Fill in the _____ Friday

I'm not a huge fan of trips down memory lane, but here ya go.

1. My first memory is... I have no idea. I don't think about my childhood much. 
2. My first love was... intense and a loooooong time ago. Let's leave it there.
3. My very first favourite colour was... not one colour, but the combination of pink and purple. Fortunately that didn't last long, and I soon moved on to more sensible colours like blue and eventually black, which is still pretty much my favourite. What can I say, the follies of youth...
4. The first time I really felt like a grown-up was when... grown up? What's this you speak of?
5. The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is... swear. Then hit the snooze button. NOT a morning person.
6. The first CD (cassette tape, record,etc.) I ever bought was... Lou Reed. I think. First CD was the soundtrack for Pulp Fiction.
7. My first car was... a zippy little black Honda Civic that I didn't get to keep for very long before I gave it to my mother.

 Thanks to The Little Things We Do for the blanks!

Random Thursday - First Celebrity Crushes

Welcome to this week's Random Thursday with Lin, Sarah - and me! Who's ready for a brand spankin' new topic? I thought so. Well, here it is!

 This is going to be a short one for me. I fell for this guy when I was 7... and I've never gotten over him.Seriously, if he showed up on my doorstep I'd be pretty damn tempted to run away with him. (It's okay, J. knows ALL about it.)

I saw him in Labyrinth, and that was it. What can I say? Even with terrible '80s hair, the heart wants what the heart wants. 

Now share your celebrity crush(es) - don't worry, we won't judge... much ;)

Fill in the _____ Friday

1. Something I am very proud of is... my ability to take my desk from total chaos to spic-n-span in about 30 seconds flat - as long as no one's going to look in my desk drawers.
2. My favourite thing about myself is... hmmm. Pass.
3. My favourite colour for fall is... the same as the rest of the year. Black.
4. Something I've been learning lately is... that sleep is important. I've learned this by not having any all week and watching myself morph into something really, really scary.
5. A book I am reading now/have read lately is... I'm right between books at the moment. I just finished Compacts and Cosmetics, I think I might try Enduring Cuba next, since I'm going there in just over a month!
6. My favourite Pandora station is...we don't have Pandora in Canada :(
7. This weekend I will... try to get my house in order and get rid of some of the boxes before my dad comes to visit on Sunday. I don't have a good feeling about this.

Because it's Friday, and everyone needs a little extra warm fuzzy, watch this video. You might need some Kleenex.


Thanks to Lauren @ The Little Things We Do for the blanks!

Random Thursday: My Fall TV Lineup

It's time for another Random Thursday with Lin, Sarah - and me! This week's topic is one I look forward to all year:

"We've waited eagerly for them & finally all of our favorite shows are back! From dramas to comedies and old classics to new series, we all have those TV shows that are just too good to miss." Yeah, we do. And I have a lot of them. I have a habit of putting TV on in the background of whatever I'm doing - sometimes I barely pay attention to it, other times I'll stop mid-whatever-I'm-doing and sit (almost) entirely still for the full episode. But no matter what, I get through a lot of TV in a week. So Fall and the return to regular episodes of some of my favourites - plus some new ones - is something I look forward to all summer long!

Returning Favourites:

1. Criminal Minds 

Best. Crime. Show. EVER. (Okay, maybe not ever, but for a long time and in the States, anyway). Fair warning: Not for the faint of heart. It's graphic and creepy - not only does it feature really disturbing violence, but because it's about a team of FBI profilers, there's the whole psychological thriller angle too (think Hannibal Lechter). Still interested? I guess you're as weird as I am, then. It's realistic, gritty, and I find trying to figure out the why as well as the who and the how keeps my mind extra busy. Always look forward to this one. (Another word to the wise: maybe don't watch 4 seasons marathon-style while on pain killers recovering from surgery. This way lies lots of checking in closets and showering with your eyes open. Yes, this advice comes from hard-earned personal experience.)

2. Castle

Despite his somewhat disappointing response to Jenny Lawson's (better known as The Bloggess) request for a picture of him holding twine (click here to read the response and here if you have no idea what the fuck I'm talking about), I still love Nathan Fillion and this is one of my favourite shows. His character is compelling, the plots are varied and really, really interesting and did I mention I love crime dramas? My favourite episode is the one with the old-time bar and the hidden passageways... something to do with reading too many Nancy Drews as a child, I'm sure. 

3. Sons of Anarchy

 If I had to pick one show to watch this fall, this would be it. I can't do it justice, so just go watch it. In case you ladies need any more incentive, here you go:

4.Once Upon A Time

I'm not a fan of Jennifer Morrison - particularly since she went blonde. But the show is filmed here, I love Robert Carlyle, and the twists on fairy tales are a new and interesting theme.

