Here's Joss Whedon's list of his favorite 10 episodes of Buffy. I agree with most of them, though I think that "Passion" should be included (maybe take out "Dopplegangland") and probably "Graduation Day - Part I" (take out "Conversations with Dead People"). On my list, "Becoming - Part II" is a heck of a lot higher than #7. But an interesting list. After all, it is his show.
I was filing some requests for review copies of our books when something caught my eye. One of the letters was addressed, “Dear Sirs.” Wow. There are still people out there who address letters that way?
Anyway, Manor House rocks. And the male servants? Completely adorable. I want the whole set.
Current song in my head:
“Substitutionary Locomotion” from Bedknobs & Broomsticks
Circle of Friends was on last night. I've been meaning to watch that movie again for a long time (I have it on tape). I can't remember the last time I watched it. Oh, Chris O'Donnell. How I love thee. My very strong emotions from my first viewing of that movie linger. I can't see Nan onscreen without yelling at her. I hate her. HATE HER!!! Bitca. My hatred of her and what she did was so great that the first time I saw this movie, I had to stop in the middle and get my emotions under control. She's evil, I tell you. But it's amusing to watch now, mostly to see how the actors have grown since 1995, particularly Alan Cumming ("creepy Sean Walsh"), Minnie Driver, and Colin Firth.
Anyway, I'm thinking about getting a tv/vcr for my room in the new apartment. Does anyone have any recommendations, or any brands to avoid?
Current song in my head:
"You Should Be Dancing" by the Bee Gees
In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along
I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense
And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose
But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break
And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
-Billy Joel
More love for my boyfriend Jon Stewart. And shockingly enough, it comes from Frank Rich.
The DVDs for the first season of Alias will be released on September 2, 2003. Whee! Mmm, Vaughn. Not familiar with the show? Go to this helpful site for a recap of what's happened so far. Only two episodes left this season!
The temperature has dropped to 56 degrees. Argh! I guess no eating dinner outside, either.
I've been happy all morning watching the temperature rise. It's now 70 out. So I'm all, "Yay! I'm going to go outside and eat lunch and finish the reading for my class." Of course, then I look out the window, and it's all overcast and rain looks imminent. Which sucks, because I need to go outside and buy my lunch, even if I can't eat it outside. Dang it.
This has been another day that makes me hate working in a cube. The morning started with two women having a conversation, with each other them still in their offices. Very loudly. One woman's cell phone has been ringing fairly steadily throughout the day. It would be great if she were in her office to pick it up. A temp who's working in a nearby office has a very loud voice, and doesn't feel the need to close the door when she's on the phone. And naturally there's the consistent chatter of people in the halls all around. Oh, and the fact that one of the people across from me is visited at least 2-3 times a day by another coworker, and they talk for at least an hour. It's about work, but it still drives me batty.
I just want to go to bed.
If you’re wondering what book you want to read next, pick up The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. Fantastic book. So great that when I’m in the bookstore, I want to go up to random people, shove the book at them, say, “Read this!” and run away. Anyway, just thought I’d share.
Anyway, good weekend. There’s something nice about spending time with people you’ve known all your life. It is kind of strange always being at these things without my parents and/or sister, but after seven years, I’ve gotten used to it. I can, however, live without questions about my love life. My grandmother already has two married grandchildren; why does she have to harass the rest of us? Anyway, no, I’m not gay; I just haven’t met anyone, okay? Geez. And no, my grandmother didn’t ask me if I’m gay; that was pre-emptive. Luckily we managed to get off-topic very quickly.
Current song in my head:
“I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meatloaf
From The Daily Show, between Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart. I love The Daily Show. (Note: This is from early in the war.)
Stewart: What should the media's role be in covering the war?
Colbert: Very simply, the media's role should be the accurate and objective description of the hellacious ass-whomping we're handing the Iraqis.
Stewart: Hellacious ass-whomping? Now to me, that sounds pretty subjective.
Colbert: Are you saying it's not an ass-whomping, Jon? I suppose you could call it an ass-kicking or an ass-handing-to. Unless, of course, you love Hitler.
