Glass Onion

The Eleventh Doctor

2012-02-05T19:57:00.000-08:00

Portrait of The Eleventh Doctor.

All you Doctor Who fans, let me know what you think! Thanks <3

Christine's Bucket List

2012-01-28T16:07:00.000-08:00

Couple of things to notice: (1) There are already several crossed off. That is because I've been fortunate enough to already accomplish some of the things that I've kept on the bucket list. (2) I am hoping to continually edit and update this post. Maybe in a year, we'll revisit and see what has changed. (3) I purposely omitted some of the bigger things in life like: get married, become a lawyer, have kids, etc. Some of those may make it onto my list later in my life. Others, I have spent my life working towards, so placing them on a list that may or may not happen seemed to trivialize them.

As to the rest, please comment freely. Some of them are more silly than other, but all of them would be cool to accomplish in my lifetime.

Travel

1. Set foot in every country in the world. (20+ and counting)
2. Set foot in all of the 50 United States
~~3. See Michelangelo’s Pieta~~ (2010)

~~4. Live in another State~~ (Washington DC 2008)
5. Live in another country
6. Have lunch at the Plaza Hotel in NY
7. Visit the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany
8. Visit Alnwick Castle in England
~~9. Spend a full day at Le Louvre in Paris~~ (2006)
10. Take the Lord of the Rings tour in New Zealand
~~11. Take the Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg, Austria~~(2006)
12. Spend the day reading a book in Central Park
13. Visit Harry Potter World
~~14. Have dessert at Serendipity~~ (NY 2009)
15. Visit King’s Cross, platform 9 and ¾.
~~16. Leave leis in the water at Pearl Harbor~~ (2002)
17. Be in NYC for New Year’s Eve
~~18. See a burning volcano~~ (Hawaii 2002)
19. Spend the night in a castle

Education

20. Write a book
21. Practice my French…in France.
22. Learn to say HELLO in 25 languages
23. Publish in an academic journal

Personal

24. Dye my hair a different color
25. Collect rare books
26. Write a fan letter
27. Drive down Route 66
28. Pass 1,000 Twitter followers (500+ and counting)
29. Learn how to pick a lock

Art

~~30. Sell a painting~~
~~31. Own a Fez~~ (Christmas 2011)
32. Create and dress up in a Mother Confessor/KahlanAmnell costume
33. Hang a photo in a gallery

Faith

34. Read the entire Bible once a year.
35. Go on a missionary trip
36. Take a biblical tour of Israel

Politics

37. Take part in a political protest
38. Participate in a national political campaign

Introductions

39. Meet all current Supreme Court Justices (Scalia 2010,Alito 2011…)
40. Meet a sitting or former President
41. Meet Alan Menken…and thank him for my childhood.
42. Meet Sarah Palin
43. Meet Julie Andrews
44. Meet JK Rowling

Entertainment

45. Walk a red carpet
46. Have a book/movie/TV show character named after me
~~47. Camp out for an event~~ (Pirates of the Caribbean3 World premiere 2007; Jonas Brothers signing 2008; Comic Con 2011)
~~48. Throw a Comic Con party~~ (SDCC White CollarParty 2011)
49. Attend a movie premiere
~~50. See a show on NY Broadway~~ (The Producers 2005;The Little Mermaid 2009; Mary Stuart 2009)

51. Watch an Opera
52. Watch a ballet
53. See a Shakespeare play in England
54. Be an extra on a movie/TV set

Sports

55. Be at one of the Olympic games
56. Learn to ice skate
57. Swim with dolphins
58. Ride a horse
59. Shoot a bow and arrow
~~60. Fire a gun~~ (Federalist Society 2012)

Music

~~61. Watch an orchestra performance in Vienna~~(August 2006)
62. Attend a multiple-day music festival
63. Learn a song in a different language
64. Learn to play guitar

For those who have seem me tweeting about this post, you know that was posted as a pair with @Valshopaholic. We both decided to write our Bucket Lists, sort of as a New Year's resolution (since neither of us make real resolutions). Be sure to check out Val's Bucket List on her blog, Libra Girl Rules.

The Elemental Journal by Tammy Kushnir

2012-01-21T23:02:00.000-08:00

Composing artful expressions from items cast aside.

Ms. Kushnir's book is sweet, sentimental, and creative. It taps into a very simple and tasteful form of art. But more important than all that, Journal is a "how-to" book that is a solid guide for those of us who are much less creative. The crafts that had a step-by-step explanation coupled with the photos are so great, that I found myself wishing that all the craft ideas had such drawn out explanations.

Ultimately, I had the most fun trying to piece together something similar to what I saw in the book out of the materials that I actually owned. Turns out that Journal doesn't just draw out your creativity by showing you how to make something. Instead, it feeds your creativity until you start to come up ideas yourself.

I decided to take one of Ms. Kushnir's projects for a test run. See how it turned out:

Out of all the cool things in the book, I decided to make this mini memory book, made out of an old camera memory-card case. Considering how many memory-card cases I have, I figured this would be perfect.

Of course, the pattern I used was slightly different than the one in the book, but the technique is the same. I just figured that the book intended us to use things we already had laying around the house, so I rummaged through my drawers and found some old stationary I liked.

Added the ribbon and my memory book is ready! I decided I'm going to put and old family photo or something in there, once I get a hold of one scaled to size.

12 Steps to Fangirling Anonymous

2012-01-12T17:41:00.000-08:00

Most people don't realize how exhausting a fangirl's* job can be. In fact, most people do not realize what it means to fangirl at all. Trust me, you'll know it when you experience it. But until then, the complexities of a fan community most likely go unnoticed by you.

In the past, I've written about what makes a fangirl tick. It is a form of culture and social phenomenon that fascinates me. This time, I have identified the steps to becoming a fangirl:

Hi. My name is Christine, and I'm a fangirl.

Discovery- This is the point of initial contact. Whether it's a celebrity, TV show, band, etc.-- let's call him Celebrity X, for convenience. Sometimes it's an immediate reaction and you can feel the madness beginning. Other times it will creep up on you. Either way, you'll wake up one day and your walls are covered with posters and Tumblr covered with photos.
Catching Up- Still in the relatively normal stages of being a fan, this is where you catch up on on the past episodes, music albums, etc.
Googling- This is when things start to get interesting. You become curious about what else Celebrity X has been involved in, where he is from and who he is dating, etc.
Google Imaging- I'm not just talking about Googling a name and getting familiar with Celebrity X's face. No, this is far beyond that. This is when you rummage the Internet for every photo Celebrity X has ever taken. This is when you get to the point where you can name the exact magazine or promo shoot that each photo was taken from. This is most likely also the time you begin spamming your friends with these photos and ruining your hard drive space with saved pictures.
Youtubeing- Once you've mastered the still photos, it's time to move on to interviews and TV clips. Like you do with Google Images, you don't stop until you've seen every interview Celebrity X has ever given. Whether on the red carpet, or on a late night show. You will inevitably have your favorite videos and will eventually be able to name the interview just by the clothes Celebrity X is wearing. This step may also result in creating Tumblr gifs of the best moments.
Current anticipation- One you've exhausted all the past interviews and photos on Google and Youtube, it's the new stuff that makes you crazy. Anticipating for a new magazine photo shoot, new interview, new movie, new TV season, etc.
Networking- Meet other fans! By now, your real life friends have stopped talking to you, so it's time to meet other fangirls. Sometimes, fangirls are very exclusive and you'll have to prove yourself. But it's not too hard to do on Twitter (or message boards, if you're really wild). You'll also start to network with producers, band members, writers, etc. that work with Celebrity X. They are a great source of behind the scenes trivia and make you feel like you're more closely connected than other fans.
Spending Cash- Merchandise. You know it's the best part of a concert tour, so you should not be surprised that spending cash on T-shirts (even home-made ones), concert tickets, DVDs, etc. comes next.
Making Fan Art- Even though you spend tons of cash on official merchandise, that is often not enough to satisfy you. Instead, you make your own posters, computer graphics, banners, etc. For me, you know it's serious when I start drawing portraits. Whatever your poison, we all do it.
Fan Clubs- This is where I begin to identify rock bottom. Fan clubs are like a black hole. Most of the real/official fan sites are by subscription only. Of course, you can always sign up for e-mail lists and such for free. But I'm talking about the fan sites that give you exclusive perks.
Message Boards- Fan clubs will inevitable lead you to message boards. Not going to lie, these are the worst. They are messy, hard to follow, and time consuming. But if you get on, you'll never get off.
Stalking- For some of the more experienced fangirls, we tend to skip to this step pretty quickly. But, when you think about it, we go to extreme measures. Whether it's standing alongside the red carpet of a premiere, waiting in line for a signing, hanging around the buses at a concert, or (in extreme cases) traveling around the country, this can either be the most disappointing or the most exciting experience.

That said, the fangirl world isn't all giggles and screams. The downside to these steps into madness is that competition hits somewhere along the way. Fandoms usually result in a hierarchy- starting with the fans who are almost as recognized by other fans as the celebrity himself. This may be because they have met Celebrity X the most amount of time, run the most fan websites, etc. Like all cyber bullying, things can get nasty.

We may all like to think that we're dedicated to Celebrity X for life, but that just isn't the case. For one, the amount of mental energy it takes to maintain a fangirl lifestyle just isn't sustainable for long. And second, the Celebrity himself usually fizzles anyway. It's like a wave of emotion that you just have to ride out until something new comes along.

*Please note: I use the term "fangirl" because it's most common. This applies to "fanboys" as well ;D.

Happy Fangirling!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2011-12-29T23:59:00.000-08:00

I'm certainly not one to pass up on hype. So, when everyone and their mother started raving about The Hunger Games, I had to check it out for myself. Right off the bat, the story is easy to get into and it is a very easy read. The story is constantly moving, with just just the right balance of predictability and surprise.

The easy reading is closer to reading Twilight than reading any adult fantasy book. This is no surprise, considering it is very appropriately labeled a "young adult" novel. With less of the arbitrary recurring phrases than you find with Stephenie Meyers, it is perhaps more difficult to criticize Suzanne Collin's writing.

While the premise of the book is innovative and immediately fascinating, it is not quite enough to capture an audience. Instead, the quality hinges on the characters. Set years in the future, North America has been replaced by the nation of Panem: made up of twelve independent districts and governed by a cruel regime at the Capitol. Those who reside in the Capitol live a life of wasted luxury at the expense of those in the district, where starvation is a common occurrence. In order to keep the citizens in line, the Capitol has organized a grotesque tradition known as The Hunger Games, where children between the ages of 12 to 18 are forced to fight to the death. You can image this as Rowling's Tri-Wizard Tournaments meet Rome's Coliseum. When the main character, Katniss', sister is picked for the Games, Katniss volunteers to take her place, thus making her a tribute.

Again, the premise is solid but falls short of it's potential. With an underlying concept so horrifying, it has the potential to inflict real trauma on the reader, but Collins often seems to take the easy way out. While District 12 is an underdog, Katniss herself is a Games favorite from the very beginning. She nails her performance every step of the way, and the reader is told that she is in constant danger, but doesn't believe it.

Instead, the characters are what bring this novel to life. While the reader is exclusively in Katniss's head, we quickly learn of the flaws in her perception and can therefore predict and understand other character's actions before she does. She is immediately a likable and tragic heroin, providing for her family since the age of 12 and volunteering to take her sister's place at 16. Once she is in the Games, she is revealed to be smart, strong, distrusting, and often ruthless. These traits make her partly the best and partly the worst counterpart to her District 12 partner, Peeta.

Ultimately, the book stays true to it's title: it's all just a Game. With audiences watching The Hunger Games live, Collins explores the ultimate reality show. A show that pits a love story against a death sentence. Katniss is quick to understand this game and translates it well to the reader. The tragedy of the situation isn't so much the terrors of the playing field, but it's that the Games are so ingrained into Katniss' mind that she can't tell what is real from what is just a survival technique. While not always the most deserving character, Katniss is never less than sympathetic as she tries to navigate love and life in such a public and terrible arena.

Now that I've read the book, I feel like I can be adequately excited about the movie. From the looks of the trailer, it seems like they've gotten everything right so far:

Note: Many of us on Twitter are currently reading the series. You can follow a full discussion of The Hunger Games on Twitter by searching #TwitterBookClub or checking my Twitter list of the same name.

Neal Caffrey's Diary

2011-12-28T19:24:00.000-08:00

Written by Caitlin Antonios [for a school creative writing project]

Well this is strange. I’m in jail. The reality of my situation hasn’t completelyset in yet. One moment, Kate and I arestanding together and the world seemed good for a blink of an eye… that is,before the FBI stormed in and arrested me. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew it was a set up from the verybeginning. But I would have done just about anything to see Kate again. So nowI’m in a gray cell with a few books. Imust say, for a maximum security penitentiary, their lack of entertainment isquite disappointing. Yes, there aresports in the courtyard and some weight lifting machines but nothing of myparticular interests. I asked for somepaint and a brush, but apparently my background prohibits me from possessingany forging materials. Most of the men here are thugs that think too much ofthemselves and have an IQ of about 20-- drug dealers and gunmen-- nothing thatscreams promise. I guess I’m on my own. The FBI agent who caught me, Peter Burke, has me in here for the forgerybonds that I created two years ago. Honestly,I’m glad. If it had been for any of the art I’ve stolen, it would be muchlonger than a four year sentence. I haveonly just realized I will have to burn this journal, or maybe bury it forfuture generations to find. At least ifI bury it, my name will live on, which it truly what every man wants, is itnot? Living an eternity, whether inflesh or in ink, unlike most who spend their entire life trying to find away tobecome immortal. It makes me laugh thatat the end of their life they look back and see they have truly accomplishednothing. Those who waste time alwayswant more of it. I believe Thomas Jefferson said something like that once.Mozzie would have scolded me for being so uncertain.

Mymind keeps flashing back to when Burke asked me, “Did anyone help you? You have been spotted with a short man whowears a goatee.”

I smiled as I thought of Mozzie, “I’m friends with manypeople of unsavory character. He, however, knows nothing of the bonds.” This isof course a lie. Mozzie certainly doesn’t know all my secrets, but we have beenpartners for a long time.

“You know lying to a federal agent is not the best choice.” He said leaning on the table causing the concussionto spill his coffee.

“Can’t prove what didn’t happen.” I replied.

“We’ll see.” Thatwas the last time I spoke to him. I dodistinctly remember him calling “my mutiny immature” as I was walking out ofthe room. I salvaged what pride Ihad left as he put on the handcuffs. Theguy has earned my respect, he has nerve. I think if he were on the other side of the law, we could accomplishgreat things together. But every ignorantFed has to realize, jail isn’t the end--it’s the beginning of a newchallenge. This is a new challenge to befree again, because I’m breaking out of this place, no matter what it takes.

Grinchmas with The White Collar Cast

2011-12-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

I hope you guys can tell that is me with Willie Garson. Unfortunately, I didn't have my flash on my camera, so the photo didn't come out. But, got to chat with Willie and with Tiffani Thiessen for a bit before they were rushed off. Also got to say 'Hello' to Tim DeKay and meet his family. They were all incredibly nice and we had a lot of fun.

Pop Culture You Should Not Have Missed in 2011

2011-12-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

I've done the "best of..." posts in the past, but those are always a struggle. This year, I'm still shoving my favorites in your face, but varying up the post a bit. Please note, I'm only recommending from what I've actually seen/read/etc., so this list is not exhaustive. Leave your 2011 highlights in the comments =D.

TV Shows you should have been watching in 2011:

Doctor Who: Mark my words, British TV is the new thing so you may as well jump on the band wagon now. And Stephen Moffat took DW to a whole new level this past season. This may be a staple in British culture, but with Torchwood now moved to an American network and Who becoming one of the most popular events at Comic Con, it's only a matter of time before American audiences catch wind of this gem. If you are a SyFy or Fantasy fan, be sure to check out Doctor Who. See my full Doctor Who review here, and my Doctor Who users guide here.

Once Upon a Time: From the writers of Lost, this show looked promising from the previews. With shows like this, it is no wonder that American audiences are spoiled. The production is amazing, the actors are fantastic, and the plot is original. Because movie prices going through the roof, television is quickly replacing the grandeur once only found in cinema.

Recommendations from Twitter:
True Blood (recommended by @gadgetgirlnl)
Game of Thrones (recommended by @gadgetgirlnl)
Big Bang Theory (recommended by @gadgetgirlnl)
White Collar (recommended by @salbei13)

Movies you should have seen in 2011:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2: This movie marked the end of a decade, the end of a childhood, and the end of the largest money-making industry. One of the most emotional journeys I have experienced in cinema, it was not to be missed. It also apparently made it OK to split final installments into two movies (Stop it, Twilight). Check out my full movie review here.
X-Men: First Class: Even more rare than a good sequel is a good prequel. But First Class made the exception and should be commended. Check out my full movie review here.
Tangled: As the second most expensive movie to create, I think Tangled deserves a notice. It was also my favorite Disney movie since Enchanted. So, if classic Disney princess stories are your thing, this is the one to watch. If they are not, and you prefer animated comedy and light banter, this is also the movie to watch. Check out my full movie review here.

Recommendations from Twitter:
The Descendents (recommended by @The_half_Korean)
The Help (recommended by @gadgetgirlnl)

Books you should have read in 2011:

The Omen Machine by Terry Goodkind: This is pretty much the only non-legal book that I read this year. It was pretty great, but you'd have to get through the first 11 of the series before you can read it. See the Twitter recommendations below for more ideas.

Recommendations from Twitter:
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (recommended by @The_half_Korean)
Dance of Dragons by George R.R. Martin (recommended by @salbei13)

News you should have been keeping up with in 2011:

Occupy Wall Street: I'm not sure if this qualifies as news or as pop culture. Either way, if the ambiguous "protester" can be Time magazine's person of the year, then I'm thinking it's something you should have heard about.
GOP Presidential candidates: I mostly put this on the list because I am so incredibly frustrated with our options for the coming election.

Music Videos you should have watched in 2011:

Friday by Rebecca Back: This is easily the most memorable video in 2011. If you were somehow living under a rock when the Internet exploded with Ms. Black, I don't think there is much I can say to explain it. It wasn't just that the video was bad. Or that her singing was terrible (which it wasn't when you consider that William Hung was once a sensation). Its more because the song just didn't make any sense. Why was she waiting at the bus stop if her friends were picking her up? Why couldn't she decide which seat to take? If her friend was on the right, who was the girl on the left? DID WE REALLY NEED TO BE TOLD THAT THURSDAY COMES AFTER FRIDAY? Nevertheless, I will probably be singing this song every Friday. *FunFunFun*

Last Friday Night by Katy Perry: This makes the list, mostly because of Katy Perry's own obsession with Rebecca Black (who is featured in the video). Plus, Perry never falls short on catchy music.
Marry the Night by Lady Gaga: Pretty much anything Lady Gaga put out this year was better than anything she put out last year (remember Telephone? Or Alejandro? Disasters.) This year, Lady G was back to her bizarrely theatrical videos that focus more on the intense aesthetics as opposed to seemingly inconsistent agendas. Her Edge of Glory video was also great, for those interested.
Here It Goes Again by Ok Go: No matter how many times I watch this video, part of me is always thinking someone is going to slip and fall.

