Filipinos, REPRESENT!

Mei Melancon courtesy of IMDB.com

Apparently, Filipinos are mutants. The X-Men kind. I am happy that my race is represented in the latest Brett Ratner film X-Men 3. Mei Melancon (Rush Hour 2, Kitchen Confidential) is playing Psylocke, the baddie telepathic assasin next to Magneto and his group.

Love the fact.

Now I wish I was her. I mean, she gets to act and see Hugh Jackman and Shawn Ashmore in the flesh.

Let's not get into the fact that she's 5'7" and is a hottie.

Damn my Filipino genes.

"Bring Out Your Dead!"

Or I guess your resolutions, take your pick.

The year's coming to an end and I think I have heard everyone's New Year's resolution at work. Nilly and I haven't made a resolution in probably forever (okay, last year, I attempted (after not breaking my resolution not to make a resolution) and probably commited to 90% of it, failing at the losing weight thing) but here's something that I've always passed on to ANYONE attempting to lose weight or gauging whether they need to go on a weight-loss program as their New Year's resolution.

It's a humorous outlook on Dieting from the defunct Rosie Magazine from way back. Enjoy!!!!

YOU KNOW IT'S TIME TO DIET WHEN...

Jenny Craig calls you, herself.

You convince yourself muumuus are fashionable.

Yourt husband is your goal weight.

You use pliers to zip up your jeans.

The XXXL T-shirt you bought for sleeping fits like a tank top.

You order a half-gallon in ice cream, and the twerp behind the counter asks you if you want a spoon.

You get your thyroid checked weekly.

Your neck is no longer visible.

Your fat clothes have become your thin clothes.

Strangers ask you when your baby is due.

Sex with your partner feels like a threesome.

You find a recent snapshot and realize the camera adds 40 pounds.

You'll only buy the clothes with the word STRETCH on the label.

The saleswoman at Lane Bryant can't help you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Post Christmas Greetings

Thanks again for all the well-wishes, everyone! I am really grateful.

And to all, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours was busy. It was hectic but well worth it. Got a bunch of great presents but I think the best present was spending time with the hubby.

It was heaven. Sleeping in, eating, watching movies. Loved everything about it.

Now the work day approaches. It sucks.

But again, the season gave me something to hold on to. For that, I am glad that I still have Nilly to be with me this season.

To all my family and friends, have a great week and happy holidays!

Here's To You...

I'm taking a short detour from my usual pointless ramblings to commemorate my Aunt Rosie.

This morning, she passed away.

The feeling, being told over the phone was just overwhelming. I definitely was in denial. Part of me was saying, "But I just saw her!" and part of me was saying, "She has moved on."

It is strange that I feel this much pain and loss since I saw so little of her my entire life. Physically, we've probably met up every 7 years but in every other way, she had always been part of me. She never forget to send me birthday cards and scribbled notes when I was growing up. She invited me to visit her in Florida when I moved to the East Coast. She gave us a lovely wonderful wedding present when Nilly and I got married. She took care of us when we were visitors for my cousin's wedding. She watched over my parents as they stayed on as tourists.

I still have her picture. I still could hear her voice. I still could remember the scent of roses against her skin during Caroline's wedding.

She was more than my godmother. She was more than my dad's sister. She was someone who made sure I wouldn't forget.

Auntie, wherever you are, I hope for your speedy arrival in God's arms.

I HOPE YOU DANCE
Artist: Lee Ann Womack Lyrics

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Casting A Star

Mike Ausiello of TV Guide had some lovely information this week in regards to Veronica Mars and Gilmore Girls.

Let's start with a plea of help from Rob Thomas, creator of VM:

Question: Yay, Wallace is back on Veronica Mars! What else can we look forward to when the second half of the season kicks off? — John

Ausiello: The show is working on its own version of "Aaron Echolls: The E! True Hollywood Story" to be cut into an upcoming episode, and exec producer Rob Thomas needs our help. You see, the spoof is supposed to feature an interview with the actor playing Echolls in the TV-movie "The Aaron Echolls Story," but in a funny twist, Rob is having a tough time casting the role. "We actually attempted to book Peter Gallagher," Thomas says, "but we didn't have enough money in our budget for Peter's agents to 'take it seriously.'" Now this is where we come in. Rob is curious who AA readers think should "play" Harry Hamlin's evil alter ego. Although he admits "it's doubtful we'll actually be able to book their top choice, we may give it a shot." OK, guys, it's not every day that the man in charge of TV's coolest show comes directly to AA for casting tips, so let's not disappoint him. Send me your suggestions by Friday, Dec. 23, and I'll post a list of the top finalists in an upcoming AA. Oh, and to make my life a little easier, please write "Armchair Casting Director" in the subject line. Contrary to rampant speculation, I don't have a team of eight assistants helping me put out this column every week.

