It's not a tivo unless it's a Tivo

It's been a little while since I last posted. So for the next few posts, it'll be more of a back post.

Last month our Tivo started to die. It started to pause and stutter and then a screen of black. No!!! I loved my Tivo. I thought maybe if we restarted and reboot, it would be better. And it was, but just for a little while and then it would do it again. Finally, we decided to call DirecTV for a new box.

Our new box came and lo and behold: It's NOT a Tivo!!! It's a lame DirecTv version of Tivo. Now, let me tell you, this version does not even begin to rival Tivo. This version does not make the tivo sound when you select things. It's has a more complicated menu and it took us a month just to figure out how to record a series and know how to prioritize what shows should be record before another. There's no button I can press to know why a certain program was not recorded. When I fast forward and stop, it does not go back a few second so I have to be deadly accurate when I ff.

DirecTV got greedy and felt like they did not need Tivo and now I hear that Tivo is partnering up with Comcast. Lucky them.

Joshua & Lorenzo

Today was the MBH Kids Christmas Party! It was Joshua's first so we all went. I found out the it was the first time my hubby has been in MBH in the 6 years I've worked there. Oops, didn't mean to ban him!

Anyway, this is a pic of Joshua and his friend Lorenzo - Lina's baby. We were able to nab Santa's chair the minute it freed up. Click click went the cameras as we tried to "pose" them. Heh heh, I think they were confused as to who the other person was, and why we deemed them "friends" and forced them into uncomfortable poses for our own pleasure. This was probably for us then it is for them. At 6 months, they don't even know what Santa means. But they will never be this old again (and this agreeable), so here's to our memories of Christmas 2006.

Merry Fucking Christmas!

Heh. I thought this was pretty cool. You know, in a jaded kind of way. I mean, who really likes giving christmas cards? It's just something you really have to do. To be nice. Now, if I only have the guts to send this out....

Anyway, get it at O Plus D. You'll find a lot of other naughty things in there!

Cool Belt Buckle by Zipp

Wow! I love love love these belt buckles. They're made out of sturdy fused glass and they're awsome. They're classy & retro at the same time. You can wear it casually or classy and it will work. Get it at Elsewares...Where else?

Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier

I've posted about a few slings / carriers here before, but I do want to post about the sling that I ended up getting: The Baby Bjorn original carrier.

This is on the high end price-wise, but I must say I love it. Josh loves being in it too. He loves being close to me and most of the time falls asleep on my chest. I also get a lot of stuff done because my hands are free. The construction is sturdy - I feel very secure in it. And now that he's older, he can actually face out and see the world!

Over the weekend, we threw a baby shower for Deb (who is due in two weeks!!), and Shirley who's about 4 months & I were talking about slings. She says she can't understand why some are $40 and others are $80 when they all kinda look the same. I really don't know. Lina uses a snugli and she seems perfectly happy with it. So, I guess I just really liked this for it's look.

Damien Rice's 9 Crimes

Since I'm on a roll, I thought I'd post again because you'll never know what I get the free time to write again. Boy, kids change your life indeedy!

So, on to Damien Rice. This song (9 Crimes) came on the radio on my way home from the Y. Yes, you heard me right. I heard this song on my way home and it's one of those songs that hit you at the right time, right emotion. I loved it right away. Now, I've heard of Damien Rice before, but this was the first I actually really liked. And when I actually saw his face...I thought to myself, hey, he kinda looks like Heath Ledger on his unshaven / unkempt phase - which i loved, by the way. So I guess it was inevitable, I will like the guy. Now, please if anybody can just tell me what the following verse means:

Give my gun away when it's loaded
Is that alright with you?
If you don't shoot it, how am I supposed to hold it?
Is that alright with you?

By the way, he's coming to Oakland on December 6 at the Paramount.

United 93

It's been a while since I last posted, and there's a lot to say! First of all, Happy Thanksgiving! Now on to this post.

I've been putting off watching this movie for a while because I know that once I see it, I will get very emotional and most likely will have red eyes by the end of it. But I did see it, and compelled to post about it, albeit weeks later.

I loved the movie. It was a simple but good story. It didn't need a fancy movie star. I didn't need fancy special effects. For this movie, the actual events was great enough a story to hold it's own. I mean, I remember waking up on 9/11 a little after 6 am to the radio alarm and there it was. It was hazy at first, people didn't know what was happening, but something was happening. I woke up after the first tower got hit, but before the second tower. So, as the day went on and you hear about a plane crashing somewhere in an open field, it doesn't hit you right away. Everyone was focused on the Twin Towers. But after the dust settled and news came out that the reason United 93 crashed because the people made sure the terrorist didn't get to their destination even if it meant dying, you feel like there are some good people out there. Angels they are.

