The King

I have noticed that several of my last posts have been a bit negative so I have decided to dedicate several future posts to the topic of things I love.

Today's topic: Elvis Presley a.k.a. "The King of Rock n' Roll"

Things I love about Elvis: He was a southerner, great singer, awesome songs, cheesy movies, hot sex (at least between 1953-1971). Mmm-mmm good. I love watching Elvis and Me (tv movie from the late 80s that depicted his life with Priscilla) when it comes on Lifetime or CMT close to his birthday or the date of his death. I know an awful lot about him and he joins a short list of people that I am absolutely FASCINATED by. He was a complex, flawed, generous, caring, conflicted, successful, and talented person - to name a few qualities. I also think I relate to him because he struggled with his weight in his 30s and 40s. He died tragically and has continued to garner fans close to 30 years after his death.

Another movie review...

I saw Walk the Line this weekend and it was great! Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were awesome and their singing was quite good. I highly recommend this movie to anyone, you don't even have to be a big Johnny Cash fan. It's just a good story. On a related note, I would like to discuss something that this movie made me ponder:

Bad Boys.

Why do we (girls, women, old women, gay men...) love bad boys? Johnny was a bad boy for many years of his life and I gotta say it was a little sexy (maybe not when he was strung out on uppers, but you get my drift). I have always found someone with a little dark side to be quite attractive. Why can't I like nice guys? Why can't you? I think nice guys are overlooked during their 20s and highly sought after in their 30s and 40s. Should I start looking for a nice guy now and settle for nice and not sparks? Hmmm. It is something to think about.

In my heart, I knew it was coming...

As you all have heard, Nick and Jessica are over. I'll admit I'm bummed. I knew that it was going to happen, but I really wanted to believe they would be happy together. I predicted this in the first season of Newlyweds, but I didn't want to see it come to fruition. It's a sad day, my friends (shall we all bow our heads?).
I have already aknowledged that I have an obsession with some celebrities' lives and I take things kind of personally. I know I need to learn to accept the decisions these people make with their own lives, but still...

Farewell, Nick.
Adieu, Jessica.
It will never be the same.

I CAN READ

This is what I feel like shouting to several professors and other people who believe in reading to you. For example, one professor loves to do PowerPoint and then read the slides to you for HOURS. It drives me insane. I have been in school for 246 years and I am quite capable of reading for myself. As Jenny is fond of saying, PowerPoint is a license to be boring. My fellow students are also guilty of reading to people who can do it on their own. Another thing that gets on my nerves is a student droning on and on for 20-30 minutes when the presentation was supposed to last 5-10 minutes at the most. Brevity is a virtue that many people have lost. It is literally like torture to me. Ugh. Sometimes I picture myself piping up in the middle of class with something like "Shut up! Just shut the F*ck up! If you don't shut up, I will kill you. I will torture you like you are torturing me! Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

Ahhh, I feel better already!

Update: Christmas 2005

This is my update for how I am getting prepared for the Christmas season. Thanks to everyone for encouraging my goal for the year.

Here are the Christmas things I have watched on t.v.
1. Major Dad (charming and cheesy sitcom from the early '90s) - a "very special episode" that includes the necessary magic of Christmas and renewed belief in Santa.
2. Beverly Hills, 90210 - (no need for explanation, right?) Episode from season four, the first year "the gang" was in college. Lots of good cheer and happiness. A must see, not the best 90210 Christmas episode, but cute.
3. QVC - I love watching this stuff. They are always talking about Christmas and are decorated for the holidays beginning in September. Super Christmas-y!

Other things I have done to get me in the mood for the holidays:
1. I wear Christmas socks almost every day
2. I wear my Christmas underwear several times a week (I have a lot to pick from)
3. I bought the tackiest, most fabulous Christmas tree (it kind of looks like this picture, but it's red!) for my apartment.
4. I bought an extremely tacky collection of Christmas ornaments to go with my fabulous tree. I will take a picture once it's decorated.
5. I made spiked hot apple cider. Mmmm-mmmm.

What have you done about getting in the mood? If you haven't done anything, you better get going!

Late? Selfish Little Sh*t.

I hate being late.

Late for appointments. Late for work. Late for class. Just plain late.

I was at work today and stuck there for 30 EXTRA minutes because some b*tch didn't leave her house in time to get to work on time. Dammit. I like being early for work so that I am able to take my time and not rush around. I like getting to class early so that I can take care of anything that needs to be accomplished before class. It is selfish and most people who are late tend to do it a lot. Why is it that you can consistently be late, but cannot consistently make an effort to get someplace on time. I think it shows a lack of respect for others and it drives me up the freakin' wall.

So admit it...are you on time or late? Different point of view from mine? Anyone want to play devil's advocate?

The Quacker Factory

After admitting to my love of bad '90s television, I feel like I can admit to just about anything. I like to watch QVC for hours on end during the holiday season. I think it is because it portrays life as you sometimes idealize it. You know, a cheerful fire in the fireplace, perfect Christmas decorations, and pretty gifts that "mom" or "grandma" would just love! Anyhoo, I am getting off of my topic for the day. There is one show that I love the most on this wonderful network. It is called The Quacker Factory and it is a fabulous example of cheesiness and what one can achieve with the Bedazzler. Jeanne Bice is the creator of these incredible clothes that include all of the sweaters that your second grade teacher used to wear for the various holidays of the year. People call in and say things like "quack, quack, Jeanne! I just LOVE your clothes! They're precious! I own all six!"
Examples of her fashion creations (credit to the QVC website - for those of you who are looking for the perfect Christmas gift this year):

A little something for Halloween or for Fall?
or
Teachers?
or
Just damn T-A-C-K-Y?

