SOTD: Cheap Trick - 'I Want You To Want Me'
It's been a while. I'm not used to being on the vulnerable side of these feelings, but much to my surprise, here I am. We are all in need of something/someone to remind us that we aren't alone. For me, this hasn't always been a big deal, but somehow I've found myself needing and wanting things that have never really been too important before. Maybe I'm a little lonely or maybe I'm just getting older, in either case, I've found myself in a very new and scary place.
You see, there's this guy...
We've known each other for over 15 years and recently we reconnected. At first it was just nice to chat with an old friend, but as our talks have become more frequent and predictable I've started looking forward to them with the anxious, excited, kind of nauseous, anticipation I used to get before a first date.
Am I crazy? My world has been turned upside down so much recently that some days I feel like I'm standing on my head and I'm thinking about putting it all out there to potentially end up with a pretty broken heart.
Maybe I'm just crazy enough!
Assuming my instincts aren't wrong, there are still a million reasons things might not work out - the least of which is a sizable distance between the places we call home. Funny thing is, in the past I would have turned this into a deal-breaker (I've been known to self-sabotage) but this time I'm already thinking about ways to make it work and make the most of the time we would have together. I don't think I'm crazy - crazy was the old me and I've definitely changed!
Obstacles aside, he gets me. He gets my ridiculous jokes. He gets my need for for attention and also my demand for space. He understands that I'm ambitious and wants nothing more than to celebrate my successes with me. Most importantly, he really is a good friend.
Partially inspired by the upcoming holiday and also motivated by my goal for 2011 to 'LIVE', I've got to step out into the unknown. As much as I like the goofy feelings that come from not knowing, it's time to sink or swim; I've got to tell him how I feel. There's a chance I might destroy a great friendship, but it won't be the end of the world if he doesn't feel the same.
Of course, if he does, it could very well be the beginning...
Tuesday, February 8
Tuesday, February 1
on a personal note...
SOTD: Paul Simon - 'The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)'
A few weeks ago, I read an article online about things that babies born in 2011 will know nothing about. Among the items on the list I was saddened to see 'Hand Written Letters'. I get it. We are a technological society. My eight year old god-daughter has her own blackberry style phone and has no problem texting her 2nd grade friends or navigating my facebook page (not that I encourage her to do either of these things)!
We were talking about school the other day and I mentioned that I got my first pen-pal in the second grade (Lauren from St. Paul, Minnesota) to which Gabby asked 'What's a Pen-Pal'? I explained that it was a friend that you only talk to by sending letters. She quickly stopped me to ask why not just email or call them, "it would be quicker" she noted. I was at a loss, my eight year old god-daughter had made a good point. I tried to explain how exciting it was to receive a letter from Lauren when I was her age, but it just never seemed to phase her. And then I started thinking; when was the last time I sat down and wrote a personal note and sent it out by snail mail? Better yet, when was the last time I communicated with someone outside my core network with more than 140 characters via twitter, facebook or texting? I used to be the queen of communication and now most of my thoughts can fit on a gum wrapper.
Social networking has certainly helped us stay connected and updated, but there's a bit of cognitive dissonance. As part of my goal for the new year to really 'live' my life, I've started taking a few minutes everyday to reach out to an old friend. So far, this has been such a positive thing.
Subconsciously, I think I carry some guilt over lost friendships. I've mentioned before that I let my job rule my life and it's true, for the last couple of years I worked in television my friends were the people I saw at work everyday. That isn't a bad thing, but it wasn't completely healthy either; the friendships I put aside to accommodate work were some of the most precious I've ever made.
I believe in setting a good example, so tonight I pulled out my stationary bin (yes, I actually have a bin) and showed Gabby how much fun it is to pick a cute card and write a short note and surprise a friend with an unexpected piece of mail. One of you might be in for a surprise in a day or two...
Wednesday, January 26
to form a more perfect union...