*** I've cast my vote. My nominees are: James Spade (I know he's got another day time job already but he'd be perfect), Willie Aames (because let's face it, he can be an evil person) and Greg Evigan of BJ and the Bear (I know, left field, right?). Cast now!***

Question: Usually I am not one to complain, but I must point out that you have been seriously lacking on Gilmore Girls spoilers lately. — Tammy

Ausiello: Cut me a little slack, Tammy. 'Tis the season when the entire TV biz toddles off to Aspen for three weeks, so scoop/spoilers are about as scarce as watchable Susan scenes on Desperate Housewives. Luckily, my Gilmore mole had decent enough cell reception on the slopes to tell me that Episode 13 — which is slated to air on Jan. 24 — marks the long-awaited return of Friday-night dinners at the Gilmore manse. This is the first time Emily, Richard, Lorelai and Rory will be alone in the same room together since the Big Split of '05 last May, so expect the Amy Sherman-Palladino-penned outing to be brimming with cathartic outbursts. And it's not just recent events that get dredged up during the meal-cum-melee, which goes on for a record eight scenes. At one point, Emily reopens a 20-year-old wound when she lashes out at Lorelai for getting pregnant and ruining her life. Now that's a table read I would've paid big money to be at. We're talking Rose Bowl-type money.

***I bet things will really be awkwrd now that Christopher will be the one paying for Rory's college, huh??? Let's hope things with Chris won't peter out like S1 when he didn't have money and Rory had to go back to the grandparents with her tail tucked between her legs.***

Question: First, thanks for all of your Gilmore Girls info, especially the news about Scott Patterson re-signing. My question is about Sean Gunn. I read that he has chosen not to return for GG's seventh season. Do you know how AS-P is going to handle Kirk's absence? — Vickie

Ausiello: Nothing could be further from the truth. Sean — and Kirk — will both be returning next season. Oh, and this just in: David Sutcliffe will be back for at least five more episodes this season.

Question: Wondering if you have any scoop, spoilers regarding Without a Trace. — Barb

Ausiello: How about a Trace/Gilmore hybrid scoop? Keiko Agena — that's GG's Lane to you — will get a chance to showcase her dramatic chops on Trace this February, when she plays a 23-year-old Japanese rape victim who was assaulted five years ago by a U.S. Marine stationed in Tokyo. Cut to the present, when the Marine who took the rap for the crime goes missing, and Jack's crew discovers that he may have been wrongly convicted. They must track down Keiko in order to find clues.

*** An eye raise for once. Maybe I'll give this one a preview.***

Anywhoo, I still have to listen to the poscast (still getting over the Matt Czuchry/ Logan Huntzberger name calling incident and that was a few eps ago).

Other news on my front:

Vu will be having a show at the Harrisburg Museum which started last week and will be going until the end of January. He has another exhibit in March and that will be in downtown Lancaster. For those curious as to how his Tribeca show went last September? He did well. He sold 15 out of his 20 piece exhibit. He promised me that he'd update his work that had sold on his site. When that will happen... well, it might be forever.

DeAnn has also moved out of blogspot and into her own site. So anything remotely related to entertainment, read her stuff. It's an interesting read.

Happy Wednesday!

Christmas Movies

Currently, I am tired of listening to Christmas music. There's only one Christmas album that I'm digging right now and it has Ben Fold's "Bizarre Christmas Incident" and Jack Johnson's politically correct "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer". Other than that, I am just done.

Nilly and I have different perceptions of Christmas. Not making him shallow (or me ultra religious), he thinks of Christmas as a commercial season. I prefer celebrating the season as a secular event.

We try not to discuss it because he and I end up disagreeing. He says I am annoying since I always tell him I don't want any Christmas presents. I get annoyed with him because he still goes out and gets me something that I once liked on a whim rather than saving money.

I don't think this will be something we're going to stop arguing about any time soon.

Anyway, today was my day-off. As I told Ames, it was going to be spent cleaning the house and grocery shopping. That I did. With the help of Season 4 of Will and Grace on the TV, I was able to get a majority of my cleaning done. Threw out quiz papers, packed away school books and cleaned out the dining room table filled with Ikea catalogs and week old mail. I don't know how things got so out of hand!

