The Dark Ages

Our power was shut off at noon yesterday. It is now 10:30 and the power is finally back on. The Dark Ages are over! The problem happened because I was told, a month ago when I went to sign up for our AEP service, that I was under a special and didn't have to pay the $83 deposit. So I didn't. Then yesterday, with no warning, no notice, no nothing, they shut it off. For the first couple of hours I assumed a normal outage, then I finally called to check on it by mid afternoon. I was told it was shut off because we didn't pay the deposit. After explaining the situation, the company was completely unsympathetic. The operators, most of them anyway, were very nice, but they said they couldn't do anything about it. I promptly paid the deposit over the phone. I was told it would be 1-3 days before power was restored. Of course I was freaking out, worried about food in the fridge and everything. Several phone calls later, I was finally assured it would be turned back on last night, no later than 10pm when the trucks shut down, but probably much earlier. By 9 I was on the phone again, to no avail. No one could tell me anything, truck schedule, how to get in touch with trucks, or when my power would be restored. After 10 I was back on the phone with them and told it just wasn't going to happen tonight. I was very upset, but didn't cuss out the operator or anything. She was nice. Even offered and did a wake up call this morning on the cell so Michael could get to work on time. A frantic call to the building manager got us allowance to run an extension cord into the hallway for just the fridge, with the understanding that it had to be unplugged by noon today. By 10am I was getting very worried, but just now I checked and the power was restored. Oh, happy day. Now all that remains is a Better Business Bureau complaint and catching up on the shows Jonathan and Lisa kindly took care of for us. Thanks guys! This whole situation sucked, but on the bright side (no pun intended), I did get a lot of reading done. First with natural sunlight, and then by candlelight last night. Still, I missed my internet. :)

Qop! (from last week's season premiere of Arrested Development)
MICHAEL: You're especially mean this morning, Mom. Are you sober?
LUCILLE: Michael, it's nine am!
MICHAEL: So that's not it...

