The Benefits of British Television

Next to boxed wine, I feel that Netflix is the greatest invention of our time. I find so many shows and specials on there that I've long forgotten and it always brings me back to a place of either childhood nostalgia or triumph at finding such treasures (Sabrina the Teenage Witch, FTW). One of my most delighted finds is the greatness of British television. Currently, I'm making my way through Doctor Who, but before that I was introduced to Miranda, Gavin & Stacey, and The Bletchley Circle. I almost prefer the shortened seasons that predominate the British television landscape (seasons can be as little as 6 episodes). And many of the same actors pop up in different shows, making it come a bit full circle.

Also, it has introduced me to how brilliant and wonderful David Tennant is, but that's neither here nor there. Though, seriously. Have you seen such delightfulness before? WHAT A DREAMBOAT. 

The reason I seem to gravitate more towards the British shows, isn't just the fantastic accents. It's the humor. The subtlety, the sharpness, the intelligence. There's no relying on what passes for humor here in the States, which, I'm sorry, most of which isn't funny and is downright rude a lot of the times. There's very few American comics who I find genuinely funny and that also espouse a way of living that doesn't make me want to punch them in the face. That's why I am so grateful for networks like the BBC and PBS, who bring such quality, intelligent programming to the US, instead of another season of I Slept With My Stepson, or whatever wonders TLC is bringing us these days. 

British television also allows for another viewpoint on the world, that's not coming from a strictly American upbringing or way of life. It allows, perhaps, a look in the mirror for us Yanks, to see how others view us and what, as a nation and culture, we could be better about. While we are awesome at a lot of things (hello, International House of Pancakes), there is always room for improvement. 

I always recommend the following shows to anyone looking for a new binge watching session: Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, Miranda, The Bletchley Circle, Gavin & Stacey, Broadchurch, and anything with David Tennant in it. Most of these shows are actually on Hulu as well, which surprisingly has a much bigger selection of quality British programming, especially British comedies. Basically what I'm saying is, get a Roku. You will never leave your house again, or have to interact with dummies. And what is more American than that? 

Tales From Dating's Front Lines

Happy return of Parks and Recreation day! That's a real thing, right? Well, we're going to make it one. I've missed Pawnee and can't wait to get back to Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson.

                                                              (All of us).

Anyways, as a single 29 year old lady, it's safe to say I've been on my fair share of dates -- some great, some terrible. And I'm hoping, as I approach my 30's, that my taste has gotten infinitely better than it has been in my 20's. DAAAAAAAMMMMMMNNNN,Gina-- you did not make great decisions. But, how else are you going to learn? How else are you going to figure out what you like, dislike, could live with, absolutely could NOT live with? I've seen it all, I've seen men (actually, let's go with boys), not take the HOOD OF THEIR HOODIES OFF AT THE DINNER TABLE. THE ENTIRE TIME. That warrants all caps, don't even tell me it doesn't. Could you please walk me through what goes through your mind, as a male, to warrant thinking that's an okay thing to do? JESUS. I didn't get a "Hey, Tara, you look great!" Which, look dudes, even if she doesn't look top notch, at least be gentlemanly enough to compliment her. When you go through a whole meal without a single nice thing said to your date, there will be no next date.

Then, there have been dudes who talk about OTHER women while dining with you. I'm sorry, what makes you think I want to hear about how good looking you think so and so is? Also, thanks for making me feel about 2 inches tall, you total douchecanoe (when I write my memoirs, you can be certain the word "douchecanoe" will be making so many appearances. It's a great word!). What's super interesting, is being told months later, that the dude did in fact like you just as much as you liked him. Excuse me while I go laugh myself to tears. He had an incredibly funny way of showing it, and believe me when I say, that ship has sailed. There will be no more chances. Off to the island of Douchecanoastoria for you, good sir.

Ladies, men should think you the sun rises and sets with you, BECAUSE IT DOES. Don't let anyone tell you any differently. You are a beautiful, intelligent, kind, funny and delightful woman with so much to offer this crazy world of ours. Don't allow yourself to get mixed up with the likes of (sorry, I seem to think I'm a character in a 1940's crime novel, let's just go with it) men who don't appreciate you. I have and it's THE WORST. Obviously. I mean, could there be a more obvious sentence? I used to think that because everyone else around me was in a serious relationship/engaged/married, that I needed to be too. That is definitely not the case. I'm not going to date for the sake of dating. You have to really wow me in order for me to even consider a date with you. Perhaps that may be a bit pretentious, but at this point, I don't care. I'm looking for someone to share my life with, so I tend to take great care about that. At nearly 30, I hope a marriage and family is in my near future and if I continued down the path I was on, that wouldn't happen. Realize how fantastic you are, and never settle.

