Father's Day: 5 Best TV Dads

So, ridiculously long story short, I lost both my father and stepfather at young ages and never had a strong male influence in my life.  Any other male family members were older and all died when I was young.  I watched a lot of television growing up and was always fascinated by the father-daughter dynamics portrayed.  It affects me greatly to see an amazing father on television because I never really got to experience anything like that.  I thought it would be nice for Father's Day to celebrate those wonderful (albeit fictional) TV dads that I absolutely love and sometimes watch with tears in my eyes.  In a weird way, they have been there for me.

Honorable Mention  

Rupert Giles (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Giles wasn't actually Buffy's father, but he was the closest thing she had for a long time.  As a Watcher, he was supposed to guide, but not protect, in her Slayer journey.  He was fired from the Watchers Council after saving Buffy from the test they forced her to endure on her 18th birthday.  Her birth father bailed on taking her to the ice show, but she found out who truly loved her that day.  And any Giles fan knows the best episode is "Band Candy" where he and her mother Joyce become teenagers again.  On the top of a police car.  Twice.   

Quote

Buffy: "Does it ever get easy?"
Giles: "You mean life?"
Buffy: "Yeah. Does it get easy?"
Giles: "What do you want me to say?"
Buffy: "Lie to me."
Giles: "Yes, it's terribly simple. The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and, uh, we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after."
Buffy: "Liar."

This is his song "Standing" from the musical episode "Once More With Feeling."  Sing it, Tony Head.  Sigh.  It represents everything about their relationship and how he needs to leave so she can continue growing up and being strong.  Well, it's a little more complicated than that in the Buffy world, but still.  TEARS EVERY TIME.  Wish I could embed the actual clip, but here's the link if you wish to watch.

5. Phil Dunphy (Modern Family)

Oh Phil.  Phil, Phil, Phil.  Phil Dunphy is the self-proclaimed "cool dad" who is really the most overeager nerd.  He's so adorable, and Ty Burrell plays the oblivion so beautifully.  Phil just wants everyone to be a big happy best friend family.  He tries so hard, and it's so endearing.  He has such a great relationship with his dad and desperately tries for his father-in-law to accept him.  

Quote

"I'm cool dad, that's my thang.  I'm hip, I surf the web, I text. LOL: laugh out loud, OMG: oh my god, WTF: why the face."

As the seasons go on, you see a more serious side slip out now and then, and he had some beautiful scenes with his children this past season.    

I absolutely loved this one with him and Haley because he was just fuming with frustration and anger, and that's something rarely seen.  It's also something that Haley needed to see.  

4. Sandy Cohen (The O.C.)

The funny thing is that I didn't like Peter Gallagher when I first started watching The O.C.  I don't even think I was done the second episode before saying  OMGSANDYCOHENFOREVER.  Sandy Cohen may be the most warm, welcoming, and understanding father on TV.  He just rolls with the soap opera drama that goes on around the Cohen-Atwood-Cooper-Nichols abodes, and that can't be easy to do.  He and his wife Kirsten have a loving relationship that's not often threatened, and they work on any problems that arise.  His snarky rapport with his son Seth is amazing, and he takes in Ryan (kid from the wrong side of the tracks in Chino) and welcomes him as one of his own.  

Quote

"Since the minute you were born, I knew I would never take another easy breath without knowing that you were all right."

Ok, after watching this clip of Seth and Sandy having "the talk," I want to marathon Season 1 all over again.  Such amazing TV.  I am literally laughing out loud.  If this doesn't sum up why he's one of the best, I don't know what will.

Ok, maybe the art of schmearing a bagel.  I really can't leave that out.

3. Jonathan Kent (Smallville)

Oh, Papa Kent.  The human man who’s truly a father to Clark Kent traditionally dies in the Superman legend.  This should have been no surprise on Smallville, but normally, we see older versions of Ma & Pa Kent.  Smallville showed us good looking middle-aged versions of Jonathan and Martha Kent raising Clark as a teenager.  I fell in love with Papa Kent (my term) and his loving, hard working ethic.  In any other hands, this role could have been overly earnest and a bit cheesy, but John Schneider gave it a goldenly rugged charm with a sense of humor.  I might have gone a bit giddy and started calling him Ryan Seacrest's father (not an insult in my world, love the Ry) and then had the best experience with him at Comic Con where I have the biggest squee smile ever on my face in our picture.  Might have.  I'm not exactly a Dukes of Hazzard fan, but I'm just truly in love with his Papa Kent.  There are no words.  He's just SUCH a good father and husband, up through his fateful day.  

