Drool on the Frog

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Snap Shot City Winners!


I thought I had posted about this already! I still don't have my head.

You might remember that MyGeek and I participated in Snap-Shot-City back in September 2007. Well, they announced their winners in November and one of our photos was selected in the category "Step by step"!

I was so thrilled! We were in the middle of NaNoWriMo so I know why I didn't post about it then. I can't wait to do this again this year.

Check out all the winners here.

Labels:

Monday, February 18, 2008

Where Have I Been?

My first post since November 18, 2007 was last week without any explanation of where I'd been.

Three months without a word.

I was barraged with e-mails and letters begging for my return and concern for my well being. There was even a missing persons report filed!

Well, not exactly. Actually the only comment I got was asking for this blog to be "exterminated". I can only figure that's because they didn't like my review of Doctor Who. Cool. At least I got a reaction out of someone.

I think everyone who does read this blog know exactly where I was and what happened. You know that I was... indisposed. The rest of you fair weather fans or newbies will just have to speculate. Use your imaginations, I haven't had my 15 minutes of fame yet.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Willa's Flic Pic: Carnivàle * * *

During the writer's strike MyGeek and I added some cable shows to our Netflix that we have missed in the past: Carnivàle, Entourage, and Rescue Me.


Carnivàle * * *
- Daniel Knauf
- Drama/Fantasy, 2003-2005
- Trailer
- Seasons 1 & 2


Justin: (shaking hands) I'm reminded of the phrase "making a deal with the devil".
Tommy Dolan: Aw, come on. I'm not that bad.
Justin: No. You're not.

The basic story of Carnivàle is Good vs. Evil. On top of this conventional idea the creators of Carnivàle place the most extraordinary people during an extreme time in history.

The main cast is made up of the members of a traveling carnival. A second story line is set in California with a preacher and his devoted sister. All of these characters are imbued with extraordinary powers, secretive pasts, and intense circumstances.

There is just never a dull moment in this show. We’ve finished season one and are pretty floored by its extremes and uniqueness. The show is gritty, uncomfortable, weird… and absolutely fascinating. My biggest complaint would be that there aren’t enough answers to the innumerable complex mysteries they’re presenting. (This is what has also completely worn me out with Lost.) The show was cancelled after it’s second season and I wonder if it was due to this or its constant serving of the bizarre. After we finish watching season two, will I be as sad that the story didn’t continue as I was with having only one season of Firefly.


Entourage *
- Doug Ellin
- Comedy, 2004-2007
- Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4

Ari Gold: Let's hug it out, bitch.

I watched four episodes of Entourage and could not find a single way that one was different from another or that that was going to change in the future. I think I've seen everything that Entourage entails. It is completely forgettable. And it’s not entirely due to the basic premise of the story: the wild and crazy life of an up and coming young movie star in L.A. and his closest friends.

The idea is very interesting with the potential for great laughs, it does have it's moments with some memorable lines (usually delivered by Jeremy Piven's character, Ari Gold), and most of the acting is good. But, as one blogger described it, this is a teenage boys fantasy: constant partying, no jobs, excessive wealth, drugs, and hot women. It's a niche demographic that could not possibly appeal to me. If it weren't so seriously degrading to women I could at least accept its success. I hope any guy who models himself after any of the male characters in this show gets his lights knocked out by the first woman he tries to hit on.


Rescue Me * *
- Denis Leary and Peter Tolan
- Drama/Comedy, 2004-2007
- Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4

Tommy Gavin: Bless me father for I sinned... and so have you.

It's really difficult to tell you what Rescue Me is about. IMDB says, “Tommy Gavin (Leary) deals with the fears of his job as a firefighter and seeing his ex-wife dating other men.” This is a pretty simplistic description since the manifestation of Gavin dealing with his fears is that he sees and talks to deceased fire victims. This might be interesting but the show just seems to be too many things - a comedy, drama, soap opera, social statement, memoriam,  and guys club. The mood and focus seems to shift constantly. The main reason I was interested was because of Denis Leary. He's really great in this as is the entire cast. The issue here is the story having too many places to go. There was just never one thing sustained long enough to keep my interest.

Labels:

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Loco for Coco


I was very specific this year as to what I wanted for Valentine's. I was craving a traditional box of chocolates with all of their miniture nut, cream, caramel, and toffee surprises. But I wanted really good chocolates, not the Russell Stover box you get at the drug store. We have a local shop called Sweetie's that orders in chocolates from Texas and Vermont. There's also a Godiva shop in the mall. I told him either of those would do. It didn't have to be a big box, just good.

As is typical, MyGeek goes one better. He found Loco for Coco in Greensboro that opened only last October. I got the heart box you see above filled with the truffles they make themselves. They really are quite delicate and divine. What more could you ask for? I've been having truffles for breakfast and dessert. And I'm not sick of them yet.