( Men's 4x100 Freestyle Relay )

ETA: Is Cookie's "Magic Rainbow" song the official closing montage song for the Olympics on NBC? I know it was used Friday night, and I just heard it again now. This amuses me. MAGIC RAINBOWS, people.

I am beyond pleased with this year's winner. Despite my apathy for most of the contestants, this might be the most invested I have ever been in a contestant through all seven seasons. It's a little...sad. But dude, he sang U2. What's not to love?

Looking forward to the Ugly Betty finale tonight...Betty/Gio for the win, please!

Finally, someone needs to tell the weather gods that it's time for Chicago to get up past 62 degrees on a regular basis. Eesh. It was a wretched winter, and it's been a mostly miserable spring. Summer, please! Of course, watch it go straight to 90 and humid, and then I can bitch about that.

I watched American Idol last night, which was rather depressing. I'm not sure I can watch the early auditions anymore. The level of cruelty on the part of the judges can be appalling, particularly since so many of these people seem to have genuine psychiatric issues.

That said, I really didn't think there were any real stand-outs. Some of the people were pretty good, but no one knocked my socks out. My favorite was probably the "Over the Rainbow" girl. I liked that she didn't really oversing the song, unlike some people. (Yes, you, Katharine McPhee.)

I was a wee bit annoyed with ESPN2 last night. I tuned in at 10 pm to watch tennis, and discovered a basketball game. I can't fault them because Texas-Oklahoma St. went to triple overtime. However, when they finally switched to tennis coverage, another twenty minutes passed before we actually got to see a match. They had Andre Agassi live via satellite from Vegas, which was great and all, but couldn't we have just listened to the interview while they showed the match? It was particularly vexing because Andy Roddick was on the verge of closing out a straight-set win, and I would have liked to have seen more than 3 or 4 games of the match.

And don't even get me started on the fact that they also interviewed Roger Federer instead of showing actual tennis. I get that he's the world #1 and apparently a class act/all-around nice guy/paragon of virtue or whatever sunshine Bud Collins is blowing up his ass this week. The guy still bores me.

Justice has been done, my friends. ( Spoiler cut just in case ) will not be the next American Idol. The only thing that could have made it more perfect would have been ( and again ) being in the bottom three instead of ( one more time ). But ( last time, I swear ) is safe, so all is right with the world.

Bones was awesome tonight. I've really grown to love this show as so much more than an harmless diversion. The developing friendship between Booth and Brennan makes me squee like a fangirl, but I also like how they're taking things slowly. They acknowledge that a spark is there without going overboard. The look on Brennan's face at the end when she realized just what Booth had risked for her was awesome. Zack, Hodgins, and Angela also continue to rock, and what an interesting potential 'ship twist they introduced tonight.

I'm quite excited about tonight's upcoming episode of CSI: NY. It looks to be very Danny-centric. The only thing I'm a bit leery of is that, based on the previews, the fandom is going to be just erupting with Mac/Danny slash fic. Not my thing.

This week has completely and utterly sucked. I have an upper respiratory infection (which was only officially diagnosed yesterday), so I've had an absolutely horrid, phlegmy cough since the weekend. I'm on antibiotics now, and I think they're starting to help, but I still feel pretty much like crap.

Of course, I might not have gotten as sick as I am if I hadn't been so busy this week. Lack of rest always debilitates my immune system. I went to the Cubs games both Sunday and Monday, which was fun, because they won both times, but I didn't get home until nearly midnight on Monday, when I was well on my way to being sick. Things have just gone downhill since then.

Since I was feeling so crappy, I left work a half an hour early both Monday and Tuesday, and then 45 minutes early yesterday, because I had a doctor's appointment. Which means that at some point, I had to make up those hours. I could actually probably get away with not making them up, because I'm salaried, but I would feel guilty doing it. So, I've been here since seven this morning, and I won't be leaving until around 5:15. Blech. Long days are never fun, but they're even less fun when sick.

