Today, we’re traveling to Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are at least 130 monuments one can visit while there.

But I mostly just want to sing this:

Something about all those fresh-faced teenagers touring the city made me smile.

Tonight on TV, we have the season premiere of Who Do You Think You Are? which I love!!! We also have new episodes of Fringe and CSI: NY which I’ll be recording.

Keyed in two pages last night.

Reading: I’m still reading Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble which I’m still enjoying a lot.

Well, I can’t use that excuse. I don’t like eggnog. *g*

Today in history:

• 1898 – Actress Irene Dunne was born.

• 1908 – Actor Dennis Morgan was born.

• 1957 – Elvis Presley was drafted.

There is absolutely nothing on TV tonight. Or nothing I want to see/record, at any rate. So I’ll be catching up on recorded stuff.

I’ll be getting back to keying stuff in tonight too.

Reading: Still reading Spackled and Spooked which I’m loving.

Well, okay, we won’t be going anywhere really until I start using the new calendar but I don’t have any excuses for Sundays, so I thought I’d just ramble on about something. Like traveling!

I used to love traveling. Then the health problems cropped up and pretty much put a stop to that. *sigh* But I dream of traveling again. Some day. So where are some places you’d like to go?

Today in history:

• 1917 – National Hockey League (NHL) opened its first season. Okay, show of hands… who had any idea the NHL had been around that long? Certainly not me!

• 1924 – The last Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost was sold in London, England.

Had fun with the company last night. Laughed a lot plus I got some Christmas money. So I promptly went shopping later last night.

Tonight we’re supposed to have carolers. Just hope they come before the start of Leverage. *g* I’ll also be recording my favorite Christmas movie, Christmas in Connecticut. The original 1945 version not the dreadful remake.

No writing stuff last night.

Reading: Naturally, I went shopping for ebooks last night. So now I’m reading Spackled and Spooked by Jennie Bentley which is fun.

Hey, an excuse I can and have used!

Today in history:

• 1881 – The first edition of the Los Angeles Times was published.

• 1921 – The Virginia Rappe manslaughter trial against Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle ended in a hung jury.

• 1954 – The first Burger King opened in Miami, Florida. And they had no creepy king back in those days.

• 1956 : The “Million Dollar Quartet“ convened at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. The quartet was an impromptu jam session comprised of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

I haven’t posted a video in a long time, then I saw this last night on Red Eye and had to share.

I especially got the giggles over the inclusion of Milli Vanilli. LOL!!!

There is absolutely nothing on tonight. So it’ll be recorded shows for me!

Worked on more stuff I had in longhand. Not sure how much I keyed in because it was on different stories.

Reading: Finished up Knit One, Kill Two. Next up Needled to Death.

If everyone felt that way, nobody would get elected! So get out there and VOTE!!!

Last night was the 200th episode of DWTS and they had guest stars from all previous season. Yay! More show padding! And just for the record, I liked the way Brooke Burke wore her hair last night. Of course that was the only thing I liked about her.

First we had the Team Dances which were each led by former winners Kristi Yamaguchi and Apolo Anton Ohno.

First up, Team Kristi. I thought their synchronicity was a little out of, um, synch. The judges all liked it, though, so what do I know? LOL! They scored 24/30.

Next up, Team Apolo. I didn’t really like it but I also think it was the better dance. The judges loved it. They scored 27/30.

Kyle Massey – Paso doble. They had to recreate Mel B‘s paso from a previous season. I thought they did an awesome job!!! Mel B. was a guest judge. And all the judges loved it! They scored 35/40 for a total of 59/70 with their team dance score.

Kurt Warner – Tango. They had to recreate Emmett Smith‘s tango. I thought they did a great job! The judges liked it too. They scored 34/40 for a total of 61/70.

Bristol Palin – Viennese waltz. They had to recreate Kelly Osbourne‘s Viennese waltz. I thought she did a great job! The judges liked it over all, too. They scored 33/40 for a total of 57/70.

Rick Fox – Quickstep. They had to recreate Helio Castroneves‘ quickstep. Discovered Rick is living with Eliza Dushku. Did not know that. I wanted to like their dance and parts of it I did but some of it seemed slightly off. I think it was because he’s so tall. The judges liked it a lot, though. Even though he looked like the Jolly Green Giant. LOL! They scored 37/40 with a total of 61/70.

