There's something very important I forgot to mention at the end of the last entry. It is this: Last night, I uttered the sentence, "The fellow was actually rather shirty with me." And I was not being ironic in the slightest.
Furthermore, I have decided that I have a problem. I tend to say affected things for dramatic purposes. However, I then have this habit of doing this so often that I actually wind up *saying* those things. Without irony. Such as today, when I was making up my PACKING LIST, I mentally noted how many pairs of underpants and pairs of bras I would need. Pairs of bras! What the hell! Seriously, I started saying this because I found it entertaining and atypical. I mean, really, if you can have a pair of pants, why can't you have a pair of bras? It's a unit item that covers two seperate yet related body parts. I guess. But the point is, when I thought this, I found the construction to be completely natural. This happens all the time! I worry that people will think I'm ill-educated or perhaps insane because I speak with affectations, but it doesn't sound like I am.
If that makes any sense.
What does this have to do with Lost? Nothing. This type of thing will have a lot of information that people who watch the show will already know, but may be useful to someone like Kirk or something.
[Begin Spoiler for Lost has Daddy Issues. Through "Deus Ex Machina." — Highlight to view]
So, as a person who has seen many shows by Joss Whedon, I have learned that fathers are the most horrible and hateful type of humans that exist. It's rare that you find a good one! Apparently. Even so, Lost seems to father issues. Let's discuss.
Jack
Jack of course has, well, the Daddy of daddy issues. Dad's a big ol' drunk, and a reasonabley jerky guy besides, and he's pretty much the basis for all Jack's adult hangups and neuroses. Yet Jack still follows his footsteps into the medical profession where he is a well respected man. Until his father has a nip too much before performing a surgery, and screws up in such a way that leads to the patient's death. Then Jack did the honorable thing and ratted out his dad, so he lost his job, his friends, ran off and eventually drank himself to death.
Kate
Not necessarily any daddy issues ... yet. I'm sure they're coming. Some people seem to believe that her "man she loved/killed" was in fact her father. And that's just weird, so we won't go there. What we do know, though, is that Kate hung out with her dad alot, and he taught her woodland expertise type things. So, she had some sort of functional relationship with him, which is more than most of the characters.
Sawyer
Father is a standard abuser who not-so-standardly murder-suicides Sawyer's parents.
Mercutio
Not necessarily father issues, (that I remember), but he has some issues with *being* a father. What with having his son kept from him for almost a decade and then having custody of this unknown son thrust upon him at the sudden death of his ex.
Walt
Mercutio is his dad. So, all that. Plus, his "dad" Brian secretly hated him and wanted to get rid of him because he's probably evil.
Sun
Her father is some kind of criminal kingpin, but she doesn't really know that. She probably knows something's up though, even if it's just that he seems to be a controlling jerk who tends to ruin people's lives.
Jin
His father is totally cool, but is poor and humble and all that, so Jin tells people that he's dead. Then he's overcome with guilt. Most of his daddy issues are really issues with his wife's daddy, who has totally ruined his life.
Boone
Boone actually has issues with his mother, which is kind of a refreshing change of pace.
Shannon
I don't think Shannon's relationship with her father is traumatic, per se. Her issue seems to be mainly that he's under the thumb of his new wife and doesn't give her any money. At least so far as I remember.
Naveen Andrews
We totally don't know anything about his parents.
Hurley
His father appears to be not in the picture, meaning he's probably dead or elsewhere, which would be issues in and of themselves, but so far it's not a main feature of his story.
Claire
Claire's pretty young to be supporting herself, so, that's probably something. But it's more likely that whatever issues she has are with both parents, not just her father. Though she does have issues with her baby daddy, as it were.
Charlie
We don't know anything about his parents, either. Though we do know he has some issues with God the Father.
Locke
The winner and new champion. Having passed through several decades of his life without ever knowing his biological parents, Locke's dad finally seeks him out via his mentally ill mother, promising her money she wants if she tracks their son down and points him in his general direction. He then fake-bonds with his long-lost son for the purpose of, wait for it, extorting a kidney from him. Son duped, organ received, he goes right back to keeping Locke out of his life.
Seriously!
[End Spoiler]
[Begin Spoiler for Some more questions, "Deus Ex Machina" — Highlight to view]
So, let's assume that Locke is right, and the island can actually exert its own will and power. Not that much of a stretch at this point. The question, then, is what does it want, and what did it intend?
First, did the island want Boone to pick up that receiver? In doing so, Boone's seemingly given the survivors a shot in getting off the island; it's possible that someone somewhere now knows there are survivors and will try to find them. Boone may have done everyone an enormous favor, but perhaps at the cost of his life. One thing is pretty clear: the island did not want Locke up in that plane. It told him there was a plane, and how to find it, but when they came to it, the island had Locke incapacitated. So we can assume that the island meant for Boone to get inside the plane. For what purpose? To kill him?
Inside the plane, Boone found some drugs and a body, but he also found a radio. Did the island want him to find that radio? After Boone found the radio is when the plane began to teeter out of the trees. Did the island not want him to use the radio? If Boone hadn't insisted on getting help to get off the island, would he have been able to get out of the plane? Is it because he was trying to get help that the island pushed the plane over? If he'd ignored it, would the island have let him live?
Maybe the point was to get rid of Boone. Locke was under the impression that he and Boone were both supposed to find the trap door, and they were both supposed to open it. But what if only Locke was supposed to open it? Boone was initially going to head back to camp on the night they found it. But since then he's been with Locke every day, and they've gotten closer, and they're in this together. So there's little chance that Locke would go out to the trapdoor without Boone with him. ...Unless something happened to Boone. And then if Locke wanted to go back (which he totally did), he'd have to go alone. And he did. And then the mysterious light came on.
As I've said before, Locke's totally not evil. And while he's totally on-board with being the emissary of the mystical island, this episode showed that he's not really clear on what's up with this island. I think all the things he's been doing to "help" the other survivors is his own agenda, his own do-gooding. And I think he probably does want to get off the island, and help everyone else get off. But what if that's not what the island wants him for? What if the island is, say, pure evil and wants to use Locke for evil purposes. Locke's not evil. But he's enamoured of the island. So will he figure it out? And if he does, what will he do?
[End Spoiler]
Please keep in mind that this is about 84% Crazy Speculation and needn't be taken seriously.
Thursday
A whole mess of TV!
American Idol
This was a disheartening show in many ways. Let's see if I can remember everything I thought. Incidentally, I didn't watch it tonight, so I don't know who's kicked off yet. Anyway, so, the theme was "the 90s" and that was bizarre. The 90s were last year! Right? Anyway, this could have gone to scary places, but it sort of went ... no where. I'll explain.
Bo Bice. He went through almost his entire time onstage without creasing his forehead. But then right at the very end oh my God! Not only does he have the crease down the middle, but it's so deep he has an *undercrease* separating his nose and brow line. It makes you look like a caveman, Bo! It obscures your delightfully blue eyes! Stop it Bo! Stop it now! So, Black Crowes, eh? It's not like I know Bo personally or anything, but I totally wasn't even surprised. This is one of the only songs that made me think, "Yeah, that's 90s." Because I associate the Black Crowes with the 90s. Anyway, what Simon said was completely correct. Or at least, I agree with what I think Simon was trying to say, which is that when you sing these song that are "band" songs, it doesn't highlight your voice or your singing ability.
Jessica (I think). I tried to pay extra close attention to her, because last week the internet was all abuzz with how she was totally the best singer in the whole show, when I had been just ...whelmed by her performance. I think she has a beautiful voice. Perhaps the best *voice* in the competition. But in terms of using it and being the best *singer*? Not by a long shot. Her singing is ... unpolished. And what Simon said about her was also correct. She seems like a nice girl, but she's not "likeable" in the sense that I still barely remember her name when I have everyone else's down. Also, she was singing sharp for most of the song. Sorry Jessica (I think).
Anwar. Oh, Anwar. I don't really like you. I think you're boring and devoid of personality, and you represent the "hometown" as it were, which just makes me sad. And your song choice this evening did not endear you to me as you actually picked one of the few songs that I fucking *hate*. I actually hate R. Kelly. He's a gross skeezy bastard who writes stupid songs that make me want to stab myself in the ears. And the worst of these is "I Believe I Can Fly." As a rule, I tend to hate most songs that say something about spreading your wings and flying and crap like that, because, honestly, that's the definition of cheesy. Oily cheese, man. It makes me nauseous. And what makes this song particularly repellent is that it was the theme song ... to Space Jam. Fucking. Space. Jam. A movie about basketball with cartoon characters. Singing about how you can fly. I HATE THIS SONG SO MUCH. And I hate you for singing it, Anway. Seriously, I do.
