The Grand Duchy

31 March 2010

Those who do not know how to weep with their whole heart don't know how to laugh either

I'll be really sad when Ugly Betty ends. I have come to appreciate the show a great deal. For one I love the characters. The stories they tell are unique. And the show makes me laugh. And laughing is good for the soul. And this episode tonight was about following our own dreams and our passions. Which I feel like in this day and age can be quite hard. I am already exhausted and I just contemplated chasing one of my many dreams or daydreams I have over the course of an afternoon. Why is it so hard to grasp that concept? We've been given a heavy burden to bear. Lassoing the American Dream. Which could quite possibly be dead, I am not sure. I think Reagan killed it. Maybe I dunno. Life Goals, 20 Year Plans. I am just trying to make it through the day to be completely honest, how am I supposed to even fathom two decades from now? Finding the Love of Our Lives. I love romantic comedies enough so yeah I guess I am a romantic, but really when there's so much hate around these days it is so hard to remember what love is? It's exhausting trying to live out loud, fully, truly and authentically. I think I'd rather just stay in bed.
But I suppose if the characters of Ugly Betty can make their own way in the world, maybe I can too. Betty Suarez makes it to London and has an epiphany. She's going after her dreams of writing about things that matter. Amanda decides to leave Mode and make it in the world of fashion as a stylist. These characters decide to follow their dreams. To live. It sounds so simple doesn't it. I guess I am envious of characters on a television show. I guess I want the leap. To dive in head first. To feel that exhilaration and to know that I am headed down the right path. But really who can tell? There are so many different ways to live this life. So many roads to go down. I have lived well. I do believe that. But sometimes it is easy to forget. To go numb and be desensitized. I guess I miss weeping with my whole heart.

29 March 2010

Room and Bored

I am so over when my shows are not new. Totally over it.
So lets talk some shit about tonight's Gossip Girl then.
I was bored. I really expected a lot more from the return of Chuck's Mother. I mean that was it. Come on, really? Also, Jenny having a crush on Nate. That is so last season. I'm over it. And who could forget the fight between Dan and Vanessa? Oh wait thats right I could!
But I mean I guess it is the calm before the storm, because I think we are headed into some really crazy bananas stuff.
1. Get your armor Jack Bass because everyone knows, hell hath no fury like a Chuck Bass scorned. This most definitely means war.
2. Lily and Rufus are going to fall apart real soon. And I do love them together but their fall will be the fall of the century.
I give this show so many chances over and over again and I'm not sure why. This season has been overall, quite disappointing. I dunno we shall see what will become of the Upper East Side in the episodes to come...

25 March 2010

He Just Grinned and Shook My Hand and 'No' Was All He Said

I started writing posts about the television I have been watching of late. And make no mistake I have been watching a lot of television.
But in the aftermath of passing historic health care reform I have had a considerable amount of feelings and thoughts. I've been reading stories, listening to broadcasts on the radio and I have been really concerned over the past couple of days. I am truly concerned about the well being of the nation as this point. I've read much on race, the Tea Party movement, hate and all others matters of disturbing rhetoric. I am concerned that people have lost sight of what the President and Congress have set out to do. They're giving hope to millions of people that did not have access to health care. I've thought much on what it is that is the driving force behind the movement to repair a broken system of government. There are plenty of things to get mad about. Join the club! You've been angry after the world came crashing down and we went into recession, try being angry for years! My belief is that the world is broken and that our job is to try to put the pieces back together. To repair the world. Violence is not the answer. Hate is not the answer. Spitting on sick people. Yelling at homeless people and asking them if they're happy because they got what they wanted by health care reform passing. Hurling racial slurs and homophobic epithets. Its just downright dispicable. I've seen the words of Founding Fathers sullied by people who don't truly understand what it is to live under a tyrant. Who can in no way comprehend what it is like to be completely ignored and totally unheard by their government. To live in complete and utter fear of oppression. To live with no rights, no hope, and no way out. To truly know this would change many minds and many hearts. To live under tyranny and oppression would give people a completely new outlook. But this is America. And we are free to criticize government, to change and be a part of the process. And there will be times when people are upset by the choices of government and people will not always get their way. And when that happens that is the time for debate and civil discourse. Unfortunately, some people find other paths that seem easier. They turn to threats and violence. This isn't discourse. Its not revolutionairy. And this is for sure NOT patriotism. I hope and pray that no one is hurt and that we come out of this a stronger nation, but really this is shameful. Its sickening. Abraham Lincoln said, "With malice toward none; with charity for all." This is our past, it has to be our present and future. Otherwise, whats it all for?

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18 March 2010

Must See TV

Remember the days of Must See TV? Jack Donaghy alluded to the days of NBC's Thursday night Golden Era. Friends, ER, all those good shows. I miss those days. But I mean really I do love a lot of things that are on TV right now. I mean hello there were about 7 hours of TV that I had to watch this fall on Thursday nights. And I am definitely not joking about that.
So tonight my usual Thursday nights shows were not new. So I got to watch some of the shows that I really enjoy that I would normally miss. Not being able to tivo television shows is really the bain of my existence. So back to what I watched. The Office was entertaining this evening. I missed some of it because we were eating dinner. What I saw I enjoyed however. I am so glad Erin and Andy are finally together. It warms my heart. The end of the show was especially heartwarming.
I also got to watch a show I just have recently realized is probably one of the funniest shows on television right now. 30 Rock is just too funny for words. My current dream is to be a writer for this show. I just die laughing when I watch this show. It is so fantastic. If you're not watching I'd definitely recommmend it. There were just so many wonderful quotes from tonight's episode. I will leave you with one from the hilarious Jack Donaghy. "And alexander wept for there were no more worlds to conquer. Hans gruber, Die Hard."

17 March 2010

Yo soy Betty, la fea

Ugly Betty

Well since Modern Family and Cougar Town were not new tonight (what a load of BS), all we have to talk about is the new episode of Ugly Betty. Its really too bad that this is the final season of this show. I was tardy for the UB party and only started watching last season. However I have grown attached to the hilarious characters and their heartwarming storylines. Tonight was quite good. Wilhemina had some enjoyable one liners which are always so delicious. Her banter with Marc is comedy gold.
There was a guest star tonight that I knew I recognized from somewhere else. After I did some research I found out that I knew Aaron Tveit as Trip van Der Bilt from Gossip Girl. He was hard to recognize as a scruffy hipster with black frame glasses.
Betty finds herself liking Tveit's hipster and they begin secretly dating. Tveit is a playwright who has a new play opening and is the subject of an article Betty is writing for Mode. He tells Betty that he is taking his mother to the premiere of the play and so Betty goes to surprise him because she thinks it is so sweet that he is taking his mother to the opening. Raise your hand if you saw whats coming next? If you raised your hand because you knew that Tveit took some hot young thang instead of his mother then you were absolutely correct. I mean maybe I watch more movies and television but when someone is going to show up and SURPRISE someone, it automatically sets off an alarm with me. Its a red flag! HELLO! Whoa-oh girlfriend he is not taking his mother he is going with someone else! Don't go because you will see him with some trick ass ho and you'll get your heart broken because this is romantic dramedy and we are playing for keeps!!! (In case you were confused, that was my reaction to the surprise alarm). But herein lies that charm of Betty.



And last, but definitely the most fun is the character Justin. Now this is not your typical coming to terms with sexuality/coming of age story. The Suarez Family knows who Justin is. Here is a family that is just kind of waiting for the coming out moment. And they are totally waiting to accept him and its really quite lovely that this family exists on tv. But Justin throws a wrench into our little plot and has a crush on his drama class scene partner Lily. Who by the way also has a crush on their other partner Austin. Justin seeks out advice from Marc because he has to kiss the girl he likes in the scene. Marc speaks of kissing someone who one truly has feelings for and how in the moment everything fades to gray. When Justin kisses Lily it looks quite passionate, however it is not til later when Justin kisses Austin the whole colorful stage melts to gray. It really was quite touching I must say. That night Hilda, Betty's sister and Justin's mother, gives Betty a pep talk while Justin listens. Its a lovely speech about changing your story and being able to accept your true self. I am loving this line writers are using lately about "stories". Because really you can change your story. If your living your life and it is just full of bullshit, you do not want that to be your story. People stay in situations even though it is complete crap and don't claim their own story and make it their own. Its something I've been thinking about lately. Being the author of one's own story. If you only read one part of this entry please read the ending because I think its good. Here's to being the author of your own story.

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15 March 2010

Welcome to Wisteria Lane/You Know You Love Me

Welcome to Wisteria Lane

Desperate Housewives has lost some of its magic this season. I have found myself bored watching and hate to say that about a show that has been so fantastic over the years.
I'm gonna put it out there, I miss Edie Britt. Wisteria Lane is a little less fabulous without everyone's favorite bitchy neighbor.
Susan has just not been as quirky or fun as she usually is. Ehh.
I think that some interesting things could happen with Bree and this new son of Rex's. Who knows? Anderw is still crazy after all these years and thank god for that because it looks like he is gonna go bananas.
And Gaby has just been there. I dunno. Hmm.
I really have no feelings about Anige Bolen, which is fine because Drea de Matteo is leaving the show at the end of the season. The Bolen Family mystery has been the most boring mystery plot in the series to date. However, I am holding out on final judgement because John Barrowman is playing her crazy ex Patrick Logan at the end of the season.
And I gotta say that I have been disappointed with Lynette. The Scavo's have always been my favorite family on Wisteria Lane but I am kinda bored with the pregnancy. Lets get that bun outta the oven already.

You Know You Love Me

I have hope for Gossip Girl yet this season. Tonight's episode gives me a little more for the rest of what will be unfolding. A couple of things I don't care for:
1. I really couldn't be more bored by Dan Humphrey.
2. I am just not sure where Eric van der Woodsen has been? I like Eric as a character and I think they could do something interesting things with this downward spiral he has been on. I do have an affinity for downward spirals.
Some things that I am more than OK with:
1. Jenny Humphrey going back to her bad girl roots. I am loving her as the Queen of the UES turned Drug Lord. Ah c'est fantastique!
2. This Lily and Rufus drama. Its muy delicioso and I am hoping that shit is gonna get bananas when Billy Baldwin shows up as Mr. van der Woodsen. Excuse me, according to wikipedia thats Dr van der Woodsen.

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08 March 2010

I'd Like to Thank the Academy

I could not be more happy with the winners of last nights Academy Awards. Sandra Bullock gave my favorite acceptance speech last night. Her performance in 'The Blind Side' was incredibly Oscar worthy and she was so deserving of this recognition. Jeff Bridges winning his first Oscar after five nominations was incredibly heart warming. For an Actor to go as long without this type of recognition like Bridges has is almost criminal. Although I did not see the film I am sure his performance was fantastic. I could not agree more with the Academy members in their choice of Kathryn Bigelow as Best Director for her wonderful movie 'The Hurt Locker.' It really truly was last year's Best Picture. 'The Hurt Locker' was an honest depiction of war and without political agenda. I was so happy that the movie was given the recognition that it so deserved.
As for the ceremony in general, there were some things I loved and some things I was not that big a fan of. I am such a fan of this new trend of having a colleague introduce the nominee. Last year we saw the Acting nominees get introduced by former winners. This year we saw the Best Actor and Actress in a Lead Role receive and introduction from someone that they had worked with in their past. I really do enjoy this heart warming and intimate glimpse into the nominees. I really hope that this becomes a staple of the Oscar ceremony. I could leave behind having 10 nominees for Best Picture. A lot of those films just did not have what it takes to be considered a Best Picture. I loved Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin as hosts. I really could have used more them though. Their style of humor was really fantastic. The overall tone of the audience was quite somber. The glitz and glamor of previous ceremonies was not present in last night's award show. The big musical numbers and showmanship was missing. I realize that the state of our world is quite depressing and maybe an over the top Oscars would seem decadent, but I mean I was kind of looking to escape that last night. But hey thats me.