Sent to me by the ever-incomparable Maria:
Wavefunction Collapse
2 days ago
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
For the love of NUMB3RS
I will, on the outset, admit a certain fondness for Rob Morrow since his Northern Exposure days. There's just something about a man whose eyes sparkle and crinkle up when he smiles.Also, a weakness for math. Math is the purest, most distilled form of every science in existence. There is something beautiful about attempting to use equations to explain the universe. As if, even through math, we can try to touch the hand of God.
I actually didn't get into this show for two seasons, mostly because I thought it was just about this FBI stuff. Math is sexy and all, but I watch too many procedural shows. I am full up on crime and punishment. But once we moved to Austin and my Friday nights became sad and lonely, it was what was on. And I was instantly hooked. Because it's not just an FBI show. It is a show that examines the relationship between two brothers who care about each other, but are vastly different.
And it's even more than that. Because each brother-- genius, Charlie, and FBI supercop, Don-- have life issues of their own to deal with.
Charlie has had his life mapped out since he was a child at Princeton working equations that make the rest of us scratch our heads. He is a professor at a University, a noted mathematician, and respected scholar. But he feels his life is missing something. He worries his gifts shorted his brother on parental involvement. He wants more, but doesn't always know what that is, but he loves helping his brother solve crimes. Using math. Because Game Theory explains everything.
Don, once a baseball pitcher, loves his job as the team leader for the FBI's Violent Crimes Division. He worries about his team, worries about doing a good enough job, worries about his brother's involvement in his world. A brilliant arc from last season had Don in therapy, examining his overburdened sense of responsibility and how that impacts his personal life and professional choices. Don, who does feel he was slighted a bit, also recognizes his brother is meant for greatness, and fears he's now holding him back, even while recognizing how much Charlie is needed. Don is driven, ambitious, direct, and hardcore when it comes to his job. But he has been missing something and doesn't quite know what it is.
It is this show's unrepentant examination of these two grown men's interior lives that make me love it. Charlie and Don are adults living in an adult world. Sometimes the work they do affects them, but for the most part they accept those emotional scars a part of the Life, and don't become worn down or pathetically despondant in the face of it. They both have positive relationships to lean on, a supportive father (the incomparable Judd Hirsch), girlfriends who are professional and emotional equals. But they are also thinking, feeling men who represent the angst I believe a lot of us feel in our over-connected, yet strangely cut-off, 21st Century world. Their search is what keeps me coming back.
Also of note is an impressive supporting cast, which includes (for smarty-pants comic relief) Peter MacNicol as Charlie's mentor/best friend, the aforementioned Hirsch, Alimi Ballard as one of the few non-token black characters on TV. In fact, Numb3rs succeeds where so many shows do not in having an impressive array of nationalities and skin tones represented across gender lines without once feeling like it is catering to stereotypical tokenism (Bones still being the show that tops this list). And anyone who watches and doesn't develop a tiny girl-crush on Navi Rawat as Charlie's computer programming genius girlfriend, Amita, needs a check-up.
This season is shaping up to be an interesting one on the personal development front. Don is exploring the role his Jewish faith may play in his search for higher meaning in his life. Charlie is deepening his relationship with Amita and establishing his ethics as they apply to him in both his scientific and law-enforcement spheres.
These personal developments excite me because I feel I am watching a show in which adults act, think, and worry as adults do. In this day and age of arrested development all over our entertainment media, it is refreshing to see.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Now that Blogger is working again
Stephenie Meyer proves to all of us just how batshit insane she truly is.
Ironman? Didn't that movie come out way after the last book was written?
Oh, and do I need to even go into my Bella is no Jane Eyre rant again? I thought not.
Oh, what the hell, in case you have a memory like mine:
Stephenie, as opposed to the person interviewed here, sees a lot of Edward Rochester in Edward Cullen.
...
Um, no. Rochester is a highly flawed character for a reason. He needs to be redeemed. Edward Cullen is a two-dimensional OMGPerfectBoyfriend! stalker who loveloveloves Bella sooooo much, he watches her sleep. Edward doesn't seek redemption, but suicide, and even then fails mightily because he chooses the most melodramatic way to do it possible. Rochester, like all failed romantic heroes, mopes around his house and snaps at people.
On to some of her other choices, which I will simply list for their comic value:
1. Linkin Park - a band that cannot even spell
2. Anne of Green Gables series - because a series-long exploration of one girl-to-woman's life can compare to Bella's just after high school marriage and devirgining.
3. Somewhere in Time - I think it takes balls to admit this and will give her kudos for it.
All right. There should be more, but most of my energy is going into writing right now. The mocking can commence in the comments.
Ironman? Didn't that movie come out way after the last book was written?
Oh, and do I need to even go into my Bella is no Jane Eyre rant again? I thought not.
