Stephanie Faris's Blog, page 38
November 20, 2015
We Had Our Dog DNA Tested (Don't Judge!)
From the time little Shelby first came into our lives, we were puzzling over what breed she was.
As a puppy, everyone seemed to compare her to a King Charles Spaniel...
...so we went with that. King Charles Spaniel mixed with...something else. But over a dog's life, you'll be asked countless times, "What breed is your dog?" It's annoying when you don't have a good answer. Plus, the older she got, the less she had that smushy King Charles face. Her nose was way too long.
So finally, as she approached her eighth birthday, I decided to do something crazy. I got one of those DNA tests and swabbed her. The results?
Not a King Charles Spaniel in the entire chain! One parent was a Cocker Spaniel, which is this:
Her other parent was a Jack Russell Terrier mix mixed with a Chow Chow mix. The DNA test breaks it down with a handy-dandy lineage chart:
Basically, she's a whole bunch of breeds all in one. If you're thinking about DNA testing your pets, the process was super easy. The kit arrived in the mail, I swabbed the inside of her mouth, and then I sent the kit back. Within a couple of weeks, the results arrived via email. It was about $100...was it worth it? It could have identified health risks, if they'd shown up on her DNA markers, so yes.
Plus, if it gives me an answer to this question:
It's worth every penny!
As a puppy, everyone seemed to compare her to a King Charles Spaniel...
...so we went with that. King Charles Spaniel mixed with...something else. But over a dog's life, you'll be asked countless times, "What breed is your dog?" It's annoying when you don't have a good answer. Plus, the older she got, the less she had that smushy King Charles face. Her nose was way too long.
So finally, as she approached her eighth birthday, I decided to do something crazy. I got one of those DNA tests and swabbed her. The results?
Not a King Charles Spaniel in the entire chain! One parent was a Cocker Spaniel, which is this:
Her other parent was a Jack Russell Terrier mix mixed with a Chow Chow mix. The DNA test breaks it down with a handy-dandy lineage chart:
Basically, she's a whole bunch of breeds all in one. If you're thinking about DNA testing your pets, the process was super easy. The kit arrived in the mail, I swabbed the inside of her mouth, and then I sent the kit back. Within a couple of weeks, the results arrived via email. It was about $100...was it worth it? It could have identified health risks, if they'd shown up on her DNA markers, so yes.
Plus, if it gives me an answer to this question:
It's worth every penny!
November 18, 2015
When Your Home Is Also Your Office
We spent most of April looking for a house. We looked at small houses...
...and big houses.
We looked at homes with big back yards...
...and homes with small back yards.
Ours was a unique situation. Both my husband and I work from home. That would normally merit two offices, which would be a huge challenge. But the good news is, I don't like to write at a desk. Probably because I spent 19 years in a cubicle farm.
Finally, after several weeks of looking, we found a house with a huge sunroom. I knew instantly that was where I was going to work. Then came the next challenge. How to create an office without a desk.
I started a search for a big, comfy chair for my writing room. It had to be big enough for my dog to share it with me, but small enough to fit in the corner. I finally found it...and guess what?
Shelby loves it!
If you had to work from home, what would your office be like?
...and big houses.
We looked at homes with big back yards...
...and homes with small back yards.
Ours was a unique situation. Both my husband and I work from home. That would normally merit two offices, which would be a huge challenge. But the good news is, I don't like to write at a desk. Probably because I spent 19 years in a cubicle farm.
Finally, after several weeks of looking, we found a house with a huge sunroom. I knew instantly that was where I was going to work. Then came the next challenge. How to create an office without a desk.
I started a search for a big, comfy chair for my writing room. It had to be big enough for my dog to share it with me, but small enough to fit in the corner. I finally found it...and guess what?
Shelby loves it!
If you had to work from home, what would your office be like?
November 17, 2015
Introducing Crimson Earth by Anna Soliveres
Through her blog, Anna Soliveres helps her fellow authors navigate the complicated waters of writing and publishing. So it's exciting to help her out by hosting the cover reveal for Crimson Earth, the sequel to Violet Storm. Here's her eye-catching new cover:
And here's all you need to know about it before you click over and pre-order your own copy!
