October 3, 2005Fall 05 TV - Mondays
As we head into Fall, tv season and series premiers are popping up all over the place. Fox got a head start on the viewing action by starting many of their shows a week before other networks. But for the majority, the new season started at least two week.
Several weeks beforehand I did my research and got prepared for the onslaught of dramas that are dominating the Fall season. TVPicks.net, which appears to have been around for a while, helped immensely. From that I created my own color-coordinated spreadsheet with just the shows I planned to watch. I have watched all but one two of the shows I had planned, and so far am not too terribly impressed with some of them.
Rating scale of 1-10; 10 most interested.
8:00-9:00 NBC
Surface (series premier 9/19)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 5
Plot: Sea monsters in the water; may be government related.
Thoughts: First episode started out better than it ended. I like the idea of sea monsters, but not that the government could be the cause. Second episode got me a little more hooked; haven't watched the third yet.
8:00-9:00 Discovery
Monster House
Genre: Reality
Interest: 6
Plot: A team of builders 'monsterizes' a house in a week according to a set theme.
Thoughts: Not sure how long this show has been running, but it's good entertainment. It's neat to see the crazy ideas they come up with. Maybe one day they'll expand the monsterizing area to outside of California; I mean, they have to run out of houses eventually, right?
9:00-10:00 Fox
Prison Break (series premier 8/29)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 10
Plot: A man is convicted of murder and sent to prison with the death sentence. His brother holds up a bank in order to be sent to the same prison, with plans to break his brother out. To aide in his mission, he hides the blueprints of the building in a full body tattoo.
Thoughts: Excellent. What else can I say? This one keeps me on the edge of my seat and wishing I didn't have to wait a week to see the next episode.
10:00-11:00 NBC
Medium (season premier 9/19)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 5
Plot: A woman can hear see the future in her dreams and talk to dead people. She works with the DAs office to help solve murder, kidnapping, etc cases.
Thoughts: A returning show from last season, I read somewhere it was one of the most anticipated returnees for this year. Personally, my interest is beginning to wane. I can only take som many episodes with the medium and her husband arguing about her job and the kids. It's a good idea, but needs a little work.
Posted by Olivia at 11:59 PM | Comments (1)
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October 4, 2005Fall 05 TV - Tuesdays
8:00-9:00 Fox
Bones (series premier 9/13)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 7
Plot: An anthropologist works with the FBI to help solve cases when the victim's body is destroyed beyond recognition.
Thoughts: Basic storyline isn't that original, but the characters and their interaction make this show fun. A potential romance between the main characters is inevitable, but it's too early in the series to push it hard. Hopefully the writers know that.
9:00-10:00 CBS
Amazing Race (season premier 9/27)
Genre: Reality
Interest: ?
Plot: Teams race around the world in search of clues that will lead them to their next destination. Tasks/challenges that have to be performed at each place set winning teams apart from those who do not work well together. The last team to reach a speificied location is eliminated.
Thoughts: This season is the family version so we'll see how we like it. As long as there are not too many whiny kids it should be ok. In all of my organization I somehow forgot to set up the season pass for this one, so we'll be joining in next week.
9:00-9:30 NBC
My Name is Earl (series premier 9/20)
Genre: Sitcom
Interest: 7
Plot: After doing more than one wrong thing in life, a man discovers karma when he is hit by a car, thereby losing a winning lottery ticket. Upon finding that winning lottery ticket several weeks later, he vows to right the wrongs he's done in life.
Thoughts: Entertaining. Each episode follows Earl as he crosses off one more 'wrong doing' from his list. Pretty funny stuff.
9:30-10:00 NBC
The Office (season premier 9/20)
Genre: Sitcom
Interest: 7
Plot: The viewers follow the daily activites in the office of Dunder Mifflin in documentary-style filming.
Thoughts: Back for a second season, the US spin-off of the BBC show, The Office didn't really grab my attention when it first started. This season has been much better and really pushes the edge with the issues it deals with (ie sexual harrasment and 'crossing the line').
10:00-11:00 F/X
Nip/Tuck (season premier 9/20)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 10
Plot: Storyline is based around the plastic surgery office of two long-time friends and doctors. Each episode revolves around a specific operation/case and it's complexities and the personal lives of the doctors.
Thoughts: Another great show. Very edgy and pushing the envelope on many different levels. Great character development and complexity.
Posted by Olivia at 11:59 PM | Comments (1)
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October 5, 2005Fall 05 TV - Wednesdays
8:00-9:00 FOX
So You Think You Can Dance
Genre: Reality
Interest: 9
Plot: Dancers compete for a chance to win a cash prize and a luxury apartment in New York. And of course the exposure to further their career in the dance industry.