Recommendations from Twitter:
Somebody I Used to Know by Gotye (recommended by @gadgetgirlnl)

Social networking sites you should have joined in 2011:

Google+: As Facebook's new competition, Google has developed a site that arguably "fixed" the more annoying features of Facebook. While I don't think Facebook is in any danger just yet, you may get in on the ground floor of this new Google experiment because, as we know, there are few things that Google does not succeed in. Check out my website review here.

Klout: In previous years, it has just been about getting in on the newest and hottest social networking site. 2011 showed us, however, that it's not just about having a Twitter, or a Facebook, or a Myspace. Now, you have to be influential using it. Introduce Klout- the online site the measures your online influence. Some of you may be surprised with just how much influence (or lack of) you actually have.

Tumblr: Tumblr is certainly an acquired taste. Usually that taste is "fangirl." But, as a quickly growing, underground phenomenon, you would be remiss not to see for yourself. Whether your taste is art, music, movies, tv shows, architecture, or fashion, there is a niche just for you on Tumblr. And best of all, it takes little to no effort to enjoy. Check out my website review here.

Pepper Spray is the New Car Horn

2011-12-09T10:19:00.001-08:00

I meant to write about this earlier, when it was still all over the news, but better late than never. By now, most of you heard about the pepper spray incident that occurred on the UC Davis campus in November 18th, 2011. If you haven't, see the video below before you keep reading.

Many people have been calling for Dean Katehi's resignation. I think, were she to resign, she would just be the scape goat because people want to hold someone accountable. However, I think this would be the wrong conclusion. I don't actually think the school did anything wrong. Protesters do not have the right to occupy anything they want, all the time. I understand that the right to free speech and the right to congregate should be taken very seriously. But the school's actions were not infringing on either. The protesters still had the right to protest (just not in tents, 24/7) and they still had the right to say whatever they wanted to say. Imagine for a moment that the school had not attempted to eliminate overnight equipment. Now imagine something had happened to the safety of those students (this isn't far fetched- occupiers in NY were getting robbed, beaten, molested, and raped). Now imagine what the outcry would have been against the school. The school would have been liable for not taking reasonable measures to ensure safety on their property. So no, I don't think the school's request was unreasonable or illegal.

That being said, however, the police's actions were just the opposite. I don't even care if the Chancellor DID tell the police to use force. I don't care if she specifically told them to use pepper spray (which it preposterous), the police should have a duty to behave reasonably independent of the Chancellor's requests. Are they telling me that they really could not think of any other way to get these kids out? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Video of the pepper spray incident:

John Stewart comments on the issue:

The Daily Show
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Black Friday Madness

2011-11-26T13:01:00.001-08:00

What happens to people on Black Friday? Have you ever noticed? People completely lose their minds. Every year we hear about people getting trampled at Best Buy or Pepper sprayed at Wal-Mart. People who wait in line since Monday for a chance to get a 42in Sharp TV for $200 on Friday. My fascination with all this is when you realize that the Black Friday deals are not even that good. Sure, there are a few TVs, a few laptops, and a few GPS systems that are advertised at a great price. But the majority of any one store isn't drastically on sale. If you are one of the handful of people who got that laptop in the ad, well done. But everyone else in line is probably getting ripped off. There is something about standing in line at midnight, watching other people walk out with TV sets, that blinds people. You have built up the sales, imagined the savings, and spent all the effort, so walking out empty handed is not an option. That is why customers will settle for the non-brand name TV or more expensive GPS when the item in the ad is already sold out. It is very likely that the longer you spend in line, the more you will spend in the store.

The better option is probably Cyber Monday. The less effort spent on your computer browsing Amazon will probably keep you at a more rational mind to separate the good deals from the adrenaline rush. I completely understand the appeal of physically going out to shop. But Black Friday shopping isn't a lunch date with your girlfriends and then a stop at the shoe store. It's more like a competitive sport in which you walk out have spent more money than you should have and possible a bruised body part.

As for me, I go for the DVD box sets. Yes, I walked out with a Psych season 4 DVD for $8, The Goodwife Season 1 DVD for $12, and a few pretty cool Christmas gifts.

2011 Halloween Costume

2011-11-22T23:55:00.001-08:00

I don't love Halloween itself, but I love any excuse to wear a costume.

Here are my rules:

1) Can't wear a costume twice (yes, this makes things inconvenient)

2)Must be relevant to the event/year

3) Must be awesome.

For this year's costume, I present: Princesess Beatrice and Eugenie!

The last photo isn't technically from Halloween. But my friend had a 80s themed birthday party not long after, so I thought I'd include it here.

In Time: Movie Review

2011-10-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

For those of you looking for a solid action movie rooted in a great syfy plot, I would definitely recommend In Time. I realize it opened the same weekend as The Rum Diary, but if I could wait another week to see a drunk Johnny Depp, so can you. The real home run for Time is the extremely terrifying premise that the movie is build upon:

In a world where human kind has genetically engineered the body to stop aging at 25, immortality becomes a reality. Problem is, in order for few to live forever, many must die. Think about it. Babies are still being born, but no one is dying of old age. Instead, society must control people's time on earth and time becomes the currency. Easily, the most interesting part of the movie is how the viewer is introduced to this system. Time is transferred through wrist contact and operates just like money. Go to work and your time is transferred as you clock out. Make a purchase and give up two hours of your life for a cup of coffee... one hour for the bus... two days for a bottle of wine... etc. If your clock ever runs out, your heart immediately stops beating. In the poorer districts, people rarely wake up with enough hours in the day, let alone what they are going to spend on food and rent.

On the higher end of the country, however, having too much time becomes a problem as well. The rich have to hire body guards because time is such a precious commodity and people will kill to steal it. The rich cannot show off how much time they have branded on their arm because they become a target. Human beings may no longer die of old age, but a bullet will stop your clock every time.

The only problem with the film is that the premise is so solid that it becomes difficult to unravel-- which is essentially what the protagonists are trying to do. It is such a good commentary on social inequality, justice, greed, and human nature (can you just see Occupy Wallstreet writing green numbers on their arms?) that there is no solution to changing this system. You are clearly rooting for your heroes, who are trying to take down a regime. Too bad they have no way to do so. Even the temporary hope found in the final moments leave the viewer convinced of the inevitable future return of the Time system.

Other than that, the cast is fine. Justin Timberlake has come a long way from Model Behavior and is easy/enjoyable to watch on screen. Amanda Seyfried was possibly the wrong choice for the film. She immediately comes across a little too Bonnie and Clyde instead of the rich-girl-dragged-to-the-ghettos-and-out-of-her-element. Other than that, the supporting cast is stellar and since everyone stops aging at 25, this is one of the only moives that requires only young and beautiful actors.

Check it out in theaters this week and let me know what you thought!

Wrapping Birthday Presents in Celophane

2011-10-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

There are two kinds of people: those who spoil the ending of a story and those who want to rip those people's faces off. My brother (@_read_my_mind) just sent me an article about a study done at UC San Diego, claiming that spoilers are not a big deal. Nonsense. Spoilers are a big deal. Not in every case, but I get tired expecting people to know when it is or is not OK to spoil something, so I generally adopt a NO SPOILERS rule. [WARNING: please note there are spoilers contained in the rest of this post. However, there has to be a reasonable statute of limitations on spoilers, and all those used here you should already be well aware of.]

Are we really saying that writers don't know what they are doing? That we know better about how a story is meant to unfold? I realize that the most common argument for people who are careless enough (or cruel enough) to seek out spoilers is that we should focus on the "journey, not the destination." It is more exciting to read about HOW Sherlock Holmes solves the crime than to find out who actually committed the crime. Again, that is nonsense. Think for a moment about how your knowledge of the ending changes your "journey." Those of us who are actually engaged in a book/movie/etc. react to the story as it unfolds. We fear for the character's life and sanity. We remain tense around the characters we are sceptical of. Do you think Gandalf's death in Fellowship of the Rings would have had the same effect if you knew he was just going to return? Would you have spent so much time hating Snape in Sorcerer's Stone if you knew he wasn't the villain? Of course not. Your reading would have become lazy and your journey less powerful.

Not only do spoilers ruin the natural unfolding of events, but it ruins the power of a reveal-- a moment you can never get back. You cannot, in all honesty, tell me that you would have still watched Lost with the same interest, mystery, and investment, had you known they were all dead in the end. Why would you ever want to skip the excitement, torment, shock, and terror you feel when when you learn that Darth Vadar is Luke's father? These are moments that define your experience.

With that said, I have to politely and admittedly reject this UCSD study. I have no doubt that their surveys truly yielded the results they claim. I also have no doubt that most people think they don't mind spoilers. But I would challenge those people to look back upon those stories that most excited them. Find those stories that left you laughing and crying and stunned silent all at the same time. Find those moments and ask yourself whose face you would have ripped off if they took that away from you.

Pumpkin Carving!

2011-10-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the start of the Halloween season! I hope you have all been carving your pumpkins! My friend hosted a Pumpkin Carving party yesterday. I posted my result below, as well as some others from previous years.

Jonas Brothers symbol. Halloween 2008.

Doctor Who TARDIS. Halloween 2011.

Black cat. Halloween 2007.

(Sorry I don't have a lit version of this one. Use your imaginations ;D)

A Thank You Note

2011-10-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who helped me celebrate my birthday! My actual birthday was all about a nice dinner, theater play, and dessert with friends and family. The 48 hours surrounding my birthday was all about my awesome Facebook and Twitter friends in every time zone around the world. Thanks for making it special!

Blessings

2011-10-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know that pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home

It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

And what if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are Your mercies in disguise

Courtesy of lyricshall.com

Guidelines to a Doctor

2011-09-21T00:41:00.000-07:00

Now that Doctor Who has become a significant part of my TV life, I decided to create a guideline for those of you who consider looking into it. For those just logging on to Netflix and scanning the 5 seasons that are posted, it may be difficult deciding where to start. For some reason, you see that there are different casts for various seasons, the actual show started back in the 70s, etc. Where do you start? It is a common and unfortunate occurrence when someone, who could potentially love the show, never finds out just because they started with the wrong episode.

Who is your Doctor?

Chris Eccleston years: Though not usually a fan favorite, and only lasted one year, Eccleston was a great way to introduce the newly revived show. He was a solid introduction to who the Doctor is, without being immediately too weird and possibly off putting to a new generation. All his running around was immediately interesting, his history was a mystery, and his brokenness was apparent.

Eccelston was also the Doctor with the most viable romantic interest. Though Rose stays on, and is later more known as David Tennant's companion, her foundation with Eccleston is what sustains the show even years after she has left. Though most disagree with me, Nine also had much more workable chemistry with Rose than Ten later would.

This is where I started watching. The pilot episode and then worked my way through. Though my dedication payed off, I think few would have such patience. My recommendation is to start with the Matt Smith years. Watch Season 5 and then go back and watch Season 1-4. While it is important to find those initial episodes that you will enjoy in order to continue watching, it is also important to watch the progression of the Doctor and his companions. I do not recommend watching the David Tennant years before watching where Chris Eccleston took the show.

David Tennant years: While Tennant is probably the most popular fan favorite, his portrayal of the Doctor is probably one that needs to grow on most people. An immediate contrast from Eccleton, Tennant was loud, exciting, sexy, dark, and possibly annoying. He made phrases like "BRILLIANT," "Allons-y," and "Well..." impossible to ever say again in normal conversation. He sent chills down our spine when he unleashed the fury of the TimeLord. But most notably, Ten built a team around him that defined his years. Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, Donna Noble, and Captain Jack Harkness each created some of the most heart warming and equally heart wrenching story arcs that Doctor Who has ever seen. I would go so far to say that the Tennat years were only as good as these companions made them. Each of them extracted the Doctor's loneliness, compassion, and humanity.

My recommendation is to start with episodes like Blink (season 3). Though you see less of the Doctor in this episode, it is probably one of the best Doctor Who episodes ever. It is definitely one for a modern audience and successfully creates one of the scariest monsters the show has ever produces. The episode also guest stars Carey Mulligan, who is great. From there, I recommend you watch the Martha Jones year (Season 3) and continue to watch the Donna Noble year (season 4). Episodes like Human Nature are brilliant, but are hard to appreciate unless you are sufficiently attached. Working in that order is really the only way to build up to the emotion that surrounds the final episodes of David Tennant's reign. It is really a tragic and lonely ending, that you won't fully experience unless you have had the time to become attached to this Doctor and his team of companions.

Matt Smith years: While I absolutely LOVE David Tennant, and ADORE him as The Doctor, I honestly think Matt Smith's Doctor is perfection. He brings an innocence coupled with wisdom to the role that Tennant never captured. Once again, I credit the team of companions surrounding the Doctor. Because Ten constantly had a variety of single, beautiful women falling in love with him, there was little else to focus on but the Doctor's almost romances. With Amy and Rory both now traveling in the Tardis, the romantic focus is shifted to the appropriate couple and the Doctor can be the man child he is. Notice, some of Smith's most fantastic moments are when he is opposite a kid (think 6 year old Amy Pond, the Christmas Carol special, etc.). It is no coincidence that Smith's energy and silliness resembles that of a child. Like a child who is constantly discovering new things, the Doctor is constantly fascinated with the universe around him. But have no fear, the Doctor isn't left completely without love. The addition of River Song was not only wonderful within the complexity of the plot, but also added complicated relationships. Their flirty, marital-like relationship is closer to Ten's relationship with Donna than Ten's relationship with Rose.

To all new viewers, I recommend you start with the premiere of Season 5. Not only is Smith easy to love, but the show itself has matured tremendously. It has finally caught up with a modern audience, leaving behind the 70s villains (Daleks, Cybermen, etc.) and adopting plot-lines that truly terrify in today's day and age (the Angels, the Silence, etc.). Eleven's years are also the most serialized of the series, so it is probably important to start at the beginning to understand the plot.

With that said, I hope that was helpful. Leave your thoughts in the comments! Enjoy!

Sherlock

2011-09-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

I know the minute I tell you this is another BBC show, you're going to roll your eyes. Stop it. I can't help it if everything sounds better in a British accent. And in all seriousness, of course Sherlock should be British. We were just kidding ourselves with that Robert Downey Jr./Jude Law nonsense.

I remember I saw the pilot with my sister and I could not stop raving about it. It was brilliant.The first episode, in particular, get right into the psychological deformation of both Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Benedict Cummberbatch as Sherlock Holmes is genius. There is an immediate fear that his abilities to solve crime stems from his fascination and admiration of the crime. I've never seen Dexter, but I imagine this would be the appeal. Similarly, Martin Freeman's Watson is fascinated by Sherlock. His character is driven by the excitement, danger, and chase. The psychological effects of this manifests itself in physical disabilities. Ultimately, as intriguing and dark as the crimes are, the most interesting aspects of this show is the complexity that the actors bring.

My main complaint about the show, is that there is too much of it! Well. Not really. (All you BBC vets can just hear David Tennant saying that, can't you?). Not too many episodes as much as too many minutes in one episode. The first season was only 3 episodes, but each episode is 89 minutes without commercials. Unfortunately, there isn't always enough to make almost a full length movie for each episode.

For those of you who have Netflix, definitely catch up on the first three episodes before the new season premieres. Peter Jackson has paused the filming of The Hobbit so they could film the second season of Sherlock. So yes, it's that important. Get on it.

September 11: A Reaction

2011-09-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

Both in 2006 and again in 2010, my anniversary posts for 9/11 were dedicated to the American people and their unwillingness to forget the tragedy of that day. Unfortunately, this past year has seen a dramatic shift in that dedication. Whether it be because of the change in political climate, the death of Osama Bin Ladin, or the just the natural decay of memories, Americans have now been calling our aftermath of 9/11 an overreaction. Yes, September 11, 2001 resulted in two wars, 5,000+ American soldier deaths, and $1.7 trillion dollars. But this was not an overreaction. It was just the right amount of reaction. A reaction to nearly 3,000 innocent Americans killed on their way home or going to work. A reaction to a direct attack on American soil. A reaction to a worldview that hated the very notion of freedom and wanted to see it burn.

I'd like to refer you to an article a friend sent me by Charles Krauthammer. "The secretary of defense says that al-Qaeda is on the verge of strategic defeat. True. But why? Al-Qaeda did not spontaneously combust. Yet, in a decade, Osama bin Laden went from the emir of radical Islam — jihadi hero after whom babies were named all over the Muslim world — to pathetic old recluse, almost incommunicado, watching shades of himself on a cheap TV in a bare room. What turned the strong horse into the weak horse? Precisely the massive and unrelenting American War on Terror, a systematic worldwide campaign carried out with increasing sophistication, efficiency, and lethality — now so cheaply denigrated as an “overreaction.”"

We all have those stories. The ones we can feel, not just remember. Where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news about the Twin Towers and the planes still in flight. Never forget that feeling. Because the moment you start to think we overreacted, you stop praying for those who are still fighting for us. You stop realizing that that reaction has kept us safe for a decade.

The "How to" of Social Networking

2011-09-03T01:09:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else sit there and ponder this? Just me? Well, maybe we'd all be more interested in your Twitter if you did. Just kidding. I'm trying to find some use in my wasteful observance. But over my many years with an online presence, I've actually tried to figure this out. You may look at my blog or Twitter traffic and decide that I have yet to figure it out. But I'm getting there. Since you're reading this, you are obviously online to a certain extent. What are your thoughts? What works and what doesn't when it comes to social networking?

Facebook:

Make Friends: Facebook is tricky because people have so many hang ups. Everyone has a different standard about when to accept "friends" or what to post on their status updates. For those of you who only accept friends with whom you are close to in real life, I suggest you get off Facebook and go start a book club. If you are already so close to these people, you don't need to keep in touch online. The point of being online is to actually build a network. To find out what others are up to and to keep in touch with people you would not normally keep in touch with. A quick comment on someones photo or status will keep you in their mind but is also more appropriate and less formal than a phone call or e-mail. Facebook does not have to render phone calls or lunch dates useless, it can just supplement in a less formal, faster, and more convenient form. And if it's someone you just met, instead of a friend you lost touch with, add them too! You'll never know who you'll end up being close to. True, this isn't how people built their networks pre-Internet era. But now we have access to it, so take advantage. DISCLAIMER: This does not mean I'm telling you to "friend" your boss on Facebook. Sometimes that's OK, but you know better than me when it is appropriate.
Don't be annoying: Now, about not annoying the friends you do have. We all have those friends who just can't stop telling us everything. The ones whose statuses get updated more frequently than ESPN news. Stop it. There is no need to tell us that you going to be leaving for a concert, that you are driving to the concert, that you just arrived at the concert, and then about every song they are playing during the concert. One status update if you have fun, interesting plans for the evening is enough. It lets people know and invites comments from those who are interested. You can follow up with details to certain individuals later. I'm sure we'll all see the photos that evening anyway. On a similar note, your statuses should actually be something people want to read. And when gauging what people want to read, assume you're talking to acquaintances instead of close friends (see above point). I don't need to constantly hear about how much you hate your job, or about the fight you got into with your best friend, whom I don't even know. I also don't need the melodramatic, philosophical, punchline quote about the meaning of life. They are meaningless when on a hallmark card and they are meaningless when on your status.
Be discrete: This applies to all social media, not just Facebook. In most cases, I suggest really using your networking site to interact with others (see Twitter below). But how you interact should still be kept in check. Posting inappropriate comments or photos is not OK. See my post that discusses this at length.

