So yeah. I pretty much disappeared. Besides working, Rob and I have been prepping, painting and moving. OMG. It’s an incredible amount of work. In the past week, we’ve painted the entry, great room, staircase, 2nd floor hallway, and master bedroom. And there’s still many more rooms to finish. We thought we would be done with the entire house this weekend but that didn’t happen. We totally got burned out. Not to mention that the movers came last Friday so we’ve also been busy unpacking and trying to get things organized and livable. We’re getting there sloooooowly. Very slowly.

Catching up (a little) with the meme (I’m such a failure at these)…

Day 08 – A show everyone should watch

Friday Night Lights. This show is AMAZING. I think many people get caught up in the football/sports aspect of it and don’t give it a chance. It’s so much more than that. Football provides the framework but this is about small town life in Dillon, TX and the people that make it their home. The characters are likable and real, the storylines are rich with emotion, and the show’s not afraid to take risks (some bad – Tyra & Landry’s season 2 storyline, some good – turning the show upside down at the end of season 3). Catch up on DVD! You won’t regret it.

Day 09 – Best scene ever

From Dawson’s Creek episode 3.22: The Anti-Prom…
Joey: I’ve been meaning to ask you something all night, Pacey. Would you like to dance with me?
Pacey: Yes. (they move to the dance floor) How come this feels so right?
Joey: It was those dance lessons.
Pacey: (he looks at her earrings) Where did you get those? They’re not you.
Joey: Why? Because I’m just a poor tomboy or… Dawson gave them to me.
Pacey: Nah. (raising her hand with the bracelet) See this? This is you. It’s not showy or gaudy. It’s simple. Elegant. Beautiful.
Joey: It’s my mom’s bracelet.
Pacey: I know.
Joey: How do you know?
Pacey: Well, because you told me. Six months ago. You were wearing that blue sweater with the snowflakes that you have. You were walking down the hallway at school. I was annoying you as per usual. You said, “Look, Pacey, I just found my mother’s bracelet this morning… so why don’t you cut me some slack?”
Joey: You remember that?
Pacey: (whispering) I remember everything.

LOVE THIS SO MUCH. The ultimate romantic moment.

Day 10 – A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving

Burn Notice. Rob started watching this show and I just wasn’t interested. The burned spy premise sounded intriguing but nothing about the cast (specifically Gabrielle Anwar) or the advertising appealed to me. Yes, I’m *that* superficial. Fast forward a few years later when I happen to catch an episode and instantly fall in love with Michael Westen. He’s smart, witty, and unbelievably charming. I’ve only seen season 3 on but hope to catch up with the beginning soon.

Day 11 – A show that disappointed you

Heroes. It doesn’t even get its own photo that’s how bitter I am about this show. Season 1 was so great — an ordinary group of people discovering their powers and figuring out how to go about their lives. But it allll went downhill from there. They ruined perfectly good characters with lame storylines (Hiro’s time travel in season 2 was an absolute snoozefest, Peter in Ireland also comes to mind). Characters were introduced only to let them fall by the wayside (Maya, Elle, Monica). Story arcs were unclear and confusing (only season 1 had a fulfilling arc – after that, I had no clue what the point of each season was supposed to be). What wasted potential.

The rest of the prompts…

Day 01 – A show that should never have been canceled
Day 02 – A show that you wish more people were watching
Day 03 – Your favorite new show (aired this TV season)
Day 04 – Your favorite show ever
Day 05 – A show you hate
Day 06 – Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 07 – Least favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 08 – A show everyone should watch
Day 09 – Best scene ever
Day 10 – A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 – A show that disappointed you
Day 12 – An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times
Day 13 – Favorite childhood show
Day 14 – Favorite male character
Day 15 – Favorite female character
Day 16 – Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 – Favorite mini series
Day 18 – Favorite title sequence
Day 19 – Best TV show cast
Day 20 – Favorite kiss
Day 21 – Favorite ship
Day 22 – Favorite series finale
Day 23 – Most annoying character
Day 24 – Best quote
Day 25 – A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 – OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 – Best pilot episode
Day 28 – First TV show obsession
Day 29 – Current TV show obsession
Day 30 – Saddest character death

I don’t really read much fanfiction anymore. No time! When I do, though, it’s of the Dawson’s Creek variety. Particularly if it centers around Pacey and Joey.

