the mentalist promo
Feb 24 2012

TV Review: The Mentalist 4.16 – “His Thoughts Were Red Thoughts”

My initial reaction to the sixteenth episode of season four was, “That’s it?” Those were the four February sweeps episodes that we were given? They sound good on paper (revelation Red John is not dead, return of Erica Flynn and Bret Stiles) but, at the end of it all, there was absolutely no forward progress. Jane faces zero consequences for the things he has done, Lisbon still blindly follows him and we are no closer to knowing who Red John is. Or are we?

I believe there is as good as chance as not that Patrick Jane is Red John. Honestly, what else would explain the CBI’s complete ineptness in catching this guy unless there is someone on the inside hijacking the investigation whenever possible? Jane has repeatedly shown this season that he is able to manipulate events to get the outcome he wants. Who’s to say he isn’t doing it on a large-scale? It would be a brave move for a network show and would give it the buzz that it doesn’t have now. But, this is CBS, which is why I give it only a 50% chance of happening.

The only character we have met on The Mentalist, besides Patrick Jane, with the ability to be Red John is Bret Stiles. “His Thoughts Were Red Thoughts” (★★★) seemed to be the episode where Heller and Company decided to cement the idea in the viewers mind, if not the characters’. Of course, Jane, Lisbon and Company are completely clueless to the idea, or if it has crossed their minds, they haven’t told us. If Grace’s interaction with Bret Stiles is any indication, my previous assertion that Grace is the most susceptible to Red John’s mind games is spot on.  I love it when a theory comes together. I hope that this season’s finale will reveal to the viewer that Bret Stiles is Red John, or at the very least that Grace has been turned.

Other Thoughts:

  • Was Cho even in this episode? Or Rigsby?
  • The biggest twist in the case of the week is the biggest guest star – besides Malcolm McDowell as Bret Stiles – Robert Picardo, did not turn out to be the killer. That the killer was the only other cult member that got significant screen time/dialogue is not surprising.
  • There are too many similarities the attitude the cult member police officer  and Red John’s minions for it to be a coincidence.
  • During the dinner scene at Visualize, every table has a white tablecloth; Stiles’ tablecloth is red. Coincidence?
  • I think Stiles not only wanted to flush out who was trying to push him out but also to get inside CBI to plant seeds of doubt in the minds of Jane’s allies, specifically Lisbon and Grace.
  • Lisbon suspects that Stiles is trying to get to Grace but still sends her in to talk to him? I hate it when smart characters do stupid things.
  • Just rewatching the scene between Stiles and Grace is so creepy and wow does it cement my idea that Stiles is Red John.
  • How does Bret Stiles know everything he knows – Jane setting Red John on Panzer, Rosiland Harker being under FBI protection because of Red John – if he isn’t Red John himself?
  • Has anyone ever thought to cross reverence Red John minions with Visualize cult members? Why not?
  • Stiles being Red John would also track with the show’s propensity to have it’s highest profile guests turning out to be the killer. Can you think of any other actor that would be a better choice for Red John than Malcolm McDowell? He is awesome in this role.
  • “Bret Stiles, the brainwasher in chief.”
  • “I wouldn’t want you to mistake me for Red John and shoot me.”
  • “Yes, your flock won’t fleece itself.”
  • “Oh, I have my sources.” Stiles, when Jane asks him where he got the blood to splatter on the suit.
  • “Let me show you the world as you’ve never seen it. Let me show you you as you’ve never seen yourself.”

What does everyone else think? Is Stiles Red John? Will Grace become one of his minions?

Adama finds out about Tigh impregnating Caprica Six and is not happy. (Sine Qua Non)
Feb 20 2012

BSG on BBC: 4.05/4.06/4.07/4.08 – “If there is a God, he’s laughing his ass off.”

Adama finds out about Tigh impregnating Caprica Six and is not happy. (Sine Qua Non)

One of the dangers in setting a definitive ending date for a television series is that the anticipation will overshadow the journey and, when you finally arrive at the end, it will disappoint your viewers. I only watched Lost sporadically and have no opinion on the ending but I do know that many people were disappointed. The same can be said about BSG. I thought the ending was perfect – though I thought it went on one scene too long (more on that in the final post of this marathon) – but I, without a doubt, let the anticipation of the ending overshadow the storylines of season four. This time through I hoped that knowledge would beget patience and I would savor the last 20 episodes with these characters that I sometimes love, sometimes hate and frequently want to throttle. It turns out that, like season three, season four is uneven. Excelling in some areas – paying off three seasons of narcissism with the character evolution of Gaius Baltar; bringing Laura’s cancer to it’s inevitable, logical and heartbreaking end; continuing season three’s start of making Colonel Tigh completely kick-ass though conflicted; illustrating the ups and downs of a real relationship based on mutual respect and trust (Roslin and Adama) and abandoning the pretty people relationships that were frustrating at best and mind-numbing at worst – but atrocious in others, most notable everything to do with the Chief, bringing the Cylons to the forefront and turning the show into a “hey, if we all just got along, we could live together in harmony!” propaganda piece.