Twitter:

Tweet often: In my (humble) opinion, you should use Twitter the way you should NOT use Facebook. Where too many status updates will be annoying on Facebook, too few updates will be lost on Twitter. Again, their needs to be a balance, but of a different nature. Twitter acts as a live feed and not as a static page, so constant updates work just fine. Go ahead, tell me each song they are playing at the concert. Because Twitter isn't just to your group of friends, it acts as a live way for fans everywhere to keep up.
Tweet to individuals: This may weird some people out, but getting to know people on Twitter is actually a lot of fun. It's less weird than on Facebook because you're not constantly photo dumping, so no one should have TOO much access to your information. Instead, it's like a casual conversation you may have at a bookstore with someone who is reading the back of your favorite book. You get into other book recommendations, genres, authors, etc. You get to gush about what you love and learn new things from someone with similar interests. It may make some people uncomfortable, but I like learning what people do for a living, what time zone they live in, etc. People are interesting and you now have access to meet people around the world that you never would have otherwise. Take advantage of it.
Use hashtags: There are generally two purposes to hashtags: (1) to link with others tweeting about the same thing and (2) to provide an afterthought. The first will help your tweets get read by people and the second will help color your tweets and let you get creative. It's no use being clever if no one knows what you are talking about. If you're tweeting a witty response about what you're watching on TV or what is happening in the news, just hashtag #Whatyouarereferingto at the end of your sentence. This way, people who don't know what you're talking about will at least know WHY they don't know what you're talking about. And people who DO know what you're talking about will catch on. It also allows you to be searchable. If you are watching #TheOffice, others who want to know what people are saying about the episode will find you and possibly follow or @ reply back (I'm looking at you @_read_my_mind).
Be bold. But not offensive. Nothing will turn you off to social media faster than haters. And believe me, there are plenty out there. It doesn't take much to get a mean response because people seem to be more willing to dish it out when they are hiding behind a computer. I'm not getting into the cyberbullying that the news wants you to look out for when your 12 year old is online. That is a whole other discussion. I'm talking about political spats or people hating on your favorite celebrity. This is a reality of the media and once you're aware of it, you can figure out how you'll let it effect you. With that said, don't be afraid to be bold. Make a funny comment about Obama's nonsense speech. Similarly, when you see an article you want to share with people, don't just tweet the article and it's title. You are not the CNN twitter and we could have seen that article reading Yahoo news. We read your Twitter to get a short blurb about what you thought of it. Is it funny? Outrageous? Embarrassing? Tell me what you think so I can respond and have a reason to follow you in the future.
Tap into fanbases: This goes along with the last two points. More likely than not, people you know in real life don't all watch the same shows you watch or enjoy the same things you enjoy. For those aspects of your life, turn to twitter. There are always tons of people online obsessing over the same things you are obsessing over. You'll find that you have more in common with people you meet on Twitter than people you know on Facebook. The fanbases you tap into are people who completely love your favorite TV. You'll finally have people to talk about the finale of Lost without getting those glazed over looks your friends give you because they never watch the show.

That seems to be all the pearls of wisdom I have for you at the moment. What do you think? Am I way off base? What works for you when you're online? What did I just say? You have to engage with other people online! You can start by leaving a comment! If this goes well, maybe I'll post about what works and what doesn't on Tumblr, Youtube and Blogspot ;D.

White Collar Fan Party at SDCC Photos!

2011-08-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

Your party hosts!

FOX Home Entertainment crew that brought us a ton of goodies!

Caption Contest Game!

Costume Contest winners!

Prize winners!

Thanks to everyone who made it out to the party! Hope you had a blast!

For all the photos, see our Flickr account.

Weezer at Del Mar Race Track

2011-08-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

USA Show Panels at SDCC 2011

2011-08-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

Featured Blog: Robert Tran's Self-Therapy Podcast

2011-08-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

Because I like to expose you all to diverse other people online (aka. my friends), I have another blog suggestion! This is a bit different. Instead of a written blog, Robert Tran's Self-Therapy Blogspot is a podcast.

Robert and I met in a couple English classes at UCI. Though he has graduated from UCI and has landed a rock-solid job, he dabbles in comedy on the side. His podcast consists of unpolished material that he is usually testing out for an audience. Everyday life absurdities through the rants of a would-be comedian. His episodes are usually little anecdotes of things that happened in the day: talking to cute girls, standing in line at Starbucks, worrying about his boss finding his Twitter, etc. Robert generally explores and exploits his own neurosis. It is self-deprecating humor achieved only through self-awareness.

Please note that Robert's posts usually consist of some language. If you take a listen, let him know so that he will post more often. Enjoy!

Spiderman Panel at SDCC 2011

2011-07-31T00:55:00.000-07:00

Movie Panels at SDCC 2011

2011-07-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

30 Minutes or Less.

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg (not present at Comic Con), Aziz Ansari, Danny McBride

The Raven.

Cast: John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve

Fright Night.

Cast: Collin Farrell, David Tennant

The Adventures of Tin-Tin.

Directed by Steven Spielberg. Produced by Peter Jackson

Total Recall.

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Collin Farrell, Bryan Cranston, Bill Nighy (not present at Comic Con), Jessica Biel, Ethan Hawke (not present at Comic Con), John Cho

Total Recall.

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Collin Farrell, Bryan Cranston, Bill Nighy (not present at Comic Con), Jessica Biel, Ethan Hawke (not present at Comic Con), John Cho

Underworld 4: Awakening.

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy

Merlin Panel at SDCC 2011

2011-07-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

Comic Con Survival Guide: Tip for Future Cons

2011-07-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

Now that I've actually experienced a con for myself, here are some tips that may help you in future planning:

Be prepared for the lines. Don't bother going to Comic Con if you don't want to wait in lines longer than one hour. Sometimes, the line for the bathroom or for Starbucks is longer than that. This is especially true if you're planning to see the bigger line ups. You can probably get away with one hour or less lines for the smaller, less popular panels. But expect to wait in 2 to3 hour lines for any TV show or movie panel. And that is just to get in. Think 4 to 5 hours to get a decent seat.
When planning your lines, consider planning your entire day in one room. If you have more than one panel you don't mind or want to sit through in that room, it works out well. You can get in line early, get in, and grab a great seat by the time your panel comes around. They do not empty rooms between panels. So if you are not in the room by the time it fills up for the 10am panel, you can only get a seat when someone leaves.
Take food with you. Although there isn't a problem leaving the room (you get an hour pass at a time) to get food, I found out that the Convention center food is the worst. Crossing the street to the Gaslamp may take too much time.
Go to things by yourself. My friend an I went together to San Diego but never spent the entirity of one day together. Sometimes, we didn't see each other until dinner. That's ok. The stuff going on is too good to pass up just because you think you have no one to go with. Many people are in line by themselves. More likely than not, they are just as bored and would love to talk to you too. To prepare for this, get to know people on Twitter before you go. That way, you'll already know who will be in what line with you.

Have internet access. Most people have internet on their phones, so this is a no brainer. But I don't, so I had to plan. There is free wireless in the convention center, so you can bring a laptop. This helps when you are bored in line AND when you are lost and can't find what you need. At one point I was literally lost in th e middle of the exhibit floor with Jolene navigating me on the phone.
Be flexable. Everyone says this but no one ever listens. I realize that we all have those one or two things we CANNOT miss. That one panel or signing that is the reason we bought our ticket. For those, it is completely possible to plan it right and make it happen (if you are willing to give up other things and wait in line over night). But you cannot reasonably expect to see and do everything.
Read information ahead of time. There is no way to know everything that is going on because there is just too much. But the more you know ahead of time, the better off you'll be. Check the popular Comic Con blogs, follow the more informative Twitters, and do your research. Find out when and where the signings will be. Find out how each booth does their signing tickets. Find out how long any particular panel line is expected to be. Find out what offsite parties and events are happening in the city that weekend. Etc. Ask the pros on Twitter. Don't be the person who misses the Castle panel just because you don't realize how insanely popular Nathan Fillion is.
If possible, get a hotel within 10 to 15 min. walking distance. I was the person who thought I could drive an hour each day to the con. Thankfully, my friend knew better and got us a hotel. If you plan to ever get anything done at the Con, you'll have to be there very early. Parking is a pain and the early/late hours you'll be putting in doesn't make driving practical. Not only that, but San Diego parties all night those 4 days. Make sure you take advantage of walking around the Gaslamp because you never know who you'll run into or what you'll get to see. They may be even staying at your hotel.

Pack the correct wardrobe. This may sound like it only applies to those wearing costumes (which I highly recommend), but I'm talking more about packing jackets and such. Waiting outside in the lines is very hot. But the rooms inside are very cold. Pack accordingly. Pack your most comfortable shoes (because your feet will be killing you by Saturday) as well as one or two nicer outfits. Like I said, there are tons of classy parties and premieres that go on in San Diego during the con. Most of the time, you have a chance to win tickets while you are there, so be prepared. Also, come prepared with all your superhero T-shirts, costumes, and make up because the news medias just love a good show. It also makes the entire experience more fun, I promise.
If possible, get a 4 day pass. You just miss way too much if you're only there for the day. You never know who is going to show up, or when they will be scheduled. It takes at least one day to figure out how to navigate and find what you need to find, let alone actually accomplish anything. The 4 days are worth the cost and effort.
Don't give up the panel for a possible signing. Signings at Comic Con are tricky business. Each person or cast that is doing a signing will go through one of the booths. Sometimes it makes sense (Glee signing at FOX booth) and sometimes it doesn't make sense (NBC's Chuck signing at the WB booth?). Depending on which booth is hosting, the sigings are run a bit differently. Aside from the ones you pay for an autorgraph (Mark Hamil was $100- you decide what it's worth), most are by raffle. You literally stick your hand in a bag and see if you win. The raffle, however, happens at a different time from the signing. For example. Merlin ticket drawing may be at 10pm. The panel is at 12pm and the signing is at 2pm. If it takes a couple hours to go through the ticket line, you may not make the panel. Decide how lucky you are, because my advice is to guarantee the panel instead of taking the chance on the signing. If you're REALLY lucky, you'll have a friend who is free to wait in the signing line for you ;D.
Have a great camera. Personally, I love looking at my photos and videos from the panels almost as much as I love being there the first time. Get a good camera, with a great zoom. You won't always be sitting close, but your photos will turn out great.
Make friends in line. Nerds have a weird reputation of being super cut throat at the con. This need not be the case (see my "be flexible" pointer). More likely than not, being rude or uptight to the person in front of you is not going to get you a better seat. It's unreasonable to think no one will save seats, or bring their friends/family into line with them. In fact, if you're nice to the person in front of you for letting their wife come meet them in line, she may bring you breakfast and coffee when she arrives at 7am (I speak from personal experience). Plus, you'll have a couple new twitter followers by the time you leave =D.

Chuck's Final Panel at SDCC 2011

2011-07-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

San Diego Comic Con 2011 Wrap Up

2011-07-24T22:53:00.000-07:00

Although this was my first con, I think Jolene and I navigated it like a pro. Check out some of our experiences:

Spent an entire day watching TV show panels in Ballroom 20
Spent an entire day watching movie panels in Hall H
Saw about 20 people dressed as The Doctor
Met the cast of Chuck after Jolene won the signing raffle
Threw an epic Fan Party in downtown San Diego
Saw another 20 people dressed as The Doctor
Dressed us as the Eleventh Doctor myself
Spent too much time at Zachary Levi's Nerd Head Quarters
Saw 14+ panels over the 4 days
Waited in lined for 6+ hours each day
Celebrities include: Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Matt Smith, Zachary Levi, Colin Ferrell, Bradley James, Matt Smith, etc.
Costumes include: Han Solo, Lady Gaga, Lego, Disney Princesses, Boba Fet, Power Rangers, Jack Sparrow, Merlin, Rick Castle, Wolverine, Good Witch of the North, Jacob Black, Daenerys Targaryen, etc.
Got the best swag from Game of Thrones panel- book, T-shirt, bag, and computer cloth
Saw Dave Chappelle walk by us when he was watching the same movie panels we were
Met Dave Gibbons, who signed our copies of Watchmen (and sang to Jolene)
Was initiated into Comic Con madness while trying (and failing) to get a Merlin and Torchwood signing
Saw Peter Jackson fan girl over a fan's homemade shirt
Increased my Twitter followers just by talking to people in line
Could see the Cowboys and Aliens red carpet AND the EW VIP party from our hotel
Saw even more people dressed as The Doctor

Google+

2011-07-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

I finally got my Google+ invite!! Been on for a couple days trying to feel it out, so I thought I'd issue my report. For those of you who don't know what Google+ is yet, you will. It is the newest social networking site, developed by Google and aimed to rival Facebook. The reason you may not have heard of it yet is because it has not been opened to the public. In order to create buzz around their new product, Google sent out invitations to a handful of people. Those people were in tern given 15 invites to send to their friends. I received my invite from someone I know on Twitter.

Unfortunately, it seems exactly like Facebook. Here is what it looks like:

The only significant change from Facebook that Google+ adopted is a new categorization for friends. If their is one complaint I never stop hearing about Facebook, it is: "Why would they add me? They are not my "friend!!" I can get into a whole rant about how irrational it is for people to take this "friend" categorization so seriously, but I won't. Regardless, it can't be disputed that people have different philosophies about how to add friend requests. Some people refuse to add anyone who isn't their close friend in real life, whereas some people will add anyone within their 6 degrees of separation. Personally, I'll add anyone I've met at least once in person. But that is besides the point. Google+ has seemed to pick up on this uncomfortable situation and tried to rectify it with, what they call, "circles." Now you can have different circles for friends, family, acquaintances, and followers. The other person will never know how you view them (so no one can take offense) and you will feel better that you don't open your social network to just about anyone. If this makes you feel like you are still in control of your online intimacy, great. I, personally, foresee myself having to move people from "acquaintances" to "friends" as I get to know them, which is just more work for me.

Will it do well? Yes. Everything touched by Google does well. I think people love the concept of Facebook, but are often upset with some of the decisions they make. This will give people the reason and the means to change. However, unlike other new social networks, this will not happen over night. Twitter was something new, different, and mutually exclusive from Facebook. People can open a Twitter, a Tumble, or a blog, but that doesn't render their Facebook useless. In this case, however, Google+ does fully replace Facebook. If everyone joined Google+, no one will be on Facebook anymore. There would be no reason to have both. The problem is getting people off Facebook. Over the years, we have set up so many root in Facebook, that getting away from it seems like a waste. We have organized photos, notes, comments, etc. for so long, that leaving Facebook means losing all of that history (even if you don't actually delete your Facebook).

Who else got their invite? What do you think?

Catalina Island

2011-07-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

2011-07-14T00:53:00.000-07:00

Many of us approach this film with much the same bitter, sweet anticipation that we had approached the final Harry Potter novel in 2006. And in much the same way as the novel, this movie lives up to the expectations. Starting around movie 5 (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), the films abandoned the attempt to please fans with every detail from the books. That method had proven to fail. Instead, the movies have evolved to elicit the same emotions from viewers that readers find from the books. And more successfully than ever before, Harry Potter 7.2 captures the mortality, fear, and enormity of the film itself. Much of what was lacking in the last film (and in many of the books themselves) was a grand finale. A final stance, if you will, in battle. Almost from the very first moments of 7.2, it is a non-stop grand finale. The scenes of Hogwarts under attack are absolutely beautiful. The students who were forced to grow up too quickly, desperately fighting only to buy Harry time to finish his quest, are heart wrenching.

Best of all, the film reminded us what an epic journey these films have been. Some of the most powerful scenes in the film are when Harry is exploring Snape’s memories. Like in the book, Snape’s death is anti-climactic at best. But, through him, we remember how far the characters have come. We see flashbacks from the Potters’ death, Harry’s years at Hogwarts, and the climb to this final moment.

Along with the characters, the actors, the magic, and the viewers have all matured. There is an ease and comfort now with the power behind the magic used in the film. The viewers, for the first time, don’t need to be introduced to any new form of magic or need anything explained to them. Instead, it is all about getting the job done and accepting the fate that is inevitable. However, the comfort we feel in this final film is also its shortcoming. The reason no knew information is presented is because this is really only half a film. In perspective, these two hours are only about a third of the book. The previous majority is spent exploring and understanding the rest of the horcruxes and the Deathly Hallows. Instead of having a film the builds to a climax, finally piecing together what we have learned, the entire two hours are an emotional rush. The film probably does not merit a stand alone title. It is an ending. An emotional ending to a beautiful journey.

Casey Anthony Murder Trial

2011-07-04T23:53:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Casey Anthony's verdict came in at 11:15am PST on July 5th 2011. She was found not guilty of murder in the first degree, not guilty of manslaughter, and guilty of providing false information to the police. Please discuss in the comments.

Is anyone else as fascinated with the Casey Anthony trial as I am? Oh, you too America? I had not noticed. With jury now in deliberation, I wanted to post this before we find out the verdict. I should start by saying: if you’re expecting this post to give you any information that isn’t out there on the news, don’t. I’ve been reading the same reports you’ve been reading. And I have not taken Evidence or Criminal Procedure yet, so I’m no help. But speaking of those reports we’re all reading, apparently the defense is either genius or completely off their rocker.

For those of you who need a summary: Casey Anthony was charged with first degree murder of her two year old daughter in Florida. It took Anthony about 31 days to reveal to her parents (the child’s grandparents), whom she lived with most of the time, that the child was missing. The police later found the girl’s body in three different bags, her face wrapped with duck tape, and residue of chloroform. Anthony’s own parents have admitted to believing their daughter’s guilt.

The prosecution has put on strong (from what I hear) circumstantial evidence to show Anthony is guilty of premeditated murder. Evidence includes Internet searches on the home computer of how to make homemade chloroform, stains in Anthony’s car, Anthony’s behavior after the child’s disappearance, etc. According to the prosecution, Anthony’s motive is that she no longer wanted to be a mother. She missed her single life too much and wanted to go out and party. Of course, Anthony went with the most effective and clearly rational way to accomplish this: she murdered her daughter.

Anthony has pleaded “not guilty” and her defense has tried to establish a lengthy alternative story. They have suggested that Anthony came home one day to find her father holding the dead child, claiming she downed the pool. The father then told Anthony to cover it up. From the pieces I’ve heard, the defense has done a reasonable job of poking holes in the prosecution’s case. For example, Anthony’s mother testified that she had searched for ways to make home made chloroform using the home computer in the past (suggesting Anthony may not have been the one searching). But one of the biggest hurdles the defense will have to overcome is Anthony’s behavior after her daughter’s disappearance. Evidence shows that Anthony went out partying like she was drunk and in college. To explain this, the defense has suggested that Anthony was sexually abused as a child by her father and her brother. Growing up in such a bad situation, she learned to cover her emotions so that no one could tell what was going on. They claim that Anthony has dealt with trauma her whole life by going out, socializing, and pretending nothing was wrong. The accidental death of her daughter was no different.

