Just a reminder if you didn't hear episode 110 of Big Red Podcast - we're taking this weekend off to relax between the holidays but will return ready and strong on January 4, 2009.
And when we get back we'll do a quick rundown of our 2008 list. Why start 2009 with a look back at 2008 - well, Derek wasn't around and we don't like doing stuff like this without him. Also, we're lazy.
Happy New Year and come back in a week - we'll be ready!
Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Sunday, December 28, 2008 | | 
What an exciting weekend - we've shoveled and shoveled and shoveled and at the end of a weekend of shoveling we decided to record a podcast. We are very, very sorry.
Anyway, before we cover our Very Dexter Christmas special we spend a few minutes discussion How I Met Your Mother, Chuck, and Pushing Daisies.
Did I mention we're sorry? Strong in 2009!
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Labels: 2008, Chuck, Dexter, HIMYM, podcast, Pushing Daisies
By: Alyssa | Sunday, December 21, 2008 at Sunday, December 21, 2008 | |
This week Alyssa bows out and the dudes run the show - without any help! They cover Chuck, Fringe, Pushing Daisies, The Office, 30 Rock, Dexter and the Derek Report.
Plus we make an exciting offer for people who want to donate to Donors Choose!
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Labels: 2008, 30 Rock, Chuck, Fringe, podcast, Pushing Daisies, The Office
By: Alyssa | Monday, December 08, 2008 at Monday, December 08, 2008 | |
Despite the best efforts of hideous traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike we were able to get together for a lively discussion of all things Thanksgiving and television including: How I Met Your Mother, Pushing Daisies, The Mentalist, Bones, House, Fringe, Chuck, The Shield, Sons of Anarchy, True Blood, Dexter and of course The Derek Report.
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
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Labels: 2008, Dexter, Fringe, How I Met Your Mother, podcast, Pushing Daisies, Sons of Anarchy, The Shield, True Blood
By: Alyssa | Sunday, November 30, 2008 at Sunday, November 30, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I talk about the lack of excitement in our November Sweeps period but we trudge on and discuss HIMYM, Chuck, Fringe, 30 Rock, The Office, True Blood, and Dexter. Plus we do The Derek Report and introduce The Cancelled Report and update Dead Guy Watch.
Yeah Dead Guys - we're watching you.
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Labels: 2008, 30 Rock, Chuck, Dexter, Fringe, HIMYM, podcast, The Office, True Blood
By: Alyssa | Sunday, November 16, 2008 at Sunday, November 16, 2008 | |
This week we get calls from some of our favorite listeners. Then we do a tiny bit of TV news and roll into reviewing two new shows:
Crusoe and
My Own Worst Enemy. And then we take a look at the regular slate of shows including: Life On Mars, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, The Shield, Supernatural, Dexter, True Blood, and The Derek Report.
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Labels: 2008, Crusoe, Dexter, How I Met Your Mother, Life on Mars, My Own Worst Enemy, podcast, Supernatural, The Derek Report, The Office, The Shield, True Blood
By: Alyssa | Sunday, October 19, 2008 at Sunday, October 19, 2008 | |
This week we spend some quality time wondering what it means to have recorded 100 shows. Then we quickly move on to bigger business like taking a look at lots of shows including a few new entries as well as returning favorites.
We cover: How I Met Your Mother, Pushing Daisies, The Office, Valentine, Easy Money, Sons of Anarchy, Life on Mars, Kath and Kim, True Blood and Dexter. Plus we have The Derek Report and lots of phone calls!
Thanks again for sticking with us for one hundred episodes - we'll try to do better on the next hundred.
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Labels: 2008, Dexter, Easy Money, How I Met Your Mother, Kath and Kim, Life on Mars, podcast, Pushing Daisies, Sons of Anarchy, The Office, True Blood, Valentine
By: Alyssa | Sunday, October 12, 2008 at Sunday, October 12, 2008 | |
This week we talk about the good, the bad, and the weird including Dexter, The Eleventh Hour and Fringe.
Plus we learn something weird about True Blood, we ponder the pervasive melancholy of Pushing Daisies and determine whether or not The Mentalist is the product of fan fiction. And we have The Derek Report and we beg for calls to help mark episode 100!
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Labels: 2008, Dexter, Fringe, podcast, Pushing Daisies, The Derek Report, The Eleventh Hour, The Mentalist, True Blood
By: Alyssa | Sunday, October 05, 2008 at Sunday, October 05, 2008 | |
It is finally here - Premiere Week! And where do you think special guest Derek is? On Assignment. So Deeps and I muddle through a giant list of shows and run a little over our usual time this week. Our apologies.
We preview some premieres like The Ex-List on CBS and Chuck's second season premiere. Then we look at the premieres for Heroes, How I Met Your Mother, The Office and Knight Rider. And a bit of everything else like Fringe, House, Songs of Anarchy, True Blood and Privileged. Oh and Derek manages to phone in a report.
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Labels: 2008, Chuck, Fringe, Heroes, HIMYM, house, Knight Rider, podcast, Sons of Anarchy, The Ex-List, The Office, True Blood
By: Alyssa | Sunday, September 28, 2008 at Sunday, September 28, 2008 | |
This week Deeps, Derek and I tackle a few returning shows like House, Supernatural and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Then we look at the latest episodes of new series like Fringe and True Blood. Then we say good-bye for the summer to Burn Notice. Plus we have our Drive By segment and The Derek Report.
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Labels: 2008, Burn Notice, Fringe, It's Always Sunny, podcast, Supernatural, The Derek Report, True Blood
By: Alyssa | Sunday, September 21, 2008 at Sunday, September 21, 2008 | |
This week we talk about a few new shows and I feel sad that I can't use my favorite saying anymore. We discuss Burn Notice,
True Blood, Sons of Anarchy, The Shield,
Fringe and we feature the very first
Derek Report.
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Labels: 2008, Burn Notice, Fringe, podcast, Sons of Anarchy, The Shield, True Blood
By: Alyssa | Sunday, September 14, 2008 at Sunday, September 14, 2008 | |
After two weeks off we are back and talking about finales for The Middleman and The Venture Brothers then spend some time trying to understand what's up with new shows like
Gavin and Stacey,
Sons of Anarchy and
90210.
And we totally make fun of Derek because - uhm - why not?
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Labels: 2008, 90210, Gavin and Stacey, podcast, Sons of Anarchy, The Middleman, The Venture Brothers
By: Alyssa | Sunday, September 07, 2008 at Sunday, September 07, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I talk about breaking up with In Plain Sight, action on the Venture Brothers, solving Mom problems on Burn Notice, losing a hot guy on Eureka, too much Pip on The Middleman, and our latest entry in the Big Red Film Fest, the Jeff Bridges' vehicle
Cutter's Way!
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Labels: 2008, Big Red Film Festival, Burn Notice, Cutter's Way, Eureka, In Plain Sight, podcast, The Middleman, The Venture Brothers
By: Alyssa | Sunday, August 24, 2008 at Sunday, August 24, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I like this episode so much that we recorded it twice. Anyway, we discussed the penultimate episode of the first season of In Plain Sight (the term "awesomely bad" is used), Eureka, Burn Notice, The Middleman and we speculate about what might happen next on The Venture Brothers. Plus we get a few phone calls!
