Here are my submissions from yesterday.

Where do you want to go today, Baltimore?

Beautiful Skyline

Baltimore has "Charm"

Also, here is a link to see all of the wonderful pictures that were taken that beautiful day this year. I love that our city really does have charm and character! I feel like I am learning to become a true resident of this great city.

P.S. I also started a Tumblr for my pictures like this and other quick, random musings. You can find it here!

Torchwood: outside the government, beyond the police. Fighting for the future on behalf of the human race. The 21st Century is when everything changes — and Torchwood is ready.

After the mini-series of “Children of Earth“, no one was quite sure what the future of Torchwood would be. Now that “Miracle Day” has ended, we are in that same predicament. Moving to an American production team with Starz, Russell T. Davies took a big leap of faith bringing the Doctor Who spinoff to the states. In this series, the underground team of Welsh alien hunters, who are now reduced to only Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper, both of whom were forced into hiding, form an unlikely alliance with two rogue CIA Agents, Rex Matheson and Esther Drummond, to investigate the phenomenon that is preventing anyone on Earth from dying. That is, everyone except the formerly immortal Captain Jack, that is. There were some slow points, but overall, I think this series was another wonderful ride. Instead of looking at the weaknesses (which have already been documented by many critics on both sides of the pond), I have decided to highlight the big wins this season.

1. Episode 3 “Dead of Night”: Most people point to this episode for the brave move by the show to not to camouflage the bi-sexuality of Captain Jack. In fact, the sex scene between Jack and the Bartender (Brad) was tastefully done and made perfect sense in the plot line and the further development of Jack trying to make a little sense of his newfound mortality. The character development was balanced wonderfully with the plot. My favorite part of this episode thought was The March of the Soulless. So creepy and poignant, it really foreshadowed the sadness of the new reality that many were facing. Of course, most of the credit for all of this goes to the fantastic writing of Jane Espenson of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame (Follow her on Twitter – she has a great new webseries called Husbands).

They gave the mask away as a freebie at Comic-Con San Diego, which I was at, but unfortunately I was unable to acquire one.

2. The Relationship of Captain Jack & Angelo Colasanto: The love story between them was truly reminiscent not only of old Torchwood, but was a great reverence to its parent series, Doctor Who. We see Jack struggle with getting close to his human companions, just as the Doctor does with each of his. Unfortunately for Jack, being with him is even more dangerous than being with the Doctor because people fight against what they do not understand. It was sad to see Angelo betray him, but also beautiful to see Angelo make amends later in life and that their love was true. Not surprisingly, this storyline is also a product of the masterful Espenson.

3. Bill Pullman as the bad guy, Oswald Danes: Yes, I agree with many out there that I would have liked to have seen more done with his character. But like the amazing talent he is, Bill Pullman makes every moment he is on screen count. We are unsure how to relate to Oswald, and Pullman continues to make us both hate him, be afraid of him, and feel sorry for him at the same time. Some say I might be slightly biased because he is from my tiny hometown in NYS, but I think anyone would agree that his handling of the character was a highlight of the season. I was able to meet him at Comic-Con this summer when I got the autographs from the entire cast.

He was the nicest man. He even took a picture of me and him on his cell phone. However, you have to take my word for it, because it is on HIS cell phone.

The question remains, however, will there be more Torchwood to come? Children of Earth ended with things semi-wrapped up in case there was not a new series. But Miracle Day ended with some pretty juicy cliffhangers that many fans would love to see develop further. However, Russell T. Davies still has not commented on whether he would like to continue future episodes. Until we find out, I have Netflix and will continue to watch old episodes, enjoying the fun sci-fi ride and following wherever Captain Jack Harness leads me.

Poor Sheldon Dutes was stuck outside in the worst of it, all alone on the boardwalk of Ocean City.Sometimes, instead of fighting the gloominess, it is best to just dive right into the melancholy, light some candles, and sit back to ride it all out. So, here is a playlist to help you do just that. If you have a Spotify account, you can access the playlist directly right here: Songs For a Rainy Day – Feeling It.