It’s been awhile but one of my favorite DC fanfic authors is Juliet. I especially enjoyed Shadows of Starlight I, which is her re-imagining of season 3. It takes the best plots and dialogue of the season (Pacey and Joey!, “I remember everything”), gets rid of the bad (Eve, AJ), and fills in with characters and storylines that make sense. It’s an awesome fic. The only problem I have with it is that for some reason, many apostrophes and quotation marks seem to be missing so it’s a little difficult to read. But it’s definitely worth it.

Now I’m all nostalgic — off to re-read some fics!

OMG OMG OMG! Everwood: Season 2 is finally coming out on DVD. I’m so pre-ordering it right now.

Now a meme…
Comment to this post and I will give you 5 subjects/things I associate you with. Then post this in your LJ and elaborate on the subjects given.

Sarah gave me the following:

1. Gossip Girl

My favorite show of the moment (though sadly I’m a few episodes behind). I’m addicted to teen dramas and GG fits the bill perfectly. What’s not to love about gorgeous Upper East Siders, their relationship dramas and overly extravagant lifestyles? Nothing, I tell you. Blair is my favorite character by far. Her insecurities (about Serena, her mom, boys, etc) make her self-obsessed, stubborn and sometimes cruel but I find her to be a fiercely loyal and incredibly compelling and flawed character. Not to mention that she’s got great style! I became (and still am) obsessed with headbands and colored tights because of her. No, I’m not kidding.

As far as my shipping preferences on this show, I’m pretty traditional. I ADORE Blair and Chuck (they are smoking together). And I also like Dan and Serena. I don’t know why either. I like Serena well enough as an individual character but I have to admit that Dan kinda sucks. But for some reason, I find them really sweet together.

Anyway, I’m so happy this show was renewed for next season — I just need to get cracking and get caught up.

2. Teen Dramas

Ah, yes. Sarah knows me well. Teen dramas are my favorite kind of TV show. I love them. I’m drawn to them. I can’t help it. It all started back when 90210 premiered. I was only 11 so I wasn’t supposed to watch it since it wasn’t exactly age-appropriate but I did anyway. I loved the West Beverly crew and I had a huge crush on Brandon. I remember buying BOP magazine each month because they used to have so many “posters” of Jason Priestley. Hee.

Then in high school when the WB launched, it was like they created a network for ME! The WB gave me Buffy, Dawson’s Creek (my most favorite show ever, if you don’t know), Felicity, Roswell, One Tree Hill and Gilmore Girls to name a few. Sure, I watch and enjoy procedurals and dramas like CSI, 24, and Prison Break but I’m not as invested in (and as obsessed with) the storylines and characters as I am with my teen dramas. There’s just something about them.

3. Diesel

My little baby puppy. Ok, I have to admit that when Rob originally wanted to get a dog, I didn’t want to get one. I didn’t want the responsibility. But Rob had his heart set on it so I agreed. He found Diesel through a registered AKC breeder and we went to visit him one weekend in May 07 and my heart just melted. I love him so much.

4. Pacey/Joey

My OTP forever and ever. (One True Pairing ) I don’t know if I’ll ever love another TV couple as much as I love Pacey and Joey. Their journey took me by surprise and I loved watching every minute of it — their sarcastic banter (all of season 1), their genuine friendship (dance lessons, driving lessons, the B&B), and finally their romance (“I remember everything” dance, Pacey buying Joey a wall, sailing away on True Love). Even now, 6 years after Dawson’s Creek has gone off the air, I still pop in my DVDs to watch my favorite moments or visit Pages of True Love to get my fanfic fix. I don’t think I’ll ever change.

5. California

I’ve lived in beautiful California my entire life. I was born and raised in sunny Southern CA (in a sleepy town called Cerritos, to be exact). I moved up to the Bay Area for college where I ended up staying for 11+ years. And now I’m back in Orange County (no, my life is nothing like The OC). I feel very lucky to have experienced different parts of the state and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

That was fun!

1. Pacey & Joey, Dawson’s Creek

MY OTP! Joey finally listens to her heart and she and Pacey share a kiss before they sail away for the summer on the season 3 finale, True Love.

