All White and Pretty

I woke up this morning to all the snow still being on the ground, which instantly takes me to a happy place. Mike was hoping that they'd close his work place today, but no such luck. Still, at least he only has to work a half-day and has tomorrow off, which will be helpful for the mass quantities of alcohol. But nothing until I finish this Top 100, which I really should have done last night but got distracted and tired. Still, on the top 25 now, and things should (hopefully) get a bit faster from here on out.

It's hard to believe that school starts again in five days. I've actually been pretty busy during this time off, so I feel like I could use another week or so to work on more stuff, but it's all good. I'm looking forward to it.

Just gotta get this darned thing finished ...

White New Year?

Ahh, peaceful contentment. I sit in the bedroom, working furiously at my Top 100, half snuggled beneath my comforter, Jett curled up next to me, and watching the snow fall outside. Only thing missing is a cup o' hot chocolate (which I could go downstairs and make, but it's all cold and I'm all lazy), and Mike curled up on my other side. I could do with more moments like these.

Listening To:Standing, Reprise - OMWF (in my head; I just finished writing about that moment)

Looking Forward To:Project completion!

All Sorted Out

FINALLY. I have just completed my massive sort job, I am ecstatic to report. Now I just need to run through the entire (sorted!) list and fine tune it, then do the write-ups, both of which I plan to devote my tomorrow to. With any luck, I could have it up within ... well, a day, if all goes well and I get in my analysis groove. If not, then definitely before New Year, meaning that my final pre-2004 goal will be met. I am imploding with delight. Metaphorically speaking of course, because eww.

Harder than it looks.

Whoo, finally got through sorting up through the end of S6, and allow me to take a moment to say that it was much more difficult to do than I was expecting. The pivotal moment from "Seeing Red" in particular. Yii.

147 moments left to sort, and then a review and final placement, then the writing. Five days until the New Year. Head down, ignoring the temptation of Civ3 Conquests, plunging onward ...

Listening To:Building a Mystery - Sarah McLachlan

Looking Forward To:Finishing this darned thing.

Christmas Adam

As Mike had today off, we decided to do a bit of out-the-house celebrating/errand running. Wow, I left the house three times this week. I think that's a December record.

Anyway.

We started off with a nice breakfast at IHOP, which was relatively uneventful excepting when I blew my straw wrapper at Mike and missed rather spectacularly, sending it sailing into the next booth. Which was, of course, occupied. Fortunately they were of good spirits, and much group fun was had at my expense for the next few minutes.

It's worth pointing out that my darling husband told me that the only way I could escape an eternity of mocking torment for my actions was to document it for posterity here in my Blog. And he still expects Christmas presents. He's so naive.

A few otherwise boring things were taken care of after breakfast, and we headed off to the theater to see Return of the King. Despite arriving half an hour early for a 2.30pm showing on a Tuesday the week after the movie was released, the place was packed and we got crappy seats.

I interject for a moment to complain about having to pay $7 or whatever it was for crappy-ass seats. There, I'm done.

I must say that overall I was disappointed in the movie, and that surprised me. The bits that worked did so extremely well, don't get me wrong, but those amazing bits were interspersed with so much overly melodramatic filler that it was verging on boring. I mean, is it really necessary to have five minutes of dialogue-free meaningful looks? I got the message after the first 45 seconds; the rest is just an excuse to play pretty music and pad the length to drive home the epicness.

And there should have been more Legolas. Mmmm. Legolas ...

Erm, yes, so after RotK we decided to masochistically visit the mall for some no-really-we're-done-with-Christmas-shopping-now shopping. Mike, anyway, since I played this game yesterday. While he went off to buy me exciting things, I holed up in B. Dalton and marvelled at a surprisingly extensive manga collection.

That done, we stopped at a local pub for dinner (yummy burgers) where it was open mic night. As we were leaving, the guy on stage ... well, we're not exactly sure what he was playing, but I decided that it was music to some long lost 8-bit RPG. Hilarity ensued, but you probably had to be there and you weren't, so I'll say no more.

And finally, before Mike went to bed, we finished up S5 of Buffy with "The Gift". And if that's not a cheery way to end the day, I dunno what is.

Listening To:Sacrifice from "The Gift" (in my head)

Looking Forward To:Chrissie.

Try that again.

Since direct linking to the image appears to be a no-go, try this instead.

X-Tremely Excited

Check out the heavily mascara'd, slightly evil looking Kitty on the cover of an upcoming issue of XXM. Perhaps more importantly, though, check out the little purple guy on her shoulder. Very cool stuff.

I'm totally feeling exhausted today. I was up late working on some stuff, and then slept so lightly that absolutely everything in the world woke me up. I may actually break my own life rules and take a nap later today, I'm feeling that crappy.

