Friday, October 28, 2005

Whoops!

How could I forget The Futon Critic in my list of tv reviewing? I apologize to my dear readers...

More relieving news

I heard from Jenn yesterday to get the confirmation she's good and weathered the storm along with Penny and Bunny. Hopefully her fishies survived too though it is too soon to tell. Though her new place got a little bit roughed up, she's ok and that's the most important part of it all. I know she's studying for school as much as her brain can take.

Reports from down south are showing definite signs of improvement though still a lot of work ahead. Florida is going to have yet another busy year between appropriating sufficient relief funding and getting everything cleaned up. I've already seen the push for tourists to return and life to get back on track to sunny normality. If ever there was a modern turning point for Florida, I think we're in the midst of it now. While I am not so much of a political pundit, expect to see big things from Florida coming up: legislation, budget appropriations, economic development policies and so on. Despite the hurricane season et cetera, serious forces really are trying to revamp the face of Florida.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

TV goodness

Now I am not one to jump on bandwagons at the drop of a hat. I like to think that I march to the beat of my own drum yadda yadda. But I think this post will bend to the ways of me spreading the love of the things that take me away, at least for the 48 minutes of DVR escapism. Part of this little adventure of life beyond my own extends to spoilers and other slightly fan-ish type things. So I thought I would drop some linkage to those places I have found and grown to love.

Ask Ausiello he publishes every Wednesday and usually answers questions about my top shows (Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars)

Spoiler Fix is a pretty good summation of shows that Vixen actually turned me on to and at the beginning it would definitely quench my thirst for spoilers though now, I think I've only gotten thirstier...

Television Without Pity is a great and snarky look at what's on the tube today.

TV Squad was referred to me by ZipperSeven since it belongs to a family of blogs that he has as part of his daily rotation.

These sites on both Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars

I am admittedly a huge Gilmore fan. I came across this screen cap and more site just yesterday. While I am not necessarily at this level of fanaticism, it's nice to know if I see a killer scene that I can come and find it here.

And I suppose I should mention Kristin over at E! though her spoilers and news tid bits are kinda ho hum compared to Ausiello but appreciated nonetheless.

As for other shows that find their way on to my DVR, I'd rather list them (in no particular order) so that I can endure the mockery later:
My Name is Earl
The West Wing
Supernatural
How I Met Your Mother
NCIS
Desperate Housewives
Criminal Minds
Las Vegas
Out of Practice
Twins
What I Like About You
Mythbusters
Smallville
Alias
How It's Made
Craig Ferguson
Extreme Engineering

I'm probably forgetting a few but they come and go so often...

Ok everybody, tell me your favorite TV addictions.

Hurricane Fatigue

After hearing reports about life on the beach from J.Weston I am amazed at the sheer number of people who decided that a hurricane preparedness kit was merely a suggestion for living in sunny Florida. Though I am not a native of this state, I have learned a thing or two about preparing for storms. Little things really count like having a manual can opener and some bottled water. To be fair, in all the years I've lived here my family has been lucky. Sure there was the occassional landscape damage and there was minor structural damage to screened in areas but we've had greater damage in regular thunderstorms.

But the past two years have really opened my eyes. I'm sure the news savvy of you out there have heard it all. Now I share my two cents from a here and now perspective. It's definitely been nerve wracking. Frances, Jeanne, Charley, Ivan, Dennis, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma are names I am not soon to forget and there is a good bet a lot of the people I know will not forget either. So are people not as prepared as they should be because they are tired? Unfortunately, that wouldn't surprise me. Few things can compare to a hurricane. Lots of people take them for granted while others live by their movements in the open water. If all of the reports the weather folks are telling us ring true, this is only the beginning.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

A small sigh of relief

After hearing from the golden horseshoe I am relieved and reassured that this man does hold the flippin' golden ticket. As Zipper writes over at his blog, if you're interested in breaking news from the affected Wilma area Palm Beach Post and Sun Sentinel have excellent coverage. I usually read both of those papers daily for the info that they report on for the Scripps Florida that I watch for work. Actually, if it is a major Florida newspaper, there is a good chance I read it during the week.

Suffice it to say, there is going to be a helluva lot of clean up in South Florida this year. Not only that but it will be hopping at my job here, working for the man. With that, I've got to go. My phone at work has been ringing pretty constantly this morning.

