As most of my close friends now I love, love True Blood! It's my favorite show on TV right now. It's like they made that show just for me. It's funny, sexy, romantic, dramatic, and filled with some great blood splatter moments.
Season 3 has been my favorite so far. Season 1 was intriguing and was a great set up for the following seasons. While Season 2 had it moments, I have to say it was my least favorite so far. The whole Fellowship of the Sun and Mary Anne drama went on a little too long. Season 2 did bring us some great flashback moments and had a great season end cliffhanger.
Since us fangbangers only have 1 episode left I thought I would discuss my favorite/least favorite moments in Season 3. But first of all I want to meet the sick fuck who ordered the veggie burger with bacon!
Favorite: Pam and Jessica's Relationship
I love that Pam has unwillingly and hilarious taken babyvamp Jessica under her wing. Jessica is well on her way to becoming a bad ass bitch vamp like Pam. I love their scenes together this season. I can't wait to see what they do with Jessica.
Favorite: Pam in general aka Lesbian Weirdness
From the very beginning I have been a Pam fan. This season we really got to see more of Pam even though we haven't gotten any flashbacks from her yet. I got my fingers crossed that we will see some in Season 4. What we have learned about Pam this season is that she is a lesbian, she hates kids, she was once a hooker and she isn't as tough as she seems (we saw her cry last Sunday). Please Pam, don't cry anymore! Sookie also doesn't want anymore of your lesbian weirdness but I think that viewers would disagree.
Least favorite: Tara
I am sick of her drama. I got sick of her in Season 2 with the whole Eggs and Mary Anne situation. She is not funny or interesting. Just kill her already! The only cool thing Tara did this season so far was bash that crazy but awesome motherfucker Franklin in the head.
Tara is too dumb to realize that the only ways to kill a vampire is to stake them, cut their head off, or put them in the sun.
Least Favorite: Crystal
The whole werepanther thing is cool as hell but Crystal is not. Maybe we will finally get a cool werepanther in a later season. I find Crystal annoying and stupid just like Tara. Let's hope they never have a scene together :( If I wanted to see white trash meth head girls I could just go to the Wal Mart in my hometown at midnight on any random Tuesday.
Favorite: Russell Edgington
I understand that he is evil and needs to die but damn this guy is funny! He is such an interesting and entertaining character. This scene is one of the best moments on the so far.
Favorite: Eric and Talbot
If you are a fan of the show and you don't like Eric just give up and become a Twihard! This gay sex scene shows how far Eric is willing to do to get revenge for the death of his family. SPOILER ALERT: Russell's killed Eric's family 1,000 years ago. Gays rejoice! It's about time we got some gay sex on TV!
Favorite: Lorena
We got to know her in Season 2 as Bill's evil and possessive maker. This Season she met as they say on the show "the true death" at the hands of Sookie and Bill. It was time for her to go but I personally thought she was a great character. She also would show up when you least expected and when you saw her you thought "Oh shit!" but it was a good "Oh shit!" We will miss you Lorena!
Least Favorite: Bill
I am about sick of him. He lied to Sookie and sexually choked her (even though she liked it). I don't think that Sookie and Bill will end up together. He is an important character and you need him on the show. I think he does love Sookie After all that happened this season he just too shady for Sookie to trust again. NOTE: Sookie get with Eric... NOW!!! Which brings me to my next favorite moment.
Eric and Sookie's real kiss
Finally! We all saw this coming from the start. Team Eric!
Favorite: Werewolves
These are not CGI wolves these are the real deal. Vampires and werewolves have been feuding for years in all kinds of books and movies. True Blood does a great job at portraying this and putting their own spin on it. Not to mention Alcide is hot!
I can't wait to see the finale in 2 weeks to see what they do next!
"Wit ought to be a glorious treat like caviar; never spread it about like marmalade." -Noel Coward
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Greetings from Weird Kentucky!
