OS's Journal

Dollhouse

Fri, 16 May 2008 19:54:09 GMT

I don't know much about this upcoming series, but what I do know has me interested.

First, it's from Joss Whedon (Firefly, Buffy, Angel).

Second, the stars include Eliza Dushku (Buffy's "Faith"), Amy Acker (Angel's "Fred/Illyria"), Reed Diamond (Journeyman's "Jack Vasser" - the brother of the guy who flashed through time), and Tahmoh Penikett (BSG's "Helo").

The plot, as I understand it, is this ... There is a mythical company/place called the Dollhouse. Inside are living Dolls. Well, they're people, but they're programmed. Customers come in and ask for specifics (guy who is a ninja, girl who speaks perfect Russian while tapdancing and plaing piano, couple who are assassins). The Doll is programmed with those specifics, they take the Doll and then return him/her. At that time, their minds are erased and they live basically like they're toddlers. They're designed to not remember anything after an assignment. Then Faith - or whatever the character is called - starts to remember and rebels.

It's supposed to be just 7 episodes, so it's a complete Fox series, really.

I hope the whole thing airs. Joss and Fox ... not a great mix. We'll see how much Fox fucks it up.

Books Updating - CH

Thu, 15 May 2008 17:52:45 GMT

I'll put it behind the cut, so it's not filling up friends lists ...

Books and stories by Charlaine Harris. Those I have are in normal text. Those I do not yet have are in italics. As of now, there are only 5 titles I do not yet have.

Non-Series
1 - Sweet and Deadly - pb, signed
2 - A Secret Rage

Harper Connolly
1 - Grave Sight - HC, signed
2 - Grave Surprise
3 - An Ice Cold Grave

Aurora Teagarden
1 - Real Murders
2 - A Bone to Pick
3 - Three Bedrooms, One Corpse - pb
4 - The Julius House - pb
5 - Dead Over Heels - pb
6 - A Fool and His Honey - HC
7 - Last Scene Alive - pb
8 - Poppy Done to Death - pb

Lily Bard/Shakespeare
1 - Shakespeare's Landlord - pb, Signed
2 - Shakespeare's Champion - pb, Signed
3 - Shakespeare's Christmas - pb, Signed
4 - Shakespeare's Trollop - pb, Signed
5 - Shakespeare's Counselor - pb, Signed

Southern Vampire
A - Novels:
1 - Dead Until Dark - pb, Signed
2 - Living Dead in Dallas - pb, Signed
3 - Club Dead - pb, Signed
4 - Dead to the World - HC, Signed
4 - Dead to the World - pb, Signed
5 - Dead as a Doornail - HC, signed
6 - Definitely Dead - HC, Signed
7 - All Together Dead - HC, Signed
8 - From Dead to Worse - HC, Signed

B - Anthologies:
Powers of Detection - pb, Signed
Night's Edge - pb, Signed
Bite - pb, Signed
My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding - HC, Signed
Many Bloody Returns - HC, Signed

Meega Nala Kweesta

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:41:49 GMT

My Director just paid me a visit.

To some, that's cause for heart palpitations, but to me, it's even worse. She brought me very sad news.

The Stitch store is closing. By the end of June, they'll be gone. They have everything marked at least 50% off, some even more, and they have quite a few Stitch items, some of the giant plushes, some of the itty bitty ones, and none over ten bucks.

This particular Stitch store is the only one around for ... well, hundreds of miles.

Damn. Where will I get my Stitch fix now?

Guess I'll be taking a long lunch tomorrow.

Free Summer Movies in Omaha

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:52:51 GMT

Star Cinema - now part of Kerasotes - has announced their free movie schedule for this summer.

For six weeks, June 18 through July 31st, every Wednesday and Thursday morning at 10 am, they are offering free admission to the movies I'll list below. Doors open at 9, movie starts at 10. There are no advanced tickets, you just show up that day.

June 18 and 19 - Night at the Museum
June 25 and 26 - The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
July 2 and 3 - Alvin and the Chipmunks (puke)
July 9 and 10 - Surf's Up
July 16 and 17 - Shrek the Third
July 23 and 24 - Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who
July 30 and 31 - The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (A Veggietales Movie, whatever the hell that is)

Popcorn and drink, "special sized" for 4.25 ... probably extra small. :P

AMC Oak View is offering summer movies, they'll be one dollar per person (all ages). It'll be every Wednesday at 10 am, from June 25th to August 6th.

June 25: Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
July 2: The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
July 9: Alvin & The Chipmunks
July 16: Shrek The Third
July 23: Bee Movie
July 30: Surf's Up
August 6: TMNT

Great Escape Theaters is doing their own summer movie program. Shows start June 3rd and play every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for 11 weeks, doors open at 9 and movies start at 10 am.

