My Big Fat Freakin' Life

Hollywood D'os & D'on'ts By Vincent D'Onofrio

2012-01-21T11:42:00.004-05:00

I "almost" didn't open this when I received it in my VDO Google Alerts because I "assumed" it was just a repeat of the articles/ videos I've been receiving the past week or so regarding "Don't Go In The Woods." But I did open it, and I'm so glad I did. Again, I'm sure this has been posted on all the favorite VDO sites, but I don't visit those places like I used to, so I'm posting here. That way, I can look at it whenever I want, and I think I might be wanting to look at this a LOT.

How funny! "Do not talk to me if you see me at Starbucks," is one of my favorites, although there were "several" other good ones. Yes, I do believe this video is worthy of many, many viewings. And it was so nice to see him doing something humorous and lighthearted for a change. He should do it more often. What a perfectly lovely surprise with which to begin my Saturday.

Get More: MTV Shows

P.S. After a little research, I guess this has been around for about a week. Oh, well. Better late than never; especially when VDO is concerned.

My Newest Guilty Pleasure...Justified

2012-01-18T18:13:00.006-05:00

Well, a girl has to have "something" to help while away the long, cold, dark, lonely hours of a Cincinnati winter night. So, I looked around and I found Raylan Givens. Actually, I found him at the end of Season 1, so I got caught up (thank you Netflix and the Internet) and I have to say that I do enjoy this man, I truly do. This tall, good lookin', long-legged, hat wearin', U.S. Marshal with a GREAT... BIG...gun.

Granted, he's no Bobby, but he'll do in a pinch.

Season 3 Promo

Producer Chats About Season 3

The Big Bang Theory Turns 100

2012-01-14T20:33:00.001-05:00

One hundred episodes, that is. If there is one thing I love more than Detective Robert Goren, it's TV shows that make me laugh, and TBBT more than foots the bill on that score. I have to admit that I didn't much care for it when it came on the air five years ago, but one of my co-workers kept talking it up, so I gave it another chance last year. I caught up with all the seasons via Netflix and now it is one of my absolutely "favorite" sitcoms...of all time.

As with LOCI, I have watched the episodes over and over and can quote dialog, etc. I just love these geeky, nerdy guys and the women in their lives; they make me fall down laughing. I don't agree... entirely...with the choices the "powers that be" at CBS chose for their TOP 10 moments, but three of mine are in there, including... and especially...Number 1. (They got that one right.)

Now, I truly do not expect anyone to watch the video or comment on it, but I wanted to put it here, so I could watch it whenever I choose to do so. So, to the cast I say, "Congratulations on 100 episodes, and...may the force be with you...for another 100."

P.S. It's too bad NBC or Universal didn't give us a TOP 10 favorite moments from LOCI or, if they did, I've never seen them. I'm certain, however, that all the "Bobby-lovers" out there have their TOP 10 (at least) Bobby moments. I know I do.

Vincent D'Onofrio On The Radio

2012-01-12T17:40:00.001-05:00

I'm sure this has been posted on every VDO blog out there, but I don't care. I want to have it here. And, yes, Vincent, you are a "genius" character actor.

Something To Make You Smile

2012-01-07T19:35:00.000-05:00

Well, it made me smile in any event and, I'm guessing, over 85 million people can't be wrong, so here is the talking dog video that went "viral" on YouTube. I just LOVE this dog; he's got such a "face."

Goodbye 2011...Hello 2012

2012-01-01T00:00:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again, to bid farewell to the old and look forward with giddy anticipation to the new. Or, as I have come to expect: new day, new year...same old crap. Hope your 2012 is everything you want it to be...and then some.

And to say goodbye to 2011, I give you "Uncle Jay" and his singing review of the "highlights" of 2011. Enjoy!

A Game Of Shadows

2011-12-31T13:13:00.000-05:00

So, yesterday I went back to the movies...this time to see the second installment of the Sherlock Holmes saga: "A Game of Shadows." I cannot say that I liked this BETTER than the first one, but I enjoyed it just as much. LOTS of action...some believable...some not so much, but I was thoroughly entertained. And, after all, that is why one goes to the theater, is it not?

We get to meet Sherlock's primary nemesis, Professor Moriarty, in this one. He was only "hinted" at in the first film, and Jared Harris portrayed a sublimely nefarious villain. And we get to meet Sherlock's brother, Mycroft, as well...wonderfully played by Stephen Fry. Although, why we had to be subjected to a lengthy view of Mycroft's naked bottom is a mystery to me. Not that I'm opposed to the occasional gratuitous naked bottom, you understand...it's just that there are others I'd rather see.

Just sayin.

War Horse

2011-12-29T16:47:00.001-05:00

I went to see "War Horse" today with my friend, Martha. Having read the book, I was looking forward to seeing how Spielberg translated it to film. He did a pretty good job of sticking with the basic plot points of the book; made a couple of changes...one significant.

Overall, I have to say that I really liked the movie. (I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars.) Beautiful scenery, epic battle scenes, magnificent horses... makes me wonder how many different ones they used to portray Joey and Topthorn.

Had a late lunch at Mitchell's Fish Market afterward. All in all, a pretty good day.

From My Home To Yours

2011-12-25T09:51:00.000-05:00

What I DO Want For Christmas

2011-12-19T21:51:00.001-05:00

This should not be a surprise to anyone; all I want for Christmas is:

Bobby...

Bobby...

and MORE Bobby!!

What I DON'T Want For Christmas

2011-12-18T13:15:00.002-05:00

I have been holding on to this video for several weeks now, and I still laugh and scratch my head in wonder every time I see it on TV. You know, I have worked with small businesses for more than twenty-five years, and I am all for American (assuming this was an American creation) ingenuity and all, but come on...a GIANT onesie for adults?

I don't think so.

A Friend Posted This On Her Facebook Page

2011-12-09T22:16:00.001-05:00

And I felt compelled to "share" it here. I have to admit, it took my eyes a few seconds to "adjust" and actually see the arm. By the way, that is precisely why I don't wear sleeveless garments.

Kind of makes you long for the good old days, doesn't it? You know, when one's every humiliation wasn't captured and posted across the Internet for all the world to see.

Some Christmas Fun

2011-12-06T19:27:00.001-05:00

I heard about this on "Good Morning America" before I left for work this morning, but did not have time to check it out until this evening. Here is a snippet from an article I found online: "British sailors returning from deployment showed their Christmas spirit in a video posted on YouTube where, with the help of Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas," the men and women aboard the HMS Ocean spread their holiday cheer with the world.

After 225 days away from their homes and loved ones, that was initially planned as a 7-week multi-national exercise at sea, the sailors aboard the HMS Ocean have released a Christmas DVD to celebrate their return to the United Kingdom. The DVD features the ship's crew singing the Mariah Carey holiday hit, "All I Want For Christmas Is You," released by the Grammy Award winning singer on her 1994 album "Merry Christmas."

Carey was so thrilled by the video, which has been seen on Good Morning America, that she tweeted a message to the Royal Navy that said: “This is the best thing I've ever seen, you guys just made my day! Happy Happy Christmas!!! x0x0 to the troops.”

I just watched it and it really brightened my evening. Good job, you!!! And welcome home.

The video was posted on YouTube by twosix.tv in case you want to check for it there.

Haven't Visited Uncle Jay In A While...

2011-12-05T17:50:00.000-05:00

...so I thought I would share this one I received via email today. Enjoy.

The Incredible Shrinking Woman

2011-12-03T11:15:00.000-05:00

No, not the Lily Tomlin, Charles Grodin movie from the early 80's. This version stars the one and only...me.

So, I went to my new doctor this week. Those of you who know me well, know that I have an acute "aversion" to doctors, but to the doctor I did go nonetheless. Basically, after my little "episode" in early October, I realized I needed to find a doctor I could trust and establish a rapport. So, I did, and I believe I have found a good one. My initial reaction anyway is, I like her a lot.

Here is what I learned from the visit: I have lost a total of (at least) 35 pounds since July 3rd, but perhaps the most perplexing discovery is that I have lost 2 1/2 inches in HEIGHT. (Not since July 3rd, mind you...not sure how long this has been going on.) I used to be 5' 4 1/2" and now I'm 5' 2". Now, when one is already short and fat, the very LAST thing one wants to do is...get SHORTER. Just sayin'.

The doctor also ran a series of blood tests, that involved drawing SEVEN...I counted them...vials of blood. Test results came in yesterday. No pre-diabetes, no anemia, thyroid is okay. In fact, everything looks good except my cholesterol, which is a little high, but she is going to give me three months to see if I can lower it a bit through my diet. She also took a gander at all the tests that were run at Jewish Hospital that memorable day, and they were all okie-dokie-fine as well.

So, the long and the short of it is, after - literally - thousands of dollars of tests, no one knows what caused my "episode." But at least I have the "peace of mind" of knowing that, for a woman of my advanced years and stature - overall - I am considered to be pretty healthy...a medical anomaly which I am sure positively BAFFLES the medical professionals when they get a look at me.

Of course, all this being said, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2011-11-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

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If I See This Commercial One More Time...

2011-11-23T15:15:00.001-05:00

...I shall be tempted to hurl something heavy at the TV. Target ran a series of these ads last year, featuring this extremely annoying lady, and they're back again this year...unfortunately. Actually, I saw the first one the day after Halloween. It's enough to make a grown woman scream and pull her hair out by the roots and yell obscenities at the television!

See what I mean? It's enough to make me rethink EVER shopping again at Target for the rest of my life.

The Same Day I Landed In The Hospital...

2011-10-24T18:15:00.001-04:00

...my niece, who lives near Columbus, had a bicycle accident on her way to work, and broke BOTH wrists and an elbow. Julie is a librarian, and likes to ride her bike to work when the weather is nice. That particular day, what I remember of it, was sunny and warm and, therefore, conducive for a nice, leisurely bike ride.

I guess the groundhog that ran out in front of her, thereby, causing her to wreck, was of the same inclination. You know, get out and enjoy the day and wreak a little havoc before beginning hibernation.

This is Julie when she was about two years old. These are, perhaps, my favorite pictures of her growing up. I am so grateful she posted them on her Facebook page.

Now that Julie is all "grown up," she prefers to be called "Julia," and the following photos were taken three days after the accident, then a week or so later (respectively). My sister-in-law, Marge, has been taking care of her. She said, especially in the beginning, it was like taking care of a baby all over again because she had to do "everything" for Julie.

Bless her heart.

Nine Out Of Ten Hospital Patients Prefer Law & Order: CI

2011-10-10T16:40:00.010-04:00

Well, that is what the lab tech - who was in my hospital room last Wednesday morning to draw blood - told me. I had the USA channel on, and "On Fire" was playing at the time. As she "sticks" me with the needle, she informed me that at least nine of the ten rooms she had been in that morning had the TV tuned to "that show." Now, I could have waxed on poetically for hours about the virtues of LOCI and, more specifically, one hunkified Detective Robert Goren, but the woman did have a job to do after all, so I did not detain her.

Now, what was I doing in the hospital, you may well ask. That little melodrama started to unfold in my office late Tuesday morning as I was sitting at my desk, working on a document for a meeting later in the week. I should warn you now that this is going to be a rather lengthy tale, so proceed at your own risk.

Anyway, I was working at my desk when, all of a sudden, and I mean it hit me like a ton of bricks, I felt extremely sleepy and found that I could not focus on the task at hand. I felt disoriented, not dizzy or anything like that, but I was enveloped with this overwhelming sense of need to sleep. I got up from my desk and walked around the office a bit, went to the restroom, got something cold to drink, hoping these activities might suffice to shake off this sudden bout of lethargy. It didn't.

Eventually, I decided to go out to my car...not to drive anywhere. I just wanted to sit back and close my eyes for a few minutes. No one saw me leave the office; everyone was either in a meeting or away from their desk as I passed by, so I couldn't tell anyone what was going on. So, I got in my car, reclined the seat a little, leaned back, and closed my eyes to relax for five or ten minutes...right?

Well, half an hour or so later, I was awakened by someone knocking on my window. It was Casey and Angie...two of my co-workers. They had been looking for me. Actually, they thought I had left for lunch, but Casey saw my car outside and came to investigate by herself. She had evidently tapped on the window, but when that failed to rouse me, she went in search of reinforcements; i.e., Angie. Again, their initial attempts to waken me failed, until Angie really pounded on the window, and that did the trick. I remember jerking awake and opening the door and hearing Angie remark that I hadn't even cracked the window open for ventilation. Obviously, I had not been thinking clearly.

For the next two or three hours, I would rally a bit and then grow lethargic again. They tell me that I would be talking to them, then simply fall asleep in mid-sentence. But even in my "haze," I was able to answer questions correctly and locate things...like my insurance card...in my purse for them. I was adamant that I didn't want them to call 9-1-1, but by this time, Mary (another co-worker) had become involved. She later told me that she had been sitting in the chair across from my desk, and had asked me point blank what I wanted to do. My answer: I wanted to go home, climb into my bed and "hug" my pillow. (I'm truly surprised - and thankful- that I didn't say I wanted to hug "Bobby" because - in my mind - when I'm hugging that pillow, I'm hugging Bobby.) LOL

Anyway, about this time, Angie confiscated my cell phone and called my brothers to alert them to the situation, and the decision was pretty much taken out of my hands at that point. Brother Tom told them to call EMS and let them evaluate me to determine if I needed to go to the emergency room. Brother Harold and sis-in-law, Patty, had just arrived at the Isle of Palms near Charleston, SC to begin their month long vacation at the beach and were ready to come back if needed.

