Before You Go

So, I was camping all weekend. I've never been camping before, so for the most part it was an interesting experience. Though, apparently I'm a sleepwalker...at four am...in the pouring rain. I circled the tent and came back thankfully. I've been known to sleepwalk, but the last time I can specifically remember doing so was in junior high.

I liked Transformers 2. Not loved, but liked. Actually, I hadn't seen the first one until that afternoon and I went to the midnight premiere, so I might have been too tired to really have much of an opinion besides I know I enjoyed it and the actions sequences got too long for my taste. I'm heading out to see it again today...even though I just got back from camping and I'm so tired...again. Sleep? What's that?

Went to a dueling piano bar on Thursday night. It was awesome even though there was a teacher's conference going on and those very teachers had been drinking four hours since the show started...they were at least entertaining. ^_^

Question...does anyone know when the next Doctor Who movie is playing or when Torchwood is going to start? I'm glad to see Dexter and Entourage are coming back soon, but I feel like I'm in a void for tv shows right now. I need to catch up on Heroes, but that's it. I want something new. =(

It was hot...and sticky out today. Probably the worse we've had so far this summer/spring. Spring was pretty mild with snow holding on and summer so far has been not too warm, but not too much rain...well, yesterday it rained and the humidity went through the roof leaving everything so icky. I guess I wouldn't complain so much, but I work outside...that means eight hours in the sun today with all the stickiness and heat with tomorrow being supposedly just as bad.

I'm now suitably crabby and all I wanted to do when I got home was watch Farscape, because if Ben Browder in leather duds doesn't cheer me up nothing will.

And you know what? It sort of worked.

I've been watching Farscape the last few weeks from the beginning. I hold that show in high regard and consider it my very favorite of favorite shows. It trumps Supernatural and Doctor Who and any other show I wax poetic on. I really, really love Farscape, but in all my love I won't get into the fandom or read any fanfiction, because that would just be tainting what I enjoyed so much.

With all that I realize there was season one episodes I had never seen. I've never done this sort of marathon with my DVDs where I've watched every season. I've always just picked certain episodes I've wanted to watch or ones that I'm nostalgic for. I also didn't get into the show until a couple of episodes into the first season and back then I was in high school and super busy. I didn't always have time to watch the show and while I tried to tape things (before the days of DVR/Tivo being everywhere and being able to watch online was nonexistent) and catch up I now am realizing I missed about three episodes in the shuffle. I'm appalled that I've went this long praising the show without realizing that my viewing of it is incomplete.

Even though it's been six years since the show went off the air (and cut short besides) I must say I still find it relevant and I totally got into as I watched a couple of episodes each night. I'm about half way through the fourth season and once again I'm sad that I'm so close to the end. I did this with the very last episode of Farscape when it first aired...I taped it (was on a trip to Washington DC at the time) and then just couldn't get myself to watch it. It took well over a year til I actually sat down and watched it. While Peacekeeper Wars helped by giving an ending I still felt cheated out of the promised fifth season.

*runs back to watch the leather arse*

'Cock and Squirt' are not 'Kirk and Spock' no matter what my addled brain thinks. I don't even know where it came from...I've never used it...but it just rolled off the tongue like it was meant to be said like that. My co-workers already think I'm just a hop and skip away from a mental institution I really didn't need to add more fuel to the fire. My mouth and brain never really did learn to communicate well together. Embarrassed? Me? Not really since it's not the first time I've looked like an idiot in public...and it won't be the last...sadly.

Did I mention I have a new pretty super duper computer? Well, I do. It's a built machine and I'm really loving it. I wanted a Mac, but since my mother was meeting me most of the way on it as a gift I wasn't going to be greedy. It's a built machine by a guy who I really trust and can rely on to stand behind his stuff.

