Me and Marlo Thomas

Tonight I attended a books discussion/signing for Marlo Thomas' new book Growing Up Laughing.  I used to love watching re-runs of That Girl on Comedy Central when I was little.  It was also on tv paired up with Love American Style, but I don't think that was on Comedy Central... anyway.  Also, who didn't love her as Mrs. Green on Friends?  I was super excited when I saw that this event was happening.  Apparently the advertising wasn't that great because there was not too many people there.  Of course that is in comparison to when I saw Carol Burnett.  Both events took place at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.  Tonight's event was moved from the theatre to the lobby.  I liked that they did that because it made the evening feel more intimate.

Unfortunately, since I just found out about the event last week, and had to finish MockingJay this weekend, I didn't get a chance to read the book before attending.  Marlo told some great stories.  Hopefully some of the gems are in the book.  Rabbi David Baron was the other half of the conversation and did a great job.  In the beginning he pointed out that not only was Marlo's childhood amazing since she grew up around comic legends and geniuses, but she appreciated the fact that these people were around.  Where as most teens would want to get out of the house and not deal with their parents' friends, Marlo knew it was special that she was able to spend time with these guys and wanted to hang around them as much as she could.

Not only does her book contain stories from her life it also has interviews with other comics.  I'm excited to read the interviews with Conan, Tina Fey, Chris Rock, Lily Tomlin, Jerry Seinfeld, and more.

One thing I really liked was just how positive she is. She said that she would always tell her funny family stories to friends and they told her she should write them down. It seemed that she hoped these stories would inspire and bring joy to others.

The fun evening was wrapped up by getting my copy of the book signed and a photo with Marlo.

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=quicthou-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=140132391X


Marlo said she just started a new website. One of the features is Laugh of the Day. She gave a statistic (which I have forgotten) about how less adults laugh than kids do on a daily basis. She hopes this will give everyone at least one laugh a day.

Fall TV (so far)

Now that we are a couple of weeks into the new fall tv programming I thought I would share some my list of shows I'm watching and those that have fallen off the list.

Continuing Favorites (shows I love (or really like) that are back)

Desperate Housewives - One episode in and I feel like this this season is off to a great start.  Vanessa Williams is going to be a fun addition to the case.  And though I am sad to see Orson leave Bree, it seems like Bree will be going a little out of her regular zone this season.  I'm looking forward to a new episode tonight.

30 Rock - What can I say? 30 Rock is awesome.  You should be watching if you aren't.

How I Met Your Mother - My DVR decided not to tape the Monday of the season premiere.  I haven't caught up on it yet, but I did see the second episode and it was full of Barney fun. I think I saw that CBS now has full episodes online (finally!)... so hopefully I can catch the first ep of the season.

Glee - If you follow me on Twitter then you know that I mildly like Glee (ok I'm a bit obsessed and talk about it all the time).  The writing on the show lacks a bit, but overall I love it.  Each episode is fun and I love listening to the music while I'm at work.  My current favorite moment is from S2 E1 when Quinn and Santana are fighting and as the camera circles it stops at Brittany and she says, in a very deadpan way, "Stop the violence".  Every time I think about it I laugh.

Modern Family - It won the Emmy for best comedy this year and it was completely deserved.  This show makes my cry from laughter.  I'm sooo glad it's back.

The Office - I'm starting to waiver on this show (words I thought  I would never type).  I actually hoped this season would be the last because of Steve Carell's departure.  Last season the show was as good as it had been, but I love these characters so I'm staying with them.  So far I have enjoyed this season.

Cougartown - I think this is a good consistent show.  And they have already brought me a new "drinking" game... Movie Title mashup

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - I heart this show.  The first three episodes have been solid.  I can't get over Dee dancing with the air thinging... It. Cracks. Me. Up.

Chuck - Ok, I haven't watched any of this season yet. I had the same DVR problem as HIMYM and it was a blank recording for the season premiere.  I just need to get to NBC. com and watch it so I can see the second one that is on my DVR.

