Nico's Journal

What I did today

2008-07-18T12:14:07Z

Today I went to the mole map clinic where they mapped a few for future comparison and removed two suspicious ones right then and there under local anaesthetic. One was on my left calf and the other on my right shoulder. I have to go back next week to get the stitches out. Even if they're melanomas, they were small enough to be caught in plenty of time. The clinic had these huge glass backlit pictures on the wall depicting an island (possibly The Island of Lost) at sunset, and at midday, and two waterfalls while the changing light behind then made the water look as if it was rippling or falling. I was... a little disconcerted and asked why. The doctor said the office designer said they were soothing to patients. Me, I spent time trying to work out of the patterns were random or not (not).

When I got home, I found I had: a travel umbrella I'd bought on line; the When Vila met Gan audio I ordered from Horizon complete with Michael Keating's signature and a very miserable photo of S4 Vila (I will scan it tomorrow); and a postcard from kalypso_v on her holiday in France--thank you! :-D I am somewhat nervous about listening to the CD. I've heard it is not just rather crap and that Gan is from Croydon (these two facts possibly connected) but it's not from the B7 universe at all, but the alternate B7E one set 200 years in the future but with contemporary helicopters and police cars. Yes, the same one that will be in the miniseries. Still, it's Michael Keating, so it can't be all bad. Can it?

Then I went out to Mamma Mia with Greg and three others from his work. Meryl Streep as Donna, and her two friends (esp the wonderful Julie Walters) were the best. Pierce Brosnan was a bad choice though; every time he burst into song--looking slightly embarrassed, poor guy--we sniggered. Colin Firth was awkward and sweet; pity there wasn't more of him. For one frightening moment, I thought Egrorian was performing the marriage ceremony. :-P

I am now back home after a very nice fish dinner followed by an amazingly good stem ginger pudding and am going to bed.

Fans rock!

2008-07-16T22:44:05Z

I should report that the livelongnmarry auction raised over $30,000 and rising! That's an amazing effort. $25 of it has been paid by crycraven for me to write an Avon and Vila story set in S1 or S2. Now I have to think one up!

Announcing a new Blake's 7 fan fiction archive

2008-07-16T01:24:36Z

Hip Deep in Heroes is a new Blake's 7 fan fiction archive.

It is completely independent of LJ and is not intended to replace anything. b7fic will remain, being an excellent way of keeping up with new fiction via your flist. Rather, the new archive is a successor to the Hermit Library which, as several of us have found, is no longer being updated. Hip Deep in Heroes is intended to be a searchable archive to which any B7 fan can upload stories.

Features

Authors (once registered under the name they prefer) upload their own stories, and then have control over them. They may edit them and delete them at any time without anyone else's intervention.
You can search stories by season, character or a combination of two characters, rating, genre, and story type etc. All of the story's attributes also appear in the automatically generated header. You can also search for stories by author.
You can load longer stories in chapters.
You can create series of stories, either exclusive to you, or shared by several authors.
Readers can leave feedback without having to register.
There is an extensive Help which should give you all you need to start uploading your stories.

Have a look at the fiction already there to see how the archive works. For those of you who use the Doctor Who Teaspoon archive, it works much the same way. Feel free to ask me any questions.

The joys of urban living #72

2008-07-15T00:36:12Z

Why does the police helicopter spend so much time overhead? Oh right, because the next suburb is a low-income high-crime one. Well bloody well hover over it, not me, and if you really have to, keep a sufficient altitude not to rattle my windows and model Daleks.

Yeah, fat chance. I wonder if I can buy ground-to-air armaments online.

Who would I be in 1400AD?

2008-07-14T22:03:43Z

From communicator: who would I be in 1400AD?

The Prioress

You scored 11% Cardinal, 74% Monk, 53% Lady, and 41% Knight!

You are a moral person and are also highly intellectual. You like your solitude but are also kind and helpful to those around you. Guided by a belief in the goodness of humankind you will likely be christened a saint after your life is over.

