Shooting


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Watching


  • Bored To Death: First episode, totally hilarious. In fact, first scene with Jonathan Schwartzman as Jonathan Ames questioning to the Moishe's guy, in almost a modern Seinfeld-esque way, how unlikely it was for Jews to be movers, had me laughing out loud. As did a few others lines, including Ted Danson's - while smoking weed with Schwartzman in the bathroom stall - "these one hitters really should be called three hitters..." Funny, funny writing... and delivery. Danson, so good (even more so because of his impressive turn of career). And Schwartzman, although he may not be the greatest living actor, he has a look of 'knowing' on his face that constantly amuses me.. Will definitely be watching #2.

  • Nurse Jackie: Edie Falco is pretty much genius in everything she does - and this is no exception. The rest of the ensemble is quite good, but she's the glue. Showtime continues to prove they may just be the new HBO.

  • Weeds Season 5: The show is beyond wacky, and has been twisting deeper and deeper into a version of a live cartoon ever since Season 3. It's really not even a shell of how it started out - in concept or tone - except that it has consistently changed direction & surprised. (I'd never have predicted the series would have gone this direction.) If you're still pining for the "old show," you'll hate it. But if you can see it as something else & appreciate the evolution of the equally unlikeable & pathetic cast of characters and the consistently raunchy, crude, unrealistic and sometimes shocking drama, you might find the ridiculous enjoyable. i did. (Gotta love catch up on the DVR.)

  • Mad Men 3rd season: shift in tone, changing times, still genius. A stoned Peggy Olson, priceless - and laugh out loud hilarious.

  • Hung: good concept & execution - which kept me watching back to back episodes. problem is, the characters are a bit hard to like. they've grown on me, but they're still very easy NOT to care about.. but i'll still watch through to the end..

  • Entourage: Okay, admittedly ridiculous. But I still thoroughly enjoy. Big points - and laughs - for Mad Men reference.

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About Random Musings

  • Susan Solomon is a media, entertainment and news junkie who some days feels like writing about what she reads, hears and sees - this blog is those random thoughts.

Out There


  • for all things travel

Reading

  • Amitav Ghosh: The Glass Palace: A Novel

    Amitav Ghosh: The Glass Palace: A Novel
    Ever read a book and wonder why? Or better yet - why you finished it? This was one of them. I was given this as a recommend while traveling in Malaysia, and started it then. I remember liking it enough but when I moved onto Thailand, I also moved onto another book. In cleaning up the Kindle, decided to dive back in. At about 40% in my interest was weak & I could have dropped it - and usually I do, if I'm not into it But somehow I felt compelled to continue. It could have been interesting - a fictional history covering about 100 years of intertwined families against the backdrop of Burma, Malaysia, India, British colonialism, World Wars through to present time. But it wasn't. Completely uneven, ddn't care about any of these people. So glad I can now move on... Needless to say - not a recommend.

  • Jonathan Tropper: Everything Changes

    Jonathan Tropper: Everything Changes
    After finishing up This Is Where I Leave You, felt like I wasn't ready to move on just yet and picked up (or downloaded) Everything Changes. Although not as good as his latest, the tone, humor and style all very similar (and now familiar)... good story, enjoyable read.

  • This Is Where I Leave You : Jonathan Tropper (Author)

    This Is Where I Leave You : Jonathan Tropper (Author)
    Sometimes you just have to decompress and read something light and breezy, with no strain on the brain. And I chose the right one. About a Jewish family that comes together to sit shiva for 7 days after the death of their father. Sounds serious, but all humor - except when it struck a (personal) family chord, for me. Not a literary work of genius, but an excellent read. Definite recommend - thoroughly enjoyed both style & substance.

  • Rory Stewart: The Places In Between

    Rory Stewart: The Places In Between
    At one point during Rory Stewart's trek through Afghanistan, from Herat to Kabul, a Special Forces team drove by in their jeep, rolled down their window and told him, "you are a fucking nutter." And that's pretty much what I was thinking as I was reading the book. Serious snow & deathly cold weather, lack of food & water, threats of bodily harm - not to mention the Taliban - but he persevered, sticking with his plan to travel only by foot. All in all, in some ways, more of a travel book than anything else. Provided a great picture of the Afghan landscape, the tribal customs and its people in 2002, after the (supposed) fall of the Taliban. Yet, although the journey was obviously treacherous, it was all relayed somewhat dispassionately. Even, his description of his adopted dog, Babur - who he obviously cared for - didn't ooze with any real emotion, even when he died in the end. Interesting read, if just to get a better insight into the "real" Afghanistan. But if he'd given a little bit more of himself in the narrative, could have been much better.

  • Don George: Wanderlust: Real-Life Tales of Adventure and Romance

    Don George: Wanderlust: Real-Life Tales of Adventure and Romance
    Some short stories were stand-outs, others I passed over completely after a few pages (or clicks on the kindle.) My favorite, still, was the intro by Pico Ayer. Of all, the most powerful to me & tapped right into how I feel about travel - and the return from it.

  • Nathaniel Bellows: On This Day

    Nathaniel Bellows: On This Day
    I just met Nathaniel last week... smart, sensitive, thoughtful guy. Figured his novel would be good - and I was right. He's published a first novel (the one I read) and a book of poetry. And as I just put down 800 pages on Vietnam, a good novel was what I needed - and this was that. Kept me interested and intrigued, day read. A few criticisms - or maybe just things I need to debate out loud... Either way, look forward to novel #2.

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