Brandy – Foxtrot. They had to recreate Gilles Marini‘s foxtrot. *fanning* Maks is so hot. Okay the dance was smokin’ too. But she did make one tiny bobble. But Len loved it! Go figure. *g* They scored 37/40 for a total of 64/70.

Jennifer Grey – Tango. They had to recreate Drew Lachey‘s tango. I thought it was great! But I was worried too because she’s pushing herself to the absolute limit and her body’s not happy about it. The judges loved it. They scored 37/40 for a total of 64/70.

Elimination prediction: Probably Bristol, though I kind of hope it’s not her.

Due to the mid-term elections the only new show on network TV tonight is the DWTS results show which airs an hour earlier. I’ll also be recording a new show on the Travel Channel called Mysteries at the Museum.

I was shocked this morning to discover my satellite music channels have SEVEN Christmas music channels already going strong. Hello? It’s not even Thanksgiving yet!!!

And I’ll be doing some writing stuff while watching election results.

Reading: I’m about halfway through Dirty Rotten Tendrils which, not surprisingly, I’m loving.

*snicker* I love that excuse.

Well, I’m still waiting for the meds to kick this sinus infection to the curb. My teeth still hurt from the infection. So. Tired. Of. It.

Today in history:

• 1895 – Silent film star Edna Purviance was born. She was Charlie Chaplin‘s leading lady in thirty of his movies (in an eight-year time span).

• 1917 – Jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie was born.

• 1921 – The silent film The Sheik, starring Rudolph Valentino, premiered.

Tonight, we have new episodes of Destination Truth and Ghost Lab.

Fixed a questionable scene last night in the murder mystery.

Reading: Still reading Royal Flush which, like the other books in this series, is excellent.

Oh, that’s a classic excuse!

Okay, first, let’s discuss DWTS. It was TV Theme Week! Some of which was fun and some which wasn’t. They’re really padding the show to get a full two hours. They spent the first half hour analyzing each dancer’s performances thus far and what their best dance was.

Brandy – Quickstep. They danced to the theme from Friends, I’ll Be There For You. Some of it was great. Other parts I didn’t like. Never satisfied, am I? *g* But Len Crankypants loved it, go figure! Bruno broke his pen he was so excited. LOL!!! They scored 27/30.

Florence Henderson – Tango. They danced to the Brady Bunch theme. They did a great job! I liked it a lot better than last week’s rumba! Bruno thought she ruined it in the middle. But Carrie Ann liked it. Len liked it better than Bruno, though he agreed the middle was a bit funky, but he also agreed with me that it was her best dance, so far. They scored 21/30.

Kurt Warner – Quickstep. They danced to the them from Bewitched. Another great job! Very fun!!! The judges loved it too. They scored 24/30.

Audrina Patridge – Rumba. They danced to the theme from her show The Hills. I, um, found it kind of boring. The judges were fairly complimentary. Well, except for Carrie Ann’s remark that she was dead above the waist. *g* They scored 23/30.

Kyle Massey – Foxtrot. They danced to the theme from Charlie’s Angels which was a poor choice, IMO. Not sure why they had him dressed, as Tom put it, like Isaac from The Love Boat. *g* I didn’t really like it. It wasn’t a good song for dancing. Carrie Ann liked it but I have to go with Bruno and Len. They scored 20/30.

Rick Fox – Rumba. They danced to the theme from Hill Street Blues. It just didn’t work for me. Another case of bad music. Carrie Ann loved it. Len said there wasn’t any romance, it was more like a couple staying together for the kids. LOL! And I found it boring. They scored 24/30.

Bristol Palin – The jive. They danced to the theme from The Monkees. Not her best dance. But I always love hearing that theme. They started out in gorilla suits which I thought was a Really Bad Idea. Len really liked it which surprised me. She did lose technique (it flew right out the window) but her personality shined through more. They scored 18/30.

Jennifer Grey – Foxtrot. They danced to the theme from Married With Children, Love and Marriage (by Frank Sinatra). I, and some of my fellow viewers, thought it was fabulous!!! What bug got up Carrie Ann’s butt, though? She was very cranky tonight. Len didn’t like it either but Bruno and I did. *g* They scored 25/30.

Elimination prediction – I suspect it’ll be Bristol the Pistol.

Tonight on TV, we have NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, the DWTS results show and the return of Ghost Lab.

No writing last night unless you count my reading through the 35 pages I have on the Space Opera I mentioned yesterday. No, I’m not working on it. I just wanted to refresh my memory.