Nadia. Oh, Nadia. I'm actually angry with Nadia. Really angry, actually. First off, hers was the other song that I identified as actually being a "90s" song. Now seriously. She forgot the fucking words again. I seem to recall that in one of the past seasons (maybe in the preliminary rounds) the judges made a big deal of fucking up the lyrics. But now no one seems to notice. Not even TWoP notices. Except for last week, when the recapper seemed to be endlessly entertained by her impromptu line "always with splircles." Anyway. This really bothers me. It bothers me that she's messed up lyrics two weeks in a row. It's not like these are not songs that she picked for herself! It's not like these aren't songs that everyone and their mother has heard fifty million times! I understand it's probably nerve-wracking and whatever, but you know what? Learn your fucking lines! Or songs. Or whatever. What really bothers me about this is what she misses. Like "but I'm the only one.... but I'm the only one" (instead of "AND I'm the only one") or "a second hand unwinds" instead of "THE second hand unwinds." I know this probably doesn't seem all the crucial, but honestly, to me it sounds like she's not paying attention to what she's singing. It sounds like she's not actually, you know, invested in the song at all. She's not telling a story, she's just spitting out words. And I don't like it. Another thing. Last week I was pleased with the way she performed and how she moved. It seemed fun and natural. But this week? She did the exact same things. Like that move where she brings her microphone down, throws her head over her right shoulder and smiles? And here's why this bothers me. It means that she's not actually moving to the music. That's just what she does when she performs. Like, I watched the James Marsters movie on USA, Cool Money, right? Yeah, yeah, I know. Anyway, I wanted to see how James Marsters did at another character. And he was mostly differentiated. But then, there were the quirks. In one scene, he tilted his head to the side. In another scene, he pursed his lips dramatically. In another scene, he walked *exactly like Spike.* And this made me very sad. Because all these little things that I previously believed to be an actor carefully crafting a character were in fact just "things Marsters does when he's 'acting'." And that's what Nadia made me feel.
So, yeah. Um. Other people?
Anthony Federov! Man, he's totally Ukranian! It's so cute. Also, I think I see what his appeal is now. Because when Simon told him he was awful, he looked all hurt and upset and I just wanted to hug him and tell him everything would be okay. Poor tiny Anthony. Anyway, I don't think Simon was right. I dislike it when he says dismissive things late into the competition. Unless he said them to Mikalah. Anyway, at this stage in the game, "You were terrible" with no qualifiers is unacceptable. He needs to tell them what, specifically, was bad, and what they need to work on. It's only fair.
Scott Uglyperson. I totally dislike him. He sounded like shit this week. Am I the only person who noticed? He sounded lazy and he had trouble hitting most of the notes probably. And if he's not going to sing well, I have no reason to trouble myself with him.
Constantine. Heee! He actually sang really well and was only a little creepy. And he was all expressive during the song and seemed like he actually knew what it was about! I really like that. It makes me happy. I still like him. He still entertains me.
Carrie. Holy shit! I didn't know that song was written in the 90s! My Weltanschauung is totally fucked! For reference, she sang that "Independence Day" song by [mainstream country music chick -- they all sound the same now], and I until then had totally believed that it was written post 9/11 and I hated it and the idea of it made me sick. It still kind of makes me sick because I know I only started hearing it on the radio after 9/11 and I know that's the reason why. But ... huh! Color me surprised! Anyway, it was totally a weird song choice, even besides the fact that I don't like the song. Apparently the whole first verse is about how the girl's daddy used to beat up her mommy? Uplifting! But Carrie sure sang the everloving hell out of that song. Really good.
Nikko. Dude, you know what? I don't even remember what he sang.
Vonzell. Weltanshauung: fucked yet again! I totally like her. I think she has replaced Nadia in my affections. She actually looked really pretty (in an interesting way!) even though I'm sure most of it is makeup. And while she started out shaky, she was really belting with aplomb by the end, and it was totally awesome. I totally like her.
Veronica Mars
Dude, this episode was awesome. Totally awesome. Yet, somehow, I feel awkward reviewing this show, because I don't feel like I'm a real fan. Maybe because I kept telling Kirk for so many weeks how I wasn't into it, and then I got into an now I feel like a big faker or something. I don't know! I should probably just get over it.
[Begin Spoiler for VM - "Betty And Veronica" — Highlight to view]
I adore Wallace. Seriously. He was kind of boring and ill-placed at first, but I really liked him in this episode and I liked every scene between him and Veronica. So cute.
I don't really care for the actress playing Lianne. Also - you know what I noticed? The chick who plays Duncan's new girlfriend totally looks like she could be her daughter. Way more than Kristen Bell does. Way, way more. They have the same eyes and the same oddly over-bit droopy lip thing that makes them look slightly goofy. Aside from the fact that Kristen Bell is blond, she really doesn't look anything like the woman. Though honestly, I can kind of see how she could be a product of her and Enrico Colantoni. Kinda!
Bettie! (yeah, it's with a "y" but who cares?) I totally loved her in these scenes. It was very entertaining. I was also really entertained by the new school, and the realization that high schools really are pretty much the same everywhere you go. And the people are all the same, too, they just look different.
And as for everything else? DAMN. I don't even know what to think.
[End Spoiler]
Lost
[Begin Spoiler for Lost - "Deus Ex Machina" — Highlight to view]
Speaking of not knowing what to think! HOLY SHIT!
I may have lost my thread of Veronica Mars thinking, because my brain was completely blasted by Lost tonight.
Say it with me everyone (or everyone who's a squealing girl): "Poor Tiny Locke!" I knew there was a reason I love him and wanted to hug him and call him George. Dude. Man. Jesus.
Poor Boone! Don't die Boone! Although seriously, this was broadcast from lightyears away. Way to really miss the most pertinent part of your disturbing acid dream, John. Locke's not evil, he's just confused. But really, he should have known better.
On the other hand, when the statue broke apart and heroin popped out, my first thought was of how happy Charlie would be. "Oh boy!" Or maybe he'd be pissed off, seeing as he's just quit and then a miraculous stash appears out of the sky. Just his luck!
I wasn't annoyed by the subplot or anything, which was strange. I think it was actually a great tone set alongside the totally mindfuck of the other plot line.
But now ... WHAT THE FUCK! I'm so confused I don't even know what to think. I just hope Boone doesn't die. Even though ... he quite possibley will. Because I don't have a screencap or anything, but that quick flash really looked like organs.
Also, the title of this episode is brilliant.
[End Spoiler]
This was a disheartening show in many ways. Let's see if I can remember everything I thought. Incidentally, I didn't watch it tonight, so I don't know who's kicked off yet. Anyway, so, the theme was "the 90s" and that was bizarre. The 90s were last year! Right? Anyway, this could have gone to scary places, but it sort of went ... no where. I'll explain.
Bo Bice. He went through almost his entire time onstage without creasing his forehead. But then right at the very end oh my God! Not only does he have the crease down the middle, but it's so deep he has an *undercrease* separating his nose and brow line. It makes you look like a caveman, Bo! It obscures your delightfully blue eyes! Stop it Bo! Stop it now! So, Black Crowes, eh? It's not like I know Bo personally or anything, but I totally wasn't even surprised. This is one of the only songs that made me think, "Yeah, that's 90s." Because I associate the Black Crowes with the 90s. Anyway, what Simon said was completely correct. Or at least, I agree with what I think Simon was trying to say, which is that when you sing these song that are "band" songs, it doesn't highlight your voice or your singing ability.
Jessica (I think). I tried to pay extra close attention to her, because last week the internet was all abuzz with how she was totally the best singer in the whole show, when I had been just ...whelmed by her performance. I think she has a beautiful voice. Perhaps the best *voice* in the competition. But in terms of using it and being the best *singer*? Not by a long shot. Her singing is ... unpolished. And what Simon said about her was also correct. She seems like a nice girl, but she's not "likeable" in the sense that I still barely remember her name when I have everyone else's down. Also, she was singing sharp for most of the song. Sorry Jessica (I think).
Anwar. Oh, Anwar. I don't really like you. I think you're boring and devoid of personality, and you represent the "hometown" as it were, which just makes me sad. And your song choice this evening did not endear you to me as you actually picked one of the few songs that I fucking *hate*. I actually hate R. Kelly. He's a gross skeezy bastard who writes stupid songs that make me want to stab myself in the ears. And the worst of these is "I Believe I Can Fly." As a rule, I tend to hate most songs that say something about spreading your wings and flying and crap like that, because, honestly, that's the definition of cheesy. Oily cheese, man. It makes me nauseous. And what makes this song particularly repellent is that it was the theme song ... to Space Jam. Fucking. Space. Jam. A movie about basketball with cartoon characters. Singing about how you can fly. I HATE THIS SONG SO MUCH. And I hate you for singing it, Anway. Seriously, I do.
