urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems__jems__jems_jems00@gmail.com_jems_2012-03-10T20:16:08Zurn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:47542Next item on the To Buy list2012-03-10T20:16:08Z2012-03-10T20:16:08ZSo, I bought the dark blue Guide Vogs and I kinda love them a lot. A bit on the small side, but a few hours wear around the house helped a lot (can't wear them out of the house yet. The ice may have melted, but I'd freeze my toes off).<br /><br />Next on the agenda: a camera bag! I have one of the usual nylon thingies, but I kinda hate it a lot. It's bulky, cheap-looking and not versatile at all. I want something that doesn't look like a camera bag, but will still protect it and be comfortable to wear for hours on end. I know, should be easy, right؟<br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a>Here are the ones I'm considering so far:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jill-e.com"><b><font size="+3">Jill-e</font></b></a><br /><br /><img width="450" src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0084xh5f" title=""> <img width="450" src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0084ytdk" title=""><br /><br /><center><br /><table width="800" style="border-spacing: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 5px;" border="1">
<tbody><tr><td style="padding: 5px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>PROS</b></div></td> <td style="padding: 5px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CONS</b></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 5px;">+ Smallish<br>+ Room for other stuff like wallet, phone, sunglasses, eReader(?)<br> + Medium priced ($169)<br>+ Leather<br> + short and long straps<br>+ wide opening, good overview of contents when open <br /></td><td style="padding: 5px;">- Might be smaller than I think <br>- Definitely no room for laptop<br>- Don't love the interior polkadots nor the mesh on the lid <br>+ Might look too boxy...? </td></tr>
</tbody></table></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img width="450" src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/008502ee" title=""> <img width="450" src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0084zeda" title=""><br /><br /><center><br /><table width="800" style="border-spacing: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 5px;" border="1">
<tbody><tr><td style="padding: 5px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>PROS</b></div></td> <td style="padding: 5px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CONS</b></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 5px;">+ Model looks nothing like a camera bag, despite the nylon material<br>+ Room for other stuff like wallet, phone, sunglasses, eReader<br> + Cheap ($89)<br>+ LOVE the color<br /></td><td style="padding: 5px;">- Made of nylon. Kinda what I'm trying to stay away from <br>- Definitely no room for laptop<br>- Looks like a tight squeeze getting stuff in and out of it<br>- No chance I'd have room for all my camera stuff, even though I only have a couple of extra lenses </td></tr>
</tbody></table></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.onabags.com/store.html"><b><font size="+3">ONA</font></b></a><br /><br /><img width="450" src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0085172x" title=""> <img width="450" src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/00852g20" title=""><br /><br /><br /><center><br /><table width="800" style="border-spacing: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 5px;" border="1">
<tbody><tr><td style="padding: 5px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>PROS</b></div></td> <td style="padding: 5px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CONS</b></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 5px;">+ Looks like an actual purse! <br>+ Leather <br>+ Small <br>+ Could probably carry this around all day without a problem<br /></td><td style="padding: 5px;">- Too small? <br>- Probably couldn't fit anything more than a wallet and phone in there <br>- Definitely no eReader<br>- Or laptop <br>- Expensive ($309) </td></tr>
</tbody></table></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://kellymoorebag.com/"><b><font size="+3">Kelly Moore</font></b></a><br /><br /><img width="450" src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/00854qef" title=""> <img width="450" src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/00855z1r" title=""><br /><br /><center><br /><table width="800" style="border-spacing: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 5px;" border="1">
<tbody><tr><td style="padding: 5px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>PROS</b></div></td> <td style="padding: 5px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CONS</b></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 5px;">+ Big enough for lots of equipment and other stuff <br>+ Might even fit my 13" laptop! <br>+ Lots of pockets and storage options <br>+ Looks nothing like a camera bag <br /></td><td style="padding: 5px;">- "Made from the best man-made material" = PLASTIC = could be really cheap looking<br>- Too big? (It's so big I'd probably stuff too much stuff in there and make it too heavy, just because it fits) <br>- It's the only Kelly Moore bag that's small enough for my liking without being ugly, but I still don't like the design overmuch <br>- None of the colors really appeal to me, this raspberry one was the least objectionable one<br> - I might be better off buying one of the other bags for daily carrying around and buying a bigger Kelly Moore bag for storage </td></tr>
</tbody></table></center><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://www.insanejournal.com/poll/?id=6699">View Poll: New camera bag</a></div> <br /><br /><br /><hr><br />In other news, I've been watching way too much TV. Thoughts on a few things:<br /><br /><a name="cutid2"></a><b>The Good Wife</b><br />I love this show whole-heartedly. It was such a pleasure to vote on this in Fandom March Madness, because even though I voted for Diane, I was happy with any of the main females to represent the show.<br /><br />And this Will arc is making me so much more fond of him. I've always thought he was an interesting character, but I didn't exactly like him.<br /><br />I'm still a bit iffy on Alicia this season, I still feel like we are cut off from her inner life. I really need this coming Alicia/Kalinda arc to go well so that we can gain some insight into her again.<br /><br />Also, I will be PISSED if Alicia and Peter reunite. Ugh. Do. Not. Want. <br /><br /><a name="cutid3"></a><b>Jane by Design</b><br />This show has sooo appealed to the teenage girl inside of me. Up until the last episode, that is. I don't think I'd object to a Jane/Billy pairing later on, but this is too soon and I can't help but think it's going to devolve into a version of the Nice Guy scenario. <br /><br /><a name="cutid4"></a><b>Lost Girl</b><br />I've only watched season 1, but so far so good. It really picked up steam towards the end of the season.<br /><br />Kenzi is my faaavorite. Every time she's on-screen I just want to screencap the hell out of her. But then I remember that my Photoshop is all shot to hell <strike>and I lose the will to live</strike>. <br /><br />I'm currently making my way through the first two seasons of Rizzoli and Isles, but after that I'm definitely finding downloads for season 2. <br /><br /><a name="cutid5"></a><b>Top Chef</b><br />NO! I wanted Beverly to beat them all! God, Sarah was just the most spiteful asshole and the best part about the finale was that she didn't win. I'm still annoyed that she made it there, though. <br /><br /><a name="cutid6"></a><b>One Upon a Time</b><br />I'm enjoying the show more and more, but at the same time, I'm growing more and more baffled about what they're doing. Like, why the hell are they making Prince Charming into a cheating dickhead? And having Snow White be ostrasized by the entire town? Seriously my least favorite thing in the world is people blaming the other woman for everything. Or anything, really. The guy is the one who's cheating and <i>she</i> gets all the blame?! HELL NO! That shit pisses me off. Not too mention how far up on my shit list he's moved after not saying a single word to defend her. <br /><br />Basically, the show does my head in just about every single week. <br /><br /><a name="cutid7"></a><b>Hart of Dixie</b><br />This show makes me all warm and fuzzy inside, up until the moment they start cramming George/Zoe down my throat, at which point I start thinking seriously about dropping it. Last time I wrote about the show, there had just been another stab at shoving G/Z down my throat, so I was mostly negative, but then there was a long streak of episodes where that whole thing was just ignored (those episodes were my faaaavorite), but here they are, dragging it up again. And here I go, thinking about dropping the show again. <br /><br /><a name="cutid8"></a><b>Awake</b><br />I didn't find the pilot very engrossing, I'm not sure if I'm going to keep on watching. Feels like I'm in the minority on this one, though. <br /><br /><a name="cutid9"></a><b>Touch</b><br />I watched the pilot over a month ago and actually enjoyed it quite a lot, but then nothing happened? I guess I'll keep watching if it ever shows up again. <br /><br /><br /><a name="cutid10"></a><b>Comedies</b><br />I know everyone loves Happy Endings, but I kinda...don't? I have grown to really love Alex, though. And the show is fun enough to watch that I haven't dropped it yet, so I guess that's something.