2. Ephram & Amy, Everwood

These 2 finally get their timing together on the season 2 finale, The Day Is Done

3. Tony & Michelle, 24

This scene from the season 3 finale hurt. Tony put Michelle’s life before his job and national security… and he pays a steep price for his love. JUST. Guh.

4. Nathan & Haley, One Tree Hill

Nathan and Haley had their first kiss in The Search For Something More (episode 108) and it was everything I hoped for.

5. Jess & Joe, Bend It Like Beckham

This kiss didn’t take me by surprise like their first but it made me absolutely giddy. It’s just *such* a hopeful kiss.

6. Anne & Gilbert, Anne of Avonlea

Awww, my favorite literary couple. They had a relationship that was destined from the start. This kiss was monumental. And really, about time.

7. Buffy & Angel, Angel

8. Seth & Summer, The OC

9. Ross & Rachel, Friends

10. Sydney & Vaughn, Alias

So that’s it! Now your turn — I’d love to hear about everyone else’s favorite fandom kisses.

Anyway, it’s Friday and I’m tired so I’m going to do the OTP meme that’s floating around…

Number #1 OTP that is truly THE ONE TRUE PAIRING (withstanding the test of time and fandom whoring): Pacey and Joey, Dawson’s Creek. (Like there was any doubt?) It’s the banter and the wit, the sweetness and the sarcasm…
Your OTP Today: Ephram and Amy, Everwood. Ephram really disappointed me this past season but they have such a real and engaging chemistry, I can’t help but root for these two crazy kids.
Baby’s First OTP: My first real OTP obsession was Pacey and Joey… where I actually saved pictures I could find, rewatched episodes over and over, searched for fanfic, etc. However, before I got into “fandom,” my original OTP was Robin and Stone from General Hospital. Their love story still absolutely kills me.
That Rare Pairing That You Love: Colin and Amy, Everwood (a beautiful and tragic first love story). Dawson and Jen, Dawson’s Creek and Lucas and Peyton, One Tree Hill (untapped potential).
OTP That You’d Go to Bat For in Wank Situation: I don’t really care to get involved in fandom wank… but I suppose I’d argue for any of my couples.
Number #1 Anti-OTP, the Pairing You Hate with a Fiery Passion: Ephram and Madison, Everwood. I don’t even like thinking about them… if anything has disappointed me about the show, it’s the way this relationship reared its ugly head at the end of season 2 and the way it continued to cast a cloud over season 3.
Character You Pair Off With Almost Anyone: Veronica, Veronica Mars.

This is for rapid fire first OTP that comes to your head for each fandom, don’t cheat!
*Dawson’s Creek – Pacey/Joey
*BtVS – Buffy/Angel
*Felicity – Felicity/Noel
*Everwood – Ephram/Amy
*24 – Tony/Michelle
*Gilmore Girls – Rory/Dean
*One Tree Hill – Nathan/Haley
*Smallville – Lex/Lana
*The West Wing – Sam/Ainsley
*The OC – Seth/Summer
*Friends – Monica/Chandler
*Alias – Syd/Vaughn
*Lost – Kate/Jack
*Veronica Mars – Veronica/Duncan
*Roswell – Michael/Maria
*CSI – Nick/Warrick
*Harry Potter: Harry/Hermione

Top 5 Albums
1. *N Sync – No Strings Attached (yes, I still love them. )
2. Les Miserables – Original Broadway Cast (although I also adore the “Dream Cast” album with Lea Salonga as Eponine)
3. Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway (I love every song on this album — I can’t say that for the majority of albums in my collection)
4. Britney Spears – In the Zone
5. Linkin Park & Jay-Z – Collision Course (my wake-up music of choice)

Top 5 TV Boyfriends
1. Pacey, Dawson’s Creek (he’s practically perfect)
2. Tony, 24 (he committed treason for Michelle — that’s true love)
3. Danny, Las Vegas (purely for shallow reasons — he’s SO HOT!)
4. Chandler, Friends (who doesn’t love a guy who can make you laugh?)
5. Nathan, One Tree Hill

Top 5 TV Shows
1. Dawson’s Creek (my ALL-TIME favorite)
2. Everwood
3. 24
4. CSI
5. Veronica Mars (a newbie on the list! )

