It's Been Too Long + A Song Of Ice And Fire

I can't believe it's been well over a year since I last wrote on this blog. Wow. I think it started as "I'm going to take a little break, 'unplug' a bit" which then turned into a little longer than a bit, then before I knew it the holidays were here again, then wintertime hibernation took root, and now here we are, spring of 2014.

I'm excited and inspired to be writing again. I'm thinking I'll write as things strike me. Post lots of photos. Share the things that I love.

Speaking of which: A Song of Ice and Fire. Reading it now, just about done with the first book. Totally current with the show, which (oddly enough) doesn't seem to make the books any less awesome and surprising. In fact they inform each other and make each other better, in my opinion. The stories and characters are all so intense and layered.

And with that: here's to Game of Thrones. Writing. Springtime.

Happy Halloween From Fussy Gussy!!!

Happy Halloween from Fussy Gussy (and Dean Winchester?) Swoon.

I hope that you're having a blast on this night of vamps and ghouls and other spooky things that go bump in the night.

Aside from it being Halloween, it is also Wednesday (my usual Weekly Song List day), and I've been thinking: since my previous two Weekly Song Lists have been posted on Friday why not try that out for a while?

And so, your Fussy Gussy Weekly Song Lists will now be posted every Friday, featuring seven songs that I love and the reasons why. Until Friday!!!

Supernatural: Bitten, Heartbreak, + Found Footage

This post contains no real spoilers, though (as always) I do make reference to a detail or two that may be better left unknown (until you've watched).

This week's episode of Supernatural simply titled "Bitten" was sort of a concept episode. Not entirely unlike "Ghostfacers". It opens in typical Supernatural style. The Winchesters break into a house and find lots of bad stuff. But they also find a computer with an edited movie that chronicles the events that have led up to the bad stuff. The better part of the episode is of this footage and nothing else.

I couldn't help thinking about the recent horror flick V/H/S which features a group of short horror stories told through a hand held video camera lens. It was one of the most nerve shredding movie experiences of my life. And it stuck with me in a big way. The found footage concept is pretty popular these days in horror.

I enjoyed "Bitten" and feel like this season is off to a great start. I loved last week's episode "Heartbreak", directed by Jensen Ackles. This whole plot thread of Sam-being-out-of-practice and wanting a "normal" life vs. Dean being super focused and warrior-like is bound to go somewhere intense and very dramatic.

I'm so looking forward to this Wednesday! Will we have a Halloween themed episode? It's not every year that Supernatural airs on Halloween night.

Evan Peters As Kit In American Horror Story

I love these cast photos from American Horror Story: Asylum.

Evan Peters as Kit.

American Horror Story: Tricks And Treats

I am absolutely unabashedly loving this season of American Horror Story. Not that this is surprising, being such a huge fan of season one, and of pretty much all of the actors this season. Zachary Quinto made his first appearance this week. Love him so much. He looks awesome in glassses. So handsome, as always.

This week's episode called "Tricks and Treats" was insane (in a great way). I cannot believe this stuff is happening on TV. Cable TV, sure. FX, ok. But still, AHS is particularly brutal and relentless this time around. At least, that's my feeling. I feel like it's one thing after another after another at Briarcliff. Does the horror never end?

Take "Bloody Face". So horrific and gross looking. I had made this delicious Fall vegetable (sort of) stew for dinner. Super excited to eat it. Super excited to watch AHS. Completely lost my appetite after one look at "Bloody Face". Completely. No appetite whatsoever.

Like last week, I don't want to give too much away for those who are getting caught up. And there's not too much to dissect yet, but be warned. Once there is, I'll be dissecting it like crazy. Fixating on the littlest detail. What does it mean? What's the secret? Is there a secret? I guess the one thing that I'm fixating on a smidge is the song that plays in the common room. You know, the very up tempo French song (I think it's French?) I wonder about that. Clearly, it would drive anyone mad to have to listen to it day in and day out.

As for the characters, Kit and Grace are adorable already. Love them. Love Grace's devotion to Kit, and so early on. James Cromwell's Dr. Alden is indeed very sinister and scary. Both of the Sisters (Jude and Mary) are super interesting. Sarah Paulson's Lana Winters (great name) continues to break my heart.

I'm making a conscious effort not to watch any teasers or trailers for the coming week's episode so as to be totally surprised by it. So far, so good. That said, I did happen to see that this week's episode (to air on Halloween night) is called "Nor'Easter". Love it.

