Friday Night Lights

How in the hell does Grey's Anatomy get nominated over Friday Night Lights?

Apartment Pics

My roommate and I finally got around to taking some photos of the apartment Still have to do some decorating but it finally feels like home.

Fish Sex

A part of being in my mid twenties is constantly discovering new and unfortunate information that slowly but surely places it's bony fingers around my innocence and chokes the damn thing to death.

Here is one more thing to wack and defile my pure, pure soul.

I love dolphins. They're cute, intelligent, graceful creatures.

They also like to gang rape other dolphins :(

This was sent to me by an equally distressed dolphin loving friend.


All I can do is put another unhappy face here : (.

See an excerpt below:


"When we talk about dolphin rape it's always gang-rape. For a creature with only flippers living in a water world there is no way a single male dolphin to commit rape so they bring friends. They raid pods and male alliances (when they have their girl) kidnapping a female by surrounding her in order force her away with them. These poor females are kept for weeks even months being repeatedly raped."

And with that paragraph the bony fingers squeeze all the life out of my smiling cute dolphin innocence.

WHAT THE HELL??

I'm insane

I had a really strange dream last night.

In the dream I was a Subway sandwich. No, I wasn't the big meaty kinds that are nice and big, nor the deliciously satisfying tuna sandwich.

I was a freaking Veggie Delight like the one above. Only I am loserish enough to pick the puniest thing on the menu as my dream sandwich of choice.

Anyway, Veggie Delight Alvaro for some reason was running around ninth avenue checking out the other sandwiches in the restaurants. I'm not sure if I was an actual sandwich, had a sandwich costume on or even if that's important. Only thing I can remember is seeing a meatball parm sandwich and getting really jealous.

Anyway, I came across Lucy Lawless and said something like "I really thought the ducks would go." She replied by slapping me in my face (I swear I saw a sweet pepper fall from my veggie sandwich body) and screamed "I'm Xena!" She then ran away waving her arms frantically making that ayaya yaya sound.

Why would Xena slap me? Why am I looking for ducks? Is it bad that I wanted to eat the meatball parm sandwich? Isn't that a form of cannibalism?

I don't know what to do with that.

Death is her gift

I miss having too many TV shows on my DVR. Ironically, the writers' strike gives a TV freak the perfect opportunity to stray a little from their usual habits and welcome some new blood into their DVD lineup.

If I could pick one show at random that should be watched by any true boob tube enthusiast regardless of tastes, it's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yes folks, the WB11/UPN9 "horror drama comedy sci-fi action thriller teen" hybrid that proved that a teen show could cross barriers into some incredibly groundbreaking material and use the “bump in the dark” monster smokescreen only to tenderly reveal heartbreaking stories and nuanced characters.



It‘s not important that one of the characters was an ex-vengeance demon who destroyed men’s nether regions, or that Buffy fought vampires in heels and sometimes frilly summer dresses. That took a backseat for the powerful moments, incredibly tight and layered writing, and chill-inducing scenes that made this series such a cult success.

If you’re reading this and are scoffing, then you have to rent the DVDs. Go into your Netflix queue and move Buffy season one up to the top of your long line of lesser shows. After you finish the uneven season one, please continue. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Better yet, purchase The Chosen Collection, the box set which houses all seven seasons of this extraordinary series.

While you're at it, stop reading so you won't be spoiled.

If you don't mind being spoiled and need more convincing, I wanted to compile my top favorite Buffy episodes, chosen for various reasons. Maybe some Buffy fans will come around and share their own little much-too-late eulogy for this great little show.

Just ignore the fact that Sarah Michelle Gellar’s stunt double looks absolutely nothing like her.

SEASON ONE

"Prophecy Girl"

The entire first season was light, airy, and the closest the series ever got to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie. "Prophecy Girl" has the scene that warns viewers that this tiny little gem of a TV show will become so much more. Buffy discovers what fate has in store for her and panics. In one particular scene, Buffy, defeated and emotionally spent, whimpers to her mentor and the only true father figure the series will ever give her, “Giles, I’m 16 years old. I don’t want to die.”

Notable Mention: "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date"

SEASON TWO

"Innocence"

What people don’t get sometimes is that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was actually quite a dark little show. "Innocence" is the episode for me where any illusion that I had of Buffy as a typical teen drama was shattered. Angel, Buffy’s first love, is cursed — a vampire with a soul who can allow no happiness to enter his life or he risks turning evil again. Buffy, on her 17th birthday, loses her virginity to Angel — an act that destroys her world as a newly de-souled Angel becomes a deranged killer whose only obsession is to cause her pain.

It’s the ultimate symbolism against teen sex — a once caring and gentle Angel bares his fangs as a direct result of their night together.

"Passion"

I remember the first time I watched this episode I was completely riveted and affected. Beginning with Angelus’ monologue explaining passion and how it becomes almost like a beast ruling our lives, this episode delves deeper into Angel’s obsession with Buffy. He loves her and cares for her, which makes his passion her downfall. He watches her in her sleep and taunts her with this fact – and in an act of aggression kills a main character.