Top 5 Songs (of the Moment — I can’t really think of a definitive list since my favorites change all the time, hee)
1. Collide, Howie Day (I LOVE this song *sigh*)
2. Such Great Heights, The Postal Service
3. Signs, Snoop Dogg ft. Justin Timberlake and Charlie Wilson (makes me want to get up and DANCE!)
4. A Plain Morning, Dashboard Confessional
5. Vindicated Dashboard Confessional

Top 5 Websites You Like To Frequently Visit
1. My Friends page at Live Journal
2. Makeup Alley (I enjoy reading the fashion forum — the women that post there find the greatest sales; both online and off)
3. Leaky Cauldron (I must keep up-to-date with the latest Harry Potter news)
4. Fanbolt Forums (I only lurk — I’m a spoiler whore!)
5. SF Gate — the website for the SF Chronicle (for local news)

Top 5 Stores You Like to Shop At
1. Amazon.com (I know it’s not a brick and mortar store but it’s seriously the best “store” ever)
2. Target (I very rarely EVER leave Target without spending money on something I didn’t originally plan to buy)
3. Banana Republic (for my work basics and coats — they just seem to be cut just right for me)
4. Nordstrom (Can you tell I’m a shopaholic?)
5. GAP Body (home to some of the softest pajamas I own as well as moderately priced intimates)

Top 5 Disney Movies
1. Sleeping Beauty (a classic and my favorite)
2. Aladdin
3. Finding Nemo
4. Beauty and the Beast (the BEST soundtrack)
5. Cinderella

Top 5 Pacey & Joey Moments (OMG Amanda, this one is SO hard!)
1. Joey racing to the dock to tell Pacey she’s in love with him — Episode 323, True Love (I NEVER tire of watching this scene. It makes me unbelievably happy).
2. The “I remember everything” dance — Episode 322, The Anti-Prom (this scene continues to give me chills)
3. Pacey comforting Joey on her dock — Episode 301, Like A Virgin
4. Joey asking Pacey to think for two — Episode 403, Two Gentlemen of Capeside
5. Joey telling Pacey her heart’s a fixed point — Episode 401, Coming Home (an already beautiful scene is made even better by David Gray’s This Year’s Love in the background — just perfect)
Honorable Mention goes to the series finale — finding Pacey and Joey sitting in her apartment together at the end rocked.

I have 2 more to do… but I need more time! So if you have any other Top 5 requests, ask away!

So… I finally managed to finish up sour-lemon.org. Does anyone even remember that I bought that domain months back? lol. Anyway, I basically moved all my wallpapers and scans and combined them into one big multimedia site since I was getting tired of maintaining separate sites. There’s nothing new… yet. But there *is* a new layout! Please visit!

And some memes since I was tagged by Alie…

Ships Meme
1. Pick your 5 favorite OTPs (One True Pairings)
2. Find pictures and post them
3. Give the name of the OTP and what fandom they’re from
4. List your favorite moment between them
5. Tag 5 people to do this meme

OTP #1 (aka my favorite ship of all time): Pacey and Joey, Dawson’s Creek

OTP #2: Ephram and Amy, Everwood

OTP #3: Anne and Gilbert, Anne of Green Gables series

OTP #4: Harry and Hermione, Harry Potter

OTP #5: Seth and Summer, The OC

Awww.

Hot Guys Meme
List 10 celebrities that you find attractive and then tag 5 of your friends.
01. Joshua Jackson
02. Ewan McGregor
03. Jonathan Rhys-Myers
04. Brad Pitt
05. Josh Duhamel
06. Carlos Bernard
07. Mike Erwin
08. Ben Affleck
09. Michael Vartan
10. Tom Welling

I’m tagging anyone and everyone for both memes!

1. Post a list of 10 TV shows you watch/ed (current or cancelled).
2. Have your friends list guess your favorite pairing from each show.
3. When guessed, bold the line & write a sentence about why you like that pairing.
4. Post in your own livejournal blog.

This should be pretty easy, right? Note that I only picked 1 pairing per show…

1. Dawson’s Creek – Pacey/Joey (guessed by Jessica, Robyn, and Nicola)
My ALL-TIME favorite ship. It’s the sweetness and the sarcasm. I just love how their rough edges break down when they’re together.

