Solo i sogni sono veri...

Day 03 → Your favourite television program

2011-11-29T20:45:00.000+01:00

OMG, do I have to chose one? No right? I can't... I need to at least be able to chose 5: Sex And The City Buffy The Vampire Slayer Lost Grey's Anatomy Gilmore Girls Edit: Since I cheated, I figured I'd add my one and only choice also and that would be Buffy :)

Wednesday Wickedness - Taylor Swift

2010-05-04T22:59:00.004+02:00

1. "I never want to change so much that people can't recognize me." Do you believe people can truly change?
I think the can do a certain degree and if they're really willing to do it.

2. "People haven't always been there for me but music always has." Do you have people in your life you could always count on?
Yes, definitely.

3. "I’m intimidated by the fear of being average." Do you think there is anything wrong with being average?
God, it depends I guess. I mean if one is happy being average, power to them.

4. "Never believe anyone who says you don't deserve what you want." Do you believe you deserve everything you want?
I guess I think I do because I want it but if I objectively deserve everything I want I don't know...

5. "I have to believe in fairytales and I have to believe in love." Do you believe in fairy tale love?
Mmmh, I'm not sure if fairy tale in the most literal sense exists but love definitely does.

6. "I wouldn't want to date a pushover who would let me make all the plans and have all the control." Do you believe in sharing the control in your relationships?
Yes, shared decisions are the best way to go and sometimes a compromis is needed to keep all parties happy.

7. "Sometimes [finding new friends] is the best thing about dating. I've met so many friends through guys that I've dated. And now, the guys are gone but the girls are still around." Did you ever make a close friend from someone that you've dated?
No.

8. "But there are a lot of rumors out there that you just have to ignore." Has anyone ever spread something malicious about you?
Not that I know about.

9. "I set goals that are just a little bit out of reach, but not totally out of reach." How do you go about setting your goals?
Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will be among the stars.

10. "I remember seeing girls crying in the bathroom every Monday about what they did at a party that weekend. I never wanted to be that girl." Have you ever done something at a party that you've ever regretted?
Not really.

TV & Movie Meme Day 7

2010-05-04T22:51:00.000+02:00

Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite t.v show

God! I don't know...since I don't really do episodes. I guess any episode in which a favorite character dies or leaves.

Day 07 - The most surprising plot twist or ending

Back in the day I was very surprised by The Sixth Sense. The Others also.

TV & Movie Meme Day 6

2010-05-03T14:38:00.000+02:00

Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite t.v show

I'm always bad at remembering episodes... I do remember that I always thought that "Hush" from Buffy was brilliant.

Day 06 - Favorite made for TV movie

I don't think I have one!

TV & Movie Meme Day 5

2010-05-03T14:35:00.002+02:00

Day 05 - A show you hate

I don't really hate any show, or at least not something I can think off but I don't like The Office, I gave it a try but I just can't get into it. Another thing I can never really get into are British shows, comedies mostly.

Day 05 - Favorite love story in a movie

Notting Hill ♥

Saturday 9

2010-05-01T15:35:00.003+02:00

1. Tell us about one thing that you'd change about yourself if you could.
Lose some weight.

2. Mattel decides to make a Barbie-like (or Ken-like) doll of you -- what would be the most important accessory or accessories they would absolutely have to package you with in order to portray your lifestyle?
My laptop

3. Hey, do you like surprises? If yes, what kinds?
Love them! Anything I guess.

4. What was the last snail mail that you received that was significant?
Tea from a swap.

5. If you could pick out a brand new nickname for yourself, what would you choose and why?
I have no idea whatsoever...I've always been bad at thinking of nicknames.

6. John Edward's mistress was on Oprah this past Thursday. She stated that no third person can break up a marriage, so it had to be broken before the two started doing the nasty. Do you buy that?
No, I definitely think that somebody can seduce a person and break up a marriage that way. Although of course for somebody to fall in love with another person maybe something has been wrong before already but even then I think that it could happen to anybody that they fall in love with another person,

7. Do you think it is okay to keep secrets from your s/o?
Depends on what it is but in general I don't think it's okay to keep secrets.

8. Have you ever played Truth or Dare? If yes, what's the weirdest dare that you did?
Yes and I can't remember. Been ages since I really played.

9. What, in hindsight, the stupidest thing that you have ever done?
God, I have probably done a lot of stupid things but I don't think I can think of the stupidest thing I have ever done...

TV & Movie Meme Day 4

2010-05-01T15:33:00.001+02:00

Day 04 - Your favorite show ever

Oh my... Buffy I guess. Or Gilmore Girls. Or Sex And The City? No, Grey's Anatomy! Or shall I say Lost? I can't choose!

Day 04 - A movie that makes you sad

Less Than Zero

Friday Fill-In

2010-04-30T20:08:00.003+02:00

1. I was at work earlier.
2. I read and I left my book with a pen inside.
3. Why does the weekend always go by so quickly.
4. Winand was in my thoughts today.
5. One of my father's favorite sayings was ______________
6. *headdesk*--I know that feeling!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to see some friends and have a drink, tomorrow my plans include seeing Iron Man 2 and Sunday, I want to relax and see a friend!

TV & Movie Meme Day 3

2010-04-30T20:04:00.002+02:00

Day 03 - Your favorite new show ( aired this t.v season)

Without a doubt, Glee!

Day 03 - A movie that makes you really happy

Love Actually, it's just one of those movies that never fails to bring a smile to your face.

TV & Movie Meme Day 2

2010-04-30T00:06:00.000+02:00

Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching

In Treament! I don't think I know anybody who watches it.

Day 02 - The most underrated movie

Mmmh...I have no idea really. I'm just gonna say something, The Hours.

Wednesday Wickedness - Brad Pitt

2010-04-29T00:03:00.004+02:00

1. "I've got a hard time with morals. All I know is what feels right, what's more important to me is being honest about who you are. Morals I get a little hung up on.” Do you ever have a hard time with morals?
I guess for me it's also more what feels right than what society says is right.

2. “Being married means I can [break wind] and eat ice cream in bed.” Do you eat in bed? If yes, what?
Not on a regular basis but I have sometimes brough a snack to bed while watching TV in bed.

3. “I phoned my grandparents and my grandfather said 'we saw your movie'. 'Which one?' I said. He shouted 'Betty, what was the name of that movie I didn't like?” What was the last movie you hated and why?
New Moon because it was just plain bad. The acting, the special effects, the story, everything.

4. “We made a plan at school to meet in her garage and kiss. It was like this little business deal. I kissed her and then I ran home.” Did you make 'a plan' the first time you made love or did it just happen?
It just happened, nothing planned long time ahead except for the relationship moving forward.

5. “You must lose everything in order to gain anything.” Have you ever felt that you lost it all? If yes, explain.
I can't say I have.

6. “We did a little training in the beginning, ... But again, these guys aren't supposed to be skilled fighters.” When were you last time that you were in a fight (physical or not)?
Physical is ages ago. Generally, I can't really remember actually! I have little arguments with my bf a lot but a real fight is some time ago I think.

7. “My week consists ... five days out of the seven I've got at least three cars of paparazzi on me that I've got to either lose or whatever.” Have you ever been stalked?
Luckily I can say no!

8. “I mean, that's the modified self-help version of the psychology, I guess.” Do you believe in 'self help' for problems, or do you prefer therapy?
It depends on what the problem is I think and it's different for everybody but I guess in most cases therapy is the best, just having somebody to help you through whatever is going on.

9. “Fame is a bitch, man.” Do you agree that fame is lousy or would you love to give it a try? Why?
I think it can be pretty tiring to not be able to live a completely normal life and be recognized everywhere, especially if you're known all over the world. But I guess there are some perks to it also. I'd say I'd try it for a little while but I most likely prefer my anonymous life.

10. “I have always been somebody that really wants to be married. And I don't know if that's just so I can do it differently than my parents did and prove marriage does work.” Do you believe in forever, as in 'love forever'?
I think it exists but I'm also afraid to talk about forever because well it's forever, it scares me.

TV & Movie Meme

2010-04-28T23:50:00.001+02:00

Found here:

Day 01- A show that should have never been canceled

OMG I cannot only name one! Buffy, Gilmore Girls, SATC. Although I have to say that maybe for GG and SATC it was also time to stop although with GG I would have liked to see Rory actually venture out into the real world.

Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching
Day 03 - Your favorite new show ( aired this t.v season)
Day 04 - Your favorite show ever
Day 05 - A show you hate
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite t.v show
Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite t.v show
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite mini series
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
Day 19 - Best t.v show cast
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First t.v show obsession
Day 29 - Current t.v show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death

Stealing also the movie variation from the same place:

Day 01- The best movie you saw during the last year

I'm going to take this not as 2009 (because that was a sucky movie year) but as just 12 months. In that case it's a tie between Sherlock Holmes and Up In The Air.

Day 02 - The most underrated movie
Day 03 - A movie that makes you really happy
Day 04 - A movie that makes you sad
Day 05 - Favorite love story in a movie
Day 06 - Favorite made for TV movie
Day 07 - The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 08 - A movie that you’ve seen countless times
Day 09 - A movie with the best soundtrack
Day 10 - Favorite classic movie
Day 11 - A movie that changed your opinion about something
Day 12 - A movie that you hate
Day 13 - A movie that is a guilty pleasure
Day 14 - A movie that no one would expect you to love
Day 15 - A character who you can relate to the most
Day 16 - A movie that you used to love but now hate
Day 17 - A movie that disappointed you the most
Day 18 - A movie that you wish more people would’ve seen
Day 19 - Favorite movie based on a book/comic/etc.
Day 20 - Favorite movie from your favorite actor/actress
Day 21 - Favorite action movie
Day 22 - Favorite documentary
Day 23 - Favorite animation
Day 24 - That one awesome movie idea that still hasn’t been done yet
Day 25 - The most hilarious movie you’ve ever seen
Day 26 - A movie that you love but everyone else hates
Day 27 - A movie that you wish you had seen in theaters
Day 28 - Favorite movie from your favorite director
Day 29 - A movie from your childhood
Day 30 - Your favorite movie of all time

Puppy loves me!

2010-04-27T01:24:00.001+02:00

I think it's amazing how a puppy can get attached to people so quickly and in a way that there's complete trust and dependence on his part. He needs us for everything. And then there's all that love that is given back, it's amazing how even in a short time he knows all his people and gets excited. Even when I go upstairs for 5 minutes and then come back he's waiting for me and happy to see me again. When I go to work and come back he's usually really crazy to see me again, as long as he isn't busy doing anything. Even when you get mad at him when he does things he isn't allowed to (mostly "bite" us in that playing way puppies do), he'll still come over wanting to play or to be loved. Best thing ever is when he walks over, jumps up my leg and wants to come and sleep on my lap. I always hate waking him up when I have to put him in his own bed because I have to get up.

He stays with my aunt and uncle for the time being when nobody's home because he's still so young and I don't like to put him in a crate and leave him alone for a couple of hours. Once he's house trained he'll be taught to stay alone for longer periods of time and he can just walk around the house as he pleases.

I felt so bad tonight, I accidentally stepped on a paw, didn't see him. I got up and he was roaming around and apparently following me as he usually does. Was actually getting something for him and when I turned around I stepped on his little paw, badly. He ran away crying in a way I had never heard before. I felt so so so bad but he was fine afterwards. I still feel totally bad about it but I couldn't help it, I really didn't see him behind me. Luckily he was only in pain and nothing really bad happened as he was normal again afterwards. I knew things were okay with us again when not long after he wanted to come on my lap and cuddle.

I melt away every time he looks at me with those big dark puppy eyes...

Flickr Meme

2010-04-25T16:37:00.006+02:00

1. chiara 2, 2. Sucked In By Pasta, 3. Rolduc Abbey, 4. Visions Of Blue, 5. Gianna Nannini Style, 6. coke zero cartoon, 7. USA 2004 (September 19th) Utah, Arches National Park, 8. Cheese cake de Jamie Oliver, 9. don't worry be happy new year, 10. .freedom., 11. Le Carnaval de Nice - 1 : flying papers12. Not available

Here’s how it works:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker. Choose 3 columns with 4 rows.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your online moniker.

Wednesday Wickedness - George Clooney

2010-04-24T22:20:00.003+02:00

1. "I grew up in the world of bad television, on my dad's sets and then as a young schmuck on dating shows and so on." What is your all time worst TV show and why?
I have watched a lot of TV shows and a lot of them were crap...

2. "I'm certainly the last person to give advice on, well, anything." Where do you get advice?
Family and friends.

3. "Run for office? No. I've slept with too many women, I've done too many drugs, and I've been to too many parties." What celebrity do you think could make a run for office?
George Clooney ;) Ellen Degeneres Meryl Streep

4. "The only failure is not to try." Tell us about a recent failure.
Not going to a class I signed up for. I don't have to take classes anymore but I wanted to attend this one because it really sounded like it could be of interest to me. I only missed the first lecture so far, can always try again on Monday.

5. "After doing One Fine Day and playing a pediatrician on ER, I'll never have kids. I'm going to have a vasectomy." If you have kids, tell us about them. If not, would you want them?
Don't have them but I guess I'll want them eventually. I'm 30 already so the clock is ticking but I don't feel particularly ready yet. I still want to do some traveling and just be "free".

6. "You have only a short period of time in your life to make your mark, and I'm there now." Have you made your mark yet?
I don't think so.

