Musings prompted by my television

I'm a little bored of the yearbook thing, so I think I'll save 9th grade for later. Instead, you get this...

I think Joaquin Phoenix is extremely sexy. I've thought so for a long time, but I can't remember the original catalyst. It was not "Parenthood."

"Veronica Mars" hasn't been new since the beginning of December, and it's not new tonight, nor the following Wednesday. It's probably new on the Wednesday after that, when I actually have somewhere to be.

The best segment ever on Conan O'Brien was the first time he had animal expert Jared Miller on the show. There was chaos, and a lemur, and Andy Richter. I was lucky enough to catch it on tape.

The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is not unlike Will Ferrell, in that simply looking at one makes me want to giggle. The Primates class I took in college was worthwhile if for nothing else than learning about ring-tailed lemurs.

The decision is final

I am not going to take a trip for my birthday. My brief flight of insanity is over, and I'm 100% surely staying here and working. Sounds like fun, right? Well, it won't be, but I have to admit it's a relief. I have yet another trip this weekend, and it will eventually feel good to be in one place for more than three full days at a time. Even if I am working. When I hear stories of my friends having crazy fun, I'll just remind myself of how good it feels to relax. Mmmmm-hmmmm.

You know what doesn't feel good, though? Working until 8:00 p.m. But that's what I did tonight. To make matters worse, we didn't even finish what we were originally trying to accomplish. So I'll be working on it again in the morning. Ahh.

Finally, last time Veronica Mars was on I requested more Francis Capra in this week's episode. The show was kind enough to comply on Wednesday night. Thanks, Veronica Mars! Now concentrating on: "Sugar Baby" in Grantham. And/or maybe "Blue Eyed Soul." And in a fantasy world, "All the Same to Me." Wish me luck.

Mrs. Oliver Harriman's Book of Etiquette

The non-taping of Veronica Mars was redeemed on Saturday night, when I watched the rerun of the episode. Everyone can stop holding their breath now. If I may, I would like to request more Francis Capra in the next new episode. Thanks!

On to Mrs. Oliver Harriman's Book of Etiquette. It was an early birthday present from P&M, who couldn't wait if it killed them, and it is fantastic. It's got everything an upstanding gentleman or lady of 1942 should know to smoothly sail through high society. The book jacket itself is charmingly tattered, and the back cover has ads for other books that cost as much as $2.95!! (That was for a rhyming dictionary.) Anyway, every so often I'll probably share some wisdom from Mrs. Oliver Harriman. No need to thank me; just using these tips in your everyday life will make the world a better place for all.

From Appendix C : Do's and Don'ts

• Don't glare at a man who doesn't give you a seat on the subway just because you're a woman. He may be more tired than you.
  
• Do remember, if you are a woman, that it is your duty to make the first move to leave when you and your best beau are with friends. He'll be stuck all night unless you give the go sign.
  
• Don't protest once your wife has signaled that it is time to leave. Accept her decision gracefully. Argue later in private.
  
• Do sit with your knees together and your legs slanted in slightly to the left. This is the most graceful and well-bred position a woman can assume when she is seated.
  
• Don't chew gum in public. Personally, I do not care for gum at any time.
  
• Do speak in low tones wherever you are. A loud voice is bad form at all times.
  

Next time: dealing with your servants.

Go me!

Between early Saturday evening and about ten minutes ago, I managed to watch the entire first season of Veronica Mars on DVD. That's 22 episodes in a little over three days. And during that time I even watched two baseball games and went to work! And went out to dinner and stuff! I'm not sure whether I should be proud of myself or moderately horrified. I'll settle for both.

By the way, Veronica Mars is a great TV show. Ever since Alias killed off Michael Vartan (bastards) it's moved into my #1 slot for the week, also beating out Gilmore Girls, Family Guy, and Anthony Bourdain's show. Which are the other shows I watch with some regularity. I get HBO, but somehow have never gotten in the habit of watching any HBO series. Except for Sex and the City, when that was on. At which time, actually, I didn't even get HBO at home. Let's just stop there.