Blurb:
Aeva Storm finally has the answers she’s been looking for since the night she was struck by lightning. She knows who she is—and more importantly, what she is. But her secret isn’t hers alone to keep, and some of those who know the truth will do anything to control her.
In the sequel to the acclaimed Violet Storm, Aeva must decide how far she’ll go to protect her identity and to find her missing sister in a world she hardly recognizes. She must embrace her new life—and her strange new body—if she hopes to save the only place she and her family have left to call home.
Filled with action, mystery, and heartbreak, Crimson Earth finds Aeva, Ruven, and Karth on opposing sides as the war between The False Alliance and the Monarchy draws near.
Can they band together to fight against the evil threatening the City? Or will they destroy each other before the war has even begun?
Bio:
Anna Soliveres has always been a storyteller but it wasn't until her early twenties when she began writing novel length works. The result was an enthusiasm to get better at the craft until her work could be shared with the world. Released in March 2014, VIOLET STORM is her debut novel. Anna is currently working on another young adult fantasy series, titled SNOW DOLLS. To learn more, please visit her at www.annasoliveres.com.
Sign up for her newsletter to get the first 3 chapters free: http://www.annasoliveres.com.
Contact info:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
And here's all you need to know about it before you click over and pre-order your own copy!
Blurb:
Aeva Storm finally has the answers she’s been looking for since the night she was struck by lightning. She knows who she is—and more importantly, what she is. But her secret isn’t hers alone to keep, and some of those who know the truth will do anything to control her.
In the sequel to the acclaimed Violet Storm, Aeva must decide how far she’ll go to protect her identity and to find her missing sister in a world she hardly recognizes. She must embrace her new life—and her strange new body—if she hopes to save the only place she and her family have left to call home.
Filled with action, mystery, and heartbreak, Crimson Earth finds Aeva, Ruven, and Karth on opposing sides as the war between The False Alliance and the Monarchy draws near.
Can they band together to fight against the evil threatening the City? Or will they destroy each other before the war has even begun?
Bio:
Anna Soliveres has always been a storyteller but it wasn't until her early twenties when she began writing novel length works. The result was an enthusiasm to get better at the craft until her work could be shared with the world. Released in March 2014, VIOLET STORM is her debut novel. Anna is currently working on another young adult fantasy series, titled SNOW DOLLS. To learn more, please visit her at www.annasoliveres.com.
Sign up for her newsletter to get the first 3 chapters free: http://www.annasoliveres.com.
Contact info:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
November 16, 2015
There's No Excuse for Being a Perverted Old Man
A 17-year-old posts an Instagram picture of herself in a bikini with her two young nieces. At first the comments are innocent enough.
"Gorgeous."
"You're my inspiration."
"Love is u."
Then come the inappropriate comments. I can't quote those here because they're filled with profanity and disgusting words about what these men want to do to this 17-year-old girl. But it isn't long before people speak up.
"You are almost 40."
"It's simply amazing to me the amount of sexual comments being directed at a 17-year-old girl from grown-a** men... That's someone's daughter!"
Soon after came the rebuttals.
"She knew what she was doing by posting herself in a bikini."
"Calling a 17-year-old sexy isn't wrong, so please get off your high horses."
The picture that started the uproar?
Was that what you were expecting? Because as I was reading the comments, I was thinking, "Did people see the same photo I did? Because there's nothing really all that provocative about the 'bikini' she's wearing. In fact, it looks more like a two-piece bathing suit to me."
In response to the uproar, the actress in the photo, Ariel Winter, posted the below photo that defines a woman by her skirt length:
Of course, it's important to note that the comments on the original photo were largely supportive. Only a couple of the male commenters were inappropriate. But it appeared that the "she's asking for it" comments were largely a product of middle-aged men defending themselves because they see nothing wrong with making sexually explicit comments about a 17-year-old girl.