<br /><br />Cougar Town, on the other hand, continues to delight! I wish I could make icons.<br /><br />Parks and Rec has been in the duldrums lately. Not bad, just not as delightful as it usually is. This latest episode was pretty great, though.<br /><br />Suburgatory isn't going exactly where I wanted it to, but it's entertaining enough for me to keep watching.<br /><br />New Girl is getting better, and they've toned down Jess enough for her to stop being annoying, which is great. I really don't get the Schmidt love though. I mean, the douchey white guy representing the show in Fandom March Madness, who ever heard of... Oh, right. That's what happens on every show. urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:47209This is getting to be a problem2012-02-12T00:20:13Z2012-02-12T00:20:13ZI feel like it's been so long since I made a TV update post that if I started to write up my thoughts on various shows I'd never be able to stop. So instead I'm going to sneak in this post on a Saturday evening when it's pretty dead around here and maybe that way I can work my way up to talking about the important stuff (television, that is).<br /><br /><hr><br />So, shoes.<br /><br />I'm not a shoe person. When it comes to accessories, purses are my weakness (I've bought two this month alone - one just a few hours ago). But that was before I found <a href="http://www.fluevog.com/code/">Fleuvogs</a>. I don't think I've ever gotten all weak with WANT over shoes before, but with these shoes I practically drool while looking at the web site. <a name="cutid1"></a><br /><br /><br />When (not if!) I buy a pair, this will probably be my first:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0084s2ts" width="558" height="425" title=""></div><br /><br />I love the 50s look and the HEEL. Oh my, so quirky and fun and it comes in a brown and lime that I'm also dying for.<br /><br />The only drawback with these so far is that customer reviews say that you definitely feel the heel and I'm not a big fan of high heels (though for these I could make an exception, I think). Which is why I'm considering making these my first purchase instead:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0084pkgd" width="700" height="525" title=""></div><br /><br />Because apparently the platform up front makes them less heely. And I flove these too. Except when i checked the site just now I found they have a new color:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0084qd0b" width="700" height="525" title=""></div> <br /><br />And now I'm all HOW DO I CHOOSE? I want them both! <strike>And maybe the brown too.</strike><br /><br /><br />And these:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0084k6d9" width="700" height="525" title=""></div><br /><br />How can I not buy these straight away? I'm totally going to need these for summer. Look at that color, and that HEEL. I love how they design their heels, it's the best part about this brand.<br /><br /><br />These are a bit further down on my shopping list, but I love them too:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0084w33e" width="700" height="525" title=""></div><br /><br /><br />And finally, a pair that will probably never be on my shopping list, but god, I with I was the kind of person who could wear shoes like these:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0084t0qh" width="700" height="525" title=""></div><br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br /><br /><hr><br /><br /><a name="cutid2"></a>And while I'm posting, but not about TV, an update on the podcast thing.<br /><br /><b>FANDOM</b><br />I'm still listening to <b>Pop Culture Happy Hour</b>, but I prefer <b>Slate's Culture Gabfest</b>. I don't know, it feels like they talk more about the things I like to hear about.<br />I tried <b>Fandomania</b> and will still listen to it occasionally, but their accents drive me absolutely BATTY. <i>Everything</i> comes out sounding like a question.<br />I tried the first couple of podcasts of <b>How was your week with Julie Klausner</b>, but I kinda hated it because it felt like she was being mean just to give the show edge. Meanness is all well and good if if means something, but meanness for meanness's sake is just off-putting. But the guy who talked it up (on PCHH, actually), said that it got a lot better - and it did! Still some meanness, but not pointless, and a lot more affectionate. I won't go back and listen to the early ones, but I'm on board for the future.<br /><b>Girl on Guy with Aisha Tyler</b> is pretty good, but the episodes are often so long that I have to listen to them piecemeal. So when the guest is someone boring, I tend to never keep listening after that first session, so I fall horribly behind because I feel like I <i>should</i> listen to them all. I think I'll just have to let go of that idea and delete them after a while.<br /><b>The Nerdist</b> seems like it should be right up my alley, but I mostly just find it gross and humorless. I'll listen to the occasional one when I like a guest, but in general very much not for me.<br /><span class='ljuser' lj:user='evergleam83' style='white-space: nowrap; text-decoration: line-through;'><a href='https://evergleam83.insanejournal.com/profile'><img src='https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0;' /></a><a href='https://evergleam83.insanejournal.com/'><b>evergleam83</b></a></span> recommended <b>Doug Loves Movies</b>, which I really love a lot. It's my favorite podcast to fall asleep to (because it doesn't just make me doze off immediately. Which may sound weird, because why would you not want something that makes you fall asleep when you're going to sleep? But I'm contrary like that, when I put on something to listen to as I fall asleep, I don't want to miss it entirely). <br /><br /><b>OTHER STUFF</b><br />They do a podcast of the <b>Rachel Maddow Show</b>, but I stopped listening to it and started watching it regularly online instead.<br /><b>A Way with Words</b> is another favorite to listen to when I go to sleep. I love hearing about the origins of words and listening to people who love words even more than I do.<br />However <b>Grammar Girl</b> is more manageable at only five minutes a pop (usually). If I just want something quick to get me into podcast-listening mode, I usually start with one of these.<br /> <b>Stuff You Should Know</b> and <b>Stuff You Missed in History Class</b> are both incredibly fascinating, but there are just so many I want to listen to that I feel like I'm making no dent whatsoever in the backlog.<br />I've also listened to the occasional <b>Thinking Allowed</b> and <b>This American Life</b>, but I feel like I have to be in a particularly mellow mood for both, which doesn't happen very often.<br /><br />urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:44058The rumors are wrong. I am, in fact, not dead2010-11-14T21:38:41Z2010-11-14T21:38:41ZLast week was a close call, though, when I got sick on Tuesday morning and still had to work all week (racking up 50 hours total for the week. Fun! Except not.) <br /><br />I really needed more than just a weekend to recharge, but that's all I get, so I tried to make the best of it. And by "make the best of it" I mean "buy the last charms I need to complete my Pandora bracelet". <a name="cutid1"></a>So that's what I did today...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007tkx4x" width="700" border="0" height="504" title=""></div><br /><br />So that's my first Pandora bracelet that's just the way I want it. I say "first", because I'm already dreaming of bracelet number two. This is what I had in mind:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007tc11y" width="1200" border="0" height="120" title=""></div><br /><br />And this one is going to cost A FORTUNE with all those gold charms, so it's going to take a while. Don't worry, I'll keep you updated on my progress since I'm sure you're all just <i>dying</i> to know. ;-) <br /><br /><br /><hr><br />Other things that have happened:<br /><br /><ul><br /><li> I finally got myself that new cell phone I was talking about a few months back! And yes, I ended up getting an HTC Legend after all. I LOVE IT. Don't know how I ever lived without it. I've read two books on it so far, I've got two True Blood episodes awaiting viewing, I've become addicted to Mancala, Reversi and Unblock Me (any other game app recs would be most welcome!) and it's the only way I've been able to stay sorta up-to-date on my Twitter feed for the past two weeks. </li><br /><li> I've been fairly good about keeping up with TV. Well, considering... <a name="cutid2"></a><br /><blockquote><b>HIMYM</b> - I caught up last weekend and I'm enjoying this season so far, but I'm not invested AT ALL. Oh, what havoc they wreak with the fangirl mind when they screw up an entire season...