SnOMG

This is the first chance I've had to escape the ridiculous amounts of SNOW-MY-GOODNESS-IT'S-PURE-INSANITY.  Just kidding, really.  I've been snowed in for the past couple of days, and this is the first place I've been that wasn't the apartment or the parking lot.  It's kind of weird to be doing something that's not watching bad movies and petting the dog, but still.  Gotta earn my keep :)

I'm usually a big fan of snow (at least for the first day and/or while it's falling), but this snow kind of ruined my awesome weekend plans.  I was (as previously stated) REALLY looking forward to the party on Saturday, and that didn't happen.  I got a cute present for my Secret Santa, and I probably won't be able to give it to her until January.  We also didn't get to celebrate Christmas with my brother and sister-in-law.  They live further out in "the country" as Melissa likes to say, and Tony told me on Sunday that they couldn't even get out of their development.  He did say that their driveway is the most shoveled, so they win the... award?  For most diligent?  Eh, he'd like that.  Either way, they are supposed to go up to Jersey to see her family, and I'll be on a boat (I'm on a boat!) after Christmas, so again, not until January.  Ble-argh.  I mean, I know it's just a day, but still.  I'm a sucker for Christmas, and this year, it's gotten all screwy.

The other screwy thing is that we're going to NC this year, as usual, but it'll be the first one without Grandpa.  That's going to be very, very strange.  I feel like I've been trying to prepare myself for it for a long time, but this is going to be the first test of my will and strength.  No one will take pictures of me on the sofa.  He won't be there to hug me in this precious red cardigan with his brilliant smile and bright eyes.  Oh crap, I just made myself sad.

Okay, sad over.  It's just going to be weird.  BUT, my plan is to stay with my Aunt Kris & Uncle Todd, and we'll eat fudge and MAYBE make ice cream and eat breakfast casserole and celebrate anyway.  It won't be the same, but to be perfectly honest, it will never be the same without him.  This is just something I'm going to have to get used to.

Just to post something TV related (as that IS supposedly my blog theme), NOTA WON THE SING-OFF!  Woot!  I'm pretty sure I was one of the only people actually watching this, but still.  I was so excited to hear that they won, because they really deserved it the most.  They were up against a group from Tufts University called the Beelzebubs.  While I enjoyed the Bubs and their enthusiastic performances, they are just a college a cappella group.  They showed up to the music building, just like I did almost 10 years ago exactly, and auditioned to be in this group.  They have the ability to record an album a year.  They have the funds, the support, the whatever.  The guys in Nota are 6 dudes from Puerto Rico who like to sing.  They may have auditioned, but they also were just random guys with lives and families and jobs that want to sing.  That's so much more inspiring.  Plus, I REALLY want a copy of their version of "Down" so I can listen to it over.  And over.  And over.  Again.  Loves it.

I hunted on iTunes this weekend, and I found piano versions of Paramore's "Brand New Eyes" album.  It's freaking gorgeous.  If I wasn't already married, I would totally walk down the aisle to the version of "All I Wanted."  In fact, I'm going to listen to it now.  Peace out!!

Glee, TB, and Travel-y

I read this quote today in an interview posted on Yahoo about Glee's Golden Globe noms.  It makes me smile a lot and be very anxious for April 13.

"Okay, listen. We had Kristen (Chenoweth, Menzel's "Wicked" costar), now Idina's coming," gushed actor Chris Colfer (Kurt). "I don't . . . I can't even fathom that. I can't even talk about it. I am so, so excited. I just . . ."

"I think you just peed a little bit," joked actor Mark Salling (Puck).

"I did," Colfer replied. "I think I just did."

Hee.

I've been watching "The Sing-Off" to try to stave off the jitters.  It's been kinda fun, though nothing like my own personal brand of heroin.  I think Nick Lachey talks WAY too much and I fast forward through everything Nicole the Pussycat Doll says, but I enjoy the singing.  It makes me miss Low Key, and I'm looking forward to April for Glee AND for the LK reunion.  I can't believe we started it 10 years ago...
 