The casting was great. I liked the fact that the actors are not so famous that you can concentrate on them as characters instead of actors. I liked the pacing. It seemed like it was in real time and yet it was all happening to fast (and slow) that you can't take your eyes off the screen. The music was just enough to evoke the right emotion. Overall, it didn't feel sensational. There was no political agenda - just one good movie.

Ted Mosby, Architect

When I saw the title for last night's episode of How I Met Your Mother, I gave a little squee! First of all, I love the show. Second of all, it's a show about kids who recently graduated / in a entry-level job, and there's not a lot of that on the air. Thirdly, Ted's an Architect! Whoo hoo, was to represent.

Now, there are other shows who have a main cast member as an architect. In Two Guys, A Girl & A Pizza place, one of the "guys" was an architect - but really, even though they're architects, we never really see past them carrying a blueprint, or wearing a hardhat. Last night's episode was all about Ted being an architect!

The premise of the episode was that Ted & Robin had their first fight ever because Ted was complaining about drama at work and Robin was bored about Ted whining about it. Which let to Ted to believe that his job is boring. [hee. is our job boring?? probably.] Cue Barney telling him to use his being an architect so score some chicks and introduce himself as, "Ted Mosby, Architect" Haha...so cute! And it does work because when the chicks at the bar learn he's an architect, the utter a phrase I thought I'd never hear on National television: "You're an architect? Architects are Hot!" [I giggle as I type] Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and kudos to the writers for making such a "boring" topic funny and interesting!

Watch How I Met Your Mother monday nights on CBS.

MUJI cardboard speakers

The MoMA Store always have cool stuff. In fact, all museum gift shops always have cool stuff - but look at these compact, carboard speakers. Not only are they cute, they can be folded away when not in use. Check out the cool line of MUJI stuff at the online store as well.

Could I be wearing any more buttons!?

Ha! Friends' buttons! I'll wear that - espicially "Pivot!" one of my favorite Friends line ever! Get these buttons from Glarkware - the place to get TV-inspired shirts and stuff. Be Aware that this is an NON Item (Now or Never). Darn. I just realized that this item has already closed.

Hmm...other Friends notable quotables:
"Fafanapoli!"
"Moo Point"
"But it hurts my Joey's Apple!"
"My Sandwich"
"Oh. My. God." (Janice)
"It Tastes Like Feet"
"They Don't Know We know They know We know"

My Grey's Anatomy Rant

I've been resisting the urge to post about Grey's Anatomy for a while now because I know I'm in the minority when it comes to the Mer/McD-ship but hell, I am gonna!

First of all, I must say that Mer lost me about halfway last season. The whole sleeping with George made me realize that Meredith is such a self-centered bitch (sorry), and she's the kind of girl who only thinks of herself. She doesn't care about George. I don't feel like she cares about Izzie as well. I mean, yes, sometimes its "her turn to look after Izzie" but a true friend does not moan and while about her lost panties while her friend lying on the floor mourning her dead boyfriend!

Second, writers, come on! Come on!! Just when we have Derek finally have the guts to break it off with Addison - and for him to admit that this was his fault - out comes McSteamy from the shower (oh so freakin' hot, by the way), thereby McD walking out with a smug look on his face. Jackass. Soo easy for him! I think he writers really want us to love him again.

I'm just jaded, I think. I can't feel the *swoon* that everyone is feeling because 1: I can't forgive Meredith for being selfish and 2: I can't forgive Derek for playing with 2 women - even though one may have deserved it. Well, it's just me. My hubby is soo on Derek's side.

Yolo Colorhouse

Lately I've been thinking about repainting the baby's room. The latest edition of Domino has inspired me to go with something bold: Tangerine & Khaki! Yes, it's not the usual baby blue boy color and it's not pastel. The only thing for me to do now is...actually do it! In my mind it'll look beautiful, but I know there will be opposition.

Anyway, while browsing through stuff, I saw Yolo Colorhouse - and it looks great! One thing I like is their poster sized color swatch. It's a good way to actually see if you like the color before you buy it!

Invent your Scent!