I used to work with a woman whose teenage daughter would come downtown and have lunch with us sometimes. She had serious chest action going on and wasn't afraid to show it. As we'd walk around downtown, the number of way-too-old men who ogled her was alarming, but only because she was underage. It's a tough one, because those men may not have known she was a minor...and it isn't illegal to look. Still, it provokes a reaction when you care about the teenager they're ogling.
The girls being ogled usually aren't paying attention. Unless the guy falls into the category of "hot," he may as well not even exist. But blaming the young girl isn't the answer. Saying the men are wrong for looking isn't the answer, either. However, there is a difference between looking at someone and saying extremely disgusting things to that person.
How do you feel about men who ogle underage women? Would that opinion change if it were your daughter/niece/granddaughter being ogled?
"Gorgeous."
"You're my inspiration."
"Love is u."
Then come the inappropriate comments. I can't quote those here because they're filled with profanity and disgusting words about what these men want to do to this 17-year-old girl. But it isn't long before people speak up.
"You are almost 40."
"It's simply amazing to me the amount of sexual comments being directed at a 17-year-old girl from grown-a** men... That's someone's daughter!"
Soon after came the rebuttals.
"She knew what she was doing by posting herself in a bikini."
"Calling a 17-year-old sexy isn't wrong, so please get off your high horses."
The picture that started the uproar?
Was that what you were expecting? Because as I was reading the comments, I was thinking, "Did people see the same photo I did? Because there's nothing really all that provocative about the 'bikini' she's wearing. In fact, it looks more like a two-piece bathing suit to me."
In response to the uproar, the actress in the photo, Ariel Winter, posted the below photo that defines a woman by her skirt length:
Of course, it's important to note that the comments on the original photo were largely supportive. Only a couple of the male commenters were inappropriate. But it appeared that the "she's asking for it" comments were largely a product of middle-aged men defending themselves because they see nothing wrong with making sexually explicit comments about a 17-year-old girl.
I used to work with a woman whose teenage daughter would come downtown and have lunch with us sometimes. She had serious chest action going on and wasn't afraid to show it. As we'd walk around downtown, the number of way-too-old men who ogled her was alarming, but only because she was underage. It's a tough one, because those men may not have known she was a minor...and it isn't illegal to look. Still, it provokes a reaction when you care about the teenager they're ogling.
The girls being ogled usually aren't paying attention. Unless the guy falls into the category of "hot," he may as well not even exist. But blaming the young girl isn't the answer. Saying the men are wrong for looking isn't the answer, either. However, there is a difference between looking at someone and saying extremely disgusting things to that person.
How do you feel about men who ogle underage women? Would that opinion change if it were your daughter/niece/granddaughter being ogled?
November 13, 2015
The Changing Face of Donations
Before going through the 2010 Nashville flood, I would always search for ways to help out financially after a disaster. Like everyone else, I donated to Red Cross after both 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. It made me feel good to feel like I was doing something to help.
After the summer of 2010, my view of charities changed forever. I saw that most of the money the public gave during relief concerts and such was never delivered to flood victims. Instead it was used to build an amphitheater and redo the waterfront area of downtown.
I also saw what the Red Cross does with all of its donation money. Pretty much this and only this:
The whole thing made me jaded but I still wanted to help. So for a while, when a Facebook friend posted about a friend/family member in need, I'd donate directly. That way I'd know the money would get to the person...right?
I'd send a gift card and never hear a word. Not that I'd expect someone going through a disaster to take five seconds to send a thank you email, but it just bothered me that the gift card could have easily gotten lost. I stopped donating altogether for a while because of it. Then this came along:
With GoFundMe, you can see that someone got the funds. They can even send a thank you email. If they're polite, they'll send a personal thank you, but they don't have to. The anxiety over whether it got lost in the mail is gone. Click and donate. The only problem is, some people have begun abusing the system.
People are crowdfunding weddings...
...vacations...
...and damaged relationships. (Huh?)
The result? We're all being given a reason to gossip about our friends and relatives. It also provides great entertainment as you browse the different crazy campaigns on there.
There are instances where many of these campaigns make sense, of course. If a bride and groom ask wedding attendees to donate to a honeymoon fund instead of buying gifts, it makes sense. If a person has a powerful story that goes with asking for help with things like vacations, prom dresses, and weddings, people can get behind that. But just asking friends and family for money because you want something?