So the role of Alcide has been cast for this upcoming season of True Blood, and he will be played by Joe Manganiello (see left).  I have seen some pictures that have not impressed me, so I found this one and thought, "Okay, he'll do."  However, no matter what I will see him in, I will always think of him saying that the Eggs Benny is redonk and how he'll go halfsies on a gravy boat. 
 
I just really love the character, especially in the 3rd book.  As the series rolls on, I find that I kind of want to smack him royally about the face and neck, but I love him and Sookie together at the beginning.  He reminds me of one of my friends from the way back days, which is funny to ME because Jacob Black ALSO reminds me of this friend, and I feel like Alcide is the Jacob of the Sookie-verse.
 
In other non-tv related news, I'm feeling the urge to travel, and what sucks is that I don't have the funds to back up said urge.  We're going to Florida after Christmas with the in-laws (which is never as bad as it sounds when you have my in-laws!), which will be nice... BUT... that's not the travelling I'm looking for.  I've been emailing back and forth with a recently reacquainted friend, and I'm certain this is what has caused my travel fever.  She lives in Missouri (a state I've never seen outside of its airport), and I'm really looking forward to it.  HOWever, it's not until June.  I think what I really miss is having close girl friends to hang out with.
 
DOWNER! 
 
At least I'll be able to get in some good girly times this weekend.  It's the annual girls party, and it should be food, drink, and silly-filled.  Also, Sherry already figured out who all the Secret Santas are, so there won't be any surprises.  Just like last year... 

Thank you, Popwatch.

I read this in Popwatch this morning (one of the EW.com blogs that I frequent), and it captured my favorite line from last night's Community while also suggesting something brilliante.

"Shirley can't believe Jeff is agnostic. 'You think religion is stupid?' she asked Jeff, who responded with this extended metaphor: 'To me, religion is like Paul Rudd. I see the appeal, and I would never take it away from anyone. But I would also never stand in line for it.' All right, let's start the campaign for Paul Rudd guest starring as a religion professor now."

I l-o-v-e the Rudd. I think he has the best career ever, with the perfect amount of indie cred and mass mainstream appeal. I mean, even my PARENTS love the Rudd. But still, that's an amazing comparison, and that would be amazing to see him on Community, one of my new favorite shows. It didn't make me laugh until I cried last night like Bones ("where's your chest hair?") or Sunny (the infamous poisoned relish-mayonnaise-shampoo convo), but still, solid.

On the knitting front, which I haven't actually talked about lately, I've been trying to do some small projects to pass out as Christmas gifts this year. I had the great idea of knitting a washcloth for my cousin who loves NC State. I had what I thought was enough red yarn in my stash. Turns out, washcloths take a CRAP-TON of yarn for their size. So instead I'm using this other, bulkier yarn to do it, and now it's like the NC State placemat. Eh, whatever, it'll do. Hopefully, I'll be able to complete a few more smaller projects (more washcloths, perhaps a hat and earwarmer or two), and everyone I know will appreciate them.

Reunion tomorrow. I'll try to update soon after with a play-by-play of its randomness.

An Open Letter to My Favorite Show

Dear Glee,
First off, I have to tell you that you are my crack. It's true. From the very beginning. I remember when I first saw you in May, and you were the bright shiny light in my dark, BHLPC-filled world. Then, you magically reappeared in my life in September, reminding me why I love TV and why I love singing. You made me forget my old bitter feelings toward people I used to sing with and showed me that I truly missed performing. You sang songs that I loved for years, and you made me laugh out loud. Television doesn't surprise me or make me laugh unless it's truly something to behold. You have been that something.

Now, I see you're leaving me until April? What's that about? How will I be able to go on? And AMERICAN IDOL is taking your place? I am officially TOO OLD to be the next American Idol, and that means it needs to be done. What have these Idol contestants even done lately? (Hey, Adam Lambert, sit down.) This is just plain mean, leading me on like this only to leave me in the cold. I do not appreciate it.

However, like a jilted lover, I will come back to you with full forgiveness. You know I could never leave you.

Also, stop making me cry. I don't know how you do it, but just quit.

Sincerely,
Jessica Sheehan

P.S. Seriously. Lea Michele and Amber Riley need to quit making me cry with their amazing powerhouse performances.

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

I got up and went to work?

