What I'm Watching This Summer

Summertime is the time of sunshine and the outdoors...well, in other places. Here in Dallas, summertime is full of sunshine and unbearable heat. Today it's 90 and it feels like autumn to me because we've been dealing with 105-110 temperatures for over two weeks and 90 truly feels like relief. We'll get a few days of this before the temperature races back up again.

But all this is to say that in summer, I often end up catching up on TV watching because we're indoors hiding from the heat. So I thought I'd pass along what I'm watching this summer both on TV and YouTube. And I'd love to hear what interesting shows you've found recently!

For pure soapy reality TV

Big Brother on CBS

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I'm a long time Big Brother fan. I look forward to it every summer, and it's become a family tradition. Hubs and I love all the strategy and personality dynamics. Kidlet loves all the competitions. (We fast forward through any not-safe-for-10-year-olds moments.) It's quite a commitment with three episodes a week, but I eat it up like candy. My favorite contestant this year in Tyler. I love that he came on and was all "I'm just a dumb, cute lifeguard" and has turned out to be the most socially strategic and smart player so far. The writer in me loves characters, and Big Brother always gives me good fodder for analysis.

Fun for the Whole Family

The Middle

Last summer kidlet and I picked a show to binge watch together for device-free summer. Last year was The Goldbergs, which has become a family favorite (and kidlet obsession) now. This summer, we've picked The Middle. (Side note: finding a truly family friendly modern sitcom is a challenge! But this one fits the bill.) We're almost done with season 2 and are really enjoying it. If you want to binge watch this one, it's not streaming anywhere for free (last I checked) but Freeform and the Hallmark channel have been running the seasons marathon style and we've been taping them, so look for that.

For the Music Lover

The Big Interview with Dan Rather

This is one hubs found on one of his favorite channels AXS. Dan Rather interviews famous musicians. (He may interview more than musicians, but the ones we've watched have all been musicians.) These interviews were taped a few years ago, but they are fascinating. Dan Rather is a master interviewer, and if you love music, you'll love the stories he pulls out of the people he puts in his interview chair. So far we've watched interviews with Greg Allman of The Allman Brothers, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Even if you don't know much about the particular band/artist (I knew hardly anything about The Allman Brothers) the interviews will pull you in. Highly recommended.

For Nostalgia or a Peek Inside 90s Teenhood

My So-Called Life

I mentioned a while back that I was so excited that one of my favorite podcast duos were starting the My So-Called Podcast where they rewatch episodes of My So-Called Life and then comment on them. This has been so much fun--to rewatch one of my very favorite shows from my teen years through adult eyes and then follow each episode up by listening to Jillian and Patrick pick apart the episodes in a funny yet respectful superfan kind of way. It's made it such a multi-layered experience. It's made me laugh a lot but also has made me wonder what the hell I was thinking loving Jordan Catalano (played by Jared Leto) back when I was 14. I mean, yes, he's beautiful, but dude, he was SUCH a jerk on that show. Adult Me totally wants to yell at him for his behavior. Anyway, if you want to rewatch or watch for the first time. Here's where you can stream it and here's where you can find the podcast.

For Your Brain

The 2000s on CNN

CNN has made series about many of the decades and every time, I am so here for it. I believe they started with The Sixties. That's the first one I watched at least, and they've gone on to make a series for each decade. This summer it is The 2000s. The show is produced by Tom Hanks and is done in such a great way that I get hooked every time. Each show will take one topic of that decade and do a deep dive. So, for instance, the episode we watched this week was all about technology and the "I-Decade"--the iPod, iPhone, iPad, social media, etc. Even though we all lived through it, it's fascinating to look back and really think about how much has changed so quickly. There was also an episode on TV shows in the 2000s and then there are the political ones (9/11, the Iraq War, etc.). I believe there is a music one coming up. All very well done. And if you haven't watched the previous seasons--60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s--they've all been fantastic.

For Your Body and Mind

Yoga with Adriene

I am trying to create a yoga habit, but I have trouble making it to classes because the timing never works out. So I've started doing yoga in the mornings at home. There are tons of free videos on YouTube, but I've found that the ones I like the best are from Yoga with Adriene. The videos are well shot, the routines are doable, there are lots of routines of varying length if I don't have a lot of time. Plus, Adriene is easy to follow and comes across as very down to earth. If you're looking to get some yoga into your life, check out her channel.

For the Planner Lover and Writers

Heart Breathings with Sarra Cannon

Y'all know I love a planner and anything having to do with productivity systems. I recently returned from the RWA (Romance Writers of America) conference where I met up with the writer/planner group I'm in online. So fun! And I happened to sit next to author Sarra Cannon who had brought her 90-day planner. I loved her set up and found out she has a YouTube channel where she talks about all things planning and writing. I blame her for the kanban board I put together this week. But if you're a planner girl (or guy!) like me, her channel is worth checking out. 

That's all I've got for y'all today! Tell me what you're watching and loving this summer. : )

Recs for Your Ears: Year of Yes & My So-Called Podcast

Hi, y'all! Guess what? I TURNED IN MY BOOK!!! 

This book (book 3 in The Ones Who Got Away series) was, by far, my most challenging book process-wise yet. You'd think that by my 15th full length novel, I'd have this whole writing thing figured out. Yeah, turns out, writing just gets harder as you go, lol. Processes change, different books require different skills, characters refuse to cooperate with your plan, and then there's the self-inflicted pressure of always trying to outdo yourself. So all that to say, I AM SO HAPPY to have it turned in! There will still be edits to do when my editor works her magic, but for now, I get to actually see the sun for a little while and do things like...blog!

