DearEvette

First Impressions: Micah – I wasn't feeling her. I didn’t like how she always mentioned Amber. She seemed like she was more interested in being in first position with Kwame and Paul rather than really figuring out who she wanted. Paul - He looks like every Environmental Science student I've ever had. Leopard print guy – Hell no! Irina – Did NOT like. Did she really call someone a loser for planning a Mardi Gras date? She gives mean girl energy. Also, she needs better make-up. It didn’t match her skin at all and she needed to learn to blend it better Zack - Kinda meh on him. He looks like a property brother Bliss - I liked her. She seemed nice. kinda looks like Amber Stevens West a bit. I kept getting flashes. Amber - Ditto. Liked her too. She also seemed nice. Kwame - Six minutes into the episode and I was NOT feeling him. He was giving major 'Where the white women at?' energy. Jackie - Great hair. Reserving judgment. She wasn't really giving a lot. It could just be because so much space was given to all the rest Brett – liked him almost immediately. Liked his story. But yeah, Don’t think he is quite the optimist he said he is. LOL Tiffany - Tiffany – I liked her. very warm. And a band geek. I feel bad she fell asleep, tho. I've heard there are very long days and I can imagine given the fact she was snuggling on the blanket and who knows how long Brett had been talking before he got to the good stuff. and she drifted off. LOL.

Wait... so is Ted not in Michelle's contact list on her phone as Ted? Because a ringing phone -- if the person is on the contact list should display that person's name. Wouldn't new boyfriend have noticed Ted's name when he answered the phone? I mean, who doesn't glance at the display to see who is calling? I don't find Zava at all interesting. But... I am cracking up at the comedy they are mining out of everyone's reaction to him. I loved the scene in Rebecca's office when after he left, Higgins, Ted and Keeley all turned to Rebecca with identical adoring-gobsmacked looks on their faces when he left. Also the fact that he got what is essentially the locker room version of a corner office what with having 4 spaces with his name (not his jersey number). Or how he kept moving in front of Ted and Ted kept sliding out from behind him with a cheesy smile. And finally after his word salad breathing mumbo jumbo only for Dani to marvel how 'down to earth' he is. LOL. So I think it is nice we get to laugh at the absurdity. But also get to see that there is also some steak behind all that sizzle. I figure Zava can't stay with a team for long for probably a number of reasons. For one his sort of mystique is only sustainable from afar. Once people get to know you, some of that awe begins to rub off. He strikes me as a character that needs that. Also while it feels good to win, no matter what it is still a team sport it will begin to wear on players after awhile to have their accomplishments and contributions overlooked in favor of his flashy scores. Jamie is already there, but I imagine over time it will begin to show up in team morale. And of course some players may feel the need to elevate their game to match him and if someone else scores or begins to show marked improvement he himself may start to feel he is no longer the sole star. Or he could just get bored easily. I can't stand Shandy. I think Higgins' reaction to learning she was a friend and co-worker of Keeley's was very telling. I have no idea what to think about Rebecca and the psychic. But I think the green matchbook is a fake out, too. Also wow, Rebecca has a lot of matchbooks. I think the most I've ever had was one and it was a sad little thing because it was only for lighting birthday candles.

Ok, miles better than the first episode of the season. This one felt more like Ted Lasso. The scene in the locker room where they are talking about Roy and Keeley's break up was a stand out. Everyone was pitch perfect! Coach Beard's high pitched yelps (I think I counted four of them) were hysterical. The return of the Pub Crew! Yaaas! Rebecca's grey coat an hat were fabulous. She looked sharp as a razor. Also I wasn't feeling Keeley's ultra flat ironed/bump it combo. It was very unflattering, but loved her hair at the game. I was so glad to see Keeley stand up for her friend. I am looking forward to see if she has a little bit of Ted Lasso in her and if she can turn around the employees of KJPR that way Ted did with the team in S1. Also, what a contrast between how she interacts with someone who has been rather short and rude with her vs. the way Nate would have acted. Higgins' round about relationships and 10-degrees of separation as the way to get news confirmations were great. And he was never wrong. LOL. Beard going to see a play about menstrual periods and Ted admonishing him not to be late. Hee! Yeah...miles better than the first episode.

The whole episode felt a bit off for me, Like Jamie's hair. And not one scene of the pub crew! I know this was written by people who have written episodes of the show before, but it felt like they were rusty. As if the time off lessened their familiarity with the characters, so they all felt a little off kilter. Until the end, only toward the end of the episode did if almost feel like things slipped back into their groove a bit. Yeah, very noticeable. It didn;t feel like acting, just like someone reading the script. And I agree that his line about 'the state of politics in my country' felt unnatural, was delivered wrong -- just landed like a dud. Was so happy to see Ted was talking to Doc Sharon and wodnered if it was really Sarah Nile' voice. Only to be tickled to the glimpse of her and her hottie. Get it, Doc Sharon! Yup. Yup. Yup. My heart sank a bit when Ted put Lego Nate in line with everyone else. It feels like they are foreshadowing a redemption arc. But to me it would just not be believable. Nate isn't just an asshole and lashing out at people he thinks betrayed/wronged/hurt him, he is a hateful asshole to everyone. There was no reason for him to treat WIll the way he did. And frankly no reason for him to betray Ted given that Ted had his back at every turn. The man can't even return a basic, civil 'good morning' greeting to an employee of the organization he works for. His go-to first instinct in every scenario is humiliation. These are not the signs of someone who is simply misunderstood and hurt. To me these are the signs of someone who is flat out cruel and toxic. Rupert gift to Nate, that car, looked like if a Stormtrooper were a car.

