Saturday, October 9, 2010

October...


Sounds like it's time for a U2 song. Or not. Every October I set out to watch a whole bunch of "scary" movies. Generally, it never works out. Maybe it's the ADD, maybe the fact I have no one to watch them with, or have other stuff to do...or whatever. I seriously doubt it will be different this year. Especially after finally watching Rob Zombie's, "The Devil's Rejects". Or should I say lasting through it? I bought this 2-disc, Unrated gem years ago at Circuit City for $3. Thank god I didn't pay more. For someone that enjoys all genre's of film, including horror, this was an ordeal I wouldn't wish on most. Just 100 minutes of being bludgeoned to death (haha, get it?) with gore, nudity, profanity (in a lame, high-school kind of way), and over-the-top bad acting. Kind of like post-Texas Chainsaw meets Pink Flamingos...and not in a good way.

D-

Monday, September 6, 2010

I may never get what I want
But I'm happy just to die trying
And I hope I ain't done nobody wrong
But I miss you smiling
And I'm looking for a cure cause I'm bored to tears
And I'm stuck in here, stuck out here, stuck in here

We lived through another day
It's a good excuse to celebrate
Take a number knock on wood
We'll find a reason to feel good

I know you know I wanna know how I feel
I can't even tell (3)

No one knows nothing about me
I'm guessing I'll just keep 'em guessing
No one sees what I see
This is my blessing
And I'm looking for a way to get out of here
Get me out of here, out of here, out of here

We lived through another day
It's a good excuse to celebrate
Take a number knock on wood
Find a reason to feel good
I know you know you wanna know how I feel
I can't even tell (3)

I'm out of here, out of here, out of here
I know you know I want to know how I feel
I can't tell
I know you know I'll tell you if it's real
It sounded like a bell
I can't even tell
I can't even tell

- Soul Asylum

Monday, August 16, 2010

Well you're back in your old neighborhood
The cigarettes taste so good
But you're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
There's something there that you can't find
Honest when you're tellin' a lie
You're hurt but you don't know why
You love her but you don't know why
Short on long term goals
There's a party there that we oughtta go to
Do you still love rock and roll?
Do you still love rock and roll?
It's only a quarter to three
Reflecting off the O.C.D.
You're looking at a picture of me
You're staring at a picture of me
Take the guitar player for a ride
Cause He ain't never been satisfied
He thinks he owes some kind of debt
Be years before he gets over it
There's a fortune inside your head
All you touch turns to lead
You think you might just crawl back in bed
The fortune inside your head
You know you're just a mama's boy
Positively unemployed
So misunderstood
So misunderstood
I know you've gotta God shaped hole
You're bleeding out your heart full of soul
So misunderstood (x4)
I'd like to thank you all for nothin'
I'd like to thank you all for nothin' at all
I'd like to thank you all for nothin'
Nothin' (x4)
Nothin' at all
Nothin' (x3)
Nothin' at all

- Wilco

Sunday, August 15, 2010

I never thought I'd die alone
I laughed the loudest who'd have known
I traced the cord back to the wall
No wonder it was never plugged in at all
I took my time, I hurried up
The choice was mine, I didn't think enough
I'm too depressed, to go on
You'll be sorry when I'm gone

I never conquered, rarely came
16 just held such better days
Days when I still felt alive
We couldn't wait to get outside
The world was wide, too late to try
The tour was over we'd survived
I couldn't wait till I got home
To pass the time in my room alone

I never thought I'd die alone
Another six months I'll be unknown
Give all my things to all my friends
You'll never step foot in my room again
You'll close it off, board it up
Remember the time that I spilled the cup
Of apple juice in the hall
Please tell mom this is not her fault

I never conquered, rarely came
16 just held such better days
Days when I still felt alive
We couldn't wait to get outside
The world was wide, too late to try
The tour was over but we'd survived
I couldn't wait till I got home
To pass the time in my room alone

I never conquered, rarely came
Tomorrow holds such better days
Days when I could still feel alive
When I can't wait to get outside
The world is wide, the time goes by
The tour is over I survived
And I can't wait till I get home
To pass the time in my room alone

Saturday, August 7, 2010

So a day when you've lost yourself completely
Could be a night when your life ends

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

I'm gonna miss you
I'm gonna miss you when you're gone
She says, "I love you
I'm gonna miss hearing your songs"