Reading: Finished up The Knights of the Black Earth and now I’m re-reading Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews.

I’m skipping today’s excuse because I really don’t like it. *g*

On to the DWTS report!

Weirdly, they danced in the round for the first time ever on the show. Which, I might add, I hated with a passion. I hope they never do it again. It was also Double Score night. And amazingly, Brooke Burke didn’t once mention her time on the show as a contestant! Maybe she saw my complaint last week.

Kurt Warner – Rumba. He was uncomfortable with the dance until he got the seal of approval from his wife. I thought that was sweet. It was good as rumbas go. But, of course, you know by now it’s not a dance I like. *g* Len liked it. Bruno was off the wall (shocker). Carrie Ann liked it. They scored a total of 34/60.

Brandy – Rumba. I was too distracted by what she was almost wearing to pay much attention to the dance. It was like a see-through bed sheet. The judges loved the dance. They scored a total of 48/60.

Rick Fox – Argentine tango. I thought it was fairly good but I hated the music. The judges liked it overall. They scored 39/60.

Kyle Massey – Rumba. Hated the music, loved the dance. The judges didn’t think it flowed well enough, though. They scored 40/60.

The Situation – Argentine tango. Overall, he could have been better but I thought the lifts were amazing! Len said “It was consistent, it was bad throughout.” LOL! They scored 28/60.

Florence Henderson – Rumba. Um. I think that was her worst dance, ever. Carrie Ann found it uncomfortable because they went for really raunchy. Len said it was better than he though it would be. Bruno was, well, Bruno. LOL! They scored 35/60.

Jennifer Grey – Argentine tango. Their tango ROCKED!!!! The music was actual tango music. The dance was smokin’ hot and sharp as a tack. They scored 56/60. First 10s of the season!

Bristol Palin – Rumba. I thought she did a great job but the judges were less excited. She does still seem a bit tentative but her technique always looks good to me. They scored 32/60.

Audrina Patridge – Argentine tango. It was good but nowhere near as awesome as Jennifer’s. Plus, I hated the music. They scored 46/60.

My prediction for elimination: The Situation.

Tonight, we have NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles and the DWTS results show.

Back to the book tonight.

Reading: Finished up Hunt at the Well of Eternity. Now I’m reading a print book, Scoop to Kill by Wendy Lyn Watson.

Hey, I am hungry! How did they know???

Okay, here’s the much-awaited DWTS report:

Well, we’re still stuck with Brooke Burke. *sigh* Brooke, nobody cares about your experience on the show four seasons ago, so stop bringing it up every freaking week!!!

Props were encouraged last night because it was “Story Night”.

Jennifer Grey – Samba. Their story theme was “Hot for the Teacher”. Awesome job!!! (Though the fringed pants she wore had me giggling.) The judges said there was a wobbly spot but I missed it. So she and Derek redid that part of the dance. LOL! Didn’t help their score, of course, but at least they proved they could do it. They scored 24/30.

Florence Henderson – Waltz. They danced to Edelweiss from The Sound of Music. It was kind of tentative but lovely nonetheless. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, I’m so glad she’s not playing for laughs. They scored 20/30.

Kurt Warner – Foxtrot. They danced to Bad Day by Daniel Powter. Their story was a girl having a bad day in the rain and a guy shows up with an umbrella and they dance around in the rain. She cheers up and he goes on his merry way. It was delightful! Apparently Bruno saw a different dance than everyone else because he didn’t like it. They scored 23/30.

Margaret Cho – Samba. They danced to Copacabana. Some of it was fairly good. But her footwork? Fell apart at the seams. And as Tom said, Louis looked like he got his outfit from fitness guru Jack LaLanne. LOL!!! They scored 18/30.

Audrina Patridge – Waltz. Their story was a woman whose lover was a soldier who died. It was lovely! But the smoke machine was making me cough. No, I’m not at all suggestible. LOL! They scored 26/30.

Bristol Palin – Foxtrot. The dancing part was pretty good, but the story part left something to be desired. And Bruno was a crazed lunatic in the comments department (even though he gave her the highest of the three scores). It wasn’t her best dance, alas. They scored 19/30.

Brandy – Samba. She argues with Maks so much during rehearsals, she put tape over her own mouth. LOL! He was supposed to play her bodyguard in their story. Well, it was technically good but the story part was weak, IMO. The judges agreed on that point. They scored 24/30.

