Right, I am off to the south of France for 10 days.

F'list, do not explode with awesome while I'm gone or I might think you dont love me!

Au Revoir!

Yuletide has FAILED ME!! There are no Lost stories up there ANYWHERE!!

FAIL Yuletide, FAIL!!

Unless theres something somewhere else? Anyone?

Dearest F'list and random passerby's,

Rec me some light, fun summer reading. Something for a beach in France that won't make me think (too much anyways).

Cheers!

Snagged from my Smooshy one...

Fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes:

01. One For The Money (Stephanie Plum Series) - Janet Evanovich

02. Harry Potter Series - J.K Rowling

03. Tomorrow When The War Began (Tomorrow Series) - John Marsden

04. Pawn Of Prophecy (Belgariad Series)- David Eddings

05. Welcome To Temptation - Jennifer Cruisie

06. Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries)- Charlaine Harris

07. Pastures of the Blue Crane - Hesba Brinsmead

08. The Dark Is Rising Sequence - Susan Cooper

09. Trixie Beldon Series - Julie Campbell, Kathryn Kenny

10. Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows Series) - Kim Harrison

11. Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake Series)- Laurell K Hamilton

12. Ancient Future (Series) - Traci Harding

13. Z For Zachariah - Robert C O'Brien

14. Obernewtyn (The Obernewtyn Chronicles) - Isobelle Carmody

15. Dragons of Autumn Twilight (Dragonlance Chronicles) - Margaret Weis & Tracey Hickman

Honourable Mention - Magician" by Raymond E Feist.

*hates coding and linking and blah*

So this is a pretty decent list... I tend to latch on to authors... Once I read one of their books I read them all, series or not. Though, most of the books I read are in a series (says somethign about me, really) so if I've linked to a book it's the first one in that particular series.

In other news, I am completely obsessed with Lost again (thank you season 5) and I am going to France in June/July.

\o/ yay!

So, my latest obsession is a Disney show (Life with Derek, if you must know) and by reading all the porn I possibly can I feel a little dirty.

Also, I no longer have the moral high ground when it comes to High School Musical fans. Though, at least I'm not slashing 16yo boys... Thats something right?

Lastly, I saw Twilight. OMG it was so freaking hilarious. I laughed and laughed.

So, I finally watched the last 10 episodes of Battlestar Galactica and I have one thing to say.

Frak You Show

Frak you a lot.

So, I have discovered today, that my Baby Daddy, Ryan Adams has gotten married. To who you ask? (Well, probably you don't, but keep reading!) ... Mandy Moore. Yes, Ryan Adams & Mandy Moore are married. And this actually makess me rediculously giddy cause I adore her. I go out of my way to watch everything she does. Which fits perfectly with me going out of my way to listen to everything he does.

So today was pretty lovely...

I drove over to Southend-On-Sea to pay a speeding ticket for my boss... Then I explored a bit. I was closer to France than ever! I saw The English Channel! I had lunch by the "beach" and soaked up some much missed sun (though its still freezing).

I also bought the Kings Of Leon CD 'Only By The Night' and oh boy, these guys are sex personified... The whole thing turns me on. Have you actively listened to their lyrics? No - you should do so. 'Revelry' is so fricking sexy... what is it about me and addicts?

Then I had to come home and deal with a whiney tired kid who was upset with me for hours cause I woke him up when he fell asleep in the car. Woke him up and kept him awake. I'm so mean.

Anyways, tomorrow I "work" a half day (work as in Judith is taking the kids out and I have to find something to occupy my time - like shopping) and so I will be spending more money I cant afford on Kings Of Leon cds.

Right, so this post I've had saved but forgot to post it, here it goes anyways...

The Supernatural ep, "After School Special" where Dean & Sam are in school together... Well, I kinda wrote that about, ohhh... 3 years ago? I have 7 pages... it was an experiment in writing style (4th person I think its called) and I never posted it because I never finished it... But now, I want to post it. I just have to decide if I want to finish it first... (Ha!)

( A little sample for my f'list and do any of you actually read SPN any more? )

Thoughts?

So, general question... Does anyone else find the opening credits of House vaguely erotic? Like, I'm not sure what it is exactly (sure I see naked people in the picture of the brain, but thats not it), but something about it just screams sexy to me.

And on House I thought the latest ep was freaking spectacular... Even though it was Thirteen heavy with not enough Kutner. Best ep in forever it seems.

It's been a while since I've updated with any worthwhile news... So here goes.

