The Must List, October 13

1. Harry Potter Memes
Memes are great, and some of my favorites make fun of Harry Potter! There's nothing more hilarious than a snarky Voldemort!

2. Blood Feud: The Hatfields & The McCoys: The Epic Story of Murder & Vengeance by Lisa Alther
There's no better way to learn about your family than picking up the latest nonfiction novel with a gruesome title about them! Yes, I'm a McCoy, and I love startling people with that information. This novel paints a very realistic tale about the feud, both the how it started and why it kicked back up after some years of silence. The mini series is also fantastic but not as accurate. I wanted to know what really happened, so I picked up this book.

3.  "Moonlight" TV series
Unfortunately, this show was canceled right on the brink of vampire mania. It was just after this show that the Twilight book series became popular and shows like "The Vampire Diaries" and "True Blood" made it big! Alex O'Loughlin plays Mick St. John, a vampire private eye. His best friend Josef (Jason Dohring) is the multi-millionaire type that never really admits what he does and provides witty humor. Beth is Mick's love interest, a human who he rescued from his psycho ex-vampire-wife who kidnapped her. While Mick and Beth solve temporary mysteries throughout the show, the main storyline revolves around whether Mick's ex is still alive and if she's found a cure for vampirism. Best episodes: "Sleeping Beauty" and "Fated to Pretend."

4. "It's Been a Long, Long Time" by Kitty Kallen
I can be a sucker for 40s and bandstand music. One of my favorite playlist to have going during dinner is one composed of different 40s and 50s favorites. I found this song that way. Take a listen!

5. Cat videos on YouTube
Wow, Stuart and I really got sucked into this. Watch: Luna falls in bathtub, Cat regrets entering bath, Elaine burrows in snow, and Rascal the Cat and the Toilet Rat!!! HILARIOUS!

6. Homemade Lemonade!!
3 cups of cold water
1 cup of lemon juice
3/4 cups of sugar
Stir until the sugar is dissolved! Drink!

The Must List, September 22

1. Literal Movie Trailers by Tobuscus
These are just hilariously fantastic. I can't get enough of them. When I finally got around to watch Tron Legacy, the actual movie, I sang the literal trailer all the way through. Check out the one below, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and then watch the several others to complete your day. Skip the video game ones... they're not nearly as good.

2. "Home Grown" Figures
One of these is the latest item to decorate my home! I just love them. They're so freaking adorable. A bee made out of a lemon. I bought a poodle made out of cauliflower for my grandmother. A seal made out of an eggplant, and more! You can get a whole barnyard or underwater cast to decorate your bookshelf, kitchen, or bedroom! I highly suggest it. This is Zest, and I can't get over how cute he is!

3. "Sherlock" Season 2 on Instant NetFlix
I don't know if it's "Instant NetFlix" or "NetFlix Instant," but either way I'm so excited they put the next season of "Sherlock" on there! Benedict Cumberbatch - what a name!! - as Sherlock Holmes is back for another modern, sleuth-solving season. I've only gotten through the first half of episode one before Stuart and I were about to pass out from the exhaustion of this week, but it's already been outstanding!!! I can't wait until he gets home to watch more.

4. The Damon and Elena Kiss on "The Vampire Diaries"
I know I'm like a season behind on this uproar, but still!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, yes, see ya Stephan!! Move on out, boy, it's Damon's turn!!! I've been waiting for this moment for two and half seasons. On the other hand, I have a suspicion that Stephan will eventually will return with a fervor, and then Elena will just go running back to him. NO SPOILERS, ANYONE!!! I haven't finished the season yet, so keep your mouth shut for just a little longer. No one shall ruin this for me like James Lipton ruined the end of Harry Potter for me.

5. The Smoothie Machine in the University Center
This thing is awesome. Three smoothie flavors and a plethora of milkshake flavors, this is my new favorite toy to get an icy treat during my school day. I've had to curb my obsession or else I'm going to run out declining balance in the next two weeks, but they're oh so delicious!! Still, my heart belongs to Freshen's. I still haven't been since it's been reopened. I need to get down there, pronto!

6. Rainbow Cake
This was sweetest, sugary-est cake I've ever eaten... and when I say "eaten" I mean that I took like four bites because it was just too much sugar!! Thankfully, I had some photographers to help me finish it off on our trip down to Waynesville. Isn't it fabulous?

Trending Topic

I'm the kind of person who doesn't obsess with the most popular media craze at the time, waits a few years, then falls in love with it. And it's completely unintentional.

When I was a kid and the first Harry Potter movie was out, Voldemort drinking from the unicorn gave me nightmares, and I swore never to watch. It wasn't until the 4th movie came out that I fell in love with the series. And, I never read the books.
I swore to myself that I would never get into The Lord of the Rings. It just seemed so nerdy. But as my actor-face-recognizing horizon broadened, I realized that all these great names I loved were in these movies!!! Viggo Mortensen! Orlando Bloom! Elijah Wood! Sir Ian McKellen! Cate Blanchett! DANG IT! Now, I have to watch them! And, I loved them (like two years after the final film was released into theaters)... once I figured out that they were one continuous film in three parts. That was a surprise. I got to the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, and said, WTF?? What was that?
With Twilight, I was actually ahead of the times. I started reading the books right before the third one hit the shelves. By the time everyone had become obsessed and starting creating teams, I was over them.
The only crazy I haven't caught on is Star Trek... please, MAKE IT STOP!

But, now I've discovered another popular, cult-like television show that I swore I'd never watch. Lost! My latest actor obsession is Ian Somerhalder (as if you haven't noticed). And, he plays one of the main characters of the show... for now. I also have been curious about the show since I learned that Dominic Monaghan, an actor I love from The Lord of the Rings ironically enough, also has a prominent character.
I knew I wasn't going to like it. It was going to be too confusing; what would be the point? I'd just be lost, pun absolutely intended! But, it's completely different from what I'd expected! I feel bad now for the teasing I made against my fellow journalist Chase in high school. Now, that man was a true fan!! It was his favorite all-time show! I remember laughing when he said that it was good thing Lost was ending because he was going to college that fall. That cracked me up to no end!
So, here's why Lost is awesome (please forgive me for making general references to characters, I haven't learned all their names yet):

1. Intelligence: Lost is incredibly intelligent! Each character brings something different to the table: a different characteristic, a different skill. There's no way these people can't survive on the island with all they have to offer.
2. Being confused isn't as horrible as I thought it would be. I'm actually intensely curious about what's going to happen and what's causing trees to collapse like straws. 
3. Ian Somerhalder and Dominic Monaghan! Amen!
4. The Australian girl's accent is so cute! And, I'm interested to see what's going to happen when she has her baby.
5. WHY IS THERE A POLAR BEAR ON THE ISLAND?
6. WHO IS THIS FRENCH CHICK ON THE RADIO? I MUST FIND OUT!
7. Convenience: all the episodes are on NetFlix
8. More reasons to come... I'm only on episode 8 of season 1. I'm sure they'll be more reasons as the show progresses, and all the characters have been established.