I don't remember ever actually "seeing" the EMS personnel who took care of me, but I do recall assuring them that I could walk out on my own steam. Angie tells me that they had me down the hall and out the door lickity-split, which is amazing considering how I limp a bit because of my left knee, but I was feeling no pain. I was not able to climb up into the ambulance, however, so they strapped me onto a gurney and lifted me in. Poor fellas. I know they were not looking forward to hoisting the big, fat girl into the vehicle, but they did it...God bless 'em.

I don't know how long it took them to make their assessment, but I do remember the young man asking me to which hospital I wanted to be taken, and I told them Jewish Hospital. (That is where I had my gall bladder removed in 2007 and they treated me well, so that is where I wished to be taken this time, too.) Evidently, all the office folks had gone back inside the building with the understanding that one of the EMTs was going to let them know if they were going to take me to the hospital, but the next thing they knew, the emergency dudes had closed the ambulance doors and started driving up the street, with Marsha (administrative assistant) running after them to find out where they were taking me.

The next thing I remember was waking up in the emergency room. Of course, the first thing they did was get me dressed in that most fashionable of garments: the hospital gown. Over the course of the next two or three hours, they drew some blood, took my blood pressure (frequently), had me pee in a cup, fitted me with a heart monitor, took an EKG, and then I got to have my very first ever Cat Scan.

By this time, Mary (from the office) and my niece, Cheri, had arrived to be with me. Luckily, Mary was able to fill them in on some of the details that eluded me since pretty much all I could tell them was that I had been sleepy and disoriented. Then my friend, Ralph, showed up. He had just finished with a meeting in Columbus when he got the call from Tom, telling him what was going on with me, so instead of heading southeast to Ironton, he drove down I-71 to Cincinnati to check on me.

Eventually, a doctor dropped by to tell me the results of my blood work...which was okay...and the CT Scan...also okay. There was no bleeding in my brain, etc., nothing that indicated I had suffered a stroke, which - I assume - was their primary concern. By this time, I was pretty much back to "normal," and was anxious to go home, but a nurse showed up about that time and, in this accusatory tone, said, "You didn't tell us you were slurring your speech." To which I replied, "I didn't tell them that because I had no memory of slurring my speech."

The long and the short of that conversation was, they decided I needed an MRI and needed to admit me to the hospital. Oh, goodie.

Now, I don't like people to make a fuss over me and I positively hate being the center of attention, so about this time, I start telling everyone they should go home; there is no need to hang around. Don't get me wrong, I was fully appreciative of everyone's concern and the fact they had given up their time to sit with me in the emergency room, which in and of itself can be a tediously arduous ordeal. Anyway, Mary and Cheri left, but Ralph said he was going to stay until I got situated in my room. Evidently, Cheri called her dad (my brother, Harold) and told him I was okay because I was telling everyone to go home. (Ralph later told my bother, Tom, the exact same thing when he called him with an update when he was leaving the hospital.) Like I said, I don't want people fussing over me, and I don't want to be a bother or a burden to anyone.

So, after the hospital staff got me settled in my room, and Ralph was sufficiently reassured that I was not going to expire anytime soon and I shooed him toward home, one of the more positive things that happened during my brief hospital sojourn occurred next. They weighed me.

Now, usually, I avoid scales like the plague, but there was no getting out of it this time, so I begrudgingly stepped onto that horrid mechanism of measurement that has haunted me throughout my entire life. As far as I can remember, the last time I allowed myself to be weighed was when I had gall bladder surgery in February 2007. I know what I weighed then, and I am completely certain that I had tacked on quite a few pounds over the past four years. So, when I stepped onto the scale and it registered my current weight, I am pretty sure the aide was a little taken aback by my elated response; I smiled and told her, "I know that is bad, but it is so much better than the last time I was weighed." According to the scales, since I started the low-carb diet on July 3rd, I have lost "at least" twenty-five pounds. (I know what you're thinking, and, yes, I told the nurses who cared for me and the two doctors who saw me during my "incarceration" that I had been on a low-carb diet for three months - in the event the diet could have contributed to my "condition," - and nary a word was said about discontinuing my dieting regimen.)

My apologies; I realize this is turning into a veritable "tome," but a lot of stuff happened in a relatively short amount of time, and I want to get it "recorded" somewhere in case I ever need to refer back to it for some reason.

Next on the agenda that evening was the dreaded MRI. I have always said I would never be able to endure that test; i.e., being shoved inside a tube, completely at the mercy of a technician in another room for freedom should I panic. But I was determined to give it the old college try. So, a very nice orderly (do they still call them orderlies) wheeled me down to the MRI room. The technician, Robin, asked me what kind of music I liked, and I requested Josh Groban because he has the most soothing/relaxing voice...even if I don't understand what he is singing most of the time. Yes, if anyone could help get me through this forthcoming ordeal, it was most assuredly Josh.

I gave the machine a long, pensive look as I mentally prepared myself for the inevitable. The technician helped me get situated on the table/bed, put the headsets on, and gave me the "panic" button to push in the event I - you know - panicked. At this point, I was thinking I was going to be okay, and then the technician did something totally unexpected. She pulled a cage-like mask that they call a "halo," but what I irreverently dubbed a Hannibal Lecter mask, across my face and fastened it down. Once I heard that "click," that was all she wrote, and I "freaked-out" and told Robin I was not going to be able to do it.

So, back to my room they did take me, and the next morning - after the nurse had administered a shot of something to help me "relax," - we tried it again. This time, I was able to make it through the MRI...Hannibal Lecter mask and all. After I completed the MRI, they took me off for two more tests; i.e., an echocardiogram and a carotid artery ultrasound. After that, a nice, young orderly wheeled me back to my room and left me there to wait...and wait...and wait some more.

Sometime that afternoon, my nurse - Taryn - came in to check on me, and she happened to casually mention that they were going to start me on a cholesterol medication that night. Now, I have a younger friend who had a stroke recently and part of the regimen they started him on afterwards was a cholesterol medication. So, with that knowledge and from the nurse's comments, I "inferred" a couple of things. One, they planned to keep me another night, which seemed absurd to me because I felt GREAT! And, two, I must have had a mini-stroke...hence the new meds.

The problem was...no one had bothered to stop by my room and tell me anything. By this time, I was starting to grow a bit..."cranky." Harold called about this time to check on me, and I told him I was not giving them another drop of blood, or taking another pill, or submitting to another test until someone told me something. Later, when I said something to the nurse about going home, she asked me why I thought I was going to be released that day, and I told her because I was feeling fine and I had not seen a doctor yet that day to tell me otherwise. I mean, I was ready to check myself out...almost, but I did want to know the test results, so I continued to sit and simmer and...wait. Imagine that...having to wait for a doctor.

Around 4:00p.m., the doctor showed up...with the following news: the MRI was negative except for some inflammation around my sinus cavities - try living in Cincinnati and not have problems with your sinuses - (there was no indication of a stroke), the carotid artery test was negative (everything was clear there), they did not have the results back on the echocardiogram yet, but evidently the EKG was okay and I had been hooked up to a heart monitor for the duration, so the doctor left it that he would call me if a problem showed up on the echo. (So far, so good - no follow-up calls.) And, most importantly, I was free to go home.

I was back at work bright and early on Thursday morning, feeling fit as a fiddle.

Bottom line...after running thousands of dollars worth of tests...they were not able to determine what caused my little "episode" at work. Their best "guess" was that perhaps I have sleep apnea, and they suggested I might want to participate in a sleep study at some point in the near future. Yeah, right. I don't like strangers looking at me when I'm awake. Do you really think I'm going to let people observe me while I sleep, and "pay" for them to do it? I don't think so.

Ten Years Ago Today

2011-09-11T08:06:00.005-04:00

I am quite certain that most everyone knows what today is without finding a reminder of it here on my insignificant little blog, so I am not going to "dwell" on the fact that this is the ten year anniversary of another date in American and World History that will, in fact, live in infamy. Three years ago, I posted a rather lengthy narrative about my thoughts on 9-11 entitled We Will Never Forget (which you may read by clicking on the link, if you are thus inclined), so I am not going to repeat those thoughts today.

For the past week or more, a host of TV channels have been running myriad reminders of that awful, awful day...to the point that I have grown an almost unnatural aversion to any mention of today's anniversary. That is not to say that I have turned a cold heart toward remembrances of the events of that day; it's rather more like sensory overload. I don't need visual reminders of the planes flying into the World Trade Center, or watch those towering structures tumble to the ground like so much kindling, or see people jump/fall to their deaths...I see those images whenever I close my eyes and think upon that day.

But there is another poignant image that comes to my mind whenever I remember September 11, 2001, one that I did not mention in my post of three years ago, but one that I have never forgotten...nor am I likely to. During the days immediately following the attacks, like most people, I found myself glued to the television, watching... devouring...every tidbit of "breaking" news surrounding the events of that day. As one of the news shows was signing off for the evening; either NBC or ABC, they played the following video of Americans Outside Buckingham Palace...

This video was uploaded to YouTube by Mikehooperz, and he posted the following narrative: "The day after 9/11. Stranded Americans congregate outside Buckingham Palace in London, England. They can't go home because a no-fly order is in operation. The Queen orders the Guards to play the Star Spangled Banner as a sign of the UK's sympathy for the USA. Even Prince Andrew can be seen stood to attention. An astonishing departure from tradition, Brits are also moved to tears when this clip is televised."

Well, make no mistake, Brits were not the only ones who were moved to tears by this clip. I recall quite clearly my reaction when I first watched this profoundly moving and touching gesture, and again yesterday when I tracked down this video to include with this post...uncontrollable weeping and sobbing. I don't know, I suppose it was in some small way comforting to know that a country "steeped in tradition" and known for keeping a "stiff upper lip" could break with convention for a few moments in deference to their "chums" across the pond, who were suffering the effects of a hellish maelstrom that would forever change them...and the world.

Good job, you!!

Bobby Turns 50 Today

2011-08-20T09:38:00.000-04:00

I did not forget our intrepid detective's birthday is today, Scout's honor. I just have become the laziest person EVER when it comes to blogging these days. Anyway, I could not let the day go by without paying "homage" to the man (yes, I know full well that Bobby is a "fictional" character) who has meant so much to so many of us for the past 10 years.

I apologize ahead of time for the lack of new material utilized in the greeting card below; I have not screen capped many (if any) photos from Season 10. Mainly because my screen capping software has developed an aversion to capturing shots from downloaded video material, and partly because the passion has waned a bit. Not my "passion" for Bobby, I assure you...just the tedium of the overall capping process itself.

I likewise need to apologize for the fact that many of the photos are not "technically" of Detective Goren, but I like them, so I used them. And I do believe I need to give "credit" t0 Ruby for the next to last photo in the album; she saw VDO in Utah earlier this spring/summer, and this was posted -- pretty much -- everywhere. If Ruby happens to see this and wishes me to remove it, I shall gladly do so. Meanwhile, enjoy my small tribute to Bobby. I wonder what case he and Eames are solving now.

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Success...FINALLY!!

2011-08-09T20:22:00.007-04:00

I mentioned, a couple of posts back, that I had started the Atkins Diet a few weeks ago...July 3rd to be precise. Now, I have battled a serious weight problem "most" of my life. I have tried - virtually - every diet known to man...and then some...with varying degrees of success and/or failure - the ultimate result being...I eventually packed all the lost pounds back on...and then some. I'm not going to bore everyone with the details now. Suffice to say, I have "food" issues, okay?

Anyway, the only reason I decided to try dieting "one last time" is because of my knees...I've simply got to get some weight off of my knees. Then there are other potential health issues that are no doubt "looming" in the background, waiting to attack. The way I see it, I'm about one bacon-cheeseburger away from a heart attack or stroke, or one giant chocolate chip cookie away from testing positive for Diabetes; it runs in my family. But the main reason is my knees. I read somewhere that every pound a person loses translates into four pounds of pressure/stress off of the joints. I could get on board with that. Besides, it's just me...I'm all I've got here in Cincinnati, and I have to be able to take care of myself, and that is getting harder to do the older I get.

Anyway, I've been on this diet for five weeks now. I did not weigh myself before I started because...well, I don't own scales; I find them depressing. If I had scales, I would be weighing myself everyday...if not two or three times a day...and then be disappointed when I didn't drop a bunch of pounds overnight. (Not realistic, I know, but like I said, I've done this diet-thing once or twice now.) Then I would get discouraged, and it would be right back to the bacon cheeseburger and giant chocolate chip cookie. I decided to let my clothes be my gauge, or - better yet - when someone noticed I had dropped a few pounds and made a comment about it, then I would know.

I suppose I should mention that I told no one that I was starting a diet. I guess after years of trying and losing and gaining, and trying and losing and gaining some more influenced my decision. Of course, a couple of people have found out...mainly because they noticed I'm not pigging out on the leftover Danish and donuts in the break room, or that I'm ordering differently when we go out to lunch together. Like I said, if someone happens to notice I've dropped a few pounds and mentions it...that will be my reward.

So, here we are...five weeks later. I know I've lost weight; I can "feel" it. My clothes fit loser, parts of me don't "jiggle" quite as much as they did before. My knees still hurt, but I have noticed a slight improvement, and I am walking "better." But no one has said a word...no one has noticed...until today.

This afternoon, due to a minor mishap in the shower yesterday morning; i.e., I bent over to pick up the wash cloth I had dropped and threw out my lower back...AGAIN...for the upteenth time in the past 35 years, I had to schedule a trip to the chiropractor. Now, my chiropractor also happens to be my landlord who I have rented from since moving to Cincinnati 14 years ago. I had not seen her since May, so I figured this would be the "test" to see if I really am losing weight, or if it is merely wishful thinking on my part.

So, I am lying prostrate on one of the adjustment tables and Joyce lifts my sweater and adjusts the waistband on my jeans to "get at" the afflicted area. We're chitchatting amicably about this and that when all of a sudden, she says, "Have you lost weight? Because you sure look like you have." I tell ya, I could have kissed her, I was so overjoyed.

