Social networking and TV

Instead of blogging, I just went and wasted time on Facebook. I may possibly be one of the oldest people doing this whole social networking thing, but who cares right? It's kind of a slick user interface, and it's a nice way of keeping in touch with people. My biggest problem is that no one I know over the age of 28 is on it! Well, that's not quite true, but it seems it is a bit too young for all my college friends. So I am left to my own devices with my grad school buddies and younger sister's friends. Now people my age seem more into Friendster, but they don't really update their sites constantly like these others seem to... Regardless, it's an interesting societal phenomena.

But what had I thought about writing about as I am still in wind-down mode? Well, I'd been considering writing a post about my favorite TV shows for quite some time. I'm in this odd little phase right now where I can hardly find a movie that I want to see, but there's way too much TV for me to keep up with. Good TV, honest! Fairly well done, very little of the reality show or "I'm just flipping channels and want to watch something" variety.

I'm finally starting to crash a bit and really need to get to bed, but here are the new fall shows that have me hooked at the moment.

Brothers and Sisters -- Somewhat soapy but well-done TV with a stellar cast. Great family drama that gives me a regular Greg Berlanti fix so I miss Everwood a litle less.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip -- I quit watching for a couple weeks, but I tuned back in to see the John Goodman and Christmas episodes...and now I'm hooked. I never liked the West Wing, but I think I like this. And I definitely like the portrayal of a Christian character as sane and intelligent...so points there.

What About Brian -- Not exactly new and a total soap opera, but between the young cast and relevant storylines for someone my age...definitely worth a look.

The Class -- It's a somewhat formulaic but rapidly improving sitcom on after How I Met Your Mother. Stellar cast again, including Jason Ritter and Lizzie Caplan.

Heroes -- I was late to the party, but I'm definitely interested. The plotlines are complex but intriguing, and darn it if I'm not hooked on this X-Men ripoff.

And in terms of existing television, How I Met Your Mother, New Adventures of Old Christine, The Office, and Scrubs continue to impress and be appointment television at our house. Except that the appointments are made several days later, usually on the weekend, when we have time to sit down and catch up with all the shows we have taped. Don't even get me started on what happenned when the DVR died here last week! With that, I will draw my giddy basketball-induced ramblings to a close. Good night readers!

Oskee-wow-wow

Now that's what I call Bragging Rights! Nevermind that I thought the officiating was atrocious and Nolan Richardson was obnoxious beyond all belief, this was a quality basketball game. Perhaps the best Illinois basketball game I have seen this year, as they kept their heads up, fought hard, and played well in difficult circumstances. Having Brian Randle and Jamar back on the court made a big difference in the flow of things, and Shawn Pruitt and Warren Carter both had exceptional games. (That being said, I hope to hear good news about Carter's leg tomorrow. He left the game after a hard foul with 3-4 minutes left and couldn't get it relaxed enough to come back into the game)

Now, I realize my eye is biased. Despite my love of the game, I must admit that I still do not know all the ins-and-outs of college basketball refereeing. But my somewhat practiced eye thought that Mizzou's players were mauling Illinois at times (several intentionals should have been called) and that the Illini players were charged with a lot of nit picky, nonexistent fouls. Was it just me? Did anyone else feel this way? Of course, I thought quite a bit of traveling went uncalled on both ends.

But hey, that was a doozy. It kind of makes me wish we'd tried harder for the tickets this year. I entered the Bragging Rights ticket lottery in 2004 and 2005 trying to win a birthday present for the hubby but to no avail. I must say that the game from my living room did not disappoint! Now I just have to get past my little vicarious adrenaline rush and get to bed...but more posts may follow until that happens.

Snow day!

Apparently, they happen out in the working world. Thanks Mother Nature, I needed it. Nice time for an unplanned three day weekend. Now if we could just get my parents' power turned back on...

Weather outside is frightful...

Well, it's that time of year again. All day long at work, central Illinois has been fretting over the winter storm to come. 8-14 inches! A half inch of ice! We'd better leave early today! We shouldn't have come! Now they are only saying 4-6 inches of snow, now it's back up 14, now they are predicting whiteouts! Everyone gets into the game and monitors NOAA all day long -- it's really somewhat comical.

