Melanie and Marko - Lightbulb Dance

Tadd and Jordan - Vulture Dance

Caitlynn and Mitchell - Contemporary

Favorite of the Week! So beautiful

Contemporary

Music: To Love You More by Celine Dion

Choreography: Mandy Moore

The Boys - SYTYCD

Love this song and this dance.

Music: Prague by Damien Rice

Ryan and Ricky - Contemporary

Favorite of the Week!

Contemporary

Music: With Every Heartbeat by Robyn

Choreography: Sonja

Contemporary- Turning Tables

This week's favorite

Contemporary

Music: Turning Tables by Adele

Melanie & Marko: Turn To Stone

Favorite from this week!

Contemporary

Choreographed by Travis Wall

Music: Turn to Stone by Ingrid Michaelson

Passion Pit - SYTYCD

I love So You Think You Can Dance...I'm so excited for it to be back on!

Just thought I'd post this dance from the new top 20 because I absolutely love this song and I love this dance. Amazing.

Choreographed by Travis Wall

Music: Moth's Wings - Passion Pit

love & lace

I have been slightly preoccupied with weddings..it is probably the season, but it may be all coupled with all of the tv shows that have had weddings in them lately as well. Grey's and Private Practice both had weddings on them just this week alone. Not to mention Gossip Girl keeps talking about engagements etc. Plus I swear every other day one of my friends is getting engaged or married!

Anyway, I LOVE lace wedding dresses. Here are some of the ones I have been loving online. I actually have had one picked out for like three years. I found it in a magazine forever ago and I want to have it made if I ever get married. Haha. I don't want to post a picture because I sort of want it to be a little bit of a surprise, but I know that it's going to be lace! It's still fun to look at others though, so here are some that I love bits and pieces of.

I kind of like more subtle lace, but I love the body and the buttons.

image via the white dress

Not sure how I feel about this "ad" but I think the dress is gorgeous.

Ellie Saab...she is one of my favorite designers this year.

images via we heart it

I love the arms on this dress. I also love how fitted the body is.

Just love this.

I love traditional. It's so simple, but not totally plain because of the lace.

I like this because it is very different.

images via pinterest

This looks almost old fashioned or vintage, but I love the lace detail and the arms. It kind of reminds me of my mom's wedding dress. I don't know why, but I seriously love it.

image via this is glamorous

I'm obsessed with this dress. I love it, but I feel like you would have to have the skinnest arms to pull it off.

image via we heart it

My day in the OR

So today I went and watched my uncle preform a couple surgeries, so that I could see how I liked it and if it is something that I really want to do, etc. Ummm I loved it. I thought it was so cool. Of course I'm obsessed with Grey's Anatomy and grew up watching ER with my mom, but I figured it would probably be a little different when the blood was oozing in front of my face and there was actually a body open in front of me on a table. It's not really all doctors falling in love and drama, however that's not necessarily everything I love about the shows. I did learn however, there are some similarities :) So here are some things that I learned today which in the operating room:

1. Doctors are slightly ruthless with the human body. Yes, they use precision when cutting or using their instruments, but today I watch them cut a woman's abdomen open and in order to move her stomach muscles apart they literally were pulling at them from each side like they were ripping open a christmas present. I was a little shocked. Wonder how long it takes that to heal.

2. Some women have the weirdest va-jay-jays. And some women do NOT groom. (my uncle is an obstetrician. I probably should have mentioned that.)

3. I am slightly proud of myself. First time in an operating room and I was not the least bit queasy. I think I may have found the correct profession. Cross your fingers that I actually get into school.

4. If your doctor pulls a mass the size of a cantaloup out your body, you probably waited to long to go see a doctor.

5. If you are already 40, have a mass the size of a cantaloup on your uterus, a giant cyst on your ovary, and endometriosis sites inside of your uterus you probably won't be able to have children. That woman has a lot of faith.

6. Doctors actually have the funniest conversations during surgery. They make jokes, they talk about their life, and sometimes they're even inappropriate...maybe Grey's Anatomy isn't that far off sometimes.

7. I love watching people come out of anesthesia. Need a laugh?

8. I really hope I don't have to get surgery anytime soon because, the patient just looks so helpless and vulnerable sitting there on the table right after you are put out. It would be hard to just trust that when you wake up everything is going to be ok. Plus, you're just laying there naked...so awkward. As a spectator, it honestly wasn't that weird, but I'm glad I wasn't the patient.

