valentine's day Open Letter to Mr. Alan Ball

Mr. Ball...Alan...may I call you Alan...


Well Alan, first and foremost I want to THANK YOU. I want thank you for bringing the wondrously amazing Mrs. Harris' books to life. Thank you for letting the world know about these great characters and bringing them into our homes on Sunday nights for 12 weeks (only 12 flipping weeks?). HBO I understand you like to bring on new programming...like constantly, but seriously only 12...Boo.


But I do have a bone to pick with you and your writing team. While obviously brilliant and creative you have taken TOO MUCH creative liberties with a book series that is too widely loved. You have made changes to the story lines in season 2 and 3 that make books in the series too improbable now. While some changes are good... i.e. Lafayette others have disastrous consequences...I'm talking about MARY ANN and FAE here (and Hot Shot/Calvin Norris). You have messed with characters and story lines so much that its beginning to make me dislike the show at certain times.



For non-book readers...sorry if I disappoint you or give away anything..look away.



1. Godric is not Eric's maker. This PISSED me off. Godric is a great character in the book and in the show. Godric, I think was a much more interesting character in the book. Now you'll never see Eric's actual maker and all that entails.



2. Shapeshifters in general... One the 1st born can be true shapeshifter. Sam's whole backward ass, white trash family doesn't even exist in the book. I hate that ENTIRE story line. Tommy I'm pretty sure you're not dead but I hope you are.



3. Vampires cannot cut their hair. You are who you were when you were made. Yes Eric looks much hotter with his hair now, but it makes absolutely NO SENSE.



4. Project Werewolf....Boo.... The Alcide/Debbie Pelt story line is strong, why did you feel the need to f with it. Debbie doesn't have to be so white trash...plus she's not a werewolf she's a werefox. Another reason her and Alcide can't be together...he needs to produce a werewolf child.



5. While I like seeing Hadley and her son...and I'm glad you're introducing them earlier than the books did, its obvious that her death and everything that entails won't be seen in the series.



6. The Queen...OMG the Queen. Awful god awful casting. In the books, while young-looking, she's strong and forceful, and deserves respect. ERW sucks...no pun intended. FYI - the last scene with her and Bill...Cheap Matrix SNL looking skit...BOO.



7. Jason...OMG Jason. I didn't mind the v-fueled relationship of the past, hell I didn't even mind the Fellowship of the Sun diversion. But I hate who you are letting him become.



8. Hot Shot...well yes they are inbred and well...different but they aren't toothless meth heads. They are a close knit 'pack' that needs to ensure the continuation of their 'kind'. And since only 2 pureblood shifters can create a pure shifter with the 1st child (see above) its important that that occurs...hence the inbreeding.



9. Jessica....I don't like Jessica nor the Magistrate or that nasty PR woman. NONE OF THAT IS IN THE BOOKS. They are not explaining the vamp politics correctly.



10. Tara...I'm sorry Tara but you're one annoying ass character. I much preferred you as a peripheral character in the books.



11. MARY ANN - SUCKED. Horrible, I almost stopped watching last season because I HATED that story line that much. And P.S. can we clean Sookie's house already. I'm so tired of looking at the nastiness.



12. Fae...seriously Alan Ball, seriously. This is important in the following books. You have totally screwed up the entire story line with the fae. Every single thing is wrong except her name is Claudine. That I do believe is the SINGLE BIGGEST CRIME you have made against this show....well that and Mary Ann.



13. UMMMM Alan...we all had hoped you were going to end season 3 with Eric...running naked through the woods to Sookie's house. That's the way you, I, and every single red-blooded woman (and gay man) knows it should have went down. You're introducing witches, great...actually I called it early on that you were making Jesus a witch.

So let's get down to brass tacks here Mr. Ball. Here's what needs to happen in Season 4 or else I know quite a few avid and loving True Blood fans might not be coming back...

1. We need to drop Bill like the bad habit he is.
2. Eric story line from Book 4 starting with naked run and progressing to...HELLO SHOWER SCENE, etc. etc.
3. The witch story line needs to be developed and not f'd up.
4. You better have not killed off Calvin. You better stop with the white trash Hot Shot crap.
5. Please let Tara leave town...we don't want her anyway.
6. Stop with the Sam's dumb family and his annoying as brother.
7. Fae - please don't ruin the fae storyline. Its important. Claudine and her brother and sister are important to the story moving forward.
8. Debbie Pelt, she's an important character can we make her less trashy and redneck.