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Labels: 2008, Burn Notice, Eureka, In Plain Sight, podcast, The Middleman, The Venture Brothers
By: Alyssa | Sunday, August 17, 2008 at Sunday, August 17, 2008 | |
Hey friends! How was the honeymoon? Was it all you hoped it would be and more? I hope you guys had fun.
Yeah, it's been raining since you got married. Hard to believe, I know.
So a couple things happened while you were away. Your apartment is really cute. That kitchen is huge! But. Uhm. Mostly this happened. The ceiling in your bathroom collapsed.
As best as we can tell, it probably happened shortly after you closed the door to your apartment and left the country. Things like this happen. In fact, according to this highly detailed spreadsheet of things we predicted might go wrong on your trip, this was very likely to happen.
Yes, we had a pool. We bet on your tragedy. Just remember, comedy is tragedy that happens to other people. Besides, we were going to buy you a beer with our winnings.
And frankly, looking at this photo, can you blame us for betting?
We think it is mostly fixed now. Thank goodness you didn't leave the landlord's phone number in a convenient location. That would have made things too easy!
Oh and
we have your cat. You know, she's the one who tipped us off initially - little white paw prints were everywhere. Don't worry - she's fine.
But for your sake, I hope you brought us home something better than a t-shirt.
Labels: 2008, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at Tuesday, August 12, 2008 | |
Earlier this week I mentioned getting the tetanus booster when I went in for a routine doctor visit. That was Monday morning.
Today is Friday morning.
Deeps noticed a large lump on my left shoulder.
Deeps: Uhm - what's wrong with your arm?
Me: Oh that? It's the tetanus shot.
Deeps: That looks bad.
Me: I think it might be getting bigger.
Deeps: Does it hurt?
Me: Yes. And it itches!
Deeps: Is that supposed to happen?
Me: I have no idea. I'm afraid to look it up on the Internet.
Deeps: You should probably call the doctor.
Me: Why? So she can take out my other arm?
So all week I've been walking around to my friends going "Hey, you wanna touch something gross?" and then make them feel the huge, hard lump on my arm.
Nobody has turned me down yet. That's why we're friends!
Labels: 2008, health, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Friday, August 08, 2008 at Friday, August 08, 2008 | |
So I went into the doctor today for a routine check-up. Nothing major, but at the end of our friendly visit my doctor took one last look at my chart.
Doctor: Looks like we wanted to give you a tetanus booster shot in 2004, but you said you were current.
Me: I probably was.
Doctor: That was four years ago, are you still current?
Me: How bad is it?
Doctor: Not that bad.
Me: I'm a big baby about needles.
Doctor: A lot of people are.
Me: It's not that bad anymore?
Doctor: No, it's really not that bad.
Me: I think I'm due. I'll do it.
A few minutes later the nurse came in to administer the shot.
Nurse: So what are do you not need as much today?
Me: What?
Nurse: Which arm to you write with?
Me: The right. But I like to use both arms. Every day.
Nurse: Left it is!
Me: The doctor said it wasn't that bad anymore.
Nurse: It isn't.
Me: That should be on the side of the package.
Labels: 2008, health, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Monday, August 04, 2008 at Monday, August 04, 2008 | |
So I haven't written about a book I read for a while, but since I haven't written about much for a while this seemed like a good opportunity to break out ye olde typing skills.
Last night I finished a very intriguing book called
Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman. The novel follows the story of a super villain, Dr. Impossible, as he attempts to implement his Doomsday plan. The chapters alternate from his point of view and that of Fatale, a cyborg woman who is the latest recruit to Earth's elite team of superheroes, The (New) Champions.
The thing about the book that is interesting to me is that Grossman attempts - to some degree - to play it straight. He's telling the story of these super enhanced people and while they are odd in their tights and helmets, he seems more interested in their humanity. He attempts to get inside their heads to reveal their foibles and insecurities while neatly dealing with problems like why a villain keeps up his villainy in the face of overwhelming failure.
I thought the book was very enjoyable - it's funny and thoughtful while becoming a brisk page turner near the end. I did have a few quibbles about plot getting a little repetitive - we're given the same piece of information, from the same character a couple of times.
My other issue was with Fatale; of all the characters in the book she is the least developed. I would argue many of the heroes are underdeveloped and there is an attempt near the end to lend a bit of pathos and gravitas to their stories. I didn't think it worked, but Dr. Impossible is such a richly conceived character that I'm willing to overlook the book's other shortcomings. And frankly, for all his failed plans, Dr. Impossible is clearly the most fascinating character in the book.
I would recommend the book - it is out in paperback and features a g
orgeous cover by Chip Kidd. I think you can say something about how distinctly American this story is - it is about overcoming adversity, failure, and never giving up. It's just that, you know, the bad guy is doing it.
Labels: 2008, books
By: Alyssa | Thursday, July 31, 2008 at Thursday, July 31, 2008 | |
Derek is still away on assignment so Deeps gets called out, somebody leaves us a voicemail about Life on Mars and sequels, we discuss frameworks for understanding things,
Channel 101,
Yacht Rock, Doctor Who, The Middleman and
Streets of Fire. Really!
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Labels: 2008, Doctor Who, podcast, Streets of Fire, The Middleman
By: Alyssa | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at Sunday, July 27, 2008 | |
My friend and colleague called me recently to tell me she wouldn't be coming to work due to a little accident at home.
Friend: I'm totally fine. Everything is fine. But I had a little accident.
Me: What happened?
Friend: I fell out of the attic.
This is where I laughed. A lot. For several seconds.
Friend: You know, when I told the boss she was very concerned and gasped and said I was lucky and it could be worse.
Me: You told me you were okay.
Friend: So far nobody has laughed.
Me: Those people aren't your real friends.
My friend proceeded to tell me she fell out of the attic while vacuuming the dust up before she loaded it full of her stuff. She went to the hospital and aside from a few bruises and some wounded pride, she's fine.
Friend: I'm going to have to sit on a cushion or something because I have a big bruise on my butt.
Me: That's just going to make me laugh again.
Labels: 2008, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Monday, July 21, 2008 at Monday, July 21, 2008 | |
This week Derek is on assignment so Deeps and I talk about In Plain Sight, Burn Notice, The Closer, Saving Grace, The Middleman, Fear Itself, Doctor Who, the new series The Cleaner, and Doctor Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog.
And we field a call about Get Smart and Life On Mars.
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, July 20, 2008 at Sunday, July 20, 2008 | |
While programming the DVR earlier in the evening the following exchange occurred.
Deeps: Oh no!
Me: Are we out of room?
Deeps: No. I just remembered that
The Cleaner is on tonight.
Me: The show with Benjamin Bratt?
Deeps: Yes! I thought I could ignore it forever. But there it is.
Me: We said we'd watch the first episode.
Deeps: We did.
Me: I think it will be terrible.
Deeps: I just wanted to pretend it didn't exist.
Me: That didn't work with the sub-prime mortgage crisis.
Deeps: Or global warming.
So I guess I'll watch it tomorrow, because thanks to global warming and the mortgage crisis I have to go to bed early. Or something like that....
Labels: 2008, television, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Tuesday, July 15, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I take on the second season of Burn Notice and the second entry in the Hellboy series. Then we review The Middleman, In Plain Sight, The Venture Brothers and Doctor Who.