Still, I celebrate GoFundMe. It gives me an option of helping people that doesn't require going through a charity. That is always a good thing!
(Also...seriously, guys. No matter what you're going through, if someone sends you $100 of his/her hard-earned money, take a few seconds to send a personal thank you. SERIOUSLY!)
Have you ever donated to a GoFundMe campaign?
After the summer of 2010, my view of charities changed forever. I saw that most of the money the public gave during relief concerts and such was never delivered to flood victims. Instead it was used to build an amphitheater and redo the waterfront area of downtown.
I also saw what the Red Cross does with all of its donation money. Pretty much this and only this:
The whole thing made me jaded but I still wanted to help. So for a while, when a Facebook friend posted about a friend/family member in need, I'd donate directly. That way I'd know the money would get to the person...right?
I'd send a gift card and never hear a word. Not that I'd expect someone going through a disaster to take five seconds to send a thank you email, but it just bothered me that the gift card could have easily gotten lost. I stopped donating altogether for a while because of it. Then this came along:
With GoFundMe, you can see that someone got the funds. They can even send a thank you email. If they're polite, they'll send a personal thank you, but they don't have to. The anxiety over whether it got lost in the mail is gone. Click and donate. The only problem is, some people have begun abusing the system.
People are crowdfunding weddings...
...vacations...
...and damaged relationships. (Huh?)
The result? We're all being given a reason to gossip about our friends and relatives. It also provides great entertainment as you browse the different crazy campaigns on there.
There are instances where many of these campaigns make sense, of course. If a bride and groom ask wedding attendees to donate to a honeymoon fund instead of buying gifts, it makes sense. If a person has a powerful story that goes with asking for help with things like vacations, prom dresses, and weddings, people can get behind that. But just asking friends and family for money because you want something?
Still, I celebrate GoFundMe. It gives me an option of helping people that doesn't require going through a charity. That is always a good thing!
(Also...seriously, guys. No matter what you're going through, if someone sends you $100 of his/her hard-earned money, take a few seconds to send a personal thank you. SERIOUSLY!)
Have you ever donated to a GoFundMe campaign?
November 11, 2015
The Search for the Perfect Burger
There are a few businesses that haven't shown up in Nashville yet. Every now and then, residents complain and whine about it, but it does little good.
One of those businesses is this one:
As it turns out, IKEA finally decided to open a store in Tennessee. They're opening in the worst possible part of the state: Memphis. If you think Memphis must be great because it was the home of Elvis, you haven't been to Memphis.
Needless to say, I won't be making that trip to IKEA. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I probably wouldn't shop there all that often even if it was down the street. I'm not a fan of furniture that requires an advanced degree to assemble.
Another business we don't have is In-N-Out Burger. Since the chain only opens restaurants within an hour of its distribution center, that's no surprise. The chain's restaurants are limited to five states. But I had an In-N-Out Burger while in L.A. and I have to say...highly overrated. This was my burger:
Nashvillians are even more vocal about wanting a nearby Whataburger. Whataburger beats In-N-Out Burger in taste tests, mostly because the meat supposedly has a better flavor. It's all subjective, though, I'm sure.
We had a Whataburger in Nashville when I was growing up. The building is still there. This is what Whataburger looked like back in the day:
This is what our old Whataburger looks like now:
Today's Whataburgers can be a little cheap looking, if you ask me:
While In-N-Out Burger can be a little...er...bright.
Maybe we should just stick with our current "best burger" spot.
What business would you most like to see come to your town?
One of those businesses is this one:
As it turns out, IKEA finally decided to open a store in Tennessee. They're opening in the worst possible part of the state: Memphis. If you think Memphis must be great because it was the home of Elvis, you haven't been to Memphis.
Needless to say, I won't be making that trip to IKEA. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I probably wouldn't shop there all that often even if it was down the street. I'm not a fan of furniture that requires an advanced degree to assemble.