SOTD: Various Artists - "YES WE CAN"
As any civic minded American knows, tonight our President gave his annual State of the Union address. By and large, I believe it was a great success. The president delivered plans that give hope to restoring the American dream I grew up chasing. There were a couple of things that really struck me while watching the address in real time, and a few others that I noticed while listening to the rebuttals that followed.
The emphasis that President Obama put on making Education a priority across the country was one of the highlights of the night for me:
"That responsibility begins not in our classrooms, but in our homes and communities. It's family that first instills the love of learning in a child. Only parents can make sure the TV is turned off and homework gets done. We need to teach our kids that it's not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair; that success is not a function of fame or PR, but of hard work and discipline.
Our schools share this responsibility. When a child walks into a classroom, it should be a place of high expectations and high performance. But too many schools don't meet this test. That's why instead of just pouring money into a system that's not working, we launched a competition called Race to the Top. To all fifty states, we said, "If you show us the most innovative plans to improve teacher quality and student achievement, we'll show you the money."
Race to the Top is the most meaningful reform of our public schools in a generation. For less than one percent of what we spend on education each year, it has led over 40 states to raise their standards for teaching and learning. These standards were developed, not by Washington, but by Republican and Democratic governors throughout the country. And Race to the Top should be the approach we follow this year as we replace No Child Left Behind with a law that is more flexible and focused on what's best for our kids."
It's no secret that 'No Child Left Behind' was a colossal failure, but until tonight, I don't think I've really heard anyone present an alternative. I also appreciated that he noted it will be up to the states, lead by their Governors, to turn things around and really start raising toward the top. He stated a wanted increase in teachers of the core subjects by a number of 100,000 in the next 4 years. The attention given to what I consider to be an education crisis, was very needed and greatly appreciated. My belief has long been that far too few people are properly educated and what's worse, their aren't enough people who seem to care. I've watched people fall through the cracks in both public schools and in the home school environment. The country is long overdue a complete system overhaul on education as a whole.
The second proposal that really got my attention elicited very little fan fare from within the halls of Congress:
"At the California Institute of Technology, they're developing a way to turn sunlight and water into fuel for our cars. At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, they're using supercomputers to get a lot more power out of our nuclear facilities. With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with biofuels, and become the first country to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015.
We need to get behind this innovation. And to help pay for it, I'm asking Congress to eliminate the billions in taxpayer dollars we currently give to oil companies. I don't know if you've noticed, but they're doing just fine on their own. So instead of subsidizing yesterday's energy, let's invest in tomorrow's."
I always love a hometown shout out, or in this case, close to home, but even more, here is a proposed plan to help with the budgeting of clean energy, and I predict because so many politicians have big oil in their back pocket, it will not happen without a big fight. And it's a shame, really, because the truth is, of all the big business types, oil really is the one that doesn't need any help from the government to turn a profit. Of the many proposals and ideas expressed tonight I would most love to see this one succeed.
Perhaps it was ideas and beliefs like the one I just expressed that contributed to my being laid-off just days before President Obama took office. In any case, the unemployment rate was practically queen of the prom tonight, everyone wanted to get on camera with her. In the post address responses from the Republican party and Tea Party Express (oh, the joy, I'll get to that in a minute), most of the criticism hinged on three things, big government, the deficit and jobs. I take offense when the right uses unemployment as an argument that Obama isn't doing a good enough job; I do so, because in some ways I feel had it not been for my support of President Obama during his campaign I might not be one of those among the unemployed for the last two years. Worse yet, I fear, if it happened to me, what's to say it didn't happen to others. We all know the president walked into a burning room and I strongly believe he's done everything in his power to not only put out the fire, but reconstruct the remains. It's not complete, but we're closer now than we were two years ago and I believe we are on the right track. But there was one point that even I had failed to realize until tonight and it came from this part of the speech:
"The steps we've taken over the last two years may have broken the back of this recession – but to win the future, we'll need to take on challenges that have been decades in the making.
Many people watching tonight can probably remember a time when finding a good job meant showing up at a nearby factory or a business downtown. You didn't always need a degree, and your competition was pretty much limited to your neighbors. If you worked hard, chances are you'd have a job for life, with a decent paycheck, good benefits, and the occasional promotion. Maybe you'd even have the pride of seeing your kids work at the same company.