As usual, I'm behind on my TV viewing, although I did see Veronica Mars on Tuesday. I seriously do not know how I am going to survive the next two weeks (well, week and a half, now) without knowing who Lilly's killer is. I absolutely have no clue who it is going to end up being. I know who I want it to be (Celeste), but I think it's going to end up being a more major character than she is. If it's either Logan or Weevil, I will cry buckets--Jason Dohring and Francis Capra are both much too phenomenal to not be around next season. Plus, they totally bring the hotness.

Speaking of Francis, I actually stayed up later than I intended last night, because A&E was airing the Crossing Jordan episode that he guest-starred in. I still only lasted through half of it, but I blame that on the drugs.

Anyway, the VM episode. I actually really enjoyed the Mystery of the Week--much more compelling than the dog subplot, plus it was important to the rape plotline. I was actually spoiled for the big reveal re: who provided the GHB, but it was still heartbreaking.

Logan and Veronica continue to be an absolutely disasterous yet utterly compelling relationship to watch. The actors have smokin' hot chemistry, and I don't feel like it's just been to pander to the fangirls, because, given what the inevitable fallout will be from the rape, it falls perfectly in line with the theme of, "Wow, Veronica's life is pretty fucked up these days."

I'm planning on buying season 3 of Gilmore Girls next Tuesday. It will actually be the first time I see a lot of those episodes, which should make it even more fun.

I'm so, so happy that Constantine got voted off American Idol. I realize that Scott has deserved to be booted every one of the past four or five weeks, but I don't even care anymore, because now I don't have to watch Constantsuck eye-fuck the camera every three seconds. Scott is pathetic and sad, but he doesn't make me feel like I need to wash the smarm off me after watching the show.

I really, really need to go on a diet and start exercising. They weighed me at the doctor's office yesterday, and wow, am I depressed now. Here's the thing: I live alone, and cooking for one really, really sucks. It's so much faster and easier to just buy frozen pizzas or frozen dinners, or snack instead of eating a proper meal, and I end up eating crap most of the time. If anyone has any suggestions for easy meals for one, or recommendations for meals that can be divided into individual portions and frozen easily, I would love to hear them. I have a bicycle that I should start riding, or at the very least I should start walking around my neighborhood. Finding a tennis partner would also be good.

New Numb3rs tonight! I do love me some David Krumholtz and Rob Morrow. I'm also considering watching the series finale of JAG, because I really did love it for many years, and I would kind of like to see how it all ends. But I'm afraid it will piss me off, because it looks very Harm/Mac-centric, and that 'ship has turned my stomach for a long time now.

Have there now been two episodes in a row of CSI without Catherine in them? I don't recall seeing her in last night's or in the LA one last week. If she was in them at all, they were very brief appearances. I have to say, I was very glad that they didn't pull any 'shippy bullshit last night after Sara's life was threatened. Grissom/Sara squicks me out. I missed Greggo and Warrick last night, though. :(

Next week's episode of CSI: New York looks pretty intense. They better not do anything too bad to my sweet Danny-boy, even it does look like he shot a cop...

Real life has just been crazy-busy lately, and it will continue to be so at least through this weekend. I have way too many things that I need to get accomplished by Sunday at six p.m. The fact that my parents are coming to stay with me for two nights prior to moving to their new house is only going to compound the chaos.

Naturally, I insist on making matters more difficult for myself by diving headfirst into a new fanfiction. It's a Veronica Mars story, which there have been a slew of ever since the wonderfulness of Tuesday's episode, but I actually started mine before the episode aired, and it is not Veronica/Logan. Rather, it's a mildly angsty (at least at first) future fic that spirals into a piece of Veronica/Weevil smut. I think I shall dedicate it to kieyra, since her brain is probably melting from all the Logan squeeage lately.

