another dirty little secret

I’ve confessed a few dirty little secrets before:

But I have another secret I must share. But before I do, I need you to promise you won’t judge me. I couldn’t stand it if you judged me…

Okay, here goes…

I used to have a cartoon crush on the Heat Miser…but now, I have a real live version of him to love!

Kevin Miser Gillespie from Top Chef!

Tell me you don’t think they could be the same person? Go on, I dare ya.

Now if you’re familiar with the classic holiday film A YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS, you might be wondering why I didn’t have a crush on the wittier brother, Snow Miser. The answer is simple, really…Snow Miser had snotcicles. Seriously, who could crush on a guy with snotcicles?
So in my youth, I had a crush on a poorly animated dude named Heat Miser and as an adult, I’m totally crushing on Kevin G from Top Chef. Sure he can cook…but really, the reason I’m a little bit in love with him is because I know, his secret identity. (he can melt things with a touch…he’s too much!)

TOP CHEF SPOILER
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WTF? seriously, why didn’t they send Robin home? She’s a hack. And annoying. I was so shocked. I yelled at the tv like it was a Razorback football game and we were having to play both the opposing team and the refs….

a not-so-sad goodbye

Dear John Comcast,

Today, I say goodbye. I wish I could say that I’m sad about this breakup. I mean, we’ve been together for 2 years, so I should feel some remorse. But I don’t. Not even a smidge.

Because as a partner, you suck. You’re high maintenance and expensive. And frankly, if you were at least hot and consistent, I would probably still pay for your service. But no. You’re not hot. Because half of your channels don’t work. And when I call, the techs say it’s the squirrels but then they never come to fix the problem. And then the problem will magically disappear without someone coming to repair the squirrel buffet, so I have to wonder, is it really the squirrels?

Do you know how frustrating it is to be in the middle of a show and have the picture just start going all wonky? And it would be understandable if the weather is bad outside, but no…the weather doesn’t seem to matter to you.

I was very hesitant to go out with you initially because I’d had such a great, long term relationship with Direct TV. But when I moved, DTV couldn’t come with us because we had too many trees. (In which the ravenous squirrels reside) When I called you, you were so receptive, and frankly, you were CHEAP. You were practically giving yourself to me. And for the first year of service, when I was paying less than $100 a month for full cable including HBO/STARZ, I had no problems. We were happy. We were simpatico. It was love.

Then one day, I checked the bill and it had doubled! Suddenly, you were $180 a month. And even more suddenly, your picture was no longer clear. So I called to complain. If I’m paying that kinda cash for TV I should at least be able to watch it!

Those damn squirrels must’ve been really hungry because I didn’t have all my channels for almost 3 months. I couldn’t watch my NCIS marathons on USA or Jon Stewart on Comedy Central or Family Guy on Toon. I almost missed an episode of True Blood because of you! I called and called and called. Technicians were dispatched but never showed up. I can only assume the squirrels ate them, too.

Then one day, another company caught my eye. ATT U-verse is known for his poaching ways, but there was something so sexy about him. The more I resisted, the harder he pursued (and really, I’m a total sucker for attention like that). He put on the full court press and even showed me how he could save me over $100 a month by switching. Finally, I said yes.

So I’m trying someone new. I’m sorry this is how you have to find out, but honestly, I just can’t afford you and your antics anymore! If things don’t work out with ATT, I’ll be sure to let you know.

Love,
-Mel

a jumble-aya

Monday is my day at Fictionistas. I posted some random tidbits about myself.

This weekend was a good one…mainly b/c the Hogs put the smackdown on the Auburn Tigers! YAY! 2 tough wins in a row and our first conference win against a ranked team!

I did some cleaning, laundry, and…I did some PLOTTING! Yes! I worked with my pal Maria and came up with a decent little story idea. Can’t talk about it right now, but I’m working on the synopsis/proposal.

It felt good to work on something new again.

I discovered that my pal Gwen Hayes got into a Twitter Fight with Scott Baio over the weekend. I’m sad to find out that Chachi is actually a tool. He crushed my childhood crush. Guess it’s a good thing I liked Leif Garret better. (though truthfully, Chachi did age better than Leif…however, I’m over both of them now. LOL)

It’s still rainy and overcast and making me feel like I live in the Pacific Northwest instead of Little Rock, AR. My mood is very much influenced by the weather, so I’m ready for some clear, crisp fall days. I’m tired of feeling tired.