Premiere Season Part One of Two

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post. I wanted to watch as many premieres as I could before I did more reviews, and I didn't have much else to talk about. Here is Part One of Two on my big premiere review! I did a few reviews before this, but this is a much bigger one, and will be followed next week when the rest of the shows (except The Colbert Report, which doesn't premiere until October 17th) have premiered.
Arrested Development (Monday, Fox, 8pm) ~ I had never seen the show until the Season Three premiere, but wow is it amazing! This episode dealt with George Sr. having escaped and been replaced by his brother Oscar in jail. Michael blows off promises to George Michael and Job to go find his father, but George Michael ends up in Reno anyway, and the two of them are soon kidnapped by Geroge Sr. Meanwhile, Lindsey sets off to win Tobias back, not knowing that Kitty dumped Tobias and Tobias is now a waiter instead of a member of Blue Man Group (George Sr got the Blue Man part). When Lindsey arrives, she finds Tobias making out with their lawyer, played by Henry Winkler, who is in full Blue Man makeup. So are those two closeted homos going to get together? Who knows? Now George Michael is waiting to make out again with his cousin Maybe, who is making out with her crush, Steve Holt, who is actually her uncle Job's son, and so is her cousin too. I went and watched Season One this week as well and was highly impressed. Amazing show! Score: 5/5
How I Met Your Mother (Monday, CBS, 8:30pm) ~ Alyson Hannigan and Neil Patrick Harris shine in this comedy, but are only minor players. The lead is a bit flat. It has potential to be a cute sitcom, but it needs to beef itseld up some more. We'll wait and see. Score: 3/5
Kitchen Confidential (Monday, Fox, 8:30pm) ~ Bradley Cooper competly leads this talented cast as a druggie ex-chef who gets a second chance and rounds up his old gang for his kitchen. Nicholas Brenden was great, and possibly gay? We're not sure. The scarf looked like it, but he was a pastry chef. The other supporting actors were ok. Score: 4/5
Prison Break (Monday, Fox, 9pm) ~ After 5 hours, this show continues to be riveting and good. The parts outside of the prison are a little bit of a drag, but I find myself wondering how it's all going to go down. It is brilliantly planned out and intriuging. The first five hours covered two weeks, and there are three weeks left before his brother is executed, so I predict time will begin slowing down, but we'll expect a breakout by February sweeps. At least, that's my hope. But what would Season two be about? Score: 4/5
Out of Practice (Monday, CBS, 9:30pm) ~ This new show was a surprise delight. Admittedly, Christopher Gorman, the main character and only "not real" doctor of the family could use some acting lessons, but Stockard Channing and Henry Winkler really shine as his recently divorced parents. My only regret is this will mean less of Channing on The West Wing and Winkler on Arrested Development this year. I predict Channing will be dropped from WW's opening credits. Score: 3/5
Medium (Monday, NBC, 10pm) ~ Patricia Arquette deserved her emmy, and this season opened with a bang. Months after Captain Push attempted to kill himself so that he could find out who a killer was and relay it to Allison, he lies in a coma. Allison and her husband Joe have seemingly fixed their marital problems, but they've only been pushed to the back as Allison hasn't been having dreams, and so not working. When Push's father begins to appear to Allison and tell her she needs to listen to his son, she of course figures everything out. But will her marriage survive another season of her job? I look forward to great things this season. Score: 4/5
Bones (Tuesday, Fox, 8pm) ~ Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz have some of the best chemistry on television. Couple that with a delightful supporting cast, and this show has some great potential. Of course, Boreanaz is 'seeking redemption for past wrongs', but I promise it's not a repeat of Angel! I hope the writing gets better, but I see good things in it's future. Score: 3/5 (Actors: 5/5)
My Name is Earl (Tuesday, NBC, 9pm) ~ I love Jason Lee, and this show is great for that actor. He is trying to make up for bad stuff after he heard about karma from Carson Daly. It was good, but unfortunately the premiere will be my only viewing, as Commander in Chief and The Amazing Race have our DVR tied up. I like Lee, so watch it, and if CiC fails, I'll be back. Score: 2.5/5
Lost (Wednesday, ABC, 9pm) ~ Returning for it's sophomore year, Lost blew me out of the water! It actually answered some of it's secrets this week! The hatch was very well done. The show focused on Jack, but gave interesting things to Kate, Locke, and Hurley. Other than that, Shannon, Siyad, and Walt each appeared, and the other main characters were no where to be seen, other than a few other brief glimpses. What about the fate of those on the raft? They are still in the cast list, although we expect another character death soon. And I can't wait to see Michelle Rodriguez and the other survivors from the back half of the plane. It promises to be exiciting. Score: 4.5/5
Invasion (Wednesday, ABC, 10pm) ~ This show gets maybe one more chance. It was pretty lame and I have too much to watch as it is. It was a stupid plot, aliens invading Florida by taking over people, and not as creepy as it should have been. Do you think perhaps that's what happened to Jeb and George? Just asking. :) Flat characters and weak story made this hard to sit through. Score: 1/5.
Joey (Thursday, NBC, 8pm) ~ I don't care what people say, I like Joey. I don't like they felt the need to revamp the cast for this season. I'm not a big fan of Joey's new friend and co-star, although I'm glad Joey finally landed a big movie role. I do enjoy his sister's new job and Jennifer Coolidge finally appearing in every episode. They should dump Miguel and make Coolidge's other assistant a main. He is the new Gunther. This season will be better, and hopefully Alex and Joey will stay together and finally give him a real relationship. Plus, we need some Friends to make apperances! Score: 3.5/5
Everybody Hates Chris (Thursday, UPN, 8pm) ~ Another show I can only give one week because Alias and Joey are non negotiable (kiss it Michael :)), but it was pretty good. Maybe a bit overhyped. I've always liked Chris Rock, but I've never loved him. The show is just comedy. And where else are you going to hear nigger and other racial slurs at 8pm on broadcast tv? It was a little bit not my style of humor, but still enjoyable. Score: 3/5.
Reunion (Thursday, Fox, 9pm) ~ I love this show. It is crappy tv, like Dawson's Creek, but that's why I like it. The actors are great, especially Chyler Leigh from The Practice. I can't wait to see who is dead and who killed them. It keeps me coming back for more, and I really get into it. This one year per season thing doesn't work real well though as the episodes cover a few days, maybe weeks, and then it's a year later. That bugs me. But I'll get over it. Score: 3/5
Threshold (Friday, CBS, 9pm) ~ Brannon Braga's first big non-Star Trek tv show. He brings the dark side he took to First Contact, Voyager, and Enterprise, and makes it scarier. Very good plot, very good story. Brent Spiner (The Next Generation) and Robert Patrick Benedict (Felicity) are definitely my favorite actors on the team of geeky scientists, especially with Spiner's biting wit that sets his character apart from Data. But Carla Gugino as the star works for me too. The only I don't like in the cast is Peter Dinklage, but that may be because his character is just such an ass. I have high hopes for this show. Score: 4/5.
Family Guy and American Dad (Sunday, Fox, 8 and 8:30pm) ~ Still good. Nothing else to report over last time. Just watch them. Score: 4/5
Coming Next Time: Commander in Chief, Boston Legal, Close to Home, Night Stalker, Veronice Mars, Alias, Will & Grace, Ghost Whisperer, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, The West Wing, Saturday Night Live, The Amazing Race?, America's Next Top Model?, Apprentice: Martha Stewart?