7. "I don't believe in happy endings, but I do believe in happy travels, because ultimately, you die at a very young age, or you live long enough to watch your friends die. It's a mean thing, life." Do you believe in happy endings?
Yes, I'm an optimist!

8. "I was in a bar and I said to a friend, 'You know, we've become those 40-year-old guys we used to look at and say, 'Isn't it sad?'" Have you ever felt that way?
Hahaha, yeah sometimes I feel kinda old when I realize I'm actually already 30 yet I don't feel like it for real.

9. "I'd think, 'In a relationship, we should never have this kind of fight.' Then, instead of figuring out how to make it work, I looked for a way to get out of it. The truth is, you shouldn't be married if you're that kind of person." Have you ever left a relationship that you later regretted?
No.

10. "I'm the flavor of the month." What celebrity is your flavor of the month?
Matthew Morrison! Or rather his character Will Schuester on Glee

Saturday 9

2010-04-24T21:57:00.004+02:00

Saturday 9: I Want to Hold Your Hand

1. What do you notice about other people's hands?
Mmmh, I'm not sure now but probably nails, if they're long or short and if they're clean. Oh, and their skin, smooth or not.

2. If someone was nosing around your house, what would you hope they wouldn't see?
My chaos!

3. Do you think that the more stuff you own enhances your life or adds to your burden?
It depends on what I guess but in the end it accumulating too much stuff will most like add to your burden.

4. What was the last movie you saw in the theatre?
Valentine's Day

5. What do you have under your bed?
Some old magazines, dust and a pair of Crocs as I discovered a short while ago after I had been looking for them for a while.

6. What do you think your s/o or best friend would say about what makes you unique?
I don't really like to talk about myself... Uhm, uhm, uhm, I don't know!

7. What's your current favorite TV commercial?
I never watch them so don't have one.

8. Who do you owe a phone call to?
I guess some of my friends as I'm always a bit phone lazy.

9. Do you know about my friend's new meme Wednesday Wickedness? Will you give it a try this week just for me? Please? :)
Sure! Will head over now :)

Crystal Bowersox People Get Ready

2010-04-24T21:48:00.000+02:00

Friday Fill-In

2010-04-24T20:23:00.006+02:00

1. Where are my Glee DVDs?
2. If wishes were horses I'd feel the same way.
3. I'd like to see Gianna Nannini.
4. When I was a teen, I thought I was a skater girl.
5. One of my mother's favorite sayings was there are pencils and people, both write.
6. I'd have a hard time doing without my friends.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to be early, tomorrow my plans include no idea yet and Sunday, I want to read!

2010-04-24T19:41:00.001+02:00

Some TV...

American Idol:

I think the safe for Big Mike was okay although I would have rather seen them hold it in case Casey, Crystal or Lee are in danger sometime but I guess they probably aren't really high risk... Big Mike has a great voice but he's just not my kind of singer I guess. Andrew on the other hand, I really liked his voice! It's got something special you don't hear every day. I know he hasn't been performing all too well and all that but still him over Tim? And Aaron? Who looks like a little boy dressed up as an adult man... Even though I never really liked Katie, she does have a great voice and I do think she deserved to stay over Tim. I mean even though she has done old stuff from time to time, her vocals have been pretty good all over which can't be said of Tim and that smile and hairdo and those eyes are really starting to annoy him. I guess though he won't be in there till the end, I mean he can't make it further than Lee, Casey or Crystal right???

Glee:

Woooo, it's back!! Missed it so much and watching made me realize how much I did. Love this show so much and I want to go and make out with Schue on his couch.

I'm glad TV slowly seems to be getting back to normal finally, ever since the Olympics it seems like everything has been out of wack. Hope everything stays like it is now, I miss having the Monday comedies and House every week! Is anybody watching The Middle? It's so funny, love it! Especially Brick, the little boy is hilarious! I really like Modern Family also, nice to have some new comedy shows that are actually funny. I really need to check out Parenthood, I can't believe I still haven't...I do have all the episodes waiting on my laptop to be watched. I'm also way behind with a lot of other shows because I started a Grey's rewatch a while ago when I was bored because the laptop crashed and then I couldn't stop. Been on a pause now because I've been catching up with some shows at least but I'll soon watch the second half of season four and then season five :) Of course it made me fall in love with McDreamy all over again.

Puppy!

2010-04-16T01:45:00.000+02:00

We got a puppy!! He's a Pug/Jack Russell mix, which apparently is called a "Jug". Didn't know about the Jug thing, a friend of mine found it out. Apparently it's some new designer breed, had no idea, thought it was just a mutt, which I'm pretty sure in my case it is because as it seems in Europe nobody knows Jugs and he's from a private guy whose dog just got pregnant I think. Or well maybe he wanted to make some money and had her get puppies, no idea but I'm pretty sure he isn't aware of the breed thing. He's the most adorable thing ever and called Winand, which was my mom's uncle's name. He was like a grandpa to me and a dad to her and we were really close to him up till his death (we took care of him when he got ill). Had it been a girl, she would have been named Keetie which was my grandma's name. He's now 6 weeks and here for a little more than a week and totally feeling at home. So far he's very lovable except that he wants to chew everything as all puppies do but it will pass...I hope LOL He's slowly getting housebroken and it's going well, he definitely knows what he's outside for but of course accidents happen and well he pees a lot, sometimes you just have to turn around and he's peed again. Most of the time he's pretty sweet but he can also be quite the rascal and he loves running around and playing. The cutest thing is when he wakes up after sleeping in his bed and then comes to scratch my leg because wants to be on my lap and sleep some more there.

American Idol 9X24

2010-03-24T20:15:00.000+01:00

Miley Cyrus LOL

Lee: Loving him!! I already loved him and his voice but he's great this time!

Paige: Yeah, I'd sit down with those shoes also. I love that song and I her voice has kinda sorta grown onto me but this is not working at all. When she's deep it's okay but other than that...and even those parts I don't like. I agree with Kara, it was the worst she has done so far. I guess she's gone this week.

Tim: Singing a bit better and such a difference from the rather shy boy we have gotten to know but it all feels fake. But he's still far from being a favorite LOL We've gone from Glee to High School Music now? She's right though and listening to all the girls screaming. If he wouldn't have those he probably wouldn't be around.

Crystal's doing Janis!! Woohoo!!

Aaron: He kinda annoys me already just sitting on that stool. He acts so old. And those shoes he's always wearing... Aaaaw, he's got a crush on Miley, how cute. Miley that face didn't go with your comment. I don't know why they always keep raven about the kid's voice, not a fan here. Also his performance was boring.

Crystal: You rock girl!! If anybody can take on Janis she can. Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose... Wonderful song. Yes Ellen! Crystal is so modest and shy about what she can do.

Mike: Perfect song choice for him and he's doing great!

Andrew: He's good tonight! And he's gone another route, I like it.

Katie: Well, she's still Katie. And I don't like it. She is younger however, that's something. I guess I do kinda agree with Kara that this song is much better and this style is better for her.

Casey: LOL He's a fan of her dad! Well, of course he isn't a fan of yours Miley. Love his performance as usual. Casey rocks!!

Didi: I like her and I like her voice as usual but the problem with her is that there are people like Crystal, Siobhan, Casey and Lee around who I just like more, style and voice wise. And her performance isn't really convincing this time I guess.

Siobhan: What can I say? She's as great as usual! But...screaming again? LOL

Miley sitting there in the audience chewing gum with her mouth open is to die for.

Favorites: Crystal, Casey, Siobhan and Lee deserves a spot in there out

Bottom three: Paige, Tim, Aaron (maybe Katie)

American Idol 9X22

2010-03-17T22:08:00.000+01:00

Michael: I like his performance and voice but not sure if it's the right stuff for his voice and not really fond of the arrangement I guess... He's just not really a rock star.

Didi: She's adorable. And she's good tonight, loving it! The "playing with fire" parts are giving me chills. I agree with Kara, the combination of the sweetness and eeriness was amazing.

Casey: OMG his mom is a superfan. Good, somebody is doing something more rock! Love him and all but maybe that was a bit boring? Didi was more interesting I guess. Still loved it. And Ellen is hilarious "for people like me" LMAOOOO!! And that joke Ryan made was a bit weird and not really funny I think, nobody seemed to get it either.

Lacey: Nice haircut when she was like 5 LOL Wow, those shoes! I'd keel over immediately. She likes to sit down huh? I like her performance, especially the refrain and her voice is interesting I think. LOLOL Ellen!!

Andrew: Why doesn't his mom say a word? Loving this! Maybe the best peformance so far...

Katie: Oi, Katie, I wonder if she's going to embarrass herself with the Stones. Her necklace and dress are to die for. Quite boring performance but her voice is pretty good...

Tim: I quite like this but not sure if it's great.

Shioban: Curious what she's gonna do. Ooh, Paint It Black! Fits her. Sounds good but I really hope she'll change it up at some point, otherwise boring. Okay, yes!! Great! And Doc Martins for the win. Oh, they're not Docs but cool boots all the same. The glasses thing was kinda cute.

Lee: Sounds great! I love his voice.

Paige: My brother and me, girl, not I! Anyway... /grammar police. Her performance is actually quite good! I never really liked her but not disliking this one. The outfit is to die for though, those shorts...

Aaron: He doesn't know why he can sing because his mom can't? Uhm, they just talked about you being adopted! Not really liking that performance, he also acts too old for his age and well it's boring. His movements on stage annoy me.

Crystal: Amazing, love it!

Favorites: Crystal, Shiobhan, Casey, Andrew, Didi, Lee
Out: Aaron, Katie (I wish LOL) But I guess it's Tim and Lacey

American Idol 9X21

2010-03-12T19:54:00.000+01:00

SERIOUSLY KATIE OVER LILLY? SERIOUSLY? Kinda sad to see Katelyn go also, I really liked her and she's adorable... The boys I don't mind so much. Would have hoped more to see Aaron go but I'm glad all my favorite boys are still around. Although I did really like Todrick this week but as Simon said he's a Broadway singer and I'm sure he'll make it somehow. But really, Lilly?!?!

American Idol 9X20

2010-03-11T23:18:00.000+01:00

Lee, one of my favs and although this was a bit boring I loved him. His voice is great and I just love him. YUp I definitely agree with Simon.

Alex with his mullet... Don't know what to think, a bit boring I guess and not a big fan of his voice but he's still better than Todrick and Tim I think and he'll probably make it through. "A cocky banana" LOL

Tim's doing Hallelujah?? OMG He isn't bad at all! I actually quite like him. With this he definitely has a big chance to stay on. Aaaaaw, Ellen! I hope he remains. I'm more for getting Aaron out anyway, he's just too young and has a bit of that Katie vibe going on.

Andrew, woo! Christina LOL Am curious... Sounds good! Love it. And I love how this guy just goes up there and sings Christina Aguilera and Paula Abdul.

Casey looks much better with his hair like that! Keith Urban, makes me think of polvodestrella :) And yes I still love Casey, one of my favs. If not my favorite. I do think that Randy has a point, he could rock more. Then again, Ellen has a point also. Casey is so pretty...

Aaron, no I'm not really liking that. Too old for him! And I don't really like the song itself. Glad Simon finally said something about the "do this, do that" because I was kinda wondering about this also. One week they tell them to do something and another time they tell them to not do that but to do something else. Or it seems.

Todrick, I do kinda love him in his own way and I actually really like this. He's finally singing and not really doing special effects. Also his jacket is cute. I was actually thinking he should be voted off tonight because there are others that are better but now, please leave him in!

Big Mike! Oh, those notes! LOL Ok, better now. Big Mike can sing, wow! Not my style but he's good! I like Kara but she kinda likes to put on a show huh?

Wow the guys were really quite good tonight..difficult!

Favorites: Casey, Andrew, Lee but Tim and Mike were amazing also and Todrick is back! I can't decide but Casey, Andrew and Lee are my overall favs so far of all the shows we've had.
Out: Aaron and Adam

American Idol 9X19

2010-03-10T15:33:00.000+01:00

LOL @ Ellen and Simon

Katie...well she's got a younger song this time but I still don't like her. She's got a good voice and all but it stops at that. Nothing special. And she still seems so old, even with the young song... Also her performance was boring. Completely agree with the judges. I think and hope she's out this week! Okay girl...you feel the song? Then show it! LOL

Shioban, woooo! Can't wait to hear her. Her way of talking annoys me a bit though. Not the best song but she's doing a good job in my opinion. Still like her. She's got some voice... Love what Randy said, yes it's amazing that she's just doing her thing and she doesn't try to be commercial. And yes Ellen, even though I didn't like the song I got chills from it.

Lacey, I like you better when you sing deeper. Keep away from the notes that are too high for you. Also sitting down while singing isn't the best technique, there's more air when you stand up. Also the performance was a bit boring...but I still kinda like her and her voice.

Oooh, Carole King!! Go Katelyn! Great song choice girl. My favorite performance so far!! Love, love, love it. Perfect song for her and her voice is amazing. She was great already with Coldplay last week. I love that she can do such different things. And the judges didn't like her...mmh.

Didi, I hope she'll do a better job tonight. Glad she's playing her guitar bt not sure if I like it. A bit boring. I do kinda love her voice though, she's a perfect singer songwriter.

Paige...wow Smile, nobody can do that better than Robert Downey Jr. in my opinion but I'm kind biased. It's a bit of a boring song though, wonderful lyrics but boring song. And yes a boring performance. Not sure if many people are going to vote for her. I guess we won't see her again next week.

