Breast Cancer Awareness Month - and the State Fair. :)

[stoney321]

I am walking 60 miles.

Why on earth would I do that? To raise money and awareness for breast cancer treatment, that's why. I'm walking for my mother-in-law, a breast cancer survivor. I'm walking for Corrine, my step-mother's best friend (and who did my hair when I was an awkward pre-teen and bought me lipstick on the sly) who died three years ago from breast cancer. I'm walking for a2zmom's mother and her friend who was recently diagnosed. I'm walking for you. Your mothers, daughters, sisters, friends.

Did you know the Susan G. Komen Foundation is from Dallas? That it was started by one woman as a promise to her dying sister to find a cure? Did you also know that 100% of the money I will raise will go directly to paying for medical expenses for a woman being treated for breast cancer? 100%. I've paid for all of my own expenses, as have all of the other tens of thousands of participants. The 3 Day isn't the "Race for the Cure." That's another fantastic event, but this is 3 days. 3 days of me walking 20 miles. With survivors. With their families. All of us have agreed to raise $2200, or pay the difference. That's how committed we are. If you have the ability to donate, I've linked to my donation page. If you would rather get involved in another way, consider joining the Crew for a 3 day in your area. Or check out their store and buy some cool products - 85% of sales go to medical expenses. Again, I want to publicly thank crevette for being my inspiration to join up. Her walk is coming up in less than 2 weeks, and I'm rooting for you and telaryn!

[ETA:] If you would like me to add someone's name to my Walk shirt, leave a comment - or send me an email at myusername[at]livejournal[dot]com - with their name. I'll proudly add it.

Thanks for indulging me. And for those of you that have made donations, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now, on to TV!

HEROES
So, I'm still interested in where this show is going. But I want to flick the younger brother everytime he's on screen. I don't know what audience they tested that guy in front of, but the younger "flying" brother looks like he's got an infection in his mouth and one side's all screwy. Also, the "floppy hair of LIKE ME, I'M SENSITIVE" is bugging me. The two brothers don't look anything alike. Except for the fact that they're carbon-based. Every time Mohinder comes on screen, I moan quietly. UNGH. He is a pretty, pretty man. I am SKEPTICAL about this waif-possible-love-interest that showed up last night. LAME and forced. If they just stuck to the concept without sloppily introduced love-interests, the show could be stronger.

Hiro is still keeping me involved. OH: the creepy father of the cheerleader? When will TV writers realize that it's better to show a creepy father as someone seemingly normal and loving and THEN creepy, instead of making me wince as he interacts with his daughter? I mean, I get that he's creepy. You've set that up. But making him creepy with his kid is only going to make me wonder why she cares about him, and how on earth can she let him hug her, or whatever. MAKE THE FATHER LOVING. It's a stronger suckerpunch, TV writers!

Studio 60!


When the show deals with the background issues of putting a show on air, or the relationships between the various cast members, it's at its strongest. When they quick cut through sketches, or work on jokes, I cringe. THEY CANNOT WRITE SKETCH COMEDY. This is not a problem, generally, except that they think they can. And they can't. Aaron! For the love of god, just do what you do best!

Oh my LORD the BEAR JOKE. Did you ever hear a joke more painfully unfunny?? Which... You've got DJ Hughley working for you. The man is frickin' HILARIOUS. Let him loose on some of those punchlines. Trust me. Here's a simple way to make the bear punchline funnier: SO the idea is that the hunters have silencers on their guns, right? Bear says: "Raaaaaw -!" *shock of being shot, falling dead.* Okay, seriously. It's just not a funny joke. Oh! Change it to a "does a bear shit in the woods" punchline, but make it to the bears shitting on Wyoming's House of Congress, where the law was passed. Ha. "Bob, in answer to the age old question, 'Does a bear shit in the woods,' I'm being told that no, they in fact are now shitting on Rep. Chauncelman, the man responsible for passing this new bill." As the correspondent touches their ear piece, as if they're getting the news in a feed. Then you could veer off into a Matt Foley joke where he asks how old the bears are, and if they have any clothes on.

The show feels a bit smug with it's own awesomeness right now, and that does not bode well for me. When it's awesome, it's TERRIFIC. But seriously. Quit with the sketch comedy. You CAN have a show about writing sketch comedy without actually SHOWING the weak skits. Promise. They're just watering down old SNL sketches and - god help us all - MADTV sketches. Stop it. Show the people.

State Fair of Texas!