Quote
Jonathan:  "Clark, your mother and I both know that you are gonna save a lot of lives in this world, even more than you have any idea."
Clark:  "The only life I'm interested in saving is yours." 

Jonathan:  "You do.  You save my life every day that you're with us.  And we wouldn't trade that for a single moment without you."

I’m not big on fan videos, but I think this one is really well done. 

2. Keith Mars (Veronica Mars)

Keith Mars is a newly single dad, former sheriff, and current PI.  He and Veronica are the black sheep of the town for awhile, and she helps him with his cases, oftentimes against his wishes.  Keith treats his daughter like a mature individual, but he's also right there for her whenever she needs her dad.  He gives her privacy but stays involved and up-to-date on her life.  Yet, he's not afraid to activate that GPS tracker or any other gadget if he feels something's wrong.  It seems intrusive, but his instincts were usually correct.  Veronica may be mature, but she's still a teenager for the first half of the series.  He has put his life on the line in many ways for his daughter, and they have a loving and fun relationship despite all the crazy noir going on around them in Neptune.  

In the pilot, there's a "who's your Daddy" moment that only he can get away with without getting punched.  He knows it drives Veronica crazy, and it just makes it all the more fun for him.  I can't embed it, so here you go.  That clip shows Kristen Bell and Enrico Colantoni's chemistry from day one.  The video below shows a moment from season 3 where they have dinner with Logan for the first time.  Logan had a messed up celebrity family life, and you see the wistful happiness on his face as he watches Keith and Veronica banter.  

1. Dan Conner (Roseanne)

It's pretty obvious that everyone listed have been from shows airing from the late 90s through the present.  I watched tons of family sitcoms as a kid (Full House, The Cosby Show, Growing Pains, The Wonder Years, Fresh Prince, Blossom, Family Matters, Boy Meets World), but none of those fathers stuck out for me as strongly as Dan Conner.  

I grew up in a working class house, and Dan Conner was everything I wanted in a father.  He persevered despite his limitations in education and skills.  He provided for his family and just wanted a hot meal, cold beer, and the game on in return.  He loved his children and tried to spend time with them.  It was harder for him if they didn't have anything in common, but he never ignored them.  He loved his wife and found her desirable no matter what.  He was goofy and funny but his temper would immediately go into protective mode if his loved ones were threatened in any way.  He never harmed his family, but say your prayers if you tried to hurt them.  He was far from perfect, and he knew it, but it never stopped him from being a devoted father and husband.  The show was very realistic until the last season, almost gritty for a situation comedy, and John Goodman's performance was sublime.  I cry during the last episode without fail.  

Quote

"Remember our family motto:  We're Conners, we gotta eat."

Dan beats up Jackie's abusive boyfriend Fisher and ends up in jail 
3:17 is Darlene bailing him out, which is absolutely priceless.
7:30 is the "Hey honey, We're officially poor white trash!" dance

8:29 is Jackie overwhelmed with conflicting emotions over Dan's actions.  It's truly sweet.

Becky and Darlene ruin Roseanne's Mother's Day, and Dan punishes them for once.

The epic talk about masturbation with DJ.  His reactions are so perfect.  

The Halloween episodes were always the most memorable out of the late 80s-early 90s sitcoms, and the first one is just perfections.  Why look for clips?  The whole episode is gold and timeless.  

Fangirl Flashback: A spring night's journey to Penn Station

One of my favorite memories in NYC was on a warm yet breezy night in June 2004.  I often think of that night around this time of year.  It was one of those nights that couldn't be replicated if I tried.  That's what I love about the city:  you never quite know how exciting a simple night can become.

I made it a solo evening in the city.  The brilliant actor Martin Moran was performing his one man show based on his brave memoir The Tricky Part.

It's excellent, and I highly recommend the read.  I knew it would be one of those intimate shows that would make me want to be alone afterwards, so I didn't ask any friends if they wanted to come with me.  I stayed for the question and answer session but remained quiet because I just wasn't ready to leave my seat.  All I wanted to do was give the man a hug for being so exposed and honest, yet at peace.  I didn't wait to say hi afterwards because I felt like anything I said would be ridiculous.  Actually, I don't think I've ever said hi to him, not even after Cabaret.  He's one of those few actors that leaves me tongue-tied.

I left the theatre and started making the unfamiliar trek back to Penn Station.  I normally didn't go to see off-Broadway shows, so I usually never went beyond Lincoln Center.  At least I knew to go south and that I would pass a few of the 1-2-3 subway stops along the way.  This was the time of flip phones with no internet, therefore battery usage lasted longer.