These four episodes individually frustrated me so much that I didn’t want to write about them. But, taken as a whole they are an excellent example of long form storytelling through television medium. Looking at it from that perspective, there are often times subplots to novels that a reader just doesn’t like but you push on through because you know, in the end, they will be important to the overall story.  All of the screaming Kara did in the early season indicates that moving away from the path to Earth makes her physically ill, which leads to erratic behavior as the leader on the Demitrius, which leads to the mutiny, Anders shooting Gaeta and Gaeta losing his leg, which will have massive repercussions in the second half of the season. The lack of cohesion within the Cylons creates a rebel faction that pairs up with the humans and only together can they find the road to Earth. The visions that Caprica Six, Athena, Laura and now Hera are having lead to Athena killing the Six leader of the rebels, Laura going to the destroyed baseship (and pulling Baltar with her) and being “kidnapped” accidentially when the newly plugged in Hybrid jumps without warning. Laura’s disappearance makes Adama realize he can’t live without her and he gives up command to Tigh to protect the fleet and wait, alone in a Raptor in space, for her return.

Those are only a few of the storylines that were addressed in these episodes. I guess you could say they are the most interesting ones to me. Even the ones that I don’t particularly care about (Chief’s grief, Tory sleeping with Baltar, Tigh impregnating Caprica Six while seeing his Ellen) will be massively important later on. The next two episodes end out the first part of season one and we find out what happens when they find Earth and, like so many events in season four, it isn’t nearly as interesting as what happens after.

For detailed descriptions, analysis and questions answered about each episode, follow the links below to the episode pages on Battlestar Wiki.

The Road Less Traveled (★★★★)

Faith (★★★★)

Guess What’s Coming to Dinner (★★★★)

Sine Qua Non (★★★★)

 

 

War of the Roses
Feb 20 2012

TV Reveiw: The Mentalist 4.15 “War of the Roses” – Jane kissed a girl, did he like it?

I’ve mentioned before in reviews that Patrick Jane is almost asexual. He has never shown an iota of sexual interest in any of the many beautiful women that breeze across his path. Prior to season four, Jane’s lack of sexuality was the biggest obstacle the show had to getting casual viewers (i.e. all the viewers that don’t have a clue what “Jisbon” means) to buy into a personal relationship between Lisbon and Jane. He showed a small spark of interest in Kristina Frye (we all see where that got her), he has flirted in an almost brotherly manner with Lisbon for three plus years but the one woman he seemed to be legitimately interested in as a woman was with Morena Baccarain’s Erica Flynn.  Hell, who can blame him? When she’s on screen, you can’t take your eyes off of her. She reminds me a bit of early Elizabeth Taylor, when you spent more time when watching her on screen astounded at how beautiful she was instead of paying attention to the story. In the case of Morena Baccarain’s guest stint on The Mentalist that is a good thing because, yet again, the case of the week is lamer than Mr. Bates.

This episode was never about the case, however. It was all about Patrica Jane getting his groove back and him realizing, “Huh. I don’t miss that at all.” At least that was my interpretation of what was going through his mind after Erica kissed him. Possibly, he felt guilty, as if he was betraying his dead wife once again. Maybe he was angry with himself for breaking the vow of celibacy (because, at this point, that is the only thing that explains his lack of interest in sex, IMO) he took after causing the death of his wife and child. Or, maybe he was worried that if he got emotionally close to Erica, she would become a target of Red Johns. Any of those interpretations are correct. Maybe all of them.

One of the biggest gaps in Patrick Jane’s story is the story of his relationship with his wife and daughter. We assume he loved them very much. After all, isn’t it his love, along with his lingering guilt, that drives him? But, we have no frame of reference for that Jane, for the man that loves without selfishness, without having an angle or a con at the bottom of everything he does. Until we see the kind of man Jane was, personally, before all of this, episodes like this that try to flesh out this aspect of his personality are unsatisfying. I imagine we all expect that the Jane from before to have a personal side that is vulnerable, open and without guile and to be with a woman that sees through everything, loves him anyway and makes  him a better man. Wouldn’t it be more interesting, and indeed explain Jane’s drive much better, if we discovered that Jane is completely incapable of being that man, that everything in his life was a con, including his family, and the guilt of that along with his complicity in their death is what makes him the man he is?

Other Thougths:

  • Jane has become a vigilante completely and totally this season. First, he is found innocent of murdering the wrong man. Then, he sics Red John on Panzer. He frames a dead man for killing Panzer. Now, he enabled Erica to escape, not through direct action but indirectly. Like an idiot, he all but admits it to the one person that stands up for him.
  • God, I hate baby storylines. I am glad that his girlfriend, whose name I can’t remember, turned him down. Wow, was he relieved.
  • It’s hilarious that Lisbon can’t see why men fall all over Erica Flynn to do her bidding. Grace shrugs and says if she were a guy, she would, too.
  • I stated above that Jane has a complete lack of interest in sex. We don’t know that for sure, I guess. He could be visiting prostitutes on a regular basis but somehow I doubt it.
  • I can’t believe they wasted the “War of the Roses” title on this episode.
  • Next week is the return of Bret Stiles, the one character that I would believe is Red John. Honestly, though, the longer this series goes on, the more I think Patrick Jane is Red John.
Feb 15 2012

Book Review: Brewster’s Millions by George Barr McCutcheon

If I gave you a million dollars, could you spend it within a year? I know I could, and it probably wouldn’t be all that difficult. What if I told you there were stipulations? That at the end of one year you could have no assets, you could only donate a reasonable amount to charity and you could tell absolutely no one about the directive to spend the money? That would make it even more difficult. Now, imagine you were to do this in the year 1902, where $1 million is the equivalent of $33 million in today’s dollars? With those stipulations, that would be damn near impossible.

