Punxsutawney Phil Can Suck It

Me: Hey, it's 48 degrees out.
Me: It's like spring in February! Katharina: dude i know it's so freaking nice out
Katharina: i called my dad and was like "yo it's 45 degrees, it's practically summer!"
and he was like "you need to leave ithaca."

The Day The Music Died

I want to take this time to mourn the anniversary of "The Day The Music Died." On Febraury 3rd, JP "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash in 1959.
I would just like to show you how downhill it's gone.

And, to a lesser extent, this.

No Pot of Gold for Team Rainbow

Instead, it ended in a "black somethingorother." (real specific, Laura)

Unfortunately for culinarily talented lesbians everywhere, chef Jamie Lauren was kicked off Top Chef in its latest installment. Which is kind of a bummer, considering her cooking skills and great personality.

Although I do have to agree with fellow cheftestant Fabio Viviani on her favored protein. She did do a lot with scallops. Not that scallops are bad, but really, pick something else to work with. You have skills. Now pick something on land to cook.

So gone are the crazy sleeves of tattoos and Stefan's unattainable object of affection. Here's to hoping that the last few left (Leah Cohen, Hosea Rosenberg, Carla Hall, Fabio Viviani, and Stefan Ricter) are deserving of their top 5 fates.

Let's Take Some E!

I know I've posted this before, but upon hearing of Nick Carter's past drug abuse and on the ever-reliable E! Network, I decided to post advice.

"So, I'm talking to Aunt Dori and she tells me about this girl in CA who drowned internally because while she was taking Ecstasy, she drank a lot of water. And, of course, Aunt Dori thought of YOU because you drink so much water. (oookaayyy) So, I promised her that I would warn you that when you take X, not to drink a lot of water."

Thanks, Mom!

Edited. Because Nick Lachey and Nick Carter are two very different people.

Chase, Please Pack Your Knives and Go

In case you don't know, I generally love reality shows that showcase people with actual talent. I also generally love shows that feature cattiness after photo shoots and douchebags that refuse to change.

In short, I'm a fan of both Bravo VH1.

So when my very reliable show biz insider (let's call her Laura) told me that Jeff McInnis was kicked off of Top Chef during the Superbowl Challenge, I was heartbroken. The Miami chef was relatively modest when it came to his abilities, which were actually pretty impressive. And being "relatively modest" on this show is downright humble usually, especially when you compare McInnis's ego to that of Stefan Richter.

The boy had skills. He could make a delicious sugar free desert. He could make a Middle Eastern dish worthy of the today show. He made Kathy Lee Gifford look like a 3-year-old on national television for spitting out that Middle Eastern dish. He could even keep his highlighted Miami blonde locks looking fabulous behind the burner.

But perhaps most important, he helped score Top Chef some ratings by fooling viewers into thinking that House's Jesse Spencer was a chef-testant.

So to you, Jeffrey McInnis, we salute you. Pack up your knives and go. To the FOX network.

Christian Bale is a DOP-e

By this point, I'm sure you've all heard about Christian Bale flipping his shit on the set of Terminator: Salvation. Apparently, Shane Hurlbut, the director of photography for the movie, walked into Bale's line of vision as he was shooting, causing Bale to let loose some obscenities. Director McG did little to protect Hurlbut from the tounge-lashing, and not much else has come off the set since.

I have a problem with this on two levels. One, I would hope that Bale had more self control, and had stopped himself from yelling at this guy. It's rude and uncalled for, and no matter how bad your day was, shame on you for taking it out on someone else. Two is because, well...

...you never piss off the crew.

You're going toe-to-toe with people that are making you look good and essentially giving you a career. Insult them, and they can make sure that you look like shit on the big screen. This goes especially for the DOP. This guy controls how the film is shot and how you look in it. If he so chooses, he can screw your movie over.

Drinkability Sure is Funny

Sarah Fox always told me what happens in Sweden stays in Sweden. Clearly, she was wrong.

Are You Ready for Some COMMERCIALS?

I hear the Cardinals and the Steelers are opening for Springsteen!

I am one of the many that sits and watches the Superbowl not for the scores, but for the advertisements. Because they're not overrated, and if companies are spending that much money to make an impression, I may as well be one of the over-receptive masses watching.

Not like I'll buy the products, but I'll laugh.

So look out for this week's Hot or Not in The Ithacan, it'll probably have something to do with me ranking the best and worst commercials of this year's Superbowl.

(And for my Grandpa, go Steelers!)

My Love for Seth Meyers Knows No Bounds

I've been generally disappointed with Weekend Update since Tina Fey left the cast. So when Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler were the replacements, I was skeptical. I like Poehler, but I didn't know if she could be funny without Fey backing her up. And I didn't think the show would be funny without Fey writing it.

(And for that last part, I was right!)

For Weekend Update, Seth Meyers filled that void pretty quick, kicking it old school with Norm MacDonald-esque sarcasm. He's also the head writer. And last night provided a few pretty good zingers, I won't lie. I particularly liked the bit about the banned PETA commercial and relating it to The Girls Next Door. Added to the "armed robbery" joke a few weeks back? Love.

Slumdog Millionaire, Take Two

Last night I decided to not write my article for The Ithacan and go out to see a movie I'd already seen with a bunch of people who hadn't seen it. And I gotta tell you: Slumdog Millionaire is just as good the second time around. But let's start at the beginning.

First off was a quick (free) visit to Oasis/Common Grounds to interview some people for the article. Some interviews weren't great - mainly because they had never been there before, the couple playing pool and the beer-drinker in the corner were visiting from out of town - but some were pretty awesome. Clay "Just one name, like Cher" the bar tender was fabulous, and was really interesting to talk to. Both owners (new owner Pam and old owner Doug) were very interesting and very chill people. And the chef Cheryl was really sweet as well. My favorite student interview for this one was Rose, mainly because she had more to say than anyone else.

After that it was off to Cinemapolis. I do admit, I was disappointed when my ice cream melted in Allie's purse - it didn't get on anything, but it was still a bummer, sneaking ice cream in and having it be chocolate soup when you get in the theater.

But I digress. The movie was just as good the second time. I knew what was going to happen, but I was still shocked by everything. I was still moved. I still teared up at the end (I didn't cry, my eyes were dewy) and got a huge smile on my face watching the audience react. So in case you didn't catch my recommendation for this movie before, let me say it again.

Go see Slumdog Millionaire. In the theaters. Thank me later.