So, yesterday afternoon the universe thought it would be fun to give me a migraine. It's so weird how I'm fine one minute, and the next I'm blinking at my computer screen because I can't see straight and the words are moving. I'm one of the 15% of people who get auras before migraines. For me it's like a white/clear prism. It starts as a cresent moon in my left eye, and then it gradually gets bigger before it takes over my whole field of vision. Then it recedes, and the headache hits like a ton of bricks.

Normally, I would have just gone home, taken drugs and curled up in the dark. However, yesterday was not a normal day. Yesterday was Harry Potter day. The day I'd been looking forward to for quite some time. As soon as I recognized the aura, I took two four six Advil and went home to lie down for an hour or so. Taking the drugs quickly did help to avoid the debilitating pain, at least. I had bought the tickets for me and my friends, and there was no way I was missing this movie, so I popped a couple of Tylenol and headed out.

Despite the throbbing in my head, I still loved the movie. It was just beautifully shot and acted and I can't wait to see it again.

( Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince )

I just finished watching Torchwood: Children of Earth, aka S3. TW always had a sort of goofy quality to it, what with the cheap British sci-fi special effects, the James Marsters appearances and John Barrowman's hammy tendencies. For me that changed at the end of S2 when they shocked me with the turn of events, and with this mini-series, TW really evolved into a very cool show. Russell T Davies has balls. That was awesomely dark and harrowing and heartbreaking.

( Torchwood: Children of Earth )

I watched the first five Harry Potter movies this weekend in preparation for the release of HBP. Needless to say, I'm V.V. EXCITED, OMG. 98% at Rotten Tomatoes! This movie is critic-proof for me, but the good reviews just make me all the more excited.

The thing that's amazing about Sorcerer's Philosopher's Stone is how laughably terrible the CGI effects are. Forget all the smell-the-fart (tm Joey Tribbiani) acting from the kids. That I can live with, since they were just new. But the CGI is so awful! When Hagrid opens the wall to go into Diagon Alley, the moving bricks are so fake. It's incredible that this was only, what 10 years ago? And I remember it looking amazing at the time. How far they've come.

I considered the midnight show tonight, but I'm an old woman and I have to work tomorrow. I just can't do it.

Poll #1429813
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Are you excited about the release of Half-Blood Prince?

Nigel Lythgoe, I have underestimated you.

( SYTYCD )

Also, the weirdest thing about Katie Holmes dancing on the upcoming 100th episode is that she's not known at all for being a dancer. She's known for being Joey Potter and Tom Cruise's prisoner wife. How did she of all people get involved in this? The charity sounds great, don't get me wrong. It's just...odd. I don't think I've ever seen her dance in anything. Am I forgetting some classic Creek episode where Joey got her inner ballerina on?

Last weekend I went to new restaurant O Noir, which is a blind dining experience. It was certainly really interesting, although I wouldn't want to do it regularly. You place your order in the lounge, which is lit. Then a blind waiter leads you into the utterly pitch black dining room. (You put your hand on his shoulder, and the next person in your party puts their hand on your shoulder, etc.) I have to say it was darker than I expected! As we slowly made our way to our table, I had a few moments of panic about the sheer darkness. It's very rare to be in complete dark in our lives -- there's usually some form of ambient light around. But here there was no difference in opening and closing your eyes. Very discombobulating.

Buttering bread without being able to see is very difficult. For most of the meal, we just ate with our hands because trying to scoop up food with a fork was a challenge. It was definitely an interesting experience to imagine what it would be like to be blind. The food was decent, but nothing to write home about. It's more the experience than the meal itself. At one point, someone must have checked their phone and everyone in the dining room gasped at the sudden burst of light. A guy yelled, "Don't make me put my clothes back on!" Hee.

In other news:

( So You Think You Can Dance )

Poll #1427455
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Which man do you WANT to be voted off tonight?

Poll #1427456
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Which woman do you WANT to be voted off tonight?

Last summer I was going to check out the story of John Paul and Craig from England's Hollyoaks, but I'd heard that there wasn't a happy ending. If I'm going to spend days in front of the computer watching YouTube, I want my HEA! Luckily, this was rectified last fall. Thank you, show-runners! Much, much appreciated. Also much appreciated that a fan named Jon uploaded the whole story, which you can find in this playlist.

It starts off as the age-old tale of a gay boy's unrequited love for his straight BFF. Then a funny thing happens -- the straight guy finds himself falling in love in return. This tale has lots of angst, twists, turns, public outbursts (my favourite kind!), secret sex (also my fave!) and most of all, heart. Great chemistry between the actors and I really adored these two boys who were so hopelessly in love with each other despite all the reasons they shouldn't be. If you enjoy a good love story (and a good soap), I heartily recommend it. The story is complete, so it's not a long-term commitment.