I've talked about this before, but I love The Biggest Loser. Personally, I think it's a good mix of drama, competition, and inspiration. Every season, I tell myself I'm not going to get sucked in, and every season, I'm back on the couch on Tuesday night. Jack has just given up, and he hangs out with me while it's on (he CLAIMS he doesn't watch it, but I know he does!). We even have a LAST CHANCE WORKOUT game in which we... count how many times they say Last Chance Workout. This will probably become a drinking game next season...

To me, though, TBL has been a good motivator. Last season, I would purposefully plop in front of the TV to watch it while eating junk food. I would think about what junk I would eat while these people worked themselves to almost death. Chips, ice cream, snacky snacks, anything. It seemed kind of funny.

And somehow I'm surprised that I've gained some weight in the past year...

This time around, I find that their stories are inspiring me to get off my lazy patoot and do something. With the mentality I have, I could be on the path to something terrible. I don't want to reach the rock bottom of life before I make a change for the better.

The other thing is, my grandfather was one healthy dude (pretty much right until the very end). His doctors were always amazed at the way his body reacted to medicines, how someone at his age could beat a fairly aggressive cancer for so long. His main doctor would always push for him, telling specialists to treat him as though he were a much younger man, because that's how his body reacted. He was able to live as well and as long as he did because he took good care of himself. I want that kind of life- a happy, healthy life. The only person that can give me that is me. The only person I can blame is me. It's all up to me.

So, who's excited for Christmas? I'm looking forward to the next few weeks. This Saturday, I have the underground VHS Class of 1999 reunion. I'm hoping to tell someone that I invented post-its. Next weekend, it's the (fourth? fifth?) annual Girls Christmas in Richmond. It's a good time of drinks and food and cookies and presents and hysterical laughter. Then, it's Christmas week! THEN, for the week after, I'll be on a boat off the coast of Florida somewhere with the boat people that are my in-laws.

This is getting rambly.

Shout Out!

In my previous blog, I made one GIANT error. I did not credit someone who has been very important to my Buffy watching, and that is Elizabeth. Without her generous lending of Seasons 3 through 7, I would not have been able to finish the series last night (which I did! Sad!) because I would have had to wait on Netflix to send me the discs or wait until Christmas when I received them as presents.

So, here's to you, Elizabeth! You're my enabler! Or my dealer! Either way, thank you :)

Also, it's snowing in Charlottesville today. It's been coming down pretty fast, but like all Virginia snow, it's slushy and watery. This puts a damper on my plans for the day, which was Christmas shopping. I may get a second wind later and go out to face the day, but for now, I'm going to hit up the Instant Queue (though Jack doesn't want to watch "The Way We Were" for some reason...) and pretend like we're snowed in a la JMU days. Happy December 5th, everyone!

Who's the Big Bad?

If you're reading this blog, then you should already know that I'm definitely a TV addict. I don't like to use the "a" word like that, but it's the truth. I love it. I love watching it, analyzing it, talking about it, seeing the same silly plot tangles over and over, being (rarely) surprised by a bit of awesomely acted/shot/produced show, and I'm a sucker for a marathon. Because of this... addiction, there are certain shows that I have steered away from over the years. I know who I am, and I know what will happen if I watch something that the general population calls "addictive." Certain shows, well, I just couldn't stop myself (Lost comes to mind...). Usually, after a shows goes off the air, I don't bother. The advent of DVD has changed that for me.

Hence, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

I didn't watch this when it first came on in 1997. I was probably watching something ridiculous like Dawson's Creek or the original 90210 or Daria (WHICH IS COMING OUT ON DVD IN 2010!!!) or I was like practicing the clarinet or some other nerd-bomber-y activity. However, I do remember hearing about it, and as a fan of the campy movie, I thought it sounded kind of stupid (yes, I'm aware of how stupid the movie is, so shut it). Thus, it went by completely off my radar.

Then, in 2008, I decided to rekindle a love affair with vampires that had remained dormant since my teen years and repeated viewings of "Interview with a Vampire." Me + Twilight series = BFF! Then True Blood! And the Sookie Stackhouse novels! It started to feel strange that people in my life WEREN'T vampires... After I had read the books (*COUGH*four times*COUGH*), and season 2 of True Blood ended, and New Moon the movie was far on the horizon, I suffered withdrawl of the vamp. What now? There's nothing new.