Oh, what the hell, in case you have a memory like mine:
Which fictional character would you compare Bella to?I know she's talking niches here, and not character-to-character comparisons, but this just set my mind in a tither. I can honestly see the Jane Eyre, as that novel is a spin on the Beauty and the Beast motif of Gothic literature. And many arguments can be made about Rochester's treatment of Jane being similar to Edward's treatment of Bella. However, let's not forget Jane herself resented Rochester's treatment and went on a quest to seek her identity. She was then able to meet Rochester again as his equal, not by giving anything up, but by gaining her own independence. Bella may wish to be Edward's equal, but it will not be through gaining her independence that this will be attained.
I think that Jane Eyre and Elizabeth Bennet are more apt comparisons, in terms of the niche Bella fits into—despite the vampires, she is really a romance character.
Stephenie, as opposed to the person interviewed here, sees a lot of Edward Rochester in Edward Cullen.
...
Um, no. Rochester is a highly flawed character for a reason. He needs to be redeemed. Edward Cullen is a two-dimensional OMGPerfectBoyfriend! stalker who loveloveloves Bella sooooo much, he watches her sleep. Edward doesn't seek redemption, but suicide, and even then fails mightily because he chooses the most melodramatic way to do it possible. Rochester, like all failed romantic heroes, mopes around his house and snaps at people.
On to some of her other choices, which I will simply list for their comic value:
1. Linkin Park - a band that cannot even spell
2. Anne of Green Gables series - because a series-long exploration of one girl-to-woman's life can compare to Bella's just after high school marriage and devirgining.
3. Somewhere in Time - I think it takes balls to admit this and will give her kudos for it.
All right. There should be more, but most of my energy is going into writing right now. The mocking can commence in the comments.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
It took a memeing to get me to post!
So really, I've had this whole homage to Chuck I wanted to write (Rush! Atari! Though I know from watching The King of Kong that it takes way longer than 30 minutes to reach the kill screen of a classic arcade game, but whatevski). And then I was going to talk about some other TV I've been watching and how it's faring in the grad scheme of my TV life. But I've actually been writing creative stuff, which leaves me little room for the brain spew I put here.
But Val tagged me and I love Val. She posts lovely pics of Vincent, London, and cute-as-pie baby animals, all the while maintaining her British humor and reserve (well, not always in the case of Vincent, but...).
So: Memage
Where would you have your 8 homes, if you were as insanely rich as the McCains?
List them. You don’t have to list your reasons, but if you do at least for a few of them, it would be more fun. And remember that the only rule is: the homes must be within the borders of the United States of America or else, within the borders of the country you live in, so as to utterly emulate the McCains. When you’re done, tag 8 people, so that they may join in the self-indulgence, forgetting about the crappy property market and the equivalent of The End of Pompeii on Wall-Street. You could spend your time hammering your doors and windows shut in preparation for the apocalypse instead, but it would be much less fun.
1. Chelsea or the East Village, New York: I know, Manhattan is fatuous, filled with more people who believe they are the centers of the Universe than could actually be the center, but it is New York Motherfucking City. It very well could be the center of the Universe.
2. New Orleans: Because it is my home.
3. Austin: Because it is that cool a place to live.
4. Pensacola Beach: I'm low-brow like that. I love Pensacola, the beach is pretty, it's close to stuff, and there's a Maguire's Irish Pub (men in kilts! yowza).
5. Somewhere in Oregon: I don't know where. Because it's Oregon. And it's pretty.
6. Las Vegas: How could I resist? Living in the equivalent of an amusement park. Plus, I don't gamble, so no wasted fundage.
7. Cabot Cove, Maine: JB Fletcher and I are going to get coffee, man.
8. North Carolina: Again, pretty. Number 2? Mountains.
Number 2
Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.*
Share 6 / 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.*
Tag 6/ 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.*
Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
1. Yes. I actually do know people who work in the film industry. Yes, most of them are assholes.
2. I am double-jointed
3. Favorite dinosaur? The triceratops, because...horns.
4. I had a friend in elementary school who, like me, liked to fabricate stuff. We once had an entire conversation about an event neither one of us attended. No one else was listening. We just talked to each other about how much fun we had seeing each other at a place we weren't.
5. The above is why I'm so good at that "Put a made-up thing we did together in the comments" meme. I am apparently a professional at that shit.
6. I really do worry all the time that I'm not living up to some expectation on everyone's part. Ask for my advice and I will stress over having given good enough opinions; need me to edit something? I will be certain I'm not offering the help you really want.
7. I look everyone in the eye and smile at them. I feel it's the least I can do for a fellow human being.
I'm only tagging lynnez and Music Wench, because I know they'll do it. Maybe. Whatevski.
But Val tagged me and I love Val. She posts lovely pics of Vincent, London, and cute-as-pie baby animals, all the while maintaining her British humor and reserve (well, not always in the case of Vincent, but...).
