In my 9th grade-tryingtobecoolerthanyou-tryingtofitin class. Luckily I was not the only one crying.

Kara:

Like Heidi, my crying books (and movies) all revolve around frakkin' dog stories (or animal stories in general I guess, I've been known to cry over movies with horses in them as well.) Because inevitably, the purpose of an animal in a story is for said animal to die, so that the boy/girl can learn some valuable life lesson. Around age 13, I declared a new rule in my life that has served me very well since then: I Don't Watch Dog Movies. This goes for reading books too. I have not, and will not, see or read "Marley & Me," especially since my family also owns a totally hyper and crazy yellow lab. While I was at my in-laws for Christmas last year, the rest of my family went to see "Marley & Me" and when they came back home, Shiloh and I started laughing because every single one of them was red-eyed, tear-stained and had a headache from crying so much. As far as I'm concerned, there is just no reason to do this to yourself, particularly when my own life often provides ample crying opportunities. I instituted this rule after I had to read "Where the Red Fern Grows" in my 7th grade Enriched Language Arts class. To make matters worse, we had to read that book in class, which meant that I cried in front of the rest of the class (although I don't think I was the only one.) Since then, I've stuck by my rule steadfastly. I love animals, but I don't need to read about their heartbreaking deaths.

Abbey:
Ditto Kara. Ditto Heidi. Ditto Cory. So unexciting, I know, but it's true! Mostly my problem is this: I have a horrible memory. I rememer how I felt and things like that, but not specifics, it's awful! So all I can think of when Cory asks what book first made us bawl unabashedly, is that the first time I ever really did that was for the movie Powder. It's not a book, I know, but since Where the Red Fern Grows and Rascal were already taken, it's all I can really come up with, given my awful memory! So, I'll buck the trend of actually answering the question properly, and go with the movie Powder. (Memory problem strikes again) I don't even really remember what the movie was about, but I just know I sat on the couch and I had to bring the box of Kleenex over next to me because I was sobbing. Hiccuping, sobbing, mass amounts of tears, running nose, all of it. I will think on this question though, and if at some point I remember a better answer, well then I'll change it!

Megan:
I have to go with Abbey on this one. Ditto everybody. Ok, so I have to admit I am a crier. You catch me in the wrong mood and I will cry at a TV commercial, but the first book that I remember crying over was The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. You know the scene. Aslan is calmly walking to his death with Lucy and Susan watching. The White Witch gloats for a while and then they kill him. I also have cried over just about any book, movie or TV show where someone, person or animal, dies. So I can't really judge what makes a book worth crying over, but I certainly remember the parts that tugged on my heartstrings better than any other part of the book.

High School Songs

2009-10-07T17:35:00.000-07:00

Driving down Barstow today and turning onto Wilshire to visit one of my childhood friends took me right past my high school, good ole La Cueva High, home of the Bears. It reminded me of thousands of early, early mornings when I'd drive down the same streets for zero hour band rehearsal. Adding to the sense of nostalgia was the fact that blaring on the radio at that moment was Smashing Pumpkin's "1979," and for a second I could literally have been a sophomore in high school again, being driven to school in the back of Bethany's old lady car (I can't remember the make right now) or Rachel's brown Volvo. Thus, I post this week's question: What are your iconic high school songs, the ones that when you hear them you could close your eyes and literally be back to those tumultuous years?

Cory
---Red Wine by I have no idea who this is. Back when I had my black Blazer that was so old I couldn’t wash it because the paint would chip off- but it ran fine. No AC and would drive home in the middle of hot AZ nights with the windows down for some reason this song always came on.
---Hot in Herre- Nelly Yup they always played during our HS lunches at Highland High.
---Pop- NSYNC’ Same reason and I remember there was a girl who knew all the choreography verbatim.
---Alive-P.O.D. Everywhere and anywhere but I loved this song so I did not care.

And these entire CDs remind me of HS:
---Gavin Degraw Chariot- One of the first CDs where I knew all of it by heart. I played it in my car my first day as a senior at my new HS in NM. Yeah I literally can remember what I wore and that feeling of let’s get this over with.
---Jimmy Eat World Bleed American- My friend BMWer copied this CD for me and I loved the whole thing. I can sit here and remember the first time I heard The Middle and saw the music video for it. I can remember sitting in my third car the VW bug and driving into Moriarty for school and there is this line that says “I Don’t care what they say I am getting out. Nothing here can change me.” At that time I especially felt that.

Heidi:
* Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory -- I realize that this cd makes me sound a lot more hard core than I really am. But I truly loved this cd in HS. I always skipped to the next song when they started screaming but I listened to the cd all the time. I especially listened to this cd while training for soccer and when I was mad at my bf (translate to often). Abbey bought me the cd because I was obsessed with In The End.

*My second year of HS I received a fun mix cd from Abbey away at college. Most of the cd was Kelly Clarkson and All American Rejects. Songs like Swing Swing, My Paper Heart, Beautiful Disaster, and Miss Independent were worn out in my cd player.
*Weezer - Beverly Hills -- I can't remember any specific moments around this song but I do remember it quite often and jammin out on the way to soccer practice.
*Good Charlotte - The Anthem -- So I was not the person in this song, I knew I was going to college, etc. But I belted the song out anyway because it relieved frustration. Loved it.
*Lil' Jon - Get Low -- We used to listen to this song (and others but I don't remember them) while warming up for games for HS soccer. I hear it and thing of passing drills, stretching, and sizing up the other team.

Kara:
- As I previously mentioned, for some reason "1979" plays into a ton of my high school memories, mostly involving band events and activities. We used to have dances and parties in the band room at Halloween and such times (hmm, why did everyone think we were so nerdy? Hmm . . .) and I'm pretty sure that song was played every time.
- Jewel, "You Were Meant for Me," "Near You Always"- and basically that whole "Pieces of You" album remind me of my years as a ballerina in high school, when a few of my friends and I choreographed dances in one of our classes to a bunch of Jewel songs. Tracy Chapman's "The Promise" from her album "New Beginnings" also falls into this category. Our whole class choreographed 32 counts and put it together to this song, and I can still do the entire dance today. (Well, maybe not DO technically, but if I were still in shape I could make a decent attempt!)
- I didn't have a car until my senior year, so I was chauffered around by friends, primarily Rachel and Bethany. We all had (probably still have) pretty divergent tastes in music, so we would make mixed tapes to listen to while driving together that had a mix of songs we each liked. Because of this I can't hear Keith Sweat's "Twisted" (not that I have recently, I guess) or anything by The Cranberries without immediately being transported back to high school.

