When blog-stalking just isn't enough...

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God help you.

Dear Future Self,

Here is a short list of things you should remember not to do.

1. Do not quit your job without having another one waiting.

2. Do not redo your website, again. Leave it. It's fine.

3. Do not decide to watch just the first 3 minutes of "Law and Order" before you're definitely turning the TV off for good this time. You won't turn it off. No one can resist the L&O. You'll want to know what happens. You'll have to know!! For the love of Chris Meloni, just tell me what happens to the dead hooker!!!

And God forbid it be a marathon, you'll never leave the couch again.


Best of Luck,

Past Self

Blogygamy

I am sad to say that for the next two months I will be neglecting this blog. Instead, I will be writing in the aforementioned travel blog I have begun in order to keep track of the trip I am taking to Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. So, please join me there to read of my adventures. And don't worry, I have enough love for both blogs.

Six Months

I realized today that as of Sunday it has been six months since my father passed away.

I don't understand how time can just go away like that and leave people behind; how I can keep moving along with it even while a piece of me will forever cling to the memory of a final smile and blissfully ignorant exchange of "I love you" in a hospital doorway in late May. The only comfort it affords me now is that if I had known at that moment it would be the last time we'd exchange words, I wouldn't have said anything different.

I guess not everyone is even that fortunate and I am thankful for the small things.

Two days after he died, I had a panic about these small things. That because he was gone I would start to forget the things about him that made him the dad I loved and most importantly my dad. Most people would probably find this amusing (if not for the subject matter), as I tend to have a ridiculously good memory. And in hindsight, I think "how could I believe I would forget these things." However, at the time I sat down and began to list all the quirky, funny, wonderful and less than wonderful things that defined who my dad was to me. I look at it now and although it was written at a time of immense pain, it still has the ability to make me smile.

In an effort to share with the world that indefinable thing that makes a person who they are, who they were, I would like to list for you some of what I wrote. My dad wasn't the perfect person, actually far from it, but problems and all, he was the only dad I'd ever want. You should all know how lucky I am.


My Dad:

Loved Coca-Cola, Nascar, 24, steak, WWII, history, online shopping, key lime pie, The Rolling Stones, "In-a-gadda-da-vida", me, my sister, my mom, seeing us happy.
Always told me to drive safely. To a fault.
Took pictures of everything. Twice.
Made great Sheppard's Pie.
Loved my friends.
Went to every. single. one. of my dance shows, piano recitals, band concerts, school functions.
Supported everything I did. The choices I made.
Was the King.
Loved to drive.
Loved Elmira College.
Hated George W. Bush.
Got more liberal-minded with age.
Read the paper and did the crosswords every day.
Owned a million shirts. Most of them plaid.
Always hugged and kissed me and said "I love you".
Told me he was proud of me all. the. time.
Called every week.
Would email me after every episode of 24.
Would do anything, go any distance, jump any hoop, get to the highest person in order to right a wrong for someone he loved. (Just ask the CEO of GM and that ass-hole at Las Vegas Chevrolet.)
Was relentless.
Loved cats and one particular stupid dog.
Hated traffic, long lines and crowds.
Was not patient.
Had a temper that kept diminishing with age.
Drove too fast. Never wore a seatbelt.
Was my biggest ally.
Once drove four hours to EC just to see me get an award and drove four hours back in the same day.
Was at home in or near water.
Mowed the lawn in his bare feet. Even when said stupid dog's crap was all over the place. ("It's easier to hose off your feet than the bottom of your shoe.")
He sometimes had a point.
Would claim to be a "pretty smart guy", when actually, he was really smart.
When his hair went gray and then white he joked that he couldn't grow his beard anymore because he'd get confused with Santa.
Called me punkin and hun.
Spoiled me rotten.
Could do pretty good impressions of the Chef on the Muppets, Fog Horn Leg Horn and the Buzzards from Looney Toons ("Where didde he go George? Where didde go?")
Kicked Super Mario's ass. Then never played again.
Called farts "ducks."
Called all birds "ducks" too.
Had a great sense of humor. Even when he was sick.
Was one of the strongest and one of the weakest people I knew.
Was human.
Was my hero.
Still is.



I miss you.

Love,
Your Punkin


here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
-e.e. cummings

X-Files 2 Officially Greenlit by FOX

Holyfuckingmulder!! I never thought I'd ever see this article come out, unless it had a dateline of April 1. It makes me tingly to think about seeing my favorite show on the big screen again; to watch Mulder and Scully do something different than what's on my overplayed DVDs; and of course to maybe see them make out more (once a Shipper, always a Shipper).