June 3/4/5 - Everyone's Hero
June 10/11/2 - Bee Movie
June 17/18/19 - Alvin & The Chipmunks
June 24/25/26 - The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
July 1/2/3 - The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (A Veggietales Movie)
July 8/9/10 - Happy Feet
July 15/16/17 - Charlotte's Web
July 22/23/24 - Shrek the Third
July 29/30/31 - Ice Age: The Meltdown
August 5/6/7 - Surf's Up
August 12/13/14 - Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who

Hope this info helps someone save some bucks. :)

We Hold These Checks to be Self-Spendable ...

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:32:45 GMT

The B5 script team has announced an extension of the final date for order the Babylon 5 scriptbooks. There are 14 buyable books (the 15th book is free to those who have ordered the other 14).

I have 5 of them, and will be buying the other 9 when I get my stimulus check, which should be arriving in June. I want that 15th volume, it's signed by JMS and has all kinds of goodies.

They've also announced Other Voices Vol 1, which begins the scripts written by those other than JMS (Dave Gerrold, Dorothy Fontana, Christy Marx, etc), will be going on sale shortly.

It's nice to see that even 10 years after the series left the airwaves, there is still material coming out, and there is still a .. hunger ... in the fans for more.

And there was much rejoicing ...

Tue, 13 May 2008 01:30:56 GMT

Eli Stone has been renewed for a second year!

Rock on!

Have you seen Speed Racer?

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:57:20 GMT

Is it any good? Worth seeing in Imax?

I'm not familiar with the material it's based on, so I'd be going to see it blind. Wondering if it's worth it, I am.

Fun with Dead People

Fri, 09 May 2008 03:41:52 GMT

Tonight was the book signing with Charlaine Harris. I now officially adore her.

I was the first to arrive - yay me - and next to last to leave ... I had a few books to get signed, and helped others as much as I could, whether taking pictures or carrying books, and whatnot.

What I got signed ...

pb - Sweet and Deadly (no series)
pb - Shakespeare's Landlord (Lily Bard)
pb - Shakespeare's Champion (Lily Bard)
pb - Shakespeare's Christmas (Lily Bard)
pb - Shakespeare's Trollop (Lily Bard)
pb - Shakespeare's Counselor (Lily Bard)

All the rest are part of the Sookie/Southern Vampire series

pb - Dead Until Dark
pb - Living Dead in Dallas
pb - Club Dead
pb - Dead to the World
pb - Powers of Detection
pb - Night's Edge
pb - Bite
HC - Dead to the World (hc copy, only duplicate)
HC - Dead as a Doornail
HC - My Big, Fat Supernatural Wedding
HC - All Together Dead
HC - From Dead to Worse (just released, started reading)

I figured it was about 20, but actually 18. That's not so bad. I want to get Dead Until Dark in hardcover... it's on my to-get list. Charlaine will actually be back in Omaha at the end of the month, so I might be able to get it and have it signed too.

I also have the poster signed and in my room ... You can see it right behind her. Go me.

Attack of the Hens

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:14:16 GMT

It's already begun.

The hens are clucking.

I work with several women who are in another department but were moved into my direct area about 6 months ago. Every day they start chattering and eventually it's nothing but "cluck cluck cluck" of hens talking.

It's already begun. They're all upset that the dreadlock guy got voted off American Idol last night. They haven't shut up about it yet.

Time for the headphones.

Well, that's new ...

Thu, 08 May 2008 05:44:03 GMT

Bruce Boxleitner - Sheridan of Babylon 5 - has joined the cast of Heroes as a Senator John McCain-like dude, with a recurring role.

This might just make season 3 worth watching after the abysmal season 2.

Myanmar

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:28:17 GMT

CNN, MSNBC, KETV, and others are reporting the death toll in Myanmar has reached 100,000 after a cyclone ravaged the area.

They aren't burying the dead, instead taking the bodies and dumping them (as the AP says "unceremoniously") into the river. There is a wall of bodies being washed away and no time to mourn the dead.

My heart goes out to those affected in the area.

Um ... Glad I didn't use TurboTax

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:26:12 GMT

A cubemate here has been on the phone for the last hour with the folks at TurboTax about the stimulus check.

The end result is this ...

If you filed with TurboTax (federal) and had your refund direct deposited, you may or may not get your stimulus right away. If you paid with a credit card, the direct depositing will have already been done. If you had them take the filing fee out of your refund, it's not considered direct depositing (it's actually a refund anticipation loan, though they don't tell you that!). You'll get a paper check mailed out with the rest of the country.

