Yes, after two weeks of leading previews and Ashley's "Bentley whine" he finally made an appearance. Bentley returned; let the drinking games begin.

We started in another country this week. Either sick of the rain in Thailand or just ready to move on we found ourselves in Hong Kong. A beautiful city that actually did make me want to rush out and buy a ticket to join them. But even with the beauty of the city we start with drama. Chris showed up bright and early to let Ashley know that Bentley was in the building. After talking about how fast her heart was beating and the craziness of him being there Ashley left her room for his to get the "closer" that she needed.

Bentley as slick as ever welcomed her with a kiss as if he hadn't once said it was boring kissing her and lead her into his room. They talked as Ashley told him how much she had missed him and asked why he didn't just end things when he left without leaving a dot, dot, dot for her to wonder about. He tried to make it sound as if he only really said that because he didn't know the future. He then proceeded to tell her that they should just make this a period to their relationship to which she asked why he didn't just call if that was all he had to say. She also grew a little back bone and asked if he only came there for the free trip for which he had no answer. Leaving she told the cameras how she was through wasting her time thinking about him and that she was ready to move on. Adding something that needed to be censured as an aside if he was watching. Enter the drinking game.

Yes Bentley was gone and yes she said she was over him and done thinking about him but I still played by Bentley drinking game for each time she said his name and while I wasn't as drunk as I could have been I was still quite buzzed by the end of the two hours.

Starting off the real dates was Lucas's one-on-one. I would love to give you all the details but truthfully I was as bored as Ashley looked. I can tell you that she did mention Bentley about three more times while talking about the date but for the most part it was dull. I do remember their dinner and thinking why is she giving him a rose and also remember there was no kiss for our fair Lucas because again I really think she was bored.

Then there was the group date which might be my favorite group date so far. They had to go out and find people to row with them in a competition that I don't remember the name of cause I was so busy laughing as they tried to ask people to help. To say things were lost in translation was an understatement. Three teams and they all had different approaches but all were hilarious. In the end Ames and Blake won but was well worth it. After the competition they had the group cocktail party that lead into more Ryan P. bashing and annoyance as she gave him the rose for the date. It was almost as funny as the first part of the date had been.

Lastly we come to the date of the week. JP received his second one-on-one, the only one to do that so far, and it really made me like him. See in this date Ashley decided to tell him about Bentley coming to Hong Kong and everything that she had been thinking and going through. Unlike some men that would have jumped in and asked questions or gotten upset (more on that later) he sat there and let her finish before he said anything. He really listened and in the end supported her decision to get the closer that she needed. Welcome to an adult relationship, if there weren't 7 other guys.

Now I really want to talk about the rose ceremony this week because after talking to JP and his understanding the situation Ashley decided to share with all the other guys and lets just say that the rest were not as open or understanding. They balked and showed their anger and Mickey went so far as to take himself out of the running and opted to go home. Okay look I understand that you might be upset that she was drowning on and on about someone else while you were getting to know her but come on. It wasn't like she cheated on you. Each guy knew going in that there was a chance that Ashley could fall for someone else so don't get mad because she was honest with you about it happening and being open to moving on. That is just silly. End of rant and on to my favorite part.

The kiss of the night goes to Ames this week. It wasn't during the rose ceremony but during the group date cocktail party. Here he took her for a ride in the elevator and while there decided to just pull her in and plant a nice long kiss on her. Lips off to you for making it so good that both of you forgot what you were talking about and where you were going. Can I get one of those elevator rides?

*Pictures provided by ABC and Google

The gloves have come off or gone on as the situation maybe and these guys are ready to fight for Ashley's love. Too bad some just aren't as prepared as the others. This week while we are still in Thailand the dates went a little smoother. Sorry that was a lie. The dates this week were an absolute train wreak leaving blood, despair and broken hearts all along the way.

We start simple enough. A nice one-on-one date with Ben F. who really impressed Ashley during the group date last week and who I have to say is a little cutey in an almost geekish way. I liked their date even if it wasn't all waterfalls and pop star serenades. The walk through the streets and took in the local culture almost breaking the rules of no public kissing in front of a sacred temple. Sure they did end the date with a candle troupe dance or something like that but still it was a nice date that made me like Ben F. just a little bit more. Added bonus was that the mentioning of Bentley was almost nonexistent but everything went down hill from there.