Also, pretty sure my music selections demonstrate how much older I am than Heidi and Cory. And probably Abbey too. :)

Abbey
Ok, I'm so late doing this. Terribly sorry. I loved music in HS, but it wasn't really the music that everyone else did...
*My first is Harvey Danger, Flagpole Sitta. This song is just plain fun. "Been around the world and found that only stupid people are breeding...." It's like driving a jalopy but through song. All bouncy and crazy and happy. My friends and I loved to turn it up, roll down the windows and yell the entire song. SO fun!! It didn't come on the radio very often, so it made it even better when it did.
*Next is the entirity of the Police CD Every Breath You Take: The Classics. I think I was the only one of my friends that enjoyed this album, and they all looked at me like..... ? We're really listening to this? But yes. We are really listening to this. Roxanne, Every Breath You Take, Don't Stand So Close To Me... all of it. I listen to it, and I'm back to driving in my dad's big blue truck, popping it into the new deck he got just for me while I drove it to school and back. I can smell the truck, I can hear the songs, I can mentally do the shifting again, oh my gosh. I can taste it. And this memory through song is a good one, because it was solely mine. I alone loved the Police, I alone had a passion for them. So these were my songs I yellunged (yelled and sung at the same time) while I was on the way back and forth from dates, on the way to Heather or Traci's house, anywhere. Love it.
*Anything Third Eye Blind: Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, oh gosh they were so good. I love them. They are good to sing to, a little bit rock and roll, very entertaining.

I feel as though I should have a longer list for this question, but these are the songs that transport me straight back to high school, not necessarily my very most favorite songs (although I do love them all). Remember, that list is coming someday...

Still Alice

2009-10-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

Alright let's hack this book apart a little bit.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Admittedly I am a book lover. In the worst way. I have on my shelf about 25 books (just the ones that came with me to Michigan) that I have not yet read. And I have amazing friends like Cory, Lauren, Abbey, and my mom who are either sending me books or recommending books I should comandeer from the library. And then there are books I find all on my own. If I could I would read all the time. But I have this thing called school that seriously cuts into my reading time. It is only my ability to read certain books in one sitting that allows me to know what a non-textbook is during the semester. This is one of those books. I think in all I read it over two nights and probably 6 hours in all. It's easy to get into.

A brief summary: Alice is a world reknowned psychologist who has taught at Harvard for 25+ years, has traveled the world, written a book with her biologist husband (about the connection between psychology and biology in your body) and has three kids. The book is told from her perspective which is perhaps the most heartbreaking part because Alice has early-onset Alzheimers. You're in Alice's life for about two years and you follow her from just a few symptoms to when she doesn't recognize her family.

The author does an amazing job of presenting the actual facts of Alzheimers and presenting it from the view of someone who was, by all standards, brilliant, she had a fantastic mind, and you watch from inside her head as it all slips away. Did I cry reading this book. Yes. Partly because I felt for this woman, and partly because it terrifies me that this could happen to me. This book is not exactly 'happy'. But it is fantastic. The empathy you feel not only for Alice but for her family is a product not only of the subject but of the writing. And it definitely gives a completely new perspective on people you may know with Alzheimers or just dementia. I totally recommend it, but be prepared for some sadness.

Most Iconic Movie?

2009-09-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

Obviously the 4 of us have a great love for all things media (media as in books, tv, movies, music-news is another topic not yet breached!). But it had to start somewhere! So my question this week stems from wondering what movie floats around our brains as the one that started us down this path. What movie made you love movies? What movie sticks out in your life as important to you? What movie defines you (in a sense)? What movie is iconic for you?

TOMMY BOY
Honorable Mention ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE
I first saw Tommy Boy when I was about 14. Honestly, I didn't have the most well rounded childhood when pertaining to music and movies of the time (the 80's). I was exposed to a lot of country and a lot of Neil Diamond and Fleetwood Mac. Newsies is really the only movie I knew much about, I didn't watch any of the big deal movies of the 80's until I was in college. We moved when I was around 13 and I met my (to this day) funniest friend Traci. She and I laughed about everything anyway, so it was only natural that she introduced me to Tommy Boy. She could already quote it when I finally watched it, but we still watched it over and over. It was what introduced me to sarcasm and physical humor and the genius of Chris Farley. "Richard!". There's of course the schmaltzy parts of the movie, but basically I love Chris Farley. He improved the movie exponentially, and I think that movie will be funny forever. Tommy Boy is my iconic movie because of the humor, because I learned to laugh, and because I think it's the first time I realized people in movies are actors as their jobs and real people in their lives, but WOW Chris Farley was good at his job. You would never know of his personal problems while watching, but what you did know is that he knew how to be funny.
Honorable Mention goes to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and in part my husband and my's (I'm sure the grammar is wrong there somewhere) most beloved actor of all time-Jim Carrey. The guy is freakin' awesome. I'm so glad that this was already one of my favorite movies when I met Ben, it almost sealed the deal that he could impersonate him and could also quote the movie. Jim Carrey is a comedic genius.
To sum up my iconic movies-I love comedy! I love to laugh! And what's different about these movies is there doesn't have to be all the "I'm not wearing any pants, look at my junk for long periods of time, isn't that hilarious" bull%$&* that seems to be necessary in some of the recent comedies. They're just plain funny.

10 Things I Hate About You (Cory)

While I had loved movies before this, I think this was the first movie I endlessly quoted and bought with my babysitting money not only the tape but also the Soundtrack. I actually still love this movie a whole lot and it only got funnier as I got older. I was somewhere between 7th and 8th grade because we were in AZ and Andi Kortsen was still my best friend. I remember doing that whole lets watch my fave movie and I will watch you watch it because I want you to love it as much as me. I also fell hard for Heath Ledger in this movie, as in I am still falling. What can I say it was dry and witty and fun and the first time I found a movie like that. Even as I sit here so many quotes float through my head that are still hilarious. “I want you I need you ooh baby ooh baby.” “I like my Sketcher sneakers but I love my Prada backpack.” “But I Love my Sketcher sneakers.” “That is because you don’t have a Prada backpack.” “I know you can be overwhelmed, and underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?” “I think you can in Europe.”
I watched this movie so many times I could sing along with the soundtrack the day I got it, I could also recite most of the movie in a way that is really annoying to all others in the room. I had to take a 3 year sabbatical from it because it was just too much, we weren’t appreciating each other anymore. I tend to go for a whole lot of funny and some heart in my iconic movies.
Honorable Mention: That Thing You Do! I think we pretty much broke this tape. Indiana Jones still a staple in our household and the coolest professor I have ever seen!

Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgandy - H
Okay I need to start with an explanation because this movie I actually didn't watch until I went to college, and I was a movie lover long before that. So this movie didn't put me on the path to movies per se but it has definitely influenced. If I were to pick the movie that definitely got me loving movies or the one I watched so much of I got sick of it, it would actually be James Bond movies. Let me preface this by saying it's going to get gushy. When I was eight we moved out to Edgewood and got this fancy satellite for our new house. Before this I watched Disney movies but had not experienced the wonders of Spike TV and their Bond marathons. When we first moved into our house, maybe a couple years after once my sisters were gone or mostly gone (Abbey wasn't home much) dad and I would be up late Friday nights watching movies, and Saturday marathons would be on while we cleaned and then again when I got home from soccer. I think I have seen every single Bond movie and it totally kick started my love of those kinds of movies. To this day I will choose an action flick over anything (unless someone else is with me then it's whatev they want.) So that's my Honorable Mention: All Bond Movies.
Second Honorable Mention goes to Gladiator. It's fairly new as well but for me, that movie introduced me to the power that a movie's score can have on a film. Really make or break it. That movie was amazing but the music put it over the top.
Now. My pick. Anchorman. This is definitely top three funniest movies to me ever. I adore it. It never fails to make me laugh hysterically and really there are lines in there that can apply to any situation you're ever going to be in. "I don't know how to say this, but, uh....I'm pretty much a big deal." Here we were introduced to the character that is Will Ferrel. Granted it's been a little overplayed but this is where he shined. His humor was like a reinvention of Chris Farley. Really bringing the fun of SNL to the mainstream. And we cannot overlook the brilliance of being introduced to hilariousness in the form of Steve Carell. "Years later, some doctors will label me as mentally retarded." Oh man I love this movie. And it is iconic for me because it brought me to comedy. Before that I had never really been interested in it. Probably because funny can slip down the line to stupid really quickly for me....But this got me on a comedy kick that I love. Before this the only comedy I can remember seeing and liking was Airplane! After this film I saw the Ace Ventura's, Tommy Boy, all the good ones. It started a Heidi-revolution in movie watching.

Undercover Blues- Kara
It seems like one of the main criteria for this iconic movie title for all of us is quotable lines, and for me, "Undercover Blues" is it- I saw it first at a middle school youth group sleepover. Two of my friends from back then still quote this movie with me, our favorite lines being:
"Do you know who this is?"
"No, but you have a really sexy voice!" (Lots of fun to call each other and start conversations this way!)
Another classic- "Cute baby! Is it a boy or a girl?" "Gosh, I hope so!"
The premise of the movie is Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid are a married couple who work as spies for the government, but they've had a baby and they're trying to be a normal family by going on extended maternity leave to New Orleans, where of course they find themselves in the middle of some big international espionage situation. Oh, another great line, Dennis returns from a walk with the baby with the stroller completely destroyed and tells his wife he got in a knife fight with would-be pickpocketers outside the hotel. "You took our baby into a knife fight?" his wife asks, to which he replies, "It was a fair fight, two of us, two of them." Love this movie! Throughout the movie, they wear the same pair of pajamas- Dennis walking around in the bottoms and Kathleen wearing the top of course, and I've often threatened to buy my friends' pajamas so they can reenact those scenes with their spouses.
I have several honorable mentions, most importantly Gettysburg, because I'm a huge history nerd and this movie showed me how well historical movies can be made. Historical accuracy can be achieved without sacrificing entertainment value and can bring the past to life about as well as anything I've seen. It also taught me about the power of music in movies, since I can still picture the scene where Robert Lee (played by Martin Sheen) rides through the troops before he sends them to their deaths in Pickett's Charge just by hearing the first few notes of that score. Also, this movie (and the book its based on, Killer Angels) introduced me to two of my favorite historical figures- Joshua Chamberlain and James Longstreet.
Back in the comedy region, two other classics for me would be Fools Rush In and 10 Things I Hate About You. These were some of the first movies I saw multiple times in the theater, and like Cory said, I purchased both the movies and the soundtracks. I actually bought both of them on DVD recently because I don't think my old VHS tapes will make it much longer and the idea of not having these movies in my collection is a bit unsettling.

500 Days of Summer

2009-09-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

Not what I thought but better…
- This is totally late I pretty much forgot I wrote it so lameness on my part.

My sister came with me to see this indie film because I always feel I am not hipster chic enough to see these movies.

This movie is about a greeting card writer who meets a girl and they date, her name is Summer. The movie hops around from different days of the 500 days of Summer (the girl not the season). So we see the whole relationship like it got cut up and then mixed- like a delicious salad. Including how Tom deals with their breakup after thinking she was the one (this happens pretty early and is pretty well known so not a spoiler). Including how different he sees her pre and post breakup.

Sounds like a downer but it’s not. You not only get to see their entire relationship but also a lovely side of LA, and Summer’s wardrobe is really cute, plus the music is great too. And I am not into Joseph Gordon-Levitt (huh 3 names again) but by the time I left this movie I totally loved him.

It is just a cute little movie about something we will all go through or have.

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-09-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

Well of few of my favorite songs at least. Okay I'm a single girl. Literally. I rarely ever get cds, usually only if Abbey has bought them and I steal them. So I amass a collection of singles and would like to share my current favs.

*Boys Like Girls - 'Love Drunk' Okay this song is just straight up awesome. The chorus is fantastic and fun and the best to sing out loud at the top of your lungs! "I used to be love drunk, but now I'm hungover. Love you forever..... but now I'm sober." Love it!

*Nelly Furtado ft. Flo Rida - 'Jump' This song is just fun. Fun.

*Lady Gaga - 'Beautiful, Dirty, Rich' "We want it all, but we got no money". Who doesn't identify with that? Another song that's just fun to listen to and sing with.

*Taylor Swift - 'You Belong With Me' Sweet little Taylor Swift just knows how to write a love song. So cute.

*Cascada - 'Evacuate the Dance Floor' Want a good song to listen to in your car with the windows down and loud? Or one to dance to? This is it.

*Keri Hilson - 'Knock You Down' She's got a really good voice and the song is just a good thing to remember, with all types of love. It might knock you down but just get up again.

*Priscilla Renea - 'Dollhouse' Another good "mad at the world" song. The last line is the best though; "Glad I kept my receipt".

*Owl City - 'Fireflies' Such a cute catchy melody and just lets you escape to your childhood when all that mattered was the fireflies telling you what to do.

*Jay Sean - 'Down' Okay ignore the cheesetastic part about a guy telling a girl he loves her and asking "are you down". Just skip that part and move on to the part about "you'll never be lonely, even if the sky is falling down". And remember the down down down part all day when you're singing this in your head.

There we go, my current favs.

Crushing

2009-09-18T14:53:00.001-07:00

This week's weekly question stems from the magnificent array of "beautifully defined" leading men we find in Fall Tv. Except we're going old school on this one and are having a throwback to our youth. And honestly who doesn't love reliving those care free days when you could lounge around simply thinking of the dreamy guy you would one day grow up and marry...

Who was your first TV or Movie crush? And we're going legit crush here, like you watch the show just for them, compare all other boys to them, etc.

