G R O W Y O U R W I N G S

I was in an all day meeting and completely offline and unplugged today.  fickleone called me to let me know about Heath Ledger.  Normally, the passing of actors/celebrities is not a significant thing for me.  But I do have a smallish number of actors who I really respect and Heath Ledger was one of those.  It's weird to me that someone who I'd really only seen in a couple of movies (Knight's Tale and Brokeback) has registered as so significant in my mind.  I think it was the different way I saw him between what I originally saw in Knight's Tale and then what I saw in Brokeback.  I enjoyed both movies.  I saw Knight's Tale because of my daughter and I really did enjoy it, but I admit that I saw it as a typical hollywood movie playing towards the young female demographic (i.e., my daughter).  That didn't mean I didn't enjoy it--but I admit that it was not a huge standout for me. 

What really made it stand out for me was when I saw Brokeback.  My appreciation for Heath Ledger rose ten-fold.  I was so blown away by his performance of Enis that it made me re-evaluate my shallow original response to Knight's Tale.  When I saw interviews with him later he further rose in my mind because he seemed so level-headed and down-to-earth. 

I guess I have this set of four categories of performers: 

1) those that are really just "celebrities" -- such as the Brittany's of the world.  These I don't think much about at all.  Not in the sense of "judging" them--but rather in the sense that I mostly don't pay any attention to them. 

2) Actors that are successful and "good" at acting--but seem to be either a "one-note" "same guy/gal" in every performance OR let acting get to their heads.  Such as the Tom Cruises of the world.  Again, I can enjoy their work (as long as they don't pass the line into truly weird)--but I don't have the same level of respect for them as I do for my third category. 

3)  I call these my Robert Redford/Paul Newman category.  Those actors who are really good, stay level headed, and don't let the Hollywood hype get to them.  They practice their craft, not their celebrity.  Like Redford, they start to work behind the cameras and are more than a one-note kinda actor.  In this category I place folks like Heath, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and I really think Jensen Ackles--and I'm sure there are few others but I'm drawing a blank. 

Then I have to admit there is a 4th category:  People like Shatner, Nimoy, Jared Padalecki etc.  Those actors who have just contributed something to my enjoyment in something.  For example in something like Star Trek.  They may be very good actors or they may not be.  They are just someone I love because of one or more things they've done and/or who they are.  I don't think any less of these actors and may in fact appreciate them more to distraction in some cases than those in category #3.  They may migrate into category #3 as they mature and/or I see more of them.

There is one constant (I think) in both the #3 and #4 types--they all tend to be hard-working and level-headed--more about the work then the image.

So I rambled.  But back to Heath--such a major shame. So young.  So talented.  I really feel for his family.

Bob is out with Tom this morning getting firewood.  Just a moment ago I realized that I was in the house alone.  In the middle of the night I got up and realized that I didn't have to check that Tim was asleep because he wasn't here becausing he was spending the night at his cousin's house.

Last night Bob and I went out to dinner.  I looked at him across the table and thought "he's looking good."  And I also thought, "he looks a bit like an 'old fart'" (but in a very good way).  I realized both us looked like what we were, an older married couple and married for years; but perhaps both edging onto looking more like grandparents rather than parents (hopefully not quite there yet *g again*). 

We got home and watched the new BSG movie Razor (which was good btw).  I wasn't feeling well so we went to bed after that.

Although Emily is coming home this Weds--there's been many circumstances lately that just reminds me that Bob and I are on the edge of something new.  Empty nesters.  Scary, weird, and maybe a little exciting (assuming we survive it *g*).

Just feels strange.  After years of the world being centered around kids--that's gonna change almost "tomorrow". Can't wrap my brain around it.  Getting to be selfish again, spontaneous maybe.  I really, really, really cannot wrap my brain around this.

Has it really been more than a month since I lasted posted.  Oh well.  And this post has no intrinsic value.  I'm just venting.  Way busy day at work and then I come home to a kid who still hasn't turned in a homework assignment that we worked on a week ago and I've reminded him *every* day to turn in since.  Always some excuse.  Bah.  Not happy (am I).

I just really, really need it to be Thursday night so I can get my SPN fix.

But at the very least I need work, kid(s), and family concerns to just go away for tonight and I will immerse myself in fanfic or other trivial(?) pursuits.  I haven't looked at my flist in 3 days--so I have a lot of catching up to do.

It's on nights like tonight that I wish I was discovering something like QAF, SPN, Lost, BSG, or Firefly for the first time.  Thank god SPN is back on again with new episodes.

*end of rambling*

man!

o boy.

I.  Can't.  Believe. It.

How stupid can one network be?

From digg

and  another


This article says it all for me!

I was almost *completely* off TV watching about 1-1/2 years ago.  Then iTunes posted this show called LOST.  I downloaded an episode because I had just bought a new video iPod and I was curious about how a TV show would look on it.  I got so hooked on the first episode that I downloaded the entire season (for about $40ish bucks) and watched them until 3am. 

Then I tracked down LOST fanfic and got even more hooked.

Then I found *other* shows on iTunes:  the new Battlestar Galactica and Heroes, for example.   Then Kyle XY.  I probably never would have gotten hooked on these shows without iTunes.  And I *WON'T" go back to watching them on a specific day, time, and with commercials.

Since that moment when I first downloaded LOST on iTunes I've become so much more involved with TV programming than I have in YEARS.  And I talk about these shows to friends, familys, and co-workers and THEY have gotten hooked on them and are either buying DVDs, watching commercial TV, or buying through iTunes. 