Another business we don't have is In-N-Out Burger. Since the chain only opens restaurants within an hour of its distribution center, that's no surprise. The chain's restaurants are limited to five states. But I had an In-N-Out Burger while in L.A. and I have to say...highly overrated. This was my burger:
Nashvillians are even more vocal about wanting a nearby Whataburger. Whataburger beats In-N-Out Burger in taste tests, mostly because the meat supposedly has a better flavor. It's all subjective, though, I'm sure.
We had a Whataburger in Nashville when I was growing up. The building is still there. This is what Whataburger looked like back in the day:
This is what our old Whataburger looks like now:
Today's Whataburgers can be a little cheap looking, if you ask me:
While In-N-Out Burger can be a little...er...bright.
Maybe we should just stick with our current "best burger" spot.
What business would you most like to see come to your town?
November 9, 2015
Too Rich to Go to Jail
You've probably heard this story on the news. There is a 16-year-old in Texas who got away with killing four people because he was a spoiled brat. This is the kid...
These are the people he killed while driving drunk.
That doesn't even include the nine people he injured, including this permanently disabled teen.
The defense claimed the spoiled brat, named Ethan, suffers from a condition called "affluenza" as a result of having super-wealthy parents who never punished him and, therefore, never taught him the difference between right and wrong.
The worst part of all? The judge bought it. The brat will never serve a day behind bars. He was sentenced to ten years' probation and rehab. Everyone sued and the parents paid...money doesn't really bother them. They have plenty of it. The argument for Ethan's sentence seems to be that with rehabilitation, he'll be able to become a functioning member of society. Just like his parents?
People have worried about the upcoming generation of kids whose parents didn't discipline them. But now they're getting away with killing people. I think that takes these concerns to an all new level.
Do you think Ethan Couch can be rehabilitated?
These are the people he killed while driving drunk.
That doesn't even include the nine people he injured, including this permanently disabled teen.
The defense claimed the spoiled brat, named Ethan, suffers from a condition called "affluenza" as a result of having super-wealthy parents who never punished him and, therefore, never taught him the difference between right and wrong.
The worst part of all? The judge bought it. The brat will never serve a day behind bars. He was sentenced to ten years' probation and rehab. Everyone sued and the parents paid...money doesn't really bother them. They have plenty of it. The argument for Ethan's sentence seems to be that with rehabilitation, he'll be able to become a functioning member of society. Just like his parents?
People have worried about the upcoming generation of kids whose parents didn't discipline them. But now they're getting away with killing people. I think that takes these concerns to an all new level.
Do you think Ethan Couch can be rehabilitated?
November 6, 2015
Top 10 Celebrity Halloween Costumes: 2015 Edition
No matter how hard we try, we'll never be able to create Halloween costumes like the ones you see in Hollywood each year. These people have access to special effects artists and costume designers. Even if they don't, they have motivation to create the best costume possible. While you and I can show off to our small group of friends and a few hundred social media followers, these people are dressing up to show off to millions.
In 2015, celebs were more creative than ever in their dress-up efforts. Here are the top 10 celebrity Halloween costumes for 2015:
#10: Katy Perry as Mic Drop
This costume is a little weird, but...unique?
#9: Ellen Degeneres as Karla Kardashian
Yes, all the Kardashians dressed up...but who cares? Much better is Ellen making fun of the Kardashians!
#8: Tyra Banks as Richard Branson
There were quite a few gender-swapping costumes this year. I think Tyra's was the best.
#7: The Rock as Popeye
I can't decide if this is scary or cool.
#6: Jessica Alba and a friend as Romy and Michelle
They weren't too eager to pose for pictures for some reason, but they also posted this grainy picture of themselves. I like this full-color one better:
#5: Beyonce and Jay Z as Prince Akeem and Queen Aoleon in Coming to America
Fun tribute to a great 1980s Eddie Murphy comedy.
#4: Neil Patrick Harris and Family as the Star Wars cast
Neil and his family are Halloween costume standouts every year.
#3: Gigi Hadid as Sandy from Grease
Few people have the figure to pull off this childhood dream costume. A supermodel does.
#2: Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson as Christie Brinkley and Clark Griswold
Christie Brinkley approves.