Thank you for your time Alan. I'm sure you've stuck with me throughout this post. I'm sure you're an avid reader of my blog you've always been too afraid to comment...no worries I completely understand.

If you have any questions or if you would like to run some story lines by me...no fear I'd be happy to help in anyway I can.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Jetplane

p.s. Shower Scene... you and I both know any scene with Eric naked boosts ratings... just remember those 2 words - SHOWER SCENE...that is all.

valentine's day Bit of This & Bit of That

This post is going to be all over the place, so apologies all around...

1. Ummmm, how freaking good was Mad Men on Sunday? I'm so happy its back. I adore how Peggy has come into her own, Joan has her own office, and Betty is dealing with a b!tch of a MIL. (didn't have that with Don since he had no family) Even though Don is now dealing with the consequences of his actions, you still like him, you still want him to come out on the other side...which I totally believe he will. Don Draper is a Big F'in Deal people.

2. Now True Blood - Its picking and choosing parts of the books it wants to follow. I believe in Alan Ball and all but seriously - why wouldn't Bill heal after being cut? I hate Cooter, but love how trashy Debbie Pelt is. Talbot is wonderful and Franklin is a total freakshow. And this dog fighting ring....YAWN. Ummm hello - only 1st born can be a WERE, duh! And let's get to saving Pam, she's awesome!

3. The state of our current house - CRAZY. We're walking on backer board over here... We ripped up all the flooring ourselves in the living room, hallway, kitchen, entry way, family room and stairs to the loft. Yummy dark hardwood is going in its place. Tearing it up ourselves saved us almost $1,000. We are planning on putting down the plywood ourselves too, which saves another $1,000+. I'm excited for the new floors, but not excited for the bill or having to work through all the noise its going to cause when they install.

4. My garden is growing and I have harvested several summer squash, 1 spaghetti squash, and 1 tomato.

5. We saw Inception at IMAX the weekend it came out. Amaze-balls. Seriously.

6. I have learned that there are more VW bugs in Idaho then anywhere I have ever been. Mr and I are constantly hitting each other "Slugbug no slug backs".


We went on a walk around the hood yesterday evening - 4 of them. How is that even possible?
By the way - we ONLY do it for VW Bugs.

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

valentine's day Don't watch Mad Men...well you should start!

And lucky for you Season 4 starts on Sunday... Yeah Sunday as in the Day the Lord made for Eric Northman...but relax people God made DVRs so you can share in the delight of Don Draper, the Silver Fox Roger Sterling, sexy Viking Vamp Eric, and the hunky were Alcide...yes I excluded Bill because I hate Bill. (Read the books people you'd hate Bill too)

What you haven't watched the first 3 seasons and need to understand the pure awesomeness that is Mad Men...well you're in luck check out the link below.




Is anyone else concerned with how they are going to watch all the HBO shows, Mad Men, HGTV Design Star, and My Boys which is also coming on this Sunday (which is also another great show and set in Chicago). Ugh!!!!

Yes I'm addicted to television - SO WHAT!

valentine's day Bite Me...please

valentine's day

Its BACK!! Yeah! Give me more naked Eric!!! Give me more naked Eric!

Yes obviously I'm Team Eric and if you have read the books, then you know why.

Overall I liked the season premiere. I do have to deal with the differences between the books and the show. As long as we don't have another unfortunate Mary Jane debacle, I think we'll be okay!

My Sunday nights just got better...and hotter!!!

valentine's day Bring It On!!

Can't wait...can you?

Who's excited for the newest book coming out next week....besides me and Pink Sass?

valentine's day Disappointed...

There I said it, I'm really disappointed in the season finale of True Blood. Why you ask?

****Spoilers AHEAD***** And discussion of book details****

1. Maryann - I hated her character, she was a waste of shape, and her death... ummm she should have sensed it was Sam (1st off) and she shouldn't have been killed that easily. I get she is at her weakest during the ceremony, but still come on...

