2016 Presidential Election

The emotions are still so raw; it's hard to organize my thoughts. I am not exaggerating when I say that our worst nightmare has come to fruition. An inexperienced, unprepared, hotheaded, racist, xenophobic, misogynist, lying, serial groper is now the President-elect of the United States. In a few short months he will take over the White House, and with a Republican-led Congress in his pocket, as well as a yet unnamed new conservative Supreme Court justice, he will begin systematically unraveling all of the social and economic gains that the Obama Administration worked so diligently to achieve, as well as safeguards that have been in place for decades to protect the health and welfare of our most vulnerable populations - women, minorities, the LGBT community, people with disabilities, veterans, and immigrants. Even if President Trump is only elected for one four year term, the laws and regulations that he will have the power to put into place during that time will have repercussions for decades. Our children and possibly our children's children will have to live in a society without the Affordable Care Act, Roe V Wade, gay marriage, possibly Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. With his finger on the nuclear button, though, none of us may have to worry about every day stresses like health insurance and making sure we have a place to live and food on the table. 

A Trump Presidency paints a picture of a doomsday scenario that unfortunately is completely probable and realistic. And if you don't believe that, then you are delusional, which apparently about half of the country suffers from. 

As I go through the stages of grief, coming to terms with living a life based on an higher level of fear than I usually experience, I find myself more often in the stage of anger, where I want to determine who is to blame for this situation the entire country now faces. I believe there are several groups that will share the burden of this potential disaster. Number one, poor white people, who somehow believe that a egomaniac businessman who hasn't paid federal income tax in decades and has declared bankruptcy multiple times will somehow have the magic solution to lift them out of poverty. Number two, angry Bernie Sanders Democrats who believe the primary was rigged against their candidate and either refused to vote, or voted for a third party candidate. Number three, Democrats who were so confidant that Hillary would win, possibly in a landslide as some pundits were projecting, that they didn't feel the need to do their civic duty. Number four, Wikileaks and FBI Director Comey, who along with the media made such a scandal over Hillary's e-mails, when Trump's university lawsuits, refusal to release his tax returns, gleeful admittance that he has dodged paying income tax for decades, multiple reports of alleged sexual assault, and constant episodes of outright lying in debates, tweets, and speeches have all been documented but somehow haven't convinced the American public that he is the absolute worst presidential candidate in modern times. And now he is the President-elect. 

So where do we go from here? How does the nation recover from this deep division? I don't see it happening, unfortunately. I think we could have recovered from a McCain presidency. We even could have recovered from a Romney presidency. At least those two men have political experience and would know how to lead, even if I wouldn't agree with their policies. And let's say we get lucky, and Trump is removed from office by impeachment. Our fears and concerns have been alleviated, right? Hardly. Because if we lose President Trump, the only thing we gain is President Pence. Which if you are a woman, or a member of the LGBT community, the term President Pence will make your blood run just as cold as hearing President Trump. Pence may be calmer and less hotheaded, but he is no less dangerous than Trump. 

The only saving grace in all of this for me, and I feel I have to end this post with some kind of light and hope, is the knowledge that there are millions of people in this country who are grieving with me, and even more importantly, are ready and willing to fight any law that goes against our civil liberties and the values that we hold dear as Americans. It will not be easy, but when you are fighting for that which is so meaningful to you, which is the fabric that binds you together in solidarity with like-minded individuals, then you carry on the fight with all that you have within you. 

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Showstoppers Nite Part 1

It's Broadway nite on Dancing with the Stars, and with Len away from the panel again, Idina Menzel is the guest judge this week!

Round 1: Broadway performances

Marilu / Derek
Samba (Jersey Boys)
She's trying so hard. And there was a lot of Samba content in this routine. She did well, her footwork was really good, but it was a very safe samba. She didn't get down and dirty like you need to with a samba. It was "samba lite." But she did look hot! And the music was great! Hi Mark Ballas! The judges were pleased with her performance. It was great to Marilu and Derek having fun and being more relaxed with each other.
Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9

Calvin / Lindsay
Waltz (Cats)
"Memories" is one of my all-time favorite songs. This dance was gorgeous!! They had tremendous speed and movement across the floor, and Lindsay's choreography fit perfectly with the swell of the music. Calvin is in it to win it! I am very impressed!
Julianne praised his level of commitment.
Carrie Ann said he was a bit off on his musicality. Really?
Scores: 9, 9, 10, 9 (I thought the scores should have been higher)

James / Sharna (Jenna)
Jazz (The Wiz)
Ugh, it felt like a group dance! It wasn't enough about James and Jenna. It was entertaining, but I was annoyed. The judges pointed out a misstep in the beginning of the routine, but they still loved him.
Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9

Terra / Sasha
Charleston (Sweet Charity)
What a great song for her! The song and the dance really showed off her fun, quirky, outgoing, charming personality. Sasha said he had to modify the choreography, and at times the routine seemed to resemble a quickstep. But I thought it was outstanding, with great lifts, high energy, and a ton of pizzazz. I loved her outfit too!
Scores: 10, 10, 9, 9 (yay!!)

Jana / Gleb
Waltz (Waitress)
What a great partnership they have. I'm so glad that Gleb was able to dance this week. This waltz wasn't as grand and sweeping as Calvin and Lindsay's was; they didn't traverse the entire floor. But it was wonderfully lyrical and emotional. It was absolutely lovely. This season is finally turning into a competition!
Scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 (I'm so happy for them, but I feel like Calvin and Lindsay deserved 10's also)

Laurie / Val
Cell Block Tango (Chicago)
Wow! I've said it before and I'll say it again: She's only 16?!?! Amazing! Hot, sexy, dangerous gancho kicks, and thank goodness neither one of them slipped or tripped on Val's hat! Excellent dance! I didn't mind the extra dancers because they mostly stayed in the background.
Scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 (well-deserved!)

I didn't get to see all of Round 2, so I will have to recap that part later.

End of Part 1

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Halloween Nite Part 2

Part 2: The Dance-Off

Laurie / Val vs Calvin / Lindsay
Jive
Laurie and Val had a bit of a rough start, but then they did very well with lots of lifts and tricks. I thought Calvin and Lindsay gave a solid performance, but Laurie and Val's dance was better choreographed and overall better executed.
Scores:
All three judges voted for Laurie and Val, and so did America. So Laurie and Val received three bonus points.

Jana / Gleb vs Terra / Sasha
Nice strategic move Gleb (ripping his shirt off during the routine.) Jana and Gleb didn't look very spontaneous, but they were sexy and had some original moves. Terra and Sasha had a lot of enthusiasm and energy, but their moves were repetitive.
Scores:
Carrie Ann voted for Terra and Sasha. Julianne and Bruno voted for Jana and Gleb, and so did America. Three bonus points for Jana and Gleb.

Marilu / Derek vs Ryan / Cheryl
Um...they were both kind of a mess, except Ryan and Cheryl had a good middle section. Did Ryan and Cheryl dance into the desk at one point? Tom said that was his first save. I think they did. Marilu had a bad beginning and never recovered.
Scores: Carrie Ann and Julianne voted for Ryan and Cheryl. Bruno voted for Marilu and Derek. But America voted for Ryan and Cheryl. So Ryan and Cheryl got the three bonus points.

Results:

Ryan and Cheryl and Terra and Sasha were the bottom two couples, and Ryan and Cheryl were eliminated. I think it should have been Marilu and Derek. I was surprised they were safe.

Overall it was a good night of dancing, and I enjoyed the Halloween theme more than I thought I would.

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Halloween Nite Part 1

I am not a Halloween person, so I'll try not to be cranky about this episode. The opening number was very cool, choreographed of course by Mandy Moore.

Len has disappeared again. So one less cranky person tonight. :)

Part 1: Halloween routines (And dancing for immunity!)

Terra / Sasha
Cha Cha (Beetlejuice theme)
An odd choice of song for a cha cha. But Terra and Sasha were super into it, and I think they sold it. Terra's facial expressions were so fun. Very crisp, sharp movements. It took awhile for them to start dancing, but they made the routine very enjoyable to watch. The judges, however, wanted more from them.
Scores: 8, 8, 8

Laurie / Val
Viennese Waltz (Willy Wonka theme)
Magical. The dance was beautiful. Laurie's musicality and acting ability are excellent. I loved Val's choreography. I also loved how emotional he was. There is a very strong connection between these two. For Val, it's paternal. If I were Laurie, as a sixteen year old girl, I would have an overwhelming crush on him. Hell, as a forty-something year old woman...Anyway, I digress. :) It all worked for me, and apparently for everyone in the ballroom as well. SO so so sweet.
Scores: 10, 10, 10 (yay!!)

Marilu / Derek
Argentine Tango (Spider web theme)
Holy spiderweb, Marilu was smokin' hot in that costume! Except for the lighter-colored hair, she could have been Morticia Adams. The tango suits her slower style. I thought the partnering and lifts were good, except for the glaring boo boo of Marilu hitting Derek when she tried to put her arm around him. Was that an unconscious payback for her feeling like he pushed her during the group routine last week? Except for that obvious error, I think this was a successful dance. But something feels off between these two. They don't look comfortable with each other. Derek isn't being his normal goofy self.
Scores: 7, 8, 8

Calvin / Lindsay
Quickstep (Skeleton theme)
Poor Calvin; he must have been soaked with sweat under that heavy costume. He is definitely becoming a contender! I felt like maybe he lost a little steam at the end, but it looked like a great quickstep to me - fast with super footwork. The judges loved it!
Scores: 10, 10, 10 (!)