Qop!
"If I were a carpenter, and you were my lady, I'd nail you." ~ www.ruminate.com

The West Wing

I have always liked The West Wing, but tonight, I present the Top Ten Reasons Why It Is One of The Best Shows On TV:
10. Mandy didn't stick around, but Joshua Malina did.
9. The rest of the cast totally kicks ass.
8. Kristen Chenoweth stepping in to help Toby.
7. The race between Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits.
6. Stockard Channing is a crazy woman,
5. Great dialogue. Fast and smart. Doesn't care what people think, but what is right.
4. The secretaries. From Mrs. Landingham to Lily Tomlin, and Margaret.
3. C.J. Craig, Donna Moss, Leo McGary and Josh Lyman. Enough said.
2. Best theme song ever!
1. President Bartlet wouldn't read "My Pet Goat" or vacation in Texas. He'd get off his ass and do something!!!

Qop! (The West Wing, Rob Lowe & Richard Schiff)
SAM: About a week ago I accidently slept with a prostitute.
TOBY: Really?
SAM: Yes.
TOBY: Accidently?
SAM: Yes.
TOBY: I don't understand. Did you trip on something?

BONUS QOPs! (more West Wing greats)
CJ (Allison Janey): Set fire to the room. Do it now.

JOSH (Bradley Whitford): Toby, come quick. Sam's getting his ass kicked by a girl.
TOBY: Ginger, get the popcorn!

BARTLET (Martin Sheen): Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.
DR. JACOBS: I don't say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.
BARTLET: Yes it does. Leviticus.
JACOBS: 18:22.
BARTLET: Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I have you here. I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff Leo McGarry insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police? Here's one that's really important because we've got a lot of sports fans in this town: touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you? One last thing: while you may be mistaking this for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tight-Ass Club, in this building, when the President stands, nobody sits.

BARTLET: My daughter asked you out?
CHARLIE (Dule Hill): Yes.
BARTLET: I should have locked her in the dungeon.
CHARLIE: I don't think you have one, sir.
BARTLET: Could've had one built.

ABBIE (Stockard Channing): I haven't come in here because it seems that every time I do there's a new White House Counsel. I think Leo keeps them in the basement like those two ladies in Arsenic and Old Lace.

TOBY: You think the United States is under attack from 1200 Cubans in rowboats?
SAM: I'm not saying I don't like our chances.
TOBY: It's mind-boggling to me we ever won an election

Happy Birthday Timmy J!