I caught up on some dvr’d shows. I’m really digging Cougar Town and Modern Family. Mad Men is a little disappointing this season, but I’m sticking with it. Drop Dead Diva is my new favorite off-season show (finale was last night) and I’m kinda back into Grey’s Anatomy now that they’ve killed off George. (I actually liked George, but I never could understand how that puppy got so much tail in the show. Really seemed out of character for his character.) I love The Mentalist. Hell’s Kitchen is the best of the worst this season–seriously, I’m not sure how any of the top 3 will manage being a head chef (that said, I really do love Dave). And I thought they kicked off the wrong person in Project Runway last week.

I heart the DVR. Best creation ever.

Anything going on with you guys? Any TV you’re loving/hating/leaving in the dust?

fever, football, ceiling fans, and Polanski

I’m at home with a feverish kid today. Have my fingers crossed it’s just a fever bug and not the *whispers* flu. He seems to be okay right now, so maybe it’s just a 24 hour thing…though it did start yesterday when he had a headache that was making him cry.

Sigh.

Don’t you hate it when your babies are sick?

I cleaned off my desk yesterday, my friend Chris came over and installed a ceiling fan for me and I actually got the living room and dining room cleaned.

I also made some damn good chili and watched a lot of football. I love a good rainy Sunday.

Oh, and I caught up on some dvr’d shows. Am I the only one who thinks this season of Hell’s Kitchen sucks? I mean, there’s one dude I like, but none of them seem to be very good chefs and we’re down to the final four? WTF? Also, I was sad Louise got the boot in Project Runway…I liked her.

Today I blogged at Fictionistas about this Roman Polanski bullshit…and I started a list of real people who deserve our admiration. Pop over and add to the discussion.

Did you have a productive weekend? Tell me all about it.

weekend recap

Nashville was fantastic! I haven’t downloaded my pics yet, but I will this week. It was so great to visit with Grant and his family and meet his girlfriend (who I liked tremendously). Despite my raging tiredness, I had a great time.

We had dinner at a steakhouse called The Stockyard. It was fantastic, but don’t go there unless you’re willing to spend a minimum of $50/person. Seriously.

Nashville is about a 4.5 hour drive from Little Rock (depending on traffic) but when you drive to and from in 24 hours, it can be a little grueling, so I spent Sunday trying to recover. I did that by hanging out with YA Author Stacey Jay and her little munchkins Sunday morning, then watching soccer in the rain Sunday afternoon. I know all my British friends think that’s how football soccer is supposed to be played, but trust me, I’m not that girl. Not as a spectator anyway. Now when I was actually playing sports, I loved playing in the rain. But it’s not fun as a fan.

Even though this wasn’t a holiday weekend, it felt like it. But today I’m well rested and ready to take on the world.

Anything good, bad, or ugly happen to you this weekend? Wanna share?

PS: GOSSIP GIRL RETURNS TONIGHT! YIPPEEE.
Mel+Chuck Bass=2gether 4ever

Mel on TV

Tomorrow morning, I will be interviewed on KATV’s show Daybreak. It’ll air early–in the 7:00 hour; they think around 7:10. So if you’re in Arkansas, set your dvr (if you’re not awake) and watch me make a fool of myself in my first ever television interview.

Have a great weekend, y’all!

a mish mash

It’s been one of those mornings, even though I slept great last night, I’m having a hard time moving.

Could be b/c I walked for 100 1.5 hours w/ my friend Jenn last night. I needed the exercise, the stress of the past three weeks has been weighing me down.

Jenn and I usually meet between 7:30 & 7:45 at the bridge, but last night, it got really dark, really fast. I might be ready for fall weather, but I am NOT ready for fall darkness. Not yet. I like my long days dammit!