Crystal! She always feels uncomfortable when being announced it seems. Definitely the best of the night!! Girl you rock and you got an amazing voice.

Lilly, wow again! Loved her and still love he

Favorites: Crystal, Lilly, Katelyn (followed by Shioban, Didi and Lacey.
Out: Katie, Paige

American Idol 9X16, 9X17, 9X18

2010-03-05T22:25:00.000+01:00

Wow, Mike!! This was one great performance, loved it! And I agree with the judges, he's really shown what he's got tonight. I liked him a lot before already also but he's gotten better.

John, he's gonna do John Mayer...at least that promises something less boring. Okay, that is pretty boring after all. I guess boring is just his style LOL He's not bad though, just kinda boring. Also kinda cute though.

Casey!!!!! His hair looks kinda too girly today. He didn't have a TV?! *dies* Electric guitar? Sounds good... Okay, yes that DOES sound good! Yeah, even though he's only the 3rd, he's my favorite and he'll remain my favorite. Please, stay on the show, learn but don't win this and go and do your own thing, make an album and become great.

Oh god there's Adam with the mullet...and that jacket doesn't do it for him either. Together with the mullet makes him look like he's an old redneck with a young face. Not a bad performance, he's improved and his voice isn't bad.

Todrick's gonna do Tina? That's gonna be interesting! He looks kinda adorable. I don't really like his version but I do love that he's willing to take these risks and do totally unexpected songs. His voice is not really my kind of thing either but I do kinda like the guy himself. I think Simon is kinda really right there with the theme park thing...

Jermaine. OMG! He sorta reminds me of Skiboski (or whatever he's spelled). I guess objectively he's not bad but it's and he's just not something I like.

Andy, another one of my favs so far. Don't like this song very much...I still think his version of Paula Abdul's song in Hollywood week was his best performance.

Aaron, cool song choice! Wow, he seems to have grown so much over the past week. And he's got a good voice and all. Still I think he's a tad too young for all this.

Tim, he's kinda cute. Am curious how he's gonna do since he was kinda bad last week and really surprised himself that he wasn't voted off. Mmh, not sure what to think about this. Don't think I like it very much.

Lee! I absolutely love his voice. I think I even like his voice better than Casey's and I do really like him. Lee has that raspiness going, love it! My favorite of the night I think.

Favorites: Lee, Casey, Andy (followed closely by Mike and then John, Adam and Andy I guess).
Voted off: Todrick and Jermaine

Oh, Crystal is first! Her voice is just great. Love what Randy said, exactly! Still a definite fav. Glad she's fine.

Haeley is just so overly happy... It's fine to be happy but she's too much. Her performance was a bit better than last week but I still don't like her much.

Lacey! Another one of my favs...lets see how she does this time. She's so cute. Great voice girl! Wasn't somebody told last week to do Kiss Me? Oh, that was Lacey LOL Anyway, I loved her! And I loved how Big Mike was dancing.

Wow, Katie that's quite some talent you have there. And I could hardly recognize your German...especially "kuss" And the AI people wrote it wrong on the screen *headdesk* People you can look these things up, that's what the internet is for! OMG Those shoes! She is really 60... Much better performance than last week though. Her face sorta reminds me of a childhood friend of mine, she always looked a little older in that old-fashioned kind of way also.

Didi, still like her but she's not really special... She looks adorable, she's got an adorable voice but that's it. She's not bad at all but yeah, nothing that sticks. Liked her better last week. I think she's going to remain in the show though, people probably feel sorry for her *dies*

Michele, Creed...interesting! She has an amazing voice yet also kinda boring. I think she'll stay in the competition for a while though, very commercial voice.

I'm not a dress person but that's a cute dress Lily! Wow great, still love her voice and I always love originality. Love what the judges are saying about her. And of course I haven't seen any previous seasons but I really love that people like Crystal and Lily are on the show because the impression I already had of AI is that for the most part it has commercial sounding people that don't do anything special.

Katelyn, what she's gonna do sounds interesting! Am very curious... I like it! Pianos always win we over. And she's got a beautiful voice.

Paige, she's good! Like her voice and energy. But again, nothing really special but she's good. LOL Kara!

Shioban, hahaha the mowhawk story is hilarious. Cool! She's awesome, she can do the darkness from last week perfectly and move to Aretha like this, wow! She gave me chills all throughout her perfomance. Definitely my favorite performance of the night.

Favorites remain Chrystal, Shioban and Lily. Runners up Katelyn, Lacey and Paige, maybe Didi but she has been better. Shioban is my definite favorite of the night.

Voted off: Haeley, Katie

I really tought Todrick would be out! Poor John...he's got such a good voice. Well at least with him going we didn't have to see Todrick do the Tina song again LOL Was it just me or did you see Lee look like he was thinking 'why the hell did they vote out John and kept in Todrick?' God! I was worried for Andrew there for a moment, even though I was pretty sure Jermaine would be voted out. Glad he's gone. His fanboying about God is getting annoying.

Oh oh... Michelle and Didi, I feel like Didi is gonna be out :( Okay, Kara thinks it's Michelle and it's her! Poor girl, she isn't a bad singer but I'm kinda glad it was her and not Didi, was hoping for Katie though. Aaw, that was kinda sad. Judging from who's in the front row, I think Haely will be out. At least I hope so LOL Yes!! OMG now she's singing again I notice that she's got a kid's voice.

Aaaaaawwwww, that last moment with Big Mike coming up and hugging her was too adorable. I love how you can see how close all of them have gotten over this short period of time. And I'm such a sap, I cry with them, haha!

Fuck!

2010-03-04T00:27:00.000+01:00

I just found out that Margaret Atwood will be at lit.Cologne and it's sold out :((( *cries* The same evening Patti Smith will also be there!! Of course sold out also... Why the hell didn't I check this earlier? Will be searching Ebay the coming days if I can find somebody who's selling tickets... I already missed Atwood when she was in Europe last year and now she'll be in Cologne, about 70km from where I live and I'm missing it again. Patti Smith will be giving a concert not far from me though in summer, I'll at least get tickets for that. And I saw Carol King will go on a world tour, hopefully she'll hit Europe also, would love to see her live.

American Idol 9X14

2010-02-26T00:35:00.000+01:00

Not sure if I'll keep this up but hey, lets do the same thing with the guys! Random comment but Kara is so pretty.

LOL Todrick is singing Kelly Clarkson?! He's not bad but I already know that Casey's my favorite. I hope he doesn't mess up! And well Todrick is not my kind of voice and not my kind of music but I think it's too cool he did a Clarkson song. I think htey were a bit too harsh about the arrangement, it wasn't that bad! And as Kara added at the end, it's original.

Don't like Aaron, don't like his voice and don't know he's just too young to participate in my opinion. Well, he's not doing bad there but it's one of so many, nothing special at all about him at all. Exactly what they said about his confidence which he needs to built up, he's too young!

Jermaine...didn't really like him from the beginning, again not my kind of voice and he's got such a high voice. I like Todrick better even if he's maybe more of a dancer than a singer. Nope still don't like Jermaine. Well, looking at it objectively he's quite good I guess but it's just not my kind of music and voice. I like his boots though.

Tim, don't really remember him. Now him I like him so far! Although those high notes are bit too high huh? Wow, Simon is slaughtering him! *dies* Look at his mom's face! Everybody is slaughtering the poor boy...

Joe, another one I don't remember having seen before until he was chosen to go through. He's go a nice voice. I like him! Yup my favorite from this episode so far.

Tyler, I haven't been sure what to think of him and his style. I kinda think he's very cool but I also find him a bit made or fake maybe? Okay, he's got me now! Cool performance! My kind of music and he can sing very well. He and Joe are my favs so far. And well the cliche and all that is kinda what has been bothering me with Tyler from the beginning, he seems too fake with it. Still I like his voice and that was a cool song.

Lee, liked him during Hollywood week. He seems natural and I liked that he played his guitar. Oh, Chasing Cars! Yep, love him. He's got a good voice, I like the roughness and naturalness in it. Wow, Simon! Definitely favorite of the night for me, better than Joe and Tyler. Was it just me or did he look like he was going to cry any moment when the judges where talking?

John, bottom-end guy LOL He's cute. Doing jazz though, am not a fan of jazz...but I gotta admit his voice is great but choose something better next time! Something that doesn't make you look and sound like you're 70 years old. Simon seems bored, haha. It really was a boring performance indeed though. LOL Ellen!

Big Mike! I loved when he got the news he was in the 24 and Ellen told him to not lift her up again. Yes, still like his singing.

Alex, ah yes the guy with Mary in group week. And he's got quite the voice but guy please get rid of that mullet! He is however once again one of those non very special ones. LOL Ellen @ the banana.

Woooooo, Casey!! And he's going to sing Brian Adams! Mmh, a slow one...would have loved to see him rock! Definitely my favorite, he's so good!! Love him, can't wait to hear more.

Andrew, another one of my favs so far... Mmh, I liked him better before. He's still got something going for him though and well anybody who places an instrument with his performance gets a point from me. I really liked his Paula Abdul song during Hollywood week better though. He's got potential, I keep liking him.

Favorites: Casey, Lee, Andrew and maybe Joe and John not sure, if keeps going on with this style I don't like it much... Runners up: Tyler, Tim, Mike

Who I'd vote off: Aaron and Jermaine, probably Alex and Kendrick also eventually.

Wow, tomorrow is gonna be exciting! Am curious who's gonna be voted off by the people. As long as Casey, Lee, Crystal, Didi and Shioban stay in the show I'm happy.

American Idol 9X13

2010-02-25T03:29:00.001+01:00

I'm watching American Idol for the first time this season, only reason is actually because Ellen's a judge. Of course I got invested though and found myself rooting for a couple of people. Writing this entry as I watch...

Well, the first three I don't really have a lot to say about. Not sure why everybody loved Paige so much, wasn't really so impressed with her. Didn't really like Ashley much, she's got a good voice and all (as does Paige) but I just don't really like them much. Ashley even less than Paige. Most likely it has to do with the song choices and the way they did it. Janice, I liked her before and I loved her first Hollywood performance but tonight...good voice but don't like the song and I think she can do so much more! Lily!! OMG, that was good! I already loved her before but this was amazing, go girl! I love that she's so refreshing. I agree completely with what Ellen said. Katelyn, I kinda like her, not my kind of song but it fits her I think and she's got a good voice that fits this song really well. I agree with Kara about the make-over, a bit too much. Hailey, well first I think she's way too young. Stay in school for a bit girl and try a little later. That said, I thought she had a good voice but those high notes are bit too high, sounds like shrieking. I think she should come back later and work a bit more on her voice. Yup, I sorta agree with Simon there. Was agreeing with Kara before but then came Simon's comment LOL. Lacey! I loved before I had really heard her sing. It's the hair. Wasn't sure the first seconds but she's actually quite good. Still loving the hair also. Nice eyes too. Seems like the judges didn't really like it though...poor thing! I hope the voters will keep her in! Michelle, wow she's got a voice! Am not a big Alicia Keys fan myself though so not my kind of thing but her voice is great. What bothers me with these kind of performances is that they're good but they're so unoriginal and like so many out there. Didi! She's so cute and I liked her voice. Oh, she's doing a song by Ingrid Michaelson, good at least something a bit different... Wow, love her! She and Lily are my definitely favs so far. Shioban, I couldn't really remember her until the later episodes in Hollywood Week where she definitely stood out for me. Nice song choice and she's still good, really like her. No love her! Another favorite. My favorite since she came on, Crystal, still love her! She's just really my kind of music style. I'm of course a AI newbie but I'm pretty sure she's not the regular kind of singer on the show and I really hope she'll remain. Katie, I really liked her after the first audition but I think she's gotten a bit overwhelming. She's got that typical voice so many have...and I'm not a Michael Buble fan but she's doing a good job. Yes, Ellen, yes!! Katie seems to have a bit of an old soul for a 17 year old, she seems so mature yet such a little girl.

Sooooooo. Favorites are defnitely Lily, Didi, Shioban and Crystal. Lacey and Janet runners up and then Katelyn I guess. I know people vote for people who stay but if I would have to vote off two girls, I'd definitely vote off Ashley and Hailey.

I never thought I'd be writing about American Idol...

Seven Facts

2010-02-06T03:06:00.000+01:00

1. I always watch TV before I go to sleep, be it a TV show or a movie. Since I watch most of it on my laptop, that's what is at the end of my bed and I watch something before I sleep, either for a longer time or for a short time depending on the level of my tiredness.

2. I can't stand having no freedom to move, it starts with little things like I hate when my sheets are tugged in at the bed. I need to have them all loose around me. Same with socks and shoes, when I can't wiggle my toes when I feel like it I go crazy. I also have a similar thing with rings, when I can't get them off whenever I want, I start to panick. Good thing I don't wear a lot of jewelry.

3. When I have a plate of food, I always leave the best stuff till the last. I eat some of it while I eat but I need to finish with the best stuff.

4. I can park really well, going by stereotypes about women in cars, this does not apply to me. In general I drive like a guy. I always speed and I'm never nervous driving anywhere, you can stick me in Bombai even and I'd drive. During the Gianna road trips, it's mostly me who's driving because I love driving so much and I can always get us everywhere the fastest. And if I say so myself, I'm a good driver also, others have said so too, yes.