"Becoming Part 2"

The second season finale is not only quite possibly my favorite episode of the season, but one of my favorites in the entire seven-year run. The final showdown between Buffy and Angel occurs — and Joss Whedon sticks the knife in deeper (no pun intended) by bringing Angel back to the side of good, only to force Buffy to run a sword through him to save the world.

Notable Mentions: "Lie To Me," "I Only Have Eyes for You"

SEASON THREE

"Earshot"

Due to the various school shootings that were happening at the time this episode was slated to run, it was originally omitted from the third season and aired much later than intended. The funny thing is, this episode turned out to be one of my favorite in the entire season. As a result of slaying a telepathic demon, Buffy acquires its powers and begins to lose control — overwhelmed by everybody’s thoughts. In the maelstrom of insecure, horny, nervous teenager thoughts, Buffy hears one single voice: "Tomorrow you will all be dead." The comedic timing in this episode is particularly genius with some funny and classic scenes.

"Doppelgang"

I remember watching this and laughing my ass off. Buffy has a way of turning completely unrealistic situations into truly engrossing television. Willow has an alternate universe clone and she’s sadistic and evil. Oh yeah, she’s also kind of gay.

"The Prom"I pretend I don’t, but I really do love completely gushy moments. One thing I love about this show that shows like Smallville lack is plausibility to back up its outlandish stories. Buffy winning “class protector” at the prom from a group of high school students who through the last three years seemed ignorant of her identity is just one example of this.

"Graduation Day Part 2"

Like "Earshot" this episode was pushed back a few weeks due to the little moment where they basically destroy the high school. Regardless, this episode has a truly exhilarating reveal at graduation that just simply ROCKS.

Notable Mentions: "Lover’s Walk", "The Wish"

SEASON FOUR

"Hush"

"Hush" is quite possibly one of my favorite episodes of any series EVER. Really creepy ghastly things come to Sunnydale and steal the voices of the entire town so no one hears the hushed screams in the night. Most of this episode was silent except for music and the actors managed to make this episode one of the most exciting and hysterical of the season with just hand gestures and facial expressions. Buffy writers were experts at taking their actors and putting them in challenging situations. This is a big example of that. Character story lines were advanced without conversation or dramatic speeches.

"Restless"

I cannot even begin to explain how this episode became almost a road map of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's later seasons. The whole episode revolves around the main characters (Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles) and their dreams. These dreams are chilling and sometimes showcase a baffling course of events that not only perfectly analyzes the characters but prepares viewers for the much darker and tougher later seasons. I could write an entire article just on this episode alone. It’s important to note that it was also one of the most unconventional season finales I have ever seen.

Notable mentions: "Living Conditions", "Who Are You?"

SEASON FIVE

"The Body"

Pure TV perfection. Buffy finds her mother dead from an aneurysm on the living room couch. The episode has no music, only a terrific script, incredibly effective camera angles, and flawless direction. This is one of the episodes that made even the most reputable critics wonder, "Where are the Emmys for this show?" Anya’s exasperated emotional explosion as a reaction to death and its cold reality is nothing short of riveting.

"The Gift"

Buffy’s 100th episode is, in my opinion, the best season finale in the show’s history.
Throw in a major big bad battle, a marriage proposal, and a main character’s poetic death and you’ve got a great ending to an excellent season.

Notable Mentions: "Fool for Love", "No Place Like Home", "Checkpoint"

SEASON SIX

"Once More With Feeling"

Everybody knows that the show had a musical. The funny thing is, this episode was absolutely amazing. Joss Whedon not only directed, but wrote and composed the music. It pushes the story along and you never feel like it’s corny – but actually rather inspired.

"Seeing Red"

Even though I actually loved the sixth season, I did feel that all of the episodes almost ran into each other perfectly and it’s hard to highlight specific ones. Regardless, "Seeing Red" is Buffy the Vampire Slayer at its darkest. This is where things explode and go completely out of control with no restraint. Spike’s attempted rape of Buffy and the final 20 seconds that result in a main character’s death leave a viewer slack-jawed.

Notable Mentions: "Tabula Rasa", "Life Serial"

SEASON SEVEN

"Conversations with Dead People"I actually consider this to be the special episode of the season. Every season in the last four had one ("Hush", "The Body", "Once More With Feeling"). This episode takes three characters and has them talk to - like the title says - dead people for the entire episode. The chilling intro song combined with the episode’s revelations are great television.

"Dirty Girls"

Even though I do like the series finale "Chosen," I like "Dirty Girls" even more. They introduce a new evil character, Caleb, and make the situation even worse for the heroes. The speech/sermon given by Caleb in voice-over is creepy as hell and sets up the beginning of the end perfectly. Also, poor Xander.

Notable Mentions: "Get it Done", "Chosen"

Hot Space Folk

So far I'm in the third season of super nerdy Battlestar Galactica and that ho Stabuck has had her pick of these two men.

Plays spaceball or whatever, leads resistances looking really hot.