Before I forget, filmobsessed137, sorry I haven't voted in your icon poll. I haven't been online much at home recently, and I can't access LJ at work. (Yay for posting by e-mail!) If memory serves, though, I liked the second-from-the-bottom one best. Hope that helps! And I have every intention of working on the stories in Hewes Brothers Gas, but I honestly don't know when I'll get to it. That said...any chance you'd be willing to make me a new show page for my fic site? Since I'm writing VM fic and all, I'll need someplace to put it... Let me know when/if you might have time, and I'll get you some pictures and a quote for it. Oh, and when might the awards site be back up? I'm curious to see who won. :)

Almost had a heart attack last night watching American Idol. Who the heck is voting for Scott week after week? I'm sorry to see Nadia go, but better her than Bo. I think I would have stopped watching if Bo was eliminated. Also: shut up, Constantine.

I continue to enjoy CSI: NY, but I didn't really understand why Danny was so adamant about following through with the case. The fact that he defied Mac was kinda not cool, and yet, I liked that he did it. How contradictory is that? And Eddie Cahill is still hot. :)

I'm such a dork. I went to three different stores (including Wal-Mart *shudder*) last night for the sole purpose of buying Lucky Seven on DVD. I needed a shirtless Patrick Dempsey fix--is that such a crime? Damn Grey's Anatomy... I definitely need a PD icon one of these days.

And now onto my favorite squee-worthy topic: Veronica Mars! Last night's episode was fabulous for so many reasons! Sadly, Weevil was not one of them, as he was once again not in the episode. :( ( Further thoughts behind the cut )

As far as American Idol goes...Freddy Mercury must be spinning in his grave. He was arguably one of the greatest rock frontmen ever, and for fucking poseur Constantine to even think he can approach that level of greatness makes me want to hurl. He actually didn't do as atrociously bad a job as I expected, but that's not the point.

Today is a good day. For one thing, it's Tuesday, which means new episodes of Veronica Mars and House! American Idol, too, although that is somewhat less exciting. Speaking of VM, I was very excited to hear that it has been picked up for a second season. Next thing you know, I'm actually going to start having faith in network TV...obviously, the apocalypse is nigh.

Today is also a good day because ImbecileBoy is not at work. I was out sick yesterday (I swear, I get everything), and he's taking the day off, so it's been a blissful four days since I last had to put up with him. Admittedly, he hasn't been annoying me quite as much lately, but I'm still happier when I don't have to deal with him.

I'm officially hooked on Grey's Anatomy. I still watch Crossing Jordan, but I've started taping GA--largely because I can then watch the beauty that is Patrick Dempsey as many times as I want. Seriously, I have no idea when he got so freaking hot. I mean, he's always been cute--yes, count me among those who loved him in Can't Buy Me Love and Happy Together--but now he just smolders. When he and Meredith were in the locker room, and he was just staring at her...how did she not jump him right then and there? Oy. She's an idiot. And she is--and others before me have pointed out--such a Mary Sue. It's tempting to write fanfic featuring an original character, just because I know said character would be less of a Mary Sue than she is. Plus, Ellen Pompeo is by no means devastatingly gorgeous--she's all squinty eyes and mousy hair--and the character of Meredith Grey doesn't exactly have a sparkling personality, so why are all the men on the show swooning at her feet? Why are none of them drooling over Izzie?

I absolutely adore George, and I loved that the VIP patient kept calling him a "beautiful boy," even though the actor is not what I would call traditionally handsome. He's just...huggable.

I even find Alex cute, in a shut-up-or-I'll-slap-you-asshole kind of way. I think it would be sort of hysterical if he and Cristina hooked up. Also, I'm mildly freaked out by the fact that the actor apparently played Massimo in the Jennifer Lopez/Matthew McConaughy flick The Wedding Planner. Never would have put that together without TV Tome.

Is anyone else becoming seriously disturbed by Carlos and Gabrielle's relationship on Desperate Housewives? ( More thoughts behind the cut )

Am I the only one who actually likes Det. Matt Seely on Crossing Jordan? Maybe it's just because I think he's cute, but I find something rather endearing about him. Sure, he's abrasive and arrogant, but so is Jordan. He's obviously interested in Lily, and I really felt that he was trying to help her in the only way he knew how. The fact that Garrett basically told him to get lost was annoying. I hope they don't try to go back down the road of a Garrett/Lily romance, because that would squick me out. I don't care for the boss/subordinate relationships so many TV shows seem to gravitate towards. Besides, I think Garrett's relationship with Rene Walcott is much more interesting.

