My Year In Review

2009 is almost gone, and it was a pretty eventful one for the most part.  I finally earned my Master's degree in Higher Education, moved from Portland back to Texas, and started a new job at Texas State. All in all, not a bad year.  Let's hope 2010 is just as blessed.

My Christmas Greetings

I want to wish everyone (well, the few that might actually read this blog) a very Merry Christmas, and a prosperous New Year.

My End of the Road

Tonight, I saw Boyz II Men performing on NBC's The Sing-Off, and it took me back to a simpler time.  I used to be such a huge Boyz II Men fan growing up, and I even performed "End of the Road" with some friends during a lip-syncing contest in the 6th grade.

Ah, the memories...

My Christmas Break

Although I have to go in on Monday to help tie up some end of the semester loose ends, I am officially on break until January 4.  Yup, that's two weeks of holiday vacation, and to be honest I don't know what I'm going to do with so much time on my hands.

The plan for Christmas is set.  We're going to Houston to celebrate since my sister is expecting another child, and making her travel didn't make much sense.  My folks are going to be swinging through San Marcos on Tuesday, and then we're off to H-town.  Right now, I don't know how long we're going to be there, but I'm looking forward to it, which is an odd thing for me to say.

After Christmas is a whole different story.  Part of me wouldn't mind going back to Midland for a few days, but my low tolerance for my hometown combined with limited traveling funds makes coming back to San Marcos a more appealing option.  Then again, it's the holidays, and it's not like I have a ton to do in Central TX, so I might as well head back for some home cooking.  We'll just have to see what happens.

Regardless, I'm pumped to have some time off even though I've only been technically working for a little more than two months.  What can I say, it was a hectic couple of months...

My Two-Cents on the Brian Kelly Drama

Man, it looks like Notre Dame can't help but cause drama when it comes to its head coaches.  Former-Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly has been named the new head coach of the Irish, and it's apparently pissed off some Bearcat players and fans.

My feeling is this...get over it! If UC wants to be taken seriously as a big time college football program, then they need to realize that this comes with the territory.  A successful head coach is a hot commodity, and when the Irish call, you listen.  If they give you the job, you jump on it no questions asked.

I think that it's laughable that some people think Coach Kelly held the cards when it came to his negotiations with ND.  I'm sure he would have loved to finish up the season with Cincy, but if Notre Dame wanted him ASAP, then he had to do what he had to do.  Unfortunately, the Bearcats are too short-sighted to understand.

I admit that Kelly could have handled things better, but I don't blame him at all.  Cincinnati  needs to realize that they were a mediocre team without Kelly, be happy that he helped them get to where they are, and wish him luck.  Again, this is a problem you face when your football program hits the big time, and maybe this is an indicator that UC is not ready to be one of the big boys because their players and fans are acting like babies.

My Nerdiness Is Showing

I'll admit it, I got a little excited while watching this Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows sneak peak...

My Two-Cents on the 2009-2010 Bowl Season

Let me preface this post by saying that I'm still bitter about Nebraska choking away what would have been an epic Big XII Championship upset.  The Huskers took the lead, and apparently forgot about fundamentals, which left the window cracked for the Longhorns to sneak in and steal the game back.  To be honest, I'm not a Cornhusker fan, but I wanted them to win for two reasons.  First, it would have screwed over Texas, and I'm always in favor of that.  It would have also thrown a massive monkey wrench into the whole BCS system.  Instead of having TCU or Cincinnati face Alabama, we get the boring Bama-Texas match up.

Last night, the rest of the BCS and college football bowl games were announced, and I thought I'd share my two cents on the matchup.

BCS National Championship Game: (1) Alabama vs. (2) Texas
I'm glad that Alabama was able to get into the National Title game over Florida, but other than that, I really could care less about this game mostly because the matchup was so predictable.  We knew going in that the SEC Champion would take on Texas, but the possible matchups would have been more interesting had Texas lost.  We could have seen the underdog Horned Frogs or Bearcats take on the big boys to prove that it can be done.  Potential flaws in the BCS could have been exposed (yet again), and maybe we would be one step closer towards a playoff.  Instead, we get the same old stuff.

Like I said earlier, I really don't have much interest in this game because I'm not invested in either team.  Since I'm so anti-Longhorns, I'm naturally going to pull for the Crimson Tide, but that's more out of hatred than loyalty.  With that being said, I'm predicting Texas to win the game and the National Championship.

Orange Bowl: (9) Georgia Tech vs. (10) Iowa
This has to be one of the most boring BCS games this season.  Both the ACC and the Big Ten are mediocre conferences, and this matchup doesn't have much draw for those that are not Yellow Jackets or Hawkeyes.

If I had to pick the winner, I'd go with Georgia Tech just because I've heard the analysts slurp on them more than they have Iowa.  Regardless, this is going to be another Orange Bowl that I skip due to indifference.

Fiesta Bowl: (4) Texas Christian vs. (6) Boise State
One of the best bowl games last season, the Poinsettia Bowl, gets a rematch but this time the venue is much grander.  The two Cinderellas have the chance to prove to the BCS that they belong, but unfortunately they have to take on one another.  Some think this matchup is great because we get to see two non-automatic qualifying teams in a BCS game, while others would have preferred to see TCU and Boise State in two different BCS games (the Fiesta & Sugar for example).  The latter scenario could have ensured that four teams could have finished the season with perfect records, which could have added fuel to the anti-BCS fire.  This matchup pretty much cuts that number down to three, and a lot less controversy.

This is the only BCS bowl game that I care about, mostly because I've been pulling for TCU all season, and have been a fan of Boise State since they upset Oklahoma a few years back.  It's a shame that they'll be taking on one another rather than playing with the big boys, but I'm sure the fat checks they'll be earning will ease some of their pain.  While I love both teams, I'll be rooting on the Horned Frogs this time around.

Sugar Bowl: (3) Cincinnati vs. (5) Florida
I guess when it comes to the big picture, Texas' win wasn't a total disaster because it looks like Cincy would have snuck into the BCS Title Game had the Horns lost instead of TCU.  While I'm a fan of the little guys, I'd much rather see the Frogs take on the Tide than the Bearcats.  The main reason I would've been anti-UC is because the Big East is an overrated conference that should have left the BCS once Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College left for the ACC.  The Big East hasn't been a major BCS factor once the Canes & Hokies switched conferences, so they should have their AQ status revoked.

The only highlight for me in regards to the Sugar Bowl is the fact that Florida was knocked off their pedestal, and will not be playing for their 2nd straight National Title.  Really, it's nothing against Florida as a school or program.  I'm just tired of hearing about them and Tim Tebow.  UF is going to stick around as a dominant football program, and I see them beating Cincy pretty easily.

Rose Bowl: (7) Oregon vs. (8) Ohio State
I'm glad that we're getting a traditional Big 10 vs. Pac-10 Rose Bowl since it's this game that's really keeping us from a playoff system.  The Rose Bowl is always a fun game to watch mostly due to the tradition and pageantry, and this year's game should be a good one.  It's also the only other game that I have a horse in, and I'm hoping that Oregon will destroy the overrated Buckeyes.  Seriously, the only school I dislike as much as Texas is Ohio State, and I'm glad that they were not able to sneak into another BCS Championship game.

While I was living up in Oregon, the Ducks were the team I cheered for more often than not, and I don't see that changing this time around.  I'm impressed with how UofO was able to rebound from a devastating start in Boise, and they really deserve being in the Rose Bowl.  Let's hope the Quack Attack stops on some nuts on January 1.

Other Notable Bowl Games


Poinsettia Bowl - Utah vs. California: Two really good teams on the cusp of being great teams, and this game should be a fun one to watch.  My loyalties are kind of torn because I tend to be a Golden Bear fan, but I love it any time Utah beats a major conference team.  It seems like the Poinsettia Bowl is becoming a pretty decent minor bowl game when you combine this year's game with last season's TCU/Boise State matchup.

Independence Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Georgia: I'm happy that my Aggies became bowl eligible this season after last year's disappointing record.  Unfortunately, Texas A&M has never been a strong bowl team since I've been a fan, and I don't think that's going to change this year. I'm expecting for UGA to win this one.  I just hope it's not a blowout.

