Open Thread #2

34 November 2, 2007November 18, 2008

by javabeans

Since Open Thread #1 was a smashing success, here we go again!

First, you may notice some changes. I really like the new design/color scheme. I would’ve made more drastic changes, but that would mess up old posts and make for lots of weird clashing.

Second, I caught the new show Samantha Who? — surprisingly funny. Too bad the Hollywood writers’ strike will probably wipe out the rest of the TV season. That gives me a month to learn to love reality TV. Ooh, Project Runway starts soon. Bring on the bitchy-crazy! (Where the HELL is my chiffon?!)

Third, I’m totally behind on my drama-watching. I did not drop Mixed-up Investigative Agency, I’m just behind. Hoping to have a Mixed-up marathon over the weekend.

Fourth, someone asked in the last open thread what blogs I like to frequent. I’ve got a bunch in the LINKS page (the tab at the top) but I confess those aren’t necessarily sites I visit every day. On the other hand…

Cuteoverload.com :: This site melts my cold, cold heart and makes me feel human. Not just ordinary human, but fuzzy-wuzzy baby-speaky giggly girly human. Good for the soul.
Pop Candy :: Diverse and smart; it’s like the thinking man’s (American) pop culture blog. Skews heavily hipster-ese. (Virtual skinny jeans and Chucks a must.)
Go Fug Yourself :: Two witty, snarky, pop-culture-loving and talented writers rip on celebrities. Other sites attempt similar feats, but minus the writing skills of the Fug ladies (who used to write for Televisionwithoutpity.com).
Dooce :: Dooce is proof that you can make anything interesting if you have (1) a sense of humor and (2) wicked writing skills. She writes about her life, being a mom, and other everyday things — but rather than being narcissistic (like so many personal blogs), it’s entertaining.
Consumerist :: Valuable info for the modern consumer. Financial and life-management tips that are readable and relevant. Learning to manage credit card debt is not only for the older, more responsible Future You, who will curse younger, reckless Now You for ruining Future You’s credit. Do not piss off Future You.
PassiveAggressiveNotes.com :: Needs no further explanation.

As for Korea/kpop blogs, there seems to be a ton now. We probably visit some of the same ones, like Popseoul and soompi (I know, not a blog). But there are only a few that I dig that work the complete blog trifecta: well-written, well-chosen material, and entertaining. Lots of blogs are one or two of those things, but not all three. For that reason, I enjoy Korea Beat, which takes a “fun, curious slices of Korean society” approach to its entries, and Expat Jane because she’s an expat living in Seoul with funny and intelligent insights on the experience.

Am I missing any good ones? Open thread is now open for business. Comments need not apply to the above. Off-topic away!

SONG OF THE DAY

Kings of Convenience – “Misread” [ zShare download ]

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RELATED POST:

Open Thread #1

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26 ss

November 3, 2007 at 6:08 AM

hey In soon is pretty is out already right? can you blog about it if you like the show? :D thanks so much!!

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27 Javabeans

November 3, 2007 at 9:54 AM

cheremaman -- that is quite possibly one of the loveliest compliments i've ever been given. thank you! i'm so glad you enjoy my site.

okay, i admit "horrible" may be harsh for grey's... it's not a terrible, F-quality show. it's decidedly mediocre. and i also really enjoyed its first (half) season, until McExwifey showed up and all of a sudden it was so DRAMATIC and SENSATIONAL! the reason i call it horrible, though, is because it seems like such a travesty to call it wonderful, and yet so many do -- so, for a show that gets nominations and awards and treated as brilliant, it's pretty horrible.

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28 avonmarissa

November 3, 2007 at 1:25 PM

I came across this today- Super Junior fans staged a sit-in or sit-out, pick which one you want, to protest the addition of another member to the pop group. Now am I crazy, or do young people nowadays have too much time and freedom? My mama would have whipped my behind if spent time to protest for something as mindless as this. I found this protest ridiculous and funny at the same time.

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29 julier

November 3, 2007 at 8:02 PM

A Korean blog I follow is Marmot's Hole (http://www.rjkoehler.com/). It is more politics and current events than pop culture, but I like it as a balance to all the pop culture I get from my drama addiction. I love the comments, which at times can be offensive and anti-Korean culture, but there is always a counter-view. With big news stories, such as the Korean hostage crisis or the recent visit by the Korean president to North Korea, I really appreciate the insight from Seoul. For K-pop tho, this blog is number 1!

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30 Toya (from 1st open thread)

November 4, 2007 at 5:22 AM

avonmarissa, I agree. Shouldn't they be studying or something? After school sports? What's with harassing their idols? I don't get it. Where are their parents when they do all these things?

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31 Javabeans

November 4, 2007 at 8:27 PM

lol, that was my reaction to the suju fan revolt too. HA. it made me relieved that i've never been that devoted to any fan cause before, because imagine all the time i would've wasted doing pointless things like PICKETING about a BOY BAND.

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32 PixieJewel

November 5, 2007 at 1:15 AM

Thank Javabeans for posting the song Misread by Kings of Convenience. I listen to some of your songs choice and absolutely loved it. I don't listen to music much so I'm kinda backward in my knowledge of the music industry. So thanks Javabeans for the great introduction.
I didn't really like Grey's either and always have this feeling like they are trying just a little bit too hard, well that's my opinion only. Viewed Pushing Daisies the first time and fell in love with it immediately. A bit kinda quirky like some of Tim Burton's work but the colors makes me feel warm ... like some old movies. Love the way it was narrated, a bit long winded sometime but its a laugh. Thanks Javabeans, you're a doll.

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33 elbib

November 5, 2007 at 11:50 PM

wow!!! expatjane was here!!! dramabeans you made it!! lol.. I enjoy both your blogs and i got a tingly sensation when i saw her post... oh yeah... lol

so just watched some of tonight's ''samantha who'' and it was HILARIOUS!!! god, too bad i barely ever watch tv, cuz this seems like fun show...but i'm kinda skeptical still, because this kind of shows can easily become a caricature... theres a fine line between humor and complete mess, and i hope they don't cross it....

lol at the super junior mess... people have too much time on their hands, to that I say teachers give them more homeworks cuz they obviously don't have enough...

people whats new in the drama world? i need something fresh, something that hasn't been discussed about a 1000 times in different blogs....i even found myself watching variety shows for 2 hours today...wow...the me from 5 months ago is frowning...maybe i should take my own advice and go do some homeworks... lol

another question... is schooling expensive in korea? i mean colleges in the US range between 20,000 - 40, 000 $ right?... and how is the living expenses there in general?

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34

November 7, 2007 at 5:24 AM

thanks for the links. i love dooce's entries--hilarious.
any good fanfics/novels/mangas, especially asian-related?
since i've been suffering from tendy-korean-drama withdrawal, lately (hoping the one with kim hyun joo will be good, though she annoyed me in her last project), most fanfics make me feel like an old maid going through a premature mid-life crisis because i'm reading juvenile romances about high schoolers. i mean, i don't mind reading about people of a different generation, but the mary sues and prince charmings are so 2D that i'm starving for a little substance and intelligence. i know, i should just read a newpaper or classic but they arent' quite as entertaining (does that make me shallow? probably).
i was wondering if anyone could recommend some WELL-WRITTEN, witty whatevers for thinking adults (well, those who don't prefer to spend their time reading newspapers), especially Asian drama/manga related. i have recommendations of my own--cat street (also about high schoolers but love the slice-of-life character development) and walking wounded by curdled-milk on fanfiction.net. i've recommended this fic to a few just because it's the best hana yori dango fanfic i've read (caveat: liberal pairings appear).