June '09

Jun. 26th, 2009 10:11 pm
asterravos: (Default)
June '09: 14 - 20

June 14;
TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.08 - A Frond in Need
Goal: 153/400 (38.25% Complete)
About: When a series of murders seem to follow a new ex-con witness, including stabbing Mary's friend, she and Marshall have to figure out if he's the killer in time to save his next victim.

The sound made by the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is so loud that it can be heard 40 miles away.

June 15;

A man named Charles Osborne had the hiccups for approximately sixty-nine years.

June 16;
TV Show: CSI
Episode: 9.12 - Disarmed and Dangerous
Goal: 154/400 (38.5% Complete)
About: The CSIs are called in when an undercover FBI agent is found brutally murdered. The CSIs must help the victim's parter find the killer.
Quote: "They acknowledged our jurisdiction, that's refreshing." -Catherine

People of Ancient China believed that swinging your arms could cure a headache.

June 17;
Title: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe
Author: Charlaine Harris, Donna Andrews, Simon R. Green, Dana Cameron, Kat Richardson, Alan Gordan, Carrie Vaughn, Dana Stabenow, Keri Arthur, J.A. Konrath, Patricia Briggs, Nancy Pickard, Karen Chance, Rob Thurman, Toni L.P. Kelner
Rating:
Goal: 28/60 (46 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 340
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Horror
About: New York Times bestselling authors Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Keri Arthur, and Carrie Vaughn—along with eleven other masters of the genre—offer all-new stories on werewolves and the holidays, a fresh variation on the concept that worked so well with birthdays and vampires in Many Bloody Returns.
The holidays can bring out the beast in anyone. They are particularly hard for lycanthropes. Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner have harvested the scariest, funniest and saddest werewolf tales by an outstanding pack of authors, best read by the light of a full moon with a silver bullet close at hand.
Whether wolfing down a holiday feast (use your imagination) or craving some hair of the dog on New Year’s morning, the werewolves in these frighteningly original stories will surprise, delight, amuse, and scare the pants off readers who love a little wolfsbane with their mistletoe.
My Thoughts: Gift Wrap (Charlaine Harris) - Goddammit. Who writes a short story for an anthology and fills it with spoilers? I liked the story though, very interesting plot. The Haire of the Beast (Donna Andrews) - Loved it. The plot was wonderful and I enjoyed Andrews' writing style, too bad the rest of her work doesn't look all that interesting. Lucy, at Christmastime (Simon R. Green) - Really powerful and wonderfully written. I will definitely be checking out something else he's written in the future. The Night Things Changed (Dana Cameron) - Her versions of vamps and weres were very...different. I actually like her versions but they're hard to adjust to and would have worked better in a novel than a short story. The Werewolf Before Christmas (Kat Richardson) - Really dark and really intriguing. I loved this story. I really wish more of an explanation had been given, but that didn't dampen my enjoyment. Fresh Meat (Alan Gordan) - This one was okay. I didn't really like the who werewolf to dog telepath thing; it seemed too out there even for supernatural. Il Est Ne (Carrie Vaughn) - This takes place after book two in her series, which I haven't read. I really like Kitty, so this series will definitely be on my to read list for this year. I hope I didn't read too many spoilers though... The Perfect Gift (Dana Stabenow) - Too vague and confusing. Christmas Past (Keri Arthur) - A perfect mix of action, mystery and romance; loved it. SA (J.A. Konrath) - Was he on crack when he wrote this? It's clearly meant to be funny, but it's not. The Star of David (Patricia Briggs) - Yayayay! Great story. I wish it had been a Mercy Thompson one but I enjoyed this one too. You'd Better Not Pyout (Nancy Pickard) - I didn't care for this story. It was weird. Rogue Elements (Karen Chance) - Really good. A lot goes on so that it could have easily made a novel, but I thought Chance did a good job condensing the plot without making it confusing. Milk and Cookies (Rob Thurman) - Uhh what? I really liked his writing style but the story wasn't my cup of tea. Keeping Watch Over His Flock (Toni L.P. Kelner) - Sweet story, the narrator grated on my nerves though.

Medical research has found substances in mistletoe that can slow down tumor growth.

June 18;
TV Show: Burn Notice
Episode: 3.03 - End Run
Goal: 155/400 (38.75% Complete)
About: Black market dealer Brennen kidnaps Michael's brother Nate in order to use Michael for a job, while Michael still has to deal with Detective Paxson's investigations.
Quote: "I wanna know everything. I wanna know who his buyer is, where he's got Nate, what brand of orange juice he drinks in the morning." -Michael

Between 12%-15% of the population is left-handed.

June 19;

In the United States, 8.5 million cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures were done in the year 2001.

