Is it just me or were all the photos bad from the touch football game?  It’s like all the girls besides Kayla forgot they were models and were just posing at a game with friends.  Kayla clearly deserved to win that one.

I LOVED this photo shoot with Coco Rocha.  She is aMAYzing.  She looked different in every single shot.  That’s where this becomes an art and not just taking pretty photos.  Heaven knows I could use a little of that art in my photos.  Maybe I’ll try aggression next time.  Pretty scream into the camera.  That’s so funny to think about.  What would my husband do if I screamed at him through the camera?  Hilarious.  Or the photographer at Target during my family pic?  That would be a riot.

So happy Allison got a good photo.  She looked like a deer caught in the headlights the whole time.  And when she tried screaming?  Oh my gosh that was a crack up.  I just love her so much I hate to see her struggle with anything.  I WANT HER TO WIN!!!!!!  I love her quirkiness and unexpected beauty.  Go Allison!!

Dominique looked amazing in her photo shoot and at panel.  I think they’re right that she is really developing and coming into her own.  Stunning.

I’m still amazed at the ridiculously bad photos that are coming out of this season but I’m blown away by the good ones.

btw I couldn’t blog the last two weeks but can you believe how uppity Shannon got when Bianca had a real concern about her phone time being allotted correctly?  ”I’m a sensitive spirit and I don’t like conflict.”  I’m sorry but what conflict was Bianca throwing out?  She was speaking in a completely civilized tone using appropriate language.  And then Lisa.  Now you know I love Lisa because she is a drama queen but please.  Give me a break.  She went off on Bianca for no reason.  Now I know Bianca likes to tell it like it is and causes problems but this time I felt she was completely justified.  Stupid girls.

Phew.  It feels good to get that off my chest.  Can’t wait for next week.  This season is truly spectacular.

Where you surprised Bre went home last night?  I kind of was but that was a craptastic photo shoot.

ANTM is on next week (with Kathy Griffin.  squeeeel) on Wednesday at 8pm on The CW.

How sad was that at the beginning when Allison was expressing doubt in herself?  Just struggling to fit in and find her place in the house.  Allison is absolutely my favorite.  I love her personality.  I love her look.  I love her sense of style.  I just love her and to have her uncomfortable in any way makes me sad and makes me want to go to her and tell her just how spectacular she is and that she has nothing to worry about.

And oh boy did she have nothing to worry about!  Top photo!  Yay Allison.  Did you see the sheer look of shock on her face when they called her?  She completely deserved it though.  I love how humble she is and at the same time really hope she gets more confidence so she can keep pulling off amazing photos.

I know I will show how truly out of touch I am but who the crap is Kristin Cavallari?  One of the girls said she was on The Hills which I don’t watch but at least I know what it is.  But why should I trust her fashion sense?  You probably know her and trust her but she is a big fat nobody to me.  But I bet all these girls have MTV and are thrilled that she’s there.  Have I just illustrated how out of touch I am?

Oh Lisa.  I love you and you are my second favorite this season but what were you doing during the interviews with Mario Lopez for Extra?  High fives.  ”Oh yeahs.” LIke you’re playing a football game.  The only thing we were missing is chest bumps.  ”You nailed that question, B!!  Oh yeah, bring it in.  Gooooooo Top Models.”  Now thankfully she didn’t take it that far but seriously?  I think it’s clear that she lost the challenge for her team by not taking it seriously enough.  Now we learned from Dominique that you can take it too seriously but come on now.  Class it up a little every once in a while.  Then again, she is following her brand so how can I criticize?

Winning team is safe from elimination and the 6 girls on the losing team will be the only ones judged at panel.  Scary.

How about that photo shoot.  One of my favs in Top Model history.  I couldn’t believe the girls going all out and falling over just to do something daring.  Almost all of the shots were amazing.  Allison and Lisa being my top picks.  I think that would have been so much fun to do.

I’m sad to see Isis go home.  I’m really intrigued by her and he transformation and change and I really would have liked to have seen what else she could have brought this season.  It’s sad to know that she didn’t have the worst picture of the night and only because the other girls had immunity is she going home.  Stupid Lisa.  I love her but I think she really blew this one for her team.

There were some really great shots this week. Which was your favorite?

ANTM is on Wednesday at 8pm on The CW.

ps  This was literally one of my fav photo shoots so I couldn’t just pick one photo.  So awesome.