Deep in the heeeeaaaaart, of Texas! On the drive to the fair, passed many aggie/4-H kids coming in from small towns all over. Best bumper sticker on an old truck: "Keep honking: I'm reloading." Ahaha. Ha. Second best: "Hang up and DRIVE, idjit." That's country for ya. Love it. I go with my folks so I can dork out at all of the exhibits that bore the kids to tears. Marilyn Monroe carved in butter! LIFE SIZED! All of the quilts and hooked rugs and jams and jellies and tools and gadgets and car show! I like going to the Junior Exhibits and seeing all of the neat-o things the little guys make, like steamboats out of toothpicks. Yes, I'm secretly an 87 year old woman.

We went to the Hans Mueller tent for brats and sauerkraut, and let me just say that it is not ideal to eat hot sauerkraut on a day that climbed to 94 degrees. That... that should be enough on that topic. I did get my super awesome cleaner that I buy at the fair every other year (because it lasts that long, DUDE.) saw Big Tex, saw more people with fewer teeth (obligatory country music concert joke __here__) and skirted the aggie tent because again, hot. Hot manure + sauerkraut on the belly = you can wait for a cooler day to coo over pigs and goats and horsies, Stoney.

I'm hoping to get to the fair when anelith comes to visit - we'll have to play it by ear. I'm not sure if that's her idea of a good time. :)

Okay, wrapping up this ramble fest. How is everyone today? *beams at you all* Oh! It's superplin's birthday! Happy birthday!

Comments

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

I've not seen it yet. I get pulled into Sorkin's stuff (he's a grad of the Institution for Which I Work) and then he gets bored and goes away and it dies a nasty death - like West Wing did. When that show was good, it was REALLY awesome.

The Texas State Fair sounds like fun...

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Again, when it's good, it's GREAT. Like all of his shows are. I just wish he'd learn the first rule of comedy: when you say you're hilarious, you better BE hilarious. I watched TWW the first two years, then quit. I completely agree with your statement.

Oh, the fair is SO fun. If only for the people watching. And the hot tub displays with disco lights and plasma screens built into the side. (Seriously: who in Texas needs that??? You'd get a stroke from sitting in hot water that long here!)

[timeofchange.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reminding me and good luck!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, thanks! *takes all the well wishes STRAIGHT to heart*

♥

[superplin.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the wishes! I agree about Studio 60, too: love the show, am profoundly unimpressed with the show-within-the-show. The bear joke made me cringe...

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I hope today is Voonderbah for you! :D

And yeah - I'm hoping over the next few eps they either realize they DON'T need the sketches, or they get some sketch comics in there.

[thebratqueen.livejournal.com]

See, I actually thought they were showing creepy dad being not so creepy with Claire. I even enjoyed the subtle costuming touch of having him be in PJs and a bathrobe and chilling at home while he made breakfast.

Didn't like pixie girl with Mohinder though. I was groaning and this sudden formulaicness (shut up, it's a word!) in a show that drew me in by having neat twists. But if she's actually a bad guy that'll ease my pain somewhat. Not a LOT, but somewhat.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Really? Because they still had the long pauses and the camera focused on his long pauses in between his lines to his daughter to emphasize the creepy, imo.

The pixie girl was IRRITATING. And the crawling on their knees and the Sexual Tension Bump Move #42? GAH. But yeah, if she's a bad guy, that would be AWESOME.

[swmbo.livejournal.com]

Hhahah, I think it's hysterical that we totally had opposite reactions to the dad in Heroes - I didnt' find him creepy with Claire at *all* (except with the knowledge of his past) - I thought they had a sweet relationship, with their knowing each other jokes and stuff.

But the bear joke on Studio 60 was painful.

I love the 3 day - my BFF participated and we went out to help and cheer on and everything two years ago. I am so overwhelmed by how amazing it is - the committment, the dedication.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hee - you and TBQ are schooling me on the Non-Creepiness with the daughter. What does that say about me?? *doesn't actually have daddy issues, except on mediocre television viewing situations*

Oh, your BFF has gained MORE points in my sight, what a cool chica she is! And yeah - this may be one of the best things I've ever done in my life. It's taking over. In a completely good way. :D

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have a name to add : sockmonkeyhere (http://sockmonkeyhere.livejournal.com/24516.html) who is about to have a full mastectomy next week and is your fellow Texan.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU. And DONE. *sends all the best wishes in the WORLD*

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

The skits are so painfully unfunny that if Sorkin doesn't cut it out, those unfunny skits are going to become parody material for the actual SNL and MadTV.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, YEAH. I'm just waiting for SNL to mock it when they have this weekend's show. Lorne Michaels is a bit baffled by two shows this season being about SNL, and said "I've chosen to be flattered." If those skits keep up, that may change. :D

[psychoadept.livejournal.com]

As my finances are actually looking fairly secure for the next couple of months, I sent a little bit your way.