2. Bill - I am beyond annoyed with him. And I am really not liking the deviation from the book.

3. Eggs - another character I did not like. I'm glad they killed him off but seriously... Jason...come on (and one other thing, if Sookie isn't all 'human', neither is Jason, he shouldn't have been taken over by Maryann)

4. Eric... more Eric please...

So, I won't be a total Debbie Downer there were a couple of things I liked about the finale.

1. The Queen didn't suck as bad as last episode. ERW was much better. Thank God.

2. Sookie was great in the whole episode. However, if Maryann has been around forever she should have met someone or something like Sookie before. Not the mind reading but the other thing...

3. Read that Season 3 will follow the third book... bring on Alcide, Debbie Pelt, and the King of MS... Club Dead... yeah!

So who kidnapped Bill? Eric? I think that's too easy... I hope it follows the book...

What are your thoughts on the season finale?

valentine's day TONIGHT is the NIGHT

Is anyone else excited?

Here's what I'm hoping for...

1. MORE Eric... naked preferably (well we can wish, can't we...)

2. The END of MaryAnn... she is a totally unnecessary to this story line and unbelievably annoying. This deviation from the book has be the one gigantic black mark on the entire season for me.

3. Hopefully we find out that Bill isn't as 'great' has he is believed to be. (I believe the seed was planted...The queen knows of Sookie. For all you non-readers of the books... you'll be in for quite a treat if the show plays true to the books... PRO-ERIC all the way.)

Can't wait for tonight! But I'm also sad because the season is over... Boo... there better be some hot ass Eric action tonight!!

P.S. I'm also excited for Design Star tonight, does anyone else watch that?

valentine's day Hubby Away + True Blood = Holy Inappropriateness

So, when the Mr. is away for the first couple of days, I have dreams and he's in them. To be honest, they are usually him doing something bad and I call him the next day and yell at him about his antics in my dreams...like its his fault... but whatever,whoever said a wife is a rational thinking person...not this girl.

Back to the story at hand...

Well, thanks in part to him being gone, my excessive love of True Blood, and uber-sexy Eric almost naked laying in bed.... ummm someone had some 'dreams' last night. Well, just one 'really good' dream. I was staying at a vampire hotel with Eric...and well the rest I'll leave up to your own personal interpretation. Ummm yeah. I had similar dreams back when I was reading the books while Mr. was in Texas training... someone might have a problem....

And... let's not forget Mad Men is back on... More to follow on that as well...

Thoughts on last night's episode? And the hottness that was Eric laying in bed...

TEAM ERIC!!

valentine's day You know what this show needs more of...

More Eric in a tank top...

Can we all just stop and pause for a moment and appreciate how freaking awesome True Blood was last night? I mean...seriously did that or did it not kick some ass last night? That was some serious action packed in that 1 hour show.

Eric looked incredibly hot the whole episode, didn't he? He smiled... how hot was that? And they better make this love triangle happen. I need more Eric? Who's with me?

Jason Stackhouse! You were a true hero... and hilarious too.

So what do you think is going to happen next....

**Here's to hoping that they still have the Fangtasia calendar like in the book... I'd buy that..you hear me HBO store?

valentine's day True Blood!

OMG it was awesome last night, wasn't it?

Well, if you don't want to see spoilers then don't watch this video that the showed at Comic Con. Its only going to get better....

valentine's day True Blood Thoughts...

Unfortunately due to my crazy work schedule I haven' been able to blog about True Blood much, at all... BOO!

But that being said here are a couple of my thoughts...

1. It appears maybe they will play up the love triangle... Eric to Sookie... "Maybe I'll grow on you..." Sookie in response..."I'd rather have cancer!" YEAH! Team Eric!

2. Jason in the fellowship is growing on me. The minister's wife wants a piece of Jason and I think its hilarious. I think he'll be tested and it may come down to the season finale when the sh!t goes down in the Big D. If it follows true to the book.

3. I'm not a fan of Jessica, but this new relationship is interesting. I like Hoyt.

4. MaryAnn is a big fail to me. And I find it weird that Sam is the only one that 'knows' about her.

5. Lafayette... I'm glad you are a much more defined character in the TV series. I was sad you were killed off so early in the books.

