I PLAY ONE ON TV PRODUCTIONS - The part of Delise is never re-casted.

First Time I Knew

2012-05-10T18:48:48Z

~ First Time I Knew ~

I could touch your hand in my imagination, touch your ─
I could watch your hand trace against the binding of a book

I could listen to your mouth in my imagination, listen to it hum against ─
I could taste your mouth as the hand traces the binding of this book

I could read your words in my imagination, read as a page turning in your ─
I could remain silent against my own voice as you trace the binding of my book

I could kiss you - let it all come and remain - the only voice I know beyond words
I could take your hand letting the fingers trace against the stanzas and the person

I could tell you I love you, let circles run around and over ─
I could please your delusions, turning away as you stand on tip toes reaching for the creases of literature.

I could; I can't
this is the first time I knew

Now is the hour of future

2011-08-16T12:37:37Z

Now is the hour of future
what to come in the minutes of our needs
Now is place, common and revisited.
Now is curse, dreams entailed
Now is the composure in sight
what to come in unseen light
Now is tone, structure to found
Now - now hold, allow time-,
sight and sound,
moving moments at glimpse
for tomorrow today
and all dreams entailed - common place erased

A Shift in the Wind ⁞ A Few Changes and Reminders

2011-04-12T16:02:30Z

Though I was all to fond of my design efforts for this journal it was becoming painfully clear that the header didn't have the same resonance for me as it once did. I grappled with changing the layout and design completely, but think this may be best to work on over the summer. For now I made some slight color changes and updated (or upgraded depending on one's opinion) the header.

Also, a reminder to all my friends, you can find me on Tumblr. Original graphics and content can be accessed under the tag, brighterday.grace. Icons, and original essays or full-length commentary, will still be posted here. And I will try to compile up other graphics for posts, but you are best to go to my Tumblr where non-icon graphics are posted first.

Dan & Blair ♥ ⁞ That Amazing Moment when Daring to Dair Leaves Me Giddy and Gratified

2011-03-01T22:54:57Z

Excuse me while I fan-girl squeal for the next seven weeks all because of Gossip Girl. That's not something I imagined myself saying considering my former ship of Chuck and Blair crashed and burned, and mostly all other pairings I ever even mildly liked fizzled out with the horrible writing that plagued them after sometimes great starts. But my oh my I'm here now with the pounding heart, the inner-party feeling, that widened smile that just illuminates my face every time I see them or start to imagine them in my head.

I was at first fan-girl raging over that freeze frame hiatus cliffhanger. But then I watched the CW promo this morning and have completely resigned myself to having this warm, fuzzy, feeling for the entire hiatus and likely longer. The promo is at least giving me hope that the producers will put the power of that moment back in the hands of the viewers leaving us to discern our own feelings about it. It infuriated me to think they were manipulatively teasing us only to never show the kiss in full. content

I'm on the offensive about who the girl is in the promo. The second kiss; the pink dress; I have a feeling it might be Serena's cousin and they are teasing multiple episodes in the promo. I wish I could concretely know either way because this confounding emotion over whether Dan's hand is on Blair's waist is eating away at me.

Dan and Blair are this sexy-sweet, realistically awkward, compounding elements of genuineness and character strengthening vulnerability. They are everything my heart hoped for, and everything my mind imagined they could be all the way back in season one.

Much like with Seth and Marissa I always had this sense that they were toying with them, only to uncover something so epic to viewers that they had no choice but to sideline. A recent interview with Josh Safran brings this point home by actually suggesting Dan and Blair were planned from the get go. I'm not sure whether to believe him, but I'd like to think they were at the least planting the seeds in case they needed to build the garden.

These seven weeks till the show returns are going to pass by as slowly as the last hiatus did. But I'll be darned if I'm not glowing with pride that for once my dramatic alternate-universe, unconventional couple, ship happened. They happened organically, and with glorious build-up. However things change or progress when the show returns I'll at least have these wonderful moments to look back on and know just how perfect they are as friends.

Dan, Blair, Chuck: The Strengthening Dynamics Coninue and the ♥ Shines on for All

2011-02-01T19:40:27Z

Just when I think I've been gobsmacked as much I could be with Gossip Girl's flourishing bond between Dan Humphrey and Blair Waldorf, ... ...they have progressed to a whole other level that I didn't even think the writers were capable of bringing.

