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Mlle Elizabeth

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Garden, TV, Movies [Jun. 30th, 2008|01:19 pm]
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Garden/Patio

I spent most of Saturday afternoon cleaning out pots of dead plants and dirt (20 something of them - some of them very large) and hauling around bags of dirt. I spent most of Sunday being sore. But the good news is, my patio is mostly cleaned off and looks a lot better and I am ready for a fall garden.

I think I am going to try to grow roses in the three huge clay pots I now have. Any suggestions for varieties of rose I should try? I am a novice rose grower. I do have a rose expert living next door and my dad knows roses, so I will have some help. But I need recs for relatively easy but pretty roses and advice on how to care for them.

TV

( Groomer Has It )

( HGTV Design Star )

( Next Food Network Star )


Movies

I finally watched a couple of the Netflix movies that have been sitting on my “movie shelf” since mid-May. After watching them, I’m fairly certain my subconscious was trying to protect me from the extreme awfulness of both of them. One of them was slightly more awful than the other, but still made me absolutely livid. And they were both RomComs, so. Urm, let’s get on with it, shall we? I’ll start with the slightly less awful one.

( Rumor Has It )

( The Family Stone )

I don’t hate Rom Coms. In fact, there are several I like. But the ones I’ve seen lately are starting to push me in the direction of hating them. I have two more to watch sitting on my shelf at home, Cake and Monster-in-Law. I think I’m going to like the latter, but probably not enough to overcome the feeling of pure loathing I have for what I watched this weekend.

I have switched my queue around so that after I’m done with the Rom Coms I mostly have fun silly comedies and kidflicks to get me through the summer, including some fairly recent ones. I thought switching it around like that might help me get back to watching.

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Cheery Things [May. 20th, 2008|11:20 am]
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Reading my flist posts from the last 24 hours or so makes me think we all need a hug and something cheery. So...

Remember Square Pegs? It comes out on DVD today!

These pictures are just what I needed today! They’re cheerful and springy and full of joy.

And there’s more! Even though there is one cloudy picture in this batch, the flowers more than make up for it.



My sister has turned in the final draft of her book! Congratulations A!!!

Tonight is the final performance on American Idol 7. If you love American Idol, it’s a big big big night. If you don’t care about, or dislike American Idol, it’s almost over for the year. :)

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War, Inc., Friday Five (TV!) and Fitness/Workout [May. 16th, 2008|11:31 am]
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Happy Friday!

Article about War, Inc.

Today’s [info]thefridayfive is TV Time!

1. What's your favourite TV network?

CBS because it has The Amazing Race. I also watch some FOX shows and some Travel Channel, Bravo and VH-1 shows.

2. If you could create your own channel, what would it be?

It would look different almost every day depending on my mood, but there would be a lot of Anthony Bourdain, Top Chef, Project Runway, American Idol and Amazing Race. There would be exactly two scripted shows – I would pick up Moonlight since CBS dropped it, and I’d steal Dirty Sexy Money from (I think) ABC. Those are the only two scripted shows I have any interest in at all anymore. There would also be occasional music videos, random funny stuff, and of course lots and lots of John Cusack movies.

3. What TV show did you watch as a child, that you wish they would bring back?

As much as I loved Mary Tyler Moore and Bob Newhart, I’d vote for Carol Burnett’s show if we could make her immortal. Or maybe Battle of the Network Stars in all its cheesey glory.

4. What show have you always hated, and wonder why they ever made such a dumb show?

One show? Seriously? Because there are so many! Everybody Loves Raymond tops the list for me, though. Followed by that Tim Allen awfulness.

5. What TV show's seasons would you buy on DVD?

I have a lot of TV shows on DVD already:

I own all seasons of BTVS, Twin Peaks, SportsNight, Blackadder, Speed Racer, and Rumpole of the Bailey. I have most of Ab Fab, 2 or 3 seasons of Smallville, 2 seasons of QaF US, 1 season + (?? can’t remember) of QaF UK, 2 seasons (or maybe 3?) of the Geraldine McEwan Miss Marples, 2 seasons of Hart to Hart (I want more!!!) I think I have 2 seasons of CSI. And I can’t remember if I own 1 or 2 seasons of Jonny Quest (the original, not the new imposter Jonny Quest). I also own 1 season each of X-Files, Starsky & Hutch, Heroes, and 24.