Ryan / Cheryl
Tango
I have held myself back so far from complaining about the extra dancers tonight, but in this routine they were SO distracting! Aargghh! So I'm irritated now. It's like they were deliberately trying to take the focus off of Ryan. His intensity was better, but the tango is not a dance where he can show any independence, which is what the judges wanted to see.
Carrie Ann: "good content, bad posture"
But overall, the judges were happy with this routine.
I might have been more favorable about his dancing if I could have SEEN him more! :(
Scores: 7, 8, 8

Jana / Gleb
Jazz (Little Shop of Horrors theme)
It was a fun, high energy dance with lots of tricks, but at times it looked more like a group routine. So that irritated me. But when it was just Jana and Gleb dancing, it was great, with lots of flips and splits.
Julianne: very Broadway (that was a compliment!)
Bruno: musical comedy (that was also a compliment!)
Scores: 9, 9, 9

James / Sharna (Jenna)
Viennese Waltz (Suicide Squad theme)
Sharna is injured, so James is now partners with Jenna. I thought this was a fantastic dance! He and Jenna had amazing chemistry for a first dance together! And James' partnering skills were excellent. This was a hot, sexy, smoldering Viennese Waltz. WOW! I was very impressed. I have always attributed James' success more to Sharna, but now I see what an accomplished dancer James has become. And Jenna was awesome in this routine too. Laurie and Val stole my heart tonight, but James and Jenna got my pulse racing.
Scores: 10, 10, 10 (!!)

James and Jenna win immunity!

End of part 1

Great Quote About Purpose

"Look for purpose
For purpose breeds passion
And
Passion is fully equipped
To overwhelm fear."

-- Roger Teel

I know this to be true. In my job, I do things that make me uncomfortable - public speaking, social interaction, eating with others, travel, sharing a hotel room, etc - because they are all aspects of my job, and the work that I do that is so important to me. I have such a passion for locating information, disseminating information, and helping people, that I deal with the uncomfortable aspects in order to achieve the goals and live the purpose that I feel I was put on this earth to do. I am not brave, but my career, and the purpose within that occupation, makes me braver than I would be otherwise.

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Eras Nite

Hello dance fans!
It's "Eras Nite"!
And Len's back! So are the team dances! Here we go!

Round 1: Individual Dances

Laurie / Val
60's Quickstep
Val as my prom date? HELL, YES! :)
Extra dancers, ugh! This will not be the only time I write this tonight.
It took them awhile to start dancing, but once they did, they had good energy and lots of fancy footwork. But did the dance have enough quickstep elements? Evidently yes, but Len said she lost technique and Carrie Ann admonished the pair for not one, but two lifts. Why Val? You know Carrie Ann is going to mark y'all down for lifts, so why put them in when they're not allowed. Sigh. I've had this imaginary conversation with Val before; obviously it didn't do any good. :)
Scores: 8, 8, 9, 9

Ryan / Cheryl
90's Rumba
Ryan and Cheryl danced to Arrowsmith's "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing," which is an amazing song. Unfortunately, the dance was just "a'right." I saw more partnering skills, and his hips moved some. It was a sexy dance. But Cheryl still did most of the work. It was obvious that the judges are frustrated with Ryan. They want Ryan to really dance, to work harder at this, to feel and interpret the music. They said he lacks musicality and technique. I agree with whatever judge said that Ryan looks like he's just doing what Cheryl tells him to do. But Len did like the straightforwardness of the dance - meaning no extra dancers or props. I don't mind props, but obviously I agree with Len on the extra dancers.
Scores: 7, 7, 7, 7

Marilu / Derek
20's Charleston
I think this dance suits Marilu because it's quirky and fun, but she was still too slow and tentative for it to be entirely successful for me. I do realize that she is in her 60's, and likely will not be able to dance like someone in their 20's or 30's. But at times I thought she had it. The judges said that she and Derek were out of sync..
Scores: 7, 7, 8, 7

Calvin / Lindsay
50's Jive
Calvin and Lindsay totally sold this dance. It was fun, energetic, good technique, they had big smiles on their faces and their yellow costumes made the dance even brighter. I thought the performance was a little choppy; it didn't flow quite as good as a jive should. The judges loved it, and for the most part I did too, even though there were extra dancers. 
Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9

Maureen / Artem
80's Tango
I love Bon Jovi, but...um...okay. The costumes were cheesy. Maureen was not convincing to me as a bad girl, until she was listening to the critiques. She had a big stumble during the routine, and it affected the rest of the dance. Artem said he stepped on her dress. Anyway, it was a mess. I'm sorry, Maureen.
Scores: 7, 7, 7, 7

Terra / Sasha
30's Foxtrot
I thought the dance was lovely, and Terra looked lovely. Good movement, nice flow, good technique, it was very dreamy. I enjoyed it. Bruno said she channeled Jean Harlow. Yes! And Len said, "you put the 'all' in small." Cute, and appropriate!
Scores: 9, 8, 9, 8 (I think the scores should have been all 9's)

Jenna / Gleb
70's Samba
Perhaps a touch formulaic, but I loved the music, and they looked like they were having fun. Good samba rolls, which is a tough move to perform. I didn't get the whole laundry concept, but whatever. I thought they were overall quite good. Carrie Ann chastised them for the lifts. Len said there wasn't enough samba content, and Gleb mouthed off at him. Ooohhh! Do we have another rebel in the making?
Scores: 8, 8, 9, 9

James / Sharna
40's Jitterbug
Extra dancers all the way through the routine - ugh!
I actually thought there were too many lifts and tricks, and not enough jitterbug content. Len agreed with me. And some of the tricks didn't go perfectly. But it was entertaining, and the judges were ecstatic, as they usually are about James.
Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9

Round Two: Team Dances

Team Past:
James / Sharna
Calvin / Lindsay
Ryan / Cheryl
Maureen / Artem
Viennese Waltz
This was a beautiful dance! The costumes were gorgeous, and I loved the music (theme from "Outlander.")
The couples looked surprisingly evenly matched. The choreography was simple, but very effective, and the result was an absolutely lovely performance. I agree with Len: this was a proper team dance. Their synchronicity was excellent. The judges loved it, and I did too!
Scores: 10, 9, 9, 10

Team Future:
Laurie / Val
Jana / Gleb
Terra / Sasha
Marilu / Derek
Argentine Tango
The choreography was more difficult in this dance, so the couples struggled more with synchronicity. Unfortunately, Marilu took a tumble at the end of her part. Overall, they did well, but it was a rougher dance, less polished, more adventurous. They took more risks, but in the end they came up short because of the gamble.
Scores: 8, 9, 9, 9

The results were rushed because of time. Maureen and Artem and Jana and Gleb were the bottom two couples. Why were Jana and Gleb in the bottom?!?! They received a perfect score last week! Their dance was sexy as hell! Maureen and Artem were eliminated. It was the right decision based on performance, but I felt so sad to see Maureen's ballroom journey end.

librarianintx

Survivor Season 33 Episode 5

It's hard to keep rooting for David after Wednesday night's episode. I was so happy and proud of him for finding another idol, but then he was so bad in the immunity challenge....like really really bad. I mean, I understand, I would suck at challenges way worse than him. I don't think you have to do well at challenges to be successful in Survivor. But when you have as much trouble as he did...although he wasn't the only one that had a poor performance on his team. It was a group failure. Unfortunately, getting CeCe out was the right decision if the tribe has any hope of survival, but now that definitely makes David the poorest-performing player in his group. We'll see what happens. Splitting up and mixing the tribes was a good thing for him because his big move last week likely made him an outcast in his tribe. But I doubt there will be three tribes for very long.

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Latin Nite Part 2

Jana / Gleb
Argentine Tango
HELLO!! Killer dancing, great song, little clothing, a bed, a lot of water, and CHEMISTRY! As Erin would say, "YES, PLEASE!" Holy, moly! Paige and Mark danced a super sexy argentine tango last season, and this dance was right up there on the caliente meter. To say that dance was H-O-T is an understatement! We all needed a shower after that routine. A standing "O" from the judges and a "Holy Mackerel" from Tom. Yes, it was all that, and a bag of chips. If people don't pick up the phones and vote for that, there is something wrong in the ballroom.
Scores 10, 10, 10, 10
A perfect score, and I bet a lot of people scored after watching that!

Maureen / Artem
Samba
Extra dancers - ugh!
It was just okay. Not enough hip action, it wasn't down and dirty, it was a safe, careful, sanitized samba. In other words, it didn't feel like much of a samba. I'm sorry, Maureen. I know how bad you want it, and I want you to do well. I agree with Pitbull. She needed to let go. But the other judges were more positive.
Scores: 8, 7, 8, 8

Calvin / Lindsay
Argentine Tango
WOW! I LOVED the song and the outfits! They looked stunning together! The dance was hot, sexy, with some out-of-this-world lifts! Jana and Gleb aren't the only ones with chemistry, dance fans! Calvin made it look so easy. And the judges all agreed that he looked completely in control of that dance, and in control of Lindsay. It all worked for me. Great technique, steamy, excellent dance!! I thought the scores should have been higher.
Scores: 9, 10, 9, 9

Laurie / Val
Salsa
Sixteen years old - what? The spicy Latina worked that salsa! She is FIERCE! Great lifts, tricks, hip action, there was a lot of both partnering and solo dancing in that routine. This dance had it all - the sexiness, speed, and excitement that I want in a latin routine. Fantastic! Carrie Ann said she had a mis-step or two. Um, okay. Whatever. I loved it!
Scores: 9, 9, 9, 10

Overall, it was a very strong Latin Nite. There were enough great routines to make it a fun, successful show. I can't say I'm surprised that Amber went home. I wish she had been able to be more comfortable and wow us on the dance floor.

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Latin Nite Part 1

Hello dance fans!

Not even a presentation at work today, a minor car accident yesterday, or a possibly dead laptop can keep me from one of the biggest nights on DWTS: Latin Night! And Mr. Worldwide is in the house tonight! Let's go!

I have to say, though, that Latin night with this group of contestants scares me. Do most of them know they have hips, and do they know how to shake them?

