Stream of Conscience

It’s been awhile, no? Yes? And forget the Thursday 13 thing. I think they’re going to throw me out any minute. It was a good idea for awhile, but this networking stuff is damn hard! Especially when 95% of the blogs I’m supposed to network with can’t be accessed.

Last night was kind of interesting. I picked up the phone to make a call, but couldn’t get a dial tone. I checked all the other phones in the house (all wireless) and none of them worked. So I went around checking all the phone connections. All were ok, but the phones still didn’t work. Oh my God! How was I going to order pizza?!?!? Thanks goodness the cell phone was charged. I then tried to call home from the cell phone, but got a busy signal. Did that a couple of times, then misplaced the cell phone. Doh! And how could I call the cell phone and have it ring when I didn’t have a telephone line in the house?? Oh technology, you are a cruel mistress.

I ended up pulling out every single phone and the answering machine and unplugging them. At some point in the night I woke up and remembered I actually still had a wired phone. I’d long ago turned off the ringer and it’s kind of hidden in a far corner of the kitchen, so it’s easy to forget. Hmm, maybe the cleaning ladies accidentally knocked the receiver off the hook when they were there on Wed. No, I did not get up in the middle of the night to check it out. I’m not that desperate. But I did check it out this morning. The receiver was firmly in place, and I had a dial tone.

So I went about the house plugging the phones in one by one and checking them. I think the culprit might have been my old answering machine. I decided to keep things simple and leave it unplugged. And once I got the integrated phone system answering machine set up, I chucked the old one in the trash can. I figure it’s about 20 years old, and it’s had a good life. Time to move on.

I think I’ll head to the library this afternoon to see if I can check out Michael Critchton’s The Andromeda Strain. Why? Because.

This week has been hellish. I had a serious meltdown on Wed. I hadn’t had one in quite a long time, and was trying to figure out what triggered it. I don’t get PMS anymore, so that wasn’t it. The bitchiness of menopause has long since passed. And my happy pills have been working quite well for the past year—I’ve been able to let things roll off my back and not take things personally. But something triggered me to get VERY upset. Well, it was a series of somethings that started on Monday.

Granted, it’s been a very high-tempo, high-stress week, with VIP visitors and super-VIP briefings, very similar to the week I noted here, only worse. And while times like this are stressful, I can usually cope.

I finally figured out what the problem was on Friday. Besides all the high-tempo stuff, it was the first week of daylight savings time. Perhaps my circadian clock is off.

Either that, or I actually cared about what I was doing. I’m going with the daylight savings time, because if I don’t, I’m not sure I’ll make it to retirement.

I’ve been joking at my LiveJournal website that I’m addicted to making user pics, those little pictures that can posted with each post and comment. (WordPress has gravatars, but you only get 1 [to my knowledge]. LJ gives you a boatload [if you pay for them].

Well, it’s not a joke any more. This week my addiction hit critical mass. While it’s been affecting my personal time for quite awhile now, preventing me from getting certain weekend chores done, this week it affected my work life. I won’t go into the details because it’s much too embarrassing, but suffice it to say I sunk to a new low.

What surprised me was how similar my behavior is to that of an alcoholic or drug abuser. It really affected my mental state.

Fortunately, I’ve been able to pull myself out of the rut I was in. At least for now. But the weekend looms before me. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some of my chores done before I sit down at the computer. And when I do sit down, I’m hoping I’ll be able to do those things I need to do first, before I start playing around.

Today is my favorite day on QVC, Big Bonanza Silver Day. And this is the first year it’s been on a weekend when I’ve actually remembered it. I must admit, I’ve been watching some of it, but haven’t been totally glued to the tv—yet.

This year QVC has competition for my affection from Jewelry Television. Today is their “Silver Showcase.” I think it actually started last night at 8:00 p.m., but I was busy watching episodes of Dark Angel I’d taped from the SciFi channel’s marathon they had on Thursday.

I think I might be safe from spending too much money. My second favorite QVC day is “Creed Silver Strike” which is sometime early in October; I think Oct 2nd. I know this because I was home all day last year, recovering from my sinus surgery. I was worried it would make a dent in my pocket book, but I ended up buying absolutely nothing. There just wasn’t anything I was interested in. Shocking!

So far I’ve haven’t been too tempted by either channel. There are a couple items that have peaked my interest, but they’re either too expensive (for silver) or (if they’re rings) they’re out of my size. That’s good for my pocketbook; especially since the Jewelry Channel did me in when I was home for 2 weeks with my broken foot. (I just paid the bill today. Ouch! And although I did return a couple of the most expensive items, but the refund hasn’t shown up on the bill yet.  Good news for next month, I guess.)