Weekly Song List: For Friday, October 26th

As you likely know (from my pervious post), I am in the midst of craft fair craziness getting ready for the Salem Open Market this coming weekend. I've been sewing up a storm, making all sorts of Halloween themed pot holders, dish towels, aprons, and more.

And so, my weekly song list will be posted on Friday this week. Hmmm. Halloween theme, perhaps???

Also, stay tuned for my weekly American Horror Story post, also on Friday. Oh, how I love this show!

Photo: Natasha Khan of Bat For Lashes

P.S. I just bought the new Bat For Lashes album The Haunted Man. Can't wait until it arrives!!! I'll most definitely be writing about it. And soon.

American Horror Story: Welcome To Briarcliff

Before I start, I want to point out that while this post contains no real spoilers, it does reveal some details that may be better left unknown for those of you who have not yet watched.

And on that note. Let's talk American Horror Story. Everyone's favorite psycho-horror-drama is back for its second season, and it is as creepy, suspenseful, and stylish (as always). This week's season opener was great! I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see how the season unfolds.

Let's see. Highlights? I'm already head over heals for Evan Peters' character, whose proper name eludes me now. He was referred to as "Bloody Face" for much of the episode. I adore Sarah Paulson. She was a favorite of mine last season. Love her style, her voice, her general presence. And she's a fantastic actress.

James Cromwell is super creepy and sinister. Very villainous. Very tall. And of course, there's Jessica Lange. She's so amazing. Sister Jude is going to be an interesting one. Not entirely a villain, but definitely not heroic.

All in all, I'm crazy excited for this season of AHS and look forward to being good and properly creeped out by it week after week after week. Until next Friday.

Weekly Song List For Friday, October 19th

My brain is so consumed with thoughts of American Horror Story that I feel like it might implode. Oh, how I love hyperbole!

And on that note, this week's song list will be posted on Friday, October 19th. Perhaps it will even be an AHS themed list? We shall see. Until Friday.

(Thank Goodness) Evan Peters Is Back On AHS

I know that I'm not alone in my love of Evan Peters, nor in my excitement about this evening's season premier of American Horror Story: Asylum. 

Tonight's The Night, American Horror Story Returns

Tonight's the night! The first episode of American Horror Story: Asylum will air at 10 o'clock this evening on FX. I'll be writing about the show (again) this season and will post every Friday on the topic.

I promise to focus on details that may seem unimportant (and perhaps, in the end, are). I promise to be write overly (and oddly) detailed accounts of each episode. And I promise to write plenty about Evan Peters. I'm so excited to see him again on the screen.

If you feel so inclined, you can watch the first five minutes of the season opener "Welcome to Briarcliff". I've chosen not to watch these first five minutes, in an effort to be totally surprised by the full episode. But I've heard it's a "chilling" first five.

Until Friday...

Games Of Thrones On Etsy

"Winter Is Coming". The very first episode of the epic and awesome HBO TV series Game of Thrones based on the George R.R. Martin series (of dauntingly epic novels) A Song of Ice and Fire. I'm a huge fan of the TV series and so when I saw this Game of Thrones themed treasury on Etsy my day was improved eight fold.

The treasury features lots of beautiful House of Stark, Winterfell, and dire wolf inspired goodies, including this gorgeous House of Stark original illustration print by damonboreing ("Nonsensical Nerdery") on Etsy.

Thank you Balthasar for creating such an awesome and epic treasury!

Oh My Sweet Goodness, Supernatural Is Back!

This past Wednesday, my favorite TV show Supernatural returned for its 8th season. I don't want to spoil anything for those who have not watched, but let's just say it did not disappoint. The Winchesters are back to the grind and they're both as handsome as ever. Swoon.

Stylistically, this first episode of the season seemed a little different. Edgier, or something? Darker. There were some very funny moments (don't get me wrong), but in general it felt more somber. More dark. There's ample use of flashbacks which is very different, but works really well, I think. And the use of music was (as usual) fantastic!

I'm planning a second viewing over the long weekend, and I'm so excited for next week's episode!

P.S. A detail that I just remembered: there are lots of different locations in this episode, my favorite of which is "Kermit, Texas". I know that the use of the word "Kermit" exists outside of The Muppets, but for me it only exists in regards to The Muppets.

Oh My Sweet Goodness, It's October!