What are your feelings so far about Season 2.

valentine's day Sunday Nights Just Got Better...

valentine's day

For anyone that has read this blog for any amount of time can tell, I am a FAN of the Southern Vampire Series (aka Sookie Stackhouse series...aka My entertainment while Mr. was away).

I actually found out about the book series after watching and loving the 1st season of True Blood on HBO. I enjoy both the series and the books immensely. While I do feel I am purist when it comes to the books v. series, I think that Alan Ball is a creative genius and no one could bring these books to life (pun intended) better than he could. I believe in his vision. While I don't fully support some of the choices he's made (Jason in the Fellowship) I will assume that his decisions are for the greater good of the series.

The season premiere last night was great. Who do you think killed Ms. Crazy Con Artist Lady, I know who I think did, but I'll keep my ideas to myself. I will say that I'm delighted Lafayette is still alive. He is a character that I am thrilled Mr. Ball saw potential in and grew into a much larger (and still alive) character in the series. Do you think he's going to make it out there alive, well in some form or fashion?

What are your thoughts are the season premiere? Happy?

I speak only for myself here but... I was happy with it. I'm excited to see where the majority of these story lines take us. I'm sure its going to be hot, sweaty, bloody Sunday nights for awhile at the Jetplanes' household.

P.S. Eric...thank you for making an appearance. I loved that you were getting your roots did, but honey your a vamp your hair isn't suppose to grow. Oh well... Mr. Ball I'll give you a pass... You brought us Eric and that's a good thing.

valentine's day Giddy as a School Girl

valentine's day Well Hello Eric. So nice to see you. I hope I get to see you on Sunday night!!

I'm so freaking excited about True Blood coming back on Sunday that its ridiculous. But I'm going to admit something here... Since reading and loving all the books, I have a feeling that I'm not going to agree with some of the choices Alan Ball is going to have made. I get it... he's a creative genius and all, Six Feet Under was a fabulous show....but I love these books Mr. Ball... don't f it up. I'm committed to these characters, I'm invested in the storylines, and I don't want you to screw with it.

Somethings I'm worried about... some potential spoilers for you since I read about the 1st several episodes.

1. I'm not feeling the story for the Maenad.
2. There is no Bubba. I understand why, but still there should be a similar character to replace him
3. Jason in the Fellowship? Not feeling it.
4. Worried about how they will show the fight/ending of Book 2.
5. They better start to develop the love triangle. I am very much Pro-Eric and I think they have to bring him into it or else there will be hell to pay.
6. Evan Rachel Wood as the Queen of Louisiana...not sure about that either

But, I'll wait to cast final judgements. Thoughts? Are you all excited? The Jetplanes will be watching that's for sure.

valentine's day Oh Sookie... you're so fine, you're so fine... you blow my mind...

Well... let me tell you I finished Dead and Gone on Friday night. And I had a mix of happiness and sadness. I was happy that I finished the book and sad that it was over. I love the Bon Temps world and all the crazy characters that inhabit it. The book was good... not great, but very good. And you want to know the best part.... Eric, oh Eric... I heart you and want you and Sookie to end up together.

I'm not going to give anything away, but I will tell you that you get to learn more about Hotshot, the Fae community, and more about Sookie's family history. There's a mysterious death of a 'person' close to Sookie, the Weres come of out the closet, and a new war is brewing in the supernatural community. My only complaint is, I did feel some of the story lines could have been drawn out a little more. But in general I really enjoyed the book.... and Eric...ok so might be a little obsessed with Eric.

Now... I'm going to open the conversation to Twilight v. Sookie Series... Yes, I've commented that this series is much better than Twilight and I firmly stand behind that statement. Sorry all you Twilight lovers, but its true.

**The next statements are the opinions of Mrs. Jetplane and Mrs. Jetplane only...

Twlight

I found Bella incredibly annoying in the first 2 books. I found her incredibly needy and co-dependent. I say this as an almost 29 year old woman, but I found her completely immature which would make sense, since she is a teenager. It left me thinking... OMG was I that needy and annoying in high school, I'm pretty sure the answer would be YES!