Take The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test at HelloQuizzy

Yes! I've always thought I'd get me to a nunnery if I'd lived back then. Anything's better than the awful alternatives open to women, especially dying giving birth in some arranged marriage, and besides it's quiet, it's peaceful, and they have reading matter and possibly interesting discussions over dinner.

I very much doubt the last bit though. I think most people I encounter are good, but taken as a mob, humans are a dreadful lot. I also don't think you get sainted for cracked intellectual theories about religion or a fondness for the meals that break up the monastic day.

Three original character drawings

2008-07-14T10:24:31Z

These are for kalinda001 who had no pictures of her original characters to display with the canon ones in her PGP series. She described them to me so I could have a go at drawing them. Kalinda, I hope they're not too far off what you had in mind. Ignore them if they are; they didn't take me that long once I got round to it.

Argus

"Argus is tough with a strong cheekbones and just a bit longer than a military cut; he's about the same height as Avon; dark brown hair and light hazel eyes; a slight haunted look in his eyes."

Reya

"Reya is tall but a bit shorter than Argus; her hair is a short brownish-blond; she has light grey eyes; triangular face with strong jaw line with narrowing at the cheek bone and temples."

Sester

"Sester has strawberry blond hair and intense blue eyes; medium to slender build; silky compelling voice; quick easy smile; comes across as charming, whimsical and sincere."

Pssssst, wanna story?

2008-07-14T04:21:10Z

I donated a story of over 1000 words to livelongnmarry which is raising money by auction for the fight against the California initiative which will legally destroy existing same-sex marriages and ban any further ones.

So far I have one bid. If anyone wants me to write a story for them, then go to my post and bid. I offer more than Blake's 7. :-)

Note: You'll have to add your bid to the bidding thread or the person you've outbid won't know. :-)

Bidding closes 15 July at midnight Pacific time.

If you win, then you make a donation to one of the three charities specified in the comm's profile, or to your preferred organization or coalition fighting for marriage equality.

Take that!

2008-07-13T23:49:26Z

The bastard who spammed several B7 communities--at the very least--yesterday has been suspended after I (and doubtless others) reported the abuse. Result!

[Edit] I just got this message:

Dear LiveJournal user vilakins,

Thank you for your report. The account in question has been permanently suspended as it exists solely to spam the service.

Regards,
Zoe
LiveJournal Abuse Prevention Team

There you are: the system works.

Happy birthday!

2008-07-13T03:35:12Z

I found a lovely Donna picture a few days ago, and decided to make a couple of icons from it.

If you like either of these icons better than the Donna one you already have from me, it's yours!

Happy birthday!

2008-07-11T10:22:31Z

May the ~~bluebird~~ parrot of happiness not crap on your cake. ;-)

The best thing about me test

2008-07-10T02:59:16Z

From snowgrouse, another meme.

Your result for The Best Thing About You Test...

Intelligence

Intelligence is your strongest virtue

Intelligence (also called intellect) is an umbrella term used to describe a property of the mind that encompasses many related abilities, such as the capacities to reason, plan, and solve problems. And you? Your brain shines. All 7 virtues are a part of you, but your intelligence runs deepest.

It is likely you're a smarty-pants. And it's likely (but not necessary) that your discipline score is high also. It takes a certain resolve to maintain all those neural thingies.

Intelligent famous people: Einstein, Shakespeare, Da Vinci.

Your raw relative scores follow. 0% is low, and 100% is perfect, nearly impossible. Note that I pitted the virtues against each other, so in some way these are relative scores. It's impossible to score high on all of them, and a low score on one is just relatively low compared to the other virtues.

YOUR VIRTUES
30% Compassion
89% Intelligence
25% Humility
56% Honesty
0% Discipline
43% Courage
25% Passion

Take The Best Thing About You Test at HelloQuizzy

And it's likely (but not necessary) that your discipline score is high also.

