Since Thanksgiving just passed and families and friends often comment on the things they’re thankful for during the year, I thought it'd be fun to share our "thanks” and “no thanks” for the year’s happenings.
First of all,
a great big wahooooo thanks for Johnny Depp. Honestly, did you ever think when he was in "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "21 Jump Street" that he’d also be capable of such a variety of acting roles as “Sweeney Todd” and “Pirates of the Caribbean”?No thanks to Angelina Jolie. Okay, okay, she’s apparently a fine actor, philantropist and mother, but those lips just give me the
creeps. Oh, come on! I just said what everyone’s thinking!
Thanks to FX for “Sons of Anarchy.” That show is utterly amoral, inappropriate, and unfit for the ears and eyes of children of any age, but Jax Teller, played by Brit Charlie Nunnam, has got to be the cutest thing since, well, Johnny Depp, and I’d tune in to the Biker Gang, drug-running, gun-running show just to watch his cute self.
No th
anks to the new Blackberry Storm. Really, do we need one more electronic device to engage people’s attention when they’re actually supposed to be listening to you?On the other hand, it has so many features I think I can cancel my housecleaning service. It'll probably do that too.
Thanks to Pink’s “Wait.” Love the beat, love the music, love the sassy theme.
No thanks to Pink’s “Wait” video. One word: bleeeeeech!
Than
ks for the cast of “The Mentalist." This is one of the most cleverly-written shows of the fall television season.
ks for the cast of “The Mentalist." This is one of the most cleverly-written shows of the fall television season.No thanks Sara Tancredi's return to “Prison Break.” I thought her head – and her acting – was better in the box.
And whatever happened to T.J.? (He's in the middle of the photo, right in front of Sara Tancredi.
And whatever happened to T.J.? (He's in the middle of the photo, right in front of Sara Tancredi.
Thanks to Tina Fey who played Sarah Palin
so well on SNL that when the Alaskan governor actually appeared on the hit comedy show, many Americans thought Palin was the fake. No Thanks to botox. Who wants to inject botulinum toxin Type A produced in culture to your face?
Thanks for wrinkles. I like to pretend they’re the verification that I’ve actually lived and have been 
around the block a few times.
around the block a few times.Thanks for electronic mail, instant message, and especially, for writers, electronic contests. Do we really want to leave our grandchild
ren tree-less?
ren tree-less?What about you, Banditas, Bandita Buddies, and visitors? What great big shout out of “thanks” or “no thanks” would you give?
Thanks for a new favorite TV show this year? A great movie -- Daniel Craig's James Bond, anyone? A new addition to your family? No thanks to something you're sick to death of seeing/hearing -- annoying commercials, drivers with cell phones, bad coffee? A new gadget that just plain doesn't work? A bad movie that was highly touted? Or something you could do without?
67 comments:
Oh, I'm having fun today with the GR.
Mawhahahahaha, Elyssa. I was just about to go on and get the GR myself, but wasn't sure that wasn't "against the rules."
Congratulations!
Thanks to chocolate, who without, my life would be not be as sweet as it is.
No thanks to white chocolate, which contrary to popular belief is not chocolate and will never be as good as milk and/or dark chocolate.
Thanks to the romance community, blogs (like the Bandits), and the EJ/JQ board where women--and men--gather to talk about romances and our mutual love of books that always have a HEA.
No thanks to people who diss romances without having actually picking one up and reading it.
Jo, there are no rules when it comes to the GR. *g*
LOL, Elyssa, I figured it was a free-for-all!
I agree on the white chocolate, nothing quite like the real deal. I do make a vanilla fudge that my husband adores -- he's been begging me all day to make it -- but it's more a penuche.
Honestly, there is no group of writers like romance writers; they're a special breed. Other writing groups I know are notoriously competitive, but I've never met a romance writer who wasn't extraordinarily helpful and nurturing. Amazing, huh?
What a fun blog Jo! I don't actually get to watch a lot of TV, but I have to say thank for Life on Mars, mainly because it takes place in 1973 - a very good year for me. The music, clothes, and references are just so nostalgic *g*.
