I can't believe Halloween is next weekend! I haven't watched all the movies I intended to. I saved Rear Window and The Birds just for this occasion. And on Halloween night I fully intend to watch 1963's black and white The Haunting. It's my new tradition. Watch The Haunting, eat Halloween candy, and think that maybe...just maybe... Santa and his reindeer a Trick-or-Treater might show up.

I was happy because I thought I could watch The Office tonight, since Bones isn't on. But then I remembered that the reason I don't usually catch The Office is because it's on at the same time as Supernatural. I actually considered going back down to work when I discovered this (but I stopped myself, mostly b/c I don't want to wait for my work computer to boot up). That is the danger of working from home, my friends. There are little to no boundaries.

I'm still happy because I don't have to work tomorrow! I took the day off to relax and also get some things done. Actually, by the time I get everything done, there will be no time for relaxing. But that's better than having no time for relaxing PLUS not getting anything done.

According to the kids over at ohnotheydidnt, Hallmark is rebooting the Rainbrow Brite franchise, but with an "updated" Rainbow Brite. THEY ARE STEALING MY CHILDHOOD AND IT IS NOT COOL.

Before:
Rainbrow Brite rides on her horse Starlight spreading Rainbow seeds and making the world a more lovely, colorful place. Also is a friend to gays everywhere.

After:
Scientists mate Bratz Dolls with Miley Cirus and come up with these vapid, corseted mini-harlots.

I WILL BAN HALLMARK UNTIL THIS GOES AWAY. Not that I shopped there anyway; they're overpriced and way too cutesy for me in a "oh look! a little snowman on skiis who wiggles his butt and sings Let It Snow!" way. Which is the worst way.

I have been having some trippy dreams lately. In last night's, I was enrolled in classes at Notre Dame and I thought it was better than Univ of Michigan (Ha! Probably not.) And James T. Kirk/Chris Pine was there and I wanted to be in his classes but they were all acting classes (go figure) so I was like "well maybe I'll change my major..." Then I was riding a horse to Mexico but then I remembered I didn't have a passport so I stopped to get one at a Target store. WTF

I might make an apple pie this weekend. I have a bunch of apples I picked while at my mom's plus a bag from the store. I invited my dad to visit, since he really likes apple pie.

Glee this week was so cute! I think I really like that show, despite the obvious lip-syncing to over-produced vocals. At least they're catchy vocals, which is more than you can say for most shows.

Also, House spoiler alert: I heard that Cameron/Jennifer Morrison is leaving the show! I can't believe how the writers have been destroying that show. First by almost writing out three of the original characters in favor of the shallow, useless new ones, and now they're getting rid of one of the most interesting and sympathetic characters. Well, I should say potentially-interesting, because they never bothered to truly develop Cameron. It's almost like they want House to be episodic and "disease of the week"-focused, rather than character-focused.

I used to always wait until October 1 to decorate for Halloween, but I decided that this year, any time after Sept. 15th (the halfway point of September) would be fine. But Halloween decorating is like sweet potato chips: it leaves you wanting more. It looks nice... but...I want to pick up a few more items that can stay out after Halloween and in to Thanksgiving time. I also haven't put out any outside stuff yet; I'll leave that for another time so as to make the joy last longer. I LOVE FALL DECORATING!
And then when Halloween comes, even though we don't get trick or treaters, I just love knowing it's Halloween. Similar to the feeling I get on Christmas Eve... there is such energy in the air.

In other news, Bones is new tonight! Yay. I'll give them a chance to redeem themselves. I also want to give Dollhouse another chance this year but it's on at the same time as Medium and Monk (which Heather watches) so it may be relegated to Hulu watching. I recently re-watched the whole series of Tru Calling which was Eliza Dushku's 2001 show about a girl who re-lives days in order to save lives of strangers. The first 10 or so episodes were rocky but it got a lot better right before they canceled it. I have the second season but I kind of want to go back and buy the first to watch again.

I've been watching the new Comedy Central show Michael and Michael Have Issues staring Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter. We get it "On Demand" but it's normally on Wednesdays at 10:30. In the show, Michael and Michael play two comedians who have a weekly sketch comedy show. We see some of the their show, and a lot of behind the scenes drama/craziness/antics. It's definitely an odd, offbeat type of humor, and admittedly, it's still finding it's legs. Some of the skits fall flat. I think the best word for it would be absurdist.
You can also check out Michael and Michael's short lived show Stella on http://www.hulu.com/stella. It only ran one season, probably because, like MMHI, it's for a very certain group of people with a certain sense of humor. I find it laugh-out-loud funny so I suggest you check it out. Watch two episodes; that's how long it takes to really get into it.

