I want to go to there...

It's inevitable that with wintry temperatures comes increased TV viewing. When it's 12 degrees outside, it takes a pretty momentous occasion to pry me away from my cable box and Netflix library. Factor instant viewing into the mix, and well, you've lost me forever. While the majority of television has lost me recently (Heroes, really?), there's still a steady amount of programming to be seen. Here's a little run-down of what I've been watching in the past few weeks.

• LOST. It's back. I've missed it so. The increasingly large gap between seasons always makes it tough to get back into the swing of island life- I had to re-watch the season finale, as well as those handy-dandy recap specials just to remember all the painstakingly bizarre details they threw at the viewers. I'm happy to report that after week 2, I'm obsessed once more. Sure, the plot lines are getting a bit tough to sort out- are they in the past, the future, or what? Who IS the white-haired lady? Why is Hurley throwing Hot Pockets? I'm willing to look past these things, and will wait with bated-breath for my weekly encounter with The Others. Perhaps the funniest recap of the show can be found here.
  
• 30 Rock. The title of the post sums my obsession up completely. Some claim that it has its off-weeks, and while I wouldn't consider each of this season's episodes home runs, there's a consistency to Liz Lemon and crew. Tracey Morgan's hysterical stereotypical Tracey Jordan makes the show worth watching on it's own (I'm still waiting for a clip from "A Blaffair to Rememblack"). The season has been overwrought with guest stars, some good (Peter Dinklage), some not (Jennifer Aniston), but the regular cast remains solidly funny. Next week's Jon Hamm cameo might just make my TV explode in cult-TV euphoria.
• Damages. I'm new to the show, having missed out on season 1. I'd been hearing about the show's first season for a while now, and I thought I'd give it a shot. It's well-written, full of dark twists and vindictive characters. I must admit, however, that without the necessary background, I'm not getting the full potential of this show. I've caught a recap or two, but Glenn Close's evil veneer has me intrigued, so I'll keep tuning in weekly.
  
• The West Wing. I know, its an old show. The joys of the interwebs have provided me a venue with which to catch up on something I'm really sad that I missed initially. When the show first aired, I imagine that the fictitious Commander-in-Chief provided a stark contrast to the real regime in power. Sure, its a TV show, but when fictitious Bartlet administration has more fans than the one dominating the news, there's something to be said about the quality of the show.

So, there you go. I watch too much TV. I won't deny it. In our crippling economy, its TV that keeps me from spending money that I don't have. So, thank you network TV, for remaining the mainstay of my budgeting technique.

One Satisfied Customer

Every year at Christmas, I inevitably get a multitude of gift cards. I guess I'm "hard to shop for". C'est La Vie. This year, after receiving the usual Barnes and Noble fare, I was finally able to purchase the object of my gifting lust for years now- The Complete Monterey Pop Festival film. It's directed by D.A. Pennebaker, the genius behind Don't Look Back, the glorious film chronicling Bob Dylan's 1965 UK tour- another staple of my collection. Maybe I'm getting a little worked up over a DVD, but this is no ordinary concert. The Monterey Pop Festival, which took place in the summer of '67, marks the springboard for such talents as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Otis Redding.

I ran home (translation- I took a bus, walked 3 blocks, got on a subway, and arrived home 40 minutes later) and popped that bad boy right in to the DVD player. As I cooked dinner and listened to Janis Joplin sing "Ball and Chain", I was reminded why I've wanted this for so long. In my opinion, the music prevalent at Monterey represents the height of modern music. The Who, Simon and Garfunkle, Eric Burdon and the Animals, even Laura Nyro. Nearly every act went on to establish themselves as leaders in their genre- in any genre. I bask in their musical greatness.

While I relish in my glorious purchase, enjoy Otis Redding, singing "I've Been Loving You Too Long".

Music to My Ears

Since starting a job that involves 8+ hours a day spent at a computer, I can now be counted amongst those with headphones permanently attached to my ears. Like many, I find music to break up some of the monotony of every day life. My iPod provides me with an opportunity to revisit songs I obviously enjoyed at one point or another, and others that require an instant skip (let's not revist that Dave Matthews Band phase I went through). The battery life, however, leaves something to be desired. Thus, in addition to my personal catalogue, I've turned to other sources for my listening needs.

Here's a breakdown of what's been getting me through the days of late, please feel free to add suggestions.

• NPR's music site. This site is great, especially for those that enjoy live music. They of course have the long-standing "All Songs Considered" feature, which includes a podcast that I regularly enjoy. My favorite part, however, has to be the concerts on demand. They upload it daily with performances from various artists from indie to major label. Highlights include performances by Radiohead and recently, The Decembrists in Philadelphia. Lastly, the Jazz section provides a great introduction for anyone looking to explore the medium. Studio sessions fill this section as well, but the lists of "must listens" are my favorite. Here's a Miles Davis broadcast.

• Morning Becomes Eclectic. I'll admit, I'm obsessed. This show commands way too much of my time. KCRW is a college-run station in Santa Monica, and (for me, at least) this is their flagship show. It's immensely popular, and widely regarded to have broken many a notable artist. Case in point, a show from 2000, which marks the very first radio appearance from a little band called Coldplay. Say what you will about Coldplay, but this showcases the band at their most earnest, pre-U2-ish, stage. Also a podcast, though not updated frequently, this is another that's great for the live music lover in all of us.
  