I would like to have the rest of Hart to Hart and Fawlty Towers, and almost everything ever shown on Mystery on PBS. And as a guilty pleasure, I kind of want all of Murder She Wrote and Columbo, even though they are both so predictable, especially by today’s TV mystery standards.

I am really sore today. I felt like I hardly worked out at all last night, but apparently I did more than I thought!

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American Idol, Hell's Kitchen, TV [Apr. 30th, 2008|12:04 pm]
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Ick! Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune all go retrograde in May. :(

I took my measurements last night. My upper half is two sizes smaller than my lower half. I know that’s to be expected as that’s generally how losing inches works, but it’s still a little annoying.

( American Idol )

( Hell’s Kitchen )

AOL’s got a 50 best TV comedies list up. I could probably quibble over placement and I don’t care for either The Simpson or Friends. But I think my not liking the those two is partly generational and partly just who knows what. I do understand that millions of people find them funny. As a result I actually agree with 49 out of the 50 shows on the list. The only one that doesn’t belong is #50, Everybody Loves Raymond which was never funny at all, doesn’t belong on any “good” list and was, IMO a favor David Letterman did for Ray Romano, who doesn’t deserve any favors. *ahem* Sorry, I feel strongly about that show. But the rest, yeah, funny times. Looking through it brought back some great memories and I was happy to see Larry Shandling at 11 and Mary Tyler Moore at 4, and Bob Newhart in there a well-deserved twice. Yay!

I’m a little frustrated today – having communication and planning problems that make me really sad. Bah!

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American Idol, Paradise Hotel, American Gladiators, Paranormal State, Rock of Love [Jan. 15th, 2008|12:06 pm]
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BIG News! Idol starts tonight!!!

BIGGER News! Paradise Hotel is returning!!! JOY!!! Between that and the auspicious premiere of Rock of Love 2, sleazeTV is off to a great start for the spring season. PH2 will be on two channels - the regular version will air on FOX’s Mynetworktv affiliates (whatever channel you get that shows Wicked, Wicked Games, Decision House and Jail) and then an extra-sleazy version will be shown late at night on FOX Reality. Hee! Unfortunately, I don’t get FOX Reality, so I’m going to have to settle for the regular-sleaze version.

I'm still enjoying American Gladiators just as much as I did the first time around. ( Just in case anyone's got it on their TV to watch later, still... )

I thought Paranormal State was kind of boring last night. There was too little Ryan craziness. The wine glasses breaking was pretty spooky, though.

And I caught the season premiere of Rock of Love 2. Talk about sleazy! I felt like I needed to scrub the TV down with Lysol afterwards. But boy, was it funny. ( Cut for some spoilery talk about the results )
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Happy Friday! [Nov. 30th, 2007|10:24 am]
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It is Friday, and I am very happy.

Is anyone else planning on watching Tin Man on Sunday?

These pretty pics of fall woods are from a couple of days ago, so take a look asap before their replaced with newer pictures!

New Product! Hershey’s Hot Cocoa Creme Kisses

Even though Redacted isn’t opening in Dallas, probably ever, (and that’s not a bad thing from what I’ve heard – it’s supposed to be pretty awful) Mark Cuban called Bill O’Reilly a moron. That totally makes up for any clunkiness on Cuban’s part on DWTS in my opinion

I’m guessing Grace is Gone won’t open here, either, next Friday, so I don’t have my hopes up. But in much, much better Cusack news ...

In fact, the Best News of All This Friday:
Monday!!! 7:00 p.m. Central, 8:00 p.m. Eastern!!! Joy!!!

And finally,
( Survivor )

ETA

Other happy things:

- We have a puppy in our office today.