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Sunday, July 13, 2008 | |
I hike through Beacon hill most days of the week - it is usually pleasant and uneventful. Yesterday it smelled like warm garbage. It wasn't hot enough for the hot garbage smell, but I was getting a pretty regular waft of something unpleasant.
We're having a little heat wave and high humidity which makes everyone a little uneasy. On the T last night I was blasted with BO by a few of my fellow passengers. I'm not especially squeamish but after the garbage shuffle, the jerky T ride and some stenches that are best left at home, I felt a bit out of sorts when I got to the end of the line.
Deeps asked me how I was doing.
Me: The T smelled a lot like moldy burritos.
Deeps: So I guess we should do pizza for dinner?
Me: Sounds fair to me.
Labels: 2008, Boston
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, July 09, 2008 at Wednesday, July 09, 2008 | |
It's the showdown that nobody ever asked for or wanted:
Troll 2 vs.
Manos: The Hands of Fate! But first, we talk up the glory of this week's episode of The Middleman. Then we get a chance to rip on Heroes thanks to a call from Bill from
Outside The Cinema and we hear from our friends at
ShowShow as they share their love of Troll 2.
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at Sunday, July 06, 2008 | |
I'm not a biker - I'm a pedestrian. I understand the appeal of the bike, but I don't have the dedication or the constitution to bike to work. I take my life into my own hands just walking, I figure I'll leave biking to the better equipped.
Except....
As gas prices rise I see more and more of the "accidental biker." I've determined that they're accidental because they didn't intend to bike, but due to circumstances beyond their control they're biking. And they bike in the most bizarre get-ups: suit pants and a muscle shirt and no helmet. A dress that is hiked up, sandals and no helmet.
Mostly they don't wear helmets. And while the old adage about something being as easy as riding a bike, apparently bike riding isn't as easy as one might think. As a casual observer I see a lot of wobbling on bikes too big for people on bikes too small for peple, a lot of fast pedaling without getting anywhere and the dreaded drift.
Just this week I've seen people nearly die, but I don't think they were aware how close they came to certain death. And they did it in a sundress and cute sandals. If you're riding a bike, you might take a second look at it to make sure it is going to work best for you. Learn about how the gears work and for the love of all things good, wear a helmet.
I don't care if you dress like a bumble bee and wear clicky shoes. Mostly I care if you laid out by a Prius.
Labels: 2008, Boston, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at Wednesday, July 02, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I tackle the latest episodes of In Plain Sight, Doctor Who, The Middleman, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Fear Itself. Plus we have phone calls from F13 of
Cinema Diabolica, Brother D from
Mail Order Zombie and Aaron from
Paperbag Radio!
And a reminder that next week is Troll 2 vs. Manos the Hands of Fate for a decision - what movie is worse?
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, June 29, 2008 at Sunday, June 29, 2008 | |
Last week we had our old gross bathroom floor demolished and new swanky tile floor was installed. Normally, we try to do home improvement projects ourselves but sometimes it is best to hire a pro.
The pros were done in like four days which was fantastic. And now I have a lovely new floor that is even and easy to clean. Plus it looks about 10,000 times better.
Of course now, I'm looking at the old bathroom counter which has seen better days. And then the paint could use some touching up - maybe it would be easier to just repaint the whole thing. And the tile in the shower surround might need a little TLC.
Or we could demo out the rest and do something new!
Luckily, I've volunteered to help friends paint at their house this weekend. So by Monday I might have let go of my thirst for destruction. Or at least Deeps will have taken some time to hide the crowbar.
Labels: 2008, house, marriage
By: Alyssa | Friday, June 27, 2008 at Friday, June 27, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I chat about pancake recipes and Fear Itself; we determine if The Venture Brothers can ever be too nerdy; we get our first real episode of In Plain Sight; and we get a little behind-the-scenes info about Doctor Who from
Aaron at Paperbag Radio!
Then we review two new shows -
The Middleman and
Secret Diary of a Call Girl. One is quirky fun with charm to spare. The other... has Billie Piper.
And we get very deep when discussing the 1975 Gene Hackman thriller
Night Moves. And we announce a special Big Red Film Festival event - Troll 2 vs. Manos the Hands of Fate.
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, June 22, 2008 at Sunday, June 22, 2008 | |
We're back after our two-week (or one show) break. Deeps, Derek and I are fired up to talk about
Fear Itself,
Swingtown,
Charlie Jade and
In Plain Sight.
Then I get reminiscent about Chicago when talking about
My Boys. And finally we tackle favorites Doctor Who and the sublime Venture Brothers. Plus we announce the next installment in the Big Red Film Festival -
Night Moves and apologize to listener
Jacki for running too long!
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Monday, June 16, 2008 at Monday, June 16, 2008 | |
Next week we're doing a little project in our third floor bathroom - new tile floors. The old tile is okay, however it is small, hard to clean, and has not been white since before we bought the place. Tasteful "Laguna Bay" (soft sandy color) will replace 1 inch hexagons with 1 foot squares.
This requires a very minor disruption to our lives as we move downstairs for a few nights while the handymen do their business. Normally, we'd do a project like this ourselves but I figured given our full-time jobs and other obligations, we should just job this one out.
Not to worry - I plan on not hiring a landscaper and to attempt to prune back privets that have grown to be over 17 feet tall. These are trade-offs that one must make.
In other news, my
friends Mark and Greg are totally re-doing their kitchen in dramatic fashion. I've been following it eagerly online since they've been blogging their experience. I've also been meddling, like I do, and offering lots of suggestions for tiles and paint and cabinets.
Frankly, they are both holding up better than I do(as are
their kitties) in such circumstances.
Last year we had 3 days of disruption when new counters were installed in the kitchen and I was a raving banshee. I'm trying to be better about the tile floors in the master bath. Luckily, we have another bathroom - so that will probably be okay.
Except when it isn't and I go crazy again.
Labels: 2008, house, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Friday, June 13, 2008 at Friday, June 13, 2008 | |
So on Friday it was like 55-60. On Saturday it was 90. On Sunday it was around 100.
I'm not blogging as much because it is so damn hot, I'm spending quality time huddled around my little window unit. We usually get a few hot days in New England, but this is probably the hottest it has been since we moved here from Chicago - a city known for brutally hot summers.
Mostly I sweat, then I take a shower, then I sweat some more. It's pretty glamorous. I'm hoping not to bake to death on my commute to work. That's my goal for the day.
I've made peace with my sweatiness. I can only hope others will make peace with it as well. And I'll have a ponytail until September. That's just how I roll.
Labels: 2008, weather
By: Alyssa | Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at Tuesday, June 10, 2008 | |
This week we briefly outline some problems commuting around Boston this week and then talk about three hours of LOST, Spelling Bee coverage, and the return of The Venture Brothers.
Just a reminder, we're taking June 8 off so we'll be back with episode 84 on June 15.
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at
PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions. Or give us a call at 206-202-0197.
Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
Subscribe to Big Red Podcast by Email
Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at Sunday, June 01, 2008 | |
So I have a plan about how to get home if there is a terrorist attack while I'm at the office. This might sound weird and a little bleak, but in fairness I also had a plan in case we were attacked by Russians in the early 80s. Think Red Dawn. I was nine.