Weird Kentucky:Your Travel Guide to Kentucky's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets is officially my new favorite book. I have been eying this book at Barnes and Noble for sometime and finally bought it last Friday. Weird Kentucky is a very informative and interesting read. It covers everything from odd attractions, urban legends, local heroes and villains, UFOs, and one of my favorite subjects cryptozoology. For those who don't know, Kentucky is a jacked up, scary little place! The word Kentucky actually means "dark and bloody ground or cursed ground" (insert obnoxious font color for effect here!). The first group of natives who settled in Kentucky left because they felt that it was cursed and living there would bring them back luck. Thanks to Daniel and Squire Boone for braving the curse!
I have not finished the book yet but here are some of my favorite facts/anecdotes from the book so far....
- Kentucky was almost called Transylvania. (Bummer, right?) When Kentucky was first settled a section of it was called Transylvania which actually means "across the forest". Transylvania University is in Lexington and several of my friends went there. According to the book, the university's lawyers had to send a letter to several companies who were making vampire themed Transylvania University shirts to inform them that it was in fact a real college.
- Roman coins have been found all over the state. Did Caesar visit Kentucky?
- Redheaded mummies have been discovered in several Kentucky caves including Mammoth Cave. These are most likely Vikings. My ancestors perhaps?
- There are secret underground tunnels in Lexington that were also filled with redheaded mummies. The caverns are much like the catacombs in Paris and Rome. They also included hundreds of human skulls and human sacrifice artifacts. My sweet little city sure has a shady past!
- In the 1830s, a cholera epidemic killed thousands of people in Lexington and Main Street was lined with their corpses. Sweet!
- There have been many Bigfoot sightings in Kentucky. I think Bigfoot would like it here. There are plenty of caves and woods for him to wonder around in.
- Kentucky houses a Dummy Museum and the Creation Museum. Creepy.
- Charles Manson was from Kentucky. Again, creepy!
- And much, much more!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Just a few little things...
Here a few things that I have discovered recently that I really enjoy and are worth sharing.
Carole Lombard and this cat
I found this picture on Flickr a few days ago (for some reason Flickr has blocked me and won't let me log in. So blow me, Flickr!). Not only do I love Carole Lombard, this is a great picture!
Bath and Body Works Halloween Hand Sanitizer
Not only are these little guys cute they smell amazing and well get your happy ass into the Halloween spirit! You also need the glow-in-the-dark holder! Yes, I realize that it is August. This time of year is when the first round of Halloween goodies appear in stores. Of course I jump right on this and go crazy. I am still waiting on that fake spiderweb....
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
I bought this book and matching journal a few days ago. I haven't started reading it yet but I plan to soon when I finish Kathy Griffin's book which is amazing. I have heard good things about this book and I think that I will thoroughly enjoy it. I can't wait to see Mr. Darcy as a zombie!
Zebra Striped Nails
This isn't too bad for the first time I have painted my nails like that. I am having way too much with that damn nail art kit.
Dry Bones
Dry Bones is my favorite Mario character. He is evil but a cute little turtle skeleton, what's not to love? Whenever I play a Mario game I always play as Dry Bones. Suck it, Princess Peach!
"I want to meet the sick fuck that ordered the veggie burger with bacon!"- Lafayette on True Blood. (This is now my favorite line from television)
Carole Lombard and this cat
I found this picture on Flickr a few days ago (for some reason Flickr has blocked me and won't let me log in. So blow me, Flickr!). Not only do I love Carole Lombard, this is a great picture!
Bath and Body Works Halloween Hand Sanitizer
Not only are these little guys cute they smell amazing and well get your happy ass into the Halloween spirit! You also need the glow-in-the-dark holder! Yes, I realize that it is August. This time of year is when the first round of Halloween goodies appear in stores. Of course I jump right on this and go crazy. I am still waiting on that fake spiderweb....
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
I bought this book and matching journal a few days ago. I haven't started reading it yet but I plan to soon when I finish Kathy Griffin's book which is amazing. I have heard good things about this book and I think that I will thoroughly enjoy it. I can't wait to see Mr. Darcy as a zombie!