<br /><b>Fringe</b> - I'm really enjoying this season! And especially Olivia! Which is noteworthy since I thought Anna Torv <i>sucked</i> in the first season. But retconning the suck to be a personality quirk due to the experiments worked. I totally jumped on board and lo and behold, she's actually good now! Alterna!Olivia really freed her, acting-wise, I think.<br /><b>The Good Wife</b> - You know, I was never really on board the Alicia/Will train last season, but I am now. A couple of episodes back, things just clicked for me with those two and you are now looking at a bona fide 'shipper.<br /><b>Community</b> - What the hell was that episode before this week's? Weird, much? And not in a good way. But other than that I'm happy with this season so far, even though I do get what people are saying about doing away with all those messy "relationships" and "feelings". It just hasn't gotten to the point where it's bothering me yet.<br /><b>The Walking Dead</b> - I still haven't watched the second episode. I found the first one to be really enjoyable, because while horror doesn't work on me, dread apparently works like a charm. I just haven't been in the mood for it, and then I read some less-than-favorable things and...well...<br /><b>Kdramas</b> - I ran into some trouble when I watched a long succession of sucky dramas. It got old pretty fast. So I'm currently keeping current with only one Kdrama - <b>Dr. Champ</b> - and it's airing right now (ending next week). I think they're dragging out the love story too long (HELLO! We're at episode 14 and the female lead still fancies herself in love with someone else? WTF?!), but other than that I'm loving it.<br /><br />I am also up to date on <b>TBBT, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, TAR, Criminal Minds, Lie to Me, Top Chef: Just Desserts</b> and <b>Cougar Town</b>, mainly thanks to a few marathons over the past couple of weeks. And <b>Being Erica</b>, but since anything I have to say about it will be spoilery, I'm going to talk about it below.<br /></blockquote><br /></li><br /><li> I uploaded <a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/gallery/0001b5g8">a bunch of icons today.</a> </li><br /></ul><br /><br /><br /><hr><br /><a name="cutid3"></a><b>Being Erica</b><br />So, this latest episode... I'm not too pleased with my 'ship mostly being used as a vehicle for another 'ship. I was afraid something like this was coming, which is why I waited until this weekend to watch instead of doing it earlier in the week. I dragged it out for as long as I could, because the way they're pushing Adam on us so hard I just knew it wouldn't be satisfying even if they did end up sleeping together. <br /><br />And whatta ya know? I was right. The only part where I felt that it was all about them and not about Erica defying Adam or being upset about Dr Tom? Was when they were saying goodbye as he left in the cab.<br /><br />Okay, so maybe I'm just hyper sensitive about this because I want so much for them to have a chance, but right now I don't feel that Erica and Kai willl make it. Which makes me less excited about the rest of the season. <br /><br />I'm thinking it may be time to spoil myself silly (if that's even possible for BE).urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:43471TV and stuff2010-10-01T18:56:22Z2010-10-01T18:56:22Z<a name="cutid1"></a>Stuff first. Namely, Pandora stuff. I got my bracelet, and in the week since then I've bought TEN charms. I KNOW. I'm sort of insane (and eating nothing but bread and water for the rest of the month, but whatever).<br /><br />Basically, I started by buying some of the beads from the picture in my last post, and then it just snowballed and last night I ended up buying three charms from Etsy (I'd forgotten all about Etsy! And then I went there and found a TV charm, a book charm and a camera charm, all in just minutes!). So, this is the current plan for the bracelet:<br /><br /><center><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007t13rs" width="900" border="0" height="101" title=""><br /><br /></center><br />I have bought the blue enamel beads and everything in between them (well, the cola can came with the bracelet). I also bought the ugly duckling charm in the grouping on the right. And knowing myself the way I do, I'll probably buy the rest with next month's paycheck. Between this and saving for my vacation in April, I'm going to be beyond broke for a while. But that's okay! Because I've got a pretty bracelet to make up for it! *g*<br /><br /><hr><br />And now for some TV pilot/premiere talk:<br /><br /><a name="cutid2"></a><b>Nikita 1x01-1x03</b><br />I gather from my flist that everyone is kind of meh about this? I'm right there with you. I'm not hating on Shane West quite as much as everyone else, but he is less than compelling in the part, I'll give you that. <br /><br />Also less than compelling? The conspiracy. If I ever felt that Nikita was in real danger, or if it wasn't as black and white as they make it out to be, if there was ANY sort of conflict, I'd be much more eager to tune in. I'll give it a bit longer to find its feet, but it'll probably be a goner by Christmas if it hasn't.<br /><br /><a name="cutid3"></a><b>The Good Wife 2x01</b><br />I'm glad to have the show back, but I thought the episode was kinda meh. Probably because I thought the way the cliffhanger was resolved was very predictable and I wish they'd gone a different route. Like maybe Alicia choosing herself - divorcing Peter but not getting together with Will. Or her choosing Will and making the conflict be the trouble that choice creates for everyone involved. Can't someone think of an original idea? Must television writers keep the couple set up as the show's OTP separated at all costs? <br /><br />Speaking of which...<br /><br /><a name="cutid4"></a><b>Bones 6x01</b><br />I feel like this show and I are on the cusp of breaking up. I just don't CARE that Booth found someone new in Afghanistan because I KNOW it's just another way of stalling. Anything to delay the inevitable, right? Well, I'm tired of it. And I'm not a huge fan of Angela/Hodgins either, so the baby thing isn't exactly making me jump for joy.<br /><br />Unless the next couple of episodes are REALLY GOOD, I'll wash my hands of it. (Well, until I feel like a marathon some weekend.)<br /><br /><a name="cutid5"></a><b>Undercovers 1x01</b><br />Was it just me or did this show feel incredibly bland? I mean, it seemed to be trying to be as inoffensive as possible, and in the process, made itself not appealing in the slightest. Unless there's a ton of buzz, I won't watch past this episode. <br /><br /><a name="cutid6"></a><b>No Ordinary Family 1x01</b><br />I liked it! It wasn't love at first sight, but I'm definitely going to keep watching. Also, I liked Julie Benz so much better in this than on Dexter. <br /><br /><a name="cutid7"></a><b>Raising Hope 1x01</b><br />My Name Is Earl with baby? I didn't mind the baby part, but I got kind of tired of the white-trash-as-a-source-of-jokes a few seasons into Earl, and I'm still not in the mood for it. I think I'll pass, even though it did have its charms. Maybe a marathon later? <br /><br /><a name="cutid8"></a><b>Running Wilde 1x01-1x02</b><br />I don't think I was expecting the show to have the tone that it did, so I couldn't get into the pilot at all (except for the Final Countdown reference), but I REALLY enjoyed the second episode. This one looks like a keeper! <br /><br /><a name="cutid9"></a><b>Hawaii Five-0</b><br />I'm not even sure what to think of it. It wasn't bad, but the fact that I haven't sought out the second episode kind of speaks volumes, don't you think? <br /><br />Premieres I have nothing to say about: Fringe, Criminal Minds, The Big Bang Theory, The Amazing Race.urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:42758Getting my charm on2010-09-17T13:14:36Z2010-09-17T13:14:36ZMy mother just won two Pandora charm bracelets at auction and she's giving me one of them, so I blew off work this afternoon to drool over charms at the <a href="http://www.pandora.net/">Pandora web site.</a><br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a><br /><br />So, this is the bracelet:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007sa9es" width="700" border="0" height="614" title=""></div><br /><br />You guys, it has a COLA CAN. I've never even seen one of those before, but the moment I saw it I knew it had to be mine (which was a week ago, on the auction site, and then I promptly forgot about it, so thank goodness my mom keeps on top of this stuff, right?). Besides water and milk (and in wintertime, sometimes tea), cola is all I drink. (Well, diet, but still...) It's kismet, I tells ya!