Holiday Bowl - Arizona vs. Nebraska: The Holiday Bowl is another one of those non-BCS bowl games that is usually a good game to watch.  This year's Arizona/Nebraska matchup should be no exception.  It's not as glossy as some games in the past, but it should be a good one.  As always, I'll be rooting for the underdog, which could be hard to determine between these two, so I'll just stick with the Wildcats.

I know that the hopes for a playoff system will never come to fruition, but that doesn't stop me from playing "what-if", and putting together a mythical playoff bracket that I may post here later.  Then again, bowl games can be fun to watch.  It's just too bad that big time college football refuses to join the times.

My Christmas Spirit

I've never been one that get's too into holiday stuff.  While I'm not a Scrooge by any means, I usually don't get wrapped up in the jubilation that occurs from late October to mid-January...except when it comes to Christmas music.

The last couple of years, I've been waiting for the day after Thanksgiving, not because of Black Friday, but because that's when the soft rock stations go to their all-Christmas programming.  I don't know why, but I'm a sucker for holiday music, and one of my all-time favorites comes from a classic Christmas special...
If you ask me, it just sounds like Christmas, and I can't help but feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

My Pilots

Apparently, the University of Portland's basketball team is off to its best start in some time, and they just knocked off UCLA and No. 16 Minnesota.  Add to this the fact that Portland State's basketball team has made the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament the past two seasons.  It looks like Portland is becoming a hotbed for men's basketball.  Not to mention women's soccer.

My Giving of Thanks

I am thankful for...

My family
My friends
My health
My country
My job
Everything else that has made my life worth living.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

My BCS Clusterfrick, Pt. 2

I know that I've already ranted about the Bowl Championship Series, and its flaws, but I read a post I read online riled me up all over again. Here is the reply I shared:

This post officially turned me into an anti-BCS person mostly because of the "student athlete" argument. That load of junk has to be the most worn out, nonsensical argument ever crafted to defend the BCS.

Sure, it's a fact, but every NCAA sport is comprised of student athletes, but we still have March Madness, the Div I-AA-Div III Football playoffs, and so forth and so on. This argument pretty much says that Div I-A football athletes should be treated differently because they're either special or they're not bright enough to handle a playoff schedule like every other student athlete.

Granted, football does not have the same demands as basketball, volleyball, baseball, etc., but if Div I-AA schools can manage, some of which are larger, more prestigious, and more demanding than some Div. I-A schools, then why can't it work for the big boys?

Of course, the answer always comes back to one thing and that's money. The BCS bowls bring in tons of cash for the schools, the cities, the sponsors, etc. off of the blood, sweat and tears of the same student athletes that the system is built to "protect".  We can get into the debate about whether student athletes should receive a stipend, but that's a whole different can of worms.

I'd have more respect for the pro-BCSers if they just came out and said that it's all about making money, rather than trying to dupe us into believing that the broken system is in place to help the student athletes. If the NCAA really cared about these young adults, they'd be doing more to raise graduation rates rather than defending the BCS.

The whole "every team has the chance to become national champions" argument is a joke too because this very post admits that not every school is on the same level or playing field, so those that are not in one of the six BCS conferences really don't have the same opportunities. Any system that punishes a team for going undefeated by denying them a chance to play for the National Title is just illogical.

Plus, playoffs make sports great.  I know that comparing college football to the NFL is dicey at best, but could you imagine a world where the top AFC team automatically played the top NFC team? We wouldn't have those great underdog stories to share. It would just be the same hand full of teams playing one another over and over again. Without playoffs, a small market team like the San Antonio Spurs or the Tampa Bay Rays would probably never be taken seriously and kept out of the championship picture all together.

Let's just look at college sports. I cannot tell you which team won the NCAA Basketball Title last season, but I sure as heck remember George Mason making it to the Final Four because the little guy was given the chance to take on the big boys. Sure, it didn't result in a national title for GMU, but at least they were there.

Again, comparing Div. I-A football to any other sport is very much an apples and oranges situation, but if playoffs are such a bad idea, then why does EVERY other sport in America utilize them. Oh yeah, because we're taught in America that everyone should have the chance to reach their goals...unless you're TCU, Utah, or Boise State.

My Two-Cents on the Charlie Weis Drama

Let me start off by saying that I have no ill will towards Charlie Weis. I'm not a New England Patriots hater, and to be honest I really didn't know much about him before he went to Notre Dame.  With that being said, I'm ready for him to be ousted from South Bend.

For those out of the loop, Coach Weis has been on the hot seat at ND for some time due to a less than stellar record.



To be honest, I'm giddy about the fact that ND football has been struggling as of late. Again, it has nothing to do with Weis, rather it has everything to do with Notre Dame. Before Weis took over the program, Coach Tyrone Willingham was abruptly fired even though he had a winning record at South Bend.

Sure, Coach Willingham didn't take the Irish program to the same heights that it's been used to, and his record at Washington may have been for ND to say, "I told you so", but he wasn't given the chance to really shine, and I still think he's firing was uncalled for.

So, I was rooting against Coach Weis from Day 1 because I was unhappy with how Notre Dame treated Coach Willingham. I was even more miffed when people were rejoicing about how Weis took the Irish to a 19-6 record with two BCS Bowl appearances, all done with Willingham's recruits. He was the second coming of Lou Holtz...until his players took the field.

The past three seasons have been lackluster to say the least (16-20 with one trip to the Hawaii Bowl), and he needs to be judged with the same scrutiny that ND showed Willingham. Again, I have no personal ill will towards Weis, but fair is fair.

My Two-Cents on MLS Cup 2009

Real Salt Lake bested the top ranked Los Angeles Galaxy to win the team's first MLS Cup, and the first major sports championship for the state of Utah.  Under normal circumstances, I'd be happy for RSL because I always cheer for the underdog, but this season I really wanted David Beckham to help the Galaxy win their third championship.

Becks has taken some unwarranted heat ever since he came to the United States.  Most of his critics rag on him because MLS has not seen the growth in popularity that was expected when he crossed the pond.  Then there was the whole AC Milan fiasco which pissed some fans off, and just gave his naysayers more ammunition to throw his way.  While I agree that Becks hasn't made the MLS a league that rivals even the NHL or even NASCAR, he did bring some excitement to some casual soccer fans like myself.  A win tonight would have shut up some of his detractors.  It would have validated his move to the U.S.

Unfortunately, the PKs did not go the Galaxy's way, and people are probably going to find a way to pin it on Becks even though he made his kick.  Hopefully, Becks will be heading back to the States after his stay in Italy, so he can have another shot at winning the MLS Cup.  Until then, congratulations Real Salt Lake.

My Getaway(s)

I've decided that I need to travel more.  Sure, I've had my share of adventures, but for some reason I feel that something's still missing.  My passport is lacking stamps.  I have this need to get out of San Marcos, get out of Texas, get out of the country.

I have a list going in my head, and it's getting longer by the day.  Some of the places on the list are practical.  It's always nice heading to Hawaii to visit family.  Others are ambitious, like Japan for example.  Some are just selfish, such as Italy or Greece (I'm convinced I'd find my future wife if I traveled to either place).  And the rest are no-brainers like New York City, Chicago, and Sydney.

Regardless of the place, I need to see some new places so I can scratch this itch.  Obviously, seeing these places is easier said than done, especially when you're lacking the funds, but it's a goal I've set my sights on, and usually I can achieve my goals.

My Sunny Days

Sesame Street is so timeless that it's hard to believe that it actually has a beginning.

My BCS Clusterfrick

I've been torn about the Bowl Championship Series. On one hand, it's better than the old system where the number 1 team in the rankings would be crowned National Champion. Since we have multiple ranking systems, we inevitably ran the chance of having more than one National Champion. The BCS was created to crown one true NC...in theory.

For the most part the BCS has done its job by pitting the top two teams in the nation in one final game. The championship is determined on the field, which is what most people want, but it's figuring out which two teams deserve the spots that has created so much controversy.

I admit a system that penalizes a team for going undefeated by keeping them out of the National Championship game is counterintuitive. In a perfect world, teams like Boise State, TCU, and Utah should have all had their chance to win the title, but of course college football is far from perfect.