( Hollyoaks -- picspam and spoilers for John Paul and Craig storyline )

I have to say that as much as I utterly adore Roger Federer and wanted him to beat the record and win his 15th Grand Slam title, part of me was rooting for Andy Roddick. It's been so long since Andy's been in a final and he played pretty much the best tennis of his life today. Those four set points in the second-set tiebreaker are going to haunt him. He was only broken once, but once was all it took in that fifth set. He must be absolutely devastated, and I really, really hope he can win another Slam before the end of his career. He deserves it.

Funnily enough, once they got into extra games in that final set, my gay boyfriend guessed Roger would win 16-14, and he did. Too bad we didn't put any money on it! We were too busy drinking mimosas and eating strawberries and cream. Oh, Wimbledon. Good times.



I didn't even bother watching the women's final yesterday. Venus and Serena never play their best against each other, and overall the state of the women's game is terrible. Dinara Safina is one of the weakest number ones ever. Very few of the women playing now have that killer/winning instinct. Most of them are basket cases out there, losing serve left and right. It's depressing. Aside from the Serena/Elena Dementieva semi-final, I can't even remember the last time I saw a good women's match.

But anyway. Yay, Roger! Greatest of all time. He really has had such an amazing summer -- getting married, winning the French and Wimbledon and beating Sampras's record, and then baby due in August. He'll be such an adorable daddy. xoxo

I don't know if it's Pride anywhere else, but it's Pride here in Toronto, and the weather couldn't be more glorious. I'm about to go hit the street with the boys and go to a party that will last for many, many hours. My mood below is preemptive. *g*

For the first time, the grand marshal of the parade tomorrow will be a Muslim person of colour, and I think it's fantastic that diversity is being recognized at Pride. I love my city.

Girls, I wish you could be here. :x

Okay, so I loved the first Transformers. Totally silly, stuff blowing up, Shia being awesome. So I was obviously excited to see the new movie. Sweet fancy Moses, I THOUGHT IT WOULD NEVER END. Two and a half hours is just too long for a movie with such little plot. However, the biggest problem for me was that unlike the first movie, where Optimus Prime was generally the only robot pontificating, in this movie almost every freaking robot had something to say. Often something unbearably cutesy and stupid. For example, saying, "In your face" as it shot another robot in the face. Oh, that sparkling wit!

Then there were the two Jar-Jar Binks jive-talking robots who were black stereotypes brought to metallic life. Ugh. I don't want my robots cracking jokes (unless you're Bumblebee) and saying stupid things -- I want them being badass killing machines! I felt like the robots were Ewokified, and I do not approve. I expect better, Michael Bay. And I don't expect much from you, good sir. I checked the time at one point and realized with a sinking sensation that there was AN HOUR LEFT. If it wasn't for Shia, I would have left.

So then I get home, turn on the TV, and see the caption, "Share your thoughts on Michael Jackson's death." My thoughts were these: "What? What?!? WHAT?!?!?" I can't say I was a big fan or that I'm particulary sorry he's dead. I was a HUGE fan during the "Thriller" years, but the child molestation was impossible to get past. I know he was never convicted, but come on. You don't settle a molestation civil suit out of court unless you're guilty. That's all there is to it for me. At the very least, there were inappropriate boundaries being crossed with those sleepovers, etc.

It'll be interesting to see what the autopsy results are. My guess is mixing prescription drugs. Or perhaps all those surgeries weakened his heart? I don't know if that's even possible, but let's just say he didn't look like the picture of health. Such a strange, pitiful story his life was.

Oh my God, I love Matt Doyle so much. How is he so wonderful? The pulling up his pants nervously at the beginning is do dorktastic, and his voice is just divine. The way he puts his hand on his chest whenever he sings something emotional just kills me. OH, MATT. Don't ever change. Also, I love how people can't help but laugh at the line about never longing for anyone, "especially a girl." Hee.



In other news, TV IS HERE. Since Best Buy doesn't deliver after 6pm (OMG WTF?) I'm working from home, which I don't mind one little bit.

I gave the delivery guys the $15 in my wallet to take my old TV to the curb. That thing was HEAVY. The one guy hit on me and said my husband should carry it out. I obliged him and said I had no husband, and he said that wasn't possible, etc. Me: "Yes, it's shocking, I know."

