Friday Five

1. In my personal opinion, "Love, Actually" is by far the best movie ever made.  It has it all - heart, laughs, cute boys, London.  I mean really, everything you could ever want in a RomCom is in "Love, Actually."  So to say that I was excited about its "reboot" for Red Nose Day, was an understatement.  And after seeing its trailer, I'm beyond excited.  Of course, since I live in the States, I'm supposed to wait until May to see the full 10 minutes.  Ugh!  
             

2. I spend a lot of time these days talking about how great Seth Meyers is these days, but honestly.  He's killing it every night!  This bit from last night on the health care bill, and SNL is beyond hilarious.  
          

3. And speaking of the health care bill - my most favorite thing that happened this week, is that finally some people in the House came to their senses and weren't able to provide enough votes for Trump and Co. to pass their ridiculously dangerous health care bill so it was pulled.  That particular bill would have hurt millions of hard-working people.  The ACA may not be perfect, but it's helped a lot of people.  And maybe, just maybe if the current administration would spend more time on making it better than trying to overturn it, they might actually help Americans for a change rather than take important things, like access to healthcare, away from them.

4. This made me smile lots!  #TeamJess

Got a prime parking spot and a welcome sign pullin in....Love you too ;) #ThisIsUs #TuesdayLoveStill. MV pic.twitter.com/cKLDpytQMZ

— Milo Ventimiglia (@MiloVentimiglia) March 21, 2017

5. "The Little Mermaid" was one of my faves when I was little.  It fell just below "The Lion King" and Aladdin." I'm not a huge Disney Nerd, but I do remember watching these 3 constantly.  So hearing they were making a live action version, I was a little skeptical.  I mean, I'm never a huge fan of just re-making old stuff.  I like new ideas and when the old stuff is so good, why try to best it?  This is probably why I'm not running a studio in LA, but anyway, that's not my point.  My point is, this week Alan Menken who is directing the movie - with Lin Manuel-Miranda providing the music - went to the press with his idea for Ursula.  His genius idea - Harvey Fierstein! An idea I geeked out about for a few hours, until Harvey took to the press to say - "Make it happen!  Your wish is my command!" which made me geek out even more.  Harvey Fierstein with the tentacles and the eels?  How could that not be anything but amazing??

Friday Five

1. This is a weird one that I just realized I liked this week. I like reading cool books. I don't mean cool in regards to the story itself - though that's important, obviously.  I mean the book itself being cool.  Stay with me here.  I'm currently reading Lena Dunham's "Not That Kind of Girl."  And it's a very, very good book of essays, which it looks like from the outside. However, inside there are cutesy little doodles, and cartoons.  It's totally girly, but you'd never know it from the outside.  So I realized, cool design features like that makes some books even cooler.  Does that make any sense whatsoever?

2. After months of putting it off, I've finally watched the fourth and final episode of Gilmore Girls.  And though I'm still angry about the last 4 words of the series, I'm willing to give it a solid B+.  Lauren Graham was outstanding as expected, and the wedding was fabulous.  But I think it lasted just a wee-bit too long and like I said, the last 4 words made me irrationally angry.  Mostly because the last 4 words were technically only 3 words.  But also, the 3 words were not what I would have ended with.  But they do leave the door open for yet another Netflix run in the near future, so let's go ladies!  Get a move on!

3. I found this watercolor shop on Twitter earlier this week, because Jenny Colgan re-tweeted her.  It turns out that the artist was so taken by Neal the Puffin in Jenny's books, that she started painting him into her artwork.  I totally visited her shop to see the Neal paintings, but I fell just as head-over-heels with her paintings of the seaside towns of England.  So fun I'm having a hard time deciding which one to purchase.