So, we get to watch the two best teams play for the National Title, but are the teams really the top two? I love seeing the championship determined on the field, but I also think a team should have the chance to be the champions if they win all of their games. Such a dilemma.

I do enjoy the BCS overall because it causes so much drama every year, and it gives us something to talk about. If we had a playoff, things would unfold so logically, which wouldn't be much fun. It's this craziness that I'm hoping for this season.

The recent BCS Rankings has Florida, Alabama, and Texas as the top three teams, but underdog TCU has creeped up to No. 4. It's almost a given that the winner of the SEC Title game between Florida & Alabama will fill one of the two BCS Title Game spots, but it's determining which team is number two is where things could get interesting.

Hypothetically, Texas could be knocked out of the BCS Title picture if they lose a game. For example, if Texas loses to Baylor, Kansas, or Texas A&M (fingers crossed) they could lose the number two spot, which could open up the door for TCU to shock the world if they run the table.

Unfortunately, the powers that be will more than likely not let TCU prove itself even if they go undefeated. Knowing the BCS, Alabama could sneak back into the title game if Texas loses one more regular season game and the Big 12 Championship game. Texas could get a chance to play for the National Championship if they lose one regular season game, but still wins the Big 12.  Even Cincinnati could get into the BCS Title Game if they run the table and win the inferior Big East.

For my own enjoyment, I'd love to see TCU play for the BCS National Championship, but their snub could be equally as entertaining.

My New Toy

I finally have an HDTV thanks to my wonderful parents.  They decided to buy me a brand new TV as a congratulations present for getting my job at Texas State.  See, I told ya my parents were awesome.

It's a modest TV by HD standards. 32", 1080p with 120Hz.  Not a bad little set up if I do say so myself.  Unfortunately, I don't have HD cable because my apartment complex provides basic, but I don't have to pay extra so I really cannot complain.

Anyway, this puppy will be fully utilized once I buy a PS3 or a Wii, or a PS3 AND a Wii...and an XBox 360.

My Smart Cookies

This week I made cookies from scratch for the first time by myself, and for the second time ever.  To be honest, the first time shouldn't count because I really didn't do much...I just kinda sat there and watched my friend make the cookies. I did provide the butter and some jokes, so I was contributing something.

I'm sure the fact that I baked cookies seems like a random thing to blog about, but I was really proud of my work. The cookies were not perfect, but they're edible, which is a win in my book.  Also, I've been looking for something to occupy my time.  I've never really had a hobby per se, and for the last couple of years my life pretty much revolved around work and school.  Now, I have way too much time on my hands, and I'm trying to find things to fill it.

Cooking/baking has always been something that has intrigued me, but I just never had the motivation to try.  Sure, I can cook for myself, but preparing meals for one can be expensive, and it's not as fun.  I've cooked for friends before, but it's not something that ever really stuck.  Maybe now it will.

I'm not going to be on the Food Network anytime soon, but my venture into baking was a fun and satisfying one.  Plus, chicks dig a guy that can cook.

My New Theme Song

I stumbled across a new musical artist by the name of Peter Bradley Adams, and I was shocked that I hadn't heard of him eariler. While I was listening to his new album I came across a song that sums up how I've been feeling for quite some time now...

My New Gig

Tomorrow is my first day as an Academic Advisor at Texas State University. Right now, I'm a combination of nerves and excitement, but all I know is it's going to be good to be working full-time again. Let's just hope I can get myself used to a traditional 8-5 schedule...I don't think I've ever had one before.

My Reminiscence

Earlier tonight I was driving one of the back roads in San Marcos in order to get to know the city a little better, and for some reason it reminded me of living in Portland. I guess it reminded me of exploring my new surroundings a few years back, so I started to become nostalgic, and I started to miss Portland. The clouds and cold didn't help matters either.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't regret leaving Oregon because it was the right move, but there are a lot of things that I'm going to miss. While I don't see myself ever living there again, I know that I'll be back to visit sooner rather than later.

At first, I was a little thrown by these memories because I'm not the most sentimental person in the world, but I guess it hit me that here I am starting from scratch all over again. I pride myself on my adventurous spirit and longing for new things, but I was also reminded that constantly moving around in order to have these new experiences leads to a lack of familiarity...a lack of feeling at home.

Maybe San Marcos (or better yet, Austin) will be it for me, and I'll finally start laying down some roots, or maybe I'll be off to somewhere new in a couple of years, but at least I know that I want someplace to call home before it's too late.

My New Digs

I'm finally all moved in to my new place in San Marcos, and it's a huge weight off of my shoulders. It's a nice place, and I'm excited to be here. The next thing in line is my first day of work at Texas State on Monday. Man, it's been a crazy whirlwind, but in the best way possible. Let's start writing this new chapter...

P.S. - All of this craziness reminded me that I have wonderful parents. I wouldn't be anywhere without their love and support.

My Itchy Feet

I thought I had finally come around to the idea of staying put in Texas for good, but then I came across a job in Colorado (at Colorado State in Ft. Collins to be exact), and I started thinking about how fun it'd be to live there.

This idea is not too far-fetched because Colorado has always been intriguing to me (like Portland was), and I even applied to CSU for graduate school. Maybe this is the time to make the move.

Of course, I have to wait to hear back from some other schools that I interviewed with, but at least I have another possibility to think about.

My Whirlwind

The last couple of days have been pretty intense, and it doesn't look like things are going to be settling down anytime soon. I guess I should give some context.

I had a phone interview with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday, and I had an on-site interview with the University of Texas of the Permian Basin on Wednesday. While I was interviewing at UTPB, I received some calls from A&M-CC and Texas State to set up interviews for next week.

So, next Monday I have an interview with A&M-CC, and then I have another interview on Thursday with Texas State. It's going to be a whirlwind of a week, but it's definitely a good problem to have.

My Fingers are Crossed

A new month (so what if it's the 3rd), and a new job to apply for. Early today I submitted my resume et al for a position at Texas State University, which is the same job I applied for at that school about five months ago. New posting, but same old hoops to jump through. I am excited about the opportunity despite the irritability, and I'm hoping that this one (or anyone for that matter) works out in the end.

The crazy thing is this is like the fourth or fifth Texas State job that I've applied for. Apparently, I'm not getting the hint, but I'm dedicated to wearing them down. Maybe they'll be drawn to my moxie.

So add one more hopeful to the already long list of possible employers, and let's hope that August is kinder than July was.

My Waiting Game Continues

In the last couple of months I've submitted resumes to six different universities in regards to seven different jobs, and I've only received feedback twice. This job hunt is starting to get to me because I feel like I'm running out of time since schools are going to be getting back in the swing of things in less than a month. My parents keep telling me to stay positive, and while appreciate their support and encouragement, it's getting harder and harder to do so, but I'm trying.

I did have a job interview a few weeks ago, but the director called me on Monday to inform me about a different job opening at the same school. This new position would be a better fit, so I had to decide if I wanted to remain in contention for the original job, or focus my attention on this new one. I kept going back and forth because even though I'd probably be better at the second job, I didn't want to let go of a potential job since other schools aren't exactly clamouring for my services. In the end, I decided to remove myself from contention in favor of seeing what my chances are at the new position. It wasn't an easy decision, but I feel that it was the right one. This is how Brett Favre must have felt like.

There's also a small glimmer of hope when it comes to another position that I applied for at St. Edward's University in Austin. Today, I received a letter from the school, and I immediately thought it was a rejection letter. It turned out to be a letter thanking me for applying, and explaining that they will be contacting applicants over the next few weeks. So, I feel that this is a good sign that tells me that I at least still have a shot, but as always I'm going to have to wait and see.

So, I guess things aren't as doom and gloom as I may have originally thought, but it's getting harder and harder to keep the optimism up as time goes by. I just want to know where I stand and what I'm going to be doing, but I do have a backup plan in mind just in case. Actually, it's an idea about a potential backup plan. I just hope I don't have to use it.

My Two-Cents on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

So, I watched Half-Blood Prince again (yes, I'm a nerd), and it was drastically better the second time around. I'm still not going to claim that it's the best of the series, but it did become one of the better installments once I had the chance to sit back and enjoy it again.