Jack Kelley - 'Newsies' (Heidi)

The first time I saw this movie I think I was five or six. I had no idea what was going on honestly. I watch it now and realize the political statements in that movie were so far over my head I didn't even realize that they were there. I did however know that Jack Kelley was there. I am pretty sure I watched this movie more than a hundred times and not only all the lines, but all the songs by heart. We had the movie recorded on a video cassette (ya it was that old) and I would patiently fast forward through 3/4 of the video before even getting to Newsies. And even then it sometimes wouldn't work and I would have to start all over again. But I was persistant and never gave up or forgot Newsies.
My family has a tradition that on Christmas Eve you get to open one present. Usually you open the one that you knew what it was, it was maybe a little lame, so that you have all the good presents for Christmas day. The Christmas after my 8th birthday I KNEW that my sisters had gone together and gotten me the Newsies soundtrack. I ripped into that present Christmas Eve despite Abbey's extreme annoyance that I was ruining the fun of Christmas. I did regret it a little, but I did not for one minute regret having that cd. I still have it today, complete with the well-worn pictures from the movie. I considered framing the ones of Jack Kelley.
There is a reason I keep referring to him as Jack Kelley instead of the somewhat more well-known Christian Bale. That reason is that until I was in high school, I did not realize that it was Christian Bale or that he was in any other movie. But when I did I think I watched every single movie of his. This crush has stuck with me and still enriches my life today. I can still remember myself avidly sitting in front of the tv singing along with him and hoping that one day I could go to New York and meet him.

*And I apologize for stealing Abbey's....next week with your question you can steal mine.*

Jonathan Taylor Thomas- "Home Improvement" (Kara)

First off, big thanks to Heidi for reminding me of one of my all-time favorite movies! I am now singing "Open the gates and seize the day, don't be afraid and don't delay . . ." I hunted for the soundtrack awhile back and couldn't find it (maybe its on iTunes?) One of the best gifts my sister Meg has ever given me was "Newsies" on DVD! Lately I've been finding a bunch of my favorite childhood movies on DVD (for very cheap too!) at Target. My two best purchases this summer in that category were "Trouble With Angels" (Hayley Mills, you must see it!) and "Troop Beverly Hills." Shelley Long's best acting role. Ever.

But on to the weekly question, once again I am extremely lame and have been thinking for several days now who my first crush would've been, because I really don't think I had a good one. We weren't really allowed to watch much TV as kids, and I didn't do any of the cutting out posters and putting them on my walls or anything because I'm a huge nerd. We did, however, watch "Home Improvement" as a family, every Tuesday night without fail, so I think the first celebrity boy I would've been aware enough of to count as a crush was good ol' JTT. (And total sidebar, but why did all the boys in that show go by three names? JTT, Brad the oldest was Zachary Ty Bryan, Mark was Taran Noah Smith.) I even saw the classics "Man of the House" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" in theaters. During the holidays, ABC Family does their 25 Days of Christmas movie marathons where they show all those fabulous holiday movies, and I did sit down to watch part of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" the last time it was on! Somehow I remembered the acting being much better when I was in middle school . . .

Laurie- Little Women (Cory)

OK I am sure I crushed on many an animated fellow: beast post transformation, Eric from Little Mermaid, G.I Joe, etc. But I think in my little 5 year old heart I knew that was not possible, so I started to think about my first true crush and while there was a Luke Perry phase but that was later. And I am pretty sure Johnny from Dirty Dancing crossed my mind once or twice but I more so just thought he was cool, I mean he had a leather jacket and his own place. The first crush I can remember was actually also Christian Bale, but from a different movie (don’t worry me and Heidi already worked out this issue I traded him for Clive Owen). When I was 8 or 9 we had just gotten cable and we had free HBO for a while, well I knew how to use the VCR and pulled my little butt out of my bed at 6 am on a lazy summer morning. To this day if I get up early for you it is pretty much love. Found the blank tape I had requested from my momma and started to tape Little Women and who was there but their rich neighbor Laurie.

I remember being really mad at Jo for casting him aside and then even madder because she married that old dude who in my mind could not compare to Laurie (even with a name like that) who had loved her so much. Laurie also did some shady stuff but I could see no bad in him, well Christian Bale is still pretty un-ugly and has gotten even better so I consider this crush a good investment.

STOLEN! Plus Robin from Batman & Robin (Chris O'Donnell)

Heidi totally stole my crush!!! When she told me we were doing this question, he was the first that popped into my mind. He was the first boy I ever heard sing whose voice really spoke to my heart because it sounded so good, plus he is/was gorgeous. I mean d a m n, who else does the "brooding" look better and make hearts flutter while doing it? Ok Jack Kelley, I will do whatever you say and think is important because your soul searching look into my eyes did all the convincing. And Kara stole my other crush too, Mr. JTT. I didn't ever put up pictures in my room either (the New Kids on the Block phase completely passed me by too, although looking back on it, I should've caught it merely so I could catch the Marky Mark phase, because whoa. Mark Wahlberg is also crushworthy), probably because I feared embarassment from my dad, but I did secretly pine for JTT. I liked him also because he was the funny one and could pull it off without a hitch unlike TNS or ZTB who were pretty dorky. Ok, now on to my own personal crush, cocky Robin in Batman & Robin. As I look back on this movie, what in the world was George Clooney doing as Batman? I can't picture it anymore and have it be un-comical. But anyway, Robin was just cute. I think that's all I thought was man, he is so cute! Chris OD would probably not be pleased that all I think of him is that he is cute, but he sure is. He isn't a bad boy at all, he isn't particularly "funny", he's just cute. But cute is good, it does have it's place! This crush sounds rather lame, but cute is really important in your list of crushes! You always have the bad boy crush (Cam Gigandet HEtothefreakin'LLO ), the rock star crush (Tyson Ritter *duh* or Josh Todd of BuckCherry seen here don't judge, the guy literally makes me swoon), the dork crush (Breckin Meyer in Can't Hardly Wait), the real-life crush (um, Ben, duh, for the past 9 years!!!), and the cute crush. Chris O'Donnell is cute.

The Hurt Locker

2009-09-14T08:10:00.000-07:00

A hack into this movie.

What can you say about a movie that is about a bomb diffuser in Iraq that is not already implied? Intense is the word I would use. This movie is not for the faint of heart because it will keep it pumping the whole way through. They are not so many people in this movie and it does not need them. The main focus is the team of men who are sent to deactivate bombs all across Iraq.

Jeremy Renner is James the new guy and also in charge, he is the guy that actually deactivates the bombs. He plays this part well but you don’t realize all the subtle things he has done until the end of the movie that make this character.

Anthony Mackie is Sarborne the second in command who wants to do what James does. He tries his best to keep James in line and everyone safe.

Brian Geraghty is Eldridge young and unsure and in Iraq you should be. He is the green kid.

All of them do a great job in this character study and it will be a travesty (If I had a virtual fist that would slam on a virtual desk I would insert it here) if we don’t see them in other movies.
This is the kind of movie I like to see with my dad because he can answer questions like how many shots can you get off an AK-47 (imagine bringing a guy home to that). While also discussing if the guys he knew were really like that. You want to see this movie with someone so you can talk about it with after and what you think of James reckless or just functioning?