Zebra Striped Nails
This isn't too bad for the first time I have painted my nails like that. I am having way too much with that damn nail art kit.
Dry Bones
Dry Bones is my favorite Mario character. He is evil but a cute little turtle skeleton, what's not to love? Whenever I play a Mario game I always play as Dry Bones. Suck it, Princess Peach!
"I want to meet the sick fuck that ordered the veggie burger with bacon!"- Lafayette on True Blood. (This is now my favorite line from television)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Neat places I have been
I love traveling to anywhere and everywhere. From across the pond to my home state of Kentucky, I am lucky enough to have been to some great places. Here just a few of my favorites and some that stand out.
Topsail Island, North Carolina
I used to visit this tiny island off the Atlantic Coast with my dad when I was around 11-13 years old. This is not my favorite beach but it always stuck out to me because of it's history. In the 1700's, pirates used to hide on this island and attack merchant ships coming to the American Colonies. It is believed that Blackbeard's Treasure is buried somewhere along the North Carolina Coast. The name Topsail came from the merchants who could see the top of the sails of the pirate ships. The island was not fully settled until the 1940s. It is still scarcely populated and honestly not the most exciting place on the planet but it is very pretty. I have not been to Topsail Island since I was 13. I would love to go back and see how it has changed.
The Winchester Mystery House
San Jose, California
I love this place! Every time it is mentioned on one of those haunted shows I am glued to the TV. I went there with my grandmother and some cousins when I was 12. This place is just too weird not to love. As a fan of all things weird and creepy I am so there! It was built by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune.There are many different versions of the Winchester Mystery House story but this is the one I remember. After her husband and daughter died, Sarah contacted a medium who told her that the Winchester family was cursed because the guns had killed so many people and that their spirits wanted revenge and that she should to build a house and if she was to stop building it then she too would die. She had round the clock building on the house from 1884 to 1922. The house contains doors that go nowhere, blank windows, and many more oddities. It is supposedly haunted and is a great piece of Victorian architecture.
Blarney Castle outside of Cork, Ireland
(I actually took this picture!)
I kissed the Blarney Stone in 2006. The legend goes if you kiss the stone then you will be blessed with the gift of gab and flattery. I already had it so I am double blessed! It is a little unsanitary so germophobes beware. The act of kissing the stone is pretty scary, someone holds and leans you across a gap upside down but it is so worth it!
Mammoth Cave National Park
Edmonson County, Kentucky
I have been to Mammoth Cave many times in my life. Whenever someone visits Kentucky for the first time it is mandatory to take them this cave. Mammoth Cave is well, freakin' mammoth! It is the longest cave system in the world. It is over 367 miles long with new parts discovered every year. There are several famous features of the cave system including the Grand Avenue and Fat Man's Misery. A part of the Green River also runs through the cave. The cave is also home to the endangered Albino Kentucky Cave Shrimp. This cave is huge so I am just going to stop. If you want to know more just read the wiki page. (I did to brush up on my cave facts!)
London, England
Not only is the home of some of the world's most famous landmarks, London is my favorite city. I didn't get to spend as much time there as I would have liked to which is why I want to go back so bad. Luckily from where I live you can get there in about 9-10 hours. I could go on and on. I guess you just have to go to experience the awesome that is London.
(I took this picture too!)
Disney World
Orlando, Florida
I love Disney World. I have been 5 times and have many found memories of Mickey and the gang.
Topsail Island, North Carolina
I used to visit this tiny island off the Atlantic Coast with my dad when I was around 11-13 years old. This is not my favorite beach but it always stuck out to me because of it's history. In the 1700's, pirates used to hide on this island and attack merchant ships coming to the American Colonies. It is believed that Blackbeard's Treasure is buried somewhere along the North Carolina Coast. The name Topsail came from the merchants who could see the top of the sails of the pirate ships. The island was not fully settled until the 1940s. It is still scarcely populated and honestly not the most exciting place on the planet but it is very pretty. I have not been to Topsail Island since I was 13. I would love to go back and see how it has changed.
