My Weekly Addiction

CSI: New York

I consider myself a dedicated CSI fan, although I did not discover it until several year after it began, I soon caught up. I began with the Original, progressed to Miami and finally made my way over to New York. It took me a while to get into the third of the trilogy, at first I found it too gloomy and everything seemed to be various shades of grey, certainly a stark contrast with the bold and bright scenes of Miami. But the more I watched it the more I became hooked, I quickly came to like the characters and its somewhat darker more sadistic themes. I also came to notice the sudden advancement in their technology, every scene seems to include a new high-tech gadget, I must admit I'm a sucker for a shiny new toy. Overall the show has a somewhat morbid quality to it with the odd ray of hope and humour, usually supplied by Danny, but it works.

Road Rage

Misdirected

In the past week in the city close to where I live there have been two incidents that have involved lorries tipping over. Tragically one involved a cyclist who lost her life. As a result of this the papers continue to run stories revolving around them, most recently they involve a public outcry for better safety regarding the roads and trucks. However what they have failed to mention is that in the case of the most recent accident there is CCTV footage clearly showing that it was in fact the fault of a car which cut of the lorry and caused it to tip. This is a regular occurrence, its always seem that the blame is laid at the lorries feet. Don't get me wrong I know it sometimes is down to them, but more often than not is the fault of another vehicle. Its not only lorries that get the blame for accidents, motorbikes also regularly face prejudice. But why do these kind of vehicles have such a stigma attached to them. For some reason I am not aware the majority of the pubic despise these relatively innocent modes of transport, that is unless your a biker or trucker. Motorbikes and lorries are no worse than cars and vans, so why are the constantly singled out. I personally think that rather than hating the bikes and lorries we should focus our attention on the real devils of the road, push-bikes. Without a doubt I see more close calls on the road due to push-bikes than any other vehicle. Most of them seem completely oblivious to the fact that they are on the road with much bigger chunks of metal that could easily crush them and seem to fell the need to constantly cut off cars and cycle down the middle of the road. Not to mention the fact that I'm sure more road rage is caused by cyclists than anything else. To be honest I don't understand why the law states that they must ride on roads. Surely they're more risk to drivers than to pedestrians. So I say we need to refocus our dislike towards push-bikes and leave the bikers and truckers alone.

My Leading Lady

Addison Montgomery/Kate Walsh

When we first met Addison she was simply McDreamy's wife. Now we were all shocked by this revelation, and at first couldn't help but resent her for becoming between Meredith and Derek. But after a while, she settled in and began making friends, and she became more and more likeable. By the middle of the second series she was a firm favourite of mine. She has this aura about her, she strong an independent, she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to fight for it. However your repeatedly get a glimpse at her more vulnerable side, especially during the course of Private Practice. Away from the staff at Seattle Grace and in a new surrounding you really get to see a whole new side to Addison, she more relaxed and happier which mean we get to see more of her killer smile.

My Weekly Addiction

Private Practice

Now I know I'm not the only one who was sceptical about the idea of a Greys Anatomy spin-off, After all how could it work without the addictive bunch of interns and surgeons we all came to love. Don't get me wrong, I've always loved Addison from the moment she joined the gang, but it was difficult to see how she alone could carry off the show. Yet she did, and she surpassed my expectations. Private Practice managed to become something entirely different, rather than being an imitation of it mother show it went in a different direction. Sure it still resolves around a medical practice and a group of close friends, but the core concept of the show is entirely different. Rather than being fast paced and filled with high octane and explosive drama, it focuses on more personal and emotional drama. Instead of gunshot and bombs, we've got family' and friends who struggle with certain aspects of their live. While I love the action of Greys I equally adore Private Practice and its more subtle approach. Of course it helps to have Addison as a central character not to mention a great new cast. If only we could get a few guest appearances from Callie, it would be perfection.

Kick-Ass Women

Women Who Kick-Ass: Metaphorically and Literally

Okay so here's the thing, my addictive personality has had a long time affair with lists and women. So I've decided to combine the two, after all who am I to deny my mind that which it craves so intensely. But these women aren't just your ordinary people, these are my top nine kick-ass women, well characters really, but same difference. I know nine seems like a random number but I figured that this way you get to pick your number 10.