#1 Heidi Klum as Jessica Rabbit
You have to give a standing ovation to the work that went into creating this costume.
Did you see any Halloween costumes you found amazing? If so, link to them in the comments. (Wish we could do photo comments here!)
In 2015, celebs were more creative than ever in their dress-up efforts. Here are the top 10 celebrity Halloween costumes for 2015:
#10: Katy Perry as Mic Drop
This costume is a little weird, but...unique?
#9: Ellen Degeneres as Karla Kardashian
Yes, all the Kardashians dressed up...but who cares? Much better is Ellen making fun of the Kardashians!
#8: Tyra Banks as Richard Branson
There were quite a few gender-swapping costumes this year. I think Tyra's was the best.
#7: The Rock as Popeye
I can't decide if this is scary or cool.
#6: Jessica Alba and a friend as Romy and Michelle
They weren't too eager to pose for pictures for some reason, but they also posted this grainy picture of themselves. I like this full-color one better:
#5: Beyonce and Jay Z as Prince Akeem and Queen Aoleon in Coming to America
Fun tribute to a great 1980s Eddie Murphy comedy.
#4: Neil Patrick Harris and Family as the Star Wars cast
Neil and his family are Halloween costume standouts every year.
#3: Gigi Hadid as Sandy from Grease
Few people have the figure to pull off this childhood dream costume. A supermodel does.
#2: Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson as Christie Brinkley and Clark Griswold
Christie Brinkley approves.
#1 Heidi Klum as Jessica Rabbit
You have to give a standing ovation to the work that went into creating this costume.
Did you see any Halloween costumes you found amazing? If so, link to them in the comments. (Wish we could do photo comments here!)
November 4, 2015
IWSG: Is Blogging a Waste of Time?
It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means hundreds of us will be posting about our insecurities. This month's IWSG hosts are Tyrean Martinson, Karen Walker, Denise Covey, and Stephen Tremp. If you're a writer, join in!
I've been blogging since 2006. I enjoy every minute of it. I love reading other people's blogs and having people read mine. But there are a large number of published authors who say this:
"I've never bought a book after reading a blog," one author commented on a blog about this very subject a while ago. Several people spoke up to say they had...and I revealed that almost every book I read either has been recommended by a blogger or by someone on social media.
If I had more time to read, I'd probably read about half of the books I see recommended on a daily basis. There just aren't enough hours in the day.
Here's the thing: 99 percent of those who say blogging is a waste of time don't actually read blogs. They post something and wait for someone to read it...and they're met with this:
So the answer is...yes. If you plan to just post to the blog on your website every day and wait for your "fans" to show up, you're wasting time. Unless you're this guy...
Or some other celebrity. If that's the case, you aren't reading this post anyway! This brings me back to what blogging is. Blogging, like Twitter and Facebook and any other form of online interaction is about community. It's about giving and receiving. Just as you can't join Twitter and wait for people to realize you're there, you can't post a blog and wait for people to start commenting. You have to read, comment, and post great content on a regular basis. That's how a blog can be effective.
Oh...and it can't hurt to join a great online community like this one...
But even then, you must read other blogs and comment to let people know you're there. Read other blogs, support other bloggers, and you'll find people are supporting you, too!
What do you get from blogging?
I've been blogging since 2006. I enjoy every minute of it. I love reading other people's blogs and having people read mine. But there are a large number of published authors who say this:
"I've never bought a book after reading a blog," one author commented on a blog about this very subject a while ago. Several people spoke up to say they had...and I revealed that almost every book I read either has been recommended by a blogger or by someone on social media.
If I had more time to read, I'd probably read about half of the books I see recommended on a daily basis. There just aren't enough hours in the day.
Here's the thing: 99 percent of those who say blogging is a waste of time don't actually read blogs. They post something and wait for someone to read it...and they're met with this:
So the answer is...yes. If you plan to just post to the blog on your website every day and wait for your "fans" to show up, you're wasting time. Unless you're this guy...
