My husband, Cody, owns an overnight camp for kids in Northern Michigan. It’s called Camp Tanuga. Cody and our stubby-tail Golden Retriever, Floyd, have been there for several weeks. Under normal circumstances, Sweet Pea, Lovey and I would be there too, but we're running a little late this year.
Soon enough, though, I’ll be packing up my girls, my office and my Bendel bracelets to make our summer move.
It just so happens that the DS&D site is being redecorated at the same time, so it seems like a natural point to take a blog break. I hope to be back one day soon and I hope you’ll come back too.
Be safe, be happy and if you go shopping--buy me something.
XO
~R
Were any of your TV shows canceled?
I’ll go first.
Brothers and Sisters: It was time. I don’t think I saw one episode from this past season. I’m not sure why. Oh, wait. I remember now. It sucked. That show was done awhile ago. What was up with the Sarah sister hooking up with the guy from…? I don’t even know where he was from. All I know is that they had no chemistry and the whole relationship was stupid. Even if you loved that show, you have to admit that relationship was all kinds of wrong and the show stunk worse than a dressing room at Loehmann's. Rob Lowe was such a smartie to jump ship when he did. It’s like they didn’t know what to do with him. They made him really mean, and then nice again, and then he died. Good for him. Death was the right choice. He’s rocking it out over at Parks and Recreation and every time he says “litrally,” he “litrally” makes me giggle.
The Defenders: I’m not going to lie. I liked it. I did. It was a CBS show. Does that make me a senior citizen? Should I get one of those bathing suit cover ups with the bikini printed on it? Should I run out and buy some coral lipstick and matching coral nail polish on the way to my early bird dinner? I know that‘s what you‘re thinking. I don’t care. I liked that show, and I’m sad to see it go.
Detroit 1-8-7: This is a tricky one for me. I watched it. I still can’t figure out if I watched it because I’m a Detroiter or if I watched it because it was good. I didn’t rush home for it but if I was folding clothes and it was on my Tivo, I was happy to see it there. I was sad when the hot cop died towards the end, but then I heard from a very reliable source that he wanted out of the show because he didn’t love living in Detroit. Screw you, hot cop. You don’t like The D? We’re over. You’re not THAT hot.
Friday Night Lights: “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can‘t Lose.” We have Direct TV so the final season has already played out. I was heartbroken when it ended. I loved that show so much that I actually contemplated scheduling shiva calls at my house when it ended. I didn’t want to grieve all by myself. Unfortunately, I don’t know too many other people who watched it so basically everyone would have been coming here to eat 7 layer cake and little brownies. Damn freeloaders. You don't understand my pain. Long live Coach Taylor and Tim Riggins. Texas Forever.
Law & Order: Los Angeles. How many Law & Orders are there? How many do you need? Give it a rest. Get a room with CSI. Jeez.
Mr. Sunshine: I kind of liked this show! The humor was a little forced at times but there were some really funny lines. I heard that Chandler, or whatever his name was on the show, is going to rehab so it got canceled. I remember when he was on Friends and he went to rehab for a pill addiction. He looked horrible during that time. He didn’t look horrible on Mr. Sunshine. He can’t need rehab too badly. I refuse to accept this cancellation.
Off The Map: I tried to watch it because the QB from Friday Night Lights was on it but it was so bad that even he couldn’t save it. Off the Map was just plain crap.
Running Wilde: I wanted to love this show because Will Arnett is so great. Unfortunately the show wasn’t. TV needs to find a place for Will Arnett. He’s really funny. Nothing makes me happier than when he and Alec Baldwin have a scene together on 30 Rock. TV needs Will Arnett. Can't FOX just bring back Arrested Development?
Are you sad about any shows being canceled or do you think this is my dumbest post ever? Were you surprised by any of the cancellations? What do you think about Ashton Kutcher likely taking over for Sheen on Two and a Half Men? Do you you have a TV?
A Little Poem...
I have lower back pain, and although I try to deal
It makes for a rough day and I miss shoes with a heel.
For my back discomfort I blame my dad
It’s a problem he always had.