For a makeover week this was pretty boring.  Hardly any of the girls hair changed at all.  Only one person cried and  threatened to leave the show (Bre) and she even calmed down pretty quick.  I want hell and damnation around here and all I got was crying and stalking off to the bathroom.  I mean honestly, Lisa got chopped but she was pretty cool about after the initial shock.  Alexandria was practically having an orgasm over her cut.  ”I have never cried so much because I was happy.”  And Bre didn’t even overturn a table or have an hour long cry in the confessions booth.  Poo.  Everyone else looked like they got a trim.  Nothing special.

The best makeover of the night was Nigel.  I honestly always wondered what he’d look like with hair and I can’t say I like it.  I am shocked that he had a full head though.  Who knew?

What do you think about these words the girls were given?  I love the idea of branding.  If I was half way serious about this blog I would think about branding and really focusing up but this is just for fun to soothe the tv junkie inside of me.  I will say Kayla (who they only turned back to red) had the hardest time with her word.  She wants to be the spokesmodel for LGBT but the guy said to her, “That’s so five years ago.”  Being a lesbian isn’t enough anymore.  Wow.  That is a bold statement but I guess what he’s saying is we already know you’re a lesbian and we’re totally ok with that.  Now what do you have to offer?  The branding he gave her was “free.”

Bianca was given “candid” and I think she let it get to her head.  Maybe that’s what they want though.  They want these girls to eat, sleep and breathe these words and then exemplify them in everything they do, say, wear, eat…  You know, I think I’d just like to be myself.  Which truth be told, Lisa can.  Right?  ”Daring.”  Yeah, I think she can do that.

I don’t know about you but I was a little grossed out by the photo shoot.  Those girls had hot dog fixing dripping all over their bodies.  Hot fudge.  Whip cream.  Yes.  Green chili’s and onions.  No.  Not working for me.  They got some cute shots of some of the girls but I am amazed at the level these girls are supposedly at that we’re not getting stunning photo after stunning photo.  I want every single photo from every single girl to be breathtaking.  These are mostly just blah.  Ho hum.  Boring.  I’m already waiting with bated breath until we whittle down the competition.  Get rid of half of these chicks and then we’ll see something fierce.

I’m not even going to touch the new Tyra-isms.  Get over yourself!  Ty-overs.  Please.

As you may have guessed I could care less that Sheena went home.  I really hope this gets better.  I had really high hopes because these girls are supposed to be professionals and so far I have been let down.  But the good stuffs to come right?

ANTM is on Wednesdays at 8pm on The CW.

What a great start to the season.  I’m always skeptical of All Star shows but more often than not I end up loving them.  Talk about Type A personalities.  This season is going to be more cut throat than ever.

I was bothered that all of the models seem to have the same bone structure except for Allison.  They all look exactly the same to me which isn’t how normal seasons go.  Normally I feel there are softer girls mixed in with the chiseled ones but they’re all chiseled this season.

Allison is my fav but after her I’m excited to see what Isis is going to do this season.

I see many, many cat fights in our future.  I see drama galore.  These girls know they’re the $#!%.  They all have modeling careers so they are out for blood and I can’t wait to see what they’re dishing out.  Photo shoots had better be off the hook this season since the talent has experience.  Last night was a little disappointing.

And please, Shannon.  If the bikini is smaller than the underwear, wear the underwear.  Hyprocrite.  I kind of understand where she’s coming from but I hope she looks back at this and realizes how ridiculous she sounds.  Girl, please!

What do you think?  Is this going to be the best season yet?

ANTM is on Wednesday at 8pm MT on The CW

I hate to do this but I’m going to skip ahead to next week here at the beginning.  What is going on in that clip?  Is Britanni at risk of going home?  I think she’s my favorite of them all.  I hate to see her breakdown like that in panel.  I sure hope she gets a talking to and then everything is OK.  I will be really sad if she ends up going home next week.

I loved the photo shoot this week.  I think that would be so much fun to get my hair all ratted and my body all muddy and take some beautiful photos.  I’m really glad Kasia moved herself around and got the attention she deserves.  She ended up looking stunning in the “blondes” photo.

What did you think about Tyra’s talk with the girls?  Were you surprised at how she labeled any of them?  I guess I never thought of Alexandria as a bombshell.  I wouldn’t have thought to put her in that category at all.