Thoughts: Next to American Idol, this has been my favorite reality show. I've always loved dance and this has been a great show. Each week dancers are randomly coupled up to perform a dance they pick from a hat. I've seen everything from the fox trot to krumping. I picked my favorite early on and luckily they're still in the competition. I think the last episode aired tonight, but I haven't been able to watch it yet..
8:00-9:00 NBC
Apprentice-Martha Stewart (series premier 9/21)
Genre: Reality
Interest: 1
Plot: Following in the footsteps of Donald Trump's Apprentice, Martha now has her own show. The winner, according to NBC's site will win a job working for Stewart and a rather large salary.
Thoughts: We only saw the first episode and decided it wasn't quite interesting enough to continue watching. It seems very stiff and scripted.
9:00-10:00 ABC
Lost (season premier 9/21)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 10
Plot: 43 survivors of a plane crash find the island they've landed on is not what it seems.
Thoughts: An edge of your seat show that leaves you wanting more every week. They reveal just enough to keep you interested. Not sure how long they can keep this up; I mean really, how long can 43 people survive on a remote island? But it's definitely enjoyable while it lasts.
9:00-10:00 CBS
Criminal Minds (series premier 9/22)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 7
Plot: A team of FBI profilers analyze criminals in order to prevent crimes.
Thoughts: I finally got a chance to see the first two episodes and I really liked this one. I'm such a sucker for crime dramas.
10:00-11:00 ABC
Invasion (series premier 9/21)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 6
Plot: A little town begins reconstruction after a hurricane and finds that things aren't as normal as they seem. Strange occurrences point to possibly supernatural causes.
Thoughts: Not sure where this is going really, but held enough interest to see watch it again.
Posted by Olivia at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
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October 6, 2005Fall 05 TV - Thursdays
8:00-9:00 ABC
Alias (season premier 9/29)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 10
Plot: Season 5 is sure to bring more excitement to the double-agent turned secret-agent lives of the FBI agents.
Thoughts: Without question, my favorite show. Probably of all time.
8:00-9:00 CBS
Survivor (season premier 9/15)
Genre: Reality
Interest: 6
Plot: 18 people are stranded...oh please, if you don't know the plot by now you've been living under a rock. :)
Thoughts: This is a take is or leave it show for me.
8:00-9:00 FOX
The OC (season premier 9/8)
Genre: Drama?
Interest: 9
Plot: It's the new 90210. With more money.
Thoughts: Eh. I don't look forward to it as much as I did last season. But it's early yet.
9:00-10:00 CBS
CSI (season premier 9/22)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 10
Plot: CSI's in Las Vegas.
Thoughts: Yay!! CSI! Second favorite show!
9:00-10:00 FOX
Reunion (series premier 9/8)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 7?
Plot: Ultimately, the idea is to find out how one of the characters was killed. Each episode equals one year in the lives of a group of high school friends, after graduation.
Thoughts: I've only watched one episode so far, but I like the concept.
9:00-10:00 NBC
The Apprentice (season premier 9/22)
Genre: Reality
Interest: 6
Plot: Inbetween Donald Trump's egotistical comments and 'advice,' he chooses the next person to come work for his company.
Thoughts: Another take it or leave it.
10:00-11:00 NBC
e.r. (season premier 9/22)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 9
Plot: See the inner-workings of an ER from the doctor's and nurse's perspective.
Thoughts: Another great show that is probably starting to lose it's fan base. It's been around a while, and although I still enjoy it, the changing cast of characters turns some people off.
Sadly, Joey had to be dropped from my Must See TV Thursday lineup because there are just too many other shows I enjoy more. Networks are just hurting themselves by competing so hard for one night of viewership.
Posted by Olivia at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
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October 7, 2005Part Wild Horses Mane
Last night began the first of a month-long Tai Chi class that several of us from work are taking through Henrico County Recreation & Parks. I've never taken Tai Chi and wasn't really sure what to expect. To make it simple, if you've ever seen the Celebrex commercials with the older folks in the field doing the martial arts-looking moves, that's Tai Chi.
It was a little strange at first, some of the exercises we started off with were different, but once we got into actually learning the forms and going though the sequence, it got better.
What I've learned so far is that Tai Chi is about connecting with yourself, being in the present, and letting everything else go. It's not making sure you have your hand in the exact right position, but just going with the flow. The course we're taking teaches a 24 'form' sequence. Each form is repeated 2-4 times, switching between the left side and right side of the body. The forms have names, hence the title of this entry, but I haven't quite figured out what they mean yet.