Another thing I find to be so incredibly worth it while seeing if Mr. Right is even on his way, is fortifying my female friendships. If you do find yourself a single lady, stop focusing on men, and focus on the women in your life. Your girlfriends are such an important relationship in life, don't let that fall by the wayside. I'm so lucky to be getting closer to such wonderful women and I cannot wait as the bond grows stronger.

It's taken me a long time to realize my strengths and what I bring to the table, I will no longer waste that on men who don't deserve it. And you shouldn't either. Hold out for the man that doesn't make you think "ARE YOU SERIOUS, RIGHT NOW?" at least 13 times during your date. He's out there, I promise. Until you find him, you do you, girl. YOU DO YOU.

Monday, Monday

It would be ridiculous if I didn't start this post off with so much praise for Tina and Amy. Last night's Golden Globes monologue was ON POINT. And it wasn't just Tina and Amy who stole the night. Last night's awards show was full of such wonderful, feminist moments that made me proud to own both of those X chromosomes (BOOM. Science). I very much look forward to a day where movie roles, books, life events, etc. are not denoted by "first female to do so....," "female director," and so on. But just with, "hey, this  person achieved this. How great is that?" I'm sure that's incredibly naive, but I believe it's coming.

                                             (The best moment of the 2015 Golden Globes)

Anyways, that digital purge I spoke about last week? Perhaps the best thing I ever did. In the last month alone, over 230 "friends" have been deleted from Facebook, my Instagram has been dwindled down a bit, contacts deleted from my phone. Man. I should have done this a LONG time ago. It has been such a relief, and a weight off of my shoulders to not have to sift through status upon status of people I only met once, people I've never met, people I haven't talked to since 1998. I now have my Facebook set purely for the people I want and like (if I'm going to be honest), as well as those who I like to creep on? What? I didn't say that.

Hope you all are staying warm and cozy on this January day. Obviously, there was no real point to this particular post, just me jabbering on. Back tomorrow with my usual wit and charm! ;)

End of the Week Odds and Ends

Happy Friday, you beautiful mermaids! Hope everyone is staying nice and toasty, because Jesus. It is COLDER THAN MOLASSES outside. Can molasses be cold? Let's move on.

I think every Friday, I'll end the week with a wrap up of the previous week; links I've discovered, random news, articles, etc. You get the picture.

-- It only cost me $25 to fill my tank today. Nearly makes it worth standing in the depths of Antarctica.

-- My Heart Expanded 89 sizes -- Hoping you all got a chance to see this absolutely heartwarming  video of Washington Capitals player, Alex Ovechkin's date with a 10 year old girl with Down Syndrome. It will restore your faith in humanity and make you cry tears of joy.

Neighbors from Hell -- This article on Bustle introduces my new favorite Instagram account, Neighbors from Hell. It is hilarious, and makes me incredibly happy that I have such quiet and nice neighbors.

Wine Ice Cream -- I'm just going to leave that there. No explanation necessary.

If you come across anything funny, profound, interesting that you'd like to share, please leave a link in the comments! Stay warm and bundled and enjoy your weekend, beauties!

Weekly Book Roundup

Hope everyone is staying nice and toasty! I thought, as we're starting a new year, that I would introduce a couple of new posts. As the voracious reader I am, I think it comes as no great shock that one of those posts would be book related. As time goes on, I will come up with a much more clever name for it (suggestions? Bueller? Bueller?). Until then, I'll just stick with the Weekly Book Roundup. I'm nothing if not straight to the point.

Currently, I'm on a classics binge. Reading or re-reading my way through some of the great literature of our time. Right now, it's Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger, two interrelated short stories about brother and sister in 1950's New York. Prior to that it was Little Women and Pride and Prejudice. I still have a stack to make my way through, including the other 5 works of Jane Austen.

In terms of more recent works of literature, a list of books that I've really enjoyed and am recommending to everyone I've ever met, and some I haven't: How To Build A Girl by Caitlin Moran, Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, Yes Please by Amy Poehler, the list goes on and on. I could talk about books all day, errrrry day. 

What are you currently reading? Do you keep a stack of books on your bedside table like me? Or decorate your living room with them? No? Just me? Cool. 

Stay warm, drink some wine, and hunker down, you beautiful tropical fish! (Please tell me everyone knows these Parks and Recreation references, otherwise I'm sure I seem insane). 