And I said, "Please,
Don't talk about the end
Don't talk about how every living thing goes away"
She said, "Friend,
All along I thought I was learning how to take
How to bend not how to break
How to live not how to cry
But really I've been learning how to die
I've been learning how to die"

Hey everyone
I got nowhere to go
The grave is lazy
He takes our body slow

And I said, "Please,
Don't talk about the end
Don't talk about how every living thing goes away"
She said, "Friend,
All along I thought I was learning how to take
How to bend not how to break
How to laugh not how to cry
But really I've been learning how to die
I've been learning how to die"
Die...Die...
I've been learning how to die

- Jon Foreman

Monday, July 26, 2010

J. Scott Sahl (1/8/76 - 8/16/10)

So I'm not sure why it always flows downhill
Why broken cisterns never could stay filled
I've spent ten years singing gravity away
But the water keeps on falling from the sky

And here tonight while the stars are blacking out
With every hope and dream I've ever had in doubt
I've spent ten years trying to sing these doubts away
But the water keeps on falling from my eyes

And heaven knows, heaven knows
I tried to find a cure for the pain
Oh my Lord! To suffer like you do
It would be a lie to run away

So blood is fire pulsing through our veins
We're either writers or fools behind the reigns
I've spent ten years trying to sing it all away
But the water keeps on falling from my tries

And heaven knows, heaven knows
I tried to find a cure for the pain
Oh my Lord! To suffer like you do
It would be a lie to run away
A lie to run
It would be a lie
It would be a lie to run away

It keeps on falling
It keeps on falling
It keeps on falling
It keeps on falling
Water keeps on falling from my eyes

And heaven knows, heaven knows
I tried to find a cure for the pain
Oh my Lord! To suffer like you do
It would be a lie to run away
It would be a lie to run away
It would be a lie to run away

Monday, July 12, 2010

You're a few years overdue.
I spent them waiting here for you.
Now your charity's refused,
I can name a penance for abuse.

Twenty four years overdue,
what kind of role model are you?
Very least learn not to do,
I think I might be over you.

Do hope I won't
Learn to make
The same mistakes,
That you would
Make me aware
That only fear,
My only hope,
Is letting go.

Went on a limb for you,
Capsized when I turned twenty two.
Did it burn as bad for you?
No bottle serves to soothe my wounds.

Do hope I won't
Learn to make
The same mistakes,
That you would
Make me aware
That only fear,
My only hope,
Is letting go.
My only hope
Is letting go.

You're a few years overdue.
I spent them waiting here for you.

- Get Up Kids

Sunday, July 11, 2010

My old man had a pistol
Never carried around
Never taught me to use it, yeah
No blood on the ground

Images of a family
Somewhere deep in the South
Wished that girl taking pictures, yeah
Drag me out

Stand inside
Knees fall to the ground
I pray take me far away
From everything that I am

Must have lost all my memories
Must have blacked 'em all out
Thank god for the pictures, yeah
Didn't burn in the house

Stand inside
Knees fall to the ground
I pray take me far away
From everything that I am
I pray take me far away
Everything that I am

Escape is the only way out
Escape is the only way out
Escape is the only way out

Only way out

- The New Amsterdams

Sunday, July 4, 2010

One...Two...One...Two
Know a man
His face seemed pulled and tense
Like he's ridin' on a motorbike
In the strongest winds
So I approach with tact
Suggest that he should relax
But he's movin' much too fast

Said he'll see me on the flip side
On this trip he's taken for a ride
He's been takin' too much on
There he goes with his perfectly unkept hope
There he goes

He's yet to come back
But I seen his picture
It doesn't look the same up on the rack
We go way back
I wonder 'bout his insides
It's like his thoughts are too big for his size

He's been taken...where, I don't know
Off he goes with his perfectly unkept hope
There he goes

And now I rub my eyes, for he has returned
Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned
For he still smiles... And he's still strong
Nothing changed but the surroundin' bullshit
That has grown

And now he's home and we're laughin'
Like we did, my same old, same old friend
Until a quarter to ten
I saw the strain creep in
He seems distracted and I know just what is going to happen next

Before his first step, he's off again

- Pearl Jam

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The world begins
With new born skin
We are right now
You're a needle girl
In a haystack world
We are right now

You're breathing in
The highs and lows
We call it living

In this needle and haystack life
I found miracles there in your eyes
It's no accident we're here tonight
We are once in a lifetime