See, when I first saw the episode stills for the episode, “Damien Darko”, I thought of all the contrivances these images suggested. And while I knew the chemistry would be there, I thought the writing would be less than amazing simply because of how paint-by-numbers I perceived the storyline in this episode would be.

But to my pleasant surprise there was great complexity, a true nuance here. And the dynamics were forceful, but organic and flowing, offering up something to marvel at. Two characters in character all the while being in the progression of growth. What more can we ask for?

The buzz from this episode seems to be all the more prominent than with the last episode, “The Kids are not Alright”. It's interesting but not shockingly so because I feel here is where we got that natural progression from banter to familial bonds in a way that even the previous episode only slightly touched upon. And while last episode had an air of being merely two-dimensional, this really brought out all the complexities and colors of a relationship that deserves to prosper as to expand upon the value and character enriching greatness they have been so wonderfully showcasing.

I won't bother to cement an affirmative about whether they will be the next great television romance, but I can't forgo exposing just how amending they are to Gossip Girl, and how wonderful they are to watch.

But what struck me in all of this was that one scene between Chuck and Blair. Ever alive as they have been in the past, it was a call to all that they were, are, and will always be. And for that to happen in the midst of the great writing at play with Dan and Blair excites me. While so many can get lost in shipper wars, and dividing lines, here showed that both characters hold a unique and special dynamic with Blair.

It'll be all the more tiresome now to hear fans bicker about a drop out in Chuck and Blair's interaction, or even some Dan and Blair fans argue that Chair's flame fires on, but the love is all lost. He seemed genuinely happy to have her achieving her dreams. No love loss there.

The writers have established a certain inability to not multi-ship these pairings on some level. This is not General Hospital's core writer's spitting on the grave of history by using poorly conceived dialog to prop up a new couple. Nor is it something that's stretches our sometimes beloved characters out of their original conventions. But rather it works in a way that's refreshing yet pleasingly in context, and all the while expounds on something that could be sheer gold for a show weighed down by coal.

I'm in ♥ with Dair; Shall it Matter if they Love Each Other?

2011-01-27T15:12:15Z

So, unless you're holding back on watching Gossip Girl you'd know the writers appear to be ...
... daring to Dair. Dan Humphrey and Blair Waldorf are forming an unlikely friendship equipped with their usual banter and playful flirting. This time we even got a throwback to some of their more emotionally resonate moments from 1.04 and the moment in late season three where Dan tells Blair she deserves to be with someone who makes her happy. And that's just what this pair calls for if we want to consider them as close friends or lovers.

Plus, we had the great 'evil dictator of taste' rearing her beautiful head. But do know Blair that one man's grandpa tie is another woman's headband.

Ironically, the media frenzy we saw as a result of episode 4.11, The Townie, has fizzled out to some extent. This is ironic because 4.12, The Kids are not Alright, provided the greatest case for them becoming a couple, and interestingly provided the greatest case for keeping them just they way they are now. So it still leaves so many viewers at an in-pass.

And while I can understand people pulling the case for either side, my choice remains with both. I'm still taking things as they come. But rest assured I believe either will benefit the show, and both options are workable.

You care to disagree? That's OK. But let's take a look at a few key points.

Viewers are quick to add Serena as the core force in this forming dynamic. And while it's true that if Dan and Blair ever get physical or romantically closer the impact on Serena's character will be at the core. But keep in my mind that I don't see her reactions as a permanent shift in her relationships with both characters. The dynamics between Nate and Chuck, and later Nate and Dan, only altered slightly, and for a brief amount of time. And Serena and Blair have re-bounced to friends after being enemies more times than I can count. Relationships on this show rarely ever alter a fixed change. We'll get a burst of drama, and then a slow resume to Serena and Blair's BFF status.

One might argue that if the writers go there with Dan and Blair, that this wonderful dynamic established will be tarnished or worse never to return. I suppose it's in how the writer's approach this, but I honestly feel that if they do more than tempt fate here, I don't see a problem. Granted if the characters culminate in an awkward one-night-stand of passion and lust fueled sex, that could create a dichotomy, and a negative one at that. They need to be in many ways the opposite juxtaposition to the Chuck and Blair of this early season. But so long as we keep things grounded in as much a emotional connection as a fun and flirty one I see no reason why they can't come out of a relationship respecting each other even more than they do now, and perhaps becoming truly rich and rewarding friends for the rest of the show's history.

