Friends Review: 1.6: TWWTB

The One With The Butt

•  I love when we get to see Joey's acting. It's always a treat. 
• Ross is so the friend who doesn't get the sublte hints to look at a pretty girl. *sigh*
• Wow, the girl Chandler hits on has on such a good outfit because it's timeless! Classic, all black with a statement necklace. 
• Supposedly Joey's play was terrible. I'm glad he finds his groove later on with General Hospital.
• Oooh, this is when Joey gets his agent, Estelle! 
• The NYC shots from above look like they were done with a first version drone.
•  First intro of Yemen?? Love it. Is that why Chandler later in the series tells Janice he is moving there?
• So Chandler's date is married...and has a boyfriend. Wowza!
• This brings up one of those classic discussions among the friends when Monica poses the question to the guys of whether this is their dream scenario too. 
• Oh boy, Rachel cleaned up. Hello to Monica's OCD. She is so weird about things. I love how casual Rachel is about everything.
• Phoebe does a little motion from The Shining to show how crazy Monica is. Good job on a reference! 
• Ross points out that Monica is their mom. Not what most 20-somethings want to hear. (I would- my mom is awesome!)
• Joey got a part in the new Al Pacino movie! ...As his butt double.
• So, I find it really gross that Chandler is sharing his new girl with several others. 
• At Joey's gig, he messes up the shot because he keeps trying to read too much into the part;)
• Chandler does end up having a problem with sharing his girl-thank goodness! 
• Man, Rachel loves the mom jeans in this episode. 
• Aw, Monica can't handle leaving her shoes in the living room. A problem I have never had.

This is an okay episode. It's more about Joey and Chandler than I would like. I prefer the ones that have Ross and/or Rachel with the main plotline. OCD Monica can be funny, but when she is too crazy about things, it's annoying. 

Friends Review: 1.5: TOWTEGLD

THe One With The East German Laundry Detergent

•  So we're still inthe baggy clothes era of Friends. *sigh*
• So they start off discussing the pros of being a male or female, which ends with Ross saying, "Multiple orgasms!" I dunno, being able to pee standing up would be super convenient.
• Chandler has a date Saturday night despite wearing a horrific sweater vest that is only buttoned at the bottom. It's truly terrible. 
• Oh, it's with Janice. 
• Rachel is upset because her father offered to buy her a Mercedes convertible if she moves home. Hmmm...that would be tempting. 
• Ross is super precious trying to set up a 'date' with Rachel to do their laundry. Pro Tip: Don't mentions rats...ever. 
• An ex of Joey's comes in, dressed like Jessica Rabbit and then she taunts him about being "just friends". I do love love love that Joey sets up a double date, but then tells Monica that she's setting her up with Angela's brother. Amazing.
• UGLY NAKED GUY ALERT!
• Why does Ross have a violin on his wall? Like, as a decoration. The dinosaurs in his room are kind of funny, though.
• At Central Perk, Phoebe and Chandler are there to break up with their significant others. Of course, Phoebe's goes super quick and Chandler's is a mess.
• I was always super confused by the mean lady in the laundromat. What is she wearing? That hat...what? Actually, I think I always thought the title of this episode was "...East German Lady" now that I think about it.
• Ross is precious during the laundry 'date'.  "I'll use the...gentle cycle." "Under panty things."
• Did Ross say "whole nother"?! Yuck.
• The restaurant scenes are so funny and they work so well. "My brother didn't even tell me when he lost his virginity." 
• Ew! Angela eats her wings so disgustingly. But even more disgusting to Monica, who thinks they're brother and sister, is how lovey dovey the two are. So funny! She finally figures it out and she and Joey plan on breaking them up:)
• Meanwhile...Chandler is on espresso 32890 so Phoebe breaks up with Janice for him. 
• The moment when Ross spins Rachel around in the cart and then kisses him is perfect. He is so freaked out. It's the best. 

Ross and Rachel, throughout the beginning of Friends always represented the most real aspect of the show for me. Phoebe is just too out there at times, Chandler is a little too slap-sticky, Joey too much of a lady's man, and Monica, at times, is too high strung. And not that real people aren't all of those things, but Ross and Rachel are effortlessly real to me in these episodes. Ross trying to finagle his way into her plan to do laundry is so something I would have done. He loves her, but just can't do anything super concrete about it. It's sweet and that's why he is my favorite character...followed quite closely by Rachel, of course.

Friends Review: 1.4: TOWGS

The One With George Stephanopoulos

• Is it bad that I sorta love Rachel's big, voluminous hair? 
• Is Ross's very prominent magazine there for an ad placement? He's holding it like LOOK AT THIS VODKA AD!
• Did anyone see that article about why they always get the couch and how it has a Reserved sign on the table? Now that's all I can look for.
• Ross is sad because it's the anniversary of when he and his ex wife consummated their relationship. I think that unless it was on the wedding night, I'd never remember that date.
• As a 14 year old, that FICA joke was funny...and 10 years later I really understand it.
• Poor Rachel who is having a mid twenties crisis. I totes understand, girl. 
• The footage from the Rangers game is comically bad. I guess this is before they could afford anything. 
• Do you think if Rachel could have looked to the future and seen that she wouldn't settle down until 10 years later when she and Ross finally get back together that she would have gone back home? Not to say that her journey for the 10 years didn't have amazing parts and that life is about an endpoint, but I bet in her 20s mind she expected things to go differently. Yep!
• We find out that Ross lost his virginity to and has only slept with Carol. I think that's sweet:) 
• "WHERE?" "Right where we've been looking all night." Love that joke!
• I also love when the random guy brings the pillow back up.
• Man, Twister gets some sexual tension going on! Whoa, Joey! 

