What I’m watching …

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It’s been awhile since I’ve updated what I’m watching and what I think about what I’ve seen.  I had lunch with some of the girls on Friday and this came up.  Of course, we didn’t have a lot of time to get into the details of things … unfortunately … so I am thinking a post is in order.  This is not an all-inclusive accounting but rather a representation of the newer shows on TV that I happen to remember off the top of my head. 

As an aside, I cannot how delighted I was to find that ABC and FOX are now making some of their shows available On-Demand via Comcast.  I’d really like to have a subscription option per channel and even per show.  How cool would that be?!

• The Killing, AMC Sundays @ 10
• I really like this show.  There are plenty of suspects and intrigue.  Just when I think I have it figured out I watch the next episode and realize that I’m wrong!  I like shows that make me think!
• Chicago Code, FOX Mondays @ 9
• This show is growing on me.  I like that it’s telling stories from a lot of different perspectives with each having a chance to narrate.  Will this show make the cut?  I’m not 100% sure but I’ll keep watching it to the bitter end.
• Game of Thrones, HBO Sundays @ 9
• We have 3 episodes under our belt.  It got a 2nd season after the 1st episode.  I, for one, am delighted!  This show has surprised me at least once.  I am actually watching this one in real-time.  Yeah, I like it that much!
• Camelot, STARZ Fridays @ 10
• I know – did we really need another King Arthur series?  Yes, I think we did.  This show got 10 episodes for it’s first season and we are about 1/2 way through them.  My favorite part is Joseph Fiennes as Merlin. 
• The Borgias, SHOwtime Sundays @ 9
• This has been billed as the original crime family.  Jeremy Irons is very entertaining as Pope Alexander VI.  He is really sinking his teeth into this role, I think.  This series got 9 episodes.  Of course, there are many reporting that SHO time has taken liberties in the story – ages of children, who was murdered, when & why, etc.  I say – d’oh … SHO is committed to entertainment.  =D
• Raising Hope, FOX Tuesdays @ 9:00
• I find this show hilarious.  I love “Burt” … that actor (Garret Dillahunt) literally makes me laugh out loud.  I had no idea how funny he could be after watching him on the Sarah Connor Chronicles!  Martha Plimpton is fun as Burt’s wife, “Virginia”.  I like the way their interact.  I also think Cloris is doing a fantastic job as Virginia’s grandmother – she gets some good lines.  I’m so happy they’ve gotten renewed for a 2nd season.  It’s so hard to find quality comedies right now!
• Breaking In, FOX Wednesday @ 9:30
• This show has not won me over after a couple of episodes.  I’m not sure it’s going to make it.  Christian Slater is in it so I had hopes it would be worthwhile.
• Happy Endings, ABC Wednesday @ 9:30
• This show hasn’t won me over yet although it has Damon Wayans, Jr. on it and last week Damon Wayans, Sr. dropped in.  I just haven’t laughed very much with it.  I’m likely not it’s target audience.  I think ABC has done a great job  with The Middle, Better with You, and Modern Family.  These shows consistently make me laugh out loud.
• Traffic Light, FOX Tuesday @ 9:30
• This show replaced Running Wilde which was absolutely horrible.  I think I laugh sometimes with Traffic Light but I’m still not sold on it as a show that will stay on my ‘must see tv’ list.

From the bottom up … baby …

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Have you ever seen or heard of Dave’s Killer Bread?  It is amazing bread.  Great flavor!  Soft with just the right amount of chew.  Honestly, this is now my all-time favorite store bought bread. 

I find that I now eat my toast or sandwiches from the bottom up with this bread because the top crust is amazingly delicious, especially the 21-Grain when toasted.  The sesame seeds at the top taste amazing.  If you give this bread a try, will you also start to eat it from the bottom up?!  (How many times can I use amazing in a single paragraph, right?  Just wait until you try this bread.  I think you’ll be using ‘amazing’ a lot to describe it as well!) 

My favorite loaf is the Killer 21 Whole Grain which is 100% Whole Grain with 5g of fiber and 6g of protein.  (They also have a light version but I’ve only found the normal version in the stores.  The light version is supposed to have 65 calories vs. 110 or 120 per slice, just FYI).  This bread does not make my blood sugar spike at all.  Another reason to love it as if the flavor and texture were no enough!