I am so glad Monique went home.  That girl was so in to herself.  I was actually shocked to see her help clean up after the fans.  I thought she would just stand there and pout.

Are you as scared as I am about panel next week?

I see that on April 20th ANTM is moving to 8pm MT BUT next week there is an episode on at 7pm MT on The CW.

Wow.  I am shocked.  It never occurred to me that Dalya would be going home.  I haven’t been paying that much attention to her run but it seems like picture wise and on the runway she has been very consistent.  I’ve been so distracted with the ongoing drama from Alexandria that everyone else has been flying under my radar.  Now I know Dalya’s commercials have been horrid but some of the winners of ANTM have been horrible actresses.

I have never been so disappointed in Tyra’s choice of hair as I have been with Molly.  Now Molly has been a whining baby about it but seriously, that hair should never have happened.  It looked atrocious the first go around and it looks ridiculous now.  I’ll be happy to see it go so that Molly can stop blaming all her problems on her hair and step up and do some decent modeling.  Let’s see what she’s really got.

You know, I still don’t have a favorite picked out.  I have several that I don’t particularly care for:  Alexandria and Kasia.  And could Monique be more into herself?  What a royal snot she was reading Alexandria’s diary.  That’s inexcusable.  And all those girls are to blame too, just sitting around letting her.  So rude.

I will say, I also want that coat that Brittani was modeling (I couldn’t find a photo of her).  Super fantastic photo.  Gun to my head, Brittani would be my favorite.  But I might change my mind next week.

What about you?  Who’s your favorite?

ANTM is on Wednesdays at 7pm MT on The CW.

I’m so bored right now.  I hate when they do commercials.  I don’t enjoy watching the process like I enjoy watching the photo shoots.  I did like the premise of the commercial though.  Very cute.

The runway at the beginning was hot though.  No pun intended.  I can totally understand why some of the girls were nervous.  Ms. Jay asks, “What do you do if you fall down?”  Holy crap, seriously.  Just clap your hands together to put the fire out.  Sheesh.

I like that Alexandria is really getting called out for her attitude.  She was out of control on the set of the commercial.  I’m glad the director said something at panel.  I was afraid that was going to go unpunished.  Maybe next week she’ll actually get kicked off.  A girl can hope.

How cute was Jacyn and her fake booty?  I loved her interaction with Tyra at panel.  I don’t know if she’s Top Model material but I just want to squeeze her she’s so adorable.

Well, bye bye Sara.  It doesn’t seem like this is her dream anyway so I’m not too sad to see her go.

Do you think you could have done justice to that coffee commercial?  Could you have been coy and sexy?

ANTM is on Wednesdays at 7pm MT on The CW.

Oh, makeover week.  How I love you!!  I decided today that if I was on ANTM I would probably be the one crying.  It takes me months to decide on a new hairstyle let alone just sitting in a chair letting a stylist have their way with me.  Frightening.  But at the same time it sounds exhilarating to be able to let go of my control like that.  I’d probably still cry though.

I also love that Molly’s weave didn’t turn out right.  It’s hilarious to me when these makeovers go awry.  I’m excited for her though that nobody liked it and she gets a do over.  It’s so much funnier though when the girl hates it and Tyra’s like, “Oh it looks so chic!  I love it.”

I’m done with Alexandria.  I know every season there has to be one snobby know-it-all but that doesn’t mean I have to like her.

I’m sad Dominique went home.  I would have much rather one of the typical looking girls go home.  She brought something special with her look and I’ll miss that.

Maybe it’s just early in the season but I have not been blown away by a single photo yet.  They’re nice.  The girls are beautiful but no wow factor yet.  Am I on my own here?  Are you guys loving this so far?

ANTM is on Wednesdays at 7pm MT on The CW.

It’s been a year but we’re gonna bring it back with a bang starting with America’s Next Top Model.  I have to be honest, when there are so many girls on the show I can’t find myself caring for any of them.  Sometimes a girl will stand out from the beginning like last year with Ann.  I really loved her but this year, it’s a little blah for me.  I will say though that I like the look of Dominique.  I’m not picking her as my fav but I like what she’s got going on.