Good episode. I think it's a good mix of humor and real life stuff, which is why I think Friends is such a great show.

Friends Review: 1.3: TOWTT

The One With The Thumb

• The denim game is so off in these early episodes of Friends. Baggy jeans, overalls, mom jeans, ugh! Maybe this explains why I kind of like Rachel's denim vest/shirt? Is it just in comparison to the other atrocities that I like it?
• So Joey has to learn how to smoke for a part and Chandler, who had quit, helps him out. It's always weird seeing older shows where people smoke inside since that's not allowed in 98% of places.
• Rachel being a bad waitress is fun. I think it's because it's how I would be, too. 
• Sometimes I really hate Phoebe. She's too quirky at times.
• OMG Rachel's blue/white checked dress! I had the exact same one! I'm fairly confident I bought it because of Friends.
• The scene with Chandler smoking at work is so annoying. I hate comedy that wouldn't work in the real world.But did you notice his ghetto computer!?
• "And there it was, like this this tiny little hitchhiker."
• Whoa, Chandler's shirt with the circles. So so so so bad. And not much later with his vest/tie combo.
•  Phoebe offers Chandler $7k to never smoke again. I wish I'd get an offer like that. 

This episode isn't the best, actually. Let's move on...

Friends Review: 1.2: TOWTSATE

The One With The Sonagram At The End

• A lot has changed from the pilot to the second episode. The hair is all WAY better, most noticeably. The clothes are still dated, but not as bad as the first episode. 
• So Ross is a paleontologist. I dig it. I always loved that about him.
• Carol shows up (who ends up being a totally different actress later) to tell Ross that she's pregnant. Was this risque in 1994? I can't remember.
• We find out that Monica is a clean freak and has some issues with her parents because they looovvveeee Ross.
• Ugly Naked Guy! When I was in NYC once, I totally saw one of those across in a window! I was so excited. Then grossed out.
• Is it bad I like Rachel's wrap skirt in this episode?
• Ummmm, Monica didn't fully shut the door after Ross came in.
• I can't stop looking at Ross' awful, huge, striped tie.
•  Do you notice how sweaty Mr. Gellar gets when dissing Monica? It's kinda weird.
• I love TV staging. Why on earth would Ross get up from the table and stand behind his parents to tell them about Carol and the baby?
• Ugh, Rachel speaks the truth. Weren't we supposed to meet someone, fall in love, and that would be it? *sigh*
• Carol's girlfriend, Susan, is so annoying. 
• Ugh, outfit failure for Rachel: baggy overalls and a shapeless coat. To go see her ex-fiance? Poor choice, girl.
• "Helen Geller?!" Lol

A good second episode! Can't wait for the next. 

Friends Review: 1.1: TOWMGAR

Friends was everything to be from 1994 until 10 years later when it went off the air. I've had it on DVD for years, but with it now being on Netflix, I thought it would be fun to sort of review it now that I'm 20 (OMG!) years older.

So, without further adieu...

The One Where Monica Gets A Roommate

• 1994 fashion was atrocious. Phoebe is wearing an oversize jean vest and Monica looks like she is a character in Working Girl. 
• Remember how cool Central Perk was? I mean is. I'd still kill for a hangout spot like that. 
• I own one of those extra large Friends mugs:) I got it for Christmas in 1994 along with a Friends sleep shirt. Go, Santa!
• So our first shot of The Apartment...Wowza! Even as a 14 year old, I knew this wasn't how it worked in NYC. I always loved how the place was decorated, though. You don't often see so much stuff in the apartment of people so young, though.
• They're drinking Mello Yellow! I don't think I ever noticed that.
•   Reallllly bad hair in this first episode. Joey has a 12 year old's bowl cut, Monica has the grown out version, and Phoebe's pigtails are threatening to take over the entire show. 
• I think Jennifer Aniston is such a great actress in this entire series. 
• So, they're supposed to be early 20s, right? Paul the Wine Guy looks so old!
• Apartment 5. That changes, doesn't it?
• "You look like you slept with a hanger in your mouth." I still don't get why that joke is met with "Wooowwwwww"s.
• It's funny that Rachel doesn't have a blow out in this first episode. Her hair is quite big. 
• Ross asks Rachel if he can maybe ask her out one day. So sweet:) Sets up the entire series. 

This was a great pilot. It's super dated now in the fashion and hair and stuff, but the jokes are still good and the physical comedy will always make me laugh. Can't wait to continue!