- DART customer service just called to answer a request I put in at the beginning of October asking for at least one of the new stops on University to be added to the schedule they publish. After apologizing for taking so long to get back to me, the customer service rep said they would be adding the stops to the schedule the next time it changes and they reprint them. Could be a while, but at least that’s progress.

- I had the most bizarre conversation with a hotel reservations agent ever this morning. I was attempting to cancel a reservation for my boss. Chain reservation agent told me that the name on the res had been changed to Clarabelle Delgado, but that it was still guaranteed to my boss’s credit card and I could not cancel it. Only this Clarabelle Delgado person could. She suggested I call the hotel directly and beg them to cancel it. So I did. The hotel’s res agent told me that the name had never been changed, and furthermore, the reservation had already been canceled just before I called. !!!

ETA AGAIN

( Even Today's Top 5 List is Making Me Full of Joy! )


I hope you all are having wonderful Fridays as well!
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My Wanky, TL;DR Thoughts on the WGA Strike, Let Me Show You Them [Nov. 13th, 2007|12:06 pm]
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Or not. I’m feeling bombarded by things I don’t agree with. But the main thing that triggered me is this article that claims the poor, pitiful WGA writers do not lead glamorous lives. Not the best way to appeal to this working stiff who sometimes worries about having enough money to pay bills and buy groceries. And is not in favor of unions or collective bargaining. Life is hard. And .... yeah, I’m going to go sit on my hands now to keep from wanking. I keep typing up my extremely tl;dr thoughts on the strike and then not posting them. Then retyping them and not posting. I think I’ve done this four days in a row now.

I will say this much – mostly, I wish I could find a genuinely neutral explanation from someone I trust that included the realistic long term economic effects of the strike, the real underlying issues, the complete financials on the WGA, its board members and administrators, exactly what benefits it is providing its members, and what’s really at stake here. But at this point there are only two or maybe three people in the world I would trust and none of them have weighed in that I know of (and I’ve been checking). And I continue to believe that TV (and the entertainment industry as a whole) as we know it is simply changing. And change is painful, but inevitable.

Oh, wait. I’ve found something even more ... more ... I don’t know. Indescribably ridiculous?! Frothing rage inducing? And that is Steven Weber comparing the WGA writers’ claims to lead in Chinese toys and the Bush administration's lies about weapons of mass destruction. I just .... *howl of rage*

So let workers of all stripes, in all forms, in all professions walk the line. It's not just their strike. It's yours.

No. No it is not. You do not speak for me. The WGA does not speak for me. No one speaks for me except me. And no matter how much further up the food chain the middle to upper class writers aspire, their success will not help the vast majority of non-union wage earners in any way. Nor will it bring world peace, educate poor children or end hunger.

I seriously think I have been pushed over the edge.

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Scary Horoscope, Movies & TV and a Very Cool Abandoned Place [Nov. 7th, 2007|10:37 am]
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Yikes, scary Horoscope! Well, it starts off really scary:

Your extremely overpowering emotions are apt to scare people off today, especially when it comes to matters involving intimate relationships. Unless your desired result is to convince everyone around you that you are completely insane, it may be best for you to back off.

Then it gets kind of fun:

Let someone else take the lead today, and you may be quite pleasantly surprised at where you and this special person end up.

Links stolen from the imdb:

Top 100 Rock Movies of All Time

This is Spinal Tap is their number one pick and I agree with that choice. I actually think I can agree with their entire top 10, except I don’t know what Dig is, nor do I care, and I’d move High Fidelity to 7 or 8 instead of 22. But I do like what they say about it:

Fans of Nick Hornby’s beloved rock-novel — about a music nut who has a better relationship with his 45 collection than his girlfriend — prayed that Hollywood wouldn’t screw up the casting. Thankfully, John Cusack got the part

Indeed.

Casting Call for Star Trek XI

I seriously do not understand this person’s 7 Favorite Screenplays of the Decade Of course High Fidelity is on there (apparently its my Karma to have that movie all over the news today, for which I am grateful). And sure, The Royal Tennenbaums and arguably Mullholland Drive belong there. But The 40 Year Old Virgin?! WTF?!

