Big, big Love

A year or so ago, my school friends (CONE) got me into "Big Love" on HBO. I did not have HBO, but they were really into this show about polygamy in the suburbs. I got the first season on Netflix and was hooked. Within the last year, Polygamy has become very "in". A lot of former FLDSers (Fundamental Latter Day Saints) have written scathing books about life in these compounds both in Utah/Arizona and down in Texas. Big Love tells the story of Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton, yes from Weird Science) a former Mormom LDS member who was raised on a compound. For about 15 years he lived a "normal" existence as the owner of Home Plus (the Utah version of Home Depot) and the husband to Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn). Barb later fell ill with cancer (happened off screen before he show started) and Nicki Grant came from the compound and helped to care for her. Nicki is played by the fabulous Chloe Sevigny. She's definitely someone you love to hate. The third wife, Margie, is played by the delightful Ginnifer Goodwin from "Mona Lisa Smile" and "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton". If you were a "Veronica Mars" fan you will find many of our favorites with smaller regular roles; Amanda Seyfried, "Lilly Kane" plays daughter Sarah. Tina Majorino, Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie, plays Sarah's straight arrow LDS friend Heather and Kyle Gallner, who played Beaver plays a friend also from another polygamist family.
As a historian, it is really interesting to think about this idea of concubines and multi-wives through history. There are so many ancient cultures- like Egypt or China- where you hear about "first wife" having a hold on power. The big issues with crazy compound polygamy as often seen in the news is the child abuse and welfare abuse. It kind of makes you wonder, if these people want to live that way, and can support themselves, what's the problem? The new episodes start in January and if you have HBO, all the episodes are currently on On Demand. (Like other HBS shows, some of the episodes might seem a little pornish, but hey that's your warning!)

Ghosts, Spirits, and things that go bump in the night

I've always enjoyed, while also being slightly terrified of, the paranormal. I'm always fascinated by those mediums who can tell "who" is around you- and I've always wondered who would be there. (I guess probably my favorite aunt, Marie, who always helps me get great parking spaces especially at the mall!) As a kid, I was kind of obsessed with the show "Unsolved Mysteries", while also getting nightmares from many of the episodes. I'm home tonight, watching some t.v., and I'm watching "Ghost Whisperer". I think I've only watched this show one other time. I have to say, it's pretty good. I believe Stacey may be a fan as well. (I should always know, Stacey picks the great shows; Veronica Mars, Buffy, Project Runway, and so many more.) I've been prejudiced against this show because it bumped a personal favorite of Stacey and myself off the air, the fabulous Joan of Arcadia. I also find Jennifer Love Hewitt mildly annoying and too pretty, etc. I guess she was handpicked for this role by the big medium, James Van Praag who the show is based on. The show just had a big twist (that I won't reveal here just in case) but in the vein of the Fast Forward on Desperate Housewives and the Flash Backs and Forwards on Lost, with it being a big change that added something interesting to the show.
I guess I could add another Supernatural themed show to tonights blog. FRINGE!
This is a new show that I've been really enjoying, although I will admit that I sometimes watch it with one eye closed. I know that Mommy Esq. also enjoys. I really have always loved anything by J.J. Abrams (Felicity, Alias, Lost- amazing) The Boston/Massachusetts/New England based stuff definitely adds to my interest in this show. It's nice to see Joshua Jackson, Pacey, back in action.
Any other paranormal shows I should be watching?

Holiday Faves

So, I've been neglecting this blog. I honestly don't know where time goes- the last two months have absolutely flown. November is one of my busiest months of school and it's hard to catch your breath. It's not that I haven't been watching tv, because of course I have. I think I just don't always give it my full attention, and it becomes bacground noise.

The holiday season officially begins this week (although the retailers of America would like us to think it started on Veteran's Day) Tomorrow (Tuesday) night a fabulous classic, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" will be on ABC. Even my closest of friends may not know that "Snoopy" is my thing at school. As an elementary school teacher, it helps to have a thing, because then the kids buy you less random crap. (No parents and future parents who read this blog, we teachers do not want cutesy teacher plaques or teacher quote books. Get us B&N or Dunkin Donut Giftcards, please.) I show all the different Peanuts specials, and the Thanksgiving one is probably my favorite. The best part is that I serve the kids (actually the whole fifth grade) the Thanksgiving that Snoopy serves to Charlie Brown's guests; popcorn, pretzels and jelly beans. Snoopy also serves toast, but that would be a whole lot of effort. The kids get the biggest kick out of this! Another funny aspect of the whole thing is the confusion the kids have over Peppermint Patty. Every year at least one kid asks, "is that a boy or a girl?" Hmmmmmm......time for some diversity lessons.

I have so many Christmas favorites- Frosty, Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and the Peanuts Christmas- where of course the euphemism of the "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" comes from. (One of my students actually made me a Charlie Brown Christmas tree which I thought was so sweet, and Natalie was totally horrified by!) The favorite Christmas special has to be "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Oh, how I love this! Just today while I was teaching about Canadian Provinces and Territories, and I compared the Yukon Territory to Yukon Cornelius.

PS- Don't forget to watch for the Snoopy balloon in the Macy's Day Parade!!!

Behind the Eight Ball!

An apology to all of my peeps out in blogger land. My lack of blogging is attributed to the swamp of report cards and conferences, and will be surfacing soon (maybe even tonight)

Thanks!