Also in 2008, I decided to develop a wee little crush on David Boreanaz, started by TNT airing reruns of Bones. (I friggin' love Bones.) I had never been one of those fan girls that found Angel attractive (or Spike either, for that matter), and I didn't understand it. Then, Special Agent Seeley Booth happened, and I said, "OH, I get it now!" Jack and I had been watching the entire series of Bones via Netflix, and that was quickly coming to an end. What now, indeed??

And so, I watched the entire first season of Buffy on Hulu in virtually one evening.

Now, I'm on season seven (the last season!!), and I definitely get what all the hubbub was about. It's really great television. Interesting story lines that actually take me by surprise, unexpected deaths, awesome Big Bad villains, cheesy effects, even cheesier demons, ridiculously brilliant dialogue, and generally all the things that I love about TV. Plus, musical episode? Hello? Love it. I'm hooked, for reals.

After this is over, though... what now?? It never ends...

My Grandpa

Looking over my last entry makes me smile, because I was so hopeful. My quite beloved grandpa died 3 days after I wrote that. I was able to see him on the 30th (though he slept the entire day), and I kissed his fuzzy little head and giggled at his stubble (Grandpa not clean shaven was something I had never seen) and I told him I loved him and that I wouldn't be angry if he left. So, the next morning, he did. It was peaceful and painless, and it's pretty much all we can all hope for in this world: to go quietly in your sleep surrounded by loved ones holding your hands and stroking your face.

Then, I had the most surreal birthday imaginable, where I was awakened by my parents and brother singing Happy Birthday at 8:04 am (my exact birthday), doughnuts and Dunkies, watching Sunday Morning in the sun room (G-ma and G-pa's Sunday tradition), staving off all birthday wishes if possible, and looking through album after album after ALBUM of pictures for ones to use at the viewing and funeral. I looked through all the pictures Grandpa deemed worthy of albums from 1982 until 2002, when he started keeping them online. Tony went through the computer, looking through slides from the 50's until... well, 1982, I guess, and then the others kept online.

Those who know the Borashes are well aware that we are some picture and video taking people. My mom documented every Prom, every band trip, every play with her Pentax 35mm camera, making us pose and taking beautiful pictures that some people liked more than their official Prom photo. My dad, however, is much worse. My life is literally on video. Every play, every concert from school and church, every milestone, every everything is on tape. Some friends have stated that they didn't know what my dad's full face looked like until after high school, when the camera was small enough to be handheld. In case you were wondering, we got that from Grandpa. Holy crap, did we ever.

We spent the next few days in a family bubble. When we went out into the real world, it was jarring and strange. I preferred to stay at Grandma's or our hotel. Being outside didn't feel right. I wanted the comfort of Jack and my family, and we all needed to be together. It was actually kind of nice. Usually, when we're all packed in one place like that, it gets really tense. There were moments, but we managed. Now, we have to look toward the future. None of us knows what is to come, but we know now that we can face it together.

Also, I've been watching so much Buffy lately, it's kind of insane. However, it kept my mind from reeling, and that was just what I needed.

Trying Not To But Still...

Stressing.

So my grandpa has pretty much been sick off and on for a long time. He's 83 now, so that sort of comes with the territory. He was taken to the hospital yesterday because he was very weak. They gave him some fluids and meds, and his doctor(s) are figuring out what will be better for him since his new regimen is OBVIOUSLY not working as well as it should. Presently, I have no reason to be stressed, but I am still on edge.

He's been my only grandpa. Ever. My mom never really knew her dad, and her granpda that raised her died before I was born. I have had 3 grandmothers (my mom's bio-mom, her grandmother that raised her, and my dad's mom), 1 great-grandmother, and him. He's been my lone grandpa, and he is totally awesome. He's kind and happy and love-love-loves his grandkids. He treats us all like we are important and special to him, and it's something I cherish. As I've gotten older, I have loved to talk to him and see how his sense of humor is something that has been passed to me. I feel proud when I can make my granpda giggle, and I love the fact that he finds my jokes funny. We've had a nice bond as I've grown, and I like that our relationship has changed to where he doesn't treat me like a child, despite the fact that I am 55 years younger than him.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself by thinking of this, and he's been in the hospital before. Somehow, though, this is really getting to me. I know whatever will be will be (the future's not ours to see, que sera sera...), but still. Ugh.