No thanks for advertising on everything. There's even logos now of the netting they pull up for field goals at football games -ridiculous.
Thanks for Panera bread that provides outlets in the booths for folks like me to use to plug in my laptop. No thanks to the calories that come with all the good things to eat there.
Thanks for all the Banditas and Bandita Buddies. We make a fabulous and friendly romance community!
I like Angelina....I know, in the minority.
I agree about the botox, though. I saw Nicole Kidman on Letterman this week and she was scary! Only her eyes and mouth moved!
Ely, watch the chook! He's learnt some new tricks since you last saw him!
Jo, what a funny post! Actually I DESPISE the whole Botox thing. I was looking at someone the other day - Rachel Weisz who I would have thought had more sense - and her face was dead from the cheekbones up. And then she'd had her lips done so that wasn't too good either. Actually the fat injections in the lips are no, thanks, too. So we get old. So what? And it's not like this stuff makes you look young. It just makes you look like you've had enhancements!
Thanks to my Bandita Buddies. The people who frequent this blog are just the bestest!!!!
Hey, and I'm with you, Ely, on white chocolate. No way, Jose!
Awwww, Donna, thanks for the THANKS for Banditas and BB's!
I adore Jason O'Meara (sp?) in Life on Mars and isn't it fun to see all the 70's things? I heard they were cancelling the show, though. Bummer!
Hasn't the advertising gotten ridiculous. I'm often watching an ad/commercial and ask Dr. Big if a junior high kid conceived the idea LOL.
REALLY, Mary??!! I didn't know Kidman had botox done. I'm such a botox virgin, tee hee.
Jolie is such a fine actress and I want so much to like her, but . . .
Looks like nobody's a white chocolate fan. I do like a nice dry divinity, however, and that's white LOL.
Rachel Weisz too??!! She's so young, what's to botox? I would really hate to make my fortune with my face and figure -- the absolute invasion of your private space -- ugh! I love to run to the supermarket or post office sans makeup and bra!
Looks like our Down Under Buddies are keeping the blog going, what with the U.S. holiday. I'm off to bed because I was up until 3:00 a.m. last night to get a manuscript in the mail and my brain's fried.
Happy post-turkey day, everyone. Here's hoping you have lots of leftovers.
Well done Elyssa
Jo
I don't watch a lot of TV either. I am thankful that I will be having 4 weeks off work after this Thursday 4 more shifts to go and very thankful that my new grandsons are due in 2 weeks I am really looking forward to that.
What I would say no thanks for is all the advertising that goes on around Christmas time it seems to never stop and do they honestly think that people have that much money to spend it should be the thought.
I am going to put my hand up and say I love white chocolate but then I love chocolate full stop.
I say thank you for the Romance Bandits, Buddies and friends greatest group of people.
Have Fun
Helen
What a fun post, Jo!! I'm with you on ALL your thankses and no thankses *g* Although I have to admit, everything after Johnny Depp was a little burry for me since I kept scrolling back up to look at his cuteness!
Hmm, I'd add Thanks for the Golden Heart for bringing the Banditas together :-) Im in a pretty good mood right now since the writing is finally clicking, so I can't think of any no-thankses LOL.
Elyssa - Congrats on nabbing the rooster. You'll have to let us know what kind of fun you two get up to!
Thanks to all the authors of all the books I've read this year and no thanks to any more polital ads.
Hey Jo! GREAT post.
There's a lot in my life I want to say Thanks for. Family, Friends and the Romance Community - an amazing group of people!
No Thanks to overused words and phrases like 'awesome', 'my bad' and 'sweet'.
I'm right there with you and Donna - Thanks to Life on Mars - love that show - the '70's were an interesting time and I love vicariously re-visiting it. And of course Jason O'Mara has given me a good reason to tune in each week.
Thanks for our first snow, which is falling right now, hurray! Gets me in the holiday spirit. :)
Thanks for the Twilight soundtrack--I love the music! Thanks for all the "holiday" romances on the shelves now, such fun to read!
No Thanks for the horror movies out-yuck! And double-time NO thanks to those "cell phone" drivers you mentioned--please, PLEASE pull over to have your "urgent" conversation. And although it's really not important--No thanks to upping the dollar menu items at Wendy's and McDonald's! Couldn't they have at least waited until after the holidays?