What did I see? A movie where a man with some demons was doing the best he could to cause the least damage whether by the bomb, to himself, his family, his team and the men around him.

Getting to Know You …

2009-09-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

Getting To Know All About You…

Recently Abbey was talking about music & the Hacks and then I thought oh I would really love to have us all do concert reviews. Because I love to read them since you cannot make it to all the shows you want. Well then I started to think about the other Hacks and all the questions I want to ask them like what was their first CD, first concert & the first movie they cried at? So after all the Hacks voted we decided to do a weekly question where we all answer and take turns asking so here is the first question:

What is the best concert you have been to and why?

Coldplay in Glendale, AZ Last November - Cory

I could pretty much gush/write about this concert for days that is how good it was so I will try to keep it short. By some weird luck Coldplay cancelled an earlier date and rescheduled the Glendale concert for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. My sister claims it was meant to be since we were already traveling to AZ to celebrate with cousins. It turned out to be their last American stop on that concert tour. They had some opening band from TX and a visual art thing where animation was linked up to a DJ at the show which was all ok but we only had eyes for Coldplay.

Out they come and this is what I remember they were all really talented all of them played, sang and had written these songs and it showed. When they sang Viva la Vida the entire stadium sang the chorus and they stopped playing. To this day and many years from now I will still be able to close my eyes and here the stadium sing that song. During Lovers in Japan they played a cute little Japanese film and they dropped paper butterflies on the entire crowd later. (Side note that is why their free live CD has a butterfly on it, you can get it at their website.) Chris Martin ran all over that stage and even played a little piano out front for a while.

Here is where they really set themselves apart though, ok the Glendale Arena is basically a bowl and there is a floor, the sides of the bowl and the rim. My sister and me were in the sides of the bowl. About 2/3rds through the concert Coldplay disappeared and suddenly came out a side door to play on a small stage that was constructed a section over from us, basically half way up into the seats. I remember looking at my sister with this face like wow Coldplay is 12 seats away from me and she pretty made the same face back. They made some jokes about how they are sorry if we never wanted to be that close to them, but they like to give all their fans a really good show. And then played a few songs acoustically sounding great, went back down to the main stage and played some more. I will stop here or I will write a whole book.

This concert was amazing though I joke about how even if God forbid Coldplay gets awful for some reason, I will always love them because of this great concert and night they gave me and my sister. Not even the Spaniard in front of me with too much cologne, who kept giving me bad looks for singing along too loud could wreck that concert for me.

Fall Out Boy - My Sophomore Year in college, also Glendale, AZ - Heidi
I haven't been to many concerts, so I thought this decision would be easy, but it actually wasn't. I had to take into account a lot more than the music to decide. Which is why I picked this concert. I love Fall Out Boy. Their music is on I think every single one of my playlists on my ipod. I listen to them all the time. I was really excited for this concert. Not only for Fall Out Boy, but also because Hawthorne Heights and All-American Rejects came with them.

The venue actually wasn't that good, we were at the Coyotes Stadium in Glendale and they were are one end, so you kind of had to look down your aisle to see the stage, but I was okay with that because you really couldn't deny the energy of a bunch of young people screaming at the top of their lungs Dirty Little Secret. It also gave me plenty of people watching gold, with all the little grunge teenagers who think they know something about life to the girl wildly swinging her sweater around her head. The latter girl was really the best because she didn't know how close she came to dying at the hand of Abbey, Megan, Ben, or myself as she whacked us in the head...

The energy in this concert was really awesome. The feeling that you get at any concert where everyone knows all the words is amazing, but truly screaming songs that, let's face it, are angry songs, is really exhilarating. And Fall Out Boy brings the screaming. But I didn't enjoy FOB as much as I LOVED All-American Rejects. This was where I first realized that Tyson Ritter was a beautiful human being and I haven't regretted that realization a day since. This completely cemented my love of both AAR and FOB and my workouts thank them for that!

Um... I have several... (Abbey)

In my earlier life I frequented concerts, but there are a few that have stuck out, so I will list them. I can't pick just one! They're all good for different reasons:

Depeche Mode, summer of 2001. I got the tickets from my then bf Heather, she couldn't go so she gave them to me for my bday. The only downside to the concert was that I went with this guy named Joe who weighed less than me and was so nice that he was terrible company. He also didn't know any of DM's songs, and really, that is inexcusable! Even if they aren't your favorite you MUST know them at least a little bit if you were born in the early 80's. I have always loved DM, and it was cool to see a group that used to be super huge.

Stevie Nicks, summer of 2000, Albuquerque. I went through a phase in high school where old music was the only good music (I was rather odd, looking back on it). So when Stevie Nicks came to town, where else would I be? She did a few songs of Fleetwood Mac's, and since I was raised listening to Fleetwood, naturally it was pretty flippin' amazing.

Nelly, winter of 2003, Glendale. This is on the list because I got a major contact high that night and Nelly also rode around flying through the air in a very large tennis shoe (might only be cool because of the contact high part). Also, Nelly is really my favorite hip hop person, his songs totally just make me want to dance.

Acceptance/Panic at the Disco/Hello Goodbye/The Academy Is, sometime in 200something Heidi's fresh year at college. We went down to the concert in Tucson primarily to see Acceptance. The headlining band was Panic, but they were barely well known at all and it was the first time I'd heard them really. Acceptance never really got huge, but I LOVE ACCEPTANCE. They will make my soon-to-who-knows-when-come list of songs that make me shed tears because of their beauty. Panic obviously was awesome, as were the other two, it was a super fun concert (except this is close to when I was getting "old" and I was really damn tired on the way home).

Heidi's previously mentioned concert. Um, Tyson Ritter is beauty defined. And All American Rejects are just plain funcool. Funcool is my new term for songs that make me happy and sing really loud and act dorky whilst driving in my car. Funcool. And FOB is super cool even though I will not ever understand the titles of their songs. Hawthorne Heights was there too, except they scream a bit too much for me and I really only like one of their songs.

BACKSTREET BOYS!!!! Phoenix, sometime in 2006. Ok, you may not think any less of my husband for this. Ok? Not allowed. My husband is attractive and very cool and sings very very well. Ben liked BSB and N'Sync because he sings so well and lets face it those guys can sing. And I really like BSB's latest (4 years ago) CD. They sing well ok? Do yourself a favor and take a listen on iTunes, yes it's rather corny but it sounds good.

Carrie Underwood, Glendale, November of 2008. I was preg with Dev and I went with my very fun niece Brittain. Let me just say, this was maybe the best concert I've ever been to performance-wise. Little Big Town was there opening, and they were super good. And Carrie really really can sing and she puts on a fab show. I enjoyed myself immensely!!!