9. Surgery tools still look freaking primitive to me. Minus all the computer stuff and lapriscopes etc, the regular stuff just looks like it was made in the middle ages. Some of it is a little creepy.

10. Surprisingly, when they first cut into someone there is not that much blood. However, when you accidentally cut into a cyst, there is a lot of goo. I don't recommend it.

hoping

"I started to hope. Damn it. For one moment I started to hope."

- Make It or Break It

my weekend so far...

My weekend has been pretty boring. Between one too many episodes of SVU, continuous snow or rain, and basically being home alone, I was feeling slightly depressed...so I headed to the mall. Where I also started to feel a little depressed because it was filled with fun things to wear from spring, but when I looked outside it looked like January. Despite this, I decided to charge these little beauties to my Nordstrom card. Gotta love that. I won't next month :( That made me feel a little better. My go to on a bad day is shoes. Hopefully I can wear them soon. Anyway, do you like?

Yesterday I watched the movie Hereafter. It was actually really sad, but I liked it. I think if Matt Damon is in anything I would go see it. Not because I think he is hot (although he is attractive enough), but I think he is a good actor and I usually like the movies he is in.

I do way too much of this. I should probably cut it out. I need to get a life again. Maybe once summer gets here I will.

Kourtney and Kim

I'm not gonna lie...I'm kind of sad that Kourtney and Kim Take New York is over.

It's my weekly humor. They seriously just crack me up.

The season finale was kind of lame though.

1. It left us hanging with Kim...is she dating that guy? Is she not? And it's not like she's getting a show about staying in New York so it just leaves you wondering what's gonna happen with her.

2. Ummm I felt so bad for Scott. He's been so much nicer this season and trying so hard and then Kourtney goes and screws up his whole surprise proposal. Really? You date someone for that long and have a kid and go through everything they have gone through and you don't want to get married? It's like he said...he wonders if she views it as a temporary thing. I would too. If I put that much into a relationship and she tells him there's nothing to expect in the end...? Why would there be any point in staying in the relationship still. He said he'd always planned on getting married and etc. It was just sad because he was sooo excited and it was so cute.

3. Overall it wasn't as funny as all of their other episodes...so that was a letdown because that's why I watch it.

Also, I really just don't think I'm going to want to watch Khloe and Lamar...she is sort of annoying. She's funny when she's with Kourtney, but she's whiney with Lamar. I'll stick with the other Kardashian shows for my airhead humor. :)

i have a problem

I'm pretty sure I just spend the last week watching every possible crime show there is. I probably watched more hours of them that I worked.

For example I just watched a two hour special on the 15 most notorious women. In the top three was the woman who "Monster" was about, Aileen Wuornos. She was one of the first woman serial killers...not many of those. She was a prostitute, who used this "ability" to kill the men who were going to use her services. Anyway, it's kind of interesting. She was sentenced to the death penalty. And she wasn't even number one on the list. Neither was the mother who let her car drive into a lake with her two kids strapped in their carseats in that back. Or the girl who secretly carried her pregnancy to term, had the baby DURING prom, and then dumped it in a trash can and went out and enjoyed the rest of prom. What?

Then I proceeded to watch ANOTHER special on "Dating Nightmares". This one was about girls meeting pyschos online who they think are like 19, but really they are a creepy 43 year old rapist, or a boyfriend who turns out to be a stalker and burns the new boyfriend's house down and then shoots the girl in the head...etc you get it. And I thought I had dating nightmares. The people I date just dump me. Ok I admit, I have some stories. Maybe I'll tell you about them sometime.

Anyway, the previous days this week I probably watched a good 40 to 50 episodes of Law and Order, CSI, Castle, and Criminal Minds. I'm just addicted...not to mention starting to have creepy dreams.

What can I say? I love them. O, and I don't think I'll ever date anyone online...ever.

ABC's of my current Favorites

I was bored, driving down to Jake's the other day because my ipod died and the radio stations don't work so well on the way to Holden...anway, I started thinking of a list of all my favorite things right now. Just thought it would be fun to make one. So here are the ABC's of my current favorites (and some of my all time...)