Nadia. Oh, Nadia. I'm actually angry with Nadia. Really angry, actually. First off, hers was the other song that I identified as actually being a "90s" song. Now seriously. She forgot the fucking words again. I seem to recall that in one of the past seasons (maybe in the preliminary rounds) the judges made a big deal of fucking up the lyrics. But now no one seems to notice. Not even TWoP notices. Except for last week, when the recapper seemed to be endlessly entertained by her impromptu line "always with splircles." Anyway. This really bothers me. It bothers me that she's messed up lyrics two weeks in a row. It's not like these are not songs that she picked for herself! It's not like these aren't songs that everyone and their mother has heard fifty million times! I understand it's probably nerve-wracking and whatever, but you know what? Learn your fucking lines! Or songs. Or whatever. What really bothers me about this is what she misses. Like "but I'm the only one.... but I'm the only one" (instead of "AND I'm the only one") or "a second hand unwinds" instead of "THE second hand unwinds." I know this probably doesn't seem all the crucial, but honestly, to me it sounds like she's not paying attention to what she's singing. It sounds like she's not actually, you know, invested in the song at all. She's not telling a story, she's just spitting out words. And I don't like it. Another thing. Last week I was pleased with the way she performed and how she moved. It seemed fun and natural. But this week? She did the exact same things. Like that move where she brings her microphone down, throws her head over her right shoulder and smiles? And here's why this bothers me. It means that she's not actually moving to the music. That's just what she does when she performs. Like, I watched the James Marsters movie on USA, Cool Money, right? Yeah, yeah, I know. Anyway, I wanted to see how James Marsters did at another character. And he was mostly differentiated. But then, there were the quirks. In one scene, he tilted his head to the side. In another scene, he pursed his lips dramatically. In another scene, he walked *exactly like Spike.* And this made me very sad. Because all these little things that I previously believed to be an actor carefully crafting a character were in fact just "things Marsters does when he's 'acting'." And that's what Nadia made me feel.
So, yeah. Um. Other people?
Anthony Federov! Man, he's totally Ukranian! It's so cute. Also, I think I see what his appeal is now. Because when Simon told him he was awful, he looked all hurt and upset and I just wanted to hug him and tell him everything would be okay. Poor tiny Anthony. Anyway, I don't think Simon was right. I dislike it when he says dismissive things late into the competition. Unless he said them to Mikalah. Anyway, at this stage in the game, "You were terrible" with no qualifiers is unacceptable. He needs to tell them what, specifically, was bad, and what they need to work on. It's only fair.
Scott Uglyperson. I totally dislike him. He sounded like shit this week. Am I the only person who noticed? He sounded lazy and he had trouble hitting most of the notes probably. And if he's not going to sing well, I have no reason to trouble myself with him.
Constantine. Heee! He actually sang really well and was only a little creepy. And he was all expressive during the song and seemed like he actually knew what it was about! I really like that. It makes me happy. I still like him. He still entertains me.
Carrie. Holy shit! I didn't know that song was written in the 90s! My Weltanschauung is totally fucked! For reference, she sang that "Independence Day" song by [mainstream country music chick -- they all sound the same now], and I until then had totally believed that it was written post 9/11 and I hated it and the idea of it made me sick. It still kind of makes me sick because I know I only started hearing it on the radio after 9/11 and I know that's the reason why. But ... huh! Color me surprised! Anyway, it was totally a weird song choice, even besides the fact that I don't like the song. Apparently the whole first verse is about how the girl's daddy used to beat up her mommy? Uplifting! But Carrie sure sang the everloving hell out of that song. Really good.
Nikko. Dude, you know what? I don't even remember what he sang.
Vonzell. Weltanshauung: fucked yet again! I totally like her. I think she has replaced Nadia in my affections. She actually looked really pretty (in an interesting way!) even though I'm sure most of it is makeup. And while she started out shaky, she was really belting with aplomb by the end, and it was totally awesome. I totally like her.
Veronica Mars
Dude, this episode was awesome. Totally awesome. Yet, somehow, I feel awkward reviewing this show, because I don't feel like I'm a real fan. Maybe because I kept telling Kirk for so many weeks how I wasn't into it, and then I got into an now I feel like a big faker or something. I don't know! I should probably just get over it.
[Begin Spoiler for VM - "Betty And Veronica" — Highlight to view]
I adore Wallace. Seriously. He was kind of boring and ill-placed at first, but I really liked him in this episode and I liked every scene between him and Veronica. So cute.
I don't really care for the actress playing Lianne. Also - you know what I noticed? The chick who plays Duncan's new girlfriend totally looks like she could be her daughter. Way more than Kristen Bell does. Way, way more. They have the same eyes and the same oddly over-bit droopy lip thing that makes them look slightly goofy. Aside from the fact that Kristen Bell is blond, she really doesn't look anything like the woman. Though honestly, I can kind of see how she could be a product of her and Enrico Colantoni. Kinda!
Bettie! (yeah, it's with a "y" but who cares?) I totally loved her in these scenes. It was very entertaining. I was also really entertained by the new school, and the realization that high schools really are pretty much the same everywhere you go. And the people are all the same, too, they just look different.
And as for everything else? DAMN. I don't even know what to think.
[End Spoiler]
Lost
[Begin Spoiler for Lost - "Deus Ex Machina" — Highlight to view]
Speaking of not knowing what to think! HOLY SHIT!
I may have lost my thread of Veronica Mars thinking, because my brain was completely blasted by Lost tonight.
Say it with me everyone (or everyone who's a squealing girl): "Poor Tiny Locke!" I knew there was a reason I love him and wanted to hug him and call him George. Dude. Man. Jesus.
Poor Boone! Don't die Boone! Although seriously, this was broadcast from lightyears away. Way to really miss the most pertinent part of your disturbing acid dream, John. Locke's not evil, he's just confused. But really, he should have known better.
On the other hand, when the statue broke apart and heroin popped out, my first thought was of how happy Charlie would be. "Oh boy!" Or maybe he'd be pissed off, seeing as he's just quit and then a miraculous stash appears out of the sky. Just his luck!
I wasn't annoyed by the subplot or anything, which was strange. I think it was actually a great tone set alongside the totally mindfuck of the other plot line.
But now ... WHAT THE FUCK! I'm so confused I don't even know what to think. I just hope Boone doesn't die. Even though ... he quite possibley will. Because I don't have a screencap or anything, but that quick flash really looked like organs.
Also, the title of this episode is brilliant.
[End Spoiler]
Monday
Oh, I have one.
Inspired by Beth, inspired by Ryan.
"Immigrant Song," Led Zeppelin
"Immigrant Song," Led Zeppelin
- Features of our homeland:
- Ice and snow
- Midnight Sun
- Blowing hot springs
Features of our destination:- Hordes
- Tales of gore (whispered)
- Soft green fields
How we're getting there:- Driven by Hammer of the Gods
- Threshing oars
Trip goals and activities:- The western shore (ultimately)
- Fight hordes
- Sing
- Cry "Valhalla I am coming"
- Calm tides of war
Advice for natives:- Stop rebuilding ruins
- Allow for peace and trust (even though you lost)
Who we are:- Your overlords
- Ice and snow
Saturday
The continuing saga of my being old and ugly.
I believe that my hair is falling out.
You shouldn't read this entry if you, for some reason, find hair that isn't attached to a human head particularly repellent. Just sayin'.
When I last saw my doctor, he asked me some questions about the state of my hair. One, did I notice that the type on my body seemed to be more prominent? And two, did it seem like the type on my head was falling out?
At the time, I said no to both. Though to tell you the truth, I hadn't really been paying attention. Since then, I have. And alarmingly, I do think I'm hairier. Though I could be imagining it. It could be a paranoid delusion. I can't really tell.
However, I am definitely sure that my hair is shedding at a faster rate than is normal. As those of you who've heard me talk about my hair before might know, whilst I'm in the shower, I finger-comb my hair and prevent all the loose strands from going down the drain by adhering them to the shower wall. Fun! ... I remove it when I'm done. Anyway, back when my hair was insanely long, the wall would get very hairy indeed. It made me somewhat alarmed, but then I reasoned that while the amount of hair seemed large, it probably wasn't, since each strand was very ... great. Then when I cut all my hair off and was bald, the amount of hair in the shower decreased dramatically, and this seemed to prove my point.
My shower wall now acquires more hair than it did when my hair was 6 inches longer. The mass is such that swirling a single finger around no longer winds the hair up into a neat little ball for easy disposal. No, I now use three fingers. And I've been throwing enormous, near-palm-sized bundles of hair into the trash every day. And yet more hair comes out when I brush my hair, and when I blow-dry my hair, and then when I brush my hair again, and ... it's a lot of hair. Way more than approximately 100 strands per day, which is what I once heard was average.
What really tipped me off, though, is that when I make my bed these days, I'm picking at least 20 strands of hair off my pillows and sheets. ALARMING.
Today I asked my mother if she thought I seemed to be shedding abnormally. She said yes. (Side note: I know my mother loves me and doesn't want to criticize my appearance, but I really wish she'd point things like this out to me. Especially since they tend to have a medical significance with me.)
Today, my hair feels thin. Again, this could be a hallucination, because it didn't feel thin yesterday, but ... I've been losing many strands of hair. All my life my hair has been very thick. Remarkably thick, even, because any time I've gotten a haircut, the hair cutter has remarked on its thickness. As I've probably proved in the past, I'm rather emotionally and overly attached to my hair. I don't want anything to be wrong with my hair.
So, Monday I will call my doctor. Hopefully that will make my hair grow back.
You shouldn't read this entry if you, for some reason, find hair that isn't attached to a human head particularly repellent. Just sayin'.
When I last saw my doctor, he asked me some questions about the state of my hair. One, did I notice that the type on my body seemed to be more prominent? And two, did it seem like the type on my head was falling out?