In some ways though, it's really somewhat nice. All curled up at home with our books and computers and favorite TV shows, a great excuse not to go outside. Pop a pizza in the oven, spend some time with loved ones. It's not helping me get ready for my finals, but I am enjoying it quite a bit. The ice isn't letting up, 6-10" snow still expected. I would not be at all sad if we're snowed in by a blizzard tomorrow -- as long as our power stays on!

Aside from the roads, the other thing that kept me from cocooning at home is that I was packing up my desk. Same company but a new opportunity, a bit more strategic and high-level. It's also a little bit sad as I love what I've been doing these past few years and will miss my co-workers, but it's gotten a bit stressful and repetitive for me lately. It'll be nice to have a break from IT and a stretch assignment. At the same time, I kind of feel like I'm getting ready for the first day of high school or college.

I told a friend the other day that I'm feeling more and more apolitcal these days. More and more libertarian I would say as well. I think it's mostly a lack of ideas and candidates to be inspired by at the moment, and perhaps overall disappointment at the political climate and state of affairs in the world. I'm not angry at the current adminstration or anything like that, as I think they have done the best they could in the given circumstances. I don't feel like any party quite stands for my principals either though, so pardon me for the lack of politics lately.

And as for Illini basketball, I still love my orange and blue. It's been a bit tough to watch the games so far. I've seen a few flashes of brilliance, but the boys have been plagued by injuries and subpar play for them. I sat on the edge of my seat and breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled it out during the Miami (OH) and Bradley games. I wasn't home for Maryland, but the hubby said it was a heartbreaker. I've been encouraged by Jamar's small amount of play, Shaun Pruitt's inside presence, and occasionally Warren Carter's performance. They are definitely missing Brian Randle right now. I know that it's not going to be quite like last year and more losses will probably occur, but I'm still looking forward to the season. I just wish watching the offense was not so painful.

In other news, one of my best friends is being induced this evening. We're eagerly awaiting the arrival of the little guy and praying for you W&J!

Trick or treat!

None of that for me tonight. I was wrapped up in things at work, jumped into my car, headed to class, and hit McDonalds for sandwich. Headed to class, headed home around 8:30...and I didn't see one single trick or treater :(

I wasn't pleased about having class tonight, as I get a big kick out of answering the door and handing out candy. We usually dress up at my house, and the hubby lets all kinds of Star Wars related silliness rip -- showcasing talking Yoda, putting forth some nice lightsaber action, wearing all black and a Darth Vader voice changer...you get the drift.

Tonight my costume watching was limited to two princesses and perhaps a vampire dining at Mickey Ds. But I did get home to find a picture of my baby niece looking adorable in a pumpkin suit, which made up for almost all of it. It's funny how what you appreciate about the holidays changes at you get older...

Happy Halloween ladies and gents!

Friggatriskaidekaphobia

I'm usually not superstitious, but this Friday the 13th went downhill fast about a half hour ago when I heard the EJ news. Somehow I managed to avoid the Internet and radio all day until my sister told me. Some fan I am. If I was a true fanatic, I'd be rolling into the Hall in Chambana right about now for Midnight Madness...alas I couldn't put in the time to drive down and pick up tickets last month.

I will however be in Assembly Hall or in front of a big screen tv loudly somewhere loudly booing the first time that dirtbag Kelvin Sampson takes the floor in Champaign as "coach" of a program that I hope continues to be an overrated embarrassment for its state in years to come. And I'm not the only one I know who feels that way...that's for certain in my family.

I don't really fault the kid so much, but the way his family handled the whole situation was ridiculous....deny, deny, deny, switch! How about just reopening recruitment if this was a serious consideration. Instead, Illinois is left up a creek for '07. However, I still believe that the reason Illini basketball has been so successful is that it has not attracted the "one and done" attitude-laden superstar recruits. It takes solid second-run recruits and turns them into superstars. Deron, Luther, James, Lucas, Roger Powell, Damir, even Jamar...with Dee being the one big name exception.

So perhaps it's a good thing to look for someone who fits the program better. It's not to say that it won't make a little more superstitious about Friday the 13ths that fall near Midnight Madness in the future.