Ahahaha, it's zero! Zero, I tell you! :-P

Family expressions

2008-07-09T06:48:57Z

toft_froggy did a very entertaining post about family words and phrases, and I decided to do one of my own. Anyone else?

Family expressions

Squawmish: about to vomit. This was used almost exclusively for car-sickness as in "Stop the car, I'm sqwawmish!" It wasn't till I left home that I found out it wasn't a real word. My theory is that my mother blended "squeamish" and "nauseous". When we were in Greece, my sister and I were delighted to meet a Canadian guy from Squamish (said pretty much the same way). He was very bemused by the entertainment value we got out of it.

[Edit] nautile26 in Australia uses it the same way, and I found a Newfoundland children's book that uses it too (scroll down). I am intrigued (and have maligned my mother).

Profitables: profiteroles to anyone else. My mother had great difficulty with the word and it always came out that way, so that's what I still call them. But not in public.

Mitzi Bishop: a type of Japanese car. Eh, I might as well get rid of all the mother-coined words up front. She even had a Mitsubishi, but could she say it? It was always a hutch-back too, not a hatch-back, even though she never carted rabbits about in it.

I gave birth to you: the chorus we kids replied with whenever she played the martyr, which she did. A lot.

Catted: immobilised because of a cat on one's lap. "Can you make a cup of tea? I'm catted." Of course, both of us are often catted so the tea has to wait.

Gobble-spoon: a table-spoon. Because you can eat a lot more with one.

Gadget lust: desire for the latest tech, usually shown by Greg. The latest iPhone is being released here this week at 00:01 Friday, and we're the first in the world to get it. Some with terminal gadget lust are already queuing with sleeping bags and supplies. Greg considered it but the plans that go with it are far too expensive.

-taries: an intensifying suffix added to other adjectives, rhyming with Indian saris. Examples are yummytaries, nummytaries, burnytaries, freezytaries, you get the picture. Now only surviving in the first two forms. Speaking of which, why do people not in North America spell it "nom" these days? It's num, dammit, the way it's said (which is very like the American nom = nahm).

Lecky-B: an electric blanket. Coined by my sister.

Snoozle: a nap, a sleeplet. Other words can be given the attribute of smallness by the addition of '"-le". (Is "little" a little lit?) If you do that with names though, you have to add an S. E.g. Greggles, Nickels, Jennles...

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahvely: an adjective used for something kitsch or twee. Ordinary length "lovely" has no hidden meaning. This one came from Greg's two older sisters who use the vowel length quite unironically. When they spoke to me on Skype from Bulgaria last month, they used it a lot and it was hard not to laugh.

Not lost but gone before / cashed his last cheque / sucked a kumara / karked it: died. At high school, my sister and I collected euphemisms for death and the first two are my favourites plus two Greg uses. No, I don't know what a kumara (sweet potato) has to do with it. I think it came from TV. The cheque one will, um, cash out soon seeing hardly anyone writes them now.

I'm old, let me through: used for grumpy old people who think they're owed for how long they've lived, because I heard it once in a post office queue.

There are probably more but I'll stop there.

Donna's song

2008-07-09T01:28:05Z

Via jaxomsride, a song for Donna after Journey's End which says it so well.

Spoilers for those who haven't seen it of course.

Ficlet: The Unpleasantness at the Belhangria Club

2008-07-08T18:55:35Z

I just realised that I should have cross-posted this from b7friday a while back. It was written for the hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades challenge, a little over 500 words set pre-series. And you can probably tell what I'd been reading, can't you?

The Unpleasantness at the Belhangria Club

Avon stretched his legs out and settled deeper into his brown leather chair as he swirled his port before taking an appreciative sip. He liked the Belhangria Club. It might be full of snobs, both intellectual and grade, and old buffers like Fleet General Samor over there in his usual chair in front of the fire--Avon could just see an ankle and an expensive shoe--but the atmosphere was very much to his taste. The walls were panelled in wood, the curtains thick, red, and velvet, the chairs large and welcoming, and people did not speak to one unless they had been introduced. Even then, conversation was hushed and private which was just as it should be; Avon had no wish to hear about others' affairs, but to be left to drink a decent port or brandy in peace while reading the latest news on his bookpad.