<br /><br />The middle three charms I will probably remove, maybe giving them back to my mom whose bracelet also only has nine charms. The animal in the middle looks like an Aries ram (I'm a Capricorn, but they usually have straight horns, so I'm leaning towards Aries), and I'm not overly fond of the one on the left, and the one on the right has pink stones, which I'm not really interested in. Instead, I'll probably be buying these to add to the bracelet as my budget permits:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007sbsfh" width="900" border="0" height="180" title=""></div><br /><br />I like symmetry, what can I tell you?<br /><br />The further away from the center the charms are, the less likely I am to buy them. Some of these I haven't seen in real life, so I may hate them on sight, but the middle three are ones I've loved since I first found out about Pandora. <br /><br /><hr><br />In other news, new TV is just around the corner, which to me only means More Ways in Which I Will Fall Behind on TV Due to My All-Consuming Kdrama Addiction. I think that's why I've been reluctant to seek out what new shows to pick up, but now that they're actually HERE, I guess it's time to give it some serious thought. So far I've got:<br /><br /><br /><ul><br /><li> <b>Nikita</b> (saw the pilot and am willing to keep watching even thought it didn't blow me away). </li><br /><li> <b>The Walking Dead</b> (ZOMBIES? I'M SO THERE). </li><br /><li> <b>Running Wilde</b> (GOB and Felicity - together at last! I mean, haven't we all pretty much been waiting for this day?) </li><br /></ul><br /><br />And sadly, that's pretty much it. What shows should I be watching? Anyone excited about anything else?<br /><br /><hr><br />I think I'm going to take my newly acquired Being Erica season 2 DVDs and do a marathon this weekend to gear up for the premiere next week. And maybe even do some capping? I feel like I'm going to need both an Erica and an Erica/Kai icon pretty soon.urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:42629Decorating my apartment2010-09-11T21:01:35Z2010-09-11T21:01:35ZNow that my <a href="http://users.livejournal.com/_jems_/365379.html">kitchen and bathroom</a> are done, I'm turning my attention to the hallway, so today I spent some time window shopping (except it was online, so window surfing?). <a name="cutid1"></a><br /><br />I never set out to to buy white stuff, but the only sideboard/hallway table I could find that I really loved was this one:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007s19dz" width="600" height="573" title=""><br /><br />(and I have this lamp on it:)<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007s014b" width="300" height="534" title=""></div><br /><br /><br />And then today, I was on the hunt for linen storage (my previous linen wardrobe was built-in and became a casualty of the recent remodel. I didn't mind in the least since it looked horrible, but I've been making due with keeping my bed linens and towels in the livingroom bookcase - where I have tons of empty drawers since I threw out all my VHS tapes - and I don't really want them there) and I've been thinking about buying a Chinese lacquer cabinet of some sort and this one became my absolute favorite:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007rz420" width="650" height="761" title=""></div><br /><br />So now I'm pretty much set on a black and white hallway. Mostly white with black accents and maybe using flowers for a splash of color? (I'm already buying roses pretty regularly, because they look awesome on the new hallway table. Especially shocking pink ones.)<br /><br /><br /><br />(Other white stuff I covet:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007s2f4r" width="640" height="480" title=""><br />This wall clock. But for the kitchen, not the hallway.)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><hr><br /><a name="cutid2"></a>Answers! I have them!<br /><br /><br /><center><b>01. Justice<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007qkw0k" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /></b>Amanda Seyfried's guest starring role on a very short-lived procedural that I only had a cap of because of <a href="http://users.livejournal.com/_jems_/289769.html">this picspam.</a><br /><br /><b>02. The West Wing </b><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007qpwga" width="500" height="281" title=""><br />King Corn! Visually, my favorite West Wing episode.<br /><br /><b>03. Battlestar Galactica<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007qqyds" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />04. Ugly Betty<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007rcgb3" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />05. Pushing Daisies<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007ra3q0" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />06. The Black Donnellys<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007qrsdg" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />07. Sons of Anarchy<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007qssa8" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />08. The Office (UK)<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007rb2cs" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /></b>Not guessed.<br /><br /><b>09. Fringe<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007qwwa0" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />10. ReGenesis<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007r1rfb" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />11. Farscape<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007r20k0" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />12. Sports Night<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007qx5bx" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />13. Rome<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007qyqa8" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /></b>Or as I like to call it: The not!Felicity cap.<br /><br /><b>14. Dawson's Creek<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007r4c50" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />15. How I Met YOur Mother<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007qtw9p" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />16. Firefly<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007r7b6a" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />17. Friends<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007r58cb" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />18. Arrested Development<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007r8s2g" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />19. True Blood<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007rd2w8" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />20. Being Erica</b><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007rettw" width="500" height="281" title=""><br />Not guessed.<br /><br /><br /><b>21. My Name Is Earl<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007r902y" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />22. The Middleman<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007qzh3z" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />23. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007r088w" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />24. Buffy<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007r33q1" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /><br /><br />25. Parks and Recreation<br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007r6325" width="500" height="281" title=""><br /></b>I thought at least someone would guess P&R based on the subject matter of the sign alone, but I guess not.<br /></center>urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:38260Posting fiend2010-04-30T22:12:49Z2010-04-30T22:12:49Z<a name="cutid1"></a>Some of the things I'm probably buying with my tax refund:<br /><br /><center><br /><br /><b>BeBook Neo</b><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007d6pxf" width="500" border="0" height="500" title=""><br /><br /></center><br />I guess it all comes down to OH, SHINY! Because I certainly don't neeeed it, like I needed the first one. But still, I have some money to burn and I'd rather have this than all the other stuff I can think of. Of course, if I have an epiphany about something else I want before I get my refund, this might be shelved for a little while (though I'll probably be buying it or something like it before the year is out no matter what).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><b>Pandora Charm Bracelet</b><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007d4f0c" width="500" border="0" height="500" title=""><br /><br /></center><br />So, I recently realized that if you look at auction sites and the like, you can get <a href="http://www.pandora-jewelry.com/SE.aspx">these things</a> for about half the price of newly produced stuff. I was actually thinking of getting a couple of bracelets, assembling the charms I like best and then reselling what's left over. This particular bracelet actually has quite a lot of what I'm looking for (lots of oxidized silver, abstract shapes, etc), but I'd want to remove the Taurus charm (I'm not a Taurus), the heart and the fish at the very least. Maybe the four leaf clover and the junebug as well. We'll see, I might not even win it in the auction.