I'm in serious Everwood withdrawal. It's coming back next week, right?

Why do I let myself get so invested in American Idol? Every year, it somehow manages to piss me off, but I just keep on watching. Of course, the same can be said for Alias...sort of. I think I've officially given up trying to watch Alias as a first-run show. I'm not home most Wednesday nights, and although I have been taping it, I don't find it compelling enough to watch on tape. I think I'm going to stop taping and just wait for the DVDs. I'm already four or five weeks behind anyway.

Anyway, AI. Although Nikko, the guy who got booted last night, isn't one of my favorites, I still didn't think it was his time to go. Anthony has been positively abysmal for far too long, and Scott is both creepy and not an especially good singer. The fact that Vonzell was also in the bottom three sucks.

Not too much has been going on this week. I've been busy working on a RL project, and I have two others lined up to jump into as soon as I complete this one. At least I'm not bored. My parents are closing on their new house tomorrow, although they don't actually take possession for another week and a half. It's going to be weird not having them live close by. I'm going to have to buy more of my own tools. :)

I'm going to my first baseball game of the season on Sunday, which I'm looking forward to a lot. I just hope that the weather is decent. Early April can be chancy in the Chicago area.

I'd really like to get back into some fic writing again, but I have had absolutely no time lately.

No real update on N, the Magical Mystery Boy, other than that he has officially been invited to another one of my group of friends' massive annual events. I hope he decides to come. That would rock.

I haven't had a chance to watch House or Veronica Mars yet, which bums me out. I'm sure I'll love them both, however. I watched most of American Idol on tape after I got home last night, but I finally succumbed to my need to go to bed partway through Scott's performance. A few thoughts on what I've seen so far:

Bo: He's been my favorite for a while now, and I still love him, but that song really didn't do it for me. The 90s were, IMO, a train wreck of a musical decade, and although I don't really have anything against the Black Crows, I don't really care about them either.

Jessica: Jessica brought the meh last night. I know a lot of people raved about her rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" last week, but I couldn't get past her weird, pseudo-genie-in-a-bottle shirt and her flubbing of the lyrics. But at least she was interesting. This was just boring as shit.

Anwar: Oh, Anwar. You're so pretty, and probably an awesome music teacher. But I just don't care about you anymore.

Nadia: Woohoo! You didn't suck this week! I want to like you, and this worked for me, although that Melissa Etheridge song always makes me change the station due to its gross overplay-ment.

Anthony: Put your glasses back on. That is all.

Carrie: I love Martina McBride, I love that song, and you did it really well. Go you. And your hair was non-scary.

Nikko: Sang a song I didn't know or care about. But I still like him.

Constantine: You were really into grunge, so you're singing...Bonnie fucking Raitt?! Don't get me wrong, Bonnie kicks ass, but...the hell? I hate you and your eye-fucking, but so help me, you actually sounded good. Bleah.

So, I'm thoroughly fed up with the whole Terri Schiavo media circus. The fact that this has garnered national media attention for weeks on end, not to mention the unconscienable interference of the federal government, sickens me. A few things I've learned because of it (or had reinforced): ( Cut for being long and ranty )

Glancing at my LJ today, it occurred to me that I haven't really done a gushy fandom post in a while. My bad. Of course, part of the problem is that my beloved Everwood and Veronica Mars are both on hiatus or in reruns right now, which sucks all sorts of ass.

I have been enjoying American Idol in all its cheesetastic glory. My two favorites are Bo and Nadia. Constantine is all kinds of smarmy, but he actually did pretty well this week, which struck me as a sign of the apocalypse or something.

I'm three weeks behind on Alias, and I have no idea when I am going to catch up, because I am never fucking home anymore.

I really enjoyed CSI last week, in large part because none of the principle characters were fighting with each other. And Nicky's smackdown of Cavaliere at the end was 10 kinds of awesome. Loved, loved, loved seeing Wil Wheaton as Walter the Crazy Homeless Guy. I knew he was going to be on the show, thanks to his super-cool blog, Wil Wheaton DOT Net, and I was not disappointed in his performance. Quite the departure from squeaky-clean Wesley Crusher. (And yes, I liked Wesley on ST:TNG. I was 10 when the show premiered. And he was cute. Shut up.)