It was an oasis of calm, especially today, Federation Day, when the street were full of officially permitted drunkenness and revelry, and even old Starkiller Samor was resplendent with a chest-full of medals including the glittering diamonds of the Starburst hanging over his heart after reviewing the troops ("Dreadful shower, not what they were in my day"). Avon closed his eyes in pleasure, only to be assailed by that high-pitched whinnying laugh peculiar to the overly inbred. He opened his eyes, affronted. It was a young chap, probably a recent graduate, with shining light brown hair and an expression of amiable gormlessness. Avon could only assume that a certain number of Belhangria's degrees were purchased.

"Damned good trough they run here, what?" the idiot was saying to Alta Morag who continued talking to Ven Glynd as if she hadn't heard him. "Excellent fodder." it seemed to filter though the fool's thick skull that he was being ignored, and he came towards Avon, who quickly picked up his bookpad. "I say, frightfully good to meet you. Laster. Vila Laster."

He held out a hand which Avon ignored. "I do not recall being introduced to you."

"That's a bit on the nose, isn't it? Bit chilly in here, what? Think I'll take meself somewhere warmer."

He ambled over to Samor's chair, obviously not realising it was occupied. Avon watched sardonically. No one had sat in that chair for decades, even when Samor was off-world.

Samor gave a walrus-like humph.

"Oops, sorry old chap," said Laster, patting him in a conciliatory way. "Didn't realise anyone was sitting here. You might have warned me," he said as he passed Avon.

Avon watched him leave and leaned back to enjoy his port. He was pleased he had none left to spill when Samor got up to have lunch--dead on 1300 as always; one could set one's watch by Samor--and patted his tunic down, only to let out an outraged below.

"My Starburst! Little bastard took my Starburst."

After a moment of surprise, Avon threw back his head and roared with laughter. This was of course a mistake. He cleared his throat and looked around at the accusing and shocked faces. "Sorry."

"Got to nip that sort of behaviour in the bud, what," said Glynd reprovingly.

"Might as well call a spade a spade, Ven," said Morag. "Ought to revoke the bounder's membership."

Avon was still smiling as he left. The unpleasantness, as they were now calling it, rather made it all worthwhile.

Film meme

2008-07-08T00:01:12Z

From kernezelda: Below the cut is Entertainment Weekly's list of the top movies of the last 25 years. Go through their list, bold the ones you have seen and underline the ones you own on video or DVD.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03)
3. Titanic (1997)
4. Blue Velvet (1986)
5. Toy Story (1995)
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
9. Die Hard (1988)
10. Moulin Rouge (2001)
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
12. The Matrix (1999)
13. GoodFellas (1990)
14. Crumb (1995)
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
16. Boogie Nights (1997)
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
18. Do the Right Thing (1989)
19. Casino Royale (2006)
20. The Lion King (1994)
21. Schindler's List (1993)
22. Rushmore (1998)
23. Memento (2001)
24. A Room With a View (1986)
25. Shrek (2001)
26. Hoop Dreams (1994)
27. Aliens (1986)
28. Wings of Desire (1988)
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
30. When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
32. Fight Club (1999)
33. The Breakfast Club (1985)
34. Fargo (1996)
35. The Incredibles (2004)
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
37. Pretty Woman (1990)
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
39. The Sixth Sense (1999)
40. Speed (1994)
41. Dazed and Confused (1993)
42. Clueless (1995)
43. Gladiator (2000)
44. The Player (1992)
45. Rain Man (1988)
46. Children of Men (2006)
47. Men in Black (1997)
48. Scarface (1983)
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
50. The Piano (1993)
51. There Will Be Blood (2007)
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)
53. The Truman Show (1998)
54. Fatal Attraction (1987)
55. Risky Business (1983)
56. The Lives of Others (2006)
57. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
58. Ghostbusters (1984)
59. L.A. Confidential (1997)
60. Scream (1996)
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989)
63. Big (1988)
64. No Country For Old Men (2007)
65. Dirty Dancing (1987)
66. Natural Born Killers (1994)
67. Donnie Brasco (1997)
68. Witness (1985)
69. All About My Mother (1999)
70. Broadcast News (1987)
71. Unforgiven (1992)
72. Thelma & Louise (1991)
73. Office Space (1999)
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
75. Out of Africa (1985)
76. The Departed (2006)
77. Sid and Nancy (1986)
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)
80. Michael Clayton (2007)
81. Moonstruck (1987)
82. Lost in Translation (2003)
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)
84. Sideways (2004)
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
87. Swingers (1996)
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
~~89. Breaking the Waves (1996)~~
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
91. Back to the Future (1985)
92. Menace II Society (1993)
93. Ed Wood (1994)
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
95. In the Mood for Love (2001)
96. Far From Heaven (2002)
97. Glory (1989)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)