A

Anthropologie - of course, I couldn't not put it on the list.

Alternative Apparel - so comfy. I love it right now, because I hate getting dressed in the winter!

Addict II - by Dior. I just got it again for Christmas. It's probably one of my favorite perfumes ever.

B

Blogging - apparently I love blogging. Forget Facebook! I spend all my time stalking blogs lately!

The Bachelor - It's back on! It's my guilty pleasure. I love watching the drama.

Booties - never thought I would, but I've bought 3 pair.

Blockbuster Online - it's like Netflix, but you can exchange in the store...so much better!

C

CHUCK BASS

Country Music - kind of just an all time favorite, but I've been listening to it a lot again.

Christopher's Steakhouse - Jake and I got a groupon to go there. I have yet to go, but I'm DYING to. I've heard it's amazing. So I put it on here because I can't get it out of my head.

D

Depp, Johnny - Love him. Loved him in the Tourist, but I don't think I ever dislike him in a movie. Pirates is out May 20!

DiCaprio, Leonardo - Inception, Shutter Island...do I even need to goon?

David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel - actors on the show Bones. I'm obsessed. I've been flying through the seasons like mad.

E

Erin Heatherton - Can I say I'm obsessed? I think she is the cutest thing ever. I want to be her. Or at least look like her.

El Pollo Loco - I know, I'm weird, but I cannot stop eating their tamales. SOOO GOOD. I promise.

F

Fur Coats - OBSESSED. I want one so bad. Especially since I might be going to NY in March. Hello, I want to be like Serena! (faux fur of course :) )

Florence and the Machine - favorite song , "Dog Days are Over"

Free People's January Video - It's filmed in Paris and it makes me want to go.

Feathers - on dresses, skirts, for decoration. Just think they're so fun!

G

Gold - Jewerly especially, but basically everything else too.

Gold's Gym - since my gym pass expired I have not been to the gym. Apparently gold's is hurting for members because they are throwing amazing deals at me...so back to the gym for me. Thank you!

Grey's, Glee, and Gossip Girl - LOVE!

H

High Heels - the higher the better!

Hulu- saves my life at work and since I don't have T-Vo anymore.

"Hold You Against Me" - Brit Brit's new song...love it right now. Makes me wanna dance. Still just love that she is back.

I

My Inbox - there's usually something in there everyday that makes me happy.

Ipods - I'd probably die without mine; in the car, working out, etc.

Indie Music - can I say that without sounding weird?

J

Jillian Michael's Workout DVDs -kicks my butt

J-brands

Jar of Hearts - Kristina Perri. see post below.

K

Kickboxing - so exciting to start again.

Kunis, Mila - Just love her. I think she's gorgeous.
Katy Perry - I really like her lately. Have you seen the video for Firework? I think she looks the best ever. That songs makes me wanna dance too.

L

Lola - Marc Jacobs Perfume. Just got this one too. Smells fantastic.

Lucky Magazine

Louboutins - I want some. One Day.

M

Million Dollar Money Drop - I'm addicted. I'm stupid. At least I'm learning useless trivia. Maybe I'll win something by knowing it one day.

Marc by Marc - this brand will always be one of my favorites. It speaks for itself.

Mara Hoffman Swim Suits - So cute. Especially this one...I'm getting it for this summer.

N

Northface - I want a puffy jacket. Or one of their thin ones. Jake gave me one of their vest recently and I found that it just made me want more...so goes my life..haha.

New York - Hopefully I'm going there in March with my roommates so I've been getting
excited. Plus I've always wanted to live there.

Nude - I love this color right now.

O

Ombre Hair - still love this look, as long as it's not too overboard.

Orange - I think this is a really cute color right now too. Maybe because it looks cute with nude colors?

Over the Knee Boots

Online Shopping - I actually don't buy that much online, but I spend a lot of time looking and it fills up a lot of my down time. So I rather enjoy it. And a girl can dream right?

P

Piperlime - speaking of online shopping...one of my favorite places, if I'm actually going to purchase.

People Style Watch Magazine

Planning Vacations - even if I'm not necessarily going. I just like to think of places to go.

Q

Quality Time - with my family and old friends of the Holidays. And I get to look foward to them coming up in March!