That is the set-up for Brewster’s Millions by George Barr McCutcheon. To inherit $7 million from his long-lost uncle (is there any other kind?) he must go through every cent of the money he inherited from his grandfather in one year and have not one asset from said money.  Thinking in today’s dollars, a part of me can’t blame Montgomery Brewster for taking on a challenge that, if he meets it, will result in him receiving $241 million dollars. Why have $33 million when you can have a quarter of a billion? The other, larger part of me, is disgusted.

Published in 1902, Brewster’s Millions is still a very American novel. Greed, the defining characteristic of the United States, from the discovery of the new world to the financial collapse in 2008 and beyond, is at the center of the novel. Brewster has no other motivation to take the challenge than to get more money and to see if he can do it. To paraphrase Forrest Gump, shallow is as shallow does. Monty Brewster, by the restrictions placed on his spending and his lack of underlying motivation for his actions, has no depth as a character and as a result the book is as shallow as its protagonist and, dare I say, as shallow as the society it depicts.

I’m not sure what McCutcheon was trying to accomplish. If he was trying to show how money can’t make you happy, I guess he somewhat achieved that. But, Brewster was mainly unhappy because it was so difficult to spend so much so quickly. What he did with the money very rarely caused him any grief, unless gaining in the stock market when he meant to lose is grief. The woman he lost wasn’t the one he should have been with anyway. His friends stayed true to him, though they got exasperated with his proliferate spending. The woman who loved him did so and married him despite the fact he was penniless. Even at the end, when Brewster thought the executor of the estate had run off with his $7 million, the despair of destitution only lasted through one night before everything was explained and Brewster turned out to inherit even more than he thought he would!

As a writer, all I see with Brewster’s Millions (★★) is a plethora of lost opportunities to raise the stakes and ruin Brewster’s life. Instead, Brewster came through it all with only a mighty big six-hour scare that will become an asset in the end as a great story to tell over after dinner brandy and cigars.  Imagine a clutch of overweight white men in a wood panelled library, a haze of bluish cigar smoke enveloping them as Monty relates his misfortunes and challenges of disposing of $1 million dollars. The men are laughing, slapping each other on the back, taking large gulps of expensive whiskey. The largest and fattest of the men, an impressive mustache overshadowing his thin wet lips points to Brewster with his smoldering cigar. “Just goes to show you, son, greed is good.”

 

chocolate
Feb 14 2012

National Food Holidays

I love Twitter. Not only has it become my go to news aggregator – especially using the Flipboard app on iPad – but almost daily the people I follow shower me with writing quotes, motivational snippets and, by far my favorite, recipes and, thanks to Foodimentary, a heads up about food holidays.

If it seemed like there was a holiday for just about everything you could put in your mouth, whether it be liquid or solid, the list below will confirm it. It is no surprise that today, Valentine’s Day, is National Creme Filled Chocolate Day.  Some days are redundant – what the difference between National Chocolate Mint Day (Feb 19) and National Peppermint Patty Day (Feb 11) is, I’m not sure. Nor does it make sense why there is a National Peanut Butter Day (Jan 24) and a National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day (March 1). There is a National Celery Month (March) and a Fresh Celery Month (April). Frankly, I didn’t realize there was any other kind of celery than fresh, the limp, forgotten celery at the bottom of my crisper drawer notwithstanding.

Anyway, this is a fun list for reference. I can’t find a google or iCal food holiday calendar to subscribe to. I wish someone would make one. Maybe one night, when I can’t sleep, I will make one for all of us. Until then, check out Foodimentary which is a nifty food website or peruse the list below and tell me in the comments which celebration you are most looking forward to.

