What I'm Into (February 2014 Edition)

Hey, remember when I wrote things on my blog??  Me either.

Leigh Kramer does a monthly "What I'm Into" & reading hers always makes me want to update mine.  So here I go.

Read and Reading:
Story of my life - I'm terrible at reading.  I am that person who says "Who has time to read?!?!" and then comes home at night and watches 6 episodes of something on Netflix. I'm currently reading Cats & Daughters by Helen Brown.  It's the follow up to Cleo, which I read this summer and loved!  I will say, another book that I'm still talking about months after I read it (and never mentioned here b/c I haven't blogged in 4 months) was My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me by Hilary Winston.  It was given to me as a birthday present.  It took me a little while to pick it up, but once I did I was so glad!  I laughed, I cried, (I didn't hurl).

TV:
TV has been on a bit of a hiatus for the month of February due to the Olympics.  I watched very little of the Olympic coverage.  Any time I did it was with friends; I realized I enjoy the coverage as a shared experience, but don't care enough to watch on my own.  Plus - it gives me high anxiety to watch all of these near-death endeavors.  I'm too scared.

Currently airing "Must See TV" (or tv I can't wait for it to come back):  Parks & Rec, The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, HYMYM, New Girl, The Mindy Project, Modern Family, Parenthood, Scandal (I know - it's a lot!)

Just back:  The Americans.  Returned last night.  Love Love Love.  So intense!!

On Netflix, spent last week on the return of House of Cards.  Man, that is some crazy television.  Finally, I've been hooked on The West Wing.  I've often heard it mentioned as one of the greatest shows of all time, but had never watched.  I totally get it!!  Also, I've developed a bit of a crush on Bradley Whitford's character - Josh Lyman.  Obsessed!

                                     

Movies:
I don't remember the last time I watched a new movie.  I'm just so in to serialized television right now.  I just love a broad story arc.

In the vein of nostalgia, I've been getting out a few of my old VHS tapes.  (Ironically Phil Dumphy mentioned his "farewell to VHS" tour right after I did this.  Watched "Forget Paris" last week.  When I put it in it wasn't rewound.  I cursed 12-years-ago me for that.

Music:
Been listening to a lot of Dawes since seeing them in concert in the fall. Just getting into The Lone Bellow, will be seeing them next month when they are in town. I also finally picked up Fun.'s first album Aim And Ignite.  I might like it even more than Some Nights. 

What I love:

• My new pink coffee maker for the office 
• My 2 year cativersary 
• The occasional warm day of weather to remind me that spring is coming
• The ongoing quest to finish the case of winter seasonal beers that I bought in December before the spring
• Using getting snowed-in at a friend's as a reason for a spontaneous wine and cheese night.
• Netflix and Huluplus (obviously.  I love this always) 

In the Blogosphere:
Have come across a few fellow single ladies who blog about life.  Enjoy that.  Most recent blog I've started reading is thesinglewoman.net - she's got some good stuff.

On The Blog:     
I'm the worst at writing.  I think about ideas I want to write often, but then never actually get pen to paper.  Or fingers to keys as it may be.  Although, blogger just informed me this is my 100th post.  (you know, in like 7 years....)

Thanks, Leigh, for the "What I'm Into" Inspiration!  

The Summer of George (on binge watching tv)

It seems appropriate to start a post about TV with a quote from TV.  It's how I do.  As anyone who knows me knows, I love television. Good television. And I am particular about how I watch it.  My coworkers/friends are always asking me "hey did you see that commercial?" and the answer is almost always no, because I never see commercials.  I almost never just sit down, turn on the tv, and find something to watch.  All of my tv viewing is pre-planned and calculated, and either pre-recorded or streaming online, so I'm just watching the content I want. I love it.

During the year, I have a variety of shows that I'm watching throughout the regular season.  However, there is very little out there for me in the summer.  I don't really like reality TV, and most scripted TV that comes out in the summer is not to my liking.  This makes the summer perfect for season/series catch-ups, or, binge watching, as it's come to be known.  This is when you watch a lot of something in a small amount of time (just to be clear, there is no purging associated with this, unless you count the purging of valuable braincells that I'm no doubt losing from all the tv I'm consuming).

This summer I took on 5 full series and dabbled in a few others during regular season hiatus.  A few shows are starting to come back on, so I've slowed down, but we'll see how far I get.  In case you're interested in what I've been watching, here it is, with the miniest of reviews.

Friday Night Lights - this was the first series I took on this summer.  I had seen the movie back when it came out, and had heard really great things about the series, but I had just never gotten into it.  I posed the question on the old FB this spring for summer-series-viewing-suggestions, and this got a lot of chatter, so I decided to try it.  LOVED.  It's the perfect combination of good writing, interesting characters, excellent music, and high school/relationship drama. (if you hate the latter, you might not like this show, but if you enjoy a little drama to get caught up in - I highly recommend).  I watched 76 episodes in 10 days.  It was glorious.

Arrested Development - after FNL I needed a comedy purge for my brain.  This was a good choice.  I heard a lot of bad reviews about S4, but decided to try it anyway.  I liked it, it had its high points, but I wasn't as compelled by it as I was the first 3 seasons.  But I finished it anyway and was glad I did.

House of Cards - back to the serious tv.  This show was dark (a friend advised me, "you might need to shower between episodes," but it was. so. good.  Well written, well cast, well acted.  I didn't care how dark it was, I kept wanting more. And that Kevin Spacey - MAN he's good.  Took me 3 days to watch all 13 episodes, could have easily done it in less, but tried not to totally isolate myself from life.  Heard they're shooting season 2 now in the area, fun to see b.more sites popping up.

Breaking Bad -  Okay, the same friend who told me I should watch H.O.C. also told me to watch BB.  In fact he said "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE NOT WATCHING BREAKING BAD?!?!?!  IT'S THE BEST SHOW ON TELEVISION!!" So, based on his highly enthusiastic recommendation I decided to give it a try. (and he has yet to fail me in the 15 years I've known him.  In fact, he's who introduced me to imdb circa 2001, so clearly, he knows what's up).  I have to be honest, the first "season" (only 7 eps due to the writers strike of 2008) didn't really grab me.  I might have given up after 7 if he had not so strongly recommended.  So I kept going.  SO GLAD I DID!!!  Oh my gosh.  It is dark, and twisted, and gruesome at times, but it is so fascinating and well done.  I blazed through Seasons 1-4 in about a month, and was majorly bummed to find the Pt 1 of Season 5 was no where to be found in all of my streaming mediums.  So, I got sad and moved on.  THEN they released S5 part 1 and I caught up in time to watch the final 8 live w/ the rest of the world. So glad I am caught up to join in the hype.  It's super fun (and I can't wait to see how it ends, though I'm already going to miss it!)

Orange is the New Black - Took this on in my sadness to fill the Breaking Bad void.  I really enjoyed it as well - super well done, and I love the depth they give not only the main character but all of her prison-mates.  Again, 13 eps in 1 weekend - it watches really fast, and I have to say that the 2 Netflix-run dramas I watched the summer were probably the 2 most captivating shows.  With both after I finished ep1 I couldn't wait to dive into the next.

Portlandia -  I've seen so many of these sketches online, but have started working thorugh the full eps when I need a humor break (as all the shows I've been watching have been SOOOO dark).  This is super entertaining. 

Mad Men - So many people have recommended this and it's gotten so much buzz over the years and I've never seen an episode, so I decided to start.  However, I have only gotten about 3 episodes in and I got distracted and haven't gone back.  A lot of my friends have given it mixed reviews on whether it's worth sticking out - any suggestions??

Prison Break - So, the reason I got distracted from Mad Men was Wentworth Miller.  I was so into him when this show first came out - and it was probably one of the first shows of its kind that I got super into and watched religiously (other than Alias).  I even had W.M. on the desktop of my computer for years.  That's how into him I was.  I've long heard the rumors of his sexuality, but when he officially came out last week I was both moved by his boldness, and totally bummed out.  (I had literally just had a convo days before with a friend about who would be on "my list," and I had still included him, seeing as he wasn't officially out).  So, I got to reminiscing about Prison Break and decided to go back to it.  Still awesome.  And even though I watched every ep when it aired, I'm still on the edge of my seat.  There are so many intricate details that I clearly don't remember them all.  I remember broad themes, but in many ways, it's as exciting watching again as it was the first time.

So, that's how I spent my summer (when I wasn't working or at the pool).  Whew, it was hard work (and this was long....) but it was fun!!!

Just a few more weeks til new shows are back on!

What I'm Into (August 2013 Edition)

Linking over to her for the 2nd time this week, Leigh Kramer does a monthly "What I'm Into" and I thought that might be fun!

Read and Reading:
I've been truly delinquent on reading this summer, which is really unusual for me.  I guess I'm just in a different rhythm this year.  I did read one book this month, Cleo: The Cat Who Mended a Family, by Helen Brown.  It's a heartbreaking and touching story about, well, a cat who mends a family.  As a recently (1.5 years, but it still feels new) cat person, I really loved it.  She has a second book that is next on my pile!

TV:
Currently airing shows for the summer I got in to: Celebrity Game Night (it's like they're inside my head), the return of Guiliana & Bill (I'm convinced we'd be friends) and newly added love: BREAKING BAD!!!

I watched the whole series this summer and am SO GLAD I DID, not only because it's a great show, but it's really fun to be a part of all the excitement of the final 8 episodes. (and the coolest thing ever happened to me yesterday, see below).

On Netflix, I've been inspired to rewatch Prison Break, after Wentworth Miller being back in the news.  It's as intruiging as it was the first time, I thought I'd remember all the twists and turns, but it's been so long I'm just as captivated as I was the first time (and Wentworth is just as smoldering as he was back in 2005 as well).

Movies:
I saw no new movies this month, but did decide that I wanted to finally see the full Dark Knight trilogy.  I had seen Batman Begins when it came out, but for various reasons hadn't seen the 2nd two.  I bought them for a steal at Target this summer.  My plan for last weekend was to hit all three (I love a trilogy weekend), but got called into work so only was able to watch the first.  Maybe this weekend I'll finally complete the series.

In the vein of nostalgia, I bought Mall Rats on dvd this month and watched it for the first time in years.  Just as good, if not better, than the first time I saw it in 1998.  (bit of trivia, it was one of the first two VHS tapes I bought as I was heading to college)

Music:
I've spent a lot of time this summer getting back into music.  Saw a few concerts in June & July (The National, fun., My Morning Jacket, & Wilco)
Been really enjoying Dawes this month, and am hoping to see them when they come to town in September.

What I love:

• Number one thing I love?  Oh, you know, just getting a direct tweet from Aaron Paul yesterday after I responded to one of his tweets. (I totally geeked out).  Here is why he is my favorite right now:  He is one of the hottest actors on probably THE hottest show right now, and yet doesn't seem to let it go to his head.  He seems truly in awe of all the fans and support he's gotten.  It's really touching. I mean, who else does this kind of stuff?!

• Really been getting into Podcasts, a nice way to break up my commute and laugh and learn. Current favorite: "By The Way" with Jeff Garlin.  Hilarious, and really has some great guests.

August was a busy month with a lot of highlights.

• I coordinated a wedding that was maybe the craziest I have ever done in the 7 years I've been doing this.  I live tweeted the weekend, it was super nuts.  Feel free to scroll back to my twitter for Aug 2-3 if you want to see some of the crazy.(@beckeye)

• My family took a beach vacation to Rehoboth for the first time in 3 years (and the only 3 years of my life we hadn't gone).  I was only able to get away for the weekend, but it was fun to be back and to see my cousin who lives in Texas with his two boys, who weirdly are turning in to great young men.

• I spent a day in Central PA with some very old friends, and remembered how good that girl time with people who've known you for years can be.

• I returned to working in the cupcake store for the first time in close to 3 months.  At first I felt like a fish out of water, but was surprised how quickly it all came back.

• I took on some more responsibility at my day job last month, and am getting to know my responsibilities and starting to find my groove.  It feels good.

In the Blogosphere:
Don't have a great way to organize my thoughts on what I'm loving out there, but will work on that for next time.


On The Blog:     
I'm back on my blog after a nearly 2 year break.  So far it's fun.  I've written about coming back, my neighborhood, and my favorite shows of all time.

Thanks, Leigh, for the "What I'm Into" Inspiration!  

My 15 Favorite TV Shows of All Time

As I mentioned last week, while I have become a terrible blog-writer, I have consistently been an avid blog-reader.  I always enjoy reading what others have to say, and then I always ignore ideas/suggestions put out there by other writers to contribute my own thoughts.  So, today, that changes.  Inspired by Leigh Kramer's post on her 20 favorite TV shows of all time, I have decided to craft my own.  I write (and think) more about TV than anything else (I have other posts on it in the works, both that will relate heavily to this topic), so why not add some more.

I've decided to follow Leigh's criteria (as follows) to see what I come up with. 
"... how on earth do you figure out a top 15? I suppose my criteria is this: if a rerun is on, would I stop to watch it? Does it come up regularly in conversation? Did I cry at some point- out of laughter or sadness- while it aired? Did I watch every season?
Out of fairness, no reality TV or series currently airing will be included. Nor have I included shows that merely make me nostalgic- I'm looking at you, Saved by the Bell and any TGIF show."

Additional criteria I considered:  
Did I watch them when they were currently airing (or at least in that general time period, not years later)?
Did I record it on VHS if I wasn't available to watch it, and did I save those tapes?  (I was cataloging episodes of tv long before they were available for purchase) 
Did my weekly viewing of the show involve a gathering of friends?

FRIENDS

 

Seinfeld

 

30 Rock

Alias 

Felicity

 

Sisters

 

Brothers & Sisters

 

The Office

 

Prison Break 

(obviously I had to use this photo.  I mean, come on!)

 

Smallville

 

Sex and the City 

 

The OC

LOST

Ed

Mad About You 

 

My honorable mentions: Will & Grace, Ally McBeal, ER, Scrubs, Friday Night Lights, Alf, Cosby Show, Little House on the Prairie, Star Trek: TNG

Still currently airing favs:  The Good Wife, Parks & Rec, The Big Bang Theory, New Girl, The Mindy Project, Modern Family, Breaking Ba, House of Cards, The Americans 

What are your favorites, and what did I miss??