R

Resolutions - I always like making resolutions to TRY and keep at the beginning of the year. I like the idea of new starts.

Rubios - best fish tacos ever.

Reading - I just read "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. Very interesting, but I really liked it. I cried at the end of it. Now I'm reading "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"...murder mystery, suspense, etc. I like it so far. I'll let you know how it goes. I love getting under the covers and just reading the night away. I'm also so looking forward to watching both of the movies afterwards.

S

Seat Heaters - a life saver for me anytime I get into my car during the winter.

Sequins - I've been DYING over things with sequins lately (hence the shorts I wore on New Years Eve). I really want a sequined jacket or blazer.

Sushi - I crave it ALL THE TIME lately.

Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate - from Juice and Java in Provo. Life changing.

T

Taylor Swift - can't stop listening to her new cd "Speak Now". If any of you know me, I've always loved her, but really it's been on repeat for like 3 weeks straight.

Tokyo - new sushi place in Lehi next to my work. Half off sushi every day after 4. LOVE LOVE!

Tamales - I mentioned them earlier from El Pollo Loco, but I'll eat them from anywhere. I can't stop.

U

Uggs - yeah yeah, but in the winter they're the best thing ever.

Urban Outfitters - I feel like they've gotten way cuter stuff recently. Kinda fallen in love again.

V

Victoria Secret Models -they're my inspiration to work out again. Plus, how amazing was the fashion show? They're all gorgeous. I'd be any one of them. I'm obsessed with the all access
page at victoriasecret.com too.

Vix Swimwear -not much to explain. I keep getting emails because apparently swimlines come out in Jan. so it's making me want to buy bathing suits...too bad I can't wear them for at least 6 months.

W

Weheartit.com - I've been spending WAY too much time there lately.

Watches - I want to start a collection. I love them as an accessory. Too bad I just want all the expensive ones. AHHH

X

Xmas Gift Cards - I'm still using mine! Gotta love money on a card. Especially one you don't have to pay off right?

The XX - been listening to them a lot again :)

Y

Year 2011 - like I said, I like resolutions. I'm really excited to do new things this year and for what's to come. So I'm adding it to my list.

Yoga - been doing Jillian Michael's yoga. Relaxing and it gets you in shape. Two birds with one stone.

Z

ZHT, the morning Zoo - I listen to it on the way to work, and I think they are hilarious. I love the radio station in general, but they crack me up. Plus their website is equally entertaining.
Rachel Zoe - just love her. Can't get enouh. Love her favorite picks on Piperlime.

TV to talk about

So...some rambling thoughts on tv...yeah tv

First of all, the girls at work were laughing at me the other day because I was watching Million Dollar Money Drop on Hulu, because none of the new tv shows had started again and it was UNBELIEVABLY slow at work. (one of the reasons I decided to start a blog...after I've done all my work of course haha). Anyway, back to my point...I was getting so nervous for these poor people who keep watching their money drop all the way down the shoots. I kept shouting at the computer screen and yelling, "you idiot! that's a stupid answer. you're going to lose all your money". So the next day I played it out loud and of course April was getting nervous right along with me.

Then finally, my guiltiest of all pleasures started again! THE BACHELOR! (not the bachelorette...because I think the crazy fighting girls are so much funnier...and yes I admit, I've always wanted to go on it...but the more I watch...the stupider they look and if I were to make it I'd probably hit someone and get kicked off.) ANYWAY...once again I found myself sitting there talking to myself. So I'd probably fit right in with the crazy girls on tv.
Then I was thinking...guys are WAY worse. Hello, Jake during a Giants game? I'm lucky to not end up with a remote at my head (on accident...he's not listening or looking at anything else when those games are on)...or a broken ear drum at the end of the game. I guess I have to say we're even because if they want to jump around and scream during a sports game then they have to deal with women and they're trashy/sappy tv. However I will say this, I watch A LOT of sports and I have yet to get a certain someone to watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy...which by the way started last night and got me thinking about this tv post! I'm so happy Kristina and Meredith are friends again. I loved last night's episode!

I cannot wait for Gossip Girl! 2 and a 1/2 more weeks? REALLY? ugh! Hurry up PLEASE! Until then...