Tomorrow would have been Timothy Jesser's birthday. I miss him. We had a little party for him on Saturday at T.G.I.Fridays. It was great. Friends, teachers, his family, fun, cake, food, pictures, and memories. I am so glad we did it. I don't know how much else to put on here about it because I've written about it before and I've said what I wanted to say, several times over. I am dedicating my first book to him, had planned on it since I first started writing, so that will be my tribute.
Then a bunch of us went to see The Exorcism of Emily Rose. I had no desire to see it because it looked scary, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a courtroom thing with flashbacks to the exorcism and while those were a bit startling, it was very well done. And it was based on a true story. This girl named Emily died and the priest who had earlier performed an unsuccessful exorcism on her was charged for negligence for encouraging her to abandon medical treatment. It was very dramatic and cool. I won't tell you how it ends. The priest and his lawyer were great actors, and it had our favorite beige queen from last season's 24.
Continuing with season premiere critiques, American Dad's Patrick Stewart heavy premiere was great. Stan's liberal daughter begins seeing his conservative, very old, boss (Stewart). The sex jokes out of Stewart's mouth are hilarious. Family Guy was even funnier. Brian began dating Meg's black teacher, and Peter decided he would replace Brian's friendship with James Woods. There was a great scene on the bridge of the Enterprise-D with Stewart and Michael Dorn and possibly Jonathan Frakes lending their voices. That is it so far on the premieres, although I have to comment that The Flight That Fought Back on Discovery was very moving. It was about Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11

Qop! (long one, but good; from the Buffy episode "Flood")
GILES: (over his shoulder) You're a very stupid girl.
WILLOW: What? Giles...
GILES: (turns to face her) Do you have any idea what you've done? The forces you've harnessed, the lines you've crossed?
WILLOW: I thought you'd be ... impressed, or, or something.
GILES: Oh, don't worry, you've ... made a very deep impression. Of everyone here ... you were the one I trusted most to respect the forces of nature.
WILLOW: Are you saying you don't trust me?
GILES: (intensely) Think what you've done to Buffy.
WILLOW: I brought her back!
GILES: At incredible risk!
WILLOW: Risk? Of what? Making her deader?
GILES: Of killing us all. Unleashing hell on Earth, I mean, shall I go on?
WILLOW: No! (stands) Giles, I did what I had to do. I did what nobody else could do.
GILES: Oh, there are others in this world who can do what you did. You just don't want to meet them. (turns away again)
WILLOW: No, probably not, but ... well, they're the bad guys. I'm not a bad guy. (upset) I brought Buffy back into this world, a-and maybe the word you should be looking for is "congratulations."
GILES: Having Buffy back in the world makes me feel ... indescribably wonderful, but I wouldn't congratulate you if you jumped off a cliff and happened to survive.
WILLOW: That's not what I did, Giles.
GILES: (angry) You were lucky.
WILLOW: I wasn't lucky. I was amazing. And how would you know? You weren't even there.
GILES: If I had been, I'd have bloody well stopped you. The magicks you channeled are more ferocious and primal than anything you can hope to understand, (even more angry) and you are lucky to be alive, you rank, arrogant amateur!

Wow!

I just checked my web site stats and I have had well over 200 hits in the past week. Not on my blog, but on my main web site. Why is this? I have no idea! I don't advertise it or anything. That makes me excited. Sorry I haven't been quicker with posting book info, but I will have it all up and running in time for the release. I am so excited about it that there's hardly anything else to talk about on here.
I am actually unemployed officially at the moment. Although I will be officially hired again soon, this week I have not worked or earned any income. How strange is that? It's so weird. I just stopped showing up for the one part time job I was working. I hated it so much. I didn't give them any notice, but I'd only been working it for less than two weeks, so I really didn't feel like I needed to. They were nice people, but I just couldn't stand it anymore.
It's now official Premiere Season as the summer shows have ended. A quick run down on what I am watching:
Reno 9-1-1 ~ ended on much less of a cliffhanger than usual, but will they execute Trudy's new husband? Hmm.
Stella ~ Is it still on? I don't know. It just disappeared.
Family Guy ~ It's been off for a month but it's back this weekend, and so is American Dad. Yay!
Greg the Bunny ~ It's back on, but it's on IFC, a premium channel, so I don't get to see it. :(
Prison Break ~ Started off really good, although a big disturbing. It has Eve from Angel and is produced by Marti Noxon. Interesting.
The Daily Show ~ After a week off, Stewart is back and ATTACKING Bush and FEMA. I've never seen him so angry. Weird.
Veronica Mars ~ With only about four episodes under my belt, I don't feel prepared for the new season, but I'll give it a shot. Season One hits DVD in late Oct so I can catch up.
Medium ~ I just saw the pilot, finally, and am ready to go for Season Two in two weeks. It's going to be fantastic.