So: Memage
Where would you have your 8 homes, if you were as insanely rich as the McCains?
List them. You don’t have to list your reasons, but if you do at least for a few of them, it would be more fun. And remember that the only rule is: the homes must be within the borders of the United States of America or else, within the borders of the country you live in, so as to utterly emulate the McCains. When you’re done, tag 8 people, so that they may join in the self-indulgence, forgetting about the crappy property market and the equivalent of The End of Pompeii on Wall-Street. You could spend your time hammering your doors and windows shut in preparation for the apocalypse instead, but it would be much less fun.
1. Chelsea or the East Village, New York: I know, Manhattan is fatuous, filled with more people who believe they are the centers of the Universe than could actually be the center, but it is New York Motherfucking City. It very well could be the center of the Universe.
2. New Orleans: Because it is my home.
3. Austin: Because it is that cool a place to live.
4. Pensacola Beach: I'm low-brow like that. I love Pensacola, the beach is pretty, it's close to stuff, and there's a Maguire's Irish Pub (men in kilts! yowza).
5. Somewhere in Oregon: I don't know where. Because it's Oregon. And it's pretty.
6. Las Vegas: How could I resist? Living in the equivalent of an amusement park. Plus, I don't gamble, so no wasted fundage.
7. Cabot Cove, Maine: JB Fletcher and I are going to get coffee, man.
8. North Carolina: Again, pretty. Number 2? Mountains.
Number 2
Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.*
Share 6 / 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.*
Tag 6/ 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.*
Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
1. Yes. I actually do know people who work in the film industry. Yes, most of them are assholes.
2. I am double-jointed
3. Favorite dinosaur? The triceratops, because...horns.
4. I had a friend in elementary school who, like me, liked to fabricate stuff. We once had an entire conversation about an event neither one of us attended. No one else was listening. We just talked to each other about how much fun we had seeing each other at a place we weren't.
5. The above is why I'm so good at that "Put a made-up thing we did together in the comments" meme. I am apparently a professional at that shit.
6. I really do worry all the time that I'm not living up to some expectation on everyone's part. Ask for my advice and I will stress over having given good enough opinions; need me to edit something? I will be certain I'm not offering the help you really want.
7. I look everyone in the eye and smile at them. I feel it's the least I can do for a fellow human being.
I'm only tagging lynnez and Music Wench, because I know they'll do it. Maybe. Whatevski.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Most fun 2 minutes ever
Your result for the completely scientific nonsense test...
genius
5 nonsense, 3 lamp, 10 yellow and 15 spain!
you are smart and pretty, you are also very shallow
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Wherein PostSecret makes me ridiculously happy
There is something about this secret that almost made me cry. And not in a sad way. I think because the sender chose a picture of fireworks, it offsets what could be negative text and turns it into a celebration. I imagine this guy as maybe someone who didn't know what he was doing to make his wife unhappy, but desperately wished he could figure it out. I'm sorry it took so long, but whoever they are, I am mind-trippingly pleased for them.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Oh Crap!
It's blog action day and all I did was talk about myself.
I'm supposed to write something about poverty. I can't even focus on it because when I think about how connected we all are and how, when thinking that, we should all be going to bed hungry, I feel all overwhelmed. Don't believe me? Where were your clothes made? Who picked the fruit and vegetables you eat? Where did the wood that made the furniture you sit, eat, work, and sleep come from?
Poverty touches us all, if we know how to look around and see it. I'm not saying this because I think we should all feel guilty. I don't think guilt is a very healthy motivator. I say it to make you more aware. To make myself more aware. Opening my eyes to the interconnectedness of us all helps me not get lost in my own head. It also keeps me honest. We are all hypocrites, if we look closely enough.
I do not have the funds right now to donate to the cause that will alleviate my guilt for the day. I know, I said not to feel guilty, but the reaction is like breathing for me. So I write this meaningless jumble of words, hoping to open one other person's eyes. Or at least try to.
I'm supposed to write something about poverty. I can't even focus on it because when I think about how connected we all are and how, when thinking that, we should all be going to bed hungry, I feel all overwhelmed. Don't believe me? Where were your clothes made? Who picked the fruit and vegetables you eat? Where did the wood that made the furniture you sit, eat, work, and sleep come from?
Poverty touches us all, if we know how to look around and see it. I'm not saying this because I think we should all feel guilty. I don't think guilt is a very healthy motivator. I say it to make you more aware. To make myself more aware. Opening my eyes to the interconnectedness of us all helps me not get lost in my own head. It also keeps me honest. We are all hypocrites, if we look closely enough.
I do not have the funds right now to donate to the cause that will alleviate my guilt for the day. I know, I said not to feel guilty, but the reaction is like breathing for me. So I write this meaningless jumble of words, hoping to open one other person's eyes. Or at least try to.
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