Anyway, the plan is good to have because "terrorist" can easily turn into "when the MBTA fails at every turn" which happens more often than you might think.
Last night I was happy to have some plans in place. Plan A is full blown disaster plan - I walk up Massachusetts Avenue for approximately seven miles until I'm close to home. Plan B is the inconvenience plan - I walk to Kendall Square and hang out at the mall and wait for Deeps to show up and meet me for dinner.
I implemented that plan last night when
a fire on the T shut down Red Line service for a good long while. Once I saw a flood of people crossing the bridge towards the MGH stop I knew I'd have to keep hiking.
But while I was walking across the bridge, as dark clouds loomed and the rain gently fell I started to wonder if it was really wise to be walking on a big metal bridge during storm - especially when I suspected there might be lightning. That's when I started to formulate Plan C. Call my work buddies to see if anyone is still in the neighborhood.
Plan C means I hole up in a nice pub, sip some whiskey and wait out the delays with my friends. It's a good plan, I don't see what could possibly go wrong.
Labels: 2008, Boston, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Wednesday, May 28, 2008 | |
Derek joins the rest of us in our early, middle thirties (despite my assertions that he's just turned 21 and that I regularly gave him bathtub gin) and to mark the occasion we complain about a weak end to a rough television season. We assess how the strike affected finales for Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, Reaper, House, and Bones.
Then Deeps and I chat - well, I go on a small tirade - about a little film called Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at
PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions. Or give us a call at 206-202-0197.
Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Monday, May 26, 2008 at Monday, May 26, 2008 | |
This is Hoggy. He lives under my shed. He also loves to nibble on my plants.
He's kind of cute, but he's also a bit destructive. I opted not to plant any tomatoes this year (one if his favorites to take a single bite from) and focus on my peppers. Undaunted, he's been burrowing around in my veggie patch.
And I think he's been snacking on my hostas.
Still, I don't know if I can evict him. I may resort to using mothballs to deter him before I have to call
The Man.
Labels: 2008, animals
By: Alyssa | Thursday, May 22, 2008 at Thursday, May 22, 2008 | |
Sure it is easy - but can you deny the cutness of baby ducks? I didn't think so.
Surely this makes up for my lack of a turkey photo?
Labels: 2008, animals
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at Wednesday, May 21, 2008 | |
It's that special time of the year - season finales! And we're ready to take apart finales for The Office and Supernatural. Then we roll into regular favorites like LOST, How I Met Your Mother and Reaper; the latter two are recent renewals for the fall.
While we're talking about fall we look at some up fronts and wonder if we can do an adequate preview in the future.
Then we field a phone call from Bill at
Outside The Cinema. You could call us and be cool too: 206-202-0197.
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at
PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions.
Subscribe to the podcast with
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podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, May 18, 2008 at Sunday, May 18, 2008 | |
I ratted out my maple tree yesterday.
The tree in front of our house has always been a little bit... off. It juts into the street at an angle, which is fine, but it drops a lot of stuff on the street. Like enormous, huge branches. We've been lucky nobody has been parked under the tree when that happens.
So after seeing another hunk of stuff fall off the tree on Monday I called the Tree Warden yesterday. I thought the Tree Warden might have a stern talk with the tree or perhaps get it to shape up.
But then I saw the big green X on the tree when we got home last night.
Deeps: Why is there an X on the tree.
Me: I called the town about the tree.
Deeps: What does the green X mean?
Me: I think it means mulch.
Deeps: We are sorry,tree.
Me: We are sorry, tree. I watered you but I think you are sick.
Deeps: I know you don't want to be known as a tree killer.
Me: I didn't kill the tree!
Deeps: You dropped a dime on the tree.
Me: What if the pine trees in the back find out?
Deeps: I wouldn't garden alone for a while.
Labels: 2008, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at Wednesday, May 14, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I give our somewhat spoilery review of Iron Man before diving into the magic of sweeps including LOST, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, This American Life and 30 Rock.
And we field calls from Brother D of
MailOrderZombie fame and Freddy from
Night Of The Living Podcast. Would you like to call us? Just dial 206-202-0197.
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at
PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions.
Subscribe to the podcast with
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podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, May 11, 2008 at Sunday, May 11, 2008 | |
We were driving in to work on Monday - I was getting a drop-off near the T - when I spotted something that sent my heart aflutter.
Me: Oh My God!
Deeps: What?
Me: (pointing excitedly) Stop the car!
Deeps: I'm in the middle of the road.
Me: Pull over in the parking lot.
Deeps: You shouldn't yell and point in my face while I'm driving.
Me: But there's a turkey!
Deeps: What?
Me: Look!
We observed an enormous male turkey hanging out under a low tree. He was staring at an office building near Alewife.
Me: That is the biggest turkey I've ever seen.
Deeps: How many turkeys have you seen?
Me: I grew up in Indiana, so I've see a few. Also peacocks.
Deeps: That's weird.
Me: Drive over by the turkey, I want to take a picture.
Deeps: For what?
Me: The internet!
Deeps: We need to go to work. You stay away from the turkey.
Me: But... if I don't take the picture then I'll never make it on the
deadly turkey watch section of
Universal Hub.
Deeps: What a tragedy.
Me: I'm letting Adam Gaffin know that you hate Universal Hub.
Deeps: I don't hate Universal Hub. Besides, that turkey looks big and angry.
Me: That's how all turkeys look!
Deeps: I wouldn't know.
Me: I think Adam loves turkeys and would like to see this turkey.
Deeps: Haven't been featured for a while, have you?
Me: No.
Deeps: You can't engineer interest...
Me: I think I can with that turkey picture.
Today I saw Canadian Geese in the parking lot, but no turkey. If only I could get a picture of the geese fighting the turkey....
Labels: 2008, animals, marriage, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at Wednesday, May 07, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I address ugly glasses on The Office, the morning after on How I Met Your Mother, and underutilized Dennehys on 30 Rock. Plus we take a look at lava monsters on Doctor Who and talk timelines on LOST.
Then we roll into a little light video game review of
Mario Kart for the Wii!
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at
PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions.
Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, May 04, 2008 at Sunday, May 04, 2008 | |
Since yesterday marked the start of May, I turned off the heat.
Right now, the house is sitting in the... okay, low 60s. And I see on the news that it is currently in the 40s and raining. So there's that.
This may be a pyrrhic victory. Well played, Nature. Well played.
Labels: 2008, weather, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Friday, May 02, 2008 at Friday, May 02, 2008 | |
Last night I met up with a few friends after work to have a drink and enjoy some cheap Happy Hour bar food. It's tougher to find discounts than you might think.
There were three of us and as we waited for our forth we ordered some drinks and some hideous bar snacks: things covered in cheese and things you dip in cheese. These are separate and distinct items.
We were able to slide in an order before the 5:30 Happy Hour cut-off point. Our friend didn't arrive until after 6.
Me: You've missed Happy Hour!
Friend: What? It's only six!
Me: Well according to this place Happy Hour runs from 2:30 to 5:30.
Friend: That's not very convenient.
Me: I would agree. But at least they discount some of the food for that time.
Friend: But not the drinks?
Me: I don't think you can do that in Massachusetts. You can only discount the food.
Friend: None of this seems very happy at all.