Numb3rs continues to kick ass, and my love for Rob Morrow and David Krumholtz grows by leaps and bounds every week. Rob Morrow's non-Botoxed face with its adorable eye crinkles make me swoon. And I just want to run my hands through David's gorgeous curly hair and get lost in those dark chocolate eyes. Yum. Also, Sabrina Lloyd is v.v. cool. And Navi Rawat should be a regular on the show.

I've been dorking out over Star Wars ever since the Episode III trailer premiered on The O.C. last week. I'm really excited to see the movie, and hoping against hope that I won't be disappointed this time around. I have to admit, the lightsaber duels in the prequel trilogy are far superior to those in the classic films.

Hmm, maybe I need a Star Wars icon too...

Oh! I'm completely addicted to House as well. That show rocks. And Jesse Spencer is just so very, very pretty. Mmmmm.

Today is my first day back at work after being out sick for two days. In all honesty, I probably could have come back yesterday, but I was exhausted and I desperately needed to clean my house, so I stayed home. Anyway, I still don't feel all that great, with a persistent cough and an overall feeling of fatigue, but I'll survive.

Watched House for the first time on Tuesday night, mostly because Veronica Mars wasn't on. I really enjoyed it, and I'm totally crushing on Dr. Chase (played by Jesse Spencer). Definitely a step up from that dippy movie with Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning. Remember when Brittany Murphy was in Clueless, and was both funny and non-skeletal? I miss that Brittany. Remember when Dakota Fanning wasn't unnaturally prepossessing for her age, and therefore non-creepy? No? Me either.

Anyway, House. Once VM returns to the schedule, I think I might have to start taping it. Which means my friends can tape their own episodes of One Tree Hill. (Since I tape Gilmore Girls anyway, I've just been taping both and loaning them the cassettes. I'm my friends' TV pimp, y'all.)

Didn't see American Idol last night, although I can't say I'm heartbroken over any of the 4 rejects. And as shameful as it is to admit it...I actually find Ryan Seacrest somewhat appealing. I mean, I know he's a tool and all, but the self-deprecating humor and gentle pokes at AI itself are rather endearing.

Yeah, I need help.

Haven't watched last night's Alias yet, but it has The Sark, so how bad can it be? (Seriously, how bad? Anyone?) *Note to self: Make a Sark icon*

Watched CSI: New York, and I'm loving Flack a little more each week. For one thing, Eddie Cahill has absolutely magnificent blue eyes. He did pretty much nothing for me when he was Tag on Friends, but then I saw him as Jim Craig in Miracle, and something changed. Incidentally, if you haven't seen that movie, rent it NOW. I don't care if you don't like hockey. It is awesome and inspirational and just flat-out rocks. *2nd note to self: Make a Miracle icon.*

Have I mentioned how much I adore Veronica Mars? I honestly believe that this is the best new show on television, and in the top five best shows overall. So why aren't more people watching it?! I'm putting out a call to all the people on my f-list: if you're not already watching VM, please do so. Especially if your TV show of choice on Tuesdays at 9/8c is One Tree Hill. VM blows OTH out of the water. Those of you who already watch the show along with me, show the love! Keep pimping it in your LJ! Use Veronica Mars icons and signatures at any message board you post on!

As for last night's episode... ( SQUEEEEEEEEE! )

The women of American Idol were mostly meh. 'Nough said.

Haven't watched Everwood yet, because CSI: Miami started thirty minutes early last night, and it was imperative that I watch it due to Jeffrey Donovan (of the fabulous Touching Evil) guest-starring on it. Speaking of TE, any idea if/when USA might release it on DVD?