This cubemate is freaking out. She'd made arrangements to pay off a whole bunch of things based on the direct deposit, and now she finds the check won't be mailed out until the last week of June.

Glad I don't trust the IRS for facts and dates.

"Are You My Mummy?"

Tue, 06 May 2008 01:05:33 GMT

Best. Line. EVER!

And those who didn't see the Ninth Doctor won't get the reference, but omg, that was incredibly funny!

Still No Car

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:51:51 GMT

On 3/15, I bought a car from CarBiz in Council Bluffs, Ia. I got an in-transit, good for 30 days. As part of the contract, CarBiz puts the plates on the car, does the title, everything.

I have called once every week or two since then. They still do not have the paperwork - or so claims Warren, the only person who will answer the phone at that location.

It is now over two weeks after the in-transit expired, which means for over two weeks, my car has been parked. I cannot legally drive it.

They - meaning Warren - have claimed this whole time that they are still waiting on paperwork from their corporate office, and they can't do anything until they receive it.

After a verbal sparring match yesterday, I got the phone number of said corporate office and called them. Surprise, surprise, they had sent the paperwork for my car exactly 7 days after I bought it. The Council Bluffs office has had it this entire time.

So Warren lied to me. Repeatedly.

It has not yet had the title inspected. This was supposed to have been done over a month ago.

I'm now in the seventh week with this car, and can't drive it ... I am furious with them right now.

I was called by three people after I contacted corporate yesterday. First was the woman from the corp office, who said I will receive a call from CB shortly. Bruce then called, also from corporate, saying everything would be taken care of by Wednesday (that would be today), then Henry called. I found out there were over a dozen people in the same situation; all the paperwork had been there since the week after the cars were bought, and they sat on it. For everyone, not just me.

I was told by him they would be at home between 10 and 11 to get the car and have it inspected (when it comes from another state into Nebraska, they require an inspection, which basically is taking the car to one DMV office - the only one that does this ... They compare the VIN on the car with the one on the paperwork and then run a check to make sure it's not stolen or anything like that). Warren picked it up a few minutes after 10.

I just got a call from Mom ... She and Jim drove over there, and my car is now sitting in the parking lot at the car dealership.

It has not left the lot. They have not inspected it. They haven't done shit with it.

I called Warren. Oh, Warren, you lying sack of shit.

He claims he is the only person there, and that the car has already been taken over for the inspection, but that the paperwork isn't in yet. I was told yesterday by his boss that it is. He then said I might have the plates by Friday. Might.

He also continually spoke over me. Rude, arrogant, asshole.

Every time I tried to ask a question, he deflected it, placing the blame with corporate .. because it's there fault these people are incompetent.

I do believe I have a police case here. Grand theft auto. Since the car is mine, I'm making payments on it, and the agreement was to take it to the DMV, get it inspected and plated, and returned to my home ... They took it over state lines.

Without my authorization.

They also drove it on an expired in-transit, which I'm pretty sure is also illegal.

I need to find out who the regulatory body is that oversees car dealerships in Iowa and give them a call.

Cuz this is bullshit.

No More Aretha

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:27:02 GMT

I got a lovely letter from the Omaha Symphony yesterday. You may recall that over a year ago, I bought season tickets from them for the sole reason that they were selling tickets to Aretha Franklin's SEPTEMBER 2007 concert, but you could only buy them if you had the season tickets.

I spent a boatload of money to get those passes just to be able to get the tickets. And then there was one delay after another, one letter after another saying they were still working on it.

Yesterday's letter says in part "We have been ultimately unsuccessful in rescheduling this concert with Ms. Franklin's management. For a time, there was some potential for an early May date; we tried hard to secure that, but to no avail."

Then they give four options. One, a refund, 2) apply the ticket dollars toward another concert, 3) Apply the money towards a 2008/09 season subscription, and 4) Apply it towards single tickets for 2008/09.

Ugh.

I hate this. I hate it so much. For over a year they've been stretching this out - with my money - and now this. Ok, I'm pissed.

As for Aretha ... after this, I'm dropping her.

I was a fan. Now? No way. I plan on finding every cd I have of hers and trading them in. I'm done with her. And I'm done with the Omaha Symphony too.

Idol Thoughts

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:09:38 GMT

We've finished having a discussion on American Idol here amongst my cubemates.

The general consensus is that David Cook, the rocker from Missouri, is the clear winner of this season of American Idol.

I somewhat agree, but have a single reservation about the whole thing.

Remember last season, when Melinda Doolittle was the clear winner? Remember the shock we had when she got the boot at third place?

