Day 11 - Favorite TV Shows

Ah, well, this could be long, but I'll try to keep it brief-ish.

I adore a fair amount of reality TV. I love Top Chef, Top Chef Just Desserts (crazy drama there!), House Hunters, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars (although I don't always keep up with this one), any of the Food Network Challenges and, up until the most recent season, Project Runway (seriously, I am so disappointed by the winner that I may give the show up).

Last year, through the wonder that is netflix, I fell in love with Bones. For fiction, I can also easily get sucked into an episode of Law & Order (pretty much any incarnation, but I tend to watch SVU most often), and this summer discovered Rizzoli & Isles, which is based on characters created by of one of my favorite authors, Tess Gerritson. In trying to figure out what I watch, I'm realizing that I don't want much that's not reality. At least, I don't have the DVR set to record much that isn't kid programming or reality.

And, speaking of kid programming (which you might imagine there's quite a bit of around here, and you'd be right), I'm partial to the Imagination Movers and Phineas and Ferb. In fact, I love Phineas and Ferb.

On a side, but very important, note, we waited far too long to get DVR - the best invention ever - we should have gotten it before the kids were born, but instead we waited until last year. It has made a huge difference in how we watch TV and how we unwind.

Just Wondering...

The kids, well Liam in particular, have been crazy into Super Mario Galaxy lately. So...the other day, while going through instant queue selections from Netflix, I came across the Super Mario Bros. Super Show (which is pretty AWFUL, btw, but Ella loves it) and added it to the queue for our Roku.

Now, I used to be a pretty good Super Mario Bros. player back in the day, but I got to thinking...

Was Mario's name Mario Mario? If they're the Mario brothers and his first name is Mario, doesn't it follow that their last name is Mario? So then was his brother Luigi Mario?

Surely I'm giving this too much thought.

Random Commentary on DWTS

I think Team Madonna didn't have a fair shot at winning or tying the Cha-Cha-Challenge last night on DWTS. For starters, the song wasn't nearly as good to dance to as Team GaGa's. I do think Team Madonna worked together more as a team, though, and had a decent showing.

My prediction is that Pam or Niecy goes tonight.

Thunderstorms Are Brewing

What on earth made Kate Gosselin think she could be on Dancing With the Stars? I'm watching last night's episode on DVR and she is beyond awful. She better go next week! Poor Tony. Also, I'm not too thrilled with Brooke Burke as a co-host. Then again, I never liked Samantha Harris, either.

Today I was able to get outside for a bit before it started to rain and did an hour of yardwork. That's my workout for the day; the fresh air was great and I wanted to change up what I'm doing physically.

I don't know what's up lately, but the kids have been c-r-a-z-y. I'm hoping it's just that they're excited for their birthday, which is Friday. J's taking the day off and we're going to do what we do every year, which is spend the day together as a family and do something special and new. I'd like to go out for a nice birthday breakfast and then I'm thinking we might go to the Children's Museum of New Hampshire. We've not been and I think it'd make for a nice day.

Now...I just need to survive the next two days with my insane little monkeys.

Random Commentary On A Grammy Performance

I think Taylor Swift is cute and all, but I don't think she's all that great live.

Crossover

I'm not a fan of country music, but while at the gym yesterday I saw a commercial for the upcoming CMT Music Awards. The dude on the commercial listed off the performers to be seen at the show and I'm just wondering...Def Leppard?

Really?

Sigh

Feeling blah, even though I've been rather productive lately.

Am kind of annoyed that neither Mike nor Tara won the Biggest Loser, but I suppose that's pretty catty.

I did squeeze a hair appointment in for this Friday, so that's something to look forward to, I guess.

Ugh.

Chihuahuas Get A Lot Of Grief

It's no secret that no one really likes Little Dog, whose name is Jack. We didn't realize that chis needed to be socialized and, although he was a sweet, sweet pup until he was ~ 6 months old, he can be very aggressive to others. Generally, we crate him when we know company is coming. If people stop by unannounced, it can get a little chaotic until we can put him away.

We get teased a lot for having a chihuahua. He's a sweet boy to us, though, and to Cait, even though she doesn't live here any longer. He warmed up to the kids and only gets pissy with them if they get too close while he's eating. Plus, he's a hell of a guard dog.