I still feel that the movie is uneven because there is so much time spent on the angsty teenage love stories. The whole Ron-Lavender-Hermione love triangle started to wear a bit thin, and I could have done without a few of the scenes like the necklace/vomit scene. Sure, it was short but it was unnecessary and it chewed up valuable screen time.

Also, I felt that the Harry/Ginny relationship was awkward and forced. I knew it'd be tricky to pull off the subplot since a lot of it takes place in Harry's head, which is hard to translate to the screen, but some of the scenes were just odd (who ties someone's shoes?!?!). There were a few highlights though, like when he stands for her when she approaches the table, and I think the kiss was better than it was in the book.

I'm not against the romantic elements per se, but they just took up too much time which could have been spent on giving more of Tom Riddle's backstory (two memories were not enough), and more of the Half-Blood Prince mystery. The same can be said about the quidditch scenes. I've never been a huge fan of quidditch in the movies, so I was a little bummed that some of the more important plotlines were sacrificed in the end.

The end was also a little anticlimactic. I know that Yates decided against putting in the first Battle of Hogwarts to avoid repetition in Deathly Hallows, but the end needed an epic action sequence to set up Dumbledore's death. Instead we see him fall, the Death Eaters walk through the castle with zero resistance, and Harry gives a brief chase. Even the reaction to Dumbledore's death lacked something. Heck, Cedric's death seemed to affect people more than the Head Master's.

With all of that being said, I was won over by the movie because it had some well-timed humor that rivaled Goblet of Fire, and the story is still one of my favorites. Also, I was glad to see that most of Luna's appearances were kept in tact because she's hands down one of the best characters in the books.

I even like the tacked on attack on the Burrow. I know most purists probably didn't care for it, but I thought it worked perfectly because it makes the danger real. It's one thing to see the bridge collapse, but it's a totally different thing when you see these characters you have grown to care about be attacked in their own home. Plus, it added some well-timed suspense due to the fact that the Death Eaters were concealed by the field. Also, it's a good replacement for the wedding scene in Deathly Hallows since it's pretty clear that it's going to get cut.

Another positive was Alan Rickman's evolution as Snape. The character lost some of his edge in the movie, but Rickman's performance set up Snape's storyline in Deathly Hallows, and it will make him more sympathetic, which will make it easier for casual movie goers to get behind him. Kudos should also go to Jim Broadbent (Professor Slughorn) and Jessie Cave (Lavender Brown).

So, Half-Blood Prince is far from perfect (but which adaptation is perfect), but it has definitely moved up on my rankings of the films. Right now, it's neck and neck with Goblet of Fire, but I wouldn't be surprised if it makes a jump in the future.

My Harry Potter Knee-Jerk Reactions

I had the chance to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince today, and my initial thoughts are torn. On one hand, this installment had a great combination of light comedy and dark elements. One the other hand, it just felt too uneven due to all of the romantic scenes. I didn't have the chance to re-read the book prior to seeing the movie, and it might have been heavy on the PDA, but some of the lovey dovey stuff in the film just felt unnecessary and forced. Also, my favorite parts of the book, Tom Riddle's backstory and the Half-Blood Prince plot, were glossed over. I would have gladly traded some of the Ron-Lavendar-Herminoe love triangle stuff and the Quidditch scenes for more Half-Blood Prince and memory scenes.

With all of that being said, I know that I need at least one more viewing before I officially make up my mind about the flick. All I can say is I wasn't as wowed by Half-Blood Prince like I was when I saw Order of the Phoenix or Prisoner of Azkaban. Then again, part of me was expecting to not like the movie, so maybe my biases are just taking over.

My Two-Cents on the Harry Potter Movies

In honor of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince opening wide in a few hours, I decided to repost my rankings of and opinions on the first five Harry Potter movies. I'll also be adding my thoughts on HBP sometime after Wednesday.

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Oddly enough one of my least favorite books in the series has become the best movie to date. OotP is by far the most grown-up movie so far, not just in terms of theme and story, but it terms of how the film is shot. David Yates really made the Harry Potter Universe his own and has created the most visually appealing film. Sure, it's not a perfect adaptation because there were elements that had to sacrificed, but overall this latest installment is by far the best.

2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - The PoA movie will always be my all-time favorite HP flick mostly because it was the movie that got me hooked on Harry Potter. Up until Prisoner of Azkaban I had only watched the movies. I did try reading the book prior to this movie, but I couldn't get in to it. This story had some great themes and plot twists that just drew me in. I read the book after watching this movie (at least 5 times in the theaters) and I was a goner.

3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - GoF is by far my least favorite book in the series. I was not intrigued by the Tri-Wizard Tournament stuff and don't get me started on the whole SPEW subplot. I just felt the book strayed too far away from the whole basis of the series, Voldemort. Sure he's there at the start and the end, but very little is said about him throughout the book. So why is the GoF movie so highly ranked? First, the visuals were fantastic. While the book was a bit boring, I always knew the movie would be action packed, and I wasn't disappointed. I also applauded the graveyard scene because I feel that's where the series really takes off. Also, the scene where Harry brings Cedric's body back still gives me chills. Sure, I would have kept the whole Impostor Moody twist closer to the book, but that's just me being nit-picky. Plus, it's the HP movie with the most humor.

4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - It was Chamber of Secrets that convinced me that the Harry Potter stories were not just for kids. This film shows how dark the world of Harry Potter can be. The ending of CoS will always be one of my favorites. There is just something uber creepy about Tom Riddle and how he uses the diary to posses Ginny.

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - The movie did a decent job at translating the book on to the screen. Chris Columbus did a good job at setting up the foundation with a fairly spot-on adaptation of the book. Overall, it was a decent film but nothing too spectacular in my opinion.

I'm excited for the new film, but I did hear that there is a lot of romance, and I'm not quite sure how that's going to work itself out. In the end, I really liked the book, and I just hope that the movie does it some justice.

My Top 5 Places I Want to Live

Being back home and conducting a job hunt has me thinking about where I want to end up if I had the choice. This post is similar to one that I put up here a while back, but with a few changes.

1. San Francisco, CA
I had the chance to drive the entire state of California on my way back from Portland, and I took this opportunity to check out some potential new homes. The first stop was in San Francisco, and I fell in love with the place after only two days. Sometimes you just get the feeling that you belong somewhere, and that's what I felt in SF. Now, we'll have to see if I have a reason to move there once and for all.

2. Austin, TX
Living up in Portland changed me in a good way. I feel that I'm more open minded, and even more laid back than before. This change in attitude has me warming up to the idea of living in Austin, and again I feel that living here would be more natural than any other city in Texas.

3. Boulder, CO
A part of me has always wanted to live in Colorado, and Boulder seems to be the right fit (although Colorado Springs has always piqued my interest as well). Unfortunately, finding a job at CU is a daunting task because they seem to be in short supply. I also don't know how I'd handle the snow, but I'm in love with the idea of lots of sunshine.

4. San Diego, CA
Another stop on my journey home was San Diego, and to be honest it wasn't what I was expecting. To be fair, I don't think I had an accurate image of SD in my head, so I doubt it could have lived up to the standard I had set for it. I still enjoyed my time there, and the coast was amazing, but San Diego just didn't strike the same chord with me that San Francisco did.

5. Houston, TX
The main reason Houston makes this list is because me sister and her family live there, and I wouldn't be surprised if all of my family end up near Houston and San Antonio. I'd make the move to Houston because it'd be nice to be close to them. Sure, Houston is too big and humid, but having loved ones close by does have its perks.

Of course, I'm fully aware that where I end up is heavily dependent on the job market, but it's fun to dream every once in a while.

My Waiting Game

I have three applications pending at three different universities, and I'm about to submit a fourth, but it's been weeks and in some instances a month since I've heard anything. I know that reviewing candidates is a lengthy process, but this is getting nutty. Too bad patience is not one of my strengths. Let's just hope some good news comes my way sooner than later.