Ryan / Cheryl
Salsa
Well, once his shirt came off, his hips started moving fairly well. The blacklight part was cool - Cheryl's cute little outfit lit up, as did Ryan's chest. I thought he was sexier before the pants came off though, because the knee pads made the shorts comical. But anyway, I felt that Cheryl did most of the work in the routine. All the judges except Carrie Ann were more enthused than me.
Scores: 7, 8, 8, 7

Terra / Sasha
Paso Doble
I loved their costumes! They both rocked the purple! And I thought their paso was strong - passionate, fierce. She made her movements as big as she possibly could. Her performance tonight reminded me of when Carrie Ann told her, "You dance beyond your body." However, the judges were not enthusiastic. They said it was not her best dance, which is nice speak for "That really wasn't good." I was afraid she would get all 7's after the critique, but she didn't. She got the same score as Ryan, but his critique was better.
Scores: 7, 8, 8, 7

Amber / Maks
Cha Cha
Well, she definitely had the sex kitten vibe going, and I thought her cha cha was decent, but not great. Len would have complained how long it took for the dance to get going. I still want Amber to be better than this. I have just not seen enough improvement to say that she should still be in the competition. The judges want her to really go for it, and I do too! Let loose, Amber!
Scores: 7, 7, 7, 7

James / Sharna
Rumba
He doesn't think he had the sexy in him, but he definitely does, and he brought it! That was a much faster rumba that what I'm used to, and I thought one or two of the moves were a little wonky, but overall very good technique, and very sexy and steamy. Julianne thinks he's the best male contestant they've ever had on the show. Mmmmm. Better than Apollo Anton Ono? Better than Gilles Marini? I can't say I agree with her, but he is doing very well in the competition, and giving Laurie a run for her money.
Scores: 10, 9, 9, 10

Marilu / Derek
Cha Cha
She did so well last week, but I feel like she took a step back this week. The dance was just too slow and tentative. The moves were there, but not the speed, and not the freedom that she felt she achieved last week. I was disappointed. But I adored their outfits. And Derek is right - her body is slammin'! The judges were much more enthusiastic.
Scores: 8, 9, 9, 8

End of Part 1

23 Minute Morning Ritual to Improve Happiness

I don't have time for anything extra in the morning. I don't eat breakfast until I get to work. But I like this idea, and maybe I could do it throughout the day instead of first thing in the morning. I know the idea is to do it when you first get up to improve your mood all day. If I didn't hit the snooze button on all three of my alarms for fifteen minutes every work day, I might have time for this. :)

1. Write down three acts of gratitude.

What three new things are you grateful for? Write it down. For long-term effect, Achor says do it for 21 straight days. He says the reason this is so powerful is you're training your mind to scan for positives instead of negatives. This activity is the fastest way to teach optimism. It will significantly improve your optimism even six months later, and raises your success rates significantly.
Time length: 2 minutes.

2. Journal one positive experience.

Write in detail about one positive experience you've had during the past 24 hours. Bullet point each detail you can remember. According to Achor, this allows your brain to relive the experience, which teaches your brain that the positive behavior matters. It works, he says, since the brain can't tell the difference between visualization and actual experience. In essence, you've just doubled the most meaningful experience in your brain. If you do this ritual every morning for 21 days, your brain reprograms with this trajectory of meaning running throughout your life. In fact, research found that patients suffering from chronic pain or disease who did this for six weeks in a row had dropped their pain medication by 50 percent six months later.
Time length: 2 minutes.

3. Exercise.

Even if you hate exercise, Achor says that a short burst of fun cardio activity (think hula hoops, working in the garden, dancing, or a brisk walk with the dog) works wonders. The reason why exercise is so key to your morning routine is that it literally trains your brain to believe "my behavior matters," which then carries (positively) into other activities throughout the day.
Time length: 15 minutes.

4. Meditation.

Breathe and watch your breath go in and out for two minutes. This allows your brain to focus on one thing at a time and be present in the moment. Achor says it will "raise accuracy rates, improve levels of happiness, and drop stress levels." He did this with Google employees with great success.
Time length: 2 minutes.

5. Express kindness through a text or email.

The most important of the five: Write a positive email or text every morning praising or thanking someone you know. And do it for a different person each day. Achor says people who do this become known as positive leaders with strong social connections--the greatest predictor of long-term happiness.
Time length: 2 minutes.

Parting thoughts.

If you're skeptical, rest assured. These techniques were discovered through rigorous research while being linked to the bottom lines of some large companies around the world.
All it takes to get you going every morning is 23 minutes. Some of it you can even do while sitting down over your eggs, toast, and coffee.
By doing these activities every morning, you're training your brain to be positive for the rest of the day. Your brain will release dopamine and create a positive mindset for the long term.

Source:  http://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/a-23-minute-morning-ritual-that-will-transform-your-whole-day.html

Survivor Season 33 Episodes 3 and 4

Wow, David is making some big moves! Last week he found an immunity idol, and he was instrumental in voting out Paul, the un-elected leader of the group. Last week's episode had more strategy and only one challenge, because members of each tribe were selected to have a meet and greet in place of a challenge. This week, however, there were separate reward and immunity challenges. Both were quite exciting, especially the first one. In the first, four contestants at a time (two from each tribe) were battling in the water for control of a swim ring. The first survivor to touch a pole while holding the swim ring won a point for their team. The team with three points won the challenge. David earned the first point for Gen X, and his team would eventually win the challenge, but it was very close. He almost scored the winning point too, but not quite. The reward was wonderful - steaks, sausages, veges, and spices, but we didn't get to see much footage from the feast, which was disappointing.

The immunity challenge involved contestants pulling one of their own up in the air on a swing to retrieve puzzle pieces hanging on lines. Each survivor could only collect ten pieces at a time, so there were three trips up and down. The strategy was to select thin people to get on the swing, so they could be hoisted up faster. So that meant David was a swinger for Gen X. :) He was also the main puzzle solver, but unfortunately he couldn't figure it out, and the Millennials won that challenge.

Before tribal council, Lucy had appointed herself the new "dictator" of Gen X, and David wanted her out. But Lucy found out that her tribe was trying to snuff out her torch. So then Jessica's name came up. David flirted with the idea of using his immunity necklace to save Jessica. In the end, he did it, and he was successful. Jessica would have been voted out. But instead Lucy took the long walk out of the game, even though she only had two votes against her: David and CeCe. Jessica had voted for CeCe.

David is making the most of his time on Survivor. He is trying his hardest in the challenges, with some success, and he is making bold moves to eliminate strong players. Unfortunately, using his necklace to save Jessica will likely hurt him, as most of the tribe was voting to oust her. Maybe he can build some new bridges. I hope so. But even if he's eliminated soon, at least he had the chutzpah to play the game fiercely.  

On the Millennials tribe, Adam found the hidden immunity necklace. He cried when he found it, saying he was dedicating it to his mother, who is battling stage 4 lung cancer. How excruciating that must be, to be so far away from her and cut off from any news on how she is doing. I hope he doesn't get bad news during the season.

There is no way I could ever be on Survivor. I am too pale, too skinny, too sensitive physically and emotionally, and I hate coconut anything. :) And there's also no way I could handle weeks away from my family with no contact. I would lose my mind with worry and "what if's."

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Most Memorable Year Part 2

Marilu / Derek
Viennese Waltz
Her most memorable year was losing her mother in the same month that she started on the hit show "Taxi."
Like Maureen, Marilu looked beautiful and radiant in this dance. I loved how the dance exploded when the music swelled, and they started sweeping across the floor. Like Maureen, I think this was Marilu's best dance. It was so so lovely. She had a very good frame. But I know that Carrie Ann will mark them down because her feet came off the floor in that last big turn. Like, she was off the floor the entire time. The group hug was precious. And wow, Carrie Ann didn't mention the lift! Shocking! The judges just loved it. I'm very happy for her.
Scores: 9, 9, 9

Amber / Maks
Samba
Amber's most memorable year was when her son was born. The package included a fight between her and Maks and a lot of insecurity and frustration. And then came the dance. Sigh. Extra dancers. And Amber was so tight and straight and tentative. You have to get down and dirty if you're dancing the samba, and she didn't do it. At times it looked like she was testing bath water, or tip toeing through wet grass. I don't understand. Amber has all the assets to be a successful dancer. Something keeps holding her back. She was slightly better last week, but slid back again this week. I'm frustrated. The judges were not as hard as her as I am.
Scores: 8, 8, 8

James / Sharna
Tango
James' most memorable year was when he survived a terrible crash last year. He almost died. His injury is usually not survivable. Oh my goodness. And jeez with the blinding lights AGAIN! I thought this was a very strong tango. Good speed, good frame, good movement across the floor. I didn't enjoy it as much as I did other dances tonight, but it was a solid performance. The judges were very enthusiastic. Carrie Ann actually called him "the one to beat." And Julianne said his frame is the best she has ever seen on the show. Very high praise.
Scores: 10, 9, 10

Terra / Sasha
Contemporary
Her most memorable year was 2013, when her father passed away of a heart attack after a liver transplant. The dance was incredible - very fast spins, a beautiful lift with Terra standing on Sasha's knees and then bending forward, Terra running into his arms - just gorgeous. And the song was perfect - "Stand By Me." Everything worked in this dance. It was exciting, it was uplifting, it was meaningful, it was electric. I absolutely loved it. The judges did too. Tom mentioned the chemistry and the connection between her and Sasha.
Scores: 9, 9, 9

What an awesome show!! And no elimination tonight - yipee!! AND no more Tuesday night filler show! The good news just keeps on comin'!
Good night dance fans!

End of part 2

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Most Memorable Year Part 1

Gorgeous opening, choreographed by Mandy Moore!
I'm hoping not to be cranky like I was last week. I don't think I will be. I love "Most Memorable Year" night.

Maureen / Artem
Foxtrot
Marcia Marcia Marcia had a cocaine habit?!?! Actually, I knew that; I read her book.
Maureen looks beautiful tonight! And I thought her foxtrot was absolutely lovely. She radiated joy through the entire dance. It took awhile for them to cover the entire floor, but they finally did. I loved it. Maureen is a dancer, and she could not be more excited! The judges loved it too. That was so incredibly sweet. How cute to see Maureen, her husband, and Artem holding each other as they heard the scores.
Scores: 8, 8, 8

No cranky pants yet!

Calvin / Lindsay
Jazz
Calvin's most memorable year was when he broke Jerry Rice's record. Jerry Rice - a DWTS alum.
I spoke too soon about the no cranky pants. Extra dancers - ugh! This was not a Grease re-interpretation. Why were they there! And what's up with the super bright lights. I felt temporarily blinded during Maureen's dance too. Anyway, it took awhile for Calvin and Lindsay to get into dance, but once they did, it was quite strong, with some daring lifts. Calvin is so tall; it looked like Lindsay could touch the ceiling on that first lift. I love the song too. So overall the dance gets a thumbs up from me, extra dancers and all. And hello Jerry Rice! He is so fun! Calvin didn't know that Jerry was going to throw him the ball; it was a surprise for him!
The judges were enthusiastic, but said they think he can do even more.
Scores: 8, 8, 8

Jana / Gleb
Contemporary
Her most memorable year is this year, when she gave birth to her daughter. But she also talks about an abusive relationship that resulted in an attempted murder charge - he tried to kill her. Whoa.
The dance was BEAUTIFUL! Lovely lifts, and what incredible trust Jana had to have in Gleb to take that fall into his arms. That move actually made me gasp. They have such a strong connection. I love watching them dance. Julianne's comments about perseverance made me tear up too.
Scores: 9, 8, 9

Latin Nite next week! Yes!!