5. I'm a forgetful person. I can remember the silliest little things but when it comes to tasks, I always tend to forget to do stuff. I'll remember eventually but then I either forget again or postpone to a later moment but in the end I do get stuff done, usually.

6. I used to do gymnastics when I was little kid, it caused my scoliosis so I quit, later on I started to do jazz dance and did that for quite some years. I used to be a really flexible, I think was the most flexible one in our dance group which was probably from the time I did gymnastics. Or maybe not, I have no idea but I remember my dance teacher always saying that I was like a rubber doll.

7. I have Hashimoto's Disease, was diagnosed about 15 years ago. Been taking my meds for those years also, I'm completely used to it and except that it's hard for me to lose weight and I easily gain weight, I don't really have any symptoms anymore I guess. My levels have been under control for a long time now and I hope they won't change because I'm already on a pretty high dosage of the thyroid hormones. Accompanied with this, I've had other hormonal problems like PCOS, which is under control by being on the pill, I always wonder how it would be if I'd go off the pill. When I asked my gynaecologist she told me she couldn't tell me either, I might have "grown out" of it or my cysts might come back. In any case, I haven't had any cysts in over ten years so that's all good. What always scares me is that it might be hard to have kids, nobody seems to be able to tell me if I can just conceive or not. Not that I want kids right away or anything but it's a scary thought.

Trouble!

2010-02-04T03:16:00.000+01:00

List five characters you'd want on your side in any kind of trouble.

1. Buffy Summers- She slays vampires and she kicks ass
2. Echo - She's got several ass kicking personalities
3. Kate Austin - She's good at survival and she can kick ass
4. Juliet Burke - She kicks serious ass and she can handle a gun
5. Willow Rosenberg - She's an ass kicking witch

Lots of ass kicking!

Shagging Meme

2010-02-04T03:14:00.001+01:00

1. Bold the names of GIRLS you'd definitely sex it up with.
2. Italicize the names of girls you might do after a little persuasion.
3. Leave the girls who don't do anything for you alone.
4. Put a question mark after the girls you've never heard of.
5. Strike the girls you wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.
6. Add 3 more girls to the list.

01. Elizabeth Mitchell
02. Jennifer Garner
03. Evangeline Lilly
04. Dichen Lachman
05. Sara Ramirez
06. Jessica Capshaw
07. Lucy Lawless
08. Selma Hayek
09. America Ferrera
10. Kristen Stewart
11. Eliza Dushku
12. Angelina Jolie (there's no such thing as double bold right? LOL)
13. Kate Winslet
14. Kim Kardashian
15. Jennifer Lopez
16. Zoe Saldana
17. Kate Walsh
18. Sandra Oh
19. Katherine Heigl
20. Mariska Hargitay
21. Kathy Griffith ?
~~22. Paris Hilton~~
23. Ellen Pompeo
24. Pink
~~25. Christina Aguilera~~
26. Rosario Dawson
27. Jennifer Aniston
28. Alicia Keys
29. Erin Karpluk
30. Amanda Seyfried
31. Renée Zellweger
32. Catherine Zeta-Jones
33. Liz Vassey ?
34. Marg Helgenberger ?
35. Meryl Streep
~~36. Tilda Swinton~~
37. Cate Blanchett
38. Olivia Wilde
39. Gillian Anderson
40. Amanda Tapping ?
41. Diane Neal ?
42. Morena Baccarin ?
43. Jayma Mays
44. Hilarie Burton
45. Kristen Bell (I was in doubt for a sec, I really think she's cute and all but not really my type I guess)
46. Nicole Kidman
47. Audrey Tautou
48. Sandra Bullock
49. Lauren Graham (this one is kinda weird because yes she's sexy but I don't see her like that)
50. Blake Lively
51. Emily Browning
52. Megan Fox
53. Diana Agron
54. Nina Dobrev ?
55. Leighton Meester
56. Lea Michele
57. Amanda Righetti ?
58. Kate French ?
59. Jessalyn Gilsig
60. Alexis Bledel
61. Ashley Greene ?
62. Sophia Bush
63. Emily Deschanel (I don't know her well enough, I need to watch Bones! She's really pretty though)
64. Bethany Joy Galeotti
65. Jenna Fischer
66. Jaimie Alexander ?
67. Rachel Bilson (feel weird about this one though, she's so young)
68. Selena Gomez
69. Mischa Barton
70. Emilie DeRavin
71. Cobie Smulders
72. Nikki Reed
73. Vanessa Hudgens
74. Shailene Woodley ?
75. Miley Cyrus
76. Mandy Moore
77. Clémence Poèsy ?
78. Jessica Lowndes ?
79. Emma Watson
80. Zooey Deschanel
81. Claire Forlani
82. Kaya Scodelario ?
83. Edita Vilkeviciute ?
84. Diane Kruger
85. Britney Spears
86. Madonna
~~87. Lady Gaga~~
88. Lisa Edelstein
89. Marcia Cross
90. Kate Cassidy
91. Portia di Rossi
92. Olivia Wilde
93. Eliza Dushku

Golden Globes 2010

2010-01-18T05:11:00.000+01:00

Watching the Golden Globes and wondering how long I'll manage... I hope I'll be able to stay awake till Robert is on! I missed part of the beginning because I was looking for a decent stream but I guess I didn't miss a lot. Some random comments under the cut.

Meryl Streep is adorable and she seems to humble still, love her. Julia Roberts looks stunning, that smile!! Aaaw, Kate Hudson greeting Meryl :)))

George Clooney with the beard looks bad, shave it off man and look sexy!

I had no idea Michael C Hall is sick! Just read it on Twitter...

Glad that Julianna Marguilis won earlier, she's great on The Good Wife and her speech was adorable.
`
Aaaw, Drew!! Haven't seen the series but I like her. She looks as if she's nude though, the color of the dress is a bit too light. Aaaw, she's adorable. Speaking about dresses, Kate Hudson's looks weird! Looks like she's got a table on her boobs.

Good, a break! I should go and pee, am afraid to go during the show in case I might miss Robert or George.

I haven't seen Up in the Air yet but yay it won!! George related. Besides the movie seems interesting. Aaaw, Jason is adorable and so is George.

Matthew!!! Please please please win!!! Although David is great too...but Matthew please... Aaw, it's Alex.

Wow, the applause for Sophia Loren! I don't like her plastic face though, she looks so unnatural these days, actually these years better. She looks and acts so cold.

OOOH TV category!! Big Love, House, Mad Men... Jon Hamm looks so ugly with that beard. And of course it had to be Mad Men, why give other shows a chance to win for once huh?

Kristen Bell looks adorable.

Jane, Jane, Jane!! Come on!! Ah well Chloe does a great job on Big Love also, my second choice int this category. LOL Chloe you do do a great job as a fundamental mormone polygamist!

Halle Berry always looks stunning. And aaaw, Hugh Laurie with 60s glasses, cool!

LOL Aaaw, Marty having sex with film.

ROBERTTTTT!!! With Susan, aaaww.

Olivia Wilde is hot! Gleeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! I like Modern Family also but am rooting for Glee. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!! They were all so adorable up there. This brought a smile to my face :D

Robert, Robert, Robert! Next to Sandra Bullock, aaaw, I never like the Tony Stark goatee but he's adorable all the same. Yay for Sandra!! Mickey Rourke is too creepy to be real.

FINALLY, Robert!!! Please, please win!!! He's so adorable with Susan ♥ AND OMGOMGOMGOMG HE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE HIM.

George now... Ah well, I got Robert and Glee already! Wow, standing ovation for Jeff.

I got the backstage thing on now too, with the press room speeches. Sandra Keeps talking...waiting for Robert to show up. Oh, there he is. Aaaw, he's awesome and cute and adorable.

I'm gonna leave it one and try to finally sleep, categories I was waiting for are over now anyway.

Random

2010-01-16T03:12:00.000+01:00

I went out for cocktails with two friends tonight. We met at six because it's still happy hour, had two cocktails and food and fun. Usually two cocktails doesn't really make me drunk but these really hit for some reason, even though it was happy hour hey definitely put enough booze in them. We stumbled out of the place after we finished our dinner, just too late to get the 8.30 bus. One friend wanted some dessert, or rather hot cocoa with whipped cream so we went into this 24h kebab place at the bus station (I still plan to go there at 4am on a Monday night sometime because I always wonder if they really still serve kebab at that hour and how many people are there) because they got coffee and dessert things also. Anyway, still feeling drunk from the cocktails I got espresso and some doughnut, only because it looked so pretty with the white glaze and purple sparkles (it didn't taste good) and the others got their stuff also. We sat down at this small counter at the coffee part of this place and we all felt and looked so wasted and we kept being silly. My one friend then noticed there were a lot of people and I told him that even though we felt like it was 4am and we just rolled out of a club after tons of alcohol, it was only after 9 and people were probably just starting their Friday night. The whole feeling was just so insanely surreal because I really did feel like it was much later. I felt like that the whole evening somehow until I finally sobered up after a while. We had fun though and went home at an old people hour because my one friend has to work at 6am tomorrow and the other one has to get up around that time. Besides, happy hour only lasts till 7 anyway and I like my cocktails half priced!

Some guy transferred into one of my groups at work because the other girl had problems with him because he always kept talking with the other guys in the group and sure he's the cool 16 year old and all who thinks it's cool if he doesn't study but he did wonders in 90 minutes for the other kids in the group. Two of them are the most silent and shy kids I ever met. I had seen the boy laughing before and he sometimes tells me stuff, he had gotten quiet again but the girl she had never laughed before and she only made little sounds when asked something. Today they both laughed when the older guy told some weird stories. It was nice to see. Also the guy himself was impressed by the work he managed to get done and even went around telling it. I love when I get kids like that who feel like being cool when they don't work who eventually do their work and even get better grades. I was pretty impressed the way he tackled some exercises and some critical thinking he showed. It amuses me when kids are like that. I'm curious how he'll continue to go on.

Snowwww

2010-01-15T03:15:00.000+01:00

As of today the snow is melting here, it will take a while before it's gonna be completely gone though. I hope I'll still be able to build a snow man before it's completely gone. Also I want more snow but from the looks of it, it's gonna be a bit warmer the next days. Winter is not over yet though so more chances to get snow. I think I can't remember any year we had snow last this long. Usually it sticks around for a bit and then goes away again after 2 or 3 days.

It started to snow a bit already on New Year's Eve shortly after midnight but it didn't really stick. The Saturday after NYE though it started to snow more heavily just when we wanted to get home from town. It was amazing, when we drove off for what is maybe about 15 minutes, everything was still okay but once we got here, everything was already covered in quite a layer.

The day after:

The yellow car is mine.

Apple tree in the garden:

One of the days we obviously didn't get snow:

On my way to work:

Parking lot at work:

Another day driving home. The thing is actually the reflection of the flash in the window in case anybody wondered:

Railway station in the snow:

Footsteps:

Snowed in bench in my aunt's garden:

I assume the smoke is because the front door is open and the warm air got together with the cold air. Or something. I'm not a scientist. It's a cool effect.

I kinda found the snowed in car funny:

Made a snow angel yesterday:

Looking back at 2009

2010-01-13T02:03:00.001+01:00

1) Where did you begin 2009?

In Rome, front row at the Gianna Nannini New Year's Eve concert.

2) What was your relationship status by Valentine's Day?

Together.

3) Were you in school anytime this year?

Not really in school, taking classes and all but am a PhD student.

4) How did you earn your money?

English tutor at an after-school school.

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?

No *knocks on wood*

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?

No, oh wait! I witnessed an accident in December and waited for the police to give them my statement.

7) Would you relive 2009 over and over again?

Every year brings new and exciting stuff so no but all in all it was a good year.

8) What did you purchase that was over $1000?

I think my 3 week trip in November was around that sum (11 concert tickets, gas, places to sleep, car rental, food...).

9) Did you know anybody who got married?

10) Did you know anybody who passed away?

No, or I forgot about it but that would mean the person wasn't really close to me anyway.

11) Did you know anyone who had a baby?

No, although I just remembered the daughter of my uncle's sister.

12) Did you move anywhere?

No.

13) What concerts/shows did you go to?

Gianna Nannini - Roma, NYE, 31/12/08-01/01/09 (it counts because Gianna started after midnight)

Gianna Nannini - Milano, Giannadream presentation, 27/03

Gianna Nannini - Milano, Che Tempo Che Fa, 28/03

Gianna Nannini - Milano, Milanesiana book presentation, 07/07

Gianna Nannini - Viareggio, Giorgio Gaber Gestival, 07/07

Gianna Nannini - Cuneo, Rehearsal Giannadream Tour, 03/09

Gianna Nannini - Cuneo, Giannadream, 04/09

Gianna Nannini - Verona, Giannadream, 13/09

Gianna Nannini - Brescia, Giannadream, 03/11

Gianna Nannini - Conegliano, Giannadream, 05/11

Gianna Nannini - Rimini, Giannadream, 07/11

Gianna Nannini - Torino, Giannadream, 09/11

Gianna Nannini - Parma, Giannadream, 11/11

Gianna Nannini - Milano, Giannadream, 13/11

Gianna Nannini - Milano, Giannadream, 14/11

Gianna Nannini - Bologna, Giannadream, 15/11

Gianna Nannini - Livorno, Giannadream, 17/11

Gianna Nannini - Firenze, Giannadream, 19/11

Gianna Nannini - Firenze, Giannadream, 20/11

14) Are you registered to vote?

Yes.

15) Do you still have the same job as you did in 2008?

