TV: Cancelled! And my thoughts on Lost...

So this is it, the end of the TV season (well, not if you're a USA watcher ;) ). And the networks have filled their garbage bin with shows so they could go get new ones.

Shows that have served their time:
Law & Order
At the Movies
As the World Turns
Guiding Light

Shows that make me want to picket:
Dollhouse
Numb3rs

Show surprise:
Cold Case

Show disappointment:
FlashForward
Ghost Whisperer
Heroes

Show farewells:
Lost
Ugly Betty
Monk

Check out your shows here.

SPOILERS!!!!!!

So my thoughts on Lost...
I'm so sad! But let me get the whole saga straight. All the stuff on the island really happened. The people on the island needed something so they were chosen (if not chosen for Jacob then simply selected) to be on the island. They had such a learning experience that it was the most important and significant part of their lives. Because of that, when they all died (at whatever point in the timeline that happened to be) they agreed to meet together before moving to the afterlife. The "sideways" flash/jump was where they would hang out while they waited for everyone to be ready to move on. This is what I got from all that.

You?

Let's say you agree with me ('cuz it makes the most sense). It would explain a lot. Like why wasn't Jacob in the church or Daniel - because they weren't part of the group, they didn't agree to meet with this particular set of people. Things that happened in the sideways world were what the "waiters" wanted it to be. If Sayid felt he couldn't get away from his mean side then he wouldn't. If John felt he was doomed to be paralyzed then he would be. I also think Jack was confused about what would really happen when Desmond went down into the light. He was still right. That was the only way to defeat Locke/Man in Black. Take away his power. Then when Locke/MiB (LOL) was dead, the power would need to be returned.

BTW, B still somewhat thinks the island was a kind of "hell." He thinks they were all dead when the airplane blew the first time. But how would they all have had the experience together and decide to be together? Hurley continued to be the newest Jacob with Ben as his #2 until Hurley passed it on. Jack died. The others, like Sawyer, Kate, and Miles, made it back to the mainland and continued their lives. But once they were all dead and floating around the sideways world where time doesn't really exist they all had to remember why they were there.

Okay, it all sounds completely reasonable, and I'm so glad they all found their loves ('cuz Sun and Jin deserved it). But I wasn't happy. I somehow expected more. I have no idea what I expected, but that wasn't quite it.

And hey, just how exactly was the smoke monster made?

Someone who agrees with me...here.

Miscellaneous: Jim's Pancakes

One of my favorite blogs, Cake Wrecks, just promo'ed another blog called Jim's Pancakes. I thought it was absolutely amazing and cool. Just like Cake Wrecks Sunday Sweets except that all the pancakes are sweet!

The guy makes these for his daughter♥ I think it looks really easy, but I bet it's one of those things that when I try it, it will be a complete disaster. It helps to see his tools, so maybe...

BTW, just want to make sure you see the pic is swiped from his site - check it out!

Men: Bernardo Velasco

I usually give the complete low down on the men I post. I've been short on time :( which I hope to rectify soon :) In the meantime, here is a tidbit on a very cute, young guy (24?) that could be gay (in some of those magazines), but I really hope not as that would be a travesty. Enjoy!

Many more pics...more risque pics out there too.

Chocolate: Festivals

Honestly? I've been slacking. No chocolate that I haven't already posted about...double king size Snickers binge, gifted thick two layer chocolate cake (yes, it was delish), Pillsbury chocolate chip cookies, chocolate Fiber One bars, and a simple Hershey bar (though I haven't actually broken the wrapper on that one). So coming up with a suitable post has been difficult. Hey, it's not that I don't want chocolate - just haven't had the opportunity.

So I did a simple search for chocolate festivals. Turns out there are plenty! And one for my area has not yet happened. I absolutely can't wait and have added it to my schedule. Just for the record, West Virginia, Oregon, Virginia, Florida, and Illinois have already had one this year (look earlier next year).

You should check out the festival near you!

Books: The Girl With the Silver Eyes

I used to walk 4 miles round trip to get to my local library when I was 10 years old. It's a wonder I'm still alive with all the predators out there. But I digress. I couldn't miss my book mountain. I would check out at least 20 chapter books, go next door to the you-bag grocery for a package of $1.00 cookies, and walk home where I would devour both in a couple of sittings.

One of the books I picked up was The Girl With the Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts . It was one of the first books I checked out because I was fascinated with the idea of having paranormal powers. I LOVED this book! When I saw this book years later at Goodwill, I snapped it up (My copy looks like the cover on the left). And reread it. Reviewed by about 70 readers at Amazon, it has 4 1/2 stars.