My mom and I went to the tour last December, and we absolutely loved it! I will be investigating tickets after the episode.

Ryan / Cheryl
Contemporary
His most memorable year was when he won his first gold medal. No surprise there. He dedicated the dance to his mom. Sweet.
It was a very dramatic dance, and between the moves and the lyrics of the song, it made me think about the extreme highs and lows that Ryan experienced at the summer Olympics. The lifts were spectacular, especially the one that ended with Cheryl doing a slow back bend. That move also drew a gasp from me. They looked super sexy too; Ryan's physique looked very good in a sheer, open shirt. I have to say, these contestants are bringing their "A" games tonight! I'm still conflicted about Ryan the person. But I was impressed with Ryan the dancer. The judges were impressed with both his dancing and his vulnerability.
Scores: 8, 8, 8

Laurie / Val
Paso Doble
Laurie's most memorable year is this year of course, when she won individual and team medals at the Olympics.
The beginning was very un-Paso, but once she escaped from the box, the rest of the dance was all paso. And wow, wow, wow. She looked so professional and mature out there. The speed was incredible. I thought I saw a slight bobble at one point, but otherwise, damn near perfect. I am so impressed. She is with a doubt the front runner. And I absolutely love Val's choreography. But man, the production team needs to do something about that bright light. I got blinded again. Bruno called her "a force of nature," but he did point out that she had some mistakes. Carrie Ann didn't like the opening; she felt it was unnecessary. Julianne disagreed with Carrie Ann. I liked the fire and the passion in the opening, but I agree that it didn't seem to fit with the rest of the dance.
Scores: 8. 9. 8

End of Part 1

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Cirque du Soleil Night Part 2

This is why I need to blog DURING the episode. If I wait until later, I get busy, and sometimes the recap doesn't get written. I'm doing better so far this season, and I want to keep it up.

Ryan / Cheryl
Viennese Waltz
So it was kinda boring, and then it was very distracting with the umbrellas. He danced well, I think; I just wasn't blown away. But the judges kind of were. They said it was his best dance.
Scores: 7, 7, 8

Babyface / Allison
Tango
Well, I love the song, so that helped. The spotlight effect was cool. But the camera was so far at times; it was hard to see the dancers. I'm just not impressed with anyone so far tonight. Evidently, the dance was really bad; there were a lot of mistakes. I'm off tonight too.
Scores: 6, 6, 6

Tara / Sasha
Samba
I thought the opening was fantastic! Tara was shaking her booty and she looked very sexy! By the end though, Sasha looked like he was moving too fast for her, and almost dragging her along. But overall, I thought it was a good samba. I'm happy that she's doing well.
Carrie Ann said "You dance beyond your body."
Scores: 9, 8, 8

Laurie / Val
Jazz
FINALLY AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE!!
Incredible!!
I loved everything about it!!
I was a teenager during the first decade of MTV. I remember when Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, and metal bands ruled the station. I remember this song and the video - Michael trying to get the hot girl, the sex appeal, the swagger, the humor. This was an outstanding re-interpretation. The extra dancers were not a distraction; they enhanced the performance, and you know I rarely say that. But it all worked here. And it worked because even though there was a group of professional male dancers on the floor, Laurie was front and center, and all eyes were on her. I loved her look, her hair, her sexy fuscia dress, everything. She was fierce!! I completely agree with Bruno: she was the perfect mix of Debbie Allen, Janet Jackson, and Paula Abdul. SHE KILLED IT! And of course Val was far hotter than Michael Jackson could have ever hoped to be, although I'm sure there are people who would disagree with me on that. Michael Jackson invented the moves, but Val has the looks and the body to go with the moves. Anyway, far and away my favorite dance of the season so far.
The first perfect score of the season! Completely deserved!

Vanilla Ice / Whitney
Viennese Waltz
The acrobats were distracting, but I thought it was a solid performance. I can tell he is really working at this and doing his best.
Carrie Ann said he is improved at all levels.
Scores: 8, 7, 8

James / Sharna
I was so busy being irritated that the judges overlooked his time out of hold that I didn't pay enough attention to the dance. Why is Carrie Ann so strict on no lifts but doesn't mark him down for too much time out of hold? None of the judges mentioned that, but I bet Len would have if he had been there. Evidently the dance was good because he earned the second highest score of the night.
Scores: 9, 9, 10

I was sad to see Babyface and Vanilla Ice leave. Babyface had the worst dance of the night, but I don't feel that he is the least successful dancer still in the competition. Same with Vanilla Ice.

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Cirque du Soleil Night Part 1

Real life intervened last night, and I've only watched half the show so far. Be forwarned, dance fans, I DID NOT like the concept of this show, and it has made me cranky. Even before the episode aired, I was concerned about this. I thought the contestants would be doing some of the acrobatic work, and I didn't feel that these stars were ready for that level of skill on week 3. I hate to say this, but I feel this is one of the weakest casts in years, so I was especially worried.

So I am relieved that the contestants are not involved in that aspect of the production. But at the same time, I have to say, "Then what's the point?" For me, the Cirque du Soleil performers were only a distraction. They did not enhance the dances. And I found it unfair that some performances had the acrobats front and center with the dancers, while some were hardly noticeable at all. I enjoyed the routines where the acrobats were barely there, but that was me. I'm sure many people at home watching loved the concept. But it did not work for me.

Moving on to the dances...

Calvin / Lindsay
Charleston
The height difference made it easy for Calvin to sling Lindsay around. The acrobats in the background were distracting (that phrase will be repeated in my recap, so prepare yourselves), but otherwise it was a fun, energetic dance. I didn't understand Carrie Ann's comment, however. Lifts aren't usually allowed in the Charleston? I didn't know that. If not, why did Lindsay put in like fourteen of them? Seriously, the dance was mostly tricks. So I'm baffled by that.
Scores: 8, 7, 8

Maureen / Artem
Argentine Tango
Again, the acrobats are so distracting! I thought their tango was adequate. Just okay, not great. Not enough body contact. Not enough wow factor. It's a tough dance, and Maureen is struggling. But the judges liked it better than I did. And I'm glad for that, because I like Maureen. I love how important this show is to her, and how much she wants to succeed at being a dancer.
Scores: 8, 8, 8

Jana / Gleb
Foxtrot
Umm...were there Cirque dancers in this routine? I swear, I didn't see them. During the practice sessions, there was footage of acrobats flying off a trampoline; did that happen? See - inconsistencies. Unfair, in my opinion. But I actually enjoyed this dance because there were no distractions. Jana and Gleb have such great chemistry, and this dance had lovely rise and fall, and sweeping movement around the stage. I liked the costumes too.

Marilu / Derek
Paso Doble
The Cirque dancers were very prominent in this dance, and with them twirling around the stage and throwing red flags in all directions, I couldn't see what Marilu and Derek were doing half the time. When I could see them, Derek was doing most of the work. Marilu looked nervous and tentative. I believe she can do better than this. She has a great body and natural dance ability. I think she and Maureen both want to succeed so badly that they're trying too hard.
Scores: 7 , 7, 7

Amber / Maks
Argentine Tango
Okay, THERE is the sex appeal that I've been waiting for! There was the chemistry between her and Maks. Definitely this was her best dance so far. But I still think she was too covered up. Long sleeves on that outfit? Why? I just can't help comparing this dance to Mark and Paige's tango from last season. They made that table SWEAT! Paige removed layer after layer of clothes, until at the end she was wearing a little body suit and Mark's button down shirt. That was a smokin' hot routine! This one had some fire, but still needed more. Unfortunately I just don't think Amber has much natural rhythm, or maybe she's just too nervous and Maks hasn't figured out a way to bring it out of her. She has tied with Maureen for highest scores of the night so far, but I have a feeling she will still be in jeopardy.
Scores: 8, 8, 8

End of part 1

librarianintx

Image related to previous post

I like this image a lot

librarianintx

Great quote on Facebook

My new motto!

There are nights when I get into bed, and as I drift off, I think to myself, "I didn't accomplish much today. I was unproductive at home and at home. I procrastinated, I was unfocused, I wasted the day. I'm not happy. I didn't make good use of my time and talents." The quote above - THIS is how I want to experience every day.

librarianintx

Survivor Season 33 Episode 2

Just a thought or two...

Yea, David made fire!! And he found an immunity idol!! Hot damn! AND he wasn't voted off! But unfortunately, he was by far the weakest player in the challenge. He performed worse than Paul, who had collapsed with dehydration the day before. Paul did well; he even swam out to Jeff to collect the immunity statue after Gen X won the challenge. The idea during the episode was that David would go if Gen X lost, so luckily they didn't lose.

The other bit I wanted to mention - I haven't watched every season of Survivor, but I have seen most of them, and I have never seen anyone take so long to write a name down as Hannah did. Has Jeff ever had to walk over to a contestant to check on them? I think he only took a few steps in her direction, but still. That was pretty funny. I felt bad for her struggle, but that still made me giggle.

Oh, and for whoever said that showmances never last on Survivor - I give you Boston Rob and Amber. They met on Survivor, married, and now have four daughters. I don't know if they are the only Survivor couple to marry, but they are the most famous pair.

librarianintx


librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 "Face Off" Part 3 and Results Show

The last pair was Laurie Hernandez & Val vs Marilu Henner & Derek
My thoughts: Laurie - WOW! Amazing speed, professional level performance, and she looked so mature! She is hands down the favorite to win this competition. Marilu's tango was much slower, but she should still be proud; she danced a proper tango. It was not an even match up, but who can you pair Laurie with this season? No one comes close to her yet, in my opinion, but I think Marilu was the best option at this point.
Scores: Laurie: 7, 8, 8, 8 Carrie Ann graded her down because they did a lift. So frustrating. Doing a lift was obviously Val's decision; he's the professional and the choreographer. But Laurie is given a lower score because of Val. Ugh! Val, you know that lifts aren't allowed in a tango, so why did you put one in? This was not an instance where her feet came off the floor and you could hope that eagle-eyed lift-maniac Carrie Ann wouldn't notice. This was a moment-for-all-to-marvel-at type of lift. When immunity is on the line, you're going to take a chance like that? But I guess you knew that she is good enough and popular enough to be safe. She deserved 8's across the board though. Because Val put in a lift, Laurie was robbed of the high score of the night; that honor went to Calvin Johnson Jr.
Marilu: 7, 7, 7, 7.
No surprise here. Laurie is safe.