That world has changed. And for many, the change has been painful. I've seen it in the shuttered windows of once booming factories, and the vacant storefronts of once busy Main Streets. I've heard it in the frustrations of Americans who've seen their paychecks dwindle or their jobs disappear – proud men and women who feel like the rules have been changed in the middle of the game."
I am only 30 years old, but I grew up in a family of workers who had one job that was good and when they were old enough they left that job with a pension and retired from places like B.F. Goodwrench and regional hospitals. I grew up believing if you found a job you loved and did it well enough to get paid you should stay with it. The sad truth that President Obama explained tonight is that it's time to wake up, we don't live in that world anymore. The game has changed and if we want to succeed we have to approach our careers with an eye toward the global market and the new technologies. It doesn't have to be an uphill battle, but we must stop pinning for the days of bonded employment; those days are gone.
And now to address the division of ideology. After the speech tonight, I logged on to Facebook. A friend had posted the following comment: "just sat through the most boring State of the Union...ever. Speaker Boehner's tie was the star of that show." I can't say I'm surprised that this particular friend posted this, except, I have always respected her strong Republican beliefs because I thought her to be well informed and the type of person who reaches her political opinions by rationally evaluating the information she is presented with. It appears that I've misjudged the situation. Regardless of party lines, the speech given tonight was anything but boring, especially for a couple of political junkies like us! It saddens me to see that even my own friends are incapable of looking at the current state of our union objectively.
By now it's clear which side of the aisle I can be found, but at least I know how I got there.
First for the Republican party. We disagree on policy for a reason; you are steadfast in your beliefs and I in mine. What I don't understand is how your war cry is for less government, yet no one has a solid proposal of how to remove government efficiently and effectively. I understand this is a core belief for you, but what exactly is it that the government controls that you feel would best serve the people if it didn't exist? I'm serious, I would really like to know. Because you see, I don't think the removal of government's role in the lives of Americans would actually be beneficial.
I heard Rep. Ryan express the following:
"So I’d like to share with you the principles that guide us. They are anchored in the wisdom of the founders; in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence; and in the words of the American Constitution.
They have to do with the importance of limited government; and with the blessing of self-government."
*****
"We believe government’s role is both vital and limited – to defend the nation from attack and provide for the common defense … to secure our borders… to protect innocent life… to uphold our laws and Constitutional rights … to ensure domestic tranquility and equal opportunity … and to help provide a safety net for those who cannot provide for themselves.
We believe that the government has an important role to create the conditions that promote entrepreneurship, upward mobility, and individual responsibility.
We believe, as our founders did, that “the pursuit of happiness” depends upon individual liberty; and individual liberty requires limited government."
The particular suggestion that in the absence of government we should rely more on 'self-government' alarming. If there is one thing I am certain of, it is Americans are incapable of self control. Aside from the fact that only a small portion of the population even bothers to follow the issues, many of those who do are misinformed! To think that a country with nearly half a billion people is somehow capable of making wise decisions in place of government is like believing a teenager can be responsible with a credit card. It seems like a decent idea until the damage is done, and anyone who's maxed out a credit card, and there's more of those people than people who follow the issues, will tell you, once you've exceeded your limit, if you don't have the resources to undo the damage, it can be crippling.
Additionally, I noted that one key point the right would like to stay involved with is decisions that I make in regards to the use of my uterus, or as it's referred to here, 'to protect innocent life'. Their are two key issues of the Republican party that I profoundly disagree with, abortion and gay rights. I am a proud Christian woman, but I understand what it means to separate Church and State. More than that, I understand why it is imperative that we do so. Not many people know this, but I was a congressional intern the summer after 9/11. One of the key pieces of legislation at that time was the partial-birth abortion ban. I was lucky enough to have the experience of doing research for this piece of legislation. For the record, I oppose partial-birth abortions. What I learned during my research is that abortions in the first trimester are more necessary for medical purposes than I could have ever imagined. Also, fewer people use abortions as a means of birth control than I had been told and those who do don't enter into that decision lightheartedly. Lastly, the allowance of such an option is far safer when regulated by the government than if it were to become illegal and people resorted to desperate measures to terminate dangerous or unwanted pregnancies.