Ok, I'm done even though there are several more I could chronicle for you...

Best Concerts?- by Kara

Okay, here's the thing, my late addition to this post is because I'm totally lame and haven't been to that many concerts, so I honestly can't even think of what I'd say the best one I've been to is! How sad. And its highly likely that no one else has heard of the bands I've seen in concert because most of them were Christian bands my sorority sisters and church friends were into during college.

One of the most moving experiences I've had at a concert was when I saw a Christian group called "Ten Shekel Shirt" on the library lawn at Oklahoma State during college. They were a very new group then, and a few hundred of us came to the concert so it had a very intimate, worshipful atmosphere to it. Some of my favorite songs today are ones they played at that concert. My favorite group to see live is Newsboys, another Christian band (but perhaps a few more people have heard of them!) but they put on an amazing live show. I've seen them in several concerts where there's a billion other bands involved and they're the last one, so I'm always exhausted but always stay to watch them do this spinning drummer thing. Their lead singer can also play drums, and at least once during the set they do this thing where a part of the stage rises, and the lead singer and drummer do this amazing drum duo together, with the stage rising, tilting and then spinning. They throw their sticks to each other and I've never seen them miss a beat. Its awesome!

And I'll throw this one in even though its not technically a concert, but it will make me seem cooler in Heidi's eyes at least! I went to school in Stillwater, OK, also the hometown of the All American Rejects, and before they were all kinds of famous they played Thursday night shows at a bar called Mike's College Bar on what we called The Strip, so I'd heard them there a few times before "Swing, Swing" ever played on national radios. I heard them a few years later when they came through Phoenix (or technically Glendale I think) for some huge music fest who's name I can't remember right now that I took my youngest sister and her friends to. I was reminded that they are fantastic live, even better when they have a budget for their shows, and that Tyson Ritter has perhaps one of the filthiest mouths I've ever heard live.

Muse-Hack

2009-09-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

Say it out loud, it makes sense. I'm excited I get to be first because that means that people can't steal my review! Haha. So the last week or more I've been holed up work in a lab all by myself. Which means that I get to play whatever music I want! So I put Pandora on Kate Voegele and went about my day. And here's what I've come to realize. There is not one song of hers that I don't like. She has two cd's out and I absolutely love both of them. She has a gorgeous voice that I can listen to all day long. And even better she has a good mix of upbeat songs about love, songs about hating love, and really slow songs that just calm you down. That is my favorite part because I often find that some artists have all of one kind of song, and while that kind of song is good, it's just too much. So I totally recommend both of her cds A Fine Mess, and Don't Look Away.
And she's totally a throwback to One Tree Hill, which although she's cheesy I totally love her on it because she doesn't take people's drama. So go Kate!

And because I don't want to make another post and I definitely have to get this one in before Abbey does, Rob Thomas' new cd Cradlesong. Honestly I was TOTALLY against this cd, right from the start because Her Diamonds was totally overplayed and I just didn't like it. Then I found out it was written for his wife who has cancer and I felt completely awful. But then Abbey sent me the entire cd and now that I have listened to it. I totally love it. 'Natural' is a little weird, his voice get's all smoky and fake like Christian Bale when he's Batman....but other than that I completely love it. And the title track 'Cradlesong' is so sweet it makes me want to die, and then find a boy who will sing it to me and cry. It's that good.

Ahhhhhh!

2009-09-09T16:02:00.001-07:00

The "fall" is here, warm up the Tivo!! It's like I can finally breathe again after being underwater once fall TV starts. Summer tv is great for the 5 shows I Tivo'd, but man I love me some fall TV. I must make this quick however, I have a little rugrat upstairs locked in her room kicking the wall signaling me to let her out of the pen and another one wants a bottle. Sheesh, these things are so needy! You can totally tell where my priorities lie, right? Duh, my children!... I'm not negletful, TV/blogging/music is just that important. Oh yes, I am adding music to our list of things we review as it truly is my passion, even above TV and pop culture. I will establish myself now as the music guru of the h.a.c.k. group, even though I will prob get slapped in the face by someone who knows more than me. But in all seriousness, I love music so I'm adding it. But I digress. Since my time is short, I'm making lists (they pale in comparison to Cory's lists) of what I watched over the summer, what I plan to watch this fall, and also some music joy. Ah yes, I digress again. I am the resident not-ever-watched-tv-phenomenons. I have never watched nor will ever watch:
24
Heroes
Lost
Survivor
There are others, but they aren't nearly as big of a deal. No offense to those of you who adore and are addicted to these shows. I tried to watch Prison Break and follow it (and I did successfully for 3 seasons), but goodnight I got tired of things always going wrong. It felt like Mr. Bean all over again, but more attractive (yes, thank you) and more dangerous. And I hate Mr. Bean.
Summer TV (don't judge now, I had to find something to pass the time)
*First and foremost is WIPEOUT. How awesome is this show? First because it is one of the 3 shows my husband chooses to watch with me (he really would be a lot more involved in my life if he sat and watched TV as much as I do...). Second, the announcers John and John. I know they have time to write this stuff, but it is pure comedy gold. And third, I could SO do this! I just feel deep within my heart that my calling and maybe only talent in life would be doing ridonkulous obstacle courses and totally rock it. I'm so not even joking. Some of you might think you can save the world, feed the hungry but I? I can do obstacle courses.
*Burn Notice and In Plain Sight. Duh. I know Kara detailed why we love these two shows, but I need to add. Ha-loo, Michael Weston is the new Jack Bauer, and I love him. And Fiona totally made the name Fiona cool again, because we all know Shrek's wife did nothing for the name (me and Cameron Diaz are not friends). In Plain Sight graced me with my favorite line ever:
"All you supposed happy people walking around really need to take a closer look at your lives". Nuff said.
*Amazing Wedding Cakes. I actually despise all of the people on this show, they are all weird or nuts or rude, but I love love love cake shows. I can't get enough of them. In my fantasy life, I rock at making cakes.
*SYTYCD. Not sure if I'll watch this fall though, it's a tough call. It's my summer show and I'm a little miffed at it for butting into my fall line-up.
*Real Housewives of NJ and some of Atlanta. I love NJ even more than OC, but Atlanta is insanity and real people do not behave like this ever, no matter how much fake money they have. And if they were in my restaurant, I would so kick them out.
*The Soup. Um Joel McHale makes me LOL. And this is another Ben watches with me, and we both sit on the couch and giggle hysterically. Joel McHale has brought us closer together. Joel McHale for President!!
*Loads of HGTV and DIY, since we have so much money and have so many projects to do around our house. You should see my house, it is a veritable DIY showpiece! Just kidding. That's only in my head.
Fall TV
Really my daughter is getting beligerent, I must hurry, so details later....
*THE OFFICE!!!!
*Law & Order: SVU
*Glee
*90210 (I so wish that real HS was like this, don't you? Not. Was HS all about sex? I didn't think it was totally completely all about sex sex sex but maybe I missed something huge and glaringly obvious)
*One Tree Hill
*Private Practice
*Grey's Anatomy
*HOUSE!!!
*Ugly Betty (I must have some shows that are not drama)
*So looking forward to watching Southland for the 1st time
*Fring sounds interesting Cory, totally adding it!
*Community
*I'm sure there's more but I can't remember them all right now...