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><b>Thomas Sabo Pendant/Necklace</b><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/007d58at" width="500" border="0" height="500" title=""><br /><br /></center><br />I've actually been coveting this since my last tax refund, but I could never decide to just go out an buy it. Once it was all spent I naturally started craving it, so this time I'm taking the plunge. Haven't quite decided what style I want the necklace in, but I have some time before I have to make up my mind.<br /><br /><br />Whatever's left is probably going into a savings account, boring as that sounds. urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:36630Meme on a Saturday afternoon2010-02-20T16:03:48Z2010-02-20T16:03:48ZStolen from <span class='ljuser' lj:user='calturner' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='https://calturner.insanejournal.com/profile'><img src='https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0;' /></a><a href='https://calturner.insanejournal.com/'><b>calturner</b></a></span>:<br /><br /><blockquote><i>List all of the television shows you have on DVD, no matter how obscure or embarrassing. Even if you only own one season, list it. Let's see who has what!</i></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>#1-9</b></font> <br /><b>21 Jump Street</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>30 Rock</b> (season 1)<br /><b>4400, The</b> (season 1)<br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>A</b></font><br /><b>Absolutely Fabulous</b> (seasons 1-5 + The Last Shout)<br /><b>Alias</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Ally McBeal</b> (seasons 1, 4)<br /><b>Angel</b> (seasons 1-5)<br /><b>Arrested Development</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Ashes to Ashes</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Avatar</b> (book 1)<br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>B</b></font><br /><b>Battlestar Galactica</b> (mini series, seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Being Erica</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Being Human</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Big Bang Theory, The</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Black Books</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Black Donnellys, The</b><br /><b>Blue Planet, The</b><br /><b>Bones</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Breaking Bad</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Brothers & Sisters</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</b> (seasons 1-7)<br /><b>Burn Notice</b> (season 1)<br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>C</b></font><br /><b>Carnivàle</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Cheers</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Chuck</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Closer, The</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Colbert Report, The</b> (The Best of...)<br /><b>Coupling</b> (seasons 1-4)<br /><b>Criminal Minds</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>CSI: New York</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>D</b></font><br /><b>Damages</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Dark Angel</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Dawson's Creek</b> (seasons 1-6)<br /><b>Dead Like Me</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Deadwood</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Dexter</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Doctor Who - New Series</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Dollhouse</b> (season 1)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>E</b></font><br /><b>ER</b> (seasons 1-6)<br /><b>Eureka</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Extras</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>F</b></font><br /><b>Fame</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Farscape</b> (seasons 1-4 + The Peacekeeper Wars)<br /><b>Felicity</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Firefly</b><br /><b>Flight of the Conchords</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Friday Night Lights</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Friends</b> (seasons 1-10)<br /><b>Fringe</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Futurama</b> (season 3)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>G</b></font><br /><b>Gilmore Girls</b> (seasons 1-4)<br /><b>Green Wing</b> (season 1-2 + Christmas Special)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>H</b></font><br /><b>Heroes</b> (season 1)<br /><b>How I Met Your Mother</b> (seasons 1-4)<br /><b>Huff</b> (season 1)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>I</b></font><br /><b>I manegen med Glenn Killing</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>K</b></font><br /><b>Kitchen Confidential</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>L</b></font><br /><b>La Femme Nikita</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Law & Order: Special Victims Unit</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Life</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Life on Mars (UK)</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Lois & Clark</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Long Way Down<br />Long Way Round</b><br /><b>Love My Way</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>M</b></font><br /><b>Middleman, The</b><br /><b>Mighty Boosh, The</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Misfits</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Monk</b> (seasons 1-6)<br /><b>Moonlighting</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>My Name is Earl</b> (season 1)<br /><b>My So-Called Life</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>N</b></font><br /><b>NCIS</b> (seasons 1-5)<br /><b>Nile City</b><br /><b>Nip/Tuck</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Northern Exposure</b> (seasons 1-4)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>O</b></font><br /><b>Office, The (UK)</b> (seasons 1-2 + Christmas Specials)<br /><b>Office, The (US)</b> (seasons 1-4)<br /><b>One Tree Hill</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Oz</b> (season 1)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>P</b></font><br /><b>Parks and Recreation</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Percy Tårar<br />Planet Earth</b><br /><b>Popular</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Profit</b><br /><b>Pushing Daisies</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>Q</b></font><br /><b>Queer As Folk (US)</b> (season 1)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>R</b></font><br /><b>ReGenesis</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Rescue Me</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Rome</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Roswell</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>S</b></font><br /><b>Scrubs</b> (seasons 1-4)<br /><b>Seinfeld</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Sex and the City</b> (seasons 1-6)<br /><b>Shameless</b> (seasons 1-5)<br /><b>Simpsons, The</b> (season 4)<br /><b>Six Feet Under</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Skins</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Slings & Arrows</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Sons of Anarchy</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Spaced</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>[spooks]</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Sports Night</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>T</b></font><br /><b>Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>That 70s Show</b> (season 5)<br /><b>Titus</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Touching Evil (UK)</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Tru Calling</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>True Blood</b> (season 1)<br /><b>Tudors, The</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><b>Twin Peaks</b> (seasons 1-2)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>U</b></font><br /><b>Ugly Betty</b> (season 1)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>V</b></font><br /><b>Veronica Mars</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>W</b></font><br /><b>Weeds</b> (season 1)<br /><b>West Wing, The</b> (seasons 1-7)<br /><b>Wire, The</b> (seasons 1-3)<br /><b>Wire in the Blood</b> (seasons 1-4)<br /><b>Wonderfalls</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><font size="+1"><b>X</b></font><br /><b>X-Files, The</b> (seasons 1-9)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Also, I just finished <b>Being Human</b>, and I started capping as I watched with the second episode, so <a href="http://www.leavemethewhite.com/tv/index.php?cat=51">here</a> are those caps if anyone's interested.