Cleaning the Cobwebs out of..Marja's Box!

Girls & The Mindy Project

by Marja

As the proud new owner of a ghetto-lookin’ Direct TV dish, I felt compelled to take a day off work last week and familiarize myself with the DVR system and new channel numbers (what do you mean MTV isn’t channel 30?? It’s been channel 30 since I was 13!) After getting the hang of my new remote, I decided to break out Entertainment Weekly’s fall television preview and add all of the new shows from their recommended list, about 20 total. As of today…. I’ve watched two. Yup. Two. It’s incredibly difficult to dive into a slew of new series when you just got HBO on Demand and all 10 episodes of Girls is right at your fingertips. I’ve watched all 10 episodes twice. Yup. Twice.

As divisive in the TWL camp as the Awards Witch's column.

So it’s no surprise that two new shows I watched last night (The Mindy Project and The New Normal) both had ties to my beloved Girls. The Mindy Project (Tuesdays, 9:30pm, FOX) stars Mindy Kaling (of The Office fame) as a hapless and hopeless romantic working as an obstetrician in New York City. And like Girls’ raw and graceless Hannah, Mindy is painfully awkward.

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GreenTech Geek Gone Wild

Fun at the Folsom Street Fair.

This past weekend a few people I know -- and many thousands of others -- headed to San Francisco for the bacchanalian boondoggle and flesh fest known as the Folsom Street Fair. A  little pink birdie landed on my windowsill and even told me that a certain former publisher was spotted there. (Wait, did I just say that?)

It was their weekend to have a wild time. "I'm missing out," I thought, as my weekend dawned and I looked ahead to spending it home in San Diego.

But then, as the weekend unfolded, I found myself caught up in the swirling storm of several momentous social struggles -- labor rights, bicyclist rights, and GLBTQ rights.

In all these events, I was in thick it, raising my fist, marching and cycling with fellow protesters, engaging in dialogue with elected officials, leading others to join in ... making a difference.

As the weekend wound down, and I finally caught my breath, it occurred to me that what had just transpired was a clear case of the GreenTech Geek gone wild. As wild, in my own way -- I dare say -- as the wildest exhibitionist on Folsom Street.

So just how wild was I? Find out, after the jump ...

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America's Next Top Model Recap: Alicia Keys & the Elimination Shocker!

ANTM Cycle 19 episodes 5:
Alicia Keys

By Dancer

Back at the house after judging and there is standard drama about the Tyra Suite. Blah, blah, blah.

Next morning while everyone is lazily sleeping in Tyra brings in Alicia Keys. The girls freak and one sings for Alicia which I can only imagine happens to her a lot. Tyra introduces Alicia not just as a famous singer but as a philanthropist for her foundation Keep a Child Alive. The girls will be doing a charity fashion show for Ms Keys.

 Alicia Keys becomes the center of attention in the room and Tyra puts on a brave front through gritted teeth as she dies a little inside.

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The Awards Witch: 2012 Emmy Awards

Live from the Nokia Theater
by The Awards Witch

So here we are again, tea-drinkers. Only this time, we have Jimmy Kimmel and the Emmy Awards. And I have high hopes for this fool, as I am typically a fan of him f^*ing Ben Affleck. The opening skit is about as lame as it gets, but the live stuff better damn well be good.

8:05 pm (ET): We have our first joke about Honey Boo Boo. Followed up by a riff on British people and Mitt Romney.

8:07: Mad Men again has the most nominations of any show. I am noticing that Jimmy Kimmel looks pretty damn thin, which means he has been off the carbs for about as long as Sofia Vergara...

8:09: The montages have begun, this time an unfunny tribute to comedy. That is going on far, far too long.

8:11: Amy Poheler and Louis C.K. doing an intro that is scripted to be awkward. It is actually awkward, but not intentionally.  Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: The cast of Modern Family and the dude from New Girl up against Bill Hader from SNL.

