Currently : Nerd Alert Edition.

You're all tired of my apologies, right? Me too.
So lets just skip that and get on with this episode of Currently.

Book:

Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd
If there is ever a book that was made for me, its this one. A compilation of stories of all geek varieties. It's so very entertaining.

Music:
See below.

Movie:

Pitch Perfect
I can't even begin to explain my love for this movie. I've watched it 5 times since last Friday. It could be the catchy a cappella mash-ups of some really great songs. It could be the hilarity that ensues when Rebel Wilson is in a movie (Fat Amy is my favorite). Though, it's probably the adorableness that is Skylar Astin's character Jesse.

The soundtrack is amazing, I highly recommend it.
You can read my full review on my TV blog.

TV Show:

Big Bang Theory
I started rewatching this amazing series just because I can. I forgot how much I love the first few seasons. Silly pre-Amy Sheldon. I'm also realizing I miss Amy already.

Video Game:

Lego: Lord of the Rings
The Lego games are incredibly entertaining. Usually the best part about them is the fact the characters don't speak, they just grunt and "ooh" and "ahh". It's really funny that way. But in this game, they actually used the actors voices from the movies. While that saddens me, personally, a little bit, it didn't make the game any less enjoyable.


Wallpaper:


Wishlist:
The new season of Doctor Who. I need it in my life now. After the Christmas episode, I need to know how they're going to do all this. It's hurting my brain just to think about.

Excitement:
A bunch of my shows are coming back.

This post doesn't have an interesting title. But it is interesting.

After finishing NaNo, the only thing on my mind was laying bed and watching copious amounts of television (as if this was different from every other day). For the first few days of December that's exactly what I did.

Then, a few days ago, Helen sent me her manuscript to critique. Last time she did this, I failed epically. I think mostly because I was so nervous that I wasn't going to be a good crit partner.

Since Helen is one of my best friends, I was determined to put her book at a higher priority than I had last time (sorry, Helen). This is definitely an interesting experience for me. Mostly because, as of right now (this being the first time I've read through it), with every chapter my only thoughts are:

• OMG! This is amazing.
• I can't believe Helen wrote a book... and it makes sense!
• 
• Can I just steal this main boy away from from her MC and keep him forever?
• I can't be friends with Helen anymore. It's just not fair.
•  

While those are not particularly critical (at all), they are a nessecary step for me in this critique partner process. Chances are, I'll finish it tonight, then take a few days to process, then re-read for a better and slightly more critical look.

I'll also probably still be watching copious amounts of television (I mean, did you SEE that Psych finale? I'm still freaking out about it, I think a Psych rewatch is in order), but mostly, I'm going to attempting to be a better crit partner. After all, what are best friends for if not to be brutally honest with each other.

(Starkid gifs are always appropriate)

Six things I'm in love with right now.

Dr. Pepper Lip Balm

Recently I've decided to try and cut back on my caffiene intake. This has resulted in me craving Dr. Pepper as if it would grant me immortality. My friend Helen bought this a little while ago, and when she said that it actually tasted like Dr. Pepper, I thought she was messing with me.

She wasn't. This lip balm is probably one of the greatest things ever invented. I couldn't actually remember the last time I bought lipsmackers for myself. Now, it's a staple in my purse.

Little Big Planet

I hadn't actually played this game until a few days ago. I wasn't sure if I would like it. It's definitely an Anna game. When it comes to games, I am pretty picky. I generally love RPGs, but Little Big Planet... You get to collect stickers (not actual stickers, but still), and try and jump from place to place. It's kind of awesome. I'm loving this game.

Etsy.com

This is a site that I should not be allowed on right after I get paid. I just look at all the pretties and think "BUY ALL THE THINGS!!!!!!" All handmade, this site is full of amazing jewelry, posters, t-shirts, if you think of it, someone on Etsy probably makes it.

Now with my new blogger position, I have to at least glance at Etsy for article ideas. I'm DOOMED!

Wizard Love

This song has been in my head almost non-stop since I first heard it in July, before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows final movie came out. Just listen, it's addicting. Plus it makes me think of my epic Harry Potter weekend with Helen and Whitney.

Weeping Boos

Curse you TeeFury.com for having awesome-I-need-to-buy-this-now t-shirts! This shirt is the perfect blend of both fandoms. You can tell that Super Mario inspired it, but by looking at the "Boos" you can tell that they are a cartoonified version of the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who (my personal favorite baddie.. they're completely terrifying!) It just came in the mail a few days ago, I can't wait to show it off!

Once Upon a Time

I'm probably going to be murdered by a few of my friends for saying this, but I was very very skeptical about this show. I really, didn't want to like it. But, because of my nature and the fact that it was a tv show based on fairy tales, I decided I needed to give it a chance. 