I'm not sure why some of those are there, even ones I've seen and liked. Perhaps they were new genres or the first to break taboos.

I haven't done anywhere near as well as I usually do on books, but I don't think my taste in films matches the popular one. Jerry Maguire, for example, I got out on DVD because I'd heard it was good, and I really don't see why. I was bored, I didn't like the characters, and I can't even remember what happened in it now. Not very many of those I've bolded are favourites, only LOTR, Toy Story, The Truman Show, Ghostbusters, Office Space, and Back to the Future are.

I struck out Breaking the Waves as it's the only film I've walked out on. I didn't want to see it in the first place, but Greg's visiting bossy sister made me (I should have just dropped her off there and picked her up afterwards). When it became clear that a character was going to choose to be tortured and raped, I upped and left. I like to be informed, intrigued, and at least entertained, dammit. Plus the widespread hatred and subsequent treatment of women is one of my biggest squicks.

The Lives of Others is on my list of films to see. I'll see if I can rent it this weekend.

Doctor Who: Journey's End

2008-07-06T11:37:07Z

OK, I enjoyed the last two eps so much, I thought RTD might write another rip-roarer.

Um.

OK, bits I liked:

Companion joy, esp Sarah Jane and Martha
Davros remembering Sarah Jane, esp since I'm watching 'Genesis of the Daleks' :-)
Mickey and Jackie! Yay!
Mickey kissing his gun
Mickey's grandmother dying peacefully
Donna and the Doctor doing each other's way of talking
We know what you were thinking, Jack. ;-)
Wilfred. Wilfred rocks, and I'm glad Donna has him
general SFX and music: fun to watch and listen to even if not much of the plot made sense

Bits I didn't:

Why would the Daleks want to destroy the universe/reality? Not much fun having it all if there's nothing to have.
The earth being towed. The acceleration alone would have killed everyone and stripped the atmosphere off
Jack not hugging Donna. Maybe he was wildly jealous of her being with the Doctor. At least I hope that was it
Doctor Mk 2 doing domestic with Rose. Gag. As Molesworth would say, chiz chiz i mite hav nown
Most of all, Donna never knowing she was so wonderful and brilliant. The Doctor realised that she shouted at the world because of low self-esteem, then he took all that she'd gained and learned away from her. She's back where she started. That just so depresses me. I loved someone who thought of herself as a failure and 'nothing special' who never even pleased her own mother being brilliant and really mattering, but she's lost it all. I loved Donna from the start and she really was brilliant. I shall miss her so much.

And yeah, forgive me if I don't believe the Daleks are gone. They keep getting rid of them but they come back. So it's Cybermen at Christmas? Well, what a surprise. Look, how about some new monsters or threats? Ah well, at least we know Moffatt can provide that, so there's some hope for future variety.