Don't let go
Don't give up hope
All is forgiven
You're breathing in
The highs and lows
We call it living

In this needle and haystack life
I found miracles there in your eyes
It's no accident we're here tonight
We are once in a lifetime

All is not lost
All is not lost
Become who you are
It happens once in a lifetime

In this needle and haystack life
I found miracles there in your eyes
It's no accident we're here tonight
We are once in a lifetime alive
We are once in a lifetime

In this needle and haystack
(We are once in a lifetime)

- Switchfoot

Sunday, June 20, 2010

What hurts more than being alone...is to be forgotten
I don’t believe in unity
It’s just one more abandoned dream
Once the people get together it’s easy to see
It’s just a matter of time before they come after me

But it must be pretty cool to be you
With your brothers at your back protecting you
It must be pretty cool to know you belong
Isolated my whole life
Counting scars in the land of the smiling knives
Yes, I’m envious, it’s true
But it must be cool to be you

You’ve got a loving family
To give you everything you need
My family loves each other so much
We live a thousand miles away and never stay in touch

But it must be pretty cool to be you
With a home and a family to go home to
It must be pretty cool to know you belong
Isolated my whole life
Counting scars in the land of the smiling knives
Yes, I’m envious, it’s true
But it must be cool to be you

What can I do?
I know this bitter jealously is wrong
Maybe I’ll move and find a brand new place I don’t belong
Some friends I’ll never know
New places I can’t go
‘Cause everywhere I’ve been is on the outside looking in

You’ve got a deep, sustaining faith
A lord who listens when you pray
I was raised in the church and I was told to believe
I wonder if god believes in me

It must be pretty cool to be you
With your holy faith sustaining you
It must be pretty cool to know you belong
Isolated my whole life
Counting scars in the land of the smiling knives
Yes, I’m envious, it’s true
But it must be pretty cool to be you
It must be pretty cool to be you
It must be cool

-Descendents

Friday, June 18, 2010

6 AM and at it again
It's over
A lonely outside is rolling by
It's over
A car in the snow loses control
It's over
The head of the home is hurling the phone
It's over

Bruise up blue
Come right through
Welcome to another end

We know that you know the finishing blow
It's over
A lineup of lights is firing the ike
It's over
The point in time when everything dies
It's over
Nothing is wrong
We're getting along
It's over

So bruise up blue
Come right through
Welcome to another end

An open door
A note on the floor
It's over
The loneliest night is taking flight
It's over
Waving in grief
Watching it leave
It's over
Up off the ground
The city is out
It's over
Nothing is wrong
We're getting along
It's over

- Hey Mercedes

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Sometimes I think that I know
What love's all about
And when I see the light
I know I'll be all right.

I've got my friends in the world,
I had my friends
When we were boys and girls
And the secrets came unfurled.

City of brotherly love
Place I call home
Don't turn your back on me
I don't want to be alone
Love lasts forever.

Someone is talking to me,
Calling my name
Tell me I'm not to blame
I won't be ashamed of love.

Philadelphia,
City of brotherly love.
Brotherly love.

Sometimes I think that I know
What love's all about
And when I see the light
I know I'll be all right.
Philadelphia

- Neil Young

Monday, June 14, 2010

I feel so extraordinary
Something's got a hold on me
I get this feeling I'm in motion
A sudden sense of liberty
I don't care 'cause I'm not there
And I don't care if I'm here tomorrow
Again and again I've taken too much
Of the things that cost you too much

I used to think that the day would never come
I'd see delight in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun...

When I was a very small boy,
Very small boys talked to me
Now that we've grown up together
They're afraid of what they see
That's the price that we all pay
Our valued destiny comes to nothing
I can't tell you where we're going
I guess there was just no way of knowing

I used to think that the day would never come
I'd see delight in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun...

I feel so extraordinary
Something's got a hold on me
I get this feeling I'm in motion
A sudden sense of liberty
The chances are we've gone too far
You took my time and you took my money
Now I fear you've left me standing
In a world that's so demanding

I used to think that the day would never come
I'd see delight in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun...