Why does Tom Cruise have to be in Lions for Lambs. I’d probably go see it otherwise. :(
IMDB Pro news:

Samantha Who has been picked up for the whole season and is moving back to 9:00 p.m. beginning 11/26, Reaper, Aliens in America and Gossip Girl have all had more episodes ordered, Greg Berlanti is going to make a live action Green Lantern Movie, and Mark Headley is remaking High Noon. How do I feel about a remake of a Grace Kelly movie? Hmmmm.

I am a bit freaked out that Stuart Gordon made a movie called Stuck loosely based on the incident a few years back in Ft. Worth where a woman drove home with a guy stuck in the windshield of her car and left him in her garage to die.

And in non-TV/movie news:

There is an awesomely spooky looking Russian manor house over on [info]abandonedplaces this morning.

ETA:

Ahahahahahahahaha! I mean, Oh God, the horror! I knew CBS was planning on throwing together a winter season of Big Brother if the strike went forward. What I did not know is that it is going to be a "celebrity" season. Reported participants: Todd Bridges and Lauren Tewes. Other than the competitive aspect, I'm not sure how this will be all that different from The Surreal Life. But I think it probably calls for a poll.

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My TL;DR Thoughts on the Strike [Nov. 5th, 2007|12:41 pm]
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( My Teal Deer Thoughts on the WGA Strike )
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Okay, This Is Long, But It's My Happy, Happy, Happy Friday Entry! [Nov. 2nd, 2007|01:19 pm]
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[mood |Candy-Coated]

Happy Day! There is a lot of great stuff going on today, yay!

It’s Friday!

And, okay, I admit I am squeeing like crazy over the front page of the IMDB. I’m going to see Martian Child on Saturday, so I’m really excited. I discovered this week that one of my coworkers loves John Cusack almost as much as I do and she’s going to see it with me. Wheeeee!

Cinema Blend’s fairly recent (10/22) interview

Moonlight tonight!

It looks like we’re going to be able to edit comments, finally!

And we get an extra hour of sleep Sunday morning!

I have a computer upgrade in the works so I should be able to play Sims2 soon! And the newer Rollercoaster Tycoon games!!!

( Features!! )

I suppose I should comment on the Lexicon wank. I am 100% pro-Jo and pro-WB on this one. Steve really should have known better than to even try this. I used to like the guy well enough on HPFGU, especially since he was one of the most pleasant, non-combative Harmoanians there, but he seems to have taken a huge turn for the worse post-HBP. That was when he quit updating the site (and I think the reasons why are obvious) and the wankiness started encroaching into his behavior, so it’s really all just part of the post-HBP wank that’s continued into the apparently endless Potterdammerung. I can’t imagine how a book version of the Lexicon could possibly be useful, considering the outdated information and wanky jossed essays that generally comprise the site now. It’s great for an attempt at a map of Diagon Alley, or if you can’t remember how to spell Wizengamot, I guess but otherwise fairly useless.


The Chicago Tribune wants you to vote on the Top 25 Worst TV Shows Ever. I can’t believe they have Beauty and the Beast on that list!


[info]thefridayfive:
What is...

1. one place you volunteer (or would like to)? Why?

I’ve volunteered at the Dallas SPCA and I’d like to do that again. I enjoy helping care for and socialize the animals and helping find them homes.

2. one book you'd like to see made into a movie? Why?

Hmmmm. Well, my favorite book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was already made into a movie. I wouldn’t mind a remake that was truer to the book. But with the same cast, of course. ;) My second favorite set of books (HP) was also made into a series of movies and I’m fine with most of them.

There is another book I’ve always thought would make a terrific movie and I wish someone would buy the rights to it – DOWN THE COLORADO: John Wesley Powell, Diary of the First Trip through the Grand Canyon 1869. I think there was a made-for-cable movie about his life, but I can’t find it on the IMDB. I find it very strange that no one has ever attempted to make an epic movie about the man and his exploration of the American west. He’s a hugely sympathetic and even PC character, a patriot and civil war hero, and his life was full of excitement and adventure. Who ever made it would get to work with stunning scenery. Maybe family won’t sell the rights to his journal?

3. one creature (living, extinct, or mythical) you'd like for a pet? Why?

I would like a second cat because I think D Kitty needs a friend to keep him company while I’m gone during the day and I think he’d have more fun playing with another kitty than with me. Also, I have a Dracoish cat so I think I really need a Harry cat.

4. one place on Earth you'd like to visit? Why?

Everywhere. If I have to narrow it more than that, I’d choose Angkor Wat, or if I can get away with it as an answer, all of Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

5. one talent or skill you'd like to develop? Why?

Only one?! Okay. Fine. I wish I could sew.

I hope y'all are having as great a day as I am. :)

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TV Ratings, Walk Score, Cookie Cutters [Oct. 9th, 2007|03:50 pm]
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According to yahoo news, these are the TV Shows in Trouble:

Nashville - I meant to watch this, just never got around to it.

Cavemen - No surprise there. The Gay Neanderthals are fine in commercials, but don’t translate to a longer format. ABC’s ads for it and Carpoolers stink of desperation.

K-Ville - Another not surprise. Worst scheduling of the season. I kind of like it, though, so I’m sad for it.

Journeyman - Again, not a surprise. The little bit I’ve seen of it on my Heroes tapes looks horrifically boring. And it has a strange, icky looking guy playing the male lead. Totally creeped me out.

Big Shots - Shrug. Don’t know. Don’t care.

I have pretty much decided not to bother with the episode of Pushing Daisies I taped. I just don’t have time for it, it’s been way over-pimped, and the little I saw of it was cringe-worthy cutesy. Like they were trying too hard to make it chick friendly. That’s how the ads (even the ones on buses!) struck me originally and its just comes off as contrived.

Fortunately, the new shows I really like – Chuck, Moonlight and Dirty Sexy Money are all doing very well (Moonlight), well (Dirty Sexy Money) or are safe anyway (Chuck) . I’m especially happy about Moonlight. It’s success is all over the TV/Entertainment news, which will generate even more buzz for it. With so much of fandom so down on this show (why?! Silly, silly fandom!), I’m merrily cackling over its success. ;) And it makes sense, hot people + story that’s okay and improving + timeslot with nothing else on = ratings success, duh. Chuck (and actually Heroes) are doing the least well of those, ratings wise, but I don’t think NBC or anyone else seriously attempts to beat the DWTS juggernaut, so I’m not worried.

>>>>>>>

From [info]pegkerr, who got it from [info]poorskills: Get your neighborhood’s walkability rating! My neighborhood’s walkability score was 77, which is pretty darned good: “70 90 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a car. “

>>>>>>>>

Online Cookie Cutter Resources:

Off the Beat Path: Over 700 cookie cutters, cute gift packs and edible glitter!

The Cookie Cutter Shop: Lots of well-categorized cookie cutters, but not so much in the way of decorating supplies.

Kitchen Gifts: Claims to have the largest collection of cookie cutters, separate sugars section, edible glitter, clear vanilla, lots of other good supplies.

Cookie Craft: Very basic, easy to use site, no baking supplies, a few basic recipes, phone and mail orders only - no online ordering.

Fancy Flours: Bakeware and baking supplies, cake decorating supplies as well as a large selection of cookie cutters, large recipe/idea blog (adorable mini pumpkin bundt cakes!!!).

Cookies in Seattle: Nice selection, also has cookie stamps and bakeware, mixes (and doggie and kitty treat mixes!), sugars, etc.

Foose Tinsmithing: Cookie cutter specialist, huge selection of cutters and kits to make your own custom cutters, no other supplies.

Gramma’s Cutters: Good selection plus supplies, very holiday oriented, lots of baking and decorating items.

Armchair World: Small selection, but what they have is cute, the site overall sells everything from science kits to Amish friendship bread to indoor water fountains, also has a lot of philosophical/political stuff – “We are a unique information-based store.”

That’s enough for now, yeah?

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