Learning Experience

Every outing can be an opportunity to learn and grow. I'm not so sure I achieved the growing part tonight, but allow me to share what I learned:

1. Truth-or-Dare Jenga is definitely a spectator sport.
   
2. Hot chocolate and peppermint schapps isn't too bad.
   
3. Mike after he's had a few? Very cute.
   
4. Everybody knows the quote, "I am Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." What's more, nobody can resist saying it to the screen upon spying the character.
   
5. For a game revolving around the consumption of alcohol, "Presidents and Assholes" has far, far too many rules.
   
6. The guy you were so sure was gay? Turns out, not so much.
   
7. 3D barrel puzzles are hard, even with instructions.
   
8. When a friend commands you to check out her boobs, ask her to repeat herself. Odds are, you misheard.
   
9. Drunk friends have absolutely no concept of personal space.

Listening To:The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota - Weird Al (in my head. I have NO idea why)

Looking Forward To:Tomorrow.

Indescribable

My latest video endevour is up and ready for your downloading approval. Unfortunately it is not the X-Men: Evolution video I had planned to make, but I still have a few weeks before going back to school, so maybe I can still scratch it off my to-do list.

Regardless, I must say that I am really quite stoked at how this one turned out, so go give it a look-see.

In other news, I am being drafted to a Christmas party tonight. People seem to adamantly insist on putting me in social settings. Crazy, crazy people.

Once More, With Hobbits

Liked Lord of the Rngs? Could you sing along to Once More, With Feeling? Then you must journey to this site.

"Am I crazy?"
"Am I selfish?"
"Am I dating someone elvish?"

It's freaking brilliant.

Things we do when sleep eludes us.

And again because my writing didn't turn out like I wanted (and I have raging insomnia) I try my hand at wallpapers, this time with something new for Bit. I'm about three-quarters asleep, so I can't tell if it's as nice as I think it is, but at the very least it helped me burn off the remainder of my waking hours. And if it looks like crap tomorrow, then I can delete the files and pretend it never happened.

Paper for Walls

My writing got stymied this evening, so I turned instead to a wallpaper idea I had the other day. I've been in a "Restless" sort of mood of late, and felt like making a wallpaper for that episode. It was actually my working on it (without success, I feel inclined to point out) that prompted the creation of my latest video. But a better idea for look came to me, and there it is. I'm pretty pleased with it, particularly as it's my first attempt at something that involved more than one image.

So, Christmas next week. Mike's like a little boy around this time, practically bouncing up and down in expectant glee. Shopping's pretty much done, save for stocking stuffers, which Mike assured me we are more definitely doing. Aside from buying a two-pound bag of M&Ms and dumping them in a sock, I'm sort of coming up empty on the whole ordeal, so I think a trip to the mall after I mail off the remaining As If! comics on Friday is on the agenda. Because braving the mall just before Christmas is my favouritist activity ever.

Weekend goals:

More Top 100 sorting.

Hopefully to finish the nearly-done 'fic.

Completely complete Christmas shopping.

Not to kill and/or maim too many people at the mall.

Listening To:Atlanta - Bond

Looking Forward To:Sleep.

Horrific Observations

I noticed something truly terrifying yesterday -- I have a grey hair.

Yes, it's true. I took a rare moment to check the mirror, and there it was, all shiny and grey. After I shrieked like a little girl, Mike confirmed for me. And then did a really nice thing and pointed out that I actually have TWO.

He says they're more white than grey and suggested that perhaps I was growing my very own Rogue-esque skunk stripe, but that was cold comfort in the blinding light of my grey hair.

May as well fit me with a pair of false teeth now and get it over with.

Bitty Goodness

I'm sitting downstairs, on the couch, typing this entry and surfing the web. Why? Because I can. Have I mentioned lately how awesome this laptop is?

I don't even necessarily WANT to be downstairs, but I can be, so by the gods, I WILL be. There is much of a nifty nature occurring.

Anniversary

One year ago today, at this exact time, I think was probably very, very drunk, and certainly very laid off. Words fail me when thinking about how much better things are this year versus how they looked last year.

And what better way to celebrate than with new video goodness? Check it out while I go get some food, as it's been 24 hours or so since I last ate anything and my stomach's mightily displeased.

Transgressions for DVD Goodness

I missed a day already. Darn. Still, I have a good reason. Firstly, I spent most of yesterday writing (Lil' Bit will be good for me in terms of writing, I do think). Then Mike hauled me out of my musey place to put up the tree. (Looks nice, incidentally. This Christmas sucks SO much less than last year's.) While doing that, I started to grumble about wanting my DVDs, and then it occurred to me that I hadn't checked the mail yet. And lo and behold, they were here!

MmmMMMmmm. Contentment.