Thanks for posts like these, because we all need to remember to say "Thanks" on a regular basis.
Great post, Jo. (Though I'm another one who likes Angelina Jolie and can't stand Jennifer Aniston!)
Thanks - can't say it often enough - for my friends in the romance writing community - the best in the world. And for all who support those of us engaged in creative endeavours.
Thanks too to all those people who do the nasty, dirty, thankless jobs that mean people like me don't have to do them. And to those who do all the necessary jobs which keep us healthy and safe.
Thanks to our athletes, who provide such inspiration with their dedication and prowess. (and their great legs/bodies *g*)
No thanks to rudeness and ignorance. To people who show no respect for my home country, but are happy to take all it offers. To people who spend their day making a living out of making others miserable or being nasty.
No thanks to people who make money out of misery - like putting prices up in a recession!
And a big no thanks to reality television (except for shows like Top Chef, Project Runway and Step It Up and Dance) and gossipy exposes on the Wannabes and pseud-stars.
Ditto on white chocolate. Which reminds me - Thank you CADBURY'S!
Thanks for the Banditas! Thanks for dh, my posse, good morning snuggles from my kids, good writing days, Chex Mix, dark chocolate and Tim Tams and Caramel Koalas at Nationals!
No thanks for having to avoid Chex Mix, dark chocolate, and if anyone brings Tim Tams or Caramel Koalas again to National, I'm NOT avoiding them! No thanks to being called "Dude" by my kids, and for having to say no to so many yucky TV shows and video games that have no business being in the hands of kids.
Jo, this is such a fun post! But let me just weigh in the Vrai Anna here--I'm on Team Jolie. I dislike Jennifer Aniston & have since Friends. Ick.
However, on my thanks/no thanks list:
No thanks--fake food. I'm done beliving in the power of technology to build better food. Fake margarine, fake fat, fake sugar? No thanks. Just give me the real deal & I'll try to use it responsibly.
I will fully cop to a weakness for Diet Coke, but as I'm also saying NO THANKS to extremeism in my diet, I think a diet coke every now & then is just fine.
Big Thanks--to my family. The one I was born into, the one I married into, & the one my husband & I managed to make ourselves. Nothing else compares.
Great post, Jo.
Wow.....great post, Jo!
I'm going to be a bit redundent and echo what several of ya'll have said.
Thanks for the Banditas and the BB's. Priceless.
Thanks for old movies like "White Christmas", "Miracle on 34th Street", "Holiday Inn"
Thanks for reruns of I Love Lucy and Andy Griffith. Much needed respite from all the sorrow in the world.
Thanks not only for Diet Coke but McDonald's diet coke in particular! Don't know why, it just tastes the best :-)
Thanks for "Dancing with the Stars". That show is upbeat, amazing and makes even the clunkiest of us feel like for one moment, one breath we too can be elegant and beautiful.
No Thanks to hyping Christmas BEFORE Halloween!
No Thanks to people who "Talk the talk" but most definately cannot "Walk the walk."
No thanks to sensationalism in the media. No. Thank. You.
And woohoo Marisa on no thanking those obnoxious phrases. I HATE the "my bad"!
Nice post, Jo!
Thanks for NCIS and Mark Harmon! Oh baby. Something about those steely blue eyes and the occasional smile......yummo!
No Thanks to medicine commercials listing all the side affects. Geesh. As a nurse I understand they have to be listed, but quite frankly this makes me turn my TV faster than anything! Let the doc tell me what meds I need to be on and the side affect, not the marketing agent for a pharmaceutical company!
Oooooooooo Elyssa, I like your second NO THANKS and I concur! Don't diss something you've never tried!
ohhhhhhhhhhhh Anna S...you reminded me of something else I'm thankful for...cameras that follow the men running with the ball, showing us the muscles working beneath those tight spandex football pants!!
No Thanks to my Browns playing so bad!
Helen! WTG! Four weeks off work, that's heavenly. I hope you get a lot of relaxing, reading, and enjoying those new grandsons.
