More blogs about pop culture.
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Because of the holiday, I won't post a new reader of the day until Dec. 1. (No one wants to be featured when they're out of town!) Have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving, and I'll see you next week.
Hey, hey! I'm still buried in boxes, but at least many of them are empty now. As you can see, I'm posting Tuesday's forum thread a little early -- that's because I'm so pooped that I may need to sleep in tomorrow. (It may be somewhat of a challenge, however, since we still have no blinds on the windows.)
Anyway, enjoy your day, and I'll be back before you know it. By tomorrow night, I hope to have unpacked most of my stuff and have made a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner. Holler if you have suggestions.
Now for today's reader:
Reader of the day: Greg1701
Real name: Greg
Where I live: Denver
Occupation: Television director
Personal blog/website (if applicable): www.denvertvguy.com
Three famous people I'd love to meet: Bill Clinton, Whitney Matheson (suckup alert!) and David Letterman...
One famous person I've actually met: Regis Philbin (No, I didn't make the hot seat ... arguably my biggest regret in life to this point.)
Some of you have asked about my new mailing address in New York. In case you want to send me something -- and I hope it's something awesome! -- here's where you can find me:
USA TODAY
Attn: Whitney Matheson, Pop Candy
535 Madison Ave., 20th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Also, last week I mentioned the "Pop Candy cake" at my office going-away party. Here's a photo -- it was chocolate mousse-y and delicious:
Hey, guys! I've arrived in New York and everything is grand, though the movers just rolled up to my front door, so I still have a lot of work ahead of me.
I hate to break hearts here, but here's the thing: I'm going to take off this week to unpack and get settled in my new city. Please don't do anything too crazy while I'm gone, and this way I'll be calm, rested and inspired upon my return.
For now, here's a featured reader and a space to chat. You can find me on Twitter when I'm not lifting, cleaning or arranging things. (I can't believe I'm finally here! Waking up was kind of like Christmas.)
Anyway, here you go:
Reader of the day: Sugar Magnolia
Real name: Maggie
Why I chose my screen name: Magnolia was one of many nicknames when I was little; also my fiancé is a huge Grateful Dead fan, and Sugar Magnolia is his favorite song.
Where I live: Bryson City, N.C.
Occupation: Financial aid counselor at Western Carolina University
Favorite movie: Bridget Jones' Diary, That Thing You Do!, L.A. Confidential, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Princess Bride
Three famous people I'd love to meet: Lauren Graham (because Lorelai Gilmore is my hero), Johnny Depp (because he’s simply amazing) and John Krasinski (love him!)
Coolest pop-culture item I own: I have Steve Kmetko’s Academy Awards Press Pass from 2002 (he was the original host of E! New Live with Jules Asner). He had a contest to send in questions and if your questions were answered, you won some swag!
As some of you have already discovered, the Elf Yourself website is back. This year, OfficeMax's viral holiday site has partnered with JibJab, so it offers a few more capabilities, including the ability to choose several dances.
Head to the site to upload photos and send your videos. Since you can create more than one elf, I decided to surround myself with a batch of celebrities: Wallace Shawn, Carol Channing, Lisa Bonet (circa 1988) and Ricky Schroder. Together, I think we make a pretty swell team.
Many of you have e-mailed me today to say Amazon's "Gold Box" daily deal is offering the complete series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer for just $69.99.
The set retails for about $200, so this is quite a savings -- if you were planning on giving the box to someone for the holidays, now is the perfect time to buy. Grab one before they're gone!
(In related news, did you know Nicholas Brendon has an audioblog? A new post is up on his site, if you want to hear what the former Xander has been up to lately.)
Pricey basil. Scary clowns. Dirty microwaves.
This doesn't sound like your typical episode of The Office -- nor does it sound like a particularly enticing one. Most of the action focused on a character we thought had left the show, while a subplot involved the increasingly boring Jim and Pam.