The show let out early, so it was still pretty dusky outside.  I was pondering just how far I would walk and if my shoes would hold out.  The show was still running through my mind, so I was in no hurry.  As I started making my way through the 60s, I looked up and saw a very familiar face coming towards me.  He looked me up and down and smiled.  And then I realized that I was just checked out in passing by Evan Handler, best known at the time as Harry Goldenblatt from Sex and the City.

I swear to it.  I started laughing and called my mom.

One of my favorite things to do in the city was call my mom after a show.  She was bedridden and couldn't get out to see shows with me, but she lived vicariously through me and my experiences.  We listened to showtunes and watched as many clips as we could and giggled over actors.  Naturally, I had to tell her what just happened.  By that point, the dark sky was setting in and the buildings were lighting up.  The breeze felt amazing, and the city was quiet yet bustling on that Monday night.  I knew I had to walk the whole way to Penn.  She was a little worried about me, as a mother does, but I reassured her that I was in probably one of the safest areas of the whole city and knew what I was doing.

We stayed chatting on the phone as I kept walking.  I knew it made her feel better, and I also enjoyed having her "with" me on such a beautiful night.  I made it past Columbus Circle, and it started getting a lot darker.  I was passing 54th Street when two men made a right in front of me.  I looked at the one on my right and almost fell down.

I'm not kidding, I cupped my mouth and started whispering in the phone "MOM OMG I THINK CHRISTOPHER WALKEN IS IN FRONT OF ME."  I got a little closer to try and hear his vocal pattern, and yeah....yeah.  He must have just come from seeing Assassins.  I was so excited to be in the presence of such greatness, but I had to be as quiet as possible.  They went in a different direction, and I practically danced through Times Square.  

It was such a random night.  It was such a random and beautiful Monday night in New York City.  It's times like those that I wish I lived in closer proximity to have experiences like those more often.  But hey, it makes the times I do go all the more special.  

"You don't throw away a yearbook! You're supposed to cherish it forever!!"

Today is the 15th anniversary of the movie Can't Hardly Wait.

This movie means so much to me because I went to see it two days after my high school graduation.  It IS my generation.  I went to school with these characters.  They are my Brat Pack.  I can quote the entire movie, and I specialize in Seth Green's lines.  My parlor trick for years was breaking into his opening monologue:

Yo I GOTTA have sex tonight.  I mean peep this, it says here 92 percent of UCLA women have had sex.  92 percent of honeys at UCLA walkin' around goin' 'Class or sex? What shall I do?'  92 percent, yo!  But you know what that means.  It means I gots a 92 percent chance of embarrassin' myself.  I roll up on that shorty like, 'What's up yo,' and she be like, 'You don't know 20 different ways to make me call you Big Poppa,' cause I don't, yo.

Yes.  Kenny Fisher and his pants that could fit a family of five was my love for many years.

Looks like someone's auditioning for Soul Train!

Yo Jana...*dances*...you wanna dance....
I'm allergic.
Allergic??  To dancing?!  
Yeah....

That is a Fragrance of Love scented candle, bitch!  DAMN!

If you haven't seen the movie, do me a favor and watch it just for Special K alone.

Everyone does an amazing job, even Jennifer Love Hewitt and her flowing hair.  She was Amanda Beckett, the wholesomely cute popular girl who was on the arm of the head jock Mike Dexter (Peter Facinelli) all throughout high school.  She doesn't do much besides react to the chaos going on around her, but she does it well.  And their cathartic encounter towards the end of the party makes me laugh every time.

(drunkenly) Oh yeah, well you're the one, A-man-DAAAAA.

I giggle just like the jock sycophants, one of whom is the always awesome Freddy Rodriguez.

But her parents, they've got mirrors over the bed.  I'm gonna be like, Ahhhahahahah!  Ahhahhhaha! 

My best friend and I were just discussing that this movie had a pre-Six Feet Under get-together!  Rodriguez, the amazing Lauren Ambrose, Eric Balfour, and Facinelli.  The role of Denise Fleming was Ambrose's breakout, and she was the perfect snarky introverted girl who would rather be anywhere than that party.

I told her you were a dendraphiliac....it's someone who has sex with trees.

Ethan Embry was an adorable delight as the earnest and arty Preston Meyers who just wanted to share his letter and his Pop Tart with Amanda.  The character was John Cusack-esque, but Embry gave him a sweet hangdog charm.  I just read a recent interesting interview with him about the movie 15 years later.  Some of it surprised me, but I like that he doesn't hold back.

