End of Summer

August used to be a significant month for me for one main reason: school supplies. There is nothing better than fresh notebooks, pens that are really inky, crisp folders. School supplies are at their best when they aren't messed up by actual....school. We used to take a trip to Minnesota at the end of the summer where we would spend a morning at Target gobbling up their supplies. Markers for 59 cents? Three packs, please. Around this time every year I get the itch to take that trip, but now the end of August signifies something different. Something very important. The beginning of new TV. It's the Fall Lineup Folks!

I don't know about you, but here is how I work it. I print out the schedule for each of the major networks (I include The CW--because you never know what guilty pleasure you might miss if you don't) and highlight shows that sound interesting. Then I create a grid, which used to be on a piece of notebook paper, but now has upgraded to a spreadsheet on excel where I plan out the nightly schedule.* Thanks to the beauty of DVR, I have two slots open for every 30 minute block. At the beginning of the season, every slot is filled, but I quickly weed out the shows that are A. bad or uninteresting or B. sit in my DVR for longer than a week unwatched. So, there you go. One of the few reasons I say good riddance to summer. Bring on the TV!



* Add this to the 2,540 reasons I don't have a boyfriend.

Light on the Addictions

I've been really busy with work, which I guess has made me less susceptible to addictions to Lifetime or Popsugar.com (for those of you that enjoy the world of celebrity--watch out for that one...it is a total daily time suck). However, I do want you to know that you should be watching Jamie at Home on the Food Network. It is a really well produced show and Jamie Oliver is enjoyable to watch and has been making recipes that you just want to go and cook NOW. My only gripe is that the Food Network doesn't post every recipe from the weekly program. Why not? I NEED the recipe for the Rhubarb soufflé....or whatever it was.

Can't. Stop. Watching.

Do you have actors that you only grow to appreciate more and more as their careers continue? That how it is for me with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. I enjoy them. Right now I am addicted to the work they've been doing for Jimmy Kimmel. I think it shows their versatility, their dedication, and their commitment to the betterment of the profession. I've been watching the Matt Damon video for a couple of weeks--it makes me laugh every time and I was thrilled that there was a response (as it is only fair). I have been making everyone I know watch them. Enjoy, but beware....the song will stay with you for much longer than you ever imagined it would.

Disclaimer: There is a lot of the bleeped f-bomb. Some of you may not like it much.

1. Here is the first video...




2. And the response.......Josh Groban...holy mother...

A Couple Things to Check out

Here is what I have been thinking about lately.

1. I find this pretty inspiring. It makes me want to go out and vote....again.

2. Upright Citizens Brigade. I've seen the Assscats show twice in the last few weeks and it is an awesome way to spend a chilly Sunday night (except for the waiting outside to get in part...that's pretty cold). A group of funny and sometimes well-known folks doing improv--tonight's version contained a mix of SNL, 30 Rock, Colbert, Conan folks. An added bonus: it only costs $9. I'm seeing a different show this week for $5 so I will let you guys know how that is too.

3. I hear the writer's strike may be over in the next day (thank goodness...come back Office!). In the vast wasteland of television programming the last couple of months Eli Stone has appeared as a breath of fresh air. Check it out....it looks like it will remain being pretty inventive.