Oh yeah, hooray for fall weather! Finally it's getting to the temperatures I can actually tolerate here :)

Monday, October 24, 2005

A New Look on Debt

I found this article while perusing the harrowing accounts of Hurricane Wilma roaring through the state and making sure that my peeps down south are ok through all of this fun Florida weather.

The article has a good discussion on how people who use credit to balance out their bills shouldn't be seen as those living lavishly or having no financial values, rather it is more of a signal of those who are underpaid and/or underinsured. I can attest to a lot of what the writer has to say. By no means do I go out and paint the town red. I am thankful for what I can go out and do and dream about the stuff that 'one day' I'll get to do.

As someone who considers themselves well educated and well grounded it is quite unsettling to know that there are so many of us out there who balance credit with our regular income. Optimistically, I'd love to think that I can get a job that would pay me closer to what I am worth so I could live marginally better. Like everyone else, I know I've made some bonehead decisions when it comes to finances. Considering that I've been living paycheck to paycheck for a while now, most of those missteps havent led me down a dark spiraling chasm of doom yet I know realistically I will have to live with my debt for some time to come. I applaud those who can emerge from the financial labryinth that we seem to be guided into as we get jobs and assume more adult responsibilities. Maybe one day I can join your ranks, but it surely won't be in the near future. I can only wish...

Is Latin a good pre-requisite?

You Should Learn Japanese

You're cutting edge, and you are ready to delve into wacky Japanese culture.
From Engrish to eating contests, you're born to be a crazy gaijin. Saiko!

This is so true!

What Your Underwear Says About You

You tend to buy new underwear instead of doing laundry.

You're sexy, in that pinup girl, tease sort of way.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

PhD for me?

You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy)

You're a great thinker and a true philosopher.
You'd make a talented professor or writer.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Inner Hair Color

Your Hair Should Be Orange

Expressive, deep, and one of a kind.
You pull off "weird" well - hardly anyone notices.

Friday, October 21, 2005

Pardon the (work) Interruption

Well after a fun week of work activities, I am proud to report we're back to our regularly scheduled programming.

I'll start off with the not so shocking article published in USA Today about Americans being more rude now than they were 20 years ago. I hate to say it but this does not surprise me. Especially not surprising when people give me the evil eye because I say 'please' and 'thank you'. I am certain that I am in a crowd of a dying subsect of culture that actually uses manners on a daily basis. Though the reference is a bit trite, the sentiment is what it's all about. Adam in Blast from the Past reminds us that "Manners are a way of showing other people we care about them". Which I've got to say speaks volumes of truth. I am continuing on with my one woman campaign to reintroduce manners into society.

Now, moving on to the gem of the local paper here. None other than the Tallahassee Democrat. (When I am in work mode, I've got to scour papers each day for articles that are issue related) Tuesday proved to be a student paper themed day as they posted the truth about financial aid, football scores, and the current tift between the city and the university about condo housing. Sure, I could have linked the other stories but they didn't capture my intrest nearly as much as college kids talking to the reporters about the cool stuff they get to buy on borrowed money. Before I start my diatribe, I just want to make it clear that I understand credit cards are borrowed money. For some reason, school loans fall into a completely different category for me which ruffle my feathers...big time. I've seen abuses of the system where there are those who are truly in need and then those who think they need big things while going to school. My dorm mate in college and one of my apartment mates the first two years of college freely and happily doled out the cash for whatever it was their hearts desired. But I am digressing. I am glad that the students they interviewed thought that they were doing what was in their right by asking for more money, going on shopping sprees and then paying it off later. Great, fabulous. I kinda get the idea that it is the easy way out. I'm not saying students have to be dirt poor but $400 shoes (on their own) in college? I dont get it. I guess I knew that to have money, I needed to earn it. That's just the way I've been taught my whole life. I earned my scholarship that paid the big stuff and started paying the rest through a job I had. It was far from being a luxurious job but it paid my bills for the most part. Am I worse for the wear because I didnt take out loans and had to work? No, I dont think so. There was a point where I was in school full time (17 hrs/semester) and working full time (36-40 hrs/week) and I still came out with a double major in three years. I think the whole spoiled college kid thing came to a climax when some chickie in a sleek black Audi TT cut me off on my way home from work. Who in college can afford a $40k plus car? Thanks but no, I'll slum it in my humble townhouse, hand-me-down furniture, and my relatively cheap car.