 

January

National Hot Tea Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Slow Cooking Month
National Soup Month

January 2 National Buffet Day
January 2 National Cream Puff Day
January 3 National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
January 4 National Spaghetti Day
January 5 National Whipped Cream Day
January 6 National Shortbread Day
January 7 National Tempura Day
January 8 National English Toffee Day
January 9 National Apricot Day
January 10 National Bittersweet Chocolate Day
January 12 National Marzipan Day
January 13 National Peach Melba Day
January 14 National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
January 15 National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
January 16 National Fig Newton Day
January 20 National Buttercrunch Day
January 20 National Cheese Lover’s Day
January 21 National Granola Bar Day
January 22 National Blonde Brownie Day
January 23 National Pie Day
January 23 National Rhubarb Pie Day
January 24 National Peanut Butter Day
January 25 National Irish Coffee Day
January 26 National Peanut Brittle Day
January 26 National Pistachio Day
January 28 National Blueberry Pancake Day
January 29 National Cornchip Day
January 30 National Croissant Day
January 31 National Popcorn Day

February

National Cherry Month
National Grapefruit Month
National Hot Breakfast Month
National Macadamia Nut Month
National Snack Food Month

February 19-25 National Pancake Week

February 1 National Baked Alaska Day
February 3 National Carrot Cake Day
February 4 National Homemade Soup Day
February 4 National Stuffed Mushroom Day
February 7 National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
February 8 National Molasses Bar Day
February 9 National Bagels and Lox Day
February 10 National Cream Cheese Brownie Day
February 11 National Peppermint Patty Day
February 12 National Plum Pudding Day
February 13 National Tortellini Day
February 14 National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day
February 15 National Gumdrop Day
February 16 National Almond Day
February 17 National Indian Pudding Day
February 19 National Chocolate Mint Day
February 20 National Cherry Pie Day
February 21 National Sticky Bun Day
February 22 National Cook a Sweet Potato Day
February 22 National Margarita Day
February 23 National Banana Bread Day
February 24 National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 National Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day
February 25 National Clam Chowder Day
February 26 National Pistachio Day
February 27 National Chocolate Cake Day
February 27 National Strawberry Day
February 27 National Kahlua Day
February 28 National Chocolate Souffle Day

March

National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Celery Month
National Flour Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Noodle Month
National Nutrition Month
National Peanut Month
National Sauce Month

March 1 National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 1 National Fruit Compote Day
March 2 National Banana Cream Pie Day
March 3 National Cold Cuts Day
March 3 National Mulled Wine Day
March 4 National Poundcake Day
March 5 National Cheese Doodle Day
March 6 National Frozen Food Day
March 6 National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day
March 7 National Crown Roast of Pork Day
March 7 National Cereal Day
March 8 National Peanut Cluster Day
March 9 National Crabmeat Day
March 10 National Blueberry Popover Day
March 11 Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day
March 12 National Baked Scallops Day
March 13 National Coconut Torte Day
March 14 National Potato Chip Day
March 15 National Peanut Lovers Day
March 15 National Pears Helene Day
March 16 National Artichoke Heart Day
March 18 National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day
March 19 National Poultry Day
March 19 National Chocolate Caramel Day
March 20 National Ravioli Day
March 21 National French Bread Day
March 23 National Chip and Dip Day
March 23 National Melba Toast Day
March 24 National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
March 25 National Lobster Newburg Day
March 26 National Waffle Day
March 26 National Nougat Day
March 27 National Spanish Paella Day
March 28 National Black Forest Cake Day
March 29 National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day
March 30 Turkey Neck Soup Day
March 31 National Clams on the Half Shell Day

April

National Fresh Celery Month
National Pecan Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soyfoods Month

April 12-18 National Egg Salad Week

April 1 National Sourdough Bread Day
April 2 National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
April 3 National Chocolate Mousse Day
April 4 National Cordon Bleu Day
April 5 National Raisin & Spice Bar Day
April 6 National Caramel Popcorn Day
April 7 National Coffee Cake Day
April 8 National Empanada Day
April 9 National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
April 10 National Cinnamon Crescent Day
April 11 National Cheese Fondue Day
April 12 National Licorice Day
April 13 National Peach Cobbler Day
April 14 National Pecan Day
April 14 National Hot Cross Bun Day (Good Friday)
April 15 National Glazed Ham Day
April 16 National Eggs Benedict Day
April 16 National Baked Ham with Pineapple Day
April 17 National Cheeseball Day
April 18 National Animal Crackers Day
April 20 National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day
April 21 National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day
April 22 National Jelly Bean Day
April 23 National Cherry Cheesecake Day
April 24 National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day
April 25 National Zucchini Bread Day
April 26 National Pretzel Day
April 27 National Prime Rib Day
April 28 National Blueberry Pie Day
April 29 National Shrimp Scampi Day
April 30 National Oatmeal Cookie Day

May

National Barbecue Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National Strawberry Month

May 1-7 National Raisin Week
May 3-9 National Herb Week

May 1 National Chocolate Parfait Day
May 3 National Raspberry Popover Day
May 3 National Chocolate Custard Day
May 4 National Candied Orange Peel Day
May 4 National Hoagie Day
May 6 National Crepe Suzette Day
May 7 National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
May 8 National Coconut Cream Pie Day
May 12 National Nutty Fudge Day
May 13 National Apple Pie Day
May 14 National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
May 17 National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 18 National Cheese Souffle Day
May 19 National Devil’s Food Cake Day
May 20 National Quiche Lorraine Day
May 22 National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23 National Taffy Day
May 24 National Escargot Day
May 25 National Brown-Bag-It Day
May 26 National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
May 31 National Macaroon day

June

National Candy Month
National Dairy Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
National Iced Tea Month
National Papaya Month