There's an interesting flip-side here and it lies in the character of Jenny Humphrey, Dan's sister. A character rarely mentioned to be a factor in Dair's relationship, but perhaps the most vital component. She is, in a lot of ways, the deciding factor to whether Dan and Blair would be able to progress as a romantic pairing.

I'll admit it already takes some suspension of disbelief to believe Dan would consider Blair a true friend consider her relenting negative treatment of his sister. But thankfully the writers have helped ease this by writing their relational progression mainly from Blair's prospective. She's been the one doing the side glances, the advocating for Dan, and even going so far as to consider his altered mood by her joining him for another pretentious French film.

But to think of Dan willingly approaching the idea of having feelings for Blair knowing mere months early she tried to run Jenny out of New York City, and has done countless things to undermine and directly attack her, is something that needs to be addressed here. It's where a good deal of my reservations lie. Should Blair apologize? If she did would it represent an out-of-character moment? Perhaps some deeper understanding and exposing into Blair's true nature will help Dan to see Blair as someone struggling to maintain her self-worth and identity in a world that seeks to hold her down? Perhaps that's the key here, revealing that Blair's tragic flaws are all at the helm of her insecurities and need for self-worth. Sure there's a diabolic nature that can't be squelched, but at her core she's not the queen bitch, but rather a normally flawed woman just trying to make her place in this world. I think if the writers can address this it would be huge, and certainly take Dan and Blair to a whole other level whether it be by way of friendship or love.

So with all this in mind, can you dare to Dair? I know I can, regardless of which of the two main directions they take this. May many be able to join the ride for however long it last too. Besides Chair are end-game right? =:-/

Fandom Graphics ⁞ 50+ Icons; DAIR ♥ x The Townie, Gossip Girl

2011-01-23T21:19:41Z

Preview ⁞
Fandom(s) ⁞ Gossip Girl [Dan Humphrey and Blair Waldorf, Nate Archibald, SE4EP11, the Townie], One random Dair
Notes ⁞ I felt like I had been working on these forever. But I was determined to finish them before the return of season two. There's ton of general interaction in addition to more 'ship' oriented icons. So hope these icons can be enjoyed by all. Well except if you hate all Dan and Blair interaction. :-/
Quick Rules ⁞ 1. Please credit lasha4god via the lj user tag or direct link. 2. All graphics are for personal use. Should you wish to post in bulk, or upload to a fan site please let me know before hand. So long as credit is given I'm usually fine with fan art, and wallpapers being used in fan-site galleries. I would prefer that icons not be posted, but it never hurts to ask. I might change my mind. =;) 3. Never direct link / hot-link. In short upload to your own albums, servers, etc. and link from there. I don't take kindly to bandwidth theft. 3. Comments and feedback are ♥! Advanced thanks for taking the time out to let me know what you think.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T00:21:24Z

Belated Happy New Year! I hope it's a blessed and bright one filled with the love of family and friends. But if it's not, or even if it will be, cheers to all the things that shape and make us who we are in this year, and the years to come. And here's to the simple pleasures that make each day a little brighter.

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time ⁞ Part Eight

2010-12-24T19:47:40Z

♫ Maybe this Christmas - Ron Sexsmith
♫ Sister Winter - Sufjan Stevens
♫ Merry Christmas - Frank Cosmo

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time

I thought I would highlight the days passing through the holidays till Christmas with some of my favorite festive (or not so festive as the case sometimes is) songs.

Christmas Eve is upon us, and there's so many Christmas songs that I never found the time to present to you and write about. But I will leave you with just a few more before I close out the series.

One may be my favorite non-hymn Christmas song of all time. The other is a bittersweet, and soul-stirring, gem from Sufjan Stevens. And the last is a song for joy and celebration. Another toe-tapper to lift your spirits.

In addition, I've posted and reblogged more Christmas music to my tumblr, though I won't list them all here. Here's to 2011, where undoubtedly I'll discover new songs to share and old favorites to reminisce about.

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time ⁞ Part Seven

2010-12-24T01:29:25Z

♫ Amazing Grace - Sufjan Stevens
♫ Christmas in the Room - Sufjan Stevens
♫ February - Dar Williams
♫ I Saw Three Ships - Sufjan Steven

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time

I thought I would highlight the days passing through the holidays till Christmas with some of my favorite festive (or not so festive as the case sometimes is) songs.