At the time, I said no to both. Though to tell you the truth, I hadn't really been paying attention. Since then, I have. And alarmingly, I do think I'm hairier. Though I could be imagining it. It could be a paranoid delusion. I can't really tell.
However, I am definitely sure that my hair is shedding at a faster rate than is normal. As those of you who've heard me talk about my hair before might know, whilst I'm in the shower, I finger-comb my hair and prevent all the loose strands from going down the drain by adhering them to the shower wall. Fun! ... I remove it when I'm done. Anyway, back when my hair was insanely long, the wall would get very hairy indeed. It made me somewhat alarmed, but then I reasoned that while the amount of hair seemed large, it probably wasn't, since each strand was very ... great. Then when I cut all my hair off and was bald, the amount of hair in the shower decreased dramatically, and this seemed to prove my point.
My shower wall now acquires more hair than it did when my hair was 6 inches longer. The mass is such that swirling a single finger around no longer winds the hair up into a neat little ball for easy disposal. No, I now use three fingers. And I've been throwing enormous, near-palm-sized bundles of hair into the trash every day. And yet more hair comes out when I brush my hair, and when I blow-dry my hair, and then when I brush my hair again, and ... it's a lot of hair. Way more than approximately 100 strands per day, which is what I once heard was average.
What really tipped me off, though, is that when I make my bed these days, I'm picking at least 20 strands of hair off my pillows and sheets. ALARMING.
Today I asked my mother if she thought I seemed to be shedding abnormally. She said yes. (Side note: I know my mother loves me and doesn't want to criticize my appearance, but I really wish she'd point things like this out to me. Especially since they tend to have a medical significance with me.)
Today, my hair feels thin. Again, this could be a hallucination, because it didn't feel thin yesterday, but ... I've been losing many strands of hair. All my life my hair has been very thick. Remarkably thick, even, because any time I've gotten a haircut, the hair cutter has remarked on its thickness. As I've probably proved in the past, I'm rather emotionally and overly attached to my hair. I don't want anything to be wrong with my hair.
So, Monday I will call my doctor. Hopefully that will make my hair grow back.
Tuesday
Again!
American Idol Review! Because nothing else is on. I'm pretty sure I know most of the people by name now. And if I don't, I'm not going to look them up, because that means they have yet to impress me in any way.
Overall impression: the judges were really lenient. Randy and Paula anyway, and Simon seemed like he was too overwhelmed by all the positive vibing around him to get into any actual, solid critiques, though you could tell he wanted to. Also, I was universally disappointed in all the people I liked last week.
First up, Anthony Fedorov. Or however you spell it. Crystal. OH MY GOD. You are so right! What is up with that thing? That's not a normal body ... having. WHAT IS THAT? Was he shot in the neck, or something? Also, he was really boring. Also, is he foreign or something? I noticed that when he talked he had slight trouble saying "th" and a few other sounds. Maybe! I don't know.
Carrie blondegirl. Underwood? Anyway. I like her. I do. TWoP doesn't like her, but I like her. I can see how people probably think she's boring, and I can respect that, but ... eh. I don't know. She just seems very sweet and likeable to me. And so I like her! And I think she did an effective job not being "country" tonight, though she really should understand that it isn't *what* she sings that makes her sound country, it's *how* she sings. And when she started, she still had a twang, and I was all set to roll my eyes, but she got it under control. I didn't think she was that great, though. She didn't sell the song. I kind of didn't care, though, because (and now I have to make The Boy weep bitterly - I'm sorry dear) Heart makes me rock out. The pick could only have been better if she'd chosen "What About Love." Hooray! But she wasn't as good as the judges seemed to think she was.
That Scott guy? He sings really well. But he's not going to win. Seriously.
Nikko? Still a girl's name. He sounded okay, but he sounded ... how to put this ... like about a dozen other guys who are *just like that.* And he didn't even sound like the best of those guys. He sounded maybe in the middle. We don't need any more of those guys.
I realize that I'm no longer going in order.
Vonzell. I have the reverse problem with her name that I have with Nikko. First: what? Second: even though I've never heard this "name" before, it sounds like a boy's name. Doesn't it? It sounds like a name that would be given to a boy. Anyway, she was better this week, but I disagree with Simon, I think she's still forgettable. Even her looks. As soon as I saw her, I decided that she was boringly pretty. You know what I mean? Do you know those people? Where they're pretty, very pretty even, and it's not really even a debate, but they're just ... boring looking? Like, even though you recognize that they're pretty, they're pretty in a boring, generic, uninteresting way? She doesn't look at all interesting. And she seems sweet, but like she doesn't have any real personality to speak of.
On the other hand: Nadia. First, my disappointment. Who the fuck forgets the words to "Time After Time"? Nadia, you are out of the club. I don't even know what club it is, but I know you're out of it. Who forgets the words to "Time After Time"?? But she was okay. Better, I think, than the judges gave her credit for. I thought she actually had a good balance between "performing" the song and singing it. She performed it, but at the same time, you could still hear her singing, and it was good. And goddamn, I want her hair. I wish I had her hair just for like, a day. And I also like the fact that she claimed that most of the songs she likes never made it on a Number Ones list. I believe her, y'all. She's still my favorite.
Anwar: is like the female Vonzell, only even more boring. Far more boring, actually, because I think he might actually be attractive in an interesting way if he had an actual personality. Which I don't think he does.
Constantine. First of all, your name is stupid and makes me laugh. I still think you're kind of cute though. But apparently the good people at TWoP think he's awkward and creepy. And, I have to tell you, not that I'm letting my opinion be swayed (not really) but ... they have a point. Much of what they said about him had me dying, because I immediately recognized their innate truth. Some gems: "He's dressed all sixties, I guess, but more like a record-store owner who really wants to get the band back together." And "This also causes Constantine to devolve into an explosively impressive suicide girl mess, fake eye-fucking and lip-pursing and tongue-moving and all kinds of tics and shady glances and hair-acting and posing and posture experiments." And ""
Anyway. His performance? Kinda creepy. And angry. And it was "I Think I Love You." But I find him entertaining, actually. And he's still kind of cute when he's not making any expressions.
You know who totally is cute, though? Bo Bice. And he's got one of those names that makes me need to say both his first and last name. Bo Bice. His hair was so much better today. He's got nice hair. And blue, blue eyes. And I really am that easy, apparently. Bo Bice also sings really well, and I think we should be friends. And as his friend, I would have to tell him something extremely important. Something that I noticed. About his physical appearance. Bo Bice. Has. A CREASE. No!!!! Bo Bice! I'm so sorry! I know your pain! Listen. Listen to me, Bo Bice. This is important. You have to stop scrunching your eyebrows. I know, I know. I know it's hard, and Lord knows it's not easy for me, but if you stop scrunching your eyebrows, so will I. Let's beat this thing together, Bo Bice.
Let's see. Who's next? Oh yes, Girl Whose Name I Cannot Remember. I can't remember her name. But I have to say to her: Who the fuck forgets the words to Total Eclipse Of The Heart!! Jesus! You're out of my club too. Out. Get out. But her singing was okay. But boring. Not as good as the judges thought she did. But nice. But boring. But she seems like she probably does have a cute personality, though. But she won't win. BECAUSE I CANNNOT REMEMBER HER NAME.
And last I will mention Mikalah. Because she deserves to be last. Because she can't sing. All the other people in the competition at this point can actually sing competently. They can actually all sing *well*, if boringly. Mikalah can not. Mikalah needs to go home.
I HAVE CEASED TO TALK ABOUT AMERICAN IDOL AT THIS POINT.
So it turns out that I didn't have tonsilitis. I probably have an ear infection. But I took lots of vitamins and soup and I slept a lot, and I think it's better now. The pain seems to have gone.
I also watched Veronica Mars again! It's new next week! So I'll probably recap it for the benefit of Kirk and Beth. You know what, though? Kristen Bell has a crease, too. It's epidemic. Sigh. She also had forehead lines, though. And I don't have those, thank goodness. You know, there is nothing that signifies that an actor is not actually a teenager so much as forehead lines. Because teenagers do not have that. Teenagers don't have creases, either. Probably. Because you don't get those unless you're old. Old like I am. [weeps]
In completely unrelated news, I cleaned my keyboard today. HOLY CRAP IT NEEDED IT.
In yet more unrelated news, I have been reading The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. And, this may be solely because I am a huge geek, but, I find it so sexy. It's awesome and great! And it occurs to me that this is the first new book I have read in months. MONTHS. I don't even know how long it's been since I've read a new book. I mean, I've still been reading fairly steadily, but the last maybe ten books that I've read? Were all books that I've read before. And I'm not even sure this should count, because it still has many of the same characters and takes place in the same world as books I've already read. I haven't read anything wholly *new* in a long time. I don't like change. And I don't know what I can read that I haven't already that I'll like.
Gah.
Overall impression: the judges were really lenient. Randy and Paula anyway, and Simon seemed like he was too overwhelmed by all the positive vibing around him to get into any actual, solid critiques, though you could tell he wanted to. Also, I was universally disappointed in all the people I liked last week.
