Welcome to the Island: Footballer Edition

And what better footballer to have on this week after the Super Bowl than Peyton Manning. Yeah, I know the Indianapolis Colts weren't in the Super Bowl but they are my favorite team and Peyton Manning has a lot to do with it.



His nose looks like it has taken a few hits but I do dig those blonds. I think it is the combination of the blond, incredible work ethic and leadership, the fact that he led my team to its first super bowl a few years ago, and the fact that he could use that incredible footballer's body to toss me around like he does the pigskin. And all that stretching, I can pretend it's really just preparing for his performance with me after the game:




Welcome to the Island Peyton, don't worry I will definitely keep you in shape and increase your stamina.

Addendum to Post: Roadtripper is currently overworked and computer-less. And since she doesn't care about football she has picked David Beckham as her footballer. I guess I wasn't specific about the type of football, huh? Still, I think she would approve of the pic:

Stephen King, One More Reason I Love Him

"Both Rowling and Meyer, they're speaking directly to young people... The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She's not very good."

So says Stephen King, the master of the truly terrifying during an interview with USA Weekend.

Finally! Someone with some sense, says what many of us have been thinking since we read that trashtastic (and not in the awesome V. C. Andrews way) book. He goes on to say that:

"A lot of the physical side of it is conveyed in things like the vampire will touch her forearm or run a hand over skin, and she just flushes all hot and cold. And for girls, that's a shorthand for all the feelings that they're not ready to deal with yet."

Yes! Hello, all of you tweens and middle age housewives out there! Vampires=sex and um vampires... they shouldn't sparkle. And watching you all night without your knowledge? That's not flattering, it's stalking.

Thank you Mr. King. Now get out there and write another book and show her how it is really done.

Tough Times Are No Excuse For Bad Fashion

I have a dirty little secret: I am a Forever 21 shopper. That's right. A 30 year old woman who buys cheap trendy knock-offs. I even have their website bookmarked and check out the new arrivals at least twice a day because all the cool stuff has a tendency to disappear in the blink of an eye. At least 50 percent of my jewelry comes from there. That cute shirt I wore at New Years? Straight off their website. I love being able to buy frivolous, irreverent trends and not break the bank. When an item goes out of style in a few months, I won't be out more than $30.

Being several years over their intended demographic, I have to use a little restraint. Sure... those shiny faux-leather leggings are kind of hot in Pat Benetar way and are quite the steal at only $22 but probably should never grace an ass over the age of 21. The glen plaid tube dress is really adorable and is a great knock-off of something I have seen Victoria Beckham wear but my tube dress days have passed.

Then there is the fashion that I just don't get:

Those weird hoodies covered with crappy 80s graphics are fugly beyond belief.

I think my grandma has a top like this one.



Then... today... I saw something that truly made my heart hurt.





The return of Hammer pants. Although they are now described as "harem" or "paper bag" pants. What a horribly unwelcome re-trend. Who wants to look like they took a dump in their pants? Fucking Hammer pants! MC Hammer went broke and can now be seen praying all over the Jeebus channel. Is this really who we want as a fashion icon during these troubled times?

Welcome To The Island: "Prime Minister" Hugh Grant

All the things that I love about British guys exist in the lusciousness that is Hugh Grant. He has perfected that style of bed head that American chaps can never seem to pull off. He stutters and stampers in the most adorable way. He possesses a dry, witty sense of humor. He is a closet freak (Divine Brown, anyone?)



In fact, he was the perfect person to represent jolly old England and play the Prime Minister in Love Actually. Last week, the Island was all about hot actors who had played American presidents. This week, we extend of love to our sexy cousins across the pond.

As an added bonus, check out Hugh in his turn as Prime Minister in my fave scene from the movie. How the man can juggle being a complete dork yet totally lickable at the same time is beyond me... but I love every minute of it! Yup... he puts the prime in prime minister.

Welcome to the Island: Actors Who Play Prime Ministers Edition

Hot on the heels of actors who have played the President, is our actors who have played the Prime Minister Edition of the Island. (Who better of an ally to the president than the Prime Minister? I won't even mention Israel with the latest mess going on) Who better to usher it in than Anthony Stewart Head:



I don't even remember on what movie/miniseries he played the PM in, I trust Roadtripper's imdb knowledge in that. All I needed to know was Anthony Stewart Head. Now many of you may remember him from Buffy, or as I do from an episode of the greatest Sci-Fi show ever, Doctor Who, or maybe from the old Taster's Choice/Nescafe commercials. Whatever from, I am sure you do remember him. He combines the velvetiest of accents (if you have never heard Once More With Feeling, you are missing out on a lovely singing voice as well) with that undeniable attraction of a fine older man with a hint of danger.


I posted this pic because it makes me want to lick and nibble his neck

And hell, do I even need a sign off sentence with the last name Head? Welcome to the island Anthony, you'll find your name in use quite often here.

How I Spent My Snow Day Part II or Come Get Lost With Me

So after driving two thirds of the way to work because it was 0730 and work starts at 0730 and none of the local tv stations said the base was closed and I hate to be late, I finally got the call from my Chief: Base is closed, turn around and go home. Woo-hoo! But what to do? I am unfortunately, already wide awake so I can't go back to sleep. Then I saw a commercial for Lost tonight. And then the light bulb hit: I'll catch up on Lost! So in between my daily 100 crunches and reading the latest Ian Rankin and more on my WW II obsession, I started re-watching Lost from the beginning:



And I remembered why this show is so damn awesome and the reason Roadtripper and I are not to be disturbed on Wednesday evenings. If you don't watch it, it is not too late. They just started the second to last season. Netflix it, beg or borrow it from friends but do not miss it. It is a show for those who love a show that will take them for a ride and have them searching their library and the internet afterwards for what each name and remote clue means. Rewatching the first season I remembered how much I love Sayid and Hurley (I would love to see them in a buddy comedy movie together!). How much I do not miss Boone or Shannon. How much I miss Walt and how much I want to find out what the Hell is up with Claire. Besides giving your brain a tripped out ride that the X-Files never quite accomplished, it is an adventure show and thoroughly delves into each character. It is easily the best show on TV period. Sorry, 30 Rock, Mad Men, House or whatever banal shit you pollute your mind with. If you only watch two shows one of them should be Lost. Your brain will be better for it, your cocktail party dinner conversation too.

Random Rambllings or How I Spent My Snow Day Part I

I was lucky enough today to be granted a snow day. And for Memphis, TN that only required about an inch of ice below an inch of snow. Still it was beautiful and inspired my haphazard love of photography. So through my handy dandy camera and some playing with the color on my computer I present Snowbound in Tennessee. Should I continue on with my intermittent love of photography or keep it to drunken pictures or roadtripper and I?

You Go, Girl... And Take That Fab Hat With You!

I recently donned a ridiculously large hat for my club's outing to an English tea house. It. Was. Awesome. We have another tea party coming up in March. I am planning the entire outfit around the hat. Hats are awesome... but ridiculously large church hats with bows, feathers and nets are even better!

So everyone hating on Aretha Franklin's bomb ass hat worn at the inauguration... get over it! She is the queen of soul and can out sing anyone, thus earning her the right to do whatever she pleases when she performs. And I thought the hat kicked ass! Maybe I can find one like it for my next tea party...