"Although it may not look exactly like the cover of a magazine, it's still beautiful to me"

One of my new favorite shows this year is Mike & Molly on CBS. Since I'm usually writing papers or grading when this show comes on, my Mom has taken to recording it for me on DVR so I can watch it when I come home. Some of you may remember when I posted this article last week:

http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/dating-blog/overweight-couples-on-television

Long story short, this blogger blasted the show for depicting two overweight couples in love, stating, among other things, that she doesn't want to see two overweight (she draws a distinction between overweight and plump) people kissing, just like she doesn't want to see overweight people doing anything as mundane as walking across the room. She also criticized the show for normalizing obesity.

I watched the Mike & Molly Thanksgiving show tonight. In the thanksgiving speech, Billy Gardell, the actor who plays Mike, gives a barely perceptible response to the article (0:19 in the video below). This scene is so beautiful to me, with the imperfect family, tactless friends, and uninvited guests enjoying a moment of pure happiness around the Thanksgiving table. The look Gardell gives Melissa McCarthy (Molly) when he utters the line leaves no mistaking its intention.



On this Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for the love I've found with the most amazing man, and the past two years that we've spent as a couple.

Tomorrow is about appreciating our family and friends, and being thankful for the good things in our lives. Although none of us, nor the events we plan, are perfect, as this episode points out, I hope that we're all happy with the celebration we've been given, and with the people we celebrate it with.

No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine

I'm starting this blog hoping that it will be a cathartic exercise for me, what with the various pressures associated with graduate school (MA, Public History, Archival Management). I've had a livejournal for several years (peachykeenjane.livejournal.com) that I actually kept updated while I was an undergrad, but I haven't written in it seriously for about a year and a half or so.

So, some things about me:

I love living in Middle Tennessee. My family is here and I love the climate and scenery. I love being able to come to every one of our monthly family dinners (hosted at my nana's home in West Nashville). We had one of those this afternoon, and the November weather was so mild that we were able to sit outside comfortably for a couple of hours. Love it.

I'm getting ready to start writing my thesis, and I'll be finished with coursework in the Spring. I imagine this will be a source of discussion on the blog.

I've been dating a sweet boy for a little over two years. He's my sweetheart and I hope to keep him around forever :)

I work as a teaching assistant and as an archival digital projects assistant at my university. I enjoy grading and holding office hours more than most people probably should.

Anyway, thanks for following me on this daily journey of self-discovery!