And the best part is, she commented on my weight loss "after" getting a good look at my big ol' butt, which - evidently - isn't quite as big as it used to be.

HAL-LE-LU-JAH!!

I can stop obsessing about that "first" comment and get back to focusing on losing more weight. Now, if I could only figure out a way to make the "food dreams" go away; I have one almost every night. And I have an uneasy feeling that all the food I "eat" in the midst of those ravenous dreams has an evil way of winding up as extra pounds on my thighs.

An Insulting Sort Of Week

2011-08-03T18:30:00.002-04:00

In the space of less than a week, I have been called "unfortunate" and "not pretty," and aspersions have been cast on the rural section of Ohio from which I hail. Ah, a proverbial insult "trifecta."

Here is how it came about.

A week ago Saturday, I was returning from a trip to a local farmer's market when my downstairs neighbor, Julius, met me as I was falteringly making my way up the front steps. (I have crotchety knees and a cranky lower back, making it a "struggle" for me to walk in the "normal" way...and it shows.) Anyway, Julius offered to carry my parcel up to my apartment for me, commenting that he knows how "unfortunate" I am.

Now, Julius is from Hungary originally, so his English - while quite good -- still leaves a bit to be desired. In fact, when he speaks, his "accent" reminds me of Wolfgang Puck. So, to my way of thinking, perhaps...unfortunate...was not the precise word for which he was searching, but that is the word he latched onto and thus I am labeled...unfortunate.

Then a few days later, I am having a conversation with Mary at work. Mary is about six years older than I, and is very unhappy in her job. I'm okay with mine...for the most part. It's a job after all, and every now and then it has its moments. I know that Mary "feels" that the powers that be are trying to encourage her to retire. So, I told her that Dave (our boss) had asked me twice recently about my retirement plans. Keep in mind that Dave is three or four years older than I am and says he doesn't plan to retire until he's 70, so why he's hot to know my plans I'd like to know.

So, I said to Mary, "I wonder why Dave doesn't pester Andy or Chris about their retirement plans?" And she said testily, "It's because we're women, and we're NOT PRETTY." She said some other stuff after that, but -- truth be told -- the remainder of her discourse fell on rather deaf ears. I mean, I am the very first one to say that I think I'm ugly, but to have it flung full force in my face by someone else...well, I have to admit...it "stung" just a little.

And finally, last Thursday before our quarterly Board meeting, one of the members I have known since my previous job walked up to say good morning. Then he asked me how many years it had been since I came to work in Cincinnati, and I replied that I was in my 14th year. He made some offhand comment in response to that and then asked, "Now, what county were you from?" "Lawrence," I answered. "And the county seat?" he continued. "Ironton," I said, and awaited the response I knew this would bring. Unfortunately, he did not disappoint me. He sort of half-snickered and half-laughed and said, "No wonder you moved here."

"Pompous ass," is what I wanted to say, but I just smiled to myself and thought it instead. Trust me, it is not the first time I have run up against this "city-superior" attitude. Many times I have been forced to bite back the ugliest things that pop into my head when confronted with these imbecilic comments. When I finally realized a few years back that the biggest mistake I EVER made in my life was moving to this hateful, despicable, God-forsaken town I pretty much stopped giving a rat's ass about what other's thought of my humble, country background. But I digress.

So there you have it. Three people, whose opinions don't truly hold much water with me, think me to be a wretched, ugly, country-bumpkin. Well, you know what...screw them.

Those Pesky Dreams

2011-07-24T18:54:00.008-04:00

Last night I dreamed I was back at work for my former boss, who I "affectionately" refer to as that supremely evil, she-devil bitch! I have never fully recounted the terms on which we parted ways back in September 1997. One day, I shall. Until then, suffice to say, it was not an "amicable" separation.

Another fact I suppose I should share, since it does factor into the dream, is that I have been on the Atkins Diet for three weeks now. Three weeks without a slice of bread, a bite of potato, pasta, or rice, and not so much as a "taste" of sugar; i.e., no cookies, cake, ice cream, or pie. Actually, it hasn't been that bad. I have had no serious cravings, do not feel deprived, and do believe I have lost a few pounds. The thing is, I have to plan my meals and do some "actual" cooking. Oh, well. Life is full of trade offs.

Back to the dream. I was sitting at my desk in my former office when the she-devil bitch walks in and plumps down a plate containing a "huge" slice of cake. (I cannot be sure, but I believe it was Italian Cream Cake...one of my favorites.) So, here in a single dream I am faced with two of the "scourges" of my life...my former boss and FOOD!

Hmm? For once, a no-brainer; I don't need Freud to interpret this one.

This Just About Says It All

2011-07-22T20:34:00.003-04:00

Stay cool everybody!!

Congress Skips 4th Of July...Recess

2011-07-05T19:50:00.002-04:00

Sounds self-sacrificing...at first blush. Good ole' Uncle Jay puts it "all" in perspective.

Introducing...Ethan David

2011-06-29T18:34:00.008-04:00

This little guy is the newest addition to the Walden "clan." Yes, he is adorable; especially the bottom picture where he looks so darned "surprised" to be here. I just wish it were a kinder, gentler world that had welcomed him into the fold. Sigh. One can only hope...

Ethan is the great-grandson of my oldest brother, or would have been had Leland not passed away in 1998. This is the post I did about that. (I just re-read it and got all teary-eyed emotional.) How he would have "LOVED" to be around to see this child born.

As for me...well, I'm happy enough, I suppose. The fact that Ethan is my great, "great" nephew does somehow cast a pall on the occasion, however. I tell ya, this growing old thing is for the birds.

So, welcome, Baby Ethan. Give 'em hell...before they give it to you!!

LOCI Reshoot

2011-06-22T19:17:00.007-04:00

Once again, these simply delightful photos may be found...pretty much everywhere. But I like to keep them here, too. I thought it was cute to see Kathryn Erbe with the water bottle for a change; I know how we all "freak out" when VDO or "Bobby" takes a sip from a bottle or walks or sits or stands or...you know...just breathes. He sure does look like he is about to enjoy that sandwich though. Nice pics. Oh, and I found them at caughtonset.com.

And on a completely different note:

Dearest Vincent:

I was sorely disappointed to learn that you are...alas and alack...a Yankees fan. I had always pictured Bobby (and, therefore, you by association, I suppose) as a Mets fan, but then I'm a "National League" girl...born and raised...and that is where my loyalties have always been and shall forever remain. As luck, fate, the "stupid" MLB would dictate, however, your "Bronx Bombers" are presently visiting my fair city and kicking the collective butts of my own fumbling, bumbling Reds. (Interleague Play. NOT a fan.) In short, I'm tired of your "boys of summer" beating up on my "boys of summer," so please, PLEASE, dear Vincent, tell your guys to take their "balls" and go home.

Sincerely,

BobbyG

What can I say? When one is a diehard fan of the Cincinnati Reds, one gets used to being disappointed. As my brother and I are wont to say, "They'll break your heart every time."

Bowling Anyone?

2011-06-20T17:42:00.006-04:00

A friend of mine sent me this underwater bowling game in an electronic greeting card from American Greetings. A couple of warnings: 1) it is addictive and, 2) I find the music to be very annoying, so you may want to mute it. My highest score...so far...is 245. I'm sure there are some intrepid bowlers out there who can beat that with their eyes closed, although that will make it exceedingly difficult to hit the moving clam shell. So, click on this "bowling game" link and have some fun.

A Quote From "The Help"

2011-06-19T13:18:00.013-04:00

I broke down and bought a "Kindle" back at the end of April. I say, "broke down" because I have always considered myself to be "old school" where books are concerned. Meaning? Well, I want to hold that book in my hand...hardcover, paperback -- whatever the case may be, and "feel" that page between my fingers when I turn it.

The problem is, my eyes -- like the rest of me -- are old and tired and worn out, and they don't "read" so well anymore, so I thought, "what the heck." I'm an electronic gizmo junkie anyway, and most of my friends were surprised I didn't have one already. So, I bit the bullet, bought the Kindle, and I'm so glad I did.

I read...maybe...two books in all of 2010, and I've already read six books since the first of May, including "Treasure Island," a novel I had never read...never really had an interest in reading, sad to say. But I have discovered that a great many of the classics; i.e., Dickens, Austen, Dumas, Bronte, etc., are available for download at no cost, so my Kindle is "fully" stocked with a rather eclectic reading list...and all at my fingertips. I'm loving it!

Now, back to the reason that prompted this post. I just started reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett; I became interested in it when I saw the trailer for the movie last week. In case you are not familiar with the book, it is about a young white woman in early 1960s Mississippi who becomes interested in the circumstances of several black ladies' maids, and she relates their stories of mistreatment and abuse and heartbreak endured while working in the homes of their white employers. The movie looks interesting, and I recognized Viola Davis (remember her from "Badge?") so off to Amazon.com I did go, and "bippity boppity boo" I downloaded it to my Kindle. It's like magic.

After all that roundaboutation -- sorry -- here is the quote from Aibileen, played by Viola Davis, that caught my eye and made me laugh. Aibileen is in the kitchen of her employer, Miss Leefolt, on her hands and knees cleaning the oven, trying to avoid a conversation with said Miss Leefolt. In fact, in her zeal to elude her proprietress, she relates through narration that, "Pretty soon my head's so far in that oven I look like I'm trying to gas myself." Aibileen remains on her hands and knees and continues to describe what it's like cleaning that oven, and eventually says, "Got to be the worst place in the world, inside an oven. You in here, you either cleaning or you getting cooked."

I am only a few pages into the book, but I know without a doubt that it will be a quick, enjoyable, and interesting read. And, while I likewise know that this story will be about so very much more than black maids cleaning ovens and washing dishes and picking up after “white folks,” I find myself inclined to agree with Aibileen; there are few things I detest more than cleaning a greasy, grimy, dirty oven.

Found the photo from "The Help" on Google...they're everywhere.

My Cousin, The Nefarious Black Widow...Dies

2011-06-16T17:26:00.007-04:00

Almost three years ago to the day, I did a blog post about a cousin of mine who had just been arrested for "allegedly" disposing of -- over a period of some 56 years -- a total of five husbands. Over the next several months, Cousin Betty was investigated and interrogated and was ultimately released when the authorities could not find enough evidence to move forward with four of the purported murders.

Eventually, she was indicted for the murder of Harold Gentry...the man I mentioned in my earlier post...the one I had met. She remained in jail for quite a while as I recall, but eventually her lawyer was able to get her out on bail, and she was -- evidently -- living with one of her daughters in Louisiana, awaiting a trial date, when she passed away earlier this week. If anyone is interested, this is one of the news articles I received in a Google Alert announcing her demise.

In my original post, I commented on the fact that I had a LOCI episode unfolding in my very own family, and I hoped that Bobby would be the one to find her out and wrangle the truth from her. Well, in true Dick Wolf "ripped from the headlines" fashion, the story was told, but on the SVU franchise, not LOCI. Oh, well...it's not the first time I've been disappointed in my life and certainly was not the last.

Most L & O "ripped" storylines started out with the basic premise of the true-life story, but then morphed into something else entirely along the way. (At least, that is how I remember them.) Anyway, the episode that showcased Cousin Betty's shady past was called "Ballerina" and starred Carol Burnett in a rare dramatic role. In this instance, the show began with an unrelated story, and turned into the "Black Widow." It is the only episode of SVU I have ever purchased...for obvious reasons...and the last one I ever watched.

So, this post concludes the sad but true tale of my Cousin Betty, the suspected "Black Widow." Dead at the ripe old age of 79, accused of committing numerous, horrendous crimes and ruining countless lives of the loved ones left behind. Did she do it? I guess we'll never know for sure; the truth died with her. One thing is for certain...she had some "splaining to do" when she reached the "other side."

Here is one final look at the old girl's mug shot.

What's Underneath The Anger?

2011-06-14T18:01:00.005-04:00

"More anger!"
I hear ya, Bobby. Now take all that anger, add a cup of bitterness and a double scoop of resentment...and we'll talk.

Law & Order: Regency Unit

2011-06-06T17:46:00.019-04:00

I got this today in a Google Alert and thought I would share. I found this particularly interesting because I have recently rediscovered my love for "Regency" romance novels -- the likes written by Georgette Heyer and Joan Smith, to name a couple of my favorites.

Regency Unit
by Lynn Shepherd

Vincent D’Onofrio as Detective Robert Goren in Law & Order: Criminal Intent

-OR- was Detective Robert Goren a thief-taker in a previous life?

"I’ve been a fan of good TV crime drama for decades – whether the classic, English Inspector Morse, the brutally realistic Law & Order franchise, or the sassy-scientific CSI stable. What I didn’t realize until very recently, is that, whether I knew it or not, I was actually doing some extremely effective research for my much more recent career as a writer of murder mysteries. This probably won’t strike you as that odd—not, at least—until I tell you that my first book was set in 1811, at a time when England didn’t even have a basic police force, never mind specialist detectives or a murder squad. All my victim’s family could turn to was a hired ‘thief taker’—a professional bounty hunter who would undertake to track down the killer for a hefty fee. So what use could my encyclopaedic knowledge of Grissom, Benson, Briscoe; et. al., possibly be in those circumstances?

It wasn’t until I was a good way into my book – suspects nicely lined up, meaty motives assigned, corpse duly delivered – when I realized that my thief-taker’s investigation was starting to look eerily familiar. So here, with the benefit of hindsight, are three key things I learned from the TV cops…

‘When did you last see this woman?’: The power of the picture
Vincent D’Onofrio as Detective Robert Goren with a Suspect

England didn’t get a police force until 1829, but after 1748, London did have a semi-professional detective team. Known as the ‘Bow Street Runners’, and working out of the magistrates’ court on that same road, many of them were ex-thief-takers themselves, and gradually developed a number of detection techniques that sound surprisingly familiar. Like tracking criminals by their vehicle registration plates, or setting up ID parades.

One thing they couldn’t use, of course, were crime scene photos or mug-shots, like the ones you see the likes of Goren and Eames showing to their prime suspect, because there was no way of capturing images like that at the time. Or was there? In fact, Charles Maddox, my master thief-taker, goes to as much trouble as Robert Goren ever did to engineer the circumstances in which one of his principal suspects comes face to face with a likeness of his supposed victim. The conversation starts affably enough over a fire and a glass of good wine, and for a while it seems more like a conversation than a cross-examination. And if that’s sounding familiar, so it should, for just as in Criminal Intent, this nineteenth century suspect is all too easily lulled into a false sense of security, and it’s only then that he’s suddenly confronted with a portrait of the dead woman—a portrait he never even knew existed: “it was the very state of mind that Maddox had hoped to induce, and too fair an opportunity for a man of his stamp to decline...”

Cat and mouse: Playing the interrogation game
John Thaw as Inspector Morse with Kevin Whately as Sergeant Lewis

It’s Morse, based upon the novels of Colin Dexter, who comes to the fore for me here. I don’t go in for the ‘good cop, bad cop’ style of two-hander so beloved of most modern police procedurals, but I’ve obviously been influenced by the intellectual cut and thrust played out in a typical Morse interrogation. Maddox interviews everyone from the lady of the mansion to the under-servants, and just like Morse, he adapts his style to every tiny social nuance, and ruthlessly exploits weakness under cover of courtesy. And like Morse, Maddox relies as much on intelligence and intuition as he does on the physical evidence: as Morse himself might have said, “logic and observation, Miss Bertram, logic and observation. They are, you might say, the tools of my trade.”

Up close and personal: The postmortem
Tom Ward as Dr. Harry Cunningham, Emilia Fox as Dr. Nikki Alexander, and William Gaminara as Professor Leo Dalton in Silent Witness

After the killing, the victim’s brutalized body is brought back to the house, and Mary Crawford, the central female character, takes on herself the gruesome task of laying out the corpse for burial. Having seen dozens of episodes of CSI and its UK equivalent Silent Witness, I found the scene unfolding before my eyes in almost exactly that format, as Mary carefully removes the clothing from the body, notes the color and texture of the skin, and sees the exact nature of the injuries inflicted. So vivid are these images, in fact, that she’s later able to give Maddox the precise detail he needs to reconstruct the exact nature of the attack – the number of wounds, the type of weapon, and the fact that while the body was found lying on its back, there must – crucially - have been another, earlier blow that brought her down forwards onto her knees.

Mary plays the scientist here, to Maddox’s investigator, but as the plot unfolds they collaborate on a much more equal footing, and it’s only by working together that the crime is finally solved. So much so, in fact, that you might almost say they become – however briefly - the Benson and Stabler of the English Regency…"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well, except for the very "obvious" mistake of preferring Benson and Stabler to Goren and Eames, I thought the article was pretty much "up to snuff." What say you?

A Nice Way To Start The Day

2011-06-04T07:38:00.005-04:00

This is probably everywhere, but -- so what? I liked it, I want to keep it where I can find it easily. It's a very good and selfless thing VDO is doing, bringing awareness to a problem most people have...until his involvement...most likely never heard of. Good job, Vincent D'Onofrio!

Now, I'm off to do a bit of research on the new movie he mentioned. I doubt if I will see it; I don't much care for his "evil" roles, but I want to be "informed" before I decide completely.

Of course, I have no idea how long this link will stay "active" either, so I have downloaded the vid to my computer for safe keeping, too. For just as in law enforcement, when it pertains to VDO, a girl always needs back-up.

Quote Of The Day

2011-05-27T00:30:00.002-04:00

"Whatever you give a woman, she will make it greater. If you give her sperm, she will give you a baby. If you give her a house, she will give you a home. If you give her groceries, she will give you a meal, and if you give her a smile, she will give you her heart.

Yes, a woman multiplies and enlarges that which is given to her. So, it only stands to reason that, if you give her any "crap," you should be prepared to receive a ton of s-h-i-t."

Should I Be At All Concerned...

2011-05-07T19:14:00.003-04:00

...that there is a wireless network in close proximity to my apartment that the owner has chosen to name "KillAllHumans?"

Just askin'.

The Consoler - Sneak Peak Preview

2011-05-06T22:27:00.006-04:00

Nothing to say; just looking forward to the next installment of Season 10, and learning how Bobby and Eames found their way back to Major Case.

This Appealed To My "Warped" Sense Of Humor

2011-05-05T17:39:00.007-04:00

One of the guys I work with, who is in his mid-60's, received the following post card at home the other day. (Gee, and I was offended when AARP started sending me literature when I hit 50.)

Actually, I found this to be both humorous and a pretty neat marketing idea. I'm sure others will disagree, and that's okay. I believe my colleague agreed, albeit he did find the choice of meeting places a bit "odd."

For me, I think pre-planning one's funeral is the way to go. I'm getting ready to do it. I have very "specific" things I want and "don't" want when I go "toes-up" and the only way to ensure my wishes are followed is to put it in writing. I've told my brothers...no fuss, no muss. Just put me in the ground beside Mom & Dad and go on with your lives.

I don't want a funeral. The thought of people parading by...looking at me...gives me the willies. I have told my family and friends if they do that to me, I will come back and haunt them...each and every one. And I will, too.

A Little Late...

2011-05-03T19:31:00.003-04:00

...but it took me forever to realize I was using the wrong media catcher. I had upgraded a while ago, but forgot about it. (What can I say...crap happens when you get old.) The old version kept crashing in mid-interview, causing me all kinds of stress and frustration and general unhappiness, but I finally got it.

"You Respect My Face...And Don't Get In It"

2011-05-02T21:41:00.009-04:00

Sounds simple enough...right?

Crappy, bothersome, "get in the way," commercial messages; they're everywhere!

It's Sneak Peak Time...For Risepetto

2011-04-23T09:10:00.004-04:00

And there are four of them. Bet I can guess which one everyone likes BEST!

And after watching these, I am left with a glimmer of hope that Goren & Eames are truly back. I saw a glimpse of the "old" Bobby, and that made me smile. (Thank you Spoiler TV.)

Hope...Springs Eternal?

2011-04-22T17:40:00.005-04:00

Another article. This one by Matt Webb Mitovich for TV/Line.

Dick Wolf Hopes For Criminal Intent Reprieve, Says D'Onofrio & Erbe Have Never Been Better

Dick Wolf must be feeling a bit of deja vu this spring. Just as a year ago he was lobbying for NBC to pick up the original Law & Order for a 21st season (allowing it to set a record as TV’s longest-running drama series), the L&Overlord is now hoping that Criminal Intent‘s imminent 10th season won’t be — as announced by USA Network — its last.

“Being the unbridled optimist that I am, I still have hope that this is a ‘victory lap’ and not a ‘swan song,’” Wolf said during a Thursday conference call. “Based on the work so far, I think the audience is going to be very happy, relieved, and welcoming… and hopefully enough fans will come out so the powers-that-be reconsider their decision.”

Weighing in Criminal Intent‘s favor, of course, is the much anticipated return of two original series leads, Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe (as Detectives Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames) — not that Wolf ever wanted them long gone in the first place.

“It was never a decision to have them disappear into the wilderness,” Wolf says of the duo’s single-season extraction, during which Jeff Goldblum rode solo as Detective Zach Nichols. Looking forward, Wolf says, “I don’t think Vincent and Katie have been any better ever in the series. [Criminal Intent] is back to the power of the first two seasons.”

Criminal Intent Lines Up Guest Stars for Final Season

Of course, there is the none-too-small matter of getting Goren back onto the Major Cases Squad, fired as he was for insubordination at the start of Season 9. That segue is orchestrated by a new captain, Joseph Hannah (played by Jay O. Sanders), whom Goren knows from the police academy.

There’s also a bit of head-shrinking involved in Goren’s comeback. As Wolf explains, “In getting him back in the good graces of the police department, part of the agreement was for him to go back into psychological counseling.” As such, there will be one scene per episode where Goren meets with a therapist played by Julia Ormond (CSI: NY).

Those scenes, Wolf says, “will answer some questions that have been hanging since the first season, and over the course of [Season 10's] eight episodes you’re going to see something about the redemptive power of psychotherapy. This is an attempt to move [Goren] back to the psychologically complete detective that he was in the first season of the show.”

Whether this run of episodes kicking off Sunday, May 1, at 8/7c, is a “swan song” or “victory lap,” Wolf says, “This has been a great experience…. There is a real power in seeing this show come back at full-octane, with stories that are really interesting.”

The Thing I Liked Most About This Article...

2011-04-21T17:59:00.006-04:00

...is that I could hear VDO's voice in my head the whole time, so it was "almost" like he was reading it to me.

Actor Vincent D'Onofrio is seen outside the set of his television show "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, NY. (Jennifer S. Altman, For The Times / April 24, 2011)

By Irene Lacher, Special to the Los Angeles Times
April 24, 2011

After a year and a half absence, Vincent D'Onofrio, 51, returns to "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" as the brilliant but troubled detective Robert Goren for the show's 10th season, which debuts May 1 on the USA Network.

I like your character, Det. Goren, but he seems to get a mixed reaction. I think some people don't get him.

It's always been like that. I think that's OK. It's not for everybody, especially the way I play him is not to everybody's taste. People, I think, unless they allow themselves to take the leap of faith, they don't like the intelligence, the ridiculous amount of knowledge he has. It doesn't make it easy in a 40-minute show to solve a crime [persuasively] in the first place, but then to have a guy who's as clever as Goren solve it, it kind of makes it even harder to get away with. It's a battle for people to like that show, I think. On the other hand, the people who do take the leap love it. I say that not out of arrogance. Believe me, every time I go to the corner to get milk for the kids, I hear it.

Goren is seeing a shrink this season, right?

Maybe. We haven't shot any of that yet. But the word is that yeah, Goren is seeing a shrink.

Why did you leave the series and why are you back?

I needed to stretch a bit and spend time with my kids and family and my wife. I wrote with a couple of friends of mine and directed a film that's going to be distributed next winter. It's called "Don't Go in the Woods," a pretty crazy movie; it's a slasher musical. I wanted to do things like that, and during the last year and a half, I developed three films. That one was made. We're going to make an announcement about the second one that me and my friends wrote that we're producing.

Tell me about the slasher musical.

Me and two friends — Joe Vinciguerra and Sam Bisbee, who's a musician — I had this idea about a bunch of kids who go into the woods, and they all sing and they all die. It's modeled after a B slasher film, but it's a musical with beautiful music. I cast it off the streets of New York with all unknown actors. The movie cost $100,000, and we shot it in 12 days.

How did you happen to come back?

[Series creator] Dick [Wolf] called me. Dick has been a great supporter of mine since the show began. When I was getting tired, he helped me out then. I don't know why he does it, because he's an amazing businessman, and usually amazing businessmen don't care about what their actors are thinking. But in my case with Dick, it's exactly the opposite. And he has always tried to accommodate me in whatever way he could without of course being ridiculous. I don't want to say anything about the show with Jeff [Goldblum], because I thought I was leaving the show for good and Jeff was going to be the perfect person to play that part. Why the show didn't work out, I have no idea.

How was making the show so intense in 2004 that you ended up being hospitalized for nervous exhaustion, and why won't that be the case now?

It's very simple. We're not doing that amount of shows ever.

How many were you doing then?

Twenty-three. It wasn't just me, by the way. It was Kate [costar Kathryn Erbe] too. Both of us had kids, and we were working 10 months out of the year with maybe a couple of days off here and a couple of days off there. And at one point, I think it was on the second or third season, it was a brutal, brutal time. And I will never ever, no matter what kind of money they offer me, ever do that again.

That's why it's eight episodes?

Yeah, we're doing eight. And my wife told me that USA is really pushing the "last eight" thing, the final-season thing, which I think is really interesting. I know the television business pretty well now. I've been in it for 10 years, and I've never heard of a company saying something is over until it's really over. I always thought that people were in television for the money, companies. And why would they kill something if they could figure out how to make money off it? I think that from an actor's point of view, because I'm certainly not making an official announcement because I have no control over these things, I would say it's probably not done. I would say that "Criminal Intent" will be back in some form after these eight at some point.

From your mouth.... Speaking of God, the first episode of the new season deals with misdoings in the Catholic Church. You were an altar boy, weren't you? How did it feel to work on that episode?

I always found it a bit nerve-racking when we did things that the church was involved in. It's the same when you do things about bad cops. As you know, in this day and age, everybody loves to hear nasty stories about people; tales being told out of school are the most popular thing in the universe right now, on the Internet, on television. And they always have, about the church and they always have about law enforcement officers. I just think you have to be really careful when you tread those waters because on both accounts there's a lot of good that's been done. There are a lot of priests in this country that are more like social workers than guys who have to answer to the pope, and they don't get credit. And the same with cops.

More Vincent, More Bobby

2011-04-08T19:58:00.007-04:00

Very nice...dare I say, "amazing," interview. I should have gone to see "Kill The Irishman" last weekend; it is only playing at one theater now, and it's not one that I will go to. I'll have to wait for the DVD or Video On Demand from Amazon. Guess he must have dressed in a hurry; it appears that his ring finger is naked this morning.

And did you hear VDO say that he has a "feeling" that they will do more episodes of LOCI? Granted, he said it is not an "official" statement, but still...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

It took me a while, but I finally tracked down the website for these photos; if they were on the USA Network LOCI website, I certainly couldn't find them.

Bobby's Back...Baby

2011-04-03T11:30:00.011-04:00

I suppose we'll see more and more of these promos as the May 1st premier date grows ever closer.

Law & Order: CI on USA Network -- back 5/1 at... by USANetwork

Ah, the boys upstairs still think he's crazy. But that's what makes Bobby...well...Bobby, and so completely watchable.

And, for the record, I didn't mind this photo so much. I like the "hint" of a smile around the eyes and borderline "self-satisfied" expression that wants to SHOUT, "I'm back, baby!! I knew you couldn't get along without me!"

March Wonderfulness

2011-03-25T22:06:00.006-04:00

Forget "March Madness." Thanks to Vincent D'Onofrio, there's a veritable plethora of way more interesting things to feast my eyes upon rather than NCAA basketball this Friday, thank you very much.

To start, there is the interview from My Fox NY where the discussion centers on VDO's roles in "Kill The Irishman" and "Full Metal Jacket."

Then there are the photos from the set of LOCI this week. Nothing new here. You can find them pretty much everywhere on the Internet today. I do love the fact that Bobby has "suited-up" once again. I'm sure everyone noted that he is wearing his crime scene gloves during the break. Don't know why that amuses me, but it does.

(The first eight photos in the slideshow were from Celeb Dirty Laundry, and the last four can be found at Buzzfoto and were taken by Christopher Peterson.)

Might as well throw this in, too. The second promo for Season 10 surfaced this week. All in all, a pretty good week for VDO and LOCI fans.

Bumper Sticker Monday

2011-03-21T22:16:00.004-04:00

Saw this bumper sticker on a car on my way home from work this evening. It made me chuckle, and that doesn't happen all that often these days.

LOCI Season 6 On DVD

2011-03-11T19:07:00.006-05:00

I'll make this short and oh so very sweet. I just received an email from TVShowsOnDVD and, according to the site, Season 6 has been given an "unofficial" release date of June 28th. Hope they're right.

Kill The Irishman Premier Photos

2011-03-09T18:44:00.005-05:00

I realize these are pretty much "everywhere," however, I found these at Zimbio without any annoying watermarks to diminish one's viewing pleasure.

I had not been to Photobucket in so long, I needed a refresher on how to upload photos and make a slideshow. The fact they have reorganized the site did not help much either.

"Kill The Irishman" Red Carpet Slideshow

USA First Promo For LOCI's Season 10

2011-02-25T19:58:00.004-05:00

It's been so long since I posted anything, I almost forgot how. It would appear that USA is beginning to show "signs of life" for Season 10. Bobby sure does look good.

Chlorine Facebook Photos

2011-01-15T18:23:00.007-05:00

Of the photos available on the "Chlorine" Facebook site, I did not see this one posted on the usual VDO blogs; the best of the lot...in my humble opinion.

Chlorine on Facebook. Photo credits go to Rick Gilbert. Thank you, Rick.

The Year In Review...

2010-12-31T14:52:00.005-05:00

...the Uncle Jay way.

Uncle Jay Explains The News

I Could Not Help...

2010-12-19T14:03:00.006-05:00

...but chuckle when I saw the "name badge" for Vincent D'Onfrio when he appeared at the career day for students in Woodstock, NY on Friday. I thought, "Really?"

Woodstock Film Festival

Don't Know Why...

2010-11-20T15:10:00.006-05:00

...But there is just "something" about the way this man "holds up" a wall that makes me...shiver.

The Final Two

2010-10-24T17:03:00.002-04:00

Here are the final two videos from the "In Conversation" interview at the Sarasota Film Festival last spring. Sorry it took so long to get these up, and I also apologize for the lack of screen caps. I'm just "done" and "done-in." Don't know when I'll feel like capping or blogging again, so thought I'd go ahead and throw these up on the blog while the spirit hit me.

As I recall, in the first video, VDO chats a bit about the "process" of acting and, in the second one, he gets a bit "personal," talking about his family and...ahem...underwear. Enjoy.

Video

Video

Short 'N Sweet

2010-10-16T16:18:00.002-04:00

No, I have not forgotten the final three segments...just haven't felt much like blogging lately. This installment from the Sarasota Film Festival "In Conversation" interview with VDO has to do with a question from the audience about the NYU Film School. The audience member says she is just starting at the film school and inquires about his work in student films there and how the process works going from theater to films.

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The Whole Wide World

2010-09-27T18:51:00.003-04:00

I know it has been a while since I posted a clip from the "In Conversation" interview. I've been a wee bit busy is all. I finally had some time over the weekend to catch my breath and do the screen caps on this section. So, here is the one and only, Mr. D'Onofrio, talking about my personal favorite film of his...to date...The Whole Wide World.

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Three "small" segments to go, and I'll get to them as soon as I can...promise.

I Also Wonder...

2010-09-25T21:34:00.005-04:00

If the USA Network will pull out "all the stops" for advertising Season 10 like they did when LOCI was originally welcomed into the fold back in...what...2007?

Remember these?

USA: Law & Order Criminal Intent Crime Scene
Uploaded by ElectricArtists. - Classic TV and last night's shows, online.

USA: Law & Order Criminal Intent New Logo
Uploaded by ElectricArtists. - Check out other Film & TV videos.

Also, I have decided to disable "anonymous" comments, or at least "I think" I disabled them. Life is just too damn short, ya know?

I Wonder...

2010-09-25T08:05:00.003-04:00

Who will bring Bobby a "pie" to welcome him back to the USA Network? In case there is "any" doubt, I happily volunteer to undertake that particular delectable "chore."

I realize I have already revisited this promo on a recent post, but...considering the developments surrounding LOCI and VDO...I decided one more look couldn't hurt anybody.

I Knew Something Was Afoot...

2010-09-21T18:05:00.004-04:00

...when I opened my Yahoo email and had...like...13 messages. Turns out, there will be a Season 10 of LOCI; eight episodes, and the kicker? VDO is coming back.

So, Bobby is coming back after all. I know a lot of people will have mixed feelings about this, but I am one "cautiously optimistic," but otherwise, HAPPY camper! Finally, something to look forward to!!!

Now, so many things come to mind, not the least of which is...HOW are they going to do this, but I'm game. They must have made VDO an offer he couldn't refuse is all I can say, because we all know he's not in it for the money. Hopefully, he will have something to say about the quality of episodes and writers and such.

Guess I got my Bobby-Bear-Hug after all, huh?

And to the USA Network, we can all say a collective, "TOLD YOU SO!!!!!" LOCI just ain't LOCI without Vincent D'Onofrio.

I Need A Hug

2010-09-20T18:57:00.008-04:00

Not just any hug, mind you. I need a big ol' Bobby BEAR Hug!

And...perhaps...a kiss on the cheek.

Comments are off only temporarily. I'll turn them back on when I recover my life coping skills. That may take a while.

Men In Black

2010-09-07T20:11:00.003-04:00

Cannot think of a single, solitary thing to say. Am presently working 10-12 hour days; can't eat, can't sleep...well, not without a little medicinal assistance. The "can't eat" part doesn't bother me so much; Lord knows I could stand to lose a gazillion pounds. The blog and VDO videos and my Reds are the only escape I have these days.

So, for those of you who have already seen the "In Conversation" interview...well, you're probably not stopping by here anyway. For those of you who have not seen the entire interview...this one's for you.

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Vincent...On Acting

2010-09-02T20:45:00.006-04:00

In this next section of the "In Conversation" interview, VDO talks about actors and acting and some young actors he admires today. As part of the lead-in to this segment, the moderator said that, during his research, he read several references in which Vincent was referred to as an "actor's actor," and he asked VDO, "What does that mean?" To which, Mr. D'Onofrio candidly replied, "I have no idea."

Then the moderator went on to ask, and I'm paraphrasing, "What do actors look for in each other, or what impresses them in one another?" VDO's answer, complete with myriad hand gestures, may be enjoyed below.

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How To Get Your Very Own "In Conversation" DVD

2010-09-02T19:19:00.019-04:00

But first, a word from our sponsor. That would be me. A few people have contacted me privately, wanting to know how to get a copy of the "In Conversation" video, or if I would upload the videos, so they could download them to their computer. More on this in a moment.

First, let me say that I am still in "shock" that I have not seen this anywhere else on the web...the source site notwithstanding. For "weeks" I checked every VDO blog, every VDO Google Alert, conducted extensive Google searches, etc., fully expecting to find this interview mentioned somewhere...anywhere, but I found nary a whisper of its existence. I am not ashamed to say that I was "thrilled"...and a little "giddy"...to be in possession of this untold treasure and was anxious to share it with fellow Vincent fans. So, I started working up the individual segments because I cannot post the entire hour and twenty-four minute interview at once.

After the first two or three postings, a couple of people contacted me about uploading the videos. Well, I knew that would happen...no problem...I do not mind sharing. After all, I have no "exclusive" right to this interview. I had already checked out the Megaupload site that a lot of people use in anticipation of inquiries like that. I downloaded the software...TWICE...to my computer, and both times, my virus software went NUTS, flashing big warning signs like...Danger Will Robinson...DANGER, so I backed off from that.

Permit me to explain. I had a MAJOR computer meltdown back in March and was without my laptop for almost a month as I fiddled with the folks at Dell while I tried all the "fixes" they suggested before they finally sent me a brand spanking newly "rebuilt" hard drive. Dell asked me what the computer was doing before the "malfunction," and I told them I had just installed a Windows update and restarted the computer, as I was prompted to do, and the screen went black and never started again. The Dell employee assured me that installing the Windows update had nothing to do with my hard drive failure, but all I'm sayin' is that's the way things went down.

Anyway, my computer guy was able to retrieve all my data, but the whole experience cost me about $300 and untold trauma to my emotional psyche as I went through laptop withdrawal. So, I hope you will forgive me if I'm a little skittish about downloading
"suspicious" software, or at least software that my virus program
"perceives" as suspicious.

Where was I? Oh, yeah, next I tried to copy the DVD because... again...I knew folks would ask about that, and they did. And again, I am more than happy to do it IF I can ever figure out how to burn a DVD from my computer. Believe me, no one is more amazed than I that I was able to do all the things I had to do to get these little snippets ready to post; I am, barely, computer literate. But I was a woman on a mission...a "quest" to share all the VDO love.

So, if you want your very own DVD of the interview, follow the yellow brick road of happiness... otherwise known as...the "link" and contact the folks at METV in Bradenton, Florida . I passed this info along to a fellow VDO-ite on Tuesday, and her copy is already in the mail from the good folks at METV. I believe she said the cost was $12. That is a small price to pay for 84 minutes of pure "bliss" with Mr. D'onofrio. (Don't we all wish? Well, I actually wish for BOBBY, but you get my drift.)

Vincent's Portrayals of Orson Welles

2010-08-29T16:45:00.003-04:00

Only six more segments to go from the "In Conversation" interview with VDO from the Sarasota Film Festival after this one. As the title implies, this portion of the interview is devoted to VDO's portrayal of Orson Welles in "Ed Wood" and "Five Minutes Mr. Welles."

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Vincent...The Player

2010-08-26T18:28:00.006-04:00

I don't have a lot to say by way of a lead-in for this segment of the "In Conversation" interview. Let's just say it has been one "very" long week...month, and let it go at that...for now. (I may be back to "vent" later.) Regardless of how crappy things have been for me, however, at least I'm not buried underground like those poor miners in Chile. It is going to take...what...four months to "dig" them out. I cannot even begin to imagine what kind of hell they must be going through.

Anyway, here is Vincent D'Onofrio, talking about his death scene in "The Player" and the director, Robert Altman. You know, this is one VDO movie I actually saw at the time it was released...like on HBO or Showtime. Unfortunately, I didn't know who he was at the time. My how things have changed...for the better.

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Full Metal Jacket - Part II

2010-08-22T01:15:00.004-04:00

The Reds are on the west coast, presently losing to the Dodgers, so while I'm watching the game, I thought I would go ahead and post Part II of the "Full Metal Jacket" segment from the "In Conversation" interview with Vincent D'Onofrio.

There is one amusing comment that got left on my "cutting room" floor, but want to make note of it here. The moderator says to VDO that his "expression" throughout the scene in the latrine is one of almost "demonic" possession. Without missing a beat, VDO replies, "Yeah, my son has that look." I thought that was cute.

Then the moderator goes on to ask, "How did Kubrick get you there?" And VDO's answer may be viewed in the following clip from the interview.

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In the next segment to be posted, VDO talks about his death scene in "The Player" and how he came up with the idea.

It's Bobby's Birthday

2010-08-20T07:06:00.003-04:00

He may be "gone," but Detective Robert Goren will "never" be forgotten. Yes, I know that a couple of the photos in the following collection are not "technically" of Bobby, but I couldn't help myself. As you can see, my preference runs to "scruffy" Bobby... albeit I'll take him anyway I can get him.

Happy Birthday, darlin'. I sure do miss you.

This greeting card created with Smilebox

Full Metal Jacket - Part I

2010-08-18T18:57:00.007-04:00

I divided this part of the interview into two videos because each one is a little over five minutes long. As the title implies, this portion of the "In Conversation" interview is devoted to VDO's experience in the movie "Full Metal Jacket." I have never watched this movie...for several reasons. I have, however, watched "the" scene in the latrine when Private Pyle has his -- "I've had all I can stands, I can't stands no more," -- meltdown. Powerful stuff.

The moderator comments that Stanley Kubrick had a reputation for being a methodical, time-consuming type of director...especially when it came to selecting actors. He asked Vincent to share his experience with the casting process, how long it took, etc. And his response can be seen...and heard...below.

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Again, I apologize for a few "blurred" fingers and hands, but the expression on his face was just too good to delete. That would be...you know...scandalous. Part II will be posted as soon as I can find the time to screen cap that segment.