My granddaughter is due in two weeks also! Hey, does that make triples? Ha, ha. But we think the baby will come early because her mum has gestational diabetes. They keep hospitalizing her to build up her amniotic fluid.
I can't wait to hold baby Emma. It was never this much fun when I had my own babies LOL.
I knew Johnny D. would bring you out of the woodwork (or Cave as it were), Tawny. Wasn't he just cute as a button? He's one of those actors I never want to meet because I'm sure I'd be disappointed with him in person.
Hmmm, I think I'll watch Sweeney Todd again!
I'm very politically minded, Maureen, but I must say I was very glad when the election was over. It gets a bit much, doesn't it.
It's like buying a new car. You search and test-drive and search again and then you just want the damn thing to be done!
Hmmm, maybe that's why I drive pumpkin-colored Element! You sure can see me coming.
Hi, Marisa, did you survive your birthday bash?
Overused words -- ugh. I find myself doing the same thing and wanting to slap my face LOL. I have a penchant for "great" and "very." Double ugh!
Oh, and thanks, Marisa, for clarifying O'Mara's name. He's the inspiration for my latest manuscript.
In my version, however, he's named Tucker Gage, and of course, he's a cop!
Gillian said, "Thanks for posts like these, because we all need to remember to say "Thanks" on a regular basis."
Amen! I'm basically an optimist person, but sometimes when bad stuff happens in our lives we dwell on that instead of all the blessings we have. I try to remind myself daily how lucky I am for friends, family, health, all that good stuff.
Thanks for reminding us, Gillian.
We now have a no-hands cell phone law in California, but I see people still doing it all the time. And I do wonder how they're going to enforce it.
Gillian, I haven't heard the new TWILIGHT soundtrack nor seen the movie. Have you seen it? Give us a thumbs up or thumbs down on it, will you? It's on my list to see this holiday.
Great list, Anna S. I should've had you write this post LOL.
I can't say that I appreciate athletes like I should (although I do have a great admiration for Daniel Craig's thighs -- ooh, la, la). Does he count as an athlete?
And a great big YES to people who work at jobs many of us couldn't or wouldn't do. I remember doing some of those things -- cleaning houses, having a paper route, working in a burger joint, working retail. I was always grateful just to be making money and am equally grateful I no longer have to do it.
Oooh, Deb, you reminded me I forgot to say thanks for all our husbands, boyfriends, and signifcant others -- er, well, most of the time :-D.
I must have these illusive Tim Tams soon or I'll go bonkers.
Hi, Susan, Bandita friend.
I see we now have many Jolie fans!
Families, what a paradox! I firmly believe they are the source of our greatest happiness and our greatest sorrow. Here's hoping that for all of us there's only joy in our families.
Ugh on Coke, but don't get me started on Pepsis! I could not live without them; I'm a true Pepsiholic, fully loaded with sugar and caffeine. It's my major weakness and I am embracing it fully LOL.
Great list, Joanie! And I'd add A CHRISTMAS STORY to the list of old movies. That gives me my biggest laugh of the holiday, especially the part where the parents refuse to get Ralphie the air gun because "you'll shoot your eye out"! Priceless!
Funny about the medicine commercials, Suz. It's hilarious when they try to make it more natural and have the doctor talking to a patient conversationally, but he's really just listing the side effects.
Sheesh!
Jo - Penguins aka Tim Tam's are in the post. *g*
Jo-Thumbs UP on Twilight, the movie! No, it doesn't quite live up to the book. Yes, they could have done a better job on the make-up. But they nailed the teenage angst, I love the actors they chose, and it's just utterly romantic.
If you can enjoy the movie for itself, you'll love it. I can't wait for New Moon.
Jo
We will have to have a big party when they are all born one of my daughters is gestational diabetes as well and has had lots of problems she sees the Doctor tomorrow the other daughter is doing well but lots of back pain at the moment and is really nesting so I am not sure either of them will last till 13th Dec.
And as you say grandchildren are so much fun and so different from having your own.