<br /><br /><br /><hr><br />I upgraded to Firefox 3.6 the other day, and I love the personas thing. Right now I'm using <a href="http://www.getpersonas.com/en-US/persona/8261">the Windows 7 one</a> because I love the colors, but I'll probably switch it before too long to something else.urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:31438Memes galore!2009-06-07T22:33:12Z2009-06-07T22:33:12Z<i>01. <strike>Anyone who looks at this entry has to post this meme and their current wallpaper at their livejournal.</strike><br />(02. Explain in five sentences why you're using that wallpaper.)<br />03. Don't change your wallpaper before doing this. The point is to see what you had on.</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0068hcea"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0068hcea/s320x320" width="320" border="0" height="180" title=""></a></div><br /><br />I use WallMaster, so this is only one of many wallpapers I use (it changes every thirty minutes), but it is the only one actually made for my screen resolution (1920x1080), and as such, is pretty much the only one that actually looks good. I did grab a bunch of Star Trek wallpapers from the official site that I could put up, but that would involve some cropping (they were not 16:9), and I'm lazy, so...<br /><br /><hr><br />So, my vacation is over. I didn't do what I had intended to do, but that's okay, because I dabbled in some retail therapy. And I haven't loved anything as much as I love these two things in a looong time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0068pb0q" width="350" height="473" title=""><br /><a name="cutid1"></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>daisy</b><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0068kraq" width="800" height="763" title=""><br />I don't think I've ever loved a perfume this much! I put some on even when I'm just staying in, because I love being surrounded by the scent. For the first time ever, I feel like the scent I'm wearing is ME.<br /><br /><b>purse</b><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0068r2qt" width="800" height="800" title=""><br />I went out with the express purpose of finding a big purse that would fit a netbook, since I'm on the cusp of buying one (just have to figure out what I want/what mobile internet operator I want to use). This purse doesn't fit the criteria AT ALL, and it cost an arm and a leg, BUT I DON'T CARE! It was love at first sight. And since it fits my eReader, I'm happy as a clam anyway. (Now I just have to find yet <i>another</i> purse for that netbook.)<br /><br />(Also, note the strawberries in the background. Yum! Nothing beats Swedish strawberries, I'm telling you. </div> <br /><br />And since I'm posting about my purse right now, how about that purse contents meme?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0068qz4k" width="800" height="593" title=""></div><br /><br /><ol><br /><li> Various beauty things: Strawberry lipgloss (from Etsy), watermelon lipgloss (from The Body Shop), and compact (from Max Factor). </li><br /><li> Keys. Home and car. </li><br /><li> <strike>Rat's nest.</strike> Headphones, for... </li><br /><li> Cell phone/mp3 player (Nokia). </li><br /><li> <b>eReader!</b> (Since I last posted, I've read another six books - all on this. It's a miracle worker, I'm telling you.) </li><br /><li> Various and sundry: Pain pills, allergy pills, thumb drive, ponytail holder, little plastic thingy for supermarket carts. </li><br /><li> Nail file and pen. </li><br /><li> Wallet (matches the new purse perfectly even though I've had it for years!) </li><br /></ol> <br /><br />And now I think I'm going to go watch Crichton Kicks, because I finally finished season 3 of Farscape (it only took me...what? Two months or so? After a six month hiatus after finishing season 2? I'm just powering through this rewatch, aren't I? /sarcasm)urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:30990Assorted2009-05-28T15:33:06Z2009-05-28T15:33:06ZSo, I was paying my bills the other day, and I started wondering what it's like elsewhere. I can't imagine not having <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EBPP">e-billing</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giro">giro payments</a>, and online banking in general. Plus, paying all your bills in one go at the end of each month makes me happy. But I get the feeling that the US is still stuck in that same old "check-is-in-the-mail" archaic bill-paying that was the norm when I lived there twenty years ago. Therefore, <a name="cutid1"></a>a poll!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://www.insanejournal.com/poll/?id=3764">View Poll: To pay or not to pay?</a></div><br /><br />I know! Fascinating, aren't I? *g*<br /><br /><br /><hr><br />Speaking of bill-paying, I'm only a few weeks away from being completely free of credit card debt, so of course I'm looking at ways to spend all that extra moolah. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netbook">And I think I found it!</a> I'm leaning towards <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_NC10">this one</a>, though to be honest, it's more because it comes in a pretty light blue color than for the battery life. Does anyone have any recommendations? Words of wisdom? <br /><br /><hr><br />I think my eReader purchase has already paid for itself, because I'm reading more books than ever. Since the beginning of May alone, I've read 15 books. <b>15 books!</b> I didn't read 15 books all of last year! (Granted, it's been mostly chick lit and easy fare, but still!) <br /><br />Except, reading all these actual books instead of fic has made me realize that I've probably averaged about 100 books a year, just in fic. So I'm not reading <i>that</i> much more than usual right now, I'm just reading other things.<br /><br /><hr><br /><a name="cutid2"></a><b>Teevee</b><br />In headline form:<br /><br /><b>Shows that are just one bad premiere away from being off my downloading schedule for good</b><br /><i><ul><br /><li> Bones </li><br /><li> The Office </li><br /></ul></i><br /><br /><b>Shows that I'm still mourning</b><br /><i><ul><br /><li> Life </li><br /><li> Pushing Daisies </li><br /><li> Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles </li><br /></ul></i><br /><br /><b>Shows I think I'll try to catch up on this summer</b><br /><i><ul><br /><li> Damages </li><br /><li> Dexter </li><br /><li> Fringe </li><br /><li> Generation Kill </li><br /><li> Legend of the Seeker </li><br /></ul><br /></i><br /><br /><font size="-2">(I'm sure there are more, I have the attention span of a gnat.)</font><br /><br /><b>Shows I can't believe got renewed (that I'll probably store up and marathon because I don't seem to love them as much as everyone else does)</b><br /><i><ul><br /><li> Chuck </li><br /><li> Friday Night Lights </li><br /></ul></i><br /><br /><b>Summer shows, YAY!</b><br /> <i><ul><br /><li> Burn Notice </li><br /><li> Leverage </li><br /><li> Project Runway </li><br /></ul></i> <br /><br /><b>DEAD. TO. ME</b><br /><i><ul><br /><li> My Boys </li><br /><li> Weeds </li><br /></ul></i><br /><br /><b>Returning shows that I will watch come fall</b><br /> <i><ul><br /><li> Better Off Ted </li><br /><li> The Big Bang Theory </li><br /><li> Castle </li><br /><li> Dollhouse </li><br /><li> Lie to Me </li><br /><li> The Mentalist </li><br /></ul></i> <br /><br /><b>Shows that make me wish away the warm weather and the long summer ahead because OMG! I WANT IT NOW</b><br /><i><ul><br /><li> Glee </li><br /><li> How I Met Your Mother </li><br /></ul></i><br />urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:28315Reader2009-03-05T21:32:44Z2009-03-05T21:32:44ZI've been reading a lot of fic recently, kind of jumping from one fandom to the next. Here, have a few recs:<br /><br /><b>The Big Bang Theory</b><br /><ul><br /><li> <a href="http://rashaka.livejournal.com/1396913.html">The Earth Moved 1,117.7 Miles In Our Kitchen</a>, by <span class='ljuser' lj:user='rashaka' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='https://www.insanejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=rashaka'><img src='https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0;' /></a><a href='https://www.insanejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=rashaka'><b>rashaka</b></a></span>, art by <span class='ljuser' lj:user='irrel' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='https://www.insanejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=irrel'><img src='https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0;' /></a><a href='https://www.insanejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=irrel'><b>irrel</b></a></span>. <i>Like Wonder Woman, Superman, She-Ra and all those characters her geeky friends cherished, Penny knew in one single, glorious moment what she had to do.