I fast forwarded through most of the results show. I'm sorry, I don't have time for filler, and again, this show was mostly a re-hash of Monday night. But I have to say I LOVED Val and Mak's dance! FAN-tastic! And I very happily said "bye bye" to Rick Perry! Sorry you got yet another lemon, Emma!

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 "Face Off" Part 2

Terra Jole & Sasha vs Calvin Johnson Jr & Lindsay

My thoughts: I enjoyed both Viennese Waltzes. I thought Terra and Sasha had a beautiful flow of movement across the floor. I love the song too. It all worked for me. Calvin & Lindsay's dance was a little choppy, but kudos to him for attempting reverse turns, and I think the dance had a lot of passion and fire. This is a tough one. In terms of dancing a proper Viennese Waltz, I would give the edge to Terra & Sasha. 

Scores: 8, 7, 8, and 7 for Terra & Sasha

8, 8, 8, and 8

Wow! Congrats to Calvin! 

Maureen McCormick & Artem vs Amber Rose & Maks

I still expected Amber to  be better, but I did see some improvement tonight. I mean, c'mon, she was dancing to "Big Booty." She has all the assets to be a success at this salsa. And she's dancing with Maks, Mr. Fine!! I saw some flashes of shaking it and owning it. But I still wanted more. Maureen & Artem danced a more traditional salsa, most of which was partnering work and in hold. The two dances were so different that it's hard to judge them. Amber's was a like a street salsa, while Maureen's was more of a ballroom salsa. I liked them both for different reasons, but I think I have to say that overall Maureen's was better. 

Scores: 7, 6, 6, and 6 for Amber & Maks

7, 7, 7, and 7 for Maureen & Artem

Maureen won! She's safe!

Darn, I got too far behind! I'll have to recap the last pairing later!

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 "Face Off" Part 1

It's an abbreviated episode because of the first presidential debate, and for that reason, the twelve remaining couples are dancing in "face off" format. They are paired up and dancing in the same style, but not to the same music, which is interesting. There will be a winner for each pair, and that contestant has immunity and cannot be eliminated in tomorrow night's results show. Here is a quick recap (so hopefully I can be finished close to 8 pm):

Babyface & Allison vs Jana & Gleb:
My thoughts: Jana and Glen took it easily. Babyface had a few flashes of a decent jive, but overall he was quite stiff and awkward. He had a big smile on his face and the dance wasn't terrible, but Jana and Gleb were flirty, fun, sexy, and performed a proper jive with kicks, flicks, tricks, and good speed and rhythm.
Judges scores: 7, 6, 6 and 6 for Babyface & Allison
6, 7, 6, and 7 for Jana & Gleb
There were no judges comments. I expected Jana & Gleb's scores to be higher. But this means that Jana cannot eliminated.

Rick Perry & Emma vs Vanilla Ice & Whitney
(A "bromance"? *shudder* *giggle*)
My thoughts: Rick's paso was like a "paint by numbers" paso. He looked like he was trying to follow the steps on an instructional video. He made a lot of shapes. He did some walking. He stomped his feet. That was his paso. I loved Emma's skirt. I thought Vanilla Ice had a pretty poor frame, but I liked his intensity. I know it's hard for me to be objective when it comes to Rick Perry. I don't think either one of them were good, but I thought Vanilla Ice did a better job with the paso.
Scores: 6,5, 6, and 6 for Rick & Emma
6, 6, 5, and 6 for Vanilla Ice & Whitney
Since there was a tie, Len was the decider. He gave it to Vanilla Ice & Whitney. So Rick is vulnerable tomorrow night.

Ryan Lochte & Cheryl vs James Henchcliffe & Sharna
My thoughts: I swear, Sharna can make anyone look good! I mean, I'm not totally convinced that James knows how to shake his booty, but Sharna put her hips up against his, and let nature just take control. It was a sexy, fun dance, and I enjoyed it. I feel much the same about Ryan & Cheryl's cha cha. She ripped open his shirt and rubbed up against him, and his body seemed to respond, regardless of actual dance ability. It was very close, but I would declare James and Sharna the winners...by one thrust.
Scores: 7, 7, 8, and 7 for James & Sharna
6, 7, 6, and 6 for Ryan & Cheryl
That makes James safe from elimination.

End of Part 1

Survivor Season 33 Episode 1

Thirty three seasons? Wow! I still enjoy the show. This was a good first episode. I like the theme of Millennials vs Gen X. I am a Gen X'er but I don't dislike Millennials. I like their fun, adventurous spirit. Not that I think you can always generalize. Not all Millennials are free spirits, and not all Gen X'ers are workhorses. But I think it will be an interesting season.

For the first time in Survivor history, the contestants had to be evacuated from their camps due to weather. I wonder what their accommodations were like during the storm. Were they in a hotel? Were they not allowed to strategize? Were the tribes kept separate?

I'm glad that Dave did not go home. Dave reminds me of myself - insecure, afraid of new experiences, nervous, anxious. I hope he has the opportunity to have a journey this season - of growth, of self-discovery - and I want to witness it and maybe learn from him. I want him to have a John Cochran-type metamorphosis. I don't have high hopes that he'll be in the game for long, but maybe...

librarianintx 

Big Brother Season Finale

Well, obviously I don't know what I'm talking about. The person I said was the least likely of the three to win because I felt that she had the most enemies on the jury - she won. I don't dislike Nicole - and I am happy that a girl won - but I would have preferred James or Paul to take it.

Two of the jury votes leave me shaking my head. Natalie voted for Nicole to win? She was so mad at James for convincing her to align with Nicole and Cory instead of Paul and Victor, and then it was the Nicole / Cory showmance that ousted Natalie. And yet she still votes for Nicole to win? That was crazy all by itself. But then Da'Vonne votes for Nicole to win? What?!?! Da'Vonne has been cursing Nicole before she was even eliminated, and the hatred didn't abate when she was sent to jury. She blamed Nicole for so much that went wrong, in her play and the game of others as well. Frank and Nicole became her archenemies. During Paul's speech right before the vote, Da'Vonne was swinging her arms and practically hopping around in her chair. I was sure that Paul had her vote in a lockbox. And then - when the score was tied and Da'Vonne was the deciding vote - it was revealed she voted for Nicole! I just don't get it. But anyway, congrats to Nicole. I didn't love Paul's temper, but I enjoyed his fun side, and he really entertained me this summer. Congrats to him as well. The vote was as close as it could possibly be. #friendship

As far as the fan favorite award goes, I'm okay that it went to Victor. He's a nice guy, and he sure had to work hard to stay for as long as he did in the Big Brother house. I was excited that Natalie and James were in the running as well.

I'm not watching the fall edition of Big Brother on CBS All Access. I have too many shows already, and I'm not going to pay beyond the money I already shell out for cable just to watch one more show. I'll wait until next summer for another season of my guilty pleasure.

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 First Results Show

There is only one word that can adequately describe last night's results show:
FILLER

What was the point of that episode? To waste the fans' time? I'm sorry, but honestly, that show could have been thirty minutes long and then it would have been relevant and worth watching. Why do I want two hours of rehashing the dances with Bruno's sound effects in the background? The two musical performances were good, and I enjoyed the dance with Maks, Cheryl, and Derek, but otherwise, there was nothing new in the episode. I love the show, but I have A LOT of shows to watch this season. I don't have time for two hours of DWTS filler every Tuesday night. If there is going to be a results show, make it one hour at the most, and make it worth watching - meaning performances that we haven't already seen.

As far as who went home - I'm not surprised. The worst dancer rarely goes home in the first week. Rick Perry will likely stick around for another week or two, while dancers with somewhat more potential but smaller fan bases will go home. I'm sure JT Austin has a large fan base; he's a young, male Disney star. But young kids and tweens don't watch "Dancing with the Stars." That fact combined with two weeks of sub-standard dancing resulted in him being the first contestant eliminated from the ballroom.

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Episode 2 Part 2

Babyface and Allison
Argentine Tango
A bit of a letdown for me from last week. The Argentine Tango is a very sexy dance, but I felt very little passion from him. He seemed very stiff and uncomfortable. The music was strange for the style of dance as well. It just didn't work for me. But I still see his potential. The lingering "almost kiss" was nice, but that was about it. The judges liked the performance better than I did. They saw more chemistry than I did. I saw chemistry last week. I saw leading man status last week. Not so much this week, but almost. The judges gave him two "8's" and two "7's."

Laurie Hernandez and Val
Jive
She is definitely a contender. She is the frontrunner so far. Val created a very difficult routine, and she more than held her own. Laurie is the whole package: personality, energy, youth, vitality, sparkle, and great technique. Val could very well have another winning partner. The judges were very enthusiastic. Laurie earned all "8's", the highest score of the night so far. Well deserved!

James Henchcliffe and Sharna
Paso Doble
Okay, I understand why there had to be dancers; it was "The Walking Dead" theme. But they distracted from the dance more than they enhanced it in my opinion. The routine was too hectic at times. But for me, James didn't look under prepared. I thought he did very well. And I felt like Sharna held back a little in her performance so James could shine. Overall, I was impressed. The judges were too. They gave James three "7's" and one "8," but with positive comments.

Marilu Henner and Derek
Foxtrot
It took them awhile to start the routine, but I thought Marilu gave a very solid performance. She is a good dancer and Derek is an outstanding partner. I thought she had good form and good flow of movement across the stage. I'm very happy with that performance. I think Derek was able to make that song work for them. The judges were happy too. They loved her lines and her emotion in the routine. Marilu got three "7's" and an "8" from Len!

