365 Seinfeld - Day Three

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It didn’t come till 6 p.m., but it came! I went to visit a friend today, so I knew the Seinfeld reference would be tough. I don’t recall my friend and I having conversations about Seinfeld. Later, when I returned home, my husband and I took the dog for a walk and then decided to chat over a latte. We enjoyed our coffee and then popped into Half Price Books. I was looking for some affordable calendars. I found a great week-at-a-glance type that would be great for tracking my blog posts. I happily paid the $3.98 and told my husband, “Man, that calendar is going to be awesome! It’s scratching me right where I itch!”
Kramer said that line, but I’m a bit cloudy on the episode. I think it was the one where Kramer and Morty Seinfeld decide to sell the raincoats together. Am I right?

Sherlock Holmes

Thanks, I’ll pass

Look, I’m going to be honest with you. This pic is the main reason I went to see Sherlock Holmes. Robert Downey Jr. has managed to give us several decades of hotness, not to mention fantastic acting performances.

Downey did not disappoint, but many other aspects of the film did. I have to place the blame with the director, Guy Ritchie. He seems like would rather be a member of Fight Club than make a good movie. All his movies have dudes engaging in bloody fights. The adorable Rachel McAdams was completely wasted to the point where I wonder if Ritchie simply didn’t know what to do with a chick!

What did work was Jude Law as Watson. Law tends to be a forgettable actor for me. However, when I see him on the screen, he always delivers a top-notch performance. The chemistry between Law and Downey was the best part of the film.

The scenery was rich and authentic looking. Everything looked and felt believable, but at a running time of 2 hours and 14 minutes, I found myself screaming for an editor. This, once again, brings up the excessive fight scenes. I decided that I could sneak in a little snooze during one of the extended brawls and guess what? I opened my eyes and quickly picked up the story without having missed anything I needed to understand the plot.

Of course the end of the picture hinted at a sequel, and I’m sure they’ll make one. I’ll be torn. Maybe if they bring in another director, or if you can promise me better pacing. If not, I’m afraid I’ll have to save my $10 bucks and nap at home.

365 Seinfeld - Day Two

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Often there is a fear that when you make something “official” it will disintegrate before your eyes. Hours floated by today with no Seinfeld references. Did I curse myself? Would it all end now? By 9 p.m. I was blessed with not one, but three. Here’s the breakdown:

I was grocery shopping with my husband and we picked over the 50% off Christmas items shelf. I look over at my hubby, who’s holding up a red knitted cap…in the grocery store? He says to me, “I like this hat.” He used this weird voice. I crinkled my nose: “What?”
“Remember when Kramer wanted those Cuban cigars and he had to trade his jacket? That guy touched his jacket and said, ‘I like this jacket.’”

I was done. Whew! This experiment was going to work. I relaxed and prepared for my son’s evening basketball game. During the game, I sat next a co-players dad and daughter. The daughter was playing some weird video game for her Nintendo DSI. She was able to take pictures and stretch them or place obscure templates around them. She took I picture of her dad and placed his face on a king playing card. When I looked over, the dad said to me, “Look, I’m the King!” I laughed and said, “I’M THE KING!” In the same tone as “I’m THE WIZ!” Wow, twice in one day!

On our return home I began making muffins to take to my friend’s house tomorrow. I pulled out some muffin paper liners. I grabbed the first ones I found. They were Winnie the Pooh. When my daughter came over to see what I was making she saw the muffin liners and exclaimed, “Pooooh!” Just like Elaine when she’s stupid and she’s trying to do the crossword puzzle.

Since I was bombarded with so many references today, I thought I should post this. If I wait till the end of the week, it will be WAY too long!

365 Seinfeld

I was right. I couldn’t pull myself away from The Twilight Zone marathon long enough to write a New Year’s Day post. Oh well…in the end I made the right choice. It’s only once a year that the Syfy network rolls those out, so I must indulge myself

Now we’re here with a new year – heck, a new decade- and Colleenie’s Couch is going to up the ante. You can still take a seat on the couch and get great TV, movie, book and music reviews, but I’m adding several new regular features that I think you’ll enjoy.

I already mentioned that this is the place to be when American Idol revs up again later this month. My regular feature “Idol Chatter” will be a great forum to discuss and diss all the current contestants. Believe me, I have lots of opinions and advice. It’s my firm belief that the show should have hired me instead of Ellen!

Another new feature will be 365 Days with Seinfeld. Seinfeld is just hands down the best sitcom ever. My husband and I loved this show when it originally aired. Now my oldest child regularly watches the repeats and even my youngest pops in now and again. This show really has staying power! I began to notice that we make lots of Seinfeld references. It got me thinking, “I’ll bet we don’t get through a 24 hour period without quoting Seinfeld.” Once I started to pay attention, I realized I was right. Within one day, we’ll either quote it, or something will happen to make me refer back to the show.

So here we go. I’m unveiling 365 Seinfeld. This is a completely organic experiment to see how many days in 2010 I will quote, think and encounter Seinfeld references. I don’t want to bombard you with a daily post, so my thought is to post a week’s worth each Friday. As we go along, maybe this will change. If you would also like to post your Seinfeld occurrences, please feel free.

Now, much like the episode The Contest, we all have to be comfortable within the confines of the honor system. I’m no George. I’ll be completely honest about my days. If I honestly get through a whole day with no reference, I will let you know. This is only an experiment. There is no medal or anything at the end of the year. However, wouldn’t that be awesome? What would be a great Seinfeld trophy? Maybe that blue lady statue George broke as a kid? How about a Tweety Bird Pez dispenser? Or a poster signed by “the other one” of The Three Tenors?

