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. 15th, 2009 12:19 am
asterravos: (Default)
May '09: 24 - 30

May 24;
Title: Two for the Dough
Author: Janet Evanovich
Rating:
Goal: 20/60 (33 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 312
Genre: Mystery
About: Kenny Mancuso shot his childhood buddy Moogey Bues and then jumped bail. Now bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is on the case to track Kenny down. Then someone finished Moogey off, Kenny can't be found, twenty-four coffins are missing, and there's some ex-army heavy artillery roaming the streets. And Joe Morelli - the cop with more than a professional interest in her every move - is tailing Stephanie. With a healthy disregard for the law, and an unhealthy dependence on marshmallow hot chocolate, Stephanie's a match for anyone - even Morelli. That is, until her eccentric grandmother goes AWOL and little pieces of corpses start to disappear...
My Thoughts: Just as wonderful as the first book. The grandmother is to die for.

Movie: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Rating:
Goal: 16/50 (32% 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: Didn't I say it was nothing special yesterday? Well guess what, I got tricked into paying to see it again less than 24 hours later. Still cute, still blah, totally not as cool when not played in IMAX.

Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world's highest waterfall, at 979 meters. This waterfall is sixteen times the height of Niagara Falls.

May 25;

The Rainbow Bridge is the world's largest natural bridge. It is located at the base of Navajo Mountain, Utah and is as long as a football field.

May 26;

Finland has 187,888 lakes and 179,584 islands.

May 27;
Title: Three to Get Deadly
Author: Janet Evanovich
Rating:
Goal: 21/60 (35% Complete)
Pages: 321
Genre: Mystery
About: Stephanie Plum, the brassy babe in the powder-blue Buick, has been given the unpopular task of finding Mo Bedemier, Trenton's most beloved citizen, arrested for carrying concealed and a no-show for his court appearance.
She's got big, blonde, black Lula, a former hooker turned file clerk -- now a wannabe bounty hunter -- at her side, sticking like glue. And Lula's itching to get the chance to lock up a crook in the trunk of her car.
Joe Morelli, the New Jersey vice cop with the slow-burning smile that undermines a girl's strongest resolve, is suddenly being polite. What gives? Might he be manipulating Steph, using her in his investigation, counting on her curiosity and competitive Jersey attitude?
Once again, the whole crew is in action, including Ranger and Grandma Mazur, searching for Mo, tripping down a trail of dead drug dealers, leading Stephanie to suspect Mo has traded his ice-cream scoop for a vigilante gun.
Cursed with a disastrous new hair color and an increasing sense that it's time to get a new job, Stephanie tumbles through Three to Get Deadly with all the high-speed hijinks her fans have come to love.
My Thoughts: Another winner! I'm glad Lula is given an even bigger role. I'm amazed at how often I'm actually laughing out loud while reading this series.

The world's highest capital is La Paz, which is the capital of Bolivia. The capital is located about 12,000 feet above sea level.

May 28;
TV Show: CSI
Episode: 9.05 - Leave Out All the Rest
Goal: 141/400 (35.25% Complete)
About: When the CSI team investigates a case involving the world of domination, Grissom pays a visit to Lady Heather to help find some answers.
Quote: "So, you're in love with Ian, Martin's in love with you, and they're both you're slaves. Sounds like a kinky soap opera." - Brass

The Earth's rain forest are home to about 75% of all known species of plant and animal life.

May 29;
Title: Four to Score
Author: Janet Evanovich
Rating:
Goal: 22/60 (36 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 313
Genre: Mystery
About: Stephanie Plum, Trenton, New Jersey's favorite pistol-packing, condom-carrying bounty hunter, is back--and on the trail of a revenge-seeking waitress who's skipped bail. With then help of 73-year-old Grandma Mazur, ex-hooker Lula, a transvestite musician named Sally Sweet, and the all-too-hospitable, all-too-sexy Joe Morelli, Stephanie might just catch her woman. Then again, with more mishaps than there are exits on the Jersey Turnpike--including murders, firebombs, and Stephanie's arch-rival bounty hunter chasing after the same fugative--Stephanie better watch her back big-time if she wants to live to crack this case.
My Thoughts: Sally Sweet is hilarious. (S)he really made this book stand out. I felt like there was a lot more going on in this book than in previous books. There was a secondary plot as well as a few new main voices. Evanovich did a great managing all of this.