No.

16) Has anyone betrayed you in 2009?

No.

17) Where do you live now?

Where I lived in 2008 :P

18) Describe your birthday?

I turned 30 and the day itself was quiet as it was on a Monday but I celebrated the Saturday afterwards. My friends made me a quiz with all kinds of questions about 1979 and presents related to the questions and turning 30. Other than that I remember a lot of booze, especially vodka involved and me vomiting 4 times early in the morning. Didn't feel all the great on Sunday LOL

19) What's something you thought you'd never do but did in 2009?

My three week trip in November, which I partly did alone. First time I really traveled by myself except for traveling somewhere to meet somebody there.

20) What has been your favorite moment?

Getting back in touch with my friend.

21) What's something you learned about yourself?

That I'm able to teach kids something.

22) Any new additions to your family?

No.

23) What was your best month?

November.

24) Were you in a relationship this year?

Yes.

25) What music will you remember 2009 by?

Gianna and in particular Giannadream.

26) Who has been your best drinking buddy/buddies?

I don't think I have one. The Gianna girls I guess, late night Port for the win.

27) New friend? None. I think LOL

28) Favorite night out?

Pfff, dunno!

29) Would you say you've changed since the beginning of this year?

Don't think so.

30) Do you think 2010 will be better or worse?

Time will tell...

31. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't realy make resolutions.

32. What countries did you visit?

Italy (technically Belgium when I flew from there and brought the bf to the airport there and Germany but since I work there and can walk to Germany in about 5 minutes I'm not really counting those).

33. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Motivation.

34. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

27/03: Giannadream presentation and CD signing with little chat

06/07: Apple pie, hug and chat

07/07: Gianna alone at the piano in an intimate setting

13/09: Uò-Uò live for the first time

07/10: Berbie in the book

09/11: Ballami in Torino

15/11: Masturbation kiss

35. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting my job although that wasn't really hard work and it's far from my dream job and traveling alone.

36. What was your biggest failure?

Not getting started properly on my PhD thesis.

37. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not really, got my wisdom tooth pulled out because it caused jaw problems and I was in a lot of pain afterwards for a while.

38. What was the best thing you bought?

Concert tickets and my iPod Touch.

39. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I have no idea really..

40. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

No idea.

41. Where did most of your money go?

Concerts and travel.

42. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Gianna events. TV.

43. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Uò-Uò & Ballami

44. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? same

b) thinner or fatter? same

c) richer or poorer? same, almost broke due to trips

45. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Work on my PhD.

46. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Procrastinate.

47. How will you be spending Christmas?

I spent it at home medicated because I got the wisdom tooth out the 23rd.

48. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Does a crush on Matthew Morrison count?

49. How many one-night stands?

None.

50. What was your favourite TV programme?

Grey's Anatomy, Glee, Lost, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother.

51. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No.

52. What was the best book you read?

Cat's Eye.

53. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Glee, I don't know really. I don't really listen much to new music...too emerged in my love for Gianna and besides that I usually always come back to the same stuff. Carol King maybe, I of course knew her already but I really came to appreciated her in 2009.

54. What did you want and get?

New Gianna album, Gianna Tour, ipod Touch.

55. What did you want and not get?

Nothing I guess.

56. What was your favorite film of this year?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button I guess.

57. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Dunno, more motivation probably.

58. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

I have no idea. Jeans and t-shirt I guess.

59, What kept you sane?

I don't know LOL

60. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Gianna Nannini.

61. What political issue stirred you the most?

Gay Rights.

62. Who did you miss?

A friend.

63. Who was the best new person you met?

I didn't really met anyone new. Well I did meet new people at Gianna concerts but not sure if I'd name them for this question.

64. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Can't think of anything.

65. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

please, ora non posso difendermi

please, ho solo provato a resistere

fanno fuoco le ragazze

quando credono all'amore

sono tutte quante streghe come me

sanno tutto le ragazze

non ci pensano al futuro

hanno solo questo istante come me

solo i sogni sono veri

"There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way."

2010-01-08T03:36:00.003+01:00

- Got the stitches out on Tuesday and OUCH! It hurt quite a bit and it bled again :/ One was grown in so that was not so much fun to get out and then they found another one hidden somewhere which took quite some time to get out. It has apparently healed very well though and everything looks good. However, I'm still swollen a bit! I hadn't noticed until my mom told me that the right side of my face is still a bit swollen, it's hardly noticeable but if you know you see. There's also quite a lot of swelling in the mouth still and it still hurts when I open my mouth up widely. Surgeon said though that it can take a long time for the bruising and swelling to go away completely. I'm very lucky with all my teeth but seems karma is kicking my butt with my wisdom teeth so far...2 more to go, probably will be done when I'm 40 as last time it also took me 5 years to get this one out LOL, - I still have problems with my jaw. Pain is gone but from time to time I still can't put my teeth together. Asked the surgeon after the stitches were out and she said it was normal because of the swelling and bruising still in there and it would get better. I'm not completely convinced though because this is what I had before but I'll see. I assume that if the tooth took a long time to move so it caused this problem, it will probably take a while until my jaw is back to normal. And there are times everything is okay.

- I might have a gig teaching Italian. Boss #1 offers tutoring at home now too and since she hangs out in Holland a lot, she decided to spread the word there too since I also speak Dutch (I work in Germany), not that I even want to work more but I'm pretty sure nothing is come from it anyway. So, she met this girl who wants to learn Italian and if everything works out I'll be doing that. It will be for 6 months first, once a week, and even though I was thinking on cutting down a class, I really want to do this because it will be the first time teaching Italian, which will be a change from English and I can get experience in it.

- I died my hair, or rather my aunt did it for me. It's still red but a darker red now. My hair is getting longer and the bright red just doesn't really work like that anymore, besides with longer hair roots are much more noticeable and especially with a bright color like that. Also, I wanted to have it a bit darker and warmer for winter and I was getting bored with the color.

- We're having lots of snow here. Well, today it didn't really snow and yesterday only a bit but we got a lot and it's all staying because it's cold also. Usually it always goes away after a day or so but this time it's been around for a while and this weekend it's gonna snow A LOT apparently. It's a pain if you have to go somewhere because only main roads are free from the snow and I don't have winter tires, only the kind for all kinds of weather and they're fine but if it's really slippery they don't work either. Everything looks so pretty though, I love it! All the trees with the snow on the branches, usually that stuff doesn't stick around. And well generally snow everywhere!

- Gonna see Sherlock Holmes on Saturday! I can't wait, mainly because of Robert Downey Jr. because honestly I never really cared for Sherlock Holmes. I heard a lot of good things about the movie though and about Robert ♥ It's also bringing him a lot of new fans apparently...after the Iron Man effect we have the Sherlock Holmes effect. He deserves the recognition he's getting, finally! Next week Up In The Air is premiering already, George looks so pretty in the trailer and his voice *swoons* I hope we'll manage to go and see it next week already.

- I'm trying to compile my 101 in 1001 list but it's going slowly so far. I'm not sure what I should put on it, I mean it has to be things that are reachable and since 1001 days is a pretty long time they can also be kinda far out...but I also don't want to fail. Obviously, compiling the list is one of the 101 things and who knows, maybe it will take me 1001 days to finish the list, haha!

- TV is slowly returning, yay!! I still wanted to write about all my TV catching up from when I was away but since it's all coming back now I'll probably write about the shows as I go. I want to write more about TV again.

Empire's 101 to watch in 2010

2010-01-08T02:45:00.001+01:00

Bold are ones I will definitely watch, italics are ones that interest me, strike I have no interest in watching, and will not.

Note: It's a work in progress since I didn't get around to checking out all the movies I haven't heard of yet...

1. Fantastic Mr. Fox
2. The Princess and the Frog
3. It’s Complicated
4. Bran Nue Dae
5. In The Loop
~~6. Daybreakers~~
7. Precious
~~8. Edge of Darkness~~
9. Valentine’s Day
10. A Prophet
11. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
12. Shutter Island
~~13. Armoured~~
14. A Single Man
15. The Way Back
16. The Wolfman
17. From Paris With Love
18. The Book of Eli
19. A Couple of Dicks
20. Separation City
21. The Men Who Stare At Goats
22. Paul
23. The Vintner’s Luck
24. Ninja Assassin
25. Alice in Wonderland
26. Green Zone
27. The Fighter
28. Machete
29. Never Let Me Go
30. Me & Orson Welles
31. Remember Me
32. Centurion
33. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
34. The Debt
35. Micmacs
36. The Hurt Locker
37. Creation
38. How To Train Your Dragon
39. The Road
40. Iron Man 2
41. Clash of the Titans
42. Kick-Ass
43. Date Night
44. Beneath Hill 60
45. Legion
46. When In Rome
47. 44 Inch Chest
48. Animal Kingdom
49. The Runaways
50. The Girl Who Played With Fire
51. Wall Street 2
52. I Love You Too
53. Takers
54. Robin Hood
55. Greenberg
56. Prince of Persia
57. A Nightmare on Elm Street
58. Shrek Forever After
59. Get Him To the Creek
60. Sex and the City 2
61. Invictus
62. The A-Team
63. Grown Ups
64. Toy Story 3
65. Jonah Hex
66. Twilight: Eclipse
67. Predators
68. The Last Airbender
69. Inception
70. Knight and Day
71. Death at a Funeral
72. Dinner for Schmucks
73. Salt
74. The Expendables
75. Up In The Air
76. Little Fockers
77. Despicable Me
78. The Karate Kid
79. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
80. The American
81. Your Highness
82. 13
83. The Adjustment Bureau
84. The Tree of Life
85. Harry Brown
86. The Other Guys
87. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One
88. Morning Glory
89. The Town
90. Priest
91. Due Date
92. Unstoppable
93. Faster
94. Megamind
95. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
96. Gulliver’s Travels
97. Guardians of Ga’Hoole
98. Footloose
99. Tron: Legacy
100. The Green Hornet
101. Nine

Every end is a new beginning

2010-01-04T16:44:00.001+01:00

I decided to give Project 365 another try. Last time I tried I failed miserably...but hey, new year, new decade even, lets try with a fresh start. I'm gonna upload the pictures to Shuttercal again and I'll probably put a screenshot of every full month in my scrapbook. Will see about how I'll do it. I hope I manage this time! I decided it's way cooler to start with a new year anyway, last time I started was October 2008 and I kept it up till somewhere in November 2008 so that was a big success... I should also finally get my 101 in 1001 days list done and get working on that.

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T18:50:00.001+01:00

For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. - T.S. Eliot

Top 5s of 200

2009-12-31T02:54:00.000+01:00

Top 5 in 2009 / For better....for worse

TV shows

1. Glee
2. House
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. Lost
5. Dollhouse
6. How I Met Your Mother & The Big Bang Theory (yes, I cheated but I HAD to include them)

TV boyfriends

1. Will Schuester (Glee)
2. Derek Shepherd (Grey's Anatomy)
3. Gregory House (House)
4. Hank Moody (Californication)
5. Don Draper (Mad Men)

TV girlfriends

1. Juliet Burke (Lost)
2. Shane McCutcheon (The L Word)
3. Robin Scherbatsky (How I Met Your Mother)
4. Nancy Botwin (Weeds)
5. Echo (Dollhouse)

TV ships

1. Meredith/Derek (Grey's Anatomy)
2. Emma/Will (Glee)
3. Cuddy/House (House)
4. Callie/Arizona (Grey's Anatomy)
5. Shane/Carmen (The L Word)

Films

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. Confessions of a Shopaholic
3. The Proposal
4. Sex And The City (rewatch)
5. The Discovery of Heaven (rewatch)

It's really sad but I didn't see any movies I really liked this year...

Books

1. Cat's Eye - Margaret Atwood
2. The Edible Woman - Margaret Atwood
3. Bodily Harm - Margaret Atwood
4. Murder in the Dark - Margaret Atwood
5. Life Before Man - Margaret Atwood

A bit of a boring list I guess

Musicians

1. Gianna Nannini
2. Thomas Lang
3. Hans Maahn
4. Davide Tagliapietra
5. Giacomo Castellano
6. Christian Rigano

Hahaha, it's Gianna and her band.

Songs

1. Le Ragazze - Gianna Nannini
2. Bambolina - Gianna Nannini
3. Sogno - Gianna Nannini
4. Please - Gianna Nannini
5. Attimo - Gianna Nannini

Yes, I know all Gianna songs but it's been a Gianna year (again) but I did chose only songs from her new CD.

For better...

1. 14 Gianna concerts and 4 special events
2. Getting my job (not that it's a full time thing and something I want to do in my life but I'm grateful for it)
3. Being appreciated at work
4. Getting D back in my life
5. All the good times in the Nanniniverse

...and for worse

1. Not managing to get properly started on my PhD due to lack of motivation
2. Being homesick on holiday this summer
3. Eating too much bad food
4. Spending too much money on trips (but it was fun, even though I almost every time ended up broke)
5. Having doubts about various things and not knowing, I have problems taking decisions.

Movies

2009-12-29T23:26:00.000+01:00

There are some movies coming out that I'd like to see:

- Sherlock Holmes, Robert Downey Jr. looks gorgeous! He's apparently attending the German premiere but I haven't found out where it is but probably Berlin I assume, a bit too far...
- The Soloist is finally coming out here so I might go and see it at the cinema, always nice to see Robert on the big screen
- Did You Hear About the Morgans? Silly movie probably but I'm always in for a Hugh Grant comedy
- Up In The Air, sounds like fun and it's got George.
- Valentine's Day, everybody seems to be in this one!

