A few random musings to get me back in the swing of blogging after a two-week break.
Book pimping: If you haven't read it yet, check out Lynn Truss's Talk to the Hand. Not only is this book hilarious and extremely well written, Truss's observations about the almost epidemic levels of complete self-absorption mankind has slipped into are so spot on I spend most of my time nodding as I read. Anyone who has ever wanted to reach over to the person talking on their cell while simultaneously checking out at the grocery store, pluck the thing out of her hand and beat her senseless with it will appreciate this book endlessly.
Sympathy: Last night I watched Troy on DVD, and my one lingering thought is how utterly bad I feel for Jennifer Aniston. Because no matter how much times passes, she'll never escape the cinematic reminders of the bod that once slept next to her. Sure, Brad Pitt might have been a cad who cheated on her, might have left dirty socks laying all over the floor or the toilet seat up at night, heck might even have had B.O. or halitosis. But all that is a piffle if this is how you spend your nights, right? Jen is gorgeous and she'll find a good man yet, no doubt. But dang, that's got to be tough. I wonder if she actively avoids his movies? I suppose her best hope is that he won't age well, and she'll be glad she had him during his glory years.
Computer problems: I'm still working on making the switch from Mac to PC. You wouldn't think it would be a big deal, but right now I'm tearing my hair out because Firefox is giving me grief. I can't seem to close the application. How is that possible, that you can't close an application? Does anyone else have Firefox problems on a Mac? I did, however, discover where the "forced quit" function lies on my machine.
Music: I'm a woman nearly of a certain age, so I'm certainly too old to be as intrigued as I am by the alternative rock group 30 Seconds to Mars. I was up late the other night, with one of those lame countdown shows on MTV as background noise. The show ended and the late night video plays kicked in. First up was this mind-blowing video by 30STM for their song, From Yesterday. I was completely captivated, and I have no idea why. Could be Jared Leto's eyes. You know, you read eyes described in books - especially in romance novels - that simply defy the possibility of physical reality because they are so blue or so light or so intense. Most people have blue-ish eyes, with a lot of green or gray or other stuff in them. Or the intensity is fleeting at best, because no one can maintain a constantly intense look without getting a migraine. So you chalk such fancy up to creative license on the part of the writer. Then you see someone like Jared Leto and begin to believe.
Great in theory, poor in execution: Rented and watched The Covenant, despite the fact the movie got a grand total of 3% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The premise is stellar - four boys who inherit magical powers via their warlock ancestors. The execution was weak. The director mistook dim lighting for darkness as a theme, making things just too hard to see rather than scary or intense. I'm wishing now someone would do the idea justice. Because, oh, the pretty boys.
Yes, as a matter of fact I am feeling kind of perverted today.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Mind the Gap - The Sequel
Tomorrow night, Lost finally returns with new episodes. This after it aired six epis, then took a three-month hiatus leaving us viewers high and dry. To say I was annoyed when TPTB began Lost's long break with some supremely intense moments is an understatement. Back in November, I wasn't sure how I could stand to wait until February to get my resolution.
Funny thing is, though, I'd almost forgotten all about it until I caught a couple of teasers on ABC that reminded me that Lost had been gone for a long while. Which leads me to ask, how long of a gap can be sustained and still keep viewers/readers/fans interested?
Quite possibly the worst wait I've ever had to endure - although by far not the longest - was the gap between the season 1 cliff hanger of Queer As Folk and the season 2 premier. The six months or so between June 24, 2001 and January 6, 2002 were pure torture because the fate of two of my favorite characters was held in the balance. I scrambled for every scrap of spoiler I could find, trying to feed my addiction to this show.
I've held my breath over other season breaks; several The West Wing seasons, one Smallville season, at least two other Queer As Folks. But these waits are cake walks compared to what I endure between releases of highly anticipated movies and books, where we are talking years rather than months between installments.
Oddly enough, it's the internet that has caused me more angst than I experienced in the past as far as waiting is concerned. Before I could research, I never knew when something was coming up. By the time an event was announced, the space of time I had to endure was usually fairly small. But now I know things year(s) in advance and have to tick off every bloody second.