Movie: Up
Rating:
Goal: 17/50 (34% Complete)
Genre: Animation/Family
About: After a lifetime of dreaming of traveling the world, 78-year-old homebody Carl (voiced by Ed Asner) is lured into an unbelievable adventure, thanks in part to the persistence of Russell, an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer (Jordan Nagai). Together, the unlikely pair embarks on a thrilling odyssey full of jungle beasts and rough terrain. Other voices include the renowned Christopher Plummer and Pixar stalwart John Ratzenberger.
Quote: "Do you want to play a game? It's called See Who Can Go the Longest Without Saying Anything." -Carl Fredricksen "Cool! My mom loves that game!" -Russell
My Thoughts: Best Pixar movie yet. It amazes me how powerful they're able to make the animation, I practically cried twice. The movie is also unbelievably funny. Don't even get me started on how awesome all the balloons look. I could watch the movie again to just see all of the balloons. I was bummed that there was no short before the movie though.

An acre of trees can remove about 13 tons of dust and gases every year from the surrounding environment.

May 30;
TV Show: Glee
Episode: 1.01 - Pilot
Goal: 142/400 (35.5% Complete)
About: Will Schuester an optimistic high school teacher, tries to reinvent the McKinley High School's glee club, while reinventing himself. He challenge a group of outcasts to realize their true star potential, while facing harsh criticism from everyone in the school.
Quote: "You might think that all of the boys in school would want to tap this, but my MySpace schedule keeps me way too busy to date." -Rachel

Uranus has 27 moons.

January '09

Jun. 6th, 2009 05:33 pm
asterravos: (Default)
January '09: 4 - 10

January 4;
TV Show: CSI
Episode: 9.01 - For Warrick (Part 2)
Goal: 005/400 (1.25% Complete)
About: The ninth season comes to a shocking open when CSI Warrick Brown is shot and killed outside a Las Vegas diner. The entire team grieves for their fallen friend, while unknown to them, the killer is one of their own. Also Sara returns to Las Vegas when she hears the news.
Quote: "You know, after being in so many victim's houses, I never left my house without making the bed and taking out the trash, just in case I didn't come home." -Sara

Lachanophobia is the fear of vegetables.

January 5;
TV Show: The Mentalist
Episode: 1.02 - Red Hair and Silver Tape
Goal: 006/400 (1.5% Complete)
About: The CBI is called in to investigate the murder of a young woman, found tied up and dumped in a Northern Napa County vineyard. Lisbon focuses on the theory that this was the result of a lovers' quarrel, but Jane believes this may be the work of a serial killer. He investigates his own theories and gets the team's assistance with a plan to catch the killer.
Quote: "You made her feel like a captured princess instead of a small town choir nerd. And she made you feel like a dashing pirate instead of what you are... sort of a bad-tempered pharmacist." -Patrick Jane

American novelist Mark Twain was the first known author to submit a typed manuscript.

January 6;
TV Show: NCIS
Episode: 6.12 - Caged
Goal: 007/400 (1.75% Complete)
About: The NCIS team must reveal the truth behind the murder of a jail guard which resulted in a prison riot and McGee being held captive by the inmates.
Quote: "I call my style 'Tough-Bluff'. It's hyphenated." -Tony "Really? 'Blow Hard' seems more appropriate. That is not hyphenated." -McGee

A language becomes extinct in this world every two weeks.