And again, I am running short on time, bah! So for now, go to my other blog and listen to my current most favorite song by Seether. I know, I know, it is a butt rock group, but this song is fantastic. Thank you Ben for introducing it to me. Sometimes, music is a religious experience for me. I get choked up (literally, tears are shed), I feel warm and fuzzy inside, I feel excited and I feel happy. This song is what is doing that to me currently. Maybe later tonight I will do a list of songs that have moved me in such a way, but I might get overwhelmed with the fabulosity of it all and just keel over and die.
And last, but not least, h.a.c.ks forever! We are awesome. And I love that our initials spell hack, because me and my fam's initials spell bakd. Kind of a let down, especially when I realized it spelled baked like a cookie (not a druggie) immediately after stenciling it on some wall art.

Hack Into 90210 and Melrose Place

2009-09-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

No it is not the 90’s....

So I really do not even know what to say about these 2 shows last night but here are some of the thoughts that crossed my mind… Oh and SPOILER ALERT!!!

90210

It is hard for me to believe that Annie is downward spiraling in an oxford shirt and blazer. And wow lay off the moms.
That Teddy kid is 30 no way he is 16 or 17.
Silver I don’t like when you act this way because you are bipolar and I don’t know if you are really being dramatic or on the manic side of your disease?
Naomi seriously your dating an old dude, really? That guy has more wrinkles than a prune.
I love when HS students dance in synch at parties/dances
I want those shoes, and those ones and prob those ones too.
Elizabeth Rohm what are you doing to your skin to look so good? (She was the mean older lady at the club) I haven’t looked that dewy since I was 8.
Oh Annie, how far you have fallen.

90210 was pretty entertaining I am curious to see how these girls will run that school. And I really love Navid so I tend to let a lot slide. Plus I have already made the investment of one season.

Melrose Place

Ashlee whatever whatever go back to singing or maybe raising your baby just a thought.
Bright Eyes song yeah!
Max from Greek! And you should not hesitate to answer that question after 5 years.
Oh I sense some unrequited love for Jonas (?) by the mean blonde chick.
I want those shoes, and those ones and prob those ones too.
What a sleazy producer in Hollywood bollocks!
5 Grand and you will do that, here is an idea get a Student Loan!

Melrose Place gets 2 more weeks and if no improvement it gets deleted from the DVR. Its seems like they made this checklist of what they wanted but forgot to add oh I don’t know some character development and intertwining story throughout. Hot cars check, evil older lady check, club scene check, cool pop music check, struggling artist check, small town girl who may be sketchy check, and dead girl in pool check.

Top 10 TV Shows I am Excited For This Fall

2009-09-08T10:56:00.001-07:00

Some old and maybe new faves...

1. Glee: September 2nd. how do I describe a show that has so many parts to it- like a liger a new breed? Equal parts serious, dramatic, musical, large part farce and all around funny. About a High School’s Glee club, but these kids can sing & dance. Lead by a misfit teacher with no funding in a could be happier marriage to his retail addicted wife. This group of outsiders form the Glee club and it doesn’t look like the rest of the school likes them or the club that much. Their music of choice? Here is a sampling of what I have heard so far Amy Winehouse, Kanye West and Journey.

2. Vampire Diaries: September 10th. Yay more vampires (sarcastic voice and fist pump) but this guy made Dawson’s Creek. So it is bound to be full of angsty- hot teenagers dealing with their urges, those urges just happen to be drinking your blood not being secretly in love with their best friend. Oh and don’t forget the small town aspect, along with an evil brother who does not even try to fight his urges, and a hot girl with her soul at stake. What can I say I will be tuning in, and unlike with Dawson’s I won’t even have to make sure my little sister is not around. “Cory your sister cannot watch these things,” mom.

3. Fringe: September 17th. Did you see the double Dawson reference above, yes I will admit it I started to watch this show because I love me some Josh Jackson, have since The Mighty Ducks. It is about Fringe Sciences telepathy, spontaneous human combustion, etc. Involving a mad scientist, his genius son, an FBI agent with some history, a maybe evil corporation, their various cohorts in the FBI, and a handful of other bad mad scientists. I have a lot of really smart friends/live around the corner from 2 sets of National Labs, and they’re not making lipstick, so for me a mad scientist is quite probable. The idea that a person could tap into a little more than that 10% of the brain we are all using and do these things makes sense to me. How much more could this kind of person notice, create, how crazy could would it drive them, and what would they do with it? A smart show that requires weekly watching, but it is worth it, heck even my dad watches it (if you knew him you would see this as a compliment). Oh and J.J. Abrams helped to create this show enough said.

4. Southland: September 25th. A grown up Ryan Atwood from The O.C. !!! A gritty, real look at the cop’s life in LA. This show is not for kids. It is well done, the stories are compelling, the characters are brought to life and it is always original.

5. Dollhouse: September 25th. Joss Whedon! He pushes it too far on occasion but he does more good than bad and keeps you watching. There are dolls they live in a house. The dolls are blank people who have signed their life away for whatever reason (we slowly find out). They then get imprinted with new personalities based on what engagement they are going on (think of an unwilling Sydney Bristow). They have handlers who take them on their missions and watch over them. Throw in a curious federal agent and all kinds of characters and you get The Dollhouse. It’s complicated but not as much as Fringe.

6. Amazing Race: September 27th. The best reality show out there, it has been around forever for a good reason. Here is how it works a set of teams of 2 travel around the world in a race where they have to complete challenges along the way. While all of that is very interesting the best part is watching people adapt, react and get through everything with their partner, the other teams and in a foreign country. Throw in a host who is always calm and polite and this is a show your whole fam can watch on a Sunday night.

7. Gossip Girl: September 14th. Another show not for the kids, most of these are not actually. Completely gratuitous, but you get to see NYC, great clothes and uber rich prep school kids interact. A world otherwise I would never see. Granted it is probably exaggerated or maybe not? But it is a pure guilty night soap pleasure. Plus this year most of them are going off to college.

8. Chuck: February 2010. I know not really fall but this show is so good you should catch up now. Created and ran by the same guy who did The O.C. this show is as funny as that one was. Chuck Bartowski works at Buy More (think Best Buy), in the Nerd Herd (think Geek Squad). But oh wait this is TV, so not only does Chuck work there but he has the entire CIA central main frame downloaded into his head because he is actually really smart. So he gets taken on missions to see if he can flash on bad guys and provide intel to his 2 handlers. Handler #1: Casey he loves America and not Chuck (I think deep down inside he does). Handler #2: Sara a hot blonde with mad skills. Plus his family, his Buy More coworkers, and the mad skill he recently obtained (won’t wreck that for you) and you get this excellent show.