However, the nagging, logical Scully side of me is worried for this project. There are already people predicting and even hoping for its failure, and even die-hard fans like myself have valid concerns about how this movie will fit into the shows' already convoluted storyline. I personally feel that continuation was never paid close enough attention throughout the series and by the end these problems came around to bite the mythology in the ass. What I want to believe about this movies is that the story they've written stays true to and even builds upon the groundwork they already laid within the series (even its imperfections). It's the only way it can work.

That beings said, I am optimistic that CC & Co. can pull it off. They played a major part in changing dramatic, episodic TV as we know it (you really think LOST would be on the air without it?), so they just need to bring that same A-game to this movie. I have kept the faith for this show ever since its early years, and when the show finally went off the air in 2002, I had spent almost half my life looking forward to Friday (and then Sunday) night at 9. If I didn't revoke my Philedom when Duchovny left the show or when they killed off the Lone Gunmen or gave Scully's baby away, I am not about to abandon ship now.

July 25, 2008, bring it on.




Edited to say: David Duchovny back in beautiful Armani suits and haunted Mulder eyes - squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Ok, just had to get that out of my system.

TravelBlog!

I have officially started a blog for my upcoming Quarter Life Crisis Tour 08. I'm not leaving until late December, but I thought I'd start off my travelblog by doing a few posts on the preparations necessary for such a journey. And maybe also to vent my mounting excitement just a little. =)

For those that don't know, I will be leaving in December to visit my best friend Nicole in Japan for a month, another friend Kevin in S. Korea for a week and then after a quick stop over in Sydney I'll head to New Zealand for a two week guided tour. It's the trip of a lifetime and I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity. I hope you will also journey with me through my posts and pictures.

Where are you going? Create your own travel map!

View Chariot13's TravBuddy Profile

HAPPY HALLO....wait.

The new Halloween movie comes out on August 31st.

Do the studios even know what movies they're releasing anymore or do they just spin the "Wheel of Craptasticness!" and whatever movie script it happens to land on they make and release next!?

To answer my own question, I researched and found this rare snippet captured from a 2006 Dimension Films Marketing Meeting:

Movie Marketing Genius Guy (MMGG): "So what's the next film on the table for us."

Movie Marketing Genius Guy's Assistant (MMGGA): "Hmm, this one's called 'Halloween'."

MMGG: "Well, let's take a look at our 2007 release schedule.......We've got 'Lepreucaun 8' coming out Easter weekend already, so that won't work."

MMGGA: "Dammit! That would have been perfect."

MMGG: "I know, I know. But it's ok. There's always another way."

MMGGA: "Why does this have to be so hard!?!
What about the 4th of July!?"

MMGG: "No. We've already got 'Santa's Slay' coming out then."

MMGGA: "Oh, duh. I should have remembered that."

MMGG: "It's ok. We all make mistakes. Hmm, think think. When oh when should we release this movie called 'Halloween'?"



(deep, thoughtful silence)



MMGGA: "I've got it!! The perfect date to release the film Halloween!"

MMGG: Well don't keep it to yourself!"

MMGGA: "August 31st."

(stunned silence)

MMGG: "You..........are a genius. It's ideas like this that will take you right to the top in this town."

MMGGA: "Thank you sir. That means a lot coming from you."

MMGG: "Well, don't get too excited we've still got the task of figuring out when to release that 'April Fools Day Movie'."
Siiiiiigh. "It just never ends."

I Hate People

Especially those that try to ruin their kid's life by attempting to name them something totally ridiculous just to challenge the status quo and see how far they can stretch their rights.

Stop using your kid to prove to the world how much of a douchebag you are. I'm sure you were doing well enough on your own.

America Runs on Corn

This morning on the T I saw a woman eating corn on the cob.

It doesn't quite compare to the day I saw the unscathed foot-long hot dog (sans bun) and Big Gulp soda sitting together perfectly on one seat of the train. But it's still pretty good.

And it spawned the idea that I should buy stock in corn and then convince McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks that corn is the new convenience superfood. I can see the ads now: "Corn on the Cob: The perfect breakfast for the certifiably insane gal on the go!"

Then we could launch a dual campaign for corn using Hybrid cards and Dunkin Donuts:

Picture Pages

Trying something new. Making the time to take more pictures and post them here for you. Would love some feedback, especially from those with photography experience. Enjoy!