- New Order

Saturday, June 12, 2010

We said we'd walk together baby come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as we're walking a hand should slip free
I'll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me

We swore we'd travel darlin' side by side
We'd help each other stay in stride
But each lover's steps fall so differently
But I'll wait for you
And if I should fall behind
Wait for me

Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true
[If I Should Fall Behind lyrics on http://www.elyricsworld.com]

But you and I know what this world can do
So let's make our steps clear that the other may see
And I'll wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me

Now there's a beautiful river in the valley ahead
There 'neath the oak's bough soon we will be wed
Should we lose each other in the shadow of the evening trees
I'll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me
Darlin' I'll wait for you
Should I fall behind
Wait for me

- Bruce Springsteen

Friday, June 11, 2010

I turn my back to the wind
To catch my breath
Before I start off again.
Driven on without a moment to spend
To pass an evening with a drink and a friend

I let my skin get too thin
I'd like to pause
No matter what I pretend
Like some pilgrim
Who learns to transcend
Learns to live as if each step was the end

(Time stand still)
I'm not looking back
But I want to look around me now
(Time stand still)
See more of the people and the places that surround me now
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each sensation a little bit stronger
Experience slips away
Experience slips away

I turn my face to the sun
Close my eyes
Let my defences down
All those wounds that I can't get unwound

I let my past go too fast
No time to pause
If I could slow it all down
Like some captain, whose ship runs aground
I can wait until the tide comes around

(Time stand still)
I'm not looking back
But I want to look around me now
(Time stand still)
See more of the people and the places that surround me now
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each impression a little bit stronger
Freeze this motion a little bit longer
The innocence slips away
The innocence slips away...

Summer's going fast, nights growing colder
Children growing up, old friends growing older
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each impression a little bit stronger
Experience slips away
Experience slips away...
The innocence slips away

- Rush

Sunday, June 6, 2010

I'm watching the world go round
I'm watching the world's end
And i could get lonely
If this is a lie she said

This is the end
Fall on tears all my friends
This is the end
Fall on tears all my friends

Mary don't know me
Mary don't owe me time
Promises don't come
Miracles leave me blind

This is the end
Fall on tears all my friends
This is the end
Fall on tears all my friends

I'm watching the world turn
I'm watching the sun go down
I'm watching the sky fall down like rain
And i see my way
Nothing can save me now
No one hears you fall
And who cares anyway

Mary don't know me
Mary don't owe me time
And i could get lonely
Watching the world unwind

This is the end

Fall on tears all my friends
This is the end
Fall on tears all my friends
This is the end
Fall on tears all my friends
This is the end
Fall on tears all my friends

- Love Spit Love

Friday, June 4, 2010

When we were two brothers forever through the dark and light
We had our fights against the world, against each other
We traveled in the night
So many roads, so many shows together
Far apart we grew, isolated but still together

When we were two brothers forever through the dark and light
We had our fights against ourselves, against each other
We were afraid, afraid of so many things
It was a fight to overcome ourselves and see clearer

We are two brothers forever through the dark and light
We had our fights against the world, against each other
Time has opened my heart
I don't want to hold on to that past
I don't want to live in isolation anymore

There's nothing left to do, but to kiss that life goodbye

Goodbye...
Goodbye...
Goodbye...

We are two brothers forever through the dark and light
We had our fights against ourselves, against each other
There's nothing left to do, but to kiss that life goodbye

Goodbye...
Goodbye...

- Bouncing Souls

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Jesus, Jesus help me
I'm alone in this world
And a fucked-up world it is too.

Tell me, tell me the story
The one about eternity
And the way it's all gonna be.

Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man.

Jesus, I'm waiting here, boss
I know you're looking out for us
But maybe your hands aren't free.

Your Father, He made the world in seven
He's in charge of heaven.
Will you put a word in for me?

Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man.

Listen to the words they'll tell you what to do
Listen over the rhythm that's confusing you
Listen to the reed in the saxophone
Listen over the hum of the radio
Listen over the sound of blades in rotation
Listen through the traffic and circulation
Listen as hope and peace try to rhyme
Listen over marching bands playing out their time.

Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man.

Jesus, were you just around the corner?
Did you think to try and warn her?
Were you working on something new?
If there's an order in all of this disorder
Is it like a tape recorder?
Can we rewind it just once more?

Wake up, wake up dead man
Wake up, wake up dead man.
Wake up, wake up dead man.