June 20;
Movie: The International
Rating:
Goal: 23/50 (46% Complete)
Genre: Thriller; Crime & Espionage Thrillers
About: Interpol agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and New York Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) team up to expose a global financial institution's money laundering, arms dealing and other illegal rackets. But as the pair race from New York to Milan and beyond to pursue their case, they soon discover that the ruthless bank will stop at nothing to continue its profitable activities. Tom Tykwer directs this tense thriller.
Quote: "Sometimes the hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn... I'm the one you burn." -Louis Salinger
My Thoughts: The beginning of the movie was too slow and dense for my tastes but the second half of the movie was spectacular (more action and things started actually playing out). And then the credits rolled totally ruining the entire movie. I don't want to ruin it for anyone but sitting through a two hour movie only to have the ending blow that hard, wasn't all that fun.

Only one out of every three people wash their hands when leaving a public bathroom.

May '09

Jun. 13th, 2009 09:10 pm
asterravos: (Default)
May '09: 17 - 23

May 17;

The three dots in Domino's pizza stand for the first three stores. They wanted to add a dot for each new store, but obviously that would be impossible since there are now over seven thousand stores.

May 18;
Title: Anansi Boys
Author: Neil Gaiman
Rating:
Goal: 17/60 (28 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 334
Genre: Urban Fantasy
About: God is dead. Meet the kids.
When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charlie." Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can't shake that name, one of the many embarrassing "gifts his father bestowed - before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie's life.
Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie's doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is to day, a brother who's going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun...just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.
Because, you see, Charlie's dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion -- he is able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and baffle the devil.
Exciting, scary, and deeply funny, Anansi Boys is a kaleidoscope journey deep into myth, a wild adventure, and a fierce and unstoppable farce, as Neil Gaiman shows us where gods come from, and how to survive your family.
My Thoughts: The premise for the book was so unique and interesting. I love Gaiman's writing but this book wasn't one of my favorites. I had trouble caring at all for any of the main characters.

TV Show: In Plain Sight
Episode: 2.05 - Aguna Matatala
Goal: 138/400 (34.5% Complete)
About: A shady figure begins following Mary's newest witness.
Quote: "Andy, Witness Protection is a little like 'Where's Waldo?'. Waldo is difficult to find because he blends in with the scenery." -Marshall "Which is why Waldo doesn't wear a yarmaka." -Mary

After the "Popeye" comic strip was launched in 1931, spinach consumption went up by thirty-three percent in the United States.

May 19;
TV Show: The Mentalist
Episode: 1.23 - Red John's Footsteps
Goal: 139/400 (34.75% Complete)
About: As the CBI investigates the murder of a young girl and the abduction of her twin sister, everything points towards Red John's return. However, Patrick Jane thinks somebody else is involved as well.
Quote: "You have wife?" -Asian Woman "No." -Cho "I have niece." -Asian Woman

Alexander the Great made his troops eat onions as he believed it would prove their vitality.

May 20;

One-third pound stalk of broccoli contains more vitamin C than 204 apples.

May 21;
TV Show: NCIS
Episode: 6.25 - Aliyah
Goal: 140/400 (35% Complete)
About: After Tony's confrontation with Rivkin, the NCIS team flies to Israel for a final showdown, where they aren't exactly welcomed by Ziva's father, the head of Mossad. Gibbs has to make a tough choice as the situation gets even more complicated.
Quote: "Forget Tel Aviv, how's Tony? How's Ziva? Are they talking yet?" -Abby "They're fine Abby." -Gibbs "I take that as a no. So how's Israel? It's magical right? I mean, I've been wanting to go there for years, it's like third on my list. Galapagos Island and of course, Dollywood." -Abby

Tomatos were once referred to as "love apples." This is because their was a superstition that people would fall in love by eating them.

May 22;

In the dry valleys region of Antarctica, it has not rained in 2 million years according to scientists.

May 23;
Title: One for the Money
Author: Janet Evanovich
Rating:
Goal: 18/60 (30% Complete)
Pages: 287
Genre: Mystery
About: Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash--fast--but times are tough, and soon she's forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family.
Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie's bail bonding company. She's got no experience. But that doesn't matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants to the time Steph hit him with her father's Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water--wanted for murder.
Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn't. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she'll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight--and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man.
My Thoughts: 100% wonderful. Stephanie is hilarious, witty and lovable. And the team of characters that come with her are just as charming. I'm pretty late to the party reading these books but I hate reading things my mom recommends because it makes her smug.
Title: Definitely Dead
Author: Charlaine Harris
Rating:
Goal: 19/60 (31 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 324
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror/Paranormal Romance
About: Spiked with a "frothy fusion of romance, mystery, and fantasy" (Publishers Weekly), this "deliciously fiendish...increasingly riotous series" (Dallas Morning News) sends the supernaturally gifted cocktail waitress to New Orleans, where she has to deal with the legacy of one of her own family and a host of potentially dangerous characters.
My Thoughts: There wasn't really a plot to this book except in the last 50 pages or so. The whole first half of the book felt like it was just a filler for the series or a super long short story from an anthology. I loved the introduction of Amelia the witch though.