Me: Times are tough and we merely pursue happiness, there are no guarantees we will catch up to it.
Friend: I was hoping to catch up to some discounted nachos.
Me: They were delicious and they went quickly.
Friend: Like happiness.
Labels: 2008, Boston, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Thursday, May 01, 2008 at Thursday, May 01, 2008 | |
I landed Saturday morning after flying all night from San Francisco. I was pretty out of sorts for most of the day. Sunday morning I ran a few errands at the grocery store before settling down to make the usual Sunday brunchcast spread.
Deeps woke up very late, claiming he hadn't slept well while I was away. Whatever gets you through the day, dear.
Sometime around 11 AM he started the soft sell.
Deeps: Did you read anything about
Mario Kart?
Me: Not really. I heard it was coming out.
Deeps: Do you think you might want to play it?
Me: Is it cooperative?
Deeps: Not really. But it's supposed to be a really fun racing game.
Me: I like racing games.
Deeps: We have that old one that you don't play.
Me: I don't really like the controls.
Deeps: I think you might like the game. It could be fun for us to play.
Me: I guess we could rent it.
Deeps: Yeah, if we wait a while I guess we could rent it.
Me: That sounds good to me.
Deeps: So you're interested in the game?
Me: Sure!
He wandered off to get dressed while I figure out what shows we'd talk about. Sometime around 12 he announced he was going to "run errands."
Sometime around 12:45 Deeps rolled into the house with a big grin on my face.
Deeps: I found it!
Me: What?
Deeps: I had to go to Watertown but I found the game.
Me: What game?
Deeps: Mario Kart!
Me: Oh the game I wanted?
Deeps: You said you were interested.
Labels: 2008, marriage, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Monday, April 28, 2008 at Monday, April 28, 2008 | |
This week our cups runneth over with good comedy and interesting drama - Derek, Deeps and I tackle Moonlight (okay, that's Derek), Doctor Who, Supernatural, LOST, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, and 30 Rock.
Then I share a story about making poor food choices when meeting new people (I ordered garlic fries, but the fellas from
Cinema Diabolica didn't hold it against me) and talk about how I accidentally watched Criminal Minds.
If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at
PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions.
Meet our callers: Bill from
Outside the Cinema and Brother D from
Mail Order Zombie.
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
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Labels: 2008, podcast, television
By: Alyssa | Sunday, April 27, 2008 at Sunday, April 27, 2008 | |
So I'm in San Francisco for business - I'm learning a lot, I'm meeting cool people and I'm eating some pretty awesome food.
I found a Beard Papa and man, I'm glad I don't live too close to the one in Boston. Cause I'd have to buy bigger pants.
Yesterday I took the BART to visit my podcast pals from
Cinema Diabolica. I walked down the stairs into a pretty gleaming white station.
It was spacious and well-lit and smelled very nice. I noticed a woman mopping in a corner and she mentioned to a colleague that the floor smelled nice because the floor cleaner was scented with pineapple.
I have never found pineapple scents on the T. If you're lucky all you smell is old garlic.
Anyway, as I waited in the station I noticed that people queued up in line to get on the train. Forming a quiet, orderly line? What? I was confused.
Then I was stunned when I got on the train - it has carpeting. And plush, upholstered seats. And none of it was hideously discolored or smelly. Astonishing!
As best as I can tell, I think the T is made from concrete and urine. Sure, the BART is much more expensive than the T. I think I spent about $7 to get to and from my destination. The T costs under $2.00 to ride anywhere in the greater Boston area.
I mentioned the incredible cleanliness to my friend and then told her the price. She suggested she'd accept the vomit and stench of the T if she didn't have to pay $7 for a round-trip.
The sad part is that I think we'll eventually have to pay $7 for a round-trip and still be stuck with the stink.
Labels: 2008, San Francisco, the T
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at Wednesday, April 23, 2008 | |
This week we field phone calls! We talk about the return of Doctor Who! We analyze new episodes of How I Met Your Mother, The Office and 30 Rock. Plus we tackle the game-changing season finale of Torchwood.
If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at
PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions.
Meet our callers: F13 and DZ from
Cinema Diabolica and Aaron from
Paperbag Radio.
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Sunday, April 20, 2008 | |
I don't think I've ever drunk dialed anyone. I know it is a popular thing to do. It's probably because I don't drink much anymore.
But last night I went out for drinks with a few friends and at some point the topic of a hair stylist came up (quelle surprise). I handed over a number.
Then finding a good doctor came up. I handed over a number.
By the end of the night, my friends were huddled around my cell phone, scrolling through the list and adding numbers to their phone. So the young drunk dial, the old sip our drinks and swap phone numbers for a good doctor.
Labels: 2008, hair, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Friday, April 18, 2008 at Friday, April 18, 2008 | |
Yesterday I walked to the local train station - it is a bit of a hike, but it is pretty. People were out running and biking and I strolled along listening to podcasts.
Somewhere near Alewife Brook I saw a guy with a dog have a run-in with the goose. The dog was on the smallish side and the goose saw a window.
Wings spread, bill parted, the goose charged and honked and dog and man beat feet. The goose waddled over to the small pond and hopped in the water. The dog cowered at the edge of the brook as the goose looked on.
I giggled and I feel pretty confident that the goose smirked.
Labels: 2008, animals, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Thursday, April 17, 2008 at Thursday, April 17, 2008 | |
This week we recorded the Big Red Podcast twice! Yeah, that first take got eaten due to a technical snafu. After a few weeks off we got around to talking about My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, The Office, Scrubs, HIMYM, Torchwood, the return of
Wire in the Blood and Doctor Who spin-off
The Sarah Jane Adventures.
And we get excited about our forums at
www.popsyndicate.com/forums and share our new comment line number: 206-202-0197.
Why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it!
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, April 13, 2008 at Sunday, April 13, 2008 | |
We're firing up the tubes this weekend to record a fresh episode of the
Big Red Podcast. I'm already heartened by last night's episode of The Office. I can only hope that our modest show will recover from a hiatus as quickly.
After two weeks off we'll be back to talk TV, mini-upfronts, and probably make fun of Torchwood. Plus there will be waffles!
Listen to our diamond episode #75.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
Subscribe to Big Red Podcast by Email
Oh and we have a forum! Just go to Popsyndicate.com/forums and look for Big Red Podcast.
Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Friday, April 11, 2008 at Friday, April 11, 2008 | |
Tonight the NBC Thursday night comedies are back.
That golden hour with 30 Rock and The Office make me squee with delight. Also, I heard Boston might creep up to 70 today.
With all these happy developments, I will announce in advance that there will be taquitos for dinner! Good day indeed.
Labels: 2008, filler
By: Alyssa | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at Thursday, April 10, 2008 | |
Me: I'm putting the snow boots away.
Deeps: Really?
Me: Yeah. I'm really going to do it.
Deeps: But it isn't June yet.
Me: I'm saying I think the snow is over.
Deeps: It's still cold.
Me: I know. But I'm betting against snow.
Deeps: As long as you don't put away the warm coats.
Me: Are you crazy? It isn't June yet.
Labels: 2008, Boston, weather
By: Alyssa | Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at Tuesday, April 08, 2008 | |
Earlier in the week I determined that we needed to do some serious yard clean up. After a gross and wet winter, we had accumulated a lot of random debris in the front garden and back yard.