Of course, I encouraged A to read the book and she did last year. Here is HER review:
The Girl With the Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts tells about a girl named Katie who feels different and out of place because she has powers. She feels bad because she was accused of her grandmother's death, moves to live with her mother, and while she likes her powers she still feels alone. Then someone starts asking questions about her powers.

I really liked that she had powers, and I like writing my own stories with characters that have powers. She uses her powers of telekinesis to make breakfast! But will she ever find people who like her for who she is? Does she find friends? You have to read to find out.

Me again: While it isn't superbly written, it is thoughtful and several of the other people who reviewed this book at Amazon felt the same nostalgic connection with the book that I did. I'm sure A will feel the same when she gets older.

TV: Buh Bye Heroes!

Heroes is gone!

I must say I have mixed feelings about this. A big part of that is never knowing what the writers or creators had in mind when they started the whole thing. If they could come up with the perfect ending what would it have been?

On the other hand, Heroes, which I loved first season, has been on a steady downhill slide ever since. We got to the point where B and I would save several episodes because we felt three together was like one decent episode. Some characters never got fully developed or were killed off that I would have liked to see continue. And I have no idea why, but I felt poor Noah was just overused. Did anyone else feel that way?

So goodbye Heroes! Also to FlashForward (good thing I didn't get hooked!) What else can I get my sights on...

Miscellaneous: Colorful Images

Colorful Images is a, well let's read what's under the name on the catalog: Unique Personalized Products, Stationery, Home Decor & Gifts. It's a company that does that. I started ordering labels from them almost 12 years ago. Never had a reason not to like them so I've stuck with them.

The labels have changed and become more fun, with interesting and pretty designs. I'm loving their circular address labels, and I tend to buy regular labels designed for the month of the year. I've also taken a liking to their book labels which I've personalized for my collection of children's books vs my mature books vs books I give away. Their iron-on clothing labels were great too. I put the family name on them so that the label didn't need to be changed on hand me downs. :) Oh, and business cards with my fun emails.

I haven't really purchased any of the kitschy (sp?) stuff. I did buy a piece of jewelry that represented my family, but my family changed so I gave it away. Lastly, I've ordered labels for friends when they've married, moved or just because. I'm sure there are other label companies out there, but I don't regularly get their catalogs. Check it out.

Men: Honorable Mentions 4

The Chrises.
Name: Chris Pine (Christopher Whitelaw Pine)
Best Known For: Movie, Star Trek
Year of Birth: 1980
Status: Single
Height: 6'1"
Fun Fact: English degree from UC Berkeley

I've been hesitating with the Chrises. I usually post pics of men who seem to look good from any angle, whether smiling or not. There were some pictures of the Chrises that looked really good and others? Meh. I liked Pine most as Kirk in Star Trek - all prettied up on the big screen. And love his eyes.

Name: Chris Evans (Christopher Robert Evans)
Best Known For: Movie, Fantastic Four
Year of Birth: 1981
Status: Single
Height: 6'1/2"
Fun Fact: Scored 1180 on his SATs

Evans looked best in his movie as well. I found more pics of Evans sans shirt - cocky like his character ;)And I liked his hair just like this. Too short looked a little off to me. But it doesn't matter. Look at the tats and pretty chest fuzz. :)

Chocolate: Golden Tickets

Really. Not kidding.

Wonka Candy is having a Golden Ticket contest. Buy Wonka Exceptionals and look for a game piece. Grand prize? A trip around the world with four destinations, three travel companions, and $12,500 spending money. There are 10 grand prizes...

I need to go shopping now...

Books: Blood Game

I've posted about Iris Johansen before. Love her books and now B's mother has decided to read them too! Anyway, last I posted I was going to try to read Pandora's Daughter. I really liked it and continued on with Quicksand. The twist at the end of Quicksand had me fidgeting to see what happened next. Last night I tackled Blood Game, the next in the series. I got my questions answered and Johansen left another little hanger on the end as well as a peek at the next book (paperback).

Blood Game seemed a little wavy at the beginning, like fits and starts, but got better as the book went on. It still never amounted to the major page turning I expected when I read the previous two books. It had a lot of character development rather than action as things changed for them in this book. Still don't wish I hadn't read it ;)

Attachment

I've just spent the last four days without one of my children. A was sixty miles away from the rest of the family. I was scared to death. I seriously don't know how I'm going to handle it when she gets older.