01. I've started my new job - and I'm really enjoying it so far (talk to me at the 3 month mark). I have my "own car" (a Mercedes) and all sorts of awesome benefits like that.

02. The weather here is psychotic... Snow (not even a foot and the whole bloody COUNTRY stopped working for 2 days), then it rained, a lot, so much so that there was flooding. Then finally, snow again that didnt even last 24 hours.

03. I live in Essex, in a village called Danbury. I'm 40 mins by train into Central London so thats handy and its quiet out here, I like that.

04. My eldest charge is in grade 4. Her school is called New Hall School... Why is it called this? Because its actually in New Hall. That should mean something to all you Tudor fans out there. If it doesn't, the show is even more factually wrong than Merlin.

05. I am slightly obsessed with Freaks & Geeks. Today anyways.

Hmm, I think thats all I can think of. I am tired.

Empire Magazine has revealed its list of the 50 Greatest TV Shows ever.
1. Bold the shows you watch/used to watch.
2. Italicize the shows you've seen at least one episode of.
3. Underline the shows you own on DVD (at least one season).
4. Post your answers.

( Cut for ze leest )
This tells me I watch Waaaaay Too Much TV. (I'm ok with that)

Man, Supernatural fandom just exploded with the crazy... and its all over my f'list.

A SPN fic writer was outed to her entire Facebook list (so you know, real life people) as a Wincest writer... By someone from fandom - probably her f'list.

How fucked up is that? I mean, as much as I disagree with Wincest in general, this sort of shit just isnt done!! To go out of your way to track down a real name so you can contact not them, but their friends and family?! I cant wait for the day whoever did this gets outed to fandom ('cause seriously, SPN fandom is scary enough as it is) shit will hit the fan (ha!) and I shall cheer.

I guess though, that its a lesson well learned for some. Personally, I dont write anything in here that I care if other people will see (family included). Its not that I advertise to them or anything, they know I have an online journal (one sister even reads it occasionally), but I dont f'lock anything either. *shrugs*

I also recognise that there are people who want to keep their RL's completely seperate and they have a complete right to do so. I know the names of a few people who never say it anywhere online, from chatting & betaing... I probably even know the names of a few people who dont know I know their names... However, you can all rest assured, I'm no crazy assed stalker who is going to out you to anyone. Intentional or otherwise.

Dear F'list...

It has come to my attention that SciFi channel people are morons and have leaked who the final Cylon is after attempting to sell a script on ebay for charity or whatever.

This may or may not be true, it may be something to get all the rabid fanpeeps rabidising about it all.

Either way, if you spoil me, intentionally or UNintentionally... I WILL HURT YOU SO HARD YOU'LL FEEL IT INTO NEXT YEAR.

Love,
Nat

Why so happy you ask? Well, a lot of things really... but mostly today I finally got off my ass and converted all my .flac files to .mp3 and omg, it was so bloody easy! (winamp does it all automatically for you if you wanted to know)

Anyways, this means, Baby Daddy is now serenading me with songs I've listened to before, but never had ON DEMAND.

And in case you care... this means I now have these albums (and a bunch of live downloads * bonus songs where The Cardinals have released their versions of Ryan Adams' solo stuff...)-

'Faithless Street'
'Those Weren't The Days'
by Whiskeytown

'29'
'48 Hours'
'Demolition'
'Destroyer'
'Easy Tiger'
'Gold' (bonus disc)
'Heartbreaker'
'Love Is Hell' (I & II)
'Rock N Roll'
by Ryan Adams

'Cardinology'
'Cold Roses' (Double Disc)
'Follow The Lights'
'Jacksonville City Nights' (Double Disc)
by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

And now, while I'm sure that there is like, 2 people on my f'list who know who Ryan Adams is (and one of you only because I've waxed poetical about him- my beautiful Hobbit) if any of you want any of his songs let me know and I will upload them for you.

*happy sigh*

Q&A Time kids!

Q: Has Natalie downloaded more tv recently than neccessary?
A: Yes, she has!

Q: what has she been downloading (the naughty girl)?
A: Well, she's downloaded all 5 seasons of The Wire, 2 seasons each of Rome, Burn Notice and The Tudors, the first season of the BBC's Merlin and the complete series of Robin of Sherwood. And the various episodes of all the shows I'm currently watching.

Q: Of all these shows, what has she watched?
A: She's watched 3 seasons of The Wire, all of Burn Notice and half of Merlin.