What's going on...

Yet again, I find myself stumbling back to the blog after about a month's absence. Real life just seems to be getting in the way of posting lately, and I rarely am I charged up enough to write something new about the issues. Work, school, and nonstop baby showers seem to be keeping me busy presently. Just a few random notes on my weekend tonight...

I went to my 10-year high school reunion this weekend. Ten years! It seems like just yesterday that we all graduated, and yet it seems like it was so long ago at the very same time. I had a fabulous time visiting with the friends I'm still in touch with and got to see some long-lost acquaintances. However, I was struck by how cliquey and high-school the whole scene still was. As you think you've moved beyond it all, you still sit at the same lunch (reunion) table as you did at age eighteen. You still dig the same people and have little patience for others. So the more things change, the more things stay the same? Or did I just have a weird high school class? I'm not sure.

Reasons not to vote for Blago: 1)$1500 birthday "present" for a 7 year-old? 2) Aversion to debating the issues..."The negotiations are over". Reason to dislike HotRod less: this picture proves he at least has a sense of humor.

Reasons to vote for Judy: She'd live in Springfield. She's not Rod. She'd probably be a bit more business-friendly than Blago. That's about all I'm coming up with presently. I'm kind of embarassed this is the best the state could do. I'm so politically apathetic at the moment that I disgust myself.


What About Brian premieres tomorrow! Want a soapy yet seemingly quality relationship drama about young adults to get hooked on? This could be the one. Season premiere is tomorrow on ABC. It stated to middling reviews/ratings last spring, but I'm expecting it to get even better as the show brought on Josh Reims to write after Everwood's untimely cancellation last spring.

That's it for the time being, but I will try to post more morsels as I come across them. Take care readers!

Five and counting

I wanted to write something today to commemorate September 11th. Something profound. Something reflective and thoughtful. Something appropriate. I'm not sure I have it in me at the moment, but here are my thoughts this evening nonetheless.

I watched a lot of documentaries about 9/11 this weekend. Not the overhyped docudramas on ABC and CBS, but the raw Discovery Channel footage interviewing the survivors. The stories of those trapped on the upper floors and how they called their loved ones to say goodbye. The stories of those lucky enough to step onto the right elevators and survive the collapse. The stories of the police officers' handcuffs returned to their spouses and infant children. These documentaries didn't really dwell in the horror of the day but rather the humanity of it all...and I found it impossible to turn them off.

In many ways, I think September 11th caused me to appreciate life a bit more, to take a few chances. We decided to get married, for my husband to go back to grad school. We took a few chances, because hey...you don't know what could happen tomorrow. But the bigger chances, like packing it all up and moving to DC to work on intelligence issues and help in this battle, we never took for a variety of reasons. Our families, friends, church, and lives here.

Some days though, I feel we are a little too comfortable. Like we haven't done enough to help and we haven't done enough to protect ourselves as a nation...even though I'm not quite sure what enough is. I don't believe WWIII is right around the corner, but some days I question that assertion. Jihad is jihad. These people who corrupt Islam in this way -- they don't believe in living peacefully with one another. They believe in dividing and conquering, massacring people until everyone submits to their barbaric way of thinking. How do you convert people who believe in that sort of insanity?

Five years later and we still do not really know. 9/11 changed everything, and it changed nothing at the same time. For a short time we really came together as people and thought about what was in important -- in our lives and how we wanted to live as a society. Most of that has faded away now. Our government has foiled plots and managed to keep us safe, even as Britain, India, Russia, Spain, Thailand and other countries have been subjected to terrorist slaughters. This week though, the nation has relived the memories and some of the questions from that day have been dragged back into our collective consciousness. Politicians nitpick and use the war to attack one another, but significant thoughtful discourse on what needs to be done is nowhere to be seen.

What will it take for this sort of discourse to return? I really do wonder, and I hope when it does that it will not be too late.

On Twenty-something Disaffection

I'm one of the biggest Scrubs fans you will find anywhere. I liked Garden State, and I'm sort of looking forward to seeing The Last Kiss. But I still find this rundown of Zach Braff’s 10 Easy Tips for Writing Films About Twenty-Somethings® spot-on and amusing to boot.