Anyway...

Liam has met some big dogs lately and we've asked them if the big dogs are "real" dogs, he responds with an awed "yeah." It's quite cute.

Liam is very big into stating the obvious and also telling anyone who will listen what something is not ("Mumma, you are not Daddy."). Yesterday, he was sitting on my lap as we watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (almost the bane of my existence, but he loves it) and he told me, "Mumma, Pluto is nice. Pluto is not Jack."

Take that how you will.

On a somewhat related note, I had a dream early this morning that Jack and Mom were getting along. In the dream, he was actually sitting on her lap and she was petting him. I think it may be the most unrealistic dream I've ever had.

Time Crunch And More DWTS

Easter is less than 3 weeks away, followed the next weekend by Liam and Ella's birthday party. I'm starting to feel the pressure of having to do everything. The days are just slipping by and I have no idea where the time is going. I was able to bring the kids up to Mom's on Monday, which was nice. I got some things done around the house which I'd been wanting to accomplish for quite a while, but don't let that fool you into thinking that I'm on top of my game.

It'll all get done, of course, just like before Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have more than a sneaking suspicion that my sleep is going to suffer in a rather large way. And, I'm not such a happy camper when I don't get enough rest. I'm clueless about what to serve, too. Not so much for Easter - that'll be the traditional ham dinner blah blah blah. Easter is my sister, M's, birthday, too, so I think I'm going to be wrangled into making a birthday cake or some other dessert to mark the occasion. I'm conflicted about this for a variety of reasons, but that's an entirely different post. It's the birthday party that's stumping me. There'll only be 4 kids here, so I'm not overly worried about making it about super kid-friendly food. I don't know if I should go with something hot (lasagne, maybe?) or go for a cookout. I may just wait it out to see what the weather is going to be like and decide closer to the actual day. I just don't like being undecided for so long. Keep your fingers crossed for nice weather, and I'll just do the cookout mmmmmkay?

OK, onto DWTS. I wasn't sad to see Belinda go last week. She was too stiff and her attitude kind of sucked. The judges should learn by now that to berate someone pretty much guarantees their moving on to the next week. At least The Woz is making a genuine effort and having a good time, to boot. I feel bad for Steve-O, but obviously his fanbase is keeping him in. I actually commented to J while we were watching on Monday night that I'd like to se Holly and Denise go before The Woz...and I got one of my wishes! I think it worked out as it should last night with the chickys in the bottom two.

Holly is painful to watch. I like her partner, and I feel for him that he has to try and turn her into a dancer. Although, you'd think someone who is kind of, sort of all of about sex would have a move or two, wouldn't you? But, then again, she was dating Hef and I bet that that was more about not breaking anything than it was about busting a move in bed (seriously, can he even really have sex anymore?). When it comes right down to it, she's just a bit of a dork who can't move. That said, I was shocked she didn't go home before Denise.

Denise! Oh, Denise. You, my dear, are awful. Again, someone else who's kind of known for her sex appeal and you'd think that'd translate in some way onto the dance floor. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not implying in the least that I could get out there and do what those professionals expect of their partners (it'd be fun, though, and I do have rhythm, but America is so not ready for that!), but she was more wooden than Holly and I couldn't tell in. the. slightest. that her dance-off performance was any better than her original. Poor Maks. I bet he thought Karina'd be the first to go between the two of them (and, given her squeal last night when it was announced that she and The Woz were safe, I think she thought so too).

I'm still in love with Gilles. Oh, how I'm in love with him. Good Lord, that man could Samba for me anytime. Shawn is such a cutie and doing very well. It's fun to see her improve and really take what the judges and Mark have to say to heart. She's a tough little cookie. Melissa is good, but is lacking something. Personality, maybe? David's humourous to watch and he's clearly pushing himself to learn and grow in the dance. Chuck is improving and he an Julianne are just too damn cute for words. Ty! Oh, I'm really starting to like him! He did wonderfully when Chelsie slipped and he's really starting to come out of his shell. I don't know if Steve-O can overcome his injury. Lil' Kim is amusing to watch, but not my favorite. She'll make it far-ish, but not to the end. Hey! Lawrence is shaking off his initial discomfort, too, and learning to have fun! How can you not get into it when super hottie Edyta is your partner?