People, she calls herself the Head Quack. You gotta love it...

Scummy

This is my new catch-all descriptor for boys. I realize it is a generalization and not all boys are scummy, but the majority are and that is a fact of life.

How have I come to this conclusion?

-Although guys and girls are initially attracted to overall appearance and hotness level (don't lie, you know it's true - so don't try that "eyes" or "smile" bullsh*t), girls will usually become more attracted or less attracted based on personality. This is not true for guys - the girl can be an uber bitch, but uber hot and guys will put up with just about anything.
-Don't even get me started on the whole sex thing. I know girls do it too, but it is still more of a guy thing to sleep with anything that moves. And girls are the sluts? whatever.

Thoughts? Am I just being bitter or truthful? Both? (Honestly, I'd probably admit to both)

Viva Nashvegas!

I have just returned from the land of country music, family, and friends! Sorry I haven't updated in several days, but I have been busy seeing old friends and being lazy. Lee, my friend who has commented on this blog several times, just got back from her 3 1/2 year stint in Bolivia as a Peace Corps volunteer. She had plenty of amusing stories and I am amazed that she has been away from home for so long. I can't wait until Christmas and we can have our traditional Christmas morning (o.j. and a review of presents) between my family and hers. I also had dinner with my brother's new girlfriend! She is really nice and talented. I'm ready for them to get married...really. Oh well, I guess I will have to be patient. I want nieces and nephews, dammit! I also saw my goddaughter, Isabella, the sweetest little girl in Nashville (I am sure that her hugs and kisses have had no bearing on my feelings at all). I am ready to take on the last of my semester and graduate from school. I will have something more amusing to discuss tomorrow. 'Til then...

My name is Katie and I am addicted to cheesy '90s television

Well, I have had this blog for several months now and I feel like we know each other pretty well. I have shared numerous embarrassing habits and beliefs with ya'll and now I will reveal the most embarrassing of them all (I need to give Lydia props because she admitted her love of the early '80s sitcom Bosom Buddies). I love bad '90s television. Early, mid, late '90s - it doesn't matter I LOVE IT. Here is what is on the Tivo right now:

Major Dad
Beverly Hills, 90210
Grace Under Fire
Coach
Designing Women (this is a bit of a cheat as it appeared during the late '80s and early '90s)

I know what you may be thinking right now: "she has no taste in television." Well, I never claimed to have taste and anyone who has ever been in a room with me for longer than fifteen minutes will acknowledge that many of my tastes are lowbrow, i.e. Bud Light, Gross Out comedies, and cheesy music. Now that I have admitted this dark secret to you, what is your guilty pleasure?

Jake Gyllenhaal's Penis is my Muse

*Note: today's post is purely for the ladies or men who love men.*

Ladies, I just got home from watching Jarhead and let me encourage you to run, don't walk, to see this fine specimen of hot man ass. I'm talking full-frontal. Male, full-frontal. Nary a breast in sight, just naked men. I have always had a thing for men in combat boots and this movie did not disappoint. Before I went to see this movie, I didn't have much to write about, but I am just bursting with inspiration. Yum-my.

This brings me to a topic that Jenny suggested I mention: the double standard in movies concerning nudity. Boobs, boobs, and more boobs. Apparently, male movie stars only have butts and nothing in the front. Strategically placed plants, furniture and other props hide anything interesting to see in most movies. In all honesty, I have to admit that men are funny looking creatures, but I still think it is only fair to see just as much of men as we do of women. Truly, it is just a question of feminism...I swear. *wink,wink*

This surely puts into question the man sabbatical...must be strong...must hold out...

'Tis the Season?

I am not going to make the cliched statement that "Christmas seems to come sooner every year," but I have been seeing signs of the impending holidays. I did not have much holiday spirit last year partly because it was the first Christmas without my mom and I just wasn't feeling the whole "holiday thing."

Things are going to be different this year.

Thus, I have created a short list of Christmas Commandments (ahhh, a bit of a biblical theme if you will)

1. I will watch a minimum of 12 Christmas movies/specials - this should not be too difficult as I will be having my annual Christmas movie marathon - all are welcome to join me.
2. I will not succumb to my father's attempts to suck all of the Christmas spirit out of me.
2a. I will ignore his requests for either "nothing" or "Fig Newtons" for Christmas gifts.
2b. I will also ignore his repeated question "Don't you just hate Christmas?" as well as "Don't you just wish Christmas was already over?"
2c. I will insist on decorating the tree even thought it is a "waste of time" or "pointless."
3. I will actually appreciate the reason for the season and not obsess about finding the perfect gift for everyone. It really is the thought that counts (especially when you are this close to homeless).
4. I will be happy to be home and enjoy spending time with family.
5. Christmas is a magical time and I will remember this at all costs. Magical, I tell you!

Okay, enough commandments. I shall add to this list as I see necessary. So, do you love it or hate and are you own board with loving it this year? Come on...I know you have it in you.

I'm Back!!

That's right, give me a call tonight. I am in class right now so I will not be accepting calls at this time (the professor seems to get annoyed by this - whatever...), but I EXPECT people to call me tonight. Same number...Ahh, it is so good to be connected again!