Movie: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Rating:
Goal: 15/50 (30% Complete)
Genre: Family/Fantasy/Comedy
About: Ben Stiller returns as hapless museum night watchman Larry Daley in this sequel to the hit comedy. Though he's now working at the Smithsonian Institution, Daley continues to deal with exhibits that come to life while the museum is closed. His adventures this time include close encounters with Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), George Custer (Bill Hader) and Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest). Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais and Dick Van Dyke co-star.
Quote: "Crimey, we've been jimmy-jacked! " -Amelia Earhart "Jimmy-jacked? " -Larry "It's how I speak! " -Amelia Earhart "Yeah, but that sounds made-up, even for you... " -Larry "'Oh no, our path has been blocked by bad people' where's the excitement in that? " -Amelia Earhart
My Thoughts: Amy Adams was the real star in this movie, she was phenomenal. Overall the movie was cute and worth seeing but it (other than Adams) wasn't anything special.

Istanbul, Turkey is the only city in the world located on two continents.

May '09

Jun. 10th, 2009 04:43 pm
asterravos: (Default)
May '09: 1 - 2

May 1;
Movie: X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Rating:
Goal: 13/50 (26% Complete)
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy/Action; Comic Books and Superheroes
About: This action-packed prequel to the popular X-Men films explores Marvel Comics character Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the events that influenced the mutant before the Weapon X program bonded his skeleton with the powerfully strong metal alloy adamantium. After the death of his girlfriend, Wolverine seeks vengeance against supervillain Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber). Ryan Reynolds, Danny Huston and Lynn Collins co-star.
Quote: "I thought you were the Moon and I was your Wolverine. Turns out you're the Trickster, and I'm just the fool who got played. " -Logan
My Thoughts: Yay, my favorite x-men got their origins movie first! I really enjoyed this movie but it definitely has a different feel to it than the other x-men movies. Also, you need to have at least seen the first x-men movie or else the end of this movie really blows. The writers did a really good job fleshing out Wolverine's story, no complaints.

There were no red colored M&Ms from 1976 to 1987.

May 2;
Title: Dead as a Doornail
Author: Charlaine Harris
Rating:
Goal: 14/60 (23 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 295
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror/Paranormal Romance
About: When Sookie's brother Jason's eyes start to change, she knows he's about to turn into a were-panther for the first time. But her concern becomes cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local changeling population-and Jason's new panther brethren suspect he may be the shooter. Now, Sookie has until the next full moon to find out who's behind the attacks, unless the killer decides to find her first.
My Thoughts: I really don't like the were-centric stories so this was a low point in the series for me.

The name "Snickers" for the popular candy bar was named after a horse that the Mars family owned.

March '09

Jun. 8th, 2009 02:58 am
asterravos: (Default)
March '09: 22 - 28

March 22;
TV Show: NCIS
Episode: 6.18 - Knockout
Goal: 089/400 (22.25% Complete)
About: The death of a boxer leads Vance to borrow the NCIS team and start investigating his death, while Gibbs digs into Vance's past.
Quote: "You can't make an omelet without breaking some legs." -Ziva "It's supposed to be 'eggs'." -Tony "Cook them yourself!" -Ziva

18% of an Americans income is spent on transportation.

March 23;
TV Show: Chuck
Episode: 2.17 - Chuck Versus the Predator
Goal: 090/400 (22.5% Complete)
About: Chuck is contacted by "Orion", the creator of the Intersect computer. He starts having trust issues and doesn't know who to lean for help. Meanwhile, the Buy More staff needs to protect their newest acquisition from the jealous Beverly Hills branch, not knowing that it was sent by "Orion" and meant for Chuck.
Quote: "I've tried to help you over the years, Jefferson. I've drowned myself trying to help you. But you're a moron. In the end that's what you are. You're a Buy More-on." -Lester

In 1890, Pepsi-Cola was invented by Caleb Bradham and was originally called "Brad's Drink."

March 24;

The are six fictional characters that have stars on Hollywood's "Walk of Fame."