Now maybe it's just me but I don't think I would ever think it would be a good idea to take a group of men competing for a woman's affections and attentions on a date where they can literally beat the crap out of each other. But that is exactly what Ashley did. I don't know if it was her idea or the producers but who ever came up with it needs to see someone soon. I'm surprised they didn't play the "Let's get ready to rumble" song as the men were walking out in their little boxing outfits; wait I think I'm getting ahead of myself.

On the group date Ashley took the guys to learn Muay Thai which is a cross between boxing and kickboxing and almost street fighting. They learn the basics in what looked like a fifteen minute class and then they were given little boxing outfits, paraded out to the local street ring (yes they fight in the street) and paired up against each other. Can you say crazy? I'm not a big fan of boxing in general but at least those men have years of training under their belts. These poor guys were just going at each other in hopes of impressing Ashley or at the very least standing out and that was exactly what Ames did but not for the reason that he wanted.

Unlike some of the other guys sweet Ames admitted that he had never been in a fight or thrown a punch or had any physical altercations. Why then get in this ring? To impress Ashley and get her attention and that is what he did. He had her attention when he almost got knocked out. He had her attention when he was sitting on the sidelines looking dazed and confused and not in the I just got high way. He had her attention when she had to go get a ambulance to take him to the hospital and he had her attention during the group date when he showed back up with a concussion. Way to go Ames.

As if that wasn't enough then we had the dreaded two-on-one date where two go out but only one comes back. This time it was William and Ben C. on the chopping block. The went to ride elephants and hang out by the river. William who had been mostly quiet since is bomb and the bacherlorette roast was back in the game. He pulled Ashley aside and proceeded to tell her how Ben was ready to go home as he had been saying things about what he would do when he got home and the dating websites that he would be on. With this information Ashley promptly sent Ben packing in one of the quickest and almost heartless cuts of the season.

After Ben left William was all about the date thinking that he had won somehow. Yet Ashley still wasn't sure. She went through the rest of the date but in the end didn't feel like she and William would ever get back to the fun and chemistry that they had on their first date in Vegas so with a rose still on the table she also sent William packing too. This made me laugh until he started talking in the limo and I quickly became concerned for his safety as he sounded suicidal. I guess it's a good thing that the didn't get married on that first date.

Back to another rose ceremony. This week instead of telling you that she sent another guy home after all the drama I decided to start a new thing; kiss of the week. Yes, there was one kiss that did come in the middle of the rose ceremony cocktail party that to me was head and shoulders above the rest. Lips off to you JP for pulling Ashley aside during another rain storm no less and giving her a great kiss under your umbrella-ella-ella. We should all get so lucky.

Bentley didn't show up but Ashley still mentioned him and even went so far as to tell Chris Harrison that she needed closer. Again my previews showed him coming back so I guess we will just have to wait and see.

*Photos courtesy of ABC and Google.

As with the new format of the Bachelor/Bachelorette series, we started our around the world journey to find love with Ashley and her remaining 12 guys. First stop Thailand.

Having never been there myself I have to say that they didn't really make me want to jump up and buy a ticket either. Sure it was beautiful but on Ashley's first one-on-one date it rain the whole day.

Not that it would have mattered because all Ashley thought about was Bentley and why did he have to leave. I almost felt bad for Constantine and he worked to make their rained out date work and for the most part I thought that he did a good job but if you were watching really close you could see that Ashley wasn't completely in it. Which is some ways is to be expected. After all how many of us are really into our first date back after a break up? Even with the unsure chemistry he still managed to get a rose and stay safe through next week.

Next up was the required "we give back" date. This season Ashley and the bachelors got together and helped clean and decorate an orphanage for children that were left parent-less after the Tsunami. It was great to see them giving of their time as always and you could almost forget that they were there competing for a girl; I said almost. Let the Ryan bashing begin.

The whole time every man on the date seemed to talk about how annoying Ryan P. was. How he acted when Ashley wasn't around, how he was always "on" for the cameras, and how he was really getting on everyone's nerves. Now personally he kinda got on my nerves in the fact that I'm not sure if I saw him lift a hand to actually do any work while there but maybe the cameras just missed it. I did see him giving orders and taking as if he was the foreman of the job and not just as involved as the other men. To me that was a bit much but as I said maybe the cameras just missed it.