Speaking of money, do the people from Desperate Housewives really need a cut of every purchase of an episode for the iPod video? My money (what little of it there is) says no. Read the article here. Now I am starting to wonder if I'll have to pay each time I DVR something just so the Hollyweird people get their cut. Now if I only made a quarter for every phone call I answered...

I was reading Hip Clicks over at USA Today and found that the kids over at How I Met Your Mother have blogs of their own. Take a look, it's pretty funny.

Ever wonder what a well stocked bar included? I know I did. Food Network has this nifty page set up for all of us dolts out there. I dont know if I'll ever get to the well stocked bar stage but I know a little Tiki Bar I can crash if need be.

Ok so the most groundbreaking and astonishing tid bit I have saved until the end. Sit down, because you're going to need to hold on to something when I tell you the news. Just remember, you heard it here first. ZipperSeven and I are ... wait for it ... wait for it ... going to get gussied up for halloween. Now I know you can hardly contain yourselves. I am the same way. This is such a momentous occassion I have even started plans for sewing a skirt. What I once thought was impossible, has suddenly become possible. I will post pics as soon as I can.

Friday, October 14, 2005

My favorite scene



Sure this is a little off the wall but so is The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. This was one of the best scenes in a movie that I have witnessed in a long time. Hope this doesnt offend anyone. Well it's my blog so who cares!

Listen for the chorus of angels

That's right folks, I finished the research paper. Two and a half months of research all to be culminated in a 10ish page paper. I dont know what it finally ended up being but it was plenty more than the bare minimum.

Finishing this project reminded me just how long it has been since my lazy ass has been out of school. The headaches, the stress, high blood pressure, anxiety, sleepless nights, random brilliance in the middle of a long awaited sleep cycle...yeah I miss it. I kinda wish it would have been a class to get the constant feeling of learning and interacting but I sure gained a lot from this. But it isnt completely over. The paper was only half of the project. Now on to phase two where I get to make a questionnaire for employees. /schemingly drumming fingers

Hopefully (with fingers crossed) this brings some good omens to my future in grad school. Leave me some good wishes and I promise to come back to blogging. Or you're also welcome to tell me how glad you are that you had a week off from my chatter. Either way, you're leaving me a comment ;)

Monday, October 10, 2005

Let's hear it for social psychology!

After spending more hours at the library on Friday than I would like to admit, one would imagine my spidey sense for keen research was about tapped. Well that is until I was IM'ed this gem of an article from none other than Zipper from the news outlet of Canadia.

Neat-o stuff, eh?

i (heart) sleep

In honor of a slow going Monday, I offer this little tid bit of info provided by the illustrious Bradenton Herald. Read it and feel smarty pants. Then you will know why i (heart) sleep so much.

Peace out peeps. I am taking a nap ;)

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Wisdom teeth be gone!

I *know* I am supposed to have my wisdom teeth taken out on November 18 but it's been announced that the newest Harry Potter comes out that day. It looks awesome! So I am going to have to see how it all goes and beg my caretaker to let me go and see it.

/beg PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE /end beg

Blogshares

Much to the discontent of one ZipperSeven, it seems that I have hit a jackpot or two in the Blog$hares market.

Honestly, I have no idea how it all happened. I just know that I over bought when he went conservative. In the end, he still has more worth in the whole game than I do. If any of you get a minute, this lovely blog and others are featured on the market. Happy trading :)

Dine out tonight

In keeping with the theme of today's postings, I wanted to remind readers of the Dine for America event going on tonight. They did something similar to this last year for victims of Charley, Jeanne, Frances, and Ivan. Of course this year with the devastation that Dennis, Katrina and Rita brought, the Red Cross needs our help more than ever.

Though I am on a self imposed budget restraint right now, I think Zipper and I will lend our support in whatever small way we can today.

On a lighter note...

ZipperSeven tracked this down in his morning round of surfing. I've read lots of articles about the facelift Ask Jeeves and I am sad to say that they want to get rid of Jeeves. No, not the site but the man himself! Now to be fair, most of my searches go through the behemoth. But when I am working on a crossword or playing Babble a ton of hints came from Jeeves. So check out the Save Jeeves blog and help this guy's campaign.

Click for a cure

In the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I wanted to call attention to The Breast Cancer Site. This site helps fund free mammograms to women in need. As we all know, early detection is the best provention but not everyone has that opportunity. Through a simple mouse click, these people bring hope to thousands of women just through site traffic. Pretty ingenious if you ask me. So if you're reading this, do the clicky linky thing and help a woman in need have hope.

