The Tragedy of TV Summers and Other Nonsense

After the mosquitoes come out, summer evenings end up being nothing more than a huge bore. To make matters worse, there is absolutely nothing on TV. It's like going to the mall with money and the intent to shop and finding nothing to buy or going to the candy store and finding it closed or just full of sugar free crap. Honestly, the state of summer television is truly distressing, unless you are a fan of random reality TV like Joey Fat-one and the 'Singing Bee'. I think there has only been one interesting show this summer, and that is 'Psych'. It has Charlie from the 'West Wing'. He's so cute, I just want to pat him on the head.

In other related nonsense, I had the opportunity to watch Poker on a 46" LCD HDTV. I am not sure that Poker does the TV justice. I am also not sure why anyone would watch such crap. It is just as bad as bowling. As for the commentators. I almost pity the fools, what did they do to deserve such a gig, and do they have writers or do they come up with their own inane drivel? God, I miss the fall. I miss football. I miss real sports!

I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to see 'Wicked'. I read the book and loved it, and while I had heard mixed reviews about the musical's fidelity to the novel, I was hoping... well talk about misplaced hope. The musical destroys the book. Utterly and completely. And the songs, I am sure they were good, if only I could have made out the words. Definitely not the super fabulous production I was hoping for.

I have been trying to pay attention to the latest administration scandals, but quite frankly Alberto Gonzalez spews so much garbage, I just can't keep it straight. In fact, listening to him talk gives me a headache. I wonder if that is why GWB keeps him around... he annoys people so much, they forget that they should really be frustrated by the president who condones his very existence.

Oh, and about Harry Potter. What was up with the LOTR theme? How could they let ***** kill *********. It was supposed to be ******* dammit! And *** and ******** and ***** and ***** could JK have been any more predictable? Yeah, and the whole thing with the elder wand? How was its master *****? I thought for sure it would have been ***** or *****. Gotta say, I was a little let down by the whole production. So much for Harry and Luna ending up together forever or the raising of the dead with the end of the Dark Lord. Sigh...

Who Will Die?

I saw the latest installment of the Harry Potter series today. It was actually my favorite one to date. Things actually started happening and there was no quidditch. (Thank god! That game is worse than cricket!) Watching today's movie made me wonder though, which two characters are going to die in the final book. I believe that there are supposed to be two main characters who die...

Harry Potter? Unlikely. If he dies, will anyone bother to see movie six and seven? Little kids all over the world will be heartbroken. The Queen will have to take back the knighthood or whatever it is she conferred on Rowling.

Ron Weasley? I think very likely. The best friend and sidekick tragically dying to help his best friend save the world. Seems appropriate. Besides Ron doesn't really do much besides occupy otherwise empty space.

Hermione Granger? I hope not. She is the only real main female character... they can't kill her. It's sexist I tell you!

Neville Longbottom? The boy has suffered enough. Crazies for parents, an utter and complete lack of social skills, and that name! Ach!

Severus Snape? Quite likely, and my sister will probably agree. The most hated man at Hogwarts will be beloved once everyone finds out he was only doing Dumbledore's bidding.

Draco Malfoy? He's pretty useless. I am not sure Rowling even plans to redeem him. If she isn't going to redeem him, then he is not important enough to go down in a blaze of glory...

So who do you think will die? I wonder if I should pre-order book seven... I seem to have succumbed to Potter mania.

Back from Hiatus

It's been awhile since I last updated. Actually, I feel generally my postings have become quite sporadic, which is unfortunate.

I spent the past two weeks in Australia, and have thankfully picked up neither their slang nor their accent. But I do like how they occasionally refer to their president/prime minister person as 'Johnnie Howard'. I wish we could refer to George Bush as Georgie Bush. It seems so fitting. Rather like the name of a petulant child.

Being in Australia I was reminded that while the US may not be winning the war on terror, they sure are winning the culture war. 'Neighbors' may in fact be the only original Australian programming on TV. The show that took up the most airtime was 'The Simpsons', if there is a show more synonymous with American culture, I would love to hear about it. In fact, in Australia, I was able to watch such fabulous and stimulating programming as 'The Real World Las Vegas Reunion' show. I *love* America.

I also had a chance to catch 'Knocked Up'. Aside from the fact that the plot line was completely unbelievable, oh and that live birth scene (ew! totally gratuitous and unnecessary... I think I have been scarred for life... no wonder Anne Hathaway turned down the part...), the movie was pretty amusing. And Izzie was far more likable in the movie than Gray's itself.

I also had a chance to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef which led to the opportunity to drink large quantities of Pacific Ocean water. All I can say is... mmm... tasty! The reef was cool though. I think I was stalked by a somewhat inquisitive Zebra fish.