Hey government?

Listen to my phone calls. I really don't care. There's really nothing you are going to be that interested in hearing, unless you're into what colors bridesmaids' dresses should be and what my hubby and I should buy for the next baby shower gift and the latest so-called crisis at work.

But really....keep doing what you're doing. And keep catching these guys, okay?

(The libertarian in me is somewhat embarassed tonight and will return at an unspecified date in the future. Perhaps months after I've seen World Trade Center and ceased to be perturbed by today's revelations. War is hell, but what are you supposed to do when there are wackos like this out there planning to blow up thousands out of hate. I really don't know.)

A Smidge of B-Ball

Is it wrong for me to think that the Magic and the Jazz were big winners tonight? I realize I am a biased observer here, but I am happy to see James Augustine and Dee Brown drafted in the first two rounds, although they were both taken a big low imho. And the prospect of Dee and Deron rushing down the court and playing off one another again gives me chills.

I'm already scheming up ways in my head to plan wintertime vacations to Utah (skiing?) and Orlando (Disney?). We shall have to see what transpires. Shannon Brown to Cleveland is also an intriguing posibility. I may have to start attending NBA games if all my favorite collegiate players keep graduating :)

I'm also getting ready to leave on a much-needed vacation tomorrow. This whole working 50 hours a week and trying to handle a graduate summer class thing...it's way overrated. Plus we've had a lot of minor, yet annoying health issues to deal with lately and have a surgery fast approaching here. Zoning out on a southeastern beach for a week starting tomorrow, but I may try to post a few thoughts if Internet access allows and my brain has sufficient unwound.

Happy Independence Day a bit early to you and yours!

Big Day in Galesburg

Okay, so it's not exactly a post on something meaningful and important...but Stephen Colbert's commencement speech at Knox College this weekend was big news in these parts. You can read the whole thing on the Knox College website. The speech is really quite witty and is getting Knox some great national press this week.

A few choice excerpts:

"There are so many challenges facing this next generation, and as they said earlier, you are up for these challenges. And I agree, except that I don’t think you are. I don’t know if you’re tough enough to handle this. You are the most cuddled generation in history. I belong to the last generation that did not have to be in a car seat. You had to be in car seats. I did not have to wear a helmet when I rode my bike. You do. You have to wear helmets when you go swimming, right? In case you bump your head against the side of the pool. Oh, by the way, I should have said, my speech today may contain some peanut products."

"On a beautiful day like this I’m reminded of my own graduation 20 years ago, at Northwestern University. I didn’t start there, I finished there. On the graduation day, a beautiful day like this. We’re all in our gowns. I go up on the podium to get my leather folder with my diploma in it. And as I get it from the Dean, she leans in close to me and she smiles, and she says...[train whistle] that’s my ride, actually. I have got to get on that train, I’m sorry. [Heads off stage.] Evidently that happens a lot here. ..." (Incredibly funny only to those who are very familiar with Galesburg, Illinois)

"But the best reason for me to come to speak at Knox College is that I attended Knox College. This is part of my personal history that you will rarely see reported. Partly because the press doesn’t do the proper research. But mostly because…it is not true! I just made it up, so this moment would be more poignant for all of us. How great would it be if I could actually come back here—if I was coming back to my alma mater to be honored like this. I could share with you all my happy memories that I spent here in...Galesburg, Illinois. Hanging out at the Seymour Hall, right? Seymour Hall? You know, all of us alumni, we remember being at Seymour Hall, playing those drinking games. We played a drinking game called Lincoln-Douglas. Great game. What you do is, you act out the Lincoln-Douglas debate and any time one of the guys mentions the Dred Scott decision you have to chug a beer. Well, technically 3/5 of a beer. [groans from audience]

You DO have a good education! I wasn’t sure if anybody was going to get that joke."

Regardless of whatever Colbert's political stripes are, he is one funny guy and I thought he gave a thoroughly enjoyable and appropriate graduation address. And apparently last year's commencement speaker Barack Obama had a witty retort to Colbert's shtick...use hand sanitizer after the Pumphandle... I wish I could say the same for the speaker that Knox hopes to land next year. (Insert snarky comment about next year's graduates carrying the Purell here)