So we watched the first three episodes and the commentary for "Real Me". Unfortunately I probably won't be able to watch any more until Saturday afternoonish, since Mike will have to pretty much go to bed as soon as he gets home tonight. But that's okay. I have them now, all snug in my DVD player.

One major complaint? Okay, two. Firstly, I'm really disappointed they didn't include the "Previously On..." for "The Gift". The others, I can sort of understand leaving off. I mean, I think I have the Exposition Monk's little "We had to hide the Key, make it real, send it to you" speech memorized by now, but come on. The 99-episode flashback was special, and a BRILLIANT lead-in to that episode. There's really no good reason it wasn't included.

But at least I have it downloaded, so that's something I guess. Not enough, but something. I think mayhaps I'll rip it and put it online or something, for those who are left out. Quite a pity. Shame on you, Fox.

The other thing I was disappointed about was the lack of commentary for "The Gift". I really thought Joss would have sat down for that one, and I was looking forward to hearing what he had to say. Given the choice, between the two, I would prefer "The Body" commentary that we got, but both would have been perfection.

Still, those are minor gripes, considering. And at least we got some outtakes, which is a nice plus.

I haven't checked out the Firefly boxed set yet, but will as soon as S5 has gone through its rewatch.

Still about three weeks before school starts again, my Christmas shopping is pretty much done, and I'm actually getting stuff accomplished. So far, so good.

Listening To:My stomach growl. I think it's lunch time.

Looking Forward To:Going through more Top 100 (and getting better caps for S5)

Days off are swell.

Mike has another two-day stretch as part of his "take all your accumulated PTO before the year is up" deal. These times are always nice. At least for errand running.

Jett's at PetSmart getting a bath and nail trim, and Kiyone has had her oil changed. I was also going to head to campus and sell my books back today, but a rather unpleasant slipping accident sent my wonky knee to a bad place, so I'll save that task for later in the week.

For lunch, we decided to try a new restaurant that opened up down the road, McGrath's Fish House. May I say yum? Of course, I got so stuffed on cheese sticks and clam chowder that I had only about two bites of lunch and boxed the rest, but DAMN, those were some good cheese sticks!

We now have a few more blissful Jett-free hours (who needs children? Just get a hyperactive dog), which I plan to spend working more on my Top 100.

Incidentally, if anybody else wants the wallpaper on Lil' Bit, then just send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to share. I didn't make it, but I concede that it's not bad. However now I doubly feel the attention-grabbing need to make something better, so look for that once S5 shows up. And I want just as many requests for it, or I'll cry.

Listening To:Photograph - Def Leppard

Looking Forward To:DVDs. Want DVDs.

I am now SO much cooler than you ...

...for I am writing this Blog entry on my spiffy new laptop.

And it is very, very nifty.

I've spent the better part of today customizing it, uninstalling all the crap I don't need, putting on the stuff that I do, getting it all wirelessly networked, and basically enjoying the heck out of my new toy.

Look, I'm only one day into my winter break, and I'm already neglecting my list!

I haven't yet decided on a name for the laptop yet. I have a couple of ideas, with strong leanings towards one, but I'm holding out until I make up my mind for sure. But the wallpaper is changed (to the first thing I liked that didn't utterly suck -- I'll make my own soon), so it's feeling more like home already.

Now is probably a good time to stop neglecting the necessities, like food and that shower I was supposed to take this afternoon.

New toys ROCK.

Listening To:The blissful, quiet tapping of my keyboard.

Looking Forward To:Doing something I should've done today tomorrow.

Oh For Joy!

Looks like the horrible neighbors downstairs -- you know, the ones who smash beer bottles against the wall at 2am leaving shards of glass on the ground for my dog to walk over ... the ones who play guitar, BADLY, at all hours ... the ones who likely set off the fire alarm -- they're gone. Huzzah! Their downstairs window was open this morning, and I glanced over to see a room devoid of anything but painters supplies. Happy day!

Of course, Mike had to sober my delight by saying that the next people to move in might be even worse. I believe he said something like, "They could be louder, more obnoxious and eat babies." So long as they don't pull fire alarms at 3am, I think I'll prefer them.

Listening To:The Freshman - The Verve Pipe

Looking Forward To:Laptop delivery today!

Freedom is the End of Term

My last final complete, and I am Free Girl for the next four weeks or so. Ahh, I stretch my legs and cross my fingers for good results.

The math final wasn't so bad ... once I stopped panicking. "Oh my god, I don't remember any of this! What's an inverse function? What's a domain? How do you add? WHAT'S MY NAME?!" Fifteen minutes or so of that, and it went quite smoothly. I'm optimistic.