The religious beliefs of those who are pro-life are not that different from my own. But I believe my God will judge me for my sins. This is tested again when it comes to gay rights. I can't figure out why anyone believes that because someone is gay they deserve anything less than I do. Why can't we all agree that all people deserve to be treated equally, fairly and with respect. I don't believe God would make someone gay just to have his followers go around mocking them. And yes, I believe you are born gay; why would anyone chose to be put down and belittled the way our society does.
But perhaps my biggest problem with the people on the other side of the aisle is that they just don't get it. They don't get that our nation is 200 years ahead of the founding fathers. They don't get that we've made advancements in the quality of life that require a more involved government leadership. They don't get how outdated portions of the existing Constitution really are - my goodness, parts still recognize slaves and women as lesser people. Republicans cling to their 2nd Amendment rights like each and every one is stocking up for the next invasion, but truth be told, had the founding fathers had any idea technology would allow us to create such easily accessible weapons of mass destruction, I highly doubt the second amendment would exist at all. But since it does, shall I propose those who so strongly believe in it should try carrying the arms that were protected when it was written. It would be much harder to commit such criminal acts using those arms today.
Now, take everything I just said and double it for the Tea Party!
From what I can tell the biggest difference between the Tea Party and the Republican party is that the Republicans are not blatantly racist. It's no coincidence that the Tea Party took shape just after Obama took office and if you don't believe me just look at some of their rally signs! It really makes me sick to watch as followers righteously proclaim patriotism while demonstrating the most unpatriotic speech and behavior. Additionally, according to the Tea Party, before Obama took office, we were doing well as a nation and all of our current economic and employment woes are laid squarely on President Obama. Even the Republican leadership has acknowledged this isn't true. Perhaps the greatest asset of the Tea Party is that it will be the Achilles heal of the Republican party during the 2012 elections. The Tea Party Express will have a place in history, but it will be for the role they played in the 2010 elections and shack up of Congress. I predict the Tea Party will be the Ross Perot of the next election; at best they'll accomplish splitting the vote and handing the house back over the Democrats.
You see, in 2008, we elected Barack Obama because he promised change. He gave us hope. He answered our call for a better America by acknowledging - Yes We Can. Now, two years later, the voters have spoken again. And again, it was for change. Unfortunately, the people leading us are more divided than ever. Which means we won't be getting change, in fact, it will be surprising if anything gets done at all.
THIS MUST END!
If we are going to make progress we've got to stop acting like children and make the tough decisions and confront challenges head on. Special interests have to go. Politicians need to stop worrying about winning the next election and start working on earning the right to be there in the first place. It is a privileged to serve the public in this capacity and it would do the entire body of congress a world of good if they realized that and treated the office with humility and respect.
John Legend says it best - "If You're Out There"
If you hear this message
Wherever you stand
I'm calling every woman
Calling ever man
We're the generation
We can't afford to wait
The future started yesterday
And we're already late
We've been looking for a song to sing
Searched for a melody
Searched for someone to lead
We've been looking for the world to change
If you feel the same, well go on and say
If you're out there
Sing along with me if you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud if you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now...now...now
No more broken promises
No more call to war
Unless it's Love and Peace that
We're really fighting for
We can destroy Hunger
We can conquer Hate
Put down the arms and raise your voice
We're joining hands today
I was looking for a song to sing
Searched for a leader
But the leader was me
We were looking for the world to change
We can be heroes
Just go on and say
If you're out there
Sing along with me if you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud if you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now...now...now
Whoa now...now...now
If you ready we can save the world
Believe again, start to mend
We don't have to wait for destiny
We should be the change that we want to see
If you're out there
If you're out there
And you're ready now
Sing it loud, scream it out
If you're out there
Sing along with me if you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud if you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now
If you're out there
If you're out there
If you're out there
If you hear this message
Wherever you stand
I'm calling every woman
Calling ever man
We're the generation
We can't afford to wait
The future started yesterday
And we're already late
Sunday, January 16
life unexpected
SOTD: Missy Higgins - 'Where I Stood' &
Taylor Swift - 'Back To December' (it's a two song kinda day)
It was two years ago today that my world was turned upside down. Four years ago this weekend I was in Nashville with someone I really cared about for a second term governor's inauguration. Eighteen years ago this weekend my mom moved me and my brother to Tennessee. Until recently, I didn't realize how significant this weekend has been in my life.