8:13: CAM FTW!!!!!!  Eric Stonestreet! Ok, seriously, Modern Family had the clear edge here. LOVE HIM. "There is no Cam without Mitch." So amazing. He is thanking the gays for the naked pictures they send him.

8:18: And we're back. Our next presenters are very white people. Sheldon and New Girl.

8:19: She bothers the crap out of me. I wonder if the shapeless sack she is wearing is made out of cotton. Perhaps she could use Siri to find a new one. They are introducing Best Comedy Writing. So help me God if the idiot from Girls wins.

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Gingerbreadmama Gossip Wrap: Robert Pattinson’s possibly off the market, Amanda Bynes is imploding and more Edition

Robsten…it’s on
The heart wants what is wants, apparently. Numerous sources are reporting that Robert Pattinson has forgiven Kristen Stewart and that they are on their way back to being a couple after a recent heart-to-heart talk in Los Angeles last weekend.

“[The two] pretty much have decided that they can’t live without one another. Kristen really poured her whole heart out to Rob and told him it was a terrible mistake … and that she’s really looking forward to being at the last ‘Twilight’ movie premiere with [him].”

Photo: harpersbazaar.com

According to the source, “Rob can truly see now how sorry Kristen is, and has forgiven her once and for all. They really do love each other.”

With Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 hitting theaters in November, one can assume that promo appearances will begin soon so expect sightings of the couple.

Amanda Bynes implodes
Amanda Bynes is spiraling. After several serious incidents involving her driving (she’s been charged with a DUI and two counts of hit-and-run), her license was suspended yet she was continually spotted driving around Los Angeles. Finally, the police impounded her car. She asked President Obama for help, tweeting, “"Hey Barack Obama . . . I don't drink. Please fire the cop who arrested me. I also don't hit and run. The end.” But he hasn’t issued any presidential pardons.

Then she was reportedly seen talking to herself and acting odd while shopping, locking herself in a dressing room for two hours before exiting and making a purchase of a bathing suit and shoes. Her off behavior has been witnessed at the gym as well, when she was seen taking her top off during a spin class and applying make-up. The class instructor kicked her out. “Yes, I'm the cycling instructor that kicked Amanda Bynes out my class Tues Night! Wishing her a healthy recovery for what she is going thru”, tweeted Maurice Rabsatt of the Hollywood Equinox.

And now, according to reports, her lawyer, publicist and agent have dropped her. But other sources claim that she “still has her publicist in New York, she just hasn't had any upcoming projects. She wasn't dropped. Amanda fired [lawyer] Dave Feldman two months ago. He wants to take her back on as a client because he's genuinely concerned for her.”

Bynes stated earlier this week, “I am doing amazing... I am retired as an actor. I am moving to New York to launch my career. I am going to do a fashion line. I am not talking about being arrested for DUI because I don't drink, and I don't drink and drive. It is all false."

She was due in court today and the judge specifically stated she needed to be there in person. Kinda thinking she needs a lawyer for that…

Another celebrity extremely familiar with public meltdowns and run-ins with the law is Lindsay Lohan, and as she is always whoring the spotlight for herself, tweeted “Why did I get put in jail and a Nickelodeon star has had NO punishment(s) so far?"

Whether or not Amanda has a drinking problem is unclear, but she clearly has a problem, is clearly in denial and hopefully will get help soon.

It gets even more controversial after the break!

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Pull Up Fails

I can tell you from experience that the shock of a pull-up bar giving way and the ensuing tumble to the floor is not fun. You're so discombobulated it takes you a minute to realize that the elbow you just landed on is beginning to swell and it hurts. A lot.

I didn't want to laugh at this video compilation (from The Huffington Post) of  Pull-Up Fails...

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Last Week in Unnecessary Censorship

This The Week in Unnecessary Censorship aired on Jimmy Kimmel Live last week (gasp!) but if you, like me, were too busy playing SongPop on Facebook to view it until now, I've placed it here, as a courtesy, for fans of sophomoric vulgarity.