Q: What does she think of them all?
A: *takes a deep breath* First, Burn Notice- quirky and fun, I kinda adore it and want to have Bruce Campbells babies. It's in no way serious, the main guy Jeffery Donovan looks like an older, harder James Franco and I dont even hate Gabrielle Anwar in it! Second, The Wire- this show is hardcore... the first season was so fucking spectacular that it hurt to have it finish... The second season was nearly as brilliant, but I was completely turned off by James Ransom's character, Ziggy, which really, if I hadnt seen him in Generation Kill first, Ziggy might have made me hate that show too. Third season made me HATE the main character, but through it all I've been cheering on Omar, so here's to a good season 4 and 5. Third, Merlin- just, dammit... Its completely screwed with the mythology, but I love it anyway. The characters are older than I was expecting, and far more goofy... I have so much love.

Q: What is she obsessed with inregards to the above?
A: Omar, Jimmy McNaulty, Merlin's ears, Arthur (who's looking rather like he could be Alexander Skarsgards little brother), Morgana and finally, Arthur getting off with Morgana. I can see the slash yes, but eh, I'm not a slash person really...

Q: What time has Natalie been going to sleep?
A: Way too fucking early. For the past 3 days its been, 6pm, 6.30pm, 8pm and tonight I'm holding out until at least 9pm.

Q: What time has Natalie been getting up?
A: Way too fucking early. But not really... For the past 3 days its been, 5am, 6.30am and 6am. Thats looong time sleeping. I've been tired.

Final Question: What are Natalie's plans this week?
A: Well, tomorrow I've going to finish Merlin. Then if its sunny I might actually go outside for a while. Then I'm going to finish the last two seasons of The Wire then watch the other 3 or 4 shows I have downloaded. I'm going to finally catch up on Heroes and I have to go to London on Wednesday for a job interview. Somewhere in there I'm going to find time to put my clean laundry away.

20 minutes count down til sleep time! Really, the thoughts just occured to me, I want some new icons. In particular, I want an Omar icon.

WTF world? Do you hate me? Am I universally hated?

Last night was fucking horrendous. I get over a sinus infection just to suffer from severe food poisoning?

NOT HAPPY!!

( Cutting for your delicate sensibilities and my inability to do anything that does not involve grossness )

Now its 9am... Im tired as fuck, hungry, bored, sore and need to go for a job interview in a few hours... which I had planned on walking too, but right now my stomach wants nothing touching it, let alone belting on a pair of jeans and walking over the bridge into the Quay. Also, never mind the fact that I had a plan to do all my housework today.

"The Whole Fucking World's Against (Me) Dude, I Swear To God"

Right, so heres what I can't figure out...

I'm living in the UK, the bloody United Kingdom... Isn't there some kind of rule that the weather here is crap? Like, all the time?

Cause I've seen nothing but blue skies and sun for 3 days now! Sure its only light for about 8 hours a day and cold as fuck out there, but still, no clouds!

And the sun is... blinding to say the least. A while back I busted my awesome $15 Gucci knock-off sunnies and decided, thats ok, I'm in the UK now, I dont need them as its always crap and cloudy and rainy, I'll toss them. Biggest. Mistake. Ever.

The grocery store opened again today after 2 days shut and as I was ill prepared (and craving pancakes) I made the trip over, fought the billions of people shopping and recieved a constant peircing pain through my eyeballs from the sunlight, causing a headache on top of the headache I already had from lack of sleep (yes, thats right, my sleeping patterns are shit again).

Now I want pancakes but am too lazy to make them right now so instead I'm going to watch my newest obsession (yeah, another one), Burn Notice, which is funny, charming, sexy and beautifully violent all in one. Also, informative! I now know how to make a flashbomb!

So, 'tis the season and all... So happy (insert your belief here)! (Personally I tend to say Christmas, but I'm usually thinking 'Yay! Presents!' cause I'm a greedy little atheist.)

I'm slightly wired from lack of sleep and sugar (from Aussie lollies sent by my sister!). But as I'm not reeeeally doing anything except OD'ing on Yuletide fic I bring you a rec and a random list.

Rec: Routine and Reciprocity.

Its Dead Like Me, its Mason, its Kiffany and its perfect.

List: Five foods I love the smell of but hate to eat...

1. Green Apples. They smell like tart perfection, only urgh, the tart hurts my tongue. I like red apples though!

2. Peaches. They smell sweet and like summer, but are often too sweet and have this weird stringy sliminess to them that makes me gag.

3. Any Kind Of Fruit Pie. They always smell like cinnamon and heaven, but then are slimy in my mouth and often gritty when the sugar isnt cooked enough and dont taste like whatever the fruit it is should taste like.