1. Catherine Willows (CSI)

2. Gemma Teller-Morrow (Sons Of Anarchy)

3. Kathryn Janeway (Star Trek: Voyager)

4. CJ Cregg (West Wing)

5. Callie Torres (Greys Anatomy)

6. Abbey Bartlet (West Wing)

7. Irena Derevko (Alias)

8. Helen Stewart (Bad Girls)

9. Kathrine Mayfair (Desperate Housewives)

Now I have my reasons for adoring these women. But that's a story for another day. For now I'm content just staring at their pictures and watching their shows.

My Leading Lady

Gemma Teller-Morrow/ Katey Sagal

Without a doubt there can only be one leading lady this week. Gemma Teller is one kick-ass biker queen, she makes this show what it is. She is the one who holds everyone together. By managing to be this strong independent woman who has this softer side which means she is the one everyone goes to. However everything about Gemma screams attitude, from the way she holds a gun to her killer heels. There is something about powerful women that makes me swoon. Throughout everything she never stops protecting the ones she cares about; she's a fierce mother and loyal wife. As much as I adore the bikes and the club itself, its Gemma that keeps me glued to my TV screen.

My Weekly Addiction

Sons Of Anarchy

When I first became addicted to dvds I'd greet each parcel that graced my doorstep with intense excitement. But after a while the joy subsided, and as with any addiction it became more of a need. However there is an exception. Sons of Anarchy is without a doubt my favourite show. I didn't discover it until recently but I waited patiently for three whole month for the release of season 2 on dvd and today's the day. You have no idea how excited I was, I'm that sad. I'm not sure what it is about this show that gets me so hooked, perhaps its the ability it has to combine such a dark side with such deep connections and of course the Harleys help, my love of dvds only comes second to my love of bikes. I'm not a violent person by nature but I must admit I do love the violence in this show especially the combination of Gemma and a skateboard. What's most impressive about the show is that it had the potential to go so wrong, it could have ended up so superficial and just another show full of blood and swearing. Yet it managed to go so much deeper. It shows so much raw emotion and deals with many situation that create opportunities to show the true bond of the people in the club and those connected to it. At the end of the day, its a show about family, a huge and dysfunction one but a family none the less.

Superstition

As the day draws to an end and we bid farewell to yet another Friday the 13th I've decided to reflect on life and superstition. Now I'm not a great believer in superstition, in fact I'd even go so far to say that I have a tendency to rebel against it. If there's a ladder I'm damn well gonna walk under it. Do I think that this is to blame for all the bad stuff that happens in my life, hell no! Don't get me wrong I believe in fate and karma but most superstition just doesn't fly with me, I certainly don't think that just because its Friday the 13th bad things are going to happen. However I do make a couple of slight exceptions when it comes to the unexplainable, I do believe in the power of the magpies and that deaths come in 3's but that just in my experience. So from now on I encourage you to be brave and not freak out when you break a mirror or spill the salt. One thing I've learnt from life is that shit happens regardless of what direction the black cat walks. So deal with it.

My Leading Lady

Marina Ferrer/Karina Lombard

When I first began watching the L Word there was one person that really caught my attention. Without a doubt Marina stands out from a crowd. I don't know if its her wonderful accent or her exotic beauty but something about her just makes me sigh with contentment every time she makes an appearance. You get the impression that her presence alone gains her the respect of those around her. Beside anyone who is as passionate about books as Marina is definitely wins my heart. I was devastated when the she just vanished at the end of the 1st season, although I am thankful for the occasional fix from her guest appearances.

Jodi Lerner/ Marlee Matlin

Of course after the departure of Marina I had to find a new object of my affections, I played around with Helena and Tina for a while but then came Jodi. I may of had to wait until the fourth season but it was worth it. She burst onto our screens with her strong personality and kick ass attitude. She knew who she was and wasn't afraid of it. Lets not forget how awesome she looks in a pair of jeans (for proof see above). It was after she joined the cast of the L Word that I made the decision to learn sign language, British because I live in England, but still its all down to Marlee.