4. Duck Tales were never my thing, but have I mentioned lately how much I adore David Tennant? : )
           

5. This is the face of a man who understands just how cool it is that he's getting to hang out on Sesame Street!

I. Am. So. Happy. Today. Thank you Sesame Street for this magic day and for the memories both old and new. 🍪 pic.twitter.com/yaOg1LDslG

— josh groban (@joshgroban) March 2, 2017

Reading as Fast as I Can

Pay no attention to the disheveled appearance. Like I said,
 I've been reading all weekend

I've spent every free moment I've had since Friday night, reading "Talking as Fast as I Can" by Lauren Graham.  And I need to say, it was by far the absolute best use of my time I can think of.  I mean, I knew it was going to be good.  I read her first novel "Someday, Someday Maybe" in just a few days and loved that as well.  (If you ever feel like buying me a present, you can buy me another copy of that book - I lent it to my least likely to return it friend, and I haven't seen it since...)  Anyway, based on that novel and my love of all things Gilmore Girls, I sort of knew Lauren's memoir would be a winner.

But I didn't realize it would be this much of a winner.  It's funny from start to finish.  I'm pretty sure she's secretly Lorelai Gilmore in real life.  No actor in the history of acting has been more perfectly cast than she has.  And as a real life person, she's pretty perfect as well.  Having the book framed around her first Gilmore Girls stint through her second was an excellent idea.  She's had such an interesting life in these years, and it's fun to hear her side of it - rather than what you may read in the press.

She's also very smart, and a fabulous writer.  So there's a whole chapter on how she writes and a new way she's discovered to make her process better.  I can honestly say, if it works for her - and based on her books, it definitely works - I just might give it a try.  Who wouldn't want to be just a little like Lorelai Gilmore.  Oops, I mean Lauren Graham!

Friday Five: 2016 in Review

This week is all about the best of the couch potato fun of 2016.  This year wasn't the best year of television, but there were some definite standouts.

1. Speechless (Most likely to make me laugh then say aww!): I love this show so darn much. It's funny and sweet at the same time.  And it totally gets special needs right.  They don't go too overly sweet but they don't go too mean either.  They show that a life with someone with disabilities is still just a life - with some extra add-ins.  It's just so good!

2. This is Us (Most likely to make me blubber sometime in the near future): I know everyone else is talking about this show, but they're doing it for good reason.  It's absolutely the best show I've seen in a long time.  I want to be friends with every actor on the show.  They're perfectly cast and are just awesome! I usually avoid anything that might make me cry, but this one's worth it.

3. Life in Pieces (Most likely to make me laugh out loud): I used to love Modern Family, but in the last few years it's gotten just a wee bit boring.  Life in Pieces is my replacement for it. It's another show that's so well cast, that you just want to be a part of the family so you can hang out with them every week.  On top of the acting and the laughs, it's creative too.  4 little stories every week - pretty perfect when you have TV-induced ADD like I do : )

4. Grease Live! (Most likely to make me smile from ear to ear, and get all sorts of nostalgic): For someone who loves musicals, this one wasn't even on my radar.  I mean, I LOVE the original Grease and I've seen it upwards of a hundred times.  So when they decided to remake it live, I wasn't willing to watch, because there's no way it was going to be as good as the original.  Oh, how wrong I was.  Aaron Tveit as Danny was amazing and dreamy and just awesome! They were able to keep all the fun and songs of the original while adding new fun to it. I gotta say, all future live musicals will have some high hills to climb.  Of course, if they're able to bag the genius Tommy Kail for their direction, like Grease was able to, I think they'll be just fine.

5. Gilmore Girls (Most likely to make me fan-girl): I must start by saying that I haven't seen the last episode yet.  I'm saving it because there are only 4 episodes and sometimes you just have to pace the awesomeness.  I never knew exactly how much I wanted a Gilmore Girls reunion until I started watching the episodes. Oh how I missed Stars Hollow!  The problem now is that now that I've had the 4 episodes, that's not really enough.  I could really use another few seasons...

Six Months In

I'm officially 2 episodes - or 6 months - into Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.  I've been wanting to binge them all weekend, but I just haven't had the time, so 2 down, 2 to go.  I have a range of emotions about this.  Let me start with saying - I love it.  I really do.  I've been super excited since it was announced, and the fact that are 4 to watch, is just too good to be true.

