burning like matchsticks in the face of the darkness

( Well... here we are.... )

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When we went to get lunch, there was agreement that we were a bit sad to be watching the final episode. Eric's the only one who's seen all of them with me, though, so clearly I'll be lending them out. I gave it to Rich first; he's gonna watch it with his kids.

And clearly Eric now needs to see the movie. I finally printed out a new cover for my Serenity DVD. Eric already owns the DVD, though (of course).

For (I think) the first time I did NOT get teary at the voiceover.

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After we watched "Ariel" yesterday, Eric looked at the DVD cover and commented about "Trash." I didn't recall that being next (it's not) so when I took it back I looked myself and commented about how I have such mixed feelings about "War Stories" (the one that was next).

I was thinking later that day how this is less and less true. The torture scenes bother me less after repeated viewings, allowing me to focus on the awesomeness of the character stuff. Plus there are assorted scenes that are made of awesome( Read more... )

I forgot just HOW MUCH sexual innuendo gets crammed into a single episode. And it was aired on network tv :) I thought about forcing a viewing of the deleted scene, but that's on another disc, so we'll just wait until we've finished the series.

Mary Alice finally remembered where she recognized Adam Baldwin from -- Independence Day.

We watched this episode and Eric talked very little and was genuinely into what was happening. I was pleased. (And also excited that he did NOT guess the main plot twist, as in earlier episodes he had a habit of guessing almost all of the plot twists.) He also said he loves the girl mechanic (Kaylee) -- might even have said she's his favorite. He's still not a fan of Mal or Jayne, though.

Jayne's kissing line got the reactions I expected: an ew from Eric (I also totally watched his face during Saffron's Bible speech, which was awesome) and an approving mmm from Mary Alice (though she was thinking neck while Eric and I were totally thinking... other orifice).

I was also entertained that very early on Mary Alice commented that she's very pretty, because I never particularly thought that. I mean, I can see it, but I have to actually be making an effort.)

Oh, and bestest thing I forgot to mention: Eric said he was going to watch Firefly last night but it felt like it would be cheating on us, so he didn't.

Beautiful weather means eating outside, which is of the good for a number of reasons, but inside means Firefly.

I think "Shindig" really may be one of my favorite episodes. It just makes me so happy.

I had forgotten how many gorgeous shots are in there (at the ball predominantly, but not just there), and there is just so much awesome.

Mary Alice is definitely in the "Mmm, Jayne" camp. Eric said something nice about Kaylee and said he doesn't like the captain. I can't keep track of whom he likes and dislikes and am really okay with that evolving as he watches the show; it just means I'm frequently thrown.

He said at the end today that he's not a big fan of the plots but that the writing is very good; he says the show isn't better than Buffy but then little is. Of course, he constantly talks throughout the show (the first half of an episode especially), which frustrates me no end -- though with the subtitles on this is less of a problem. He said he fully understood what was going on, but I feel like you miss the subtleties if you're not paying attention. Of course, this is in part because having watched these episodes multiple times before, I'm watching largely for little stuff.

I don't have much to add to my previous commentary, but ( minor episode spoiler )

Edit: I forgot to mention, Eric was explaining that Simon+River are on the run and that Mal took them on because he's nice, and I added that he tries to act like he's not a nice guy but he really is -- "Like you, actually," I said, turning to Eric. (This has actually come up in conversation a lot recently -- talking with people and agreeing about what a good guy Eric is under the front he puts up.)

We watched Firefly again today during lunch. Eric commented on how it's kinda funny that he owns it but only watches it at work. His friend Debbie's coming to visit this weekend and he says she'll be so glad that he's watching it, that she's the one who tried to make him watch it a few weeks ago and he totally resisted. (Next time we watch I'm totally turning on subtitles, though, 'cause I feel like we keep missing lines, and I don't actually have the episodes entirely memorized.)

As with last time, I am hyperaware of all the ways/moments in which the episode [and probably the series] is... not necessarily even flawed, just not something someone is necessarily going to fall in love with. I don't have too many thoughts that I didn't already think back when I marathoned the show, though I did notice a few little details.

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I have consistency/honesty issues, the depth of which I sometimes don’t realize. The poll was both because I was curious and because I wanted affirmation. My guess was that the description would read as “fine,” so I was actually surprised to see anyone check “unacceptable.” Though at the same time I was surprised to see some of who checked “fine.”

          So yeah, PSA: Don’t ever IM me as anyone other than yourself. Ever.

And dude, no one was surprised I’m not a liberal? Though so far most poll participants aren’t newcomers, which helps to explain it.

My parents watched Firefly episodes “War Stories” through “The Message” today. I’m not sure I ever noticed before how strong Wash looks during those final fight scenes in “War Stories.” [Being busy and having seen all the episodes so many times, I don’t watch with my parents but I do stop in frequently.] They’ve been watching in DVD order and “The Message” was the first episode my dad hadn’t seen before; he thought it was a really good episode, which I thought was interesting, as it’s generally considered one of the weaker ones.

