Top 10 reasons YOU should put Hannah Montana on hold

Hey ya’ll!  Greetings from Nashville!  This is Jill, who you may have previously read commenting all over this blog.  I have been upgraded to a fellow NerdGirl…woohoo!  If my day hadn’t been so awesome, which you’ll be able to hear about soon(!!), this increased status would be the highlight of my day.

Now to business, if you’ll remember this blog, Jen admitted a love for Hannah Montana but a reluctance to place the new dvds on hold.  Well, Amber and Lindsay and I have compiled a list of reasons why Hannah Montana is amazing and deserves to be placed on hold.

So check. it. out.

Attention All Harry Potter Fans!

This is just a real quick post about an amazing, wonderful, spectacular book that came out on Tuesday.  Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli is a book that every HP fan needs to get their hands on.  I don’t care if you buy it, check it out from a library, read it in a bookstore, or steal it (well, I kind of care if you steal it) but you must read this book.  The book is about how the Harry Potter fandom (the websites, wrock bands, fanfiction, and conferences, etc.) have evolved over the last ten years.

Now, I will admit that I have only read the foreward so far because I just bought it today.  But the forward is by Ms. J.K. Rowling herself, so that should tell you enough right there.  Also, I heard Melissa read the first chapter at Terminus and if the rest of the book is anything like chapter one, it will be incredible.  The book is getting great reviews and even got a starred review in Kirkus.  As a librarian, I know that they don’t give those starred reviews to just any book.  Kirkus is not afraid to say when a book is a piece of crap, so getting a starred review from them is pretty awesome.

After reading the foreward I got goosebumps all over and teared up a little bit.  I am so excited to read this book because I have been right there with Melissa on so many stops of her fan journey (Phoenix Rising, the first stop on the PotterCast tour in Chicago, Terminus).  I just know that it is going to be a one of a kind reading experience for me, as it will be for anyone who has been part of the fandom.

You can find the book in any bookstore or on Amazon.  Melissa also has a website where she shares tidbits from her interview with Jo that didn’t make it to the book (umm, yeah she got to interview Ms. Rowling for the book, did I forget to mention that?).

I will probably post again after I finish the book, but I thought I would let you all know now since it just came out and I KNOW it will be great even though I haven’t read it.

Jen

The Election

Hey readers,

As you all should know (and if you don’t know, where are living?  Underneath a rock in Antarctica??), the race for president ended and Obama won hands down over McCain.  I am so excited that so many people voted in this election!  You always hear about voters not caring and not bothering to go vote, so it’s nice not to hear that.  Or about how younger people don’t care about government. 

This was my second time voting.  The first time I voted by absentee ballot, and I think from here on out that’s the way I’m going to vote.  I told this to Amber yesterday and she was all like, but it’s more exciting if you vote in person!  Well, some people may agree, but I’ll give you a little taste of what I went through yesterday:

I walked up to my voting place, which I was happy to discover was only about a block away from my apartment.  It was actually a school gym, and so as I was walking up I thought that school had just gotten out (it was about 3:00 in the afternoon) as there were a bunch of kids standing around.  I got really nervous, because high school kids make me nervous (they made me nervous when I was in high school, and I don’t doubt that they will ever not make me nervous…too many hormones running rampant).  But then I realized they weren’t just standing around, they were standing in line (I thought they were waiting for a school bus, sue me).  And they weren’t high school kids.  They were Vanderbilt kids (you can always tell because they all seem to wear designer clothes and shoes and just look really expensive in general). 

So anyways, I got in line and proceeded to read from a book.  Then one of the volunteer guys came out asking for people who were in the -13 voting district.  Who even knows where their voter’s registration card is?  I have a tiny apartment and I have no idea where that thing went (I suspect it is in my car).  Needless to say, I had no idea what my voting district number was – wasn’t it enough that I knew where I was supposed to vote??  Anyways, this guy kept coming back every so often to take people to a different line.  Eventually I figured out that I was supposed to go with him because the line I was in was for Vandy kids who lived on campus.  So I was all like, yes! I get to cut in line – suck on that Commodores (Vandy)!

The line I got to go in was totally short and I got up to the first check in table about 5 minutes later.  But then guess what, I wasn’t in the -13 district.  Turns out I was in the -12 district, apparently the district that isn’t for Vandy kids OR the -13 district.  OK.  It took them a while to figure out that problem (my question is, why weren’t there 3 lines if there were 3 districts?  Why only 2 lines?  Hmm?), but they got me through to the next check in table.