So, if you're like me, motivated to clean when something is on TV, here are a few Christmas movies that are great for background noise (or an excuse to sit down and take a break).

A Charlie Brown Christmas
All I Want for Christmas (with a very young Thora Birch)
Die Hard 1 & 2 (I didn't say that it's all feel good!)
The Grinch
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Have to love this classic!)
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Love Actually
While You Were Sleeping
Frosty the Snowman
Nightmare Before Christmas
Narnia (Great movie, if you haven't caught it on the big screen yet)
The Muppets Christmas Carol (just because Statler and Waldorf as crabby ghosts isn't a far stretch)

I haven't included Miracle on 24th Street (haven't seen it in its entirety), It's A Wonderful Life (not allowed to watch it at home) and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (when has Chevy Chase become funny?).

So there it is. Add to the list your favorites!

Sending Out an S.O.S.

It's that time again, folks. Kristin from E!Online is doing her yearly Save One Show (SOS) campaign.

I don't know if you guys remember but last year, Veronica Mars outpolled Arrested Development. Because of the disparity (50% of the polled votes were for VM versus AD's 25%). This year, these 2 shows are campaigning again. Arrested Development hasn't been given the official funeral papers but it definitely had lost its Monday night slot at Fox. VM, despite its growing fanbase (and absence of UPN in thousands of cities) isn't pulling in the numbers America's Top Model is pulling.

Maybe UPN should poll how many people download the episodes online so that they can watch it... Or give it a bigger base like CBS. VM made good numbers on CBS when it was being aired last summer.

The people are out there. Just open your eyes!

Anyway, here's the list of shows Kristin is polling. If you have any other shows you want to save but aren't on this list, email her.

7th Heaven: Will end in May.

Alias: Ditto.

Arrested Development: No official cancellation, but it looks imminent. There is talk of a pickup by Showtime.

Charmed: The girls' contracts are up, and WB sources say it is likely to be canceled in May.

The Comeback: Already gone. Some of us still can't get over it. We don't wann see that?

Everwood: Despite the best season yet, the WB has pulled it off the air till March. Not the best sign.

Fat Actress: No announcement yet of a return.

Kitchen Confidential: Officially canceled.

Night Stalker: ABC has officially canceled it, however, the Sci Fi Channel has picked up the episodes already shot.

Reunion: Fox has shut down production. There are rumblings the WB might want to pick it up. (Note: I found out the identity of Sam's killer. We can discuss in Monday's chat whether you want to know!)

Threshold: CBS canceled it.

Veronica Mars: Highly debatable whether it belongs on this list. There are no signs UPN is considering canceling VM, but given the lower than deserved ratings, it still needs support.

The West Wing: On the fence. This could be the last season.

What I Like About You: Sources say it is likely to end in May.

Will & Grace: Will end in May.

Something Only a Fan Will Do

I triple dog dare you to write to this email address.

I won't tell you who it belongs to but if you sit down, take a bite and get a clue, you'd figure it out.

Happy correspondence!

Misery and the Company of the Dead

I had to take a break. A real break.

All weekend, I promised myself not to get into this wretched situation but of course, procrastination and a Christmas party got me into my current state of hell.

Crimeny.

Missed Grey's Anatomy tonight. I had to will myself to sit and actually read up on Marx (no, not Richard), Nietzche, Kierkegaard and Dewey. Yes, five philosphers in 4 hours.

If it was not for sheer will power and the fear of failing (yes, I have fallen subject to the Slave-Morality dilemma), I wouldn't subject myself to this. I wouldn't be to be so vinictive that I'd have my worst enemy go through such torture.

However, it's my fault and I need to rectify my aesthetic state of being.

Tomorrow, I shall tackle 4 decades of history in 3 hours. I'm taking bets. Who thinks I could do this? Come on, I need some motivation here. Anyone? Someone?

Bahumbug!

The winter season had finally kicked in here at the East Coast.

Big freaking deal, right?

Yes, it is a big deal. I am not a snow lover. It has its moments but I could have it fall overnight, have the sun shine the next day and melt it. No black (or block) ice, no wet shoes, no salt stains on my leather boots.

I hope the Ickle gals share some of my sentiment. DeAnn, I hope IL was left in a better shape other than that of one giant sheet of ice.

Here are the things I hate about the winter season. Feel free to add to it.

1. Plowing your driveway only to have the street snowplower erect a new wall of snow back in your shoveled driveway. I don't mean an inch. I mean off-roading, I can ski this hill kind of wall.

