Barbara

Dragoncon?

barbara83 — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 05:01:53 GMT

Would anyone like to go to Dragoncon with me? I just found out today that the person I was going with can't go, and I should have some room. I have a room in the Hyatt for Thursday-Saturday nights and in another hotel for Sunday (it's a few blocks away). I'm trying to get Sunday in the Hyatt as well, but there are never any cancellations when I call. I went by myself last year, but I think it would be fun to go with other people again. It's on Labor day weekend. The website link is here if you're curious about the guests or price.

barbara83 — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:29:36 GMT

I was flipping through channels Friday and saw You Again on TV. I miss when Kristen Bell was in good things. I got a sudden urge to rewatch Veronica Mars, so I put in the DVDs. I marathoned through the first four discs. I forgot how freaking awesome the show is, and I've forgotten most of the plot (I still remembered who killed Lilly, but not much else) so it's like watching the episodes again for the first time. I'm currently on the second season. It's nice revisiting the show, I haven't seen it since I bought the DVDs. Why didn't you get a fourth season?

Maybe I need to do Buffy/Angel next. Most of my shows are finished for the summer, I'd have a bit of time to rewatch. There are a lot of episodes (particularly of Angel) that I've only seen once.

barbara83 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:33:24 GMT

Ok, I'm really starting to get pissed off. I didn't get paid for my hours on the week of December 26th, so I let the front office know. I have all my check stubs from the last year saved, so I was sure I didn't get one. They said that they would send me a new copy of the check and stop payment on the original. They gave me another copy, which I cashed. I just got a letter from the bank saying that they stopped payment on the January 9th check, THE WRONG FUCKING WEEK! I gave them the specific date that was missing and they still couldn't fix it! You didn't pay me, and then you fuck up fixing it, and now I have to go back and get it straightened out again! Damn it!

Sherlock!

barbara83 — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:07:14 GMT

I absolutely loved this week's episode of Sherlock! Thanks for the great birthday gift BBC!

Honestly, I think that this might be my favorite episode so far. I always liked the source story (it was actually my introduction into Sherlock Holmes books), and I really enjoyed what they did with the episode. I think the writing was particularly good this week too.

I also watched the Graham Norton show last night. Martin Freeman was on the show. I particularly liked his comment about having a "one pack" in Love Actually, when he was compared to Gerard Butler in 300 (who was also on the show).

Looking forward to next week, hopefully it will be good. I'm a little concerned with the episode's writer, especially after his last effort writing for Sherlock. I'm also sad that it will be over after next week, at least until Series 3.

barbara83 — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:53:06 GMT

Before the day is over, Happy Birthday Sherlock Holmes!

Only missed mine by two days, dang it. ^_^

barbara83 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:08:17 GMT

Happy new year to everyone!

Is anyone going to Ichiban Con this year? I was planning on going (probably for a day), and I wanted to know when everyone might be there. I have the whole weekend off (including Friday), so let me know if you're planning to go a specific day.

I went to see Sherlock: Game of Shadows with Heather on Tuesday and liked it. I actually think I liked it better than the first one.

I'm still a bit giddy from the new BBC Sherlock episode. Looking forward to the next episode, which airs on my birthday. Pretty awesome present, don't you think?

Gabby, I still need to know some ideas for Christmas gifts. Let me know if you think of something.

New shows

barbara83 — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:40:12 GMT

Anyone else watching Ringer? I'm really enjoying it so far. I always want to know what happens next, and the episode is over before you know it. It's good to see SMG back on tv.

I'm also liking the Secret Circle. I'm curious about what's going on, and what their parents did in the past. Has anyone seen it?

I'm looking forward to Fringe tonight too. I want to see how they'll resolve the season finale, or if it will be resolved. It's one of those shows that didn't really grab me until the second season, when it became incredible. I'm really hoping that it doesn't get cancelled. And why are so many shows I want to see playing on Friday?!

I have a lot of conflicting shows airing this year. I really need my own dvr instead of sharing one. I'm always at work when it airs, and occasionally things I record get vetoed.

barbara83 — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:20:14 GMT

Ok, had fun at the con. Unfortunately, was not able to get Charlaine Harris' autograph as it conflicted with photo ops I was doing, and it was only on Friday. Sorry! I did, however, get the other autographs I was asked to get.

I woke up earlier on Thursday than I had originally planned, and ended up leaving around 8 am. I went by myself, so I brought the Hobbit audiobook to listen in the car. I bought a GPS for the trip, but it honestly wasn't that difficult to get there, and the weather was good. I drove to the hotel and then went looking for decently price parking area that allowed overnight parking. I stopped at one near the Sheraton. I went to see if my room was ready and got my room key. I had some difficulty finding my room as it was in a separate set of elevators, so I ended up riding the elevators a few times before I finally found where I was supposed to go. I made two trips to my car to get my stuff, and then I drank a ton of water. I eventually got registered (I somehow beat Eric and the people I used to work with at the theatre, even though they beat me to Atlanta). It took about an hour and a half to get through the line, which is half the time of last year, and I was farther back in line this year. You flew through the line once you got inside. Kudos to whoever figured out the barcode thing and the staff to practicing to make it work well. I went to eat and walked around the hotels a bit (boy was it easy to get around on Thursday) and then went back to my room to unpack. I had a tiny corner room (I gave away the double room I had reserved), but the elevator isn't connected to the convention space, so it was pretty easy to get to my room if I wanted. They also have special Dragoncon keys for the rooms, which was cool. I plotted out the panels I wanted to go to for the weekend.

Friday, I went early for the photo ops and got in the first long line for the day. I decided to knock out most of the photo ops on the first day and then have the rest of the weekend free for panels and so on. Made some 'line friends' (I saw them a few times throughout the weekend) and one took my picture as being her first 'line friend' of the convention. I got pictures with Michael Rosenbaum, Wil Wheaten, Felicia Day, James Marsters, Gareth David Lloyd, Eliza Dushku, and Joe Manganiello. I did go to the Stars of Buffy panel, which was a lot of fun. I was up in the balcony, but I could see pretty well. One of the nice things about having a con hotel is that you can get your food and take it back to room to eat, instead of fighting to find a place to eat in the food court. I did most of the photo ops Friday. I then went to the Doctor Who panel (Ben was apparently there too, but I didn't see him) and later to the Gay Themes in Doctor Who panel.

Saturday, I didn't really care for going to the parade (it's not like I could see anything anyway) so I watched the Guild panel rebroadcast before leaving the room. I went to the Walk of Fame to get autographs (the right side was really busy, but the line on the left side wasn't bad). Some of the actors had added doodled on the pictures behind them. Micheal Rosenbaum added hair and square glasses to the Lex Luthor picture because he has them now, and Gareth David Lloyd added fangs and glasses and colored in the shirts on the Torchwood pic behind him. I went to the Welcome to the Dollhouse panel (I ended up on the balcony again), which was fun. I actually had a seat this time, so that was a nice change. I went to the Doctor Who Experience with Gareth David Lloyd and Mark Sheppard after getting something to eat. I waited about an hour for the panel, but still wasn't close enough to be able for my camera to take a good picture (my zoom sucks), although I could see pretty well. This was honestly one of my favorite panels of the con, they're both really funny. Hopefully someone got good video of the panel, I'd like to see it again. I left with the intention of trying to catch a bit of the hobbit panel, but ran into Ben and Eric walking to get in line for the special screening of Doctor Who, and got in line with them. A girl had bought a giant TARDIS cookie and was sharing with everyone in line. TARDIS cookie is good. We waited in line for about two hours and got seats. They had initially told us that is we got up to go to the bathroom, we would lose our seat. I really had to go and had to get up just as it was starting. I told the guy that I had to use the restroom, but they told us we would lose our seat. He went and and talked to the door guy so I could come back in. I didn't miss much before I got back and we had a good time watching the new Doctor Who episode. And honestly, there were a ton of Doctor Who costumes this year. We went back to the food court and got dinner then walked around looking at costumes. This is honestly the one of only times I took any pictures of costumes, the novelty has worn off a bit, although there were lots of good costumes.

Sunday, went for my last photo op and then got in line for the last True Blood panel. I had seats in the first row of the second section, so I could see pretty good. It was freezing in the room though and it was overcast outside. A little later I got in line for the Hobbit panel and saw someone cosplaying as someone from the Nerd Herd on Chuck behind me. Not much new information, a lot of speculation about the films. I didn't know that the guy that plays Gregor Clegane in Game of Thrones would be playing Beorn though. Got some lunch and wandered down to get in line for the Supernatural panel. I ended up on the top section in line outside, and luckily got to sit under the roof as it was slightly drizzling. Somehow, I ended up on the second section front row, but I could see pretty well. I'm not sure how I ended up at the same place I was for the true blood panel when I was closer in line, but whatever. I taped part of the panel with my camera, but only one section is working of what I filmed. I think I might get an actual video camera next year, it would work better. I got some dinner, watched True Blood and then watched the first season of the Guild during the Guild marathon. Robin Thorne and Amy Okuda came at the start of the panel, which was pretty cool. Then I went to the Sherlock panel. It was actually pretty packed for an 11:30pm panel. After I met up with some people from one of the livejournal communities (I won't name it since it was unofficial) we had a costume photo shoot and discussed fandom. I stayed until about 2 am and then decided to head back since I was driving back the next day.

Monday, I took my suitcase out to the car in a light drizzle. I grabbed my umbrella and then didn't have to use it. I checked out by 9am and the hotel was really desserted. I asked about lining up for the Supernatural panel and they said that we were allowed to sit in on this panel and they wouldn't clear the room. So I got to go to the Warehouse 13 panel as well (I had a good seat too). Eddie McClintok is really funny. Then I moved to the third row center section (more like the second row as the disability seating wasn't full) and the lady told us we had to clear the panel. No one budged. She went to talk to the door person and then came back and told us we could stay. I actually preferred this panel to Sunday's, it was much funnier with the addition of Mark Sheppard. One of my videos works and it's the last 20 minutes of the panel. I got some good pictures too. I had intended to go to the final Battlestar Galactica panel, but changed my mind and went to the Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor) panel. I confess I haven't seen any of his episodes, but I might look him up. It was a really good panel, I look forward to seeing him play Radagast the Brown in the Hobbit. He was also up for the role of Bilbo and was one of the last considered, along with Ian Holm. I can totally see him as Bilbo. He walked around the audience answering questions and answered one for someone two people away from me, so I got a good picture.

Here's a clip of the origin of his name from the panel. It's really funny.

I think that this guy was on the same row as me, the angle is right and he had a tripod. I made another circuit around the dealers rooms and decided to leave before the rain got worse. It rained on and off when I was driving, but I missed the tornadoes in South Carolina at least. I somehow beat Eric back even though they left just before I did. I think an old lady hyjacked the van. I was going the speed limit or less for quite a bit of the way home due to the weather. I got back home and crashed. Overall, I had a good time, but it would have been more fun with some people going with me. It was nice having my own room though, you don't have to worry about being woken up or waking someone up. I'm already planning on next year.

Dragoncon?

barbara83 — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:29:50 GMT

Does anyone want to go to Dragoncon this weekend and need somewhere to stay? I'm the only one going apparentally and I have room. Just let me know if you'd be interested.

Random stuff

barbara83 — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:55:55 GMT

Apparentally, Borders is closing for good. They're having sales if anyone's interested. It makes me sad, but they made several mistakes (like not embracing the E readers like Barnes and Noble did). So now this makes two of the places I've worked at closed for good.

Went to see Horrible Bosses, Friends with Benefits (with Jennifer) and Harry Potter (with Mom) two weeks ago. I went to see Captain America with my cousins when they were visiting. I went to Grandfather mountain briefly with them, but I had to leave to go to work.

They have the photo ops up for Dragon Con. I've been looking to see which one's I want to do this year. I'm looking forward to being in a con hotel, you can watch some of the panels without the wait in line in your room. I think I've talked Eric into waiting to get his ticket at the door because of the three hour wait for preregistered people (on the hottest day of the con too) last year.

I still don't have my hall opened at work, but I think they might open it today. The other halls are almost filled up, and I know we're supposed to get an admission on my hall today. We had four yesterday, and I ended up doing most of the work on those.

I ran over a piece of tire from an 18 wheeler on Friday and knocked part of the front of the car down (underneath the car). I'm glad it didn't bust a tire or something. Dad has it rigged up with duct tape so I can still drive it. I have to get an estimate so the insurance can cover it though.

Helped mom shuck and silk the corn Sunday. I think every ear I picked up had a worm at the top of the ear. I had to cut the tops off fast to keep from touching them. I keep yelling, "Ahh, worm!" and threw some of them to mom's side. She doesn't seem to mind the worms.

We have a virus on my computer. It pisses me off. I'm using my brother's computer right now.

barbara83 — Mon, 16 May 2011 07:38:18 GMT

Overall, a pretty good weekend. My new cousin was born on Friday the 13th at 4:33 am. I think I'll get to see her when we go to Raleigh for Animazement. I'm going to try to visit on Thursday since there's not much to do on Thursdays.

Went to see Bridesmaids on Saturday. It's really funny. I laughed so hard I cried. Then I went to Joe's surprise birthday party and got to hang out with everyone. Had fun talking to De about Sherlock. It's nice to talk to someone who's actually seen it. It was fun seeing everyone again.

Today I went to see Thor with Jennifer and Meagan, plus we ate at Wild Wok. Thor was really good too. I do wish I had brushed up on my Norse mythology, I can't remember much about it. I can remember the Greek mythology better. Also, new Game of Thrones tonight, yay! It's looks like next week's episode has things I haven't read yet, or maybe they've been added.

I hope work doesn't suck, they've shut down one hall and given the other halls additional patients. Friday was awful, everyone moved around and I spent half the shift trying to sort out all the paperwork.

barbara83 — Fri, 13 May 2011 06:00:10 GMT

My cousin is in labor! I'm excited, hopefully I'll be able to visit on Sunday. She might have had the baby already, they had to induce labor. I still haven't heard anything yet. It will be weird if she's born on Friday the 13th though.

barbara83 — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 02:30:09 GMT

Ok, just watched the first episode of Game of Thrones. Freaking awesome so far. Did anyone else see it? I've been able to follow the relationships so far, so hopefully I won't get lost. The direwolf pups are also extremely cute.

I have the books, but I haven't read them yet. I'm sorely tempted to get them out of my 'to read' pile and start on the first one now.

Memes!

barbara83 — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:46:22 GMT

The books I'm reading: One of the Dresden Files, Small Favor by Jim Butcher. I only read it at work on break, and since I've not had a break in a while I haven't read much.

The books I'm writing: I don't write anything but nurse's notes.

The book I love the most: I have no idea. I've read the Harry Potter books, Lord of the Rings and the Dark is Rising sequence numerous times, plus Robin Mckinley's books and the Nightrunner series. It's too hard to just pick one.

The last book I received as a gift: Cethe by Becca Abbott, maybe? I usually buy them myself.

The last book I gave as a gift: The new Robin Mckinley book, but I haven't given the gift yet.

The nearest book: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (everyone needs to read this (The Hungar Games) series!)

The last book I bought myself: The newest House of Night novel, I think. I still haven't read it.

1. Pick 15 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them here for everyone to guess.
4. Strike out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
5. NO GOOGLING/using IMDb search functions.

1. First of all, Papa Smurf didn't create Smurfette. Gargamel did. She was sent in as Gargamel's evil spy with the intention of destroying the Smurf village. But the overwhelming goodness of the Smurf way of life transformed her. And as for the whole gang-bang scenario, it just couldn't happen. Smurfs are asexual. They don't even have... reproductive organs under those little, white pants. It's just so illogical, you know, about being a Smurf. You know, what's the point of living... if you don't have a dick?

2. It's love. It's not Santa Claus.

3. You made me swallow my gum! That's going to be in my digestive tract for seven years!

4. I used the same fuckin' soap you did and when I got finished, the towel didn't look like no goddamn Maxi-Pad!

5. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: "No more fucking ABBA!"

6. You're not the anti-Christ. You're only a malcontent who knows how to spell.

7. Nonsense! Name a shrub after me. Something prickly and hard to eradicate.

8. So how many rooms am I checked into in this shit-hole?

9. My crotch is still here, just as you remembered it.

10. I don't tip because society says I have to. All right, if someone deserves a tip, if they really put forth an effort, I'll give them something a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, it's for the birds. As far as I'm concerned, they're just doing their job.

11. I do not, for one, think that the problem was that the band was down. I think that the problem *may* have been, that there was a Stonehenge monument on the stage that was in danger of being *crushed* by a *dwarf*. Alright? That tended to understate the hugeness of the object.

12. Yeah, well, it's Philip's, okay? He won't let anybody near it. Honestly, I put half a Mars bar in the glove box once and he chased me around the garden with a bit of wood.

13. Everybody's born knowing all the Beatles lyrics instinctively. They're passed into the fetus subconsciously along with all the amniotic stuff. Fact, they should be called "The Fetals".

14. You don't have to worry about me because I'm a hard-ass. And if a kid gets out of line, I got no problem smacking them in the head.

15."What the hell are you doing in the bathroom day and night? Why don't you get out of there and give someone else a chance?"

barbara83 — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 05:29:06 GMT

Yay, Misha Collins has been announced for Dragon Con this year! They have some pretty awesome guests so far this year, I just hope that they don't cancel.

Oh, and I'm almost caught up on Chuck, I've just got the latest episode to watch and I'll be ready to watch the new episodes when they air. Woo hoo!

barbara83 — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 17:58:12 GMT

Holy crap, it's snowing! Huge flakes too. It's laying a little bit. I'm glad I don't have to go to work until Monday.

New book...

barbara83 — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 04:46:08 GMT

Just started reading Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins last night. Really awesome series if anyone's looking for something new to read. It's set in the future where North America's divided into districts. Each district is required to give a tribute of a boy and a girl to participate in the hunger games, where they fight to the death until the last person is left alive, and it's televised for everyone to watch. I don't think that gives too much away, but I really recommend the book.

I've already got the the new two books ready when I finish this one. Also I think there's supposed to be a movie at some point.

I'm also really confused by the Voyage of the Dawn Treader trailer. And why did Caspian lose his really annoying accent and exchange it for an English accent? I don't recognise a lot of the parts I saw. Did they even read the book? I do need to reread it though, it's been a while since I have and it's kind of fuzzy in my memory.

barbara83 — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 06:18:40 GMT

Happy birthday to Gabby!!! Yay!!!

Hope you'll come to Harry Potter with us tomorrow. ^_^

barbara83 — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:56:28 GMT

Congratulations to Kim and Joe on the birth of their son Damian Akira yesterday! I'll be going to see them tomorrow, and I'll try to post pictures.

barbara83 — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:37:15 GMT

Back from Dragoncon. Had fun, will do a full report with pictures once I figure out how to upload them. ^_^ We're planning on going next year, and hopefully staying in one of the con hotels. They play several of the main panels on the hotel channel and it would definately be worth it to not wait in line for everything. I also want to buy one of the dvds from this year, but I'm not sure if you have to buy them when you're there or if you can get them online.

Back to work tomorrow. >_

barbara83 — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:30:25 GMT

Busy weekend. We went to Carowinds with my cousins on Friday, and the lines were really short. You only had to wait about five or ten minutes. It was hot, but not as bad as it had been earlier in the week. The water ride was the only one with much of a wait, but it was still fun. Except for the guy who decided to shoot a water gun in my face. I was soaked, and naturally it started to be overcast then. My jeans were still damp when we left. The new ride is fun, but that first hill really takes your breath. You just keep going up, and my eyes were watering from the sun.

On Saturday we went up to the mountains and had a picnic and hike. We went about a mile in of a five mile loop and turned around. My brother and male cousins decided to walk the whole loop. In flip flops. I still can't believe they didn't get blisters (although Noah lost one of his in some mud and had to get it back). Then we went to Sim's barbeque in Dudley Shoals. You actually have to know that it's there to find it. The food was okay, but there are better barbeque places in the area. They have bluegrass and dancing, but I honestly have very little interest in either.

Yesterday, we ate at grandma's house. Everyone decided to play Rook, which I don't like, so I read. We went to an orchard in Sugar Loaf and got peaches and nectarines. We got half a peck for five dollars, so the prices were good. That's another place you'd have to know where it is to find it. You also have to hope no one else is coming down the road in the opposite direction because there's nowhere to go in that case.

I've started watching Haven on Syfy and have been enjoying it. It's based on the Colorado Kid by Steven King, and so far it's pretty good. Being Human has started playing the second season now, so I've also got that to watch. And True Blood has been really good this season, although I need to read the books again to remember exactly how much they've changed (it's a lot, and some of the the things happen in later books). Although last night's episode featured naked Eric, which is never a bad thing. ^_^

barbara83 — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:35:53 GMT

How am I a new patient when I've only ever gone to the doctor at one place? I haven't had to go in four years, so apparentally that means I've never been there before and have to wait for an appointment until next week. Fuck that.

I don't really want to go to the urgent care either because they're the one's who said I didn't have insurance, when I actually do.

barbara83 — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:49:23 GMT

Well, we got back from the concert okay. It was really hot outside. Like 100 degrees. I didn't know the backs of my knees could sweat. The concert was actually just behind the Raleigh convention center so we knew where stuff was located. If we had met when we had originally planned, we would have had more time to walk somewhere to eat. We ended up at Jimmy johns (I just got a drink, it was too hot to eat) because it was so close to the opening. We missed the first guy, but saw everyone else (New Found Glory, Tegan and Sara and Paramore). It was sold out, but it's a relatively small venue. It was a good concert though, and the start of the Honda Civic tour.

I've also recently watched The Guild online. It's actually really funny and is created by Felicia Day of Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog. Look for it if you get time, the episodes are really short. (There's a youtube link in the previous sentence) The actual website is here so you can catch up with the last episodes of the third season and the new fourth season episodes. It's especially funny if you're into gaming (some of the jokes won't make sense if you don't game), but there are other funny parts that don't relate to gaming directly.

barbara83 — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:08:44 GMT

EEEEE!!!!!

Jamie Bamber is going to be at Dragon con!!! I'm so excited!

This almost makes up for the 16 hour shift I just had to work. The same person called out as last time.

barbara83 — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 04:18:35 GMT

Okay, I have to post this link I just found when I was looking on IGN for Bioshock 2. It's really funny, even if you don't know much about True Blood or Twilight.

Why True Blood is Better than Twilight

I particularly like the email a girl tried to send Universal about how the Wolfman ripped off Twilight.

And yay, new True Blood episodes start next week! I do wonder how much of the books they'll use this time. Anyone besides me read or watch?