Remember when the less-than-talented Blake Lewis got second place, and the kid Jordin Sparks got first place?

Let's take a look at the remaining five singers, prior to tonight's episode.

David Cook - the "clear" winner ... He's the only rocker of the bunch. He's also the only one who actually sounds good when you're listening without the video.

Jason Castro - Yes, he's pretty. Yes, he connects with the audience. Now, listen to him instead of watching him. He's a mess. He's all over the place. Listening to him basically requires you see him, because audio-wise, he's a mess.

David Archuleta - For 17, he's really good. So were the Brady Kids back in the 70s. He has a habit of picking entirely the wrong song, and while he does well at singing whatever song it is, he's not connecting with the audience in any way. Both Jason and David have him beat five ways from Sunday here.

Brooke White - Why is she on the stage? She can't remember lyrics, and when she does, she butchers them. The only explanation is she is backed by "Vote For the Worst.com."

Syesha Mercado - Has sung well exactly once, in the Andrew Lloyd Weber week. Other than this, she fails miserably. She actually tried to do a Whitney Houston song once. Look, for all the talent we've seen over the years, there is one critical piece of information to note. Unless your name is Whitney Houston, you can't sing like Whitney Houston. Stop trying to be her, because you're just pointing out how much you really do suck. Whitney Houston.

Oh, the Hymenity ...

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:50:04 GMT

What. The. Fuck?

Well, that explains that ...

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:44:50 GMT

Over the weekend, I found a bottle of Bain de Terre shampoo under the sink. It had been partially used, but was nearly full. I wasn't sure why it was there, but I immediately put it in place to be used next time I washed my hair ... I love Bain de Terre, it's about the closest to pampering myself as it gets.

I've used the White Clover, and Lemongrass, and Green Meadow, and Lavender, and a few others over the years. I wasn't sure why it was there. I mean, it should be in a place where it can be used.

And then I did.

Ugh.

I remembered this morning as I was washing my hair exactly why I'd hidden it before. It stinks, just freakin reeks. It's the Jasmine formula. I had picked it up when there was a nice sale, I bought one of every kind they had.

I had tried that kind only once and put it away, then I found it ... I really hate the idea of wasting 10 bucks by throwing it away, but honestly, I can't stand the smell.

Back under the sink, it goes. Maybe I'll put it on craig's list and see if anyone wants it? I'd offer it to Mom or Amy, but I like them.

Babylon 5: Soul Hunter

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:27:41 GMT

Ok now, I pretty much love everything about this episode. Considering how early the episode was (only the second ever broadcast), it's pretty amazing.

Among the myriad of races, there is a group known collectively as "Soul Hunters" ... Most of the aliens have stories of them, but the Humans have never heard of them. Until now.

A rogue Soul Hunter has been injured and is brought on board the station. In MedLab, the new doctor, Stephen Franklin, nurses him back to health, only to get really freaked out when he does get healthy again.

Soul Hunters are stuff of legends. Minbari children are taught to be good and say their prayers, for fear the Hunters will come and steal their souls during the night. Whether they actually do that or not, well, it's up to the viewer to decide. What we do know is this ... At the moment of death, the Soul Hunter takes something, whether it's the actual soul, or a copy of their brain, something, and stores it in their collection. They talk to these souls, who can be thousands of years old, and treat them as the Hunter's children.

Years ago, during the Earth-Minbari war, the Minbari leader Dukhat was killed. To prevent his soul from being taken, they built a wall of bodies around him. That was where it began to go bad for this particular gentleman. He has decided to stop waiting around for death. When he stumbles upon someone he deems worthy, he kills them, taking the soul in the process.

And that's when he finds Satai Delenn, currently "playing Ambassador" on the station.

The viewer finds out right then what that means ... Satai is a member of the Grey Council, the ruling body of the Minbari. What is one of these Satai doing on the station? What greater purpose - or nefarious plans? - will be coming?

A second Hunter shows up to help stop the first, and after a fashion, he does. Not before Sinclair starts investigating Delenn, however.

This will definitely be touched upon again.

Notes and comments ...

Doctor Kyle is name-dropped. He's working with the President back home now. I miss him already.

We are introduced to "Down Below" ... my, what clean walls they have. :P

When the scammer is caught ("Where she stops, nobody knows"), there is a brief, perhaps two-second shot, a close-up of the Hunter's eye opening and his pupil going all wonkey ... That shot is freaking gorgeous. The director was very skilled, I'll say that.

"Gone now. Gone. Gone. Goooone." ... oh it's heartbreaking. The Hunter is so sad with the death of this lurker. He's an unimportant nobody, but even so, the fact that he is gone is ripping the Hunter's heart right out, and there's nothing he can do to get to the soul and save him. He recovers quickly, or seems to, but you can see it in his eyes for the next several minutes, he's just crushed.