I finally got around to watching Glee this weekend. It looks like a really cute show! I hope Fox doesn't cancel it. Why the hell would they show the pilot now for a show that doesn't come on for three months? I guess they're trying to build excitement and anticipation for the show but I'd think the long wait would cause interest (and viewership) to wane.
I've also enjoyed watching Parks and Recreation over at Hulu. That's the mockumentary-style comedy with Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones. I'm glad they renewed it. The first couple episodes were so so but I think it shows a lot of promise.
You can watch either show here at Hulu.

I just read that Dollhouse was picked up for another season, which really surprised me. I think Fox just wanted to prove that they can keep a Joss Wheadon show 2 seasons. Too bad they picked the wrong Joss Wheadon show.
Bones was renewed for two more seasons. I was thinking next season would be their last since they've been on such a downhill slide, but I guess not. So now I'm sure they'll string the B/B romance out even longer.

Medium was canceled but may be picked up by CBS, home of the far-inferior Ghost Whisperer. Cute GhostWhisp story: I meant to set the DVR to record the season finale last week before I left for the weekend, but I forgot. Heather noticed it wasn't recording and recorded it for me! And she doesn't even like that show! She's so sweet. I think I'll let her cat live even though it vomited on my office rug (in two different places).

In other news, I'll be attempting a pineapple pie later today (from a fun book of pie recipes Julie gave me, called Sweety Pies). And my dad and I are going to see The Soloist. Or as I like to call it Wait, they're still making movies that aren't Star Trek?

Update: Dad has a sinus infection and isn't coming, and the pineapple pie was going to be for him. I have an unbaked pie crust in the fridge. The possibilities are endless*!

*the possibilities are in fact limited by ingredients on hand. But maybe I'll go find some rhubarb? Can you buy that at regular grocery stores? At home, "finding rhubarb" involved walking down a hill behind the house. Sometimes I miss home.

I read some interesting TV spoilers I thought I'd share.

A main character on House is going to commit suicide by the end of the season, and that "it's not who you expect" and it'll be "shocking" and "out of the blue." So I'm guessing they mean that we'd expect it to be Thirteen (who has a terminal illness and is also worthless). If it's not her, that leaves:
House: an interesting thought, to kill off the main character. I don't think it will be him.
Wilson: Very possible.
Cuddy: She just adopted an orphan baby. It would be mean to kill her and leave the baby motherless again, but maybe the baby dies first.
Cameron: not the suicide type. Plus I hear they're developing her relationship with Chase.
Chase: not well-developed or well-liked enough to be shocking.
Taub: Possible. He's been whining a lot recently. Of course, that would make it less out of the blue.
Kutner: Likely. He's a wild card. We don't know much about the character, but he doesn't seem suicidal, so it would definitely be "shocking."
Foreman: Omar Epps also played a doctor who commits suicide on ER, so that would be typecasting.

Brennan and Booth finally have sex on Bones, but I bet they won't actually become a couple. I guess Brennan decides to have a baby (?!) and Stewie from Family Guy guest stars in Booth's hallucination.

Hilary Duff guest stars on Ghost Whisperer! Because it needed to get more ridiculous. Also, Melinda is pregnant and we're not sure which of Jim's bodies impregnated her (yawn).

I recently read The Flying Troutmans, the story of a woman who returns to the US from Europe to take care of her niece and nephew after her sister checks into a mental institution. She then takes the niece and nephew on a cross-country road trip to find their father. It was pretty good- quirky without trying too hard, and interesting. I still find myself thinking about some of the characters, which is the sign of a well written novel.

I ate 3 Snickers minis after Jim's death on GhostWhisp tonight. I don't know why I give a shit, but I do. Poor Melinda!! I'm holding out hope that he'll come back to life and isn't just going to hang around as a ghost for the rest of the season.

The new job is going well so far. They've been pretty slow getting me into the computer and phone system and I still haven't been able to submit stuff for reimbursement (I've spent about $500 just on the office stuff they're supposed to reimburse me for, plus the desk, rug, etc. that I'll pay for myself). So that part isn't good but I'm just trying to be patient.