I'm so happy that it's October. This might be my favorite month. Or December. Or maybe April? Hmmm. It's a tough one. Anyway, I love October for all sorts of reasons. I love Autumn! Halloween. My crazy craft fair season begins this month. And I like to see it a sort of fresh start. Seasons are the best that way.

Just a reminder/update: Weekly Song Lists are going to be up every Wednesday. I may do a few on a Halloween theme, but we'll see how it goes. I've heard a lot of great new music these past couple of weeks, so I'm particularly excited about this week's list.

Supernatural is starting back up this Wednesday, October 3rd. Oh my sweet goodness!!!(That's my new favorite exclamation.) And American Horror Story will be starting up on the 17th. Aaaahhh!!! So much awesome, dramatic, spooky TV.

I've seen lots of great live music this past week, so stay tuned for my standard-overly-detailed-accounts, and photos, very soon.

And that's that for now! I leave you with this beautiful black and white film still from The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, one of my all time favorite movies, and one of the great haunted-house-love-stories ever put to the silver screen.

Photo: Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison

So You Think You Can Dance Is Over (Oh No!)

And I'm so sad about it. It's no secret that I love to dance. I also love So You Think You Can Dance and while I'll miss it terribly, I'm so happy for this season's winners. I'm happy for the finalists. They were all amazing, awe inspiring, and (frankly) thrilling to watch week after week.

In celebration of this most excellent dance show I thought I'd put together a list of my top 10 favorite dances of the season. It's been a difficult list to whittle down, but at long last, I've done it. And I hope that you enjoy watching these dances as much as I have.

My Top 10 SYTYCD Season 9 Fave Dances (in no particular order):

Witney & Chehon Bollywood choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan
Amelia & Will Contemporary choreographed by Sonya Tayeh
Lindsay & Cole Contemporary choreographed by Mandy Moore
Cyrus & Comfort Dubstep choreographed by Christopher Scott
Chehon & Kathryn Contemporary choreographed by Tyce Diorio
Witney & Twitch Hip Hop choreographed by Luther Brown
Tiffany & Benji Jive choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux
Chehon & Allison Contemporary choreographed by Stacey Tookey
Eliana & Alex Contemporary choreographed by Travis Wall
Lindsay & Cole Contemporary choreographed by Mia Michaels

I also loved Twitch,Cyrus, Comfort, & Christopher Scott's hip hop routine which aired this evening, on the finale. Very clever stuff. I totally have a dance crush on Christopher Scott.

Ben Folds + Fraggles = Something Spectacular

This is one very happy, awesome Monday, and I have Ben Folds Five to thank for it. Not only is their new song "Do It Anyway"  (from their new album The Sound of the Life and the Mind) fantastically catchy and like a breath of fresh air, but the music video for the song features Fraggles! Yes, you read that correctly. Fraggles, as in Muppets who live underground and eat lots of radishes.

As you likely already know about me, I love the Muppets, and Fraggle Rock was one of my favorite shows growing up. Pair this love of Fraggles with a great song and a sincere yet humorous music video and you've got something that was destined to make me smile and swoon.

The video was produced by Nerdist Industries, and features actress Anna Kendrick, actor/comic Roy Corddroy, and Nerdist founder Chris Hardwick.

Sam and Dean, Meet Mulder and Scully

This past Spring I did something that I should have done a long time ago. Something that was a ton of fun and kept me totally entertained for months. I watched The X-Files from start to finish.

This was quite an undertaking, but I loved it so much and may do it again this Winter. While watching, I kept a list of actors who I recognized from my favorite show of all shows Supernatural (which will be returning for its 8th season on October 3rd!) I'd planned on sharing this list in the Spring, but decided to save it to include as part of my countdown to Supernatural series of posts.

And so here you have it! Note that the actor's name is listed first, followed by their Supernatural character name and finally, their X-Files character name.

Jim Beaver: Bobby/Coroner

Mitch Pileggi: Samuel/Skinner

Steven Williams: Rufus/Mr. X 

Mark Sheppard: Crowley/Bob the Caretaker

A.J. Buckley: Ed Zeddmore/The Dude

Katharine Isabelle: Ava/Lisa Baiocchi

Chad Lindberg: Ash/Bobby Rich

Nicki Aycox: Meg Masters/Chastity Raines

Mark Pelligrino: Lucifer/Derwood Spinks

Titus Welliver: War/Doug Spinney

James Otis: Famine/Arien Sacks

Fredric Lehne: Azazel/Young Arthur Dales

Mark Rolston: Alastair/Bud LaPierre & Richard Odin

William B. Davis: Folklore Professor/Smoking Man

Nicholas Lea: Elliot Ness/Alex Krycek

If there's anyone I've left out please feel free to share in the comments section below. Enjoy!