I've never been much into perfumes or colognes. The only bottle of perfume I've ever owned was Ck One (and I think I bought it more because it looked cool than because I liked the scent). I do like the Body Shop's Invent Your Scent Collection. It has 9 different scents which you can mix and match depending on your mood. Figure out which combination you like best? You can then buy those scents in a bigger (1 fl. oz.) bottle. My favorite combination? Beleaf & Citrella, with Minteva & Citrella a close second.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Just wanted to say that the new Haagen Daaz Limited Edition flavor Sticky Toffee Pudding is oh so yummy! I've always been a chocolate / coffee flavor fan with regards to ice cream, but the vanilla with the sticky toffee sugar cake is just to die for. Hmm, I finished the pint in just a couple of days. I hope they make this a regular flavor.

Vintage Record Coasters

Everytime I ask people to put a coaster under their glass of water, I feel like I'm pulling a Monica (from Friends) and that sucks. My hubby even says why bother? the table is full of water stains anyway. But to me, if you can prevent - prevent!

Now, segway...check out these cool vintage record coasters from Elsewares! They come in a pack of 6 and are sealed so that water does not go through.

Baba Slings

Here's another baby sling post, this time for Baba Slings. A saw a friend of mine (Dragana) carrying her baby (Maxim) in this at our (Lina & I) baby shower, it looked so cool, I had to ask where she got it from. Baba Slings is an Australian company, and the slings were a little on the expensive side ($70). I tried to wait for it on ebay, but alas, none. But it looks like now, there is a reseller on Ebay who sells these at half-price....so...good. A little too late for me though. I already got me a different kind of sling - which I'll probably post about next time.

Happy Birthday to my Sons

Happy birthday to Blue who turns 3 years today! The big baby got 2 rib bones which was from the BBQ hubby did a few days back, and so we know its dee-licious! I also got him a bag of chicken jerky from Costco. Yummy.

Happy birthday to Joshua who turns 3 months today! After a whirlwind week of activities (from his baptism to a trip to Napa - shown in pic), he's just happy to be chillin' at home today.

House

Thanks to the people who kept pushing to me watch House. We just finished watching the last episode for season one (yeah...one) and we are hooked. Hugh Laurie does a great job as Dr. House - so great that I must admit I have a little crush on him. As crushes go...this may be my weirdest one yet. But hey, he's sexy. Plus, I love Robert Sean Leonard as Wilson. The banter between House & Wilson is enough reason to buy the DVDs.

The only reason I didn't catch it in it's first season was because it was up against The Amazing Race, so it wasn't even an option. Since then, I've had a few of you tell me to Netflix the season and here we are. My plan is to finish the entire season two before the season starts.

I'm Too Sexy for This Show!

I'm soo late on posting this but I just got so say how much I loved the challenge on Project Runway last week. Designing an outfit for the owner of a dog and designing an outfit to match the dog. The dogs were so cute and I loved almost all the designs! The doggies also on the runway, with a few stumbling on the catwalk, made the episode for me. Laura did one of my favorite outfits - as shown.

Keri & Speedy

I am right in the middle of re-watching the Felicity DVDs and as always, I like to listen to all the Audio Commentaries featured in the DVD. For example, I loved listening to Michael Patrick King talk in the Sex & The City DVDs because I learn cool things, behind the scenes kind of things and reasons for certain story arcs.

I tend to get irritated with commentaries that don't really pertain to the episode - like when cast members are just chatting, and they usually forget that they're supposed to do a commentary and get stuck on what they had for lunch that particular shoot. Then, I listened to Keri Russell & Scott Speedman's audio commentary on the Season 2 episode "The List". Apparently, the NY times even deemed it the sexiest DVD commentary ever. Yes, it was hot. It was sexy. It was flirty. It was too bad I've owned these DVDs for a while and only discovered it now.

Lizette - If you haven't seen it - Go WATCH it so we can talk about it. Here's a sample...

Keri: . . . But, I thought the Emmy thing that we got to do was actually really cool. When we got to parody...
Keri: Yeah. What did you do?
Scott: I can't believe you can't remember
Keri: I'm so sorry
Scott: It's okay. (a bit hurt)
Keri: What did you do?
Scott:I was a doctor. On the ER. Remember that?
Keri: Oh. Yeah. I'm like ...What did you do...? (they both laugh)
Scott: Thanks, Keri. You've been a big part of my life, too. (they laugh again)
Keri: Well, I remember the thing with Tangi, like the cop interrogation thing
Scott: Yeah, that stuck out. I'm not saying that wasn't the highlight.
Keri: And I remember doing the parody of the X-files
Scott: (incredulous) Well, there was only three. So, basically you forget the one I was in.
Keri: But, was I in that one?
Scott: Yes. Yes, dammit. ( Keri laughs )