Author: Kevin Lawver

  • Look out, world!

    I have been dealing with the longest bout of PMS ever. At what point do I face reality and admit it’s not PMS, it’s just that I am a cranky bitch?\
    Yesterday was a bad day at Chez Lawver, with the broken pipe, flooded basement, heater on the fritz, and the lack of running water. I had Kevin take us out to dinner (my hero) just to keep the boys happy and out of my hair until bedtime. The waitress asked if we wanted an appetizer. I said, “No, but I want a brownie sundae with 4 spoons to eat now, while the real food is cooking. Because that is the kind of day I had.” Her eyes widened a little, in fear I think, while Kevin just laughed. But it was fun! My mom applauded when she heard about it. The best part was that Kevin filled up on sundae and salad and took home almost a whole steak and baked potato, which I ate for lunch. Score one for me!

  • Supernatural

    Hey, there is a new Supernatural on tonight (Thursday, 9pm EST on The CW) that looks awesome. YAY! This is the last new one until January though. Boo. But we finally get to know what the big, super-secret secret that John told Dean is. Yippeee! I can’t wait. Any guesses about the secret?\
    I’ve also heard that Supernatural is now available on iTunes, which is cool. Now all you peeps out in internet-land can watch at your own convenience. Neat-oh, huh?

  • In and Out, and out, and out

    The good news: Except for one gift I still need to buy Max (I had to take something back, so I am a bit behind), I am DONE with my Christmas shopping! Yippeeeeee!\
    The bad news: The heater has been on the fritz, so that it gets ridiculously cold in the house. It has been deciding to work about once a day. I have someone coming to look at it today, to the tune of I-don’t-know-how-much. Of course now that I made an appt, this morning the heater has been working. I am afraid that the guy will come out and say it is fine, but then it will stop working again tomorrow. Grrr. At least if my heater really is working, I will only have to pay a smaller amount than having it fixed or replaced. Bright side, right?\
    A pipe broke this morning, I think from the cold, so now part of my basement is flooded and that is an extra few hundred dollars out the window. Plus, last week I needed to have my garbage disposal replaced. Homeownership is sucking the big fat one, right now.\
    Oh, and a couple of months ago we had our ice maker fixed. Only now sometimes things get stuck up in there, so the ice won’t come out of the shoot. Pooey to that. And sometimes a layer of ice forms over the food on the shelf below the ice maker, like there is a small leak or the ice tray over sprays when filling. Grrrr.

  • Thank Goodness…

    Costco sells Midol in bulk. Best money I ever spent. Huh, Kev?

  • Cookies Are Yummy

    Macro Cookies

    In case you didn’t know, chocolate chip cookies are yummy. Max and I made a double batch while Brian was pretending to take a nap (he serenaded us over the baby monitor with babble-singing, then whining, then crying). They turned out really well. The keys?

    1. Use the Toll House recipe
    2. Mix the sugar and brown sugar before adding the butter and then break up any clumps before adding the butter.
    3. The butter should be about half softened / half melted
    4. Use about a half a teaspoon more vanilla than it calls for
    5. Use about half a cup more chocolate chips than you should
    6. Use half semi-sweet toll house chips, half Ghiradelli bittersweet.
    7. Cook them about a minute less than you think they need. There’s nothing better than a gooey chocolate chip cookie.
  • Obvious much?

    HA:\
    Les Moonves actually called Dawn Ostroff yesterday and asked “why the upswing on Veronica [Mars]?”\
    She said, “Well, we did give it a bunch more promotion.”

  • Veronica Mars

    Veronica Mars scored its second highest ratings ever with last night’s mystery finale. YAY! For those who missed the beginning of the arc, or those who are just now deciding to watch the awesomeness that is Veronica Mars, the season opener is being shown next week (Tuesdays, The CW at 9pm EST). I think most of the first mystery’s arc will be replayed, which will be a great time to look for clues for the second mystery which was introduced last night. Wheeee. And how fab is it that we already know so much about the suspects and already have clues? Wheeee, again, I say.