Finally there was my favorite date of the week; Ames. Let me tell you I have not found him at all attractive or interesting the whole time that he has been on the show. I thought he seemed stuffy and a little condescending. That was until they ended up in the middle of rock formation laying on the beach and having dinner. So far I think he had the most intelligent and insightful answers to any questions asked during the show. His answers made sense and he seemed to understand that this wasn't a love at first sight event or even that it wouldn't take work after the cameras stopped. After the date even Ashley admitted that she was seeing him in a whole other light.

As if the week wasn't long enough, I didn't even begin to mention the countless other times she mentioned Bentley, then we had to go into another rose ceremony. Again Chris Harrison was there to sit Ashley down and talk to her before she made her picks. Although this was something that he use to do regularly it seemed that in the last few seasons these heart to hearts have been few and far between. Yet with Ashley this was the second one of the season and we are only at week 4. Chris might need to get a bonus for this season if things continue on this path.

Ashley did surprise me in the end and asked for an additional rose for the night so that instead of sending the normal two men home she was only sending one. I don't know if that makes the poor guy that got sent home feel better or worse that she kept everyone but him but I thought it was interesting.

The show ended with a preview that suggested Bentley makes a return next week but here's hoping that they are just pulling our chain. I'm not sure I could take much more of the Bentley drama.

*Photos provided by Google.

Unlike most girls that grew up in the late 80's and early 90's I'm not a big Tom Cruise fan. I don't mind his movies and have seen most of them but I'm not one of those that just has to rush out and see his movies cause I think he is God's gift or anything like that. Do I think he can act? Yes but I think that his over-all annoying real personality somewhat overshadows his acting cred.

Yet I do like Cameron Diaz so when Knight and Day came out I didn't rush to see it but waited somewhat patiently for the DVD. Once it was out I rented it came home popped it in and was less than impressed. There were some funny moments and a few that made me smile even if I didn't laugh. It held my interest and that was really all I was looking for. Back then it probably wouldn't really have made my review list.

Then last week it came on cable for the first time. With nothing to do on a Saturday (I hate admitting that) I decided to give it a second look and was surprised to find myself cracking up. Maybe it was cause I was bored or maybe it was because I didn't pay anything for it this time but it was actually hilarious. It made me really re-think how I felt about it.

In cause your not familiar let me give you an overview. Cruise plays an federal agent that could be crazy, could be a traitor or could be the best agent there is out there. Diaz is the woman who gets on the wrong plane and attracts attention from the wrong people and the right attention from Cruise. Together they travel around trying to make things right and get her home for her sister's wedding while the viewer tries to figure out if he is really telling her the truth or if he is using her to get away with something bad.

My opinion on this one is torn. I do think that if you did see it in the theater or on DVD that you might want to give it a second look but I'm still not sure that you should rent it. I guess I would say if you can find it on cable go for it but don't go out if your way to find it. I think that might have been my mistake the first time.

Another week; another round of the Bachelorette. Yes my dears Ashley continued her search for love and marriage last night with a flash mob, a roast, and a half-hearted goodbye. Whoever said romance was dead clear was a fan of the Bachelorette.

First off lets start as Ashley did with a flash mob surprise date in the park. Can I just say the thing that surprises me is how much Ashley has danced in the last two episodes. You would think that she was a professional dancer and not a dentist by the moves she has been throwing. When Tenley was on the Bachelorette she could shut up about her dancing and even treated Jake to a special personal dance on his hometown date. Yet with Ashley she never once that I can remember mentioned dancing to Brad. Now three months later she is all Cirque du Soleil; I personally don't get it but I digress.

Anyway, after surprising Ben with the flash mob they went on to have yet another musical live performance. I thought they would be done after last week with not just Cobie Caillat but the Jabbawockeez's but I guess not. And they were such a talented group that I already forgot their names :D.

On to dinner for our lovebirds where Ben started talking about the kind of love that he wanted in his life. At one point I think he actually used the line "love in a bubble"; What the heck? I am all for hopeless romantics and mad passionate love but really. There was just so much that he was saying that in my opinion was completely unrealistic that I was a little surprised when Ashley told him it sounded a lot like what she was looking for. That also might explain why most of the Bachelor/Bachelorette couples don't work. Over the top ideas.

The next day (or however long it is in Bachelorette time) the group date went to a comedy club where Ashley clued the guys in on the fact that they would be roasting her.