It poured on Friday, it drizzled on Saturday then turned nicer later in the afternoon. Sunday seemed ideal.
Except it was gray, drizzley and 40 degrees. Some member of the clean-up committee complained that it was too cold. I pointed out that our neighbor had been out doing the same work with a light jacket while we were bundled up in coats and scarves.
"It is a well-documented fact that he is tougher than I am," the party member know as Deeps replied.
We worked anyway, but opted to skip raking out the beds (again!). We'll do that later in the week when the temps break 50 and the sun comes out.
In the meantime I can keep myself occupied with tales I can spin around the weird stuff found in the
Pachysandra: a pen from the Burlington Marriott (functional), an application for a dance competition (soggy), a water-logged compass from LL Bean (still appeared functional), and several candy wrappers. That's what you get for living too close to a school.
Labels: 2008, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Monday, April 07, 2008 at Monday, April 07, 2008 | |
After some very polite pestering, I decided to give forums a chance. So you can now find a
forum for Big Red Podcast over at
PopSyndicate.com, a great source for pop culture news and reviews.
Now you may be a lurker - which is good - but I'd be sad if nobody showed up to our party. So please feel free to visit the
new forum, you can register pretty easily to be a member and share your thoughts with us in yet another way.
One of these days I might even get us a phone number. Let's not rush things. We're dealing with enough change - new equipment, a forum, and wait until the guys find out I'm making them whole wheat pancakes. Chaos!
Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Thursday, April 03, 2008 at Thursday, April 03, 2008 | |
April first is that dreaded day when people who have a terrible sense of humor attempt to be funny or clever. I humor them with a smile. As person who is both imaginative and determined when it comes to making people laugh, I really hate amateur hour.
So no hilarity from me today. No elaborate jokes or pranks. Tomorrow I may return to the ring to be the clown that I usually am.
Wait - what hilarity you ask? Oh for shame. I'm going to have to buy a joke book. Perhaps I will start with knock knock jokes.
Labels: 2008, filler
By: Alyssa | Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at Tuesday, April 01, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I are joined by our friends Chris and Jen to reconsider the previous three and a half seasons of LOST. They are recent converts to the show having crammed in the show on DVD in about a month.
Plus we still find time to talk about our old friends Torchwood, How I Met Your Mother, and Reaper. And Deeps offers up his loud assessment of the latest New Amsterdam. I'm married to him and I don't understand how he is still watching that show.
We're on a little hiatus next week but we return with fresh shows and material on April 13. In the meantime, you can check out two new polls I have up.
One is about whether or not Big Red Podcast needs a
forum for fans to chat with us about the podcast and the stuff we cover.
The other poll is about whether or not we should
reconsider shows we've previously written off.Since you're voting anyway, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it!
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
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Labels: 2008, podcast, television
By: Alyssa | Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Sunday, March 30, 2008 | |
At lunch yesterday I noticed my friend's bulging wallet. She placed it on the table next to her lunch.
Me: Your wallet is quite massive.
Friend: It's full of receipts.
Me: I bet you could clean out some the stuff in there.
Friend: I guess.
After thumbing through various cards and receipts we determined that she could get rid of her various collections of cards for businesses in upstate New York (she lives near Boston) and dump the old MCI phone cards she had from her mother.
Friend: Is MCI even in business anymore?
Me: I think they went under in like 2000. That's pretty bad.
Friend: I guess I can throw it out.
Me: If it makes you feel better, you can recycle it.
Labels: 2008, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Thursday, March 27, 2008 at Thursday, March 27, 2008 | |
This week Derek finds his way back to join me and Deeps working through new series
Miss Guided and the return of former favorites like Reaper, HIMYM, Torchwood and LOST. Plus Derek tells us something about New Amsterdam. I laughed a lot, so I didn't hear everything he said.
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Monday, March 24, 2008 at Monday, March 24, 2008 | |
Pudding and I arranged to meet a few other colleagues at the elevator to go to have a quick drink after work. We all stood around waiting for a while when he finally showed up with the following explanation.
Pudding: I was emailing "The View."
Me: What? The TV show?
Pudding: Yes, Elizabeth was saying something that was wrong and she was totally missing the point.
I paused a moment to consider what he was saying. I had so many questions about logistics and logic, but I went with the most obvious.
Me: Why would you take any time to email them?
Pudding: It really bothered me. I was doing my civic duty.
Me: I think Elizabeth isn't even viewed as being the most dim-witted on the show. I think one of the women thinks
the world is flat and that
Jesus pre-dates the Greeks.
Pudding: I feel better for sending it.
Me: I should hope so.
Labels: 2008, pudding, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Friday, March 21, 2008 at Friday, March 21, 2008 | |
Last night I stopped by Whole Foods on the way home from work to pick up an item that has been sold out the past several times I've been there: ground bison.
A few months ago I read an article about buffalo and bison meat - about how lean it is and how it's easier to find organic versions. We don't eat a lot of meat, Deeps was raised as a vegetarian.
And while neither of us is a vegetarian, we just tend not to eat much meat in any given week. But whatever I eat, I figured it should be lean and relatively healthy. Up until now, we'd been a turkey family but we've switched over.
This is all to explain why my trip to buy ground bison was weird. I bought six pounds and hauled it over to the check out. The guy behind me in line asked me how it tasted.
I replied that the bison tastes like beef used to taste - it's meaty and kind of rich.
The guy shrugged at me like "What's beef?"
I added that the meat is really lean and has a nice texture.
The guy shrugged at me again like "What's texture?"
Deeps had wandered off to look at the chocolate counter and came back to carry the groceries out.
"What'd that guy want?" he asked.
I shrugged.
Labels: 2008, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Thursday, March 20, 2008 at Thursday, March 20, 2008 | |
Last night we ran a few errands for the newly reorganized home office. Basically, we cleared out a bunch of stuff - I tossed old PC video games I bought my senior year of college. Let's just say I bought them in the early years of the Clinton administration.
Anyway, as we unloaded the car we met up with our neighbor. We chatted a bit and as I started to head into the house I wished him well and said he should enjoy the nice weather until it snows tomorrow.
Neighbor: Is it really supposed to snow this week?
Me: I guess we might get snow and sleet on Wednesday.
Neighbor: Well, I'm done shoveling. Sleet is fine, as long as I don't have to shovel.
Me: I hear ya.
Deeps nudged me as we walked into the house. "You said I was nuts when I wanted to stop shoveling," he said.
"That's because you made that declaration on February 2," I replied.
"I admit, it was a little ambitious."
"This is New England, dear."
Labels: 2008, weather, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Tuesday, March 18, 2008 | |
This week Derek is out "on assignment" so Deeps and I valiantly brave the podcast alone. I should note that instead of eating our usual brunch before recording we ate Indian food. You can decide if that makes a difference.
We talk about two new shows called
The Return of Jezebel James and
Canterbury's Law; then we take on the return of Reaper, LOST, Torchwood, Breaking Bad and The Wire.
Since it is early in the month, I beg for votes on
Podcast Alley. FYI - our recording schedule will be slightly different next week. The show will probably go up on Monday night.
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
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Labels: 2008, podcast, television
By: Alyssa | Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Sunday, March 16, 2008 | |
Deeps had a birthday this week. We opted to take the day off and do all the stuff that he enjoys.