Only there was no one at the -12 district table.  But it was right next to the Vandy kids table, so I grabbed the ledger that had -12 in it, flipped to my name and stood in line for the Vandy kid table.  When I got up to the front, the man sitting there asked, “I’m guessing you’re in the -12 district since you’re holding the ledger.”  No, really?  I actually just like to take things during an election just to cause general mayhem.  Well, that’s what I was thinking, but of course I just nodded.  But then he was like, let me get to these people first and then I’ll help you.  And then he made me move aside and he started helping the Vandy kids behind me.  What???  Why the HEdoublehockeysticks did I just stand in line?  It’s not like I was dodging out of my own line.  There was no freaking line for my table.  My table might have not even existed for all it mattered.

But whatever, I eventually got checked in and got to go vote.  And boy, was that ever hard for them to figure out too.  First off, they couldn’t figure out which machine I was supposed to use, even though the districts were clearly labeled on each machine.  Could it possibly be that I am supposed to use the machine labeled district -12?  That would be too easy.  When they finally directed me to the machine, they couldn’t figure out how to turn it back on.  And then, when they did get it on, they explained to me how to touch the screen to vote like I was 2 years old.  Seriously!  I should have been explaining to them how to run their check in process like they were 2!

But, I voted, got my sticker and left ASAP.  I was so happy to be out of there and so nervous to have to be walking past the whipper snappers that I didn’t even stop and say Hi to the guy wearing an Iowa shirt (it is usually protocol to stop and talk to anyone who has any sign of Iowa on or around their person, and you are out of the state…not including the Chicago area though -that’s just too easy).

So next time, in 2012, I’m totally going absentee ballot all over the place.

Regardless of having to wait in lines though, I hope you all turned out to vote (this does not go for people reading this who do not live in the US of A).  I don’t care who you voted for, just that you voted.  And lastly, regardless of who you wanted to win, please do not a)gloat if you voted Obama, b) trash McCain because he lost, or c)trash Obama because you wanted McCain to win.  Now that the race is over, I hope that all the political talk will die down.  I just cannot take the hateful talk I’ve been hearing in person and that I’ve seen on the internet.  I think the election brings out some of the best and some of the most hateful qualities in people.  It’s great that you have an opinion, but stometimes that opinion doesn’t need to be rammed down someone’s throat.  And just because someone votes for a certain political party does not mean that they want to “eat your brains” (this is actually something I saw yesterday over on MentalFloss in the comments).

<3, lindsayF

P.S.  I really abhor the fact that people are running around saying that this was a Historical election because of Obama.  Yes, it is true that he did make history, but it is also true that history would have been made if McCain had won – Palin would have been the first woman Veep.  So if you voted Obama, please don’t brag about it – history would have been made regardless.

P.P.S. I hope everyone (and I mean both Democrats and Republicans) will support our new president.  No being mean, OK?  OK.

I Just Had To Share

Hey guys,

So I was just over at youtube, and I saw this pop up at the side of a video I was watching.  Wondering what this was all about I took a peek and almost died from trying not to bust a gut.  Apparently a new Twilight TV promo was aired a couple of days ago during Gossip Girl (which, sadly I do not watch, but I think because I have read most of the books, the TV show does not hold me so well).  I didn’t watch the promo…or did I and I just didn’t realize I did (very possible)…and apparently we see Kristen Stewart in her underpants.  Everyone seems to think this is a huge deal.  Not because we see her underpants, but because the angle it was shot with made Kristen’s rear end look really big (I didn’t think it was that bad though).  Bad camera angles are just out to get us.  Earlier today I saw a picture taken of me during Halloween and my legs looked freakin’ huge.  My legs are not huge like that.  I blame it on the camera angle, as I have been working out pretty diligently for a while and refuse to believe I look that bad in real life. 

But anyways, I thought I’d share the video, not because I want you all to cringe at the panty shot, but because whoever made this video did a REALLY GOOD JOB!  I thought it was brilliant how they included shots from HP5.  Enjoy!

<3, lindsayF

I Am Not Scared to Publicly Admit…

That I, a 26 year-old (almost 27) like “Hannah Montana”.  There I said it….are you happy Amber and Lindsay???