Airdate: 03/26/2023

Maybe she's just hangry? She did an interview that discussed her wellness routine and she basically intermittently fasts, drinks cofffee, has bone broth for lunch and vegetables for dinner. Has a favorite IV drip to give her some 6 syllable nutrient that is hard to find (but is apparently found in eggs?) And has ozone rectal therapy. Honestly, I' d probably have some impaired judgement there too.

What I like: More sun. Longer days. I live in Fingerlakes region of New York an February tends to be brown/grey with the dead grass under the melting snow. I like Spring because the brown/grey moves away and things start to green up. Also Lilacs! I have so many lilac bushes around my house the scent is amazing! What I dislike: Spring is like the adolescent years of seasons. So much drama! The weather is temperamental and volatile. It can't make up its mind if it wants to be 70 or 30. Or thundery or windy. You have to dress for all possibilities.

Airdate: 03/19/2023

Airdate: 03/17/2023

RIP Lance Reddick. I first saw him in The Wire like most people, I imagine. And was the reason I first checked out Fringe. But I was flat out tickled with his comic performance in the Key and Peele 'Gay Wedding' sketch. I still think that is the only time I saw him do comedy, and he (and the sketch) are hysterical.

Oh Lordt. I just realized that during the end tag while Tariq was talking about his Anti-and-Pro Amazon songs, and his national Parks songs and trying to bring the Velociraptors back ... he is sitting in the dunk tank. 😂

Airdate: 03/17/2023

Airdate: 03/17/2023

Airdate: 03/17/2023

Airdate: 03/17/2023

Airdate: 03/17/2023

Airdate: 03/17/2023

Airdate 03/17/2023

Yes, do. Her voice is gorgeous. Bust Your Windows was my jam back in the day. It is a deeply R&B revenge song but with a tango melody/beat. A lot of ballroom dance showcases dance to it! He is slimmer. He posted a picture of himself on twitter promoing last night's show and he was definitely thinner.

Another really good episode. I laughed so much, mostly courtesy of Tariq. Come through Tariq! I really love how they are deploying the recurring characters. Amber, the Bad Bitch mother (who continues to defy stereotypes!!), Erika, Morton and especially Tariq. Draemond thought he was doing something, getting up there and using their event for his stump speech. But him using the term "lottery" and even intimating there would be teacher firings was a misstep, though. That is a textbook example of why they don't recommend criminals get on the stand to testify on their own behalf. They open themselves up to questions and scrutiny and often end up incriminating themselves. I especially love how the show planted the seed of the kid that kicked out of the charter school several episodes ago only to have that mother show up in the crowd and bring up the 'you can be kicked out.' issue. I agree that it is weird that Jacob doesn't know who Lee Daniels is, but not surprised he may not know who Jazmine Sullivan is. For all that Jacob is very open to black culture he has shown that he consumes white media still. And Jazmine is black famous she's never really achieved any substantive cross over success. Her last album Heaux Tales is brilliant though. A lot of funny stuff... Erika being messy (I love her!). The continuance of the Morton/Jacob rivalry. So fun. And well, everything Tariq. His entire end tag was hysterical. Favorite quotes: “People always open the door for me , they think I am a lost child.” - Janine “Mess with a teacher you gon’ get slapped, no gonorrhea but you gon' get clapped.” - Tariq “When they get those mosquitos in that amber.. you know how they do.” - Tariq

Airdate: 03/15/2023

Yesterday was Taco Tuesday and my kids came home for Spring Break and had friends over. So I set up a taco bar so everyone could build their own. Both crunchy and soft tacos were available. For the non-meat eaters there were beans & cilantro lime rice. For the carnivores there was carne asada and grilled chicken. Wegmans has a pretty nice Queso, and I always include the Trader Joe's Jalapeno sauce in addition to the sliced real thing because it is quite popular. The guacamole was fresh made by me, and they had a few salsas to choose from including a nice peach salsa. And I made a chipotle drizzle. And since it was Pi day, I made little caramel apple hand pies.

I think that's the rub. The part of the set involving the incident wasn't characterized by humility, but, imo, bitterness and a need to slap back, albeit verbally. If he had indeed turned the humor on himself and managed to thread the needle where he skewered both himself and Will (leaving Jada out of it) then I think the response would have been different and he would have come out seeming like the bigger person. But instead he decided to double down in a way that forfeited any high road he had. I mean, the man made a pious pronouncement about being brought up not to fight in front of white folks... and then proceeded to call a black woman a bitch, slut shame her and make a joke about enjoying watching Will's slave character being whipped ... on Netflix a platform that has a billion eyes on it, many of whom are white folks.

Airdate: 03/12/2023

I made spicy red lentil chili over basmati rice with cumin seeds, grilled veggies, and warm garlic naan bread with plain yogurt as an accompaniment for dinner last night.