I had no idea the man liked food so much. I feel like we just ate all day. First a trip to the favorite bakery where they have that muffin he likes; then to the fancy cheese store to see if any delicious new cheese arrived; then to the pizza place in our old neighborhood where you can get lunch for two for around $5; then the most glorious record store in all the land looking for that new thing from that band; then the most lovely comic book store because he heard this one book was really good; then the fantastic used book store because they were having a huge sale; a side trip to get gourmet cupcakes because the place has a great name; and lastly a fine dinner at a little divey joint that serves pretty passable crab cakes.
Exhausting, fantastic, oh and we played video games too.
Looking at this list we did lots of stuff I liked - I might have squeezed in a trip to the pedicurist. But hey - it wasn't my day.
Labels: 2008, marriage, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at Thursday, March 13, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I offer up a lot of shout outs to listeners and then we tackle two new series:
Unhitched and
New Amsterdam.
Then we unravel the latest episodes of LOST and Torchwood and Derek explores the finale of Sarah Connor Chronicles. You may hear gentle snoring during this part. Do not adjust your audio.
Since it is early in the month, I beg for votes on
Podcast Alley.
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
Subscribe to Big Red Podcast by Email
Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, March 09, 2008 at Sunday, March 09, 2008 | |
Last night I tagged along to happy hour to mark our friend, Pudding's birthday. It was a big day for Pudding. He's turning 30 and he finished all three seasons of LOST on DVD in record time. He's nearly caught up to the rest of the viewing world.
We met at a nearby pub where we were greeted by a cute lady bartender, who took our drink order somewhat laconically. She then said to my friend, "Can I see some ID? You just look so..." she trailed off.
My friend is about the same age as I am. She looked somewhat taken aback, but whatever. She handed over my ID. The bartender never asked for mine. She then turned back and said "What did you want again?"
Thus began a night of ferocious ribbing related to my hideous old age.
Friend: You have skin like a baby.
Me: Yes - a mummy's baby. Or a really old baby who collects Social Security.
Friend: You're spry for a woman your age.
And while that was fun, I was ultimately left without being offended. Our bartender was incredibly spacey - forgetting easy drink orders like "a Sam Adams." I reckon that is probably the most common drink ordered in the state of Massachusetts.
Still. I'll drink an extra glass of water today and throw on a little more sunscreen. No need to take these things
too seriously.
Labels: 2008, Boston, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Friday, March 07, 2008 at Friday, March 07, 2008 | |
Last night I walked home up Newbury Street and waited for the light to cross the street to the Boston Public Garden. Several months back the city finally installed a proper stoplight and crosswalk signal for the intersection.
I always wait for the walk signal because I've been hit by a car before. That's how some people learn. Stove hot, cars dangerous. See?
Anyway, the light had been red for several seconds - long enough for cars to be fully stopped and lined up near the crosswalk. I was about half way through the crosswalk when an Audi blew through the red light - in the one open lane - just a few feet from me. If he'd hit me I'd be a dead blogger.
I was so stunned, as were the other pedestrians, that we just stumbled to the sidewalk and stared for a moment as he sped away. I kept heading home. I didn't think much more
about the incident until this morning.
A few minutes ago I had to physically throw myself out of the way of a Honda Element. I know what it was because the grill was dangerously close to my body. Once again I was in a crosswalk, I had the walk sign, I was looking just to be sure and again a car gunned it and blazed around the corner to come within inches of hitting me. It was the closest call I've had in a very long time. I had to take evasive actions to avoid death.
The driver waved and apology. I waved a fist and my giant magenta umbrella. I suppose he didn't see me - like the guy from last night. I'm hard to miss with big red hair, my purple raincoat and my hot pink umbrella.
I suppose I was asking for it. I am perpetrating a
crime against fashion.Labels: 2008, Boston, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, March 05, 2008 at Wednesday, March 05, 2008 | |
Did you know that
Daylight Savings Time begins on Saturday night(ish)? It's a coming. And that means get ready for a case of the crabbies on Monday.
Sleeping schedules are disturbed, the cat is confused about when she's being fed, and the evil jays in the backyard will probably chirp louder in response.
Oh yes, the evil birds are back. They were the last to leave in the fall and the first to arrive a few weeks ago - bullying the robins that were trying to frolic in the backyard.
I haven't seen the groundhog yet. He's going to be disappointed if he thinks anything will be growing anytime soon. Especially tomatoes. I'm banning them from the veggie patch this year. I'm focusing on bell peppers, habaneros, and jalapenos. I'm pretty excited about it.
This is what passes for fun around our house until
Sweeps or birthdays.
Labels: 2008, evil bird, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Tuesday, March 04, 2008 at Tuesday, March 04, 2008 | |
This week we muddle through a pretty rough podcast. Derek, Deeps and I discuss the Oscars on TV, LOST, Breaking Bad, Torchwood, and save our show campaigns. Then we ramble a bit more.
Since it is the beginning of the month, I beg for votes on
Podcast Alley.
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
Subscribe to Big Red Podcast by Email
Labels: 2008, podcast, television
By: Alyssa | Sunday, March 02, 2008 at Sunday, March 02, 2008 | |
I found this interesting tidbit on
Apartment Therapy about making your own pet bed. I know several dedicated pet owners and thought they might think it was a little cute, maybe a little funny. So I emailed them the link.
Now go
look at the picture that's linked and come back.
Are you back? Good. My friend, Pudding, shot back a quick reply:
One of the people commenting on the idea/photo referred to the cat in this post as a “sexy kitty.” Really? I don’t know what that means. I mean, I guess the cat’s attractive...
Labels: 2008, pudding, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at Wednesday, February 27, 2008 | |
Last week I went to happy hour - I hadn't been in 2008 so I figured it would be nice to do a little after-work socializing.
About half a beer into the evening, things got interesting. Yes, you read that right. Half a beer. We're older now and don't drink as much.
Anyway, we were chatting about stuff when a friend introduced me to someone new and mentioned that I have a podcast about TV. The new person perked up a lot and started peppering me with questions.
Then she politely said something along the lines of, "All this on top of everything else." My friend looked at her quizzically and the new person shared that she admired my hair. It's big, red and shiny.
This revelation sparked a surreal discussion about my hair with several participants which then segued into a discussion of my eyelashes. Apparently they are also admired by the short-eye lashed people.
Before things got weirder talk turned back to work and kids and LOST. I wasn't sure whether to be flattered or self-conscious.
Anyway, I guess the morale of story is you never know what might happen when half-beers are flying and the
Big Red Podcast lives up to its name.
Labels: 2008, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at Tuesday, February 26, 2008 | |
This week is a real humdinger. Derek, Deeps and I discuss the Pterodactyl theory on
Torchwood, how happy hour can make
LOST a little tougher to follow, how car porn isn't enough to carry a show with a wooden lead in
Knight Rider, bad science on
Sarah Connor Chronicles and finally how to do genre better with
Supernatural.
Plus Derek stuns the group by reading a book(!) called A
nasi Boys by Neil Gaiman and we review
Be Kind, Rewind. Then we totally ignore the Oscars. Weird, huh?
And I beg for votes on
Podcast Alley.