The Vampire Diaries - Since I don't have HBO I get my normal TV vamp fix from this show.  The first couple of episodes this season have been great.  I'm loving vamp Caroline.

Parenthood - Great cast and writing. They have some fun new plots this season.  Welcome back Bravermans!

The Big Bang Theory - Robot Sheldon was fantastic!  This show consistently makes me laugh! No wonder I bought 3 TBBT t-shirts at Comic Con.

New & New/Old Shows (shows that are new or just new to me)

The Middle - I had seen a few episodes of this show last season, but for some reason I didn't stick with it.  This is now becoming a favorite! *whispers* favorite

Community - I tried to watch this show when it started last season and just didn't get into it.  A lot people love it and I don't think it's bad... I just don't know if it's for me.  I started again this season and still am not really into it.

Raising Hope - I literally just watched the first two episodes and I'm in. Great cast and great writing.

Running Wilde - I have had a mad girl crush on Keri Russell since her MMC days.  That means that yes, I was one of the few Felicity watchers.  I also love Will Arnett so I want this to be a good show.  As I type I'm watching episode 2 and it's not getting me yet.  I'll give it a few more weeks.

Nikita - I have only seen episode one and have the rest on the DVR.  The first episode intrigued me so I plan on catching up... so we'll see.

No Ordinary Family - I just watched the pilot today and I really liked it.  I'm looking forward to the next episode.

Goodbye (shows that have been removed from the DVR)

Lone Star - I actually like the first episode, but once it got cancelled I took it off the DVR.  I thought "what's the point"?  I guess my thoughts on the show don't really matter since it's gone anyway.

My Generation - I didn't watch it, but deleted the 2 episodes that were taped after I read that it was taken off the schedule.

Hellcats - I tried to watch the first episode.  I stopped a bit of the ways through it. It seemed to forced for me.

Better with You - I love sitcoms and I wanted to like this, but it wasn't for me.  Knowing me I'll catch the reruns.

Outsourced - I work with call centers so I thought it might have a more personal touch, but it didn't hook me.

Life Unexpected - This show is still on the DVR, but it's almost off.  I really want to like this show, but the main characters just make themselves unlikable.  I really didn't enjoy the first episode... mainly because it was so predictable.  I guess it was really just setting up the new story lines.   The second episode was better and I'm hoping it keeps getting better.  I think my main problem is that Ryan is the only character I really like, but who doesn't love Jack McPhee?

So that's where I'm at with the fall season.  What do you agree or disagree with? Am I missing a show you think I should be watching?

New Kindle (said in Oprah voice)

I guess the title of this post is really appropriate since it's due to Oprah that I bought a Kindle in the first place.  Way back in 2008 I really wanted a Kindle, but the steep $300 price tag kept me away.  I somehow convinced my Mom she needed a Kindle too and we both longed for one.  Then one day when I was, inexplicably, watching Oprah she had an episode featuring one of her "favorite things" and it was the Kindle.  She gave out a a promo code for $50 off a Kindle. The promo code only had the life span of a few days so Mom and I broke down and each got one.  I LOVE my Kindle.  I haven't tried any other ebook readers, but with the selection and prices Amazon has I think it can't be beat. (Funny how I was happy to pay $250 and now it's only $189... oh the life of an early adopter) I even had a problem with the screen on my original device (the screen just went black one day) and a day later Amazon sent me a brand new device (still first generation).  The Kindle 2 and now Kindle 3 are a little smaller and have new features so I have been wanting to upgrade for awhile.  Here is a picture of the Kindle 1 and how big the buttons are to change the pages.  They are SUPER easy to press... which is very annoying.



So when I received a reward card for signing up for new cable service I decided to splurge.  This baby is on its way soon to me, hopefully.





I'm also really excited it's not white since my original Kindle gets dirty really easy.