June 1 National Hazelnut Cake Day
June 2 National Rocky Road Day
June 3 Donut Day (1st weekend in June)
June 3 National Chocolate Macaroon Day
June 5 National Gingerbread Day
June 6 National Applesauce Cake Day
June 7 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
June 9 National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day
June 11 National German Chocolate Cake Day
June 12 National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
June 13 Kitchen Klutzes of America Day
June 14 National Strawberry Shortcake Day
June 16 National Fudge Day
June 17 National Apple Strudel Day
June 17 National Cherry Tart Day
June 21 National Peaches & Cream Day
June 22 National Chocolate Eclair Day
June 23 National Pecan Sandies Day
June 24 National Pralines Day
June 25 National Strawberry Parfait Day
June 26 National Chocolate Pudding Day
June 29 National Almond Buttercrunch Day

July

National Baked Bean Month
National Culinary Arts Month
National Hot Dog Month
National Ice Cream Month
National July Belongs to Blueberries Month
National Picnic Month

July 1 National Gingersnap Day
July 2 National Anisette Day
July 3 National Chocolate Wafer Day
July 4 National Barbecue Day
July 5 National Apple Turnover Day
July 6 National Fried Chicken Day
July 7 National Strawberry Sundae Day
July 7 National Macaroni Day
July 8 National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day
July 9 National Sugar Cookie Day
July 10 National Pina Colada Day
July 11 National Blueberry Muffin Day
July 12 National Pecan Pie Day
July 15 National Tapioca Pudding Day
July 17 National Peach Ice Cream Day
July 18 National Caviar Day
July 20 National Ice Cream Day
July 20 National Lollipop Day
July 21 National Creme Brulee Day
July 22 National Penuche Day
July 23 National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
July 25 National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
July 26 National Bagelfest
July 28 National Milk Chocolate Day
July 28 National Hamburger Day
July 29 National Lasagna Day
July 30 National Cheesecake Day
July 31 National Raspberry Cake Day

August

National Catfish Month

August 1 National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
August 2 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
August 2 National Ice Cream Soda Day
August 3 National Watermelon Day
August 4 National Chocolate Chip Day
August 5 National Mustard Day
August 6 National Root Beer Float Day
August 7 Raspberries ‘n Cream Day
August 8 National Frozen Custard Day
August 9 National Rice Pudding Day
August 10 National S’mores Day
August 11 National Raspberry Bombe Day
August 14 National Creamsicle Day
August 15 National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
August 17 National Vanilla Custard Day
August 18 National Ice Cream Pie Day
August 19 National Soft Ice Cream Day
August 20 National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
August 21 National Spumoni Day
August 22 National Pecan Torte Day
August 23 National Spongecake Day
August 24 National Peach Pie Day
August 25 National Banana Split Day
August 26 National Cherry Popsicle Day
August 27 National Pots de Creme Day
August 28 National Cherry Turnovers Day
August 30 National Toasted Marshmallow Day
August 31 National Trail Mix Day

September

National Chicken Month
National Honey Month
National Mushroom Month
National Papaya Month
National Potato Month
National Rice Month

September 3 National Welsh Rarebit Day
September 5 National Cheese Pizza Day
September 8 National Date-Nut Bread Day
September 11 National Hot Cross Bun Day
September 12 National Chocolate Milkshake Day
September 14 National Cream-Filled Donut Day
September 15 National Creme de Menthe Day
September 16 National Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Day
September 17 National Apple Dumpling Day
September 18 National Play-Dough Day
September 19 National Butterscotch Pudding Day
September 20 National Punch Day
September 21 National Pecan Cookie Day
September 22 National White Chocolate Day
September 26 National Pancake Day
September 28 National Strawberry Cream Pie Day
September 30 National Mulled Cider Day

October

National Apple Month
National Applejack Month
National Caramel Month
National Cookbook Month
National Cookie Month
National Cookie Month
National Dessert Month
National Pasta Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
National Pizza Month
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month
National Pork Month
National Pretzel Month
National Seafood Month

October 4 National Taco Day
October 5 National Apple Betty Day
October 6 National Noodle Day
October 9 National Dessert Day
October 10 National Angel Food Cake Day
October 11 National Sausage Pizza Day
October 13 National Peanut Festival
October 13 National Pumpkin Festival
October 15 National Mushroom Day
October 17 National Pasta Day
October 18 National Chocolate Cupcake Day
October 20 National Brandied Fruit Day
October 22 National Nut Day
October 23 National Boston Cream Pie Day
October 24 National Bologna Day
October 26 National Mincemeat Day
October 28 National Chocolate Day
October 29 National Oatmeal Day
October 30 National Candy Corn Day

November

National Fun with Fondue Month
National Georgia Pecan Month
National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month
National Pepper Month
National Raisin Bread Month

November 1-7 – National Fig Week

November 2 National Deviled Egg Day
November 4 National Candy Day
November 5 National Doughnut Day
November 6 National Nachos Day
November 7 National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
November 8 National Split Pea Soup Week (November 8-13)
November 10 National Vanilla Cupcake Day
November 12 National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day
November 13 National Indian Pudding Day
November 14 National Guacamole Day
November 15 National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day
November 20 National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
November 23 National Cashew Day
November 25 National Parfait Day
November 26 National Cake Day
November 27 National Bavarian Cream Pie Day
November 28 National French Toast Day
November 29 National Chocolates Day
November 30 National Mousse Day