Much like an affectionate cat meowing and licking my hand at a shelter, this 37-inch Samsung TV leapt out and captured my attention at Best Buy. The picture just looked so much better than the Sharp or the LG, and next to the 37, the 32 looked so tiny. The price recently came down and although it was $200 more than the 32-inch Sharp, I couldn't resist. Those five inches make a difference. (That's what she said.)

A co-worker expressed incredulity that I needed to run out and get a TV on the very day the other one tragically passed away. "But it's summer. There's nothing on." Oh, non-TV junkies. I just want to pinch their little cheeks. Hello, I have a Weeds marathon going on! And not being able to just flip on the TV and check the weather or whatever makes me strangely anxious. I don't like feeling cut off from the world, you know? So instead I'll go into a little more debt. Heh.

Thanks so much to everyone who weighed in on my previous post with advice and condolences. Much appreciated!

I turned on my TV this morning to check the weather and it made an unholy noise, an alarmingly loud crackling and howling (it scared the shit out of me!) that sounded as if it came from the very pit of hell. When that was over, it just made a noise that sounded like a car blinker and the lights on the front flickered on and off. I unplugged it, but when I plugged it back in, the blinker noise and flickering lights started again.

Needless to say, I have to buy a new TV today. Great, there's a chunk of change I wasn't planning on spending this summer. But the TV that just died is a tube and it's so heavy I wouldn't even be able to take it to the shop. Also, in this day and age, it's like putting good money after bad. So, does anyone have any recommendations for TVs? Any particular brands? I'm thinking 32 inches, or maybe 37. This Sharp Aquos looks good. Or this LG, but the lack of reviews makes me leery.

I'm not one to buy store warranties, but what about with an LCD TV? Are they more apt to break?

Thoughts?

I took a few vacation days last week and did some local tourist things with my best friend from Ottawa. We visited the Royal Ontario Museum on Wednesday and stayed in Stratford on Thursday. We saw Cyrano de Bergerac starring Colm Feore, who you probably recognize from one of the zillion TV shows or movies he's been in (most recently he was the First Gentleman on 24). His wife Donna directed the play, and they make a fabulous team.

Going in I only knew the story from that old Steve Martin movie, and needless to say the original French play is just a tad more tragic. Christian was played by Mike Shara, who was Brett Keller on Queer as Folk. When the show started, I knew I recognized him from something, but I couldn't remember what until I saw QAF in his credits. He was really good! He got some big laughs and was very appealing. Colm Feore was amazing and got a well-deserved standing O. My only complaint is that at over three hours, it was a long play and the seats desperately need repadding. My poor numb ass!

On Saturday we went to see the Toronto Symphony Orchestra take on ABBA. Finnish singing group Rajaton did the vocals and it was SO much fun. Some of the media in Toronto is like, Oh, it's so crass and mercenary for the TSO to do ABBA. To which I say, OMG, STFU. It was FUN. Heaven forbid anyone have a good time at the symphony! Rajaton (rye-a-tonne) were amazing. They did acappella versions of "Fernando," "Head Over Heels" and "Voulez-Vous" that were excellent. The orchestra was conducted by Steven Reineke, who is the new musical director of the New York Pops. He is also rather fetching, and BFF and I enjoyed watching him. We just got the cheap seats, but to me they're the best seats in the house. You're on the side of the stage, right over the orchestra and in front of the conductor. To me it's far more interesting than just seeing them from the house; I love seeing the conductor's expressions.

At the end, the audience gave them a standing O and then there was an encore (including "Waterloo," which I called as soon as I noticed it wasn't on the program). Almost everyone was standing up and dancing, and people were coming down the aisles to dance by the stage. As I said, FUN. Lots of cheering and singing along, too. The singers and conductor conferred after "Waterloo" and did a reprise of "Dancing Queen." Good times, good times. Thank you for the music, ABBA. I never get sick of it.

*

In other news, I finished S2 of Weeds last night and immediately had to watch the first two eps of S3, because that was quite a cliffhanger! O.M.F.G. Can't wait to watch more of S3 tonight. Oh, how I love marathoning TV. I'm thinking The West Wing should be next. That way I can finally appease the people who have been telling me to watch it for years. You know who you are. *g*

Happiest of birthdays to the lovely Lara, aka oatmeal_cookie. It's been such a pleasure getting to know you this year, and I'm very grateful that my old VM fanfic brought us together in a roundabout way via Spring Awakening. You're unfailingly generous and I adore your infectious enthusiasm and love of the squee. Have a fabulous day! xoxo

bliss_ and I went to the ballet on Saturday and saw a double bill: Skin Divers and the North American premiere of a new Carmen. Skin Divers was a bit too pretentious with the reading of Anne Michael's poetry and screens with naked bodies projected, but the dancers were excellent. It was interesting and it's always nice to see something different, but it didn't knock my socks off.