My Déjà Vu, My Déjà Vu

So, I've been back in Midland for almost two weeks, and it feels like I've been thrown back in time. Very few things have changed, and those that have been altered are so slight that it's almost unnoticeable. Part of me really cannot believe that I'm back here after living in San Antonio and Portland, but here I am.

It's not all that bad. It's nice being around family, and the familiar surroundings can be comforting when they're not closing in on me. Also, not having to worry about a ton of bills is nice since I have yet to find a job.

Oddly, enough I'm slowly coming around to the idea of living in Midland for a bit to work, fingers crossed, so I can save up some money. Sure, San Francisco and Austin are still at the top of my list of places to be, but they'll still be there when I'm ready to move on.

Plus, 2010 looks like is going to be a time of transition for the Canales family with my sister having another baby, and it is likely that my folks will be moving closer to Houston and San Antonio. It'll be a prime time to turn the page to the next chapter of my life.

My Two-Cents on Scrubs 2.0

It was announced today by Entertainment Weekly, that the upcoming 9th season will be drastically different than the previous 8. The biggest change revolves around the setting of the show because season 9 will be taking place in the classroom versus the hospital.

The concept is Dr. Cox and Dr. Turk will be professors to a new batch of med students, but they will not be washing their hands of Sacred Heart altogether since the students will be spending time in the halls of our favorite hospital. This move allows past regulars to make cameo appearances without them sticking out.

Now, I have always been skeptical about season 9 of Scrubs because I felt that it is unnecessary. Bill Lawrence and Co. were able to get their act together and give us a great season 8 on par with earlier outings, and it almost took the bad taste out of my mouth that was left by seasons 4-6 (7 was on route to being good but of course the strike had to happen). "My Finale" is still one of the best episodes ever, and no matter what they say it will be ruined by this new season.

Unfortunately, this new idea hasn't convinced me to be back on the Scrubs bandwagon just yet. Sure, it will give the show a new direction, essentially rebooting the franchise to account for a lot less JD, but it just doesn't feel quite right. Dr. Cox & Dr. Turk have always excelled at being teachers in the hospital, and seeing them in lecture halls is going to take some getting used to.

Also, it sounds like there are going to be new "newbies" which kind of upsets me because I actually liked most of the new interns, and now we have to get used to a whole new batch of characters. I'm sure we'll be seeing Sonny, Denise, & Katie when the action moves to Sacred Heart, but there were still a lot of good stories that could have surrounded the season 8 interns.

The only bright spot is the idea that a big name might be cast as a med student. After seeing Alexis Bledel play a doctor on ER, I'd kind of like to see her in the Scrubs universe. She's proven that she can do comedy and drama, and she looks good in a white coat. I'm sure that's a long shot, but her being added to the cast might be the only thing that saves the show for me.

Now, I've been very negative about this news, but to be honest I'm going to watch season 9 because at the end of the day I'm a fan. Sure, I might not agree with Bill Lawrence's decision to keep going, but I do trust him. It's going to be an interesting mid-season to say the least.

My Change of Events

So, apparently I'm still in the running for the job I applied for at the University of Hawaii. I had a second interview with the school, and I felt that it went relatively well. Unfortunately, I don't know where I personally stand when it comes to this position.

After I didn't hear from the school for months, I made peace with the fact that it was probably a no-go. I started looking for other jobs in other states, and that's when I came across the job at the University of San Francisco. The USF job really excited me, and it almost made me forget about the UH job.

Now, I haven't heard back from San Francisco, and UH comes calling again, so I'm in a predicament. Do I continue on in the UH process knowing that I'd prefer USF, or do I take my chances and just focus on the job in California? The thing is, I have the chance at getting a job rather than sitting and waiting for something that may never happen.

For some reason things are never easy.

My Last Week

It's officially my last week in Oregon, and it's going to be a busy one.

Sunday
My parents left on Sunday, and I spent the rest of the day recooperating. It was awesome having them in Portland, but I was ready to have my place back to myself. After an epic nap, I started packing up the rest of my apartment.

Monday
Took the day off, which was nice because it was a beautiful day in Portland. I'm going to miss the summers up here in the Northwest.

Tuesday
Dropped off some things at Goodwill and then I met up with my friend Sarah. We ate lunch in Canby before heading over to Multnomah Falls. I lived here for close to four years, and never saw the falls until my last week. Go figure. After Multnomah, we went to the Bonneville Dam and checked out the Fish Ladder. We wrapped up the day by grabbing some bubble tea in Hawthorne. It was pretty much the day that rocked my face off!

Wednesday
It was a pretty busy day. Took my car in to get a once over, had my apartment inspected, and spent a great night out with friends. Of course, I had to have one last visit to the Shanghai Tunnel, so I met up with Duty, Max, and Gary. Drank some beers, shared some laughs, inappropriately grabbed each other (well, one of us did anyway). It was a pretty great night. Oh yeah, and I got a second phone interview with the University of Hawaii. Ain't nothing wrong with that.

Thursday
Pretty lowkey day. I dropped some more stuff off at Goodwill, grabbed some lunch, and prepared for my second phone interview with UH. The interview went relatively well, and now we'll just have to see what happens next. Also, a friend convinced me to watch The Hangover. I was originally reluctant to see this movie because the trailer didn't look funny, plus it's been raved about since it came out. I do have to admit that I found it funny, so I was wrong. I can admit it.

Friday
Another lowkey day despite being in full clean-up and packing mode. I did have the chance to have dinner at Pambiche with my friend Andreen, so that was a good way to end the week.

Saturday
More cleaning, and more packing. I did get the chance to see Up with Charisse, and we had dinner Zao Noodle Bar. Another chill night, and a good way to wrap up my time in the Pacific Northwest.

Sunday
Last ditch cleaning and packing effort, and I was off. The day was so hectic that I didn't even have the chance to process the fact that I was leaving Portland, possibly forever.

My Sigh of Relief

It's official. I received the e-mail from my advisor, and I passed my last class. Now, I have a masters degree in education, and let's hope it starts paying off sooner rather than later.

Some of the lessons that I learned were easier than others, but the one thing I know for sure is I'm extremely lucky to have had a wonderful support group comprised of family and friends, and this degree belongs to them more than to me.

The past two years were long and trying, and yet they were over before I knew it. This journey hasn't been the easiest for me, but it's finished, and now on to bigger and better things.

My Final Hurdle

This afternoon, I jumped over the final hurdle that was in my way towards my masters degree. I officially got hooded, and now it's the final sprint to the finish line.

I'm not saying that I've officially earned my degree because there's still a chance that I didn't pass my final class, although that is highly unlikely. Once I receive the official word, then I can celebrate, but it does feel good to be done...in theory.

My Zack Attack

Ah, the memories...

It was fun watching Mark-Paul Gosselaar channel his iconic Zack Morris, but the bit ran on a bit too long, and Fallon proved that he's not ready for this gig. In the end, this clip was chuckle worthy, and I'm glad MPG was a good sport about it all.

My California Love

Still no word from UH, and I'm not really expecting any good news by this point. Hope is not gone just yet because I stumbled across a pretty sweet sounding job at the University of San Francisco. It's an admissions counselor position, so I'm hoping that the combination of orientation and admissions experience will give me a decent shot. If not, oh well.

Right now, the plan continues to be heading back to Texas and going from there. There are a few jobs back home that have piqued my interest, but part of me really feels like some time in California would do some good. That's why I've been focusing on the Bay Area and San Diego for the last couple of weeks. We'll just have to see what happens I suppose.

All I know is my time in Portland is coming to an end, and I think I'm actually going to miss it here. Yeah, I was shocked too!

My Bro Part Deux

Neil Patrick Harris is de...wait for it...lightful. Delightful. Check out NPH's awesome number that wrapped up last night's Tony Awards show.

My Journey Is Complete...Almost

Thursday night I gave my last presentation as a graduate student at Portland State University, and while many people told me that I did a great job, I'm hesitant to be overly eager to celebrate because I know that there's still the tiny chance that I might not pass. I just hate patting myself on the back before I have a reason to.

Now, I'm fairly confident that I will be earning my masters degree in education, and I will have a reason to be excited, but I'm also still trying to figure out what is next.