Down by the banks of the river Charles.

Pimping Myself

Just thought I'd share my excitement that Showtime has quoted my blog review of Californication!

Check it out here, and if you don't trust my judgment, read other people's reviews of the pilot for yourself. Some of them don't even have my DuchovnyBias and they loved the show too.

Warning: Bad Language, Boobies and Spoilers Ensue

I just watched the youngest girl from The Nanny have full-frontal fake sex with David Duchovny while punching him in the face. Also, her character is supposed to be 16-years old. (Ooopsie statutory!) And guess what?! I freakin loved it! Well, not so much the part(s) with the boobies, but I understand their place in an adult show because, let's be honest, people have sex naked. And if you can't take a boob or two in a show for adults then you just might be one (A boob, I mean. Certainly not an adult).

Based on the pilot, I think Californication is going to be a slam dunk for Showtime. Not only does it have a strong lead-in (Weeds), but the pilot crammed more humor, drama, family conflict, sex and real emotion in one half hour than I've seen a network show fit into a whole season. Duchovny's character is tragically interesting and strangely irresistible; you hate who he is and what he's doing, but you can't help but root for him to pull it together. The new anti-hero. I can't wait to see what he'll fuck up next.


That's right. I just remembered! I don't get Showtime, I get HBO. Grrrr.

And what of HBO? I think they better step it up. No more Sopranos, no SATC and as far as I'm concerned Entourage is an overly popular second-rate show slowly taking an L.A. style digger (Exhibit A: Medellin). I'm sorry to all of those who watch the show to live vicariously through Vince and Drama, but it has to be said: Entourage. is. not. that. great. (ALSO, You. will. never. get. hot. LA. movie star. chicks.)

I will give HBO points for Flight of the Conchords though. That is some funny shiznittle. Especially dream David Bowie. HI-larious!

Anyway, whoever gets Showtime is my new BFF. So, call me because we should totally get together, hmm let's say every Monday from 10:30 to 11:00 starting on August 13th.

More than Skin Deep

Here's the latest example of why my (fan)love for David Duchovny extends beyond the superficial:

David Duchovny: My Defining Moment

"The realization I had was that we go through our whole lives thinking we want answers. Really all we want is company, the presence of people we love in our lives."


Smart, articulate, moving and timely for my own life. Makes me appreciate even more all the wonderful time I had with my own father playing proverbial catch. I could always rely on him to throw the ball back.

Summer Movie Blockbuster Season is Thankfully Almost Over

Movies that aren't sequels!?!?! Wow!!! Who knew they still existed? I always held out hope I'd see them again (But of course not again and again and again and again.). Check out my picks for the best upcoming movies that thankfully won't ever become sequels. (click on the poster to watch the trailer):

The Darjeeling Limited (Fall 2007)

This latest film from Wes Anderson looks interesting and I love the actors in it. Plus, it takes place in India, a place I would love to visit.

End point: I really liked The Royal Tenenbaums, I really didn't know what to think about The Life Aquatic, but I'm super psyched for a new vision from this unique director.
("Darjeeling Limited" at Technorati)


December Boys (Fall 2007)

Daniel Radcliffe not portraying Harry Potter AND keeping his clothes on (as far as I know). I also really enjoy coming-of-age movies. The trailer for this conjures memories of Stand by Me and Now and Then.

End point: New Zealand + Harry Potter + the beach = Love.
("December Boys" at Technorati)


Gone Baby Gone (Fall 2007)

Ben Affleck's first crack at directing looks intense. It stars his brother Casey and a lot of other great actors, plus it takes place in Boston. See that skyline? It's the only good thing about riding the Red Line home from work.

End point: Casey Affleck is adorable, Boston is beautiful, this author also wrote "Mystic River". I'm sold.
("Gone Baby Gone" at Technorati)


30 Days of Night (October 2007)

"Which of these things is not like the other? Which of these things just doesn't belong?" Okay, so this movie could possibly spawn a sequel (30 Days of Light. Wait, already been done.) and yes, it stars Josh Hartnett. But what can I say? I am a sucker for horror movies and the undead. The premise for this seems like a fresh take on the genre, although I can't believe it's taken this long for someone to make a vampire movie set in one of those crazy places that has days and days of darkness during the winter. Hello people! No sunlight = no killing vampires! Duh!