( Greek Thoughts )

Now, to go find something shiny to occupy my attention...^_^

The Hangover is awesome.  Bradley Cooper is wonderful...loved him since Nip/Tuck and every other little side character he's seemed to have done in the meantime.  Hopefully, this movie will give him some cred and he'll be able to show his pretty eyes more on the big screen.  *begs Hollywood gods for more Brad*

I could never really watch Star Trek...especially the original. Oh, I semi-liked TNG since it played when I was young and my dad watched it and I watched anything my dad did pretty much at that time. I've still fond of it in that it played a part in my childhood, but I wouldn't call myself a fan by any means. Oh, Jean-Luc Picard was pretty awesome. I also was found of Data and his cat. The Purple-Suit Lady bothered me. A lot. Don't know why. Maybe it was the purple suit. What little I remember of the show is an overall fondness, but I'm not up to rewatching the show any time soon. If anyone asks me what my favorite Trek is I don't hesitate to say TNG, because while I will admit to watching less than a dozen each of Voyager and DS9 neither one really even caught my fleeting interest like TNG did.

There are a bunch of reasons why Star Trek probably didn't appeal to me, but one of the main ones would be that I usually don't like my sci-fi so...structured. The main characters are all wearing uniforms and it's all commands and sirs and *yawn*. It seems that any sci-fi show that goes down that route I can't garner interest in it.

It may also have to do with William Shatner and my complete loathing for the man. Just maybe. My father loves the original Trek and while I do blame Shatner for most of my unwillingness to give it much of a try there is other reasons like the one I stated above and others. I just never really jived right with Star Trek. Maybe, the fact that I dislike Shatner has kept me from even giving any of the other series a fair try...or maybe I just want my sci-fi a little less in a nicely wrapped box and I little more...disjointed and fucked up.

That being said I don't know what's changed, but something must have. See, when I heard the list of actors in the current movie I squealed...a lot; Simon Pegg (Shawn!), Zachary Quinto (Sylar!), Karl Urban (Caesar!), John Cho (Harold!). Even Eric Bana, whom I really haven't seen any of his movies, I can respect. I was intrigued by Chris Pine, because I remember him in that silly sequel I shall not name and while I can't say I loved him from there...I didn't hate him and I surprisingly remembered his name when I saw him cast as Kirk.

So, a few days after the movie is released I convinced my old school Trekkie father to go. I'm curious and the commercials seemed good...and it didn't have Shatner...and I might not have recognized it for Star Trek right off the bat if I hadn't purposely sot it out.

I completely fell in love with the movie and proceeded to see it a second time. I really don't know why the movie totally rocks yet I can't watch any of the tv series with any of the same level of fandomy glee. I find myself seeking out fanfiction, but making sure it's labeled properly with IX or Reboot or something along those lines, because I when I think of Kirk I want Chris Pine...not William Shatner. The way I've approached this fandom is quite odd since usually I want to catch up anything I've missed that would help me understand the characters and the story better, but I'm not going to be watching TOS any time soon. I'm glad the original show happened for the sake that I have a shiny new movie I'm currently in love with. I'm also glad the movie did an alternative time thing, because it almost makes me feel less guilty about not catching up with fandom past.

For the record my father really enjoyed the movie...and it was probably one of the most pleasant times I've spent with him in the last decade or so...until he opened his mouth after the movie to rant and rave about certain...factors he felt contributed to the fall of the Star Trek franchise after TNG. Let's just say he tied in a bit of his own homophobia. I didn't care to tell him that if you Googled 'Kirk and Spock' you probably wouldn't find anything that wasn't of a gay nature...and that's of his original precious show.

Now, I'm off to read something completely...not so clean...

Concert Tidbits...

I went down to Minneapolis to see Franz Ferdinand at First Ave. They are simply amazing. They were in my top five lists of bands to see and to be able to see them and be as close as I was (wasn't right at the stage, but I was very, very close) was a dream. They give an awesome show and I wished I or my friend had remembered a camera, but I've got the memories in my head if not any pretty snapshots. *pouts* The third song they played was "Michael", which is the song I most wanted to here. The song will continue to remind me of QaF and all the good and bad memories from that fandom. "Michael" was the first Franz Ferdinand song I ever heard and I listened to on recommendation of another B/M fan, so it's kind of nostalgic to finally be there and listen to the band actually play it.