Kyle Massey – Waltz. They danced to Falling in Love in Coffee Shop. I love him! Absolutely darling dance!!! Len Crankypants was really mean about his footwork, though. They scored 23/30.

The Situation – Foxtrot. What were those earrings Karina wore in rehearsals??? They looked like they were made from wire hangers. LOL!!! They danced to the Black-Eyed Peas. I don’t know if his dancing was any good or not. I was too distracted by the music which I hated and her Bride of Frankenstein hair. What was up with that??? Their story theme was a time machine. Unfortunately, they went from the present into the future. What they should have done was go from the future into the past and had some music that didn’t suck dead canaries. Len hated it. The other two kind of liked it “in a weird way”. They scored 20/30.

Rick Fox – Samba. Um. Wow. I don’t know that his technique was the best but it was certainly compelling! Even the judges liked it. They scored 24/30.

My prediction: Bye-bye, Margaret!

Tonight on TV, we have NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and the DWTS results show which I’ll record so I can skip all the boring bits.

No writing last night but I’ll be back at it tonight.

Reading: I started reading a free ebook I got from B&N the other day called Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy. It’s either a romance with a strong fantasy plot, or a fantasy with a strong romance plot. I haven’t quite decided yet. Anyway, it’s really good. It’s set in a Victorian England that abounds with magic.

I can’t imagine using that as an excuse. LOL!!!

Okay, here’s my weekly DWTS snarkfest report.

Rick Fox – The jive. It was pretty good but I kept worrying about him because apparently he had a tendon problem that ended his basketball career. But he managed to get through the jive without any major problems. The judges even liked it. Well, except Carrie Ann who thought he was better last week. They scored 21/30.

Florence Henderson – Quickstep. It wasn’t great but it wasn’t horrible either. Hated the music, though. And I am SO glad she’s not playing everything for laughs like Cloris Leachman did. The judges liked it. They scored 19/30.

Brandy – The jive. I didn’t like it. It didn’t really pop the way I wanted. Part of that may have been the music which I really didn’t like. I didn’t like the Catholic schoolgirl uniform with thigh-high white stockings either. The judges weren’t crazy about it either. They scored 21/30.

Michael Bolton – The jive. He came into rehearsals sick and wearing one of those masks. They danced to Elvis Presley’s Hound Dog and Chelsie had the *cough* “bright” *cough* idea of having him crawl out of a doghouse at the beginning. It felt to me like he was just going through the motions. The judges were picky but Len raked Bruno over the coals for his comments. Wow. I was surprised Len didn’t go off about the doghouse thing. They scored 12/30. Ouch.

Audrina Patridge – Quickstep. Best dance of the night at this point of the show! But another weird musical choice. I don’t know what everyone was smoking when they chose music last night. They scored 23/30.

Jennifer Grey – The jive. She did a great job! (But she’s really kind of a ringer, isn’t she? Even if it’s been years since she danced.) And I liked her better before the nose-job. The judges loved her performance. They scored 24/30.

Margaret Cho – The jive. It was surprisingly pretty good. Now that she’s not playing for laughs. But what was up with that zebra print with hot pink trim costume? It was blinding. They scored 18/30.

Kyle Massey – Quickstep. Awesome!!!!! But Lacey’s gown looked like it escaped from the kitchen sink. I used to have a pot/pan scrubber that looked just like her gown! LOL! Len started out sounding like he was going to totally trash their dance because it wasn’t a traditional quickstep but then he admitted he liked it. They scored 22/30.

Kurt Warner – The jive. It was pretty good! And didn’t have sucky music. *g* The judges liked it too. They scored 21/30.

The Situation – Quickstep. Amazingly, he’s apparently never heard of Brian Setzer to whose music they danced. *boggle* Also amazingly, it wasn’t too bad. Wasn’t great but it was way better than last week. They scored 18/30.

Bristol Palin – Quickstep. She did a good job! Not the best of the bunch, but far from the worst. And the judges liked it. Len gave her an 8! They scored 22/30.

My prediction for the boot? Michael Bolton.

On TV tonight we have the DWTS results show (which I’m going to record so I can skip all the boring parts, i.e. all the show except the last five minutes), NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles.

I’ll be back to writing stuff tonight.

Reading: Finished up The Perfect Shot which was great! Now I’m reading Slow Hands by Leslie Kelly.