So now that school's out of the way until January, I'm hoping to be a tad more consistant with ... well, many things, but I'm thinking Daily in particular. I know I've been sporadic lately. Are you all prepared for the zany, madcap, tilt-o-whirl of mystery and intrigue that is my life? It's sure to be full of things like "I got up late today" and "Sandwiches for lunch again because I can't be bothered to cook." STAY TUNED!!

But now it's time for our favourite pre-break game, the to-do list! How many things can I neglect this time? What do you folks at home think?

JW's To-Do List, Winter 2003
In as-they-occur-to-me order:

1. Catch up on comic reviews.
   
2. Finish the Buffy Top 100.
   
3. Clear a bunch of stuff off TiVo.
   
4. Finish that 'fic I've been working on for about a month. And maybe that other one. Oh, yeah, and that one too.
   
5. Finish plotting a creative endevour between Mike and I.
   
6. Get at least three videos done (one Buffy [non-epic], one X2, one X-Men Evolution). More, if possible.
   
7. Redesign the As If! site.
   
8. Get "Mostly Filler" online. Now with content!
   
9. Justify paying for NetFlix for the past couple of months when I haven't touched a single DVD.
   
10. E-mail. Clean inbox. It is good.

I'm sure there's more, but that's enough to start ignoring for now.

In other exciting news, my laptop is on its way (yay!), and Amazon was kind enough to alert me as to the shippage of my DVD boxed sets of Buffy S5 and Firefly! Ohh, there will be so very much vegging on the couch enjoying creamy, digital goodness.

Hmm, many many hours before I pass out from exhaustion. What to work on first? Hmmmmm ...

Listening To:Pain - Four Star Mary

Looking Forward To:All the goodies!

A Sobering Thought

While driving Mike to work this morning, I heard a commercial on the radio for a new Hallmark Movie of the Week. Apparently it stars (prepare yourselves for this) Tori Spelling and William Shatner.

Tori Spelling.

William Shatner.

I have no idea what it was about, because my mind had violently recoiled into The Safe Place, where such demonic couplings are impossible.

Someone needs to walk up to Hollywood and give it a roundhouse kick to the head. Did Spider-Man teach them nothing? With great power comes great responsibility to not force Tori Spelling and William Shatner on the world at the same time. Stupid Hollywood.

Listening To:Goodbye - Gravity Kills

Looking Forward To:Warming up. 'Tis cold.

Talk Back

Re: Reviews. I assume you're talking about comic reviews. I'm WAY behind (but then, you all probably know that). My total bad. At the moment, however, it's finals week, so there's no way that I'll be able to catch myself up until they're over. Luckily, I'll be through by Monday afternoon, and then my Winter Break To-Do List will be created (and promptly ignored). Although I quite seriously plan/hope that catching up on the comics is one that I actually complete.

Re: Top 100. I'm not doing anything so practical and numerical. It's entirely a case of ranking them based upon preference at the moment. Behold my process:

"Hmm. The flashback with Dru in the confessional. Let's see ... I like it better than Hyena Xander, but not as much as Angel's birthday present to Buffy."

And thus is my list one step closer to fully sorted.

Efficient? No, probably not particularly, and it's undeniably biased to my mood at the time I review the moment, but it's the way I know best to do it. There will invariably be some degree of variance on the lesser moments, but the really big ones won't change regardless of mood. I mean, I was pretty sure what would get #1 long before I started the project, and while I haven't really thought about what will be in the Top Ten, I can definitely think of some moments that will most likely rank somehow.

Which I would talk about, but then, that would sorta ruin what I'm doing.

<sigh> #063/717. I WILL get this project finished, I WILL get this project finished ...

Listening To:Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve

Looking Forward To:Winter break.

Register the fun!

New class registration for Winter term. I've decided to switch my focus from a general computer science to more computer information/IT. Time and money being a primary factor in that decision -- computer science is nice and all, but I'm looking at two times longer to get a degree, and while we're doing okay at the moment, I can see me getting in a jam before I'm done and needing to go back to work. Particularly if we're looking at getting a house next year (which we are).

Another point in favour of the switch is the fact that many of the courses run parallel, so if I get a CIS degree and decide to go ahead with CS later, I've got oodles of credits to my name.

So, new schedule selected, and my wallet groans in protest. At least I can keep my VB.NET book for the next class.

I'm looking forward to almost-month off that I'll have between terms, though. That shall be sweet. I'll make sure to do another projected to-do list that will doubtless not be completed. That'll be a lark.

Back to Christmas talk -- Mum's getting me a laptop. <does happy new toy dance> I'm obsessively watching Dell's web site for progress, but if all goes according to schedule, I should have it next week.

Mmm. Gadgety goodness. MMMmmmMMmMmm.

Listening To:
Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols

Looking Forward To:MMMMMM.