Last night I decided to run a small experiment. Granted, it’s not statistically accurate, seeing as it only had a n of 1, i.e., me. But I believe the results are worth publishing.

In essence, I wanted to see what the Supernatural story arc would have been like had they kept the last 3 episodes in their original order. So, I started with “Dream a Little Dream of Me” mainly because the ending of that episode sets up the beginning of “Jus in Bello.” Some people felt the episodes were out of order because “Mystery Spot” ended up being sandwiched in between finding the Colt missing (end of “Dream..”) and searching for it (beginning of “Jus..”)

My conclusions? The revised order was the way to go.

“Jus in Bello” is what I consider an epic episode, one of those shows in which the series’ “canon” changes course. So it was a fitting finale going into the WGA-imposed hiatus. But in addition, the progression of the brothers’ psyches makes more sense by airing “Mystery Spot” prior to “Jus in Bello.”

At the beginning of MS, Dean’s attitude is cheery and playful, and Sam’s attitude is light enough to appreciate Dean’s silliness. Of course, Sam becomes more and more agitated and desperate as the show progresses; and although things work out in the end, he is worried about the future.

The beginning of “Jus in Bello” has the boys tending to business (at least in the Winchester sense of “business”), trying to find the missing Colt. Things go to hell very quickly, and while Dean is able to continue making his patented wise-cracks, he is scared and nervous. The episode is very serious, and at the very end, the brothers are devastated.

It wouldn’t have made sense for Dean to be all bright & cheery at the beginning of MS, given his utter sadness at the end of JiB. And Sam’s more solemn demeanor in JiB was totally in keeping with his experiences in MS.

So all in all, my research indicates that Kripke and company did the right thing.

And so, Supernatural goes out with a bang for the WGA strike-imposed hiatus. It’ll be gone for about 2 months. And then we get, what, 4 new episodes (or is it only 3) before the season end?

Yes, it was a worthy quasi-season ending show, but not without its flaws. At least in my mind. Sadly, the killing off of interesting guest characters has become much too predictable, especially when Sera Gamble writes the episode. It’s especially sad when I know Eric Kripke and company are capable of so much better story-telling.

But the bigger flaws for me were the beginning and the end.

Backstory: I was irritated when the show was said to be bringing on two new female “regulars. ” I was told they would be only recurring stars, and yet their names appear before the “guest star” credits, above such venerable favorites as Jim Beaver’s Bobby Singer and Samantha Ferris’ Ellen Harvelle (who, although being a fan favorite has been sorely missing from this season, due most likely to her “old” age of 40).

Most fans are warming up to Ruby. Not me. Granted, the character was somewhat interesting in her first few episodes, due mainly to the mystery surrounding her. But now that the mystery is over, where’s the interest? To bitch at the brothers, telling them what they’re doing wrong, scolding them like misbehaving 10-year-olds? And now that it’s been made clear that she has no plan to save Dean from his fate, what purpose does she have? She says it’s to get Sam ready to fight the coming war on his own. I think last week’s episode showed us that Sam will indeed be able to not only survive, but “thrive” in ridding the world of the bad guys. Yes, he’ll lose his humanity, but the world will become a safer place because of him. So now, what purpose is it exactly that Ruby has? None that I can think of.

I might be more willing to accept the character if it were placed in the hands of a better actress. Katie Cassidy seems to be incapable of playing anything beyond a one-note bitch with a raspy voice. Eric Kripke says she’s growing into the role, but the way I see it, the role is becoming more one-dimensional, probably because they’re writing to the actress’ “strengths.”

As for the Bela character, she just sets my teeth on edge. Supposedly the writers loved writing her, and can’t understand why the audience hasn’t accepted her. Well yeah, writing nasty characters is fun. You get to put in all those traits you wish you could show, but are just not really acceptable in real life. The problem is, she’s a “regular.” The audience knows they’re stuck with her week after week after week. They’ve made her such a selfish, conniving, smart-ass, I really don’t give a crap what her back story is. Lately, her appearances have seemed forced, and she’s been nothing more than a plot device. Such a character does nothing to enhance the show.

One of the posters at Television Without Pity (which I swore I’d stay away from, but just can’t seem to) said something I think bears repeating:

That? That’s called jumping the shark. It’s officially no longer the Winchester brothers show. Crap. Here I was defending the changes season to season, the evolution–but Bela at the end taking control? That just sucks. I’ve just really lost interest, though I’m sure I’ll keep watching.