[the song Mandy] It's not about a dog.  It's about a woman named Amanda.  Who the hell names their dog Amanda?!

And of course, there's Charlie Korsmo as William Lichter, the nerd who had his comeuppance in so many ways!  I grew up watching him in movies, and nothing made me happier than to see become a rock star and a legend all for one night.

Now, now, ladies, both of you can hold my laser pointer any time!

I love William and Mike's piano scene.  Every time I hear "I'll Make Love To You," I always think of that, and then my brain segues into Denise and Kenny singing "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" in the bathroom.  Every. last. time.

There were so very many other actors that continued to high profile careers or just kind of stumbled around into the early 2000s:  Jason Segel, Selma Blair, Jerry O'Connell, Breckin Meyer, Donald Faison, Melissa Joan Hart, Amber Benson, Jaime Pressly, Clea Duvall, Jenna Elfman, Sara Rue, Erik Palladino, Alexander Martin, Channon Roe, Sean Patrick Thomas, Paige Moss,  Nicole Bilderback, and Chris Owen.  If you're a nerd like me, you notice that seven of these actors appeared either on Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Cruel Intentions.  We could do a Six Degrees of Sarah Michelle Gellar!

The writers and directors Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan went on to do Josie and the Pussycats, which is a really underrated gem.  Seth Green, Breckin Meyer, Donald Faison, and Alexander Martin appeared as the sublime boy band Du Jour.  Back door lover, baby.

I was rather obsessed with the soundtrack and used to listen to it in my first car all the time.  Those tracks are just a sampling from what was used in the movie...one day, I should make sure to get every song on a playlist.  Click for the full listing on IMDB.

My two favorites:

Third Eye Blind-  Graduate

Eve 6-  Open Road Song

Oh hell, I can't leave this out, it's like a trailer for the movie!!

Can't Get Enough of You Baby- Smash Mouth

And what post would be complete without some pic spam!

Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con 2013

I know that Philly Comic Con was a week ago, but I'm still getting over all the feels for the last Game Of Thrones episode.  I'll probably be wrecked again since tonight's the finale, so I'm going to get this post up while it's still timely!

My husband and I absolutely adore conventions.  I never actually went to one (shocker) until a year after we started dating.  He has been cosplaying since high school, and he is so fantastic and dedicated with his details and characterization.  Lately, he's been doing a blend of classic and Nicholson Joker from Batman.  He'll be putting it aside for awhile as he works on a new Game Of Thrones costume, but Joker will never retire.  It's his masterpiece.

I like being his "manager."  I often describe myself as the Matthew Broderick to his Sarah Jessica Parker on the red carpet:  Just stand back and let him be bathed in the camera flashbulbs.  I tried putting my own twist on Harley Quinn this past year, but it didn't really work, so I'm putting that away for awhile.  One thing that's always fun is to get on trains and walk through a city in costume.  Talk about double takes!  Pictures are always taken before we even make it into the venues.

 My husband, the star.

Click the link below for pictures...who knows who you'll see?!

First themed post....*drumroll please*

I'm putting my own spin on the common Throwback Thursday.  Welcome to....

FANGIRL FLASHBACK FRIDAY!!

I've had many celebrity interactions since the year 2001, and I think it would be fun to share those stories.  Much of these experiences happened at stage doors, concerts, and conventions, and sometimes they were completely random.  

I'm not looking to dig up gossip or talk trash, but I will be honest.  Some people may be A-listers, some people may be obscure.  I have pictures, detailed memories, and a lot of fondness.  I can still laugh even if it wasn't the friendliest interaction.  One thing I've learned over the years is that celebrities are human beings.  

This week's Entertainment Weekly Pop Culture Personality Test was taken by Matthew Morrison, and I think he's a good person to kick off this segment.  I'm also kind of bursting at the seams that we both saw Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 7-8 times in the theatre and that we both still sing to New Kids on the Block.  Hey, we're right around the same age, it makes sense.  

Ha, nice freeze frame.