I have decided that the fic I’m currently working on is not so much crackfic as potfic -- it’s gatewayfic.

musesfool talks about about how meta is talking-about-talking-about and *not* source text discussion.

TBQ talks about preparation etc. for Katrina/New Orleans and wonders why the powers-that-be didn’t learn from previous years (specifically Georges).

Other: maps of Katrina’s path and maps of New Orleans.

Every now and again people write me kind letters letting me know just how much they'd like my job. On a day like today, I'd happily take their job. Even if it involves heavy lifting, standing around in the cold, or telling people they can't park there. Honest.
-Neil Gaiman

My UPenn app is ready to be mailed out in the morning. I am convinced that it is horrible and i won't get in anywhere. I am not particularly stressed out about this, however. (I have 3 more apps to finish over the Break, but UPenn is the place i really wanna be.)
Anyone who wants to read 10 pages about sacrifice, chosen-ness, and covenant (circumcision mostly) in the Old Testament with focus on the aqedah and some discussion of Jesus followed by 9 pages about BtVS with spoilers through the finale and some mention of Angel can feel free to request a copy of "Sacrifice and Chosen-ness from the Israelites to Sunnydale: The Aqedah, Jesus, and Buffy Summers." [My reread of the paper has convinced me it is horrible, but i'm still a big whore.]

Now all that remains is rewriting my Shakespeare paper and studying for (and taking, obviously) my Bible exam. Damn. And Secret Slasha is due on Sunday, so i have to finish that, too.

Today [Tuesday] was the last day of classes. In DSS (my one class) the prof mentioned how we've been talking a lot about the pesher [ "Interpreted, this means..."] technique a lot this semester and pointed us to the opening of 1 John 2:18:
     Children, it is the last hour!

I pointed out the rest of the verse, and declared it to be about the final exams/papers we have in many classes.
     As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know it is the last hour.

Christine then picked up on verse 19, calling it a reference to the MHC students in our class (of whom she is one).
     They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us.

And lastly, Biz picked up on verse 20:
     But you have been annointed by the Holy One; and all of you have knowledge.

In other news...
I have weird dreams when i get enough sleep. [When i'm not getting enough sleep, i wake up with no recollection of my dreams.] ( like you care )

Weird to think that i will be at Smith from January 2 - May 15 (excluding the week of Spring Break: March 12-20) and then gone forever. Kate and Emma have all these movies that apparently i not only need to see but i need to see with them. And of all the ones that came up in Friday night's discussion thereon, Blade Runner is the one Emma says i don't get veto power on. If it's really that important to her, i'll watch it 'cause you tie me to a couch and all you plan to do is watch a movie, where's the fun in that? but really, of all the movies....

Emma finished watching Firefly tonight, in the company of me and Kathy of course. I hate Tracey, but i cried at the beginning of "The Message." Also: Inara in that opening scene = omgsohot. Tonight's instances of SFF cross-polination: Womack=Jim from Sentinel and Nandi in "Heart of Gold" is from a Xena arc.

We stopped by Midnight Madness, which wasn't great, but it was a beautiful night. Clear sky for once, and winter brisk but not capslock cold (though i'm me and not entirely allowed to make temperature pronouncements).

And i'm never gonna finish writing and posting a detailed weekend update, but that's okay. Lessee.... anything i haven't mentioned? Oh, for the Advent Sunday of Joy, the First Churches service on Sunday was very disappointing. There was an interpretive dance, though. And that night i made myself a joy list, so that made me feel better. And Emily wrote a beautiful post about lights in the darkness and Advent and Hannukah. Oh, and i went to the end-of-semester Spanish 230 performances Tuesday afternoon, which were neat, though i was once again reminded how poor my Spanish is.

Recs:
fic: Giles meets Randall and Ethan for the first time
vid: "Mr. Bright Side" by The Killers (Angel-centric)

Pimping:
Gile ficathon if anyone who hasn't already heard is interested.
Request for "good, long, online comics" (details in post).

Other:
I'm not that evil, but yeah.
[And hey, want really depressing? Neil Gaiman's "Nicholas Was..." from Smoke and Mirrors.]

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Now to catch up on however many days of my friendspage.

Oh, and no i haven't read the latest ats_nolimits yet.

sarah_p is doing btvs_santa again this year, and raebird did a Firefly spin-off: serenity_santa. I really shouldn't do these, but... you do get to specify the stuff you're willing to do, so that makes it a lot less scary. I also like the no-pressure fandomwishlist [ *whores self out* ] and may get sucked into doing Secret Slasha again. (Yes i am insane. Anyone who was around last semester when i was taking 5 classes and a dozen or so ficathons knows that.)

Also, phineasjones was seeking "fic that takes place in winter/is wintery" and i imagine she would still appreciate recs.