Double elimination next week! My money's on Holly and The Woz. Then, I think it'll be Steve-O's turn, unless his injury knocks him out next week.

Smorgasboard, But Mostly A DWTS Recap

Lorraine, I'm pretty sure the little flower bullet points are part of the blogger template that I'm using. They haven't come out in any other template and, as I'm writing up a post, they look like normal bullet points. I was surprised to see them come out as flowers the first time, and I really like them so I'm not too keen to change my template any time soon.

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Sunday night was the first attempt at wearing real shoes (thanks to the weather, I did mange to get out on both Saturday and Sunday in my sandals, but wore sneaker-type shoes to go grocery shopping on Sunday evening). It went pretty well/felt better than I expected.

I did get back into the gym last night and it felt great to workout and get all sweaty again. I only did my weight and stretching routines, as the toe was a little achy by that point. Surprisingly, the moves I thought would hurt (lunges) didn't, and moves I didn't even think involved much end-of-foot action caused some pain. I felt like a bit of a puss for not getting my cardio in, but when I took my sneakers off and saw a little blood on my sock, I knew I'd made the right choice. Today I'll go in, for cardio only.

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Dancing With the Stars recap: I heart my DVR so, so much.

Now that that's out of the way, I'll try to go in order of how they danced, but most likely will mess them up after the first few:

• I actually caught the first dance at the gym, from a distance. I didn't know who was dancing, and thought the woman must be the professional, until I saw Derek dance onto the floor. It was Lil' Kim. When I got home and watched the episode on DVR, I saw that she was only a little better than alright. I guess she looked better from afar. She'll be OK, I think, and she certainly has the entertainer's background, but I don't think she'll go too far. Mid-season, at most. Who knows, though. Maybe her girls back in prison (hello! nice shout-out) can manage to keep her 'til the end.
• Lawrence Taylor needs to relax. He's not going to be able to live up to the previous football players, I don't believe. He's too worried about looking like a fool. Why, then, did you agree to do this show? He seems nice enough, but I don't think he'll be able to let go and get into the dance enough. Poor Edyta.
• Oh, Belinda. You are the Priscilla Presley of this season. Too stiff, but supposed to bring some older-woman class to the show. She made a good effort, but I don't see her going too far. Poor Jonathan. He needs to stop being such a nice guy and maybe they'll pair him with someone who might actually have a shot at winning.
• Bravo to Steve-O for cleaning up his life. Dude sounds like he eats cigarettes, though. I appreciate that he wants to clean up his image, and it does appear that he was really trying. I think his fanbase will keep him in for a while and that he's really going to make an effort to improve, but he'll be gone towards the end of mid-season, at the latest.
  
• I've never even heard of Gilles Marini, but Holy God is he HOT! And, he can dance! My money's on him. Cheryl might just be a three-time champ. Vote for this guy!
• Oh, how cute was Shawn Johnson?! She did a lovely Waltz and Mark has a competent competitor to work with. I bet the differences between gymnastics and dance are frustrating, but I am pretty confident that she'll overcome them. She and Mark'll go far. Maybe all the way to the finals with Gilles (then I don't know who I'd root for!). Their pairing kind of reminded me of Mark and Sabrina....hmmmm.
  
