Obsession of the Week

In an attempt to be more prolific on this blog, I've been trying to think of different topics I could talk about on a weekly basis, in addition to little random updates about our life. My book reviews earlier this month were one such attempt but since the books I've been currently reading look suspiciously like the reading list for a twelve-year old girl, I think I'll suspend that for now until I read something worth mentioning. Right now, I'm reading a lot of "mind candy" which the librarian at my local library calls those mindless pieces of fluffy, fun literature. I think that's an apt description of my current literary tastes.

Back in January, I talked about obsessions and so I'm rolling out Liz's weekly obsessions. It may be bi-weekly. I like a lot of stuff and I think you should like it too.

One of my favorite TV shows that has not been unceremoniously cancelled (stupid ABC) is NBC's Chuck (which is currently in danger of not being renewed even though it's pretty much awesome). It, more than any other show, is able to mix heavy plots with light-heartedness and moments of tenderness. The titular character, Chuck, is adorably goofy and immensely charming and funny. But one of the best things about the show is that it has the best soundtrack and I always find awesome new bands. A month or two ago, the show featured this song, "Freeze and Explode" by Cassettes Won't Listen and I can't stop listening to it on repeat. I don't know why.



This week's episode had a lot of great music, but they haven't posted the set list yet. I can't wait to find more good music.

I really hope they don't cancel this show. That would be a big bummer. And mean one less obsession for me.

Public Service Announcement - You Should Watch Firefly

Hi. This here post is about obsessions. Over the years, I've had many, many obsessions. Some of which were fun and fleeting and some of which were enduring and all-consuming. Some of which had to do with *Nsync which I'd really rather not talk about right now. (Seriously, how embarrassing is that? Sorry everyone who knew me freshmen year at BYU.) Over the years, I have learned how to monitor my obsessive personality and my tendency to, well, obsess over many things and to keep them in check. Well, almost.


I have a few long standing obessions: Chocolate. History. Books. Museums. Pretty shoes. Checking my email 82 million times a day. Pop culture.


Right now, I have two new addictions: the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and Joss Whedon's Firefly.


Several friends of ours [me and David] had repeatedly told us to watch the short-lived but critically aclaimed television show Firefly. I'd heard about it, of course, but never knew much about it except that it was created by Joss Whedon, he who created Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a show which I once loved. (Actually, I still think it was one of the best written shows on TV but that's another discussion for another day.) But I also knew that it got cancelled after only half a season (there are 14 episodes) and I'm tired of falling in love with cancelled and/or soon-to-be-cancelled shows. (Stupid ABC.)


But then I found all 14 episodes for free at Hulu.com, so David and I sat down to watch them last week. By the third episode, we were hooked. We watched as many episodes as we could each day and then on Saturday, after a long and draining morning attending Sister Kim's funeral, we came home to watch the remaining four episodes we had left. We finished the last episode around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night and we both wanted to immediately watch Serenity, the feature film follow-up that basically wrapped up the series. [You could watch Serenity without having seen the show first, but it makes a lot more sense if you do.]


Well, I had planned on renting the movie from the library because it only costs a dollar, but neither David or I could stand to wait until Monday when the library re-opened, so we raced to our room to put on clothes (as we're much in the habit of of wearing our pjs as soon as we get home), and then raced to Wal-Mart to see if we could just buy the movie there. They didn't have it, so we raced over to the nearest Blockbuster to rent it. The movie secured, we came home and popped it in at 10:30 p.m. It was a completely satisfying ending to a very good television show. And I was grateful that the movie had been made so they show could have its final good-bye and not leave the fans with no answers.

The best way I can describe the show is a western set in space. It's far more complex than that, but that gives you the general feel of the show. Like all Joss Whedon creations, the characters are complex, the dialouge is rich and filled with wit, and the banter is snappy. If you like sci-fi, if you like Star Wars, if you've ever liked an episode of Buffy, you should watch this show.

I'll let you know if I find any other obsessions. I have a new one about every other week.

And you're welcome.