There's Iron Man and Sex And The City 2 coming in April and May, can't wait! I'm happy to have some movies I'm really looking forward to, last year I didn't go to the movies a lot just because there wasn't much that spiked my interest.

"You're about to board the Sue Sylvester Express. Destination horror!"

2009-12-29T03:05:00.003+01:00

I'm finally feeling better after I got my tooth out. It was again quite the experience and took quite some time for them to finish but it's all behind me now. It hurt a lot and the first days were bad but now it only hurts occasionally and today is the first day I haven't taken any ibuprofen. Got a couple of days of my antibiotics left and I'm off all meds again. Well maybe I'll keep on using the nose drops for a bit longer to avoid sneezing but at least I'll be done with the big pills. This surgeon was much nicer than the other one except for not using enough anesthesia apparently because it hurt during and when she sewed it all up, I felt that too, I guess it all took a bit longer than she expected. I did feel in good hands though because she gave me antibiotics to prevent any infections, stronger ibuprofen than the one you can get over the counter and nose drops because she told me not to blow my nose for two weeks O_o (last time I was send home with an infection and the words "take some paracetamol and you'll be fine...) I ended up wiping/blowing my nose softly after all and after 3 days I couldn't help but sneezing and nothing happened. I was in quite some pain though the first 3 days and eating was difficult, it still is with certain food actually. Now it just hurts off and on, after eating from the chewing movement and when I open my mouth to far. I'm a bit worried about my jaw because I still can't put my teeth together properly but at least the pains I had before are gone now that the tooth is gone. I'm sure the rest will follow with time...it also took it's time to make my jaw hurt this much and not being able to move it like I should.

Christmas was uneventful because there wasn't much I could do. It basically consisted of lying and sitting around, trying to eat something and popping pills, haha!

The last day at work, both my bosses at the one place (the place I like working at best and know that I'm appreciated) came to wish me a happy holidays and they kept emphasizing how happy they are with me and that I'm an enrichment for their team. So sweet but these things always make me feel like I don't know what to say so I just smile sheepishly and say thanks. I was really happy with their words though, feels good to be appreciated. From one student I got some chocolate for Christmas, too sweet. She's about my own age and I really like working with her because she's so motivated and apparently she appreciates what I do for her because I didn't only get something for Christmas but she gave me something for my birthday also. Too bad, it was always Ferrero chocolates with nuts in them so I couldn't eat them but the gesture was definitely very much appreciated. Nonetheless, I'm really happy to have 2 weeks of vacation now, gonna go back the 7th, because I felt so unmotivated to go all the time. I hope it will be a bit better after the holidays because I do basically enjoy it but gah, all I wanted to do lately was hang around and do nothing.

Day 13 → A fictional book Day 14 → A non-fictional book Day 15 → A fanfic

2009-12-21T03:11:00.002+01:00

Cat's Eye is a 1988 novel by Margaret Atwood. In it, controversial painter Elaine Risley vividly reflects on her childhood and teenage years. Her strongest memories are of Cordelia, who was the leader of a trio of girls who were both very cruel and very kind to young Elaine, in ways that tint Elaine's perceptions of relationships and her world—not to mention her art—into the character's middle years. The novel unfolds in Canada of the mid-20th century, from World War II to the late 1980s, and includes a look at many of the cultural elements of that time period, including feminism and various modern art movements. This book was a finalist for the 1988 Governor General's Award. Read this earlier this year and it's one of many of Atwood's wonderful writings. I'm a bit lazy right now so I'll just leave you with the description from Wikipedia up there.

Day 14:

Io by Gianna Nannini, her autobiograpy, a very personal and poetical glimpse into her life. It's written in fragments and it's kinda like being on a roller coaster. A great read!

And another one because I can't choose between these two:

Stati d'Anima, Gianna's life told in pictures, from her parent's marriage to childhood pictures up to present day. Behind the scenes pictures, live pictures, personal things, high school diary entries...and Berbie.

Day 15:

I don't do fanfiction. It's been years since I actually read something, it was back in my Ally/Larry obsessed days (maybe 2000/2001?) when I did read fanfiction but it's been years since I read some so I'll cheat and I'm gonna mention another book. I got this as a gift from friends for my birthday and I should actually be reading this. I have read the introduction though! I can't really motivate myself lately. Anyway, it does seem like an awesome book and I'm sure it is:

Feminism and Pop Culture by Andi Zeisler Whether or not we like to admit it, pop culture is a lens through which we alternately view and shape the world around us. When it comes to feminism, pop culture aids us in translating feminist philosophies, issues, and concepts into everyday language, making them relevant and relatable. In Feminism and Pop Culture, author and cofounder of Bitch magazine Andi Zeisler traces the impact of feminism on pop culture (and vice versa) from the 1940s to the present and beyond. With a comprehensive overview of the intertwining relationship between women and pop culture, this book is an ideal introduction to discussing feminism and daily life.

Day 12 → Whatever tickles your fancy

2009-12-18T02:09:00.003+01:00

Well, something that always tickles my fancy is of course Gianna so I give you a song I've been listening a lit too lately. Recently three live tracks from the concert at the Arena in Verona were released and one of those is Uò Uò, a song from '81 which we heard live for the first time in Verona and we bawled our eyes out. The track on the CD is wonderful and the first time I heard it live I again cried like a baby. The video is from the last concert in Firenze last tour where she did it again and dedicated to her technical staff. The first part of the video is California, a song from '79 which she rearranged this tour and did it with only Giacomo and Davide on acoustic guitars, wonderful... The second part then is Uò Uò and it was adorable to see Hans (bass), Thomas (drums) and Davide (guitar) standing on the side of the stage listening to the song. Thomas noticed the girl filming and waved, haha, he's too cute. He also filmed parts of this for a tour vlog he has been putting on Facebook, am still waiting for those last parts...would love to see these two songs from his point of view. The reason I chose this video is because it's really from my point of view also because I was standing next to the girl who filmed it and because of part of the band standing on the side of the stage and well just because it's one of two videos there are on youtube of this song so not all too much choice ;)

I've been having some problems with my jaw for the last three weeks or so. It hurts when I move it so basically when I talk, open my mouth, chew, yawn, sneeze etc...and for most of the time I can't really put my teeth together on that side. I figured it would go away by itself and I figured it's probably from grinding my teeth since I've had problems with that before. So going to the dentist didn't really occur to me because I was convinced it would go away. This week the pain had gotten worse, especially in the evening it also hurt when I didn't even move when I went to bed and I even was about to take some painkillers for it so I figured it might be time to go to the dentist. I had to go for my check-up anyway, which was long overdue because sometimes I'm lazy with these things and my regular dentist had been sick for a very long time (and when I got the card that she was back I told myself that I should make an appointment but still it took me a while LOL). Anyway, so Wednesday I called my dentist and luckily I could come in the same day. She did my check-up and everything was in order, I'm really lucky with my teeth, I never have a thing! As soon as I opened my mouth though and she started checking (after I had explained the pain in my jaw) she said that there was the first problem tooth. I first thought I had some big ass cavity but it was my upper right wisdom tooth. Since it doesn't have its counter part 'downstairs' anymore it has started to slowly move a bit and well eventually that then started to cause those problems with my jaw. I have to get it out as soon as possible.

The thing is that last time I got the other one out some problems occurred, there was an infection because there was still some gum over it but the big bad surgeon woman (really she looked like a big bad butcher) took it out anyway and over the weekend I got so much pain I literally wanted to bang my head against the wall to not feel the pain in my mouth anymore. I went to see my regular dentist and I had to go there for a month, in the beginning every day, to get the hole I had in my mouth treated and to get it closed. There was a lot of pain and icky stuff involved in the beginning and I never went back to the big bad butcher anymore to get the stitches out and let my regular dentist handle everything. So after that story I'm of course a bit hesitant about getting wisdom teeth out but I know I have to get this one out because well this thing with my jaw can't really go on either. Back to now. The assistant at my dentist called some oral surgeons to see if they had any appointments left but the only practice she reached was this big one I actually asked for when they asked me if I had a special place I wanted to go to (not butcher woman anymore please!) and they had an appointment for the 13th of January which was a bit too late because still a long time to go on like this. She didn't manage to reach other practices anymore and as she was calling I was afraid she might go and call this big bad butcher but as it turns out the woman is dead. That was kinda weird when my dentist told me that she had recently died and now a colleague was handling all the patients but that they weren't sure how things would go on. Anyway, to make this long appointment story short, she gave me the number of yet another practice and I called today and got an appointment for next Wednesday. I could also go today or tomorrow but I didn't want to have to arrange things at work at the last minute and since Wednesday is the first day of our holidays I figured I'd do it then and have it over with before Christmas. I'm a bit scared of course but it can't be I'll have to go through hell again this time... Besides this one is completely out there and they don't have to cut or do weird things like the other time, it should go easy. I hope!

I will also have to get the ones on the other side out because the lower one is also a bit covered by gum and there's risk of infection and well if I get that out, I'll also get the upper one out before the same thing happens with my jaw as this time. But that's all for later, I don't want to get teeth out on both sides the day before Christmas! Especially because the lower one will be a bit more work and I'm a bit afraid from the last time with that. The funny thing with this whole wisdom teeth business is that they're completely straight and not placed in my jaws in a weird way or something, they fit in with the others perfectly and just cause me problems in different ways. I wondered earlier today if it's maybe the curse of never having any problems with my teeth in other ways LOL

Day 10 → A photo of you taken over ten years ago & Day 11 → A photo of you taken recently

2009-12-15T01:33:00.003+01:00

I had to scan an old picture and had some problems doing that but I got it now. Unfortunately it's with a watermark because I had to use some trial version of scanner software but I figured I'd finally get to posting and get on with this meme. Maybe I'll repost the picture together with some other older pictures another time properly but for now this will have to do. I'm listening to Carol King's Tapestry, I initially checked it out a while ago because Gianna mentioned in some interview that it's her favorite album and I figured I should check it out. It's such a great CD! And as it turned out when I first listened to it, I already knew a lot of the songs without ever really knowing where they were from...funny. I was going through old pictures and initially I was going to use one from my high school graduation party, which yes is over 10 years ago, I'm that old :P but then I randomly found these photos I once took with a friend and I decided to go for one of those. I'm probably around 14 I think and I still got long hair and I happen to be wearing my contacts and my hair is it's natural color so big difference with the picture I'm going to post that was taken about 2 weeks ago :)

Then:

Now:

Dating Meme

2009-12-09T19:05:00.004+01:00

Your dating personality profile:

Liberal - Politics matters to you, and you aren't afraid to share your left-leaning views. You would never be caught voting for a conservative candidate.
Big-Hearted - You are a kind and caring person. Your warmth is inviting, and your heart is a wellspring of love.
Intellectual - You consider your mind amongst your assets. Learning is not a chore but a constant search after wisdom and knowledge. You value education and rationality.

Your Top Ten Traits

1. Liberal
2. Big-Hearted
3. Intellectual
4. Adventurous
5. Wealthy/Ambitious
6. Sensual
7. Outgoing
8. Stylish
9. Practical
10. Athletic

Your date match profile:

Liberal - You need a person who has liberal opinions and beliefs. You are engaged by political discussions and would find a liberal viewpoint refreshing in a date.
Practical - You are drawn to people who are sensible and smart. Flashy, materialistic people turn you off. You appreciate the simpler side of living.
Big-Hearted - You want someone compassionate, someone gentle and kind. A loving, nurturing person will fill that hole in your life.

Your Top Ten Match Traits

1. Liberal
2. Practical
3. Big-Hearted
4. Outgoing
5. Adventurous
6. Intellectual
7. Athletic
8. Wealthy/Ambitious
9. Traditional
10. Funny

Take the Dating Profile Quiz at Would I Date You Athletic and stylish in my top 10 traits? LOL

Day 08 → A photo that makes you angry/sad

2009-12-09T04:00:00.001+01:00

I know it's not exactly a photo...

Day 07 → A photo that makes you happy

2009-12-03T14:51:00.002+01:00

Because I've got wonderful memories from summer 2008:

Day 05 → Your favourite quote

2009-12-03T02:34:00.002+01:00

I got three quotes I really like, one is from a song, the other one from a book and the other one something Robert Downey Jr. once said. I already posted something from Gianna, I already posted my favorite book so I'm going with the RDJ quote:

"Everything that is provocative is worthwhile."

TV Meme

2009-12-03T01:32:00.002+01:00

Rules:

- Bold all of the following TV shows which you've ever seen 3 or more episodes of in your lifetime.

- Italicize a show if you're positive you've seen every episode of it.

7th Heaven

ALF (although not sure if I have maybe seen them all...)

Alias

American Gothic

America's Next Top Model

Angel (still got the last season to finally watch)

Arrested Development

Babylon 5

Batman: The Animated Series

Battlestar Galactica (the old one)

Battlestar Galactica (the new one)

Baywatch

Beverly Hills 90210

Bewitched

Bonanza

Bones

Bosom Buddies

Boston Legal

Boy Meets World

Brothers And Sisters

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Californication

Chappelle's Show

Charlie's Angels

Charmed

Cheers

Chuck

Clarissa Explains it All

Columbo

Commander in Chief

Crossing Jordan

CSI

CSI: Miami

CSI: NY

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Dark Angel

Dark Skies

DaVinci's Inquest

Dawson's Creek

Dead Like Me

Deadwood

Degrassi: The Next Generation

Designing Women

Desperate Housewives

Dexter

Dharma & Greg (at least I think I have seen them all...)