***
kerravonsen asked about the German, so I thought I'd put my translation here too. I'm not sure I got it all, but:

The Daleks were saying: "Exterminate, exterminate. You will be exterminated, you are all [couldn't catch it] of the Daleks."

Martha and the guardian or whatever she was:
"There is no one here. Whatever you want, go away. Leave me in peace."
"I'm called Martha Jones. I come from UNIT, agent number 55671, from the medical division."
"You are the nightmare, not them."

Then, when Martha operates the lift and she pulls a gun:
"I should kill you, preferably right now."
And when Martha turns as the doors close:
"Martha, to hell with you." [Martha agrees.]

German DIY speed-bump vid

2008-07-05T04:19:34Z

Bwahahaha! linda_joyce sent me this German vid which turned out to be an ad. For those who don't speak German, here's a quick and dirty translation from me which won't spoil the fun and will improve your enjoyment.:

"What're you doing there, Giesele? Man, the camera's already running. Come over here! C'mon! ... So, haha! Now just you wait, wait, lad! ... You'll see, lad. You won't go through here again. ... Ach, man, Giesele, not with the flowers again. Here, over here! Yes, yes. ... Ah, here he comes, here he comes, let me have the camera!"
[grabs camera from Giesele]
"Boy, boy boy... cool!"
[shocked look from Giesele]

German DIY speed-bump vid

At the end FWIW: You have a better DIY idea? Make it with Toom Builders' Market and win 5000 euros.

The little train that likes kids

2008-07-04T06:09:54Z

I've been meaning to take a picture of one of the kids' rides in the local mall. It's been disturbing me for about three years. What were the designers thinking of?

I mean, look at the thing! Its bad enough that its nose and mouth (and for that matter its eyes in another sense) are on its stomach along with its arms, but I think what's really worrying about it is that unlike harmless anthropomorphised trains like Thomas the Tank Engine, it has arms. Greg thinks it's the result of a teleport accident in which the driver and engine were merged, but I think its worse than that, Jim. Look at its teeth: they're blood-stained. The arms are for grabbing food with; no wonder the kids give it a wide berth.

The train seems to be a permanent fixture, but other rides come and go. At the moment there's a rotating Bat Cave with Robin lurking behind it, presumably turning it.

More icon meme

2008-07-03T04:38:41Z

More of the five icon meme.

1. Reply to this post, and I will pick five of your icons.
2. Make a post (including the meme info) and talk about the icons I chose.
3. Other people can then comment to you and make their own posts.
4. This will create a never-ending cycle of icon fun.

I won't do any more of these posts, but you're welcome to ask me about any of my icons in the comments, or to ask me to pick five of yours, or indeed both!

For vandonovan

This was one of a series of 60s girls' book covers that redscharlach made. This was one of the few SF ones, and I use it for SF comments, or when I feel more than usually alien.

My writing icon! I drew it and did the handwritten text on it. I very rarely actually write though; typing is faster and much more legible.

S4 Avon after shooting Blake. The text is a football (as in soccer) term for when a player scores for the opposite team by kicking the ball into their... own goal.

What can I say? Vila and Avon have a lot in common (though neither like to admit it). It's a term used for people who are close, though I'm not really sure why thieves are meant to be.

Ha, one of my first! This icon is about five years old and it was made by the person who invited me to LJ: snowgrouse. I think I got it from her site originally, and that she revamped it later. And yes, I would love to do just that. :-)

For babel

This is from one of my own screencaps of 'City'. You know those little warning signs about men at work? I wanted to do a thief at work one, so I have a little guy opening a safe, though it's hard to tell at that size.

My first experiment with the comic-ising technique, and I rather like it. I did several more after that.

This one again! I often use it for Avon&Vila comments, or for when they're being larcenous. I can't remember which ep this one came from now.