Definitely not my favorite episode.  Not to sound like a total jerk face but I could care less about seeing these girls get in touch with their inner selves.  I want to see daring photo shoots, crazy catwalks and stunning photos.  I don’t care about the drama.

But I will say, speaking of drama.  Hello, Alexandria.  Dude, that girl’s got some major attitude and drama surrounding her.  I’m sure she’ll make things fun for everyone else.

I say I don’t care about the drama but I would be heartless if I didn’t feel pain for Ondrei.  Poor girl and poor family.  I wish her  healing and good things in her life.

I’m glad they sent someone home.  Just makes it fun.  Spices it up.  Bye, bye Nicole.  Hope you can soften all your bones and make baby faces in the future.

Do you guys have a favorite or a few favorites picked out?

ANTM is on Wednesdays at 7pm MT (that’s right, I live in Utah now) on The CW.

Nicole!!!!  I thought for sure it was going to be Laura after this episode.  For sure.  She pulled off a great commercial and her runway walk was more “normal” than Nicole’s but Nicole won out in the end.  I love Nicole but her runway was comical.  I’m glad Tyra and Nigel thought it was signature.  I didn’t like Laura’s walk either but Tyra loved it.

I really enjoyed the sequence on the runway with the fabric and the wind.  I thought both girls did an amazing job with part.

It seems like the judges always choose the girl that has the worst commercial.  I remember thinking that the last several cycles.  I guess the emphasis of the top model job is not acting but runway and photo shoots.  And in that regard they totally picked the right person.  Nicole is stunning.  Just standing around she’s gorgeous but you get her in front of the camera and she comes so life.

I am so happy with the results.  Are you?

You know, I’m not really a big fan of the dancing challenges.  Maybe I’m just not in the know but are models required to dance on the runway?  Maybe in very specific shows for certain designers but it can’t be such a huge thing for their career right?  Anyway, I just hate that it totally embarrasses some of the girls.  I know I’m being too sensitive but my heart just breaks for girls like Nicole that can’t dance worth beans.  She seemed to be fine though so I’m just going to shut up now.

Was it just me or were the waves in the photo shoot pretty weak.  I thought they were going to be up above their heads and all around them.  I also thought they would be dressed more like a Hawaiian goddess.  Their wardrobe was pretty lame to me.

Well, I really liked Jennifer but I can totally deal with Laura and Nicole as the final two.  Last week I would have wanted Nicole to win but now I’m not sure I care.  I like them both.  I like Nicole’s look better but Laura is so cute I can barely stand it.  She wants this so bad.

I do know that next weeks Covergirl commercial is going to be painful.  And not just because I saw the previews just because it always is.  Sometimes it’s just hard to watch.

I can’t believe next week is it.  Can you?

ANTM is on Wednesdays at 8pm on The CW.

That cliff jump was pretty spectacular.  It totally didn’t look very high.  Now modeling while jumping off a cliff that’s got to be tricky.  My face would probably have some sort of freak expression on it while I was falling.  The girls did great.

That underwater photo shoot would have freaked me out.  And I mean big time.  When Nicole freaked out and started swimming up and they grabbed her and put the regulator in her mouth I just about had a heart attack.  I can’t believe she was able to calm down after that and pull off such a great picture.  I agree her feet looked wonky but she’s still my favorite.

Someone needs to explain to me what is going on with Erin.  Why is she still here week after week?  What do they see in her that is making some of these other girls go home before her?  It ‘s driving me crazy.  Please enlighten me.

ANTM is on Wednesdays at 8pm on The CW.

I know we’re half way through the season but I think we can pick up here and still be OK.  I feel like I know the girls better anyway so now is when it starts getting fun.

Does anyone else think it’s weird that they moved to Hawaii?  Don’t they usually move somewhere that is a major fashion capital?  Or at least a major new fashion stop.  Not that Hawaii isn’t great but I didn’t know they were a mecca for the fashionable.  It’ll make for some pretty photo shoots though.

First of all let me get something off of my chest.  I don’t like this season with the short girls.  Call me a sexist pig but I like my models leggy and tall.  I’m not saying these girls aren’t pretty but when I saw them on the runway with the taller models they just looked short.  They stood out and I didn’t like it.

Also, on all the other seasons Tyra harps on the shorter girls to always wear heels.  Always.  But this season she hasn’t said it once.  Why?  I don’t know but it is seriously driving me crazy.  Why the double standard?  I want to scream every time the girls come into the judging room and they are all wearing flats.