Qop!
"I don't want any trouble. I just want to be alone and quiet, you know, with a chair, a fireplace, and a tea cozy. I'm not even sure what a tea cosy is, but I want one." ~ Buffy, "Anne"

My Web Site

For those of you who come straight to his blog and skip over my main site, please don't, because my counter is on my main site. :) I get hundreds of visitors a month on my counter, but I want an accurate number. Speaking of my site, it is being revamped, so it would be really cool if you checked it out. It won't contain all that personal crap it used to. I will still maintain this blog, and the blog will still be on a personal level, but the rest of the site it being changed to promote the book series. It will have character profiles, description of the plot (no spoilers), the latest info on publicity events, cool stuff for sale, and that kind of thing. I have already begun the revamp and I think it's going to be really cool. If you want to know when the book goes on sale, that will be the place to check for the latest info. I know this entry didn't sound very personal, and I'm sorry, but that's life. :)

Qop!
"I'm cookie dough, okay? I'm not done baking yet. I'm not finished becoming whoever the hell it is I'm going to turn out to be. I've been looking for someone to make me feel whole, and maybe I just need to be whole. I make it through this, and the next...maybe one day I turn around and realize I'm ready. I'm cookies. And then if I want someone to eat m, er, to enjoy warm delicious cookie me, then that's fine." ~ Buffy "Chosen"

My Life

It's time once again for "Have a Few Drinks, Can't Sleep, Evaluate My Life Online So The Whole World Can See", as I do periodically. So tonight was the big housewarming party. Or little party. Ok, so Nick, Lisa, and Jonathan showed up, and Nick slept half the time he was here. :) That's ok. I'm at a point in my life where I can do without a lot of the old friends whom I don't see all the time. Anyone reading this post is not included in that group. I am talking about the people I have no contact with at all anymore and have just become very peripheral to my life. And that's ok. A lot of them I don't really miss. Some people I still want in my life weren't here tonight, and that is ok too. I understand that some of them weren't nearby or had other things going on. We're cool. Don't worry. I am just impatient to get on with life and drop stupid school and part time job crap.
Speaking of part time jobs, I hate Target. I tried to convince myself it was fun because the people there seem cool, although none of them seem to want to open up and befriend me and discourage small talk. Ah, well. Again, no worries there. It doesn't bother me. I hope I'm not there too much longer. All the sub paperwork is being finished and I will be in the schools soon and at least able to majorly cut back my hours there, which I need to do because I really hate it and I'm working a whole bunch of days. Also, my book is being published so there may be some money there. I am getting paid by a percentage of the sales, not a lump sum, so here's hoping I sell enough copies to help me make some money and let me quit working at Target so I have time to work on more books. This is what is keeping me from sinking into depression right now because the book thing is really exciting. Besides, being a 'tortured soul' helps me to be a better writer.
And of course the last and most depressing thing is my love life, or lack thereof. I have become a lot more active in searching for people to at least go on dates with, but to no avail. I apologize to any friends who read this and are interested, but I don't return the interest. Trust me, I totally understand because I have friends that I like a lot who don't return the interest. And sometimes it pisses me off when they go for jerks, or even more when they go for nice guys who aren't me, but I sit there and grin and bear it because I really do care. However, it is well past time for me to get on with my love life. Please help me! Set me up with someone cute and cool! That's all I ask. I'm ready to date, I want to do it! :)

Qop! "You vagina is so big, it played the cave in Batman Begins!" ~ an excerpt from the Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Andreson, which was surprisingly hilarious. Go Sarah Silverman and Bea Arthur!

P.S. I had to repost this to delete a comment from someone with a 'business oppurtunity'. NO SPAM ALLOWED ON THIS BLOG!!!

I'm An Author!!!

I am getting my book published!!! It is through BookSurge and will be avilable on Amazon.com soon. I will let you know the details when I know it. Beginning Monday I have a meeting about some of the logistics (cover design, etc.) and I am just so so so excited, so buy lots of copies for Christmas presents and things!!! YAY!!!

Qop!
"I am speechless."