One quick production note here ... The stunt double looks nothing at all like Morgan Sheppard. It's like having some kid from The O.C. with a fake white beard doubling for J. R. Ewing. They don't even resemble each other in the least. I always find myself with a case of the giggles when the double is onscreen.

Story Snippet

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:52:46 GMT

Found this in a notebook while looking for something else I'd written down ... No idea when I wrote it or what I was thinking at the time.

***

Iowa. She had returned. The years had not changed the landscape, at least note here.

Sylvia Carter had grown up here, only a few minutes - by shuttle - from Kansas City. it was here that she had met David, fallen in love, and then married him.

And it was here, at Oak Ridge Cemetery, that she would remain.

Twenty-five years ago today, Sylvia and David were buried next to each other, leaving their only daughter an orphan.

Sylvia's parents were already gone, and David's family couldn't be bothered with a child.

With their deaths, she had become

***

And that's it. I obviously wrote it, cuz it's my handwriting, but I don't remember any of it. And it's starting out in a rather down beat, I think.

Weird.

Pompei

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:49:50 GMT

Pompei sure was a crowded place.

By coincidence or design, I made it through the 12th Big Finish release yesterday. That audio drama is called "The Fires of Vulcan" ... It stars the Seventh Doctor with his companion Mel, in Pompei the day the mountain goes boom and becomes a volcano.

I've also just seen last week's episode of the new Doctor Who called "Fires of Pompei" where the Tenth Doctor and his companion Donna are in, you guessed it, Pompei.

Now, with the stories developed as they are, there is no overlapping of stories, the Doctors don't cross paths or anything. But I love the image of the Seventh Doctor staring at the mountain, absolutely knowing it's about to explode, but not knowing it's his own future self making it go boom.

Yes, I'm a geek. I like these things.

Also tonight was a Sarah Jane story, the first part of the Gorgon adventure ... It's hilarious the way the old woman describes the Sontarans. "Big potatoes" and so on ... Yeah, I know they're back for a two-parter coming up shortly ... I'm sure that really was coincidence. They probably didn't know it would be happening while writing that episode. Still ... Anything is possible.

Return to Middle Earth

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:48:48 GMT

Production has begun on The Hobbit.

Guillermo del Toro, who directed Pan's Labyrinth - one of my favorite movies in years - will be spending the next four years in New Zealand filming the two Hobbit movies.

Remember the website asking to "Let the Hobbit Happen"?

It's happening.

From Variety --

In a major step forward on “The Hobbit,” Guillermo del Toro has signed on to direct the New Line-MGM tentpole and its sequel.

The widely expected announcement came Thursday afternoon jointly from exec producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, New Line president Toby Emmerich and Mary Parent, the newly named chief of MGM’s Worldwide Motion Picture Group.

Del Toro’s moving to New Zealand for the next four years to work with Jackson and his Wingnut and WETA production teams. He’ll direct the two films back to back, with the sequel which will deal with the 60-year period between “The Hobbit” and “The Fellowship of the Ring,” the first of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

New Line is overseeing development and will manage production. Both pics are being co-produced and co-financed by New Line Cinema and MGM, with Warner Bros. distributing domestically and MGM handling international.

SQUEEEEEEEEEE

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:18:38 GMT

In a dark theater, those flashing blue lights are like pleasantly colored lasers of hate.

I like this article. :D

Q? Q Who?

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:56:16 GMT

Suzie. Plakson. Is. Coming. To. JumpCon ....

Suzie Plakson and Colin Baker are going to be at the same convention ... and I have the golden all-access ticket ...

SQUUUUEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Be a Winner, Not a Weiner!

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:09:46 GMT

I'm a winner!

Stuart Smalley would love that opening line.

On a lark, I downloaded a few podcasts other than the Babylon Podcast, but still with the same group (Farpoint Media). One was Slice of Sci-Fi, the other something about zombies.

Well, I waited a bit to listen to either of them. When I did finally get around to it, I heard an ad for a dvd giveaway on zombiechannel.com (there may be a "the" in front of it), a copy of "Sands of Oblivion" starring Jayne and Inara from Firefly.

The day I heard it was the last day to enter. I figured "what the hell" and sent over an email ... That's all it took, an email with a certain subject line and your name & address.

I figured there would be tons of entries from the regular listeners.

So it was with a small amount of confusion that I opened an unexpected package when I arrived home. Inside was a note congratulating me on winning.

My first entry to a Farpoint Media contest, and I won.

They like me, they really like me. :D