I must say it is probably all due to the both of you that I even got started watching it.  I was one of those people who used to ridicule the show. I caught part of the very first episode that ever aired and I was like, “Ugh, what is this?  The DC has really gone downhill since the glory days of “Flash Forward” and “Lizzie McGuire.”

But then I went to Lindsay’s Bachelorette party where I was engulfed in a world of Hannah Montana guitars, games, and underwear.  I started to think that maybe I should see what all the fuss is about.  Well, I would catch an episde here and there and it started to grow on me.  Kind of like that guy who doesn’t seem all that special when you first meet him, but after you get to know him you realize that he has a great smile, is pretty dreamy and makes you laugh.

Well, now it is official.  “Hannah Montana” has become appointment viewing for me.  I usually watch an episode every day during the week, either at 6:30 or 10:30, and I was so excited for the new show last night.  Lily is my favorite character (I love her fun wigs when she is Lola) and I think she and Oliver really need to get together.  I totally have a crush on Jason Earles who plays Jackson (but that is totally okay because he is way older than me so I am NOT a dirty old woman).  I thought last night’s episode was great!  I think it referenced my favorite British show ever “Spaced” when Lily said “Skip to the end!” (but I could be reaching about that).  Also, it contained the classic line “Even Lord Voldemort would look cute with a puppy!”

The first season is coming out on DVD very soon and I ordered it for the library.  I really want to put it on hold because I know it won’t stay on the shelves very long, but the unfortunate thing about working in a library is that I have to see these people every day and I have no excuse for putting Hannah Montana on hold.  No little sisters around, no nieces, and people in circulation are going to have to put a hold slip with my name on it around the DVD and think, “well that is odd.”  So maybe I will just hope that they will be checked in sooner or later.

Also, have you guys seen the promo for the new November episodes???  I love the song in the background, and doesn’t Mr. Earles look sooooo much hotter with his hair short.  He actually begins to look more like the married man of 31 that he is in real life.

Doesn’t it look like they are having so much fun?  I so want to work there.

Jen

An Open Letter to “The Office”

Dear “The Office”

I’m sorry if this comes across as rude, but it has already been proven that I am a little punchy today having mouthed off to a patron at the library (don’t even ask), but you have really let me down lately.

I remember all the happiness of season 2 with nary a bad episode and so many standouts like “Office Olympics,” “The Dundies,” and of course, “The Injury.”  Then came season three and you took Jim away.  I was a little perturbed, and there were some lackluster lulls in your greatness, but all in all everything was made up for by the last two shows of the season.

Season four was something of a confused mess where Michael became even more unbelievable (driving into a lake???) Jan went crazy, and Ryan was a douche.  But I let that slide because the strike disrupted the creative process.

Well, now that the fifth season is in full swing, how do I say this…..I am about one episode away from bailing on you and moving on to better things with the far superior 30 Rock.  The Dwight/Angela/Andy thing is becoming nothing but annoying (and is totally out of character for Angela), the stellar supporting cast seems to be relegated even more to the shadows, and don’t even get me started on how much the writers are irking me with what they are doing with Jim and Pam.  The first time they are together in so many episodes and they do that stupid scene with his brothers????  What were they thinking????

Now I will say that I have loved Holly.  But, I knew that she was not around to stay, so all the adorableness between her and Michael actually just made it worse because now she is gone and Michael is miserable and what do you bet Jan comes back in the picture.

I am writing this as a warning to tell you to pull yourself together.  I am not asking for season 2 caliber, I will settle for season 1 or 3.  But this is not an empty threat…..I have abandoned many a favorite tv show in my day because they made me mad.  I gave up on “Lost” in the middle of season 3 when it was meandering around all over the place and Sawyer and Kate did it in a cage….what what????  Apparently it got awesome after that, but I have moved on and won’t revisit it.  Also, Grey’s Anatomy was one of my must watch shows until Izzie slept with George.  That was just about the stupidest thing that could have happened and it made me hate two of my favorite characters, and I haven’t watched the show since.

So please, my Office friends.  Please get better.  I don’t want to stop watching you, but my time is precious and I already have a lot of stuff happening on Thursday nights.  But just know that if I do give up on your new episodes, we will always have season 2.

Sincerely,

Jen