Different Strokes

Doctor Who

Dragnet

Due South

Even Stevens

Everwood

Everybody Loves Raymond

Facts of Life

Family Guy

Farscape

Fawlty Towers

Felicity

Firefly

Frasier

Friends

Fringe

Futurama

Get Smart

Gilligan's Island

Gilmore Girls

Glee

Gossip Girl

Grey's Anatomy

Grange Hill

Growing Pains (not sure but I think I saw them all...)

Gunsmoke

Happy Days

Hercules: the Legendary Journeys

Heroes

Home Improvement

Homicide: Life on the Street

House

I Dream of Jeannie

I Love Lucy

Invader Zim

Invasion

Hell's Kitchen

JAG

Jackass

Joey

Kim Possible

Knight Rider

Knight Rider: 2008

Kung Fu

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues

La Femme Nikita

LA Law

Laverne and Shirley

Law and Order: SVU Leverage

Little House on the Prairie

Lizzie McGuire

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

Lost

Lost in Space

MASH

MacGyver

Malcolm in the Middle

Married... With Children

McLeods Daughters

Melrose Place

Miami Vice

Mission: Impossible

Mod Squad

Monk

Mork & Mindy

Murphy Brown

Mystery Science Theater 3000

My Life As A Dog

My Three Sons

My Two Dads

Mythbusters

NCIS

Ned Bigby's Declassified School Survival Guide

Nip/Tuck

Numb3rs

One Tree Hill

Perry Mason

Power Rangers

Press Gang

Prison Break

Private Practice

Privileged

Profiler

Project Runway

Psych

Pushing Daisies

Quantum Leap

Queer As Folk (US)

Queer as Folk (UK)

ReGenesis

Remington Steele

Rescue Me

Road

Rules

ROME

Roseanne

Roswell

Sanctuary

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?

Scrubs

Seaquest DSV

Seinfeld

Sex and the City

Six Feet Under

Slings and Arrows

Smallville

So Weird

South of Nowhere

South Park

Spongebob Squarepants

Star Trek

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Star Trek: Voyager

Star Trek: Enterprise

Stargate Atlantis

Stargate SG-1

Starsky & Hutch

Superman

Supernatural

Surface

Survivor

Taxi Teen

Titans

That 70's Show

That's So Raven

The 4400

The Addams Family

The Amazing Race

The Andy Griffith Show

The A-Team

The Avengers

The Beverly Hillbillies

The Brady Bunch

The Cosby Show

The Daily Show

The Dead Zone

The Dick Van Dyke Show

The Flintstones

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Golden Girls

The Honeymooners

The Jeffersons

The Jetsons

The Love Boat

The Magnificent Seven

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

The Monkees

The Munsters

The Office (US)

The Office (UK)

The Powerpuff Girls

The Pretender

The Real World

The Shield

The Simpsons

The Six Million Dollar Man

The Sopranos

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

The Twilight Zone

The Waltons

The West Wing

The Wonder Years

The X-Files

Third Watch

Three's Company

Twin Peaks

Twitch City

Unfabulous

Ugly Betty

Veronica Mars

Weeds

Whose Line is it Anyway? (US)

Whose Line is it Anyway? (UK)

Will and Grace

Wings

Xena: Warrior Princess

The L Word

Day 06 → Whatever tickles your fancy

2009-11-29T23:57:00.002+01:00

Because they're adorable:

Day 04 → Your favourite book

2009-11-29T21:07:00.002+01:00

The Diviners by Margaret Laurence

Day 02 → Your favourite movie

2009-11-26T19:59:00.003+01:00

Probably the movie I've seen most times in my life...and I can still enjoy it :D

Day 01 → Your favourite song

2009-11-25T11:51:00.003+01:00

America - Gianna Nannini, this is a live version from the last tour with a very cool intro by Giacomo and Davide and finale with her on the violin. Not the best performance I saw this tour because there were other hotter performances but it's the best video around... Very hot song, the music, the lyrics...30 years old but still as good as ever.

Day 02 → Your favourite movie Day 03 → Your favourite television program

Day 04 → Your favourite book Day 05 → Your favourite quote Day 06 → Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 07 → A photo that makes you happy

Day 08 → A photo that makes you angry/sad

Day 09 → A photo you took Day 10 → A photo of you taken over ten years ago

Day 11 → A photo of you taken recently

Day 12 → Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 13 → A fictional book

Day 14 → A non-fictional book Day 15 → A fanfic

Day 16 → A song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Day 17 → An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)

Day 18 → Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 19 → A talent of yours

Day 20 → A hobbie of yours Day 21 → A recipe

Day 22 → A website

Day 23 → A YouTube video Day 24 → Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 25 → Your day, in great detail

Day 26 → Your week, in great detail

Day 27 → This month, in great detail

Day 28 → This year, in great detail

Day 29 → Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Day 30 → Whatever tickles your fancy

ABC

2009-10-20T01:57:00.008+02:00

♐ Available: No

♐ Age: 29

♐ Annoyance: Narrow-minded people

♐ Allergies: Seasonal, several fruits and nuts and animals, nickel

♐ Animal: No

♐ Actor: Robert Downey Jr., Angelina Jolie

♐ Beer: Sure!

♐ Birthday/Birthplace: November, 23rd/Würselen, Germany

♐ Body part on opposite sex: Eyes, smile, hands/arms, voic

♐ Best feeling in the world: Being happy

♐ Blind or Deaf: I really don't know but I guess in the end I'd say blind because a silent world would be too scary

♐ Best weather: I love me some snow but I also love rain or sun.

♐ Been in Love: Yes

♐ Been bitched out?: Yes

♐ Been on stage?: Yes

♐ Believe in yourself?: Sometimes yes, sometimes not

♐ Believe in life on other planets: There's no proof but everything is possible!

♐ Believe in miracles: Maybe

♐ Believe in Magic: I don't think so

♐ Believe in God: No

♐ Believe in Satan: No

♐ Believe in Santa: No

♐ Believe in Ghosts/Spirits: I'm not sure

♐ Believe in Evolution: Yes

♐ Car: I got a bright yellow Hyundai

♐ Candy: Don't think I got a favorite kind

♐ Color: Blue and purple

♐ Cried in school: No

♐ Chocolate/Vanilla: Vanilla

♐ Chinese/Mexican: Mexican

♐ Cake or pie: Cheesecake

♐ Countries to visit: All! In particular, Canada, USA, Spain, France, Greece, Australia and then some. I've been to Spain and France but I want to go again.

♐ Day or Night: Night

♐ Dream vehicle: A time machine

♐ Danced: I used to be part of a jazz dance group when I was a kid and well now once in a blue moon when I end up in a club, used to go clubbing more often.

♐ Dance in the rain?: Never done it I think

♐ Dance in the middle of the street?: With the right people and some alcohol

♐ Do the splits?: When I was in the jazz dance group and gymnastics before that I was like a rubber doll so back then yes, now no LOL

♐ Eggs: Now and then

♐ Eyes: Blue

♐ Everyone has: A personality

♐ Ever failed a class?: Not that I remember, well I did not write some term papers and did another class instead but that's not really failing right? ;)

♐ First crush: George Clooney in ER

♐ Full name: Chiara Marlene

♐ First thoughts waking up: I should probably finally get up

♐ Food: Pasta

♐ Greatest Fear: Losing loved ones

♐ Giver or taker: Both I guess?

♐ Goals: Be happy

♐ Gum: Mint

♐ Get along with your parents?: Yes

♐ Good luck charms: Not really

♐ Hair Colour: Right now bright red

♐ Height: 1.60m but on my ID card it says 1.63 because apparently that day I was 3cm taller.

♐ Happy: Happy

♐ Holidays: Yes!

♐ How do you want to die: Happy and quick

♐ Health freak?: Not really

♐ Hate: Narrow-mindedness, dishonesty, racism, sexism, allergies, bugs

I (In guys/girls)

♐ Eye Color Blue

♐ Hair Color: Dark

♐ Height: Not too tall

♐ Clothing Style: Casual

♐ Characteristics: Honest

♐ Ice Cream: Yoghurt (but this is about me right?)

♐ Instrument: Piano and guitar

♐ Jewelry: Not much, sometimes a ring or something

♐ Job: Academics

♐ Kids: Sometime...

♐ Kickboxing or karate: Never tried both but kickboxing is cooler I think

♐ Keep a journal?: This one

♐ Longest Car Ride: 12 hours I think

♐ Love: Family, friends, Gianna, TV, books, Internet...

♐ Letter: C

♐ Laughed so hard you cried: Yes XD

♐ Love at first sight: Not really, gotta get to know somebody, lust at first sight yes.

♐ Milk flavor: Strawberry or vanilla

♐ Movie: Notting Hill

♐ Mooned anyone?: No

♐ Marriage: No

♐ Motion sickness?: Yes, especially when I read in a car or on the bus

♐ McD's or BK: McD's

♐ Number of Siblings: None

♐ Number of Piercings: Ears and nose but I can't wear them due to my allergy

♐ Number: 3

♐ Overused Phrases: Sjönste

♐ One wish: I don't know...be happy and healthy (okay, that's two)

♐ One phobia: Bugs although it's not really a phobia I guess

♐ Place you'd like to live: Italy, preferably Milan

♐ Pepsi/Coke: Coke

♐ Quail: No particular opinion about them

♐ Questionnaires: Fun if they're fun

♐ Reason to cry: Certain songs Gianna does live, sometimes tv and movies, sad things and happy things

♐ Reality T.V.: I only watch The Hills and The City but that's not really reality reality TV

♐ Radio Station: I don't really listen to the radio

♐ Roll your tongue in a circle?: Yes

♐ Song: Too many... America - Gianna Nannini

♐ Shoe size: 39/39 1/2

♐ Sushi: Yes

♐ Skipped school: Yes

♐ Slept outside: Only in a tent and in the car (that night we actually wanted to sleep outside but the air mattress had gotten too wet because it was so humid there. I did nap sometimes while waiting for a concert does that count also? I even got a picture of me sleeping in the main square of Aosta :D

♐ Seen a dead body?: Yes

♐ Skinny dipped?: No

♐ Shower daily?: Yes

♐ Sing well?: Hahaha, don't know! Don't think so

♐ In the shower?: Not really

♐ Swear?: Yes

♐ Stuffed Animals?: Sweet

♐ Single/Group dates: Both I guess? I assume group as a group of friends?

♐ Strawberries/Blueberries: Strawberries

♐ Scientists need to invent: Time Machine

♐ Time for bed: Late

♐ Thunderstorms: Depends on my mood

♐ Touch your tongue to your nose?: No

♐ Unpredictable: Yes I guess

♐ Under the influence?: I do drink now and then but hardly ever to the point I get really sick

♐ Understanding?: Most of the time

♐ Vegetable you hate: Leek

♐ Vegetable you love: Zucchini

♐ Vacation spot: Any where I feel like going to

♐ Weakness: Gianna

♐ When you grow up: I won't grow up

♐ Worst feeling: Loneliness, nostalgia

♐ Wanted to be a model?: No

♐ Where do we go when we die: A happy place

♐ Worst weather: Too hot

♐ Walk with a book on your head?: I can but why should I?

♐ X-Rays: Good to find out stuff

♐ Year it is now: 2009

♐ Yellow: Tweety

♐ Zoo animal: Crocodiles

♐ Zodiac sign: Sagittarius

Amarti m'affatica mi da' malinconia...amarti mi consola le notti bianche

2009-10-14T02:51:00.002+02:00

Doing one of those short and sweet to the point entries before I head off to bed finally...

* Today one of my students asked me if I had never considered a career as a comedian. I think she was completely serious, hahaha! If I can't get a job once I'm grown up, I can always step into Ellen's shoes I guess.

* Stupid annoying herpes thingies are coming back in my nose. Ugh, hope it goes away soon. Maybe I'm lucky though and it's just a pimple, I have a feeling not though. It's nothing important, just annoying.

* I'm kinda sad me and one of my best friends are not really managing to see each other lately. We just got clashing schedules and it's weird because we used to be able to hang out regularly. Tomorrow he's off and usually it's my day off also but I said I substitute for somebody so things won't work out because meeting for lunch before work is rushed because I'd be going back and forth longer than actually spending time with him and eating lunch and after work he already had plans also. Lately, it seems to be how it goes...but we did manage to meet for coffee last week. That's something!

* I rejoined my old RPG a little while ago. It's good be back and to be writing my favorite character again but it's weird seeing the game now taken over by somebody else having changed things we created... * I think there was more I wanted to mention but I don't remember.

* My boss is leaving me in charge of the place on Friday, she was really nervous about it and told me that she hadn't done this in 10 years, not being there herself but I assured her things would be okay. At the other place (which is the same institute, just in another town), it's normal we sometimes answer the phone and stuff because there our boss usually leaves on time and during the summer school courses she wasn't there and all. It's nice to know my boss trusts me with this though, I have only been working there since March! And since February at the other place. One of my two bosses at the second place is really appreciative sometimes, like telling me I do a good job and being happy that I'm there. I like my boss at the other place also but it's also good to hear actual appreciation from time to time but I guess boss 1 just isn't that kind of person.

* OK, all of this is actually getting longer than I intended.