December

December 1 National Pie Day
December 2 National Fritters Day
December 4 National Cookie Day
December 5 National Sacher Torte Day
December 6 National Gazpacho Day
December 7 National Cotton Candy Day
December 8 National Brownie Day
December 9 National Pastry Day
December 11 National Noodle-Ring Day
December 12 National Ambrosia Day
December 13 National Cocoa Day
December 14 National Bouillabaisse Day
December 15 National Lemon Cupcake Day
December 16 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
December 18 National Roast Suckling Pig Day
December 21 National French Fried Shrimp Day
December 23 National Pfeffernuesse Day
December 24 National Egg Nog Day
December 25 National Pumpkin Pie Day
December 26 National Candy Cane Day
December 27 National Fruitcake Day
December 30 National Bicarbonate of Soda Day

The_Englishman's_Boy
Feb 13 2012

Book Review – The Englishman’s Boy by Guy Vanderhaeghe

When I bought the Kindle version of The Englishman’s Boy a couple of weeks ago, it was because I read a favorable review of a Western and TEB was the first in the trilogy. The only expectation I went into it with was that it was a Western, exactly the genre I need to read while I work on my historical fiction set in 1870s Texas. My overall disappointment with The Englishman’s Boy (★★★) has less to do with writing, character development or even plot and more to do with the fact that it focused less on the Western portion of the story, which is what I wanted to read more about, and the time spent there was less than satisfactory for this reader. I don’t know the exact percentage, but it felt like much more time was spent in 1920s Hollywood and, as a result, that plot was more cohesive and the characters more fleshed out than the Western portion. The history of Hollywood in the 1920s worked, in part because there were more details about that world, even though, as I mentioned in my @50 review, Vanderhaeghe gave characters some clunky exposition dialogue that rang false for people living during the time.

I never connected with the Western part, as much as I wanted to. The characters had potential but, as soon as they were introduced and got remotely interesting, they were abandoned by the group, went crazy or died.  Throughout, the main character was called “the Englishman’s boy” a writer’s conceit which was as annoying as those authors who refuse to name their protagonists at all.

I have already bought the other two books in the trilogy and will read them at some future date, I’m sure. Vanderhaeghe is a good writer and I have no doubt that if, in the future books, he doesn’t jump between time periods there will be enough page time for the world and characters to grow and for this reader to connect with them.

 

At First Blush
Feb 10 2012

TV Review: The Mentalist 4.14 “At First Blush” – Stooges in a Comedy Troupe

Isn’t February sweeps time? Isn’t this the time of year that we get juicy Red John episodes to tide us over to the next sweeps period? Was the revelation at the end of last week’s episode supposed to tide us over until May? I mean, that was a pretty big ender last week – everyone in CBI plus the FBI knows that Red John is alive, Darcy suspects that Jane knew this fact and I’m sure the rest of Lisbon’s team suspect that as well. So, what do we get this episode? Not one mention of it. I can understand Darcy not being there. Catherine Dent is a recurring character, and won’t be in every show. But, the rest of the team just goes on like nothing has happened? So do Lisbon and Jane? What surprises me about At First Blush (★★) isn’t that no one references the bombshell from the episode before – that is par for the course after all – but that such a dull episode with no relation to the overall story happened during sweeps.

Three things of import happened in this episode, two to do with Cho. Funny, since last week I mentioned that Cho was criminally underused. One, Rigsby finally noticed and mentioned Cho’s dependence on painkillers. Two, Summer finally pushed Cho to admit he liked her and they made out in the elevator. What is it with CBS shows and elevators? I’m happy for Cho and, by the standards of The Mentalist, this romance was practically whirlwind.

The third is less an event than the planting of a couple of seeds by the lawyer, Porchetto, who failed to convict Jane of Food Court Red John’s murder. Porchetto has zero patience for Jane and who can blame him? When Jane declares that the woman Porchetto is trying for murder is innocent because she loves her parents, it’s too much. After Rigsby and Van Pelt visit the original investigating officer, asking questions about his investigation, Porchetto goes to Lisbon and, after he complains about Jane and Lisbon does her standard defense, Porchetto declares that Jane isn’t the problem, Lisbon is. This after the investigating officer laughs at Rigsby and Van Pelt, calling them stooges in a comedy troupe. Give props to The Mentalist for addressing through the show what I have thought for over a season. How will these two little nuggets of discontent play out in the team? Probably not at all. Lisbon was going along with Jane’s ruse and joking around with him in the very next scene. But, at least they acknowledged that her biggest weakness is Patrick Jane. Baby steps. Next up on my list of “Ways to Jolt The Mentalist Out of Its CBS Procedural Rut,” make Jane wrong for once.