Weekly Song List: Wednesday, August 1st

It's Wednesday, and that means it's time for the Fussy Gussy "Weekly Song List". And so, here you have it!

1. Silenced By the Night. Keane: I love this song because it sounds like it was recorded in the mid-to-late 1980s. And I love Tom Chaplin's voice.

2. Dark Side. Kelly Clarkson: Kelly Clarkson is one of those pop singers who (for me, at least) transcends pop because her voice is so, so strong. I watched (and voted for) her on the first season of American Idol and I LOVE this new song of hers. Perfect blend of pop and creepy music box.

3. Only If For a Night. Florence + The Machine: This song blows my mind. It's so powerful and beautiful. And there's mention of a ghost! Perfection. Absolute perfection.

4. Laura. Bat For Lashes: the new song from Natasha Khan AKA Bat For Lashes. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Simple. Haunting. I can't wait for her new album. Until October!

5. Ananaemonesia. Chairlift: I heard this song for the first time on WERS (one of my fave local radio stations). It reminds me of Berlin's "The Metro" a bit, which I love. Caroline Polachek has a very cool, unique voice. Great dance song!

6. Arcade Blues. Neon Indian: I love Neon Indian to pieces! This song is perfect for dance parties and driving. And dancing while driving.

7. Bavarian #1 (Say You Will). Miike Snow: What can I say about Miike Snow? They're kind of my favorite right now. I listen to their album Happy To You way too much. This song is one of my top three favorites from the album. Love the marching drums.

Photo: Neon Indian

I'm Excited To Introduce "The Weekly Song List"

I'm very excited to announce a new addition to the Fussy Gussy blog! As you may well know, I LOVE music. I've loved it my whole life. As legend goes I was phonetically singing Beatles' songs in my crib, well before I could talk. Pretty much all of my siblings agree on this (I'm the youngest of seven), so it must be true.

As I write I'm singing along to Bat For Lashes' "Siren Song".

Which brings me to song lists and mix tapes. I miss mix tapes! I still have most of mine, the ones that were made for me, that is. I have a cassette player, so I listen to them pretty often. I spent so many hours making mix tapes in the 90s and early 00s. I think the last mix tape I ever made was in 2005.

And so, I thought I'd create mini mixes here, to share with you. Song lists, if you will. My plan is to create one list every week, to be posted on Wednesday. Each list will contain seven songs, unless there's some special holiday or something, in which case I may add a song or two. Sometimes the list will even be on a theme.

The first list will be up following this post, so be on the lookout.

Enjoy!

P.S. I'm not sure why I needed Xena to help me with this post, but there she is! Gorgeous as ever.

American Horror Story Begins Shooting This Week

I've just read that season two of American Horror Story begins shooting this week! I think it's safe-ish to assume a similar schedule to season one, with an October premier. 

I've also read that while the location of the story is still vaguely "East Coast", the head of the mental institution is a Bostonian. Could mean a quaint 1960s New England setting? We have our fair share of creepy old abandon mental hospitals in New England.

Have you seen Session 9? Fantastic movie. Terrifying, atmospheric. Great performances by everyone involved. The movie takes place at  the Danvers State Hospital in Danvers, MA, which was built in 1879.

Lastly, it turns out that Jessica Lange is not playing the lady in charge of the hospital, but she's also a "Bride of Christ". Yes, a nun.

Yes, I Too Love Downton Abbey

Like the rest of Western civilization, I love Downton Abbey. I watched the first season this past January, and then watched the second season when it aired on PBS.

I did (though) miss the Christmas special when it aired, thereby missing the interviews with cast members that were aired immediately following the special.

I watched the Christmas special a few days later online, but the interviews were nowhere to be seen. So I turned to Google. I found a few interviews, which were fun to see.

And I found this lovely photo of of Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, and Sophie McShera (otherwise known as Matthew, Lady Mary, and Daisy) at Derby Day at Epsom Downs on June 4th, 2011.

Isn't Sophie McShera's dress divine!?!