Plus, it wasn't like I had anything to watch on Sunday nights anyway. 

I quickly became addicted. The main draw for me was Robert Carlyle (Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold), but the thing that keeps me interested the most is the fact that they tweaked the Snow White story so that she's not just a helpless damsel who is waiting for a big strong prince to save her. She actually has some stones.

Five Things I'm In Love With Right Now

1: Braided Bangs
It's been far too long since I've had a hair cut (and by friday this'll change). For those who also share my love of having bangs, you all know that when you go get a hair cut you have about 3 weeks of "Eh, they're okay" bangs, then about two weeks of "OMG! PERFECT LENGTH!" bangs, From there until you get your hair cut again and repeat the process, its "Ugh! My Bangs are so long!" bangs. Braiding them is something I had tried to do a couple of times and failed. My fingers just didn't want to work that way. I finally think I've mastered it. It's cute, and keeps my bangs out of my face. Though I do feel a bit like I'm channeling Quinn Fabray (from Glee) when I braid them.




2: Water Bobble
I first heard about this thing when Kristen Bell tweeted about it. Immediately I knew I wanted one. A Water Bobble is a water bottle that has a filter built into the top. So you can fill it with tap water, and still have it filtered. It super convenient and sleek. I've had at least one person a day for the past few weeks ask me about it. Waterbobble.com




3: Chameleon Circuit: Still Got Legs
Do you like Doctor Who? You should listen to these guys. Chameleon Circuit is, what is now being called, a Trock band. Time-Lord Rock (though personally, I prefer TARDIS rock). A band that writes and sings songs about Doctor Who. This is their second album and I can not stop listening to it. I'm addicted to the songs "Teenage Rebel" and "Big Bang Two". Also, "Still Not Ginger" is a good one.




4: Suits
You didn't think I'd go through this whole post without mentioning a tv show I'm watching did you? I literally just discovered this show on Monday. I had heard a little bit about it here and there, but I watched it for the first time on Monday. This show is full of wonderful eye candy, and really snarky characters. Its really nice to see Zoë Washburne Gina Torres on my TV again. The show it's self is about a brilliant college-dropout, Mike, who teams up with one of the best attorneys that New York has, as a rather unorthodox duo. Suits is on USA Network.




5: Michael Stars Glasses
A little over a month ago, I ordered a new pair of glasses from Coastal Contacts.Com. When they finally arrived, I was in love with them. I had never had a pair of plastic framed glasses before, so getting used to them has been a challenge, but I really love the shape and color, so that's all that matters.

I blame May Sweeps....

It's been a while.

Not much has been up in my life. With the small exception that I'm pretty sure all my tv shows that are ending for the season are going to kill me.

I blame my lack of updates on May Sweeps.

For those who don't know, I watch a lot of TV. When I say a lot, I mean... A LOT! Blame the fact that my husband works nights, or that some TV shows are just too addictive, one way or another, this is the time that all of the shows pull out their big guns. Some shows are very upfront with how they're going to end their season, the show Chuck for example, entitled their season finale "Chuck vs. the Cliffhanger". Hmmm... I wonder how that's going to end. Whereas others are a little more vague in their titles like Bones' "The Change in the Game".

This got me thinking about how people come up with titles for things. Books, TV shows, Movies (that aren't already based on something), and so on. Most TV shows for instance have a theme with their episode titles. Shonda Rhimes' shows have the titles of songs, Friends episodes always start with "The One With/Where...", The Big Bang Theory episodes sound super scientific like "The Lizard-Spock Expansion", I could go on. I think that would be a really fun job. Just coming up with names for episodes of TV shows.

Authors and those who come up with Movie titles have it a little bit harder. The title has to be somewhat descriptive, but it also has to draw people into to read or see it. Take the (amazing!) book by Meg Cabot entitled "Every Boy's Got One". That's right, IMMEDIATELY your mind goes there. No matter how hard you try and fight it, it goes there. But turn it over and the first words are "Every Boy's Got One... A Heart". To me, that was enough for me to pick up the book and read it in just a few hours (the fact that I love Meg Cabot has nothing to do with that). As for movies, have you ever sat through a movie then thought "Why did they call it THAT?" It doesn't happen very often, but when it does I'm one of those people who have a hard time looking past the title to the movie.