Vincent Talks About Getting Started

2010-08-15T15:24:00.004-04:00

I have been working on actual "work" stuff since 9:00 this morning, so my reward for being a good little employee is: I now get to play with Vincent.

I dubbed this section "Getting Started" because VDO talks about his early days; things like hitchhiking from California to New York and his days as a bouncer. I bet he could write an interesting book and/or movie...or both...about those experiences. I would love to hear more details about that.

Anyway, the moderator makes a comment about Vincent growing up in Bensonhurst, and the fact that the area had a rich heritage for producing show business people. People like: Barbra Streisand, The Three Stooges, and Vic Damone. He wanted to know if Vincent had been aware of that heritage while he was growing up and if it influenced him in any way. His response can be heard in the following video. Enjoy!

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Johnny And Me...And Vincent

2010-08-12T19:09:00.004-04:00

In this installment from the "In Conversation" interview, VDO talks about how he came up with the idea for the yet to be filmed movie, "Johnny And Me." He also explains why, even though he wrote the part for himself, he has decided he cannot act and direct and do the music and play guitar, so he is looking for another actor to play the lead. Bummer! He would be "perfect" for this role.

I had to chuckle when he says, "IF anyone has paid attention to his career..." Yes, Vincent, a few of us have paid very close attention to your career. Granted, I arrived a little later than some to the party, but I sure am glad I "crashed" it.

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Disclaimer: I suppose I should make some generic statement about "no copyright infringement intended;" indeed none was/is intended. Just trying to perpetuate the VDO love fest, that's all. Once again, I found this interview via a live feed from the METV website.

Yes, We Have No McNuggets

2010-08-11T19:44:00.008-04:00

Okay, I'm going to take a wee break from the VDO videos to share this with all y'all...on the outside chance you have not seen this already. Evidently, this incident occurred back in January at a McDonald's in Toledo, Ohio, however, Toledo's finest just released the surveillance tape yesterday.

Apparently, one Melodi Dushane took some "serious" offense when she pulled up to the McDonald's drive through to order-up some chicken McNuggets only to be informed that they were not presently available. It was, after all, 6:20a.m. Sorry, darlin', you won't find McNuggets on the Mickey D's breakfast menu. That's the time they're knee deep into McBiscuits and McGravy, and hash browns and such. Well now, as you can see in the video below, Ms. Dushane...not a fan of McMuffins or McGriddles.

To set it up, this is the actual surveillance video and it goes on for a little over two minutes. If you watch, for the first minute, the McDonald's employee appears to be...very patiently...explaining that they are not serving the item she requested at that time. After a bit, Ms. Dushane flies into action...at one point it looks like she is actually trying to climb in through the window. This whole scene is simultaneously hilarious in its absurdity and sad in its...well... absurdity. People are just "bleepin" insane.

McNugget McRage - Video Courtesy of WUPW

Boy Howdy! Have you ever witnessed such a "hissy-fit?" Oh, how I wish this came with audio. At one point, I can almost "hear" her screaming, "I want my "effing" nuggets, right "effing" now!!" Can you imagine becoming that overwrought over something so trite? Especially...McNuggets. Come on. I tried them...once...when McDonald's first introduced them a hundred years ago. I was not impressed. In fact, I dubbed them "pieces parts" because I was certain I tasted a hint of beak and feather in mine.

The girl's mother, in the whole spirit of people not taking responsibility for their actions, blamed the McDonald's employees for allowing the situation to escalate. HELLO!! It appears to me that they were trying to avoid a confrontation by attempting to lock the window when her "little darlin" pitched a full-fledged fit. For her tirade, Ms. Dushane will receive 60 days in jail and has to pay for the window replacement.

But the absolutely BEST part of the video is when she finally drives away, and the car behind her pulls up to the window. The McDonald's employee just unlocks the broken window and calmly hands the customer their order...like nothing ever happened. What a hoot!

Vincent Chats About Kate And Jeff

2010-08-09T18:58:00.003-04:00

If I have a single complaint about the "In Conversation" interview with Vincent D'Onofrio, it's that the moderator does not repeat the question from the audience. So, while I can "infer" from VDO's comments that the initial question had to do with Kathryn Erbe and their relationship on and off the show, I cannot duplicate the exact question for you here. Nor was I able to discern the nature of the question that led to his follow-up comments regarding Jeff Goldblum.

Regardless, here is the next installment from the interview at the Sarasota Film Festival.

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I SAID Don't Go In The Woods...

2010-08-05T20:23:00.003-04:00

...Would be the title of the "sequel" should VDO decide to continue on with the saga of DGITW. At least, that was his impromtu response when asked if he would make another "slasher" musical. We get a "tongue flick" in this segment, too...and I do love me some good old fashioned "Bobby" tongue flicks.

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Don't Go In The Woods - In Conversation

2010-08-03T22:28:00.004-04:00

It has been one "crap-awful" day, and I have spent most of the evening ranting and railing...to no one in particular, mind you...over the unjust disposition of my "crap-awful" life. So, in an attempt to turn my thoughts to something considerably more pleasant, I thought I would post the next video from Sarasota.

While doing my rounds of the VDO blogs today, I noticed a "theme" of sorts surrounding VDO's movie: "Don't Go In The Woods," which I think should be "Into" the woods, but what do I know? To me, don't go "in" the woods sounds like someone cautioning me to not "pee" or...you know...in the woods, but I digress.

First up is the video. He talks a bit about the cost and who he got to work with him on the project. He talks about the movie again later in the interview, but I haven't "capped" that section yet. Then perhaps y'all don't care one way or another whether I capture the individual photos or not. Anyway, I'll get to it one day soon.

Video

I have two slideshows this time; one from the video and another of pictures taken during the "filming" of the movie. Doesn't he look positively scrumptious in camouflage?

Slideshow - Interview

Slideshow - Filming DGITW

More From In Conversation With Vincent

2010-08-01T19:23:00.008-04:00

In this segment, VDO talks about a new television show idea he is working on with James Yoshimura, the man who wrote the "Subway" episode in which he starred from Homicide Life On The Street. I cannot believe I've never watched this yet...even though I have owned the tape for a couple of years now.

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I just wish the folks who filmed the interview would have had the foresight to set up a camera, so that when he looked to his left, we could have seen his handsome face from that angle. Not that Vincent doesn't have an exceptionally nice profile and all. I'm just sayin'.

I guess it's time I gave a shout out and a ginormous thank you to the folks at METV for posting a live feed of the interview on their website.

August Calendar - 2010

2010-08-01T07:47:00.008-04:00

Gee, August is here. Time to get ready for those "dog days" of summer. If this month proves to be as "hot" as July, I suppose we can always blame Mr. D'Onofrio. He has a tendency to heat things up, doesn't he?

Don't know why the pictures aren't showing up below, but if you click on the arrow, a lovely selection of Vincent photos will appear. Trust me.

This calendar personalized with Smilebox

The Badge Switch That Wasn't

2010-07-29T18:05:00.006-04:00

This is a short and sweet segment from the ongoing interview. There was a two-part question from the audience regarding Bobby's badge. During a series of interviews posted on the USA Network website, VDO had commented that the one thing he would like to take from the show was his badge. Apparently, that is a big ol' affirmative...he says he got his badge.

The second part of the question has to do with the "badge switch" that took place in "Loyalty: Part I." While I was screen capping that episode, I happened to notice that Eames was wearing Bobby's badge and visa versa, and I did a blog post about it...which you can read here if you are thus inclined. Anyway, VDO was asked if the switch was done on purpose or by accident, and he replied that it was an accident.

He then went on to say that "no one" notices stuff like that; only really, really "intense" fans notice things like that. To that I can only say, "Guilty as charged, Vincent. Guilty as charged."

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Off to screen cap the next selected section. I'm just getting started, by the way. I have...like...20 videos total to share with "all y'all."

Vincent D'Onofrio Talks About "LOCI"

2010-07-27T20:47:00.004-04:00

Here's another clip from VDO's "In Conversation" interview in Florida. This time, he is talking rather openly and candidly about his tenure on Law & Order CI. I feel considerably more "at peace" with his decision to leave the show after having heard his explanation. Even so, I still miss Bobby.

Video

Slideshow - My apologies for some of the "blurry" digits; the man does "talk" with his hands.

Vincent D'Onofrio "Pauses"

2010-07-22T17:30:00.014-04:00

For those Vincent D'Onofrio "D'Votees" who are not among those fortunate few who will be in New York tonight to see him perform at Joe's Pub, here is a little something to help ease the pain.

This is the last bit from his "In Conversation" interview at the Sarasota Film Festival earlier this year, and it is my favorite part. There is a question from the audience regarding his Detective Goren character, wanting to know if there is a connection between Goren and Columbo. Vincent answers the question and then treats everyone to a specific anecdote from his "Bobby" days. I laugh out loud every time I hear him tell this story. It is a pure delight..at least, I think it is. Enjoy!!

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If I do say so myself, these are some pretty darn good pictures. Albeit that can be attributed more so to the subject matter than my screen capping skills.

Vincent D'Onofrio Doesn't Think He's Sexy

2010-07-20T17:56:00.004-04:00

What do you think?

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Vincent D'Onofrio And The Radio Dude

2010-07-08T18:09:00.006-04:00

With many, many thanks to Diane for sharing this with everyone. I downloaded it to my computer, but found this on YouTube, which makes it so much easier to share...until they take it down. There's a little bit of our "Bobby" in this video. I love it when he says to the guy, "See my finger...follow my finger." The only distracting part was when the DJ kept slamming his hands down on the table.

Good news...it is to be continued. Enjoy!

Oh, and the video credit goes to 1019rxp.

One last thing. I mean no disrespect to the man, and I don't want to tick off anyone, but...enough with the black shirt and pants already.

July Calendar - 2010

2010-06-30T21:36:00.002-04:00

Goodness, is it July already? Here's a little "sumthin" to gaze upon on those hot, sultry days of summer. I didn't include any music on this one; I didn't think the added distraction was necessary. Enjoy!

This printable calendar customized with Smilebox

In Plain Sight Promo - Bobby Goren Style

2010-06-18T21:53:00.019-04:00

I was lucky enough to "capture" this commercial...hmm...I guess it was about three years ago. It was around Father's Day because there were several ads for "Dad" on the DVD as well. Anyway, I was never able to do anything with it...until now...because I finally, finally purchased some recording/converting/editing software that I could figure out.

And now, I have turned into a recording/converting/editing "whore." My problem will soon become that I have run out of space on my computer to store little tidbits like this, and I will have to find another place to put them. Can YouTube be in my future? Probably not. I'm having enough trouble getting Photobucket to cooperate with me, but -- huzzah, huzzah!! -- it finally did. I guess perserverence does pay off eventually.

On to the commercial. It was back in the "good old days." Remember them? When the USA Network actually "liked" Law & Order CI and Vincent D'Onofrio and recognized the benefit of having a well-established, well-loved, well-respected "character" like Detective Goren welcome a newcomer into the fold. "Ah, yes. I remember it well," she says, wiping a nostalgic, whimsical tear from her eye.

For those of you who recall this ad, this particular version is just a "smidge" longer than the one USA aired the majority of the time. In this version, Bobby says, "So, welcome" and gives her this "look." And Mary says, "Thanks, it's great to be part of the team," and appears to be totally oblivious to his shy "boyish" charm. Silly woman. I still crack up when he says he has to go because it's a 32-hour drive to New York, and he puts the siren on and it makes it go faster. But he looks a little hurt and dejected that she doesn't invite him in to have a piece of...pie. I repeat...silly woman!

Enjoy!

In Plain Sight Promo - Slideshow (Please pardon the "gratuitous" hand-shot. Also, notice how he keeps looking at her...ahem...chest. That's my Bobby!)

The Video

Loyalty Part 2 Comments & Just Bobby Slideshow

2010-06-14T20:29:00.021-04:00

Okay, so I know I am several days late and a whole bunch of dollars short on this post. Sorry, I just haven't been in much of a blogging mood as of late.

And I've got to tell you, if I cannot figure out a way to ward off the bothersome "anonymous" comments that keep showing up every day on a couple of older posts, I may just give it up all together. I'm not talking about the "real" people who leave an occasional comment anonymously. Those comments are welcome. I'm talking about the long, boring, drawn out advertisements that appear in my email...every...freakin'...day. It is annoying. I always reject them, but they keep coming back.

I have considered enabling the "word verification" function, but I believe that would eliminate all anonymous comments, so I don't know. If you drop by some day and find that you have to enter a series of letters in order to leave a comment, please don't take it personally. Blame it on clueless advertisers who believe this type of "spam" advertising actually works. All it does is piss me off, so...like...BITE ME...already.

Speaking of "bite me," I have finally decided to post my comments/ observations and the "Just Bobby" slideshow from the last LOCI episode...the last episode that matters to me at any rate. For those of you who don't want to revisit the specifics of this episode, please feel free to go directly to the end of the post and feast your eyes on the wonderfulness that is Bobby.

I have to say that I actually teared-up when the show began and the announcer started with those all too familiar words, "In New York City's war on crime..." I did not expect to have that kind of reaction, but I suppose it just "hit me" at that precise moment that this would be the very last time I heard that lead-in in the context of a new Bobby episode, and I got a little emotional.

THEN we arrived at the opening scene, Captain Ross' funeral scene, and there stood everyone in dress uniform...except Bobby...and I was pissed off from that moment on until the show mercifully ended. Music Wench did an excellent post on this episode on her blog in a much more timely fashion, and one of the comments said that Bobby put his hand on his heart instead of performing an official salute because he was not in uniform. And I read somewhere...it could have been on Music Wench's blog, but I'm not certain, that the reason Bobby was not in uniform was because he had already been suspended, which means the crappy writers/producers "screwed" us over "again." Continuity. Evidently, not an important concept on this show...at least not in Seasons 8 and 9.