• You Look So Fine – Garbage
• The Chauffeur – Duran Duran
• Listen – Tears for Fears
• Sea, Swallow Me – Cocteau Twins
• Deliver Me – The Beloved & Sarah Brightman
• Atmosphere – Joy Division
• Sweetest Kill – Broken Social Scene
• Atlantic – Keane
• Life In Rain – Remy Zero
• Elsewhere – Sarah McLachlan
• Falling By The Wayside – People In Planes
• Still Fighting It – Ben Folds
• Not The Girl You Think You Are – Crowded House
• Falling Awake – Gary Jules
• Flightless Bird, American Mouth – Iron & Wine
• Be Be Your Love – Rachel Yamagata

I also collected each song on You Tube here. What are your favorite rainy day songs? I always love to add to my music collection!

We still praise the amazing way that even in some of the most horrific snow storms, we could still get out of our homes. Plus we know that winter isn’t as bad for us as it is for others in NYS (Syracuse? Watertown?) and that we just get the press. We fondly remember how neighborhoods always communicated and everyone looked out for one another. If a school bus got stuck in a snow bank, you would see people bringing out blankets and hot chocolate until rescues arrived. When a member of the community passed away, that family would never go hungry – someone would always bring over dinner or just be there for emotional support. We long for the almost perfect summers, that although sometimes shorter than we would have liked, would provide us with Don Paul’s forecasts of “low 80’s, mostly sunny, light breeze – great day for the lake.” When spring arrives and the thermometer hits 60 around here, and I am not wearing a jacket, many of my associates think I am crazy, until I remind them, “Don’t forget – I’m from Buffalo!”

We have some of the most beautiful parks in the US, designed by one of the foremost urban planners ever. We have amazing architecture, culture, and history around almost every corner. We have museums that have collections that rival some of the biggest and most exclusive in the nation. We have some of the most praised schools in the nation and a great array of top-tier colleges and universities within the city and within short driving distance.

We former residents also still love our sports teams as well. They may bring us heartache more often than we would like, but they are ours. The Bills made it to 4 Super Bowls in a row – no one else can claim that. The Sabres had “The French Connection” (RIP Rick Martin). We don’t boo them. We don’t stop cheering. We can take it on the chin like the best of them. We are scrappy and we are proud. We may take it hard at first, which may have led to the joke on one of my mugs – Buffalo is a drinking town with a football problem. That and the fact that bars are open until 4 AM! We honor our heroes and they adopt our community as their own as well. Since we can’t be home for events, we find local venues that will accommodate us – some even owned by our fellow WNYers and serving us sponge candy at half time. We even wear our Buffalo gear to games in stadiums in our new towns, where we may even be in danger. But we carry on!

I know in this post, I have said “we” a lot. And many of my friends point out that I have now lived in Maryland as long as I lived in Buffalo. I love the Baltimore/Washington area, and there is a lot to do, see, and experience. But my love for my hometown will always stand. Anyone who lives in or has lived in Buffalo carries a piece of the area with them. I just happen to wear mine on my sleeve more than most.

Question 1. What did you first notice about me?

I noticed that you like to have a good time and you gave off the impression that you would be fun to hang with and get to know.

Question 2. What attracted you to me?

Your personality and the way we connected.

Question 3. What first made you decide you wanted to date me?

We had an instant connection and I could always be myself around you.

Ditto. As I said before, it was really like we were drawn together and everything just seemed to click.

Question 4. Describe one of our best times that we spent together or your favorite memory of us dating?

There were many good times. New Year’s Eve when we started at Towson then ended up at your friends place. I remember some artichoke dip. Also, I don’t know if we were technically dating but The Cure concert was a blast.

That New Year’s Eve was a really great night. Everything was so nice and laid back, but I felt really close to him that night. The Cure concert, he is right, was after we dated, but another really great time. Another favorite memory, although it shouldn’t have been one for me, was when I lost a bet had to wear his Steelers jersey. Although I am not a fan, we definitely made the best out of the situation. 

Question 5. What do you think is one of my best character traits?

Your ability to take care of someone. I can remember being REALLY sick and you would make tea with honey to make me feel better.

I am pretty good at that if I do tout my own horn there. And he forgot to tell you how much he liked my cooking . . . unless he just used to tell me he did 

Question 6. What do you think is my biggest weakness?

I don’t know if it was a weakness but we always seemed to do what I wanted to do. Which was great but maybe we hung with my group more than yours. Hope that makes sense.