• Poor, poor Ty Murray. J and I were literally balling up in our seats and cringing throughout 99% of his performance. Dude was so nervous! I'm sure that his wife dropping out last week was a bit of a blow for him, but he just couldn't overcome his nerves. He seems like a sweet guy, but his dancing was all Kenny Mayne (and then some!), sans the sense of humor. I felt just awful for him.
• I thought Julianne wasn't doing this season? Apparently, if your boyfriend is going to be on the show that changes everything. I bet it's none to easy to have to teach your partner when he's also your partner irl. I'd pretty much beat J to death if we were in that situation. I've never heard of Chuck Wicks, but then I'm not a country fan. He did well, though, and Julianne has a history of bringing out the best in her partners. Plus, they have an innate chemistry that no other couple can bring. He'll go far-ish.
• Holly Madison?! Puh-leaze! She didn't waste any time keeping her name out there, but good on her for going on out there with only 5 days of rehearsal. She's quite the little chicken, though, isn't she? Teeny tiny legs and arms...she looks so breakable. She was definitely concentrating on the moves (who wouldn't be?), but I don't have high hopes for her. Think Hef'll be voting for her?
• I had ZERO expectations for Steve Wozniak, but he was so endearing! He clearly enjoyed himself and the process. I fear he'll be the first to go, but I have a feeling that won't bother him. He's done a lot of good in his post-Apple career and he has a new fan in me, that's for sure. I'm pretty sure Karina'll be pissed to go early, but she bugs me anyway.
• I have two words for Denise Richards: media whore. She bugs me; I don't like her; I don't understand her "acting,", she was too stiff and I don't think Maks will be able too pull much out of her. I wonder if Karina is jealous that he got Denise. I think Denise is hoping her sex appeal will get her far, but I don't think it will. Dude, her dress was so bright I think it hurt my TV.
• Poor Kym...she doesn't get David Allen Grier's sense of humor. He is funny, and I believe he is sincere in trying to do his best in the competition. He seemed smooth at times, so he'll last until mid-season, I think.
• I don't watch the Bachelor, but I'm no so out of touch that I didn't hear about the craziness of last week. That Melissa can dance! Of course, she has a background in it already, but for only having stepped onto the dance floor on Saturday morning, she was fabulous! I adore Tony and I think this is another couple to watch. She seems likable enough, too. I'm smelling sympathy vote at first, then genuine appreciation of her abilities.

So, that's that. I think Gillies, Shawn, maybe Chuck, and Melissa are the ones to watch. Every season, when they announce the cast, I usually do a double-take. They picked who?! That was most definitely my reaction to this season. Already, I've been surprised and I love it.

This Entry Brought To You By The Magic Of DVR

Now that we have DVR, I can finally keep up with the race!

And, perhaps I'm being too critical...but, if you apply to be on a show called The Amazing Race, doesn't it follow then that some actual physical activity - perhaps even oh, I don't know, RACING - might be involved? And, if you can't really run well, why would you even apply?

Nothing Says "I Love You" Like Being Able To Postpone Your Together Time

For years, I've been quietly hounding J about getting TiVo. He just wasn't that into it. For a long time, we didn't need such a service. We could watch what we wanted when we wanted. Then Liam and Ella were born and we spent the better part of the first few months with the tv permanently on one of the classical digital music channels, partially to soothe the babes and partially because our brains were so fried that we couldn't take in anything more stimulating than the lilting tones of violins, cello and the occasional harpsichord.

Then, the kids grew and we started to get a little more sleep. Cait and JP got DVR when they moved into their apartment last year and I developed a little case of DVR envy. We started to get more sleep and I was able to actually pay attention to the television shows that I cared about in my pre-kid life. So...I started up again with the whole "we should get DVR" thing. I gave up on TiVo. Everyone who was anyone had DVR, or so I heard.

Last week, after discovering a new show that I'd like to be able to stay up on, missing another of my shows, and giving up entirely on this season of 24 (I just can't sit in front of my computer to catch up on the episodes I've missed), I turned to J and said, "I love you and we need to do something. On Demand is great, but not everything we watch is there. So, for Valentine's Day, we're getting DVR. Because nothing says "I love you" more than an electronic device that allows you to delay spending time together...although it's nice, quiet time once we can sit down to catch up!"

He agreed.

We're still learning the ropes, but last night when I was ~ 8 minutes late for the beginning of Top Chef, I was able to rewind the episode because J had already set the tv to the right channel. Woohoo!

Don't worry. The requisite chocolate and card exchange will still happen for the big day 'o love. The DVR was just a bonus.

