Things I've been excited about lately

1.) Romance novels with a sense of humor
I can't help it. Despite my English major sensibilities, I prefer chick lit to literary fiction. And, I refuse to make a value judgment about what I'm reading. So many people are down on chick lit. The librarian in me says that we should all read what makes us happy.

I read Faking it by Jennifer Cruisie. It was fun and funny. Not too terribly realistic, but so what?

Now I'm reading Hot stuff by Carly Phillips. I think the author goes out of her way to write "sexy" which, honestly, bugs me a little. But, I still think it'll be fun.

2.)Reality television
I haven't watched the Top Design finale yet, but I couldn't stop myself from looking to see who won.

I picked up the second season of Work Out and I'm going to watch this season's Real World/Road Rules challenge. Also, MTV has been showing reruns of Beauty and the Geek. Not this season, but one of the earlier seasons. And, Flavor of Love Charm School starts soon as does a new season of Celebrity Fit Club.

No wonder The Dude wants to get a second DVR...

I know full well that reality tv isn't realistic at all. But, since all of the scripted shows I like get cancelled, I decided to accept reality television as the wave of the future. And, nothing is funnier than reality television's worst moments.

3.) 30 seconds to Mars
I didn't want to like them. I thought that Jared Leto's emo stylings were a lot over-the-top. But I kept hearing "The Kill" on the radio and I could never get it out of my head. So, I listened to the clips on iTunes and bought the album.

I dig it. A lot.

It's got more depth than I originally gave the band credit for. But they balance that depth with a sense of humor.

Sooo....what are you digging right now?

A beautiful lie by 30 second to mars

Dear Jared Leto,
When I was in high school and you were Jordan Catalano, I had the biggest crush on you. Okay, not on you exactly. I wanted a boyfriend just like Jordan. In retrospect this seems really dumb. While Jordan was a bad boy with a heart of gold buried somewhere deep down, he wasn't exactly good for Angela. And, in the end, I married a man more like Brian than like Jordan.

Anyway, when I heard you'd started a band, I didn't really pay too much attention to it. I knew you could sing--I'd heard it on My So-Called Life. But could you really front a band? And, if you could, would it be any good?

I didn't think about again until the single "The Kill" became big on the radio. I couldn't get it out of my head. It's dark and catchy at the same time. It's musical complexity is outshone only by it's angst. That, Mr. Leto, takes talent.

I ended up picking up a copy of the disc that the aforementioned single is from and was pleasantly surprised to realize that it doesn't suck. Although it's heavy and atmospheric, I don't get bored by the end of the album. This is quite the accomplishment because, though I enjoy bands like yours, I often grow tired of them.

Well done, Mr. Leto. Well done.

And, if it matters, I still have a crush on Jordan.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dude