The Best of the Rest

Yeah, this is primarily a music blog, but I am an avid devourer of pop culture of all sorts, so to cap off my year end countdowns, I want to share the other morsels of entertainment that rocked my 2010.

Top 10 Movies of 2010

Now, I'm no serious movie critic, but I did see 33 of this year's movies (which I think is a personal record), and I know what I like. My list'll be populated by a few more genre films than the typical "critic's list." I've developed quite a wide range of tastes when it comes to movies (just no lame romantic comedies, please).

Let Me In
A dark, scary coming-of-age film about the connection between outcasts. It just happens to have a vampire in it, too, but this is no Twilight. In my opinion, it managed to one-up the artier Swedish original. It can be a brutal watch at points, but absolutely worth it. (Coincidently, the film's star -- Kodi Smit-Mcphee -- also co-starred in my favorite movie of 2009, The Road. He's undoubtedly the best kid actor out there)

Inception
Lived up to the hype as an original, thinking man's action movie. Plus, it's got one of those endings that people will be talking about for years.

Black swan
The most beguiling of all this year's Oscar contenders, I wasn't sure exactly what I thought of it until that stunning, operatic ending.

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part One
The truest to the book, and by far the darkest, most character driven film in the series.

Salt
My favorite straight-up action thriller of the year. More twists and turns than any other movie in 2010 and one kick-ass heroine.

How To Train Your Dragon
The umpteenth "boy and his dog" story told in the movies, but this made it fresh with stunning visuals, endearing characters, and a sharp script with plenty of heart.

It�s Kind Of A Funny Story
The "smallest" film on my list, this slice-of-life coming of age in the psych ward indie was a pleasant surprise. Very endearing.

Tron: Legacy
Most impressive visuals of the year. This brought me back to when I was about ten years old. It's all about the suits and the cars and all that cool stuff, honestly.

127 Hours
Wasn't sure how they could form an entire film around this story, but the acting and direction proved to be enough to be at turns gripping and profound.

True Grit
From setting to dialogue (some of the best dialogue of the year, for sure) this deposited the viewer so clearly in a place that it was impossible not to be entranced. Plus, Hailee Steinfeld = birth of a star.

+ a few more worth a mention:
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, Toy Story 3, Unstoppable, Kick-Ass,

Top TV

British Invasion

Misfits
I loved it last year, and adored it this year. Robert Sheehan is without a doubt my breakout star of 2010. His Nathan is a force to be reckoned with and well worth watching even if you're not a fan of genre shows. The series grew in both quality and depth this year, introducing some sci-fi inspired mystery into its already potent blend of Heroes (anti)super-heroism and creepy/funny Twin Peaks-esque plot lines.

Skins
Yeah, I'm a couple of years late on this one. I've only made it through the first two seasons (with the unbeatable, original cast), but what I've seen thus far has been the best teenage drama I can remember being put to screen. Look past the sex and drugs and romantic triangles and you've got an incredibly natural, sharply written coming-of-age story with one of the strongest ensemble casts in recent memory. And
no series this year has upset/gripped/touched me more than Skins in its final two episodes.

X-Factor
Quite bluntly, it took over my life this Fall (as it does every Fall, to be honest). But this year was the biggest and best yet. More controversy, more interesting contestants (bar the eventual winner, who was the definition of "bland") and a larger than life, coliseum style live show that cemented the X-Factor as appointment TV. I only hope the American version is as addicting.

And on my own Shore:

Weeds
America's best series reinvented itself yet again as a twisted road trip dramedy. It was in a lot of ways the series' most inconsistent, strange season and lost a lot of steam in the middle, but at the same time I felt like the writers really tried to push the characters to new levels this year. Both the beginning and the end of the season were amongst the strongest this show's been, and that final episode stands as one of the best (if not the best) half-hour Weeds has given us so far.

United States of Tara
Tara had one of my favorite debut seasons of any show last year. The four central actors are enough to keep me watching no matter what they do. Throw in the ongoing mystery element that season two got closer to solving and I was completely hooked. Basically, this show makes me want to travel to Kansas and live with this family for a day. It's just so endearing.

The Middle
Modern Family's gotten all the love (and mostly deserves it), but my preferred Wednesday night sitcom is its companion piece, The Middle. I was a huge fan of Malcolm In The Middle when it was on the air, and this is in a lot of ways very reminiscent (in title, even). I'm a sucker for a good, light family comedy and 2010 proved that this series is one to watch. The cast is gelling, the quality's improving, and it often gets more laughs from me than its more-critically praised ABC counterpart.