2. Driving behind people who have over 8 inches of snow on the hood and roof of their cars and making all the people driving behind them suffer. Yes, I know you don't care if you die, you maggot, but be considerate. The people behind you don't share the same death wish.

3. Drivers who drive in snow like it was a dry, sunny day. There is a reason why safe drivers put a car and a half space between other cars while driving over sheets of ice. It's not an invite for you to "slide" in. It's so that the other person doesn't get rear-ended, you moron.

4. SUV drivers that straddle parking spaces. Better yet, SUV owners that happen to park CLOSEST to the entrance of almost every establishment. Weren't you guys supposed to be the health conscious, I walk anywhere to stay energized healthy? Oh yeah, that hate I have for these vehicle owners is all year round. My bad.

5. Having to go to work while everyone else is playing in the snow. Or school. Hell, I don't like being out in the snow. Period.

Another Crush Gone

So, here I was, wallowing because I found out that Matt Damon got his girlfriend, Luciana Bozan, pregnant... Three months!

It can't happen. Not my Matt. He won't do such a bad thing.

Then I came home and found out that he MARRIED her tonight. TONIGHT.

I guess I I will just wallow.

I hope his marriage will last long. I hope she will be good to him.

Things I am protective of when my crushes are lost to the competition.

Start Praying for the WB!!!

Isn't it cool that Jackie was the first question Ausiello answered in this week's ecolumn? I was happy for her. Then, I get a little present via the early Santa! (BTW, that's the post office dude and again, thanks, J!) Well, to top it all, there is more news on the Gilmore front, and a 'wishing' possible series ending to OTH... Hint, don't watch!

Have I piqued your curiosity yet? Read on. Here's the news from the Kristin front:

Froggy Forecast: First, the good news. I connected with a few well-placed sources close to the WB this week, and they tell me the rumors that Gilmore Girls will end after this season might not be true. "Talks are still continuing with Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino about staying with the show, and a new show they are front-running for next year will be part of the deal for both of them to stay," one source inside the network tells me. "As for Gilmore Girls itself, they are looking to end it after next year, but if it continues to do well, it could go beyond the next season. Both Lauren [Graham] and Alexis [Bledel] have expressed interest in returning, if things go well with Amy and Dan."

The silver lining? After I reported on Tuesday's E! News that an inside source told me One Tree Hill might be in the same boat, I've been contacted by anyone and everyone connected to the studio and the network, assuring me that is not the case. WB reps insist the network is 100-percent behind Tree Hill, and the show isn't going anywhere. Can I get an "amen," my Tree-huggin' brethren? (A/N: I don't think so!)

More good news: Sources tell me Supernatural and Smallville are definitely going at least another season, and might even share a night together next year. I'll waste away in Supernaturalville anytime, baby.

And to those that are watchers of Kitchen Confidential, the show's axed. Another good show bit the dust.

Thank goodness there's still Veronica Mars to calm me down.

Slow News Week

Hey everyone! With the "end' of Prison Break lasst week and the dawning of the Christmas season, spoilers have been few and far bewteen.

However, Ausiello has just come back from his vaycay so here's the latest of the spoilers!

Question: Rumor has it that since the Palladinos have the green light on a new show for next year, this might be the last season for Gilmore Girls. Is there any truth to this? Are we really not going to get a Season 7? — Jackie

Ausiello: Relax. There's little doubt Gilmore will be back in the fall. Not only is it, like, 13 viewers away from eclipsing Smallville as WB's most-watched show, but Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel are already contracted for a seventh year. And guess who's also on board for next season? Scott frakkin' Patterson. That's right; reliable sources tell me his deal just closed. Now, the only question is whether Team Palladino — whose pact expires in May — will be at the helm of what is widely expected to be the show's farewell season. My gut tells me Amy and Dan will be back, albeit in a somewhat reduced capacity since they'll be juggling both GG and their new, as-yet-untitled, Big Apple-based romantic comedy.

Question: When is Wallace returning to Neptune? — John

Ausiello: I honestly don't know. But I'm pretty sure Leo's coming back tonight, so that should be fun. Or maybe not, considering someone is about to "vanish from Veronica's life forever." Please don't let it be Leo.

Question: As much as I love VM and Lost, I'm really curious if you've got any Supernatural scoop. — Rebecca

Ausiello: Some cool guest stars coming up. William B. Davis — aka X-Files' Cigarette Smoking Man — will play a possibly evil professor on Jan. 10. And the following week, Angel alum Julie Benz drops in as Layla, a woman with a brain tumor who seeks out a definitely evil reverend known for curing the incurable.