The Winchester Mystery House
San Jose, California
I love this place! Every time it is mentioned on one of those haunted shows I am glued to the TV. I went there with my grandmother and some cousins when I was 12. This place is just too weird not to love. As a fan of all things weird and creepy I am so there! It was built by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune.There are many different versions of the Winchester Mystery House story but this is the one I remember. After her husband and daughter died, Sarah contacted a medium who told her that the Winchester family was cursed because the guns had killed so many people and that their spirits wanted revenge and that she should to build a house and if she was to stop building it then she too would die. She had round the clock building on the house from 1884 to 1922. The house contains doors that go nowhere, blank windows, and many more oddities. It is supposedly haunted and is a great piece of Victorian architecture.
Blarney Castle outside of Cork, Ireland
(I actually took this picture!)
I kissed the Blarney Stone in 2006. The legend goes if you kiss the stone then you will be blessed with the gift of gab and flattery. I already had it so I am double blessed! It is a little unsanitary so germophobes beware. The act of kissing the stone is pretty scary, someone holds and leans you across a gap upside down but it is so worth it!
Mammoth Cave National Park
Edmonson County, Kentucky
I have been to Mammoth Cave many times in my life. Whenever someone visits Kentucky for the first time it is mandatory to take them this cave. Mammoth Cave is well, freakin' mammoth! It is the longest cave system in the world. It is over 367 miles long with new parts discovered every year. There are several famous features of the cave system including the Grand Avenue and Fat Man's Misery. A part of the Green River also runs through the cave. The cave is also home to the endangered Albino Kentucky Cave Shrimp. This cave is huge so I am just going to stop. If you want to know more just read the wiki page. (I did to brush up on my cave facts!)
London, England
Not only is the home of some of the world's most famous landmarks, London is my favorite city. I didn't get to spend as much time there as I would have liked to which is why I want to go back so bad. Luckily from where I live you can get there in about 9-10 hours. I could go on and on. I guess you just have to go to experience the awesome that is London.
(I took this picture too!)
Disney World
Orlando, Florida
I love Disney World. I have been 5 times and have many found memories of Mickey and the gang.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
"Raintree County" a personal look at a almost Civil War classic
Raintree County (1957) is not a good movie. It was a huge bomb. For starters, it was trying to rival Gone with the Wind by attempting to be the greatest Civil War romance movie ever made (EPIC FAIL!).
At the time it also held the record for being the most expense movie ever made which MGM bragged about during it's production. The film stars Elizabeth Taylor as Susanna Drake, a overly dramatic Southern Belle from New Orleans who manipulates Northern poet John Shawnessey (Montgomery Clift) into marrying her and leaves behind is true love Nell (Eva Maria Saint). The rest of the film is North vs South and John trying to figure out Susanna's past (SPOILER ALERT: She is nuts!) The rest of the story is a love triangle between Susanna, John, and Nell which sounds a little like another big budget Civil War romance from about 20 years before this one, doesn't it? :)
I do have a special place in my heart for this film because my grandfather was an extra in it and half of it was shot in my home state of Kentucky. The other half was shot in Natchez, Mississippi. I have been to some of the locations where it was shot. Including the Rhodes House in Danville, KY. I could not find a picture of it but it is Eva Marie Saint's house in the movie. I have also been to the Liberty Hall historic site in Danville which served as another location in the film.
The historic town set is also at the Pioneer Playhouse in Danville. You can actually walk through the set which has pretty much turned into a antique mall and something to do while you wait for plays to start.
All of these locations are easily recognizable in the film.
My grandad was back from the Korean War and he needed money and having been in some plays in college he was cast in the film as a Union solider who gets shot. He has told me many stories about being in the film....
The first thing my grandad told me about this movie was that he was shocked at how time consuming making a movie is. He also said that he watched Lee Marvin and Montgomery Clift's do 27 takes of a scene where Lee Marvin slams a door in Montgomery Clift's face. The stars and director of the film stayed at the historic Old Crow Inn while filming in Danville which I think was also used as a location in the film.
