"My folks had left the TV on. I was falling in love years before I ever met someone. Like a prayer you don't expect an answer, though you ask for one. Was sure my love would come along. Like some rare bird, and only I would recognize the song. Like the actors I've seen on the television with the stage lights on." ~typhoon


I just have a random assortment of thoughts that I'm too exhausted to organize.

1. I hate iTunes 11 with a passion.

2. I love the current Broadway production of Cabaret. Alan Cumming as the emcee? Perfect. How amazing is that man? And Michelle Williams as Sally Bowles? Wonderful. Of course I knew she could act (My Week with Marilyn, Blue Valentine, Wendy and Lucy, and Brokeback Mountain feature my favorite performances of hers; she's come a long way since Dawson's Creek, and she's got three Oscar nominations at this point with more to come I'm sure). She can also sing and dance, though. Her version of the title song in Cabaret is a master class in musical theater. So that was awesome.

3. The above song is from the Veronica Mars movie soundtrack, which is, of course, fabulous (the show always featured great music).

4. The first Veronica Mars novel, The Thousand Dollar Tan Line, was released today. I started it on the subway to work this morning and finished it this evening. It featured far too little LoVe.

5. I've been reading a lot lately. Along with the Veronica Mars novel, in the past week I've read Karen Joy Fowler's We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, which made me cry way too much, and J.K. Rowling's The Cuckoo's Calling, which wasn't as good as her Harry Potter series but was better than her incredibly depressing The Casual Vacancy. I have a few books on my iPad that I'm deciding between for my next read. I think it'll be Sleep Donation by Karen Russell, even though I'm scared because I loved Swamplandia! so freakin' much that I don't see how this can compare (and I'm worried it'll make me as sad as Swamplandia! did). Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane will be on deck.

6. I don't think I wrote about my favorite books published in 2013, but I meant to. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is at the very top of the list. Meg Wolitzer's The Interestings was also wonderful, as was Kate Atkinson's Life After Life; they take second and third place. Honorable mentions go to The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, We Are Water by Wally Lamb, and The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (winner of the Man Booker Prize).

7. I hate shots. I'm now getting five allergy shots a week (for my five major allergies). This means in six months I'll get 130 shots. Did I mention I hate shots?  I'm using my Veronica Mars mug to express my feelings.

I guess that's all. I feel like there was more. Maybe I'll add more soon. I have a lot of upcoming Broadway shows I'll be writing about.

So, the Veronica Mars movie? Absolutely perfect. The above gif of Kristen is how I felt going into it (btw if you somehow haven't seen the video that the gif is from, go watch it now, it's one of the best things ever), and the movie exceeded my expectations. I saw it in a movie theater last night and it was so much fun. The theater was packed (this is the line just to get into the Veronica Mars movie, and I got there more than half an hour early):

It was great seeing it with a crowd of huge fans because the theater was full of audible reactions. Everyone came into the theater already invested in the story and knowing all the inside jokes that people who haven't seen the show won't get when they see the movie.

When I got home I watched the movie a few more times. One of the crazy original things about this movie is that it was released online the same day that it was released in theaters. It's available on iTunes, Amazon, Flickster...if it's not playing in a theater near you, go buy the video online. It's a great movie, and if it does well, hopefully this isn't the last we'll see of Veronica Mars. So please go buy it!

Leaving you with one more photo from the New York premiere. Taken by Gary Miereanu. #TeamLogan #LoVe

I am one happy Marshmallow.

Clockwise, starting in the top left corner: Jason Dohring, Enrico Colantoni, Ryan Hansen, Rob Thomas, Chris Lowell, and Percy Daggs III

The men of Veronica Mars are the nicest guys you could imagine. Seriously; they're all so, so sweet. Ryan Hansen (Dick) has a megawatt smile that just makes you feel like the happiest person in the world, and he's so open and friendly. Rico Colantoni (Papa Mars) is really good at sincere eye contact (he even winked at me). Chris Lowell (Piz) is just lovely (and he took the photo with me, which turned out to be the best one, so he's got impressive selfie skills). Percy Daggs (Wallace) seems really humble and sincere. Rob Thomas (the creator) is so grateful to the fans. And Jason Dohring (Logan). Oh, Jason Dorhing. I absolutely adore him. He seems a bit shy, but he really took his time with the fans. He thanked us, he asked for our names, and he cared. He looked at the first photo I took of the two of us and we had this exchange:
Jason: I like that filter you used.
Me: Oh, I didn't use a filter. It's just blurry.
Jason: Oh, well then do you want to take it again? Let's take it again. Snap away.
He had to get into the premiere, there was a huge crowd of fans, there were reporters and his publicist all vying for his time, and yet when he was with a fan, he truly acted like he had nothing better to do than show kindness to that fan. I've always been Team Logan, and I've always had a good impression of Jason, and he really, really impressed me today.

I was interviewed by Inside Edition at the movie premiere, so if you watch that show, keep your eyes out for me. 

Check out this fun photo of Jason and the crowd (do you see me?)

Go see the Veronica Mars movie on Friday (or whenever it comes out near you). I can't believe I've been waiting for this for seven years (because that ending was not satisfying for me).  I'm so glad Veronica and the gang are back.Oh, and watch Kristen Bell on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon tonight!

I cannot wrap my brain around this; it's hit me really hard. Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of my favorite actors, and I believe he's one of the greatest actors of all-time. It was an honor and a revelation to see him perform onstage as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman; he gave one of the best performances I've ever seen. I've admired him for a long time and am always looking forward to see what he does next. I remember sitting directly behind him and Peter Dinklage at a screening of Tropic Thunder, and I was so in awe of PSH that I spent the whole time listening to his laughter and trying to glimpse his facial reactions. Of course his loss is devastating to his family and friends, and my thoughts and prayers are with them. His loss is also devastating (obviously in a different way) to audiences who won't get to experience more of his genius. RIP PSH.
Here's my favorite scene of his from my favorite movie.

I've been rewatching my favorite Nashville episodes, so I figured I'd share a few clips. What I love most about this show is the music. Here's why. They do some killer high-energy concert scenes, but right now I'm in the mood for the slower songs, so that's what I'm posting today. It doesn't matter if you watch the show; you should watch these anyway just to listen to some lovely music.

How amazing are Lennon and Maisy Stella? I'll answer that. They're pretty darn amazing.

Hayden Panettiere is also amazing. I loved Hayden as Claire on Heroes, but she's exploring so many new layers as Juliette on Nashville. At the beginning of the show, I hated Juliette. Now she's my favorite character on the show. Hayden displays a perfect mix of snark and confidence that covers up the heartbreak and insecurity lying just below Juliette's surface. In this final scene of season 1, ignore the melodrama and just focus on the song. It's gorgeous.

And finally, here's a clip of Clare Bowen (it's weird typing my name spelled differently) singing "Black Roses" in the most recent episode. I wish the video showed the whole song because I love it so much. Scarlett isn't my favorite character (I really have not enjoyed her storylines at all), but Clare has a lovely voice.
Okay, one more. How could I not include Lennon and Maisy singing "Ho Hey?" It's magical.
I'm sorry, I just can't help myself. Last one, I promise. I think. But how could I not include Connie singing?