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GreenTech Geek: South of the Border Sensibility

I found myself if Ensenada, Mexico this past weekend. I ran across this colorful set of recycling and trash bins along the city's waterfront promenade, which has come a long way and gotten a lot nicer since my last time in Ensenada several years ago. The bins seemed to be working, because I saw very little litter on the promenade. So thumbs up and felicidades to Ensenada for doing the right thing.

Wanna know what else I was doing this weekend south of the border, besides GreenTech Geeking out? Find out ... after the jump ...

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America's Next Top Model Cycle 19 Recap: College Edition!

ANTM Cycle 19 episodes 1 – 4 

by Dancer

My DVR didn’t miss a beat and remembered to record the show even while I was still suffering from major jet lag and ANTM was the last thing on my mind. In fact I wasn’t even sure I would want to watch the new season (cycle) at all.

Add Angela-gate along with the removal of the major staple judges / team the J’s and Nigel I started edging toward the fence. Then the chatter started after the new judges – college girls (yawn), use of the interwebs (as a supposed 4th judge), and Tyra hooking up with her young hot co-judge (go girl!).

I just wasn’t sure I wanted to commit to this show. Is this the shark jumping cycle?

Will the College Edition Favor a brainier sort of beauty?

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The Newsroom Recap: Season 1

We Love You, but Can YOU Handle the Truth?

By Lady Sharon
with guest contributor The Wicked Peacock

Aaron, Aaron, he's our man!
photo: source

The first Season of The Newsroom is complete. It’s been a roller coaster ride of empowerment, eccentricities, egos, and elitism. But as much Lady Sharon and guest contributor, The Wicked Peacock love all things Aaron, we must share an unabashed opinion on the first 10 episodes.

Aaron said it himself to Men’s Journal: “When someone's bullshitting you, they are usually telling you something you want to hear… Which is why, when you can find people who are honest with you, you should stay close to them.”

So from the bottom of our Sorkin-loving hearts, we won’t bullshit you. You done good, but you have some work to do.

Read on to see how Aaron and the show fared in Season 1 and what might be on deck for Season 2.

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X-Factor, Britney ... and Bullying

 ~ GreenTech Geek special post ~

Simon and Britney:  Looking good last night.

Those of you who read my Atta Girl post about Mitt Romney's bullying past know that I have a thing about bullying. I even collaborated with a San Diego producer to make a music video about it.

Well, I tuned into the X-Factor premier last night -- mostly because I have (inexplicably) sort of been missing Simon Cowell ... AND I really wanted to see how survivor Britney Spears has been holding up. Both Simon and Britney impressed and were enjoyable enough to watch.

But then, toward the end of last night's show, I was blown away. The program reached a level I never expected to see from reality TV. A young contestant named Jillian Jensen got up on stage and, together with judge Demi Lovato, educated the world about bullying in a truly unforgettable way.

See it, after the jump ...

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EarPods Unleashed During Mayhem of Apple Press Conference!

There should be a picture of an iPhone 5 here. Or maybe even the mind bending EarPods.  But I  went with this one because I felt like it.

The newest iPhone hath landed and I've been following all the brouhaha over on Engadget. Alongside announcing the iPhone 5, Apple also bragged about how effortlessly they separate you from your money, while throwing a bone to the broke. Far from finished, Apple outed the new, tiny iPod Nano, and the 5th generation iPod Touch. Other thrills included the newly redesigned iTunes, and some..ear buds which have been renamed EarPods, to reflect a pretentious attitude.

Marja has informed me that she is buying an iPhone 5 so she can submit photos to Hot Girls With iPhones.  Although I'm not terribly impressed thanks to the article detailing the differences between the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5 on Engadget.

You can see that chart (with a bit of my feedback) after the jump!

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7 of the Greatest Runway Fails

Try not to laugh....

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GreenTech Geek: Those Damn Canyons

The Mountain Bike of Redemption,
deep in Switzer Canyon.

I know they have their fans, but all those canyons that criss-cross San Diego's neighborhoods kind of drive me crazy. They make riding a bicycle around town, or to work and back, kind of a pain if you don't want to arrive where you're going all sweaty. And where they have bridges over them, the road usually narrows so much it becomes dangerous for bicycles.

