American Horror Story - amazeballs!!!

OMG! I watched American Horror Story last night and it totally creeped me out. But in a good way. I was struck by how very Stephen King-like it was. If you know nothing else about me, know this . . . I love Stephen King. Obviously, he sold his soul to the devil for his nearly unprecedented success, but that man is a story-telling genius. Let's compare and contrast American Horror Story and The Shining (the all-time scariest adaptation of SK's works), shall we?

AMS is set against a fabulous LA mansion while TS is set against a grand hotel. Both have creepalicious twins that tend to pop up dramatically at the most unexpected times. Dylan McDermott and Jack Nicholson both become possessed by a malevolent entity. Shelly Duvall and the fantastic Connie Britton are both displaying nesting characteristics and seem to be on the receiving end of some serious evil shit.

Evan Peters is doing an awesome job as a crazy serial killer-in-training. Totally scarey! The the Downs Syndrome girl adds a real creepy touch. And what the hell is up with Jessica Lange's character??!! She knows more than she's telling.

While I really enjoyed AMH I feel like the story could be wrapped up in just a few episodes. How Ryan Murphy plans on sustaining the mysteries remains to be seen. I don't want just gratuititous sex and shock. I want some revelations!

I'm sitting here watching 9/11 specials on natgeo and pondering how much life has changed and remained the same since that time a decade ago. I remember the helplessness and shock and sadness and disbelief that I and everyone around me experienced.

Say what you will about President Bush, he led our country through a very difficult time. His strength and composure and outrage comforted a hurting nation.

While this nation remembers, it has moved on. Moved on to other hurts, other problems, other "attacks". Unemployment is high, mortgages and futures are in foreclosure, retirements have been lost. I long for a President to demonstrate strength, composure, and outrage . . .

A new year

Why will this New Year's Eve be any different from past ones? Only because the future has infinite possibilities. There are no more classes to take (I finally graduated a couple of weeks ago), no more excuses to give as to why I don't date (work and school just didn't allow for much social time), and no more deadlines. Life is open to me, at last! So do I make some New Year's resolutions?? Or just let my life evolve organically? Probably not. I'm one prone to making lists, just so I can cross off my duties or accomplishments. Grocery lists, weekend chore lists, things-to-do-at-work lists. So maybe I'll compile a master "bucket list" with ancillary lists attached to each item.

1. Read some classic literature. (see "Literature" list)
2. Travel to places I've never been. (see "Travel" list)
3. Rekindle old friendships (see "Friend" list)
4. Try every recipe in a cookbook (see "Cookbook/recipe" list)
5. Repaint/redecorate the house (see "Decorating" list)

and on and on it will go. This is how I gauge my development and sense of accomplishment. A bit anal retentive, I know. But how do I fundamentally change myself without losing who I am? Perhaps my list should just read . . .

1. Be more spontaneous!

But aren't there steps you need to take to be more spontaneous? Should I research the topic and formulate a plan? I guess that would defeat the damn purpose . . . Maybe I'll just blog more. After all, I have all this free time on my hands now!!

Another great weekend coming up!

The weather is supposed to be absolutely fabulous this weekend. Too bad I have to spend it doing homework!