Let us pause here a moment. Remember, the question isn’t “Which story is more believable?” (So you should ignore my snarky comments). Instead, the question is: “Is the defense’s story enough to create reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s story?” Of course, it’s impossible for us to know because we are not sitting on the jury hearing all the evidence. What is more interesting to me is the fact that the defense decided to create an entirely different story at all. Again, the prosecution and defense are not equally burdened. It isn’t as if each presents a story with evidence and tries to convince the jury to believe them more than they believe the other. It is enough for the defense to win if they could create enough holes in the prosecution’s evidence to create reasonable double. Or is it? Yes, in theory. But at what point do you need another suspect in order to create reasonable doubt? In other words, at what point does the lack of a reasonable alternative become evidence itself? In this case, the alternative story is that it was an accidental death. That's simple and plausible enough. Babies drown in pools when left alone. In fact, it's much less far fetched than the prosecution's motive, claiming that Anthony wanted to go out and party. The reason an accidental death is a hard sell is because of Anthony's behavior after the death. Once again, the defense needs an alternative explanation and turn to this weird sex abuse background story.

From what I hear, the defense was not allowed to show evidence of Anthony's abuse from her father. The promise was made in the opening statements but no evidence was presented. This seems to suggest that the defense did not fully build the case they were planning to (although, I imagine it may work to their advantage- having the possibility dangling in the jury's mind but not having to follow through with what seems like a weak proposition that would possibly fail in cross examination). If convicted, this may be something they try to appeal on.

Predictions? Well, I should know better than to predict without having seen most of the evidence. But I do think the jury will come back with a guilty verdict. Some have projected that she will end up with aggravated manslaughter because there is enough evidence that Anthony may have had help or it may have been an accident.

Independence Day Playlist

2011-07-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

It's true that a typical 4th of July celebration is known for family barbeque and evening fireworks. But it is when you hear those all-American songs, celebrating our great country, does it hit you how blessed we are. Living in a nation, proud and free. May the Lord continue to bless this great nation, our troops who fight for our freedom, and the American men and women who believe in it. Happy Independence Day.

Independence Day Playlist:

American Child by Phil Vassar
We Weren't Born to Follow by Bon Jovi
Independence Day by Martina McBride
All American Girl by Carrie Underwood
Warrior by Kid Rock
America by Neil Diamond
American Pie by Don McLean
Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen
God Bless America by Celine Dion
Star Spangled Banner
God Bless the USA by Lee Greewood

FishFest 2011!

2011-06-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Tenth Avenue North

David Crowder Band

Third Day

Mercy Me

Newest USA Show: Suits

2011-06-25T00:58:00.000-07:00

New USA show premieres!! Yay! This network honestly defines my week: White Collar/Covert Affairs on Tuesdays, Royal Pains/Necessary Roughness on Wednesdays, and Burn Notice/ Suits on Thursdays. If you saw any of these premiers in the last few weeks, let me know what you think. Specifically, what do you think of USA’s new shows: Suits and Necessary Roughness?

Suits on USA Network (Thursdays at 10pm)
It’s about time USA had a lawyer show! Now, don’t expect it to be as amazing as The Good Wife, but it’s got to be leaps and bounds above the new TNT show, Franklin & Bash. Suits immediately sets up a strong premise for the show. Mike Ross is a screw up, who wasted his life cheating. He was kicked out of school for memorizing a math exam and selling the answers. Since then, he has lived with his drug dealing roommate and makes money by taking the LSATs for other students. When Mike needs $25,000 to keep his grandmother in her living facility, he agrees to drop off some drugs for his roommate. The deal ends up being a police sting operation. While running from the cops, Mike ends up in the interview room for Harvey’s firm. The firm only hires Harvard graduates, but Harvey is tired of the same kind of associate they always hire. He is intrigued by Ross, who is clearly brilliant. Turns out that Mike has passed the New York bar (because someone bet him he couldn’t) and is licensed to practice. Unfortunately, not only has Mike not graduated from Harvard, but he has not graduated from any law school. Nevertheless, Harvey can’t resist and decides to make Mike the new associate.

Harvey is already in trouble with his firm. He is known as the “closer” because swoops in at the last minute to save a case. Sometimes, however, Harvey takes it too far. Recently, Harvey lied to a client to get him to sign a contract and his firm is threatening to send Harvey in front of the bar for ethics violations if he does it again. Unable to fire Mike (because Mike threatens to tell the firm that he lied about Mike being a Harvard grad), Harvey and Mike are stuck covering up this lie. Like all USA shows, this is going to be the long-term thread of the show. Each episode, however, will deal with a different legal case.

On a network so focused on likable characters, that is exactly where this show gets off to a slow start. Though both Mike and Harvey are introduced as the best and the brightest, they are both kind of losers. Mike is a drug addict and Harvey is a lazy womanizer. They are lacking a likable motive or drive to their characters.

With that said, however, if the show can develop a good bromance between the two, it will be a success. We caught a glimpse of witty banter in the last moments of the episode (something about Keaton’s Batman). With dialogue like that, the show has promise and could well surpass shows like Fairly Legal or Necessary Roughness.

Blast from the Past: Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows

2011-06-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

Before I started this blog, I was writing reviews all over Yahoo and Facebook. Without a consistent place to post, I've probably lost a lot of the things I've written. As these old posts become relevant again, however, I'll re-post them here under BLAST FROM THE PAST.

With Harry Potter's final installment coming to theaters soon (newest trailer just released above), I thought it appropriate to re-post my review of the Deathly Hallows novel from 2007. Technically, I'm posting two of my old Facebook notes. The first is an anticipation post from the weeks leading up to the release of the novel. The second is my review of the book. Enjoy.
______________________________________________
Don't bother me on July 21st!
by Christine Antonios on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 8:42pm

There are 12 days left until the release of the seventh and final Harry Potter and it is already all I can think about. Actually, it has been all I could think about for the past month but we will not go that far into my neurosis. The thing is, a part of me does not even want the book to come out because it will mean the end of so many things. I know all fans feel the same way, and we have often heard that it is a bittersweet moment, but to really think about it is extraordinary. This series has been 10 years in the making and, unlike most series, which begin to falter around the second or third sequels; Rowling has never once deviated from an amazing novel or strong plot. I was 8 years old when the first Harry Potter was released. By the time I was 13, I was every bit addicted. It seems fitting that the final book be released when I am 18 years old. It is in every way the end of my childhood, the end of a decade, and the end of what I can safely say is my favorite childhood series.

Because this book is all I can think about, I obviously have come up with my own predictions for THE questions that seem to be in more debate than biblical text…

WILL HARRY DIE?
No. I firmly believe that he will not die. It is far too obvious of an ending at this point and it will completely throw off Rowling’s strong, moral lessons of the series. Good and evil cannot die together. It just won’t happen.

IS DUMBLEDORE DEAD?
Yes. Get over it people, he’s gone and it had to be this way. Of course the afterlife is still an unknown thing in the magical world so we don’t know how that will work out. Then again, Harry has never been able to communicate with his parents…

IS SNAPE GOOD OR BAD?
Good. I really think so. I think he will be a tragic hero in the end and I think Rowling has gone through too much trouble over the past 5 books getting the reader to trust Snape, just to throw it away so easily.

WHO WILL DIE?
I don’t know. I have not been able to guess Rowling’s deaths over the past 3 books and I certainly cannot start now. However, as for the obvious – Ron and Hermione- I think Hermione is in much more danger than Ron. For some reason people think Ron is the one to go but I don’t think she will kill off Harry’s best friend and people overlook Hermione. I honestly believe that with all of Hermione’s great qualities comes loyalty. Loyalty till the end.

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THE HORCRUXES?
Well if we knew the answer to this there would be no real point in reading the book. I’ve read many theories and here is the one I like the most. Other than the Horcruxes we already know abouts Dumbledore and Harry are both Horcruxes (although “You-know-who” does not know about Harry). It would explain Snape killing Dumbledore and even though “You-know-who” ordered Dunbledore to be killed, he ordered Draco to do so, perhaps knowing he could not and only wishing to punish the Malfoys. I know there are flaws in this theory but I like it so until July 21 you can’t prove me wrong.

Secondly, I read something interesting about Peter Pettigrew. This is another fascinating character. Of course Rowling has come up with her fair share of fascinating characters but Snape and Pettigrew win the prize. He is indebted to Harry and he may be the key to keeping Harry alive while still killing the Horcrux inside of him.

Overall, however, I believe it is impossible for anyone to make any accurate predictions because, as each book has already proven, there are many more things to learn and many more questions to be raised before we can come to answers. I have full faith in this series finale and now my only prediction is that on July 21st 12:00am, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will finally be in my possession and anyone who interrupts me over those few days will lose a limb.
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
by Christine Antonios on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 9:47am

Weasley was terrible, but you had to expect a Weasly would die (I was betting on Percy or Bill). Similarly, Lupin and Tonk’s death was awful, but once they asked Harry to be godfather you HAD to see it coming.

It is really hard to talk about Harry Potter with someone who has not yet read the book. But, I assume that everyone has read it so I will proceeding without caution (as you can tell, this will have spoilers). Let me tell you what I love. I love how Dumbledore was given more depth to his character and his flaws were finally revealed. I love how a large audience finally witnessed Harry’s ultimate battle instead of the purely one-on-one confrontations that we have seen in previous books. And I love how this book revealed the true brilliance of Rowling’s writing. I have never seen any other series that ties it’s plot points together so well and creates a seamless story from beginning to end. It seemed like there was absolutely nothing left unused from the previous novels, including: the invisibility cloak, polyjuice potion, the Gringotts bank, twin wands, house elves, the tents used in Goblet of Fire and even secret hiding places (what was once so simple as the place Harry used to store his text book became Voldomort’s downfall). I have found that, often, a fantasy/adventure series comes down to its last battle and the author has set up a conflict so well that not even she can figure out how to save the hero. These situations often resort to a new power or a new form of magic, previously unknown to the reader, to save the day. Fortunately for Potter readers, Rowling has been getting us used to concepts and magical ideas from day one. This gives us time to understand how they work. Once put all together, they are a believable solution to the problem. Everything seemed planned from book 1 and nothing felt out of place.

I have to admit that certain characters were robbed of their moment. For example, Peter Pettigrew could have had a much bigger role in book 7 than just to die. Similarly, we saw Snape more in his memories than in his present day fight for good. I did, however, like how Snape was ultimately not a hero and, had it not been for Lily, he would have never helped Harry. Once again, love is seen as the ultimate tie to “good.” I also expected Neville to be the one who finally killed Bellatrix, but I suppose Mrs. Weasley did it just as well. I love that Neville had a crucial role in killing Voldomort, considering it could have been up to him all along (according to the prophecy).

Overall, the moment the made me cry the most was as Harry realized he had to die in order to kill Voldomort and the family that he has already lost was there with him as he faced his end. It was finally up to Harry, without anyone else’s help, relying on his courage, humility, and goodness. I remember the whole time I was reading that chapter I was never convinced that Harry was going to die. Somehow Rowling was going to fix the situation but never the less, I was in tears the whole way.

I know most people look at Deathly Hallows just as an ending. But as a separate novel, it really is one of the best in the series. The story is captivating and does not drag in any parts. In fact, the 759 pages seem to end too quickly. Each character further develops, yet they stay true to the characteristics that have defined them from the very beginning.

Honestly, I have so much to say about this book, most of which are a jumble in my head so I will stop writing now. It is obviously not something I can “recommend” to anyone because how much you enjoy the novel depends on your knowledge of the first six books. For me, it was the end of a childhood. 10 years in the making and I’m still as hooked as I was when I was 8 years old. I am going to miss Harry, Ron, and Hermione and the world the J. K. Rowling created for us. I am going to miss the anticipation of waiting for each installment and I think I can safely say I will never love another series the way I love Harry Potter. But with that said, if it had to end, it ended well.

Wherever You Are Tour

2011-06-16T20:18:00.000-07:00

What did you guys think of the tour? I was at the Anaheim show at the HOB. It was only the second night of the tour, so they were still working out the kinks. Unfortunately, the sound was off for most of the night (for most of the bands). The tech guys were constantly on stage fixing the mikes and the instruments. With all that going on, however, the show was surprisingly smooth and all the bands worked it well into their show. I don't think I love Honor Society's new music as much as I did on their first album. Action Item's new material, however, is really good. I definitely recommend you check them out.

Doctor Who

2011-06-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, after that last massive TV dump I posted on season finales, I’ve recoiled back into my lesser known TV shows. I’d like to introduce you to BBC’s Doctor Who.

Doctor Who has essentially been on TV for the past 30 years. It originally aired some time in the 70s, became a huge hit, but eventually ran its course. In 2005, the BBC revamped the show, brought in a newer and younger cast, and revived the concept. Once again, Doctor Who became a huge hit and is still running. In fact, the United States fans will soon get an American version of Doctor Who and its spin off- Torchwood. Being new to the show, I started with the 2005 episodes and am now almost three seasons in.

The premise of the show is about a man/alien known as The Doctor who travels across space and time in his space ship (The Tardis), saving the universe. The Doctor is appropriately mysterious- never revealing much about his home planet or the war that destroyed his race of Time Lords. Instead, he focuses on saving others using only his brilliance and a sonic screwdriver (Don’t ask. This screwdriver can apparently do anything except kill someone.

Now, I would normally vouch for shows that sound this absurd because usually the absurdity is in the translation. When you are in the moment and developing your understanding along with the story, everything is much more believable than when writing a summary. In this case, however, I’d have to say that things sound just as absurd when watching the show. For example, another premise of the story is that The Doctor can change his appearance to avoid death- essentially renew his body and live forever. I won’t even get into the plot holes this causes (like why his entire race could not do that in the war) because I assume there is information I’m not aware of yet. Instead, I’ll focus on what this does to the character development and to the relationship with the viewer. Firstly, it allows the show to recast often and stay within the acceptable norm of the story (they are currently on the 11th Doctor- a concept Soap Operas may want to adopt). This is a double edged sword. You can’t get TOO attached to the cast because they change frequently. But if don’t like this particular version of the doctor, you can still watch the show knowing someone better may come along. Secondly, the idea that the show basically starts over each time is also a double edged sword. It’s great for new viewers who need to hear the basics of the show to understand it, but prevents the characters from developing at an acceptable speed.

After watching the show long enough, you’ll notice that The Doctor also travels with a companion. Always female, always in her twenties, and always after he’s saved her life. This female usually stays on for a significant number of episodes and aides the viewer in the transition between doctors. Since I’ve been watching the show (again, not even three full seasons yet), I’ve met four of these female companions (two long term, one as a transition after the doctor changed, and a past companion who made a special appearance). The interesting psychology behind these characters is that they all seem to stay with The Doctor because, on some level, they fall in love with him. This isn’t too surprising, considering that’s probably why female viewers stick with the show. But with a constant change in characters, it doesn’t allow the viewer to “root for” a couple. For example, the first female companion I met was Rose (Billie Piper), who remained with the 9th and 10th doctors. As far as I know, her relationship with The Doctor is the only one that the show has seriously considered turning into a romantic relationship. I loved Rose, especially with the 9th Doctor (Christopher Eccleston). After David Tennant took over as the 10th doctor, the chemistry was lacking a bit I was nevertheless rooting for them. Unfortunately, the end result is that you have all these women falling in love with The Doctor, across space and time, following him in hopes that he'll love them to. The Doctor comes across as an unwilling and unknowing womanizer... who happens to be a hero.

I’m not saying it’s not enjoyable to watch or that I’m not already hooked. In fact, I’ll probably be all caught up by the time school starts again. Remember when I mentioned earlier that most female viewers probably tune in because they are a bit in love with The Doctor? That isn’t untrue for THIS female viewer. His character is all about knowledge and adrenaline. Just imagine all the wisdom of the universe operating with the energy of a teenager. If that doesn’t do it for you, just lookn at that smile! It is completely addicting ;D.

UCI Graduation 2011!

2011-06-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Jolene Ung, Cassara Holt, and Stephanie Li

for their B.A.s from the Claire Trever School of the Arts at UCI 2011!!

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

-Lyrics from Mark Harris' Find Your Wings

Bachelor of Science

2011-06-12T18:04:00.000-07:00

Awarded to Joseph Antonios

UCSD 2011

Congrats to the one of the most incredible people I know.

Your accomplishments never fail to amaze me.

White Collar Fans at SDCC!

2011-06-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

Though those of you on Twitter already know this, I'm officially announcing it here and on Facebook to all my friends. This year, at San Diego Comic Con, we're throwing a White Collar Fan party and you should all join us!

When: Thursday July 21, 2011
Where: The Lime (Tequila Bar)- 653 5th Ave. San Diego, CA. This is only a couple blocks away from the Convention Center.
What: We'll have games, food, drinks, prizes and (best of all) all the biggest White Collar fans will be there!

Website: Check out all the information about the event here. You can also follow us on Twitter @WCFansatSDCC. To get on the e-mail list, be sure to send us your name to whitecollarfansatsdcc@gmail.com.
Media Buzz: You can see some of the promotion we've been getting on some unofficial SDCC sites here. We've gotten some interviews and cool shout outs!
How you can help: Send us questions for our trivia game (include the answers), your favorite stills from different White Collar episodes for our caption game, or other suggestions!

X-Men: First Class

2011-06-06T23:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I reviewed a movie on Glass Onion, mostly because it's been a while since I've loved a movie as much as I loved First Class. Here is the disclaimer before I begin: I've always been a huge fan of the films, but I've never read the X-men comics. So if I suggest something that flies in the face of the comic book stories, let me know.

Prequels are hard to get right and few do so. Stories that develop into a prequel are usually ones that were originally hinged upon and enhanced by the mystery of the background knowledge. When you are dropped into the middle of an already existing story, the film has the opportunity to evolve the background story and use it as fuel for the story you are currently watching. In X-men, for example, you learn there is a lengthy history between Charles Xavier and Magneto. This helps us understand the way they deal with each other and their philosophies of the world. So the challenge in making a prequel is to (1) plausibly align all the detailed facts fans have already learned about the background story and (2) make the film a legitimate stand-alone film. Use this structure to analyze the Star Wars prequels, Pirates of the Caribbean or even the White Collar prequel episode. Each lack either some continuity between the stories or enough material to make interesting stand alone films. Fortunately, First Class is one of the few that succeeds in both.

Firstly, the film does a great job pleasing the fans and fits seamlessly into the knowledge of the rest of the series. It throws the fans just enough bones to make it fun (glimpse of early Cerebro, opening scene, cameo from Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Roman, etc.) without overdoing it. Often I find that prequel films rely on these fan favorite moments too much and end up throwing in things that just don't make sense. Personally, the only discrepancy I found was the age Charles and Erik met (according to X-Men I, they met when they were 17, unlike what is presented in First Class). The film also does a remarkable job matching these scenes to what we know. Cerebro looks like the first version of the slicker model we see in X-Men I, but the images and way it functions are identical. Similarly, the opening scene in Poland was identical to the opening of X-Men I (with the exception of a new cast because... obviously).

Secondly, the film is a brilliant movie apart from the series. As always with prequels, we know what the end is going to be. The challenge is how the movie gets there. It's always a good move to put future enemies on the same side initially (think Lex and Clark in Smallville). It makes the later split that much stronger.
Always my favorite, James McAvoy nails his performance as Professor Xavier. To be honest, I was worried about these younger actor managing to pull off the presence of the older, wiser, more zen Ian McKellan and Patrik Stewart. This worry, however, was unnecessary. Personally, I found Professor X much more likable here than he ever was in the skin of Patrik Stewart. He is intelligent, charming, and idealistic- everything a young Charles Xavier should be. Even more, he seeks to normalize the mutants– a characteristic consistent with the earlier [later?] portrayal of Professor X. Some of the most interesting moments of the film were Xavier’s interactions with Mystique. It was an unusual move to make them so close in their early years, but she ended up playing a crucial role in revealing this side of Xavier. As a female, whose power literally creates appearance, Mystique was the perfect character to flesh out the different world philosophies between Professor X and Magneto. Constantly fretting over and changing her appearance, Mystique is told by Xavier to blend in and told by Magneto to embrace her mutant appearance. Where one wants to achieve peace through anonymity, the other wants to achieve domination through war.

Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) did an equally great job (doesn’t he remind you of a cross between Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale?). Turning into the man he was hunting was plausible (if not predictable) and the character development was gradual. He and McAvoy interacted really well, brilliantly portraying the complex (if not melancholy) relationship between Professor X and Magneto. The two seem to have a mutual understanding of each other’s position, are willing to fight each other about it during the day, and come home and play chess when it’s over.

If I may contest the one main plot point that could/should have been more tragically developed: the way Professor X ended up in a wheel chair (SPOILER). While having Xavier injured at the hands of his best friend is nicely thought out (though predictable), I feel they missed an opportunity. While watching the X-Men movies, I had always assumed that Professor X was in that wheel chair by his own doing. Because Xavier’s power is purely cerebral, it was a great visual to see the rest of his body weakened. As if his body has to compensate for the magnificent power he was given. I also assumed that his paralysis was somehow tied to Cerebro. Once again, as if the overwhelming power of the device requires a sacrifice. This possibility should have been developed more as a character flaw than martyrdom. Xavier’s determination to unite the mutants and establish peace with humans turns into arrogance and eventually a sacrifice to Cerebro.

If they were hell bent on making Magnito responsible, this could also have been done more tragically. Think Wicked when Elphaba turns Fiyero into the Scarecrow after trying to reduce his pain. My brother told me, after watching the movie, that he expected the moment Magneto kills Shaw to somehow physically affect Xavier. Suggesting that it’s because Xavier and Shaw’s minds were connected when Magneto sent the coin through Shaw’s brain. Had this caused Xavier’s injury, it would be a whole other level of tragedy.

Either alternative would have been acceptable to me. The way the movie stands falls just short of the tragedy it could have been.

Portrait of Neal Caffrey

2011-05-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

By Christine Antonios

*A scan of the portrait is also posted on the White Collar Fans at SDCC site.

Catch Up: 2011 May Season Finales

2011-05-26T19:29:00.000-07:00

Most of the TV shows are wrapping up now, so it's time to decide which season finales worked and which didn't. There is something unique to season finales, which usually makes them tougher to get right but easier to enjoy. All in one episode, a finale must wrap up the story arch of the previous season, set up the new season, and leave you wishing there wasn't a summer in between. As usual, some of the finales did exactly that, and some left me wishing summer would never end.

I don't think I've done a TV dump like this since I reviewed all the season premieres in Fall 2009. I have recently not recommend many mainstream shows on Glass Onion. Unfortunately, the shows I usually try to shove down your throats are either canceled or off season at the moment. So, my season finales post will have to feature all the best/worst of ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, and FOX prime time.

Castle- Honestly, I have very mixed feelings about watching Castle season finales. The episodes are so good all season because they accomplish humor, compassion, and growth without seeming like they try too hard. If you can imagine anything that is exactly the opposite, it is their season finales. [SPOILER] Each finale thus far has come back to the unsolved murder of Beckett’s mom. I understand this is super important for the character development, it is the most serialized portion of the show, and it is a complex story that needs time to unfold. What I don’t understand is why Beckett always ends up nearly dead. I always find it to be a failed cliffhanger/climax/suspense/etc. when a show suggests killing a necessary character. Because we know Beckett CANNOT die, the show’s only objective in ending with her shot is to catalyze the Beckett/Castle relationship. Shooting her to give Castle the chance to tell her he loves her seems over the top. The reality is that the show has dragged out their stagnant relationship too long and needed something significant to move it forward. As unnecessary and disparate as the finale few minutes were, the twist with Captain Montgomery was nicely done. He was never made a villain (which would have been difficult to pull off given how must the viewer was lead to like him over the past 3 seasons). Never the less, the complex moral dilemma of his character added a much needed and appreciated dimension to Beckett’s mystery. So what does that mean for the next season? Honestly, I’m excited about where the new Beckett/Castle relationship is headed. I don’t dare hope for a moment that the show will actually have Beckett remember Castle’s confession or even take their relationship to another level. However, I do appreciate that the show knows and seems to be dealing with the unresolved moments (the kiss, freezing to death, etc.) After all, no one actually watches Castle for the murders.

Bones- If there was ever a cautionary tale for shows like Castle, Bones would be it. Like Castle, Bones has struggled with its relationship timing. It had seemed like Booth and Bones would ever end up together and that they had missed their window. [SPOILER] So the Bones season finale needed to make a big gesture and skip the step they missed- straight from friend to parents. Fortunately, this progression works for Bones more than it would for most shows. Putting Bones and Booth into a traditional romantic relationship seems a bit awkward. Instead, Bones' relationship appropriately jumps straight to a binding biological connections.

gLee- It's pretty ridiculous how ridiculous this show is. It's even more ridiculous how far it's fallen in my view since it premiered. If you remember, gLee was my new beacon of hope for TV back when I reviewed it in 2009 and again in 2010. However, this show has gone so far into mediocrity that not even their awesome musical ability and song choices can save them. Their message is inconsistent, their story lines get dropped left and right, and their characters are unlovable. The finale, however, was moderately fitting. The episode was THE big NY episode and took advantage of the city. Though it may have fallen a tad short on grandeur, the episode was appropriately centered on big Broadway dreams and on the love for the stage. The new original songs seems to be a hit (though they should not make a habit of it). Looking forward, the show needs to find a new time structure to frame their seasons. First season ended with the group losing sectionals. Second season, after winning sectionals and regional, ended with the group losing nationals. The show is going to have a difficult time progressing if we're just waiting for them to win or lose various competitions.

Chuck-Firstly, congrats to all the Chuck fans who have managed to get the show renewed each year. The finale was both a good resolution in case the show wasn't renewed and yet opened a new plot line for a potential 5th season. Chuck and his gang spent the episode saving Sara's life by playing on the moral dilemmas of some Russian mob lords. Volkov and his daughter have been talked in and out of the right thing to do so many times that the threat of Sara's death was never too serious. The wedding was sweet and beautiful. Chuck's vows were straight out of a good romantic comedy. I'm most excited about the new direction the show seems to be taking. Breaking away from the CIA seems like a good twist that will free up (or limit, depending on how you look at it) the characters' choices and motives. Unfortunately, while Chuck's professional life seems to be getting more interesting, there is little more the show can do with his personal life. Shaking up his and Sara's happy married life seems unlikely and a baby may be too soon. The show's personal drama and humor may be left up to Morgan and Casey.

Desperate House Wives- I don’t have too much to say about Desperate House Wives. If I had to give this show credit for anything, it would be its consistency. It also does a remarkable job recycling story lines but keeping it fairly interesting. Someone is always having marriage problems, someone is always having health problems, someone is always being betrayed by a friend, and someone is always being murdered. This finale was no different so I don’t expect anything of the show going forward to be much different either.

Grey's Anatomy-From most of the feedback I've seen, Greys was not received well by the fans. Over all, the finale was fairly boring, passing on as just any other episode. That said, the new issues between Derek and Meridith seem intriguing. Though predictable (who did see that marriage license becoming the kiss of death?), Meredith having to deal with a child alone may work well for the show. Not only does she have to deal with all the weird mommy issues she has, but making her a parent without Derek is a workable twist. You can all feel free to tell me what you think of the other plot lines. Frankly, I don't care about most of them. Right now, I'm loving Teddy's husband. Christina drives me crazy every time we have to deal with her personal life, and I really want Lexie and Slone together.

Vampire Diaries- (NOTE: This show is certainly not my specialty, so I will generally defer to Caleb's expertise. If you have not already kept up, be sure to see Caleb's complete collection of V. Diaries episode reviews.) The second season has improved the show significantly. Since adding werewolves and “Originals,” the show has a lot to work with and it has for the most part lived up to potential. My main complaint at this point is Katherine’s character. Katherine doesn’t need to be around anymore. If fact, I don’t think she ever needed to be around. Her role may have been more effective as a haunting memory that the Salvatore brothers just can’t past. By allowing her to be physically real and present, her hold on them seems less believable. Also, I don’t think there is a story here for her any more. She should have been given a heroic death instead of Jenna. Other than that, the show seems to be on the right track. Separating Elena and Stefan is a really good idea. Where the show leaves off will give Delena a chance without putting the blame on anyone. Elena can’t possibly be with someone who does the horrible things Stefan will have to do and Stefan was true to his character by accepting Klaus’ terms.

Private Practice- This other Shandra Rhymes ABC show follows much of the same formula of Grey's Anatomy. Instead of relying on massive catastrophes, or hospital shooters to create drama, PP focuses on the traumas of the individuals. Sometimes this works better (issues like ethical confidentiality breaches) and sometimes it works worse (babies cut out of pregnant women). The one thing that still amazes me is the weird couple pairing the show went with. The only two that could make sense are Cooper and Charlotte. Sam and Naomi should be on and off constantly, Addison should be with Pete (think back on their elevator moments from the pilot), and I'll leave Violet's love life up to the writers. But, no one asked me. Other than that, the recent conflict with the ethics board seem interesting and I hope dissolving and then rebuilding the practice doesn't solve the problem so easily.

The Good Wife- Easily my favorite show on TV at the moment (boy, that Tues. 10pm time slot is just golden) and it probably succeeded in achieving a perfect season finale. There are usually two components to episodic and mildly serialized shows- the stand alone story and the continuation of the background story. Usually, I'm much more interested in the threaded back story (Alicia's relationship with her husband and Will, the political campaign, etc.). The day to day cases in most shows (Castle's murders, Harry's Law's trials, etc.) are usually forgettable. The Good Wife, however, nails every aspect of its show. The cases are fascinating, clever, and slick. After seeing some awesome court room tricks and smart maneuvering, I decided that I hope to someday grow up to be Will Gardner. And I'd be remiss if I didn't at least give credit to those last two minutes of the show. Most of us rooting for Will and Alicia found the last few minutes perfect. It was just the right timing for the show and , with Alicia's impending divorce, this could cause her some real problems.

The Big Bang Theory-As one of the funniest comedy shows on TV, it was almost impossible to go wrong here. Though the episode didn't fall short on laughs, it honestly just felt like any other episode. Setting us up for the Lendard/Priya break up and the possible Penny/Raj both seem like dead end plots. Sure, the show can play around with the idea for a while, but let us not get carried away. The humor these days seems to be coming most from Amy and Bernadette. Lets hope these ladies and their awesome, drunk, girls nights out continue to be present on the show.

Nikita- Though I was surprised that Nikita was renewed for a second season, doesn't mean I didn't think it was deserved. As season 1 delved further into Alex's background and uncovered more of Michael and Nikita's history, the show found a humanity that grounded it more than the usual revenge story. On the one hand, the finale transformed our vision of Division, reworking the image we had of it as the evil in the world into something that may be salvageable. With Amanda in charge (re)recruiting Alex and Michael's faith in the program, anything is possible. On the other hand, Alex's character is on the brink of turning into someone she doesn't want to be and Nikita may be responsible. Only time will tell which heart stopping path the show will chose.

NCIS- I'll be honest, I only saw this finale because I was told how good it was. I personally didn't match others' enthusiasm. Kobb (played by the awesome Kerr Smith) has been the ongoing villain for a few weeks now, a murderer out for revenge on all the state officials involved in a black ops operation gone wrong. Kobb was easily the coolest villain I've seen on NCIS- he was traumatized, smart, and complicated. Problem is this rock-star of a villain was defeated so anti-climatically. Fortunately, the show gave us something to look forward to next year. The background and truth on Ray Cruz and his investigation or corruption should make for interesting material.

Hawaii Five-O-I have been told that bromance shows are my weak spot. Hawaii Five-O is a perfect example of why there probably isn't a truer statement than that. There is generally nothing that makes this show stand out to me, but because of the awesome Alex O'Loughlin/Scott Caan duo, I can't stay away. It is also probably my favorite season finale of the bunch. If I have not mentioned already, I'm a little in love with Alex O'Loughlin's Steve McGarrett. I never saw the twist about the Governor coming, and the plot thickens. The last 5-10 minutes of the episode was epic as everything (and everyone) fell apart. Going into season 2, the Danno and Steve have to get the gang out of jail and back together to solve the McGarrett case. We can only hope that they do it with the usual bromance and humor.

NOTE: Smallville and other series finales will have their own upcoming posts
NOTE: See previous White Collar Season 2 finale review
*send me recommendations of your favorite Season finales and I'll update as I catch up.

Tumblr Photo Page!

2011-05-25T23:59:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to introduce you all to the new photo page I opened on my Tumblr. I've been posting some of my favorite photos from locations around the world, concerts, etc. I post a new photo every couple or days or so, so keep checking in! Let me know which you like and which locations you'd like to see more of! Enjoy <3

Sample:

If you're interested, I also opened a Tumblr page for my most popular posts. Send me your feedback!

Professor "A" Aoki

2011-05-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

If you follow my twitter, you may have noticed some pretty random and hilarious one liners between 9am and 10am every Monday through Thursday. That is because during that hour, I was sitting in Professor Keith Aoki's Property class at UC Davis School of Law. If there was ever an interesting way to start the day, his class was it.

On the first day of class, we learned that Professor Aoki was a cartoonist before he went to law school. After deciding to change careers he went to Harvard Law and eventually became a professor at UC Davis. Needless to say, his previous career often seeped into his lectures. Most of the time we didn't know if he was talking about landlord tenant law or Wonder Woman. He sometimes taught us a case by challenging himself to cast modern actors into the plaintiff/defendant roles (I wasn't complaining when his power point slides were filled with Johnny Depp and Robert Downey Jr. photos). Every story had a villain archetype and we'd often get his best Schwarzenegger, Elmer Fudd, or pirate impersonation. The first time I visited Professor Aoki in his office hours, we talked about comic con (I was still frantically trying to get tickets then) and he gave me a signed copy of a legal comic book he had published about the public domain, called "Bound by Law."

Unfortunately, Professor Aoki passed away about 3 weeks ago. We had just learned that he was ill a few weeks prior to that and were made aware that he passed away just three days before our Property final. The news hit everyone hard, especially because no one knew how serious the illness was. The day before the final, between our studies, an e-mail went around our class of everyone just remembering some of our favorite things he ever said. Each student, while going through their notes, had taken out some of their favorite quotes and added them to the e-mail chain:

"Owning property is kind of like being Spiderman…"
"You're making fun of cave men, Aoki!"
"How is Property developed across SPACE and TIIIIIIME *do-de-do-de [humming the twilight zone theme song]*"
*to the tune of WAR by Edwin Starr* "NUISANCE! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!"
"Tresspassors are "the Jack Sparrows of land"
"Law school can be like a comic book. Sometimes the guys you think are good are the bad guys... and sometimes the guys you think are bad are good."

The law school has poured out remembrances and love for Professor Aoki: Dean Johnson at UC Davis, Co-Worker post on IntLawGrrls, Co-author James Boyle, and Co-author Jennifer Jenkins at Duke. During all this talk, it was established what a great co-worker and professor he was. His research in public domain and critical race theory highly regarded among experts and his classes are always one of the first to be recommended at King Hall. Among students, he was known as "A" Aoki, because of how much he believed in everyone's success and worked hard to help his students. Along with all these kind words, the school has set up donations for his two 9 year old daughters' college funds.

Now that I have some time, Professor Aoki's book will be the first thing I read this summer. There is a free copy online, if anyone is interested. Or for further reading, you can check out his other published articles mentioned here (links provided).

Professor Aoki, you will be greatly missed.

Law School Talent Show

2011-04-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Every year, UC Davis School of Law hosts a talent show (now) called Aokirama. It's usually just a big send off to the 3Ls, but everyone gets to show off talents outside of the courtroom. After seeing some of these acts, most of us left wondering what these amazingly talented people were doing in Law School.

The last video was not filmed by me. However, this video has gotten so much attention in Davis that CBS came to King Hall yesterday to interview the writer and producer. To see the interview, go to the CBS website and check out the recent videos under "as seen on CBS."

If you guys liked these, I'll share the video of our law professors doing the Dougie =D

Diary of a Law Student: Law Student's Take on Legal Dramas

2011-04-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

I watch my fair share of legal shows. Actually, I probably watch a lot of people's fair share of legal shows- everything from the classic Law and Order, to the lighter Fairly Legal. I know doctors who cannot watch medical dramas because they are too absurd, so I always wondered how much is the same for legal dramas. I'm not sure where all my readers are in their education, but I'm certainly not at the point where I can pick out "inaccuracies." I am, however, starting to notice legal issues that I had perhaps over looked or taken for granted before I came to law school.

I've written one examples below (if this post goes well, I'll write about The Good Wife at a later date). I chose these because they are current and they each bring up new and interesting topics each week. Often times, the basic premise of the show limits the kinds of topics that the show can write about. For example, Law and Order SVU is a particular crime unit that ONLY deals with "sexually based offenses." Law and Order also deals with the police investigation AND the prosecution of the case in one hour, so you rarely see any more of a trial than a direct or cross examination of a witness. Probably the most interesting parts of a Law and Order episode are the evidence rules they have to deal with: what is admissible, what the judge leaves out, what gets objected to, etc. It's where the police investigation and the legal process meet. Shows like Fairly Legal, on the other hand, don't really deal with the law at all. Kate is a mediator, so she can probably do whatever she wants (and she does). All interactions are outside the court proceedings and rules, making the show nothing more than a fun conflict/resolution story. The Good Wife, and Harry's Law, however, both deal with a range of issues because their respective firms handle all kinds of cases. I decided to do some research on a couple of issues that come up in these shows. My conclusions suggest that the shows are possibly accurate, but there is a lot of legal maneuvering, not shown on TV, that makes the conclusions deceiving. In other words, you can probably do what they are doing. But unless you fill in the gaps, you're probably not understanding exactly how they are doing it. Discuss:

Case Study: Harry's Law
Episode: LAST DANCE

This episode dealt with a death penalty case that was denied it's second appeal because the time to file had run out. The young protagonist lawyer declared "I'll challenge this in federal court." Instead of worrying about this poor kid who was sentenced to death, my first thought was: CAN you challenge this in federal court? From what I know (which is, again, not much), you get three separate kinds of appeals for death penalty cases: direct state court appeal, state habeas corpus, federal habeas corpus. After the defendant loses either of the state appeals in the State Supreme Court, one can file for writ in the US Supreme Court. I assume the lost appeal they are talking about is with the State Supreme Court. So, from there, the case could probably go to the US Supreme Court. However, the issue in this case was a complaint that the statutory limitation had run out on filing another appeal. This, I assume is the appeal for habeas corpus in federal court. Federal courts have a one year deadline for filing the petition (28 USC §§ 2244(d) and 2255). If the issue is about federal habeas corpus (and the episode does not specifically say this, but I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt), depiction of the show is probably accurate.