</i> <blockquote><font size="-2">This was the fic that converted me to Penny/Sheldon. Be sure to read the comment!fic, as well, because it was there that it happened, with the knocking (I'm sure you'll realize what I mean when you get to it). That was when I had my breath-studdering, heart-skipping moment.</font></blockquote></li><br /></ul><br /><b>How I Met Your Mother</b><br /><ul><br /><li> <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/kartography/3846.html">metal heart</a>, by <span class='ljuser' lj:user='the_spin' style='white-space: nowrap; text-decoration: line-through;'><a href='https://the-spin.insanejournal.com/profile'><img src='https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0;' /></a><a href='https://the-spin.insanejournal.com/'><b>the_spin</b></a></span>. <i>she’s never heard a love story like this one.</i> <br /><blockquote>This, along with <a href="http://svilleficrecs.livejournal.com/732986.html">'A' Game</a> is now the fic against all HIMYM is measured. Not a lot holds up to that standard, trust me. </blockquote></li><br /></ul><br /><b>Veronica Mars</b><br /><ul><br /><li> <a href="http://dark-roast.livejournal.com/20379.html">Fish Out of Water</a>, by <span class='ljuser' lj:user='dark_roast' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='https://www.insanejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=dark_roast'><img src='https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0;' /></a><a href='https://www.insanejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=dark_roast'><b>dark_roast</b></a></span>. <i>Logan opts to leave Neptune, and spend summer vacation with his grandparents.</i> <blockquote>A crossover with a fandom I have absolutely zero knowledge of, yet I loved it. The atmosphere was so rich, and the setting was so non-sensical that it couldn't help but make sense.</blockquote></li><br /></ul><br /><br />(And now I'm completely curious if the pingback feature will work. <span class='ljuser' lj:user='dtissagirl' style='white-space: nowrap; text-decoration: line-through;'><a href='https://dtissagirl.insanejournal.com/profile'><img src='https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0;' /></a><a href='https://dtissagirl.insanejournal.com/'><b>dtissagirl</b></a></span> (sorry, <span class='ljuser' lj:user='dtissagirl' style='white-space: nowrap; text-decoration: line-through;'><a href='https://dtissagirl.insanejournal.com/profile'><img src='https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0;' /></a><a href='https://dtissagirl.insanejournal.com/'><b>dtissagirl</b></a></span>) already <a href="http://dtissagirl.livejournal.com/481229.html">proved</a> that the rename feature does.)<br /><br /><hr><br />Speaking of reading, I'm thinking of finally getting myself an eReader. Because I'm not in the States, Kindle and Sony Reader are not options for me, and I'm having a really hard time finding something I REALLY want, so I'm thinking of settling for something cheaper. (I have this gut feeling that the eReader market is about to explode, and I don't want to buy something insanely expensive, only to be unable to afford the next generation readers.)<br /><br />The three options I have right now are:<br /><ol><br /><li> <b>Cybook, by Bookeen.</b> This is probably the leader right now, almost entirely because I like the look of it better than the other two contenders. </li><br /><li> <b>BeBook.</b> Almost exactly the same features as the above, except it apparently has a patented screen, which I'm guessing makes the reading experience more paper-like. </li><br /><li> <b>iLiad Book Edition.</b> This one is almost twice the price of the other two, and it has two major differences (for me, anyway): It has a 16 grayscale screen as opposed to the others' 4 grayscale screens, and you can write on the screen (meaning it can be used for notes, etc). But I don't know if it's worth the price, especially not if there is an explosion in the next few years, like I expect. </li><br /></ol><br /><br />Does anyone have any tips? Advice? Recommendations? I want the reader mainly for two things: for buying and reading books, and for compiling, storing and reading fanfic.<br /><br /><hr><br />In the world of TV, I've watched a lot, but have very little to say.<br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a><b>Legend of the Seeker</b><br />Is it just me or have the last couple of episodes been really boring? I mean, a clip show? Half a season in? That felt almost...presumptious to me. Like: "screw the old viewers, we just want new ones". Please to be making it fun again, okay? <br /><br /><a name="cutid2"></a><b>Top Chef</b><br />So, I guess in the end it wasn't so much "Top Chef" as "Top Meal". I mean, I actually agreed with the judges that Hosea should have won for that particular meal, but I also felt that he should have been booted a LOOOOONG time ago, and shouldn't even have been there to prepare that meal.<br /><br />This season was such a disappointment all around.<br /><br />I've also finished Brothers & Sisters season 2 (and am acquiring season 3 as I type), am in the middle of NCIS season 3 (and I have the season 4 DVDs all ready to go after that)<br /><br />Holy crap, I just saw that Castle is premiering on Monday! I'm not sure how to feel about this. On the one hand Naaaaaathan Fiiiiiiillion! On the other hand, the trailer I saw a while back looked hokey and not at all up my alley.urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:26779It's 2009! Hallelujah!2009-01-04T23:16:47Z2009-01-04T23:16:47ZFor someone who doesn't really make new year's resolutions, I feel like I've made quite a lot of them this year. Mostly they're continuations of things I'm already doing, I'm just buckling down and focusing on them. So, this year I'm:<br /><br /><ul><br /><li> <b>Lending more money through <a href="http://www.kiva.org/app.php">Kiva.org</a>.</b> Not just making the odd loan whenever I remember to go to the site, but I'll be putting in 25 dollars every month. And with the loans that are being repaid, that should mean about 15 new loans over the next year. Possibly more, depends on the time they'll be paid back. </li><br /><li> <b>Reading more books.</b> Okay, so this was my only "non-resolution" last year and I failed miserably - except in one aspect: I started reading books in genres I don't usually read. Books that take time and consideration in a way thrillers and mysteries just don't. I think that's why I couldn't quite get the hang of it - it was like learning to read again. </li><br /><li> <b>Paying back debt.</b> (Says she who just spent 100 bucks at BPAL. Sorry, <i>$100.50.</i>.) </li><br /><li> <b>Trying to make some headway on all those picspams I've got planned.</b> There are so many of them and they're so ambitious (well, some of them) that I just feel overwhelmed by it. My new motto when it comes to picspams: Just do it. </li><br /><li> <b>Taking more pictures.</b> And since my parents gave me a new camera for Christmas, <a name="cutid1"></a>I've already made some headway on this one. </li><br /></ul><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/006024gt" width="700" height="525" title=""><br /><font size="-2">Diamond earrings, which were a birthday present. I LOVE the unusual color.</font><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/00606788" width="700" height="525" title=""><br /><font size="-2">This was my birthday present to myself - a 40 inch widescreen. <br />The screen resolution is 1920x1080! I feel like I'm drowning in computer desktop space!<br /><br />And on the screen you can see my latest obsession: <b>Grand Designs</b>. <br />Since Christmas I've watched four seasons and am currently downloading the remaining four, plus all the satellite series. <br />(It's about building houses, in case you're curious.)</font><br /><br /><b>And a few of my brother's cats:</b> <br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/00603btc" width="700" height="525" title=""><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/0060413f" width="700" height="525" title=""><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/006054rw" width="700" height="525" title=""><br /><font size="-2">And on that note, I think it's time for bed. *g*</font><br /><br /></div>urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:21470Spree-ful2008-06-04T19:51:38Z2008-06-04T19:51:38Z<a name="cutid1"></a>I got my tax refund yesterday! And after doing the thing I've been promising myself I'd do - paying off my student loan - I went on a shopping spree of epic proportions.