Six months ago, I wrote an entry about how I had no idea what my future holds, and the same is true today. Usually, I love change and not knowing what's down the road, but for some reason I'm not so carefree, and I just hope that this degree will pay off sooner than later.

All I know for sure is I'll be leaving Oregon before the end of the month. After that, a whole new journey begins.

My 3-Day Rule

I know this is from a while back, but it's one of the funnier moments from this season of How I Met Your Mother. Only Barney could make a joke about Jesus creating the 3-day Rule work. NPH is freaking awesome!

My Glimmer of Hope

I interviewed with the University of Hawaii over a month ago, and I didn't receive any further communication about my standing, no callback for an on-site interview or the always fun blow-off letter, so I was sure that they decided I was not right for the job and moved on.

Rather than just worrying about my assumption, I followed up with the person in charge of the search, and she let me know that they're still in the process of making a decision, which means I might still be in contention.

So, I still have the slightest glimmer of hope, and I'm starting to come around to the idea of moving all of the way to Hawaii. Let's see what happens.

My Piece of Advice

Never watch the entire third season of Friday Night Lights in one sitting...it'll leave you dehydrated. Such a great show.

My End of the Road

It's kind of hard to believe that I'll essentially be done with graduate school next Thursday. The time just flew by, and I'm excited about the next chapter of my life. I just wish I knew where that would be taking place.

My Two-Cents on the Jon & Kate Train Wreck

I'll admit it, I was sucked back in and watched tonight's episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 to see if Kate could redeem herself. Of course, I was let down.

Jon manned up, as much as he could, and admitted he made some stupid decisions, and apologized for them.

Kate, on the other hand, did what she does best and that's play the victim. She's quick to point out that she's not perfect, but the last to admit that she's at fault for anything. Not once did she acknowledge that she might be a tiny bit responsible for this train wreck, and that's what's sadder than anything.

What gets me more than anything is they claim they want to do what is best for their kids, and it's obvious that this show is not it, yet here we are discussing the season premiere.

If they really cared at all about their kids, the show wouldn't be on. People say they're doing it to provide their children a lifestyle, but it's far from a normal one, and I'm sure any regular parent wouldn't sacrifice their kids' normal childhood for swag and a media blitz. How healthy is it going to be for these kids when they can watch the destruction of their family on YouTube? I doubt the million dollar homes and free stuff is going to be make up for the therapy and heartache that the show is going to cause these kids.

Unfortunately, Kate wants the spotlight just to complain about it, and those who defend her, just watch the end of last season. Jon wanted out, but she got her way. Where's the partnership? Where's the compromise? Who is really to blame?

I was hoping that some progress had been made, but it's clear that the theme of this season is going to be marital strife and unhappiness, so I'm done with this show once and for all. I hope things work out for them in the end, but we'll just have to see if season 6 is on the way.

Plus, I'm sure Kate got rid of her cute helper, Jenny, because she was stealing some of the spotlight, so that's another reason to not watch this show anymore.

My New Celeb Crush

Earlier, I talked about how I'm a fan of Fox's new show Glee, and I think the main reason I like the show is Lea Michele:

My Two-Cents on Glee

Last night, I watched the pilot episode of FOX's new musical dramedy, Glee, and while it wasn't the greatest first episode ever, it sure did make me want to watch it this fall...and it also put Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" in my head, and it won't get out.

Check out some videos from Hulu:

On the surface it looks like a cheesy high school show about kids singing, and that's exactly what it is, but that's why it works for me. Sure, it has all of the high school cliches, but it's hard not to get into the show when the music gets going.

Glee is not going to be the world's greatest TV program, but it looks like it's going to be a lot of fun, and that's what TV needs nowadays. Glee doesn't focus on dead bodies, or hot people jumping in the sack with one another (not yet at least), but it's about kids figuring out who they are, and daring to be a part something greater than themselves. Now, that's good TV.

My Job Hunt - Update 4

The job hunt is still fruitless. UH still hasn't gotten back to me, and I'm pretty sure that means that I'm no longer in the running. I should probably follow up just to make sure. Of course, the Texas State job was a dead end, but I did apply for a position at the University of North Texas. We'll see if that leads to anything, but I'm not holding my breath per usual.

I have made the decision to postpone the job search for a few months though, mostly because I won't be able to travel anywhere for potential interviews until mid-June. Plus there's the whole moving situation, so it would just make sense to wait until I'm back in Texas, and start up all over again.

Right now, I'm still in an OK place mentally, but I'm starting to get a wee bit unnerved about the working situation. It just seems like student affairs jobs are in short supply (at least any that I would be good at), and I just don't want to have this fancy masters degree, but have nothing to show for it. Again, I'm not freaking out...yet.

My Happy Day

So, Sunday had some great news on the TV front as many industry insiders reported that Chuck has been renewed by NBC. Of course, I'm not completely sold until NBC's upfront on Tuesday, but I'm sure this is pretty solid intel.

There are some provisions for the third season of the spy dramedy though. First off, NBC only ordered a 13-episode season, and I want to say that they have the option to order the back 9 to make a complete season. To be honest, I'm totally fine with the 13-episode season, and I think that all dramas should have shorter seasons. I just feel like you can focus on two of three solid story arcs rather than trying to fill 22 episodes.

There are also rumors that some of the supporting cast may have their appearances trimmed, or eliminated altogether. Again, I'm fine with this development as long as Chuck, Sarah, and Casey are in all of the episodes. Anna Wu may be a character that gets written out, and that wouldn't be a huge loss. They could axe Morgan too for all I care. Ditto when it comes to the Buy More.

Then there's the rumor that it might be placed on Fridays, which tends to be the night of death if you're not a CBS drama or Friday Night Lights. If NBC puts Chuck on Fridays, then it's almost certain that season 3 will be the end of the show, so I hope they plan to wrap up most of the loose ends in 13 episodes.

So, this news may not be all good, but it's way better than getting no Chuck at all.

My ABCs

There has been a ton of news breaks about shows that are being renewed for next year's television season, and there have been some pleasant (and not so pleasant) surprises.

First, the good news. Apparently, ABC has renewed two of my new favorite shows, Castle and Better Off Ted. The experts were expecting Castle to get a second season, but it wasn't a done deal due to OK, but far from stellar ratings. Better Off Ted on the other hand is a huge surprise because everyone had this show flatlining after poor ratings, but apparently ABC gave the smart and funny show a reprieve. Of course, nothing is official until ABC's upfront presentation next week, but it's some encouraging news to say the least.

Now, the not so good news. It seems like the 9th season of Scrubs is official, and Zach Braff & Sarah Chalke are supposedly coming back for 6 episodes to help pass the torch to "Scrubs: The New Class". I love Scrubs, and I've always been on the fence about a 9th season, but the more I think about it the more skeptical I become about it. "My Finale" was the perfect ending to the show, but now that last episode will be cheapened, despite what Bill Lawrence says, thanks to this new season. Sure, this season might be good, but oh how I doubt it. The thing is, I'm probably going to watch regardless.

So, it looks like I'm going to be watching a lot of ABC next season since I really don't have shows I'm dedicated to on CBS (except for How I Met Your Mother, but it's on thin ice) or FOX, and only two on NBC (Friday Night Lights and Chuck).

My Writer's Block

For some reason I cannot find the motivation to start on my final paper for graduate school. Someone could have a gun to my head in order to force me to work on it, and I'd tell the person to shoot because dying a slow, painful, bullet to the head induced death would be more fun than working on this paper. Unfortunately, I'm not so lucky, and I don't see a way out of it.

My Job Hunt - Update 3

Still no word from the University of Hawaii, which usually isn't a good sign. The job prospects are pretty slim in California as well, so I'm close to just throwing in the towel and focusing just on Texas. Unfortunately, the pickings are pretty slim in Austin as well. There's always the Metroplex, but I feel dirty just thinking about it...

My Trip Down Memory Lane

Probably the best two minutes in television history. OK, maybe that's a bit much, but it was the two best minutes of Scrubs ever.

I was happy to see that they brought Alex ("My Drug Buddy") back. She was always my favorite of J.D.'s non-Elliot girlfriends. I also liked seeing Slagathor and Boone back. I kinda want them to be the focus of the mythical ninth season along with Sonny & Denise.