Top Books

Will Grayson/Will Grayson
Two very different books this year. Will Grayson was the first book in awhile to literally make my mouth drop at one point. Strong characterization and an interesting dual-narrative format made this a standout.

The Marbury Lens
Quite simply, one of the most gripping books I can remember reading. Often times it's as close to a nightmare as you can get on the page, but the book's real power is its ability to draw you back in and stay with you after you've finished. It's a real mystery of a story, but one I'll never forget.

Top Stage

I don't often get to go see shows (unfortunately), but I managed a couple this year, and even though I've mentioned it before on the blog, this one still warrants another mention:

Billy Elliot
It's, by a hundred miles, the best show I've seen. I can't remember ever leaving a show/concert/movie feeling better than I did after this one. You'd think a show about a young boy who wants to dance would be schmaltzy and sugary -- a strictly "for the kids" affair, but like the movie they managed to retain the wit, darkness and adult subtexts. No wonder it won all those awards. I can't wait to see it again this Spring.

That's it for 2010! What do you guys think? Agree? Disagree? I'd love to hear your own lists. I'll be back in the new year with a five part tribute/review/analysis of the best band in the world, who will be celebrating their last year together in 2011...

The Best of the Rest

Yeah, this is primarily a music blog, but I am an avid devourer of pop culture of all sorts, so to cap off my year end countdowns, I want to share the other morsels of entertainment that rocked my 2010.

Top 10 Movies of 2010

Now, I'm no serious movie critic, but I did see 33 of this year's movies (which I think is a personal record), and I know what I like. My list'll be populated by a few more genre films than the typical "critic's list." I've developed quite a wide range of tastes when it comes to movies (just no lame romantic comedies, please).

Let Me In
A dark, scary coming-of-age film about the connection between outcasts. It just happens to have a vampire in it, too, but this is no Twilight. In my opinion, it managed to one-up the artier Swedish original. It can be a brutal watch at points, but absolutely worth it. (Coincidently, the film's star -- Kodi Smit-Mcphee -- also co-starred in my favorite movie of 2009, The Road. He's undoubtedly the best kid actor out there)

Inception
Lived up to the hype as an original, thinking man's action movie. Plus, it's got one of those endings that people will be talking about for years.

Black swan
The most beguiling of all this year's Oscar contenders, I wasn't sure exactly what I thought of it until that stunning, operatic ending.

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part One
The truest to the book, and by far the darkest, most character driven film in the series.

Salt
My favorite straight-up action thriller of the year. More twists and turns than any other movie in 2010 and one kick-ass heroine.

How To Train Your Dragon
The umpteenth "boy and his dog" story told in the movies, but this made it fresh with stunning visuals, endearing characters, and a sharp script with plenty of heart.

It�s Kind Of A Funny Story
The "smallest" film on my list, this slice-of-life coming of age in the psych ward indie was a pleasant surprise. Very endearing.

Tron: Legacy
Most impressive visuals of the year. This brought me back to when I was about ten years old. It's all about the suits and the cars and all that cool stuff, honestly.

127 Hours
Wasn't sure how they could form an entire film around this story, but the acting and direction proved to be enough to be at turns gripping and profound.

True Grit
From setting to dialogue (some of the best dialogue of the year, for sure) this deposited the viewer so clearly in a place that it was impossible not to be entranced. Plus, Hailee Steinfeld = birth of a star.

+ a few more worth a mention:
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, Toy Story 3, Unstoppable, Kick-Ass,

Top TV

British Invasion

Misfits
I loved it last year, and adored it this year. Robert Sheehan is without a doubt my breakout star of 2010. His Nathan is a force to be reckoned with and well worth watching even if you're not a fan of genre shows. The series grew in both quality and depth this year, introducing some sci-fi inspired mystery into its already potent blend of Heroes (anti)super-heroism and creepy/funny Twin Peaks-esque plot lines.

