Saturday, December 29, 2007

Reconnecting
with TiVo


So there is no better time to reconnect with my friend TiVo then when I have some time. I haven't had a lot of time to keep up with my favorite shows (except the Hills and ANTM) - but this weekend (with poor Bruce slaving away at work - I had time to veg) now I am all caught up. I finally got caught up with this season of the Project Runway. And so far so good. I must admit this group of designers (at this point) seem like a nice bunch. They are not so caddy but then again it's still early in the season.

I have also had a chance to watch everyone's Project Runway favorite Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. I know I had mentioned before that I wasn't excited about watching this show because his co-host is Veronica Webb (her TV personality was much better than the in person personality that I meet at the Auto Show a few year's ago.) Well the other day I got a chance to sit down and watch the show - it's kind of "what not to wear" but not. Tim let's them keep their own personality, but helps them find clothes that make them look good. However, they do end up in a lot of dresses and skirts, which are cute, but really how many of us (with the exception of the summer of the dress) wear dresses and skirts all the time especially in winter (when all I want to wear is jeans.) The best part of this show is the witty, caring commentary of our Project Runway Fav - Tim Gunn.

I also got a chance to enjoy the Office, which I must admit has grown on me. Yes I was never a big fan of the office. I would always get excited about it especially during the opening song, because it is just so catchy, but somehow it just lost me somewhere if the first five minutes of the show. However all my friends love love love office so I kept coming back. And it turns out that with this show the 37th try was the charm. I ended up watching five episodes in a row.

So needless to say I won't be bothered by re-runs because I have a lot to catch up on. Yes even with my loyal TiVo it turns out if you neglect him long enough he must delete some episodes to continue to record more. So I have missed some of Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, now the Office and Heroes. So I am hoping that despite all the production of all these reality shows, I will still get some reruns. Also I am looking forward to the celebrity version of Donald Trump's The Apprentice.

Also I will be watching Eli Stone on ABC. Why? Well at the request of Olive due to the fact that it will feature her favorite George Michael. It premieres on Thursday, January 31st at 10pm EST. So what is it about, well according to IMDB: "A legal drama centered on a lawyer who begins to think he might be a prophet." Each of the episodes is named after a George Michael song and Olive's George will be appearing in multiple shows. The picture is my holiday treat for Olive. Yes, I don't think G. Love and Special Sauce will have their own television show anytime soon, so I will have to enjoy this one.

Speaking of G. Love there are signs everywhere - like today when I was eating a buritto the size of my head at Chipotle - right there on the paper that they use to line baskets was G. Love and Special Sauce - along with about a hundred other bands, that I have never noticed until I saw G.L.A.S.S. And G. Love will be in Germany when I am in Germany this summer. So all of these things are getting me excited about the January concert in Royal Oak (which I will be arriving late to - so no front row for me - and sadly Olive can't be there either - Angie will have to do her best to fill in.) However, I will be front row in Chicago at the Rivera Theater with Olive, my dear sister Krista and Megan (who will be inducted in the club with her first G. Love concert, hey it could be Krista's too.) I am not sure, well they better be ready to stand out in the cold to be first in line. (Angie ther eis still time for you to join us!!!!) Yes, I am slightly insane, but we already knew this so this is not what we would call "breaking news" in the biz.

Friday, December 28, 2007

A New Look for 2008

So I am coming down from the holiday high. This week I think I consume more candies, cookies and cake in one week time than I do all year. The kicker is the holidays aren't really over yet.

So now we are just days away from 2008-- which means resolutions (and of course the new look for the TiVo Changed My Life Blog.)

First the New Looooooook.

Well I must admit it's not my favorite, but I need to spend a little more time with the html until I can decide I can produce something better looking than this. However it is green, a color which I thoroughly enjoy - I know I sound like a kindergartener but it's my favorite.

What are my resolutions:
  1. Run the Chicago Marathon
    This has been a goal of mine since 2001. I have technically been signed up and paid my money twice for this race. The first time, was after my first marathon and I was still working in the news biz. The race is in October and when September 11th happened, work became my number one priority. Then there was 2005. It was the first time I was training on my own for a long run, and I was doing pretty well. I had finished my 12 mile run, then I trip at work over the railroad tracks in Greenfield Village and broke my fifth metatarsal in my left foot. Which well stopped my training -- so this year (with the help of the 7:11 club) I am hoping that I will finally be able to register and run. My goal time is 4hours 30 minutes - which is 50 minutes faster than my first one. We shall see if I can do that. Anyone else in? Bruce?

  2. Finish Graduate School
    This one is a no brainer because well it's a 15 month program and graduation is set for 08/08/08. But as I found out this fall classes can get a little much when you are trying to go to work and be a good student. I also need to put our grad school project into high gear, it's easy to let that fall behind with our other school work, work and well life.

  3. Be More Organized
    Ok, I have a slight case of a type A personality, but sometimes it gets lost to the public, but it's always there. I crave organization and honestly without it, I don't sleep as well. Just ask Bruce, I have to make the bed before I can sleep in it. The question is why am I not organized. Well can you say, I have a lot on my plate. In reality I don't have as much as others, but I get so overwhelmed by the details - that I just get consumed. So in 2008, I am going to stop spreading myself so thin, instead, I am going focus on organizing Graduate School (set aside for school - so that I don't get too stressed out - don't wait for the last minute to get assignments done - which leads to burnout by the end of the semester,) my students (this one is hard, I need to set time aside to grade, so I don't get behind, and to realize that I can say no, and to organize my desk - stop the piles - start a filing system that works - but is not hard work for me) and my running (see number 1 - I need to hit the gym for at least 2 days a week even in the winter blahs - try to run in Marysville at 3:30 pm right after work - on the Helen 5k route.)

  4. Write
    I love to write (if anyone who is still reading this) you know. I am not sure if I am the best writer, but that does not stop me. I have a secret dream of being both a fabulous children's book writer or chick lit novelists. I have many ideas and many book titles, but they are all in my head. So this year I am going to try to take them from my head to paper. Then figuring out if they are good enough for someone else to read them is another thing.
So that's just a short list. We will see how long these last. I think the hardest is organization - but I am committed.
TiVo Changed My Life
2007 Stats*

Visitors
6,411 Visits

1,530 Unique Visitors
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2:16 Average Time Spent on the Site

Top Visits
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Top 10 Searches of 2007
10. Krista Sahakian

9. Kathy Griffin Emmy Outburst

8. Jennie's G Love Channel
7. Tivo Switzerland

6. G Love Cleveland

5. how tivo changed my life jenny holladay
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3. "port huron to mackinac" emmy

2. benny ninja

1. tivochangedmylife


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9.
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8.
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Who's Visiting
(Oh Yes We Are Global!)
North America

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Central America
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South America
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*as of December 28, 2007

Oh yeah everyone need ones of these a 5 foot tall Nutcracker!

Thursday, December 27, 2007


Max Hard at Work

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Holidays with The Holladays
(Bruce & Jennie Holladay)


This has been a busy couple of days. We have celebrated in Attica, St. Clair (The Holladay's), East China Township (The Salisbury's), Manchester (The Sahakian's) and Sharon Township (my Mom & Dad.) Needless to say the Holladay's Holidays can be exhausting in travel alone.

It started out at in Attica with Bruce and I exchanging presents. I got the totally awesome iPod Touch (Grandpa and Max are enjoying watching a movie on the it.) And Bruce got a couple of zip up sweaters, because it may have been the summer of the dress but for Bruce it is the winter of the zip up sweater. He got some other fun stuff including NHL hockey for the PS3. We played before we let the house and quickly learned that we aren't very good. We ended with a tie game of 0 to 0, then we had a shoot out after about 20 loser shots, we finally had two go in. I ended up winning but there was no skill involved whatsoever.

Then we went to Bruce's parent's house in St. Clair. We exchanged gifts with his Mom, Dad and sisters. They were very accommodating to us because well Bruce and I have a holiday negotiation that starts in about September that usually is challenged by the Local 4 holiday schedule.

Then we headed over to Bruce's mom's side of the family celebration. Bruce has a very large extended family, they are all there. When I first started going I needed a flip book with pictures and names to keep track of them all. But I am happy to say after three years of marriage I know most everyone, I am not sure if they know who I am, but I have got the names down. We have a lot of fun and eat a lot of good food (you will start to see a theme here.) That is a picture of Bruce and his cousin Michelle.

Then we headed out to Manchester, well Bruce made a pit stop to work in Detroit. He directed the morning show. I headed out to Aunt Mary Ann's for the annual Sahakian gift exchange, that has turned into gift pandemonium with the addition of a two and four year-old. What I couldn't believe was that they waited for me to open gifts, I thought for sure that all that would be left was remnants of wrapping paper. It was fun seeing the kids open up their presents. I gave Max and Sophie a book of them making cookies with grandma. It wasn't a huge hit when it was opened, but I think it will grow on them. Max was so funny, he got a pair of Christmas pajamas and when he opened it he was like - oh I love it, this is exactly what I wanted.

Then we headed back to my parent's house. It was kind of a dicey ride home because it had rained and then iced the roads up. But we all made it home safely. When we were getting for bed, the kids were pumped up on chocolate and full of funny moments.

On Christmas day - Bruce arrived early to open presents with my sister, Josh, the kids and my parents. Then we began to prepare for the big Sahakian/Kump/Ryan/Dutkowski dinner. That is when we take my small childhood home and cram as many people in it as possible (approx. 26-28) and stuff ourselves silly with food. Good food. I always eat way way too much. It sounds painful, but it is a lot of fun. We are all loud and there is a lot of laughter. This year Bruce and I brought Rock Band, as I said earlier - we had Base of Ace breaking it down in the living room (the Ace of Base cover band - however Rock Band doesn't include any Ace of Base songs, I wonder if we can fix that because clearly that is an oversight.)

Then Bruce and Daisy went home to get some rest and tend to the cats. I stayed back at the Sahakian Home to hang out with the fam a little longer. The kids crack me up. We went to McDonald's and played. It was sweet when I left, both Sophie and Max where sad and they said don't go Aunt Jennie because we will miss you. It was so sweet. It almost made me want to stay but I needed to get home and let out the dog because Bruce was working the Piston's game tonight.

So that is the summary of the Holladay's Holiday. We cap off the week with a New Year's Eve hanging out with the 7:11 Club in Lima, Ohio. Woo Hoo!!!!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!
This is my first post from my iPod Touch (thanks Bruce who got me it for Christmas) it takes some getting used too. Today was fun, we ate ourselves silly, hung out with the fam played some rock band after dinner, Base of Ace really rocked it with Kellie on vocals, Brent on drums and me on guitar. We couldn't have a base player because we don't have a base. Really the Dutkowski family band really stole the show with Jill on drums, Vincent on guitar and Uncle Tom on vocals. Well I am off to sleep too much fun and food.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Well the Gifts are all Wrapped....

Today was spent wrapping presents (well I am not going to lie, after I slept in.) Yes, Christmas vacation has officially arrived. I wrapped presents for both Bruce's family and mine. Bruce told me that he would wrap the presents for his family, but well let's just say his wrapping standards aren't up to mine and if my name is going to be on this present, it better look pretty.

Then I headed down to Ann Arbor for dinner at the Cottage Inn with my parents and my favorite teacher of all times Frau Davis, she insists that I can call her Susan since I have been out of school for 11 years, but frankly it doesn't feel right. We usually just call her Frau, which means lady. But I guarantee that if you know someone who graduated from my high school and you say Frau they will know exactly who you are talking about. I had to drop off a photo montage I complete for my dad, actually my dad's friend, it's a long story but it is done! And my dad watched it when he got home so he approved.

Last night Bruce, KC and I went down to the MGM Grand casino. It's brand new so we wanted to check out our luck. Needless to say, I was lucky but that quickly faded. I won 60 dollars shortly after sitting down at a slot machine, however, then I went to video blackjack and lost it all. Oh well it was fun. Then after we left there we went to the anchor bar (a famous Detroit Dive for TV people) and sat and talked. We got home late last night, well I did sleep most of the way (if not all of the way) home. Meghan would be so proud.

Tomorrow we are heading over to St. Clair County for some Holladay celebrations and then out to Manchester for more with the Sahakians. I am very excited to see everyone. I am thankfully done with all of my shopping.

Also breaking news G. Love is playing in Chicago on February 2nd. It's a Saturday, so anyone that's interested in going to the show, let me know, because I will be making the trip west.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Fall Semester: Over

Today I officially finished my first fall semester since my undergrad at the University of Missouri. Let me say (knowing that it could have been much much harder) it still wasn't easy trying to fit school in with work. Needless to say the "TiVo Changed My Life" blog has been neglected. To all my loyal readers (if any are left) I am sorry. Other things that have been neglected, well TiVo. I really haven't had time to stay current. There are really only two shows that I have been able to see all the episodes of
The Hills and ANTM (which I will cover later.) So needless to say I am very happy to have a little break.

Speaking of break I got a small Pre-Christmas break on Monday - thanks to Mother Natu
re. On Sunday we had about eight inches of snow. Since it was Sunday, I was certain that the roads would be cleared by Monday morning, I wasn't counting on a snow day - especially because in order for me to have a snow day all 9 school districts that send students to my school have to be closed. During the 6 o'clock news - I saw on the TV that Bruce's school was closed. Then shortly after I got the call. The call that we all as teachers hope for the call from my boss (aka as the beginning of the phone tree) saying school is closed on Monday. Then of course I did the "woohoo no school" whoop (yes to my boss) I quickly recovered by saying, "I will see you on Tuesday."

So what to do with a free Monday. What I should have done was work hard on my paper for my Intercultural Communications class, but instead I went to the Somerset Collection to finish my Christmas shopping. I am almost finished.