We did hang out with his friends more often, but I think that was mainly because, at the time, I didn’t have a ton of friends. The ones I did worked many retail hours that made it difficult, or had families. Just how it goes I guess…

Question 7. What is something I did that got under your skin?

I am so easy going so not much bothered me. I also can’t remember us every really fighting, which is a very good thing.

We never really did fight. I haven’t really fought that much with most of my ex-boyfirends, but with SportsFan, I can’t really remember one. Well, except when I was upset when he broke up with me. But that wasn’t a fight – that was me not understanding why he was leaving me.

Question 8. How did you know it wasn’t going to work?

My ex-girlfriend, whom I was still in love with, wanted to try and work things out. I had to give it a try.

This was the information that I did not have at the time. He didn’t tell me straight up that there was someone else. I suspected it, but I didn’t realize it was the ex-girlfriend he went back to. It wouldn’t have stopped him from going back to her, but I wonder if I would have accepted the break-up more at the time if I had known.

Question 9. When did you know you wanted to break up?

Same as question 8.

Question 10. What made you want to break up with me?

Same as question 8 … Sorry!

Question 11. Write anything else you would like to say here:

You are a great person. We always have fun together. There really wasn’t anything you did that made me turn away from you. My heart was still with another person and I couldn’t break loose. I reflect back and wish I would have ended things much earlier with my ex, not only for us but other things I could have experienced or not experienced.

Aww thanks! He is just as great of a person and I really appreciate his honesty and input.

__________

Overall, I would say a successful part of my project. I got to hear things from his perspective, and I finally learned what it was that ended the relationship. He is a great person and we do always have a great time together, even still. I am glad to have met him and know that he is a part of my life, even if it is a small part.

To catch up on past posts about The Ex-Factor Project, all are listed here!

Boston

A truly fun and historic city. I recently went there to catch up with a great group of my sorority sisters (Go Beta!). Although we all keep in touch as best we can (thanks Facebook), there is nothing like spending great quality time with them. Even though some of us haven’t seen each other in years, it was like we had just hung out the day before. Some of them live in the Boston area, some of them used to live there, so we have hung out there a few times over the years. And St. Patrick’s Day weekend is a must in Boston for at least once in your life.

Saturday was spent browsing and strolling through Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. We took the “T” (that’s the Metro for those of us non-Bostonians).

Saturday night was enjoyed with all eight of us ladies who made the trip and one of our little brothers (DM). We had the best time hanging at Bell in Hand, the oldest tavern in America, and the longest in continuous operation.

Opened by one of Colonial Boston's town criers, hence the name

Great atmosphere and beer selection on tap. All the people we saw that night looked at DM and thought he was a major stud to be in the company of so many pretty women. We just told everyone that we were his Goddesses (Thanks Charlie Sheen!). Sunday was spent at the infamous St. Patrick’s Day parade in Southie.

There were signs everywhere reminding people that this was a Family Event. A family of drunks, maybe

All in all we had a faBulous time. Even this man in the lobby of our hotel was all tuckered out!

He is covered in two coats & even took off his shoes! (Notice them under the table!)

Thanks for the hospitality Bahston – It was wicked ahwesome!

Baseball Season Starts

I love the tradition of America’s past time. Let’s hope for our Baltimore Orioles that things turn around this year. But, alas, I still have to continue to root for my Boston Red Sox!

I was surprised at zero votes for SmallTownBoy

So – Sports Fan it is!

I met SportsFan on a random night out with my friends. A group of us would go to a local place called Hurricane’s by the airport because Tuesday’s were called “Drinkin’ with Lincoln”; $5 all you can drink. It was a great deal; fun dancing, good friends, crazy inside jokes, and sometimes they would have silly contests. I was not the designated driver this night and for once almost all of us were able to be out the same night. We were having a blast! I saw SportsFan and his friend a few times throughout the night, but being shy like I am I didn’t approach him. But every time I saw him, I felt like our eyes would lock on each other for a bit. That is until my blushing and nervousness made me look away.

It was also due to my shyness that my friends thought it would be funny and signed me up for the silly contest that night. I kept telling them I could not go on stage, but they helped the situation by providing me with liquid courage. I was really about to chicken out completely when my good friend RH took me aside and he just told me, “Have fun and who cares what people think”. For some reason, that clicked with me so up I went. I figured if I was up there, I was going to go for the win. And – I almost did win! But the girl I was up against in the finals got pretty inappropriate and I wasn’t about to make a complete fool of myself, so I took second.

When I came off the stage, SportsFan almost immediately came up to me.  He and his friend just laughed and said, “You totally should have won.” I was embarrassed that I had even been on stage, let alone that the guy I was scoping out saw the whole silly thing. But they both made me feel at ease and knew it was just about having fun. We started to talk and just really seemed to hit it off. He had a great twinkle in his eyes (which he still does), a really cute smile, and just seemed like a good, honest guy. The chemistry was pretty undeniable. I always put a lot of judgment on a first kiss. I know that seems silly, but I really think it sets the tone and lets you know if there is a connection there. I have to say, the first kiss was exactly what I look for and gave me the butterflies in the stomach that I love to experience. Connection was confirmed!

We had a very good relationship and a lot of fun. We had a lot of the same interests, but also were able to share with each other things that we maybe hadn’t experienced before. He is the first guy who could beat me at Scrabble (and he did almost every time and by a lot). I introduced him to some great alternative music (Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Smiths). He introduced me to some heavier rock (Tool, Cold) that I hadn’t heard before. Even though we had our different football (He: Steelers Me: Bills) and other sports differences, we both enjoyed watching games and talking about sports in general. He was always caring and supportive and just a great boyfriend to have. I guess that is part of the reason why, after some years of heartache and bad blood, we now actually have a friendship. We don’t see each other ever or talk all that often, but he texts me or leaves notes on Facebook from time to time – after the Bills blow a critical play (or win, which was more rare) or to tell me what horrible metal concert he is seeing at Merriweather Post. But I also know that if I ever needed a shoulder of someone who cared about me, I think he would be there too, just as I would for him.

To prove that he is that great guy I always knew, when I asked him to help with this project, he didn’t even blink and agreed to answer my questions. Come back later to hear his take on us.

To catch up on past posts about The Ex-Factor Project, all are listed here!

The first season, it was obvious that certain people were cast for certain aspects of their nature and the hopes that each roommate would bring something different to the loft. But it wasn’t a formula and there was no blueprint. This was the first time it had been done. There were plenty of boring, do nothing times. There were occasions when the cast were prompted to act by something that was left in the loft, or by questions asked of them by the crew in their one-on-one sessions. But, for the most part, the interaction unfolded organically and it was a very interesting sociological experiment. It really was about “seven strangers, picked to live in a loft and find out what happens” when people are forced to interact with people they may never have socialized with under regular circumstances.

In addition to ideas and insight about romance and sex, over the years, the casts have also explored many common themes that we all experience and have to make decisions about every day.

Prejudice. Terminal & Illness. Gender Roles, Sexuality. Politics. Religion. Addiction. Criminal Behavior. Domestic Abuse. Emotional Problems. Mental Illness. Personal Boundaries. Family Dysfunction. Self-Image issues. Eating Disorders.

After a while, a casting formula seemed to emerge. Over the years, more and more situations seemed to be provoked and staged. Many a time, it seemed that edits were made to make certain situations seem more exciting than what had happened. Occasionally, story lines seemed to be followed that weren’t major things that were really happening on a day-today basis. Comments would be taken out of context of when and why they were said to potential skew the perception of the viewer of certain situations. It became more about making a show that the directors and producers wanted to make. More and more we were seeing an “altered” reality. We were no longer watching the fishbowl in a natural state, but rather with special effects and only observing the illusions that the creators wanted to present to us. There were always very real moments thought that kept us coming back. Things that the “men behind the curtain” couldn’t have scripted if they tried. To name only a few, who could ever forget:

1.       Real World I (New York): The fight between Julie and Kevin.

2.       Real World II (Los Angeles): The incident with David pulling Tami’s covers off while she screams she is not fully dressed. Tami actually going to have an abortion and having her jaw wired shut to lose weight.

3.       Real World III (San Francisco): Pedro Zamora’s battle with AIDS and marriage to his partner, Sean (& his subsequent death in the fall after the series). The roommates fighting with and ultimately voting to kick Puck out of the house.

4.       Real World IV (London): During a punk concert performance, Neil kisses a guy in the audience and the guy bits half his tongue off.

5.       Real World V (Miami): Flora breaking a window while trying to spy on Mike and Melissa having sex in the shower.

6.       Real World VI (Boston): Montana getting fired after she gave a kid a cup of wine at their job.

7.       Real World VII(Seattle): The suicide of Lindsay’s friend. The fight between Stephen and Irene as she is leaving which results in the “Slap” heard around the world.

8.       Real World VIII (Hawaii): Ruthie’s incredible decline and struggle with alcohol.

9.       Real World XI (Chicago): Watching the cast deal with the September 11^th attacks (even allowing them to watch TVs for the first time in many seasons). The infamous one night stand Cara had with the lead singer (the not-so-hot Todd Mohr) of Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

10.   Real World XII (Las Vegas): The day three threesome (first episode for us) in the hot tub between Trishelle, Steven, and Brynn. The throwing of the FORK!

11.   Real World XIV (San Diego): The allegation that a woman was raped in the bathroom by one of Randy’s friends (Justin). Robin and Brad being arrested.

12.   Real World XVI (Austin): The fight that Danny got in that almost destroyed his eye. Danny’s mother dying.

13.   Real World XVII (Key West): Hurricane’ Rita and Wilma evacuating the housemates from their house and ripping through their shelter hotel.

14.   Real World XVIII (Denver): The Brooke and Jen fight. The Davis and Tyree fight.

15.   Real World XIX (Sydney): The Trisha/Parisa/Alex love triangle that leads to Trisha assaulting Parisa.

16.   Real World XX (Hollywood): Joey’s alcohol rage and incident leading to 30-day rehab program. Will’s dramatic fight and having to go to anger management. The Dave/Will/two random women foursome.

17.   Real World XXI (Brooklyn): The mouse infestation. J.D.’s violent blow-up. Ryan’s friend’s suicide. Ryan getting called back to active duty.

18.   Real World XXII (Cancun): Ayiia’s self-mutilation (TWLOHA is a wonderful organization that helps people suffering from this and other mental issues). Bronne’s drunken fun that led him to be evicted from the hotel. The Jonna, Pat and Ayiia threesome.

19.   Real World XXIII (Washington, DC): Ty’s drunken meanness. Ty and Emily’s shoving match. Drunk Andrew falling off the balcony onto concrete.

20.   Real World XXIV (New Orleans): The games between Preston and Ryan. Ryan calling the police on Preston. The infamous missing Percoset. Jemmye’s major drunken meltdown.

Most seasons, the social issues were the focus and many times, it did serve as a good platform to show other young adults how difficult life can be and also to highlight support and help that is available. However, with season 12 in Las Vegas, the show really turned and started to become more about how drunk and sexual and outrageous can we really be. If a person has an anger issue, how far can be push that until he breaks? What about the girl who used to be bulimic, think we can make her feel bad enough about herself to throw up on camera? This season, with the Real World XXV, and the return to sin city Las Vegas, MTV has completely gone off the rails.

The casting process for the show is long a grueling and there are many rounds. As I mentioned previously, the potential roommates go through lots of questions and scrutiny and each season, producers always seems to try to make some pattern in their casting decisions. This season, it appears that all cast members have either personally struggled with drug or alcohol abuse, or they at least saw it first hand through a family member. This seems like a good idea, until you realize you are putting people with very serious issues in the middle of a town that is known to encourage and condone debauchery. It is kind of like taking a kleptomaniac and leaving him alone in a Tiffany’s store with no camera’s or security. And we see this all first hand in only the first two episodes.

I know what some of you will say – then if you don’t like it, don’t watch it – Change the channel. And that IS very easy to do, and I more than likely will not watch the rest of this season. However, my concern is not over the actions of these new roommates but rather the lack of responsibility that this show has shown in placing very vulnerable young adults who have some very serious past issues in to a very obvious dangerous situation and then calling it entertainment. Why don’t we go back to putting a man in the middle of a coliseum with many angry animals to watch him just be eaten alive?

Many people will state that this is an overreaction, and, frankly, I hope I am wrong. I hope that this season will be more about fun and games and life and learning about “what happens when people stop being polite, and start getting real.” However, there is one specific reason I hold out my doubts about that, and his name is Michael Adam Royer. Now, I grew up with many people who have had a troubled life, myself included. I also believe everyone makes mistakes and can make their lives better. I somehow doubt that Adam has yet learned his lessons yet and this makes him potentially dangerous to himself and to his roommates.

