Bits and Pieces

Wow, almost a month since my last post. Been busy with work and trying to catch up on some shows on my DVR (and lots of good finales on TV this season). So a few thoughts here and there.

Voted in the election yesterday. Had a bit of a choice between Specter and Sestak. Specter is a lot like me, generally a more moderate republican, but now having to live in the democrat party because the republicans went way too extreme to the far right. Ideologically, I like Specter better, but I voted for Sestak in part because I was concerned over Specter's age and health, and worried that if PA voted in republican for governor, we'd get a too far right wing replacement like Santorum if Specter became unable to serve. Plus, Sestak did some nice work as my Congressman, and frankly if I have to choose between democrats and right wing nutjobs, I'm choosing the democrat side of the ticket and would rather have their platform succeed. So here's to hoping that Sestak defeats Toomey in the general election.

Was very sad to hear of the death of Ronnie James Dio. My first concert was a festival type show with many bands, headlined by Black Sabbath with Dio as the singer. I went mostly to see Journey and Cheap Trick, but I was so impressed by Dio's voice that I bought their album (Heaven and Hell) and followed Dio on his prior and subsequent bands. I never cared much for his theatrics, but the man had one of the best voices in rock. I understand from a friend of mine, that Dio was very open and nice to every fan he met, he didn't hide away or cop an attitude that he was 'too good for the riff raff'. I haven't listened to him sing in a long time, so I'm going to add some BS, Dio and Rainbow tunes to my ipod.

Been reading up on new TV shows for next season and so far, nothing has grabbed my attention, certainly nothing sounds as interesting as Lost replacement. I'll probably check out a few shows, but I definitely have less patience for them than previously. Too much time needed for other things to try and catch up on shows I've recorded. Plus, I already have 9 shows I'm already definitely committed to (TAR, Chuck, Castle - love Nathan Fillon, Survivor, Parenthood, Grey's Anatomy, CSI, Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory), and 6 others that I'm more luke-warm about, but still watch (CSI NY, The Good Wife, Desperate Housewives, V, Stargate Universe, Glee). That's more than enough to keep me busy.

So many of the new shows look like the same old medical drama this, legal drama that, cop show everything else. Legal dramas are very hit and miss with me. I know they are nothing like reality, I accept that. But in order to stomach that total break from reality, the show either has to be wildly entertaining/funny/overthetop with great actors like Boston Legal, or very poignant with topics that need to be addressed, but aren't, like The Practice. Simply silly shows like Ally McBeal or Eli Stone don't interest me. Shows that are patently wrong on the law, procedure, lawfirm life, everything, like The Deep End, don't interest me (and frankly annoy me). The Good Wife walks a thin line. Its got great acting going for it, and the underlying story about the political husband is good. The legal drama, less so.

I get enough medical drama with Grey's Anatomy and medical/cop drama with CSI. I don't need to see more blood and guts. Same with cop shows. Unless you through in some unusual twist and cool music, like Life on Mars did, I'm a bit worn out on the same catch the bad guy plot lines.

So we'll see what I have room for on my DVR, and what lasts more than a few weeks. These days, with the ease of seeing shows streamed on line, I doubt I'll watch a new show from the beginning. I'll wait to see if its going to stick around a whole season before I commit. Nothing I hate more than to get into a show, only to have it pulled. I tend to watch most shows by DVR these days anyway (except for TAR and Survivor) because I can fastforward through the commercials. Saves more time.

I won my Survivor pool this season, woo hoo! Go Sandra! Its funny seeing comments about how Russell should have won because he's so strategic. He can make it to the end of the season, but like Amanda, can't build up enough good will of the jurors to win the money. I'd love to try out for the show, but no way would Stephane forgive me for leaving him with the kids for almost two months. Maybe if the show is still around in another 10 years, but then I'd more than likely be an early boot as an "older" contestant. Oh well.