<br /><br /><ul><br /><li> I bought my Wii! And MarioKart and Guitar Hero III!!!!!! </li><br /><li> I got so many DVD sets I think I may never again have time to play said Wii: </li><br /><br /><ol><br /><li> <b>Burn Notice</b> season 1 (which is being released in two weeks). </li><br /><li> <b>FNL</b> season 2. </li><br /><li> <b>Moonlighting</b> season 3. </li><br /><li> <b>Profit</b> season 1. </li><br /><li> <b>Ashes to Ashes</b> season 1. </li><br /><li> <b>The Mighty Boosh</b> seasons 1 & 2. </li><br /><li> <b>Flight of the Conchords</b> season 1. </li><br /><li> <b>Touching Evil (UK)</b> seasons 1-3. </li><br /><li> <b>Pushing Daisies</b> season 1 (which is being released in three weeks). </li><br /></ol> <br /><br /><li>I also ordered three more six-packs of imps from BPAL, plus a 5 ml bottle of my favorite scent from the first batch: Obatala (I'm really surprised this one's my favorite since I tend to tire quickly of coconut scents, but with this one I just kept smelling my wrist all day long).</li><br /></ul> <br /><br />Of course, last week I also ordered stuff from <a href="http://www.thebodybakery.com/">The Body Bakery</a> (thanks to a rec from <span class='ljuser' lj:user='mefnord' style='white-space: nowrap; text-decoration: line-through;'><a href='https://mefnord.insanejournal.com/profile'><img src='https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0;' /></a><a href='https://mefnord.insanejournal.com/'><b>mefnord</b></a></span> and I can't wait to try some of that stuff out. <br /><br />Also, the weather is <i>gorgeous</i>, I just went miniature golfing with some friends (and won!), tomorrow I'm having a get-together with my co-workers (which is actually a lot of fun when you hardly ever see them) and Friday is a national holiday. <br /><br />Huh. 2008. Being happy. I never would have thought to put those two things together. ;-)<br /><br /><hr><br />Also, I've halfheartedly started on another picspam, this time with John & Aeryn kissing. <a name="cutid2"></a> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/_jems_/pic/005ftsks" width="800" height="900" title=""><br /><font size="-2">How are you so pretty?</font></div> <br /><br />One of these days, I really need to finish all those picspams I've been working on. I've got about five that are in various stages of completion. The next installment of the Aeryn picspam is almost finished, but I Just. Can't. Finish. It. I have to clue why.urn:lj:insanejournal.com:atom1:_jems_:20154i shop, therefore i am2008-05-03T23:49:50Z2008-05-03T23:49:50Z<a name="cutid1"></a>I made my first BPAL purchases today. I've always wanted to try it, but it always seemed...well, unnecessary. Not that it's not still unnecessary, but buying beauty products from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/index.php">Etsy</a> made me realize that the dollars plunge into the abyss has made things that always seemed too expensive downright cheap.<br /><br />Here's what I bought:<br /><br />12 imps:<br /><br /><ul><br /><li> <b>Schrödinger's Cat</b> (tangerine, sugared lime, pink grapefruit, oakmoss, lavender, zdravetz, and chocolate peppermint. ) </li><br /><li> <b>Tempest</b> (A crisp ozone-tinged breeze. The scent of the first gentle rain before the storm.) </li><br /><li> <b>Embalming Fluid</b> (white musk, green tea, aloe and lemon.) </li><br /><li> <b>Gluttony</b> (Dark chocolate, vanilla, buttercream, and hops with pralines, hazelnut, toffee and caramel.) </li><br /><li> <b>Le Serpent Qui Danse</b> (Violet entwined with vanilla and gardenia.) </li><br /><li> <b>Snake Oil</b> ( A blend of exotic Indonesian oils sugared with vanilla.) </li><br /><li> <b>Horreur Sympathique</b> (blood musk, golden honey, thick black wine, champagne grapes, tobacco flower, plum blossom, tonka bean, oakmoss, carnation, benzoin, opoponax, and sugar cane. ) </li><br /><li> <b>Incubus</b> (Spectral white musk and the heart-stopping chill of sheared mint, fanned by caramel-touched body heat, and the diabolical sensuality of black musk, nicotiana, and sage. ) </li><br /><li> <b>Juliet</b> (Sweet pea with stargazer lily, calla lily, heliotrope, honeysuckle, white musk and a touch of fresh pear.) </li><br /><li> <b>Hollywood Babylon</b> (amber and heliotrope, infused with the sweetness of strawberry and vanilla - dragged into debauch by lusty red musk and a dribble of black cherry.) </li><br /><li> <b>Shanghai</b> (The crisp, clean scent of green tea touched with lemon verbena and honeysuckle.) </li><br /><li> <b>Obatala</b> (milk, coconut meat, shea butter and cool, refreshing water.) </li><br /></ul><br /><br />And a 5 ml bottle of <b>The Candy Butcher</b> (Dark chocolate with a heavy cream undertone. ) Because even though I'm not a huge fan of eating chocolate, I LOVE the smell. And it usually smells good on me. And if it doesn't, I can just use it to scent my surroundings. Or give it away.<br /><br /><br />I tried to select different kinds of scents, while leaning towards the scents I know I like, and staying far FAR <b>FAR</b> away from the ones that I know don't react well at all with my body chemistry (like roses and almonds). <br /><br />If anyone's got any suggestions, I'm all ears. <br /><hr><br /><br /><br /><a name="cutid2"></a>My "To Buy" list is getting out of control.<br /><br /><b>Fandom tie-in promotional products (i.e. TOYS)</b><br /><ul><br /><li> <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TYV61002">Farscape DRD Plush</a>. </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TYV61006">Farscape 1812 DRD Plush</a>. </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=DH15166">Serenity Fruity Oaty Bar Lunch Box</a>. </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=QMSER008">Serenity Blue Sun Travel 5-Pack Posters</a>. (Possibly. I don't really have posters anymore, I prefer real paintings/photographs.) </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.nbcuniversalstore.com/detail.php?p=16842&v=nbunbcnowoffall">Dwight Schrute Bobblehead & “World’s Best Boss” Mug Set</a>. </li><br /></ul><br /><br /><b>DVD sets</b> <br /><ul><br /><li> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flight-Conchords-Complete-First-Season/dp/B000UI2XN4/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=II57GFELMUM7M&colid=54LV17Z7R8OZ">Flight Of The Conchords</a> </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.axelmusic.com/productDetails/826663482096">Freaks and Geeks</a> </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.axelmusic.com/productDetails/826663253498">Miracles</a> </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.axelmusic.com/productDetails/013131298291">Profit</a> </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Touching-Evil-Complete-Robson-Green/dp/B0010Y9XYY/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=ID8LWVL0BMC7L&colid=54LV17Z7R8OZ">Touching Evil</a>. The British version has finally been released in region 2! </li><br /></ul><br /><br /><b>Am also considering:</b><br /><ul><br /><li> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ashes-Complete-BBC-1/dp/B001265O6G/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I18RZCL58J64IM&colid=54LV17Z7R8OZ">Ashes to Ashes</a> </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Damages-Season-1-Glenn-Close/dp/B0012MLCPW/ref=pd_sbs_d_h_?ie=UTF8&qid=1209857652&sr=8-4">Damages</a></li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.axelmusic.com/productDetails/025195017077">FNL season 2</a>. (I never did watch past the third episode. Or was it the second?) </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.discshop.se/shop/ds.php?red=ds_produkt.php&&arg=id@@@59774,,,lang@@@se,,,subsite@@@movies,,,">Love My Way - Seasons 2 -3</a>. (I recently bought season 1, but I've been too busy with <b>ReGenesis</b> to start it. I was thinking I'd take a break after I finish season 3 [only two episodes left!] since the fourth is supposedly the last. I'd like to savor it a bit more.) </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.axelmusic.com/productDetails/031398229384">Mad Men</a> </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terminator-Connor-Chronicles-Lena-Headey/dp/B0013IOE96/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I33FE8EDKU4GID&colid=54LV17Z7R8OZ">Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles</a>. I keep meaning to watch what I've got on my computer, but it's just not happening. I usually have a lot more luck with DVDs. </li><br /></ul><br /><br /><b>Buying the moment they become available:</b><br /><ul><br /><li> <a href="http://www.axelmusic.com/productDetails/024543519317">Burn Notice</a> </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pushing-Daisies-Complete-Season-1/dp/B0012PUU1G/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3O2ZKYUZ98M2Y&colid=54LV17Z7R8OZ">Pushing Daisies </a>. It's coming out in June in the UK! </li><br /></ul><br /><br />And then there's the Wii, the rest of this season's DVDs, etc, etc, etc. Good thing I've got a healthy tax refund coming! <br /><br />I haven't done a whole lot of capping lately, but here are a few things:<br /><br /><ul><br /><li> <a href="http://www.leavemethewhite.com/caps/thumbnails.php?album=245">Enchanted</a> </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.leavemethewhite.com/regenesis/thumbnails.php?album=1">ReGenesis 1x01</a> </li><br /><li> <a href="http://www.leavemethewhite.com/tv/index.php?cat=35">Six Feet Under</a> (1x02 and credit sequence.) </li><br /></ul>