And I find other shows and music via these shows--and BUY all that STUFF!

Now NBC may be doing me a favor (my pocketbook and real-life free-time) in the long run. 

But they are just being stupid.

It may finally be time to get a TIVO.

END-OF-PUBLIC-RANT (for now)

Stayed up late last night watching Star Wars IV A New Hope. Been so many years since I've seen it. I'd seen it after it was re-released but that was some time ago. I was impressed at how well the movie has stood the test of time. Enough that I'm going to Netflix all 6 and have some kinda marathon I think. There were a few scenes that definitely had some awkward/cheesy dialogue between Han & Luke--but hey, whadda ya want for 1976(?). And I *really* hate that Lucas felt the need to add a first shot from Greedo--give me break. 

Watching this brought back memories of being in the theatre in '75 or '76 and seeing the Star Wars trailer for the first time.  I can still remember seeing the trailer and the scene where Luke and Leia swing across the open "bridge" by using a rope.  I can remember being so excited to see this.  Then later standing in hours-long lines to see the movie at least six different times.  The party atmosphere with friends and strangers in the lines.  The phenomimum(sp? too lazy to look up) of those lines was so new to everyone.  Folks passing out "May the Force Be With You" buttons.

Then watched Eragon. It was enjoyable.  Dude playing Eragon was cute.  Loved Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich--and the character Durza.

Got a little annoyed at hubby last night--but got over it this morning after (of all things) seeing some great SPN photos I'd never seen before (here). And then waking said hubby up and dragging him out to breakfast and then home for some...umm.. extra activities.

It's wierd.  I've heard from so many people that seem to have the same over-arching apathy / disgruntlement (is that a word?) / whatever -- about Christmas this year.


So, day 2 back at work after the holiday break.  Tough day.  i love my job, i love my job, i love my job.  *she chants*  Glad to be home.

I've been re-watching Supernatural, Season 1 the past few days.  Up through Ep 14 (Nightmare.)  I'd lent my Season 1 DVDs out to a few people (trying to infect them with the SPN bug), so I hadn't seen the Season 1 episodes more than once.  I'd rewatched Season 2 so often, that I really wanted to rewatch Season 1 now that I'm so totally hooked.  Enjoying them a lot. 

My brother's family is coming over tomorrow night to continue our geek-out marathon of SPN, Heroes, & Buffy.  I'm going to go by some rum tomorrow so we can have Mahitas (sp?) while we watch.  I had some on Christmas Eve--and they *so* helped me get over my anti-holiday attitude, that I thought I'd try them out again.

Oh and BTW, *what* is with iTunes??  They finally offer Supernatural, Season 2 for download, but after 2 weeks, they still don't have Croatoan posted?  WTF? I emailed them, but no response.  Usually they are so good about this stuff.  They had trouble with one BSG episode, but I suspect all the uber-geeks hooked on BSG bombarbed iTunes--who finally responded with an official post as to the status.  I suspect the fans of SPN aren't as vocal about complaining.

And on a final ramble.  I saw a SPN fanvid set to "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne.  It was Dean-centric and now I can't help listen to this song and think of / see Dean.

Weee!  Bob is coming home tonight!  So great.  Plus I'm off for Christmas until Dec 27 (oh, except for that *additional* work assignment they decided to give us at the last minute yesterday. *grumble*) 

Since I was sick for the past several weeks I was delayed in doing Christmas online shopping.  Thought I did it in enough time, but now there are only 3 delivery days left and I still have some outstanding packages.  *worries*  I'm amazingly disconnected from Christmas this year.  I'm no longer bah-humbugging--now I just could take it or leave it.  Much more interested in other things.

Much. Better. Day. Today. 

Work went well.  Started out with bad, left-over attitude from yesterday.  But overrode it with chanting (yes, I know I said chanting--but what do you want for nuthing?  It worked!)  Multiple meetings with PMs and customers today.  All went well.  Plus (added bonus) the rain and wind disappeared overnight!

Then (wow!) my Mom came over while I was at work to do some sizing on some bedclothes she's making us.  She saw what a disaster my kitchen was, and, (whooee!) -- she cleaned it!  (wow....hmmm... maybe chanting works better than I thought....)

Bob's coming home tonight!  Yippee, I'm getting some (sorry, but man I need it.  I know.  TMI.)

Tomorrow's Friday!  And I'm going to lunch with Nancy (yes, I called her.)

Altogether groovy day (archaic word-use to match my play list--decided to zone back to childhood and listen to my oldies...)

So nice to have everyone home at the same time!

Em, Tim, and I re-watched the first 4 eps of Heroes last night (we were up til 2 am!)  Emily hadn't seen Heroes yet.  Now she's mad at me cuz she's now hooked on another show.  I know how she feels.  I never used to be so hooked on so many TV shows.  I was lamenting to someone at work about this the other day.  Didn't know how/when these shows started taking over my life.  I feel like I've regressed to teenage-hood (which is the last time I used to watch so many shows.)  That person replied they thought that shows were getting better.  Perhaps that's it.  I think it's also the delivery method.  I don't watch them when they are broadcast--I always download and watch on my own schedule.  Getting the shows when I want and being able to watch them on iPod or computer or tv makes it too convenient for me.

I'm downloading last night's BSG and the last SPN ep right now.  Tim and I will watch BSG after Em leaves (she's *so* *not* into sci-fi).

Another nice weekend morning.  Listening to jazz and relaxing.  Life is good.