4. Ginger. A little mixed in with other stuff is ok, but too much and I dunno what it is, but its just all wrong in my mouth.

5. Cooked Tomato. I love raw tomatoes, and I even eat bolognaise as long as there is no chunks of actual tomato... cause the texture is all wrong and once cooked they taste too tomato-y.

Bonus Hate To Smell and Hate To Eat:

6. Lemongrass is the devils work. I can smell even the tiniest amount a mile away and can taste it even if you've not put any in a dish but have used the same spoon to stir something else that has got it in it. Devils work I tell you.

7. Capsicum/Bell Pepper. Not as strongly as above... This I just pick out...

But if I think either are in a dish I order I've taken to telling all waiters that I'm deathly allergic to both 6 & 7 and if I have a cardiac arrest while in anaphylactic shock I will sue everyone. It always amuses me to see their faces.

Yes, this is what I've spent my Christmas thinking about! Go me!

Have a good one guys.

In my infinite wisdom (and the fact that I had no internet for 4 days) I watch the British show, 'Skins'... And let me just say... its probably the most realistic "teen" tv show I've seen in years... Maybe ever.

So now I have a list for you! Two even! In no particular order...

Top Ten Terrific Teen TV Shows or Shows where teens act like teens...

01. Skins - Yeah, I know - Drugs, Alcohol, Sex, Parties, Hardly any parental concern... Sounds like my high school years. But theres also friends who'd kill for you and you for them (when you dont want to kill them), realistic family situations (brothers and sisters who get along and protect each other) and actually going to school.

02. My So Called Life - Whats more realistic than fighting with your parents, geeking out over hot guys and not being able to talk to them but agonising over every detail, like how he leans.

03. Degrassi Junior High - The original naturally, cause I still remember how much I wanted to go to school with them all. There was the band, the guy who had sex for the first time but no one believed him cause he was a bully and he ends up with aids, having sex for the first time, teen pregnancy & massive head trauma leading to retardation. Awesome.

04. Daria - Alienation? Check. Sarcasm? Check. Stereyotypical Cliques? Check. Going to your friends to avoid family? Check. So it was a cartoon, it was still hilarious and brilliant.

05. Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Nevermind that Buffy spent her night killing stuff... When she wasnt she was at school agonising over her exams, inventing words & being angsty about boys. Very teenish.

06. Friday Night Lights - Really, do I need words? It might not be American Football, but every school in every culture (pretty much) has the almighty school sports heroes that are adored no matter how much of a fuckup they might be. They get all the hot chicks too.

07. Saved by The Bell - This one could go either way really... But really, an addiction to caffein pills is serious business. Plus, Zack Morris was a hottie.

08. Parker Lewis Can't Loose - Annoying younger sibling, persecution from authority & bullies... And a catch phrase that I use to this day... "Note to self:"

09. Roswell - Ok, so this is marginal and could have gone either way too, but remove the whole supernatural elements to it and this was a pretty realistic show... Raging hormones (that you could see!), secrets and making new friends are all normal behaviour.

10. Press Gang - They're all juggling school work, real lives, working on a paper and their hormones all at once... Add to that dealing with story lines like suicide, drug abuse and sexual abuse you have a killer show thats more than just realistic.

Honourable Mention-

Veronica Mars - A teen supersluth isnt quite realistic... but the show was so freaking awesome that it needs listing.

The Unrealistic(ish)

01. Dawson's Creek - It had some great characterisation and ok plot lines, but really, talking like youre 57 isnt realistic.

02. One Tree Hill - Very soapish... two half brothers and the angst to ignore each other until they bond over basketball... plus a teenage wedding, pregnancy & one murderous father all = not awesome.

03. Gossip Girl - Designer clothes on a daily basis... Limo's to and from school... Owning a night club... Just no.

04. The O.C - I dont even have words.

05. Beverly Hills 90210 - it started out ok you know, teens dealing with moving to a new place and needing to fit in with the spastically rich teens... Then degenerated into crap.

Honourable Mention-

Hana Yori Dango - This show was so fucking hilariously bad that it was awesome. The Flower Four! Makino! Unrequited Love! Mangling English AND Japanese to hilarious effect! "The Imperial March" as a ringtone for your sort-of-boyfriend! My face always hurt after watching this show and I had to read subtitles, but my gods it was worth it. Not too realistic though.

There could have been more but I'm only listing shows I've seen and anyways, I'm tired now.

Night!