Other Thoughts:

  • The episode was directed by Roxann Dawson who I remember fondly from Star Trek: Voyager as B’Elanna Torres. She has become quite a prolific director.
  • Next week’s episode features the return of Morena Baccarin as Erica Flynn, a woman who unnerved Jane like no other. Yea!

What did everyone else think? Glad about Summer and Cho? Irritated or not about the lack of mention, even in passing, of the Red John bombshell? Do you think The Mentalist needs to jolt itself out of its procedural doldrums? If so, how would you do it?

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carnage-movie
Feb 9 2012

Movie Review – Carnage

Synopsis:

Two pairs of parents hold a cordial meeting after their sons are involved in a fight, though as their time together progresses, increasingly childish behavior throws the evening into chaos.

We modern parents are a funny lot. We put way too much thought into our kids lives. We over schedule them, hover over them and baby them until they don’t have time to be kids, make a mistake, learn to deal with disappointment or realize that everyone, in fact, is not a winner. We think for them, solve their problems and protect them from *whispers* sex and sexuality. Though gratuitous violence? That’s okay. My only solace is hopefully I’ll be dead before the generation of wustifers we are raising well and truly get the reins and start running the world.

What starts off as a drawing-room dramedy of modern parenting techniques turns into dueling opinions of old school parenting versus modern helicopter parenting, writ small. When it comes right down to it, most of us prefer the old school parenting style, the one we were raised on, but bow to peer pressure and embrace the “everyone’s a winner” ideals of the few parents that truly believe in it. For years, I smiled and said, “Good job” when my sons received participation trophies, the most idiotic of modern parenting ideas. Was the point I wanted to make – that showing up is expected, excelling is rewarded – worth the embarrassment of my 5-year-old and trying to explain to him the concept of winners and losers when they were receiving a trophy for games where the score wasn’t kept? No. I did the easy thing and went along. Which is exactly what two parents in Carnage do when asked to discuss their sons’ playground altercation that resulted in an injury.

The viewer has the benefit of seeing the altercation during the credits and it looks (we don’t hear what they’re saying, just see it occur at a distance) like any one of thousands that take place across the world, daily. It was a case of kids being kids, going through the daily trials and tribulations that make up experiences that in turn teach you how to get along in the world. One set of parents wants to get through it and move on. The other set – really just the mom – can’t let it go and is determined to blow the incident out of proportion of the act but in line with her Alpha Mom protective parenting worldview. Any slight against her perfect son is personal and, in the end, becomes more about her defending her ideals of parenting and mature reconciliation than the incident or the boys involved.

Jodie Foster has the thankless task of being the stay-at-home helicopter mom and she dives into the role with relish. She is by far the best thing about the movie, despite the fact that I want to punch her character in the face for the large majority of it. John C. Reilly, who has really branched out of comedy the past few years, plays her husband who harbors old school values behind the facade of a compliant husband. Christopher Waltz is the other father, obsessed with work and rather disinterested in his child. He handwaves most of what happens with a ‘kids will be kids’ attitude. Kate Winslet’s character gets the least development but the best “Oh, no she didn’t!” moment in a rather dull movie when she throws up apple and pear cobbler all over Jodie Foster’s coffee table.

Did I like Carnage (★★★)? There were parts that were insanely funny. There were parts that were dull. It was completely unrealistic that Waltz and Winslet kept being thwarted in their attempts to leave.  It’s a bit of a stretch that they would agree to meet in person in the first place. The ending, however, saved what had disintegrated from a mature discussion about the incident between their sons to narcissistic laments about the state of the parents’ marriages and lives. As the parents were wallowing in the destruction their little meeting created, the boys were on the playground, friends again, all animosity from the previous day forgotten.

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Cast of The River
Feb 8 2012

TV Review – The River (ABC)

Jack Nicholson in the famous “Here’s Johnny” scene

Image via Wikipedia

I started watching horror movies when I was 10 years old, most notably The Shining and Friday the 13th. This is all in thanks to my sister who, due to her lack of diligence back in 1979, my nephew (same age as I) and I spent pretty much all of my summer visit watching HBO. The Shining disturbed me; for years I had a fear of bathtubs with closed shower curtains, terrified that the decaying lady lurked behind the curtain, waiting patiently to pounce until I was in a vulnerable position. Friday the 13th decided me once and for all that summer camp was not all it was cracked up to be and that the absolute safest way to ensure survival against a serial killer bloodthirsty for teenagers was to not have premarital sex. As a result, I had few boyfriends but enormously happy parents.

While horror movies are part of my developmental years, I can’t say that I watch them with any regularity as an adult. I long outgrew the splatter movies (though I did enjoy Scream quite a bit, but not enough to watch the sequels) but I do love a good ghost story. You absolutely will not catch me in a Saw movie, but movies like The Ring and Paranormal Activity*, where the terror is more psychologocal and phantasmagorical is right up my alley. (Expect a review of The Woman in Black after I see it tomorrow.)

*Shockingly, I’ve only seen the third of these movies and I was extremely disappointed in it because it wasn’t scary enough. But, I love the style and psychological tension of it.

Cast of The River

So, it will be no surprise that I’ve been looking forward to the premier of The River (★★★★) and, by and large, the two hours I saw last night delivered just what I want in horror. I don’t need to see the boogieman, the implication him (or her) is just fine with me. Demonic possession? Check. Blood splatter on the wall that No One Sees? Check. A screeching spirit out for blood? Check. Shaky cameras that show you just enough to give you the impression of something wicked? Check. CREEPY DOLLS? DISCOUNT DOUBLE CHECK. This show has immediately become Must See TV.

I convinced my husband and two boys to watch it with me. My husband was out as soon as the demonic spirit showed up, calling it sci-fi. I’m sorry to say he doesn’t understand the fine line between sci-fi, fantasy and the supernatural. Despite this flaw, I still love him. My oldest declared that he loved it about 15 minutes in and then wouldn’t stop talking, spouting theories and opinions just about everything and not during commercial breaks. I had to gently chide him to shut up and listen. My youngest? Well, he had to sleep in his brother’s room, with a nightlight. Considering he’s been sleeping on the floor in our room for months, this is actually an improvement. (Plus, due to all the scary movies I watched as a kid, I slept on the floor in my parents room for way longer than I care to admit on the internet, so I ain’t one to be casting aspersions.)

The best news about this show is that the first season consists of only 8 episodes. The set up of the show – a documentary film crew is searching for a lost documentary film crew on the Amazon – would make a traditional 22 episode season very difficult to pull off. I’m not concerned with the audience’s suspension of disbelief regarding the “cameras everywhere” shooting style – we’re still following the characters of The Office around long after a real documentary crew would have tired of their lives and antics, after all. But the story set-up will make a long running series difficult. Of course, I thought that about Lost, too, and then they discovered a hatch on the island at the end of season one and the whole thing went off in a direction I never expected. Still, eight episodes will be enough to get people hooked and ready and excited for more. Here’s hoping the ratings are good enough for another 8 or 13 episode season.

Other Thoughts:

  • I am thrilled that we don’t have a pessimist on board the Magus. I would be a beat down of astronomical proportions if there was a Scully on board, constantly arguing a logical explanation for moving dolls heads because THERE ARE NO EXPLANATIONS FOR CREEPY DOLLS.
  • I love Leslie Hope and am thrilled that she’s found a show but I still miss Kristina Frye and want her to return to The Mentalist.
  • One little detail that I loved: Tess (Kristina Frye) showing such affection to her son, stroking his head, etc. A very realistic thing for a mother to do to her older son to show affection. I can guarantee that what she really wants to give him, but knows he is too old for, is a huge hug.
  • I got chills a couple of times during the two-hour premiere, but none so big as the end of episode two when Emmet Cole sees the birthmark on the young Lena’s neck in the same shape as the protective amulet he gave his son. My guess is that birthmark, and protection, is why Cole trusted Lena with the knowledge of what he was doing and not his family.
  • Hopefully the British born Joe Anderson (Lincoln Cole) will settle on an American accent soon. Here’s hoping, also, that the young Hispanic girl continues to only speak Spanish and not suddenly become bilingual.
  • Anyone else curious what Magus meant? It’s the singular for magi. Some of the synonyms for Magus: charmer, conjurer (or conjuror), enchanter, mage, Magian, magician, necromancer, sorcerer, voodoo, voodooist, witch, wizard
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The one Dickens I have read and one of my favorite books, all time. Also, if you are ever stuck on what gift to give me, any of the Penguin cloth bound classics would be a sure fire winner. Just sayin'.
Feb 7 2012

Happy Birthday, Charles Dickens!

The one Dickens I have read and one of my favorite books, all time. Also, if you are ever stuck on what gift to give me, any of the Penguin cloth bound classics would be a sure fire winner. Just sayin'.

Today is Charles Dickens’ 200th birthday and the internet is filled with tributes to the venerated, Victorian author. I sheepishly admit to having just spent an hour reading through Time’s top ten list of his best novels and realized, with shame, that I have read too little Dickens in my life. I tried to read Bleak House a few years ago, in anticipation of the Masterpiece mini-series starring Gillian Anderson (which was awesome). I bought the Everyman’s Library version and put it on my bookshelf, of which it seemed to take up 25%. When I decided to dive in, I only read the first page before my arms started cramping from the weight of the book and the enormity of the undertaking overcame my desire to continue. I sold the book to Half Priced books and haven’t read Dickens since.

After reading Time’s list, though, I’m inspired to put Dickens on my to-read list for 2012. The question remains, which one will I choose? Should I go with his shortest novel, Hard Times? Should I go with his one comic novel, The Pickwick Papers? Maybe I should read the one novel on the list I had never heard of, Domby and Son. Maybe, since I am writing in first person, I should go with the novel set in first person, David Copperfield. I should also check my 1001 Books list and see what Dickens is required. Read the list below and give your choice for me in the comments. (Don’t be put off by it taking me an hour to read the list. The reviews are excellent in their own right.)

Counting Down Dickens’ Greatest Novels

Dickens at 200: A Birthday You Can’t Bah-Humbug

There are 1491 news articles in the Google search for Charles Dickens Birthday.

 

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