You'll notice the same link in pink on the sidebar. They fund mammograms all year but the October clicks are tripled. Thanks and happy clicking!

Monday, October 03, 2005

This is your American Idol?

When I caught word of this latest American Idol tid bit I lost it, I really did. I don't watch American Idol. I think it is void of any real entertainment and this is an opinion quite contrary to popular belief. This isn’t a showing of my patented haughtiness, it's that I don’t always adhere to the mainstream. And have no fear, I am not going to slam those who do watch it. We've all got our dirty little tv addiction secrets. Although this show does nothing for me, I know for a lot of people out there this is the penultimate reality show, second only to the latest iteration of Survivor or something. That being said, I am going to get on to the real crux of my post.

In today's day and age and in certain current generations, there is no excuse for illiteracy. Reading is a fundamental lesson taught in elementary schools across the nation. There are thousands of teachers out there right now, assisting kids and adults how to embrace this tenet of communication. Ms. Barrino cites her functional illiteracy to be a fear of misspelling words. I've got to say that I would have the knowledge of reading and writing to have the privilege of making the mistake of spelling a word incorrectly. Everyone misspells something. Blame it on synapses that misfire and let you put i before e even after c. Big deal, erase and move on. But no, not for this American Idol.

How fitting it is that she now has a book that's been published and has a recording contract. Her four year old daughter reads to her. The once hard times that she endured have been swept away with promotional considerations and endorsements. I think what ires me most is that there are people out there who idolize her for being so amazing. And now that she's come forward with this information will rush to blame the school system. Well I'm sorry, the blame here goes back to the so called idol and not to the school. I suppose there will also be a great campaign to feel sorry for her, for all that she's been through; for being a single mother high school drop out, for waiting in the mammoth audition lines for the show and for flubbing her way through scripts citing that ”Oh, I'm sorry, you know, I'm country, you know” and having to endure the harsh judgings of a stodgy brit, a portly record producer, and an all too friendly ex Laker’s girl.

Now with her 15 minutes of fame she feels she can finally come forward and bear her soul to the American people. It's good to know that if you can exploit one of your personal talents that you can ride by on that alone and not worry about making a contribution back to the lemmings that helped you rise to fame. I guess that is what happens when you get a book deal, recording contract, promotional considerations, and endorsements do to a person. And we're supposed to feel sorry for you? Sorry, that is a pill a little too bitter for me to swallow. There are thousands of teachers who put their heart and souls into teaching each day to prevent this from happening. Teachers, who already are paid a measly salary, would stay after school to tutor students in any area of difficulty. Perhaps in a humanitarian effort, Ms. Barrino could take a few hours out of her rigorous schedule to spend time with special needs children who overcame the odds against them to learn to read.

One in five Americans are functionally illiterate. That's a travesty. No wonder the national trend is to leech onto reality programs. The half hour or hour programmed "reality" is that much kinder than the harsh world outside the door.

America, if this is part of your idol system it is high time to rethink the hierarchy. You can't accept felons or those with a checkered past but illiteracy is something she couldn't help. Yeah, I am sure she thought the same when she found out she was going to be a mother. How is it so easy to latch on to a shiny object than to look for what lies beneath, the diamond in the rough as it were? There are thousands of people out in everyday life that should be idols far before the latest singing sensation or the most enduring competitor. I am but one voice clamoring to find stronger and verifiable idols before this nation sinks itself into a ruin that cannot be merely buffed off to give it a new shine. Think of what kind of legacy this leaves for future generations. I can see now what kind of harrowing future lies ahead at the reins of popular culture.

Thank you mom and dad for playing classical music when I was a mere bun in the oven. Thank you public broadcasting for putting letters with colors and pictures on a street that promised sunny days that swept clouds away, for having a cardigan decked man who threw his shoes in the air to take me on a magic trolley ride, and a future trekkie who took us on adventures to every day places and made words leap off the page just by taking a look in a book that showed us the spectrum of reading.

I don't have some high profile background. I did spend some time in a private school but my greatest growth and exploration came because I was enrolled in public schools.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Go Blue!


Woo Hoo Go Big BLUE!!!

What I wouldn't give to get a graduate scholarship there...I tell ya that's on my top 5 colleges list of places I would like to go if I win a graduate scholarship.