HIMYM

This week, I got to partake in one of those fun "I live in Hollywood" activities. My friend Cassie works for Wheel of Fortune and is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The ATAS periodically has panels with the actors and creators of current television shows, and this week they did How I Met Your Mother. Cassie invited me along since she knew I was a fan.

We sat and listened to them talk about the show for about an hour and a half. And if you're a TV junkie, this is just pure heaven! They were all incredibly charming and wonderful and I had a blast. And now I'm crushing on Josh Radnor even more! They hung around momentarily afterward to sign autographs and take pictures. But, unfortunately, they had publicists pulling them away after a very brief time. Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel hung around a little longer than everyone else. A few people I was with got pictures with them, but I didn't feel like dealing with the crowd. I just stood back and took a couple of pics from afar. I get a little claustrophobic and don't have a need to have my picture taken with celebs. I was just enjoying taking it all in and soaking up some memories. My pics aren't very good, and I didn't get a good one of Josh. But you get the idea

Oh, and I almost ran Neil Patrick Harris over with my car. But luckily catastrophe was averted. Whew!

Oscar Noms

And now for my reflections on this years Oscar nominations...

What's with the Benjamin Button lovefest? I just don't get why that movie is nominated or Brad Pitt for that matter. And I like Brad. I think he's a good actor, but I didn't think he did much in this movie other than stand there with cool looking makeup on. Though I'm ok with Taraji P. Henson being nominated. She's the only character I cared about in that movie. And I don't mind the directing nod and all the technical nominations because it looked pretty impressive on screen.

And don't even get me started on The Reader. I saw this last night, and I urge you to stay away. The entire first half is just nudity and sex. I had to shut my eyes and wished I could shut my ears. The second half of the movie I found very interesting and moving. But the first half just corrupted the whole thing. We get it! Kate Winslet's character had an affair with a 15 year old boy. But we don't need to see it over and over and over again. Enough!

Me, I would throw out Benjamin Button and The Reader and replace them with Doubt and The Dark Knight. Those were both far superior movies, in my opinion. I can't make a comment on Milk because I haven't seen it, nor do I plan to. But I'm a-ok with the other best picture noms. I guess I'll jump on the Slumdog bandwagon and pull for it. I don't think it's the best movie of the year, but it's the best of the bunch that were nominated and I hope it wins. It'll be nice to see an uplifting film win for a change.

As for the individual noms, everything went about as expected. The only changes I'd make would be to nominate Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road instead of The Reader. She was much better in that film. And I would've liked to have seen Rosemarie Dewitt nominated in the Supporting Actress category. She played the titular character in Rachel Getting Married opposite Anne Hathaway. And while I think Anne was amazing, I think Rosemarie was even better. I also would've given Christopher Nolan a directing nom for The Dark Knight and not given one to The Reader.

So there you have it. Those are my thoughts on the nominations. All in all, it went like I expected. What did y'all think?

As far as predictions, I'll post those closer to awards time.

That's my cuz!

Check it out...

Todd Turner Named Democratic Party of Arkansas Chairman


Finally! Someone in our family is semi-famous...well, at least Arkansas famous. Nice job, Todd!

My Week

Can I just express once again how I don't have anything to post about? I know I've said that before, but it just continues. I could post about TV and movies and sports all day long, but I don't know how interesting you guys find that. And the original purpose of this blog was to keep people back home updated on my life. But what I'm slowly realizing is that I don't have an exciting life. I don't have kids or pets or such to post about. I suppose I could post about hanging out with my friends. But you don't know them, and we don't really do anything exciting. We usually gather at someone's place and chat and watch TV. Good times, but not too exciting to read about.

For today, I guess I'll post a bit about some things I've been thinking about or have been happening this week.

1) I seriously am in need of a new picture to post on here. That was my summer look. I don't look like that anymore. The hair is a bit longer and the color a bit darker as the highlights are fading. Maybe I'll get around to snapping a new one one of these days.

2) I started a new job. You think that could've been a new post or at least my #1, but it's not. I'm thankful for the job, but the pay sucks and it's doing the same crap I was doing before. I had hoped tax resolution was in the past, but evidently God had other plans. Bottom line: I'm still looking elsewhere.

3) I can't shake this cold that has taken over my life. It's going on two weeks now, and it just won't go away. It's going around out here though, so lots of people are in the same boat. I'm hoping it'll run its course this week.

4) I went to a friend's place last week. She has a cat. I'm allergic, and it manifests itself in my eyes. So I've been walking around all week with beet red eyes and wearing my glasses. I hate wearing my glasses!


The pic is from mid-week. As you can see, my right eye is having a particularly harder time than my left eye. But I think they're starting to get better. They're less red and more pink now. And I can see the white parts again, so that's a plus!

So there you have it. That's been what's going on and what's been on my mind this week. There's actually been some deeper stuff, such as debating whether Jews are still God's chosen people or where I fall in the Calvinism/Arminianism debate. But I'll save that for another post.

Til next time...

It's time for a new post...

...and maybe I'll get to it in a few days.

I'm wondering...

Why are all the blog layouts so girly? Isn't there anybody out there that can design one without flowers and frills? After much searching, I finally found one that'll do since the flowers are hidden and it has my favorite colors. But seriously, what do I expect from a website called TheCutestBlogOnTheBlock.com?!

Today's Movie...Revolutionary Road

I'm beginning to think Sam Mendes has a particular disdain for the American suburbs. Though I don't really know why considering he's British, and I believe he and Kate split their time between NYC and London. Which leaves me doubting he's ever actually lived in an American suburb. So that leads me to believe he just hates the idea of the American dream. Ergo, he hates America. Ok, that's harsh, and I'm kidding...a little. But this really did feel like American Beauty, version 2.0.

I had high hopes for this movie because what girl my age doesn't hold a special place in her heart for Kate and Leo?! I think both of them have developed into mighty fine actors. Unfortunately for Leonardo, too many people can't see past his Titanic induced heartthrob status and baby face to see that he's one of the best actors out there. Luckily, Kate hasn't had this problem. I thought both of them gave great performances, but that wasn't enough. I just didn't find myself caring about their characters. So I didn't care that their marriage was crumbling and life wasn't what they thought it would be. And who decided the suburbs were such a bad thing?! There are people out there who enjoy them. Just as there are people out there who enjoy the city life. But I don't really see many movies bashing the city life. Oh wait, that's because all the moviemakers live in the city. That's right. How silly of me.

I was reading reviews after I watched it and came across the following one in The Hollywood Reporter that I think sums up my feelings exactly. I've included a link in case you care to read it. But be warned, there are spoilers.

The Hollywood Reporter Review

Too Much TV

You know what I just realized? Several of my favorite shows will be making return appearances this month - Battlestar Galactica (after a six month wait), and Flight of the Conchords and Big Love (after a year+ wait). Oh, and Lost. I almost forgot about Lost! Plus, there's a new show on TNT that I think looks interesting, Trust Me.

January isn't usually the best TV month, but this is fantastic. Actually, it's horrible. I did such a good job of weaning myself from several shows. Now that's all out the window! But I can't not watch these shows because they are some of my absolute favorites and not ones I would ever stop watching. Maybe I'll have to make some cuts in other areas.

I'm off to watch the Cotton Bowl. Go Red Raiders!!