I actually ventured deep into one a few weeks ago. I had just won a new mountain bike -- the "Mountain Bike of Redemption" -- and was excited enough to ride it on Mars. So, heading down 30th Street from South park to North Park, I veered off the road and descended into Switzer Canyon.

It was wild and overgrown with brush and too many stickers and scratchy branches (I was wearing shorts.)  There was no trail to speak of, so I rode cross-country ... or, rather, cross-brush. In some places it was so thick and overgrown, I thought for sure a raccoon, possum, or rattlesnake would scare the heck out of me.

I finally reached the end of the canyon and climbed out of it -- pushing my bike because the only decent exit I found was too steep to ride up. When I made it to the street above, I was feeling all smug and proud for doing Switzer Canyon without a scratch. Then I felt something warm dribbling down my leg. I looked down. My legs were scratched all to hell. And as if that weren't enough, my brand new mountain bike's front tire was completely flat. "Switzer Canyon, I curse thee," I thought.

Find out how my relationship with Switzer Canyon evolved ... after the jump.

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TWL Remembers 9/11

TWL Senior Editor CaliforniaKara is in Washington, DC, for a six month fellowship.

As the bus stops at The Pentagon this morning on my way to work across the river in DC, what I remember most about 9/11 is that, for a moment...

...We weren't Republicans or Democrats,

...Black or white,

...Muslim or Christian,

...Phillies or Yankee fans.

We were just Americans, and those little differences didn't make a difference.

I miss that.


Took this video on the way to work today. My bus was stopped on the freeway next to
the Pentagon for 20 minutes. President Obama's motorcade went by, heading to the 
Pentagon for the September 11th Memorial Ceremony.



NASA astronaut Frank Culbertson, the only American not on 
Earth on September 11, 2001, took video from the International
Space Station, which shows smoke billowing from space.

Gingerbreadmama Gossip Wrap: Nibbles about Michael Clarke Duncan, Amanda Bynes, JWoww, Bradley Cooper and the annoying Jessica Simpson Edition

The Bits

Keep your heart healthy folks
Photo: ecorazzi.com

• RIP, actor Michael Clarke Duncan. He died of natural causes at age 54, following a heart attack he had in July. He is survived by his mother Jean, sister Judith, and fiancé Reverend Omarosa Manigault.
• Actress Amanda Bynes was charged with two counts of hit-and-run for her previous automotive debacles. Her next court date is Sept. 27 and if convicted of both, faces up to a year in jail.
• Do you care? Reports state that Jenni "JWoww" Farley is engaged to Roger Mathews. Maybe she and Snooki can have a televised double wedding.
• Author Judy Blume posted that she is recovering after “undergoing a masectomy for breast cancer that was diagnosed in June”. She is 74.
• Chris O'Dowd (Bridesmaids) married British television personality Dawn Porter.
• Actor Bradley Cooper tells The Hollywood Reporter why he’s sober, “I don't drink or do drugs anymore. Being sober helps a great deal ... I remember looking at my life, my apartment, my dogs [when I was still using], and I thought, What's happening?”. He goes on to discuss his lowest point, "I was at a party and deliberately bashed my head on the concrete floor -- like, Hey, look how tough I am! And I came up, and blood dripped down. And then I did it again. I spent the night at St. Vincent's Hospital with a sock of ice, waiting for them to stitch me up.”
• Claire Danes and husband Hugh Dancy are expecting their first child next year. According to Danes, there are no plans to writer her pregnancy into her show, Homeland.
• Emily Robison and boyfriend Martin Strayer, welcomed a baby girl, Violet Isabel. This is the fourth child for Emily, who has three kids from her previous marriage.
• Kellie Pickler debuted a new hairstyle on Good Morning America – a shaved head. She shaved her hair off in support of her bestie Summer Holt Miller, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and is starting chemotherapy treatments.