Now on to the girls.  I have two favorites.  I really like Nicole though she is a little on the strange side.  That’s actually what I like about her.  That and her beautiful red hair.  I’m a sucker for red hair.  I also like Jennifer.  I can’t remember what races she was last night but she looked so beautiful.

Erin drives me crazy.  How dare she complain about getting a stunning helicopter ride for her reward.  What a spoiled brat.  She said she would have rather had dinner?  What the what?  Darn her for taking pretty pictures and sticking around so long.

I don’t have any predictions of who is going to win.  Do you or is it too soon?

America’s Next Top Model is on Wednesdays at 8pm on The CW.

I’m just going to skip straight to the point today- yeah the dancing was pretty bad (and pointless really) but holy crap I want to hire a makeup/hair artist and have them exactly replicate Allison’s look this week.  Where would I wear that too?  The grocery store?  I don’t really care- I absolutely was in love with it this week.  The color!  The setting! and then Tyra goes and prints the photos in Sepia!?!  I’m not a photographer, so maybe I’m just missing something.  Please someone set me straight, because this was one of the first times I couldn’t wait for panel just to see the photos, and then it was like. . . .what?  Still gorgeous, but not at all what I was expecting.

So Celia is finally gone- I’ve been waiting for the end to come for weeks.  Did I think she did anything wrong?  No- but she’s just too old.  Who’s really going to hire someone that’s already hitting the end of their career, before they’ve even begun?  Allison absolutely blew me away this week, so I’ll stop my attack on her.  When she told Tyra, “you’re so pretty.”  I died a little for her- haven’t we all been in a situation like that?  Right?  I have my own little embarrassing story, that makes me blush just thinking about it.

ANTM is on The CW Wed.s at 8pm

You’ll have to indulge me for a moment- “Fo is no mo’!”  I’ve been waiting to say that for weeks.  Yes she’s adorable- but did I think she had what it takes to model?  No.  Too many insecurities, not a single designer wanted to sign her, and she had a really weird photo shoot.

What did you guys think of the go-see’s?  I was a little irritated with Celia.  I’m obsessively punctual, so I never understand when people find it acceptable to be “right on time” for something.  If you know you’re going to be eliminated if you’re not on time- then aim for at least five minutes early.

Don’t you think the girls universally do badly when Nigel shoots them?  The only redeeming factor for me was the fat guy in the speedo- cracked me up.  I loved how they put red paint on his cheeks to make him look like he was blushing- very funny.  The best bit was when Nigel tried to help Celia out by showing her how to pose with him- it looked a little like male bear porn.

Sorry for the visual.

It looks like Teyonna may have this whole competition in the bag- the designers love her, obviously the judges love her, so it’ll probably end up being a showdown between her and Allison(and Allison’s runway will oust her).

What do you guys think?

ANTM is on The CW Wed.s at 8pm

Sorry I’ve been a little MIA with this one lately, especially since they had one of my favorite photo shoots ever a couple of weeks back (the one that looked like they had all been in a paintball fight- the pictures were stunning).

I was so unbelievably happy to see Natalie go home this week- Celia was right on when she told her she complains too much.  I was so tired of listening to her whine, she quite literally spent most of the competition sounding like a spoiled brat.  I could not believe that she tried to blame her bad photo on Jay!!!  Liar, Liar, pants on fire!!!  I actually rewound just to make sure she was lying, and sure enough- Jay gives her great critique, but never once tells her to “hold that pose forever.”  I’m not Aminat’s biggest fan, but she was the least of two evils in my opinion.

Did anyone else have “The Girl from Ipanema” stuck in their head for the entire show?   Here was another point I was annoyed with Natalie on(and then I’ll stop),  she was like, “Brazil is not what I’d thought it’d be.”  OK I’m sorry, seriously?  Who goes to Brazil and gets to meet the girl that inspired a famous song, practice Capoeira, and then dress up like an icon and take photos in favela(a place most tourists will never get to see?)- and this is only in the first week!

Ok off my high horse- Natalie is gone.  I was seriously impressed by Allison this week, and as you all know I am not a fan of hers.  I loved the expressions she was giving the camera, and totally thought Nigels critique of her was correct.  She was the perfect mix of goofy and sexy- and I think she was the only one that understood the vibe of Carmen Miranda.