Speaking of snow that leads me to school. I have been pushing my students for the past week or so with book work. Which if you know my students is like Kryptonite to my students - I swear they think I am trying to poison them. So I made a deal with them - they will have a test on Friday regardless. Since it snowed - I thought let's get outside and take some cool photos: and have some fun while we did it. So today my kids (11th & 12th graders) came in their snow gear and we headed outdoors. We had tons of fun. The other perk is that my boss let me wear jeans to work which is a huge deal. Tomorrow we are back to the books and Friday we will be taking test. I know the other instructors at my school sometimes look at me like I have lost it - but hey we are creative types. The picture to the right is me right after being hit by a bunch of snowballs - it's my patented "get in line" point. It gets the kids shaking in there boots, trust me. I have some super cute photos of my students but we were warned this year about publishing photos of our students from school, from the school lawyer. So just imagine your a bunch of creative kids in snowpants with cameras, sometimes I call them my own paparazzi. Teaching digital imaging is a blast.

Now back to TiVo and ANTM. Last week the winner was announced. Salesha was the winner. Which I have to say she isn't my favorite winner. I really liked Jenah, because we was sassy, sarcastic and not so bubble gum. This season was ok, but I am ready for the next cycle. The best part of the season was Miss Jay. He had this fabulous growing Afro during judging. So Tyra I challenge you to get some sassier girls next season. I need to get rehooked. She has to be worried because Bravo is introducing a new show: Make Me a Super Model where the viewers get to decide.

Speaking of Bravo, tonight I am watching Project Runway, I am going through TiVo so I am going back and forth in the season. I must admit I love this show and I it is easy to get hooked. I don't know the characters like I have in the past, but I am enjoying it. Right now I am watching the show with Sarah Jessica Parker as the guest star.

Monday, December 17, 2007

An Ipod vending machine

I saw this at Macy's at the Somerset Collection on Monday. I thought it was so cool that I had to snap a photo!

Monday, December 10, 2007

The Hills Finale
Or NOT?

OK, if you haven't figured it out, I have been so busy that I have relied on TiVo to hold my great shows in it's memory until I can have time to enjoy them. However, I have been able to keep up with the Hills and ANTM (despite not having time to write about them.) Maybe because The Hills is just a half hour -- so with TiVo it's 24 minutes max.


This season has been a good one. Lots of drama with Heidi and Spencer - it ends with them looking like they are in shaky ground. And as we all know we all love to hate Spencer. We get to know Audrina... This season she was dating the scummy Justin Bobby - thanks God he's over. Lauren and Brody got pretty hot and heavy this season. What's not to like about Brody? Those puppy dog eyes.The season ends with Lauren headed to France with TeenVogue.

So I am watching this aftershow and Lauren makes a big announcement - the announcement is that there is more. YEAH! Will Lauren end up with Broday? How did the France trip go?

Ok and since we are talking about TiVo and ANTM -- I know I have been out of touch but the big news this week is the sassy girl from Brooklyn - Bianca was ousted. So now we have Chantel, Saliesha, and Jenah - so far my fav has to be Jenah - I am not super excited about her, but she's the best. However, I am not sure that the judges like her as much as I do. We will see how it ends.


Why You Should Give a Hoot about Woot.


Yes, I said a hoot about
Woot. What is a Woot? It's one item on one day on the Woot.com website. How it works? Well there is a new woot (item)at 1am EST. That Woot will remain on the website until it's sold out. The best part of Woot -- I think it's the witty podcasts. Also these Woot Guys come up with the wittiest writeups for nearly any item. Here's an example for today's Woot - A Polaroid Ultra-Compact 7 Megapixel Digital Camera for $79.99:

‘Roid Ragin’

Wassup, Polaroid T737? I suppose you think you’re pretty hot mustard there, with your—your seven megapixels and your 16mb of memory built-in. “Ooh, look at me, I’ve got image stabilization, I’m super cool, no one’s as cool as I am, I’m the coolest thing since… like, whatever.”

Well, you know what? Whatever!


You can also take a look at the past
Woots. Along with the Woot there is the Shirt.Woot too. The shirt Woot usually sells out pretty fast. Why do I like woot? Well I enjoy their sharp sense of humor. For example if you are interested in working for woot here are some of their most important qualifications:
  • No shirt, no shoes, no job
  • Must be more intelligent, adaptable, and motivated than a typical bucket of gravel
  • Must treat people as you would wish to be treated, unless you’re some kind of weirdo who wishes to be treated badly
Well I can't take the credit for finding Woot, I have to thank my husband Bruce for introducing me to Woot. I know make it a daily stop on my internet surfing. It's usually good for a chuckle and who knows there may be a woot that you can't live without.