Overall, tonight's episode wasn't the perfect series finale ever, but it was pretty damn close, and I'm going to miss it...

My Twitterpation

I think I've found my dream girl via Twitter. She likes the same TV show as I do, she has a great sense of humor (based on what I can tell), and she's kinda cute.

Too bad she lives nowhere near me...

My End of an Era

This week is going to be an emotional roller coaster for me, TV wise.

First, there's the whole Chuck renewal craziness, but this week will also have the final two episodes of Scrubs as we know it.

There are rumors that it may be picked up for a 9th season, but it won't be the same. Here's a sneak peak of the finale. Classic Scrubs.

My Shot Foot

I think I made a slight mistake when it comes to the job application that I submitted to Texas State. It seems like I'm always finding a way to screw things up for me. Figures.

My Job Hunt - Update 2

The end of my masters education is getting closer and closer, and I haven't really started to sweat it just yet (despite the fact that I haven't started working on my final paper), but the job search is getting pretty slim.

I applied for a job at the University of Hawaii, and I was able to get a phone interview. It went well for the most part, and now I'll just have to wait and see. The idea of living in Hawaii is exciting, but it has drawbacks too. It's really expensive to live on the islands, and it would be so far away from home.

I also applied for two jobs in San Diego, one at the University of San Diego and one at the University of California at San Diego. Unfortunately, both of the jobs fell through, which sucks because living in San Diego would have trumped living in Hawaii.

The other night I came across an orientation at Texas State, and I couldn't help but get excited. I've always wanted to get back into orientation, and San Marcos is close enough to both Austin and San Antonio, so it sounds perfect...too perfect. Of course I applied for the job, but I'm not letting myself get too worked up because I don't want the potential rejection to sting too much.

So, that's where I'm at. I have a little over a month left to go before I officially become over educated and unemployed. Yippie!

My Scrubs Farewell...Maybe

Apparently, Scrubs is the show that will not die. My love for this show has never been a secret, but I agree that it's time for it to bow out gracefully. Season 8 was a gift, and we should be happy it had the chance to leave on its own terms.

Then again, I can't say that I wouldn't watch season 9 or a possible spin-off. I'm liking some of the new interns (Sunny & Denise in particular), and I'd be mildly interested in seeing a show about them.

The biggest selling point for me though rests on Johnny C & Donald because they'd have to be regulars since they're the Chief of Medicine and the Chief of Surgery. It'd be weird to have two higher ups gone from the hospital all of the time.

And whose to say they can't bring in some new doctors to mix things up. I know this is a pipe dream, but what if they brought in Alexis Bledel (who proved she can do the doctor thing in addition to comedy) as a new attending. I'd be all over that show, especially if Sarah Chalke sticks around.

I've also read that another season of Scrubs might give Better Off Ted a stronger chance at renewal, and that would be awesome, but the show's time has come...

My No. Two Reason for Loving Chuck

Seriously, how kick ass is Zachary Levi?

My No. One Reason for Loving Chuck...Again!

Because posting this clip once is not nearly enough...

My Brothers Bloom

I stumbled across the trailer for The Brothers Bloom on Hulu, and it looks pretty entertaining. Too bad it's coming out this summer, and will probably be buried by all of the big budget blockbusters.



I'll definitely be checking out Bloom because con-man movies are always a pretty safe bet, and the sneak preview kind of reminds me of Pushing Daisies, which is also can't miss unless it's on network TV that is.

My Fanaticism is Back

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Trailer


All I can say after watching the new Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince trailer is, "wow". It looks pretty intense, and it has the chance to become the best HP movie yet, but then again I said the same thing about The Order of the Phoenix. Either way, I'm really impressed with what David Yates has done with the franchise. I'm excited to see what he has in store for Deathly Hallows, but that would mean the end...

My Hopelessly Romantic Side, Pt. 2

This scene from last night's Scrubs is a classic example of the show. It had it's heartfelt moment, but was able to toss in some well timed humor.

I know that there's some talk about a possible 9th season, but it needs to end in my opinion. We finally have J.D. & Elliot together, and another season will just further complicate the relationship. Let the couple live happily ever after...

My New Bubble Show

My love for Chuck has been well documented, as well as the show's bubble status over at NBC, but the spy dramedy is not the only show I like that is on the bubble. Unfortunately, ABC's Castle is also at risk of being cancelled.

Now, I'm more emotionally invested in Chuck because I've been watching since day one, and it has a mythology and larger storyarcs in place that have me hooked, whereas Castle is a by-the-book procedural. The thing is, Castle is a more entertaining procedural than all of the CSIs put together (and don't get me started on the other ho-hum cop shows on CBS). Sure, Castle has the same case of the week premise, but the chemistry between Nathan Fillion (Rick Castle) and Stana Katic (Kate Beckett) is fun to watch. Plus, Fillion is a pure pimp.

I'm a little shocked that Castle is on the bubble because I knew that the ratings weren't stellar, but far from bad. I guess I was wrong, and it looks like my new favorite crime drama is going to have the same fate as my last favorite crime show (Pushing Daisies), which is just saddening.

The thing is, I think Castle could catch on with audiences, even more so than PD, because it's not as quirky but still fun to watch. I could see the Fillion vehicle do well in a line-up that includes Desperate Housewives on Sundays (although I doubt ABC would give it Brothers & Sisters time slot since the latter is more established). Maybe even pair it up with Grey's Anatomy & Private Practice. Sure, I'm not a fan of those particular shows, but I'm for anything that would keep Castle around for a few more episodes.

Sadly, I don't see any big moves (or hope for that matter) in Castle's future, and more than likely it's a goner, which means it could join the aforementioned Pushing Daisies, Scrubs, Kings, and possibly Chuck on the list of my favorite shows that are not coming back next season. Sad day. This is exactly why I avoided watching TV in the past...the emotional let down is too great.

My Job Hunt - Update

The job hunt has been hectic, but far from life consuming, which I guess is a good thing. I've applied for a variety of student affairs jobs in Oregon, Hawaii, California, and Texas, but I really haven't gotten too many nibbles. Right now, I'd say my best bet is the job I applied for at the University of Hawaii, but it's still way too early to tell.

I have received a few rejections, which are never easy to swallow, but I'm taking them in stride. I figure it wasn't meant to be, so it's nothing personal, and I'm probably better off not being there to begin with. It's easy to have that attitude now because it's still somewhat early. I doubt I'll be so nonchalant if I'm still unemployed in a few months, which could be possible.

I keep telling myself that the right job is out there, but the pessimist in me is afraid that I'll officially be over-educated in about two months. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

My Tiki Bump

Last night's Scrubs had some pretty decent laughs, but one that always gets me is this one:

"Tiki bump!" - Classic!

My Empty Tank

Maybe I'm just in a grouchy mood, but I just didn't give a frick today. I was supposed to work on my comps project for school, but I had zero motivation because the sun was out. I kept telling myself that I should take my final project seriously, but I couldn't muster any care what so ever.

This is when I realized that I really don't care much about anything right about now. I'm not saying that I'm unhappy with things, I just want to be done with so much stuff, so I can pick up and move on already.

Should I be worried that I'm feeling this way because it really doesn't bother me that I am...

My Last Straw

The other day, I received an e-mail from Portland Community College letting me know that I'm not longer in the running for the position that I applied for. I was a little bummed at first, but then I quickly realized that it was a blessing.

In all reality, that job application was the only thing that would have kept me in Portland. Now, I'm free to move on and do something else. Right now, I have applications pending at the University of San Diego and the University of Hawaii...maybe one of those will work out for me.

My Calling

My recent trip to Hawaii taught me a lot about myself. For example, my true calling in life involves selling t-shirts to tourists on the beach...or being a pirate off the coast of Belize.

My Faith in Network TV is Restored...For Now

All of the TV people on the net are reporting that the great, albeit ratings deficient, Friday Night Lights is coming back for a fourth and fifth season thanks to the NBC/DirecTV cost sharing agreement.

I'm extremely ecstatic to hear that such a great show has a chance to live on despite not getting the ratings that networks love to see. This news proves that sometimes substance means more than just the bottom line. Now, if Chuck gets a third season then I'll be a happy man.