I hate to say it, but I'm actually fairly judgmental of titles and covers for books. If the title doesn't grab me, or the cover art is rubbish, I have a hard time convincing myself to pick it up. I'm also one of those people who get frustrated really easily if I can't pronounce a name or something in a book. When I first tried reading Harry Potter in 6th grade, I remember getting so mad that I couldn't figure out how to pronounce Hermione's name that I didn't pick it up again until after the movie came out. At which point I've became obsessed, but that one name and frustration was enough to put me off the series originally.

Just one of the oddities that make up the dazzling person typing this while on break at work.

Why British TV is better than American TV

I've recently been watching a lot of tv. Not that that is anything new, but I've been watching quite a bit of British TV. Not the Old British Comedies that are on late at night on PBS (though those are funny in their own way), but like a few main stream BBC shows such as: Merlin, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Coupling, Robin Hood, and a few others. As I've watched them, I'm realizing that British TV is a lot cooler than American TV.

Now, if you know me, then you know that I LOVE tv. I love watching full series over and over again. It may just be a fad, or a current obsession, but there are a few things that I think that British TV does better than American.

One: Awesome TV show ideas in general
Seriously, look at whats on tv now in America. Really the only thing we do, that stays on air for more than 3 seasons, is comedies and crime and medical dramas. NCIS, Grey's, Law & Order, Bones, How I Met Your Mother, Community, The Big Bang Theory and many more, they thrive in America, and, yes, they're amazing tv shows.

However, UK seems to come up with some of the greatest ideas, that America duplicates later on. Case and Point: Skins. Though I've never actually watched Skins (I've heard amazing things about it from my friends though), most people loyal to the UK version have been completely horrified by the MTV redux, and rightfully so. From all the reports that I've read, MTV!Skins is not as great an investment as they thought it would be. Though on the opposite side, The UK version of 'The Office' didn't last nearly as long as the US version of 'The Office'. Nonetheless, both shows originated in UK.

When I heard that Starz was doing a show called 'Camelot' I immediately thought it was going to be a Merlin-esqe show. Thankfully I was wrong. Merlin is, by far, one of my all time favorite tv shows, I love the idea of seeing how Arthur grew up to become the king of legends. I love the idea of Merlin secretly helping him, trying not to actually use magic in front of him. The story of how Arthur met all the knights of the realm is amazingly told, and to top off the amazing stories, Merlin has some of the best actors I have ever seen! *cough*plusAnthonyStewartHeadisamazingandtheonlyreasonIstartedwatching*endcough*

I'm dreading the day where someone in America wants to remake Doctor Who. I'm sorry, but NO. Just No. Doctor Who as a an American, wouldn't work. Rupert Grint as the Twelve however. THAT I could totally get behind.

Two: Size 14 is Not Fat...
(to quote Meg Cabot)
One thing I love about British TV is that they're not afraid to let a main character in one of their tv shows have a little meat on her bones. Yes, some of them are, but (at least in the shows I've seen) a handful of them would probably be considered on the heavy side here on American TV.

One of my favorite companions on Doctor Who, was Donna Noble. Her character was slightly annoying, kind of abrasive, and rarely accepted it when she was told she was wrong. Granted those are her characters traits, but Catherine Tate is one of the funniest actresses I've seen. Not only that, but she openly advocates for theatre to remain just that, theatre, no fancy gimmicks or celebrity actors to lure people in to coming, "You have to have the right people in the right parts. Stunt casting and being gimmicky does the theatre a great disservice." Which I couldn't agree with more. On top of all these amazing qualities, she's got a little meat on her bones.

It's not just Catherine Tate. Billie Piper (Rose from Doctor Who), Lucy Griffiths (Marian from Robin Hood), even Angel Coulby (Gwen from Merlin), all of them don't fit into the standard definition of a tv actress that American TV has. They all have hips, little bellies, and butts, and when you have actresses like that, it says "Hey look! Normal people on TV! You don't have to be a size two to be pretty!!!", which I for one, LOVE.

Three:They know how to cast!
Okay, so this one is kind of a cheat. American TV shows are amazingly cast. Really, could you see anyone but Neil Patrick Harris playing Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother? Or what about anyone but James Roday playing Shawn Spencer on Psych? American TV has truly great at casting.

Blame it on the fact that I don't live in the UK and therefore when I see someone that I actually know on my favorite BBC shows it makes my fangirl heart flutter, or you could just say I'm easily pleased. British TV really knows how to showcase their actors. Bradley James and Colin Morgan are one of the greatest acting pairs I've seen in a long time, add the chemistry that David Tennant and Billie Piper (or David Tennant and ANY of the companions he's had) had in Doctor Who and you quickly see where I'm getting.

All in all, the title of my blog post may not be accurate. British TV may not be BETTER than American TV, but it certainly has its moments of awesome.

Just add this to the reasons why it'd be cool to live in the UK.