Tomorrow I'm having some friends over for a "Thanksgiving" dinner... we're having turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, etc. and after-dinner games. I'm hoping all the food will turn out well, and if not, we'll eat the leftover Halloween candy and play Clue. :)

Instead of posting something about the election, I come with far dorkier news. I just read that Captain Pike will appear in the new Star Trek prequel. Too bad because I like his later, "after the radiation accident" look better.


Before


After

And in election news, don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way back to Alaska.

I met my dealer in college. We had a lot in common, but I never thought I'd end up like her... a statistic. I have some friends who started the same way... a mysterious package on a park bench- and then *bam* they were hooked.

My "friend"... we'll call her Herther, started me out on the light stuff. Of course, the first few hits were free. "You can borrow the first two seasons of Angel" she said. "Sure" I said. "Two seasons won't hurt anyone." Soon I was picking up copies in the library to tide me over till the next hit.

It was only a matter of time before Angel, a gateway show, led to the hard stuff. Soon I was ready for Buffy seasons 1 through 3, which of course Herther had on hand. The library had season 4- but that wasn't enough. Finally I resorted to Netflix to keep up my habit. And now I can't stop.

Today I watched the musical.

I'm still singing the songs.

Help. Me.

I bought a honey bear (which is honey in a plastic bear-shaped squeeze bottle) at the grocery store today and the receipt called it "Honey Bear Squee" and I totally have something to squee about because OMG ya'll!! Bones is back in 2 weeks and it's a TWO HOUR PREMIER! If it seems like I'm yelling, I AM! In a preternaturally high pitched voice!! I love Bones! And then the next week is HOUSE! Heather was saying all this stuff about how I should calm down because "it's only a TV show" but that's crazy talk. And then she was like "put down the knife, Amber." Pffft. Honey Bear Squee is the only one who understands me.



They look excited.

There's a new Bones on in 10 days!!
(emits high-pitched noise of excitement)

Zooey's album (a collaboration with Matt Ward under the name "She and Him") comes out March 18th. I'm looking forward to hearing it~ it's sure to be unusual if nothing else. I'm sure I'll buy it- I love her voice- but I'm not sure what to expect as far as musical style or song choice.


Zooey and Bones!

I was watching a Bones rerun, and felt very very hostile toward Booth's girlfriend, and then realized that she's played by the same girl who plays Cutthroat Bitch on House.. (The character's real name escapes me*).

So, I miss House and I miss Bones but one fun thing I did today: I worked on the syllabus for the class I'm teaching in the fall (It's not official yet, but it looks like I'll be teaching "Intro to Health Education" at the college where I earned my Masters). I started with the syllabus from last term and made some changes. It still needs more work, and it will have to be approved by the department. Still, as step forward!

*her name does not really escape me. But it once did.

I just found out that Adam Baldwin isn't related to the other Baldwins (Alec, Billy, etc). This is as shocking as the time I found out that Carrie Underwood and Kelly Pickler are two different people . Apparently there were two blonde country-music warbling American Idol also-rans. Huh. Who knew?

This writers strike is really putting a cramp in my television habits (see previous post). I can't even remember the last time I saw an episode of theThe Office, which is tragic because I used to really like that show. Now I'm looking at my Jim icon and thinking, "him?"

This weekend was good and low key. Julie and I watched 3 hours worth of Arrested Development on Saturday and were left still craving it.
I mean, I could quit any time. I just need to watch it tonight (at 8 on Fox- I'm taping it) this one last time. I just do it to relax. I mean, it's not like I have a PROBLEM.

I am at work right now and I'm waiting till 6 which is when I get to leave to get dinner and go to class and I am ASS HUNGRY. Maybe I'll be able to leave a little early. Then I have class till 10. :(

And here's a quiz I took just for fun.
( AD Quiz )

I am super hungry. Well, the thing is, I'm not. I just want food.

Leisa and I have started watching the new show called "Medium" on NBC. It's really good in an X-Files meets CSI kind of way. Not that I'm a CSI fan but that was the best analogy I could think of.

Ooh it's 7:00. That means I get to go home in an hour. Tomorrow is Wednesday, which means I work 2 hours in the morning at Lennon, helping with the story hour there. My story hour is next week.

This weekend, I went to visit Heather. We went shopping, watched Star Trek (and some crap on TV), and ate delicious Thai food. Seriously, you have never had Thai food this good. EVER.