That's not to say it's perfect.  All the reviews I've read have basically said - Perfection!  I'm not sure I agree.  It's really, really good.  I love seeing all the characters back.  I love seeing Stars Hollow again - I so want to live there!  I love the super fast talking.  I'm just not sure I like where the story is going.  Rory and Logan together still even though (Spoiler Alert!) he's engaged?  It just doesn't sound like something she would do.  And all of Luke and Lorelei's problems should have been discussed years ago.  They've now been together for 9 years and they're just now bringing up the baby talk?  It's a bit odd.

I think my major problem is the timeline.  It's a bit hard to follow.  In the first episode, I think Rory went back and forth from London to Stars Hollow 4 times in a week, which seems rather confusing - also, expensive.  But I'm choosing to let that part slide.  If the timeline were just a little clearer, I'd be much happier with it.

But aside from that small quibble.  I'm LOVING it.  It's fun and sweet and the perfect program for a long holiday weekend.  I am currently dying to see the 3rd episode because that one includes a musical sung by Christian Borle and Sutton Foster.  Seriously?  How fabulous is that going to be!?  I can't wait!

After 6 months - I'd say my current rating is 4 out of 5 stars (and I suspect that will be going up to 5 after the musical episode - how can you resist a good musical?!)

Thankful Five

1. I'm most thankful in my life for these 2 and this amazing dinner we shared yesterday for Thanksgiving.  Really, I have no idea what I'd do without them - love them to pieces!

2. I'm thankful for a black Friday spent with the same family and a great friend finding all sorts of super awesome deals and fighting the ridiculous crowds together. I gotta say I didn't get many Christmas gifts, but my wardrobe is looking much better after today!

3. I'm thankful for the words Spoiler Alert. These 2 simple words have helped me to successfully avoid all spoilers from the Gilmore Girls which I've been dying to watch since it as dropped at 3 am this morning.  However, Black Friday fun was calling instead.  That doesn't mean that I won't be finding myself in front of Netflix at the very first opportunity tomorrow!  Can't wait!!

4. I'm thankful for the leftovers of yesterday's amazing meal that provided an absolutely fabulous turkey and dressing sandwich at the outlets today.  One of my most favorite meals of the year - leftover Thanksgiving sandwiches on Black Friday.  Dressing is by far the best food part of this week!  So delicious!

5. I'm thankful for nice warm jammies and a nice warm, comfy bed.  Because seriously dude, I shopped til I dropped... : )

Friday Five

1. I've been pretty excited to see the Gilmore Girls revival on Black Friday, but not nearly as excited as I was when I saw this trailer! AMAZING!  
           

2. I haven't quite figured out why a Welsh dragon has appeared in London, but it's super cool nonetheless.  He looks just like Smaug!

Watch out - a Welsh dragon has appeared outside St Paul's Cathedral in #London!! 😱 #bestintravel @visitwales pic.twitter.com/PQh2shBnDM

— VisitBritain (@VisitBritain) October 25, 2016

3. I've always believed that Shakespeare was Shakespeare and that he wrote all his beautiful works himself.  I've never really bought the critic's point of view that someone as poor and un-educated as Shakespeare couldn't have written these amazing works.  But with the news of Christopher Marlowe being added as his co-author on the Henry plays, I have to say I'm impressed.  I still don't believe he actually co-wrote with Shakespeare, but I do enjoy that the Oxford University Press made the gutsy move to add his name to the text.  Bold move book nerds at Oxford!  

4. Have you scrappers out there discovered The Lily Pad yet?  It's an online shop full of gorgeous digital scrapbooking elements.  I'm in love mostly with giant set of New York themed journal cards for pocket scrapping.  Why does one need all these cards you ask?  To that I reply, why wouldn't you?

5. A friend learned this week that her company would be shutting down at the end of the year, and while this is completely terrible, it's been heartwarming to see all of our friends and families rally around her and her co-workers. They've offered assistance, and love and encouragement and I'm sure have made this transition just a teeny bit less scary.