When we moved from the Atlanta suburbs to the small town of Crossville in 1993, it felt like I had entered a twilight zone. I thought I knew everything there was to know about growing up in the south, heck, I thought I was Southern. Boy was I wrong. Forget the thick accents and sprawling farmland; these people had their own slang for the word y'all (y'unz, a word that I've been told is really only common across a five county span of middle Tennessee). But perhaps the real shock for a kid from Atlanta came when my brother and I went to enroll at the local elementary school and I was informed that our new home county did not observe Martin Luther King holiday. As a sixth grader, the holiday held little more than the promise of a day off from school, but as I grew up I learned about Dr. King's movement to create a more tolerant and united group of Americans as well as the racism and hate the people of this small town held for people who weren't like them, and unfortunately, I was someone who wasn't like them.
At twelve years old, I had more life experience than some of the adults living right next door. I was at least a grade level ahead of my new sixth grade classmates and having been a part of the gifted program at my last school, I was used to a more non-traditional learning environment. But here, it wasn't about being the best in my class, it was about trying to fit in with my class. Something I would struggle with for years.
 |
| Blizzard of '93 |
To make matters worse, just as things seemed to be coming to some sense or normal, in mid March I experienced what is now known as 'The Blizzard of '93'. In a matter of three days we got over six feet of snow. That would be crippling to most communities, but what I haven't mentioned is, we lived on a farm. In the middle of nowhere, the nearest neighbor was a half-mile away and our driveway was a quarter-mile long. We weren't just snowed in for a few days, we were snowed in for a few weeks! If I didn't hate living here before, I can assure you, I hated living here after the snow storm.
 |
| My friend Ashley! |
It took a while for me to accept Crossville as my new home, but eventually I did. I made great friends and it wasn't long before it really started to feel like home. My very first friend in Crossville was a girl named Ashley and I am still good friends with her today. She helped me fit in to a city I so clearly didn't belong in then and she helps me make sense of all the craziness in the world when things get tough now. And although she escaped to LA, I never feel like we're all that far away.
As for the racism and hate, I am happy to say things have changed, not as much as I would like, but much more than when I arrived. The county now observes the MLK holiday and it's not entirely uncommon to see a more diverse mixture of people living and thriving in our neck of the woods.
The other event of the weekend that brings back memories of happier times was the inauguration of Governor Haslam in Nashville yesterday. Four years ago, the democrat Governor Bredesen was taking the oath for a second time and I was lucky enough to be front and center for all the festivities. As an active member of the democratic party and a girl who has come to love her home state of Tennessee, witnessing the events of that weekend meant more to me than I can begin to describe.
Additionally, I wouldn't have had access to the events the way that I did had it not been for my boyfriend at the time. A politician himself, I know he was as thrilled to be there as I was, if not, more. That weekend, I felt on top of the world, like anything was possible. It was nice.
 |
| Taking my moment on the stage! |
Reality brought us back to earth in the weeks that followed and in the end we went our separate ways. For me, work was the priority. I was given my first, honest to goodness, half-hour of television to produce and I put all my energy into that. Shortly thereafter, I was back in Nashville again working on a special with the Grand Ole Opry and the memories of the events just six months before were almost gone.
 | |
| This used to be my favorite spot - My desk. |
It wasn't until after I didn't have my job to keep me busy that I realized what I had really lost. And of course by then, it was too late. Maybe I romanticize the nostalgia, but I believe had it been a different time or place, things might have ended differently. I still believe that he will achieve greatness and when the day comes, I will be the first person in line to lend his campaign my support.