I'd love it if you'd add the names Zee Campbell and Sara Meeks to your shirt.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I will definitely add those names, thank you! And I also saw your donation, and I'm so very grateful. Thank you from the bottom of m y heart!

[xochitl42.livejournal.com]

Carrrr shooowww...

The hot rodder in me geebles with glee!

Sadly, I am not home at the appointed TV hours, and I don't have a workin' VCR (let alone a digital TV recorder). I'll catch up with the viewing some other time. Pooh.

Continuing good luck with the walk!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

CARS. Oh the concept cars are SO FUN TO SEE!! I drooled openly over the GT.

And THANK YOU for the support!! *stretches like a mo fo*

[elucidate-this.livejournal.com]

i totally agree with you on the studio 60 stuff. it would be SUCH a better show if they didn't actually show so much of the "comedy"

and the bear joke was horrifying, but i sort of thought that was the point of it. all of the characters thought it was awful as well.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well, I think they thought the bear joke just needed a better delivery to REALLY knock 'em dead.

Just... Watch ANY behind the scenes work with Adam Rapp and/or Will Ferrell. They can barely type sometimes from laughing so hard. (Think of the Cowbell sketch.) Just... stick to witty and clever dialogue/relationships, Aaron. Sketch comedy isn't your thing. (And that's okay.)

[lettered.livejournal.com]

I donated!

I was excited about Heroes, but I have yet to be impressed.

The thing about Studio 60--agree about the comedy. Also agree that it's well written and well acted and well everything. Except that this kind of show is exactly the kind of thing that made me stop watching tv in the first place. I just can't bring myself to care about it. These people, they are not my people.

You are my people. Even if you are so very Texan. Did I tell you the story about my BFF who I went to Michigan with, and who every time she cut someone off on the road, just shouted, "That's right, I'm from Texas!"

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

YOU ARE AWESOME!! Thank you, J, from the BOTTOM of my heart for that.

And yeah - the show isn't holding me like I wanted it to. My attention, that is. Few shows cuddle me and feed me sweets. *eyes The Office* I'm sticking around for Matt/Benny at this point, if nothing changes. And DL Hughley. I like him.

I am SOOO Texan! I corrected some random person at the store the other day who swore Ura Hogg was a real person. Ima was the only child with a bad name from the Hogg family. But I'll say this to your friend: that ain't how we drive friendly here. An old person'll take a ditch before they'd slow up someone driving behind them in my Texas. ;)

*omg is sew obnoxious*

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm not sure yet about S60. It's fluctuating for me, but I love Matthew Perry in this so we shall see. As for Heroes -- OMG, Mohinder is so hot. His voice just melts me. He comes on screen and I get all mushy, then he speaks and I just fall apart. *purrs*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

UNGH, Mohinder is SEX. And hhis REAL accent? Pure posh UK. Mmmmmm. I'll take either. Yum.

[st_salieri.livejournal.com]

You're awesome for doing this. I wish they had a walk in my area. This one hits close to home for me, because my mother didn't survive her case. I'll be back later in the day to donate.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, sugar. If you want me to add her name to my shirt, I'd be happy to do so. If that's too intrusive, I certainly understand.

*massive hugs* And I'll hit your journal after I grab kid-units from school, YAY!!!

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

I've already given up on Studio 60. They are all too smug for me. Don't be smug! It's an extremely unfunny TV you're dealing with, not the Presidency of the US.

Love Heroes. And I like the two brothers because I like the dynamic between them. And that is how it goes - one brother is the golden child, so the other retreats. But for all that, they love each other.

Could you padd my mom's name to your shirt? It's Faith Becker, which is as un-Jewish a first name as humanly possible. A second cousin talked my grandmother out of Fanny, thank goodness!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Had planned on putting your mom up, I smile everytime I see "double chai" scroll by on my home page. And boy, Faith Becker! That's like finding a Lutheran from Minnesota named Schlomo Cohenbergstein. :)

And yeah - the smug self-awareness of Studio 60 is grating on my nerves. Mostly because the premise of "most funny dup EVAH" isn't being lived up to, ahem.