On a happier note, I'm quite excited to go to "This Is It" with Lindsey tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to my b-day on Sunday. I haven't been running this week due to rain, so hopefully tonight will be a good night for it. I really wish we had the room/money for a treadmill so I could run at home when it rains and watch Buffy while I run. Then it would feel like I'm running toward David Boreanaz, which sounds quite lovely...

Varina Blue Devils party like it's 1999?

Lately, there has been some hilarious drama and speculation about my 10 year high school reunion. The class of 1999 planning committee (i.e. two girls who were student council members in 1999) sent out emails about 9-10 months ago, stating that we needed to send them $50 so we could have a reunion. While I understand that it costs a lot of money to put on one of these things, I had no idea where I was going to be 10 days from then. How could I possibly know if I would be able to attend the reunion 10 MONTHS from that email? So, no, I sent nothing in.

Apparently, neither did any of the other 300 people I graduated with.

Now, people are p-i-s-e-d. We are (according to facts on Facebook) the first class in FORTY-TWO YEARS to not have a 10 year reunion. That is so terribly hilarious, it hurts a little. One of the girls who sent out the aforementioned email has since gotten married and the other has a baby and, according to stories heard recently, too many other things to worry about. So, people on Facebook have decided to send messages to the newlywed about the reunion. This started one of the best back-and-forth status comment wars I have seen in a long time, with the newlywed’s OLDER SISTER telling people that they are bitter and unhappy and need prayers for a better life.

Are we actually ADULTS?

I don’t know why I’m surprised by any of this. Varina is a very interesting place to grow up. It’s a huge and varied area, and so you get people like me who grew up VERY close to the Richmond City limits and people who grew up in farm country with cows and corn and jacked-up trucks and… you get the picture. Anyway, you get those two groups of people in the same school, which makes for a weird setting. In addition, though it’s near the city, it’s very isolated so you have to make your own fun. Boredom leads to stupid decisions, and then you find out all your friends have slept with the same guy who is now trying (quite unsuccessfully) to hit on you. Everyone knows everyone’s business, and that’s how we thrive. Drama and gossip are a way of life in Varina.

The weirdest part is that, it follows you. I have not lived in Richmond since 2005, and I can’t escape the drama. Worse than that, I kind of love it. Varina drama is my favorite kind because it rarely involves me. I have a friend from my high school days that also went to JMU with me, and we’ve been able to continue our relationship into something better than it was at the start. Part of this is because we both love the drama, but it’s also because we were always on the outside using common sense, watching our friends make terrible mistakes. All of his friends “dated” all of my friends, and we are the lucky ones that escaped virtually unscathed.
So now, I find myself in the midst of the newest drama, and it’s funny and nostalgic and probably more entertaining than an actual reunion would ever be, but it still makes me a little sad. Are we all so caught up in the past that we can’t get over ourselves? Does it matter what someone said to me or what I said to others when I was 14? I know people have lots of different views about who I was and what I used to do, but I’m a different person now. I don’t care if we never spoke in high school; I like to talk to people and find out where they are. I like to think about the decisions they made and see how they have thrived. I spent 13 years with some of these people, and I think that means something. Thinking about this has made me realize that, as much as I mocked and teased about this, I would have liked to attend a reunion.

So, instead of the traditional reunion, my BFF Lindsey and I are planning to celebrate 10 years since high school and over 20 years of friendship by going to Mars bar in Richmond and dancing and laughing and talking about how dumb we were and probably still are. I don’t know when this will happen, but I’m already looking forward to it. (If you’ve never had the chance to go to Mars bar, lemme tell you, it’s totally awesome. 80’s music and good drinks and no one is there to impress anyone else? My kind of place!) I say, everyone else do the same. Find that person from your old days that makes you happy, and celebrate your past and present and future. Clink your glasses and make a toast to 10 more years of drama and stories. 10 more years of friendship. 10 more years until we get to do this all over again!