As of Friday afternoon, I am no longer unemployed. I got the phone call I had been waiting for and the timing was quite impeccable. The irony of the situation still bites. My former boss was the new Governor's sister-in-law. For five years I worked for and admired the wonderful Dee Haslam. I still have a great deal of admiration for her civic consciousness and respect her as a strong female leader in an industry that is too often known as a boys club. But it took a long time to stop questioning her motives in letting me go. I guess technically, I was hired under the Bredesen administration, but when I report to work in a couple of weeks, there is no doubt that my new boss will be Bill Haslam.
I could have saved myself a lot of grief if I had just joined up with the Haslam campaign when it was offered during my lay-off. But that was two years ago and I couldn't put my personal and political beliefs aside, even though I knew he would emerge victorious. During my interview for the job with the Dept. of Human Services I was asked if I regretted that decision. I paused for a moment and responded. 'I don't regret that decision. I have learned more about myself, my beliefs and my strength by taking the tougher path. Could I have avoided a lot of the struggle? Absolutely. But had it not been for the struggle, I don't believe I'd be the person sitting here today. And I am proud of the person I have become.'
Friday, January 14
golden globe predictions
SOTD: Katy Perry - 'Firework'
(I can't help it, every Golden Globe commercial on E! has this track!)
The way most men follow football, I follow red carpets! I love a good award show, especially one that honors the best of the best in an industry that holds a special place in my heart, like Television.
In years past, I've been known to host viewing parties and even oversee award show ballot pools. This year, I am away from all my friends who geek out over awards season the way I do, so I am trying something new.
Below this post you will find a full ballot for Sunday's Golden Globes. If you would like to play the prediction game too, feel free to use the comments section to leave your picks or email them to me at aliciapaige80@gmail.com. If enough people play along, I will post a winner's board on Monday to show how everyone stacked up for the night.
My picks are below. As I go along, I will comment on some of the shows in the running and some that surprisingly didn't make the list. Forgive me for neglecting the film categories, but I am truly a TV gal and unless I note otherwise, chances are, I haven't seen most of the films.
I really miss not being in Knoxville watching with my girls! Over the years there have been some really fun times between the heated debates over who wore what best and the competitive spirit of trying to predict the night's winners. Maybe we will all be together again for the 2012 awards season...in the meantime, I can't wait to kick off the 2011 season with the Golden Globes on NBC! (FYI: E!'s coverage of the red carpet begins at 5pm EST)
68th annual Golden Globes Ballot
BEST TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA
True Blood was surprisingly absent from this list. That said, it wouldn't have won anyway. Mad Men has dominated this category for a few years now and I don't expect that to change this year. Dexter should have won this award last year, with the Trinity Killer storyline, but didn't and from what I saw this season it just didn't meet the greatness that was last season. If there were to be a surprise win here, it would be The Good Wife, and in my opinion it would be well deserved.
BOARDWALK EMPIRE (HBO)
DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
MAD MEN (AMC)
THE WALKING DEAD (AMC)
THE GOOD WIFE (CBS)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA
JULIANNA MARGULIES
The Good Wife
ELISABETH MOSS
Mad Men
PIPER PERABO
Covert Affairs
KATEY SAGAL
Sons of Anarchy
KYRA SEDGWICK
The Closer
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA
While the show might have slumped a bit, Michael C. Hall remained fantastic as the most lovable serial killer in Miami.
STEVE BUSCEMI
Boardwalk Empire
BRYAN CRANSTON
Breaking Bad
MICHAEL C. HALL
Dexter
JON HAMM
Mad Men
HUGH LAURIE
House
BEST TELEVISION SERIES - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
It's been said that this race is between Modern Family and Glee, the other noms are basically industry courtesy and I have to agree. Although Modern Family won the Emmy, I think the Globe will go to Glee. Not only has it avoided the sophomore slump, it has cultivated a huge foreign fan following and if it were to benefit from that at any awards show, this is the one.