I've been so busy lately that I haven't had a chance to share much with you guys, but I haven't stopped reading or listening to things, so I have a few recommendations for you today. This time, they're both for your ears (though one you can get in print.) I'm finding myself drawn more and more to audio because it's so darn convenient. I can listen in the car, while I'm cooking, while I'm getting ready in the morning. I love it.

For Inspiration:

First up is Shonda Rhimes' Year of Yes. I know this book has been out a while and I'm behind here, but sometimes you need to wait for a book to come into your life at just the right time for you. When Year of Yes first released, I was in a season in my life where I needed to learn to better say the word NO, not yes. I was overbooked and overextended.

However, this year, I decided that, though I still need to be selective with my yeses, I also need not say no to things just because they scare me. See, I'm an introvert, a to-the-core shy person. So, getting up in front of people, doing phone interviews, giving workshops, going to signings, etc. all make me anxious, and I want to hide in a cave. And saying no in the name of being too busy (even though I am actually busy) can sometimes be a crutch and prevents me from experiencing things I'd enjoy. Because almost inevitably, I angst about these things to a ridiculous degree beforehand, and then once I do them I'm like--oh that was fun! Which, for some reason, does not make me any less anxious the next time. *shakes fist at brain*

So when I started listening to Year of Yes and heard Shonda describe how she reacts in similar social or public situations, I was like YES. PREACH. She was absolutely speaking my language. If you've read the book, she has a story about sitting in President Obama's box at an event--her initial reaction would've been mine. So hearing how she decided to change things and how she went about it was truly inspiring to me. I HIGHLY recommend getting this one in audio. I'm sure reading the book is great, but I'm not sure it could compete with hearing Shonda read it in her own voice. It feels like she's sitting down with you for some wine and a chat. Plus, she includes the live recordings of the speeches she's given within the audio. Super ultra fantastic.

For Some Retro Fun: 

Alright, next up I have something a little different and that will probably only appeal to my fellow children of the 80s/90s. My So-Called Life was THE show when I first entered high school. It premiered in 1994 and followed angsty 15 year-old Angela Chase, played by Claire Danes, who was trying to navigate adolescence, love, parents, and high school. It also featured young Jared Leto as Jordan Catalano, who was the most beautiful boy I'd ever seen. *insert teen Roni swoon*

Jordan Catalano Shade GIF from Jordancatalano GIFs

It only lasted one season, and y'all, my 14-year old self was DEVASTATED when it was canceled. I wrote letters to the network, y'all. (And I mean letters with stamps. Email wasn't a thing yet.) I may have cried a little... (shut up, I was 14 and very angsty.)

Jordan Catalano Are You Crying GIF from Jordancatalano GIFs

So, I was probably a little TOO excited when I heard that two of my favorite podcasters (who do the True Crime Obsessed podcast--another fantastic podcast if you love both true crime documentaries and humor) were going to do an episode-by-episode podcast about My So-Called Life. The hosts, Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle, are hilarious, clever, and true superfans, so although they are picking fun at certain things in the episodes, it is from a place of love. 

So if you want to have some fun and flashback to the 90s, I highly recommend it. I'm rewatching the episodes of My So-Called Life as new podcast episodes come out. (It's an interesting experiment to watch it through my adult/mom eyes now, lol.) It's streaming free on ABC.com and you can also get it on Hulu.

So, that's what I've been listening to. What's been keeping you entertained lately?

Made of Win Monday: Shows That Bring You Back

Image by Brian Gurralo (click pic for link)

Welcome to the very first Made of Win Monday. This day is going to be reserved for simple things that are awesome because sometimes it's easy to forget to appreciate the little things.

Now, I'm a sentimental person by nature. I hold on to way too much, and I love things that drag me back to good memories. Music would be the obvious one, but another thing that does this for me is watching old TV shows. If I'm feeling out of sorts or down, nothing can cheer me up quicker than pulling out old episodes of a show that flips that sentimental switch inside me.

And those are also the shows that I tend to buy box sets of on DVD. So what are my shows?

To bring me back to high school...

My So-Called Life

Dude, I was DEVASTATED when this show was cancelled after one season. I actually wrote a letter to the network. I think that may have been my first act of "activism" in my life, lol. Beyond the fact that Jared Leto was the hottest thing I'd ever seen on TV, the show spoke to me in a way nothing else did at the time. (I was 15 when the show aired.) I've since heard that it would've been renewed but Claire Danes didn't want to do another season. (Claire, you wound me.) But anytime I want to be brought back to my innocent, angsty teenage years, I break out My So-Called Life.

College

Dawson's Creek

This show started during my first year of college. I remember me and my college roommates gathering around the TV on Dawson's Creek night eating french bread pizza (about as gourmet as our cooking got back then.) This show had everything I could want--angst, love triangles, romance, and teenagers who used big words like I did. I own all the seasons on DVD and every few years I break them out and go all the way from season 1 through 6. It makes me all warm and fuzzy just thinking about Joey and Pacey. Hmm, maybe I'm due for some reruns again.

The Show I Grew Up With

Friends

Ah, Friends. This show was on from the time I was 14 until I was 24. That's a huge portion of my formative years and part of me feels like this show is part of my DNA. Quotes still come to my head on a regular basis. (Does "I didn't get a cat" mean anything to you? Here's my fave scene of all time.) I also had the Rachel haircut (bad decision) and one of those huge coffee mugs even though I didn't drink coffee. Maybe I should seek therapy. I do resemble Chandler a bit too much I fear. But I have the box set of this one too. It's like balm for my soul.

All right, so those are my shows that can bring me back in time. What are yours? Do you have any shows you just HAD to own so you can access them anytime you want?