First up, Anthony Fedorov. Or however you spell it. Crystal. OH MY GOD. You are so right! What is up with that thing? That's not a normal body ... having. WHAT IS THAT? Was he shot in the neck, or something? Also, he was really boring. Also, is he foreign or something? I noticed that when he talked he had slight trouble saying "th" and a few other sounds. Maybe! I don't know.
Carrie blondegirl. Underwood? Anyway. I like her. I do. TWoP doesn't like her, but I like her. I can see how people probably think she's boring, and I can respect that, but ... eh. I don't know. She just seems very sweet and likeable to me. And so I like her! And I think she did an effective job not being "country" tonight, though she really should understand that it isn't *what* she sings that makes her sound country, it's *how* she sings. And when she started, she still had a twang, and I was all set to roll my eyes, but she got it under control. I didn't think she was that great, though. She didn't sell the song. I kind of didn't care, though, because (and now I have to make The Boy weep bitterly - I'm sorry dear) Heart makes me rock out. The pick could only have been better if she'd chosen "What About Love." Hooray! But she wasn't as good as the judges seemed to think she was.
That Scott guy? He sings really well. But he's not going to win. Seriously.
Nikko? Still a girl's name. He sounded okay, but he sounded ... how to put this ... like about a dozen other guys who are *just like that.* And he didn't even sound like the best of those guys. He sounded maybe in the middle. We don't need any more of those guys.
I realize that I'm no longer going in order.
Vonzell. I have the reverse problem with her name that I have with Nikko. First: what? Second: even though I've never heard this "name" before, it sounds like a boy's name. Doesn't it? It sounds like a name that would be given to a boy. Anyway, she was better this week, but I disagree with Simon, I think she's still forgettable. Even her looks. As soon as I saw her, I decided that she was boringly pretty. You know what I mean? Do you know those people? Where they're pretty, very pretty even, and it's not really even a debate, but they're just ... boring looking? Like, even though you recognize that they're pretty, they're pretty in a boring, generic, uninteresting way? She doesn't look at all interesting. And she seems sweet, but like she doesn't have any real personality to speak of.
On the other hand: Nadia. First, my disappointment. Who the fuck forgets the words to "Time After Time"? Nadia, you are out of the club. I don't even know what club it is, but I know you're out of it. Who forgets the words to "Time After Time"?? But she was okay. Better, I think, than the judges gave her credit for. I thought she actually had a good balance between "performing" the song and singing it. She performed it, but at the same time, you could still hear her singing, and it was good. And goddamn, I want her hair. I wish I had her hair just for like, a day. And I also like the fact that she claimed that most of the songs she likes never made it on a Number Ones list. I believe her, y'all. She's still my favorite.
Anwar: is like the female Vonzell, only even more boring. Far more boring, actually, because I think he might actually be attractive in an interesting way if he had an actual personality. Which I don't think he does.
Constantine. First of all, your name is stupid and makes me laugh. I still think you're kind of cute though. But apparently the good people at TWoP think he's awkward and creepy. And, I have to tell you, not that I'm letting my opinion be swayed (not really) but ... they have a point. Much of what they said about him had me dying, because I immediately recognized their innate truth. Some gems: "He's dressed all sixties, I guess, but more like a record-store owner who really wants to get the band back together." And "This also causes Constantine to devolve into an explosively impressive suicide girl mess, fake eye-fucking and lip-pursing and tongue-moving and all kinds of tics and shady glances and hair-acting and posing and posture experiments." And ""
Anyway. His performance? Kinda creepy. And angry. And it was "I Think I Love You." But I find him entertaining, actually. And he's still kind of cute when he's not making any expressions.
You know who totally is cute, though? Bo Bice. And he's got one of those names that makes me need to say both his first and last name. Bo Bice. His hair was so much better today. He's got nice hair. And blue, blue eyes. And I really am that easy, apparently. Bo Bice also sings really well, and I think we should be friends. And as his friend, I would have to tell him something extremely important. Something that I noticed. About his physical appearance. Bo Bice. Has. A CREASE. No!!!! Bo Bice! I'm so sorry! I know your pain! Listen. Listen to me, Bo Bice. This is important. You have to stop scrunching your eyebrows. I know, I know. I know it's hard, and Lord knows it's not easy for me, but if you stop scrunching your eyebrows, so will I. Let's beat this thing together, Bo Bice.
Let's see. Who's next? Oh yes, Girl Whose Name I Cannot Remember. I can't remember her name. But I have to say to her: Who the fuck forgets the words to Total Eclipse Of The Heart!! Jesus! You're out of my club too. Out. Get out. But her singing was okay. But boring. Not as good as the judges thought she did. But nice. But boring. But she seems like she probably does have a cute personality, though. But she won't win. BECAUSE I CANNNOT REMEMBER HER NAME.
And last I will mention Mikalah. Because she deserves to be last. Because she can't sing. All the other people in the competition at this point can actually sing competently. They can actually all sing *well*, if boringly. Mikalah can not. Mikalah needs to go home.
I HAVE CEASED TO TALK ABOUT AMERICAN IDOL AT THIS POINT.
So it turns out that I didn't have tonsilitis. I probably have an ear infection. But I took lots of vitamins and soup and I slept a lot, and I think it's better now. The pain seems to have gone.
I also watched Veronica Mars again! It's new next week! So I'll probably recap it for the benefit of Kirk and Beth. You know what, though? Kristen Bell has a crease, too. It's epidemic. Sigh. She also had forehead lines, though. And I don't have those, thank goodness. You know, there is nothing that signifies that an actor is not actually a teenager so much as forehead lines. Because teenagers do not have that. Teenagers don't have creases, either. Probably. Because you don't get those unless you're old. Old like I am. [weeps]
In completely unrelated news, I cleaned my keyboard today. HOLY CRAP IT NEEDED IT.
In yet more unrelated news, I have been reading The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. And, this may be solely because I am a huge geek, but, I find it so sexy. It's awesome and great! And it occurs to me that this is the first new book I have read in months. MONTHS. I don't even know how long it's been since I've read a new book. I mean, I've still been reading fairly steadily, but the last maybe ten books that I've read? Were all books that I've read before. And I'm not even sure this should count, because it still has many of the same characters and takes place in the same world as books I've already read. I haven't read anything wholly *new* in a long time. I don't like change. And I don't know what I can read that I haven't already that I'll like.
Gah.
Wednesday
A second episode!
For the benefit of those that may disagree with me, I'll now invalidate all my opinions about television by talking about American Idol.
Because I totally watched it! See, I still have it listed in my bio under favorite tv shows (first, but that's only because I have an alphabetical list), even though I hadn't watched any of this fourth go round. So, it was either edit my profile (I also need a new song for the bio) or just be resolved that I'm still totally addicted to this stuff, so I shouldn't fight it.
So I watched this evening because they're starting the actual competition part where you can vote on them and stuff. I think part of the reason I abstained for so long is that the early rounds were getting far too much publicity. I mean, these people already have fans and interviews and crap like that? We haven't even gotten to the competition yet! I don't know about the dude that dropped out. But he was a backup singer one time for Michael Jackson? So I'm sure he'll be fine. [/what?] Also, Nikko (however you spell it) is a chick's name, right? I've only heard of chicks having that name (however you spell it).
Also! Apparently they have some long-haired dudes? Because they're trying to be more rock, less pop? Okay. I... totally fell for it. I actually think the one with the long hair (not the one with the *long* long hair) is pretty attractive. I didn't think so at first, because when he was singing, his jaw got all squashed and gave him five extra chins, and his opened mouth showcased an alarming diastema. But then when he closed his mouth he was suddenly very pretty! The guy with the *long* long hair looked like a combination of Meatloaf and someone from one of those disposable "rock" bands. But the judges seem to like him.
The blonde girl was very pretty, and sang nice, but I get the feeling she should be on Nashville Star, or whatever that show is. Which is not an insult, as I like country music, and it would be nice if she did that, but this is still a pop music show, right? No one ever wins with country.
The girl with the 'fro ponytail was the best.
The girl with the bad fashion sense who was hitting on everyone (Mikalah?) was the worst.
Everyone else was kind of okay.
And then I watched Veronica Mars! It was even better than the recap at TWoP had led me to believe. I would recommend watching it, even though we're now mid-season.
In completely unrelated news, I have some soreness in the right side of the back of my mouth. I hope it's not a tonsil. I also have a painful blemish on the outside of the same area. So, maybe that's it. I'll go read up on tonsilitis just to make sure.
Because I totally watched it! See, I still have it listed in my bio under favorite tv shows (first, but that's only because I have an alphabetical list), even though I hadn't watched any of this fourth go round. So, it was either edit my profile (I also need a new song for the bio) or just be resolved that I'm still totally addicted to this stuff, so I shouldn't fight it.
So I watched this evening because they're starting the actual competition part where you can vote on them and stuff. I think part of the reason I abstained for so long is that the early rounds were getting far too much publicity. I mean, these people already have fans and interviews and crap like that? We haven't even gotten to the competition yet! I don't know about the dude that dropped out. But he was a backup singer one time for Michael Jackson? So I'm sure he'll be fine. [/what?] Also, Nikko (however you spell it) is a chick's name, right? I've only heard of chicks having that name (however you spell it).