30 ROCK (NBC)
THE BIG BANG THEORY (CBS)
THE BIG C (SHOWTIME)
GLEE (FOX)
MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
NURSE JACKIE (SHOWTIME)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
This is my first real out on a limb pick. Tina has won this many times, but I don't think she's in the running this year. And as much as I love Glee, I really don't feel that Lea has done much to earn her spot on this list, let alone take home the win (if it were American Idol, then yeah, but it's about the acting). So that leaves the race between Toni, Edie and Laura. They are all superb, but Laura really brings the best of the other two actresses into her role as Cathy on The Big C.
TONI COLLETTE
United States of Tara
EDIE FALCO
Nurse Jackie
TINA FEY
30 Rock
LAURA LINNEY
The Big C
LEA MICHELE
Glee
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
This too, is an uncertain pick for me. Alec has won this category several years running, but I think Jim Parsons has a good chance of ending that winning streak. I don't really watch The Big Bang Theory, but from what little I have seen and his recent Emmy win, I think his chances are better than good.
ALEC BALDWIN
30 Rock
STEVE CARELL
The Office
THOMAS JANE
Hung
MATTHEW MORRISON
Glee
JIM PARSONS
The Big Bang Theory
BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
I did not watch any of these, so this pick is just based on press and reviews.
CARLOS (SUNDANCE CHANNEL)
THE PACIFIC (HBO)
PILLARS OF THE EARTH (STARZ)
TEMPLE GRANDIN (HBO)
YOU DON’T KNOW JACK (HBO)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Again I didn't watch any of these, so it's just a guess, but I did get a laugh out of seeing that Jennifer Love Hewitt got a nod for her work as a call girl in a Lifetime Movie! Oh, how excited she must have been!!
HAYLEY ATWELL
Pillars of the Earth
CLAIRE DANES
Temple Grandin
JUDI DENCH
Return to Cranford
ROMOLA GARAI
Emma
JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT
The Client List
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
I did see 'The Special Relationship' and it was quite good. I'm a sucker for anything that focuses on the Clintons or the brits and this combined them both! I didn't see the others, so this too is just a guess.
IDRIS ELBA
Luther
IAN MCSHANE
Pillars of the Earth
AL PACINO
You Don't Know Jack
DENNIS QUAID
The Special Relationship
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Carlos
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
This one comes down to Jane and Sofia, but in the end, I think it will be Jane. I agree with the critics who say her role in season 2 has been deminished, but this award is for work done in 2010, which includes the end of season 1, which in my opinion is where she really shined. If it's not Jane or Sofia, I would be shocked.
HOPE DAVIS
The Special Relationship
JANE LYNCH
Glee
KELLY MACDONALD
Boardwalk Empire
JULIA STILES
Dexter
SOFIA VERGARA
Modern Family
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
This might be an upset, but Chris Colfer is so deserving here! Granted, for a strait man, Eric Stonestreet is brilliant as Cam on Modern Family, but Chris has taken Kurt to places I didn't think were possible. He's made me laugh and cry and I can't think of any other actor who could fill Kurt Hummel's shoes!
SCOTT CAAN
Hawaii Five-0
CHRIS COLFER
Glee
CHRIS NOTH
The Good Wife
ERIC STONESTREET
Modern Family
DAVID STRATHAIRN
Temple Grandin
BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
This one is tough. I think it will come down to Black Swan and The Social Network. And I wouldn't be surprised if one got the Globe and the other takes home the Oscar. Given the global audience, I'm going with The Social Network here, but my money will be on Black Swan for the Oscar.
BLACK SWAN
THE FIGHTER
INCEPTION
THE KING'S SPEECH
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
This is another tough race. I think it's really only between Nicole, Natalie and Michelle, but Natalie really became her character through and through. I think she will edge out a win here.