5. Fringe and Supernatural

Fringe is one of those shows that keeps managing to twist and turn unexpectedly - mostly in ways that keep me wanting more. I like that it reminds me of The X-Files, too. Nostalgia. As for Supernatural, one word: Dean.

6. Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother/New Girl

Big Bang Theory is one I've already re-watched many times, and I've been waiting for more geeky antics! HIMYM has its ups and downs for me (*ahem* Jennifer Morrison), but I love Barney, Marshall and Lily enough to watch it to the end. New Girl I'm on the fence about, but I've had enough giggle fits watching it to stick with it for another season!

7. The Good Wife/Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice/Revenge/Scandal/Homeland/The Vampire Diaries/Parenthood

I'm not a huge fan of any of these,but they're just good enough to have on when I'm washing the dishes or doing the ironing, so I'll probably keep half an eye on them.

8. The Walking Dead 

I can't wait to see what happens next - that badass warrior woman with the collared walkers at the end of the last season has had me wondering and waiting for months! 

9. Bones/Body of Proof/Blue Bloods/Major Crimes

I'm honestly not even sure if Body of Proof is coming back, and I'm not really into Bones as much the last two seasons. But if I'm out of other crimes to watch, I will watch it. Hoping Body of Proof comes back, because that was a good one. Blue Bloods I only started watching over the summer, but I'm pretty into it - Tom Selleck's character is great and I like the brothers. Though I have to admit that whenever I'm doing something else and not watching the screen when it's on and Donnie Wahlberg starts talking, in my head I just see Mark. Major Crimes took over where The Closer left off, and while I'm still really bitter about the loss of Kyra Sedgwick, who simply can't be replaced, I have to grudgingly admit that this is pretty good after all.

10. Covert Affairs

I'm not sure if this belongs in summer or fall, but I'm including it. First of all, I'm not a fan of Piper Perabo (I mean, really. Just look at her name.) - but this show totally has me hooked. I love Augie's character, I'm a sucker for any sort of spy drama, and let's face it, there's not a lot of good ones out there. So this stays.

11. Misfits/Sherlock

These are my favourite British shows. I think they're all coming back sometime in the fall - at least I hope they are! Misfits is a really interesting show about a bunch of young offenders who got special powers when caught in a freak storm. Sounds really weird, but is actually very good. The characters sell it. Though it isn't the same without Nathan, it's still worth checking out. Sherlock - I mention this one in the section on Elementary below - is a fantastic re-boot of the classic detective series. It takes place in modern-day London, which I love as a bit of a twist (I'm also not a huge fan of period dramas). But the best part of it is the casting. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman fit their roles as Sherlock and Watson, respectively, to a T and have amazing on-screen chemistry. You need to watch this if you consider yourself a fan of the mystery genre.

Brand Spankin' New:

1. Elementary

I love crime dramas. Particularly when they're intelligently written and have characters that are as intriguing as the whodunnit plots. I'm a HUGE fan of the British modern-day re-make that this series is cashing in on, Sherlock (only 3 episodes a season, but they're movie length and SO good - if you haven't seen it yet, watch it now!). And while I don't expect this to be as good, I'll definitely give it a shot!

2. Revolution

A co-worker just told me about this one - so I'm adding it to my list, even though I don't know much about it! Apparently it's some sort of post-apocalyptic theme where all electronic devices have stopped working. Oh, and there's a strong female character who hunts with a bow and arrow. Sound familiar? 

A nod to some favourites that aren't returning:

1. Missing 

I'm still seething about this one. I love Ashley Judd, Cliff Curtis and Sean Bean. The plot of this was awesome, and her character was kick ass. Think female Jason Bourne. Not only that, but they ended the first season on a horrible cliffhanger that will now never be resolved! I will never forgive them for that.

2. The Ringer

I miss Buffy so much that even though this show was convoluted, a bit watered down and not Sarah Michelle Gellar's best role - I'll take it. 

3. Alcatraz

Not the best show ever, but I liked the actors, and Alcatraz is a great setting for this type of show. Also it was filmed down the street from my old house, so that was interesting.

4. Spooks (AKA MI-5)

I'm completely gutted that this spy show, after a decade of outstanding intrigue, is gone for good. Spooks is my all time favourite spy show. It's gritty, realistic, has well-written and bone-chilling plots, and they're not afraid to kill off main characters which adds to the suspense and makes it all the more realistic. It also goes by the name MI-5, in case you find that confusing. I can't believe it's gone, and, quite frankly, don't want to. If you enjoy spy and thriller shows, you should go back and watch this one. It's excellent.

I'm sure I'm forgetting slews of shows that I'm going to be doing facepalms over later, but I'm tired, so that's all you get. 