I actually felt something similar. Not so much that the show had jumped the shark, but I had the very same feeling that if the show continues on its current path, I’ll most likely lose interest, and might even stop watching.

I started a blog entry Wed evening (non-T13) but didn’t finish it and saved it to draft. Then I looked at all the draft posts I have and I think I have 13 of the them. So, this week’s T13 is to post the first sentence or two of each draft. I’m going to go in WordPress’ “numerical” order, which is not necessarily chronological order.

Thirteen draft posts I’ve yet to publish

1. Even though I did a tv show last week [for T13], I’m going to do another one this week. Not because I’m one-dimensional, but because I’d started this quite awhile ago, and I’m not in the mood think up 13 other things just now.
   Geez, and I still haven’t posted it. (BTW, the T13 was is “Thirteen reasons to watch Supernatural.”
2. I drove into DC yesterday. My niece was in town & we had planned to do lunch together.
   This is a wonderful post about a beautiful day. I thought I had published it, but apparently didn’t. I’ve hesitated posting it because it’s outdated, but it’d make a good “memory” post, so look for it soon.
3. I have a little under one year until I can retire. So, I’ve been thinking about (and looking forward to) life without work.
   Another early Thursday 13 post titled “Thirteen places I’d consider retiring to.” Just to show you how old it is, I now have only 63 days before I can retire.
4. Yet another Thursday 13. There’s no “first sentence” because I haven’t written anything except the list.
5. Just like the previously mentioned post, there’s nothing posted except the list of “Thirteen favorite foods.” (#1 is chocolate.)
6. I am so bad at wasting precious time playing computer games.
   And yet another T13: “Thirteen things I can do besides play computer games.” I’m up to 11 items.
7. When I was stationed in Italy, my parents came over for a visit and we toured Europe together.
   Finally, something other than a T13! It’s another great story worthy of being published.
8. At yesterday morning’s daily update, the briefer presented some information about the communication satellites we use.
   Like list item #2, the post is past it’s prime. But it’ll get posted one day. Maybe when I retire.
9. The ridiculous to sublime
   (Yes, no punctuation.) T13 listing my 13 favorite movies, but I’m only up to 9.
10. It’s the “template” of the T13 links and paragraph. I copy & paste it into each T13 because I’m too lazy to type it all in every time.
11. Good grief! This is the same thing as item #10, except it’s titled “Thursday Thirteen #5.” Looks like I can re-purpose this one.
12. As I went to sleep on Monday night I realized I had forgotten to watch “Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronicles.” Terminator (the original) is one of my favorite movies of all time (to be noted someday on a Thursday Thirteen), so I was anxious to see the series.
    Hmmm, I thought I posted this one. Oh, ok. I see this one is different from the one I actually posted, and goes on to talk a little be about The L Word (which I don’t love enough to make it a separate category).
13. Does anyone know of any software that allows you to post to multiple blogs at one time?
    Hey, it’s the post I mentioned at the start of this entry! The one I didn’t finish and then got sidetracked by T13. I’ve come full circle. So, can anyone answer the question? If not, it’ll become it’s very own post. If I do get an answer, I’ll re-purpose the post.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! | View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

It looks like I can add a new sub-category under “Couch Critic,” Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronicles. But since that’s such a long title, I’ll just be calling it Terminator. Not to be confused with the (original) movie, of course. I’m pretty sure I mentioned this elsewhere on the blog (I did! I just found it), but “Terminator” (the original) is one of my all-time favorite movies. So I was really excited that we were getting a tv series. However, the series starts after “Terminator: Judgment Day” (or T-2), which is my least favorite and thus least watched of the T movies. I suppose I ought to join NetFlix so that I can order it.

I missed the series pilot, coming in on the second episode. But apparently Fox heard my pleas, because they rebroadcast the pilot the week before the Superbowl. So, now I have the “complete” series on my DVR, soon to be transferred to DVD.

I’ve been enjoying the show. I really like this Sarah. Lena Headey has a somewhat husky voice that’s great for the voice-overs. (Otherwise they probably wouldn’t work.) And Thomas Dekker is a very appealing John. Although there is talk on some boards that he’s too pretty for the role, I say, he should be pretty! Kyle Reese was his father, and he was quite pretty. (I’m also surprised to find out that I’m not the only one who had a major Kyle Reese crush in the day. Good to know.) And Summer Glau as Cameron, the robot/android/machine (I don’t really think I can call her a terminator, since that’s not her purpose) is not only awesome, but provides some great comic relief.