I do believe that there are REAL doctors who do interview potential cast members (at least I know there are on other shows) to determine whether someone is mentally able to handle the stress and the conditions involved in making such a reality show. Now I am not a doctor (yet – but I won’t be a medical doctor when I finish either) and I do not personally know Adam, but from all indications and what little I have seen, it is clear that this person is potentially very unstable and unsafe. Either I am wrong (which I hope I am), I am wrong and there just weren’t any doctors involved in screening roommates, or the producers ignored any warnings the doctors may have provided in there notes, because Adam is almost a textbook example of a sociopath.

He has lied and stolen plenty of things as a juvenile. He was locked up for dealing drugs and being involved in a robbery gone bad which resulted in him shooting somebody. He appears to be somewhat intelligent and while even serving his time, he went to college, established a college program for resident youth offenders, and eventually went on to get a degree in what else, but criminology. He is aggressive and has difficulty controlling his anger and temper. He admits to getting into many fights. He is also self-admittedly promiscuous and sees himself as a regular Don Juan.

After a very scary and violent incident in the club at the Hard Rock on what appears to be one of their first few nights in Vegas, Adam has to be escorted back up to the suite by three security bouncers who cannot even control him. Once back in the suite, none of the roommates can stop his ranting or crazy reckless antics either. The next morning when the roommates try to talk to him about it all, he shrugs it off by rationalizing the entire incident and simply stating, “This is Vegas. That isn’t the worst they have seen. It is expected.”

He is generally irresponsible and has a disregard for his own safety and the safety of others. He shows no remorse for his bad behavior, and shows no empathy when his roommates repeatedly tell him he needs to apologize the hotel for his violent behavior in the club the night before. He has no boundaries, even walking in on a roommate while he knows that the guy is engaged in sex with a girl. He has a distorted sense of himself (He states that once Nany realizes he has a juvie record, she is going to want him even more). He easily manipulates people who are unaware of his intentions (when eventually talking with the Head of Security for the Hard Rock hotel, the man tells Adam that he can tell he is sincere in his apology and remorse, yet as soon as Adam leaves the room, he is back to bragging and stating that he doesn’t care). He is highly impulsive and seems to relish any control and power he can get a hold of. He is emotionally abusive to his “girlfriend” back home we learn through even just a couple of phone conversation.

Really, the only symptom I haven’t seen him exhibit is cruelty to animals, but we have a lot of episodes ahead of us. A starring role on a national TV show and continuously feeding his seeming narcissistic and egotistical personality and borderline megalomania are just the things that will continue to feed his sociopathic thinking and behavior. Let’s hope for the sake of everyone involved that no one ends up seriously hurt as a result of the irresponsible actions of the production of this program to allow him on the show.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Check back later tonight for my thoughts about tonight’s big Oscar show! My wonderfully talented “boyfriend”, James Franco, is co-hosting! For my predictions and thoughts, you can see below and read my input on the Oscar Panel for b – The Baltimore Sun’s daily conversation site. Thanks again to Jordan Bartel for asking me to be a part of it! Follow him tonight, and me of course, for LIVE tweets and updates throughout the evening

Updated Monday Feb. 28, 2011

Ok – so even I could not keep my eyes open after the snooze fest on the Oscars last night. No real upsets, mostly deserved wins, no crazy outrageous speeches, people kept complaining about Anne Hathaway and James Franco and their hosting skills (which, I think were just fine kids – talent can only make bad material only look so good – not their faul in the least!) and my favorite movie of the year, Exit Through The Gift Shop, lost for Best Documentary so no Banksy moment. One of my favorite tweets of the night on the Banksy issue was from Baltimore local fashion and “underground scene” magazine Gutter:

Follow Them on Twitter too! @guttermagazine

Because – isn’t that what we want? I mean – when the biggest hoopla is over Melissa Leo accidentally dropping an F-bomb (which was edited out in time), what kind of entertainment can we really expect from Hollywood anymore? Anyhoo, go to Jordan Bartel’s wrap-up at b – he summed it up so I didn’t have to! (except I respectfully disagree about the Hathaway/Franco performance comments)