January 7;
Title: Naked in Death
Author: J.D. Robb
Rating:
Goal: 01/60 (1 2/3% Complete)
Pages: 314
Genre: Mystery/Futuristic/Romantic Suspense
About: In hardcover for the first time, here is the novel that started it all-the first book in J. D. Robb's number-one New York Times-bestselling In Death series, featuring New York City homicide detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas and Roarke.
It is the year 2058, and technology now completely rules the world. But New York City Detective Eve Dallas knows that the irresistible impulses of the human heart are still ruled by just one thing-passion.
When a senator's daughter is killed, the secret life of prostitution she'd been leading is revealed. The high-profile case takes Lieutenant Eve Dallas into the rarefied circles of Washing-ton politics and society. Further complicating matters is Eve's growing attraction to Roarke, who is one of the wealthiest and most influential men on the planet, devilishly handsome . . . and the leading suspect in the investigation.
My Thoughts: Scifi books are not my thing but I loved this book. I can't wait to delve further into Eve and Roark's relationship.

TV Show: Leverage
Episode: 1.06 - The Stork Job
Goal: 008/400 (2% Complete)
About: The Leverage team seeks to take down a Serbian adoption agency that's scamming money from unsuspecting American couples. Unfortunately, the scam brings up bad memories for Parker, that might endanger the mission.
Quote: "Woah, woah, woah. I'm getting a bunch of calls to the police. What the hell is going on down there?" -Hardison "I'll tell you what's going on. Parker just stabbed her guy with a fork!" -Eliot

The magic word 'Abracadabra' was originally intended for the specific purpose of curing hay fever.

January 8;
Title: Glory in Death
Author: J.D. Robb
Rating:
Goal: 02/60 (3 1/3% Complete)
Pages: 320
Genre: Mystery/Futuristic/Romantic Suspense
About: The dead were her business. She lived with them, worked with them, studied them. She dreamed of them. And because that didn't seem to be enough, in some deep, secret chamber of her heart, she mourned for them.' The first victim is found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second murdered in her own apartment building. Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas has no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims are beautiful and highly successful women; their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provide Eve with a long list of suspects - including her own lover, Roarke. As a woman, Eve is compelled to trust the man who shares her bed. But as a cop, it's her job to follow every lead...to explore every secret passion, no matter how dark. Or how dangerous.
My Thoughts: Just as wonderful as the first! I'm loving the beginnings of the battle between Eve and the butler.

TV Show: CSI
Episode: 9.02 - The Happy Place
Goal: 009/400 (2.25% Complete)
About: Nick and Catherine investigate why a woman who was about to be married would have taken a swan dive off of her balcony. Also Grissom investigates the brutal murder of a woman found in an alley. The investigation gets tougher with the discovery that her two-year-old was with her when she was murdered.
Quote: "Like I told you, I can't make people do anything that they don't want to do." -Trixie "I can. Get in jail." -Catherine

Caterpillar means "hairy cat" in Old French.

January 9;
TV Show: Psych
Episode: 3.10 - Six Feet Under the Sea
Goal: 010/400 (2.5% Complete)
About: Shawn, sure that the death of Shabby the Sea Lion is murder, finds himself in deeper water after he stumbles upon a plot that involves much more than rehabilitating a mammal back to the wild.
Quote: "Gus, don't be exactly half of an 11 pound Black Forest ham." -Shawn

The weight of a year's worth of New York Times newspapers is about 520 pounds.

January 10;
TV Show: The Mentalist
Episode: 1.03 - Red Tide
Goal: 011/400 (2.75% Complete)
About: A drowned girl's body is found on the Santa Marta beach, and many of her surfer friends are suspects. When interviews lead to nothing, Patrick uses his skills to determine and catch the killer.
Quote: "See, the thing is, Flip, Lisbon here is looking at you like you're a pork chop, because you fit the profile. Your life is in chaos, you're lonely, you're depressed, you're addicted to drugs and pornography and a little nuts, to be honest. You're exactly the kind of man that does terrible things to women. But I don't think you did this." -Patrick Jane

The expression "Tying the Knot" comes from an old Roman custom where the brides clothes were tied up all in knots and the groom was supposed to untie the knots.

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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)

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