If it's in the genes, then I have no fear
for my kid from China--she's probably in the clear.
You know what? That's so not fair
She already has great hair.
She's totally getting a free pass
Instead of driving me crazy, she should be kissing my ass.
Back pain hurts--it really, really sucks
Especially because my littler one still needs to be picked up.
The doc put me on prednisone, aren’t I lucky?
I’ll never poop again and my face is getting puffy.
I also have to do physical therapy thrice a week
Who’s got time for that? Not me.
I was hoping for a guy therapist, someone who's hot
But I met her yesterday, and she's not.
Look at that, time for another pill
I’m starting to look like Ryan O’Neal.
I saw a commercial for a drug I wanted to try
But one of the side effects mentioned was “thoughts of suicide.”
Suicide? No, I don’t think so
Shaq has a better chance of shooting a free throw.
Yes, that line is from an Eminem song--I’m his biggest fan
Sometimes my husband calls me “Stan.”
I think that I am no longer making sense
Time to put this stupid poem to rest.
My back hurts so it’s a good time to be over
Getting older sure is a blowzer.
The movie You’ve Got Mail (1998) was primarily about love blooming over the internet even though the lead characters were business rivals in real life. It also explored the demise of the independent book store at a time when “mega” bookstores were first starting to take over. It’s a solid example of art imitating life. Borders and Barnes & Noble bookstores were popping up all over the place, king kong’ing many (if not all) of the small, local bookstores that stood in their way.
I remember getting angry as Meg Ryan’s character walked through the “Fox Books” super bookstore. It was a big store and, to me, uninviting. Sure, it boasted nice discounts, fancy coffee drinks and more variety, but it lacked the charm and warmth of “The Shop Around The Corner.“ I pointed at that “Fox Books“ and thought to myself: You big bully bookstores! You just wait. You’ll get yours one day!
Well, I think that day is here.
I was in a Borders bookstore the other day and it felt like the place was on life support. I got what I came for and I was out of there. Though one of the employees assured me that they weren’t yet on the list of stores to close, I felt like death was at the door and I had no intention of being there for the flatline.
Did I originally wish so many years ago that the large bookstore chains would all go out of business? Yes, but that was only because, as far as I was concerned, it was their fault that the local ones were going under. If we lose all of the big book stores (because at least in my area that’s really all that’s left) where will we be?
There was a Barnes & Noble not far from my house that I didn’t hate. I actually spent a lot of time there. I would have preferred a smaller, more quaint bookstore, but probably because of that Barnes & Noble, there weren’t any around. Being left with no other choice, I enjoyed my fair share of vanilla lattes and made friends with the employee who had a bar through his nose and a ton of tattoos I didn‘t understand.
After that one closed, I defaulted to a Borders that was a little farther away. As of just recently, it’s also gonzo and that bummed me out because it had a totally cool stage in the children's section where my girls jumped around like pogo sticks and made best friends with kids they‘d never see again. It wasn't too bad there. My girls were happy and I could watch over them with one eye while browsing through books and toys with the other.
And the store I was just in-- no, I don’t love that one, but it’s now the closest one to my house and I’m starting to get desperate. Unfortunately, if it were a person, it would have a broken hip, a breathing tube and a poop bag. The days are numbered over there. I’m sure of it.
Why is this happening? (That is actually a rhetorical question because I think I actually know the answer--and not only that, but I think I‘m partly to blame). What would you say if I said that I think the mortality of the mega stores has something to do with websites such as amazon.com and wireless reading devices such as the Kindle or the Nook? Would you agree or no?
It’s so easy and convenient to order a book (used or new) from Amazon.com, or websites such as that one. I’m guilty. So guilty. But I still buy from bookstores too. Don’t take those away from me! I haven’t caved completely. I haven’t gotten a Kindle or a Nook. At least I’m still buying actual books. Doesn’t that count for something?
Are we closing in on the end of bookstores? I think we might be and that makes me very sad. I guess I could go rent You’ve Got Mail at Blockbuster to make myself feel better…oh wait, I almost forgot. I can’t.