March 25;
TV Show: Life
Episode: 2.19 - 5 Quarts
Goal: 091/400 (22.75% Complete)
About: A co-worker of a coroner is the one suspected of murder in a case while Ted has problems trying to reconnect with his daughter.
Quote: "There's something wrong with him." -Crews "Yeah, he's dead." -Jane "Something else, looks deader." -Crews "Deader?" -Jane "More dead, extra dead." -Crews

In 1960 there were 16,067 gambling slots in Nevada. By 1999, this number rose to 205,726 slots which would be one slot for every 10 people residing there.

March 26;
Title: Dead to the World
Author: Charlaine Harris
Rating:
Goal: 06/60 (10% Complete)
Pages: 291
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror/Paranormal Romance
About: When cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse sees a naked man on the side of the road, she doesn't just drive on by. Turns out the poor thing hasn't a clue who he is, but Sookie does. It's Eric the vampire--but now he's a kinder, gentler Eric. And a scared Eric, because whoever took his memory now wants his life.
My Thoughts: My favorite of the series so far, then again anything that's mostly Eric would be my favorite. Yum.
Review: click click

TV Show: The Mentalist
Episode: 1.17 - Carnelian Inc.
Goal: 092/400 (23% Complete)
About: The CBI investigates a written threat when the personnel director of Carnelian Inc. plummets to his death at Jane's feet during a skydiving exercise.
Quote: "What's in the bag?" -Lison "Oh. A picnic lunch." -Jane "What's in the bag?" -Lisbon "A bomb." -Jane

Close to 3 billion movie tickets are sold in India every year.

March 27;
Movie: Quantum of Solace
Rating:
Goal: 10/50 (20% Complete)
Genre: Action/Thriller; Espionage
About: Picking up an hour after the events of 2006's Casino Royale, this James Bond adventure finds 007 (Daniel Craig) tracking a traitor who's infiltrated Britain's MI6. The trail leads to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), the charismatic head of a world environmental agency. Behind this seemingly legitimate facade, Greene runs Quantum, a powerful terrorist organization whose plot to overthrow a Bolivian dictator masks an even more sinister plan.
Quote: "Bond, I need you back." -M "I never left. " -Bond
My Thoughts: Superheros and spies...oh yes, I have a type. I loved this movie. Critics crapped on it a lot for no good reason. I liked the first movie better but that's because I adored Vesper.

Belle from the Disney movie "Beauty and the Beast" makes a cameo appearance in Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame."

March 28;
Title: Darkness Revealed
Author: Alexandra Ivy
Rating:
Goal: 07/60 (11 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 384
Genre: Paranormal Romance
About: Two hundred years have passed since Anna Randal gave herself to Conde Cezar in a night of relentless passion. Since then, Anna has become filled with unearthly power she can't begin to comprehend. And the sexy, charming vampire responsible has eluded all of her efforts to track him down, until now...Cezar's blissful encounter with Anna cost him two centuries of penance. But one thing hasn't changed - his body's response to her is as urgent as ever. Now, commanded by the Oracles to keep watch over Anna, Cezar finds himself torn between his need to protect her - and to possess her...Someone wants Anna dead. And as an ancient enemy prepares to wage a terrifying battle, Anna must decide whether to succumb to a dark, burning desire - and accept a destiny that could change the world forever...
My Thoughts: God do I love the men Ivy creates...
Review: click click

TV Show: Criminal Minds
Episode: 4.18 - Omnivore
Goal: 093/400 (23.25% Complete)
About: The BAU travels to Boston when the serial killer from one of Agent Hotchner's first cases, which involved one of the most notorious murderers in the history of New England, returns after 10 years.
Quote: "My wife always said I had a flair for the dramatic." -Rossi "Which one?" -Hotchner
TV Show: NCIS
Episode: 6.19 - Hide and Seek
Goal: 094/400 (23.5% Complete)
About: When a kid discovers a weapon that someone was killed with, the entire family ends up under investigation, as the NCIS team has to find out who was the last one that used the weapon and who got shot with it.
Quote: "This reminds me of the forests I used to have fun in as a child." -Ziva "Find that hard to believe." -Tony "What? That Israel had forests?" -Ziva "No, that you had fun as a child." -Tony

Bugs Bunny was originally called "Happy Rabbit."

Profile

asterravos: (Default)
Ms. Communication

You know spies...

"I never run around in the bushes in a ski mask when I’m breaking in some place. Somebody catches you, what are you going to say? You want to look like a legitimate visitor until the very last minute. If you can’t look legit, confused works just as well. Maybe get a soda from the fridge or a yogurt. If you’re caught, you just act confused and apologize like crazy for taking the yogurt; nothing can be more innocent."
-Michael Westen (Burn Notice)

July 2010

S M T W T F S
     123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Syndicate

RSS Atom

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags