Technophilia

I am a confirmed technogeek - a gadgetgirl if you will.  If I were a superhero, my name would be GadgetGirl, with some kewl logo and outfit.  But I digress.

I love technology.  I Google about it (yes, I love that Google is now a verb), I am a member of a couple of technology discussion boards, and I even have a couple of bookmarks that go to sites that show celebrities with their phones.  I think this combines my love of technology and celebrity quite nicely.  The biggest thing I love about technology is just sitting down and figuring it all out.

I received my first cell phone back in about 1992 or so when I lived in Dutch Harbor.  I think I was one of the first ones on the island to actually have a cell phone.  It was fun.  I liked it.  When we moved to Anchorage, I had to habit of going down to the cell phone store at the mall and looking at the latest models on a weekly basis.  As a matter of fact, the sales people there knew me by name.  As funds would allow, I would upgrade to the latest and greatest.

This is a partial, but by no means complete, list of cell phones I have had in the past:  Nokia 5520; Nokia 3310; some small red Nokia; Motorola StarTac; Motorola V60; Motorola Razr V3; BlackBerry Curve; BlackBerry Bold; and finally an Apple iPhone 3GS 32g.

Up until recently, I was a pretty big BlackBerry fan.  I loved my BlackBerry.  In the big Blackberry vs Apple debate, I was firmly in the RIM camp.  I remember when I got my last BlackBerry, the very nice salesman, when I asked for the newest model, asked me “Oh, why don’t you want to get an iPhone?”  And I snarkily (and yes, that is a verb) said “Because I want a phone that works.”

Well, now I’m eating my words.

I don’t want to make this a big pro-Apple blog because my intent is not to sway anyone one way or the other (and I’m not getting payment from Steve Jobs either, so there is that).  But I will say this – I love my iPhone, and a lot more then I actually thought I would.

My love affair started like this:  It was time for me to upgrade my iPod.  At that time I was so adverse to Apple that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to upgrade to a iTouch.  Hubby got one.  I broke down and played with his for about 15 – 20 minutes, and that is all she wrote.  I was hooked – hook, line, and sinker.  The next day, or two, I went down to get one.  Since I found out that I could get an actual iPhone cheaper then I could a iTouch, I took the leap.  My only regret was that when he asked me if I wanted a white or black one, I said black.  I realized I preferred the white one, and solved the issue later by giving that one to hubby and ordering (another) one for myself on eBay (which is another blog post entirely).

Now since I’ve gotten my iPhone, I spend endless hours looking at discussion boards, downloading apps, and creating ringtones (my current one is the ringtone from the movie Orphan).  I actually use it as a checkbook, journal, notetaker, calendar.

And occasionally as a phone.

62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

I freely admit it.  I’m an awards show addict.  I always have been.

I always try to watch the Emmys, the Grammys, the American Music Awards…and of course, the Oscars.  Is it too much to have a Daytime and Primetime Emmy Award show?  Um, no.  That being said, there is only one I really don’t watch, and that is the Tony Awards.  Not sure why, just never really got into them.

The 62nd Annual Emmy Awards were last weekend, and of course I watched them.  Since I watched the Red Carpet shows beforehand, I will give my synopsis (read: biased opinion) of both what I saw during the pre-award festivities and the show itself.

Red Carpet Shows – E! and NBC

First Impressions:

·       Claire Danes – Gorgeous

·       Betty White - Gracious and beautiful

·       Kathy Griffin – Hilarious as always.  She looked fabulous, and Maggie was WONDERFUL!  TIP IT!!

·       Kate Gosslin – She actually looked very nice, but WHY is she there?

·       January Jones – She was dressed in Versace with Cartier jewelry, and obviously hated what she was wearing.  Honestly, I can’t blame her.

·       Billy Bush – Not a fan.

·       Christine Hendricks – hated dress, hated color

I'm going to pause during my commentary to mention that Navy blue seemed to be a big color this year.

·       Kyra Sedgewick – Stunning.

·       Olivia Munn – Loved the dress and color.

·       Anna Paquin – Alexander McQueen gorgeous black and gold dress.  This was not widely approved of, but I loved it.

·       Dianna Agron – Carolina Herrera stunning pink/black dress with Cartier jewelry.  Flawless

·       Keri Russell – Pink and light.  Beautiful.

Now that I’ve given my fashion critiques, on with the show!

Show

The beginning was awesome with the cast of Glee, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, John Hamm, and Kate Gosslin (now I know why she was there) doing “Baby We Were Born To Run.”  I was actually half expecting Bruce Springsteen to come out.  It was very funny.

Great joke by Jimmy Fallon:  “NBC asked me, the host of Late Night, to come to Los Angeles and host a different show.  What could possibly go wrong?”  Pan over to a close up to Conan O’Brien.

First award of the night was presented by John Hamm and Betty White.  What can I say - Betty can do no wrong!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in Comedy series

Eric Stonestreet “Modern Family”

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd “Modern Family” – “Pilot”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in Comedy Series

Jane Lynch “Glee”

Outstanding Guest Actress in Comedy Series

Betty White “Saturday Night Live”

Outstanding Guest Actor in Comedy Series

Neil Patrick Harris “Glee”

Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series

Ryan Murphy “Glee” – “Pilot – Director’s Cut”

Outstanding Lead Actor in Comedy Series

Jim Parsons “The Big Bang Theory”

I found it interesting that he beat out Alec Baldwin, Steve Carrell, and sentimental favorite Tony Shaloub

Outstanding Lead Actress in Comedy Series

Edie Falco “Nurse Jackie”

Outstanding Reality Competition Program

“Top Chef”

Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay then presented.  WOOHOO!!!  Girl crush for Mariska aside, she looked beautiful.  And Christopher looked handsome as ever.  