The other loaf I’ve tried is the Blues bread which has 4 g of Fiber and 5 g of protein as well as 320 mg of Omega 3 ALA.  I like the Blues bread but the Killer 21 Whole Grain is more up my alley because of the seeds on the top crust.  I am looking for the Robust Raisin now as I love toasted raisin bread with breakfast.  One thing that gives me pause is the 150 calories per slice.  I wonder if he’ll ever make this in a light version. 

One I’ll likely never try is the Sin Dawg which they bill as the ultimate Sinnamon Roll.  It looks amazing though.  The stats for it are 200 calories per 2 oz serving with 3g fiber and 5g protein. 

So – where can you find it?  If you live in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, or Washington you can find this wonderful bread in a variety of stores.  There are 58 stores in the PacNW that carry it including:  QFC in Kirkland, Redmond, Mill Creek, etc. or PCC or Fred Meyer as well as online.

Forest Whitaker–I am SO so sorry! True Confession time …

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Dear Forest,

Recently I wrote a blog post complaining about you and your new show.  Here we are, several weeks out and I’m writing you to tell you how very sorry I am for ever doubting you or your choices.  Yes, I was ‘ye of little faith’ surely!  I confess that I was wrong.  And not just a little wrong—I was majorly wrong on your characterization of Sam Cooper as well as whether or not the team had any chemistry.  Not to mention whether or not the show should be canceled.  I was wrong on every count!

This week the most remarkable thing happened.  Instead of watching the original Criminal Minds first, I watched your Suspect Behavior first and I loved it.  I don’t just mean I loved it.  I mean that I really, really LOVED it.  I can honestly say that about the last 3 episodes.  I loved them.  In fact, I’ve actually grown to prefer Suspect Behavior over the original Criminal Minds.  No one is more surprised by this fact than me! 

So, Forest, please forgive me for my short-sightedness and my horrible review of you, your characterization and your new show.  My death bell was premature.  Again, I apologize!!  I promise that next time I’ll wait for the 6th episode before I pan you or your show. 

Thanks, –Susan

Eat Pray Love

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I never read the novel, Eat Pray Love, so I have no idea whether the movie stays true to the book or the spirit of the book.  Or, if the movie tells a different story than the book does.  I know that some folks get irritated if the movie tells a different story.  I actually enjoy that!  If I’ve read the book, I don’t need to see it in movie form.  What I can imagine is better than anything Hollywood will ever be able to create!

Overall, I thought this movie was just ok.  I’d give it 3 stars.  It has a lot of talking.  A lot.  Also, it is a total chick flick.  I’m a little more of an action girl.  I don’t mind some talking as long as it’s interesting.  I found myself thinking blah blah blah through a lot of the dialogue in this flick.  Or – whatever.  =D

My favorite part of this flick was Javier Bardem.  Wow – this is an actor with some depth!  I loved him in No Country for Old Men.  He was a very, very scary hit-man.  In Eat Pray Love he does a great job in this role too.  James Franco is pretty good too.  He plays such quirky guys.  I think my favorite James Franco character though is the one he played in Pineapple Express.  Yeah, I know.  I can’t explain it either.  I’m a freak.

If you find Eat Pray Love on HBO or Starz and you don’t have anything better to do, there are worse ways to pass a couple of hours.

The Fighter

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We finally caught this movie over the weekend.  Wow – great movie!  It’s a little on the dark side though. 

Basically, we meet Micky and Dicky Ward.  Micky is played by Mark Wahlberg, an up and coming fighter, although he is getting a little old for this profession.  And Dicky is played by Christian Bale, who is supposed to be Micky’s trainer.   This movie is based on the true story of these brothers.

Dicky is a has-been boxer that once had a fight with Sugar Ray Leonard.  It’s his one claim to fame.  He talks about it nearly constantly too.  There is some disagreement as to whether Dicky knocked him down or if Sugar Ray tripped.  Dicky is a crack addict that is completely caught up in his own legend.  Christian Bale completely transforms himself – again – for a movie.  He’s skinny and plays the role all-in.  He did a great job in this role.

Their mother, Alice played by Melissa Leo, functions as Micky’s manager.  She is completely focused on Dicky, though, even though Micky is supposed to be getting his title shot.  The fights she arranges for Micky are just unacceptable.  It is really shocking that she is ok putting him in the ring against some of those opponents.  Alice is a complicated woman.  She is absolutely confident that she knows what is best for her kids and she expects complete obedience.  Yet – it doesn’t seem to go her way very often when all is said and done.

Micky’s girlfriend, Charlene played by Amy Adams, is the best thing that ever happened to him.  She manages to loosen the death grip his family has on him and turns the tide with regard to how they pull him down.  I have to say that I absolutely loved it when Amy and Micky’s 7 sisters got into a fist-fight.  Wow!  Crazy stuff!  I loved how Charlene stood up to the whole family and had no issues taking them all on for Micky’s good from the moment she became Micky’s girlfriend.  It’s a good thing she was a strong woman!

The family dynamic is so dysfunctional.  It just boggles the mind!  Alice had 9 kids!!!  Yikes!  The other 7 are all girls.  Just looking at all their big hair brought back memories of the 80’s.  Man!  Those were not good years for fashion or hairstyles, just saying.  =p 

The scene where Dicky is resisting arrest and Micky gets sucked in is just.so.shocking.  I just can’t believe that it happened.  Also, the fact that Dicky thinks that the HBO crew following him around to film his ‘comeback’ even though they keep telling him that it’s a documentary on the realities of crack addition is just so very sad!

I have to say that Christian and Melissa deserved their Academy Awards, in my opinion.  I’m a little disappointed that this film didn’t take Best Picture.  I think it deserved the award.

If you haven’t seen The Fighter yet, you should make time for it.  It’s not often I recommend a dark movie but this one is worth your time. 

Memories of a life well-lived and a man who was bigger than life

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March 2, 2009 is a day of sorrow for my family.  We lost a beloved husband, father, and man that day. 

I was there with him nearly 24 hours a day in the final 9 days of his life.  Here we are 2 years out and these days are still hard for me.  As many of you know, I tend to have insomnia (it feels like that’s a problem for me most of the time).  We call it the Olinger curse in my family as it’s something that has plagued generations of the women in my family.  The Olinger curse is typically worse for me these 9 days than any other day of the year.  I suppose it’s all so … fresh … still … after 2 years have passed!

I called my father BigD.  Others in the family called him Dad or Pops.  It’s funny how we each had a name for him.  It’s also fitting.  He was the type of father we each needed.  I didn’t realize that until we were all grown and out of the house.  I have many fond memories of my childhood.  My father was devoted to his family.  He made sure that we had everything we needed.  He taught us how to do things he thought important for us to know.  He played with us.  I still remember him taking us sledding when we lived in Alexandria.  He’d lay on the sled and we would all sit on his back as we flew down the snowy hill!  He made time for all the kids in the neighborhood too.  Even on his deathbed we laughed about my tendency to chase the other kids off because he was “my daddy” and I only wanted him to play with us.

My father was not perfect – who is?  He was, however, a great father, friend, and man.  He was someone you could count on.  He was someone you could trust.  He was a man who did his best.  He was a man who did his duty no matter what.  He loved his family.  He was a man who was well loved.

Folks say it gets easier after a loss like this.  We are only 2 years into living with this.  I wouldn’t say it gets easier.  I think the reality is that you just learn to live with the loss and treasure your memories even more.  That said, all I can say is:  “It is Well with My Soul.”  BigD loved this particular version of this beloved hymn.  It’s performed by The Isaacs.  It never failed to move him when they took it a cappella around the 2 minute mark. 

My mother taught me to love music.  My BigD introduced me to my love of sacred bluegrass.  To this day, I love the “stained glass blue grass” best of all the music I own.  Since my father’s death, I can’t hardly stand to listen to it … still.  For those of you who were in the hospital room with me that fateful night, you will understand why it makes me weep to this day.  This photo is one of my favorite pictures of my parents.  What a striking couple!  It was taken on their wedding day.  My mother’s father and her 2 sisters are sitting behind my parents. 