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
Subscribe to Big Red Podcast by Email
Labels: 2008, podcast, television
By: Alyssa | Sunday, February 24, 2008 at Sunday, February 24, 2008 | |
I think life is filled with little moments - encounters - where you discover you have an opinion about something you'd never really considered before.
For example, when looking for a house we had a checklist of stuff we wanted: three bedrooms, off-street parking, at least two bathrooms. It was a relatively simple list but then we were also applying new criteria based on gathering new information - seeing houses.
Prior to house hunting I didn't have any real thoughts about kitchen sinks. But after going though a few houses we determined we liked undermount sinks where you could wipe down a counter directly into the sink without going over a lip.
Apparently, members of the household have opinions about things that are even more mundane than sinks. This came up last night.
Deeps announced he wasn't interested in leftovers - delicious! - but wanted to make himself a sandwich. His sandwich skills are limited, so I expected he go with an ol' fashioned PB&J.
Me: Be careful with the peanut butter.
Deeps: Why?
Me: It isn't as dense as the stuff we've had in the past.
Deeps: Okay.
Me: It spreads more easily.
Moments later.
Deeps: I don't like this new peanut butter.
Me: Why not?
Deeps: It's too gooey.
Me: I guess I won't buy it again.
Sure - you thought you had sorted through all the opinions you have about peanut butter: delicious/not delicious or creamy/crunchy. But now there's a new dimension to consider: gooey/not gooey.
Oh modern life.
Labels: 2008, marriage, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Thursday, February 21, 2008 at Thursday, February 21, 2008 | |
Yesterday Derek, Deeps and I were talking about hot television options for the week and who might watch what.
For
the podcast, I thought we should watch the network premiere of Dexter on CBS. Derek was in favor of the two hour Knight Rider movie. Deeps wanted to watch Breaking Bad.
I conceded we should watch all three - but had a small conflict since our DVR tuner is capable of recording two shows at once if we watched a third.
Deeps: You should watch Knight Rider from 9 to 11. Then we can record Dexter and Breaking Bad.
Me: That's a good idea, but I never make it to 11.
Derek: Why not?
Me: Because I get up at 6.
Derek: In the morning?
Me: Yes.
Derek looked stunned.
For those who wonder - we figured it out. Breaking Bad has "encore" presentations all through the night and the rest of the week.
And I didn't have the heart to tell him I actually get up around 5:45 - but I round up to six for math purposes
Labels: 2008, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Monday, February 18, 2008 at Monday, February 18, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I spend some quality time talking about Breaking Bad, assessing the latest episode of LOST, and analyze the Humphrey Bogart film
In a Lonely Place for the Big Red Film Festival.
And I beg for votes on
Podcast Alley.
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
Subscribe to Big Red Podcast by Email
Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, February 17, 2008 at Sunday, February 17, 2008 | |
Deeps and I have a lot of interests - art, film, cooking, hiking, photography, and books to name a few - but we really like television. We like it so much we do a
weekly pop culture podcast primarily about TV. (Are you still not listening? Because that hurts my feelings - I mean feeling.)
Anyway, the Writer's Strike was a little tougher on us than the usual TV viewer. Not only do we watch TV but we talk about it and other people listen to us discuss it. We muddled through and now that the strike is over, we are just a few weeks away from lots of returning television. Of course, that long run to new television was never more apparent than Wednesday night.
We had sent back our Netflix and the new shipment hadn't arrived yet. We stared down a hideous hour of TV featuring stuff like "Reality Narcissist" and "Suitcase or No Suitcase". I opted to explore the wonders of cable TV "on demand" which means you can watch total crap whenever you want.
Oh and the crap I found. I watched an episode of
Fantasy Island from approximately 1978 (if my reading of roman numerals is right).
It was full of stars: Abe Vigoda, Cesar Romero, John Saxon, Don Knotts, Lisa Hartman and Florence Henderson. Two of the three stories covered topics that I were very popular in the 70s -
nuns in crisis and satanists.
It was awful. Deeps actually begged me to stop watching. When I tried to fire up another episode, he suggested we just go to bed early.
I've been incredibly well-rested all week.
Labels: 2008, marriage, television
By: Alyssa | Friday, February 15, 2008 at Friday, February 15, 2008 | |
Look - I'm not a fan of this holiday. It puts undue stress on couples and singles alike. What I do like about it is the huge amounts of chocolate available everywhere.
That
is worth celebrating.
If you're looking for something to help pass the time this February 14th, I'd suggest checking out the
Big Red Podcast - our weekly pop culture discussion.
This week, I'd dare say that a little bit of love is in the air. Oh wait, that wasn't love. It was sarcasm. But that's good too.
Labels: 2008, holidays, podcast
By: Alyssa | Thursday, February 14, 2008 at Thursday, February 14, 2008 | |
Yesterday, a friend and I took a quick trip over to a local novelty card shop to search for Valentine cards for our husbands. My friend was also looking for birthday cards to mail out - because that's how she rolls (direct quote).
I looked at about 50 cards. We all did - a small group of us congregated by the huge display of cards. By the way, handling dozens of cards like that requires some quality hand washing afterwards. It is worse than buying towels.
Anyway, nobody seemed especially impressed with their choices. People eventually picked cards and faded back towards the register.
Me: I hate all these cards.
Friend: Some of them are pretty awful. This one is cute.
Me: It has kittens. Deeps isn't fond of the cat, he's never come around on kittens.
Friend: Ah. What about this one?
Me: Dogs make him nervous. He didn't grow up with pets. So animal humor is out of the question.
Friend: That rules out most of your options.
Me: I know! And what I'm left with are horrible entendres that are so obvious that I would go so far as to call then nontendres. Seriously listen to this "I like a big piece of chocolate because it is hard outside and has a creamy center."
Friend: That's the kind of thing you'd think was hilarious and sexy when you were 12.
Me: I know!
Friend: Your other option is puns. Oh God, these are really bad.
Me: Maybe I can get a sincere card.
Friend: They can be pretty earnest.
Me: Yikes. These are just so horribly sincere they come off as ironic.
Friend: What about a blank card?
Me: They have puppies, kittens or babies on them. And they're kind of creepy.
Friend: I think you're out of options.
Me: I'm walking away empty-handed.
Friend: But I suspect you've gotten a blog post out of it.
Me: Good point.
Labels: 2008, holidays, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at Wednesday, February 13, 2008 | |
This week Deeps and I tackle the toughest question of our marriage - Are you writing Reba fan fiction? Luckily, Derek is around to help us figure out if our heretofore wedded bliss can survive it. Before we have to call Doctor Phil, we are address the latest developments in the WGA strike.
We talk about three new series including the differences between
Cashmere Mafia and
Lipstick Jungle. That third series is called
Welcome to the Captain and the most important fact you should know is that
Raquel Welch is 68! For reals.
Then we discuss House, LOST, the Korean film The Host and my deep affection for
LEGO Star Wars for the Wii. And I announce the next selection in the Big Red Film Festival:
In A Lonely Place.
And I beg for votes on
Podcast Alley.
Listen to this week's episode.Subscribe to the podcast with
iTunes or your favorite
podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.
Subscribe to Big Red Podcast by Email
Labels: 2008, podcast, television
By: Alyssa | Sunday, February 10, 2008 at Sunday, February 10, 2008 | |