2. Everwood – Ephram/Amy (guessed by Jessica and Nicola)
Colin/Amy were my original ship on this show but Ephram/Amy were the ones who stayed with me.

3. American Dreams – Sam/Meg
4. 24 – Tony/Michelle (guessed by Jessica, Robyn, and Nicola)
He committed treason for her! That’s love, people!

5. One Tree Hill – Nathan/Haley (guessed by Jessica
I’m not completely loving them right now (stupid Haley!) but I do love their story. How he only went after her to make Lucas angry and ended up falling in love… Aww.

6. The O.C. – Seth/Summer (guessed by Robyn and Nicola)
I don’t know if it’s the prettiness or the playful banter, but they always make me smile.

7. Alias – Syd/Vaughn (guessed by Jessica and Robyn)
I know they’ve kinda fizzled out in the last season or so but… they’re so pretty! And they have such an easy chemistry with each other.

8. Smallville – Lex/Lana (guessed by Robyn)
They have so much potential! And they have far more in common than initially meets the eye. (Or maybe I’ve just read too many of Christie’s fics. Hee).

9. Felicity – Felicity/Noel

10. Friends – Chandler/Monica (guessed by Robyn)
Chandler and his dry wit. Monica and her neuroses. Fantastic.

Guess away! Yay, thanks for guessing!

I still can’t believe that Dawson’s Creek is over. I know it sounds completely corny and schmaltzy but this show has meant so much to me during the past 6 years — it carried me through the craziness of my college years and has been my escape in the years following. And even though there were some bad times (see: pretty much all of season 5), I’d say that tonight’s finale was a fitting and, for me, satisfying way to end the series.

I think much of what touched me about the episode was the dialogue, the music and the callback to the earlier seasons — I really do think that having Kevin Williamson back to pen the finale was a great move. I can’t quite put my finger on it but there was a little more heart behind the words. You can really truly tell that KW loves these characters and wanted to give them a proper good-bye. And many kudos to the actors as well — Michelle, Katie, Josh, James, and Kerr were amazing — they turned in great performances, probably in large part to the good material they were actually given to work with.

I enjoyed all the little behind the scenes clips that the WB showed during the breaks — very cool. I laughed out loud at the show being dubbed in Spanish. I giggled as they made fun of their hair through the years. And I smiled as Katie said in an interview “I was pretty thrilled by the ending. It’s the way it should be, I would say.”

As for the down and dirty details…
Beware: this is totally random — I wrote most of this as I was watching (and re-watching!) the episode –

The teaser was a great opening — it was a completely self-aware moment of the show. Christopher making fun of Joey for watching the show was totally a shoutout to the fans –
Christopher: You are “possess[ed]… every Wednesday at 8 o’clock” by a “supernatural portal of teen angst.”
Joey: “I have an emotional connection to it you wouldn’t understand.” (That’s me!)
Christopher: “Will Sam choose Petey? Will Sam choose Colby? Find out next week as we continue to beat a dead dog all the way to syndication!” BWAH!

I was spoiled so the Doug and Jack’s relationship (and kisses!) didn’t take me by surprise. What *did* surprise me was that I actually liked them and their banter — calling each other “honey” and “dude”, the handcuffs. I’m really glad these two crazy kids will be raising Jen’s daughter — lucky girl.

Aww, Pacey named his restaurant the IceHouse. He *so* loves Joey. I didn’t really like the way the writers showed us that Pacey is in a relationship that can’t go anywhere — because the woman is married! And I especially couldn’t stand when he was being beat up by the woman’s husband and his friends. My poor Pacey!

Jen was positively glowing and beautiful throughout the entire episode! *sigh* And her baby Amy is so adorable. She was so cute in the group scene at the IceHouse — “You guys are the best friends I’ve ever had in my life. I love you so much. That is all. Good night.” Why did she have to die?!?

I loved all the Jack and Jen scenes, even though they had me all choked up and crying.
Jen: “I feel like I never really did.”
Jack: “Jen, you belong. You belong to me.” <– This had me in tears!