9. Friday Night Lights: February 2010. Another early bird, but you need to catch up and watch this show. Based on the movie that was based on the book that was based on the real town. This show follows the high school football team the Dillon Panthers in a small town Texas. We see the coach and his family, all the players, their families, the booster club, locals and pretty much the whole town. What can’t I say about this show it is amazing. Original, great writing and good acting. Deals with small town politics, racism, touchy subjects and growing up and getting out of this town in a completely believable manner. Oh and did I mention there was football!

10. Community: September 17th. Joel McHale from The Soup stars in this comedy about a shady lawyer who has to go back to college at a community college. I have attended a public university and community college and there is a difference, not good or bad but it is different. He forms a study group with questionable motives & members and we watch the shenanigans unfold. And here is something for the vintage SNL fans—Chevy Chase also starts.

What else do I watch So much: The Office, Lost , How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Rachel Zoe Project, One Tree Hill, Bones, Greek and so much more my DVR should go on strike.
If you want a complete list of premiere dates check out Entertainment Weekly online they always have the most complete premiere list.
If you love this top 10 and want more check out this site too: http://bonustoptens.blogspot.com/

Hacking Heroes

2009-09-06T19:15:00.001-07:00

So. I'm late to this bandwagon. I realize that. But here I sit, somehow unfortunately addicted to Heroes. I fought hard not to watch this show. Really hard, almost as much as I fought against watching Lost. Althought I made it longer with Heroes. I gave in. And now, for the past week I have been stuck watching Heroes because I now am invested. It's kind of a double edged sword getting invested in something...at least for tv shows that is. Especially when they are 23 episodes to a single season. BUT, a review. So the show is not exactly a new concept, genetic evolution, but it's presented in a really different way. It's these ordinary people's lives and that's why it's so easy to get sucked in. And you just want to know if they save the world. A definite drawback to this show though, is that's it's like Lost and 24 and all those other shows that suck you in, you really can't miss an episode or you'd have missed something vital. But Cory has not had to stage an intervention for me yet. I told her that if I missed class, then we would need one, but that hasn't happened yet and I have one more day before class starts. And all I'm guaranteed on Netflix is the first season, after that I have to go a disk at a time which definitely helps obsession.
Am I glad I got talked into it? Yes, because now I get to have an opinion on Heroes, and I always love having more opinions. I caved to peer pressure, I know, but it was fun. And I got to indulge in the REAL reason I wanted to watch. I have a total crush on Zachary Quinto. He's pretty much my dream. And not just because he's good looking. Because he is. But his voice. I have a real thing for voices and his is awesome. And he's a bad guy and who doesn't want that?! Milo Ventimiglia is also good, but he would be better if he cut his hair.... This show is good enough that I can overlook the fact that Hayden Panettierre bothers me. So that's a plus for me. We'll see if I stick with it after the first season, but so far, definitely good if you have the 20 hours to put into it....as I apparently do.

First Up to Be Hacked- Fall TV Shows!

2009-09-04T23:27:00.000-07:00

It's fall! Or so I'm told- here in Arizona its still well above 100 every day, so I'm not really feeling the fallish vibes yet. Thus I must over celebrate the traditions and events that mark the coming of fall for normal places in the world, and one of my favorites is the start of the new fall TV season!

I have to say, however, that this summer's TV schedule was awesome. I discovered ABC's "Wipeout" this summer, which I'll let Abbey hack in detail because its one of her favorites, but it proved entertaining to both me and my two year old daughter, so that's a thumbs up! I also realized this summer that all of my current favorite TV shows are on the USA Network- "Burn Notice," "In Plain Sight," and "Royal Pains" were must-sees for me this summer, and as a result I also started to get into "Psych." "Burn Notice" is a fave for both my husband and me, him because he watches absolutely everything Bruce Campbell does (and I do mean everything, which means I have to watch everything too which means that there are at least 40 hours of my life somewhere that I'd like back). This is the first thing Bruce has done that I equally enjoy, but my favorite character is Fiona. You gotta like a chic who's barely 100 pounds but as lethal as they come. I love "In Plain Sight" because its filmed in Albuquerque, my hometown, and thus all the scenes are shot in places I love and dearly miss. And "Royal Pains" is just ridiculously funny. Divia and I would totally be friends- you know, if she were a real person.

So what will replace these shows this fall? How will I possibly fill these three empty hours I now have? I suppose I could work on my lectures for my classes, or get cracking on those two articles I'm supposed to write, or turn my dissertation into a manuscript . . . or I could watch "The Office." Yep, I'll watch "The Office." Best comedy on television. I'm hoping that "Community" will be equally as funny- I love Joel McHale (anyone who's made their living making fun of reality TV stars is okay by me) and Chevy Chase in a sitcom is worth a try. I'm also going to give "The Middle," with Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn (the janitor from "Scrubs") a try, I'm a big "Scrubs" fan so I want to see their actors continue to do well, and he was one of my favorite characters. This is also why I'll watch "Cougar Town," since its created by Bill Lawrence. TV Guide says there's a cringe for every laugh, but we'll see. Courteney Cox usually plays self-depricating really well.

I've never been much for TV drama, although that constitutes the majority of the television landscape right now- I tend to like my television escapist, sarcastic and amusing. The standout exception to this would be "24," another show I watch with my husband, but that's definitely still escapist entertainment, even if some of the crises are disturbingly real possibilities. But its not back until January. So do I need any TV drama to fill up my evenings this fall . . . ?

First Things First

2009-09-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

First I must explain the address of our blog. If I could have, I would have made it H.A.C.K-ycritics, but since that isn't really possible in a url address, I had to listen when blogspot told me "You will take what we give you!" (NFL commercials anyone?!) Whoa back on track. HACK happen to be all of our initials and hack was the only word I could make out of it, and ironically it happened to fit. Even though we're really not hacks, we are actually amazingly awesome at what we're trying to do here. Also, while my name is first, that's not saying anything! I promise hahaha. I love these girls!!! So here's what we're doing.
We are great connoisseurs of media. The television shows, the movies, the books, and the people. We love it all. And while we sometimes question the validity of our existance when we watch and read this much, we really do love it, and even more than that, we love to talk about it. We like to analyze the archetypes of the movies, how well the actors act, how well writers suck us into their worlds, all of it. And we want to share. One because our opinions are really just that important and awesome, and two because we're girls. We like to share our opinions. This last definition explains the rest of the address, the '-y' part. So we're not professionals, we're just people who like to be entertained, we're just critic-y or critic-ish. We're just here to have fun and share some of it with you.