Also! Apparently they have some long-haired dudes? Because they're trying to be more rock, less pop? Okay. I... totally fell for it. I actually think the one with the long hair (not the one with the *long* long hair) is pretty attractive. I didn't think so at first, because when he was singing, his jaw got all squashed and gave him five extra chins, and his opened mouth showcased an alarming diastema. But then when he closed his mouth he was suddenly very pretty! The guy with the *long* long hair looked like a combination of Meatloaf and someone from one of those disposable "rock" bands. But the judges seem to like him.
The blonde girl was very pretty, and sang nice, but I get the feeling she should be on Nashville Star, or whatever that show is. Which is not an insult, as I like country music, and it would be nice if she did that, but this is still a pop music show, right? No one ever wins with country.
The girl with the 'fro ponytail was the best.
The girl with the bad fashion sense who was hitting on everyone (Mikalah?) was the worst.
Everyone else was kind of okay.
And then I watched Veronica Mars! It was even better than the recap at TWoP had led me to believe. I would recommend watching it, even though we're now mid-season.
In completely unrelated news, I have some soreness in the right side of the back of my mouth. I hope it's not a tonsil. I also have a painful blemish on the outside of the same area. So, maybe that's it. I'll go read up on tonsilitis just to make sure.
Tuesday
Television is boring.
I've been watching far too much television lately. This is because the internet is very boring. Unfortunately, television is also boring. BORING!
Part of the problem is that I've started watching some shows I like (such as "Lost" and "Veronica Mars" - thanks Kirk!) but they're currently in hiatus until sweeps. Bah.
I probably should have written this entry on Sunday, since that's when ... I originally planned to. And since I am currently very inarticulate and am only writing this because I am, again, bored. But Sunday? Bad tv. See, ordinarily on Sundays we order a pizza and my mother and I watch Lidia Bastianich and Jacques Pepin cook on Channel 13. I'm aware of the irony. But it's good times. However, on this particular Sunday, all the PBS stations were running those fund-raising thingies, and they all sucked and were boring. HBO had nothing but crappy movies. All other stations had nothing but crappy movies. So we watched the TV Guide Channel, and they were making up a girl to look like Lindsay Lohan in a segment called "Look-Alike." I've seen this a few times before, and I'm always amused by the fact that no matter who the girl is being made to look like, that person is always described as if they are the most wonderful, famous, stylish person ever. I mean, I like Ms. Lohan, but does she really have a "signature style"? And the girl they were making up was 16, and they kept claiming that they were trying to give her a more mature and sophisticated look. Um. Isn't Lindsay Lohan, like, 18? I did, however, discover that Lindsay Lohan has a short torso. So do I! This is why I never wear shirts tucked in.
After that, I noticed that Arrested Development was on Fox at 8:30. I always meant to watch it, but I never knew when it was on, so I penciled that into my busy evening. Unfortunately, it was not yet 8, and my mother suggested that we could watch "[my] Simpsons show." Ugh.
For background - my mother has never liked the Simpsons. She's never actually watched it, either. But she has always believed that it was a stupid kids' show. Because it was animated, and I watched it and I'm a kid. My mother tends to make a lot of snap judgements about television. The following has actually happened:
[my mother passes through the room, and hears something that she find odd or objectionable coming from the television]
Mother: "What is this that you're watching?!"
Me: "It's a commercial."
Mother: "Oh."
It works better if you can hear the mother-voice.
Anyway, even though I am a ardent Simpsons fan, I haven't actually watched any of the new episodes in about ... 6 or so years. Because it long ago ceased to be funny, and I just couldn't put up with it. I mentioned this to my mother, and she asked: "Gee, do you think maybe you've outgrown it?" Too which I had no response other than to roll my eyes so hard I strained something. And then explained that, no, the show actually ceased to be good the better part of a decade ago, and yet it's somehow still on the air. But I decided to watch it anyway. The episode in a nutshell: Selma hits menopause, so she convinces Homer to pretend to be her husband so she can adopt a baby from China. Um. It sucked. I was unable to do so much as crack a smile for the entire episode. It was frustrating. Sort of like Season 7 of Buffy where I sometimes wondered if they hadn't misplaced the actual script and filmed a fanfic instead.
It's written like a sitcom. There were times when they almost made clever Simpsons-esque jokes, but then they commented on them. The hell? And the episode confirmed what I'd already picked up on 6 years ago: the episode plots have devolved into stunts and issues. Uh. WHY WON'T SOMEONE DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND LET IT END?? And get the first ten seasons out on DVD, eh?
Well anyway! Then I watched Arrested Development! And it was pretty funny, actually. Though I probably won't ever watch it again. I think I knew even as I was watching that I had no intention of making this a regular occurrence, I just wanted to watch it once to say I had. Sort of like how last week I watched "Blind Justice." It actually wasn't bad at all. It was entertaining in its own way. But I probably won't ever watch it again. I have no patience for cop shows, because that's really all that's out there this days. Cop shows with gimmicks, like, "oh he's blind" or "ooh she's a psychic" but still. It's still the same show. There's little else but the same show fifty times.
Anyway, after that I tried to watch a bit of Kelsey Grammer's sketch comedy show, but it didn't hold my interest. It was far inferior to, say, Comedy Central's "The Hollow Men" which, seriously, is the funniest thing I've seen in a damn long time. I've been singing "No, we just sell shoes!" to myself all week. I will definitely watch it again. I hope it stays good.
Let's see. I've also sort of been watching Alias? Because it's on after Lost. It's pretty entertaining, though I have no idea what actual Alias fan think of this season. I've never really cared for Michael Vartan, though. I don't find him especially attractive, and I thought he was a goofball in Never Been Kissed . THERE I SAID IT. Victor Garber on the other hand, now he's awesome.
I used to mock my mother for always watching the Home and Garden Channel. She used to protest that she only did it because there was never anything else on. Now I watch the Home and Garden Channel all the time. Because she's totally right. Also, I wante Debbie Travis and Candice Olsen to come decorate my house. So bad.
I think that's it! I have done nothing to make the internet less boring!
Part of the problem is that I've started watching some shows I like (such as "Lost" and "Veronica Mars" - thanks Kirk!) but they're currently in hiatus until sweeps. Bah.
I probably should have written this entry on Sunday, since that's when ... I originally planned to. And since I am currently very inarticulate and am only writing this because I am, again, bored. But Sunday? Bad tv. See, ordinarily on Sundays we order a pizza and my mother and I watch Lidia Bastianich and Jacques Pepin cook on Channel 13. I'm aware of the irony. But it's good times. However, on this particular Sunday, all the PBS stations were running those fund-raising thingies, and they all sucked and were boring. HBO had nothing but crappy movies. All other stations had nothing but crappy movies. So we watched the TV Guide Channel, and they were making up a girl to look like Lindsay Lohan in a segment called "Look-Alike." I've seen this a few times before, and I'm always amused by the fact that no matter who the girl is being made to look like, that person is always described as if they are the most wonderful, famous, stylish person ever. I mean, I like Ms. Lohan, but does she really have a "signature style"? And the girl they were making up was 16, and they kept claiming that they were trying to give her a more mature and sophisticated look. Um. Isn't Lindsay Lohan, like, 18? I did, however, discover that Lindsay Lohan has a short torso. So do I! This is why I never wear shirts tucked in.
After that, I noticed that Arrested Development was on Fox at 8:30. I always meant to watch it, but I never knew when it was on, so I penciled that into my busy evening. Unfortunately, it was not yet 8, and my mother suggested that we could watch "[my] Simpsons show." Ugh.
For background - my mother has never liked the Simpsons. She's never actually watched it, either. But she has always believed that it was a stupid kids' show. Because it was animated, and I watched it and I'm a kid. My mother tends to make a lot of snap judgements about television. The following has actually happened:
[my mother passes through the room, and hears something that she find odd or objectionable coming from the television]
Mother: "What is this that you're watching?!"
Me: "It's a commercial."
Mother: "Oh."
It works better if you can hear the mother-voice.
Anyway, even though I am a ardent Simpsons fan, I haven't actually watched any of the new episodes in about ... 6 or so years. Because it long ago ceased to be funny, and I just couldn't put up with it. I mentioned this to my mother, and she asked: "Gee, do you think maybe you've outgrown it?" Too which I had no response other than to roll my eyes so hard I strained something. And then explained that, no, the show actually ceased to be good the better part of a decade ago, and yet it's somehow still on the air. But I decided to watch it anyway. The episode in a nutshell: Selma hits menopause, so she convinces Homer to pretend to be her husband so she can adopt a baby from China. Um. It sucked. I was unable to do so much as crack a smile for the entire episode. It was frustrating. Sort of like Season 7 of Buffy where I sometimes wondered if they hadn't misplaced the actual script and filmed a fanfic instead.
It's written like a sitcom. There were times when they almost made clever Simpsons-esque jokes, but then they commented on them. The hell? And the episode confirmed what I'd already picked up on 6 years ago: the episode plots have devolved into stunts and issues. Uh. WHY WON'T SOMEONE DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND LET IT END?? And get the first ten seasons out on DVD, eh?