You know, my heart really isn't in this, so I will probably skip over a bunch of stuff that I had originally jotted down in my notes; I have not watched this episode since it aired except to do the screen capping. Most of you have probably long since forgotten everything except the hug and peck on the cheek at the end anyway.

But I do have to say that this episode did provide one of Bobby's better lines in that when he and Eames went to collect Van Dekker, the bald bad guy slime ball, from the FBI, Bobby gets all up in his face and says, "You're mine." (Would that Bobby would say those words to me, only in an entirely different context...if you catch my meaning, and I believe you do.) But no, he wasted it on this wart-hogged faced buffoon, who replied with, "No, I didn't know you cared, darling," just before Bobby slams his bad boy butt into the wall.

In contrast to Bobby's golden line is perhaps one of the stupidest statements ever uttered on LOCI by the FBI agent who told Van Dekker that, "the safest place for you is in Federal custody...with us." Yeah, right. That turned out well, didn't it? Anyway, as the FBI leads Van Dekker away, Eames says, "It's bad, Bobby." To which, he replies, "No, it's good."

Then came the opening credits and Jeff Goldblum received "top billing" over Kathryn Erbe. I have to be honest, I was still so ticked off over the "no dress blues" incident that I did not notice this "slap in the face" initially. I read about it on Music Wench's blog, and then I had a whole other reason to be pissed off with this episode...as if I needed more.

And then Bobby gets suspended...again. And everyone keeps watching him warily, like they expect him to explode or something. But, no. He keeps his cool, hands Nichols a folder and says he will be in touch with him and also with Eames. I have in my notes that I loved watching how he closed the desk drawer with his...thigh. It's the little, unexpected "Bobby-moments" like that I will forever miss about this show.

Shortly after this, Van Dekker gets offed while under FBI protection. You know, the safest place he could be. And THEN Major Case shows up to investigate the murder. Anyone else see the irony, or should I say...stupidity...in this? The FBI had shut NYPD out of the case, so why would they let them investigate the murder of someone who was...you know...under their protection? It's not like I care anymore...just pointing out yet another inconsistency.

Don't you just love how... since we learned that Bobby's "biological" father was a serial killer, they effortlessly make the leap that Bobby could be a killer, too. Someone says they have to go where the evidence leads them and they're off...investigating Bobby.

That leads Eames to Bobby's apartment/house...whatever. Did you notice (if you even remember at this point) that when Bobby says he was home at the time of Van Dekker's murder, Eames says, "Alone, right?" But Bobby never answers her. Hmm? Something to think about, or it would be...if we still had a reason to think about this show. Don't get me wrong, I still think about Bobby, just not in the confines of Criminal Intent.

And I have to say, for someone who has known this man for more than eight years, I cannot understand why Eames seemed so surprised to find out that Bobby was still accessing the police data base to ascertain information about the case. He was still working the case. It's Bobby. It's who he is. It's what he does. After 8+ years, she expected something else?

When Bobby confronts the dude in the bathroom and he wants to know who Bobby is and Bobby says, "I'm your worst nightmare," I had to chuckle. I mean, I always think of Bobby as my "best" dream...or daydream, as the case may be. And I have to say that, had the man not already availed himself of the bathroom urinal, he most likely would have "diddled" all over himself considering the way Bobby lit into him. That twerp sang like the proverbial bird.

Again, Music Wench pointed this out on her blog, but I wondered, too at the time...why was Bobby driving an NYPD vehicle when he went to check out the warehouse? He was suspended after all. So many inconsistencies.

If I had been "on my game," I like to think I would have figured out the link between the Patel dude and the FBI. I mean, if he was really a bad guy, why wouldn't they just go ahead and kill Bobby? Which leads me to -- perhaps -- my biggest complaint with this entire episode. Bobby is barely in the show as it is, did they really have to cover that beautiful head with a canvas bag? Which, by the way, should have been another big clue to the FBI connection. Why would the bad guys care if he saw where they were taking him? They would have just killed him anyway after they determined what he did or did not know. Like I said, really off my game on this one.

And I really disliked the black FBI agent who kept saying snarky things to Bobby. For instance, when he threatens to hold Bobby in federal detention and says he heard that Bobby was once committed to an insane asylum. "Is that true?" he asks. Bobby replies that it was for the, "greater good." And this creep says, "Like you know what that was." Argh! I really didn't like this guy, but I loved Bobby's reaction. He just gets this little smile on his face, like he's thinking, "Let me out of these cuffs, and I'll show you insane asylum."

For what it's worth, and even though I hated the FBI bitch, I do believe she appreciated Bobby's "genius" in the end. Enough so that I have to wonder if he perhaps ended up there after all was said and done, or was he too much of a "problem child" for them?

This is also the scene when Bobby says, "Ross believed in what you were doing, and I had a lot of respect for that man." Okay, so that's a nice line and all, but the truth is it always felt like Bobby "tolerated" Ross or anyone in authority because it allowed him to do what he did best...catch bad guys.

Moving on, let me just say that the whole thing with the Chief of Detectives dangling the Major Case captain's job in front of Eames was just plain...nonsense. Don't get me wrong. I like Eames. But she had no administrative experience...what so ever. She had not even taken the exam yet, and she is going to leap frog over every other viable candidate to be the top dog at Major Case. Sorry, not very believable. I understand why the writers did it that way, so Eames could be the one to fire Bobby, but still.

And the knife in my heart? Bobby...wearing a VISITOR'S BADGE.

Look at Bobby, being the reasonable, rational one when he talks Nichols into letting the bad guy go for the "greater good," so Ross will not have died in vain.

And that leads to the end of the story...the show...for those of us who truly believe that Law & Order CI is, was, and always will be...Goren and Eames. The scene in the Captain's office when Eames fires Bobby. He accepts it with grace and dignity, says it's been a long time coming. She tells him he's the best...always will be. They hug, he pecks her on the cheek, says he'll see her around, and leaves.

Eames walks around the desk, takes out her gun and shield and places them on the desk, picks up the phone and calls the Chief of D's and tells him she won't be taking that captain's exam. Fade to black. That's all she wrote. End of story.

When all is said and done, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth; I will forever believe that these three characters (Ross included) deserved a far, far better send off than this paltry offering. And now having said all this, I am done beating this long since dead horse. I am going back to the beginning. Well, back to Season 2 where I left off in the middle of "Best Defense" and finish screen capping and quoting that episode. There is still a lot of good Bobby to be quoted and commented on after all.

"Loyalty Part 2" - Just Bobby Slideshow - Season 9

Food For Thought...So To Speak

2010-06-04T21:22:00.010-04:00

As I was browsing my file folder where I keep interesting tidbits that I have collected from the Internet or have received in emails, I found the following offering. I believe this was from an email. I have no idea if it is true or not, however, I do embrace the overall sentiment of the piece. Enjoy.

* * * * * * * *

Recently, in a large city in France, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said, "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern,

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans.) They have an active sex life, get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs! They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don't exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them, not to mention how could they have sex? Just look at them ... where is IT? Therefore, they don't have kids either. Not to mention, who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me: I want to be a whale.

P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver, and a piece of chocolate with my friends.

With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, "Good grief, look how smart I am!"

* * * * * * * *

For the record, upon reflecting on the size of my considerable...ahem ...derriere, I must be a freakin' genius!

June 2010 Calendars

2010-05-31T19:32:00.006-04:00

I wasn't around much during the merry month of May, but fortunately, VDO has been quite visible ever since he gave Law & Order CI the old "heave-ho." He looks as good as ever, doesn't he?

With special thanks to Diane for the source material.

June 2010 - Part I

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June 2010 - Part II

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Vincent D'Onofrio And Hugh Jackman

2010-05-28T12:01:00.002-04:00

Just found this and had to post it. Enjoy!!!

May 2010 Calendar - Plus One

2010-04-30T21:30:00.004-04:00

I had the following Bobby calendar all ready and "good to go," then I got an email from Heather and...well...let's just say May is gonna be a "bonus" calendar month. You get two...two...two for the price of one. Enjoy!!

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And now...the bonus round.

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Supreme Court Nominee...Uncle Jay Style

2010-04-22T20:13:00.005-04:00

I realize that the next "logical" post would have been the comments and Bobby slideshow from the final Goren & Eames LOCI episode, but I'm not quite ready for that. Meanwhile, Music Wench's post today reminded me of this week's "Uncle Jay Explains The News" video in which he sings...dueling banjos style...as to how both parties will handle the upcoming Supreme Court nomination. Funny stuff and... sadly...freakishly accurate.

Loyal Partners...Plus A Couple

2010-04-21T20:48:00.010-04:00

I shall apologize at the outset for the initial image that will greet you in this post; many of you cannot stomach the sight of Jeff Goldblum these days. I get that, but you know, I don't blame him for what happened with the show. He's just a guy, trying to do his job. But, having said that, I'm not interested in watching a Law & Order CI that does not include Detective Goren. LOCI was Goren...and...Eames, but mostly Goren for me.

The purpose for the following photo is to show everyone precisely who was responsible for the atrocious writing in "Loyalty Part 2."

I felt so sorry for Rodgers in the scene at the cemetery, so I wanted to include a photo of her. She looks so forlorn.

One last "tongue flick" for the road, or is Bobby merely sticking out his tongue at the departing FBI agents?

And now that brings us to the partners...the good and faithful, LOYAL partners...slideshow.

By the way, did anyone else notice how Nichols kept watching Bobby with this wary, bordering on mistrustful, look? It was almost as if he expected Bobby to "explode" at any moment.

Eames - The Last Slideshow

2010-04-19T19:59:00.005-04:00

Well, I suppose I should say this is the last Eames slideshow for the "last" new Law & Order CI episode. I still have dozens of shows to screen cap and quote, so there will be more Eames, of course...just no more new material.

She had a lot of good moments in this one; especially at the end. When she got all teary-eyed in the captain's office with Bobby, I could not help but wonder...was it Eames or Erbe getting all emotional?

Eames Slideshow - "Loyalty - Part II" - Season 9

Uncle Jay Explains Taxes...Sort Of

2010-04-15T21:05:00.003-04:00

In "honor" or perhaps I should have said "horror" of "tax day" here in the good old U.S.A., I thought I would share this video from "Uncle Jay Explains The News." So, enjoy.

For some reason, the entire width of the video is not showing on my blog, thereby, cutting off most of the right side. I've never encountered this problem before; usually the video will extend beyond the right hand boundary, but not this time. So, if you want to watch Uncle Jay, just double click inside the video and it opens up in YouTube...where I snatched the dang thing anyway. Argh! All this bother for a silly video.

Dixie Carter - The Ultimate "Designing" Woman

2010-04-11T18:33:00.010-04:00

I have been so wrapped up with restoring my laptop to its former working condition and watching the entire second season of "Damages" this weekend that I had not heard the sad news about Dixie Carter passing away yesterday morning. She was 70 years old. That's hard to believe; she always looked so young and vibrant.

I know she has had a long career, but I shall forever remember her as the tough, classy, high-spirited and redoubtable business woman... Julia Sugarbaker. "Designing Women" was one of my all time favorite sitcoms. I loved all four of those big-haired, loud-mouthed, brassy, ballsy, larger than life southern women...until Jean Smart and Delta Burke left the show that is.

Like most shows that undergo a "major" casting change, it lost its appeal after those two cast members departed the show. Hmm? Any other show that recently suffered a similar fate come to mind? Those of you who are avid Law & Order CI fans may or may not know that Tony Goldwyn...Bobby's ne'er-do-well brother, Frank...appeared on "Designing Women" way back in 1987 as a young man, dying of AIDS.

There are so many funny, touching episodes and scenes that come to mind, but since this is a "tribute" of sorts to Dixie Carter, I found a couple of my favorite ones over at YouTube. My all time favorite Julia "tirade" is the one involving her and an IRS agent named Ray Don (that's what I love about the South...everyone is called by both their first and middle names) but I have never been able to find that particular scene on YouTube.

One thing about Julia Sugarbaker...she always endeavored to conduct herself with the deportment of a sophisticated, well-bred, gentile southern lady. Unfortunately for Julia, but fortunately for the viewers, the writers frequently played havoc with that image -- with hilarious results -- by having her walk down a fashion runway with the back of her skirt tucked inside the top of her pantyhose, or getting her head stuck in the banister while decorating the Governor's mansion for some fancy shindig.

Perhaps my favorite episode doesn't involve Julia at all. It's when Suzanne and Anthony (Meshach Taylor) have to share a hotel room in the dead of winter when they get stuck in a snowstorm en route to a design show. Good stuff. Good show.

Good-bye Dixie Carter...you were one classy broad.

In the following clip, Julia takes issue with Charlene for "ratting" her out because Julia heard the rest of the group discussing the case she was hearing on jury duty. Because of Charlene's interference, the jury is sequestered, thereby, putting Julia's upcoming dinner with former President Carter at risk.

Whenever the "girls" and their significant others went away together for a long weekend or vacation...well, let's just say it was always "eventful" and usually provided Julia with an opportunity to freely express her opinion on things.

Finally, perhaps Julia's most memorable "tirade" is her infamous "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" speech. It was no secret that Julia and Suzanne Sugarbaker had an oftentimes tempestuous relationship; they were sisters after all. Though Julia frequently took issue with Suzanne's self-centered, materialistic ways, she was also fiercely protective of her. Though Julia may not have always "liked" her sister, she "loved" her and was the first to rush to her defense...as evidenced in the following video. Blood is truly thicker than water.

Acknowledgments go to DavidLovesDisco, guanabeetv, and SouthTubeGathering respectively for the featured videos.

"High Midnight" - Another Vincent D'Onofrio Film?