For example, I had no idea that there would be a gap of almost three years between Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I read Book 4 and then patiently waited for Book 5, never thinking to haunt the internet to find out when it might arrive. Now I'm tempted to download the countdown widget so I know to the second how long I have to wait for Book 6.
Same thing with books by favorite writers. I know to the day when J.R. Ward's next BDB book will hit the shelves, and the one after that for that matter. I know the next title in Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters series will be around by end of the summer. And I'm anxiously awaiting May 1st when I can get my hands on Lynn Viehl's Night Lost. I've already mentioned that little event coming this July which I've already put on the calendar...
Plus, movies. My anticipation starts in January, when I check out all the must-see movies coming for the summer. This year I don't know which has me most excited: Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, or Harry Potter 5. I'm already lining up babysitters and I still have three months left!
In researching the last three links, I see Harry Potter 6 is slated for release some time in 2008, which I'm going to guess means around Thanksgiving or so based on previous releases. And, yes, I'm already excited!
I feel like I spend too much of my life waiting in expectation. Nothing beats the thrill of having something I've anticipated for so long finally in my grasp. And nothing - nothing! - is more of a let down than when I've finished it and realize I now have to start the waiting clock ticking all over again.
I guess this answers my question. If you do it right, no wait is too long to keep true fans interested.
Funny thing is, though, I'd almost forgotten all about it until I caught a couple of teasers on ABC that reminded me that Lost had been gone for a long while. Which leads me to ask, how long of a gap can be sustained and still keep viewers/readers/fans interested?
Quite possibly the worst wait I've ever had to endure - although by far not the longest - was the gap between the season 1 cliff hanger of Queer As Folk and the season 2 premier. The six months or so between June 24, 2001 and January 6, 2002 were pure torture because the fate of two of my favorite characters was held in the balance. I scrambled for every scrap of spoiler I could find, trying to feed my addiction to this show.
I've held my breath over other season breaks; several The West Wing seasons, one Smallville season, at least two other Queer As Folks. But these waits are cake walks compared to what I endure between releases of highly anticipated movies and books, where we are talking years rather than months between installments.
Oddly enough, it's the internet that has caused me more angst than I experienced in the past as far as waiting is concerned. Before I could research, I never knew when something was coming up. By the time an event was announced, the space of time I had to endure was usually fairly small. But now I know things year(s) in advance and have to tick off every bloody second.
For example, I had no idea that there would be a gap of almost three years between Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I read Book 4 and then patiently waited for Book 5, never thinking to haunt the internet to find out when it might arrive. Now I'm tempted to download the countdown widget so I know to the second how long I have to wait for Book 6.
Same thing with books by favorite writers. I know to the day when J.R. Ward's next BDB book will hit the shelves, and the one after that for that matter. I know the next title in Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters series will be around by end of the summer. And I'm anxiously awaiting May 1st when I can get my hands on Lynn Viehl's Night Lost. I've already mentioned that little event coming this July which I've already put on the calendar...
Plus, movies. My anticipation starts in January, when I check out all the must-see movies coming for the summer. This year I don't know which has me most excited: Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, or Harry Potter 5. I'm already lining up babysitters and I still have three months left!
In researching the last three links, I see Harry Potter 6 is slated for release some time in 2008, which I'm going to guess means around Thanksgiving or so based on previous releases. And, yes, I'm already excited!
I feel like I spend too much of my life waiting in expectation. Nothing beats the thrill of having something I've anticipated for so long finally in my grasp. And nothing - nothing! - is more of a let down than when I've finished it and realize I now have to start the waiting clock ticking all over again.
I guess this answers my question. If you do it right, no wait is too long to keep true fans interested.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Yes! About Time
Amen!
and Alleluia!!
Except, I will be on vacation that week. In Sandusky, Ohio, at Cedar Point. Cool thing is that I will be with my nieces and nephews of a particular age that they might just be as excited as I am. I'm going to plan a Friday night expedition to the nearest bookstore party.
I. Can't. Wait!!!
and Alleluia!!
Except, I will be on vacation that week. In Sandusky, Ohio, at Cedar Point. Cool thing is that I will be with my nieces and nephews of a particular age that they might just be as excited as I am. I'm going to plan a Friday night expedition to the nearest bookstore party.
I. Can't. Wait!!!
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