I found Meyer's writing style annoying at times. I felt used some words over and over, and I became noticeable.

I found it disappointing that her fight scenes were extremely short. She would write pages after pages go into specific detail about some things, and then in the culmination of a battle it would get like 5 pages....very anti climatic for me.

FYI - I got Mr. Jetplane to read them as well... he agreed.

P.S. Yes I love Edward and Jacob. P.S.S. I'm very concerned about how they are going to make the werewolve transform in the movie, since I thought the glittery skin in the sun stuff was complete crap.

Sookie Stackhouse Series

I enjoy the fact that it is ADULT. Read all that you want into the word...ADULT...this isn't PG13 honeys...

Sookie is an incredibly strong young woman. You respect and admire her as a character. She doesn't need a man, even though she does get quite a few.

The stories bring you into a whole new supernatural world, and with each book you learn more and more about the 'people' and societies that walk upon this world.

Its dark but humorous all at the same time.

And the books aren't crazy long.

NOW --- to wrap this up. Yes, I read all the Twilight books. Yes, generally I like them, but I'll be honest... I HATED New Moon. I had to push myself through it because I wanted to read all 4 before the movie came out. Do I honestly believe that the Sookie series is better, yes I do. That is my personal opinion... so please no mean comments. I know you crazy Twilight fans.

But I do feel as an adult, I found Sookie was more appealing to my sensibilities than Bella.

So what's the peanut gallery have to say about it....

valentine's day Pug Friday.... Vote Vote Vote

The polls close on May 10th. If you haven't voted then you need to do it now!

Here's one last look at the contestants....

Chief

Paulie

Alex

Lilly Ann
Buster

Happy Friday to All.... I have another post coming up later today... Edward/Bella v. Sookie, people seem to doubt that the Sookie Stackhouse series could be better than Twilight. Well, we're going to open that discussion later today...

valentine's day Everything will cease to exist....

Because this has now entered into my life..... The newest book was released this week!!!!

I picked it up during my lunch hour yesterday and started reading after dinner. Mr. Jetplane wasn't around during my immersion into the Bon Temps world, he doesn't understand how it can suck a person it. So he was a little confused when after we returned from eating tasty Thai food, I quietly jumped into bed under the covers and read until he came to bed at 10pm. He came in a couple of times to see if I was sick, I assured him I wasn't.

I only got about 110 pages in, but I can't wait till lunch, I'm hitting up Subway and reading...

For those of you that know the series you completely understand, for those of you that don't..well... you should get in the know. These books are 1000% better than Twilight, trust me...well if you're a woman over the age of 20 then they are definitely better.

valentine's day Mrs. Jetplane's Reading List

I'll be honest, over the last 5 years or so I have really gotten into reading again. During the wedding planning process reading books took a back seat to wedding craziness, but I do thoroughly enjoy reading again.


I try to read a book every 2 weeks. Since I work in an office, I try get out of the office and read for an hour a day. It gets me away from my desk and allows me to de-stress. If a book is really good, I'll read at night and on the weekends.


Now, I'm not going to lie and say that I read only the classics or thought provoking self help books, or whatever else would make me sound incredibly deep because that would be a flat out lie. I do read biographies, non-fiction, fiction, a little poetry, chick lit, a little sci fi... I have read all the Harry Potter books (so has Mr. Jetplane) and all the Twilight books (so has Mr. Jetplane). But I do like to mix it up a bit. I've read a lot of Stephen King and Thomas Harrison, but I've also enjoyed Steinbeck and Jon Krakauer and a little Jennifer Weiner or Janet Evanovich for good measure on holiday. Since I drive ALOT going back and forth to the Midwest, Mr. Jetplane and I tend to listen to books on tape, I've listen to almost all of Nicholas Sparks books (atleast the ones on sale..) and Candace Bushnell books.


Well, as I've gushed about my undying (no pun intended) love for the Sookie Stackhouse series, I purchased the 8th book yesterday, and I am sad that I have to wait unti May to read the 9th. So that being the case I also picked up these 2 books to keep me occupied.

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates



I heard this book and movie were fabulous and I refuse to watch the movie before I read the book.