Or some other celebrity. If that's the case, you aren't reading this post anyway! This brings me back to what blogging is. Blogging, like Twitter and Facebook and any other form of online interaction is about community. It's about giving and receiving. Just as you can't join Twitter and wait for people to realize you're there, you can't post a blog and wait for people to start commenting. You have to read, comment, and post great content on a regular basis. That's how a blog can be effective.
Oh...and it can't hurt to join a great online community like this one...
But even then, you must read other blogs and comment to let people know you're there. Read other blogs, support other bloggers, and you'll find people are supporting you, too!
What do you get from blogging?
November 2, 2015
The Problem with Streaming Old Shows
I stream most of the TV I watch. I find shows on Hulu Plus, Netflix...even YouTube.
Sometimes I watch past shows...almost always, I find they were shows I stopped watching halfway through. Throughout my life I've learned that TV shows usually "jump the shark" around season five or so, but that doesn't stop them. They just keep churning out crappy episode after crappy episode until they run it into the ground.
Fonzie preparing to "Jump the Shark"
I stopped streaming Grey's Anatomy soon after they jumped the shark with that ever-so-strange musical episode...
So I never saw what happened to Dr. McDreamy.
I likely never will. You can blame that on this show:
When I saw Desperate Housewives was on Hulu Plus, I decided to give it another shot. I lost interest around season three when it first aired. As soon as I started watching, I realized why I loved the show so much in season one. You have Susan, who writes children's books...
And Mike, the plumber across the street. He's played by James Denton, who is from the city next to the one where I grew up. Goodlettsville still loves to mention that fact. Constantly.
I loved their love story. Loved it the first time, loved it the second time. Until I got to the last few episodes. If you haven't seen it and want to, skip to the end of this post...because I'm about to give something away.
Instead of letting Mike and Susan live happily ever after, the show's very talented writers decided to just make Susan miserable. Maybe they didn't like Teri Hatcher? There have been rumors... But whatever the reason, they shouldn't have killed off Mike. They could have just let them live happily ever after.
The problem is, if I'd never gone back and watched all the episodes, I would never have known. I would have just assumed they got married, had kids, and life was dandy for them.
Mike's final momentsAnother problem with streaming? There's no one to share my pain. Everyone got over the Mike Delfino death three freakin' years ago when it aired! So I'm behind...and everyone else who watches the show on Hulu Plus will be behind, too. We'll just be screaming into a big echo chamber...WHY?!!!
Have you ever been surprised by the death of a fictional character?
Sometimes I watch past shows...almost always, I find they were shows I stopped watching halfway through. Throughout my life I've learned that TV shows usually "jump the shark" around season five or so, but that doesn't stop them. They just keep churning out crappy episode after crappy episode until they run it into the ground.
Fonzie preparing to "Jump the Shark"I stopped streaming Grey's Anatomy soon after they jumped the shark with that ever-so-strange musical episode...
So I never saw what happened to Dr. McDreamy.
I likely never will. You can blame that on this show:
When I saw Desperate Housewives was on Hulu Plus, I decided to give it another shot. I lost interest around season three when it first aired. As soon as I started watching, I realized why I loved the show so much in season one. You have Susan, who writes children's books...
And Mike, the plumber across the street. He's played by James Denton, who is from the city next to the one where I grew up. Goodlettsville still loves to mention that fact. Constantly.
I loved their love story. Loved it the first time, loved it the second time. Until I got to the last few episodes. If you haven't seen it and want to, skip to the end of this post...because I'm about to give something away.
Instead of letting Mike and Susan live happily ever after, the show's very talented writers decided to just make Susan miserable. Maybe they didn't like Teri Hatcher? There have been rumors... But whatever the reason, they shouldn't have killed off Mike. They could have just let them live happily ever after.
The problem is, if I'd never gone back and watched all the episodes, I would never have known. I would have just assumed they got married, had kids, and life was dandy for them.
Mike's final momentsAnother problem with streaming? There's no one to share my pain. Everyone got over the Mike Delfino death three freakin' years ago when it aired! So I'm behind...and everyone else who watches the show on Hulu Plus will be behind, too. We'll just be screaming into a big echo chamber...WHY?!!!
Have you ever been surprised by the death of a fictional character?