HALLE BERRY
Frankie and Alice
NICOLE KIDMAN
Rabbit Hole
JENNIFER LAWRENCE
Winter's Bone
NATALIE PORTMAN
Black Swan
MICHELLE WILLIAMS
Blue Valentine
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Colin Firth could surprise me here, but Jesse's portrayal of Mark Z was uncanny and highly entertaining.
JESSE EISENBERG
The Social Network
COLIN FIRTH
The King's Speech
JAMES FRANCO
127 Hours
RYAN GOSLING
Blue Valentine
MARK WAHLBERG
The Fighter
BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
This is an unusual category, I don't really feel any of these were standout films, but of all the options, I feel my pick was the most poignant. It gave an honest look at a life that most people only gossip about.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
BURLESQUE
S
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
RED
THE TOURIST
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Ironically, the only person I wouldn't want to see win here is Angelina. It would make my night to see Emma Stone take this one, but I think her odds are slim. For me it comes down to Anne Hathaway and Annette Bening. Annette is fantastic in her film, but Anne has the edge for me.
ANNETTE BENING
The Kids Are All Right
ANNE HATHAWAY
Love and Other Drugs
ANGELINA JOLIE
The Tourist
JULIANNE MOORE
The Kids Are All Right
EMMA STONE
Easy A
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
How awful would it be for Johnny Depp to NOT win in this category? That said, I don't expect him to win, but I have to swing my support under Jake Gyllenhaal. He never ceases to amaze me and despite recently breaking the heart of my favorite country crooner, I think he deserves this.
JOHNNY DEPP
Alice in Wonderland
JOHNNY DEPP
The Tourist
PAUL GIAMATTI
Barney's Version
JAKE GYLLENHAAL
Love and Other Drugs
KEVIN SPACEY
Casino Jack
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
I'm not sure there's even a race here...
DESPICABLE ME
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
THE ILLUSIONIST
TANGLED
TOY STORY 3
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
No idea here, but my gut says...
BIUTIFUL
THE CONCERT
I AM LOVE
THE EDGE
IN A BETTER WORLD
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
AMY ADAMS
The Fighter
HELENA BONHAM CARTER
The King's Speech
MILA KUNIS
Black Swan
MELISSA LEO
The Fighter
JACKI WEAVER
Animal Kingdom
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Michael Douglas was very good, but I think he will also secure a hefty sympathy vote. Could be very wrong here...
CHRISTIAN BALE
The Fighter
MICHAEL DOUGLAS
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
ANDREW GARFIELD
The Social Network
JEREMY RENNER
The Town
GEOFFREY RUSH
The King's Speech
BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE
I want to say Nolan, but I just don't think he will be able to edge out Fincher. Aronofsky did a remarkable job as well, but I think this is going to be a Social Network kind of night.
DARREN ARONOFSKY
Black Swan
DAVID FINCHER
The Social Network
TOM HOOPER
The King's Speech
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN
Inception
DAVID O. RUSSELL
The Fighter
BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
This is a no brainer! If I could work for any Hollywood Heavyweight, it would be Aaron Sorkin. He's simply brilliant.
DANNY BOYLE, SIMON BEAUFOY
127 Hours
LISA CHOLODENKO, STUART BLUMBERG
The Kids Are All Right
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN
Inception
DAVID SEIDLER
The King's Speech
AARON SORKIN
The Social Network
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE
This one will be between The King's Speech and Inception.
ALEXANDRE DESPLAT
The King's Speech
DANNY ELFMAN
Alice in Wonderland
A.R. RAHMAN
127 Hours
TRENT REZNOR, ATTICUS ROSS
The Social Network
HANS ZIMMER
Inception
BEST ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE
Just a guess here, but this is my favorite out of the options, so I'll go with it!
"BOUND TO YOU" - BURLESQUE
"COMING HOME" - COUNTRY STRONG
"I SEE THE LIGHT" - TANGLED
"THERE'S A PLACE FOR US" - CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER
"YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST OF ME" - BURLESQUE
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