Skins
Yeah, I'm a couple of years late on this one. I've only made it through the first two seasons (with the unbeatable, original cast), but what I've seen thus far has been the best teenage drama I can remember being put to screen. Look past the sex and drugs and romantic triangles and you've got an incredibly natural, sharply written coming-of-age story with one of the strongest ensemble casts in recent memory. And
no series this year has upset/gripped/touched me more than Skins in its final two episodes.

X-Factor
Quite bluntly, it took over my life this Fall (as it does every Fall, to be honest). But this year was the biggest and best yet. More controversy, more interesting contestants (bar the eventual winner, who was the definition of "bland") and a larger than life, coliseum style live show that cemented the X-Factor as appointment TV. I only hope the American version is as addicting.

And on my own Shore:

Weeds
America's best series reinvented itself yet again as a twisted road trip dramedy. It was in a lot of ways the series' most inconsistent, strange season and lost a lot of steam in the middle, but at the same time I felt like the writers really tried to push the characters to new levels this year. Both the beginning and the end of the season were amongst the strongest this show's been, and that final episode stands as one of the best (if not the best) half-hour Weeds has given us so far.

United States of Tara
Tara had one of my favorite debut seasons of any show last year. The four central actors are enough to keep me watching no matter what they do. Throw in the ongoing mystery element that season two got closer to solving and I was completely hooked. Basically, this show makes me want to travel to Kansas and live with this family for a day. It's just so endearing.

The Middle
Modern Family's gotten all the love (and mostly deserves it), but my preferred Wednesday night sitcom is its companion piece, The Middle. I was a huge fan of Malcolm In The Middle when it was on the air, and this is in a lot of ways very reminiscent (in title, even). I'm a sucker for a good, light family comedy and 2010 proved that this series is one to watch. The cast is gelling, the quality's improving, and it often gets more laughs from me than its more-critically praised ABC counterpart.

Top Books

Will Grayson/Will Grayson
Two very different books this year. Will Grayson was the first book in awhile to literally make my mouth drop at one point. Strong characterization and an interesting dual-narrative format made this a standout.

The Marbury Lens
Quite simply, one of the most gripping books I can remember reading. Often times it's as close to a nightmare as you can get on the page, but the book's real power is its ability to draw you back in and stay with you after you've finished. It's a real mystery of a story, but one I'll never forget.

Top Stage

I don't often get to go see shows (unfortunately), but I managed a couple this year, and even though I've mentioned it before on the blog, this one still warrants another mention:

Billy Elliot
It's, by a hundred miles, the best show I've seen. I can't remember ever leaving a show/concert/movie feeling better than I did after this one. You'd think a show about a young boy who wants to dance would be schmaltzy and sugary -- a strictly "for the kids" affair, but like the movie they managed to retain the wit, darkness and adult subtexts. No wonder it won all those awards. I can't wait to see it again this Spring.

That's it for 2010! What do you guys think? Agree? Disagree? I'd love to hear your own lists. I'll be back in the new year with a five part tribute/review/analysis of the best band in the world, who will be celebrating their last year together in 2011...

FCC VS FREE SPEECH

During the Bush administration, the FCC, when Powell was Chairman, adopted very severe penalties for "bad" words or private flesh that popped out on broadcast television. TV stations including, notably, FOX, as well as advocates of free speech objected.

The policy came before a 3 judge panel of the 2nd Circuit of the Court of Appeals (after going -- by the way -- to the Supreme Court on a more technical issue and then coming back for a new ruling).

Now it would seem from news accounts of legal issues that whether or not the FCC policy would be approved or struck down would depend simply on how many of the 3 judges assigned to this panel happened to believe that "bad words" and certain parts of the body on TV were an unacceptable outrage and how many thought it was not a big deal.

But the legal system works differently, and instead of simply checking one or the other of:

--- Outrage
--- No big deal

on their computers, the judges issued a long, legal ruling striking down the FCC policy. Here's what they said:

http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/e324584c-b565-4896-b8b3-610715bc0e54/1/doc/06-1760-ag_opn2.pdf#xml=http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/e324584c-b565-4896-b8b3-610715bc0e54/1/hilite/


It's not actually clear to me why the FCC under new management and with new members did not change its policy of severe punishment for "indecency" and render this case moot, unless

a) they still believe in the severe penalties
b) they did change the policy but the legal case proceeds anyway
c) they did not change the policy in order to get a final court ruling
d) none of the above.