My Weekly Addiction

The L Word

Now I know its a cliche but I adore this programme. Ilene Chaiken managed to create a group of characters who you can't help but fall in love with, while the direction of the show may have become somewhat obscure, the characters remain strong throughout. The show itself is without a doubt unique and strange at times but that's what kept me hooked, its ability to surprise you. I must admit though that for me the finale was the biggest let down, not only because it meant the end of a revolutionary show but also because it just didn't feel like anything was finished off. It left us with more unanswered questions than we had to start with. Even though I wasn't that upset about the demise of Jenny, I would of like to have know who did the deed, overall the whole thing felt a bit anti-climatic. The only truly redeeming factor about the finale was the reappearances of the people from the past, even if it was only a brief goodbye on a tv screen. However the bad ending can't take away from what was 6 fabulous years of, as Alice would say, "dyke drama". What would we have done without Bette and Tina's on again off again relationship, Shane's numerous conquests, Jenny's extremely neurotic tendencies, Helena's lost fortune or even Alice's addiction to gossip. We've been with them through the love, the hate and the vast amount of sex and they will always have a special place in our hearts.

P.S. I know I'm in a minority here but I loved the B.E.T.T.Y theme tune.

Inspiration

Thelma & Louise

I have just this minute finished watching this amazing film. Now I'm the kinda girl who spends her entire life in front of a TV screen, sad as it may be it provides me with my escape from the real world. But needless to say when you spend as much time as I do watching films it take a lot for something to really capture my attention. Well to say Thelma & Louise succeeded would be an understatement of the highest magnitude. This breath taking piece of work literally left me with my heart beating against my chest so hard I thought it might burst clean through. I'm well aware that my take on this film is as different as the next persons but I know it will have struck a chord with numerous women all over the world. Perhaps it's the underlying concept of women once again being undone by men. Regardless of the reason this portrayal of these two damned women left me genuinely touched and of course inspired. I know it not proper behaviour to be inspired by a couple of outlaws but its not what they did that's important it's why and how they did it. To overcome everything they did and stay strong and together through it all. I've got to admit I'm not a fan of men, I'm not a man-hater, I just see them for what they are... flawed. I'm well aware that there are exceptions, in this case Detective Hal. He was without a doubt the only redeeming feature for the male race. But lets talk about the women, Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis where outstanding as the two strong and determine women who stole our hearts. They played the parts with such emotion and grace creating two people who you can't help but give you undivided loyalty to. Now some people feel let down by the ending, I am not one of those people. I can't help but feel that this ending is perfect, it's iconic and it represents what these women are all about; it's fearless. They never give up and they're in it together until the end. It's the perfect ending to what was a truly dramatic journey. From this Thelma & Louise I drew my inspiration, it may seem odd but I feel that what this film has shown me is that women should be empowered. As an aspiring photographer my dedication to this film is that I will never photograph men. Women are my only subject from this day forward. Like I said it may seem odd and even irrational but I don't question my inspiration, I follow it.

My Leading Lady

Angela Montenegro/Michaela Conlin

So this week to follow on from my Bones addiction, my chosen Leading Lady is none other than Angela Montenegro/Michaela Conlin. This woman has a certain something about her, she seems to ooze grace. This grace is teamed perfectly with a gleaming personality and astounding beauty. The character she portrays in Bones has always been my personal favourite even before the appearance of Roxie, which without a doubt gained her numerous bonus points. As Hodgins once said "she's the heart of the team." He's right on several counts; in one sense she is the glue that holds them all together, but she 's also the warm and kind member of the group, a welcomed contrast from the literal and scientific personalities of the rest of the gang. That's not to say I don't adore the rest of them because I do. It's just Angela has a certain something extra about her. Also it has got to be said that with a name like Angela Pearly-Gates Montenegro she has a lots to live up to. But in my books she passes with flying colours.

My Weekly Addiction

Bones

Now I'm one of those people who gets hooked easily to various thing, particuarly tv shows. This week the lucky winner is none other than the hit show Bones. Im not quite sure what it is about this program that draws me in to such an extent. Perhaps its the gruesome murders or even the insistence of the writers to keep Brennan and Booth at arms length. Lets not forget the rest of the cast, the fabulous Angela, Hodgins and Cam create a dynamic that's not only entertaining to watch but also the foundations of this great show. Regardless of the reason, I can say without a doubt that this show has an amazing ability to reel me in and leave me begging for more.