Friday Five

1. The Hamilton Documentary that I just watched was probably one of the best 1.5 hours of television I've ever seen!  I may be a bit biased since it was about Hamilton, but honestly it was just so very good.  The writers and actors and even some officials spoke about the show but they also spoke about Hamilton's life and his contributions to the current world.  It was fascinating and pretty much the perfect way to spend a Friday night!

2. In a word - AMAZING! 
          
3. What better way to learn about the delicious food in Baltimore restaurants than from the Orioles and the Ravens.  I just love the way these guys talk about the food and what's good to them.  My favorite is Brandon Williams' PB&J.  He's a guy that takes his sandwich seriously it would seem!

4. In just over a month, we'll finally be treated to the new Gilmore Girls season on Netflix. How is anyone staying calm?  I personally cannot wait and these posters are doing just feeding the excitement!  I love the Year in the Life concept and the 4 seasons theme for the posters is just adorable!

5. And in fairly shallow news this week, I've decided that after watching Matt Bomer guest host Live with Kelly, I totally miss seeing his adorable self every week on my television. Seriously, how dreamy is he?

            

Friday Five

1. Do you think I could get a dog and teach him to be a foodie too?  Adorable!

2. Roadtrip!  Though I'd like to lodge a formal complaint - Maryland has much more than 1 good food truck and the one they chose is most definitely NOT the best in Maryland!

3. To be honest, the bestie suggested that we try this museum out next week when we're in the city and I've been judging her ever since.  However, since reading this article this morning, I'm definitely warming to the idea.  It looks like so much fun and any place that celebrates ice cream can't be all bad! Also, now that I know the pool of sprinkles is not really filled with sprinkles and is actually filled with beads - I'm feeling much better about the sanitary implications...

4.Scrapbook Love!  Between In a Creative Bubble's Book Journal Cards and her Spellbound journal cards, I'm going to seriously need to start re-reading HP just so I can scrap the ordeal.  Such cute designs!  Based on the number of times I talk about how wonderful her products are, I really should become her marketing manager.

5. Is it November 25th yet??!!
            

Friday Five

1. Gilmore Girls Revival Scoop!: While I may not be a huge Melissa McCarthy Fan, the news that Sookie St. James is returning to the show makes me very happy.  How could you have possibly had Lorelei without her BFF Sookie?  And in other scoop news, the announcement of a Stars Hollow musical in one of the episodes is too delicious not to gush about!  Add to that Kerry Butler, Sutton Foster and Christian Borle, and you have the makings of an already perfect episode without a single moment being filmed yet. 

2. Aaron Tveit and Gavin Creel singing my "bad day sing to the top of my lungs song" Take me or Leave Me from RENT.  So amazing!  While this song is usually sung by 2 women, the guys completely pull it off, which is totally the point of the Miscast Benefit : )

3. A few years ago someone got the genius idea to take photographs of photographs in the same place the original photo was taken.  Hard to explain but you get the general idea.  Well a fabulous photographer has taken that general idea, and captured some beautiful photos of Paris then and now.  Every photo shows just far the city of light has come and how breath-taking it is now and was then.

4. I absolutely adore Masters week.  There's just so much pomp and circumstance that goes into making it the best event of the year.  And while, at the start of the day I was ready to see Mickelson make a run for another green jacket, it doesn't actually look like that'll be the case this year.  However, it's great to see Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth both battle for the win.  I love them both so either winning would just be icing on the cake!

5. Broadway casting this season is completely on point.  Every time I hear a new show or new concert, I'm blown away by how good the lineup for these events are in 2016.  Between "The Front Page" with Nathan Lane and Falsettos with Andrew Rannels and Christian Borle or Robber Bridegroom with Steven Pasquale, Fully Committed with Jesse Tyler Ferguson and even the return of God in Act of God with Sean Hayes - it's going to be a very, very expensive year!