And in case you need a little help keeping track of your favourites, I found a couple of handy schedules. This one tells you the dates of the season premieres, and this one breaks down which shows you can plan to watch on which days. Very useful, I tell ya!

What are you looking forward to? Link up and share your faves below!

Fill in the _____ Friday

1. Right now the weather where I live is... actually pretty nice! Sunny, the occasional cloud, but no rain. *crosses fingers that I didn't just jinx it*
2. The best piece of advice I've been given is... don't let stuff that happened in the past take over your future. And always look both ways before crossing the street, that was a good one too.
3. My most favourite person in all the world is... that's a tough one - I have a bunch of favourites. I'd probably say J., cos he's my partner and my best friend, so it's kind of like 2 for 1. But I'm also pretty attached to my Dad, and Lin is absolutely fantastic and without her I would giggle a lot less.... so it's really hard to say.
4. If I were to have a "mission statement" for my life, it would be... don't take shit so seriously. And try to be nice.
5. My most favourite item in my closet is... jeans.
6. Today is... the last day of an 11-day week. Fuck yeah.

Thanks to Lauren at The Little Things We Do for the blanks!

Random Thursday: Favourite YouTube Videos

Welcome to this week's Random Thursday with Lin, Sarah - and me! This week we're happy to bring you a topic that I'm sure you'll all have plenty to contribute to:

I don't spend a lot of time on YouTube, but, like anyone, I've got a few favourites when I do. Mostly funny, and a lot inappropriate. You're welcome.

Channels

1. Lisa Eldridge and Pixiwoo

I love makeup tutorials, and these two channels are the very best. Below is one by Lisa Eldridge that I just love.



2. My Drunk Kitchen

Everything on this channel is piss-your-pants hilarious, so I didn't know which video to pick - so here's the first one. Go watch the rest.



3. Honest Trailers

Titanic is my favourite, but I shared it a couple of weeks ago, so here's the one for Transformers.

Videos

1. Jimmy Kimmel - I Told My Kids I Ate Their Halloween Candy

You might have seen this one already (I'm sure I put it in a post last halloween) but it still makes me giggle.



2. How To Read A Book

So true!




3. Will Ferrell on Conan - All Busted up over Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

It's a bit mean, and I got blocked on Twitter for saying the Trampire comment was fair...but I don't care, because damn is it funny!



4. Man Stroke Woman - Man Cold

My boyfriend is sick right now, and while to be fair it isn't this bad, this still makes me laugh extra hard.



5. Single White Feline

I wouldn't be surprised. Cats are shady fuckers.


That's it for me! Now it's your turn - and make 'em funny, folks! Link up below!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Sorry I didn't do a 10 on Tuesday last week - but I have a good excuse. I was doing this instead:

Top row: Incubus, Bottom row: Linkin Park

 Yep, that's right, I went to see Mutemath, Incubus and Linkin Park. One of my all-time favourite shows, and so much fun! Definitely worth skipping a post for - sorry, guys!

2. My coffee this morning was NOT decaf. So if my heart explodes and I die, you can blame Starbucks.

3. I am so excited to try out my new nail polish shades from OPI's fall Germany collection! I'm particularly entranced by "Berlin There Done That" which is a cool taupe shade. Gorgeous.

L-R: Berlin There Done That, Don't Talk Bach to Me, 

Every Month is Oktoberfest

4. I have so much to do it's not even funny. Seriously, I'm not laughing.

5. I can't believe it's nearly time for the fall TV lineup to get into full swing! *Awkward segue* speaking of which, have you checked out our link up, Random Thursday? Lin, Sarah and myself will be asking you what's in your fall TV lineup next week - but don't miss out on this week's topic, "Favourite YouTube videos/channels." It's gonna be awesome! Also I'm really looking forward to seeing more of this guy shirtless, starting tonight (can you blame me? Thought not.):

6. My computer keeps glitching and I have 10,000 things to do today. I'm seriously weighing up the repercussions of throwing my computer out the window vs. how much pleasure it would give me.

7. I think I'm getting sick. I've had an on-again off-again sore throat/fever for 5 days. I wish it would either progress or fuck off, because this constantly expecting to wake up deathly ill is making me anxious. *cough*

8. I have been working for 8 days straight. A few more, and I'll need a fucking straightjacket.

9. I spent the weekend at a fundraising bike event my work organizes every year. Though I'm exhausted now, it was a lot of fun - and so inspiring! The route is 200 km (about 125 miles, for those of you in the US) over two days. A lot, right? The amazing part was that this year our youngest participant was 11 and the oldest was 85. No joke. Makes me feel REALLY guilty about my lazy lifestyle, I'll tell ya.