End point: It's produced by Sam Raimi, I'm ready to get shit scared out of me, bring it on.("30 days of night" at Technorati)


1-18-08 (Guess when it comes out?)

Oh, J.J. Abrams, you have hooked me in again. No one knows what this movie is called or what it's about or who's in it, and if LOST is any indication, once we see the movie we still probably won't know what the hell's going on. But you know what? I'm still gonna see it. And then I'm going to spend hours on a message board trying to unlock it's secrets. Ok, not really, but a lot of other people already are. After watching a 2 minute preview. Of a movie without a name. Mr. Abrams, that is power.

End point: You know what would be funny? If this movie didn't even exist. J.J. Abrams is just fucking with everyone because he can. You get to the theatre, sit down and then the smoke monster comes on and does a 2 minute tap dance. Cut to J.J. Abrams saying "Watch LOST! I'm J.J. Abrams bitch!" Would that blow your mind or what?
(1-18-08 at Technorati)

Invincible "Access Entertainment Extra! Hollywood Tonight" Summer

So I know I haven't written in a while. If you know me, you know there has been good reason why I haven't felt like being particularly witty or flippant. Maybe I'll write about it someday, but not right now.

Instead I'd like to share with you what has absolutely made my day today:

The Emmy nominees for "Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics are:

"My Drunken Irish Dad" from Family Guy

"Merry Ex-mas" from MadTV (Clearly the most boring title here.)

"Dick in a Box" from SNL (Read: Emmy. Nominee. Dick. in. a. Box. Could a single phrase get any better?)

"Everything Comes Down to Poo" from Scrubs

"Guy Love" from Scrubs

I really hope it's like the Oscars where each nominee gets to perform their song during the awards show. That would be the only good reason to watch this 5-hour-long bore-fest.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm an entertainment whore. I'll be watching anyway.


In other Emmy news, two choreographers from "So You Think You Can Dance" (Wade Robson and Mia Michaels) were nominated for dances they choreographed during last season! I think that is so big for the dance world. It is pretty rare when choreographers get celebrated for this type of work. These aren't music video, broadway or Justin Timberlake concert backup dances. They are artistic pieces of contemporary and jazz dance; genres that the general public would never get to see if it weren't for the show and these amazing choreographers. Plus Mia and Wade are my favorites! Congrats to them.

More Deep Thoughts

This time from Michael "I know the crap out of women!" Scott:

Any man who says he totally understands women is a fool. ‘Cause they are un-understandable. There’s a wishing fountain at the mall. And I threw a coin in for every woman in the world and made a wish. I wished for Jan to get over me, I wished for Phyllis a plasma TV, I wished for Pam to gain courage, I wished for Angela a heart, and for Kelly a brain. “Michael, how can you appreciate women so much, but also dump one of them?” You mean, how can I be so illogical and flighty and unpredictable and emotional? Well maybe I learned something from women after all.

My "Deep Thought" for Today

I was at The Onion website today poking around in their fake news articles (seriously, who needs real news?) when I happened upon their gift shop. There I found myself the (almost) perfect coffee mug:


However, if I could change one thing about the mug (which would make it actually perfect) it would be that instead of saying "The Onion" on the other side, it would say:

For more "Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handey go to The Only Official Deep Thoughts Site.

GOULET!!

Those brilliant bloggers at BWE.tv point us to the most awesomest viral site yet - www.gouletbars.com.

The best compilation of Robert Goulet songs since the Coconut Banger's Ball: It's a Rap! (Kind of inside, I know.)

Proof that Sexy First Came Back in 2001 and Justin Had Nothing to Do With It

Justin in 2001:

Not sexy.

Christopher Walken in 2001:

Case closed.

Is it hot in the office or is it just Jim?

Here's another Office fan video. It doesn't quite hold the same place in my heart as when Michael and Dwight brough SexyBack but its still really funny with incredible editing. My favorite parts - "I think my butt gettin big!" and Pam's "what?...oh".




Good thing there's something to keep me offipied while The Office is on hiatus forEVER.
Also, if you're a fan, you should know NBC is showing "newpeats" this Thursday. They are special extended episodes of "The Merger" and "Traveling Salesmen" that have been re-edited to include material originally cut from the eps' first run.

Other fun Office stuff to get you through the dry spell:

Play NBC's Office Quote Game (harder than you'd think)
Watch Rainn Wilson's Office Themed Monologue on SNL
Read Jenna Fischer (aka Pam)'s MySpace Blog
Write in The Life in the Office Forum