I came out of the class feeling very relaxed and mellow. Considering how tense I was earlier in the day, I was quite impressed. I'm looking forward to the next class, should be fun!
Posted by Olivia at 2:40 PM | Comments (2)
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October 7, 2005Fall 05 TV - Weekends
Fridays
10:00-11:00 CBS
Numb3rs (season premier 9/23)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 6
Plot: How numbers are related to everything in life. An FBI agent and his math-wiz brother solve crimes using facts as well as probabilities.
Thoughts: It's a pretty good show, but I haven't been keeping up with it this year.
I had thought of watching Ghost Whisperer and Threshold, but bumped both of them when the rest of the week got so crowded.
Sundays
10:00-11:00 NBC
Crossing Jordan (season premier 9/25)
Genre: Drama
Interest: 7
Plot: A coroner's office often assists local PD in solving murder cases.
Thoughts: Another crime drama, gotta love it!
Posted by Olivia at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
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October 17, 2005Paper Anniversary
I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by. It's amazing to think that at this time last year Jeff & I were in a plane somewhere over the US with no idea we'd be spending the first night of our honeymoon in the Honolulu airport.
As I sit here sorting through my huge stack of mail I sure do wish I was back on Maui...
We didn't really do anything special to celebrate. The 2nd Annual Tac-O-Ber Fest was planned for this weekend, so we spent it in Pennsylvania with the CT guys. Looked like everyone had a good time; bigger turnout than last year, from what I hear.
To all you married folks: what did you do to celebrate your first (or second, third, etc) anniversary?
Oh yeh, we did pull out the cupcake we've had in the freezer. It was a little tough, and the icing was kinda funky, but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. :)
Posted by Olivia at 10:54 AM | Comments (2)
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October 27, 2005A weekend of Nascar
This past weekend was full of Nascar, beer and hotdogs. Friday morning Jeff, Mike & Jon picked up our massive 34 foot RV and headed down to Martinsville. After work, the 'wives' did the same.
By the time we got there the guys had set up the RV, hung the lights and had already cooked their own dinner. Unfortunately, since we had all the condiments in the truck, they were left with only Easy Cheese for their hot dogs. (I think I would have eaten mine plain.)
We checked out the RV, surprised by how much space it actually had. All 6 of us could comfortably sit inside and not be on top of each other. The girls played cards for a while, Jeff & Jon played video games and Mike slept. Eventually we went to bed.
Saturday morning started off with some yummy pancakes. Mike can cook pancakes anywhere; I can't figure out how he does it so well. Since our campsite was within walking distance of the track we headed over to check out the vendor booths while the Truck race was in full swing.
The rest of the afternoon was pretty laid back. Eventually we had to make an ice run, so we all piled in Mike's truck and went in search of a Wal-Mart. Just when we thought we couldn't go any farther, the blue and white sign appeared. We stocked up on ice, more lights and various other items.
We ate a hot dog lunch after returning, which ended up being around 4, I think. After a while a fire was started out back and we hung out chatting with our neighbors. Brian showed up around 9ish(?) just in time for some smores. It got pretty windy which made it colder than we had expected, so we all retired to the RV. We had planned to play some board games, but for some reason that never happened.
Sunday morning, race day. Mike, Lauren & Brian headed out early to go to the meet and greet that Robby Gordon was having. The rest of us got ready for the race while we waited. We ended up in the stands a little earlier than was probably necessary, but it was nice not to have to fight the crowds
This was our first time at Martinsville, so that made it fun. Our seats were a bit higher up than I was expecting, and therefore did not dress for the wind that whipped around every time the cars went by. Next time I'll know better! Despite Tony not winning, even though he led the most laps, it was still a good race. Jeff Gordon won and I couldn't believe the crowd's reaction. Poor guy can't get a break with the fans.
Since the RV area wasn't allowed to leave until 2 hours after the race, we got to hang out after the race, cook some more hot dogs, and get everything packed up. Looked like there were a lot of people staying Sunday night, so traffic getting out wasn't bad. Of course it was pretty late by then.
One detour because of an accident and one mangled traffic cone later, we were on our way home. The only casulty of the weekend was the cone. Oh, and the lights brought by the Sos' to decorate the RV saw their last party.
I think this is something we all enjoyed and want to do again. That is, unless someone was lying. :) I think it would be fun to go to a Saturday night race, so we could party that night, after the race, and not have to worry about driving home until the next day. Hmm..which track shall we visit next?
Posted by Olivia at 10:05 AM | Comments (5)
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