This is not the first time the show has seemed to strangely skip courts and messed around with the appellate hierarchy. When the firm was defending a Chinese man who fired an employee for having more than one child, the judge decided that this case was "above [her] pay grade" and sent the case to the State Supreme Court. I will offer the disclaimer and say that I don't know anything about Ohio law (where the show takes place), but the idea that the case can just SKIP the lower court and the court of appeals seems far fetched. State Supreme courts are courts of appellate jurisdiction. This means they are there to review matters of law after a fact finding trial has occurred. If there are no disputed facts in the case, there does not need to be a trial, but that doesn't mean you can just skip two courts in the system. Furthermore, most state supreme courts have discretionary review. The right to be heard by the Supreme Court is given in rare cases (like the death penalty cases above). The Court must grant certiorari, or agree to hear the case. Cases don't just get sent to the Supreme Court at the request of a lower court judge. With all that being said, it's possible that there is a way to do this in Ohio. Perhaps the judge is just sending the question to the Supreme Court to rule on and determine if the case can go forward normally or not (I'm thinking like the way the 9th Circuit has asked the US Supreme Court to rule on the issue of standing in the Prop 8 case before they go forward). Or perhaps it's another sort of behind the scenes exceptions that I'm not aware of. I suspect that, either way, the show has not given us enough information to know whether it's reasonable or not. On the surface, I'm tempted to say their procedure is inaccurate.

Also, the cases on this show just really bother me. [If you are wondering why I still watch it, it's because I like to watch shows that I can constantly complain about i.e. Glee, Vampire Diaries, etc.] The show has fallen into a pattern of arguing jury nullification. In a recent episode, one of the prosecutors freaked out after he lost three cases to Harry because of jury nullification and he was totally right. Because the point of the show is a fight for the underprivileged, the conclusion of all the cases ends up being "yes, they are guilty according to the law, but they have had a hard life so give them a break." You may enjoy the dramatic and emotional aspect that this presents. However, this does not happen often in courts (though most people suspect that is what happened in the OJ Simpson case).

There are other cases in Harry's Law that I found interesting (the McDonald's negligence suit, the pregnant mother fired for having more than one kid, etc.) If you watch the show, let me know what you think.

Pseudo-poll:

I asked you what you thought of legal dramas on Twitter, and here are some of the responses I got back. If you didn't get a chance to reply on Twitter, leave a comment here and let me know what you think! The question was: Do you watch legal dramas? Which ones? What do you think of them?

@HollyIMerriday said: I watch Law and Order sometimes. Depending on guest star. DEFINITELY watching this Monday 4/11! :)
@MonaTalks said: #GoodWife must see last night's episode
@A_Flux_Capacity said: I think my views on Law and Order and Crim Pro are well known! (i.e. a Criminal procedure nightmare)
@emmaolivebecks said: I was watching Law and Order and the lawyer... \ooo/ :D

The Glamour Kills Tour

2011-03-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

DownTown Fiction

Zach Porter from AllStar Weekend

Nathan Darmody, Zach Porter, Michael Martinez, and Cameron Quiseng

From AllStar Weekend

Guest Bloggers!

2011-03-16T16:16:00.000-07:00

ANNOUNCEMENT! I've decided to start having guest bloggers on Glass Onion! While I know you all relish the pearls of wisdom I spew over my keyboard, I don't have all the answers *shock and confusion*. I have recently been asked to discuss certain topics on this blog that are perhaps beyond my knowledge. Because most of these topics would be super interesting, I thought it would be fun to have others write to you themselves. The truth is, my social network contacts have now reached to people all over the world. I know that most of them are smart and talented, with many experiences and much knowledge to share. I've done this in the past (occasionally) when I've asked for posts about sports, or comedy (both of which I'm not versed in) and have had some great material put forward (See A Year in Review: Sports 2008, written by Joseph and the Best Comedian portion of Best of the Decade, written by Robert). For that reason, I'm...

CALLING ALL WRITERS!! Everyone is a writer online. So if there is a topic you are particularly interested in, leave me a comment here, or send me an e-mail and we'll figure it out. Tell me a story about somewhere you traveled. Write a review about a show I have not seem. Send me your analysis of a court case that interests you. Send me a chapter of your fanfiction to post (please keep it clean). If you live in Japan, send me an account of what you see around you. If you're publishing a book, send me a teaser. While this blog will remain authored by me, if you are interested and your first guest post goes well, I'd be open to the idea of making it a recurring feature (For example, write me a funny "Oddest News of the Week" piece) . If you already have a blog or other outlet yourself, this may be a good way to meet some new readers (I don't promise to have many, by my readers are loyal and fabulous). Of course, all posts will go through me, but I'd be excited to explore different ways this may work.

Have fun. Be creative. Can't wait to share you with the world (or my small part of it)!!

White Collar Season 2 Finale

2011-03-12T20:03:00.000-08:00

Another White Collar finale has passed and it once again comes down to the final few minutes of the episode. But before I get into that, let's examine all the major plot developments that occurred in this short hour. I'm only going to go through what I found fascinating, looking long term for the show. The plot of this particular episode was fine. It was perhaps a tad rushed- meeting Adler (again), stealing from Adler, and killing Adler all in one hour. As for the solving of all the mythology built over 2 years, that was also fine. It was nice that the music box actually led to something quite significant. However, the gold nuggets of the show are the character interactions.

Neal gets it on with Sara AND Alex.
Hot. This has been one of the most contested issues among fans. Without having taken a poll, I'd guess that, prior to Power Play and Under the Radar, there were significantly more Neal/ Alex shippers (#TeamNeAlex) than there were Neal/ Sara shippers (sorry, no equally as cute hashtag for this one). However, I'm guessing Sara gained many new fans since her early days as the harsh bounty hunter. Personally, I've always been way more partial to Sara. I almost, ALMOST, wish they had not had Neal and Sara hook up yet (as hot as it was). The show has momentary dropped the hostility that arises between Neal and Sara back from Neal's trial. But my guess is that their love/ hate frustration will ultimately find this to be the long term relationship. Alex is wonderful for the occasional heist, but she can't be the girl for Neal. Eventually, Neal needs someone who can kick his butt. Someone who is on the right side of the law (for the most part) and someone who is going to challenge him and make him grow. The measurement of any relationship Neal will ever be in is Kate. I almost wish that Kate wasn't dead just so Neal will one day find himself at a moment where he consciously rejects her (and thus the life of crime) for the life he's been looking for. Choosing Alex would be the default. A substitute for the idealized relationship he wanted with Kate. Fortunately for us, no one seems to be making any decisions any time soon. The actors and writers have hinted that Neal will get around for a while before he commits to anything. Have fun Neal. We'll be watching ;)

The Peter/ Neal bromance breaks. PROVE IT.
This moment was beyond epic, so let me take this slowly. By this time in the episode, I was already convinced Neal had taken the loot. At the moment Adler told Neal that he "won't get away with this," I was rocking back and forth in my chair muttering "omg he did it, omg he did it, omg he did it!" By the time Peter saw the burning painting on the ground, everyone in the apartment was screaming, "OMG HE DID IT!" But it was that moment when Neal turned to Peter and said "I've never lied to you" that we all took a breath and felt our hearts break. The dynamic between Peter and Neal has always been the bread and butter of the show. The chase, the friendship, the (dis)trust, and the understanding. All of that comes to a climax at the moment Neal challenges Peter to "prove it!" As if telling Peter that he's accused Neal one too many times and if Peter won't believe him when he's innocent, Neal may as well be guilty. Unfortunately, all Neal can say now is "it was true... at the time."

Neal hits the jackpot.
It has inevitably become a marker of the show to reserve the final two minutes for a breath-taking shock (Season 1 final- plane explodes with Kate in it, Season 2 mid season finale- Mozzie is shot). With this track record, I was skeptical; hoping the show wasn't going to just injure each of the characters, one at a time (after Alex was seen being followed at the end of Power Play, I thought it was definitely her turn to end up in the hospital). Instead, it was a true white collar crime that closes the season (what a concept- on a show called White Collar). It almost would have been cooler had this really been a long con on Adler but that would require sacrificing a little of Neal's lovable qualities. I know everyone assumes Alex is the one that ultimately stole the loot. But I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it was Mozzie. It's really just a process of elimination: not even Neal's kiss could make Alex turn over that kind of prize, the rest of the characters don't break the law and wouldn't even know how, and a new mysterious benefactor seems unlikely. Plus, the card's "You'll thank me later" hint just sounds like Mozzie.

The finale leaves us with questions that have arguably been at the heart of the show since day one: Can Neal escape a life of crime? Does he really want to? Creator Jeff Eastin said recently at PaleyFest that Neal "may want to be good, but he was born bad." Not only did this statement rattle my core beliefs, but it shifted my view of the entire character. So I'm going to have to disagree with our Yoda on this one. The hope of a bad boy turned good is ultimately the appeal. The writers are going to have to undertake a delicate balancing act to keep that appeal and still explore this side of Neal. For the first time since the pilot, it seems like the show could go in any direction. In the past, the show has never gone long without Peter and Neal both learning the information the other sought to hide (a positive quality to keep the show moving). This time, however, things may be different. My hope is that the show gives us "the chase version 2.0." We've only ever seen glimpses of Peter and Neal at odds, so this is going to be a refreshing flip. This time, with no Kate to be Neal's Achilles heel, we can't imagine what he's capable of.

*photo credit to MattBomerFan.com

Federalist Society Lunch with Justice Alito

2011-03-11T18:01:00.000-08:00

Yup. Met Justice Samuel Alito today!!

(Who else is collecting photos with awesome Supreme Court justices *raises hand*)

But first, we ran into TONY BLAIR!! No big deal.

Featured Blogger: Caleb (Kayleberty)

2011-03-06T17:55:00.000-08:00

Even though I read Caleb's blog weekly, I noticed that I have not actually passed it along to all my readers (who are usually just Caleb anyways haha). I've known Caleb since college, we met through a mutual friend and almost had a class together (I dropped the class because I was working on my thesis, but I heard it was a really good class). He's an aspiring writer in an age when everyone pretends to be a writer. So the fact that his talent is reflected in his blog puts it a notch above most. Kayleberty is arguably the best written blog I read. It's insightful, eloquent, and thought provoking. I highly recommend you all check it out!

Diary of a Law Student: Appointed Forever

2011-03-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

My Civil Procedure class showed us this video after a discussion about judicial discretion. Not to get too detailed on you, but we are studying laws that govern pleadings. A pleading, or complaint, is the document filed to bring suit against another party. Over the past 30+ years courts have struggled to balance how much detail and fact is required in the complaint. On the one hand, courts want to limit frivolous law suits. On the other hand, the courts want to give plaintiffs the opportunity to collect discovery instead of having the entire case tried in the complaint. In order to balance this, the court have been moving from requiring a "plausible" to a "possible", to a "probable" likelihood of winning standard that seems to leave much discretion to the judge.

All this is just useless background that brings me to the main point that seems to come up often: How much of the law is just judicial whim? Our professors tell us that the more we study the law, the more cynical we become. I'm only 7 months in, so not too much harm has been done- yet. But it's a question that possibly threatens out ideas. It's also a reality that we should probably embrace, flaws and all. I'm not giving any answers here. I don't have any. But this was just a way for me to introduce a video that our professor showed us following this discussion. Enjoy =D

Napa Valley Wineries

2011-02-26T23:22:00.000-08:00

Featured Blogger: Claire (Can't Stop Talking) & Valerie (Other Vanity Cards)

2011-02-24T10:09:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while, I feature a new and interesting blogger on this site. Today, I have two! These ladies are both from Australia and are huge White Collar fans. Check them out and ENJOY!

Claire: Can't Stop Talking
Claire just started her blog and writes about everything from her home in Australia to her favorite TV shows. If you like her blog, be sure to also check her out on Twitter (@i_heart_nando)!

Valerie's Blog: The Other Vanity Cards
Though I have just recently discovered Val's blog, she already has a group of dedicated readers. She also blogs about her life in Australia, the kindness of friends, and various words of wisdom. Being a White Collar fan addict, you can also find Val's White Collar fanfiction on her blog. I have to admit, I'm already hooked. If you like her blog, be sure to also check her out on Twitter (@valshopaholic)!

Robin Hood (BBC)

2011-02-23T16:41:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to hear about my new love? Unfortunately, I feel like I'm talking to walls since my favorite shows are never the ones everyone else is watching. Apparently, I "have a subconscious distaste for prime time network TV" (according to blog comment by Caleb S. Garcia). I suppose this is true. I never really thought about it. It may explain why I've been loving more British TV than American TV lately. Following my recent recommendations -Legend of the Seeker and Merlin- I'm going to recommend one more Fantasy/ British show for you: Robin Hood.

Robin Hood aired in 2006 on BBC and is another retelling of Robin of Locksley (or Loxley, as it's sometimes written). In just the first episode, Robin returns from the war in the Holy Land, loses his estate as a noble, and becomes an outlaw. From then on, the show finds an episodic structure that falls back on the usual "stealing from the rich and feeding the poor" plot. Like all Robin Hood stories, this reinvents all the common elements: Maid Marian (here the more modern Lady Marian), Prince John, the Sheriff, archery competitions, and Robin's gang of outlaws.

Robin (Jonas Armstrong) is a solid character and carries the show well. Burdened with lessons he learned fighting the war, he brings those philosophies of goodness, justice, and life back with him to England. Armstrong does a remarkable job of balancing humor, charm, and even arrogance with the heroics of the character. While the background of the story is his fight for England, it is his relationship with the outlaws and with Marian (Lucy Griffiths) that give the show humanity.

Possibly the most fascinating character in the show is Sir Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage- see him in upcoming The Hobbit). While undoubtedly a villain, the show uses Season 1 to develop a possible relationship between Gisborne and Marian. While most shows use the first season to develop the "foundational relationship" (the one that will later be complicated but will always be the one you come back to in the end) Robin Hood is operating under the viewers previous knowledge of Robin and Marian. Most viewers come in to the show knowing those two are the romantic leads of the story. Almost skipping that step, the show leaps straight for the complicated. Hence, they provide us with Gisborne. Again, credit to the actor who can play pitiful, evil, and good looking all at the same time. As later seasons reveal, Gisborne is haunted by his past crimes and driven by his hate. We can argue later about whether or not Gisborne even knows HOW to love enough to actually love Marian. But it is undeniable that his determination to love her and to allow her to make him better is his redeeming quality.

Unfortunately, the only way to watch Robin Hood now is to find it online or get the Season DVDs. Hood was cut short, with only 3 seasons, because Armstrong asked to leave the show. Since there have been no knew episodes since 2009, I would usually have no problem writing in spoilers with nothing but a warning at the beginning. However, at the off chance that any of you actually start watching the show, I would never forgive myself for robbing you of the initial experience of watching the season 2 finale. Right up there with my reaction for Lost's season 4 finale or White Collar's season 1 finale, I found myself completely floored. It was heart wrenching, traumatizing, and nauseating, all at the same time. Ending Robin Hood's best season, the season 2 finale is both a beautiful experience and the demise of the show. Impossible to recover from such a conclusion, the show's season 3 was lagging, at best. The tone of the show shifted momentarily and the charm of the characters seemed lost.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

2011-02-21T21:14:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day Love Quotes

2011-02-14T15:22:00.000-08:00

If I had to eliminate one holiday of the year, it would probably be Valentine's Day. Not because I hate it, not because I'm cynical, and not because I have a particular gag reaction to Hallmark. It's simply because I have no use for the holiday. I'm not in a relationship and we don't get time off from school. So I don't think about it.

But lucky for all you who do like the holiday, I'm going to do something special on here anyway. Last year I posted the best movies and best love songs for Valentine's Day. Feel free to check that out and send back your thoughts. This year, I've been tweeting some of my favorite #LoveQuotes on my Twitter all day. True, I hate love quotes. They are usually bad and always meaningless. That is probably still true with these quotes, but I had fun because they are exclusively selected from some of my favorite TV shows and books. Here is a collection of what I've tweeted. Enjoy.

"I gave everything I had... I even gave the life of the woman I love”- #RobinHood #lovequotes #Vday
"I’ll never stop loving you" -#RobinHood
"You're the only one... the only person in my life I trust" -#NealCaffrey #WhiteCollar
"Gwen: You shouldn't have risked your life./ Arthur: I wasn't going to let anything happen to you." - #Merlin
"Arthur: I've been trained to kill since birth!/ Merlin: how long have you been training to be a prat?" - #Merlin
Arthur: How can admit that I think about her all the time. Or that I care about her more than anyone? #merlin
Cara: Journey was lovely With only one minus, how long it took to travel to palace of your highness. - #LegendoftheSeeker
"Love is not about what you want. It's about finding happiness for the one you love" -@TerryGoodkind #LegendoftheSeeker
"Love is passion for life shared w/ another. Love, for sound reasons, can be one of life's greatest rewards- @terrygoodkind #SOT #Lots
I loved you more than life itself, & would rather give myself into your power than live w/out u. I’m already devoted to you - #Sot #Lots
He would rather spend rest of his life alone than with someone else.There could be no one else.- @terrygoodkind #sot
Arthur: I heard you put [flowers] in Lady Morgana's room. Is she the only one who receives token of your affection? #Merlin
Frustrated there aren't better words than "I love you." Doesn't seem enough for the way I feel about you. - @terrygoodkind #sot

Tough on Tumblr

2011-02-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

First there was Xang, then Myspace, Blogspot, Facebook, and Twitter. Though all variations of basically the same thing, they each have their unique uses, qualities, characteristics, and audiences. [For the record, I still have one- sometimes two- of each] Same is true for the newest up and coming social networking fad: Tumblr. I posted about Tumblr about a month ago, when I opened mine. I wrote at the time that I had no real desire or need for it (yes, I said need because I will argue that Facebook is a need), but the buzz surrounding the site got me curious and my friends talked me into it. I've been consistently using Tumblr for about a month now, so I feel confident in the accuracy of my report.

The site is basically a blogspot meets Twitter. If you want to "blog" to an audience, you can. If you just want to retweet and post quippy one-liners, you can. Both are acceptable and done excessively. However, the site itself has some majorly annoying features. For example, YOU CAN'T REPLY! The only form of feedback you can give is a "like" (in the form of a heart) or a reblog. Occasionally the blogger will have a reply feature, but even that only works once. Any reply they want to give back must be sent to your "ask" box. This effectively kills online communication that is at heart of social networking.

True, the reblog feature is the most cleaver and is what sets Tumblr apart. It allows you to repost what you find clever, funny, or true with a click of a button. It allows you to decorate your page with everything you love but could not possibly create yourself. It's the same reason we all love the "retweet" function on twitter, but this allows you to do that with photos and entire posts. And if you are the one posting, reblogs become golden. They possess all the affirmation and self esteem boosts you could hope for. However, this itself gets really messy. Once something gets reblogged for the 18th, 65th, 200,000th time, the post becomes doctored and annotated with everyone else's comments. Granted, most of these comments are funny and worth reposting, but it's just flat out ugly.

Ultimately, Tumbr is where fangirls go to vomit. It's littered with all of the squeals, giggles, and heart attacks that come with meeting others of "your kind." Because the reblog feature is so convenient, it becomes way too easy to reblog every photo of Matt Bomer, Zachary Levi, Andrew Garfield, etc. that you find. [Seriously, it doesn't matter what/ who you're obsessed with, you will find a market for it here] This also means that you will be exposed to the photos as soon as they are taken. [I didn't even need a TV to keep track of the Golden Globes red carpet, I just watched Tumblr live] The nature of the site and it's users will cause everything to spread like wildfire. Because communication is so stifled, you don't even need to comment or write anything when you post. And because fangirls are inherently in competition with each other for the affection of their beloved, the follower and reblog count is an ideal measurement system.