This episode had a little bit of drama in it- the ongoing fight between Celia and Aminat (the kick to the face really did look like an accident, although I don’t think I could have helped giggling a little bit either, if I was Celia).  Then the high school drama between Fo and Teyona.  I think Fo is being overly sensitive about not being picked last week to join the photo shoot- I’m just going to say it again, I hate that all the contestants think they’re making lifelong friends in these competitions.  It’s a competition- they want to win just as badly as you do.  Her “I’m picking you because you’re my biggest competition,” was crap.  She’s still upset, and she needs to get over it.  Enough said.

So we’re getting down to the wire now- any favorites among the bunch?  I’m sort of rooting for Allison, now that Fo has become so vindictive and immature.

ANTM is on the CW Wed.s at 8pm

I missed the first fifteen minutes of the show so I can’t comment on that part of it but hello.  How hilarious was the pose off?  I loved the stage they had set and I loved the outfits of everyone in the audience.  Celia really did steal the show.  She was awesome.  It did crack me up though when both girls were on the floor posing against each other.  

The photo shoot was great.  Talia really pulled it off.  I thought the girls looking off into space were funny.  I have to be honest though I wouldn’t have thought of making sure we were all looking into the camera or away from the camera at the same time.  I would have looked where ever I darn well felt like.  And Tyra taking pictures with her friends saying “Fierce, now funny face” is a crack up.

I’m sorry to see Kortnie go.  She was really pretty but that just isn’t enough.

But WTF was Celia doing?  That girl just got herself knocked down quite a few rungs in the judges eyes. ” You never rat out your Bs!”  That’s what one of the super models said in a past season.  Seriously.  Way to tattle on Talia.  That was completely uncalled for.  If Talia had wanted to quit she would have quit.  She’s not the most confident girl for sure but she pulled that photo off big time.

Can’t wait for next week to see what happens to Celia.  This should be great.  Do you think she’s going home?  You guys probably know Tyra better than I do.  Will she forgive her?

Oh makeovers! How I love thee, and all the drama that ensues.  This season was just a tad bit disappointing though.  Celia cried a little bit, just like I predicted, but I actually loved her super blonde faux hawk- even if it does look like she has a few too many “bump-its” in place.  I also loved Londons short blonde crop.  It was super edgy. I thought Kortneys red mane was horrific, a little like horse hair- and looks even worse with her fake tan- she’s just red all over.  At panel Allison got a lot of praise for her big blonde weave, but I about laughed out loud when the one judge called her “alien-esque” and Tyra thought that was a compliment! Tyra also called her “quirky” which I think just means scared- because I swear in every pose she looks like one of those big eyed, scared kittens (the kind you see plastered to Angela from The Office’s cubicle).  Then we get to Fo- as the episode went on she seriously got on my last nerve.  I just about lost it when she told us her hair felt like she was back on food stamps- “but worse.”  Really?  I mean I understand the tears over hair, but have you never watched Top Model before?  and how old are you? five?  The thing is, I absolutely love her look- and I loved the haircut.  You’ve got to accentuate the things that are different about you, and for Fo that’s her freckles- which were hidden behind her hair.  I was so happy she almost went home, but not that sad to see Jessica go either. If not for her arrogant attitude I might not have even noticed she had left.  Her parting words were fantastic, “I’m way prettier than some of the girls here.”  Rather poignant seeing as that’s why she went home, resting on pretty.  I also have to say I threw up a little bit in my mouth when “Miss Jay” put on that weave and started prancing around the salon.  It’s like him and Tyra are two peas in a pod- both have to be the center of attention.

The cover girl challenge was just one long commercial- as it always is, and the photo shoot wasn’t as fun as they usually are.  I thought all the girls looked a little awkward holding those lights (curling irons?)- and Fo just had the chance to annoy us some more with her crying.  Short hair requires attitude, she just needs to fake it ’till she makes it.  I really thought Aminat had the worst photo of the bunch, and doesn’t she totally remind you of Danielle, the winner from cycle ten?  Especially with that new hair.  Aminat’s photo also provided us with a few more Tyra-isms, as I like to call them- “You need to make sound effects inside yourself,” and “Tension girls, tension.”  I think Tyra should probably take some of that advice herself, since so far this season is shaping up to be as boring as the last one!