I did, however, watch American Idol. Overall, a much more talented group of guys than last season (I'm looking at you, John Stevens and Jon Peter Lewis). My favorites, vocally at least, were Bo Bice, Anwar Robinson, and Nikko Smith. Travis Tucker still brings the pretty. And I really, really do not understand the judges' pimping of Mario Vasquez, since I thought he was all kinds of suck last night. But maybe it was because I was on the phone with my mom at the time...

New Veronica Mars tonight! I'm beyond excited. Mmm...Logan. And hopefully Weevil. Weevil needs more air time.

In other news, I'm still sore from broomball on Sunday night. Bruised knuckles, bruised forehead, bruised arm...the other team was a wee bit physical. They were cross-checking like mad, which is SO illegal.

And my back still hurts from wrenching it yesterday. Don't know exactly how, since all I was doing was bending over to pick up the bathmat after my shower...

Happiness is ImbecileBoy being out sick from work today. Technically, there's a chance he will come in this afternoon, but I'm hoping that doesn't happen.

Watched American Idol last night, and I found it to be pretty compelling. I think it helped that Seacrest was kept to a minimum. But seriously, the "Seacrest out" at the end of the show needs to go.

So glad that Elizabeth Pha was given the much deserved boot. She is the evil incarnate, as evidenced by her fishnet dress in the initial auditions. Her complete inability to memorize some of the easiest lyrics in the history of lyricdom is baffling. Loved that the other girls in her group totally gave her a verbal bitchslap. Liked it even more when the judges did the same.

I'm a bit baffled by the free pass given to the final group of three guys. Not only did they completely biff the lyrics, but I didn't think they sounded all that good when they did sing. They seem like reasonably nice, non-grating guys, though, so I can deal.

helsinkibaby asked me this last week, but I'm a bit slow in my responses... Anyway, yes, I was shocked and appalled by last week's American Idol bottom three. I sincerely believe that the voting system has to change. For the three most powerful, talented singers in the competition to simultaneously be in the bottom three was an abomination. John Stevens, without a doubt, no longer deserves to be in the competition. He knows it. We know it. And Jennifer paid the price for his continuation on the show. I suddenly feel bad that I don't actually vote...

ageofaquarius has gotten me so hooked on Touching Evil, it's not even funny. Friday's episode was definitely disturbing, but who cares when we get clad-only-in-briefs (boxer-briefs? couldn't tell) Creegan rolling out of bed? Rowr. Also, yum.

( Alias thoughts )

Stupid random musing of the day:

Can guys be supermodels? I mean, there are male models, and some are probably more successful than others, so would that make them SuperMaleModels?

To the surprise of absolutely no one (or at least me), ( OTH spoilers )

This Sunday’s Alias was really quite fantastic. I spent a large part of my day catching up on my taped episodes, which meant a total of 5 in one day. I must say, ( past episode spoiler ) really didn’t do it for me. I must admit, for a few minutes on Sunday night, I really believed that ( new episode spoilers )

Gilmore Girls may have been my first love on The WB (ack, no, that was DC), but Everwood is definitely my true love. Bright is still my favorite character, even though he didn’t have quite as prominent a part this week. I thought that the ( EW spoilers )

I admit it: I kind of like Barry Manilow. Not in the sense that I actually own any of his music or would ever dream of attending a concert, but in a nostalgic, my-parents-listened-to-him, I-think-I’ll-leave-the-radio-station-alone-when-“Copacabana”-comes-on kind of way. So, I got a kick out of Tuesday night’s American Idol. ( Spoilery evaluations )

Am I the only person who find Norah Jones overrated and annoying? I was peeved when she won that whole boatload of Grammys, and now I just want her melancholy easy-listening tripe to get off my radio. Can someone please explain to me what is so great about her?

Then again, I also find John Mayer to be overplayed and rather overrated. Dammit, U2 just needs to put out a new album so I can be happy.

So, Camille got booted off of American Idol last night, which I feel is of the good. I’m sure there are a lot of people peeved that John and Jon still managed to avoid the bottom three, and that’s a legitimate feeling, since they are not good. But at the same time, they don’t inspire the same hate in me that Camille, DianaBot, and Carmen the Yodeling Goat Girl (from last year) do.

I think I want George to win.