* I think I tore one of my earlobes, gah! Need to look at my iron and vitamin intake a bit better I guess.

* This makes me emotional every time, I listened to the second song Uò-Uò earlier from another tour and I remembered that special evening in the Arena, about a month ago. It was the first time I heard Uò-Uò live and I cried like a baby... It's a song not everybody knows but hearing the whole audience there going along with the uò uò was quite amazing and then seeing Gianna being obviously emotional also as she walked up to the front. That split second we looked at each other, both crying, her smile... Even though there were lesser parts in this concert, like the seats and the bad security because we're the crazy unchained girls (pazze scattenate, hehe), there were some amazing moments shared with great people but I'll write more about that another time. For the record I hate those screaming people...there's a time to scream and there's a time to not scream. Perdiod.

30 Day Shed is back

2009-10-12T00:53:00.001+02:00

So, I started shredding again this week. I tried Yourself!Fitness but as much as I liked it in the beginning, in the end I didn't. And I didn't do it regularly enough so I decided to go back to shredding, at least I know what I get and I like the short workout every day. It's also quite convenient because I can manage to one more round before I go to Italy for three weeks in November, well some days I'll have to do the shred twice but that's mostly because I started too late and then even later because I had headaches at the beginning of the week. I did two times a day before though and it's not all too much fun but it's okay. I also notice that things definitely go more smoothly now, I can do everything Nat style, except for the push-ups. Will see how it goes when I move to level 2 and 3 but if I look back to the first time I did this, I notice such a difference!! And I'm happy to still notice this difference even when it was in June I did it. It's cool also to do this right before I take off for 11 concerts in November because I'll be fitter to run to get those desired places in front row and to jump and stuff for 2+ hours LOL I already noticed a difference with before in September, even though I hadn't regularly worked out for a while then, it's great! All of this said, I still gotta do the second workout of today...yes, I'm crazy doing it at this hour but what has to be done, has to be done! And I do want to do some doubles in every level, not only level 3 like I ended up doing last time to finish it before I went on vacation.

Also, this is the start of my good intentions to get writing here again :)

Edit: Just finished my second time today, phew... That first round of cardio with the jumping jacks and jump rope is still getting to me. I can deal with the jacks but I hate jump rope. Also I got some pain in one of my calves, actually noticed it the other day while walking also. Probably pulled a muscle or something, or about to or whatever but anyway I should take care with that because I noticed it being worse during this second time around today. I don't want to give up though! I want to finish the shred another time. I started a while back also but didn't finish because Max' brother came to visit and he hung out in the living room a lot, where I do my workout and since I didn't feel like doing it late all the time, I didn't continue. I want to finish it again this time though! I'm already half done with level 1! Not that that is a lot but it's half of one third of the complete workout.

Reasearch is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing

2009-10-10T01:43:00.001+02:00

I had a brainstorming session with a friend and because it's sort of a hot topic with me right now, it's thesis time!

After a long search for a decent and new topic, I finally got on the right track (I hope). I was really getting desperate because I didn't really like my old topic and my professor wasn't really happy about it either. It was just not original enough and too commonplace. So while watching Dollhouse I realized that it has certain things in common with The Handmaid's Tale and as I was looking into doing something with popular culture anyway but never really found the right street, this was apparently the perfect trigger. Many ideas came to mind but in the end I did end up in the feminist corner again and I settled on researching gender stereotypes in Margaret Atwood, TV shows and film and maybe music. It all has to be fleshed out still of course but my professor thought it has potential so that's good already. I was afraid he might not like the pop culture part but he's really quite flexible and open to anything. He's a 65 year old male, and yes I know not the most obvious choice for a feminist topic in the popular culture corner but as I said he's cool and open for anything. I had a feminist topic for my MA thesis also and he was fine with that (actually it was him years ago who got me into Margaret Laurence) and I got an A- so I don't think I need to worry about anything in that department. Besides what counts is quality and clicking and not age nor gender, and he's really good and we click in the sense that he's not somebody who hovers and sets deadlines for me but he lets me work in my own pace and is there when I need him (for my MA thesis, I set the topic and then didn't see him the whole time I worked on it for example), I need that freedom. Also I just generally get along really well with him and I think that's also something that is needed.

Basically the idea is to look at Atwood's novels and her treatment of gender stereotyping and compare it with TV shows, movies and music. All starting from the 60s because that's when she wrote and published her first novel The Edible Woman, I might dip into the 50s but I'm not sure about that all. For now I'm just coming up with shows, movies and musical artists I could use and I need to start researching popular culture and gender studies in general. So a lot to do! At least I got something I'm passionate about now and I think I need that to be busy with this the next few years.

Among the shows I thought of with some help of two friends right now are: I Love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Bewitched, Leave It To Beaver, The Bionic Woman, Murphy Brown, Who's The Boss, Roseanne, Buffy, Sex And The City, Dollhouse, Desperate Housewives, Alias, Battlestar Galactica, Stark Trek (TOS), Ally McBeal, Charlie's Angels, Mad Men, The X-Files and a whole bunch of older shows I still need to check out because I don't know them yet.

In the movie department I haven't brainstormed a lot yet but so far I got: Working Girl, Baby Boom, 9 to 5, Alien, Terminator 2, Bond movies, Romcoms, Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Jodi Foster, Barbra Streisand, Fried Green Tomatoes, Thelma & Louise, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

Music wise, I've been thinking about Janis Joplin, Carol King, Patti Smith, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Billie Holiday, Tina Turner, Alanis Morissette, Tori Amos, Blondie, The Supremes, Ani DiFranco, Annie Lennox and maybe Gianna but I think I should stay within the English language. I'm not sure yet if I'll go into music though, need to look into it.

Anyway, this is where I'm at now. It's all in a very early stage and I'm not sure where it's all gonna lead and what I'm going to do exactly but so far I'm excited and optimistic about it and at least I'll be working on something I'm passionate about. Only thing I'm worried about is the connection between Atwood and this all... I need to start digging up interviews of hers and try to find out what is her opinion about popular culture. Speaking of Atwood, she's too cool, she's on Twitter now with her 69 years and on a book tour for her new book and blogging about that.

What decade am I?

2009-09-25T22:28:00.002+02:00

You Are the 1990s

You are a honest, down to earth, and somewhat sarcastic person. You don't front.
You appreciate the cynical days of the 1990s, when irony was king.

You're somewhat skeptical and mocking of the mainstream. You tend to embrace alternative culture instead.
You are open minded and accepting. You don't judge people as long as they're real with you.

What Decade Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

House 6X01 & 6X02

2009-09-24T13:30:00.001+02:00

I was predisposed already because I read in several places the episode was brilliant. Maybe I shouldn't have read that (I did only know about that, wasn't spoiled in any other way) and I would have been more taken in by the awesomeness of House in the asylum ("No, it's your other friend in the asylum." LOL). Hugh Laurie is brilliant as House, he really shone in this episode and I wish he'd have gotten an Emmy but really this time it was Michael Emerson's time (yay for him!).

Anyway, back to House. I love how he started out scheming in there, trying to get out as quick as possible but in the end realized he did need the help. I love how he kept observing people as a doctor. I loved how he connected to the woman whose name I forgot, and I love how it led him to cry and let us see House at his most vulnerable. I love how we've finally gotten to see he does have a heart, something I've always believed, yet he's also still his old jerky self. I love how he hugged Al at the end and smiled, and speaking about Al, their number together was hilarious also. I love how we finally saw House smile as if he means it, yet still being his old sarcastic self. I love how he was there for Dr. Nolan and I love how Dr. Nolan wanted his help in this first place. I love how he took superhero guy out for a ride and a fly, even though he then almost died, but at least he had had the best time of his life. I love how House eventually actually connected to these people, although I gotta admit that the scene in the basketball court with old House was sorta hilarious. I love how he admitted that he only has one friend really. I loved the scenes at the fund raiser, House as House, haha.

I'm curious how things will be now when he's gonna be back home. Has he really changed? I mean for all we know it might all just be an act...I don't think so though, I do think that something in him has changed after his time at Mayfield. I do, however, think that he'll still be his old self, either to keep up certain things at work and just showing the new him to certain people, or he'll indeed show House with a heart to everybody but I'm not really sure about that last one... Especially towards the ducklings I can see him being his old self still.

Is it Monday already?

Quizzes

2009-09-19T12:56:00.002+02:00

You Are South

Like an islander, you are friendly, easy-going and welcoming. You are always looking for good times and new friends.
People admire that you are so caring and hospitable. The world would be a much better place if more folks were like you.

Sometimes you come across as a little too complacent. You tend to avoid conflict at any cost, even if it makes you uncomfortable in the process.
You make an ideal diplomat. You know how to put people at ease and how to promote peace.

Are You North, South, East, or West?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

Your Birthday is Purple

You are the independent type. It's hard for people to peg, label, or stereotype you.
You enjoy people and things from all walks of life. You're incredibly open minded.

You tend to be a bit fickle and even moody. You can end up hating what you love and vice versa.
Your preferences and actions can be a bit mysterious at times. It's hard to predict what you'll do.

What Color Is Your Birthday?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Day 09 → A photo you took

2009-09-12T22:43:00.002+02:00

Okay, I'm cheating and posting two photos but I love the contrast. Both are taken in Puglia, Italy but not at the same place.

Flickr Meme

2009-09-09T23:19:00.006+02:00

The Rules:

1. Answer each of the questions below using the Flickr Search engine.

2. Choose a photo from the first three pages.

3. Copy the URL of your favorite photo into this site: http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php 4. Then share with the world.

1. First Name

2. Favorite Food

3. Hometown

4. Favorite Color

5. Celebrity Crush

6. Favorite Drink

7. Dream Vacation

8. Favorite Dessert

9. What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

10. What/Who I Love Most In The World

11. One Word That Describes Me

12. My Flickr Name

No picture for the last question because no pictures showed up...

How do you travel through life

2009-08-31T19:43:00.001+02:00

You Run Through Life

Your journey through life energetic, fast paced, and spontaneous.

You like to live for the moment, and you always prefer taking action to sitting still.

You crave a lot of freedom in your life. You can feel burdened by too make rules and responsibilities.

If you can do things your own way, you're really are able to shine. You are very good at understanding the world.

How Do You Travel Through Life?

30 Day Shred - Last Six Days

2009-07-15T01:42:00.000+02:00

I did it!! I finished the 30 Day Shred today!! Wooooooo!!!

I was a little lazy after I came back from Milan so I ended up doing it twice a day Sunday, Monday and today so I could finish it before I leave on vacation. That was kinda exhausting but at least I finished. I'm proud of myself :D

I don't really have much to say about it anymore, except that it got easier I guess. Looking back I definitely like level 3 much more than level 2, which I still hate. Only thing of level 3 I don't like so much are those mountain climbers...the dreaded plank pose. Oh, and those scissor things but since I learned to breath those went better and with taking a little break and doing 3 sets of 10 of them it's quite okay.

I can't believe I actually made it through this and did this for 30 days. Well, with a small break in between but I did my 30 sessions.

Not sure yet what I'll do when I get back. I kinda want to do the shred again and see if I can master it doing it Nat-style. Or maybe try the other videos of Jillian. I'll see and decide when I'm back. I'll try and keep moving during my vacation, walk a lot and swim I guess so I won't get completely out of it. It's only two weeks though so nothing really bad should happen and I'm not a sit on my ass/lay on the beach all day person anyway so hopefully I'll be out and about a lot.

30 Day Shred - Day Twentythree & Twentyfour

2009-07-05T21:08:00.000+02:00

Just finished my workout and even though it rained the temperature didn't really go down so still hellish, hahaha. I'll have a 3 day break now because I'll be away and then the last 6 days will be tackled, wooooo!! I definitely feel it getting easier, and now in level 3 the only things giving me troubles is the cardio with this temperature but some are okay. I don't really like the last cardio interval, rock star jump and jump squats, gah! Most of the exercises are pretty okay and I can handle them fine which is great, I've definitely gotten better at things and fitter I guess. I only hate those scissor crunches! I keep having trouble doing those and actually breathing properly...and I hate the lying on the belly and raising arms and legs (can't remember the name right now), it's just to hot to be in that position with your face down. I also noticed some muscle ache in my shoulders and a tiny bit in my legs so I guess some other parts are trained in this last workout. Still loving it though, and I sweat like a pig during those walking push-ups but I love the strain on my arms and shoulders during, you really feel them working.

30 Day Shred - Day Twentytwo

2009-07-04T03:27:00.000+02:00

I can't believe I worked out at 3am... I didn't get around to it all day and as I was a bit nauseous when I got up I didn't do it then either so I here I am, haha. It got this late because I'm weird and started to die my hair after midnight and with the blond first and then the red it all got kinda late. At least I did my workout though.

I definitely like level 3 better than 2 and it's not so difficult as I thought. I really expected hell after level 2 but it's really quite okay. Sure some of the moves are quite hard, like the cardio with the weights but it's not level 3 for nothing! I screwed off one weight of my dumbbells today and that was much better to do the cardio and I could even do it without taking a break, well for a second during the jumping jacks...those with weights is just a crazy thing!! I really like many of these moves much better than level 2 though.

I'm kinda ready to die now I think. It's way too late and I'm tired because I haven't been sleeping well in this heath, having the sun all day on my bedroom doesn't really help with that either. I already had a bit of a headache but of course working out didn't really make that go away either. Gonna head to the shower now, grab another bottle of water and then bed.