And while I’ve been enjoying the series, last night’s episode turned the corner. I loved it! It had some wonderful key plot twists (about 4 that I can think of) which I hope will be built on. Let’s see if I can name the twists: 1) the mysterious stranger turns out to be not only the 4th resistance fighter, but also 2) one of John’s best soldiers from the future (per Cameron), and 3) Kyle Reese’s brother (!!); 4) T-888 is terminated, and 5) Charlie now knows Sarah is alive. And the final twist? Who knew David Austin Green could actually act and be kind of menacing?

1. First of all, let’s talk Supernatural, because in my universe there’s nothing more important (and soon, more rare) than a new episode on Thursday night. “Dream a Little Dream of Me” was a great episode, one I definitely need to watch again. And probably again and again. And holy-foreshadowing, Nuj! Last week Nuj talked about how hot Dean with demon eyes would be. So I started working on an icon for her. And this week? There he is! Demon-eyed-Dean! Will we start calling him DED? Because we all know Dean is so hawt he killz us ded.

2. While in the cafeteria yesterday for lunch, a man behind me saw my boot and said “Please tell me you received that on your time off and not at work.” I looked around, smiled and said, “Nope. I fell down those stairs right there.” Turns out the guy is the safety manager for the place where I work. He didn’t know about my accident because all my workman’s comp paperwork went through the place where I’m employed, which is not my “place of duty.” (It gets even more complicated than that, but I’ll spare you the gory details.) He was great. He wanted the details and took my name & number. I told him about how I really don’t like that particular stairwell because the steps all blend into one another. He said that’s precisely the type of thing he needs to know about so that he can do something about it. *facepalm*

3. I had a hell of time with Thursday Thirteen yesterday. First of all, about 90% of the participants use Blogspot, which I can’t access at work. (Ok, so I shouldn’t be blogging at work, I know.) And when I tried commenting on WordPress.com blogs, my reply timed out. And a few choice blogs I wanted to comment at had not updated. Guess it just wasn’t my day for T13.

cute header by Heather

This week’s Thursday 13 is courtesy of The Chatterbox, and it’s just about the best T13 I’ve come across. Evah!

Thirteen answers to Thursday Thirteen questions

1. What is your favorite blog?
   Lorelle on WordPress. I learn something from her everyday. (Or at least every day I read her. )
2. What is your blog?
   This is it, Stream of Conscious. Although I do have others (which I’ll mention below).
3. How long have you been doing Thursday Thirteen?
   Officially, about 5 or 6 weeks. I’ve been “counting” them for 8 weeks (obviously). But I see I have a total of 17 Thursday Thirteen entries. However, the first ones were in no way consistent.
4. Do you comment on a lot of Thursday Thirteens, or just a couple?
   I’m actually trying to up my comment quota every week. Right now it’s just a few.
5. Do you participate in Thursday Thirteen every week or just when you think of it?
   I’ve been doing it every week for the past few weeks, and that’s my goal.
6. Does it take you a long time to come up with ideas for your blog?
   Do you mean the blog itself or the T13? My biggest problem with the blog is that I’ll write something, but then not publish it. Then it becomes outdated. As for T13 topics, I’ll often think of things during the week. (I actually have about 3 or 4 T13 posts in draft form.) If I don’t come up with an idea, I steal one from Natalie.
7. How many blogs do you run?
   I’m running my Benjamin Bratt fansite as a blog right now, and I recently created one to help me track my progress fixing up my home. I had one where I posted my efforts at trying to learn the inner workings of WordPress, but in cleaning up my web space, I deleted it.   I started another one, but haven’t posted anything yet, so I’m not sure that counts. Oh! And I had a blog at LiveJournal. I started that one so that I could commune with all the other Supernatural fans. Just this week, though, I let the blog go. But I still have my account, so that I can easily reply and keep up with people I like & communities I’m interested in.
8. Is blogging a hobby or a business for you?
   Right now it’s a hobby, but I want to look into advertising for a couple of my blogs and websites.
9. How much do you work on your blog(s)?
   Not as much as I should!
10. What other memes do you enjoy?
    Um, what is a meme exactly?
11. Do you participate in blog carnivals?
    I haven’t yet, but it’s something I’m thinking about. Maybe even running one. But first I have to figure out how they work.
12. How long have you been blogging?
    My blog goes back to Septemer 2006, but I actually started blogging before that. I think I started the blog 3 or 4 times, but deleted them because they weren’t “perfect.”
13. Anything else you care to share?
    I really regret deleting my prior blog attempts. There were some very good, soulful posts that I’ll never be able to recreate. But at least I learned to just jump in and not try to figure out what I want the end-state to be. After all, it’s the journey, not the destination, right?

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! | View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!