I was hot and sweaty last night, I woke up with a killer headache today really late, but it was all worth it.

Dreamwidth...Taking Over The Nets One Blogger at a Time...

So, thanks to the uberly-lovely katfusionI now have a Deamwidth. Not jumping bandwagon, just adding another bandwagon. Need an exit plan if the new journal site does take off and I'd like to take my username with me. I also think it would be smart to crosspost with another journal. I've got MySpace and Facebook, but those are networking sites. You can find me here: http://ajmckay.dreamwidth.org/.

Tv Show Thoughts...Better Later Than Never...

( Chuck ) ( Supernatural )

Winter storm heading this way this afternoon. It looks quite dreary out right now, but no snow as of yet. I work the late shift, so it should be interesting driving home this evening. The Farmer's Book of Voodoo...I mean the Farmer's Almanac says "Spring" should be here in about eight days. Winter storm...springtime a week later? Not sure about that one. The snow is suppose to head into tomorrow...and low and behold I work the earlier shift. Great. Fun stuff. Memo to self, bring boots to work with me. The cute black ones preferably.

I wish I could stay home and catch up on telly shows today. I'm so behind on everything. My days off are filled with jaunts around the state and late/early morning drinking fests. I need to stop that and become lazy and sit in front of my 'puter. Yes, yes I do.

How good is The Seeker? I am curious.

So, Fargo, North Dakota is flooding...badly. I've had friends, family, and co-workers all up there the last few days volunteering to sandbag. First, the snow melted so fast, because the weather went from unbelievably cold with lots of snow packed around from the many snow falls this winter to temps that would melt the snow within a few days. Then it rained...a lot...then it snowed...quite a bit...the weather has dropped down into the 20s F and people are still out there sandbagging. Besides all the people I know helping to sandbag I know quite a few people who live up there. I'm only a couple of hours from Fargo and my hometown is only about 90 minutes away. The water levels are breaking records...an article on what's happening is here. Hopefully, they'll be able to sandbag enough that the water will only get to a few homes instead of a large amount.

I just looked on my Facebook and it doesn't look like some of my friends' efforts have paid off. That really stinks. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that the water doesn't rise as high as the reports are saying or that the sandbagging will actually work in some areas. =(

It's -30 F out right now, which means it's fucking cold. Next week it's suppose to be in the 30s, which should feel like a bloody heatwave about now. In this state we whine about 30s when fall temps drop there, but after we've had days of bitterly cold temps in the 20s and 30s feels really good. 40s and 50s will bring out the shorts and t-shirts...not kidding...just not me since I'm not quite that crazy, but I would forgo a winter coat for a lighter jacket or sweatshirt. In comparision it does feel *really* warmer. Anyone else get what I mean or do you all think I'm crazy?

Work time...still have a job...barely...^_^

Most likely between May/June of 2009 I'll be going to Toronto for a week. No particular reason besides the fact that chipychan has never been to Canada and my limit of my northern neighbors is Winnipeg back in 2002. We've kind of decided this all on a whim, but the more we talk about it the more excited we get and with her getting married next October it'll be like a last outing for the two of us before then. Right now tickets are looking around $200 to $300 for round-trip and the since she works for a large hotel chain she can get us reservations at one of those locations super cheap. Since I know a lot of my flist friends have traveled to that city what recommendations do you all have for where to eat/shop/tour/etc.? We've got some ideas, but I love hearing from those who've actually experienced things. I've wanted to take another trip since coming back from Japan earlier this year (just one not quite so expensive as that, even though it was freakin' awesome) and for the last three or more years I've been trying to make it back to Canada.