And my Emily is laughing at your icon, because she can spell "WEIRD." But she doesn't understand what's weird about that good looking kid. ;D

[slasheuse.livejournal.com]

Will it be possible to donate in a couple of weeks' time? I am GOING to donate, and I am going to pimp you, but uh. My student loan, she does not sit in my bank account as yet. I'm sorry, I suck, but I'm off to pimp you now.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, of course! (And seriously - you do NOT have to stress your bank account, sweetheart!) If you want to spread the word, I'll be so VERY grateful to you. I'll be taking donations all through my the walk, even, which happens October 27-29th.

*squish hugs*

[ex-dovil323.livejournal.com]

I am so, so very proud of you of getting out there and doing something - even if you are going to have grossly stinky feet at the end of it all.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Heee! Man, I'm going to have HOBBIT feet when this is over. Hard and leathery. I'm thinking of letting my toenails just go. Just, just grow them into talons and attack people who affront me.

Maybe I could learn how to do a high, keening wail. And fly.

[viciouswishes.livejournal.com]

Now you totally made me miss going to the fair. I was one of those 4-Hers who lived there for a week with my bunnies, chickens, and sheep.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Awwwww. I always make sure to skirt the Aggie/Hort arenas on selling day. I can't handle seeing the cowboys and cowgirls crying over their friends being sold. :(

I would have NEVER guessed you were a 4-Her!!

[anelith.livejournal.com]

My idea of a good time!!! Of course it is! Would I pass up a chance to see Marilyn Monroe carved in butter? I'm bringing my camera, you know... But I will pass on the sauerkraut and hot manure. :-)

I always wait to read your thoughts on Heroes until the day after because we watch a day later than everybody else. Ron was yelling "EVIL!" at the TV while that cute girl was making eyes at Mohinder. I'm reserving judgment, I think it could go either way. The "mushy-mouthed" brother doesn't bother me the way he bothers you, I like the two of them and their differences. Can't wait to see where this goes with the politician being so reluctant. And I have to say that Claire's father seemed very sweet to her, then turned on a dime and got icy cold immediately once she left the camera view. I didn't think his interaction with her was creepy at all, except that the audience knows that he isn't what he seems.

Agree with you so, so much on the comedy in Studio 60. I thought while watching it that "Laura will have something to say about the sketches." Hopefully this episode will be their token ep where they feel they have to show what's going on in front of the audience and then they can settle down to doing the real backstage stuff. Where our interest lies.

I went out shopping almost all day yesterday, when I wasn't working at home, and got almost nothing done. I *hate* shopping so much! I never find anything. I'm so picky! Grrrr. Oh well, it was a beautiful day and Nathan had a lovely playdate with a new friend.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oooh, save some of that shopping for here! I can GUARANTEE that Sue and I won't mind doing some with you. :D I'll email you in a bit about the upcoming weekend - itinerary request, etc.

And you are precisely right on Studio 60 - we care about the BACKSTAGE. If we want to watch sketch comedy, we can tune on a variety of programs that do it a thousand times better. As for Heroes, it seems I'm the ONLY one who thinks the dad didn't turn off the creepy vibe. Maybe it's the Mormon Church Leader glasses. Ha! (But seriously! They all wore those when I was a kid. Creep factor HIGH.)

Marilyn carved in butter!! Okay, emailing you before the kids really wake up...

[serenelystrange.livejournal.com]

If you dont mind, would you put Margaret on your shirt. She was my grandmother(and middle namesake), and cancer beat her. Thanks, :)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I don't mind, and I consider it an honor. Will do. *hugs*

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Name on shirt: Charlie :)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Pat. WILL DO! *high fives Charlie for two time survivor status* And hey, world? ENOUGH already.

[marenfic.livejournal.com]

Beneza and Linda

Thanks so much.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Consider it done. *squishes you*

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

Name: Pam (my cousin, survivor and hair braider extraordinaire.)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

DONE. And if I can get cool paint pens, I'll make the P look like a braid. Or... am I now the dorkiest person ever? ...probably.

[slasheuse.livejournal.com]

Carolyn, Alex, Irene (my friend Lucy's late mother, who died when she was 7) and Pat (my awesome drama teacher) please!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, yes, and absolutely yes, sweetheart!

And thank you for your earlier post. *hugs you*

[fireflykiwi.livejournal.com]

Leaving the comment here as requested. Margaretta Halbhuber.

[ponders-life.livejournal.com]

I'm woefully behind on my reading flist, but better late than never, right?

Your dedication to this cause is inspiring. I've just made a donation. Good luck on the Walk!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I see that you did, you darling woman. Thank you so VERY much. And thanks for the cheerleading!!

*hugs SO tight*