Ryan Lochte and Cheryl
Quickstep
So we got to see what happened when the innocence of the ballroom was shattered. But now its time to move on. And I am only here to judge his dancing. Which was quite good tonight! Of course I hated the extra dancers. I really disliked them in this performance, because in the beginning it was like Ryan was an extra instead of the contestant. Ugh! But once they exited, Ryan performed a solid quickstep: good speed, good technique, and good personality. Much better than last week. Julianne did not agree with me. She saw a lot of mistakes. Carrie Ann and Bruno did too. Ryan earned all "6's." I guess I didn't watch very closely. Maybe it's because I haven't had dinner yet. My growling stomach may have distracted me.

Dinner time for me dance fans!

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Episode 2 Part 1

Here we are again Dancing with the Stars fans! Let's see who has improved from the season premiere last week! I am logged in five minutes early, and ready to recap!

Of course they open the show with the Ryan Lochte controversy, but only for a second. I can imagine how tight the security is in the ballroom tonight.

It's theme song night!

First up, Maureen McCormick and Artem:
Quickstep
Yeah for the Mrs. Brady cameo!
Boo for the extra dancers. Sigh.
My comments: Quickstep is a tough one. And the dance was choppy at times. But I thought Maureen was much improved from last week. She looked much less nervous, and she looked like she was having fun. I give her an A+ for effort and for appearing to conquer her nerves. Good job Marcia! The costumes were all over the place, though. I didn't get the costumes. Anyway, the judges agreed with me on the performance. Maureen got two 6's and two 7's, but the comments were way more positive than the scores.

Jana Kramer and Gleb
Tango
Jana was injured during rehearsals, so it was hard not to think about that as I watched the performance. I thought they did well, but not as good as last week. I still think she can be a contender though. The sexiness was still there, and I thought her form was basically good, but there may have been a stumble or two. The judges noticed her pain, but thought she was a trooper to get through the routine. The scores were a bit of a surprise. Len gave them an 8! They got a 7 from everyone else.

Rick Perry and Emma
Quickstep
Before they dance, can I tell you what I want to do with that pitchfork?
Anyway,,,
One word to describe the dance: Hokey. The song is hokey. His facial expressions were mega hokey. I don't know what Emma's costume was. Ellie Mae Clampett's dressing gown? This was a quickstep, not a dance at a hoedown. But if I'm being completely honest, it wasn't as much of a trainwreck as I expected. It wasn't good. But it wasn't awful. His wife looked like she had suffered an injury when he skipped over to kiss her. Carrie Ann and Len gave him a better critique than I expected. "I'm dancing for the veterans." Oh, please. What did you do for the veterans when you were governor of Texas? What a way to pander for votes. Rick got two "6's" and two "5's."

Calvin Johnson Jr. and Lindsay
Foxtrot
It was a cute routine, and Calvin showed a lot of personality. Overall, I thought he was better than last week, and his form was pretty good, but he seemed to get lazy at the end of the routine. There was a nice flow that seemed to stop about ten seconds before the end of the dance. Strange. The judges were very happy with this performance. Calvin earned "7's" across the board and he got to meet Jaleel White!

Amber Rose and Maks
Viennese Waltz
Once again I had high hopes. I love the Game of Thrones theme, and I want to love Amber and Maks together. Unfortunately, I was disappointed again. She didn't learn from what Bruno told her last week about connecting with her partner. I didn't feel any passion, any fire coming from them. Amber was doing the steps and that was it. It didn't move me at all. And why do they have her in such boring costumes? She's a model, and she's often half naked on the red carpet. I know this is a family show, but she doesn't have to be so covered up. Maks absolutely looked the part, but Amber did not.  I'm sorry, but I was bored. Julianne disagreed with me; she saw a connection that I didn't see. Still, the scores looked like what I would given her: all "6's."

JT Austin and Jenna
Cha Cha
Eh. It was okay. There were extra dancers. I feel like Jenna did most of the work. I didn't see a lot of hip action. I think she may have hit him in the face at one point. It was just a'right for me. I don't have a lot to say. Both Carrie Ann and Len mentioned his lack of timing. Julianne too. Young JT got all "6's." I do have one more thing to say. Who is designing these costumes tonight? Poor Jenna had black fringe in her vajayjay area. Very unfortunate. I just had to mention that.

Vanilla Ice and Whitney
Foxtrot
Oh my goodness, they sure did channel the characters of Peg and Al Bundy! I loved that aspect of the routine. I also thought it was cute that he was lip synching with the song. The dance was almost good, just a little too stiff and slow. I wanted more dancing, and I thought it would be fun to incorporate the love / hate relationship between Peg and Al. But I enjoyed it. The judges were basically encouraging, especially Len. He got "7's" from the guys and "6's" from the girls.

Terra Jole and Sasha
Quickstep
I thought it was very good! They had to move slightly slower than a typical quickstep because of her little feet. But it looked like a quickstep. Sasha did not scrimp on the steps or the elements of the dance. I was impressed, and saw a lot of improvement from last week. Good job Terra! I think you conquered a very difficult dance!
"I was a universal Dick." Sasha
You walked right into that one, Tom! Hilarious!!
Great comments from the judges! Julianne said it was her favorite dance of the night. Bruno said it was the most complete quickstep of the night. Wow! So happy for her! She got three "8's" and a "7" from Len.

End of Part 1

The Emmy's

I had a few reasons to cheer this year, and as usual, a few reasons to be pissed off. Here are my highs and lows from the Emmy's:

Highs:
Kate McKinnon wins best supporting actress in a comedy for "Saturday Night Live."
I LOVE Kate McKinnon! She is freakin' hilarious! SO happy for her!

"The People vs OJ Simpson Story" cleans up in the miniseries category.
The hard part was that several of the actors were nominated in the same categories, so that made it tough. Sterling K. Brown was masterful in his role as Christopher Darden, and deserved the win for best supporting actor, but David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian and John Travolta as Robert Shapiro were brilliant as well. Courtney B. Vance was amazing as Johnnie Cochran, and I'm so glad he got the lead actor award, but that left out Cuba Gooding Jr. as OJ. I was so excited that Sarah Paulson won lead actress for her role as Marcia Clark. That miniseries was excellent, although I did feel a twinge of regret that it beat the remake of "Roots."

Although I've only seen the first seasons of these shows, three cheers for Jeffrey Tambor winning lead actor in a comedy again for his role as Maura Pfefferman in  "Transparent," and Rami Malek as Elliot accepting his first Emmy for lead actor in a drama for "Mr. Robot."

And woo hoo to "Game to Thrones" for winning best writing, directing, and best drama!

Lows
Some of my lows were not complete downsides. While I was very disappointed that all three Game of Thrones actresses lost in the supporting actress category (Maisie Williams as Aria, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys, and Lena Headey as Cersei), I WAS happy that Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess won again for "Downton Abbey."

But there was no joy in the best supporting actor in a drama category for me. Both "Game of Thrones" actors, Kit Harrington as John Snow, and previous winner Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, were shut out.

Finally, the lead actress in a drama category was a huge disappointment for me. Viola Davis as Annalise Keating in "How to Get Away With Murder" and Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon in "Empire" both lost, and the incredible Kerry Washington, who plays Olivia Pope in "Scandal," was once again not nominated, which is a travesty.

I didn't pay that much attention to the fashion this year, but one duo who presented stood out to me. Tina Fey looked so hot in a simple green gown, but her cohort, Amy Poehler, wore a dress in a different shade of green that looked more like a tablecloth. I think she will get skewered on "Fashion Police."

librarianintx

My Biggest Pet Peeve

Luckily, I don't have many. As I get older, I will likely have more.

I have probably mentioned this previously. I witnessed it again yesterday, and it always frustrates me. Because I ride the bus so much, it's a frequent irritation. It happens both on Greyhound and Megabus.

The pet peeve: People put their belongings on the seat next to them, so riders entering the bus have to ask if the seat is taken.

Hands down, these people are being rude. Especially yesterday, it was obvious that the bus would be full. This was the second stop on the way back to Austin, so there were people on the bus that had boarded at the downtown location. The line to get on the bus at Katy Mills Mall stretched from the parking lot almost to the door of the mall. Anyone who thought they were going to get two seats to themselves was delusional. So why do they do it? Why do they continue to leave their stuff on the seat, which makes a person entering the bus have to ask if the seat is available. You did not pay for two seats, rude people. That seat next to you is not your luggage compartment; it is a seat for a paying customer. Why do you think it's okay to let someone have to beg for the opportunity to sit next to you?

I have seen people actually refuse to let someone sit next to them. It happened to me once on the Greyhound. An older lady would not move her bag. She claimed that she didn't speak English. And maybe she didn't. But regardless, she should know the rules. I was mad and almost moved her bag, but I decided not to get into it with her. The driver didn't go to bat for me. So I just sat elsewhere. But it still bothers me when I think about that. One time on Megabus I saw a young girl stand in the aisle for a few minutes while an older woman continued talking on her cell phone, her bag in the seat next to her. I guess the young girl thought if she stood there long enough, the woman would free up the seat. It didn't work. The woman continued to ignore her. I wanted to tell the driver what was happening, but I didn't. Finally the young girl gave up and took another seat. That time, the woman was rewarded for her bad behavior. The bus was not full, and she got the two seats to herself. Even when the Megabus baggage guy walks through the bus and announces loudly, "This will be a full bus! Everyone needs to put their belongings on the floor under their seat," some people still don't do it. That makes me so mad. 

Usually in Austin I am the first person on the bus. I always choose my seat, get settled, and leave the seat next to me clear. It is common courtesy. I have no right to that seat. I have been irritated lately that sometimes the floor of the bus is dirty or wet, and I have no idea what got spilled. I don't want to put my stuff there. So I try to choose a seat on the left side of the bus, where there is a small step up. If I have to sit on the right side, then I keep what I can in my lap. It's not a great situation, but I make do.