I fell in love with Pacey and Joey all over again when they see each other for the first time. They shared a huge bear hug and genuinely happy smiles. Awww. Then their dance at Gale’s wedding was just… wonderful. The little dip and the kiss — yowzers! The sparks are still there. I loved the scene at the wake when they were trying to be honest with themselves and with each other — Pacey trying to let Joey “off the hook” — “The simple act of being in love with you is enough for me.” Yet Joey won’t have it — “Pacey, I love you. You know that. It’s very real – so real it’s kept me running. Never ready for it.” But now they are — and it made me so happy to see them together at the end sitting in Joey’s apartment together watching “The Creek.”

I’m glad the resolution to the triangle wasn’t the focus of the episode — and that it was a natural progression. They made it clear that Dawson and Joey had an unbreakable bond of friendship (I really loved their last scene together as they promised each other “You and me, always.”) while Pacey and Joey had the romance and fireworks.

Random observations:
I loved seeing the erase board with the character/story arc chart in the writers’ room for “The Creek.” So cool! I love that. Hee! to Dawson’s assistant saying “You have to talk to Ben today. He has no idea that his character’s coming out of the closet. He’s going to lose it.” Kerr, I’m looking at you!

I also liked that Dawson’s room in Capeside had a bunch of pictures and articles of him and his show — they even recreated Katie’s Rollingstone cover!

What was with all the wine in this episode? It seemed like Joey had a glass in her hand at all times or something. Weird.

Memorable quotes:
Jen (to Jack): “If you think that anything of any value in this world comes at an easier price, you?d be wrong.”

Joey: “Dreams aren’t perfect Dawson. They come true, not free.”

Jen (to Jack): “At first the odds were good. But you know me and odds.”

Pacey (to the gang in response to his going to see Jen first): “Send in the clown, huh?”

Pacey (to Joey): “It’s like I was walking around seeing my life through a smudged window. When I saw you, the smudges were gone. The window was clean.”

Joey (to Jen): “I know who I’m supposed to be with. I’ve always known.”

Grams (to Jen, just after she passes away): “I’ll see you soon, child. Soon.”

Sorry for the rambling — I couldn’t help it, I loved the finale!

So Love Bites tore me up. Seriously. I was teary for most of the episode. I can’t believe after all the crap it has put me through (see season 5), the darn show still has an effect on me. Damn it, I really am going to miss it when it’s gone. Only 5 more episodes.

I love Joey but can she get any more wishy-washy?!? The girl needs to learn to make a decision. I can’t for the life of me understand why she would lead Pacey on only to stomp all over his heart when Eddie comes back. Now, I don’t dislike Eddie (I actually thought they were cute during the Christmas episode) but the writers were the ones who dropped the ball. They could have left P/Jo dead and buried. I accepted that. But then 4 episodes ago, they brought up the possibility of P/Jo reuniting — and I really don’t want to let it go that easily.

But the storyline that had me bawling was Jen and Grams. It hit a little too close to home for me. And let me just say that Michelle Williams and Mary Beth Piel are amazing — their tight hug said it all.

Some quotes I liked:
Dawson: Pace, I think after all we’ve been through together that we don’t have to worry about it getting awkward.
Pacey: Well, yes, we’ve certainly been through awkward, but we’ve never been through “I’m broke and it’s all your fault.”

Patrick: Yeah, I don’t know why I should be taking advice from you. Like you’re some kind of Yoda when it comes to the chicks.
Pacey: Have you seen my date?
Patrick: Tell me more, Sensai.

Pacey: So what, you’re scared. Right? You’re scared. And so am I, believe me. And I’m scared because I don’t know where this thing is going, Jo. As in, I think it could go anywhere. This could be it.
Joey: It won’t be.
Pacey: How could you possibly know that? I mean, really. Last week, you’re onboard, and now you’re just psychically telling me that this could never be something great. You can’t possibly know that, because we don’t know that, Joey.

Pacey: Don’t tell me that you’re not scared, because I know that you are. I mean, I’ve known you too long and seen you push away too many good things to let you push me away right now. My whole life, Joey, my whole life you have been the most beautiful thing in my orbit. And my feelings for you were what proved to me that I could be great. And those feelings were stronger and were wiser and more persistent and more resilient than anything else about me.

Grams: Jennifer… I am not ready to die yet. Come here. (Waaahhhhhh!)

And did anyone see the preview for next week? They’re following up an emotionally heavy episode with THAT?!?