A Bit About My TV (and Lists) Addiction

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It’s that fateful time of year again… The time of year when TV shows go off for the summer, when we find out which shows will get picked up for another season, and when promising new shows are being pitched by the networks. That means upfronts! Learning about all of the new shows that will be coming to my television this fall is like unwrapping presents on Christmas, like getting candy on Halloween, like…shooting fireworks and eating hot dogs on Independence Day? It’s super exciting–you get the gist. Then again, I’m a huge nerd, but as John Green pointed out, being a nerd just means being really enthusiastic about the things you love, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a fun way to live.

The upfront that has me most excited is Us & Them, which is apparently based on a British show. It stars Jason Ritter and Alexis Bledel (Rory Gilmore!) as a young couple who are surrounded by an interesting, colorful, and complicated group of family and friends. I like that it’s being pitched as “a show about relationships” instead of a show about a man and woman who have the potential to be in a relationship and will probably hook up around season 3. Just look at it! Look at the wonderfulness!

The summer months mean a break from my regularly scheduled TV shows, which means I have a chance to catch up on all the shows I wanted to watch but missed. So, to satisfy my crazy mind, below is a definitive list of all the shows I’m hoping to watch this summer.

Shows I’ve seen but am behind on:
Arrow
Bunheads — which I really hope doesn’t get canceled
Doctor Who
Homeland
Suburgatory
Supernatural

Shows I haven’t watched at all and want to check out:
Breaking Bad
Bob’s Burgers
Elementary
Game of Thrones — possibly; I’m on the fence about this one
Justified
Louie — another possibly; I’ll watch this if I have extra time (which seems unlikely)
Scandal
Spartacus: Vengeance

Netflix shows:
Arrested Development — Yay, the Bluths are back!
House of Cards

Shows that are off the air:
Friday Night Lights — I <3 Connie Britton
Fringe — The Boyfriend and I are actually already 3 episodes into this one, and we’re both loving it so far. It fills the X-Files-shaped void in my heart.

New summer shows:
Camp
Family Tree — It’s Christopher Guest, which means I have to watch it. The first episode has already aired, but I can catch up quickly.
Whose Line Is It Anyway? — It’s coming back!

Yeah. So the list a little daunting, especially considering that I only have 3 months, but I’m determined. Besides, it’s TV! I love TV! How hard can it be? Probably very, and I doubt I’ll manage to watch everything on my list despite my determination. I’ll do a follow-up post in August, and then I guess we’ll see.

Life Out of Focus

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I’m not sure what to write about. I’ve felt so uninspired lately, and this past week has been quite possibly the worst week of my life. The only good thing about it was that Allie Brosh of Hyperbole and a Half came back. I simultaneously laughed and almost cried while reading her new post, and I found myself nodding emphatically, knowing exactly what she went through and being amazed by how perfectly she depicted it.

Depression is, I’m convinced, one of the strangest things a person can experience. It’s impossible to understand. No one around you understands why you can’t just be happy, and you can’t understand why suddenly the things you used to love don’t appeal to you anymore. Depression just…is. It settles over you like a cloud blocking the sun, and you feel helpless to do anything about it.

This past week involved loss, confusion, uncertainty, frustration, and lots of mornings spent sleeping in because I just didn’t care enough to wake up. I know that sounds awful, and I know this post is a lot more negative than usual, but life isn’t always sunshine and roses, and I’m okay with my blog reflecting that fact every now and then.

I’m trying to remind myself on a constant basis that things have a way of working themselves out, and that I still have a wonderful family and boyfriend and dog, a solid roof over my head, and food to keep my belly full. I’m lucky. And I will figure things out.

A few things that have kept me sane/happy/entertained:
The Mindy Project – This show is refreshingly witty and sweet. It makes me laugh and gives me the warm fuzzies, which are exactly what I need right now.
Questionable Content – I’ve been reading this webcomic from the beginning, and I’m completely addicted. I want a Coffee of Doom mug.
The new Audi commercial featuring both Spocks – Best commercial EVAR.
The new Kraft dressing commercials – Do I really have to explain why?
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell – It’s about as close to perfection as a book can get.
League of Legends and Guild Wars 2 – Because I always need good video games in my life.
Snyder’s Buttermilk Ranch Pretzel Pieces – Yum.

Life Update

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I just want to quickly say that my heart goes out to the victims of the explosions in Boston yesterday and their families. I feel for the people of that beautiful city, one that I spent some time in and have only good memories of. In times like these, it helps to focus on the first responders, the people who offered their homes for anyone who needed a place to stay, and all those who reached out to help. They far outnumber the perpetrators.

I’ve started to update this blog about 10 times over the past couple of weeks, but I always end up stopping before I finish a post. I have several unfinished posts in my drafts that are based on ideas I still think are interesting and would like to complete at some point, but right now I think I’ll just talk about my life and what has been going on with me lately.

I’m continuing with school this summer. After being convinced that I should be an English major and try to go into publishing for a long time, I’ve decided to switch my major to Computer Science. That means possibly more schooling, and I’m already lagging behind where I’d like to be, but I feel like it’s the right choice. My current job position is partly what convinced me to make the leap.

I started out at the organization I work for as a System Specialist working with our database system, and I loved it. Not only did I love it, but I excelled at it. Then, last August, I was offered a promotion. I took it because it was a promotion, but this position has turned out to be very focused on customer service, which I have discovered is not my strong point at all. My last position was much more suited to my skill-set, and I miss it.

I’m good with computers. I taught myself HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript. I know some SQL. I’m very interested in programming and QA testing, and both of those jobs require minimal interaction with the public. Plus, they’re very marketable skills. I feel like it will be much easier for me to find a job when I graduate if I’m carrying a Computer Science degree.

I’ve been stressed at work lately, and I’ve been getting my school situation figured out, and those are the main reasons I’ve been absent from blogging and commenting. I’m also way behind on Camp NaNoWriMo, so I need to get on that soon. I feel very hopeful about the future and this upcoming school semester, though. Everything will work out, and hopefully I’ll have some more interesting blog posts for you soon.

Can’t Live Without — March 2013

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This month’s edition of Can’t Live Without is dedicated to this very day, which also happens to be Easter!

Why can’t I live without Easter?

Because chocolate! Is it just me, or is Easter candy better than any other holiday candy? Only around Easter can you find Cadbury Mini Eggs, Cadbury Creme Eggs, and Milka L’il Scoops, and they are my absolute favorites. Plus, chocolate bunnies! What’s not to love about a giant bunny made out of chocolate?

Reason #2: baby animals! You’re practically bombarded with pictures of adorable bunnies and chicks.

We’re also treated to this wonderful Cadbury commercial here in the States, which has aired every year around Easter for as long as I can remember:

Reason #3: Spring! I’m sick of winter by the time Easter rolls around. While I have experienced cold Easters, it’s usually nice and sunny with a cool breeze around this time of year. Early Spring weather is always such a welcome relief. It’s not sweltering hot yet, but the sun is shining and flowers are just starting to bloom, and we get our first taste of warmer temperatures for the year. Cold Easters, however, are one of the universe’s cruel, cruel jokes.

Happy Easter to those of you who are celebrating today!