I remember being really disappointed when another friend backed out of the Dragon*Con trip earlier this year, so I'm hoping this trip will make up for it.

In quiz time...

Which creature of the night are you? Your Result: Demon   Your raging id needs no chemical incentive to break out into a fiery orgy of destruction. When you're not burning, you're brooding. All you need is someone to point the way out for you.
Sorceror
Cthulu Spawn
Ghost
Werewolf
Vampire
Incubus/Succubus
Which creature of the night are you? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Huh, I tbought I'd be a sorceror for sure. I guess I'm just bad at predicting these things. My own mother would totally get behind the demon theory, though. She's already got some theory that I'm an alien changeling switched during my ambulance ride to Fargo after my birth. Even my own mother thinks I'm an odd duck. =)

Which Torchwood Character Are You? Your Result: Ianto Jones   You most resemble the team's composed, sarcastic general support. Passionate but excellent at hiding it under a reserved exterior, you care deeply about people and have a hard time letting go. The downside of keeping such a tight leash on your external emotions is that sometimes you lose control and have to let it all out. Competent and hard-working, you like to be on top of things.
Toshiko Sato
Owen Harper
Captain Jack Harkness
Gwen Cooper
Which Torchwood Character Are You? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I thought for sure I'd end up as Owen. Didn't know why, I just know I can be a bit of a selfish bastard. *grins*

In other news my hair looks awesome in a blue-black color.

I've also been having a steady few weeks of really vivid, memorable dreams. The most nightmarish one of all would be the one where Sarah Palin's voice saying "Maverick!" was ringing all around me while this guy was chasing me wanting to dig my eyes out with a spoon. I really should stop listening to the Repo! soundtrack before bedtime.

Ben Browder should do something outside of the Stargate franchise, because he's awesome and I loves him, but I'm not really fond of the Gate world.

I'd talk about telly shows, but I'm so far behind on everything from the German soaps to the US dramas. Bad, bad me.

First off, I've mentioned this on quite a few occasions, but I don't really like the Twilight series. I think they're poorly written and the characters are highly unoriginal and at times even laughable in their words and actions. That being said I ended up going out with some friends yesterday and it turned into my roommate offering to buy my ticket. Well, damn. Fine, I'll go see the movie, because if I'm not paying for the crapfest it's all good. Though, I think I was more scared of the screaming tweens and their mommies than the actual film. Huh.

My review is laced with the fact that I don't care for the source material and I know it, so keep that in mind.

( Twilight Review Complete With OMG! Spoilers Under the Cut )

It's bloody cold outside...and there's a sick chipychan camped out in the hallway. *feeds her more crackers*

( My final thoughts on Hollyoaks... )

( OMFG! Supernatural is back, baby! )

I was abruptly squicked by a fic that in passing mentioned that Nathan Stark (yes, Eureka's Nathan Stark) would read and own Stephenie Meyer's books. Maybe, maybe Zoe, but that's so out of character for her, much less Stark. It burns. I immediately backed out of the fic and left my 'puter for a while before I could leave the author a nasty comment.

Does every body else agree that Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi look fucking stunning in their bridal pics? I wish them the best and have my fingers and toes crossed that they'll be together for the long haul.

I'm suppose to be all gung-ho about my homework, but the Roast of Bob Saget starts in less than two hours. *bounces* It better be good, because I grew up with Danny Tanner and I want payback for all those wasted hours of watching Full House.

http://shinga.deviantart.com/art/Head-Trip-Twilight-Sucks-85504254

*points above to like the bestest comic ever* I think I am enjoying the Breaking Dawn and S. Meyer wank as much as I enjoyed the Harry Potter and Harmonian wank a couple of years ago. Oh, and the Doctor Who companion wank. Before that was Queer as Folk and the finale wank. I mean, I think I just enjoy wank. It's funny.