Outstanding Writing for Drama Series

Matthew Weiner and Erin Levy “Mad Men” – “Shut The Door. Have A Seat”

Outstanding Supporting Actor in Drama Series

Aaron Paul “Breaking Bad”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in Drama Series

Archie Panjabi “The Good Wife”

I chucked when Jimmy Falcon introduced Edie Falco by saying “Welcome the ORIGINAL Real Housewife of New Jersey...”

Outstanding Lead Actor in Drama Series

Bryan Cranston “Breaking Bad”

I thought it was sweet when he said in his acceptance speech “I love you more then baseball”.

Outstanding Guest Actress in Drama Series

Ann Margaret “Law and Order: Special Victim’s Unit”

Outstanding Guest Actor in Drama Series

John Lithgow “Dexter”

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

Steve Shill “Dexter” – “The Getaway”

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Kyra Sedgwick “The Closer”

Love, love, love her!

Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special

Dave Boone, Carl Greenburg “The 63^rd Annual Tony Awards”

Now, I'm not a big Ricky Gervais fan, but I loved his segment.  Favorite line: “Mel Gibson, come on.  I’m not going to go there.  He’s been through a lot.  Not as much as the Jews.”

Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special

Bucky Gunts “Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony”

Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series

“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”

Bob Hope Humanitarian Award

George Clooney

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

Julia Ormand “Temple Grandin”

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie

David Strathairn “Temple Grandin”

Outstanding Writing for Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special

Adam Mazer “You Don’t Know Jack”

I loved that he said to Dr. Kevorkian in the audience:  “Jack Kevorkian.  I’m so grateful you’re my friend, but even more grateful you are not my physician…”

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

Claire Danes “Temple Grandin”

Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special

Mick Jackson “Temple Grandin”

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie

Al Pacino “You Don’t Know Jack”

I love Al.   Enough said.

Outstanding Miniseries

“The Pacific”

Outstanding Made for Television Movie

“Temple Grandin”

Outstanding Drama Series

“Mad Men”

Outstanding Comedy Series

“Modern Family”

One of my favorite parts of Awards shows like this is the "In Memoriam" segment.  Unfortunately, I'm not a big Jewel fan, so I actually muted the television so I wouldn't have to listen to her singing while the segment was going on.

I thought the show was fast paced, funny, and was well hosted.  I look forward to what they will come up with next year.

Movie Theatres

I love to go to the movie theatre.  I love the atmosphere of it.  The pageantry of  getting your ticket, the smell of the popcorn, walking into the theatre and finding the perfect seat.  Everything about it.  Weird, I know.

There are a few rules everyone should follow when going to the movies:

1. Arrive in enough time to use the bathroom, get snacks, and watch the previews.  In that order.
2. When they ask you to turn off your cell phone during the movie, it is more an order then a request.
3. Never leave Coach bag on the floor.  This will prevent any damage should someone spill a full soda and it run down and permeate the precious leather handbag.
4. Talking during the movie?  Please.  Just don’t.
5. If you must leave your seat during the movie, please do so as quickly and quietly as possible.  This will prevent the other movie goers from having to try to continue to watch the movie around you.

And another thing.  I go to the movie theatre to get AWAY from all the commercials on television.  Why must they insist on showing them there?

Enjoy the movie :-)

Summer of Family and Fun

So far it’s been a busy, busy summer….

We went to spend my Dad’s 70th birthday with him and Father’s Day (the first one I’ve ever spent with him).  I also saw my half brother for the first time in 25 years and met my older half sister for the first time…along with both their families.

It’s very odd at the age of 44 to meet family members you’ve never met before – but it was great.  I instantly fell in love with them.  It was great to see my dad again.  The last time I saw him was 3 years ago (and I was 90 lbs heavier).  We had a FABULOUS time! 

Two days after we got back, I headed down to spend a couple weeks at my sister’s house.  We had fun planning the upcoming nuptials, hanging by the pool, and just being with each other again.

Mike and I recently celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary, and it was so nice to have Mike’s folks here for a visit and to celebrate with us.  While the guys goldpanned, us gals had a Girls Day – breakfast (at Express Cafe), a movie (My Sister’s Keeper), and a day of shopping.  Fun for everyone!  We all had a great time.

The fun doesn’t stop there, as there are more things planned.  More Chrisman adventures to come…

A busy family summer indeed!

BFF’s

We all have those people that we’ve been friends with forever, that we can always count on. They bring us up when we are down, bring us back to earth when we get out of hand, and love us in spite of ourselves.

This got me thinking…if I could have any celebrity be my BFF, who would it, or they, be? After much thought and debate, here are mine. I should preface this by saying that they are in no particular order, as they would change with my mood and what I saw/read that day:

• Bethenny Frankel (Real Housewives of NYC and author of Naturally Thin) - She “owns” whatever she does and she rocked hosting the Today show.
• Kathy Griffin (My Life On The D List) - She’ll cut a b*tch and her mom would love me.
• Stacey London (What Not To Wear) – I would always look great and she’s just so cute! BTW, she really needs to get a Twitter account.
• Jen Lancaster (New York Times best-selling author of Bitter Is The New Black and the more recent Pretty In Plaid) – Only she would take a Prada bag to the unemployment office and I’m jealous I didn’t get the chance to trade an order of wasabi peas for a Coach bag.

Now, chances are I will never meet any of these people, but it’s fun to dream – and I’d love to get all these women in the same room together.

To my REAL BFF - You know I love you more then my Coach bag ;-)