*there will be spoilers*
Can we talk about True Blood for a second? Okay, I’m pretty much over Bill and Sookie but that Eric (or is it Erik since he’s a viking?) I’m soooo never going to be over him. Holy Moly that man has depth. (the actor not the character…tho the character does have great complexities wh/ makes me lurve him) The scenes with he and Godric broke my heart. (and yes, I loved me some Godric, too. I really wanted them to do more with that character) And I thought the scene with Sookie and Eric was beautiful–she didn’t bug me there. And that dream with Sookie and Eric? OMGYUM. And I frankly LOVED how bad Eric can be…when he conned Sookie into sucking out the silver–that smile on his face was priceless. Bill should never have made Sookie so off-limits. We always want what we can’t have…

I totally cried like a baby when Godric was on the roof. The scene between he and Eric and the scene b/t he and Sookie really choked me up. I like how she’s connected to Eric and I really hope being connected to him will add another dimension to her. She’s still too goody-goody right now.

BTW: does anyone else wonder why the hell that dude was able to get into the house rigged with a bomb when Sookie was there? Why on earth didn’t she hear his thoughts? I mean, is she no longer a mind reader?

I’m getting a little tired of the creepy Mary Ann story line. I’m ready for that to wrap up. It’s exhausting. But I’m curious to see how they get rid of her. She’s awful. And can I just say, those solid black eyes make me sick to my stomach? ick.

I’ve not read the books, so I’m enjoying the series for what it is. I think maybe I’ll read the books once this season is over. I know they’ve taken lots of liberties with the storyline, I’m curious to see how many.

Also Mad Men is back! I can’t wait to dive in! I heart On Demand.

Any TV shows out there that have you excited?

chef crushes

Before I launch into my true blog for the day, can I just say, I don’t really have an issue with the host of Top Chef Masters, but honestly, if you’re going to have a spokesperson on a show that centers around good food, you might wanna consider using someone that DOESN’T NEED TO EAT A FREAKING BATTERED AND DEEP FRIED SANDWICH SLATHERED IN MAYO. Girl needs to eat. A lot. I don’t care how acclaimed she is in food journalism, Kelly Choi needs to put some meat on her bones. Is she just chewing the food and spitting it out? Srsly.

Okay, now on to the real topic:

After last week’s Top Chef Masters, I totally fell in love with Texan Tim Love and Frenchman Hubert Keller. Two completely different personalities, two completely different cooking styles, one end result: Twu Wub.

I was already excited to see that Wylie Dufresne was going to be on last night’s Top Chef Masters because I had developed a huge crush on his geeky-sciencey cooking style when he served as a judge on Top Chef. There’s just something about him that totally makes me melt. But last night, I had to share some of my Wylie crush with his friend, Graham Elliot Bowles. One of the other chefs commented that the two pals were like the Mutt and Jeff show–and she was right. And I was totally smitten. I just wanted to follow them around and giggle as they played off each other, and as they played together in the kitchen, while cooking their butts off.

There’s something inherently sexy about a man who can cook. I love watching them slice, dice, marinate, and reduce. I love the fantasy of cooking lessons: him behind me with his big arms wrapped around me, teaching me a proper technique, or feeding me a spoonful of whatever’s cooking so that I can have the first taste. It makes me swoon.

And I love the type of chef who doesn’t ‘fit the mold’ of what you would think a chef would be like. Such as Country Boy Tim Love, Geeky Wylie Dufresne, and Tattooed-and-Goofy Huggy Bear Graham Elliot Bowles.

So now I have three restaurants that I must try: Tim Love’s Flagship Restaurant The Lonesome Dove in Ft. Worth, TX

Wylie’s WD~50 in Manhattan

and

Graham’s Chicago-based Graham Elliot

So, who’s coming with me?

Are y’all watching Top Chef Masters? What do you think?

do you hulu?

Hulu.com is God’s gift to a TV addict like me. Well, next to the DVR (Dear Lord, Thank you for the DVR. You have forever changed the way I watch TV. Amen.)

Admittedly, I watch way too much TV. And now with the new trend of between season series and summer series, I really could watch TV all day every day.

But I don’t.