- U2

Monday, May 31, 2010



Help, I have done it again
I have been here many times before
Hurt myself again today
And, the worst part is there's no-one else to blame

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I'm needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

Ouch I have lost myself again
Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found,
Yeah I think that I might break
I've lost myself again and I feel unsafe

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I'm needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I'm needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

- Sia

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Well a person can work up a mean mean thirst
after a hard day of nothin' much at all
Summer's passed, it's too late to cut the grass
There ain't much to rake anyway in the fall

And sometimes I just ain't in the mood
to take my place in back with the loudmouths
You're like a picture on the fridge that's never stocked with food
I used to live at home, now I stay at the house

And everybody wants to be special here
They call your name out loud and clear
Here comes a regular
Call out your name
Here comes a regular
Am I the only one here today?

Well a drinkin' buddy that's bound to another town
Once the police made you go away
And even if you're in the arms of someone's baby now
I'll take a great big whiskey to ya anyway

Everybody wants to be someone's here
Someone's gonna show up, never fear
'cause here comes a regular
Call out your name
Here comes a regular
Am I the only one who feels ashamed?

Kneeling alongside old Sad Eyes
He says opportunity knocks once then the door slams shut
All I know is I'm sick of everything that my money can buy
The fool who wastes his life, God rest his guts

First the lights, then the collar goes up, and the wind begins to blow
Turn your back on a pay-you-back, last call
First the glass, then the leaves that pass, then comes the snow
Ain't much to rake anyway in the fall

- The Replacements

Friday, May 28, 2010

I'm waking up in night terrors
Can't stop the future
Keeps pushing me ahead
I feel the weight of the world crushing down on me
And time seems so linear
Decisions seem so absolute

Yeah it's a harsh realm
Yeah it's a harsh realm
Don't abandon me
Don't abandon me

There's a million things to get done today
I can't calm down, I can't think straight
You give a little bit of time everyone you meet
And what do you say for yourself?
How much money do you need
To give yourself a sense of security?

Yeah it's a harsh realm
Yeah it's a harsh realm
Don't abandon me
Don't abandon me

- Tom Gabel

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Monday, May 24, 2010

i look out my window, i'm catching the view
where queen street meets chestnut one block west of you
these strange conversations will set our hearts free
these strange conversations lift burdens from me
my friend, come back again

now we're back at my place with morrissey on play
and you missed your ritalin, you're truest this way
our strange conversations will leave us amused
you're faster and clearer, you seem less confused
my friend, ...

what you're impressed by
i get depressed by
and what we rely on
is the strength we get by on

- Denison Witmer

Thursday, April 29, 2010

"The Rest Of My Life"

I fell asleep last Saturday
Underneath polluted skies
I walked alone on those Jersey nights, and I
Saw the boardwalk start to fall
The emptiness starts to drown
The quiet corners of this town, and I...
Late last night, I made my plans
It was the only thing I felt I could do
Said goodbye, to my best friend
Sometimes there's no one left to tell you the truth

It's gonna kill me... The rest of my life
Let me apologize while I'm still alive
I know it's hard to face all of my past mistakes
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life

This is my all time low
Somehow it feels so familiar
Somehow it seems so familiar
I feel like letting go
And every second that goes by
I'm screaming out for a second try
Said goodbye, to my best friend
Sometimes there's no one left to tell me the truth

It's gonna kill me... The rest of my life
Let me apologize while I'm still alive
I know it's hard to face all of my past mistakes
I've got to live with them rest of my life

This is the mess I've made
These are the words I can't erase
This is my life support, shutting down, for the final time
And it twists like a blade
And kills me for the rest of my life

If you won't forgive me
The rest of my life
Let me apologize while I'm still alive
I know it's hard to face all of my past mistakes
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life...

-Less Than Jake

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Words...I wouldn't mind being directed at me at this time...



Gonna save you fucker,....not gonna lose you
Feeling cocky and strong,.. can't let you go,...
Too important to me

Too important to us,... we'd be lost without you
Baby, let yourself fall,... I'm right below you now

And fuck me if I say something you don't wanna hear
And fuck if you only hear what you wanna hear
Fuck me if I care,... but I'm not leaving here

You helped me when I was down,... I'll help when you're down
Why are you hitting yourself?... c'mon hit me instead

Let's pick up your will,... it's grown fat and lazy
I'm sympathetic as well,... don't go on me now

And I'm not living this life without you, I'm selfish and clear
And you're not leaving here without me, I don't wanna be without
My best... friend. Wake up, to see you could have it all

Cause there is but you,... and something within you
It's taken control,.. let's beat it, get up let's go!