Random Bullet Points

• I'm psyched that Top Chef is back. I would never make most of the stuff that is done on the show (mostly because I'm a pretty picky eater), but it's so entertaining to watch the competition.
• The Muffins will get a day at Nana's on Friday so that I can attack the kitchen and maybe rearrange the front room again. I need to make the kitchen more user-friendly as the Holidays are approaching and more kid-safe as the kidlets, Liam in particular, are getting better and better at reaching things. And..who knew a stove would be such a fun thing to climb?! On some level, my kids have got to be overachievers when it comes to troublemaking.
• I am in desperate need of a haircut. Have I already mentioned this? This always happens. I start getting the urge for a cut and then ignore it. I end up liking what my hair is doing for a while and then it just all of a sudden becomes too much and too heavy and I hate how it looks. I've been seeing the same stylist for nearly 1o years, but I think it's time for a change. I'd like to find someone closer to home, but don't really know how to go about finding someone new.
• Damn you, Chris Martin. I hate myself for loving the new coldplay. I cannot get enough of Viva La Vida (YouTube). I think it may be some kind of sickness or something.
  
• Now, I must go load the dishwasher.
  

Oh!

I almost forgot...Cloris is finally gone! FINALLY.

Massive belated cheering!

Bullet Points, Again

• Who knew it was so difficult to buy a microwave? We went to both of the big box home improvement stores tonight and asked about 3 different models and neither store had any of them! Go figure, eh?

• I made kickass macaroni and cheese tonight. I tweaked my recipe just a bit and it was the best yet. I'll definitely make the changes permanent.

• Today involved a lot of running around and I slept terribly last night. I'm exhausted.

• I actually called the number on the bottom of the second to last box of Oatmeal Teddy Grahams that we own and asked what happened to them. Apparently, they weren't selling well enough so they discontinued the flavor. Suck! Liam and Ella both love them, with neither kidlet agreeing on another flavor. Ella doesn't like the chocolate; they both dislike the honey and for some unknown reason, I don't really want them to try the chocolate chip flavor yet. I guess I felt the oatmeal crackers (really, come on, they're cookies) were the best choice and I'm bummed that I can't make that choice any longer.

• OK, seriously...Cloris is still on?! I'm not a Kim Kardashian fan at all, but Cloris is just a joke and has been from the beginning.
  

Good Lord It Just Gets Nuttier!

OK, it's just wrong that Cloris is still on. She seriously needs to go.

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On a serious note, this proposed bailout is just wrong. And McCain's suspension of his campaign? What a show! I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that the economy just isn't his thing, or that he can't debate worth shit, or even the handy little fact that he's clearly behind in the polls right now.

Ugh.

I wonder if Sarah Palin is at all resentful of how micro-managed she is. Photo-ops only while meeting with foreign heads of state? I could almost buy Olbermann's suggestion that McCain's display is a ploy to wipe the VP debate off of the map (about 6 mins into the video). It's clear the woman can't hold her own. I wonder when she'll get back to Katie Couric?

I'm viscerally disgusted by all that's going on.

DWTS

Dude, Cloris Leachman is crazy!

3 1/2 Days...

...of sun! We've been living it up out on the deck and even squeezed in dinner out there tonight after a brief shower this afternoon. God, I love my house now.

So sucked into the Olympics. Thank God tonight's the last night of swimming. I might be able to get some sleep in the coming week. I don't find track and field events all that exciting, but I'll most likely be singing another tune this time next week. Of course, there are still the individual events in gymnastics. These late nights are killing me!

Here's hoping tomorrow's another deck-worthy day!

Maybe They Test Marketed To People Who Don't Hear So Well

I was getting the kids ready to go for a ride this morning when I heard a commercial came on TV. I was trying to get #2 to take the final bite of banana and wasn't paying too much attention to the product being advertised.

Until I heard it's name.

It's apparently a new drug for heartburn...but I might steer clear of a drug whose name sounds like "ass effects." I did a triple take when I heard it and then watched the rest of the commercial to see how it was spelled.

Or, maybe, they're trying to tip patients off to a potential side effect? Rather than listing them all?

Just a thought.

And Now A Word From Our Sponsor...

The recent radio silence has been due to J and I frantically trying to catch up, via Netflix, with Battlestar Galactica.

We had to watch the three non-BSG discs that we had, mail those off, then wait for Season 3 to begin arriving. Now, we're working our way through it (two more discs to go after tonight).

Despite not being fully caught up, we did watch the premier of Season 4 last Friday night.

I'm also in the deep in the midst of finalizing birthday party planning, since the Muffins turn 2 on Wednesday (2! My babies are going to be 2!) and their party is this coming Sunday.

More soon, I promise.