I'll leave you with this information and you can decide whether or not Tumblr is for you. By posting this at all, I'm apparently breaking an unspoken Tumblr rule. Fans on the site don't want the "awesomeness" to becomes known because they want to keep it fairly underground. I find the notion to be petty and somewhat counter productive. I'm not sure if it's because the users seem to be overall younger (mid teens maybe) and the idea of a secret network is intriguing or if it's because they are truly embarrassed by the amount of fangirling that goes on.

However, if you DO decide to join, make sure to FOLLOW ME!

If Matt Bomer Ever Needs a Lawyer...

2011-02-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

I know you saw this photo and assumed the post was going to be about Matt Bomer's awesomeness. You were wrong. While it is true that he is a sweetheart for taking the photo (and bonus points for looking so good), this post is instead about the awesomeness of Jolene and Jennifer. These two wonderful ladies went all the way to LA, waited in lines, and probably got a few bruises to get me an autograph.

More over, this was a total surprise to me. All I knew was that they were planning to go to the Jimmy Kimmel taping when Matt was on. Little did I know that they went prepared with signs for him to hold, things for him to sign, and crazy stories about me to tell.

I always knew my friends are the best. They are fun, creative, and thoughtful. But this is beyond my words. All I could do is smile, laugh, and cry.

Also, due to the brilliance of the original photo, it was revamped and reposted by creator/ producer/ writer of White Collar, Jeff Eastin, on his TwitPics. I got a message from him the next day telling me how amazing the photo is and then a follow up telling me he lightened it and posted it for me. Yes, shout out to his awesomeness as well.

Be sure to check out all the fun that exploded on twitter after this post. I had fans telling me I should get this made up into business cards or demand a walk-on role as Mozzie's competition ;D.

For those of you who don't know who this is, it means you have not been reading my blog or my Twitter. Matt Bomer stars on White Collar. Tuesday nights at 10pm. Be sure to tune in =D

January Contest Winner!

2011-02-01T16:09:00.000-08:00

CONGRATS! To our contest winner, Caitlin, who just won a $25 gift card to CSN online stores! Make sure you check out Caitlin's blog and read her comment about which was her favorite post here on Glass Onion.

Thank you to all who entered and/or helped promote the contest! I loved reading what you liked (and didn't like). I appreciate all my devoted readers, as well as my new ones! Check back here often for more of your favorite things <3

NOTE: Winners were chosen at random from the comments left on the contest entry post. You were given a number according to the FIRST comment you posted because only one entry per person was allowed.

A Photographer's Signature (2): Winter Holiday Edition

2011-01-29T22:02:00.000-08:00

Don't miss A Photographer's Signature (1).

Big Bear, CA

San Diego, CA

Washington DC

Universal Studios, CA

Hollywood, CA

Thoughts on Forging Bonds

2011-01-27T22:40:00.000-08:00

I don't mean to alienate most of my readers who don't follow White Collar (though I am actively trying to get you to start ;D), but I'm really interested in your thoughts. I certainly won't be reviewing every episode this season (the first two just happen to be special). This isn't a "review" per say, like I did for Burke's Seven, but I thought I'd share my thoughts anyway. Leave your comments below about what you agree with, disagree with, liked, disliked, and what you expect in the future.

"Forging Bonds" is arguably the most anticipated episode to date. Fans have been waiting to see how Neal met and fell for Kate, how Neal met Mozzie, how Neal became a con artist, how Peter arrested Neal, etc. and the episode was certainly satisfying.

My first reaction was surprise that Neal got Kate into the life of crime. It may be why Neal is so psychologically attached to her- she was a real person amidst a life of aliases. However, the more I thought about this, the less I'm convinced this is the case. She was either in on shady business from day one, or someone (Adler?) got to her while Neal was away with Alex.
I still don't like Kate. I was really hoping this episode would mediate my feelings and I'd leave even more confused about her motives. It may be the fact that Alexandra Daddario is such a bad actress that she doesn't extract the appropriate emotions from the viewer. Or it's possible that we really are not meant to like her, no matter how much we want to understand Neal. That being said, if we are not meant to like her, I'd hope it's for a more intriguing reason than just "because she's 'blah'" (which is how I feel now). She is still, unfortunately, a static character that invokes a disproportionate amount of change and passion in Neal.
There is no doubt that this episode was meant to appease the fans. It was really throwing a bone to those of us who have been with the show since the first USA promo. Giving us a more extended version of the tidbits we love (Peter's mustache, the Neal/Kate bottle, Neal's first suit and hat, Neal/Alex romance, etc). However, I think we are going to find that Jeff Eastin has bigger and better plans for the information we found out here. For example, information about the first failed attempt at the music box. We knew before that everyone thought Neal had it, but now we know how it fits into context with Kate. It's possible that she made plans of her own when Neal was away, thinking he had the box...
Seeing Diana and Jones was fun. Though they seemed to contribute more great ideas in the past than they do today ;)
Best scenes were the ones closely paralleled between past and present. Lines like: Peter present- "You weren't that good"/ Cut Peter flashback: "Oh this guy's good!"
Since the majority of the comedy in the show comes either from Mozzie's paranoia or from Peter/ Neal banter, this episode lagged on both. We only got glimpses when Peter brought Neal cheap wine or when Neal extracted his old case file nickname from Peter. Bonds. James Bonds. *insert great Matt-Bomer-as-007 mental image here*
Andrew McCarthy is a brilliant cast. He always is. And playing Adler could not be a better fit. I WAS surprised to find HOW Adler "made [Neal] the man he is today". I honestly thought that line meant Adler was Neal's mentor, not his target. Especially because Neal says (while painting a Monet!) something like "I'm trying to reconcile the man I knew with someone who could do this [kill Kate]." Again, that seems to suggest a mentor relationship not the man who ran off with all Neal's money, but whatever. Turns out that Neal found his style, adjusted his tactics, and perfected his method in order to "defeat" Adler, not because Adler taught him how. In a way, it would have been more predictable, making the ultimate battle between the student and the teacher/ father figure. I guess we'll see how this plays out. We didn't see enough of Adler to get a good sense (though we know he outsmarted Neal once already).
Bomer is having way too much fun. He's getting to explore a huge range for his character and he's doing it phenomenally. Whether he's doing a naked dance in the window or planning a con, Neal's character is more and more brilliant with every scene.

New USA Show Review: Fairly Legal is Fairly Great

2011-01-23T20:31:00.000-08:00

You know it's a new year when there is a new USA original show on TV. Fortunately, it seems like they have finally hit my soft spot- adding a legal show (Fairly Legal) to their previous doctor show (Royal Pains), CIA show (Covert Affairs), FBI show (White Collar), police detective show (Psych and, previously, Monk), and spy show (Burn Notice).

Fairly Legal seems to have all the elements of USA network: beautiful actors + fabulous city location + light comedy banter + main character's somewhat hidden personal pain and motivation + likable secondary characters + mostly episodic/ stand alone plots + background story that links episodes= hit TV show for 18-49 demographics. I don't think USA would object to me calling it a formula (I think @TedonTV would agree) but the danger lies when all these shows begin to look the same. In my opinion, they have already begun to look the same, but why fix what isn't broken?

Right off the bat, I like the characters in Fairly Legal. Kate Reed is a lawyer turned mediator, who is more interested in following justice than the law. The comedy is instant and I already want to transform my phone contacts into Kate's Wizard of Oz themed rings. We are also immediately introduced to the personal struggle that will most likely follow the season- her unresolved issues with her deceased father. Kate works for her father's firm (now run by her step mother) and she is constantly battling her ex-husband/ still romance, Justin Patrick. The show desperately wants us to know that Kate is good at what she does. So much so that it resorts to a ridiculous opening scene where Kate successfully "mediates" a store robbery. Her character is fun and upbeat for the most part (contrast Covert Affair's Annie Walker) but her constant frantic state and running around may get annoying. While it has just the right amount of complicated plot and light comedy (especially when Kate's assistant comes into the shot), it appropriately slows down and gets sentimental when Kate has to deal with her father's passing.

For me, Fairly Legal falls somewhere after White Collar (always #1) and Psych but before the newer Royal Pains or Covert Affairs. In short, USA has become my one-stop-shop for all my TV needs.

RANDOM NOTE: This didn't really fit anywhere in the review but I love how USA keeps coming up with a new color for each show. Haven't noticed? White Collar- blue, Psych- green, Royal Pains- yellow/ blue, Covert Affairs- red... Fairly Legal? Orange.

White Collar S2.5 Premiere: Burke's Seven

2011-01-20T21:38:00.000-08:00

A couple of provisions before we begin:
1. If you've read my blog and/or Twitter enough, you probably already have an idea about how (un)objective I can be about this show. So I won't bother trying to convince you in either direction.
2. I promise not to make this all about Matt Bomer in that leather jacket if YOU promise to read the entire post.

Burke's Seven was a brilliant way to kick off the second half of the season because it refocuses on the main players in the game. With the exception of Alex, all the characters were present and it gave a name to how they already operate- a crew. We're going to go ahead and skip over the fact that the show neglected to mention why Neal wasn't in jail (remember, Episode 2X09 ended with Neal in handcuffs after pointing a gun at Fowler). As usual, Neal begins by conceding to do things legally, like Peter wants, and Peter ends up doing things borderline illegally, like Neal wants.

My favorite element- the bromance banter- was in full swing and the plot seems to be developing nicely. Almost as sexy as his charming side is Neal's tormented side. Though this was a little lighter than the Emmy-deserving moment in the mid-season finale as Neal agonizes over Kate, it was great to see Neal really worried about Mozzie during his recovery. Apparently the rest of the underground crime world feels the same way and we just can't help but love bad boys who do something good.

We also got a great dose of Sara Ellis in this episode. During the off season, there have been lots of fan feuds over the new love-interest-to-be. Personally, I fell in love with the fierce bounty hunter from day one, but I can't imagine anyone still has doubts. She plays along great with Neal and can certainly hold her own alongside the boys. Her character did seem to make a significant shift in this half of the season- lighter and more willing to help. It's easy to see how Neal and Sara are going to end up in that hallway with their clothes flying off (see promos for details).

With all this being said, I really hope everyone tunes in next week. "Forging Bonds" has been the single most anticipated episode since White Collar began, promising to give us a glimpse of Neal's history. We'll get to see how Neal and Kate met, Neal's relationship with Alex and Mozzie, and how Peter caught Neal the first time- over 4 years ago.

Best of the 2011 Golden Globes

2011-01-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

Best Dressed: Eva Longoria. She was not nominated, so this dress may have gone unnoticed. And, unfortunately, it was black (instead of the beautiful emerald green that was so popular). But, I just can't get over how gorgeous this dress was on her.

Best Red Carpet Interview: "You didn't win anything tonight... but congratulations on your face." Yes, an interviewer actually said this to Matt Bomer (I'm assuming it was after the awards show). Apparently, she was trying to tell him that he looks really good, and this was how it came out. The red carpet interviewers are always really awkward and horrible (part of the reason we love them), but this one takes the cake. These moments come up often with people like Angelina Jolie, who is always awkward in interviews. Not Kristin Stewart or Rob Pattinson awkward, but more because interviewees are falling all over themselves to make her interview really memorable. Fortunately, this now makes for a great fan joke because her words to Matt Bomer WERE correct...

Best Acceptance Speech: Natalie Portman's win for Best Actress. It was a tad long and awkwardly worded. But ultimately, it was cute very appropriate. Her now-famous line ("He's the best actor... he totally wanted to sleep with me") was a great reminder of the movie and a good shout-out moment to her fiance. She seemed calm, put together, and sincere. Congrats to her.

Best Presenter: This one is a tie between Tina Fey/ Steve Carrell and Tom Hanks/ Tim Alan (You all thought I was going straight to Matt Bomer on this one, didn't you?). Both made great jokes on Ricky Gervais (who totally deserved it) and are in general really funny people.

Best Host Joke: "I'd like to quash this ridiculous rumor going around that the only reason The Tourist was nominated was so the Hollywood Foreign Press could hang out with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. That is rubbish. That is not the only reason. They also accepted bribes."

Best Goof-Up: Andrew Garfield. He was adorable and handled it so well. I'd much rather this kind f mess up than the awkward jokes they make Jennifer Lopez say.

Best Award: Anything The Social Network won. It's rare that I rally behind one movie as hard as I'm rallying for this one in 2011. Most of my friends chastised me for not rooting for Inception. While I appreciate people wanting Chris Nolan to win (since he was robbed with The Dark Knight), I'm sticking with The Social Network on this one. I'm thrilled it won so many awards but, most specifically, I'm thrilled it won Best Screenplay and Best Picture. Because it was both.

Ice Skating. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

2011-01-16T14:50:00.000-08:00

My friends decided to do something really winter-sportsy for our first week back at law school. While I would have probably chosen to stay home and watch Matt Bomer, we decided to go ice skating. Don't believe me? I have the photos to prove it! It was actually tons of fun and I didn't even fall! Don't believe me? I have the photos to prove it! hahahaha

AllStar Weekend

2011-01-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

Signed by Hollywood Records, I am predicting Allstar Weekend to be the new up-and-coming tween obsession. Like The Jonas Brothers and Honor Society, their fan base covers a wide range of females who are prone to Disney promotion and their music is fun/catchy/pop/dance music everyone can love. The group is amazing live, in concert. I really recommend you guys check them out!

And if AllStar Weekend isn't your scene, consider their opening band- Action Item (lead singer Brian Cag above)

Win $25 Gift Card HERE!!

2011-01-07T23:06:00.000-08:00

Hello readers! I'm so excited to announce the very first contest that I'm hosting here on Glass Onion Blog! I'm giving away a $25 gift card to be redeemed at any of the CSN online stores. CSN is comprised of over 200 online stores, where you can find everything from Delsey luggage, to purses, shoes, cookware and so much more! Check out the CSN sites for all the awesome things you can purchase!!

Here is how to win (must do all 3):
1) Leave a COMMENT here with your favorite Glass Onion blog post of 2010 and WHY
2) INCLUDE your e-mail address in the comment (if you are uncomfortable leaving your e-mail, leave another way for me to contact you in case you win. You can e-mail me at chrisjoy06@yahoo.com)
3) FOLLOW my blog (click "follow" on the right) or let me know if you're already following!

DEADLINE is January 31st 2011! You can only enter once. I will choose a winner at random on February 1. I will send you a promotion code that you can use for $25 on any CSN site. It's that easy!!

NOTE: There may be international shipping charges in the case of Canadian addresses (CSN only ships to the US and Canada)

The Black Swan: Movie Review

2011-01-06T17:00:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be completely honest, this movie terrified me. I spent half the movie yelling at Jolene, who came with me, and blaming her for bringing me. It was not overt goriness, or even an excess of anything bloody. Instead, it was little things like peeling off skin or tearing fingernails. It came in little increments and you never knew how or when it was going to escalate.

Ok, enough of me dwelling on how scared I was. The movie itself is brilliant. So well made, so well acted, and so well thought through. The parallels between the onstage development of the ballet and the character development in their lives is perhaps expected and predictable, but very convincing. These parallels run so deep as to be reflected in the clothes Portman wears (note the transformations from the pink and white to the black tops). It felt like at every moment, there were one of two ways the story could go. For example [SPOILER ALERT], either Portman's character had killed Kunis' character or it was all in her head. Either plot option is predictable and has been done before, but each is still really intriguing for the viewers because of the implications each has on the character's development. The ending is beautiful, but could again have been seen coming a mile away when we are told of the ending to the ballet.

You're the Voice by John Franham

2011-01-04T22:49:00.000-08:00

The stars of Merlin (Colin Morgan and Bradley James) make everything more fun.

Tales of a Social Network Addict

2011-01-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

I’m never one to pass up on a social networking site, but I already have a blog (and a Facebook… and a twitter… and a Youtube... etc.) so I didn’t know what I’d do with a Tumblr. However, I was told that I’d fit right in to the Merlin, Legend of the Seeker, SNL, Harry Potter, and White Collar fanbases. So, I look forward to meeting you all! And since I’m a newbie, I’m going to need to know all of Tumblr’s secrets.

This being said, however, this blogger will remain 100% active and will be my primary website. I've appreciated everyone who has kept up with my blog and hope my readers will stick around. Feel free to check my Tumblr often, it will have different material and those of you who enjoy any of the fanbases I've listed above may find it interesting.

Follow me on Tumblr! And leave a comment here with your Tumblr url so I can follow you back!

Facebook Friends

2011-01-02T16:05:00.000-08:00

No matter how dependent we are on Facebook, people are always a little cynical about the social networking site. From the always changing page layouts to the controversial privacy settings, we can't help but make stalker jokes and curse Farmville animals. But every once in a while, I come across a story that truly embodies why Facebook is fantastic and why we can't live without it.

This week was one of those stories. My mom reconnected with a friend who she had not heard from or talked to in over 20 years. Michele (right in above photo) was my mom's closest friend in church growing up. She was in my mom's wedding in 1984 but they lost touch over 20 years ago. Since then, Michele has moved to South Korea to teach art and my mom has three kids between Jr. High and grad school (<-- that's me ;D). After much debate, my mom finally got on Facebook last year and found Michele! they got caught up online and were finally able to visit in person when Michele came home for the holidays. You should have seen these two. Giggling, laughing, and teasing each other about the old and the new. They went through old wedding albums, gossiped about where everyone else is now and sent their well wishes to each others families. We all got to meet Michele too and found out exactly why my mom has so much fun with her.

And while I'm promoting Facebook, don't forget you can always find me. Link on the left, or just search my full name- Christine Antonios. Leave me a message saying who you are and that you found me through my blog if I don't already know you.

Youtube Me!

2010-12-29T23:10:00.000-08:00

Many of you may not know that I have a Youtube Channel. I put up some pretty epic videos of events, concerts, lectures, etc. that I've been to and I'd love for you to check it out. You can subscribe to my channel directly from this widget. But if you don't believe me, I've put up a couple of my most popular videos (with over 23,000 views each) to tempt you =D

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1): Movie Review

2010-12-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry it took me so long, but I wasn't sure how I felt about Deathly Hallows for a while. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the movie. I was never bored and the 2+ hours certainly didn't drag. That being said, I try to summarize the events in my head and I just can't say that anything happened. The problem with the film (and we knew this going in), was that it only covers the boring and less substantial part of the book. Whether you find it to be a good or bad thing in the books, most of Rowling's endless pages are the set up. Her real action and plot rolling scenes all happen within the last 100 (after the first 700) pages of the book. While none of us seemed to mind while reading, this makes it very difficult on the film makers. All the material is necessary to get you to where you are eventually going, but it's hard to justify so much inactivity in a film. Basically, I'm hashing this out just to make it clear that I don't have an alternative suggestion for the criticism I'm posing.