Oh you're in your own world, let's see the whole world
Let's pick up your soul

And fuck me if I say something you don't wanna hear
And fuck me if you only hear the treble in your head
Please help,... me,... to help you,... help yourself

Help me help yourself,... please want me to,... please let me to

- Pearl Jam

Friday, January 8, 2010

34...

Thirty-one (34) today
What a thing to say
Drinking Guinness in the afternoon
Taking shelter in the black cocoon

I thought my life would be different somehow
I thought my life would be better by now
I thought my life would be different somehow
I thought my life would be better by now
But it's not, and I don't know where to turn

Called some guy I knew
Had a drink or two
And we fumbled as the day grew dark
I pretended that I felt a spark

I thought my life would be different somehow
I thought my life would be better by now
I thought my life would be different somehow
I thought my life would be better by now
But it's not, and I don't know where to turn
No, it's not, and I don't know where to turn
No, it's not, and I don't know where to turn

Easter comes and goes
Maybe Jesus knows
So you roll on with the best you can
Getting loaded, watching CNN

I thought my life would be different somehow
I thought my life would be better by now
I thought my life would be different somehow
I thought my life would be better by now
But it's not, and I don't know where to turn
No, it's not, and I don't know where to turn
No, it's not, and I don't know where to turn
No, it's not, and I don't know

- Aimee Mann

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Favorite TV Shows of the Decade
I didn’t/don’t watch a whole lot of television. But when I do watch I know what I like. No specific order here.

24: Seasons 1-5 – Kiefer Sutherland’s career was in the tank. I don’t mean it wasn’t going so great, I mean It was in the tank. Either box-office duds or straight-to-dvd masterpieces. This changed everything. I admit that I didn’t watch the first episode. A new show with Kiefer sporting a Limp Bizkit song during the previews, didn’t catch my interest. But my dad watched the first episode and convinced me to watch the replay. Amazingly not peaking until Season 5, sadly it’s been all downhill since. Season 6 was downright god-awful, with 7 not being much better. Here’s hoping that season 8 is a return to form.

The Wire – One of the many shows that I didn’t watch on television, but on dvd. Hey, if you seldom have cable , and never have premium cable with the exception of a month or two as a intro special, what are you going to do? DVD it is. David Simon’s show was nothing short of the best crime drama television has ever seen. A show that should have made career’s out of all the major characters (only Lance Reddick has moved on to a regular role in Fringe)…because all of the character’s were played just that well.

Alias – A former friend of mine recommended this to me but it had scheduling conflicts with Criminal Intent originally (tivo, whats that’s?). Okay, so the last season was a little sub-par. But getting there was a hell of a lot of fun. Another show I never watched while it was on tv; it was on at the same time as Criminal Intent. The action and drama was interwoven well and never delved into sap…except for that last season. Was it a little fantastical? Of course. But when you are having this much fun it doesn’t matter.

Six Feet Under –The acting and writing on SFU was top-notch. The characters were beyond memorable. The Fisher family and its funeral home started off every show with a death that that particular episode was loosely based around. It was well-done. However, the arc of the 5-season story is what you really tuned in for. It reminded you of your own family, because things were so far from perfect. Death, heartbreak, sex, drugs, and on-going conversations with dead people, SFU had it all. Though I have a feeling that if a lot of the frat-boy mooks that enjoy Michael C. Hall on Dexter, would balk at that show if they watched Hall’s immaculate performance of the in-the-closet David Fisher, lol. Why Peter Krause hasn’t hit gold elsewhere is beyond me.

Law and Order Criminal Intent: Seasons 1-5 – I won’t pretend to be impartial regarding Vincent D’onofrio and his acting. I believe he is one of the great underrated/underappreciated actors of our time. Needless to say I have immensely enjoyed his Robert Goren character throughout the run of the show. Due to the fact that D’onofrio was involved in most of the scenes of the show because of how it was shot, he was essentially exhausted and burned out by Season Five. Since then, Vince and his capable partner Kathryn Erbe have shared the seasons with another duo in alternating episodes. Who will partner Jeff Goldblum next year has yet to be decided, but I think Jeff is up to carrying the mantle. Goren’s character will wave good-bye with a two-episode arc at the beginning of the coming season. Will Nicole show up? Not sure. But I know Bobby will be missed.