My Local Motion

So, I'm finally back from my trip to Hawaii, and it was amazing. First off, I was in Hawaii so it doesn't get better than that, but it was also nice to be away from Portland for a little while. For those who are interested, here's an abbreviated version of my trip:

Monday, March 23
After a five hour flight to Maui, I was pretty spent so I had dinner with my mom and grandfather. We went to this place called Zippy's, which I guess is the Hawaiian version of Denny's, because my mom insisted that I get their ramen. It was good, way better than Top Ramen, that's for sure.

Tuesday, March 24
We took a little trip to Lahaina, Maui, which is a former whaling village that has become one of the top tourist spots on the island. Going to Lahaina is always fun because it's been able to remain quaint while being touristy at the same time. We were lucky because there weren't too many people in Lahaina, so it was pretty chill. We had lunch at Bubba Gump's (yes, it's a restaurant based on the movie), and it was good food albeit pretty commercial.

Wednesday, March 25
This time around we hit up Paia, Maui which is located up country on the Northshore of the island. I really dug Paia because it was nice, quaint, and had a chill atmosphere. We had lunch at a place called Milagro's which was some kind of Mexican-Hawaiian fusion type place. Pretty tasty stuff. After lunch we headed over to Hookipa Beach where all of the windsurfers play. There weren't many windsurfers, but plenty of regular surfers that day. I didn't try either, but it was nice being on the coast and seeing the ocean.


Thursday, March 26
We left Maui for a bit, and headed over to O'ahu to visit my uncle and aunt. I really love hanging out with those two, and it's a shame that I don't get to see them that often. I was also able to see my cousin and her new baby, and he was adorable. Usually, I don't get gaa gaa over babies, but this kid won me over. My uncle also drove us around the University of Hawaii campus, the Chaminade University campus, and a local community college because part of my trip was to see if I'd like to live and work in Hawaii. Lunch was at some Chinese place, and the food was OK but not great, and later that night we watched a UH baseball game. The Rainbows lost, but the opposing pitcher did throw a no-hitter so that was exciting.

Friday, March 27
I spent most of the day on the UH campus to get a feel for the environment. It's a pretty decent campus from the looks of it. It's not the most amazing campus I've ever been on, but it's far from the worst. Plus, I had to but some UH gear for the trip home. After walking around UH for a while, my cousin picked me up and we went to this nice Japanese restaurant to meet up with the rest of the family. Before I knew it, my mom and I were on a plane back to Maui.

Saturday, March 28
This was a busy day because we had a memorial service for my grandmother, who passed away four years ago. We went to evening mass with some close relatives before meeting up with others at this local hotel for dinner. It was nice seeing some of my extended family, even though I didn't quite know everyone there.

Sunday, March 29
Headed back to Portland :(

Overall, it was a great trip. I had a blast hanging out with my mom and grandpa, and seeing my uncle and aunt is always a plus. I also realized that being in Hawaii feels like home. I could definitely see myself living there in the future.

My Spring Break

One of the few upsides to being in grad school is I still get a Spring Break, so I'll be on a plane to Hawaii in less than 24 hours! It's been a while since I've been back to Hawaii, and I'm really excited. It'll be nice to see some family, relax on the beach, and not have to worry about stupid school stuff for a whole week. I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts...

My Home Sweet Home

Wednesday is becoming my second busiest TV night thanks to Scrubs, Better off Ted, and one of my new favorite shows, Man v. Food. Tonight, I caught up on MvF by watching the Austin episode, and I was homesick while watching Adam Richman chow down on amazing BBQ. Man, I really miss good BBQ.

My Vikings

Woody Paige picked my Portland State Vikings to upset Xavier in the NCAA Tournament. It's cool that the Viks got a shout out on national TV.

My Movie Marathon

So, my weekend's pretty free aside from some research that I have to do for my final paper (which I'll probably put off despite telling myself not to), and I've decided to have a male-angst movie marathon.

Now, there are tons of things that men have to be uneasy about, but one takes the cake...the ladies. So, for my marathon I've picked a few movies that depict how crazy guys can get over a woman, and they cover multiple life stages:

Pre-teen/Teen: Little Manhattan
Early 20s: I'm Reed Fish
Mid/Late 20s: Garden State
Early 30s: The Last Kiss
Mid 30s: Numb
Late 30s: Stranger than Fiction
Early 40s: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

I'm in for one heck of a weekend.

My Second (or Third or Fourth) Thoughts

I stumbled across a pretty sweet job opening down in San Diego. I might have to re-think this whole "only Portland or Texas" stance.

My Purple Giraffe

Today, I was killing time until class, so I started watching Season 1 of How I Met Your Mother on my iPhone, and it was a reminder how great that show was. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

My Two-Cents on Becks

I've always had this odd fascination with soccer, and I've been a quiet supporter of Major League Soccer since its inception, so I was pumped when David Beckham joined the L.A. Galaxy a few years back.

For those out of the loop, Becks was loaned out to AC Milan so he can be eligible to play for England in the 2010 World Cup, but sports writers and fans knew that he'd want to stay in Italy for good, and they were right.

After some drama, it was decided that Beckham will play out the rest of the season in Italy before heading back to the States to play for LA. There are going to be critics who slam Beckham for doing this and claim that his time in America was a failure, but I don't think they really understand the importance of playing soccer in Europe. ESPN gave Becks the chance to state his case:



Now, whether or not Beckham's time in the US was a failure cannot be determined just yet. People come out to see him play, and he created some buzz by coming over, so while he didn't make the biggest impact in the world, he did make a splash. I'm glad he'll be coming back for a bit, and if he decides to play the rest of his career in Europe, I'm not going to hold it against him because I enjoyed watching him in the MLS.

My Double Dutch

This is why sports are a great thing...

My Must-See Vampire Flick - Part 2

For my birthday, I watched Let the Right One In for the second time with a friend, and I'm still convinced that this movie was the best vampire film (if not one of the best overall films) of 2008. I posted my initial review a few months back, but I just wanted to show it some more love.

P.S. - It's coming out on DVD this Tuesday, so everyone had better put it in your Netflix queue!

My Birthday

I can't believe that I'm 28. What's even crazier to think about is the fact that this year is my 10 year high school reunion. Man, I'm getting old...

My Public Enemies

Looks pretty sweet...

My Half-Blood Prince

I don't want to sound like all of those other fanboys, but I'm getting excited for the new HP movie.

My Handy Man

For those who doubt Nathan Fillion's brilliance, just check out this clip:

PG PORN: Nailing Your Wife | Girls | SPIKE.com

Only a great actor can pull something like that off.

My Castle

Castle is a new crime dramedy from ABC, so more than likely it will be canceled before it gets its fair shot.

I'm actually really excited for this show because it looks like it's something new and fresh from ABC (but then again, so was Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone).

Plus, Castle has Nathan Fillion, and I'll watch whatever he does. The show also looks like it has some good, believable chemistry between the leads, and while it may not be as good as Malcolm and Inara, it's way better than that manufactured crap on The Bachelor.

I'm hoping Castle finds its audience and does well because I want Fillion to be on a show that lasts more than 14 episodes (but this show's not on FOX, so that might be a good sign).

My Condemned 'House'

House has been one of the few shows that I started watching from day one, but I officially removed this once great show from my TV viewing schedule.

One of the biggest reasons I stopped watching House was because it moved to Monday nights, essentially putting it up against Chuck and How I Met Your Mother, and since my DVR can only record two shows at a time, House lost out.

Scheduling conflicts weren't the only reasons I stopped watching, there were many, and I stumbled across a blog that summed up my feelings about the Hugh Laurie vehicle.

At this point, I don't know if I can make my way back, but I do miss the cantankerous House every once in a while.

My Blues & Grays

So, Texans might be overweight, but at least they're happy...unlike Portlanders and Seattleites. Hmm, I wonder if there's a connection? I'd be unhappy too if I had to eat granola and rabbit food while being rained on day after day ;)

In all seriousness, I don't take the findings of this report to heart because any study can skew its data to say whatever it wants. Portland's not that bad of a place to live, but I could do with some better food and more sun.