  • Sci-Fi Resurgent

    I was never that into science fiction. I don’t read sci-fi books, comics or get into sci-fi games. But, ever since the new Battlestar Galactica and Doctor Who started a couple years ago (has it been that long?), I’ve been hooked. Here’s what I’m hooked on and why:

    • Battlestar Galactica – One of the five best shows on TV, regardless of genre. The stories are good (even when they got repetetive in the second season). This season, it’s even better. The characters keep developing, and it feels like the show could go on for years. I thought the “we’re on ships and running away” thing would get old. It hasn’t; it just gets better. If you haven’t watched it, go back and start at the beginning with the DVDs, because at this point, it won’t make any sense.
    • Doctor Who – The second season just wrapped up on SciFi, and it was a doozy. The first season was a good old fashioned romp, and it gets rompier (what?) in the second. It’s fun, light, but can still throw a really creepy curveball in when it wants. It’s a great show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Perfectly balances humor, sci-fi and the show’s own camp origins to come up with something truly original.
    • Torchwood – I was a little worried about this Captain Jack spinoff of Doctor Who, but boy, there was nothing to be worried about. This one’s currently seven episodes in across the pond, and wow. It’s a grown up show, big time. Where Doctor Who is shown at seven PM, this show is shown at ten, and that makes a huge difference. The subject matter is darker, the emotions more raw, and the language is saltier. It’s a good moody drama, but still has a spark of the Doctor’s humor in it. Plus, it’s always fun to see Captain Jack. They’re doing a great job slowly developing his character, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
    • Heroes – This is the only new show this season I’ve stuck with. It’s gotten better with every episode, and I’m hooked. It’s funny, dark and will keep you guessing in a good way (not in a LOST “What the hell?” sort of way). It’s paced so well that each episode feels almost exactly like reading a comic book, and you know I love that. Oh, and as an added bonus, I’m pretty sure it’s the most diverse show on TV (without rubbing your face in it). Good, good stuff. I think you can catch all the episodes on iTunes.
    • Eureka – This one’s definitely quirky. It’s a wink and a nod to sci-fi convention as a sort of cross between Northern Exposure and The X-Files. It’s funny and charming in its own way. I’m glad they’re bringing it back for a second season to see if they can develop the characters some more and go somewhere with the interesting setup.\
      And I know it’s not sci-fi, but The Wire has overtaken Battlestar Galactica for the best show on television. No other show that I can remember is so patiently paced, so intricately plotted or has such well rendered characters. It covers so much ground each week without feeling rushed or contrived. If you’re a fan of uncompromised storytelling (think the first two seasons of Sopranos or Deadwood), or were a fan of Homicide: Life on the Street, you owe it to yourself to watch this show. It’s different, and if you’re used to stories that tie themselves up with a nice neat bow after every hour, go somewhere else. But, if you want characters that feel real, stories that feel authentic and subject matter that’s not honestly discussed anywhere else, watch it. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, and may be the best cop show ever.\
      I’ve had the last few days off, and it’s been great. I haven’t gone so far as to not check my mail, but the break’s been good. I’ve done a bunch of stuff around the house, played with the kids, and caught up on doing nothing. Sometimes, nothing is the best cure for what ails you.
  • Couch potato-ness

    My beloved love seat found a nice new home. YAY! Kevin described the couple as very happy and young, which automatically makes me feel old.\
    I spent all weekend shopping, though I didn’t get very far on my list. Note to self: next time leave the cute shoes at home and wear the comfortable ones. I was so wrecked by the last night that I could only veg in front of some Tivoed football games. The sound of football games coming through the tv is so soothing to me, I ended up snoozing unintentionally with the kids crawling all over and mauling me in my sleep. I think Kevin and I should make a CD of these sounds and market it to sports enthusiasts, like one of those peaceful, relaxing CDs of ocean breezes and gentle rains. I bet we could make millions! Hee.\
    The finale of the first mystery on Veronica Mars is tonight (The CW, 9pm EST). I can’t wait to find out if my suspicions are right. Then a new mystery will start. I wonder what it will be?\
    The Tivo in the sun room is acting up, freezing every 5 seconds. I want to shoot the darn thing and put it, and us, out of its misery. But Brian still thinks there is value is watching Go, Diego, Go in a herky-jerky manner. Just hearing it is driving me crazy. I think I will go watch some football to calm down.

  • Wishful Thanking

    Thanksgiving was great. Max and I went over to my parents’ early to help out. I spent the morning stuffing a turkey, chopping veggies and eating (you have to pre-eat on Turkey Day or you get full too early). We watched Over the Hedge and Cars with the kids, played games, and had a good time. We even talked about politics without yelling. I call that a success.\
    Thanks to my boss, I’ve got Monday-Wednesday off, other than going in to give a presentation on microformats on Tuesday. Jen has a list of manly-putting-things-together things I have to do, which will be fun as long as I get over this cold.\
    And since it’s that time of year again, and just in case you’re in the gift-giving mood, here’s my wishlist. Not that I’m expecting anything, honestly.\
    Time to go put Brian down for a nap…