Keep me posted Jo
Have Fun
Helen
I'll definitely keep you posted, Helen. I'm so excited I can't wait. We haven't had a baby in almost 3 years. Sandra's is due Dec 16, but there's no way she'll last that long, so we're all gearing up. Poor tiny, she's very tiny, about 5'2" and can hardly keep this chunky monkey inside her.
Let us know about your new baby boys!
Thanks, Gillian. I do love those teenage angst books and movies. They remind us of our teens without having to really live it again!
OMG, Anna! Have I hinted broadly enough for those Tim Tams?!
Yummmy, can't wait. You are so sweet to do that. I've been intrigued with TT's forEVer! Thanks.
Great blog, Jo!
Thanks for family and friends, especially those in the romance community. I have never met a more open, warm and giving group in my life.
Thanks for people willing to give to those less fortunate, rather than buy more "stuff" for themselves. My dh and I are trying to teach our children this lesson. We already have more than we need, so doesn't it make more sense to give.
No thanks to rude people, especially during the holidays. Life's too short.
No thanks for people who get so caught up in the holiday madness that they actually trample a WalMart worker to death. Is anything worth that much? Makes me sick!
A big thanks for all of the wonderful romances that I get to read and the authors who write them!
I agree with many of the things on your list, Jo. I give thanks to my favorite tv shows including "30 Rock," "NCIS," "Criminal Minds," "Life" and "Eleventh Hour." Special thanks to Damian Lewis and Rufus Sewell, two great British actors who are great in their tv role. No thanks to the fact that their characters are American and we can't listen to their sexy British accents.
Hmm thanks for... black friday deals. :) no thanks to people who drive stupidly while using their phones. Hatesss them. Big no thank you does not want.
Erm... thanks to... pie :D And no thanks to finals. :(
Haha is ic clear my brain is completely fried?
And congrats to Elyssa on the GR!
Elyssa, glad you're having fun with the bird!
Jo, I think the poster can grab the bird legitimately if she waits a decent interval (15-30 min?) before trying. What a fun post topic!
For me, thanks to Fox for Terminator: The Sarah Connor chronicles, though the show looks to be doomed, considering its new time slot.
Thanks to MGM for Stargate: Continuum, a fun direct-to-DVD movie featuring my heroes from SG-1 in a new adventure.
Thanks to all the banditas and all our buddies for adding such grace notes to my life.
I agree with everybody who says all the advertising every-danged-where is absurd.
Speaking of which . . . no thanks to all the pharmaceutical companies airing ads for men's "enhancement" medication. I was so relieved to see all those ads for women's "personal hygiene" liquid products go away, and now THIS! Please, no more.
Jo, congrats on mailing that manuscript!
Helen, I also love anything claiming to be chocolate in any form. Except, maybe, for dark-dark chocolate, which tastes bitter to me.
thanks for hot chocolate with lots of mini marshmallows... and i mean lots :D
no thanks for chai tea... yuck... :P
thanks for all the great authors out there who write great books and how we have so many choices!
no thanks to not having enough money to buy ALL of the choices we want to buy (which is pretty much all of them) :D
I'm with you, Anna S! Thanks for Cadbury's and chocolate of ALL varieties!
Thanks for Moms who bring you Thanksgiving leftovers because you had to work on Turkey Day! &^%&^% Wal-Mart!
Thanks for the fabulous Banditas and Buddies! No matter how badly my day goes you always make me smile! Thanks for all the encouragement and cheerleading too!
Thanks for DVDs! I LOVE watching movies on a rainy afternoon!
Thanks for computers because I might never have met all my fantastic writing friends without it.
Thanks for Johnny Depp, Hugh Jackman, Gerrard Butler, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, Daniel Craig and all those ripped handsome sexy men that make a girl's life worthwhile!
Thanks for all the talented amazing romance writers who write the books that keep me sane and inspire me.
And speaking of that - thanks Deb Marlowe for An Improper Aristocrat. I finished it last night and I absolutely LOVED it!
Anna, ARE they the same???!!! I have my doubts! Have you tried a genuine Aussie Tim Tam? Jo, I still think you're a very lucky girl to have such a generous friend as VA who is much nicer than some naughty Australians who just keep tormenting you with a description!
