I Wanted To Go To There

The end is near and so 30 Rock faces the final curtain . . .

Let's put it this way, me and 30 Rock, we go way back, like spinal chords and car seats.

Back in 2007, I stayed up til 11pm to watch this new TV show in Channel 5 of all channels. I had spotted the mention of this show in a very small insert in Radio Times. I was intrigued, especially as it was written by the same woman who wrote Mean Girls.

This is what else I saw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRvx38iBxlI

Watched the first episode. It was love at first laugh. That first laugh being that Alec Baldwin was in the show and was introduced by knocking a wall down. This was soon to be known as 'Jack Attack'.

I went to college the next day asking everyone, 'did you see this awesome show on last night?' and from every angle it was 'what are you talking about?'. Alas I had to enjoy this genius show on my own.  But then the DVD was released and I finally could share the show with my friends. They were hooked. 

Tina Fey became my idol and every time I talked about her I had to tell people 'she wrote Mean Girls' and then they knew who I meant. One of my new years resolutions is 'to be more like Tina' but of course I am waaaay off that goal.

I took 30 Rock to Uni with me, couldn't leave home without it. And like a drug I got some of my friends at Uni hooked on it! The 30 Rock love spread. Everyone was quoting it, talking about it, posting about it, it was amazing.

I still need to dress up as Liz Lemon as The Joker. The Batman rif episode was one of the best, not yo mention the reality show within a show, Queen of Jordon, the one reality show that I approve of and wish they had made more. Priceless wine throwing all round.

The show has given birth to some of the best characters in comedy, Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, Tracy Morgan as Tracy Jordan, Jane Krakowski as Jenna (look her up on jennasside.com, say it out loud) Maroney and Jack McBrayer as Kenneth the every youthful NBC page who also doubles up as Leap Dave Williams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkwZrm_UXPc). Characters you would not find anywhere or be employed by anyone but NBC at Studio 6H.

I couldn't believe it when they announced that season 7 would be its last and not even a complete one. There had been so many false ends where Alec Baldwin said he was leaving but didn't then when it was going to end he campaigned for at least a full last season. Alas, its time to say farewell to the amazing, award winning, ham demanding genius comedy that is 30 Rock.

For the last time everyone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20FAAZnKFH4
'I'm a star! I'm on top! Somebody bring me some haaaaaaaaaam!'

To celebrate there should be a party, in my case cheap drinks somewhere but us fans all know that there ain't no party like a Liz Lemon party coz a Liz Lemon party is mandatory!

Lemon out!

Goodbye Old Friend

Sorry for the absence everyone!

When I heard that HMV, literally the last surviving high street shop that sells films, music and games went into administration, I was devastated.

When I was younger I loved going shopping, even though I had next to no money, it was a fun thing to do with friends. As I got older I hated it. I dislike clothes shopping now. Mostly because everything is 10 times as expensive, nothing fits or looks good, I have to search for anything decent through all the crap that is out in shops, the changing room queues are a joke and the only decent shops are up town. It ain't fun anymore.

Now my shopping, if I do go deliberately, consists of Waterstones (looking for that book I want to read), buying some tea/coffee syrup (I'm always running low), Paperchase (I have no reason) and saving the best til last HMV. This is my shopping stop off list, but with books being cheaper on Amazon, I barely buy from Waterstones, even though its one of the last standing bookshops. I buy my tea and coffee related things from Whittards but as we all know, they are always having sales and that is never a good sign.

The signs were there for the loyal customers to see. I remember a time when HMV had only three major sales each year, Spring, Summer, January sales. I used to bug my family/friends about the sale and if I had money I went straight to the shop. I had a good collection of videos, all bought on sale. But when the sales were extended, then year round, things changed. DVD obviously took over, then HD tried to make an impact, failed and moved over for Blu-ray. The HMV sale was still on throughout these changes. There was plenty of talk of HMV being in trouble, it went on for years and as I said I was devastated to hear they had gone into administration the other day. I was in there Monday buying some new releases.

I read a blog about the art of browsing (http://www.empireonline.com/empireblogs/empire-states/post/p1331) and it couldn't be more right. HMV is there is be browsed in. Every time I go in, its the same thing. I look at the sale, the chart, pick up a few things I want then I wonder around for an hour or so picking things up putting them back. I eventually buy something after carrying around several things. Sometimes I buy nothing, I save it for next time or for when I know a deal is coming up. The point is I may shop online, sometimes with Amazon (not play.com anymore, so unreliable) but mostly its old reliable HMV online.

HMV is the last good high street store standing on its last leg. I desperately hope they stay afloat. Of all the shops to close recently, HMV is needed the most.

Here is a link to an article below about the shops that closed/are closing.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jan/16/blockbuster-hmv-jessops-high-street

Happy Birthday Tintin!

Tintin, celebrates 84 years on January 10, 2013.

'Tintin, the amazing young reporter and sleuth with the unforgettable quiff created by Georges Remi, better known as Hergé, appeared for the first time in 1929, January 10 in the comic strip called “Le Petit Vingtième”, together with his loveable, trusted companion Snowy.'

Any excuse to celebrate Tintin! We all know how much I love Herge's creation.

(note: this was taken in 2009, bad hair . . .)

Hope you're enjoying any little celebrations which may or may not include waffles and beer.