I first saw Morrison in The Rocky Horror Show revival on Broadway near the end of its run in 2001.  He was a Phantom kid and had a big fro and lots of eyeliner, black lipstick, and leather pants.  I called him Curly Haired Hot Guy from Rocky.  When he fell into the role of Link Larkin in Hairspray, I started freaking out, especially because it was so hard to get tickets.  I happened to get lucky and bought one for half price from a desperate lady when I was in the TKTS line.  The whole original cast was there that night except for Morrison.  I still have irrational dislike for his poor understudy John Hill.  I sucked it up and bought a full price ticket for a few months later.  He was there, and the angels sang.  Well, that might have been my pants.  It was even more joyous because I got to see Shoshana Bean as Tracy, and she was just fabulous.  Put it this way-  when a guy as hot and talented as Matt Morrison falls in love with a big girl 8 times a week, I'm gonna fall in love.  Hell, even Zac Efron got a pass from me in the movie version, but no one beats Matt as Link. 

This is a rather long introduction, but I feel it's necessary since he's made it so big as Will Schuester on Glee.  I stopped watching after the 2nd season, partially because I was sad that he essentially isn't more than an overly eager and oblivious douche who loves Journey.  I try not to pay much attention to tabloids and blind items, but people often do change when they become rich and famous.  I prefer the old days of swooning outside Broadway theatres and searching for photos and footage.  It was fun to see him briefly in the movies Music & Lyrics and Dan In Real Life which may have resulted in me bouncing in my seat while loudly whispering MattyMorrisonMattyMorrison!!!  I feel bad that I didn't see him in anything onstage after Hairspray, but as I had to be choosy with my shows (living two hours away with limited disposable income will do that to a person), I ended up passing on The Light In the Piazza and South Pacific.  I know, I know.  I kind of regret that, but I just couldn't justify potentially falling asleep for that ticket price.  I really like him as an actor, but there are only a select few that I will do anything to see in a show.  

I have a few shots from 2002.  One day I'll scan pix, but for now, the high quality phone shots will do!

That is some damn nice hair.

I'll mostly be cutting myself out of pictures, but you can have a glimpse.  This was during the Broadway Flea Market when he gave me a big ole "Hey, how YOU doin'" when I came up.  I don't care if he's a charmer, that still makes me feel so good.  OhgodletmebeyourTracy.

It was fun to say "Bitches, I saw him first," but now I just enjoy the nostalgia.  However, I think it's time to shuffle up the playlist and move the swoonworthy "It Takes Two" back into the top ten most played songs.

“Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps."

We saw The Great Gatsby this weekend, and I ended up getting distracted, as I saw the big screen trailer for Much Ado About Nothing for the first time.  I may have squealed, clapped, and grasped my husband's shoulder.

I'm not going to pretend to know anything about the play.  I read Shakespeare in high school and took a course in college.  I saw the movie version of Much Ado with Kenneth Branagh and Robert Sean Leonard in 11th or 12th grade and can't remember anything except that it was a comedy.  Shakespeare's concepts, themes and characters are fantastic, but sometimes the plays can be hard for me to follow.  Modern interpretations are greatly helpful, especially with actors who have a great awareness and understanding of the material and language.

Therefore, this version of Much Ado is going to be perfect.  The ad campaign has even enchanted me!  Stylish charcoal and fuschia highlighting Alexis Denisof as the star of a Joss Whedon film with a jazzy score? Dreamy sigh alert!

                                     
Alexis Denisof might be most well known to the general public for being Alyson Hannigan's husband, which is a damn shame because he is a ridiculously talented character actor with leading man looks.  He did lots of theatre before getting the role of Wesley Wyndham-Pryce in Buffy the Vampire Slayer which led to co-starring in Angel.  Now, he tends to slip under the radar and does interesting TV projects while appearing in adorable paparazzi pictures with Aly and their two lovely little girls.

He is ridiculously funny under that serious demeanor and is a downright hoot when he appears on How I Met Your Mother.  I have been in love with him since the 4th season of Angel when he became all brooding and scruffy and having forbidden sex with Lilah.  I may have been a little stupid over how I couldn't stand his bumbling ponce ass on Buffy and how much I resented him taking over for Doyle on Angel (rest in peace, Glenn Quinn), to the point that I stopped watching Angel until Faith did the crossover episodes in season 4.

(Then I may have fallen so hardcore in lust that his name became Wes Sexypants and he was the example of how pants should perfectly hang and despite my dislike of guns it suddenly became super hot to watch him impossibly shoot two at once while slow-mo whooshing in the air and becoming an action hero who had a cut throat and really hot sex while his temporary prisoner in the closet was forced to listen and dear god that is not what I really like but for some reason when he does it it's so crazy hot...)

Ahem.  Let's continue.

Hi Amy Acker!  It's a Wes and Fred reunion!  And I didn't even ship the Fresley that much on Angel!  However, I have no problem shipping them here.