Hmmm, I'd think you're right Foanna! Vrai Anna, are you my new BFF? Gosh, all this Tim Tam talk is giving me the munchies!
Ooooh, Louisa, what a great Mum you have. I think we like left-overs more than the orginal mean. My second son wiped us out and took most of them, so we've had short shrift of our turkey sandwiches!
Great list!
Danie88, so you like a little chocolate with your marshmallows? Yummy. I put frozen cool whip in mine, but occasionally the marshmallows too.
Oh, yes, I'm sure that Heaven is just a giant bookstore of free books. To paraphrase Mark Twain, Heaven for romance readers, hell for society.
Yes, Nancy, the termination of Terminator (pun alert) is a real disappointment to me. I love how they've set up the story and have so many great characters. I try not to become too attached to new TV shows. The ones I like always get cancelled. Life on Mars is another. I swear if Burn Notice goes away, I'm gonna write letters!
LOL, Limecello, is your brain fried from finals? I was just telling my son how I stayed up two whole days to study for finals this one semester. I had to get a minimum of a C in this comprehensive English grammar/literature/composition class or I couldn't get my degree.
Talk about pressure. I'd just gotten married two days before and spent 48 hours straight studying with no artificial enhancements.
Oh, to be young and healthy again. But I aced the final!
I'm curious since Limecello mentioned Black Friday -- how many of ya'll braved the crowds the day after Thanksgiving? Did you find great bargains? Do our overseas Bandita Buddies have something similar to BF?
Me, I stayed home and ate leftovers!
OH, Jane, you've gotten my heart aflutter. I hate that those sexy-voiced British actors put on an ugly American accent. Sorry, but I think very few American men have voices that compare with the Brits, Irish, and Scots.
I've heard Rufus S. but not Damien L. But they do those voices so well. Another one is Vampire "Bill" on True Blood; he does a southern accent. Sorry, I don't know his real name.
And wow, isn't that a hot show!
I second you on the romance community, Gannon. I must tell my husband every day how damned nice romance writers are, whether they're big names or small ones!
Since Gannon mentioned people who give at this time of the year, I wanted to add another thanks.
Big thanks to those who contribute to the many programs that feed the homeless in our communities. We don't always realize how close to living on the streets a person can get. Losing a job, losing your home, long-term sickness. Sometimes you can be several mortgage payments away from the street.
In our community there are many, many good-hearted people who contribute whatever they can -- time, money, or donations.
BIG thanks to being able to watch Hugh Jackman on the big screen for 3 hours! *sigh*
Wow, Hugh Jackman! Did you see AUSTRALIA, Gannon? How was it? I'm treating myself to a movie tomorrow and I can't decide whether to see that or Twilight or Quantum of Solace. Hmmmm, sweet dilemmas!
I also put frozen cool whip on mine too! If i don't have marshmallows that is... :D
H'llo to you from 'round the world!!
Thank you to Banditas and Bandita Buddies. Year 2009 is going to be my Year of Friendships.
No thanks to bad-mouthers.
Thank you to chocolate and cheese.
No thanks to migraines.
Thanks to RWA and to the wonderful romance community.
No thanks to conference fees price hikes.
My heartfelt thanks to the trees for giving up their precious bark to books and toilet paper. Thanks also to the unsung hero who created flush toilets.
No thanks to bugs that make little kids throw up all night.
I admire Angelina Jolie and what she and Brad seem to accomplish.
lol I bought lots on Black Friday (and even some today)... but all online :D
No way was I venturing out in the big, scary, CRAZY world :P
Anna C - they looked and tasted the same to me - though perhaps our Penguins taste more English chocolate-y *g*. Jo will have to do a taste test and see.
Awww, and thanks to you Keira for making 2009 the year of friendship. What a wonderful idea!
Great idea, Limecello! Do they actually observe Black Friday on line LOL? I mean, did you get some great deals?
I did order something from Willow Tree because I adore their figurines, but didn't get a special price.
The two Annas, absolutely!
I will be the official Tim Tam Taster. Has a rather nice ring to it, doesn't it?
Thanks to everyone for stopping by today on your busy holiday weekend!
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