Let’s get started then, shall we? As previously mentioned, yesterday was all about The Twilight Zone Marathon. It was afternoon, I was still in my pj’s and I was doing load after load of laundry. I knew at some point I was going to have to get dressed and go grocery shopping. With the kids on school break, they’ve been eating me out of house and home. Still, I was in a laundry groove and didn’t want to go out in public. The afternoon drug on and I knew I had to get it in gear. I looked at my husband and said, “But I don’t wanna go grocery shopping!” It was the best Jerry whine I could muster. My husband replied, “I don’t wanna be a pirate!” My daughter, who was at the computer, chuckled. “Puffy shirt!” we all exclaimed.

So begins 2010. Right now I’m the only one awake. It’s unlikely I’ll get a Seinfeld reference now, but it’s not impossible! I have fourteen hours to go!

New Year's Eve On My Couch

So if you wonder what Colleenie does on New Year's Eve, I'll tell you. I watch "The Twilight Zone" marathon on the SYFY network. I've been doing this for years. Before SYFY picked up the duty, a local TV station would run the marathon. I never grow tired of these gems.

To Serve Man

The Howling Man

Time Enough at Last

Next Stop Willoughby

I Sing the Body Electric

The Living Doll

It just goes on and on. Come on, I'll let you squeeze in on the couch. Join me tomorrow as I talk about some of my new features for 2010! Actually, I might be a little tired. I'm going to be up pretty late!

Merry Christmas!

Colleenie's Couch wishes you a wonderful day filled with awesome Rankin Bass specials and classic movies. Don't forget to spin some of your favorite Christmas tunes. At my house we'll enjoy some fine food and then settle down to a viewing of "Charlie Brown Christmas." There's nothing better. Enjoy!

Thanks iTunes!

I just want to extend a heart felt thanks to iTunes. This morning I logged on to my iTunes account to check out what's new. Since my children are always hogging the computer, I can only spend time with my iTunes account on weekend mornings when they are asleep.

I often download the free songs because, hey, they are free. I've actually found some great new bands/singers through their offerings. I also grab the "Pick of the Week" cards from Starbucks and download those songs too.

This week however, iTunes didn't have just a free song but a whole album of various artists Christmas tunes...for free! Each year I treat myself to a new Christmas album, but as is true for many of you out there, this is an extra tight Christmas. Getting to add to my extensive Christmas music collection for free, makes me feel like I received an early present!

So thanks iTunes, you made my day. This album is being offered for a full week. It started on the 8th, so that means there's only three days left, get on over there and collect your free holiday cheer!

Glee Finale

So FOX is really going to cut me off from Glee? Last night was the last episode until April. It’s rare that a television show can permeate other areas of your life like Glee has.

On my lunch hour yesterday, I was walking around actually worrying about Finn. How crushed would he be if he found out about Quinn and Puck? I’m actually feeling like these are real people!

The finale did not disappoint. Scandal, tension, revenge, sex…this show truly has it all. Then there are the songs. I’m not a fan of “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” but dang, that Lea Michele can belt out a tune.

I wish I could hug Mr. Shue. What a great teacher. To see him teary-eyed for his glee club…this show leaves me feeling so happy and tingly. My daughter and I were screaming and high fiving! I haven’t been this excited in front of the tube since Kris won American Idol. Shout out to me, because I picked up on the “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” hint. My daughter had no clue when I told her they we’re going to sing The Rolling Stones. She thinks I picked up on that because I’m old. It’s really because I’m the Queen.

It’s going to be a long four months. I miss you already Glee!

*Note to the writers – If Mr. Shue is the Spanish teacher, do you think we can get a hot salsa number going?

New Buble Song

I kept hearing this song on the radio the last couple of weeks and I couldn't quite put my finger on why it was bugging me. I've got it! It sounds like the theme song for a bad sitcom! Something that would star John Stamos or Scott Baio. This is too bubbly, even for Buble.

Falling Off the Couch

Well I did fall off my couch for awhile. My brain is constantly spinning with reviews and things to recommend to all, but I seriously lacked “butt in the chair” time. You guys know how it is. Sometimes it all snowballs. I’ve crawled back on up and I’m ready to roll again!

I have to be honest; the economy has hit everyone hard, including yours truly. Even simple entertainment, like taking in a flick with the family, can add up to a large chunk of change.

Recently, my family went to see Disney’s A Christmas Carol, and the total ticket price for five was $57.50!

Still, I’m trying to keep up on music, TV, books and films. Once the kids are back in school, the reading thing gets difficult too! I did read a good chunk of books over the summer that I didn’t review yet, so I can hook you up with those.

Even when I’m not blogging, I’m thinking about great things for my blog. 2010 is going to be a fabulous year for Colleenie’s Couch. In the next couple of week’s I’ll be unveiling some new regular features, so check back often so you don’t miss anything!

First up, next year will bring Idol Chatter, the best place to talk about American Idol. Last year I was honored to be one of six panelists to blog about American Idol for my local newspaper The Contra Costa Times. I had a blast and now I’m accustomed to my opinions going live as soon as the telecast wraps. I’m hoping some of you out there will join me in rooting for your favorites and blasting the appallingly horrific. With the addition of Ellen and the departure of Paula, I’m sure we’ll all have lots to talk about!