Well anyway! Then I watched Arrested Development! And it was pretty funny, actually. Though I probably won't ever watch it again. I think I knew even as I was watching that I had no intention of making this a regular occurrence, I just wanted to watch it once to say I had. Sort of like how last week I watched "Blind Justice." It actually wasn't bad at all. It was entertaining in its own way. But I probably won't ever watch it again. I have no patience for cop shows, because that's really all that's out there this days. Cop shows with gimmicks, like, "oh he's blind" or "ooh she's a psychic" but still. It's still the same show. There's little else but the same show fifty times.
Anyway, after that I tried to watch a bit of Kelsey Grammer's sketch comedy show, but it didn't hold my interest. It was far inferior to, say, Comedy Central's "The Hollow Men" which, seriously, is the funniest thing I've seen in a damn long time. I've been singing "No, we just sell shoes!" to myself all week. I will definitely watch it again. I hope it stays good.
Let's see. I've also sort of been watching Alias? Because it's on after Lost. It's pretty entertaining, though I have no idea what actual Alias fan think of this season. I've never really cared for Michael Vartan, though. I don't find him especially attractive, and I thought he was a goofball in Never Been Kissed . THERE I SAID IT. Victor Garber on the other hand, now he's awesome.
I used to mock my mother for always watching the Home and Garden Channel. She used to protest that she only did it because there was never anything else on. Now I watch the Home and Garden Channel all the time. Because she's totally right. Also, I wante Debbie Travis and Candice Olsen to come decorate my house. So bad.
I think that's it! I have done nothing to make the internet less boring!
Saturday
A smoke-free get-together.
Today we had a party for my mother's birthday. Her actual birthday was Thursday. Her age will not be discussed. Nothing at all fancy. It was her, me, my sister, and her friend Grace and we had dinner. She made lasagna. I made the sauce, though, because I make the best ever. No, I do. No... I do. Ever. And we had salad and bread and some cake, and I made crème brulée. It was almost perfect. It's the first time I'd ever attempted making it, and I didn't realize until today that my culinary torch did not come supplied with fuel. I knew my sister would know where to get butane, but I didn't think to ask her until she was already on her way down. So I had to try to carmelize the sugar using the broiler, and it was only somewhat successful. My attempts were applauded nonetheless. Everything else went very well. My sister and I got my mother tickets to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which she will go see later in the month with my Auntie Pat. Yeah, the birthday thing is getting celebrated for a month. And I also surprised her with all these other gifts that she didn't know she was getting (because of the expense of the tickets, we told her that was all she should expect to get. Ha!), including a decorative egg that we saw a woman in California make on Crafters Coast to Coast on HGTV, and I told her "I could make you one of those" and so I did.
For her actual birthday, we had dinner together. I made her baked salmon with garlic and olive oil with potato and salad with apricot vinagrette dressing.
I am so freaking crafty and domestic, I should have my own show. ... That would include many shots of me sitting in front of a computer.
Anyway, what is the title all about? Well, my mother is a smoker. I live with her. So, I live with a smoker. Ordinarily, this is not so much of a problem. Because she doesn't smoke that much (or so I'm given to understand by people who smoke) and I spend a lot of time planted in front of the computer and out of draft of her smoke. Holidays and birthdays, general get-together times, are different though. My sister smokes. My Auntie Pat smokes. Grace smokes (or at least, she did - she informed us tonight that she quit). And holidays involve a lot of people gathered together, smoking.
Now, I'm not one of those annoying people who hates smoke and smokers. I don't care if you smoke. Beyond the fact that, if I care about you, I don't want you to get lung cancer, I don't care. But I am a tiny delicate flower, and it really sucks sometimes. Smoke affects me. Christmas is the worst. Since my sister is a full-fledged adult now and lives in her own home, she has for the past few years decided that she wants to do Christmas up by her. So, my mother's there, my sister's there, my sister's best friend Cherilyn is there (she smokes a lot), and my sister lets my uncle smoke in the house (which my mother doesn't, because he chain smokes unfiltereds). Besides the occasion jocular comment that I just can't avoid, I never say anything. Because I love my family, and I don't give people shit. I don't see the point. But it's like torture sometimes.
Because I can't leave. My presence is required at dinner functions. So I have to stay downstairs, in rooms filled with people smoking, clouded by smoke, and I can't go outside either, because my family doesn't have any summer birthdays, so it's always cold out. And I have to be there for hours. In the last few hours of Christmas Eve this year, all I wanted to do was go home and maybe vomit. Because I felt so ill.
Even today, which was really not bad at all, was not real fun. I had a tissue at my constantly running nose all night. By 8 my eyes started stinging and feeling bleary. They're glazed and rather red at the moment. My face is hot, I feel nauseous, and breathing has been easier. And now, like always, I'm wretchedly tired.
I'm using this time in my blog to complain about what I never complain about out loud at said dinner functions. Because today, I think, I became actively tired off it. It officially became something that makes me not look forward to doing family stuff, doing things and parties with friends who smoke, just ... any situation where I know I'm going to have to deal with this. Before I sat down to type this out, the thought crossed my mind of going to a party where no one was smoking. It was a completely unexpected thought, and my heart nearly burst from joy at the very idea. I have no idea what that would be like, but I bet it would be pretty sweet. I bet it would be pretty nice to live someplace where no one smoked.
Again, I feel it necessary to point out that, if you smoke, I don't care. This is not about lecturing or trying to make anyone feel guilty for smoking. But I'm sensitive to everything. Smoke makes me sick. And when your whole family is around you and not even noticing when their smoke is blowing directly into your bleary-eyed face, it's aggravating. There's only so many places I can move at still be around people.
Uh. On a less irritable note, I'd really like to start making clay figurines again. I used to do it at this wooden table we had in the kitchen, but we got rid of that when we moved, and I really don't have a suitable workspace anymore. But I was always sure that I could make lots of money overpricing and selling them. I have artistic flair.
*blows nose*
For her actual birthday, we had dinner together. I made her baked salmon with garlic and olive oil with potato and salad with apricot vinagrette dressing.
I am so freaking crafty and domestic, I should have my own show. ... That would include many shots of me sitting in front of a computer.
Anyway, what is the title all about? Well, my mother is a smoker. I live with her. So, I live with a smoker. Ordinarily, this is not so much of a problem. Because she doesn't smoke that much (or so I'm given to understand by people who smoke) and I spend a lot of time planted in front of the computer and out of draft of her smoke. Holidays and birthdays, general get-together times, are different though. My sister smokes. My Auntie Pat smokes. Grace smokes (or at least, she did - she informed us tonight that she quit). And holidays involve a lot of people gathered together, smoking.
Now, I'm not one of those annoying people who hates smoke and smokers. I don't care if you smoke. Beyond the fact that, if I care about you, I don't want you to get lung cancer, I don't care. But I am a tiny delicate flower, and it really sucks sometimes. Smoke affects me. Christmas is the worst. Since my sister is a full-fledged adult now and lives in her own home, she has for the past few years decided that she wants to do Christmas up by her. So, my mother's there, my sister's there, my sister's best friend Cherilyn is there (she smokes a lot), and my sister lets my uncle smoke in the house (which my mother doesn't, because he chain smokes unfiltereds). Besides the occasion jocular comment that I just can't avoid, I never say anything. Because I love my family, and I don't give people shit. I don't see the point. But it's like torture sometimes.
Because I can't leave. My presence is required at dinner functions. So I have to stay downstairs, in rooms filled with people smoking, clouded by smoke, and I can't go outside either, because my family doesn't have any summer birthdays, so it's always cold out. And I have to be there for hours. In the last few hours of Christmas Eve this year, all I wanted to do was go home and maybe vomit. Because I felt so ill.
Even today, which was really not bad at all, was not real fun. I had a tissue at my constantly running nose all night. By 8 my eyes started stinging and feeling bleary. They're glazed and rather red at the moment. My face is hot, I feel nauseous, and breathing has been easier. And now, like always, I'm wretchedly tired.
I'm using this time in my blog to complain about what I never complain about out loud at said dinner functions. Because today, I think, I became actively tired off it. It officially became something that makes me not look forward to doing family stuff, doing things and parties with friends who smoke, just ... any situation where I know I'm going to have to deal with this. Before I sat down to type this out, the thought crossed my mind of going to a party where no one was smoking. It was a completely unexpected thought, and my heart nearly burst from joy at the very idea. I have no idea what that would be like, but I bet it would be pretty sweet. I bet it would be pretty nice to live someplace where no one smoked.
Again, I feel it necessary to point out that, if you smoke, I don't care. This is not about lecturing or trying to make anyone feel guilty for smoking. But I'm sensitive to everything. Smoke makes me sick. And when your whole family is around you and not even noticing when their smoke is blowing directly into your bleary-eyed face, it's aggravating. There's only so many places I can move at still be around people.
Uh. On a less irritable note, I'd really like to start making clay figurines again. I used to do it at this wooden table we had in the kitchen, but we got rid of that when we moved, and I really don't have a suitable workspace anymore. But I was always sure that I could make lots of money overpricing and selling them. I have artistic flair.
*blows nose*
Sunday
Lucky Lost Mystery 13.