I have plenty to read while I wait.  This weekend I am going to finish (if I say it like that I really hope it will come true) MockingJay



And this week I picked up Patti Lupone's memoir from the library.   This year has been about the memoirs/autobiographies for me....

Anyway I was so happy I thought I would share my news with the world... or just Chris who is the only person who I looks at this blog... and I'm sure that's just occasionally. ;p

***UPDATE***

I was able to find a Kindle at Best Buy... so I have it! WOOT!

Restarting the 2010 Reading Challenge

Ok, now that life has settled down I'm back on board with the reading.  I'm starting with MockingJay (which I have been looking forward to since I finished Catching Fire earlier this year).

2010 Reading Challenge Block

So it's been a few weeks since I've finished a book.  I'm about a month behind in my reading challenge for 2010.  I hope after I feel moved in and my parents leave (they came down to help me move and I'm not wishing they would leave sooner) I'll be able to pick it back up.  I have 4 books I wanted to read.  The list keeps growing with every book blog I read. I'm still hoping for 50 in 2010.

Books I am reading or want to read:















1. Magic Kingdom for Sale. Sold!
One of my co-workers recommended this book to me.  Since we have similar tastes in most things I thought I would give it a try.  It's more fantasy style than I normally read, but so far so good.


2. MockingJay
My awesome friend Chris got me the Hunger Game series for my birthday this past week.  I read Hunger Games and Catching Fire earlier this year (but will be reading again) and I since I finished I have been looking forward to this book.  I may start with this one when I begin again.


3. One for the Money
I've been hearing about the Stephanie Plum series all year and it sounded interesting.  I finally bought it for my Kindle and am about 6 chapters in. I really like it!


4. Living Dead in Dallas
I really want to read the all of the Sookie Stackhouse books, but I'm having trouble getting into this one... and it's only the second book.  I think I trouble stems from  True Blood.  When a book is transformed into a movie or tv show I like to read the book first.  I know the novels are different from the show and as I read this book I keep comparing it to the show and trying to remember what happened into compared to the book.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Jones Soda

The last thing I need is more stuff to clutter up shelves, but these are awesome and I want them. 

[caption id="attachment_395" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Jones Soda Buffy edition"][/caption]

 

Wouldn't they look so nice next to my Buffy boxed set?  (And they are limited edition!) You can order them at the Jones Soda website.  Feel free to gift me a set.

Quick Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I don't know if this book can really be reviewed quickly, but here I go...

Even though this wasn't my typical type of novel I enjoyed it.  To be honest it took me awhile to get into it.  The first few chapters seem so scattered and individual... it wasn't too interesting.  I told myself it was all for character development, since it's a trilogy, and I believe I was right.  Once the story really gets started it takes off.  The story telling is done in such a graphic way at some points that leads me to give you this advice: when you get near the middle don't eat dinner and read like I did. :p  Here is a brief synopsis from the author's website:

Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomqvist is hired by Henrik Vanger to investigate the disappearance of Vanger’s great-niece Harriet. Henrik suspects that someone in his family, the powerful Vanger clan, murdered Harriet over forty years ago.
Starting his investigation, Mikael realizes that Harriet’s disappearance is not a single event, but rather linked to series of gruesome murders in the past. He now crosses paths with Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker, an asocial punk and most importantly, a young woman driven by her vindictiveness.
Together they form an unlikely couple as they dive deeper into the violent past of the secretive Vanger family.

One thing that I don't think helped was reading the book via my Kindle.  The Vanger family is quite large and there is a family tree in the beginning of the book that I couldn't skip to easily (though right now I realized that maybe I could have set a bookmark for future reference).  My small brain had trouble remembering who was who, but it didn't seeem to really matter.   The story is not only about the Harriet Vanger mystery, but also goes into a scandal that Mikael is involved in.  To me, it was like two different stories... though the scandal is what allows Mikael to become part of the Vanger family mystery.  I don't want to give anything away, but once you get into it the story is compelling and difficult to put down (even though I read it over a three weeks).  I'm really looking forward reading the second book.