Fall TV!

    Well hello everyone!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I spent mine working, but in reality, that isn't so bad, considering I've spent the last three months not doing anything at all.  It's nice to have somewhere to go and something to do, however trivial or mundane at times.  I just got home from work, actually, and Tuesdays are typically very slow, so I spend most of my time reading and cleaning up the shop.  Even though I barely did anything, I'm still exhausted.  My chronic fatigue is rearing it's ugly head again, so I'm going to assume there's some sickness coming on.  I can't wait for that to manifest...  I also can't wait to crawl into bed with my book, but that's neither here nor there.

    Today I decided to talk about TV because I haven't in awhile.  In fact, some of my more successful or popular posts were TV re-caps, where I talk about what happened in a given episode and what my premonitions might be for future episodes.  Since fall officially starts this week, (especially with the weather finally cooling down to an acceptable temperature), we can expect our favorite TV programs to grace our televisions once more.  I'm going to list the TV shows I'm most excited to watch this season and shows that I might get into if I have the time.  We'll start with a few shows that I'm excited to see return to my weekly line-up.

(hypable.com)

    Once Upon a Time:  I've mentioned this show countless times here and there's no doubt it's my favorite anticipated series premiere on this list.  If you are unfamiliar with OUAT, fairy tale characters have been taken from their enchanted forests and castles and placed in a small Maine town due to a curse by the Evil Queen.  Obviously you'll have to start from season one to get the gist of it, but there's a lot of hidden mystery in this show.  I will be honest in the fact that I did lose a little momentum for this series last season when they introduced Frozen characters because I don't think they did any justice to the story.  HOWEVER, Emma is now The Dark One, (due to a series of unfortunate and unavoidable events), and her family has to deal with the repercussions of Emma's sacrifice.  There are a few new characters getting introduced this season that I'm excited about, including Merida, the Camelot crew, (I'm definitely calling them that from now on), which includes Merlin and King Arthur, and the return of Mulan!  I'm really excited about this season, so if you're new to this, just binge watch the first four seasons.  It should only take you two weeks, tops, and it's totally worth it.  GO DARK SWANN!  Also, LOOK AT THAT GORGEOUS POSTER!  Season five premieres this Sunday, September 27th at 8pm EST.

(seat42f.com)

    Arrow:  Arrow has had it's ups and downs for me, but I fell in love with this series after season two.  It's so complex for a CW show that I was initially surprised.  Who would have thought that the CW network, the same network responsible for the Vampire Diaries, would put out great programming like Arrow, The Flash, Reign and The 100?  The CW has become a formidable force when it comes to dramatic television and Arrow is no exception.  It is dark, gritty and very much a DC universe reminiscent of Batman in all his glory.  If you haven't started this series yet, I highly suggest you do so.  The first season is a little slow, but by season two you will be hooked.  We left off last season with Oliver Queen running away to his new, quiet life after faking his own death with the League of Assassins.  The Arrow is no more, but the GREEN Arrow will be born from the ashes.  This season we get the formal introduction of Speedy, Oliver's younger sister Thea Queen, and Laurel Lance as the Black Canary, taking over for her dead sister Sarah.  With so much that can happen to this new and complete team, there's so much to speculate.  Stephen Amell is still HAF though, amirite?  Season four promises to be just as great, if not better, than all it's previous seasons, premiering Wednesday, October 7th at 8pm EST.

(ign.com)

    Agents of Shield:  On the other side of the comic book spectrum, we have Marvel's Agents of Shield, who's last season finale led the way right into the beginning of Avengers: Age of Ultron.  I love the overlap of this series with the Marvel cinematic universe.  The show follows a team of individuals who are members of the S.H.I.E.L.D organization, (who we don't really know that much about, other than the fact that they're very much like secret agents and a task force to be reckoned with), as they investigate various happenings related to the MCU.  The first season set the ground work, although it started extremely slow.  It picked up quickly and now this show is an incredible testament for crossover potential.  Last season we were introduced to the Inhumans, Marvel's take on mutants, (because they can't legally say "mutants" because of copyright).  Skye, or Daisy, has discovered that's she's one of them and has to deal with her new role on the team as Quake.  I'm assuming we're going to dive deeper into the Inhumans story line this season with all the unanswered questions we received at the end of last season.  I literally can't wait to see what happens this season!  Season three premieres Tuesday, September 29th on ABC at 9pm EST.