10. Because good GOD do I need a laugh:

 This is the sort of smart-ass answer I wrote on exams I didn't study for.

The only stick figure family I'd even consider having on my car.

 Don't fuck with me today. I'm about one computer crash 

away from becoming this chick.

 The fuck's up with that?

 Wanna see?

Word. And I'm out.

Fill in the _____ Friday

1. My favourite grade in school was... seriously? I don't remember that far back. So I'm gonna go with 12, cos it's when I graduated and GTFO!
2. My favourite teacher was... okay, so I know this is supposed to be referring back to grade school, but honestly the teachers that actually changed the way I thought about the world around me were in college - most notably Dr. Gillian Crowther, who teaches Anthropology. Seriously, the woman kicks all kinds of ass. I took every class of hers I could - and she was such a good teacher that not only did I look forward to class every week, but I read all the recommended readings - and loved them!
3.  The highest level of education I have completed is... University. Under protest.
4. School lunches for me were usually... whatever I could scrounge up. I'm lazy, yo.
5. The amount of money you'd have to pay me to go back to high school would be... depends if you expect me to teach the annoying little fuckers or watch my iPod in the back of the classroom. If it's the former, no amount of money on this earth would do it; kids are annoying as fuck these days. If it's the second, dude I'd do it for free if it meant I didn't have to pay rent, do the grocery shopping and pay bills every month. 
6. A few things that will always remind me of going back to school are... loose-leaf paper, Mead notebooks and Bic pens.
7. The first day of school was always... the best one since there wasn't any homework I'd forgotten to do.

I gotta say, it's been a long time since I've thought about school before College, and honestly, there's not a whole lot of nostalgia for school itself, though I do miss the day being over so early. The older I get, the faster time passes and the harder life seems to be. I can't believe I used to fall apart if I didn't understand my math homework. Now? Bitch, please. I'd flunk with panache and not even bat an eyelash compared to the crap I have going on in my head these days!

Thanks to Lauren at The Little Things We Do for the blanks!

Random Thursday: Favourite Feel Good Movies

Welcome back to Random Thursday, hosted by Lin, Sarah - and me! Thanks for joining us - hopefully you'll enjoy this week's topic, which is...

I love watching movies, so this topic is one that could take a while. It also is going to cause some embarrassing admissions. I'm swearing you all to secrecy. It's rare I admit to liking any chick flicks. And there are a couple in the list. But I don't think a movie has to be sappy or romantic to make you feel good. Any movie that I can lose myself in and that has excellent re-watch value is eligible to make the list! So here goes....

1. Bridget Jones' Diary/Notting Hill/Love Actually

In that order. I'm combining these three because I like them for the same reason: they have people in them who seem "real," they have lots of funny moments as well as a li'l romance, and they're full of British accents. 'Nuff said.

2. High Fidelity

Having grown up in a household with a father who used to play the saxophone instead of singing me to sleep and a mother who broke her toe dancing to the Rolling Stones, it's safe to say I've always loved music. I also find organizing comforting. And love John Cusack (who doesn't??).

3. The Bourne Trilogy

You may not typically classify these movies as "feel good," but that's exactly what they make me feel. I love thrillers, I love espionage and I love well-written, intelligent scripts. Not the best re-watch value since half the fun is not knowing the answers, but still.

4. The Harry Potter Movies

Oh, HP. How could I not include these? Though I was a generation too old to enjoy these books as a child, they do hold the childlike delight of a magical world, non-fuzzy morals (well, in the first one, anyway) and friendships forged in intense circumstances. Excellent to lose yourself in when the world is just a little too "real."

5. Snatch

 What's not to love? It's edgy. Intelligent. British. A little bit uncomfortable to watch, but in a delicious way, and features a tough-as-nails Brad Pitt with a Pikey accent. Dude. So good.

6. Fight Club

 There's just something about this movie I find comforting - right up until they start shooting people. The darkness, the despair, and yet the acceptance of the seedy, dirty underbelly of life made somewhat glamorous.  And the tongue-in-cheek social commentary that underlines how unimportant our daily concerns really are. Make me feel less alone in my general disillusionment. Also love Helena Bonham Carter, Edward Norton and (surprisingly since this makes two on the list) Brad Pitt.

7. Remember the Titans/The Blind Side

I'm not a football fan, nor am I one to curl up with a movie and a box of Kleenex - but these movies get me going every. damn. time. I love the underdog who comes out on top, the unlikely friendships that become family and the inspiration to see the best in people around you. Shut up. You know you have some like this on your list. *sniff*

I could keep going... Say Anything, Easy A, Foxfire (the one with Angelina Jolie), Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepless in Seattle, The Avengers.... the list goes on and on. But I'll leave it at that... and now I want to see yours! Link up below!