That being said, The Harry Potter saga is clearly ending on a high note. The acting, directing, and general film-making could not be better. Every movie makes it more and more clear that the actors are really what set this series apart from all other "children's" films. You cannot help but fall in love with Harry (Daniel Radcliff), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson). We already knew we loved them in the books, but it's rare that the actors portray the same level of pain, struggle, and friendship as you imagine they rightfully deserve. Even more so that the child stars (who have always been leaps and bounds more engaging than, for example, the stars of Narnia), the adult actors solidify the film. The villains have particularly taken center stage in these final installments and they are as chilling as the heroes are lovable.

I can't wait for the final movie. The 8 films in total have had their highs and lows, but fortunately for us, all signs point to an epic finale.

Merlin: New Guilty Pleasure

2010-12-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Since my beloved Legend of the Seeker got canceled earlier this year, I have been searching for a show to replace it. Now my readers are probably all thinking that I have enough shows to keep me busy (and that's true), but few are as inherently awesome as fantasy shows. I'm writing today to announce that I have found that replacement.

Merlin is a modern retelling of the stories of King Arthur. Like any retelling, it would not be complete without Guinevere, Lancelot, Excalibur, and the Knights of Camelot. Borrowing a page from Smallville, Merlin tells the stories of their youth, before they grow into the great Kings and Wizards from legend. Being one to always have loved Smallville, it's no surprise that this format really works for me. It gives the writers a chance to develop the underlying friendships, love interests, and enemies in a way that explains their later roles as heroes and villains. For example, the stories of King Arthur have portrayed Arthur's downfall at the hands of his half-sister Morgause and her son Mordred. Merlin spends the first three seasons exploring how Morgause came to hate Camelot and positions Mordred as a child Arthur once saves but foreshadows his later downfall (Note: Smallville did the same thing exploring Superman and Lex Luthur's infamous rivalry).

This all being said, neither you nor I should get too excited because Merlin may suffer the same fate as Seeker. It has all too many similarities. It's a foreign filmed show (originally airs on the BBC) and is picked up by the US on weekends. Fortunately, it's picked up nationally by SyFy (unlike the local stations for Seeker) and has already been renewed for a 4th season (already 2 more than Seeker got).

National Geographic: Nature's Wonders

2010-12-19T00:09:00.000-08:00

The National Geographic just had it's annual amateur photo contest and the submitted photos are pretty amazing. In honor of nature's wonders, I've decided to post some of my own photos. These were taken anywhere between my backyard to 35,000 feet in the air. I'll post more if you guys like them. Enjoy.

Tangled: Movie Review

2010-12-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Easily the best animated movie Disney has made since before The Princess and the Frog. And Disney certainly learned its lesson since then. Maybe Princess movies used to cut it back when The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, or Pocahontas where the only options for kids, but with movies like Cars and Finding Nemo sweeping the market, princess films have lost their male audience. Judging by the numbers, boys didn't go see The Princess and the Frog, so Disney has done everything it can to hide the girlie aspect of the movie. Note: the title has no mention of Rapunzel (who the story is about, if you didn't know); the US movie poster has a close-up shot of both the girl and the guy, each with an action-ready facial expression (different in other countries -like the one posted here from the UK- where The Princess and the Frog did better in the box office); and the male role in the movie almost trumps the female role.

Now, I have not seen the numbers for Tangled. But if I had to guess, I'd say Disney was successful. At first, the staring roles didn't sit well with me. Rapunzel (played by Mandy Moore) is turning 18 (note: they aren't 16 anymore. Culture is growing up, perhaps?) and Flynn Rider (played by the awesome Zachary Levi) just seemed too old for her. From the very beginning, Rapunzel was a girl- not yet a woman- and the obvious relationship-to-be seemed creepy. Of course, I realize that I'm a 22 year old watching a cartoon, so I am not exactly the targeted point of view. But as the movie went on, that uneasiness wore off and I fell in love with Flynn as much as Rapunzel did. Rapunzel grew up very quickly out in the real world (though the montage scene where she is torn up between betraying her mother and gaining her freedom is one of the best ever) and Flynn learned the value and innocence of having a dream.

I wish I could comment on the animation, but I just have no credibility in the area. CGI certainly has come a long ways since the dead-eyed days of The Polar Express, but I may always prefer hand animation. Though, I must say, with the challenges that Rapunzel's hair must have brought, this came very close.

And of course, no great Disney movie would be complete without a soundtrack by Alan Menken. With the exception of the "magic" song (which should have been much more catchy), the music was perfect. Overall, this movie is estimated to be the second most expensive movie to make (~$260m). Not sure where that money went, but I hope you all go see it because I really want Disney to keep making movies like Tangled.

Best Holiday Movies

2010-12-12T16:58:00.000-08:00

As you've noticed, I've had no time to blog recently. I promise that will be remedied as soon as finals are over, but since it's the holidays, I wanted to do something special. A couple of years ago (2008), I posted my favorite versions of the best Christmas Music. This year, I thought I'd post the best movies for the holiday season. Now, I'm going to be very honest, I don't really like Christmas movies so I don't watch them often. Which is why the list may not include a lot of your favorites. Please leave me comments about your favorites and which I should have included on the list. That being said, these Holiday movies are classic.

BEST HOLIDAY MOVIES

Elf (2003)

The Santa Clause (1994)

Gremlins (1984)

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1995)

It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

Love Actually (2003)

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Home Alone (1990)

Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Autumn in DC

2010-11-23T18:07:00.000-08:00

Federalist Society's National Lawyer's Convention

2010-11-22T18:09:00.001-08:00

I had the chance to volunteer at the Federalist Society's National Lawyer's Convention in Washington DC this past week. It was a 3 day convention and two of us, board members, were sponsored by UC Davis for the trip. The convention was amazing and we got to hear some of the most brilliant legal minds speak about topics ranging from the Arizona Immigration Laws, Health Care reform, Religious liberties, CA's Prop 8, and so much more.

Apart from meeting Congressman and Supreme Court justices, I got to chat with lawyers from every field and law students from all over the country (although there were a surprisingly high number of Harvard Law students that I ran into). Enjoy the photos. Ask me specifics if you're interested!

Convention was at the gorgeous MayFlower Hotel

US Representative, Indiana: Michael Pence

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

Vote for People's Choice Awards

2010-11-13T20:46:00.000-08:00

If you watch a lot of movies, TV, or keep up with any aspect of the entertainment industry, the People's Choice are super fun. Unlike the Oscars, Emmys, SAGS, or Critics Choice awards, these are nominations we actually know and care about! My only request is that when you get to Favorite TV Obsession, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for White Collar. I think USA shows are extremely underrated and this would be a big boost. With that said, enjoy voting!

Click here or on the above photo to vote for all the categories.
Click here to go straight to White Collar vote.

Remember, you can vote as many times as you'd like =D

Conviction: Movie Review

2010-11-10T11:01:00.001-08:00

Being midway through our first semester of law school, we find ourselves often asking "WHY ARE WE HERE?!" For that reason, a few of us King Hall ladies decided to go see Conviction last weekend to learn about a woman who has a real reason for being in Law School.

With leading actress, Hilary Swank, the movie is an early Oscar contender and will be well deserved. The acting is fantastic, upstaged only by the incredible true story that drives the plot. The story follows Kenny and Ann waters through an 18 year struggle to free Kenny from a false murder conviction. Ann decides to go to high school, college, and then law school in order to free her brother because no one else is willing to take the case. After she passes the bar, it takes 6 years before she can partner up with the Innocence Project, use the new DNA technology, and get Kenny released. In the process, Ann loses her husband, her kids, and probably her sanity- dedicating her whole life to this cause.

However, the very thing that makes this movie incredible is it's downfall. Because of the massive struggle, heart ache, time, effort, and strength portrayed, the film had to also answer the inevitable question: Why would Ann go through all this for her brother? In order to answer the question effectively (which it does), the film must examine, not only these 18 years, but their entire lives. From their childhood mischief to their separation into foster care. The film establishes a bond between the siblings that later drives Ann's determination to free Kenny. This also means, however, that the film has too much ground to cover in too little time. It does not even touch upon her time in high school or college, and breezes through law school (although I can assure you our hearts dropped when the professor said "Ms. Waters, can you please give me the definition of contract?"). Most the film is spent on visits between Ann and Kenny in the jail, tracking the ups and downs of their struggle. While this build great characters and strong motives for the rest of the movie, the viewer was left slightly bored. Instead of showing us how difficult Ann's life had become by demonstrating each step of the process, we had to infer her difficulty through the results. For example, we never saw her neglecting her children but we saw when they asked to lived with their dad. Similarly, we never saw her struggle for a test or for grades, but we heard that she was on academic probation.

When all is said and done, this was a story that needed to be told. It's passionate and inspiring- definitely a Hollywood success.

Fifth of November

2010-11-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence [or By God's mercy] he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Hulloa boys, Hulloa boys, let the bells ring.
Hulloa boys, hulloa boys, God save the King!

A penny loaf to feed the Pope.
A farthing o' cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down.
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar.
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head.
Then we'll say ol' Pope is dead.
Hip hip hoorah!
Hip hip hoorah!

Dairy of a Law Student: Sense of Humor

2010-11-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

I was recently told that, to get through law school, you need a sense of humor. Maybe that is why law school has actually produced some of the funniest comedians around. Since it's Friday, and don't have too much time (or ideas) for a longer post, I'm going to let this video speak for itself. Enjoy.

Demetri Martin went to Yale as an undergrad and then to NYU Law School.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Law School Costumes

2010-10-31T14:11:00.001-07:00

First year of Law School and I decided to go as a mistrial. Get it? HAHA

Pumpkin Patch!

Julia went as a Tort(e). Yes, we're law school dorks.

Halloween Party!

Halloween Over the Years

2010-10-29T21:57:00.001-07:00

Here are my favorite Halloween costumes over the years. Don't think I can top them this year? You'll have to wait and find out =D

Edward Scissor-hands

Twitter

Harry Potter

Sarah Palin

Diary of a Law Student: Reading Law School

2010-10-24T01:44:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I updated about Law School and I know applications are right around the corner, for those of you looking to be in the Class of 2014. I thought I'd fill you guys in on what it's like being a 1L for 2 months.

The one thing everyone generally hears about Law School is the reading load. In all honesty, it's not the quantity of reading as much as the quality of reading you do. For example, it would be misleading of me to tell you how many pages of reading I have per night (10-30 pages per hour of class) because even a few pages take forever. Part of our training is learning how to write concisely and make every word count. So of course, our reading is a reflection of that training and the cases we read are dense with information (unlike this blog). It's not the kind of reading you can skim even a sentence of. In the future, I'll post portions of cases that I find interesting (I did one already under "Golden Cases" but I don't think it come across too well with my readers) to show you what I'm talking about.

Here is the Law School reading/ world load time line:

Reading and briefing. And as much as it is true that law school hits the ground running, they also try to ease you into everything as gradually as they can afford to. You start the first week just reading. Getting a feel for what it means to read a case- even just understanding what the headings mean and learning language like "demur," "jury not with standing," "affirmed," etc. Starting your second week, you will have to begin briefing cases. This means breaking down every case into its procedure, facts, legal issue, holding, and the court's rationale for its decision. The number one purpose for this is, of course, to learn the rule of law that emerged from the case, but it's also to be prepared in class. Favoring the Socratic method and expecting everyone to brief, professors will often begin class with: "Miss Antonios, please tell me the facts of this case." Usually the cases have really interesting fact patterns so you won't mind reading them.

Outline: After a few weeks (3-4) of just reading and briefing, you begin to outline. Yes, outline. That foreign concept, which everyone who has ever watched Legally Blond realizes is a coveted and sacred thing but no one can really articulate. An outline is exactly what it sounds like. It's an outline of the entire course or field of law. From beginning, it's a look at the development and rules of a legal field. Each field has major sections or categories that the law falls into (Ex. Contracts- formation, performance, enforcement; Torts- intentional torts, defenses, negligence, etc.) and subsections leading down to a specific law for a specific case. You generally outline after each section so you are able to see course as a whole. This is also something you are constantly refining up until you take the exam.

Exams: Just after you've gotten used to reading, briefing, and outlining each day/ week, you are hit with exams. This is the time to memorize your outline (because by this time you are no longer looking at your book or notes, so everything important better be succinctly put in that outline) and practice applying that to new fact situations. Most exams consist of one essay in which you are presented with a set of facts (as if a client had come into your office and spilled his guts about what happened to him over the past 2 years) and you must use your knowledge of the field to analyze how the court will rule in this law suit. In general, you follow the format of [legal] issue, rule [of law], analysis [based on these facts], and conclusion [of how court will rule]. This may get complicated when you have a fact situation that would go differently in different jurisdictions or may be governed differently depending on if you are applying a legislative statute versus the common law. Exams are scored on a system of accumulating points, so the more issues you spot, facts you use, and rules you provide, the better you do. Keep in mind, most of my classes this year consist of one exam at the end of the semester that determines my entire grade.

None of this was meant to scare anyone. I'm in the middle of everything right now and it's not so bad. Hopefully knowing this will give you a leg up when you get to law school and no one who has read this blog will be hit with the shock and panic that often accompanies 1L students.

Good luck with applications!

James Roday and Dule Hill to Host SNL

2010-10-15T12:21:00.000-07:00

Ever since Betty White made hosting SNL a democratic process, people have been advocating for all kinds of actors to host the show- from Nathan Fillion to Britney Spears. While I think any celebrity that the masses choose would be more awesome than when the show brings Brian Cranston (WHO?!) or Jon Hamm (please not again), the best idea I've heard so far is James Roday and Dule Hill co-hosting SNL. If you don't watch Psych, you are missing out on two of the most comedic actors on TV and their physical comedy style paired with their unique dynamic would be a perfect fit for the sketch comedy show.

If for no other reason, NBC should be bringing USA stars to host SNL because it's good business. NBC is USA's mother company and the USA shows are more awesome than almost anything NBC has on TV right now. The network should be capitalizing on shows like Psych, which is only becoming more and more popular as its exposure grows (don't get me started on White Collar; if Matt Bomer and Tim Dekay ever hosted SNL together, it would be the end of me).

Since we know that SNL listens to people on Facebook, check out (AND JOIN) the Facebook group (James Roday and Dule Hill to Host SNL) that Psych has opened for this campaign. If you're not fully convinced yet, then watch Psych (back in November on USA) and welcome to the Psych-O fanbase.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-10-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

My birthday was yesterday and all my closest friends and family are 300 miles away. So they were awesome enough to go on a Twitter rampage and celebrate my birthday online. Jolene pretty must tweeted every celebrity on her following list to let them know it was my birthday and my mom and Caitlin tweeted all the White Collar guys. Ultimately, I got online to find my birthday all over Twitter and I got Birthday wishes from my favorite TV writers! (Search @Christinelive on twitter for yesterday's full ordeal) I'm pretty sure they all recognize my Twitter username by now.

Head writer and Co-executive producer of White Collar (coming back January on USA)

White Collar writers

USA's official White Collar Twitter

Also, my family was also in town last weekend and I was able to celebrate then! It was so much fun having them for a whole weekend!

The Social Network Review

2010-10-12T08:37:00.001-07:00

If The Social Network succeeded at anything, it was to make Facebook and Mark Zuckerburg more popular than ever. Originally met with cynicism (especially from Facebook users who thought it was not possible to waste any more time on Facebook than they already do), the film turned out to be a brilliant surprise and possibly the best movie we've seen in a long time.

Set at Harvard University, the plot revolves around the idea of exclusivity. From the exclusivity of being at Harvard to the exclusivity of being part of the final clubs, this obsession is what eventually drives Zucherburg to find facebook- an online network reserved exclusively for certain people. This becomes the perfect framework for the film because it provides such a strong motivator for the characters and eventually underlies the entire concept of facebook itself. The Harvard setting becomes a character of its own and you hear things like "Harvard Gentlemen" and "Harvard conduct." All of this eventually drives the characters and gives us background that just makes sense when you examine facebook.

Undoubtedly the most fascinating part of the film is the characters because there is always the nagging question of reality vs. Hollywood fiction. Though both the filmmakers and the real individuals claim there is a lot of fictionalized drama to the story (all of which may be true), we all know that the first thing we did after getting home from the movie is look up Edwardo Saverin on facebook. Ultimately, it didn't matter how much of it was true because all the characters were set up so well for the story. The viewer sympathizes with Saverin but realizes that he was too traditional a businessman to make facebook what it became, villainizes Parker but realizes that he was ultimately right about the site, and is left not hating, not liking Zuckerburg but realizes his genius. The dynamics between the characters drive the plot and it is perfectly structured by the law suit cases that are spliced in between the flashback scenes. This gives the movie a great pace and allows the rest of the film to build to the ultimate betrayal and rivalry that your see in the court cases.

While you can easily enjoy the movie on many levels if you don't have a facebook, for us facebook-generation users, the concepts articulated in the film ring so true. I started using facebook back in the days when facebook was limited to college students. We have seen the site evolve since those days to include workplace networks and eventually to include everyone. Though it would seem like facebook no longer revolves around the idea of exclusivity, if you lived through this change online, you would know that there is nothing more valuable about the site. People are still outraged each time privacy settings get adjusted and riots break out each time new members are allowed in. The arguments that we don't want to give more people is access to our information is laughable (consider what facebook is for a moment and tell me that's not ridiculous) and it's clear that the underlying reason we don't want more facebook users is because we want to keep it exclusive. Facebook becomes a delicate and delusional balance of how much we want to share with friends, get to know new people, but remain within a privileged circle.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT BOMER!

2010-10-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

Who out there is a White Collar fan? In just another ploy for me to get you to watch the show, I thought I'd give a shout-out to the lead actor who turns 33 today!

If any of you are wondering what to get me for MY birthday (in 2 days), here he is:

CA Attorney General's Debate

2010-10-05T23:10:00.000-07:00

I was completely thrilled to get a ticket to the AG Debate on October 5th because, although it was hosted at King Hall, there were very few tickets available to students. The new Appellate Court room was FILLED with media and with very important looking people dressed in suits and talking strategy. The debate itself was very comparable to what you see on TV because it was all times and no breaks were given. But it was the surrounding atmosphere before and after that made everything so exciting. Before, you get to hear speculation and confirmation about what questions are going to be asked (for example: "Sacramento Bee is going to ask about Arizona Immigration") and after you hear congratulatory remarks and comments about who didn't answer what.

Get to know the candidates:
Kamala Harris (San Francisco DA) wants to focus her campaign on the future and is running as the new/young/innovative prosecutor. She sounds a lot like what we heard flying around in the 2008 Presidential campaign about breaking away from traditional methods and bringing change. She wants to focus on new high tech crimes and fixing recidivism. Unfortunately, her focus on newer policies and changing direction fails to consider that we traditionally focus on certain crimes for a reason- because they need to be focused on!. She refused to answer questions about things like the death penalty and how she would deal with it in CA. She also operates upon a very typical liberal philosophy that as an elected official, she should decide what is best for people. She stated on more than one occasion that people are looking for a leader who can think on her own and she has no problem ignoring the laws that people enact if she believes they are not in the state's best interestSteve Cooley (Los Angeles DA) wants to focus his campaign on Harris' shortcomings. While drawing attention to their track records is a good idea, Cooley comes across as unlikable and playing dirty. His philosophy is much different in that he firmly believes in defending the law as it stands and representing the people's desires (example: he will defend Prop 8 in court, unlike our current Attorney General, Jerry Brown). This being said, Cooley came across some tough questions when he was confronted with issues that he is personally opposed to but still claims that he was defend the law regardless of his personal preference.