(amazingracewikia.com)

    The Amazing Race:  This show is my guilty pleasure!  I watch this show with my dad and it's always nice to spend time with him watching a show we mutually love.  We get a kick out of all the different countries and places the racers visit on their way back to home base.  We also love watching the inevitable squabbles and annoying teams that make watching both laughable and painful at times.  It's one of the few reality shows that I watch religiously.  The 27th season, (WHOA), premieres this Friday, September 25th at 8pm on CBS.
    Dancing with the Stars:  Another guilty pleasure reality show I watch with my dad.  I loved last season, but this season looks ratchet, so I'm not sure if I'll watch or not.  That being said, I will most likely be drawn to the allure of Tom Bergeron's awesome personality at least.  It already premiered, so I'm behind at this point, but I can catch up on ABC.com.  Go Bindi!

   
    Those were shows I know I'll be watching the next few months.  These next shows are shows I'd like to make time for, if it's worth my while.  Still unsure whether or not I can commit to one or any of these, but we'll give it a try.
    Gotham:  I tried watching Gotham for awhile and I liked it a lot, but I missed a few episodes and never went back.  I enjoyed the dark, gritty world it portrayed, similar to Arrow, but still different.  Two very different cities, two different settings, two different groups of people, one old school Batman, another new school DCU.  This next season promises the beginnings of the Joker, whom we've all been dying to see come to life on this show.  Rumor has it the guy playing the Joker is really talented, so I'm curious to see how he brings the Joker to life.  That would be one of the only reasons I tune in.  Season two has already started on FOX.

(gamespot.com)

    Heroes Reborn:  I never watched the original Heroes, but I've heard nothing but good things about it from my friends who've seen it.  I would be doing myself a disservice if I watched this series without watching the original, but this new series looks so great!  I'd like to feel the nostalgia that comes from seeing an old character you love in a new show.  Zachary Levi seems to have somewhat of a presence on this reboot, so I'm willing to give it a go.  I'm not sure why I wasn't initially drawn to the original Heroes before, but I will have to find it on Netflix in the meantime and figure out why.  Heroes Reborn premiers Thursday, September 24th at 8pm EST on NBC.

    The Muppets:  I've always loved the muppets, so when I heard that they were trying to resurrect The Muppet Show, I almost fell out of my chair.  That being said, this is a lot different than what I was anticipating, although I think it could work for them.  The Office and Parks and Rec feel of this series makes me want to see the muppets in this environment.  I know it will not be what I am used to and I still crave the nostalgia that comes with the sing-song comedy that is the muppets, but I'm willing to give this thing a shot.  The Muppets premieres TONIGHT at 8pm EST on ABC.

    That's all I have for fall TV shows!  Hopefully I can get to all of them without cable at my disposal...  Which ones do you watch?  What are your favorites?  Are there any shows not on my list that you think I would like?  Leave me your recommendations and comments below.  Until next time, I remain your faithful correspondent.

Thanksgiving Week!

    It's finally here!  The week everyone usually has some form of vacation and family time ensues.  But more on that later, as I feel the need to spill my guts about other things that matter, like DWTS...

    Some of you may know that I watch Dancing With The Stars with my dad, and let me tell you, if you haven't been watching, you should be!  It has been one of the best seasons I've ever seen, although there have been a few hiccups.  One being Bill Engvall, the "cat with nine lives" as they say, who persevered through this season mostly on fan votes to make it to the first part of the finale, but was sent home last night.  I have to say, if Bill had made it any farther I feel like there would've been riots in the streets, (at least in New England, where rioting serves as both a sign of extreme happiness and anger).  His last performance really got me in the heart region though, being so daddy-daughter-ish and lovely, his relationship with his professional partner really made you want to hug him.  I am a fan of his stand up comedy, so seeing him on the show doing the best a middle-aged man can do was great fun.  I will continue my undying support for Corbin Bleu, however, as he heats up the dance floor, as well as every woman's nether regions.  Can't wait for part two!