The Witches of Eastwick by John UpdikeI have wanted to read this book and its sequel for quite some time but just haven't. I loved the 80's movie and now they are going to make a television show based on it so I thought I'd give it a read.

What are my favorite books.... Well my favorite book in the world... its kinda strange, but Dante's Inferno. I also like Ordinary People and Of Mice and Men. I read all of these in my high school honors English classes.

Some books that I have liked very much and would recommend:


1. Into the Wild
2. Under the Banner of Heaven (about fundamentalist Mormons, and is highly criticized)
3. Water for Elephants


Well and of course Sookie Stackhouse series... like duh....


And I must comment on one book that I absolutely hated and it took me forever to finish...


Eat, Pray, Love


I'm sorry to the millions upon millions that loved it.... I liked Italy but couldn't stand the rest of it. It wasn't awe inspiring to mind blowing to me... maybe I need to be older and be going through a divorce, not sure.

What are your favorite books? What would you recommend? Summer is coming up and my reading kicks into high gear with vacations, laying on the beach, etc.

valentine's day Vampires, Tigers, and Fairies... oh my...

This weekend I finished the 6th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series and it was wonderful. It was suspenseful and entertaining all at the same time. If anyone is interested in starting a new book series, I highly suggest starting this series.

In the 6th book, Sookie has to go down to NOLA to close on her cousin's (who she hadn't been close with for a long time) estate. Turns out, she had become a vampire and was a very "good" friend of the Queen of Louisiana. Betcha didn't know there was a Queen of Louisiana, well in the make believe world of vampires that I'm currently submerged in there is.

Someone is trying to kill Sookie (nothing new), Sookie is dating someone new who's a real tiger in the sack (that's b/c he is a tiger, for real....), and Bill is a total a-hole.


Oh Sookie... so many supernatural hunky men and so little time.


Which leads me to my question for this post... While I'm reading a book, I visualize the characters, what they look like, their voices, etc. Sara and I began discussing who we thought should play these characters or atleast who we envision playing the characters.


Since HBO True Blood is based on these books (Season 1 is pretty much Book 1) I already had a visual on Sookie, Bill, Eric, Jason, Pam, Sam, Arlene, etc. (Tara in the show is totally different than in the books).


But for all of you out there, who do you think would be the best actors to play the following:


Alcide
Quinn
Claudine
Claude
Calvin Norris
Crystal Norris
Debbie Pelt
Chow
Queen of Louisiana


For those of you that haven't seen the television show yet.

Here is Eric - I find him to be very close to the book, except is hair isn't as long as it should be. He was a Viking and over 1,000 yrs old. Looks pretty hot to me.



Bill - who I don't like right now, so I can't find anything nice to say about him.Thoughts?

valentine's day For the love of a vampire...

valentine's day

I finished my 4th Sookie Stackhouse book, Dead To The World, and it was the best one so far. People told me that the books keep getting better and they really do.

The 4th book is very exciting. Sookie's potential interests in Eric arise again and that adds an extra special level of interest to the storyline. (wink wink) And the evil Debbie is back, I hate this nasty lil shifter.

In this book, we're introduced to more mystical creatures you wouldn't have even known existed... witches, fairies, and all new shifters. Basically, a whole lot of crazy sh!t goes down. Don't worry the adorable Were Alcide is back, but not exactly the way I had hoped.

These books are great, and I highly recommend them. They are adult vampire stories in a way. You really feel for Sookie, and I'm not annoyed with her the way I was with Bella (Twilight) the entire time. Perhaps its because I'm an adult and I can relate to a 20-something waitress more than a high school student. The books also give you some pretty nice love scenes, and for a lonely old married lady, I'll take anything I can get.

So now I'm on to the 5th book, Dead as a Doornail. I'll keep you posted.

valentine's day Winner Winner Chicken Dinner....

Thank you all for entering my giveaway.... I'm excited that so many people are interested in starting a new series of books.


So I put all the names into my favorite green vase and selected one lovely lady...








And the winner is......





Kelli - who I believe is now Mrs. D.


Congrats!


Please email me at leavingandloving@gmail.com with your name and address.


Update: I adore my big ass watch, I did a post about it a while ago. That pic actually makes it look bigger than it is. It was a Christmas gift to myself.