Keeping this short and simple here's a few special songs that always remind me of the family I've built with my husband and all the stories of our pasts and the days of our future. These are for you sweetheart, Merry Christmas.

- Christmas in the Room -

No travel plans, no shopping malls
No candy canes or Santa Claus
For as the day of rest draws near
It's just the two of us this year
No silver bells or mistletoe
We'll kiss and watch our TV shows

I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
Until it's Christmas in the room

No traffic jams, no ice and storm
Far in the house the fire is warm
No Christmas tree, no great parade
It's just an ordinary day
No parties planned, no place to go
It's just the two of us alone
And in the house we see a light
That comes from what we feel inside

I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
Until it's Christmas in the room
Until it's Christmas in the room

Oh, I can see the day when we'll die
But I don't care to think of silence
For now, I hear you laughing
The greatest joy is like the sunrise

No gifts to give, they're all right here
Inside our hearts the glorious cheer
And in the house we see a light
That comes from what we know inside

I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
Until it's Christmas in the room
Until it's Christmas in the room

Like it's Christmas in the room
Like it's Christmas in the room

Merry Chrismukkah & Happy Holidays

2010-12-23T22:27:28Z

All the best to you through the holidays and into the new year. May you be richly blessed and in the company of those who love you and who you love also.

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time ⁞ Part Six

2010-12-23T02:02:41Z

Aliens and Zombies at Christmas? This one I have to dedicate to my best friend Laurie.

♫ I Want an Alien for Christmas - Fountains of Wayne
♫ Night of Christmas Zombies - MxPx
♫ Gotta Get Up - Five Iron Frenzy
♫ Merry Christmas I don't Want to Fight Tonight - The Ramones
♫ Did I Make You Cry on Christmas Day (Well You Deserved It) - Sufjan Stevens

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time

I thought I would highlight the days passing through the holidays till Christmas with some of my favorite festive (or not so festive as the case sometimes is) songs.

Here's the king of non-traditional Christmas kitsch, “I Want an Alien for Christmas”. One of my long-standing favorites at almost any time of the year for it's sheer mix of catchy, pop-rock, brilliance. Asking Santa for “a little green guy about 3 feet high” may not be your heralding of the Christmas spirit, but I can't imagine it not bringing you a bit of fun and merriment. And if the guys belting this little rock gem sound familiar it's because you've likely heard the underrated band Fountains of Wayne sing the one-hit-wonder, “Stacey's Mom”. I believe IWAAFC originally appeared as a vinyl single (future Christmas present anyone?) and is hard to come by. But thankfully the song can be downloaded and heard for many more Christmas' to come.

The next song in my trek down the land of holiday novelty uniqueness is, “Night of the Christmas Zombies” by constant pop-punkers, MxPx. This one I heard for the first time just a few weeks ago, and it's bizarre mix of Zombies, Rock&Roll, and Christmas. Though not as hook laden as some of their album classics, it's undeniably original and something only them and perhaps a few other bands (The Cramps perhaps?) could pull off.

Both of these songs I'm personally dedicating to my best friend since grade school. A person who since grade school has wanted an alien for Christmas. Of course as she's progressed and grown in life, she'd now prefer the Klingon variety over the tiny green guys.

In the interest of moving things along, I'm adding a few other ruckus and joy songs to round things out. Five Iron Frenzy's “Gotta get Up”. A song so filled with child-like joy it's musically bursting it at the seams. And this one you can tap your toes to and dance around the Christmas Tree.

I've also added The Ramone's “Merry Christmas I don't want to Fight Tonight”. And to counteract, the jovial pretenses of putting aside differences for the Holidays, I've included Sufjan Steven's “Did I Make You Cry on Christmas Day (well you deserved it). It's best to approach Steven's somber and sad-sacked Christmas' songs by first reading some of his reflections of Christmas' past that are included in the liner-notes of Songs for Christmas.

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time ⁞ Part Five

2010-12-19T20:41:48Z

♫ Christmastime - The Smashing Pumpkins
♫ Christmas Song - Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time

I thought I would highlight the days passing through the holidays till Christmas with some of my favorite festive (or not so festive as the case sometimes is) songs.

Diverting from the usual fair, I had to include this breezy, almost transcendental, modern classic from my favorite band of all time.

