What I'm Pop Culturing This Week, June 22nd

It's week 2 of pop culture madness. Not that I haven't always been a pop culture nut, but now I just feel the need to document and share it with you. Let's get down to business.

What I'm Watching...on DVD:
Still going strong on True Blood. While I feel as though I can't get through it fast enough (due to Netflix lead time and the Netflix-provided and unwatched Vicky Christina Barcelona DVD sitting on my player for the last 6 weeks...I swear, I'll get to it), it is nice to drag out the 12 (is it 12?) eps so I can get more Bill, Jason, and especially Lafayette before I plunge into season 2. Next up is Dexter and Mad Men, season 1 of both.

What I'm Listening to...on the Treadmill:
Often the most dreaded and mundane part of my day, I need to have a long list of running-appropriate music in a two week rotation, since I get very sick of the same songs very quickly. Recommendations are requested, so please leave them in the comments!
Here's what got me through this morning (in addition to closed-captioning GMA):

Beggin' Madcon
I Gotta Feelin' Black Eyed Peas
Bad Things (Club Mix) aka True Blood theme song Jace Everett
Boom Boom Pow Black Eyed Peas
Use Somebody Kings of Leon
Just Dance Lady Gaga
Poker Face Lady Gaga
Closer Ne-yo
Don't Trust Me 3OH!3
Cool Down: Lucky Jason Mraz & Colbie Callait

What I'm Reading...on Kindle:
Still working on Pillars of the Earth...and this one's gonna be a while. Not that I want it to go anywhere fast because I'm loving it, but after a couple of weeks I'm only half way through. I hear there's a sequel, World Without End, which may be up next. Since I'll be leaving for my Aruban paradise vacation in 1.5 weeks, I'm on the lookout for good beach reads...please leave suggestions in comments!

What I'm Pop Culturing This Week

In between tasting foods all over the city (and subsequently hitting up the gym to work off the poundage), I have a burning need to get my pop culture fix. Since the television season has wound down, I have more free time for things like writing, reading, and dvd-watching. Here's my current week in pop culture.

What I'm Watching...on DVD:
True Blood, Season 1...While I have read all (and I mean all) of the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vamp series, I currently do not get HBO and therefore am a bit behind on watching the series-based show. I anticipated the DVD for what seemed like ages and as I await disc 4 from Netflix, True Blood has not disappointed (though the casting for Eric certainly has). Today, I'll be running home to my mailbox hoping Bill, Jason, and Lafayette (the latter of whom I just can't get enough of) will be waiting for me. Meanwhile I'll fight to get that disturbingly, awesomely kickin' theme song and opening out of my head...

What I'm Watching...on TV:
Top Chef Masters...Aside from my irrational Food Network obsession, June has brought little in the way of good TV. That's why I'm psyched for Top Chef Masters on Bravo. While a much different format than the original Top Chef, as a budding foodie I'm impressed by the ridiculousness of the master chefs featured. Even the judges can't say anything bad because...well, because all of the chefs make incredible food. A great way to see rockin', well known chefs compete for donations to the charity of their choice and learn about their fancy restaurants. The only downside? Not getting to taste Hubert Keller's dorm room mac 'n cheese.

What I'm Reading:
The Pillars of the Earth...A book by Ken Follett that, on paper, I'd generally have no interest in whatsoever - Medieval times, monks, battle armor, political hierarchies. While historical fiction has never been my cup of tea and I only started reading Pillars because many fellow officemates were raving (and it was a mere $6.39 on Kindle), it has done nothing but keep me totally into the story the whole way with phenomenally written characters and intense, arson-filled plotlines. It's a lengthy read but when a book is this good, I only want more so bring on the pages!

That's about all I can squeeze into this week. Any pop culture recommendations are welcome!