The Shield – Yes, we all remember The Commish. Within one episode Michael Chiklis’ Vic Mackey character instantly made you forget it. I understand that a lot of people are turned off by the anti-hero. However, a lot of people also like rooting for the bad guy. Vic Mackey is like Stone Cold Steve Austin taken to the extreme. Oh, did I mention the supporting cast and the writing was great too? As essentially morally corrupt Vic Mackey and his team were, they were played so well that I still became emotionally vested in them and couldn’t help rooting for them.

Dexter – Those who watched Six Feet Under and David Fisher’s character didn’t see this coming. While Dexter Morgan is still socially awkward, he takes matters into his own hands unlike David – even if he is essentially programmed to play a murderous justice seeker due to what happened to him as a small child. What is often the case on cable, the supporting cast is essential to making Dexter work, and this one is no exception. A slow-burning anti-climactic 3rd season, gave way to what was possibly its best act this year. To my knowledge, Dexter is not scheduled to be renewed past its upcoming 5th season. While it will be missed, it will be nice to see it go out on top – another common factor among great cable series, not living out their welcome.

The Office (BBC and BBC Only) – It doesn’t matter how many people tell me how funny the U.S. version of this show is. It’s not. And yes, I have seen several movies in which I have enjoyed Steve Carrell’s performances (Little Miss Sunshine and Dan in Real Life among them). However, Michael Scott absolutely pales in comparison to Ricky Gervais’ David Brent. And the rest of the cast does the same, it just tries toooooo hard. As with what I mentioned with Dexter, the beauty of the UK version is that it only lasted two seasons with an elongated special and went out at the very top of its game. Seinfeld only wishes it came remotely close.

Lost – Lost is hard to explain unless you’ve watched it for several seasons. I didn’t finish Season 4 until about 3 weeks into Season 5, so I am still about 2/3 of a season behind. Numerous people have said that Lost trusts its viewers because of its complexity. I agree. Which is difficult, because it is confusing as hell. If you thought coming into the middle of 24 was difficult, I think Lost is more so. Hell, its hard to keep up even if you’ve seen all of it. I can’t explain its popularity. Most shows like this don’t survive their first or second seasons because the viewers give up. Perhaps it’s the magnetic characters and performances. Or maybe it’s the fact that you feel like you are never sure who you are rooting for, because a twist on a character is just around the corner. Either way, did you ever think that you’d ever see a Party of Five member featured prominently on a good show...and acting well no less?

Mad Men – Maybe it helps you to still be shocked by the misogyny, the carousing, the drinking, the smoking, etc. Cause, you know, its only the 60’s…right? This stuff doesn’t happen now, cause we are all so evolved…right? Haha. Now, legally you can’t smoke virtually anywhere anymore. But the rest of men behaving badly does. We just pretend it doesn’t. Maybe Mad Men needs to have commercials sponsored by the “Ad Council” legislating morality for before and afters, lol. Hears to hoping it continues to offend our sensibilities.

Gone before they had a chance…Kidnapped, Journeyman, My Own Worst Enemy. Before you start, I never saw Pushing Daisies, Saving Grace technically isn’t over yet, and I think Arrested Development is overrated. Good, but overrated, and I still haven’t finished watching all 3 seasons. And then someone will start telling me how Jesse Eisenberg is the poor man’s Michael Cera…okay, I’m digressing. Notice a trend about any of these shows? NBC. The network that used to have must-see Thursday’s, has been in the ratings dumper for awhile. I admit that all three of the shows I mentioned had more complexity than what was the norm for television. And when you have that it’s going to take a little time. It’s also going to take some decent marketing. The marketing for all of these was just a dud. And not seeing the ratings they wanted, after not giving them the time they needed to grow (and marketing them like a turd), NBC pulled the plug. Thankfully, they allowed Kidnapped to wrap things up in 13 episodes, something they did quite well. Get it on dvd if you haven’t already, its only $15 or so on Amazon. SFU alum Jeremy Sisto and Linus Roache have gone on to help revitalize Law and Order, in spite of Dick Wolf’s 9th grade politics. Journeyman and Enemy weren’t so lucky. It was easy to tell a five-minute segment was written into the last episode of both as some sort of open-ended wrap up. Neither has been released on dvd, I’m sure Enemy never will.