An old one from Killer, because they are friends even though neither would use the word. There's some old saying about a rose by any other name smelling as sweet, and these guys might not call themselves friends, but they are.

Another oldie, but one of the many I revamped when I learned more, like how to add a plasma background in this case, and outline text. Both Avon and Vila have said this, but not meaning it. When I use it, I do. :-)

Icon meme

2008-07-02T10:07:27Z

From sallymn

1. Reply to this post, and I will pick five of your icons.
2. Make a post (including the meme info) and talk about the icons I chose.
3. Other people can then comment to you and make their own posts.
4. This will create a never-ending cycle of icon fun.

Here are the icons sallymn chose.

Ah, this one has a long backstory. When I was still a fairly new B7 fan, people were discussing what coats of arms characters would have. entropy_house did some research and found arms for them all, including Restal ones with crossed rakes (!) and three stars--perfect for a space-going thief. We even wrote a joint story about it all complete with links to the arms. The Restal ones, IIRC, belonged to a medieval French family from Dauphin who showed bravery on the battlefield. Perhaps while also being very nervous?

The icon consists of the arms Marian created from the descriptions we found. I added a Latin motto, an old joke that Vila uses in my Vila Restal's E-mails.

semper = always
ubi = where
sub = under

You work it out! :-)

This is the icon I use when talking about NZ topics. I draw it from memory from a key-chain I sent overseas because it has a nikau palm, Rangitoto Island (just off Auckland), and some pohutukawa flowers (coastal tree, flowers in summer). As a bonus, the Maori word "nikau" is pronounced like "neeko" so it also sounds not far off my name.

I own this gladiator cow. I saw it in a the souvenir shop of the Waipa Delta when I went on a birthday cruise on the Waikato and had to have it. You can find out more about it (and see it taking on a Roman legionary) in my original post. As it's cool and eccentric, I use it when talking about things I consider to be.

It's my Lost OTP, Locke/Island! And it's true; their love endures all.

It's a red Swingline stapler! I use it for office madness because one starred in the film Office Space, a cult hit for those of us who have worked in IT and/or cube farms. There was a sad little character who loved it dearly and says that line when he finds it on someone else's desk. Swingline didn't actually make a red stapler then, but so many people wanted one, they brought one out. I gave Greg the Red Swingline 747 a couple of years ago--hey, it's a geek cult item, look at the customer action shots--and he says it's the best stapler he ever had. And when he got back from Bulgaria, someone else had it so he got to say the line!

Doctor Who: The Stolen Earth

2008-06-29T22:10:32Z

I have to post about this one because it too was excellent.

I was disappointed that it was Daleks again, but it was a great ride anyway.

Harriet is the hero. I love her. We didn't actually see her die either, though the Daleks did say "exterminate". Perhaps she has something else up her sleeve from the Copper Foundation. We can hope.

I love Wilfred too. Good idea about the paint gun; pity it didn't work.

I admit to shouting "Dalek Caaaaaaaaan!"

What the hell does the gratuitous Dawkins know about astronomy though?

The Rose and Doctor reunion scene was so bad, I have to think it was deliberate parody. I was yelling "Heeeathcliiiff! Caaathyyy!" and cheered the Dalek when it intervened. Sorry. I was actually glad to see Rose though and was rather sorry for her when she was excluded from the group chat. But seeing everyone else? That is just beyond cool.

I knew who Davros was because I have seen pictures. I am wondering if there is Master-ness in the next ep because of the dadadada dadadada beat in a couple of places, particularly including Davros's metal hand. Probably coincidence though. And does Dalek Caan's rescue of Davros mean that there is hope for the Doctor doing something about Gallifrey?

As for the incipient regeneration, I thought they weren't having DW next year because of Tennant being with the RSC. If they're going ahead with someone else, kudos to RTD et al for keeping that completely secret. However I think the Hand in the Jar will influence the regeneration somehow, but if so, it seems a bit sad for the Doctor to lose a life without gaining a new body when he has so few left.