William who most everyone really liked after last week took it not so much as a date and a chance to further his relationship with Ashley so much as an audition for "Last Comic Standing". Apparently he didn't get the memo that he was on the Bachelorette. Badum

Moving right along, the guys went up and of course William was last. His jokes fell faster than a Playboy centerfolds top and at one point at the end someone in the audience yelled out "too soon". Cause it would have been better to for him to wait until week seven and then joke that he might have wanted Emily or Chantal more. That would have been better.

After that disaster all William could say for himself is that maybe he should go home; not even an apology and we were all waiting but nothing. He ran away from the party and then sat outside saying how he wished he could have another chance but we never saw him actually go to Ashley and ask for one. What we did see was Bentley using the opportunity to win Ashley over more even as he admitted off camera that he felt the same as Williams joke.

Waking up the next morning Bentley decided that since he didn't get the rose on the group date he would pout like any spoiled brat and go home citing that he missed his daughter too much to stay.

Okay I am probably going to catch some for this but I actually appreciated the way that Bentley left. Sure he didn't give Ashley the closer that she needed and he basically lied or half-truthed his way out the door but he also didn't crush her as much as he could have.

We all know that she has major insecurities and if he had told her that the idea of marrying her was worse than swimming in pee or that he would have been happier if it was Emily cause that was who he wanted he would have destroyed her. After the night that she had had before and then for him to say such a thing, in my opinion would have made it impossible for her to continue on with the show. She would have been second guessing everything that every one of the guys said. There would have been no way that she could open up and trust the way that she should have. Yes he was a complete butt head but at least he left and he didn't take the rest of the season with him. Besides I think that confrontation will be so much better on the men tell all.

Finally we had Jeff. O Jeff *sigh*. There just aren't words.

This week he FINALLY took that silly mask off and what did he get for it? Sent home. Yes, the mask came off and the bags got packed. Not so much in that order but in the end he had to go. I don't think it was completely do to the fact that once the mask came off he was just plain or in Ashley's words "older than she thought" but I do think that he lost some of his appeal without it. I know I for one was like over it by the time it came off.

So another episode is in the bag and we are down to twelve. Next week they are suppose to start their world wind tour to win Ashley's heart. First stop Thailand. See ya next week.

*Some pictures courtesy of ABC

Tonight two of USA's best shows have their season premiere; White Collar and Covert Affairs. This past weekend I spend watching marathons getting caught up and it made me think.

As you already know I watch a lot of television and lately most of it has been on cable as apposed to the normal network shows (ABC,CBS,NBC). To me there seems to be more variety with on TNT, USA, Lifetime and even the movie channels like HBO and Starz then on what you see on two through thirty. Yet unlike those traditional channels cable as a different schedule. For the most part it seems like you get about eight to ten episodes per seasonal run and then you have to wait a few months to a year for the next eight to ten. That is where my quandary came in. Is that really better than a full 22 episode season through half the year?

With your known shows like Law & Order, CSI, or House then you know come late August early September they will get started and will finish off with a big finale in mid May. You can set you clocks, VCRs or DVRs by it because it's the same every year. They are going to take a break sometime in November and December for the holidays and be back that first week in January . That is just how it is.

Yet with cable, their seasons start whenever. Sure there maybe a system to it all but I haven't found it. Some shows seem like they start a new season almost every two months while others like tonight Covert Affairs took a year to start season 2 despite their main actor, Piper Perabo, being nominated for a Golden Globe. I could really almost swear the Closer has had three seasons during the same time frame and Kyra Sedgwick was also nominated so that can't be it.

Whatever the reason I really like the cable shows and their diversity way more but in my opinion I think they need a better schedule. Something that is easier to follow and makes more sense. Is it a seniority thing or just a ratings decision? No matter what it is I am just glad that some of my favorites are coming back for the summer and I can't wait for tonight.

Alright so as you know I have been saying that there will be a new blog address coming soon since the beginning of the year. Well, it is officially here thanks in large part to my cousins.

I got a call this morning asking for my blog address so that they could follow as as I was typing it out I started thinking how the other one just really, really didn't go anymore and that it should have been changed when I changed the name and format of the blog. So instead of sweeping it under the rug AGAIN I actually went in and changed it. Yeah me!

That being said here is the new address for the blog:

http://strictlymyown.blogspot.com

There you go.

Update all your information and I look forward the opinions rolling in. Catch ya later.