Keeping in the traditions of all time favorite bands, here's the lead singer of my other favorite band of all time, Dave Matthews. A number of key recordings (outside bootlegs) of the Christmas Song are available, but one of my favorites has been the live collaboration with Tim Reynolds.

It breaks all the conventions of what a Christmas song should be. It's a bleak, partly cynical, almost agnostic, interpretation of Christianity, yet a bravely spiritual and honest song that looks not merely at Christ's birth but the life he led up to his death and past his resurrection (though Dave never actually refers to his resurrection or that Jesus is the son of God). It sets the dichotomy that comes from Christ's life, history and faith. And intertwines it with the introspective contemplation of how it all impacts our own reflections and questioning in our personal walk with God.

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time ⁞ Part Four

2010-12-15T23:22:33Z

♫ Christmas is Going to the Dogs - The Eels

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time

I thought I would highlight the days passing through the holidays till Christmas with some of my favorite festive (or not so festive as the case sometimes is) songs.

This song is approved by Veronica Mar's dog Backup. My cat Brenda however is plotting my demise over including this song. But sometimes I think she's plotting my demise regardless.

It's the Eels. It's on The OC's Chrismukkah Mix. What's not to love?

Coming soon, special dedications and you guessed it, more Sufjan Stevens.

Now to Photoshop to work on that pesky header for daretodair. If only I could commit to a concept and design.

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time ⁞ Part Three

2010-12-13T00:29:17Z

♫ The First Noel - Sufjan Stevens
♫ The First Noel - Bright Eyes

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time

I thought I would highlight the days passing through the holidays till Christmas with some of my favorite festive (or not so festive as the case sometimes is) songs.

I traditionally approach modern, mainstream and often even indie, renditions of Christmas hymns with disdain. So lacking in honest vulnerability, let alone any spiritual validity. That said, if Weezer singing "O Come all Ye Faithful" or the latest pop star belting "O Holy Night" turns your crank, hop over to your nearest mall for some ear candy during your shopping stroll.

Christmas is a essentially important time for me as Christian. That said, even those who celebrate the fleeting charms in the general holiday spirit deserve authenticity. Here's two renditions of "The First Noel" that manage to achieve that. And before you think you'll be hearing more of the same, each version offers distinctive characteristics while uniquely complimenting each other.

Plus, Sufjan Stevens "Songs For Christmas" collection may be the most important collection of Christmas music from this decade; but more on that later. And more from that later too.

Hype Trains and Fast Flights Are You Aboard the Dair Express?

2010-12-10T01:58:08Z

I'm part of a narrowing group who still rides the long, often tireless roads of Gossip Girl. Ever-winding, yet often tiresome and out right boring. Yet in the span of two episodes something shifted rather swiftly and surprisingly.

It appeared the Gossip Girl writers were fast-tracking to something more for our sparsely engaged enemies (or frienemies depending on your interpretation) Dan Humphrey and Blair Waldorf.

Friendship, pending sexual tryst, or budding epic romance; it's yet to be determined what's really in store for these two. All that I know is that since the airing of the first and last December 2010 episode "The Townie" the buzz is out and the reactions are palpating from the show's fans, shipper groups and, most interesting, the media.

One can't travel around pulse points of opinion like Zap2It.com, Fan Forum, Entertainment Weekly.com, or TV Guide.com without hearing grand mentions of the sleuthing, surprisingly like-minded, duo. Many are negative to the point of unwarranted intolerance; yet to even my surprise many are positive. So positive in fact, that certain media outlets are calling Dan and Blair the next Seth Cohen and Summer Roberts, a core, much-loved, relationship on Fox's former series, The OC. And the fandom worlds are aflutter with comparisons to that other famous pairing which was largely built on the same formula of mutual disdain, Dawson's Creek's Pacey Witter and Joey Potter.

Though I never personally shipped either relationship they both were vital components to each show's rich history and were loved by viewers all over the world. The media eluding to Dan and Blair as the next Seth and Summer is akin to labeling James Franco the next James Dean for example.

But is this fast-tracked media blitz nothing more than buzz overkill for a show floundering in the ratings. Or is it media outlets in need of generating controversy to gain internet hits?

Either way, the writers have put Dan and Blair on the express flight out of the mediocre and stale settings from which they came and into something fresh and exciting.