Share your thoughts about the episode in the comments. Did the resolution to the Jim/Pam story surprise you? Are you happy to have Toby back in the mix? What did you think of the scenes with Ryan?
You can also watch episodes on Hulu and new webisodes on NBC.com.
Today's reader is hanging out in Minnesota, where I hope it's not too terribly cold. Get to know him, then say hello:
Reader of the day: Waxblink
Real name: Peter Jackson (pictured with singer Margo Timmins from the Cowboy Junkies)
Why I chose my screen name: I didn't want a variation of my name with a bunch of numbers after it. There was a Cocteau Twins CD near me when I was trying to come up with something unique. They've got some funky song names which were all taken, so I pulled from the songs Wax and Wane and Iceblink Luck.
Where I live: Recently moved to a farm in Chisago City, Minn.
Occupation: Information center of a drug/alcohol rehab center
MySpace: www.myspace.com/waxblink
Three famous people I'd love to meet: I'd love to have Laurie Anderson show me her NYC. I was working at the front desk of a hotel years ago and checked in Dr. Jane Goodall. There was something very peaceful about her presence; I'd like to have a quiet dinner with her. Then, there's the Mekons -- best band ever as far as I'm concerned. I'd need to spend about a month with them, find out where I fit into the mix.
One famous person I've actually met: I met Laurie Anderson at a show of hers. She was promoting the book Stories From the Nerve Bible and signed books after the show. When I got up there, she asked who she should make it out to, I said "Me ... and could you please write 'your best friend, Laurie Anderson?' She did, and spoke it out loud through clenched teeth as she wrote. She was very sweet!
People say I resemble: Hugo Weaving -- I think it's the widescreen forehead.
Happy Friday, everyone! I won't be blogging much today because I have some last-minute moving errands to run: picking up the rental car, returning the cable box, etc. I can't believe I'm almost out of here, and I'm anxious to get settled in my new digs!
Right now please enjoy these headlines:
- Sorry, fans: ABC has decided not to order additional episodes of Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone or Dirty Sexy Money.
- The Hollywood Reporter has an update on an Arrested Development movie, which really sounds like it might happen.
- Dr. Pepper is giving away free soda starting Sunday.
- We have a story about the new Saturday Night Live cast members.
- Scrubs will premiere on ABC Jan. 6.
- The Roots are recovering after their tour bus crashed en route to Paris.
- Heroes' Tim Kring isn't winning any new fans.
- The Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack is coming soon.
- A teaser trailer for Astro Boy has been released.
- Aziz Ansari discusses the new show from the Office writers (well, as much as he can) in this interview.
- SNL's Seth Meyers talks to The Advocate about last weekend's episode, aka "the gayest episode in the history of the show."
- What are the greatest car chases in movie history?
- Slate asks "Why movie vampires always break all the vampire rules."
- Variety has a trailer for Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler, which stars Mickey Rourke.
- Patrick Swayze's new series will premiere Jan. 15 on A&E.
- Special editions of the Back to the Future movies are being released in February.
- Wired.com examines J.J. Abrams' "younger, faster, louder" Star Trek.
- Here's a piece about the new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC, a branch of the museum in Cleveland.
- And finally, you can see some new Lost footage in this music video. Spot any clues?
While cruising the booths at D.C.'s Crafty Bastards fair a few months ago, I came across Inedible Jewelry and instantly fell in love. I don't wear a lot of jewelry, but this stuff is just my style -- the designs are all hand-sculpted to resemble your favorite foods!
Go to the website, and you'll see what I mean. Here, you can buy earrings, necklaces and charms that look like avocados, eggs or T-bone steaks. They have pretzels, pears and tacos and pancakes. If you can name it, they probably sell it, and it's all pretty affordable.
I own a couple pairs of the earrings, and I'm a very happy customer. The independent business is run by two sisters, and they encourage custom orders. (Maybe I'll request a pair of ham biscuits next.) The website includes a list of retail locations and other websites that sell their wares.
Here's a pic of some Inedible Jewelry I own -- they're candy earrings, of course:
