The Quill

Lamp posts, fish bowls and crackers

freakstop — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:09:02 GMT

Yes, I've joined the Dragon Age: Origins party. Whatever. It's fun. I'm playing a female city elf rogue, and I'm romancing Zevran. To express my newfound love, I've been making more sculpey guys, this time of all the party members. They are posted on my newly updated deviantart, if anyone cares to take a look. I only have Alistair, Morrigan, Zevran and Oghren done, but I'm sorta proud of them (except for burning Alistair).

I'm also re-reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I read it in high school because all of my friends thought it was brilliant, and I wanted to fit in and show how smart I was. I liked it, but I didn't love it. This time, though, I am enjoying it so much more. Has anyone read the new one? I'm not comfortable with another author trying to step into Adam's shoes. It feels like professional fanfiction to me. I don't know, though, since I haven't read it.

Laura and I are trying to re-watch Farscape, since she bought the beautiful full season dvd set. Season one is so hard to get through when you know what's coming, but I'm determined, since the payoff will be better.

Not Bad Looking For An Old Guy

freakstop — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:43:18 GMT

Richard Dawkins. Yeah. I didn't see it coming either. I've been reading his latest book, The Greatest Show on Earth, because I figured it was about time I understood evolution (when not talking over any explination in defense of creationism). And I've seen one of his documentaries and watched some interviews on youtube. And while watching the other night, I found myself thinking, "You know, he's not bad looking for an old guy."

His British accent, seductive smirk, scientific vocabulary (mmm, say Australopithicus again)...

I don't know!

(I told my boss today that I used to be involved with the Christian Fellowship in my high school. He was surprised that I used to be so religious. It's strange to think that those who knew me when I was younger than eighteen/nineteen and those who know me now will have such a different view of me, based on my beliefs.)

---

I'm getting a big bed this weekend. After spending my nights in half of what used to be my sister and my bunk beds from our childhood, I think it's time to grow up and get myself a double. Or queen. I want a queen, but it'll depend on if I can find a good deal. I feel a little guilty, since last Christmas both parents got me twin-sized bedding, which will now be useless to me, but my dad is coming to Waterloo to help me find my matress, so I think they are supportive. (I also made the awkward comment, when saying I didn't really need a queen to my dad, of "It's not like I'm sharing it with anyone." I kept the "yet" to myself.)

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I miss Glee! Less than one week more. It's been so long!

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Oh yeah. Halloween. It was pretty awesome. Roommates and I went as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus. I was really worried I wouldn't finish it in time, or get the effect I wanted. The first time I had put on my complete costume was as we were heading out the door, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. We didn't spend a lot of time mingling, but I like to think that we were recognised.

I'm too tired to format this nice, and they are all up on facebook, but here are a few anyway.

And my sister, her boyfriend and my cousin, who had never even seen Rocky Horror, let alone been to a screening of it, came along.

Gangster, Minnie Mouse, Sarah Sanderson, Smurf

Oooooh (that's what a ghost says)

freakstop — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:02:21 GMT

I'm back on nights after a few weeks on the glorious and coveted day shifts. Since my roommates are gone by the time I wake up and are in bed when I get home, it feels like I'm living with a ghost. I don't see anyone, other than the pets, but things are moved around slightly when I get home from where I left them. Sometimes it's kinda fun, getting some alone time, but it's also depressing. By the time I get to work I'm in need of some human interaction and can't stop babbling all the random thoughts that I've had during my silent day.

I'm using my use of the apartment to re-watch Battlestar Galactica. I stopped watching it at the beginning of season three when it was airing because I didn't have cable, and just figured I'd watch it when it was all out on dvd. But then never got around to it. I'm a little bit spoiled for who some of the cylons are, but oh well. I'm really enjoying it, remembering the good times I had the first time around. I'm about half way through season one.

That's about all I do. I should be working on my halloween costume, and cloaks for Laura and Phaedra, but something about knowing I have to go to work in a few hours keeps me from being productive in any way. Hopefully I'll be back on days next week.

Completely unrelated to the above, I can't stop listening to the songs from Glee. I'm obsessed with the show (nothing surprising there). I have a few issues with it, but the singing makes up for it every time. And I rewatch the episodes the next day. I usually have to wait a few months before I'll re-watch something, but with Glee, I could watch each episode over and over.

My issues with it: I think there are too many characters. I don't know who I'd cut, because I love (almost) all of them. I feel like they try to cover too much, and some characters get left out. I want more about Artie, Tina, Mercedes and Kurt. Lots more Kurt. And Finn needs to sing less. He's the pretty boy, but Artie's a better singer. I find myself listening to the songs that have the little Artie gets to sing the most. The arrangements bother me too. Singing makes me happy, but the songs are terrible for a group. I've never been in a glee club, so I don't know how they are supposed to work, but I've sung in high school choirs, and it's very rare for one person to sing an entire song with the rest of the group doing backup. It's very boring to sing "do do do" for three minutes. I don't even think there was anything for the guys to sing in "Hate On Me" from the last episode. Maybe the dos at the beginning. That rival glee club didn't have solos.

I've been listening to It's My Life/Confessions on a loop. I don't even like either of those songs, but I can't stop playing it. I wish it were wednesday every day. And that I didn't have to work nights.

giggle giggle

freakstop — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:11:15 GMT

They are cleaning the windows on our building, so Laura and I thought it would be a good idea to put our Zefron cutout directly in the window, facing outside.

Now we are hiding in my room because we're giggling too much.

Also, Ladyhawke is playing on our television, alone, unwatched.

64 days

freakstop — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:41:14 GMT

I'm copying unhappyending and posting our halloween plans. I can't wait to get started. I've already done costume sketches for all of the characters, and am excited to see how I'm going to figure out how to put mine together with my extremely amateur costuming skills. Hopefully come October 31st, the following will come true:

Excuse my lack of photoshop. I have no idea how to use the program, so I put this together in five minutes using Paint. Hopefully it will amuse.

But we're going to be the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus!! Me as Sarah, Phae as Winnie, and Laura as Mary. Plus we'll have at least one Binx, perhaps two. (I'm hoping for a Thackery, only because I want him to be quoting all night. "HAST THOU SEEN MY SISTER EMILY!?!")

My biggest fear is how to imitate the corset without making an actual corset. I think I'll be experimenting with cardboard and various weights of fabric. It'll be fun to be blond for a night.

In my more imediate life, I've been working some crazy long hours. Of my six shifts this week, four are at least ten hours, so that's fun. Today was my day off, and I did nothing but watch tv and plan for halloween. Got in some ReBoot, Fraggle Rock and Road to Avonlea, and also finally watched Inkheart after reading the book a while ago. Plus, of course, Hocus Pocus for research.

And I've been listening non-stop to The Decemberists since seeing them in Toronto earlier this month. I wish I had listened to their most recent album more before seeing them, though I still had a great time. I wasn't sure how it'd go, playing the entire album through, but it was pretty rocking. And having listened to the album and learned the story, I can't listen to The Hazards of Love 4 without crying because I'm lame. Stupid Decemberists with their sad love stories. I wish they'd come back sooner so I can see them again.

Now I'm just putting off going to bed, since tomorrow I don't have to work until 5. Why sleep if you don't have to?

Chocolate Flavoured Love

freakstop — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 07:33:46 GMT

I am eating chocolate ice cream at 3:30 am while I'm supposed to be packing for a three day trip to my mom's place. My bus leaves at 9:30 tomorrow morning, but I don't care because I have chocolate ice cream. I'll probably regret this tomorrow night when I've forgotten to pack my pyjamas or underwear or something. But for now: chocolate ice cream!!!

'Cause growing up is hard to do-oo.

freakstop — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:15:18 GMT

Been thinking about growing up and what being a grown-up means lately, and I've come to the conclusion that a lot of the sentiments expressed in this xkcd relate to me. Which is probably why it makes me laugh out loud every time I read it.

I'm going to go back to reading Harry Potter now, instead of talking about my feelings.

Back to Normal

freakstop — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:18:14 GMT

I was feeling bored and restless last night. I think it's because I had just returned from a great vacation and I was having trouble readjusting to Real Life. I was in the mood for some good escapist fun, but reading or watching a movie wasn't cutting it. So I wandered around my apartment, moping, until I came up with a plan. I proposed it to my roommates, expecting to get a negative response.

Me: Hey guys, do you want to play dress-up with me?
Laura and Phae: Sure.

I love my roommates.

Sam and Dean Winchester

We began simple. Laura, inspired by her jacket, became Girl!Dean Winchester. And who is Girl!Dean without her Girl!Sam!? (Who would totally wear a jean skirt.)

Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy

We then turned to Harry Potter, which is one of the easiest things to cosplay. My awesome Slytherin tie is really a sock. Dress-up is only fun if you have to improvise.

Phaedra used her wicked skillz and Potterized us even more.

Draco is jealous that Harry got to be in the Triwizard Tournament. I'm jealous of Phaedra's awesome jacket.

Sirius Black and Remus Lupin

Laura thought it would be funny if she wore my Hogwarts robe over her black and white striped shirt and see if we could guess who she was. I knew she was Sirius before she had put on the robe. This picture takes place in the Shrieking Shack when Remus and Sirius have reunited twelve (or however many years) later. How touching.

Then we decide to relive the good old days when we were the Marauders and play with our map. Those are supposed to be scars on my face, once again supplied by Phaedra's skillz.

Harry Potter

EXPECTO PATRONUM!!

Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took

We were going to be Frodo and Sam, but Merry and Pippin have more fun. We're doing a Hobbit jig.

Spike and Angel

Being devoid of short skirts and fuzzy sweaters, we couldn't be many characters from the Buffyverse (and a lack of suspenders kept us from doing Firefly). But we do have black. And vampires are fun (unless they sparkle). So here is Spike being all cool and stuff, and a mopey Angel.

After we had changed back into our pyjamas, Phaedra and I realised that we had missed a few essential characters. We could have been a fingerless-glove wearing Mitchell the vampire, and a plaid-clad George the Werewolf of Being Human. And if we'd owned more red, we could have been Arthur and Merlin. (For whatever reason, I have a collection of plastic shields and swords.) But they'll be saved for another day, I suppose.

I heart my roommates

freakstop — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:13:50 GMT

I just dyed my hair for the first time ever. It's a reddish brown. My wonderful roommate unhappyending helped me/did it for me. THe following took place while rinsing my hair of the dye in the tub.

Me: [The rinse water] looks like blood.
Phaedra: Yeah, you have to rinse it until it runs clear.
Me: Aw...
Phaedra: Yeah, it reminds me of Farscape too.

I enjoy that I didn't even have to say anything and she knew I was thinking of D'Argo.

Three Months Later

freakstop — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:47:06 GMT

Well, I've finally finished my room. Obviously there will be small aditions and subtractions, but I'm happy with how it is at the moment.

My door, obviously.

Four sides:

More details:

Mostly I just wanted to show where my guinea pig, Ginger, lives. And show off my Moon in My Room. Not many books on the shelf, since they are all in the living room, but a couple of points of interest on the shelf include my unopened Episode I pop can featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi that I've kept since grade 9, a mini cardboard cutout of Ep I Obi-Wan, my awesome wizard wand, and the Doctor's sonic scewdriver. Oh, and the awesome Star Wars chess set (in its box) on the bottom shelf, a gift from queendoodelie.

And speaking of cardboard cutouts, here's a shot of the bookshelves we finally acquired plus a gift from our guests at our High School Musical Party:

blargh it's hot

freakstop — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:45:17 GMT

I hate summer. I really really am hating it. When it first got hot, I was all nostalgic about the summers of my childhood. Then it got hotter and I remembered I never liked summer and couldn't wait for school to start again in September. And as an adult, the few good things about summer are gone. I don't get to sit in the shade all day and read. I have to go to work, which is even hotter than outside. I don't get to go to the beach every weekend because 1) it's far away, and 2) I don't get weekends.

But I did get to sleep outside on our balcony last night. That was actually nice, and I think I'll be doing it whenever it's too hot in my bed. I bought a fan today, so that should help. I've also been practically living off of popcicles, which are yummy, if unsubstancial.

There have been a few good things happening lately. I'm going camping in just over two weeks, which should make me less cranky about summer. And I discovered Harry Potter the Musical via anteka, which is like the next level of wizard rock. Voldemort tap-dances, a Zefron poster is a huge plot key, there's no Emma Watson, and singing! Their Draco is my favourite. Actually, I love the entire cast, other than Bellatrix. Even though there's no Lupin.

I want to go swimming.

I'm your huckleberry

freakstop — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:57:14 GMT

I watched Tombstone for the first time since grade nine tonight. I was in the mood after watching the OK Corral episode of Star Trek TOS last week.

This was my first Val Kilmer movie. The movie that started The Obsession. I'm pretty sure Val was even before Ewan McGregor. We watched it in grade nine English. We had to do an assignment on it, so that our "hot" young English teacher (who I just googled and found out he's now at Oxford. Random hockey picture of him. He used to play his guitar and sing to us, and apparently he once dated the girl from Aqua while in Europe.) had an excuse to show us movies. I once went to him and asked if we could watch more Val Kilmer movies. He showed us The Saint. Which lead to an embarassing moment for me as he fast-forwarded through a sex scene.

This movie taught me a few things. The word lewd , for example, which deirdreaurora and I used to use when describing Val Kilmer on the French room chalk board. (We didn't really know what it meant.) It also taught me about foreshadowing in film. Like when a guy gets pushed, and knocks over a row of leaning coffins, it means he's probably going to die. And there's religious allusions and symbolism. And, again, it introduced me to Val Kilmer, which lead me to films like The Prince of Egypt (actually, I would have watched that even without Val), The Ghost and the Darkness, Top Gun and Batman Forever.

I didn't see Willow until this past year, and I think it's my favourite.

I pretend he never did the voice of the car on the new Knight Rider.

I miss Val Kilmer. Maybe I'll finally watch At First Sight.

Wayne Brady + NPH = DUET!

freakstop — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:42:23 GMT

While watching TNG today I wondered who would be cast in a reboot of the series. I got as far as Wayne Brady and Neil Patrick Harris as Jordie and Data. My mind was too busy with visions of them singing a duet in Ten Forward to get to the rest of the characters.

Lots of stuff

freakstop — Tue, 19 May 2009 04:46:39 GMT

After all the business of moving and traveling out West, I came home to working 108 hours in two weeks. Unfortunately those weeks were on different pay cheques, so apparently I won't be getting any overtime, but that's another matter. This week I'm only working 29 hours, so I can actually spend time in my new apartment!

My room was finally unpacked last week, and today I went to put stuff on my walls. I know I was going to go for a more grown-up look, but I can't help putting pictures of Remus Lupin on my wall. I won't post pictures until it's absolutely finished, which will hopefully be by the end of the week. I think the best touch would be to find that gnome pattern that was used on George's wallpaper on Being Human that I posted about a while ago - that pattern on fabric so that I can turn it into curtains.

The rest of the apartment is pretty much finished. We're just waiting for some bookshelves that my mom is bringing up at the end of May. So our books and crafts are still in boxes, awaiting us to finish that area of the living room. But other than that, I love how our place has turned out. And I'm not sharing with stupid boys anymore, but with people I actually like. It's like where I lived in second to fourth years, except geekier.

And as an example, I decided to set up all of our action figures on a shelf today.

I don't really want to name them all, but I feel like I should.
Back row: Stark (Farscape), Merlin (Merlin), Ryan Evans and Troy Bolton(High School Musical), Dean and Sam Winchester (Supernatural), Dr. Horrible (Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog).
2nd row from back: Samwise Gamgee, Legolas, Eowyn (Lord of the Rings), Anya (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ninth Doctor, Mickey, The Master, Tenth Doctor (Doctor Who), Princess Leia (Star Wars, obv. She's in her Endor Moon costume.)
3rd row from the back: Merlin and Arthur (Merlin), Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn (Star Wars ep I), Rose Tyler and Tenth Doctor (Doctor Who - Rose is sort of in front of Qui-Gon, but I'm considering her in that row), Dr. "Bones" McCoy, Spock, James T. Kirk (Star Trek - 2009 movie), Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Harry Potter (Harry Potter), Sam and Dean Winchester (Supernatural)
Front Row: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars - I think ep III, but could be II), 1967 Impala (Supernatural), Samwise Gamgee, Frodo Baggins (Lord of the Rings), John Crichton, Zhaan, Rygel (in front), Stark, Chiana, Aeryn Sun, D'Argo (Farscape), Remus Lupin (Harry Potter)

I guess I can admit that most of them are mine, though Phaedra made the Merlin, Sam and Dean in the back row. More fun can be seen with the Star Trek figure on facebook or here at Phaedra's post. Funny story about that day, but also a little embarassing, so not being told here at this time.

Now that the television season is over (and nothing to look forward to over the summer except So You Think You Can Dance and Glee), Laura, Phaedra and I are watching Battlestar Galactica. All of it, all the way through. I gave up beginning of season three, mostly because I had trouble getting a hold of new episodes back then, and also because I was tired of the previous story line. I am excited to watch it this way, especially because I'm not completely spoiled as to who all the cylons are. A few, yes, but not all twelve.

New Guinea Pig is doing very well. She's actually sleeping right now, which is rare to see. If she knows you are there, her eyes are open, even if she's laying down. My rats were like that too, usually. I'm glad I'm not on the bottom of a food chain. Oney's sleeping on my bed at the moment. I don't want to have to put her in the living room, but she'll just keep me up if I let her stay in here, with her sitting on my pillow and breathing in my ear.

I actually get a day shift tomorrow! Which means I can go and get stuff done after work! Also, it's not 12 hours long. Weird.

I'm exhausted

freakstop — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:01:35 GMT

So much so that I can't sleep.

1. We are finally moved. And most of the apartment is set up. We're waiting on bookshelves from my mom before we tackle the book set-up, but other than that, everything is good. Except for my room. But I don't have time to do anything to it! I work, then (awesome) day in Toronto, full of ROM-y and Flight of the Conchords goodness, then I go home Thursday so that I can be ready to leave bright and early Friday for the flight to Calgary. So, yeah. I don't have time to sleep, let alone get anything set up in my room. I have boxes I haven't unpacked since I moved out of my place on Village on the Green, eight months ago, which was packed hastily and haphazardly.

2. While I love my new place, I do not like the distance from work. My shift finishes at 11pm, but my bus doesn't come until 11:38pm. So I get home soon after midnight, because thankfully at this hour, there are few stops. I wish I could bend space, or bore a hole through the Pattern (still reading Wheel of Time) or something. Hopefully I'll find something closer (and in the same city as I live) for September.

3. I finally understand the reference to Rufus Wainwright's song, Gray Gardens, thanks to an article I read today about the tv movie, Grey Gardens. There's an audio clip at the beginning of the song, ("It's very difficult to see the line between the past and the present" or something like that. I'm too lazy to look it up) that I always wondered what it was from. I'm assuming now it's from the 1975 documentary. I had given up trying to figure out what it was from. It's bugged me since first year, when I got the cd. Yay closure.

4. I like clicking spell check and having the only things pop up being "yay" and "Conchords." I blame reading.

ETA
5. AHH! I almost forgot! I went to see 17 Again - the one with Zefron and Matthew Perry. Yes, I went to see it for Matthew Perry. No, I actually went to see it because it looked amusing. And it was! So amusing! I'd totally go back and see it again in theatres. No shame! (I won't go through my reactions to individual scenes. That just might get too embarrassing.)

6. Aaaand, I just wrecked my spell check victory by trying to spell embarrassing with only one r.

7. Laura's cat is such a creeper. She's freaked out about the new apartment, so she's hanging with me in my room. Every few minutes I look around to find her staring at me from another location. I can't wait to introduce her to the guinea pig in a couple of weeks.

I survived.

freakstop — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:55:53 GMT

My Work Week of Hell is over. I got my sentence shortened from eight to seven days, thanks to a nice coworker who wants more hours so she can buy a car. I finally lost it tonight. After staying late the last two nights, scrambling for the entire shift trying to get customers served, preparing chicken (of which there is never enough of), and trying close, plus the thoughts of moving and trying to get everything packed in time, it was too much. So I freaked out about a serving of onion rings that wasn't even there. But after some crying and yelling and cookies, I felt better. Plus it startled my boss, and he stayed until an hour before close and was nice to me for the rest of the night.

Sometimes I think that if I had been upper class 150 years ago I'd be said to have "weak nerves" and I'd get lots of trips to the sea and Bath. Now I just eat chocolate.

Because I got my pent up anger out, I wasn't as hostile to the customers that come in too close to closing. Instead I got a little passive-agressive.

Me: Is that to go?
Customer: No, actually, it's for here.
Me: *blank stare*
Customer: I know it's late, but we'll try to be fast.
Me: Oh, okay. It's just that I've been trying to mop for a while now, but people keep coming in.
Customer: Don't you close at 11? (It was probably 10:20)
Me: Yes, but we have to be completely closed by 11. We don't get extra time after to mop and finish up. Enjoy your meal! *smiles*

Only two more shifts until I get my vacation. Flight of the Conchords concert, a trip to the ROM, and then nine days in Calgary with my family.

Plus, we start moving tomorrow. My dad is coming for the weekend to help me. I still have some stuff to pack up (Balls! I just remembered I left one of my packing boxes at work!), but I'll finish that tomorrow. I just can't wait to be out of this place and into a prettily painted apartment that reflects me, and where I have roommates that I like! And I'm getting my sister's guinea pig in May.

They would

freakstop — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:23:25 GMT

My sister and her boyfriend are on the cover of their university's panphlet. This makes me laugh, and hope that they get married so that I can post it at their wedding.

I lost another one

freakstop — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:52:38 GMT

Athena just died. I woke up to lots of moving noises coming from her cage which suddenly stopped. I knew what it was, but was still too asleep to do anything. My last two rats I was able to hold while they died, and while it's such a horrible death to watch, I feel horrible that Athena had to do it alone. I don't know. Maybe animals usually like dying alone. But I still feel...I just lost another one of my little ones. She was getting old for a rat, and I knew it would be soon, but whenever it happens, I still feel this way.

Joy's Posting about TV. Wow!

freakstop — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:18:17 GMT

Yes, yes I am. Though I usually don't comment on an episode of something right after I've watched it live. Not lately, anyway.

I'm a Supernatural fangirl, and I am not ashamed!

So, apparently a lot of people took offense to the shout-outs to the fans. And I don't understand why. The thing about DeanGirls and SamGirls was cute. Dean probably went back to count who had the most fangirls. Then, after finding out that he did, would have smirked and held himself back from boasting about it to Sam. And their reaction to Sam/Dean was appropriate. Just say no to Wincest. The publisher as the representation of the Fangirl seemed both accurate and fun to me. We do go on and on about Sam and Dean crying and hugging, and we do call them our boys. And I don't feel like they've disrespected us. It's not like Sam and Dean were all "Ew, lady, get a life." Except with the tatoo, maybe, but that one didn't affect me. I don't know. They also took hard jabs at themselves. My favourite was calling the episodes "Ghost Ship" and "Bugs" bad writing. Because it was, and they know it, and they admit it. It's all in fun! They did this out of love for their fans, who, as a genre show, know that they couldn't survive without.

Anyways, I think the episode was fantastic. Started with the hilarity of the book cover art, the fan shoutouts and self-awareness. Then shifted to some serious arc stuff. Good balance and transition. Plus, no gore, which always makes me happy (especially after last week.) Oh, and tons of pretty shots. I say, thumbs up, SPN.

In the Real World, yesterday was our New Aparment Day. We went, got our keys, paid our rent, and now it's ours. We can go there whenever we like. And it's ours. Painting begins next week, when my mom and sister come to help. Hopefully we'll be done fast. I'd like to get the majority of the paint smell out by the time we move on the 19th. I love it. After hanging out, eating take-out on the floor while watching How I Met Your Mother on Phaedra's laptop, it feels more like home than where I'm living now. And that's even when it's completely empty with white walls. I really want the next two weeks to go by fast. I know they will - time's been flying by for no reason - but I'm impatient.

Happy Birthday

freakstop — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:37:01 GMT

Happy birthday Ewan McGregor. When I was 15, you were twice my age and I was in love with you. Now I'm 23 with a thing for Scottish accents and kilts. Thanks.

Happy birthday, Christopher Walken. You're creepy yet cool. Teach me?

I wish I was a Hobbit.

freakstop — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:07:10 GMT

I have so much that I feel like ranting about, but instead I'll just post a few pictures from Lord of the Rings online. As unhappyending posted here, the Spring Festival is on, which means lots of fun running around through mazes and learning new dances, and getting really really drunk.

Not a festival picture, but more of an example of what Laura, Vas, Phaedra and I do when we're in a Fellowship. We get on our horses (or ponies. Vas's dwarf and my Hobbit get ponies) to stand on a barrel in four different directions, creating a four-headed horse. Or something.

We found out - or rather, Phaedra found out - that if you stand on a chair and /sit, you sit in the chair as you would sit in a chair, not in lame sidways seating we usually do. This is my Hobbit and Phaedra's Elf posing in our new Festival hats. Aka, the Hobbit version of St. Patrick's Day. We had to drink green beer made of clover as part of the quest to get these hats.

The festival is a way to make new friends. This is Willowa and her new boyfriend, "Townsperson." He has red hair. Willowa thinks that's hot. This is also an example of the usual sitting down for girl characters. At least they don't make them ride side-saddle.

And my favourite of all. At the festival in Bree, there was a group of Hobbits dancing. It was just too cute, I had to join in. Willowa's the third from the left, doing her newly learned Hobbit dance.

And, since I can't hold it in, a quick overview of my life:
-I'm getting tired of my job. I want a big-person job, but am not qualified for any, which makes me panicky if I think about it too much. Plus, recession and whatnot.
-Going to Retro Prom in two days and am very excited. Have my ugly 80s dress (purple with shoulder pads and pearl buttons down the front) and sparkely tights all ready.
-I really really really really really really really want to move. I hate my place more and more every day. But I don't have a subletter yet, and while my landlord will let me out of my lease two months early, that still means I have two months of paying double rent. With my food industry pay.
-My youngest sister visited me last weekend. I hope she had fun. Didn't corrupt her too much this time. Middle sister also visited on Saturday with her boyfriend, and all four of us hung out. Chris will be a good addition to the family in a couple of years.
-Finished Book Five of Wheel of Time and want to continue. And I was going to only read to Book Two, just so I could role play with Laura in Netland Towers. I have to wait until tomorrow night to get book Six, though, and I have no idea what I'm going to read until then.
-Counting down the days until I get to go to Calgary. Maybe I'll feel better in my job after I've had a good vacation. Probably not, but I'm trying to be optimistic.
-I want to move. Did I mention that? I want to move so badly!

freakstop — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:53:17 GMT

No, this isn't just an excuse to post a picture of my favourite character (that's George, by the way) from Being Human. That's the wallpaper I want. Really really badly. It would save me from trying to pick a colour to paint.

Here's a close-up.

Hmm. I wonder if that large white spherical lamp is supposed to represent something. It looks like a moon. A full moon. Does it have anything to do with George being a werewolf?

I'm also totally getting this for my wall. Except that I actually am. Yay!

TV TV TV

freakstop — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:07:57 GMT

Now that I'm no longer in school, and work at a job that does not require much thought, I've found myself filling in the hours with television. Big surprise. I spent as much time as possible watching stuff when I was in school, when I should have been reading my 25 books per semester or writing my overdue essays, so of course that's what I do now.

I suppose I could go on a rant defending television as a valid medium and not as a mind-destroying pass time, but really, what I wanted to do with this post is to talk a little bit (ha! Me talking a little bit about television) about the shows I am currently watching. While I know most people who are going to read this don't watch half the shows, and nobody really cares about my opinion, this is more for myself. With TV replacing school, I need to feel like it's at least a little bit productive. And I like lists.

Shows I watch weekly

How I Met Your Mother: Don't have much to say at the moment. Stupid random February hiatus. My favourite episode this season has been Intervention. I like how they are doing the Barney/Robin thing. Yup. Uh-huh. I like this show.

Bones: This season has been ridiculously awesome. It had a weak beginning. The London thing did not work. But they've gone all out with the crazy ideas. The circus episode, the hockey episode. Amazingly ridiculous and I loved every second of it. Bones/Booth is a good ship. It's obvious they are going to get together. Their chemistry is perfect. Yet I'm perfectly happy with them not together yet. And I don't want them to get together until the series finale because it will ruin the show. The only thing that's bugging me is in the latest episode. It took place at a convention, and there was no one dressed up as Angel. Come on! That's funny!

Supernatural: Again with the hiatus! So, apparently it's been renewed for a fifth season. I'm happy, but I wasn't too worried this time. The beginning of this season was amazing! I love Castiel. I love the Dean vs Sam potential. I'm just waiting for it to all blow up at the end. Oh, and they had better not kill Bobby. It's unforgivable. I'd be like killing Wash! Oh, wait.

Dollhouse: I've decided I'll give this show ten episodes. If I don't love it by then, I think I'm going to let it be until I hear it's better. The second episode was a lot better, but since I rarely like pilots, I'm not really surprised. It just feels more like a JJ show than a Joss show. I can't help compare it to Alias. Except, I liked Alias better (so far). Where's the humour? That's why I liked Joss shows. It can be dark and thoughtful and funny. Dollhouse is just sort of dark. With sex. And I don't really care about these characters yet. Except the Boyd guy - the one we call Dixon. I like him. And so I'm afraid they are going to kill him. I want to like Topher, the tech geek, but he's no Marshall. So ten episodes. No, wait, they said we're going to see Alpha in episode 13? Somewhere around there. I'll watch until we see Alpha, because I'm excited for who's playing him. (spoiler: ALAN TUDYK!)

Flight of the Conchords: I love Sundays, because I get to watch the new HIMYM (if there is one) and the latest FotC and Being Human from sunday. I was afraid that season two wouldn't be able to live up to season one, especially because I felt the show got a little weaker at the end, but they're doing a good job. Still a fan. Still laugh every episode. And I still like the songs. I can't wait to see them in April.

Being Human: Man, I love this show. I feel like I shouldn't, but I do. I mean, the premise is amazing: ghost, vampire and werewolf are roomates, but to be honest, I thought it would be like a British live-action Ruby Gloom. It's so much darker than I expected. And WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED IN THE LAST EPISODE!! It was INSANE!!!! The entire episode felt very conclusive, like a finale, except that it was only episode five. Then, the last five seconds and WHAM!!! It's going to be a long week. I need to know what happens NOW!! And I love George. I say it a couple of times an episode, but I love him. Mitchell is broody and hot and fingerless gloves. Annie is cute and broken. And George is George and I love him.

Project Runway Canada: I don't usually include reality shows with my drama/comedies, but that's probably because I rarely watch reality shows. I don't have any favourites quite yet. I like Sunny, I guess. I'm not really into it, but it's a nice thing to watch after work. Nice and mindless.

Scrubs: Yes, I'm still watching it. Maybe not weekly, but I catch up on it every so often. It lost it's magic three seasons ago, but I still enjoy it. And once in a while it's actually good. I think Ted is the one who's saving it, to be honest.

Shows I am catching/have caught up on

Robin Hood: The BBC show that's apparently doing a third season later this year. Laura finally talked me into watching it and I loved it. I loved Allan a Dale, and Djaq, and Much, and even Robin. I don't often love the main characters. I was impressed with how they made Gisbourne sympathetic. I actually shipped him and Marian at times! But he's evil and tried to kill the king and is league with the Sheriff! Yet I felt for him. And then he turns out to be a bastard and I get to hate him again. He reminds me of Snape, actually. Not sure what they are going to do with the third season, after the finale. Jonas Armstrong (Robin) is also leaving after season three? You can't have a show called Robin Hood without Robin. Unless they turn it into Doctor Hood, and just use a new actor.

The United States of Tara: I caught up with this show last night, which is why it's in this section, and not on the weekly list, which it will be joining next week. I saw the pilot when it first came out and I thought the premise was interesting, but I was wary. I love Toni Collette, which is why I tried it in the first place. And John Corbett is the husband, which is a bonus. I was bored and sick last night, and didn't feel like reading, and didn't want anything too serious or too funny, so I decided to try it again. And then found myself watching every episode available. It's so much better than I thought it would be. It's a good show! I like the characters, the actors, the stories, the main arc. I was a little worried with how they would treat a main character with a mental illness, and while I don't know any real facts about dissociative identity disorder, I'm okay with how it's handled.

30 Rock: Yes, I'm finally joining the rest of the world. I knew I would like it, but just never wanted to sit down and catch up. Now I have the time. I'm only on episode five, but of course I'm enjoying it. I'm looking forward to catching up with the airing season.

Wonderfalls: I can't remember if I've already said I finished it, but I did and I liked it. I don't know why I watch shows that have already been cancelled. I just get sad. And this show was actually going somewhere. I've read suspect plans for later seasons (it was in the imdb trivia, so I'm not sure how official it is), but if it was true, I would have probably liked those seasons too. At least it had a finale. Unlike other Bryan Fuller shows soon to end.

Shows I've stopped watching

Chuck: While I really enjoyed season one, I just haven't watched any of season two, and have just sort of given up. I'll probably catch up on it at some point, especially if it gets cancelled.

Smallville: I'll get in the mood some day, and just catch up. And it's been renewed for another season? What? Wasn't last season supposed to its finale? This show needs to die someday. Clark is getting too close to becoming Superman as it is. Oh, CW.

Battlestar Galactica: Okay, this isn't new. I haven't watched this since the beginning of season three. At the time I had difficulties obtaining the latest episode. Now I don't have that issue, but I'm just going to wait until it's finished and re-watch it from the beginning. The only problem with this plan is that there are spoilers everywhere! I was spoiled to the end of season three in the newspaper, of all places. I just need to keep the final cylon's identity a secret and I'll be okay. That's my only wish.

The Office: I got caught up with it about a year ago, and then stopped watching again. Oh well. It's another one that I'll just get in the mood for someday and watch.

Shows I'm waiting for

Dexter: Yep. Nothing much to say about it. Thankfully Dexter's seasons don't end on cliffhangers. So I'll just wait patiently.

Merlin: Again, no cliffhanger, but I'm really looking forward to a second season. I don't care how lame the show is. I love it.

Doctor Who: Why do British shows have so long between seasons? I think I heard the next special will air around Easter, so not too much longer to wait. Hopefully it will be good. I want to savour the Tennant as long as I can.

Pushing Daisies: Pushing Fucking Daisies. I should have known it would be cancelled. But still. A cliffhanger? Really? That it might come back in comics does not pacify me. I need more episodes. Or at least a movie that will be better than the Dead Like Me movie. And forget the movie, I just want the remaining episodes to air!

Castle: Yes, I'm going to watch it. I've heard it called a Bones-esque Murder He Wrote, which I'm okay with. For Fillion. Anyone else, probably not.

Arrested Development Movie: Not technically a show, but whatever. I'm both excited and wary. In my experience (yes, I'm an old, cynical television critic now) the movies are never as good as the shows. Or even good. Except Serenity, but even then I would have prefered another season (or even a full season) to the movie.

And there it is. I guess I haven't really said much, actually, in all those words, but I enjoy the list I've compiled. I know I've missed something, and it'll annoy me as soon as I think of another one, but I'll probably be too busy watching 30 Rock to bother updating it.

And I do still read! After taking an Earthsea break, I'm back to Wheel of Time, with book five.

Day 5 of 9

freakstop — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:55:03 GMT

Four more days until I get my day off, when I'll be hanging out with my dad, and then off to an Oscar Party. SO it should be a good day, though I would like a day off where I do nothing but watch tv and read and not leave the house. Or at least not leave Phaedra and Laura's apartment, since I also want to spend the least amount of time in my apartment until the move.

Things I observed at work today, not for the first time.

1. I wish I smoked so that I could get the same amount of breaks as the smokers do.

2. There needs to be a sign against cell phone use when ordering food. I have better things to do than wait for someone to finish their conversation so that I can prepare their food. It's one of the few times I don't care whether or not I burn their food. It's their own fault.

3. There also needs to be a sign against PDA. I do not like watching people kiss/feel each other up while I'm making their pita. It's a restaurant! They are going to make people sick!

I also found this quiz via whisperwords I disagree in that I'd want a Daemon that's soft. I'd probably have a rat.

Your result for The Golden Compass Daemon Test...

Quiet Loner Soul

You are a quiet, solitary kind of person. You probably rely on your few close friends or family members to get you out of the house occasionally, or you would probably forget to leave. You don't like big crowds of people, or being in new social situations, because they make you feel uncomfortable and you get tired very quickly. You need to spend some time alone in front of a computer, book, or television to recharge after expending all of that social effort! You have a lot of personal projects that you like to spend time working on.

You don't spend much time talking about yourself or your emotions. Your close friends and family probably have to try and remember to ask you directly about your feelings, and even then you probably just smile or shrug a lot of the time. People who don't know you well probably forget that you even have emotions at all, because you never get angry or upset. Really, though, you just don't think of your emotions as being important. It doesn't even occur to you to call someone and complain about your day, or to retaliate when someone insults you. You march to the beat of your own drum, and you don't really care that much when other people think. You are calm and logical in nature, and reacting emotionally to things simply doesn't come naturally to you. Perhaps you have been hurt or embarrassed in the past, which makes you afraid to share your feelings. Or maybe you are just naturally that way.

At the same time, you are not uncaring, and you are aware of the feelings of other people around you. When a close friend or a family member is going through a rough time, you are sympathetic and probably wish you knew how to make it better.

Your daemon's form would reflect your solitary, calm, logical nature, but would not be aggressive or intimidating in appearance. He or she would probably spend time talking to you constructively about how to solve problems, or simply watching over your shoulder while you indulge in your hobbies.

Suggested form:
Lizard, Gecko, Manatee, Tree Kangaroo, Grass Snake.

Take The Golden Compass Daemon Test at HelloQuizzy

My Future Pets

freakstop — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:19:46 GMT