2010-04-09T22:15:00.010-04:00

I happened to stumble upon this information a few minutes ago while I was going about the monotonous task of restoring all my "lost" information to my newly repaired laptop. Anyway, when I arrived at Vincent D'Onofrio's imdb page, I found this new movie listed for 2010; i.e., "High Midnight." Well, it's new to me at any rate, however, the rest of you "Vixens" may have heard about it already.

Now, I have been told that anyone can put anything on these sites, so it may not be true at all, therefore, I shall rely on those of you who possess more stalwart investigative skills than I to undertake the sleuthing for me.

This brief synopsis was provided: "A broken-down sheriff is forced to join forces with an obsessed Victorian vampire hunter to defeat an undead force consuming a small frontier town in 1892 New Mexico." VDO has top billing and his character's name is Marshal Stoudenmire. Vampires, the undead, the wild, wild west and Vincent D'onofrio. Who could ask for anything more?

Now, I don't much care for vampire or scary movies, but I have to admit that I rather fancy the notion of VDO in a western. Ah, yes... that's a delicious image to have in my head as I fall asleep tonight.

"Loyalty" Part II - Initial Reaction - SPOILER ALERT

2010-04-06T22:55:00.006-04:00

Don't read this if you haven't seen the show yet; I need to vent a bit.

Well, except for the last five minutes, I cannot begin to tell you exactly how much I HATED this episode. I don't think it did justice to Bobby and Eames...not even close. Too much time was spent on the sub characters/plot, too much time on Nichols, wayyyyyy too much time was focused on the new chick -- who I instantly disliked when she turned and said, "One more thing," when questioning someone. I SCREAMED, "that's Bobby's line, you bitch!" There was just way too much of EVERYTHING...except Bobby and Eames.

Wasn't it nice of them to make Eames a captain "pro-tem" (is that the right term) so she could fire Bobby. I get why they did it that way, but it still pisses me off. Good for her for telling them to stick it.

And SHIPPERS everywhere will be delighted to see Bobby kiss Eames on the cheek before he gives her that good-bye hug.

Yes, they explained the plot they started last week, but for an episode that was supposed to give us a satisfactory conclusion to Bobby and Eames, it fell far, far short of the mark...at least for me. I'd say I'll have more to say once I digest it and watch it again, but I don't know if I want to watch it again. One thing is for sure, it won't take me long to screen cap the Bobby and Eames scenes...there's aren't that many of them.

One last thing. The opening scene is of Ross' funeral. We see Eames in her dress blues and Nichols in his dress blues, but Bobby is in a suit. That stuck out like a sore thumb for me, and sort of set the pace for the whole episode. I mean, the freakin' writers deprived of us that visual of Bobby in his dress blues. What a crock!

I am very, VERY disappointed. Someone out there tell me I'm wrong...tell me it's not as bad as I think it is. Please...anyone? Well, I'm off to bed, but I don't believe I'll be drifting off to sleep anytime soon. Yes, I know it's silly to get this riled-up over a television show, but I am. I never thought I'd see the day when I said this, but D'Onofrio and Erbe are well rid of these nitwits.

"Loyalty" Part I - Comments & Observations

2010-04-06T18:07:00.022-04:00

I may be a bit late with this post, but wanted to get my thoughts and comments about this episode "on record" before tonight's "finale" airs. Not that I have any earth shattering insights to impart...just a few offhand observations.

Well, right off the bat, I can say that it wasn't a truly "horrible" episode...a little confusing, perhaps, but not awful. My initial reaction, after it was over, was that it was a pretty far-fetched plot. I mean, proposing that Ross could create/head-up a law enforcement agency in Somalia or Puntland or wherever, and take on a corrupt government and merciless pirates...come on. Ross? Who thinks up these things? Oh, yeah. Walon...dumber than a box of rocks...Green. If they had to kill him off, they could have at least come up with a more plausible, or at the very least...understandable...story line.

For the record, never for a New York minute did I believe that Captain Ross had gone over to the dark side. I figured out fairly early on that he was undercover -- for what -- I had no idea. But I decided that "the woman" was most likely an FBI contact for whatever covert operation they had going.

Since the show moved to the USA Network, I have noticed that the morgue scenes have gotten progressively more "graphic." It's not as bad as "Bones;" I have to watch a lot of the lab scenes of that show through my fingers. I did find the whole exchange between Ross and Rodgers to be quite amusing. When she popped open the container of stomach contents and extended it toward Ross for him to "sniff" in order to ascertain the wine the deceased had with his dinner, I had to laugh. I loved the look of trepidation on his face. He clearly wanted no part of it, but he "manned-up" and took a whiff and said, "Too yeasty, I'll go with champagne." For a second, I thought he was gonna toss his cookies, but he held on and Eames' reaction shot was priceless.

Okay, can someone tell me when did Goren go all "shy" about a woman's anatomy, or anything for that matter? I'm still in the lab with the two victims when he pointed out...falteringly...that the woman had breast implants. He's sort of looking around and acting like he wants to "touch" it...cause we all know how he loves to fidget with stuff. Do you remember back in Season 1 in "Faith" when a self-assured, unabashed, cocky Detective Goren questioned a "supposed" 13 year old teen-age girl about her menstrual cycle? What happened to that guy? THAT guy wouldn't fumble over or mix words about a couple of boobs. And I believe Bobby would have known that implants have serial numbers...even I knew that.

Did anyone notice how "blond" Vincent D'Onofrio's hair looked sometimes in this episode; specifically when Eames is recounting how she saw Ross with a woman. I assume it was the lighting and the way it was reflected by the camera or something like that, but I found it hard to concentrate on what was being said because all I could focus on was Bobby's blond highlights.

I laughed out loud at Eames' reaction/facial expression when Bobby made the comment about Fox Hunting having been outlawed in England...how ever many years ago he said it was. I mean, she didn't say anything, but her expression spoke volumes. Something on the order of, "Yes, I get it. You're a freakin' walking, talking encyclopedia, but after eight years of it...ENOUGH already."

And I, for one, was happy to have the "doink-doink" back. I know a lot of viewers didn't care about it one way or another, but I have missed it. I always liked being able to follow the time line of the investigation; see how long it took them to nab the criminal and solve the case.

I know others picked up on this, but there were a couple of scenes where it almost appeared that D'Onofrio and Erbe had switched roles. For example, when the two of them are at their desks and they're discussing the redacted files, and Eames says she'll call and get a warrant, and Bobby, I repeat...BOBBY...says, "No, we should tell Ross." I found myself screaming at the TV, "Who are you, and what have you done with Detective Goren?" I mean, Bobby has always been the rogue, bull-by-the-horn cop, and Eames has always been the by-the-book, no nonsense cop. It's a little late to change them now, don't you think? Then there is the scene when Ross tells them to put the files on his desk by the end of the day. And later, Eames tells Bobby that she's going through the emails she found, and Bobby says, "Ross told us we should have this on his desk by the end of the day," or something like that, and I thought, that's not Bobby. He wouldn't say that. Eames would say that...not Bobby. So, like...WTF was that?

That whole scene with Bobby in the plane hangar was interesting, and I quite enjoyed his plane imitation. Don't know why, but it was these quirky little things that made us all fall in love with him in the first place. Have you ever noticed how Bobby always looks so "hurt" when people make him out to be a cop when he is trying so hard for them not to know?

As death scenes go, I have to say that the writers didn't do Ross justice. It was pretty lame and ho-hum. Don't know anyone else's thoughts on this, but Ross just didn't come across as the undercover cop type...not suited for it. Poor Bobby thought the Chief of Detectives was hoping he would get himself killed when he went undercover in "Purgatory," and here Ross is the one who gets snuffed out.

I felt really sorry for Rodgers when Bobby and Eames found her at the crime scene. Given her line of work, she always comes across as pretty blase about the whole dead body thing. It's different when it's one of your own, however...and someone you obviously care about. It was sweet when Bobby reached out to console her.

And, please don't misunderstand, I know that Bobby and Eames would be upset about Ross' murder. I like Eames' line about it not being about jurisdictions and politics...he was their friend. Nice line, but I never got the "friends" feeling from Ross. And Bobby...being Bobby...would have, of course, "demanded" access to the crime scene if for no other reason than the FBI was hell-bent on keeping him out. But his, "We do what our boss tells us. Our boss is over there," line didn't do it for me. Again, after eight years of a decidedly different Goren, that comment just didn't ring true...to me. Quite frankly, I believe Bobby deserved a better line. Too bad the writers were not up to the challenge, or simply didn't understand the character.

Here's a question: Ross took two shots to the body, right? Then, how come, when Bobby is looking at Ross in the body bag, there is smudged blood all around the left side of his face and across his forehead? His face looked scratched-up, too. Maybe it happened when the perps dumped the body. Hey, I answered my own question. Go figure.

It was a very nice...unspoken...moment that Bobby and Eames shared when they were standing there, watching the proceedings. Eames was getting upset and Bobby reached out to comfort her. She sort of lets her guard down for a split second and leans in to accept his embrace, but then pulls herself together before she loses control and pulls away. But that's Eames...stoic to the bitter end.

Which leads to...perhaps...my favorite line/scene of the episode. As they are walking away from the crime scene, Bobby says he thinks their investigation may have gotten Ross killed. He goes on to tell her about how he confronted Loftin in his hangar and how he "thought" that Loftin read him for a cop. Point of order, Bobby. The man flat out asked you if you were a cop, and asked to see your ID. So, yeah...he made you, darlin'. Anyway, as they continue to walk, Eames gives him this look and says, "We don't have time for you to "torture" yourself. We have to beat the FBI to his files." Ah, there's that no nonsense Eames again. The Eames equivalent of, "Snap out of it!"

Meanwhile, back at the ranch; i.e., the Major Case Squad, there they go doing that role reversal thing again. Bobby is at the computer, going through files and deciding they need to take the hard drive and Eames is rifling through the captain's desk, looking for clues. Whoa Nellie, hold the phone...do you remember when Bobby found "scrolling" to be a challenge and needed Eames' help to restore a screen saver? Who is this guy?

Okay, here we go. Did anyone else hear the "Snidely Whiplash" music playing oh so softly in the background when Zach Nichols entered the captain's office? Actually, to be fair -- she writes, adroitly dodging the bushels of rotten tomatoes being hurled at her virtually through cyberland -- had it not been for the way the USA Network mishandled this whole fiasco regarding Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, and Eric Bogosian leaving the show, the inclusion of the Zach Nichols character made perfect sense. He was, after all, Ross' former partner, they had a history, and Ross was his captain, too. Now, having said that, it thoroughly pissed me off that Nichols got to interrogate the bald dude all on his lonesome. Yet again, I found myself screaming at the TV, "Bobby should be the one questioning this guy. You get the show in a couple of weeks. Go do your little dance in hell now!"

I did love it when Bobby asked him if he had a screwdriver. Don't know why that sticks out in my memory, but it does. Yes, folks...it sucks being me.

Here's another question: Did anyone else not find it totally absurd that-- given the whole post 9-1-1 era-- that someone shot off a heat seeking "missile" -- a MISSILE -- at a warehouse on Staten Island in broad daylight...and no one noticed. I'm not sure if that's bad writing or just plain scary.

Oh, and did you catch the FBI "bitch" calling the Major Case cops, and I quote, "pricks?" I sincerely hope that Bobby nails this witch in tonight's episode...and not in the way we all want to be "nailed" by Bobby.

And one final note: I have a feeling the "Goren lean" in the interrogation room was purposely done by VDO for the devoted fans who have followed this wonderful character's every move for the past eight years. I have no way of knowing that, of course, but it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling in my tummy to believe it, so I'm going with that.

Well, it is almost 8:30p.m. as I put the finishing touches on this post. Only an hour and a half to go until we are forced -- against our will -- to bid a melancholy farewell to our dashing detective extraordinaire. I am, to say the least, full of conflicting emotions.

Just Bobby Slideshow - "Loyalty" Part I - Season 9

Slideshows From "Loyalty" Part I

2010-04-05T19:39:00.003-04:00

Here are a few slideshows from last week's episode. I'm saving the "Just Bobby" one for my comments/observations post.

Eames Slideshow - "Loyalty" Part I - Season 9

Partners Slideshow - "Loyalty" Part I - Season 9

Bobby imitates an airplane. I don't know, I found this totally endearing. It reminded me of when he whinnied like a horse in "Ill-Bred" in Season 3. And for the record, I'd "fly" Bobby any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

And, finally, Rest In Peace Captain Ross. You were not around long enough for me to develop a real warm and fuzzy feeling for you, but you weren't a bad guy, and you certainly didn't deserve to die.

So, How Come Eames...

2010-04-04T13:28:00.007-04:00

...is wearing Bobby's badge? At least, that is what it looks like to me in the following picture. I just started screen capping the episode a few minutes ago and caught this. That sure does look like 4-3-7-6 to me on that badge she is wearing. Hmm? Wonder what that was all about, or perhaps my aged eyes are just playing tricks on me. (You can enlarge the photo by clicking on it to get a better look at the numbers.)

Yep, and that sure looks like 5-7-9-8 on the badge Bobby is wearing. Perhaps it was just D'Onofrio and Erbe goofing around, or maybe the wardrobe department simply "screwed" up.

A Couple of Previews From "Loyalty" Part "Deux"

2010-04-04T10:25:00.009-04:00

I just realized that USA was re-airing "Loyalty" Part I at 9:00a.m. this morning, and I completely forgot about it. Guess I'm losing my touch...or interest...already. Okay, this first scene has been around pretty much all week, and shows Bobby acting...well...all Bobby-like.

The second scene starts out...for like 15 seconds...with an uncharacteristically taciturn Bobby, then switches to Nichols and his new partner. Not happy about that. Ah, well...the agony and the ecstasy is almost over.

I suppose I should give credit to the source...albeit begrudgingly...at YouTube, which is LawAndOrderonUSA.