Tuesday Telly

I hate that there are so many great things on TV on Thursday, and then there's Tuesday. There's 90210, which I think I might have to break up with, and The Biggest Loser, which I actually like to watch while I eat junk food. Which defeats the purpose of watching it. Either way, why can't Vampire Diaries come on tonight? Why must Thursday be packed full of awesome hotness? Bones, VampDiaries, The Office, Community, and Grey's? (Warning: some awesome may be much greater than others.) However, on the Tuesday front, I've already eaten some ice cream, so now all I have to do is cry over the sad stories and the drama and the "LAST CHANCE WORKOUTS!"

Speaking of tears and workouts, I am officially. For Real This Time. Trying to run. I found this couch-to-5K thing online, and so I thought I'd try it. It takes like 9 weeks, and I'll be running 3.1 miles by the end of it. It seems to be subtle enough that I could do it. I really need to do something, and I've felt like I'd like running for years. However, every time I try, I get fed up and I stop. There's no reason for me to do that. This past weekend at the AIDS walk was a real motivator to do something with my life, to do something with myself. It's all up to me, and I know I can do it.

Must go now. Dog needs petting.

well it's a shame, i'm a dream.

I've been listening to Paramore's new album via YouTube the past few days. They were streaming it from their website, which crashed, and then they moved it to Myspace, which I can't look at from work. A total stranger who is my new best friend put the entire album online, and hence, YouTube. The last track on the new CD, "All I Wanted," is incredible. I've listened to it lots of times today, at least into double digits. I love it.

That's all.

change is gonna come.

I decided to change the look of things around here just a bit. It was getting boring. Now, something that is hilarious to me, the picture at the top covers knitting AND television. And Grey's Anatomy. I probably should have posted a picture of a vampire since they are my current most fave thing, but alas, I don't know if they knit. Pam does needlepoint, but True Blood has not caught up with Sookie's books yet...

THINGS I AM EXCITED FOR:
+new Paramore album on Tuesday
+thinking of things to knit
+all the awesome TV on tonite (vampire diaries, bones, the office, grey's)
+the possibility of seeing an old friend this weekend
+new moon in november

random television

Am I the only person that still watches Grey's Anatomy? I know it's nowhere near as good and cheesy as it used to be, but still, I like it. I think it's replaced that hole in my heart from when Dr. Greene died and I stopped watching ER.

In other news, "The Secret Garden" is on STARZ right now, and I'm too excited. I L-O-V-E-D this movie when I was little, the book too, and now I'm all glad it's on. This is a bizarre plot for a children's book. A bed-ridden hypochondriac that's in love with his cousin, a Huck Finn-esque local boy who speaks to animals, and a bitchy emo orphan girl who's obsessed with gardens? Random. However, Dame Maggie Smith is the nurse, and she rules.

Updates

I haven't posted anything here in such a long time. I would like to start posting more regularly, but as you know, promises, promises. Either way, here's a quick update on where I've been since President Obama took his oath of office.

I worked in Reston at the law office that shall remain nameless until June, when I took my new position for Albemarle County in Charlottesville, VA. I'm working for the superintendent's office, and it's been pretty great so far. Great people, GREAT supervisor, great environment, so much happier and less dysfunctional than my last position. I'm hoping to stay here for a while.

Also, we got a dog, Leela (as you can see). She's a lab lite, as I say, because she's a black lab mix that makes her smaller than an average lab. People think she's still a puppy, and I use that to give excuses for her crazy behavior, like when she tried to crawl through the iron gate at our new place and got stuck in front of the president of the HOA. She fits in well with us, and we love her.

So, that's about it for now. Hopefully, I'll be able to update this more with rants, tirades, opinions, and pictures of things. Take it easy!

yes, we can.

i can't believe this day.  i don't know if i'll ever fully appreciate what i witnessed.  at the same time, i don't think i'll ever forget every minute of this historic event.  though it might be a silly story to tell my someday children about how i drank a magners, scarfed a BLT, and fought off tears as i watched president(!) obama being sworn in at "table 4 ladies," but i will certainly tell them.

there's nothing i can say that hasn't been said already.  there are no new thoughts i can have regarding these events.  all i can say is that i feel blessed and exhilarated that i am an american.  it's such a change to feel like that.  i love it.