Stewart [stammering]: I don't love Hitler.
Colbert: Spoken like a true Hitler-lover.
Stewart: Look, even some American generals have said that the Iraqis have put up more resistance than they were expected to.
Colbert: First rule of journalism, Jon, is to know your sources. Sounds like these "generals" of yours may be a little light in the combat boots, if you know what I'm saying.
Stewart: I don't think I know what you're saying.
Colbert: I'm saying they're queers, Jon. They're Hitler-loving queers.
Stewart: I'm perplexed. Is your position that there's no place for negative words or even thoughts in the media?
Colbert: Not at all, Jon. Doubts can happen to everyone, including me, but as a responsible journalist, I've taken my doubts, fears, moral compass, conscience and all-pervading skepticism about the very nature of this war and simply placed them in this empty Altoids box. [Produces box.] That's where they'll stay, safe and sound, until Iraq is liberated.
Stewart: Isn't it the media's responsibility in wartime ...
Colbert: That's my point, Jon! The media has no responsibility in wartime. The government's on top of it. The media can sit this one out.
Stewart: And do what?
Colbert: Everything it's always wanted to do but had no time for: travel, see the world, write that novel. I know the media has always wanted to try yoga. This is a great time to take it up. It's very stressful out there -- huge war going on. Jon, hear me out, it was Thomas Jefferson who said, "Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army can reach."
Stewart: Stephen, Stalin said that. That was Stalin. Jefferson said he'd rather have a free press and no government than a government and no free press.
Colbert: Well, what do you expect from a slave-banging, Hitler-loving queer?
It is insanely cold on my floor today. According to others, the 11th floor—you know, where the executives sit—is nice and warm. It’s only 39 degrees outside, but the office has already switched from heat to air conditioning. So we’re all shivering. But I beat the system. I snagged the space heater from a coworker’s office (she’s out today). Heh. So I’m all toasty.
Current song in my head:
“The Difference” by matchbox twenty
From a description of the season finale of Boston Public: "Fellow students and faculty are shocked when a student writes to a celebrity and asks if she'll be his prom date, and she accepts." Wow. How very Brady Bunch.
I just wanna feel
Real love fill the home that I live in
Cos I got too much life
Running thru my veins
Going to waste
Robbie Williams, "Feel"
A vague synopsis of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix can be found at The Leaky Cauldron. Only 65 days left!
Dallas was excellent. First off, the weather was gorgeous. When I left Maryland, it was overcast and in the 40s. I arrived in Dallas to temperatures in the low 80s each day, with sun in the sky (which naturally led to getting sunburn). And it was great to see Becca again. We got a lot of time to hang out and talk and enjoy girly movies. I made her take me to the Sixth Floor Museum, and we went to Half-Price Books and ate Desperados tacos (mmm) and hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts. And it was good to get away for a while. And happily, I came home to temperatures in the 70s, so it all worked out. And thanks to the grand total of 4 hours I spent in airports due solely to delays (2½ on the trip there, 1½ on the way back), I got all my homework done.
Seeing where Kennedy was shot was very interesting. Now, I’ve been to Ford’s Theatre and have seen where Lincoln was shot, but I found that Dallas street more…compelling, in some way. In analyzing, I’ve realized that it’s because there are so many images of what happened ingrained in my mind. When I looked at that stretch of road, I couldn’t help but picture the Zapruder film or any number of photos taken. At Ford’s, well, all we have are some drawings made after the fact. The box where it happened is still there and is decorated the same as it was that day, but it’s not the same.
Anyway, back to work and everything here. But hey, Easter’s this weekend, and I’ll get to see the fam. Well, not my parents or sister, but others.
Current song in my head:
“Man I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain
I never thought I’d say this, but Yay! I’m going to Dallas! Specifically, I’m going to visit Becca, which is very exciting. Otherwise, really, I’d just skip Dallas. But I’m looking forward to spending time there, hanging out, seeing where Kennedy was shot, and enjoying weather that isn’t cold and rainy. Plus, good nachos. Oh, how I love nachos.
Anyway, work has been pretty crazy this week. I had major work to do on all three projects that need to be published by the end of May. But I managed to get it all under control. I still need to go through today and finishing editing a document, but I only have 25 pages left. Then I have to enter the changes, and I’m done. Whee! And off to Dallas. In addition to the joy of seeing Becca again, I’ll get to experience the joy of flying. Honestly, I get excited about plane trips. It’s part of my charm.
Current song in my head:
“Love Fool” by the Cardigans
"How does the occupational therapy profession view plagiarism?"
My guess: Negatively. But that's just a guess.
I am Krusty the Clown!
Which Simpsons Character are YOU?
Always cracking clever jokes and insulting others, you love being the center of attention. Off the cameras, however, you become a cynical, depressed asshole.
People equate singing and dancing with being happy. I don't disagree, but the problem comes when I have a song in my head, and I have to dance with it, but I'm not particularly happy. So I'll be dancing around and someone will inevitably say, "You're in a good mood." Nope, I'm not. I just have a song in my head that must be danced to.
Current song in my head:
"The Rockafeller Skank" by Fatboy Slim
According to Emode's Original Inkblot Test:
Barb, your unconscious mind is driven most by Love
Everyone has a desire to love. But your desire is rooted very deeply in your unconscious and affects many of the decisions you make in life — whether you are aware of it or not.
You have an energy about you that inspires people to experience their true feelings of love and act kindly towards others. In this way, you and your drive for loving relationships start a chain reaction of positive experiences.
The reason you are driven by love, may be because your unconscious is trying to avoid the opposite of love — hate. You, more than others, may be afraid of experiencing severe discord with others. That may, in turn, heavily influence your choices about relationships and the way you communicate your ideas, wants, and desires to others.
With such a strong orientation towards loving others, your relationships hold a very special place in your life. Your capacity to love may be greater than those around you, and therefore you may have more to give in relationships than your romantic partner does. Remember that this is a gift you have and one most others don't possess.
Though your unconscious mind is driven most strongly by Love, there is much more to who you are at your core.
It's odd, because just yesterday I was reflecting on something along these lines.
The other night I decided to put on some nail polish (mostly to stop me from biting my nails), and I chose to put on the reddish/pinkish polish. And now I feel like my fingers are all sexy when I type.
I was freaking out this morning. I had a minor crisis with one of the books I’m managing, was late for a meeting that I was supposed to run, and then I realized that I’m in charge of three projects that all need to be complete by conference (June 6-9). And one of the manuscripts isn’t even in yet. But then I did what I always do: I made lists. What did I need to do? I went through and got a bunch of the little stuff done, sent out emails, and took a lot of deep breaths. So I’m doing better. Breathe in: 1-2-3-4-5. And out: 1-2-3-4-5. Of course, this is after two weeks of having very little to do. It always happens this way, doesn’t it? But happiness is the weather these past few days. And the fact that it's Thursday when it feels like it should be Tuesday.
Current song in my head:
“Bounce” by Bon Jovi
Since the end of last August, I've lost over 10% of my body weight. I'm very pleased. I mean, sure, it took 7 months, but that's not the point. Slow and steady baby. Woo!
Feel the need to make a political statement with ice cream? Then take a trip here and buy some Star-Spangled Ice Cream! Flavors include I Hate the French Vanilla and Smaller Governmint.
*sigh* There are some really messed up people out there.
Apparently Scott Foley and Jennifer Garner have split up. It's sad; they were such a cute couple. Although it does mean I can hate her less now; she doesn't get to go home to Scott every night anymore. As long as she stays away from Michael Vartan. Because he's mine.
In June I’m going to visit my folks in Oregon. At our family reunion last year we decided to have a mini-reunion, with just my parents, aunt and uncle, grandmother, and however many of us grandchildren can make it. So my cousin Cassie got organized and rented us a place at Ft. Worden State Park in Washington. It looks lovely, except for two things: a) No television; and b) That’s where they filmed The Ring! Ack! I’m going to die! But assuming that I won’t die, it looks like it’ll be pretty relaxing. Board games, anyone?
Current song in my head:
“Little Black Backpack” by Stroke 9