Here are some of my favorite photos of BigD:

     

        

     

             

  

Rest in peace, BigD.  By the way, tell Jesus my bags are still packed and by the door.  I’m ready and waiting!  =D

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior

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We now have 2 episodes of the Criminal Minds spin-off under our belts.  How are you feeling about this show?  I think that they have some re-tooling to do if they want this show to be successful.  The characters are just not likeable, in my opinion.  Forest Whitaker’s portrayal of Sam Cooper, the Unit Chief is just dreadful.  Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by Mandy Patinkin (Gideon), Joe Mantegna (Rossi), and Thomas Gibson who plays the current Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner.  The stuttered delivery of all of Forest’s lines really, really bugs me.  I really dislike his character too.  I don’t know why either.  He’s annoying.  As long as they keep Whitaker in the cast, I don’t see how this show ever gets up off the ground.  Adding insult to injury—the team has absolutely no chemistry.  Will that change over time?  Beats me.

The whole point of this spin-off is that it’s not a typical BAU but rather a ‘red cell’ which reports directly to the FBI director.  So here’s the issue I have with that in the last 2 episodes:  shouldn’t a red cell that is special and operating at a higher level be engaged in a higher level investigations?  Perhaps focused on national security threats even?  Why are they chasing pedophiles and serial killers as if they were an ordinary BAU?  There has been nothing special about either case they’ve taken that raises this unit above the BAU in DC or NY.  I do find it interesting that Suspect Behavior is also leveraging Garcia.  That seems a little screwy to me.  The original BAU team keeps her quite busy.  And Garcia is actually a team member for the DC BAU.  It really makes no sense to have her supporting this red cell.  Frankly, they should have their own Garcia.  Why not pull her boyfriend in to support this new team?  I get why they want a crossover character.  I just think that using Garcia this way is implausible.  What would have been better would have been to pull Gideon into lead this team, I think.  How cool would that have been?

I will give this show a few more episodes to see if they can work the kinks out and give us something worth watching.  After the first 2 episodes, though, I’m not holding out much hope that this will stay on my rotation.  That said, if you’ve missed the first 2 episodes, you can catch them online here. 

Breaking Bad on AMC

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So, you might think that I have been a fan of Breaking Bad since Day 1.  You would be wrong.  I actually made a conscious decision to not watch this show.  I didn’t think I needed to watch a good guy turn into a bad guy.  Ironic position for me to take when you think about how much I enjoy Dexter (serial killer), Sons of Anarchy (motorcycle gang), and a host of other shows that actually have me cheering for ‘the bad guy.’  A few people had mentioned that this would be a show right up my alley.  I was skeptical.  Did I really need to see a chemistry teacher become a meth cook?  Yes.  Yes, I did!!  I love this show.  I find it so interesting to see how he ended up accidentally getting involved in this whole situation from ending up on a ride-along with his brother-in-law Hank to seeing that they are chasing one of his former students, Jesse Pinkman.  And then taking advantage of an opportunity when it’s presented.  Folks, this is one of the best scripted dramas on television today.

Side note:  Until I had dinner with some of my girlfriends earlier this month, I had no idea that the star of this show was the father from Malcolm in the Middle.  I knew he looked familiar but I never made the connection or looked him up to see why I knew him.  I am so impressed with this man’s acting range.  He was a bit of a goof on Malcolm in the Middle.  There is no trace of that in Walter White.  I love Walter White and totally sympathize with what he’s had to become.  I love how devoted he is to his family.  I love how smart he is as he’s making his way in this new ‘business’ venture.  Brilliant acting!

Walter White is a high school chemistry teacher who has an unremarkable life.  His family may not have much but they have each other.  Their teenage son has cerebral palsy.  His wife is pregnant with an unexpected baby.  The wrinkle in the story comes when Walt is diagnosed with cancer and given a year or two to live.  He realizes that his family is screwed once he is gone.  He has limited options in order to provide for them before he dies too.  He isn’t happy about what he’s doing but recognizes that he really has little choice in the matter.  How else can he pay for his treatment?  How else can he be sure that his family survives without him?