There was also a night when Montgomery Clift, Lee Marvin, and Rod Taylor (who co-stars) got really drunk and walked down the road naked. I love it! He said that Eva Maria Saint was very nice and talked to him for awhile one day between takes. Between shots another day, Montgomery Clift was standing above the set on a ladder dumped a bucket of water on Elizabeth Taylor. I am sure she was not pleased. He saw Elizabeth Taylor a few times and said that she was very beautiful but extremely short.
During a shooting break is when Montgomery Clift had the car wreck while leaving Elizabeth Taylor's house which left half of his face paralyzed and caused some of his teeth to get lodged in his throat. Elizabeth Taylor heard the car wreck and promptly pulled the teeth out of this throat. What a good friend!
Sadly, my grandad does not have any pictures of his experience. He likes to talk about it a lot which is good because I always love to hear his stories.
While this movie is not a great movie, the plot is a little ridiculous, and in some scenes it's a little cheesy. It has great location shots, wonderful costumes, and all of the actors have a great Southern accents (I know because I have one). I am pretty sure this movie is out of print and very hard to come across but occasionally it will show on Turner Classic Movies. It's no Gone with the Wind but it is worth the watch!
At the time it also held the record for being the most expense movie ever made which MGM bragged about during it's production. The film stars Elizabeth Taylor as Susanna Drake, a overly dramatic Southern Belle from New Orleans who manipulates Northern poet John Shawnessey (Montgomery Clift) into marrying her and leaves behind is true love Nell (Eva Maria Saint). The rest of the film is North vs South and John trying to figure out Susanna's past (SPOILER ALERT: She is nuts!) The rest of the story is a love triangle between Susanna, John, and Nell which sounds a little like another big budget Civil War romance from about 20 years before this one, doesn't it? :)
I do have a special place in my heart for this film because my grandfather was an extra in it and half of it was shot in my home state of Kentucky. The other half was shot in Natchez, Mississippi. I have been to some of the locations where it was shot. Including the Rhodes House in Danville, KY. I could not find a picture of it but it is Eva Marie Saint's house in the movie. I have also been to the Liberty Hall historic site in Danville which served as another location in the film.
The historic town set is also at the Pioneer Playhouse in Danville. You can actually walk through the set which has pretty much turned into a antique mall and something to do while you wait for plays to start.
All of these locations are easily recognizable in the film.
My grandad was back from the Korean War and he needed money and having been in some plays in college he was cast in the film as a Union solider who gets shot. He has told me many stories about being in the film....
The first thing my grandad told me about this movie was that he was shocked at how time consuming making a movie is. He also said that he watched Lee Marvin and Montgomery Clift's do 27 takes of a scene where Lee Marvin slams a door in Montgomery Clift's face. The stars and director of the film stayed at the historic Old Crow Inn while filming in Danville which I think was also used as a location in the film.
There was also a night when Montgomery Clift, Lee Marvin, and Rod Taylor (who co-stars) got really drunk and walked down the road naked. I love it! He said that Eva Maria Saint was very nice and talked to him for awhile one day between takes. Between shots another day, Montgomery Clift was standing above the set on a ladder dumped a bucket of water on Elizabeth Taylor. I am sure she was not pleased. He saw Elizabeth Taylor a few times and said that she was very beautiful but extremely short.
During a shooting break is when Montgomery Clift had the car wreck while leaving Elizabeth Taylor's house which left half of his face paralyzed and caused some of his teeth to get lodged in his throat. Elizabeth Taylor heard the car wreck and promptly pulled the teeth out of this throat. What a good friend!
Sadly, my grandad does not have any pictures of his experience. He likes to talk about it a lot which is good because I always love to hear his stories.
While this movie is not a great movie, the plot is a little ridiculous, and in some scenes it's a little cheesy. It has great location shots, wonderful costumes, and all of the actors have a great Southern accents (I know because I have one). I am pretty sure this movie is out of print and very hard to come across but occasionally it will show on Turner Classic Movies. It's no Gone with the Wind but it is worth the watch!
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