Question: Any chance we'll see Marty appear on Gilmore Girls this season? — Sarah

Ausiello: As of now, no. But for $10, you can get a quick Marty (aka Wayne Wilcox) fix in the movie version of Rent. He plays a member of an AIDS support group and, boy, can he carry a tune.

Question: Think of all the gasp! moments there have been these past couple of weeks: Luke has a daughter on Gilmore Girls; Meg is pregnant on Veronica Mars; Shannon dies on Lost; Lara Flynn Boyle flies away on Las Vegas; and the boys don't get out on Prison Break! Should we expect any more excitement before Christmas from any of our fave shows? — Brynna

Ausiello: Bright and Hannah are going to get naked together on Everwood tomorrow night; that's pretty major. And as if you needed another reminder, the Carver will be unmasked during the final moments of Nip/Tuck's third season finale on Dec. 20, which will be composed of two back-to-back episodes from 10 pm to midnight. And don't bother trying to guess who the Masked One is. TVGuide.com's Angel Cohn spoke to Bruno Campos on Monday and he flat-out said the Carver's identity is "not guessable. You’ll never guess, never in a million years." So, by my estimation, that narrows the suspect pool to either Dora the Explorer or ex-Apprentice munchkin Stacy Rotner. My money's on Rotner.

Question: No! Prison Break can't go on hiatus. Can you give us some spoilers? Is Abruzzi really dead? — Diane

Ausiello: My gut is telling me Abruzzi is definitely not dead. Although the original plan clearly called for the scruffy mob mole to get shipped off to the big house in the sky, judging by what I saw on screen and the open-ended way the character's fate was left, I'm willing to bet my entire set of 2005 Smurfs that producers granted Abruzzi a last-minute stay of execution with the intention of bringing him back before the season is finished. Adding fuel to my theory: PB executive producer Paul Scheuring declined to discuss the matter with me over the phone, and a show spokesperson issued a stern, "No comment." T-Bag, however, released this statement: "S---, I'm a dead man!"

----note: This I disagree with since Kristin already posted that Peter Stormare (Abruzzi) doesn't feel comfortable with the whole cast. How he can't is beyond me but that's the rumor. As a side note, despite knowing Stormare as the Russian Cosmanaut in "Armageddon", did you know that he is a Shakespearean trained stage performer? Who would've thunk?---

Been Tagged-- Again

By Lindsay... now moving on.

Rules are as follows: Remove the blog at #1 from the following list and bump everyone up one place; then add your blog to the #5 spot.

1. Jerry
2. VideoX
3. Steph
4. Lindsay
5. Donut Shop

Next select 5 friends to piss off:
1. Katty
2. Amy (you have to be tagged twice! LOL)
3. Jackie
4. Ally
5. Camilla

Since Lindsay tagged Ames already, here's the alternate: Zach Braff (I can dream, right?)

What were you doing 10 years ago?

1995--- I was living in Tacoma. Around this time, there was a snow storm, enough that we were able to build a fort at around 2 am. I was "inducted" to the building(our frat/sorority house of sorts) by being dragged out of bed and unceremoniously dropped on my back, exposed to the snow. Ah, those were the days.

What were you doing 1 year ago?

Working. Took the semester off. Was writing "How We Play Hide and Go Seek" for the Seasonal Passions challenge.

5 snacks you enjoy:
1. Chex Mix
2. cheese cubes
3. Snickers bars
4. dark chocolate
5. fruit

5 songs to which you know all the lyrics:

Only 5? Here's what pops up immediately.

1. Time After Time- Cyndi Lauper
2. Insensitive- Jann Arden
3. Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad?- Def Leppard
4. In Between Days- The Cure
5. Head Over Heels- Tears for Fears

5 things you would do if you were a millionare:

1. Quit my job
2. Get out of CC and into a real university
3. Set my parents, in-laws and siblings (sorry, no moochers)
4. Travel
5. Beef up my current investments

5 bad habits:

1. Procrastinate
2. Selective Listener
3. Curse
4. Easily frustrated (I tend to finish sentences for slow-talking peeps)
5. Tune people out

5 things you like doing:

1. Being Creative (writing, drawing, dancing)
2. Educating
3. Chatting with people I care about
4. Traveling
5. Running

5 things you would never wear again:

1. acid wash jeans
2. my elementary/HS uniform
3. my size 4 Ralph Lauren Jeans (sigh)
4. anything yellow
5. prints