I can't choose from this wonderful tumblr post, so I'll just post the whole thing.  They really have wonderful chemistry as actors and friends.

I almost feel bad for loving this picture so much.  Sorry Alyson and James Carpinello...

It's like Joss is apologizing for their final Angel plots.  Except he apologizes by giving them starring roles in a highly acclaimed movie that was a blast to shoot at his house for two weeks and will get them plenty of acclaim.  Can't we all have bosses like that?

Nathan Fillion and Tom Lenk appear and are supposed to be hilarious.  This doesn't surprise me at all.  I love them both, and I can eventually forgive Fillion for having to cancel Philly Comic Con this year...that's just how awesome and delightful he is.  I still regret not seeing Lenk in Rock of Ages on Broadway.

I'm enjoying the vast height difference and pornstache. 

  

There are many other Whedonverse actors in the film like Sean Maher, Fran Kranz, Reed Diamond, and Clark Gregg.  Apparently, once you work with Whedon and read Shakespeare at his house for funsies, you're in for life!  

I truly am looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds and how this wonderful director and group of actors will bring it to life in modern California.  It's not just for the pretty.  Ok, maybe a little.  I really hope this brings great opportunities for Denisof and Acker as they are both excellent actors who should be seen a lot more on the small and big screens.  

Introduction!

Geeks and nerds have become rather trendy, but I've always been unashamedly geeky about the entertainment world.  I'm not complaining about the rise in popularity since more people are feeling comfortable to proudly let their nerd flag fly.

I've had random blogs over the years, but I really want to focus and publicly share my writing and observations.  There will be squeeing and fangirling, but that makes it all the more fun!  I'm definitely into typical geek culture like the Whedonverse, conventions, figure collecting, and cult TV, but I will certainly be geeking out over more topics than that.  I like to think that I have a diverse palate.

I figured the best way to introduce myself is to share some incredibly random tidbits about how mass media has played a part throughout my life.  I don't want to ruin too much for future postings!



1.  My very first poster was Michael J. Fox.  I would weep if I ever met the man.  My second poster was John Stamos with a mullet.  I have met the man three times and shown him my tongue ring upon request.

2.  I talk really quickly in part because of Six LeMeure from Blossom.

3.  I used to listen to TV theme song CDs in the car.  You never feel cooler than when you're singing the Diff'rent Strokes and It's A Living themes at the top of your lungs.  But nothing beats Perfect Strangers...nothing.

4.  Boy-Crazy Stacey is still one of my all time favorite books.  I named my phone Stacey McGill.  Happily, it hasn't done anything to annoy me otherwise I would have to yell "Anastasia Elizabeth McGill!!" at it.

5.  Rocky Horror Picture Show briefly freaked me out when I was 14.  After I finally got over my dumbass reaction, I became obsessed with drag, lipstick, and fishnets.

6.  I've seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade at least 300 times.  I know every last line and music cue.    Sometimes I get through the work day by playing entire scenes in my head.  That scene from Family Guy with Peter humming the opening train sequence?  Me. Me. ME.

7.  My husband is a gamer, and yet I still beat his ass at Tetris every time.  I can pack a mini grocery cart within an inch of its life, and I have to credit hours on the Game Boy in the early 90s for that useless skill.

8.  Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead motivates me to clean the house every time I watch it.  Every. time.

9.  My mom took me to see Pulp Fiction after I begged for weeks.  I was 14.  She swore child protective services would be coming for her after we left the theatre.

10.  I used to see Aerosmith every 4 years: '94 (first concert ever), '98, '02, '06.  I guess I got distracted these last few years.

11.  I've never seen all of Back to the Future III despite being obsessed with the first two movies.

12.  I go to thrift stores and track down books I used to read in my late childhood/early preteen years.  I practically turn cartwheels when I find copies with the exact same cover artwork and layout that I remember.

13.  During New Years Eve '06, my best friends and I were driving around trying to find something to do.  "500 Miles" by The Proclaimers came on, and we sang the shit out of that.  Next month, How I Met Your Mother had a plotline with Ted and Marshall singing that repeatedly in the car.  Amazing and a little freaky at the time.

14.  I emulated Rachel Green's outfits in the early years of Friends, and I'd be happy dressing like that forever.  And she wasn't even my favorite Friend! (that would be Bing-a-ling)

15.  I had a suicidal turtle named Agador Spartacus when I was 16.  He was happiest when he could crawl in my heels and check his face out in the mirror.