The Voice: s3 Live Playoffs

08 Nov

Erin Shanendoah |  November 8th,2012 | Music, Television |  Comments Off

During the first of the live rounds, a couple people (Amanda, Trevyn) really shined, others not so much. In preparation for the results show tonight, here are my predictions for who makes it through from each team.

Team Adam: Bryan Keith and Amanda Brown, with a coach’s save for Melanie Martinez

Team Blake: Terry McDermott and Michaela Paige, with a coach’s save for Liz Davis. (Julio Cesar Castillo could sneak in here, too.)

Team Christina: Dez Duron and Sylvia Yacoub, with a coach’s save for De’borah

Team CeeLo: Trevyn Hunte and MacKenzie Bourg, with a coach’s save for Nicholas David.

Winds of Change

07 Nov

Erin Shanendoah |  November 7th,2012 | Discrimination, Gay Marriage, Politics |  Comments Off

Before this year, every time same sex marriage has come up for a vote of the people, it has failed. Thirty-two times, voters have voted for inequality. Yesterday, that changed.

In Maine, Maryland, and Washington, voters voiced their support for equality. Minnesota voters said no to a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage.

Those who argue against equality still have 32 wins, but they are all in the past. Yesterday, the issue came up for votes in four states and voters in all four states voted for acceptance and equality. Hope and change- brought to you by the American people.

VOTE

06 Nov

Erin Shanendoah |  November 6th,2012 | Politics |  Comments Off

It’s Election Day in the USA. While not a federal holiday (and why not?), it is one of the most important days on our calendar- regardless of year. Yes, every 4 years we elect a president, but every year we have a chance to make our voices heard and to have an effect on local politics. And truth be told, local politics has a much greater effect on our lives than national politics do.

So if you haven’t yet- VOTE. I don’t care who you vote for as long as you vote your beliefs. Make your voice heard and counted.

MythBusters Mini-Myths (s9 ep 5)

05 Nov

Erin Shanendoah |  November 5th,2012 | Mythbusters, Science, Technology, Television |  Comments Off

Do you think “I know it like the back of my hand” is a silly phrase, since you have never paid particular attention to the back of your hands? The MythBusters found out that we really do know the backs of our hands, better than we know other body parts.

Also, professional pitchers cannot throw a needle through a sheet of glass without shattering the glass, but the air gun succeeded. Bicycles can be ridden underwater but not well. And the potty dance and/or meditation may or may not help you stave off the need to go to the bathroom.

Your Money Friday: Medicaid for Long Term Care

02 Nov

Erin Shanendoah |  November 2nd,2012 | Healthcare |  Comments Off

I’m a huge fan of long term care insurance, but many people had never heard of it, or the policies were never affordable. The majority of boomers are not going to have policies, and that means a lot of people may need Medicaid to cover custodial care.

The question this week was, if one spouse is still healthy and the other needs custodial care, what can the healthy spouse be left with? Must they impoverish themselves to care for their spouse?

The answer- it varies by state. And it wouldn’t hurt to start checking in to your state’s programs now.

Movie Review: Quantum of Solace

01 Nov

Erin Shanendoah |  November 1st,2012 | Movies |  Comments Off

In preparation for Skyfall, we saw Quantum of Solace. I enjoy Daniel Craig as Bond, and think he gives Connery some competition as the sexiest Bond.

Two is not enough to make a trend, but something I’ve noticed in the newest Bond movies is that if Bond has sex with the girl, she dies. I’m pretty sure in the earlier movies, not every one of Bond’s conquests was killed.

In QoS, the woman that was meant to be the “Bond Girl” he had more of a big brother/protective relationship with, and the conquest was, literally, a throw away character.

The Voice: s3 Knockout Rounds Teams Christina & Blake

31 Oct

Erin Shanendoah |  October 31st,2012 | Music, Television |  Comments Off

Christina and Blake appeared to have solid ideas of what they wanted. In many cases, it seemed like their decisions were made before the knockout rounds started. And unlike Monday night, when the people who did something a little different made it through, last night it was the people who played it straight. Those who took risks in arrangement and song choice did not stay. (Christina’ Fighter is not a risky song choice, no matter how difficult to sing.) In some cases I disagreed with their decisions, but overall, think all the teams are strong going into the live shows.

The Voice: s3 Knockout Rounds Teams Adam & Cee Lo

30 Oct

Erin Shanendoah |  October 30th,2012 | Music, Television |  Comments Off

The problem with the knockout rounds is the same as my problem with the battles. By having contestants go head to head, the coaches do NOT end up with the strongest teams. Sometimes, a person who wows is sent home because they went up against someone just a little bit stronger while the very next battle, someone mediocre stays because their opponent was just a little bit worse. This was more apparent on team Cee Lo than team Adam, but it was there.

I do think they ended with good teams, just not the strongest teams they could have had.

MythBusters Halloween Special (s9, ep4)

29 Oct

Erin Shanendoah |  October 29th,2012 | Mythbusters, Science, Television |  Comments Off

My favorite thing about last night’s episode was that it is apparently easier to maneuver a dead body than a corresponding bundle of the same weight, and that the reasons you would think it might be harder (awkward shape, limbs, etc) is what actually makes it easier. It turns out that while friends help you move, you don’t really need real friends to help you move bodies.

Last night was one of the few nights when I was happy I am not a Mythtern (can they really be called that anymore). No scorpions or snakes for this girl, thank you.

Blog Feature: Oh, Corbin

27 Oct

Erin Shanendoah |  October 27th,2012 | blogging, Dogs, Pets, Writing |  Comments Off

On some level, it’s kind of nice to realize I haven’t featured one of my favorite blogs, yet. it makes writing easy. Corbin is a beautiful Pit mix who is one of the happiest dogs around. He often shares his happiness with foster dogs, almost all of them also Pit mixes- and guess what, everyone is happy and playful and gets along just fine.

Oh, Corbin is mostly told from Corbin’s point of view, though he occasionally lets ‘the mama” write something. This post, from two weeks ago, has almost no words, though, and is absolutely one of my favorites.

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