On to the artists most guilty of dominating my iPod (before it dies, of course):

• Bon Iver. A singer songwriter backed by a small accompanyment, this has to be some of the most heartfelt music I've heard in awhile. The singer relocated to small town Wisconsin after a breakup, and wrote these songs in a cabin by himself in the dead of winter. Think Damien Rice meets Wilco.


• Fleet Foxes. Very Beach boys influenced, I finally started listening to this band after seeing their self-titled album on just about every music blog I read. I wasn't disappointed.


• Miles Davis. Not new, I realize, but I haven't been able to stop listening to Kind of Blue lately. So amazing, and so simple at the same time. See NPR link above.


• Maria Taylor. Ok, so I won't deny, I heard her music on an episode of "Grey's Anatomy", but honestly, she's really good. I've never been a HUGE fan of girl singer-songwriters, with the exception of Fiona Apple, and while this girl is not nearly as angry, her music is fun and catchy.

Well, that's all for now. I'm very open to the suggestions of others! Feel free to comment and recommend!

Oh, SNL

I'm happy to report that Saturday Night Live is actually funny again! If you haven't seen Tina Fey's spot-on Sarah Palin impersonation, I highly suggest a visit to NBC.com (one can never tell if NBC's YouTube relations have fizzled).

While I've loved the political coverage, a highlight of this week was "Mark Wahlberg Talks To Animals" wherein Andy Samberg (Lazy Sunday, D*** in a Box) depicts the formerly trou-dropping actor in nature.

Enjoy!

What I've been watching this summer...

Well, being the entertainment junkie that I am, I have to admit that this summer-without-TV experiment has been a bit rough. So, I've turned to the interwebs for my television viewing, and thankfully, have found some new faves along the way. I'm always up for recommendations, but here's what's been tickling my fancy lately.

• Mad Men. OK, those of you that I see on a regular basis are probably sick of hearing me talk about this show. Whatever. I love it. The costumes, the advertising world, New York City. It's all great. The setting takes you right back to the 1960's, and if you overlook a few things (the treatment of women, the booze, and the incessant smoking), you almost want to live there with them. Watch season one before the second one starts next Sunday.

• Californication. Thanks to Netflix, I was able to catch up on this show's first season. I attempted to watch the show when it aired on Showtime, but wasn't convinced. Since then, however, I have fallen for the boozing, meandering ways of Duchovny's Hank Moody. He's witty and gritty, but he does it so well.

• Weeds. After a lackluster last season, which ended in Mary Louise Parker fleeing her suburban neighborhood, the show has made a comeback. A lot has changed- gone are Helia and Conrad- Nancy's pot providers. Also gone is the "Little Boxes" theme song. The content, however, is back and better than usual. It's no second season, but Nancy's border-crossing drug dealings are keeping me tuning in.

So. There you have it. My recent television obsessions. Any suggestions? I'm more than happy to entertain (no pun intended), a new venue.

Lone Star State of Mind

So. I made the big move. I said goodbye to Texas. I ate Mexican food for weeks, drank some Lone Star, and got my Alamo Drafthouse fix. Ready or not, here I am. As I settle into my small (yet FREE) living quarters- wherein I cannot open my closet and front door at the same time- one would think, why would someone leave the cheap-to-live, easy-to-work in state of Texas?



To get the job of my dreams, of course! I am participating in an amazing program at MTV networks and am beyond excited. We are placed in a department (mine's MTV), and every friday we work as a team on a special project. An amazing network has been set up for us, and I am so proud to be a part of it.

That being said, moving to New York with the indefinite mindset is a bit scary. Eventually, the meal ticket stops. No longer is the housing free, no more are the dorm meals (not such a loss). Once this "real" phase of adulthood kicks in, I fear I may have myself a full-blown panic attack. Scary!! Alas, I'm embracing it. In a generation where many of my colleagues have taken a just-to-get-a-job sort of vocation, I am fortunate enough to be in the position to (hopefully) get a job in the field where my passion lies.

So, cross your fingers for your departured comrade. As I said in my previous post (before I found out about my employment), I may soon be eating top ramen morning, noon, and night.

Job-Hunting Online

As graduation looms, I know many of us are attempting the ever-so-grown up task of looking for full-time employment. Don't get me wrong, I am really excited about working, I really can't wait to work a million hours a week (I'm a freak, what can I say), but looking for jobs, not so much my favorite task.

Alas, I persevere. A friend in the entertainment industry turned me on to Cynopsis, a self-described free-trade publication written by Cynthia Turner, sent out daily to subscribers and available online. Now, some of the actual memo content is a bit over my head sometimes, but there is a handy-dandy classifieds section that lists all the media jobs becoming available. Sure, it doesn't list all, and some companies insist on hiring internally, or through their own website, but its a pretty good resource for media jobs, if that's your thing.

So, good luck to those of us embarking on the big-kid world. I think we'll be OK. Of course, this is the optimism of someone still in school. Talk to me in a few weeks, when my health insurance drops me and I'm eating Top Ramen everyday. Fun Times.