I've put Burn Notice on my list of shows to watch. I'm also going to give Battlestar Galatica a shot. Though, my viewing for most shows as been cut down lately...I haven't even had time for Bleach. *sniff* I have sunday off and if all goes well I plan to make it an anime day and get through the first two seasons of Bleach. Why does every anime I want to watch have to have 100+ episodes? *sigh*

In less than two months I'll be done with school and that's scary, but wonderful. I've been looking into some job leads, but I'm not going to go hardcore until I finish, because with everything I've got going switching jobs might be a bit too much. I just want to be ready if the right job comes around and I'm willing to do it if the timing isn't right as well. My current job isn't anything wonderful, but it's no where near horrid, so I'm going to take my time and really be able to job search properly. I won't be forced to take something I don't want to do, because I have a job and I'm fairly content even though it isn't nearly what I want to be doing. For once in my life I can be picky about my job searching and that's exhilarating.

Politics are getting petty here in Minnesota. We've got Norm Coleman and Al Franken running for the senate spot and it's getting nasty in the fact that there's bitching about living arrangements. I don't really care and while I'm not a big Coleman fan (have met the guy and through and through he's got the smarmy politician vibe, which I figure goes with the job) in the least I think it's making Franken's group look petty. Just saying.

The co-workers know that saying the word "ninja" will make me giggle...so they say it, but they don't know why I giggle. They've figured out the secret word, but I' m not admitting to watching anime ninja porn any time soon...even if it was only for 15 minutes. I'm scarred for life.

Kyou Kara Maou...

Conrad Weller should wear Earth clothes more often...he's hot...we should also get more flashbacks, because he's super sexy when he's got his hair longish and messy...and he's also hot when he'll all emo and defiant in those same flashbacks. Conclusion being Conrad is hot and sexy. *grins*

I've watched the first episode of Naruto and while I still don't get the appeal I'll keep trucking through regardless. The anime style really isn't my thing, but I'm striving to figure out why so many people are hooked.

I've got the first few episodes of Bleach on my hard drive. Haven't watched quite yet. I think I'm going to watch every other...Naruto then Bleach then Naruto then Bleach and so on. My goal is to watch at least five episodes a night, so within a week I'll watch 35 and while it'll still take me a while to get through everything at least eventually I'll be caught up...if I don't give up on one or the other before I finish.

Somewhere in there I need to watch Full Metal Alchemist and Gundam 00 as well. The rest of 2008 is going to be filled with anime for me. Yeah! If anyone wants to add anything good to that list go ahead...I want to anime myself out. I usually watch off-beat animes...the ones most people haven't heard of...well, mainstream anyway...I'm making it my mission to try out the ones that are the most popular to see if I'm just turning my nose up at them because they are popular and I'm being an anime snob.

The only good thing about ATWT today was the cat fight between Lily and Carly...oh, it was wonderful to watch these two be downright nasty to each other. Luke was on there briefly, but no Noah...their storyline is still entwined with Luke's parents...which means at the moment they virtually have no storyline...=(

Edit: Bleach is wonderful. I will watch lots and lots of Bleach. Bleach > Naruto. Will amend idea of watching them together and will probably just watch lots and lots of Bleach and Naruto...when I'm done with Bleach.

( My Thoughts on Doctor Who 4x13 )

There's the threat of snow...blimey! It rained all day and was in the low thirties for temperature, so brrrrrrrr! With it dipping even lower I'm wondering if I'll be cleaning snow off my car by tomorrow morning. Granted, I do live in central Minnesota, but this is beyond nutty. It was seventy degrees two days back. *sigh* I called my mum around noon and she said they already had a few inches of snow (my parents live one-hundred miles northwest of me).

I'm going to go watch something to warm cheer myself up...like one of my favorite Doctor Who episodes, Utopia. ♥ Jack forever. Or maybe I'll just rewatch Supernatural's Ghostfacers, because Ed is so...Corbett was...and it was so doomed...yeah.

( Still worried about spoilers even though all I'm doing is quoting the eppie for the second time... )