Riders need to have more respect for their fellow passengers. Don't be so selfish. Put your stuff under your seat, or keep it in your lap. If someone asks if the seat next to you is available, don't look irritated or put out. Everyone on that bus paid for a seat. You don't necessarily have to be friendly and chatty, but you do need to be courteous.

librarianintx

Big Brother Season 18

Another fun summer with a crazy group of houseguests is drawing to a close. In the beginning of this season, I was of the opinion that this bunch of newbies were some of the worst strategists to ever play the game. And for some, I still feel that way *cough Jozea* But it was still an enjoyable show. There were fun pranks, loony comps, several showmances, lots of fights, and A LOT of tears. Several of the new contestants rose to the challenge and played the game well. Two of the returning houseguests went down in flames.

And now we're down to Paul, Nicole, and James. For me, all three of them are worthy of the win, although I don't like them all equally. Unfortunately, they have all disappointed me in some way, so I can't say I'm necessarily rooting for any of them. Of the three, James would be my pick to win. He doesn't do well in comps, but he plays a great social game, and I just like him the best overall. He's a sweet, nice guy, and only has a temper when someone is hurting a person that he cares about. I have adored his showmance with Natalie, and you can tell that he thinks the world of her. The only time that James let me down this season is when he promised that he wouldn't put Bridget up on the block, and then he did. Bridget would have likely bested him in that comp, but she agreed to drop because James guaranteed her safety, then he put her and her "ride or die" Frank on the block. I understand why he did it; the peer pressure in the house was very strong, and he believed that he and Natalie would be in trouble if he didn't do what everyone wanted him to do. I still didn't like him going back on his word.

Paul has definitely been the entertainment of the season. I love his outgoing personality and the phrases that have been made popular this summer because of him: friendship and your boy. I cracked up every time he had to pat down the houseguests and secure the house. But I didn't like Paul's mean streak. He took his times on the block personally, and started his share of fights in the house. I didn't like the way he interrogated James and when he called Michelle the "c" word. Not cool. I think he is very deserving to be in the final three, and I think he has the best chance to win because he has several friends on the jury. I would not be unhappy to see him win. I just wish he was able to get along with others in bad times as well as good.

Nicole is the sole surviving girl, and she has played a solid game. Her showmance with Cory has definitely helped her this season, but she has made big moves and won key comps too. I understand why she and Cory flip flopped, setting up a final four first with Natalie and James, then with Paul and Victor, then backstabbing Victor and joining forces again with James, but that doesn't mean I like it. I l think Nicole has a very slim chance of winning. She has too many enemies on the jury.

If James doesn't win, I hope he wins fan favorite. I would also be happy to see Natalie win fan favorite. Best case scenario: James wins the show, and Natalie wins fan favorite. A very successful showmance that would be! Will James and Natalie be a couple outside of the house? I don't know; they are very different. I think Cory and Nicole have a better shot at being the next Jeff and Jordan. But I think they could make it. They are both sweet people.

Looking forward to Wednesday night!

librarianintx

"Born This Way" wins an Emmy

Congratulations to the A&E reality show "Born This Way" for winning an Emmy in the category of "Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program."

"Born This Way" is currently in it's second season, and viewership continues to climb. The show was given a second season after the enthusiastic response to the first season, six episode run.

The show follows a group of young people with Down Syndrome as they navigate life and all of it's challenges:  dating, friendships, employment, independence, health, hobbies, and relating to family members.

This a great show: honest, real, emotional, and fun too. You can't help but root for these young people, cheer their successes with them and tear up when life doesn't go their way. For the most part, though, the show is about celebrating their milestones. I enjoy watching Rachel conquer her numerous fears, seeing John take small steps in his music career, marveling at Megan's homegrown clothing company, and witnessing Sean and Steven endure the ups and downs of their first time living on their own. I also think the interactions with the families are so important. I am amazed at how patient and encouraging these parents are. Rachel's parents do so much to help her conquer her myriad of fears. What a joy it was when she made it through her first concert, and not only survived but thrived on an overnight camping trip. Christina's parents encourage her to follow her dreams and pursue her hobbies; this season she is taking ballroom dance lessons so she can enter a "Dancing with the Stars" type competition. And Elena's parents endeavor to find a solution to her difficult behaviors and delicate emotional state. The show is full of heart and humor, and I look forward to it every week.

librarianintx

When you feel stressed...

Just look for cute pictures of dogs wearing glasses.

I feel better already. :)

Happy Tuesday! 

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Episode 1 Part 2

Vanilla Ice and Whitney
If you have read my recaps before, you know what's coming...
NO EXTRA DANCERS!
This is not the finale, and this was not his freestyle routine. Its not fair to the other contestants when a dancer is surrounded by professional dancers.
Okay. Rant over.
Obviously the song made this more of a hip hop routine rather than a cha cha. I didn't see many cha cha moves. It was fun, but overall just okay. The crowd loved it. As expected, Len said there wasn't enough cha cha. Actually, Julianne and Bruno said the same thing. The scores were a bit all over the place: a 5, a 6, and two 7's.

Jana Kramer and Gleb
Can you say CHEMISTRY!? Holy smokes! Pass the cigarettes! That was a hot Viennese Waltz. Sexy, steamy...content, steps, who cares? That was what I wanted to see from Amber and Maks. Jana and Gleb have IT!. The phones will light up for that dance. Goodness. Her husband must be kicking himself. I agree with Bruno...bring on the rumba next week! Of course Len was cranky about it, but I don't think anyone else was. This one will be on rewind for me. Except for Bruno, the scores were too low. He gave them an 8. They also got a 7 and two 6's. Party poopers.

JT Austin and Jenna
Wow, Jenna has been doing double duty; she was also on So You Think You Can Dance this summer. She and JT were born in the same year; how precious. Their jive was young and unfortunately low on jive content. I didn't see hardly any kicks or flicks. The judges agreed and said they were off on their timing too. The cute as a button pair got two 5's and two 6's.

Rick Perry and Emma
(Sorry, I can't help myself.Why is he on my favorite show? Jeez.)
OMG, he said it himself: "What a dumbass." Quote of the night!
Poor poor Emma. Has she ever had a decent partner? No, and her streak continues. The Texas-themed cha cha was a disaster. So was the costume. I'll shut up now. No, I won't. Pathetic. He pretty much dropped her at the end. Okay. Now I'm done. He got all 5's. Please go home Rick, so I can fully enjoy my show.

Terra and Sasha
One of the things I love most about Dancing with the Stars is when they give people with differing abilities the opportunity to dance. So I am very happy that Terra is on this show. Unfortunately, she will have to improve greatly to stay on the show. She looked great, and her personality is fantastic. But her jive was nonexistent. I saw no kicks or flicks. The height difference will continue to hamper them. I hoped she would knock my socks off, but sadly, she didn't. She's not necessarily a bad dancer, but I did not think this was a good jive.Wow, the judges saw a much better dance than I did. I'm still rooting for her though. The judges gave her three 6's and a 7.

Ryan Lochte and Cheryl
He did not get booed. That was nice of the audience. Not sure that he deserves people being so nice. But anyway, on to the foxtrot. Oh wow, wait, what the hell?!?! Someone or more than one person staged a protest or something? I don't know what happened. Crazy stuff! Live show, people. Everyone looked shaken. I'm not a Ryan fan, but whatever happened should not have happened. This show is about dancing. Ryan got all 6's. My take on his dancing: eh. It was just a'right.

Laurie Hernandez and Val
Thank goodness the night ended on a high note. Laurie is young, fresh, and she can cha cha! She looked sexy and her moves were on point. Len thought it was a terrific dance, and I concur. For me, this was the second best dance of the night, in terms of technique at least. She got three 8's and one 7 from the judges. I think that was the highest score of the night.

My top three:
Babyface
Laurie
Jana - for the caliente factor

I hope we find out what happened after Ryan danced. Inquiring minds want to know.

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 23 Episode 1 Part 1

HERE WE GO!
MY FAVORITE SHOW IS BACK!
CAN YOU TELL HOW EXCITED I AM?

Ok. No more shouting. But I am excited!

And here is my first attempt at recaping during the episode. Please excuse any typos that I don't catch.

First up:
Marilu Henner and Derek
Marilu is in her 60's, but she doesn't look it, and she doesn't dance like it. She did a very good job with the jive. She had good energy and excitement. She didn't totally keep up with Derek, but she was VERY close. Good job!
The judges were impressed too. She got three 7's and a 6 from Julianne.

James Hinchcliffe and Sharna
He said he's not a dancer, but I think he coped well with the foxtrot. Often the foxtrot is a good dance for the male contestants who think they can't dance. The judges were very impressed. Julianne called him "graceful and fluid." He got great scores: three 8's, and once again Julianne was the low paddle with a 7. I thought it was a beautiful dance. I think James has more dancing ability than he thinks he does. And of course it helps that he has the beautiful and supremely talented Sharna as his partner.

Calvin Johnson and Lindsey
Certainly not the best football player they've had on DWTS, but it was an entertaining performance. He had no hip action in this cha cha,, and Lindsey did most of the work, but he looked happy and had a big grin on his face, so it was enjoyable. I think there is a possibility for some improvement. He is by no means the worst dancer to be on this show. Calvin got two 7's and two 6's.

I just have to say again how much I adore Tom and Erin.

Maureen McCormick and Artem
How sweet is Artem? OMG. And oh my gosh, Maureen is 60? Wow. Anyway, I digress. On to the dance. It was obvious Maureen was mega nervous, and trying so hard to keep her posture. She had a few stumbles, and her nervousness detracted from the dance. But it was still lovely, and you can't help but root for her. I hope she can get her anxiety under control. How cute when Mrs. Brady came over to give her a hug!The judges were encouraging, but her scores were low, two 6's and two 5's. Maureen was still glowing, so I hope she wasn't discouraged.

Babyface and Allison
That was a pretty big production number for a first dance. Babyface showed great musicality, rhythm, and leading man appeal in this foxtrot. His partnering skills look very strong. I had a little trouble with the lighting on this performance, or maybe it was my television. But I think he did a GREAT job. Performance of the night so far.I thought Len and Julianne were a little critical, and overall the scores were lower than I expected: two 7's and two 6's. I thought his scores would be higher. Mmmm....