AMC has been running the series 2 shows every week on Wednesday night from the beginning of Season 1 until the last episode of the Season 3.  I’m so glad that I’ve been recording these!  We just finished up Episode 4 of Season 3 in case you are curious as to where we are.  It looks like we’ll finish Season 3 at the end of March according to the schedule.  Rumor has it that Season 4 will start to air in July.  This gives you time to catch up on the series via Netflix, folks.

I’ll tell you right now that each season seems a little darker than the one before as we watch Walt and his family deal with his cancer and his criminal endeavors.  I find Walt’s transformation through all of this to be the most interesting.  He starts the series as a mild-mannered, good family man.  As a criminal, he is becoming a force to be reckoned with on so many different levels now.  One of my favorite parts of this show is the fact that his brother-in-law, Hank, is a high ranking DEA agent in the area.   Poor Hank has no idea that the meth ring he’s tracking is his ailing brother-in-law, Hank.  This is great TV, folks!

Have I gotten you curious yet?  You can catch the first episode of Season 1 here:  http://www.amctv.com/videos/breaking-bad/?bcpid=9787693001&bclid=10174960001&bctid=13786950001.  Each episode gets better and more interesting, trust me!

I am so looking forward to Season 4 and I haven’t finished Season 3 yet – crazy, right?!

Facebook helps in Jury Selection–Privacy is an oxymoron

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I read this article on how Facebook is influencing jury selection with some interest.  It demonstrates how social media is permeating every facet of our lives.  It’s interesting to see how our status updates or comments can help prosecutors and defense attorneys select or eliminate potential jurors.  Some legal experts oppose this practice; however, I think that it’s actually clever to use the information they find on social media as they question potential jurors to figure out whether or not that particular juror will help or hurt the accused and influence the future verdict of guilt/innocence.  Jury consultants have been used for years.  This actually makes that effort simpler, don’t you think?

Of course, this use of our ‘private’ information further supports the fact that privacy is becoming an oxymoron.  When you created your online personas, did you do it thinking about what information could be discerned about you?  As you Tweet or update your statuses are you thinking about how that may feed into an intelligence stream of who you are?  If we could combine all the information the government had on us as well as our credit and health information interleaved into what can be found out about us via our social media, how powerful is that information?  How could that information be used for good or evil?

Did you ever see the movie “Defending Your Life” with Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep?  I enjoyed that movie back in the day and still stop to watch it if I see it on the TV.  While it’s not the best movie ever made, I’ve always found it interesting and thought provoking.

I suppose I think about all the social media information in the context of a ‘judgment city’ when our mortal probation comes to an end.  If that movie were made today, how would it all fit together?  Maybe it’s time for a remake of that movie given where we are with technology today and where ‘judgment city’ technology should be!

Survivor–Welcome back Boston Rob!!!

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I’m an on-again/off-again Survivor watcher.  Some seasons I’ll find characters that I like and follow the show until the bitter end.  Other seasons I can’t find a single person I care about so I bail on the show.  When I heard they were bringing Boston Rob Mariano back, I knew this was a season I would start to watch anyway.  I love, love, love Boston Rob.  I think he’s one of the most entertaining and smartest Survivor players ever.  Yes, I know he’s never won.  I loved seeing him and Amber on The Amazing Race too, just saying.  As for Russell – I’m not a fan.

This opening episode of Redemption Island wasn’t terribly surprising.  You have folks that are overplaying their hands (Yes, Phil, I’m talking to you.  He reveals that he is a former Federal Agent and an expert in analyzing peoples behavior.  He knows when people are lying … blah blah blah) and others that are being low-key and others that are being savvy.  And then there is Russell.  I watch him and end up shaking my head most of the time. 

I was reading the ratings news and American Idol was the big ratings winner of the night.  Their ratings were down 4% from the week before.  Interestingly, Survivor’s premiere were really low compared to previous seasons.  I feel like this was one of the best/strongest premieres they’ve had in years.  I have to say that I really, really, really loved the first tribal counsel.  Great intrigue, drama, and just funny stuff.  (I love Boston Rob, just saying!)

If you missed it and want to see it, you can catch it at CBS.com or Comcast’s On-Demand.