    As for Thanksgiving, I'm really looking forward to it this year.  Last year we spent Thanksgiving with my husband's family, so this year it's my turn.  My family tradition has changed drastically over the course of my lifetime so far, and I can predict more changes to come in the future I'm sure.  When I was younger and my parents were still together, we would have Thanksgiving at my great grandmother's house, complete with what my Nana called "cranberry apple relish," which is SO much better than cranberry sauce, (believe me when I say this).  Since then, I've been spending Thanksgiving with my father's side of the family, where we Italians still like to have the traditional meal, plus a heaping side of home-made, 8-layer lasagna.  Totally normal to have all of that on, let's be honest, two plates.
    I really do enjoy spending time with my whole family.  Having to live with my dad for the last almost 6 years of my life has taught me a lot about humility, values and selflessness.  I've spent the majority of the holiday seasons making sure everyone is happy, including my dad, but sometimes that's not an easy task.  We've spent a few years, including last year, without presents, in deep depression and an overall funk.  Family is what matters the most, so wherever I am I try to focus on how much I love the people I'm with and that makes all the difference.  I love spending time with both families during the holidays and I love seeing everyone smiling and laughing and joking around.  I never used to see it, but now that I'm older I think I have a greater appreciation for the simple things and quality time.

(photo credit: kivalophotography)

    My in-laws are some of the best people I've ever met.  I've never seen any family so happy and positive about everything life has put in front of them.  They have shown me the value of kindness and they have supported and accepted me from the first day I entered their home as a stranger.  I have nothing but great things to say about them, and I truly have no idea what I would do without them in my life.  It is such an honor to be a part of their family, and I thank God for bringing them into my life when I needed them the most.  I love all of them to death and I would take a bullet for any of them.  So grateful and thankful to be able to enjoy the rest of my life as one of them.  Thank you for all you have done for me Shelly, Tom, Danny and Beau.  I love you guys so much!
    I'm most thankful for my dad and my husband.  Without their love and support, I don't know where I'd be right now.  There were times where I thought things were hopeless and there wasn't a point to trying to fix everything, but they've kept me going.  Depression, hardships and personal tragedies have made the holidays a difficult time not only for me, but for my dad as well.  I can say with great certainty that I have put a lot of effort into his happiness because I love him like a daughter should always love her father.  But you can't live your life trying to make everyone else happy because sometimes people don't want to be happy.  However, when you do see them finally ready to commit to being happy, it makes it so much sweeter.  I'm feeling so much better this year and I can't wait for what next year has in store for us.

    So I will be spending the next few days shopping, working on some of my final projects for the coming weeks until the end of the fall semester, and spending time with both of my families.  Thanksgiving is such a pivotal time for rejoicing and sharing with one another.  As the gateway to Christmas opens, it will be bittersweet, partially because it'll be Black Friday and I have been dreading it's impending doom since last year...  But I will suffer through to get to the days to follow, which will bring me closer to Christmas and all the good tidings and cheer and what-not, (plus my 24th birthday!).  Hopefully it'll also bring me closer to seeing Catching Fire, since I heard it was amaze-balls.  Sunday is my sister-in-law's baby shower and I can't wait to give her all the presents we got baby Tanner!!!  I WILL BE AN AUNT in January you guys!

(credit: Literally, Darling Twitter)

    I would like to end this blog post by referring you to another blog called Literally, Darling, which is a blog run by various female 20-somethings who write about everything from academics to organics to music to foodies; they have something for everyone.  I haven't explored as in-depth as I would've liked to, (yet), but I've recently read their reviews on Pokemon: X and Y and Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, which were both really good, as well as an article about "finding forever in your 20s."  You can also follow their Tumblr here.  If you need a new blog to follow, this should be it.  I have nothing bad to say about it besides, "Why aren't I writing for them?..."  Anyway, time for me to continue being productive on this lazy Tuesday.  Until next time, I remain your faithful correspondent.