Amber Rose and Maks
I love the song, and I thought the beginning of the foxtrot was super hot. Once they emerged from the shadow, I was less impressed. I thought it was kind of boring. Amber and Maks strike me as the couple that will light the ballroom on fire, and I thought that was going to happen with this dance. But it was just okay. I have hope for future fireworks though. I think the judges see her potential as well. Okay, so if she hates her costume, why did they have her wear it? I'm shaking my head. The judges gave her 6's across the board.

end of part 1

librarianintx

Speechless Episode 1

The premiere episode is already available online, so I watched it. While I thought it was pretty heavy-handed and awkward at times, I'm willing to give it a chance. The fact that a major network has a comedy with a disabled character played by a disabled actor is big and important and I want to support this show.

But there was quite a bit of the show that left me shaking my head. Some of it was just so over the top. Maybe it was supposed to be. Maybe it was hyperbole. The school that was trying so hard to be inclusive had the only ramp at the back of the school by the dumpster? The only black guy at the school used the word "crippled"? The school had a planetarium?  The girl who was the lone member of the astronomy club is dating a football player? Ok, cool in a way, but I'm sorry, not very realistic. And if she's that smart, why is she dating a jerk? If they're dating. She said "friend."

But I digress.

The technology aspect was a little behind the times. Why does JJ need an aide to speak for him? Why doesn't he get a speaking AAC (communication device)? Because the family can't afford it? That would make sense. They're not cheap. But there is funding available. Maybe this will be addressed in a later episode. Even if he has a talking AAC device, he would likely still need an aide for assistance,  so that would still fit with the storyline.

Am I being nitpicky?

I don't think I'm being nitpicky on this point. The family needed a disabled parking placard for their van. I know the scene was supposed to be funny, but that bothered me. They deserved to get a ticket, disabled son and all. The woman in the car was portrayed as both meddling and trying to out-disable the kid in the wheelchair, but she was actually right to call them out. It was a poor lesson that Maya was teaching JJ, that being in a chair allowed him to ignore the law.

Still, a lot of it did work for me. Minnie Driver is great as Maya, the Advocate Mom from Hell. I especially like Mason Cook as the younger son, Ray. I think the portrayal of a boy dealing with a sibling with a disability, adjusting to yet another new school, etc, was spot on. He could be the breakout star of the show. I also enjoyed John Ross Bowie as the dad, Jimmie.

I think there's room for improvement. But I WAS entertained. So in that respect, "Speechless" was a success.

librarianintx

Regret

I was talking to a friend the other day about regret. Specifically I was saying that I don't think anyone should regret anything in his/her life. Who you are friends with, who you are romantically involved with, the jobs you have, the hobbies you enjoy - all change and evolve as you go through life. That doesn't mean that you should regret the time, money, energy you spent liking someone or something. Unfortunately its easy to say, "Oh, I spent five years with that person, and he/she broke my heart. What a waste!" Or, "I was such a huge fan of this band, and now I'm into a totally different style of music. I wasted so much money on their concerts and merchandise." But all of these experiences help shape you, make you the person that you are. Regret is an emotional wasteland. There is no benefit in regret. Don't wallow in it. Instead, try to focus on the good times, how happy and excited the person or thing made you feel. Think about the experiences you had, the memories you made, what you learned from the relationship or hobby or job. Everything you do in life has meaning and purpose. Perspective is key.

librarianintx

#noprocrastination

For day one of a five day vacation, I've been reading, I mailed cards to all my nieces, I unloaded the dishwasher, I put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, and I went out for a nice lunch with friends. I had the cards written and the kitchen cleaned up before I took my shower.
#noprocrastination

librarianintx

SYTYCD Next Generation

Monday is the performance finale of So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation. I wasn't going to watch at all this season. I though the idea of child dancers performing with the All Stars was a bad idea. But it has been a very entertaining season. These kids are TALENTED! And surprisingly humble. We haven't had to deal with stage parents, or unnecessary drama. The eliminations have not been painless by any means; there have been a lot of tears. But Cat, the judges, the choreographers, and the All Stars have been very sensitive to the fact that they are working with 8 - 13 year old kids. The rehearsals look like a lot of fun. The critiques have been mostly glowing. And the eliminations have been mercifully quick, with a lot of praise for the dancers who fall short of the finale.

I think all of the kids are very good, and every single one of them could have been in the finale, and I would understand why. Having said that, however, the final four are not the ones I would have personally chosen. It all comes down to what style of dance you prefer. Tap is my least favorite style of dance. But that doesn't mean that Emma isn't great, or doesn't deserve to be in the finale. JT is super adorable, and I have loved his performances with Robert. But is he a better dancer than Tahani, or Ruby? But this has always been the premise of SYTYCD, and I absolutely agree with it: "The search is for America's FAVORITE dancer." Not necessarily America's BEST dancer. The winner will be the young person that the majority of the people who vote liked the best.

Who was my favorite this season? Impossible to say. I honestly do like them all, and I'll be pleased with whoever wins. They all have strengths, and they all deserve to have long, successful careers. As I've said before, I was thrilled to have THREE ballroom dancers this season, and I think they were all terrific. I also really enjoyed watching Tahani. There was wonderful interaction with all the pairings of kids and All Stars: laughter, tears, hard work, learning together, sharing their gifts with the audience and with each other. They have all made friends for life for sure. 

librarianintx

Consistency

It felt so good to walk out the door this morning, heading out of town after work for a five day vacation, to know that I accomplished just about everything I wanted to before I left. Sure, I was putting clean laundry away five minutes before ride arrived, but I got it done. Did I take of everything? No, but darn close. And I'm okay with that.

Still, I struggle so much with consistency, and I don't like that about myself. What's the problem? Do I set unrealistic goals for myself? I don't think so. Why is it so hard for me to do the things that I want to do every day? Why can't I get in two servings of fruit? Why don't I read at least twenty pages of a book? Why is is so hard for me to blog every day? To journal? Some days I accomplish what I want to, the goals that I set for myself, and I'm so happy when I do. But then the next day, I fall short, and then I'm upset with myself. Maybe my goals should just be: "Try to do "X" every day." Try to drink at least one glass of water. Attempt to exercise. Make an effort to do a journal entry. But don't beat myself up if it doesn't happen.

Easier said than done.

My reasons for coming up short are several. Fear of success. Fear of failure. Fatigue. Difficulty concentrating. Not enough hours in the day. Spending too much time worrying. Trying to do too much. One task taking much longer than expected. But usually nothing I'm trying to do takes me as long to accomplish as I think it will. Maybe I just have too many goals to achieve in one day.

But I keep plugging away. I had two servings of fruit yesterday. I doubt I'll have any today. I didn't have any water yesterday, but maybe today. I think I read a few pages yesterday; I'll likely have more time today. I blogged yesterday AND today! Hey! A two day streak!

Maybe consistency just isn't in the cards for me. Maybe I need to be okay with, "Do
'X' as often as I can." Celebrate on the days that I achieve my goals, and on the days I don't, shrug, smile, and say, "I'll try again tomorrow."

librarianintx

Second quote from Facebook

My mantra for today.

librarianintx

Quote from Facebook

In my case, there is usually the urge, the desire, to be productive - but procrastination and fatigue often win the day.

librarianintx

DWTS Season 23 Cast - My Thoughts

In just about every season of DWTS, there are contestants that I don't like, and ones that I don't know. I still love the show, and of course I will watch. This season it seems there are even more contestants that I don't know, and two in particular that I wish were not going to be on the show.

Here's the list of celebrities and their professional dance partners:
Maksim Chmerkovskiy & Amber Rose
Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Laurie Hernandez
Artem Chigvintsev & Maureen McCormick
Sasha Farber & Terra Jole
Derek Hough & Marilu Henner
Witney Carson & Vanilla Ice
Lindsay Arnold & Calvin Johnson
Jenna Johnson & Jake T. Austin
Allison Holker & Babyface
Sharna Burgess & James Hinchcliffe
Emma Slater & Rick Perry
Cheryl Burke & Ryan Lochte
Gleb Savchenko & Jana Kramer

Who did I have to look up on Wikipedia?
Terra Jole
Jake T Austin
James Hinchcliffe
Jana Kramer

I guess four isn't too bad, but it is rather high for one season. I have heard of the Little Women of LA so I sort of know who Terra Jole is, but I've never watched the show. They have paired her with the shortest male dancer, but I think this will still be quite a challenge for Sasha. Still, I'm all about DWTS featuring differently-abled contestants, so I'm all for this. From what I know of the show, Little Women of LA has a cast of strong, sassy, independent females, so I say bring it Terra!

I think you can guess which two contestants I'm upset about: Rick Perry and Ryan Lochte.
Rick Perry - really? Poor Emma. Is she ever going to get a decent partner? I know, I haven't seen him dance. I don't need to. I know he will be terrible. Sorry, but he will. I have lived under his governorship for years. I don't want to see him on my favorite television show. End of rant.

And Ryan Lochte? The Ryan Lochte who disgraced our country at the summer Olympics? "Lyin" Ryan is going to be on my favorite show? Do I know what actually happened in that gas station in Rio? No, I don't. But he has admitted wrongdoing. Even if he didn't lie about being held up at gunpoint, he still vandalized a bathroom in a foreign country, then fled back to the United States and let his teammates take the blame and get detained. I understand that he probably signed a contract before all of this came to light, and DWTS doesn't want to deal with a lawsuit. But he does not belong on this show. It will be very interesting to see how the live audience reacts to him. And if anyone decides to vote for him.

As for the professional dancers, I'm very happy to see Cheryl Burke back on DTWS. And Maks too - as a dancer. I did not enjoy Maks as a judge.

So, I'm ambivalent about some of the contestants, and supremely irritated about a few others. But its my favorite show, and I'm going to enjoy it. Season 23 - here I come!

librarianintx

Sugar rush

It has been the week of sugar at work. A dizzying amount of the white stuff. A donut AND a brownie on Tuesday. A chocolate chip cookie on Wednesday. Chocolate ice cream on Thursday (swoon). And this morning - carrot cake with very sweet frosting AND another scoop of chocolate ice cream. I'm surprised I'm not hopping around the office like a kangaroo. OMG, it was all SO good, but I'm also feeling very guilty. I have seriously fallen off the sugar wagon. More than fallen. I've rolled off and been run over repeatedly. I need to get back on track. Even when I was eating sugar daily I RARELY consumed two sugary snacks in one day. I have now done that TWICE in one week. And I just found out that there is an ice cream festival in town tomorrow.

No. Absolutely NOT.

librarianintx