Happy Alone

I am going to a friend's wedding tonight and while I am so excited, I am also nervous! I feel like it's the first day of school and I don't know who will be in my classes and if I will have friends to talk to. As comfortable as I can be in social situations, my shyness definitely takes over sometimes. I'm terrible with names and it is almost debilitating when I forget them! I only remember one of the new names from the bride's bachelorette party a few weeks ago. That is terrible!

I need to just have an out of body experience and not worry about it. I know I'll have fun. I will have fun. Nothing will be awkward.


+Titles from Kings Of Leon

We're Going To Be Friends

It's easy to make negative lists..."I hate..." "I don't like..." and, of course, I'm prompted to make those when someone or some thing irritates me. It's better to be positive, though, so here goes:

Things People Do That I Like:

+ Smile when they see me

+ Leave me notes

+ Text/Call/Email me

+ Are understanding

+ Drive me somewhere

+ Make me a mix CD

+ Laugh at my jokes

+ Make me laugh

+ High fives!

+ Remember inside jokes

+ give me their tomatoes



XO,
SVR

Holiday

So as is the case with much of the world right now, the past couple of weeks have been jam packed with stuff to do! Here is a run down of what I have been up to:

+ Randi was gracious enough to host a holiday pot luck for us all on the 19th. I had worked all day and had to get back to work the next so I made a semi-early exit, but i had a ton of fun! Lots of people were there and her apartment turned Mary Poppins-esque fitting all of those people. I took bruschetta and crustinos. Oh and Yuengling.

+ Saturday the 20th was Ali's 22nd birthday! I worked all day (and boy was it crowded!) and then met up with her, Nathaniel, and Amira at P.F. Changs. What an awesome birthday dinner! Ali got scallops and shared (*love*) and we also had Tsaoting! (sp?) Our waiter was a hit, too, as he entertained us every time he came by.

+ Post dinner we headed to Hard Times for the drinking portion of the evening. You know when you get the perfect number of people together? Well, we did that. We pushed two tables together, got Ali in the middle and ordered. It was a lot of fun and I think she had a great time. We stalked the jukebox to request the first 13 songs as soon as the football game was over. Happy Birthday, Ali!!!!!

+ Christmas Eve I worked and then we all decided to head over for a drink after work. We ended up having a ton of fun and it was a slightly random group. I, as is expected, got way too tired so put off driving by watching Beautiful Girls with a friend and rang in* Christmas at midnight by dozing off after saying "Merry Christmas."

+ Do not fret, though, it was early and I got home before Santa came. Christmas was a lot of fun! For the first time in forever Ali and I stayed home the entire day. My parents went to visit the grandparents and Ali and I watched Burn After Reading and then way too many episodes of 17 Kids And Counting-those MFers are crazy and it's not for having that many kids.

+ Santa was kind to me, as always, and I was excited about the gifts I gave, too. My mom has been like a 10 year old with the iPod shuffle I gave her and I warned my dad I might steal the Chris Cooley pennant I gave him.

+ In other news, I'm watching a friends cat, which yes, should strike you as weird since I hate cats. Luckily, it's on my way to work and the cat likes to hide.

+ I finally saw Casino Royale last night and I really liked it. I never knew it had actual spy stuff in it. However, I can no longer say I've never seen a Bond movie.


XO,
SVR


*Can you ring in Christmas??

One Year Later

Ant said I don't have to do a 2007 wrap up so I'm not going to. And 2008? Well, so far I've been kind of tired for it. The transition from 2007 to 2008 was pretty good, though. Maybe I'll tell you about that.

I was going on about 3 hours sleep so prior to any celebrations, I had to take a nap. After said nap, I hung out with Ali and Bearthaniel and we made delicious (rich) hot chocolate and learned about meth addicts and bulimics while watching Intervention. Surprisingly, this did not ruin our appetites and we headed out in search of food. Well, we ended up at 7-11 since everything was closed. I looked like a hooker, which was awesome, since I was wearing fishnets and patent leather heels. Those Big Bites were delicious, though.

Next on the agenda was picking up Brendan and then Serena to head over to Randi's. I wasn't even sure who all would be there, besides us and Ali and Bear, but was pleasantly surprised when the following people ended up being there, too: Jonah, Tice, Kelly, MattB, Patty, and Emily.

It was a good time. We played some Texas Hold 'Em (I was winning when we took a break and we never resumed the game so therefor I am the winner of 2007!), danced, listened to awesome music (Britney, '80s!, etc.), took a gazillion pictures and all around had a good time.

Midnight was special goodness, of course. Lip locking with the hottest guy there does not result in a complaint from me:) Then we all cheek kissed everyone else and took another gazillion pictures. (I will link to these once mine are posted.)

We left the party at about 2ish, which was pretty late considering I had been up since 430am and would be getting up again at 7am* for work. So, if New Years Eve was an indicator of the year to come, it's going to be good. Not that I believe in that...but if the indicator reads "good", then why not believe in it? Hmmm.

Oh, and no resolutions. I don't make those. I am already awesome.


XO,
SVR


*Martyr baby

+Title from The Get Up Kids