Was the car ride and road trip uncannily similar to Seth and Summer's trip to Tijuana? Sure was. But the dish washing scene (complete with discovering shocking common interest) and their aligning forces for the greater good of a mutual friend screamed The OC's Marissa Cooper and Seth Ala the season one episode "The Model Home".

But let's not disregard the wonderful things that make Dan and Blair distinctively great both in terms of story and characterization. They don't need to live in the shadows of past television greatness. They are epic and sustaining in their own right. And whether you believe they should be approaching romance or further sibling style-rivalry can we at least agree they are entertaining, brimming with a glorious potential that might just revive a show gasping for life?

That said, I'll leave others to willingly fly through fan board turbulence. And I'll be hesitant to board media's fast-moving hype trains. But I'm keeping on the path to where ever the writers take me with Dan and Blair. Besides, I'm comfortable riding in the vintage Morris Minor convertible anyway.

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time ⁞ Part Two

2010-12-07T00:57:33Z

♫ Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World [covering Wham!]

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time

I thought I would highlight the days passing through the holidays till Christmas with some of my favorite festive (or not so festive as the case sometimes is) songs.

I call it one of the worst Christmas song ever when preformed by Wham!, but Jimmy Eat World's earnest and vulnerable rendition scores with me ever year since I first heard it. Another staple from The OC's Chrismukkah album but oddly I can't connect it with a single scene or the series as a whole. It's just one of holidays musical pleasantries. Simple, but true.

* My apologies for not having the actual songs available. My intention was to link to mine and other's Tumblr posts where the songs could be played. But with Tumblr currently down this hasn't been an option. I'll edit posts to include links to the songs as soon as Tumblr is back up and running.

Now, off to watch Gossip Girl. Dan and Blair call to me.

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time

2010-12-06T00:36:20Z

♫ Blue Christmas - Bright Eyes [covering Elvis Presley]

Joy, Spirit, Sadness - This is Christmas, One Song at a Time

I thought I would highlight the days passing through the holidays till Christmas with some of my favorite festive (or not so festive as the case sometimes is) songs.

My first selection is dedicated to all of my O.C. fans past and present. I just watched that seminal episode, "The Best Chrismukkah Ever" this evening and it remains one of those great holiday traditions for us. Truth be told though, this song has been hummed from my lips long before we sat down to watch the episode tonight.

Past generations will no doubt long to hear the classic song as sung by Elvis, but for me this is the version that will for years to come bring me a little extra holiday happiness (ironic considering the song's message) and fond reflections of cops, Wonder Woman, Ryan, the Balboa Heights and a little holiday called Chrismukkah.

Calling all Television Junkies, What should I Watch?

2010-09-13T10:32:59Z

The first return of the new television season has arrived for me tonight. Gossip Girl! And while I await the rest of my returning faves I'm struck with all the new shows that I have no invested interest in at all. Help me out here. What should I be giving a chance? New shows only please. I don't like jumping in on later seasons.

I missed hitching a ride on the main syndication train for The Big Bang, but I do plan on watching it on Comedy [Canada] when it starts up on the 20th. I look forward to seeing what everyone has been talking about.

A Week [a Month] of Awesome ⁞ 09.10.10

2010-09-11T00:21:19Z

1 ⁞ This community ask_her_dancing, and its related tumblr, has been bringing me the Dan Humphrey and Blair Waldorf awesome for weeks! Much like the tumblr I run for The O.C.'s Seth Cohen and Marissa Cooper, scene contortions, and other great manipulations abound providing a great breeding ground for our imaginations to run wild.

2 ⁞ CTV's later showing of Degrassi Takes Manhattan reinstated to me many things, the most of all being that un-conventionalism when done with appropriate characterization can actually be good. Granted the writers choice in bringing Emma Nelson and Gavin 'Spinner' Mason together was met with challenges, many of which were evident on screen. But I was struck by the common threads in their personality and life goals. And yes, they did have chemistry. The end results were painfully rushed and the wedding a tad impromptu, but it was equally wondrous and sweet.

3 ⁞ I celebrated my Grams-In-Law's birthday this past Sunday. It's great when generations of families can get get together in love and support. And she turned 98!

4 ⁞ All my girls who are keeping the Seth Cohen and Marissa Cooper UC ♥ alive have been making this past month for me. I adore you all for seeing past the surface context of the show's four season run and embracing the awesome and epic potential these two had ever since "The Model Home".