I wonder if her friends refer to this as "Past Glory?"
Photo: credit

• Jessica Simpson is lamenting her baby weight. “I let myself indulge in everything I wanted because it was the first time I was ever pregnant, and I wanted to enjoy it, I didn't realize [the weight] didn't all come off with the baby.” Right, because nobody you know has ever been pregnant. She also claims, “My body is not bouncing back like a supermodel, I'm just your everyday woman who is trying to feel good and be healthy for her daughter, her fiancé and herself.” An everyday woman, whatever! She has a personal trainer and is a spokesperson for Weight Watchers. Simpson plan is to reveal her “post-baby body on Katie Couric's new show, Katie, airing Sept. 10.”

TV Bits, Movie news and openings plus a spiteful quote of the week after the jump!

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Dear Apple Led Lemming

I have a treat for all of you extremely annoying, insufferable Apple-bots that are anxiously waiting for the Apple press conference next Wednesday, September 12, where Apple will announce yet another update or slight tweak to one of their over-priced products that will make you feel behind the curve because you're still rocking the slightly tweaked and absurdly over-priced model you bought last year like the knuckle-headed lemming you are.  Marja sent me the following video, Sh*t Apple Fanatics Say, and it hits so many things that you've said that it will be like looking in a mirror for you.

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The Awards Witch: 2012 VMA Live Blog

all photos courtesy of MTV.com

Live From the Staples Center by The Awards Witch

Some dude named Kevin Hart is hosting this little shindig tonight, and while I admittedly don't know who the hell he is, he did promise that no celebrity is off limits. A man after my own heart. I want to believe him. I do. But so help me, if Robert Pattinson follows up on his threat to show up to introduce scenes from Twilight: Breaking Up, and he doesn't take the low road, I'm going to be damn pissed. This isn't the Oscars. It's not even the Golden Globes. It's MTV. They employed a man named "The Situation."

Make me believe, Kevin Hart.

In retrospect....

And away we go:

8:00 pm (ET): Rihanna wants me to be her sex slave. Huh? It should be noted this is the most clothing she has ever, ever been photographed in. I'll find a screen grab for you somewhere later. She looks like India Arie... while lip syncing like Britney, bitch.  Ohhhh. Yeah, she isn't lip syncing. Or using autotune. She may want to rethink this strategy.

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Family Feud: Worst Answers in Show History

The following Family Feud "worst answers of all time" compilation clip features people that either let their nerves get the best of them, or are simply imbeciles, or are prone to mischief, or are always horny, or some combination of the above.

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The Awards Witch: Summer's Over, Bitch.

Piss Off, Hiatus by The Awards Witch

What a long, strange summer it has been.

In case you hadn’t noticed, I skipped my July column. I thought it would be a little too mean-spirited
and tactless to rip the (mostly) crap that hit theaters directly on the tail of that worthless shit-for-brains asshole with an arsenal in Colorado acting like… well, a worthless shit-for-brains asshole with an arsenal.

So here it is the beginning of September, mini-Awards season upon us, and the whole summer to review. Rather than a 400 page dissertation, I have grouped the movies into categories for you, ranked in order of their chances for an Oscar Nomination and how little they pissed me off.

Shall we start at the top or the bottom? Eh, I’m in a good enough mood. Let’s start with the good ones.

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GreenTech Geek: Who you talking to Mitt?

Mitt accepts.

Obama hugs Ledbetter at his 2009 signing
of the Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act.

Last week, in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney told Americans that we have not gotten the change we hoped for, expected, or deserved from Barack Obama's promises when he was first elected President four years ago.

As I listened to Mitt, I kept asking myself, "Who was he talking to? Who was he talking about?"  And then all these other questions started coming to mind, like:

We be working.

Was he talking about the over 50% of Americans who are women, who now have a better shot at earning pay equal to men ... because Obama fought for and signed the Lilly Ledbetter Act?

Was Romney referring to the hundreds of thousands of Americans now holding jobs in the clean-tech and automobile industries ... because Obama pushed for both? 

See what other questions popped into my head ... after the jump.

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