Jason is Awesome. In Other News, I am Self-Centered and Suck.

So, Jason has been a very good friend to me for about 10 years now. Hands down, the best work husband/Broadway buddy that a girl could ever hope to have in her life. I mean, I would eat gluten-free macaroni for this guy.

And that, dear readers, is why I have no explanation for not giving Jason a birthday shout-out on his birthday. I was obsessed with making sure I was the first to text him (I was) and post on his Facebook wall at midnight (I did). So, why didn't it make it to Musings? Why wasn't that my very first thought? My only explanation is that I had my head up my ass. I mean - what else could it be?

Jason - please accept my heartfelt apology and know that my oversight is only because I can't stop obsessing on my own issues and not because you've been replaced in my heart. You're the only work husband/Broadway buddy I need.

In the Kitchen: Texas Caviar (and more!)

So, last fall I invited myself to Gordon Family Giants Sunday. I donned by Buffalo Bills shirt (represent!) and hauled my metaphorical cookies to Brooklyn. And it was well worth the trek to Brooklyn, because upon arrival I was basically assaulted with some of the most delicious food I've ever had. I brought the makings for jalapeno cheddar dip (courtesy of my mom) and Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies), Dangordit whipped up some killer chili and buffalo wings, Papa Gordon made ribs that melted off the bone - no joke, Pam must have made something that I wolfed down that I'm forgetting, Denise (aka Awesome sister #1) made stuffed mushrooms so delicious that I wish I'd bagged some up and put them in my purse and Laura (aka Awesome sister #2) forever changed my world by contributing Texas Caviar. I've been obsessed with it ever since. So simple, so delicious. So deceptively healthy? What? True dat, bitches. This dip, which I think can be a main dish also, has nothing in it that is "bad" for you - but it's still bite of delicious after bite of delicious.

I requested a Gordon Family Giants Sunday cookbook, but it hasn't materialized yet. Maybe they are saving it for 2009/2010? So, I searched this thing called the Internet and found this recipe of KraftFoods.com.

Texas Caviar

And for kicks - here are the recipes I contributed.

Puppy Chow

Jalapeno Dip - 1 bag/2cups cheddar cheese, 1 block monetary jack w/ peppers cubed, 1 block Swiss or Colby cubed, ½ cup chopped onion, 1 cup real mayo—mix all bake 20 min, stir bake 10 more at 375, can be microwaved if necessary

And Dangordit - I need my cheese dip pan back. Don't think I'm letting you off that easy!

When It's Time for Change...

Not sure if you've heard, but today is Inauguration Day 2009. I know - it probably snuck up on you. There is a variety of celebratory programming on all day today - both on TV and online. Oprah's show is in DC all week and is even offering a free download of America's Song until 5:00 PM today.

A New Blog in Town

Well, maybe not new, but likely new to my readers. All half dozen of you...

If you're looking for further diversion during the day, please take yourself over to the Phenthouse. You really never know what you might uncover. Enjoy!

Excellence in Advertising: Peyton Manning, Part Deux (aka My Fascination Continues)

I just saw this commercial again - and realized it needed to be shared with the world the best way I know how - Musings.



And I've been missing this one from year's past. So here it is for my loyal readers. "Laser rocket arm" is one of my favorite phrases.

Money Matters: Suze Orman Might Be Scary, But She's Rich, Bitches!

I am not a huge fan of watching Oprah, but for some reason I cannot resist the lure of Suze Orman so I had to tune in when she was on as part of Oprah's Best Life Series (gag). I don't know why I love her, but I do.

So anyway, I sat through the show so you don't have to - though, frankly, if you're feeling bad about your financial situation, I highly recommend hearing strangers discuss being over $70,000 in credit card debt (and that doesn't account for any mortgage, car, etc debt) - makes me feel like I've got all my shit together. And - there were takeaways - like Download Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan in English.* This book is copyrighted. You may view and download the file, but you may not copy the file or share or forward it to any other person. Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. CT on Thursday, January 15.

Other tools (budget worksheets, etc) are available on Oprah's site as well.

And - there's going to be a follow-up webcast of some sort at 9:00 pm on Thursday, January 15 on Oprah's site also.

You can buy me dinner with all the money you save as a result of me passing this on to you!

Kelly Clarkson's New Song - The New Hotness or Sign of the Apocalypse?

I leave it to you, super savvy readers.

Excellence In Advertising: Rain, This One's For You!

So, Lorraine shares my passion for a good commercial. Today's post has two of her favorites.

Memories!


And how's your credit?

So Much TV, So Little Time!!!

Just when I think I'm caught up on what's back on TV and am finally free to settle into a routine, something new pops up that I think I need to work in. Here's the latest group of shows you might be missing.

Shows Premiering This Week
The Beast (A&E; Jan. 15) - Patrick Swayze's new show
Sober House (VH-1; Jan 15) - Follow the patients from Celebrity Rehab as they try to stay clean
Big Love (HBO; Jan. 18) - When we last left the Henrickson's, the shit was hitting the fan big time.
United States of Tara (Showtime; Jan. 18) - new show featuring Toni Collette
The L Word (Showtime) - I don't watch this show, but I hear good things.
Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Showtime) - I do believe that Belle is working for herself now.

Shows in Progress
Real World (MTV) - Brooklyn, baby! This just started, so you should be able to catch up quickly.
The City (MTV) - Whitney from The Hills moved East and now has her own show in NYC.
Bromance (MTV) - Yeah, I tried to watch an episode of this, but I just couldn't stomach Brody Jenner's search for a new BFF.
Daddy's Girls (MTV) - The awesome Rev. Run's daughters have their own show now.
Tool Academy (VH-1) - World class douchebags think they are reporting to a Mr. Awesome contest (no joke), only to find their girlfriend's have turned them in for "boyfriend rehab."
Diet Tribe (Lifetime) - Five friends team up to slim down.