Whiny but body like a god. Can also lose and gain weight at will. Fights Cylons looking really hot

I think there should be some sort of Battlestar rule that all men should make out.. In the lockers.. with their fighter pilot outfits on… while Starbuck watches.

Not sure why Starbuck would be watching, I’ve just got a strange girl crush on her.




Actually, while they're at it Halo should be watching too. And Boomer..


OK this is what really bugs me.
why are the people on this ship all so hot? I

I'm convinced the Galactica was really a ship built for a giant futuristic Abrecrombie and Fitch catalogue photoshoot. The key to salvation is a bunch of Abrecrombie Models. On that note, can somebody please tell me why the girl Cylons are all hot (Boomer, 6, and Xena need to triple kiss NOW) while the guys are either old and crusty or blah looking? I don’t get that.


Forget what I just typed I think everybody on this show should just do it.

Heath Ledger Dead. Really?

File this under completely random.

So say we all

Alright, this is what happens when you watch and read so much nerdy stuff just because "you want to check it out."

A few days ago, while watching the third season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica series I cheered and hollered like a cheerleader.

At a space ship battle.

Seriously, can this show get any better? See the fun as hell moment that made me get all excited. It's much better when you know what's going on in context, but still you have to love the wonderful music score this show has.

Oh and Lee (guy with puffy face) isn't a fatty anymore. Apparently in their world you can lose weight in like two days. Maybe it's the lack of oxygen.

If anybody is reading this and is about to press play DON'T if you're thinking of watching this TV show. (I'm pretty sure nobody reads this but I should at least warn.)

Torchwood

Argh TV post number 2! I'm on British TV overload! I want to see this show so bad.

Torchwood Trailer

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Nude

I saw this trailer for the second season of the British series Skins on Perez today.

I'm intrigued - definately going to try to get the first season.

I heard it's like our Gossip Girl. How come we don't get Gossip Girls like this?

Skins Series ll The Uncut Trailer

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Sometimes I can see for miles

So what do I want?

How many times a day do you ask yourself this question?

What do I want to do with my career?

Do I want a relationship?

Who do I want a relationship with?

Do I want New York as a permanent home?


I feel like I'm all over the place little pieces of me carelessly dispersed throughout this tiny apartment, yet so far away from every other part of me. One of those pieces over there somewhere by the futon is sure that he knows what he wants. I want a relationship eventually, I want to keep working in international education. I want nothing more than to stay in this city forever.

I can keep repeating these sentences until I'm blue in the face, but do I truly believe it? Maybe the emotional balance will pull maybe even drag all of those pieces like a spiritual magnet back to my center? Are we actually ever balanced or is life all about being unbalanced?

Just one year ago, all my thoughts and plans were different. A year before that, the change was even more radical. So how do you know when you know what you want? How do I know that wanting to live in New York won't change overnight? Where am I going to get the peace and balance to say "I want to be with you and share my life ONLY with you?"

I don't even recognize the hazy yet familiar pieces that are left.

Gross

I've been jogging up and down the Hudson River the past few weeks.

Along the river there is this annoying strip of helicopter places that I guess take tourists into the sky for a birds eye view of New York City.

As I ran past one of them, I noticed a man holding the arm of his blindfolded smiling and obviously excited girlfriend.

Gross.

Direct to nowhere

So recently I have been going back and forth on my opinion on Rentdirect.com.

According to them, you can sign up and be treated to numerous apartment postings that are no fee and hard to find anywhere else.

Now is this correct? I'm not really sure.

Let me explain - sure, they did have some postings directly from management companies but they were in no way exclusive.

Basically, I paid about $200 to search through the same apartments (for four weeks) that I ended finding by myself on no-fee Websites.

The one posting I was interested in was wrong and off about 300 dollars.

But because I have the tenacity of a 1980s windshield wiper, I found some great Web sites to look for apartments in New York City.

I also highly recommend the small real estate company Cherie Group. They did some tough negotiating and won us a great deal for our apartment with only one month fee.

I'm not saying that you HAVE to do a New York City apartment search with a broker but rather you must have tons of time by yourself. It's a full time job.

Some Web sites I used are found below. I'm 100 percent earnest when I say that these Web sites are amazing and perfect examples of how much porn I could've bought instead of using Rentdirect.


http://www.jakobsonproperties.com/

http://www.no-fee-apartments.com/

http://d1028343.domain.com/review.php (AMAZING list of management companies)

http://members.tripod.com/new_york_ny/index-7.html (This site is UNREAL. Seriously.)


I might have been naive in this, but basically I found that this is what works best.

Frazzled apartment hunter: Hello, Good morning (afternoon/evening/that time in between night and morning because you can't sleep) I'm not a broker, but am looking for an apartment. Do you have any open?

Gruffy manwoman that for some reason sounds like they are mad at you: Yes, one bedroom on West 23rd for five million a month.

Even more Frazzled apartment hunter: (After a gasp followed by a crushed whimper) Ok.. Anything in the $1,200 a month price range?

Gruffy Manwoman: Chewbacca wail laughter phone hangs up

Hysterical apartment hunter cries into the phone


Wipe tears, repeat and lather.