Carmen definitely did! My ballet girlfriend Heather Ogden was fantastic in the title role. The choreography rarely let up and she really danced the hell out of it and was v.v. sexy. One of my fave corps dancers, Robert Stephen, played her lover Garcia and was excellent. He was just promoted to second soloist, so clearly the PTB agree. Noah Long, another talented corps dancer, played Don Jose and was also just promoted to second soloist. It's nice to see young dancers making their way up the ranks.



*

In other news, we watched True Blood S1. Well, some of it since we fast-forwarded through most of the interminable Tara scenes and a lot of Jason's, too. I'm amazed how much screen time the secondary characters get! I wish I liked them more, but they're so annoying. I also wish Bill was remotely attractive. Stephen Moyer's casting is an utter mystery to me. All the actors in Hollywood, and this is the one they chose? Really? He's so...meh.

( True Blood )

I am, however, burning through (har har) Weeds. Oh, Hunter Parrish. How I adore you! The whole cast is so fantastic. Mary-Louise, Elizabeth Perkins, Justin Kirk, Kevin Nealon. I've seen episodes here and there over and years and always meant to do a complete watch, and I'm so glad to have something really enjoyable for summer. Well, for the next week at least, since it's not taking me long to whip through seasons.

Speaking of enjoyable things for summer, I caught up on SYTYCD. I predicted the elimination and I wasn't too sorry to see either of them go. Overall I thought the top 20 did a fabulous job. Still too early to pick favourites, but there's no one I really dislike, which is nice.

Happiest of days to angelchicken and eee1313! I hope your birthday is even a fraction as awesome as you are, because that is v.v. awesome.

*

Two days late, but this makes me very happy:



I just adore them and I wish I could go back to NYC before they leave and see Kiril and Trent. I'd also love to see David again, of course. I hope all the little boys out there doing ballet and being teased are taking heart. Not that schoolyard bullies watch the Tonys, but you know.

Allez, Roger! I'm so, SO pleased that he's finally won the French Open and achieved the career Grand Slam, not to mention tied Pete Sampras' record. Man, if he could beat it at Wimbledon next month, that would be fantastic.

Also loved that Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf were there to give the trophies out this year. They are one of those couples I adore. Same with Roger and Mirka. It was so sweet when he called her "[his] lovely wife" during his speech. Bless his heart. Man, I was so nervous for him serving out that final game, and clearly he was too, since he got down break point. I was worried there for a minute, because momentum can switch so fast in tennis. So glad he closed it out and now he's the champion.

Oh, Mia Michaels. Why do you have to be such a petty bitch?

( So You Think You Can Dance )

Here is a question to which there is only one answer. Ever.

"Do you think we should crash the memorial?"

*headdesk*

I'm assuming Adam's not really dead, since there's no body (not that a dead body is really a hindrance to someone returning on a soap), but I wonder where they're going with this military guy. He's cute, at least. He must have been thinking that Adam was REALLY unloved (which I guess he was when Matthew Morrison played him and he became a crazy attempted rapist) since only six people (three of them crashers!) came to the guy's memorial. No budget for Kim and Bob to put in an appearance, I guess.

Also, Casey's hair has become epically bad. I can barely watch his scenes anymore. The cut, the colour -- it's all just tragic.

More than a few people were whispering "historique, non?!"

My gay boyfriend called me this morning to tell me to turn on the TV because Rafa Nadal was in serious trouble at Roland Garros. And serious trouble it was indeed. Rafa out in the fourth (!!!) round. To Soderling! (!!!!!!) The same player who could only win a game against Rafa in Rome last month. Man, this was a bad day at the office for Nadal. The poor boy must be in complete shock.

On the bright side, Roger Federer's odds of finally, finally winning the French have just skyrocketed. It's not in the bag by any means, but the road was just cleared of a major, major roadblock. Oh, how happy I would be if Roger could win!

*

My parents and I went to see the National Ballet of Canada's Giselle yesterday, and it was just gorgeous. We had amazing seats close to the stage and I was spellbound throughout. Especially in the second act, which had less story and more dancing.

My ballet boyfriend Nehemiah Kish has gone to the Danish Royal Ballet permanently, which hurts my feelings, but I got to see my second fave, Guillaume Côté, as Albrecht. He's 27 and an amazing dancer. Also extremely pretty.



( Giselle, complete with wardrobe malfunction )