And what is Donna? The younger Shadow Proclamation woman said that she was 'something new'. Thought: was it her hand that picked up the Master's ring? Surely not. I like my Donna and Harriet--I know some people think it might have been her--the way they are: humans at their best. Anyway, Harriet doesn't wear red nail polish and Donna is unlikely to have been outside London. Still, who knows what will happen next week? I can't wait! I think this is the best finale yet.

These Daleks seem to have more personality than most. Favourite quotes:
"We hate UNIT."
"Yes. We know who you are."
"Daleks do not accept apologies" (the winner)

Favourite comment from a viewer, kalypso_v:
"The Daleks now insist on a massed choir to accompany all their invasions, and they don't sing. So they've got to capture loads of potential singers and test their voices to find the perfect backing group." Bwahahaha!

Please do not spoil me with rumours or leaks about the next episode or season.

Viva Espana!

2008-06-29T21:15:45Z

They deserve it!

Prince Caspian and Lost

2008-06-28T05:36:08Z

It seems that some people were concerned about the Telmarines in Prince Caspian being dark and rather Arab-looking. I knew they were in fact part Pacific Islander (though we're not told that in the film, sadly), so I looked it up. (No spoilers for the film, just where the Telmarines came from centuries before.)

Aslan says:

Many years ago in that world, in a deep sea of that world which is called the South Sea, a shipload of pirates were driven by storm on an island. And there they did as pirates would: killed the natives and took the native women for wives.

Huh, what a euphemism! Anyway, they got drunk and fought etc, and six fled with their 'wives' and found the cave and the door to Narnia's world. So they'd be half Pacific Islander, and it's not a stretch that the pirates could hae been Spanish or some race other than English. The medieval Spanish feel in the film was a nice, slightly foreign touch, and the Wikipedia says that they deliberately used Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese actors.

Anyway I read on and book Aslan tells the Telmarines more about the island:

It is no bad place. The race of those pirates who first found it has died and it is without inhabitants. There are good wells of fresh water, fruitful soil, timber for building, fish in the lagoons, and the other people of that world have not yet discovered it.

Aha, I said, it's the Lost island, and now we know who the Others are (and perhaps how Ben gets around in space and time).

;-)

Conversation with a mechanic

2008-06-27T02:19:13Z

My car has been fixed!

A mechanic at Honda rang me yesterday about the part it needed (computer control for ventilation) which would take 3-4 weeks to come from Japan.

Mech: Did I tell you how much it will cost?
Me [apprehensively] No. How much?
Mech: $2000
Me [shocked and appalled]: WHAT? I could buy an old car for that! I'm not paying that when the thing could break down again.
Mech: It's a different part from the one that broke down last time.
Me: Yes, and you've already said that you don't stock either because they so rarely fail. There's no way I'm paying that much and having an undriveable car for that long, and you already told me you won't give me a loan car.
Mech: We-e-e-e-ell. We could put a second-hand part in.
Me [cautiously hopeful] How much would that cost?
Mech: It depends on the supplier. $300 to $500?
Me: That's a hell of a lot better than $2000. When can you get one?
Mech: We could fit it tomorrow. But there's no guarantee like there would be for a new part.
Me: DO IT!
Mech: We can't guarantee it won't break down.
Me: Look, even if it does and I have to get another second-hand part, I'd still be way ahead of the game. Go for it!

So I have my car back. It annoys me that I could have got a second-hand resistor back in summer and had the aircon fixed immediately, but then that part was only about $160.

This car is only five years old, which is fairly new for this country--and me. I hope this is the last thing for a while.

Definitely not cricket

2008-06-26T06:53:29Z

I finally saw the footage. That is incredibly unsporting. I'm so glad we won, and on the last ball too. Ha.

~~What's next, underarm bowling?~~ OK, that's mean. It wasn't the bowler's fault, but the captain's.