Sweet Tracy Morgan

So, overall the Golden Globes did not disappoint. J. Lo referred to herself as "Mama," Ricky Gervais was completely on point, Kate Winslet was adorable (twice), Drew Barrymore and Renee Zellweger both looked insane and Tina Fey told Internet critics to suck it. But the really best part? One Mr. Tracy Morgan. Behold:

Sunshine on a Monday Morning

Monday mornings aren't usually full of warm, fuzzy feelings. This video is about to change that.



Don't even try to tell me you aren't smiling...

Weekly Watchings

You are free to make your own decisions, but here are my recommendations.

Monday
Big Bang Theory; How I Met Your Mother; 24; The Bachelor; Gossip Girl; One Tree Hill; Daddy's Girls

Tuesday
NCIS; Biggest Loser; 90210; The Mentalist (love, love, LOVE this show); Privileged; Without a Trace; Leverage (almost like a modern day A-Team): Dirty Jobs; Wreckreation Nation (premiere); Real Housewives of Orange County; Nip/Tuck; Chopped (Food Network)

Wednesday
Knight Rider (I think I'm about to give up on this one); American Idol (2 hours, baby!); Criminal Minds; CSI NY; Law & Order; Top Chef New York; Real World Brooklyn; Damages; Man vs. Food (on Travel Channel - highly entertaining)

Thursday
Bones (new night!): Ugly Betty; The Office; 30 Rock; CSI (Grissom is leaving, Laurence Fishborne is coming); Eleventh Hour (one of the best new shows of this season); Private Practice; Supernatural; Sober House (premiere); The Beast (premiere)

Friday
Ghost Whisperer; Wife Swap; Flashpoint; Friday Night Lights (Premiere - unless you have DirectTV - one of the BEST shows on TV); Monk; Psych; NUMB3RS

Saturday
Not too much going on - Saturday Night Live has Rosario Dawson and a band I've never heard of before.

Sunday
The Mentalist (special episode! Yahoo!); Desperate Housewives; Brothers & Sisters; Confessions of a Teen Idol; Rock of Love Bus; Tool Academy; The L Word; Big Love; United States of Tara; Secret Diary of a Call Girl

Friday Funny

So, when a new person starts here, an email is sent to a select group of people with the start date and relevant information - phone, fax, etc. Well - today I got one of those emails. And then the following "reply to all" response:

His phone number needs to be 3171. Please change your records accordingly. I apologize for any incontinence. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions.

And then I laughed and laughed.

Weekend Highlights

At some point over the weekend, I'll do the listings for next week, but with new episodes starting tonight, I wanted to give you a weekend update. There are certainly plenty of options, but these are my picks.

Friday
CBS - Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint and NUMB3RS are all new; NBC - Lipstick Jungle; ABC - Supernanny; USA - Monk and Psych

Saturday
ABC - The Bachelor (repeat but I know someone who knows one of the bachelorettes so I need to take a look); NBC - Saturday Night Live; VH-1 - May catch up on Rock of Love Tour Bus and Confessions of a Teen Idol (whatever - don't judge); Bravo - Real Housewives of Orange County marathon (and I do love me a marathon!)

Sunday
CBS - Cold Case and The Unit; NBC - Golden Globes (as I mentioned, drunk celebrities!); Fox - 24, bitches!; ABC - Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters; VH-1 - Teen Idol and Tour Bus (really? again with the judging?); Travel Channel - a trio of shows is on deck - Deep Fried Paradise, Steak Paradise and Bar Food Paradise - haven't seen them yet but they sure sound promising!

Good TV is Back!

F/X has already premiered Damages and Nip/Tuck (still time to catch re-runs of the premieres), Biggest Loser has the fattest and oldest people ever, and The Bachelor has a single dad (also being rerun on this weekend) but that's just the beginning of the post-holiday, good TV you should be watching.

January 9
Monk and Psych come back to USA and Flashpoint is back on CBS.

January 10
Saturday Night Live has Neil Patrick Harris and Taylor Swift. Dare I say - that might be legendary?

January 11
24 is back on Fox! Two nights! Four hours, baby! Plus the Golden Globes! Celebrities booze it up! Probably four hours too, baby!

January 13
American Idol (Fox)

January 16
Friday Night Lights on NBC - please watch this - it's so good. You won't be sorry!

January 21
Lost comes back to ABC and Fox launches Lie to Me starring Tim Roth (from Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction)

January 22
Burn Notice is back on USA and I couldn't be happier!

January 26
TNT is bringing back The Closer and launching Trust Me with Eric McCormick and Tom Cavanaugh

January 29
Hell's Kitchen is back on Fox, donkeys!

Say Good-bye to Afghanistan Time

My dad is home, so I'm taking the Afghanistan clock off Musings. See you later weird 8.5 hour time difference!

Welcome Home!

Alright kids. The holidays are done - and were awesome, thanks for asking - my dad hit the US on Christmas and I had maybe the best New Year's ever. My travel is slowing down for a little while at least(still have Christmas in Albany on the horizon). And I have a sweet new laptop (Merry Christmas to me!) with wireless access (or I will, once I can figure out how to set-up my router). All in all, I think that Musings is definitely back in business.

And the first order of business? Welcome home members of the 427th! We missed you and we thank you!

Pics from my dad's homecoming on New Year's Eve



Video Links
News coverage of my dad's homecoming

January 7 Homecoming