This is from Jess's entry about Unsolved Lost Mysteries. (Um. This won't ping me, will it?)
I was going to bring it up to add to her list, but I really wanted to ramble on the topic. Lazy!
[Begin Spoiler for Lost up to "Numbers" — Highlight to view]
13. Who (or what) is Alex?
I'd have to say that of all the mysteries, this is the one I wonder about the most. To refresh everyone, in the episode "Solitary" Sayid is captured by Rousseau, and she keeps asking him "Where is Alex?" As Sayid gets tortured for the trouble of not knowing, he's naturally curious about who this Alex person is, and by the end of the episode asks Rousseau about it. Her big dramatic reveal: "Alex was my child."
Now what does that mean! Well, the obvious conclusion we can leap to is that Alex ... is her child. Who is Alex? Is Alex Ethan? Is Alex alive? Is Alex a girl? (As Pat first pointed out to me, "Alex" is a gender neutral name, and Rousseau telling says "child," not "son" or anything like that.)
My first conjecture is that Alex is not dead. Rousseau describes Alex in past tense, yet prior to that, she seemed convinced that Sayid had seen Alex recently. Though the fact that she doesn't know who Alex is hanging out with and "was my child" indicates that she has not seen Alex recently. Although, since she is crazy, there's no ruling out the possibility that Alex is dead, she killed him/her, and has misplaced the corpse that she keeps around for comfort, or something. Moving on!
My second conjecture is: what if Alex is not a person? What if Alex is actually A.L.E.X. or something like that? Rousseau wouldn't be the first person to call a non-human thing a child. She is a scientist after all, and science people are weird. And she's crazy. And French. Anyway. What really started me wondering about this was her dramatic reveal, and the fact that she doesn't specify a gender for Alex. I understand that for the purposes of the show, withholding that information keeps some suspense built up. But from a practical standpoint, this is her DRAMATIC REVEAL. Why would she spill to Sayid that Alex is her child, but not go the arguabley more natural step and say that Alex is her son/daughter? Maybe I should ask some of my friends who've had babies, but to me, "child" doesn't really seem like the most natural utterance if you're talking about someone who is actually your child and whose gender you are certain of.
My other tip-off was, if Alex is her son/daughter, how old is Alex? And how old is Rousseau? She's been on the island for 16 years, and is a bit weathered by the lifestyle, but she doesn't seem that old. She doesn't seem old enough, for instance, to have had a grown child 16 years ago. Now, sure. But that means that Alex would have had to grow up on the island. So, was Alex born on the island? Was Rousseau knocked up when they crashed, or did she become knocked up shortly afterwards (before she killed her husband, anyway)? If so, then Alex is at most 16, which really messes up the timeline in terms of how early Alex could have run off and how long Rousseau has been alone. But the other option is that she brought a young child with her on a scientific escapade. Which ... I don't know, doesn't sit right with me somehow. Maybe it's because Sayid asks her if Alex was on their team, and she doesn't answer. Or maybe it's just because I don't think it's normal to take your young child on dangerous/boring science missions. But maybe I'm wrong!
But anyway, I'm now working off the assumption that Alex is something other than a human child.
Maybe Alex is the monster?
[End Spoiler]
Man, this is nowhere near as complete or coherent as it was when I was thinking it up in the shower 5 hours ago.
I was going to bring it up to add to her list, but I really wanted to ramble on the topic. Lazy!
[Begin Spoiler for Lost up to "Numbers" — Highlight to view]
13. Who (or what) is Alex?
I'd have to say that of all the mysteries, this is the one I wonder about the most. To refresh everyone, in the episode "Solitary" Sayid is captured by Rousseau, and she keeps asking him "Where is Alex?" As Sayid gets tortured for the trouble of not knowing, he's naturally curious about who this Alex person is, and by the end of the episode asks Rousseau about it. Her big dramatic reveal: "Alex was my child."
Now what does that mean! Well, the obvious conclusion we can leap to is that Alex ... is her child. Who is Alex? Is Alex Ethan? Is Alex alive? Is Alex a girl? (As Pat first pointed out to me, "Alex" is a gender neutral name, and Rousseau telling says "child," not "son" or anything like that.)
My first conjecture is that Alex is not dead. Rousseau describes Alex in past tense, yet prior to that, she seemed convinced that Sayid had seen Alex recently. Though the fact that she doesn't know who Alex is hanging out with and "was my child" indicates that she has not seen Alex recently. Although, since she is crazy, there's no ruling out the possibility that Alex is dead, she killed him/her, and has misplaced the corpse that she keeps around for comfort, or something. Moving on!
My second conjecture is: what if Alex is not a person? What if Alex is actually A.L.E.X. or something like that? Rousseau wouldn't be the first person to call a non-human thing a child. She is a scientist after all, and science people are weird. And she's crazy. And French. Anyway. What really started me wondering about this was her dramatic reveal, and the fact that she doesn't specify a gender for Alex. I understand that for the purposes of the show, withholding that information keeps some suspense built up. But from a practical standpoint, this is her DRAMATIC REVEAL. Why would she spill to Sayid that Alex is her child, but not go the arguabley more natural step and say that Alex is her son/daughter? Maybe I should ask some of my friends who've had babies, but to me, "child" doesn't really seem like the most natural utterance if you're talking about someone who is actually your child and whose gender you are certain of.
My other tip-off was, if Alex is her son/daughter, how old is Alex? And how old is Rousseau? She's been on the island for 16 years, and is a bit weathered by the lifestyle, but she doesn't seem that old. She doesn't seem old enough, for instance, to have had a grown child 16 years ago. Now, sure. But that means that Alex would have had to grow up on the island. So, was Alex born on the island? Was Rousseau knocked up when they crashed, or did she become knocked up shortly afterwards (before she killed her husband, anyway)? If so, then Alex is at most 16, which really messes up the timeline in terms of how early Alex could have run off and how long Rousseau has been alone. But the other option is that she brought a young child with her on a scientific escapade. Which ... I don't know, doesn't sit right with me somehow. Maybe it's because Sayid asks her if Alex was on their team, and she doesn't answer. Or maybe it's just because I don't think it's normal to take your young child on dangerous/boring science missions. But maybe I'm wrong!
But anyway, I'm now working off the assumption that Alex is something other than a human child.
Maybe Alex is the monster?
[End Spoiler]
Man, this is nowhere near as complete or coherent as it was when I was thinking it up in the shower 5 hours ago.
Thursday
This post's for Jess.
Because she had a good point!
[Begin Spoiler for Lost - "Numbers" — Highlight to view]
Beth asked me if this episode sucked or not, and I'm not really sure! I mean, it didn't suck in the sense that nothing happened. In fact, that's what I told her. That, you know, stuff totally happened! And that I know for sure.
But it's always tricky when stuff happens, especially stuff that colors all that came before it. Because now I find myself wondering about Hurley's entire time on the island. Because if he's living this cursed life and all of a sudden the plane he's on crashes onto a deserted island ... you have to think that he'd already be wondering if he doesn't have something to do with that. So, did he act like it? I can't really tell. And have other bad things happened on the island when Hurley was around? I'm not sure!
See, I'm not sure how I feel because I can't instantly tell if this well a well-planned development. I mean, it certainly didn't make me think, "Oh! That explains why Hurley was acting all weird!" Because as far as I know, he wasn't.
Although being filthy rich would totally explain why he's so laid-back. And even though his flashbacks were not what I was expecting, and were sadly, sadly bereft of video games and computers, I think everyone suspected that he was a major piece in the whole mystery island puzzle.
Although I don't think the numbers are cursed. Because how could any multiples of 4 be bad! I refuse to accept!
[End Spoiler]
I'd really like to know what other people think, because I'm sadly insight deficient.
[Begin Spoiler for Lost - "Numbers" — Highlight to view]
Beth asked me if this episode sucked or not, and I'm not really sure! I mean, it didn't suck in the sense that nothing happened. In fact, that's what I told her. That, you know, stuff totally happened! And that I know for sure.
But it's always tricky when stuff happens, especially stuff that colors all that came before it. Because now I find myself wondering about Hurley's entire time on the island. Because if he's living this cursed life and all of a sudden the plane he's on crashes onto a deserted island ... you have to think that he'd already be wondering if he doesn't have something to do with that. So, did he act like it? I can't really tell. And have other bad things happened on the island when Hurley was around? I'm not sure!
See, I'm not sure how I feel because I can't instantly tell if this well a well-planned development. I mean, it certainly didn't make me think, "Oh! That explains why Hurley was acting all weird!" Because as far as I know, he wasn't.
Although being filthy rich would totally explain why he's so laid-back. And even though his flashbacks were not what I was expecting, and were sadly, sadly bereft of video games and computers, I think everyone suspected that he was a major piece in the whole mystery island puzzle.
Although I don't think the numbers are cursed. Because how could any multiples of 4 be bad! I refuse to accept!
[End Spoiler]
I'd really like to know what other people think, because I'm sadly insight deficient.
Tuesday
Blah!
I hate the internet. It makes me unhappy, I don't like it, and everything about it sucks.
At least, that's my mood swing right now. Sigh.
At least, that's my mood swing right now. Sigh.
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