Some of my DO NOT MISS/ ALWAYS RECORD SHOWS are:

  1. How I Met Your Mother
  2. Big Bang Theory
  3. 2 1/2 Men
  4. Gossip Girl (srsly. Did not like the books, but damn this is hands down one of my favorite shows ever.)
  5. The Mentalist
  6. Castle
  7. Ugly Betty
  8. Life (which I’ve heard is cancelled and I’m devastated.)
  9. Friday Night Lights
  10. Brothers and Sisters & The Unit (these two show conflict so I have to record one and watch the other.)

The shows I like, but sometimes forget to record but always go back and watch on the computer if available are:

  1. Grey’s Anatomy
  2. The Practice
  3. Any Law & Order
  4. NCIS
  5. Without a Trace
  6. Desperate Housewives
  7. Family Guy
  8. American Dad
  9. Lie to Me
  10. Survivor

Shows that I want to see, but really, how could I possibly spend more time watching TV so I’ll probably just HULU them…

  1. Supernatural
  2. Veronica Mars
  3. The Hills
  4. 90210 (I started watching but lost interest, but am curious to see what they were going to do with the new group of kids)
  5. My Name is Earl

Shows that I won’t miss but aren’t regular season shows:

  1. Big Love
  2. True Blood
  3. Mad Men
  4. Starter Wife
  5. The Riches (is it coming back? I loved this show!)
  6. Burn Notice
  7. Psych

And new shows that I’m trying or looking forward to trying:

  1. Mental (watched last night. Liked it a lot)
  2. Glee (cute, not sure it’s a keeper for me.)
  3. Royal Pains

I’m sure I’ve missed something. What’s on the list that you’ve seen and liked? Didn’t like? And am I the only addict in the internetz?

we interrupt the MONTH OF MEL

You people are harsh. Am I the only one who didn’t have a problem with The Bachelor last night?

For those of you who don’t know what happened, Jason chose one chick (Melissa) but by the time the “After the Rose” ceremony was taped (6 weeks later), he’d realized he’d made a mistake. He still had feelings for Molly (the other chick).

How many times have we watched this show where the couple pretends to be happy and together on “After the Rose” but two weeks later we’d read they’d broken up?

I have long since said this show is a recipe for disaster. We watch it like we watch for carnage after a train wreck. One man (or woman) dating 25 people. Unrealistic to say the least. Then when it gets down to the final 3, they’re sent on these fantasy dates. Unless you just couldn’t stand the person you’re with, it would be damn near impossible not to have some feelings for them. Real feelings. We’re only human after all.

Is it really unrealistic to believe that one guy could develop real feelings for more than one girl? And then because you’re in this controlled but fairytale-like environment, you have to choose between them. RIGHT NOW. Not tomorrow. Not after you date in real life. BUT RIGHT FREAKING NOW! and wow, what a decision. You have strong feelings for both women and you want so much to make the “RIGHT” choice, but–but–but

It’s impossible.

I wouldn’t do this show to save my life. The relationships rarely work out after it’s all over…How many are still together after all the shows? 3? Maybe???

Maria Geraci
thinks it was all staged. I disagree. I think Jason realized about 2 days after it was all over that he fucked up. That he couldn’t get Molly out of his mind. That wow, he could keep on with Melissa but wouldn’t that just be wrong? (well, sure, but apparently that’s okay with all you people out there. Y’all don’t seem to have a problem with them faking their way through the After the Rose as long as you get your ‘fake’ HEA.)

As John Stossel would say, “Give me a break.” I actually appreciate his honesty. Molly was shocked. She kept looking over at Chris like, “Am I being punked?” I can only imagine what was going through her mind. Melissa wasn’t shocked. She knew. There is no way you won’t convince me that she and Jason didn’t discuss this prior to the show. And even if they didn’t discuss it, she knew. He’d pulled away, she could sense it. Maybe she was upset he officially ended it on the show ‘as per his contract’ or whatever, but she still knew.

All you judgey-mcjudgies out there? Get over it. Seriously. He was probably the most honest of all of the bachelors by ending things on the show and telling Molly how he felt. I guarantee you there were a couple of others who wished they’d done the same. I just don’t understand how it would’ve been better if he’d just faked his way the After show like 90% of the others. I don’t understand at all.

You go, Jason. Hope y’all are happy. You better believe I’ll be watching the After the After show tonight. I can’t get enough of this human carnage.