if a tree falls

Quote of the Day

"I'm a real good sex person. I do it all the different ways." -- 30 Rock's Kenneth

The Muppets, the puppy and me

It's no secret that I'm a huge Muppets fan-- I grew up on Sesame Street, inherited a cheesy sense of humor from The Muppet Show and even named my dog Gonzo (after the endearing weirdo and the great Hunter S. Thompson). So I was both mortified and delighted to see SNL pay homage to Rowlf, The Swedish Chef, Janis, Zoot and Animal-- if that's what they were trying to do. It's not much of a skit beyond the sight of cast members in costumes, but for Muppetphiles like myself, it's worth a look.

Tubing

I've shown snippets of what is in my iPod-- it's time to share some of the incredibly incriminating contents of my Tivo. A good lineup, in my mind, is like a balanced financial portfolio. It's important to diversify.

Here's what is scheduled to record for the next week [warning, I watch a lot of TV]:

The Emmys

Last weekend Joe bought a tux in preparation for a black tie wedding that we'll be attending in November. However, he realized last night that he hadn't tried it on completely. Naturally, he tried the jacket on in the store, but needed to know that the shirt and pants fit as well. As he did this, I sat watching the Emmys (which, by the way, had some moments, but not nearly enough good ones). I realized that my husband was dressed for the occasion and he foolishly agreed to pose as if he were attending the ceremony. And no, I didn't have anything to drink. I was that bored.

He was this bored:
 

A strong statement from across the pond

In a former life as an advertising critic, I saw a lot of crap TV commercials. But occasionally there was a spot that was graceful, effective and thought-provoking. Here's a new one from the U.K. that caught my eye (via VSL).

Coming out

Summertime TV sucks. It always has. While I wait for Weeds to come back and ease into the fall and new episodes of my favorite shows to return (though Gilmore Girls won't be back at all and 24 and Lost will be MIA until early 2008), I am left with one rather guilty Tivo appointment.

It's a guilgy pleasure no more. I'm coming out of the So You Think You Can Dance fan closet. I love it in the cheesiest and most devoted way. I love host Cat Deely, the way the judges make no secrets of their underlying producer-motives, the choreographers and the dancers themselves. It's a reality show based on actual talent, with drama kept to a relative minimum. Hard work, likability, creativity and versatility are rewarded. Attitude, defeatism and closed-mindedness are not. (My one gripe is that I wish the gay cast members felt free to be open and out.)

Anyway, it's on tonight, and I can't wait. Here's a clip of my favorite dance from last week, a creepy hobo jazz piece choreographed by Wade Robson. It's far from perfect-- they're not exactly together when dancing the same steps --but it shows that a b-girl and a lyrical guy can partner up and do a highly entertaining theatrical dance.

Want closure from the Sopranos ending?

Here you go:

via Lindsayism and EW

(also see my link to the Shia LeBouef SNL digital short)

So much to say

This is why I should write more often. The thoughts build up and then there's too much to say. Where to start? To practice economic word choice, some haiku (inspiration from Heath):

hypothyroidism
is my new diagnosis
more energy soon

doctor from "Knocked Up"
made me afraid of childbirth
TLC helps

setback, leap ahead
launching Attic Ink is work
website finished soon

love the patio
friends and family come to sit
and freckles return

company picnic
american scream machine
gotta love summer

I'm a better cook
impressed the mother-in-law
when I made dinner

wedding season starts
with a shower in CT
chitchat and omelettes

Sopranos fade black
old posts get tons of new hits
Holsten's is famous

Paris goes to jail
doesn't pass go or collect
$200

Thanks for humoring me.

Even with spoilers (yes, there are some ahead)

How amazing was the Sopranos on Sunday night? What a fantastic episode. I didn't get to watch it until yesterday, and I spent much of the day trying to avoid spoilers. I don't expect people NOT to talk about such an episode, but I was blindsided early in the day by a local radio show contest.

Hosts: Caller, what is this noise? (gurgling)

Caller: Tony killing Christopher!

Hosts: Yes! You win!

Despite that, I was surprised at the circumstances and Tony's ways of dealing with it. I can't wait to see how everything wraps up and how Holsten's factors into the final episodes.

Laughing back at Idol

I don't watch American Idol. But I found myself watching last night's Idol Gives Back telethon with Joe and my father-in-law last night. It was mostly entertaining and touching, but this performance unintentionally cracked me up:

See a man whose eyebrows move independently of one another! See the Muppet who is a complete caricature of opera tenors everywhere! Hear the one guy with a genuinely good voice! And then the one who looks like that guy who was on the Bachelorette and got his own Bachelor season! (They sing in that order.) I love the comment that says, "This is prime gorgonzola. Its Italian, its pungent, its undoubtedly blue veined and its (sic) pure cheese."