Fandom Graphics ⁞ CB Promo ♥ [spoilers]

2010-09-08T01:00:34Z

Preview ⁞
Fandom(s) ⁞ Gossip Girl [Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf, SE4 Promo]
Notes ⁞ Icons from one of the SE4 promos (CB spoilers!). Self-capped from uploaded promo so adjust your picture quality expectations.
Quick Rules ⁞ 1. Please credit lasha4god via the lj user tag or direct link. 2. All graphics are for personal use. Should you wish to post in bulk, or upload to a fan site please let me know before hand. So long as credit is given I'm usually fine with fan art, and wallpapers being used in fan-site galleries. I would prefer that icons not be posted, but it never hurts to ask. I might change my mind. =;) 3. Never direct link / hot-link. In short upload to your own albums, servers, etc. and link from there. I don't take kindly to bandwidth theft. 3. Comments and feedback are ♥! Advanced thanks for taking the time out to let me know what you think.

MEME ⁞ 15 Albums

2010-09-07T16:19:31Z

Don't think too long. List 15 albums that stuck with you after you heard them for the first time. [I was tagged this on Facebook and thought I would give it a go. Listed in random order.]

1⁞ Smashing Pumpkins, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness"

2⁞ John Mayer, "Room for Squares"

3⁞ Weezer, "Pinkerton"

4⁞ Arcade Fire, "Funeral"

5⁞ Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Let's Face It"

6⁞ Natalie Merchant, "Tiger Lilly"

7⁞ Smashing Pumpkins, "Siamese Dream"

8⁞ Matthew Good Band, "Beautiful Midnight"

9⁞ Dave Matthews Band, "Crash"

10⁞ Dave Matthews Band, "Under the Table and Dreaming"

11⁞ Weezer, "Blue Album"

12⁞ Arcade Fire, "The Suburbs"

13⁞ U2, "Joshua Tree"

14⁞ Ben Folds Five, "Whatever and Whatever, Amen"

15⁞ Bush, "Sixteen Stone"

New Poems ⁞ "tasking by summer on winter w a l k s w ay", "home, like bagging graves"

2010-09-05T14:55:13Z

home,
like bagging graves
along lose reflections
of the fractions of lives
still, standing,
buried underneath your
grocery list of regrets

⁞

tasking by summer
on winter w a l k s way
was one angry beaver,
alone by the bay

tumblr ⁞ I'm Slowly Learning to ♥ You

2010-08-07T21:11:01Z

One word. tumblr. Now you can follow me on the blogging hot spot. Of course, journal entries will remain here as well as full graphic posts. Select fan art will be viewable on tumblr, but this will be your main source for everything I share and of course the only place for icons.

⁞ Follow Me @ tumblr! ⁞

In addition, because I never shy from deviating from the norm, I've created a tumblr specifically for The O.C's Seth Cohen and Marissa Cooper otherwise known to fans as 'Roadie'. I know someone will think I've lost my mind for doing this, but I assure you the mind is lucid and I am indeed sane. I've been noticing a few new fans coming threw the pike and still notice a few older fans showing their fandom love for this great UC/AU ship so I hope it garners interest. If you are a tumblr user, feel free to 'follow' and even share posts! Regardless it's public to all to view.

⁞ Follow 'Roadie' @ tumblr! ⁞

Comic-Con ⁞ ♥ ♥ ♥ Joel McHale and Alison Brie ♥ ♥ ♥

2010-07-27T22:32:26Z

Yeah, I flipped a few lids over these photos. Ok, I flipped more than a few lids. As not to defame the pretense of being sane I won`t say my actual reactions to seeing these photos. Needless to say, they still leave me seeped in geeked-out fandom love.

I am staunchly against shipping real-life pairings (I can only think of one exception [from BB season 10]), so we won't even go there. But as friends and cast-mates they exude a wonderfully natural affection and love. An affection and love that must fuel the amazing chemistry they showcase on Community. Seeing photos such as these gives me wondrous hope that no matter how the writers dictates their character's future, Joel and Alison will always provide Jeff and Annie with warmth, bite and an amazing connection.

Photos @ KellyWest11

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Now That I've lured you in, I figured I would officially out myself as a shipper of Gavin "Spinner" Mason and Emma Nelson from Degrassi TNG. More on this in an upcoming 'Week of Awesome' post.