Winter Netflix Binges

Ugh, January. You and I have a love/hate relationship. On one hand, you're the start of a new year, the beginning of a fresh start; on the other hand, your weather leaves little to be desired. When they find a fashionable way to go out socially in a blanket and footie pajamas, maybe our relationship will be better. Until then, I'm content to curl up on the couch binge-watching shows I've never even heard of.

A couple of months ago, I bit the bullet and got rid of cable and switched strictly to a Roku, which is such a great invention. There are channels I didn't even know existed, for every interest possible. I tend to lean more towards British television, and I am most certainly not disappointed. While I am by no means an authority on such topics, I thought it would be a great idea to share what I'm currently binge watching and maybe get some ideas on what to watch next. While we're all home bound for the next few months, here are my ideas for what to watch. (Each link will go to the show's IMDB page).

The West Wing -- I'm currently halfway through the show's second season and have no qualms saying that it's in my list of top 5 favorite shows ever. Well written, well acted, wonderfully smart and funny, The West Wing tells the story of the administration of President Josiah Bartlet. Running from 1999 to 2006 on NBC, there are 156 glorious episodes to keep your eyes glued to the screen. I've never been incredibly wild about politics, but this show frames it in a way that gives you an understanding of what goes on in Washington in a simple, straightforward manner.

Doctor Who -- I never thought I'd really get into this show, as I'm not really a sci-fi person. 9 episodes in, and I'm singing a different tune. I was looking for something a bit different and came across this while browsing Hulu Plus one night. Beginning in 1963, Doctor Who is one of the longest running television programs, telling the story of a Time Lord who travels by TARDIS. It's a bit odd, but I can totally see how it has gained the cult following it has. If you're looking for something a bit off the beaten path, I'd definitely recommend it. Plus, cute boys with British accents abound. How can you go wrong?

House of Cards -- A Netflix original series, House of Cards tells the story of Frank and Claire Underwood, a married couple who will do anything it takes to become the most powerful people in Washington. And I do mean, ANYTHING. I only started it because I had heard other people talk about it with such fervor. So, I started it, not thinking I'd last more than a couple of episodes before I'd lose interest. Cut to a woman obsessed. I'm already counting down to the show's third season premiere on February 27th after binge watching the first two seasons in record time. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are really fantastic, with a supporting cast that will blow you away. While some storylines are a bit ridiculous, the show as a whole really is great and I can't recommend it enough.

I'll leave it at three shows today. :) If you have any other suggestions, please let me know in the comments! I'm always looking for new shows to watch. And if you do have a Roku, you also need to check out Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Jerry Seinfeld and Miranda, such wonderful comedic half hours! 

Hope you're all staying warm on this blustery Tuesday! 

Happy 2015!

Hope all of you beautiful unicorns had a wonderful holiday and fantastic start to the new year. 2015 I'm hoping will finally be the year of the hover board! If you haven't started off the year with a Back to the Future reference, have you truly lived?

5 days in to the new year and already, I've started to make small changes. I've begun to purge myself digitally and not have such a social media presence anymore. I've deleted Twitter, I've unfollowed literally over a 100 accounts on Instagram, and deleted nearly that same amount of "friends" on Facebook. I've never really been one for resolutions (eat less sugar! Look, sugar is delicious and I will eat the hell out of it), instead, trying to rectify and tweak the habits and ideas that I know I could be better about as I approach the start of my 30th year. Which, rereading that sentence, does sound a lot like another definition of resolution, but let's move on.

I want to establish a bigger and better blog presence and just focus on the people I have in my life. Purging myself not only digitally, but of negative and toxic friendships is also something I've worked on doing and I find myself the better for it. I've felt, especially over the last few years, that I've let a lot of friendships dwindle because I was so focused on something else, being somewhere else. That needs to change. I won't be spending a whole lot of time anymore where I had been in previous years and summers. This past summer was the start of that, and it felt really good. My reunion a month ago, opened my eyes to what and who I needed to surround myself with. While I'm an incredibly lucky lady to be surrounded by the love and laughter that I am, it's also time to expand that and rekindle old friendships. Also, how can there be anything wrong with the addition of MORE love and laughter to your life?

The biggest lesson I've taken from 2014 is that I can't care for anyone romantically, until I care for myself. Really, honestly love myself for the badass, intelligent woman that I am. And that's started to happen, slowly but surely. I've made some mistakes with men, some GINORMOUS mistakes, but that's the only way to learn. And I feel confident that the next gentleman caller (why don't we say that more? I dig it) is going to be one who can keep up with me and one that loves me the way that I love me.

I really have a good feeling about you, 2015. Don't let me down.