Saturday, February 1
A day late, but here are my responses to The Friday Five.
1. As a child, who was your favorite superhero/heroine? Why?
Tough question. In early childhood, I think it was the Green Lantern from Superfriends. His ability to make or do anything with his power ring was hella cool. And, when you played it with your friends, they could only stop you if they had something yellow hanging around the house. When I started reading comic books, I had three favorites: Cyclops and Colossus of the X-Men and Firestorm from DC Comics. Cyclops had that cool optic blasts and was a very natural leader. I would have followed him anywhere. Colossus was just this massive tank, but he had a very gentle heart. I also got a kick out of Russian expressions. As an adult, I actually was very sad when Colossus killed himself to save the world (from the Legacy Virus). Also, Firestorm was a great read. Some might consider me a flamer (seriously, I'm a butch muthafucka), but this kid had flames coming out of his head. Firestorm was actually two people — a high school student and a science professor — who would combine into one atom-churning hero. Good fun.
2. What was one thing you always wanted as a child but never got?
An Intellivision. My cousins had one, and I was so jealous. We just had an Activision in our house, which was the Sears version of Atari.
3. What's the furthest from home you've been?
I went to Europe in high school: London, Paris, Florence and Rome. Domestically, I've only been as far west as Ohio and as far south as Washington, D.C.
4. What's one thing you've always wanted to learn but haven't yet?
I've always wanted to be a Photoshop master, like Jasiecakes, but I'm really not anywhere near the level I want to be. I guess, it would be the violin. In high school, I taught myself to play every single musical instrument, except for the strings. They always intimidated me.
5. What are your plans for the weekend?
Very low key. I need to finish a few projects for work and do laundry. The fun never starts.
1. As a child, who was your favorite superhero/heroine? Why?
Tough question. In early childhood, I think it was the Green Lantern from Superfriends. His ability to make or do anything with his power ring was hella cool. And, when you played it with your friends, they could only stop you if they had something yellow hanging around the house. When I started reading comic books, I had three favorites: Cyclops and Colossus of the X-Men and Firestorm from DC Comics. Cyclops had that cool optic blasts and was a very natural leader. I would have followed him anywhere. Colossus was just this massive tank, but he had a very gentle heart. I also got a kick out of Russian expressions. As an adult, I actually was very sad when Colossus killed himself to save the world (from the Legacy Virus). Also, Firestorm was a great read. Some might consider me a flamer (seriously, I'm a butch muthafucka), but this kid had flames coming out of his head. Firestorm was actually two people — a high school student and a science professor — who would combine into one atom-churning hero. Good fun.
2. What was one thing you always wanted as a child but never got?
An Intellivision. My cousins had one, and I was so jealous. We just had an Activision in our house, which was the Sears version of Atari.
3. What's the furthest from home you've been?
I went to Europe in high school: London, Paris, Florence and Rome. Domestically, I've only been as far west as Ohio and as far south as Washington, D.C.
4. What's one thing you've always wanted to learn but haven't yet?
I've always wanted to be a Photoshop master, like Jasiecakes, but I'm really not anywhere near the level I want to be. I guess, it would be the violin. In high school, I taught myself to play every single musical instrument, except for the strings. They always intimidated me.
5. What are your plans for the weekend?
Very low key. I need to finish a few projects for work and do laundry. The fun never starts.
Friday, January 31
J.Go will be in Washington, D.C., from March 4 through 7, attending a conference. Who are the hip DC bloggers? What are the must-see places? Share people, share!
Monday, January 27
The transformative power of television. Let's all sing its praise. It seems Max is a new man after last night's Alias. For me, it's MTV's MADE. Basically, these stories make me weep. At first glance, the show seems very simple. A nerd wants to become popular or cool, so MTV gives them a coach to help them accomplish it. On another level, the show is really about struggling to get out of our own way and the power of supportive relationships.
In the first episode, a girl wants to break out of her drama club clique and become a high school cheerleader. Her MADE Coach is the world's gayest man, Jim, who is actually an endearing and supportive sweetheart. She also gets a physical trainer to help her prepare for tryouts. At the start, this girl is uncoordinated, unable to jump, somewhat unhappy, insecure and largely alone in life (parents are gone). However, her coaches believe in her, and push her, and she realizes a lot of success and happiness. When she says goodbye to her cheerleading coach, it's really touching. I cry like a male cheerleader every time I watch it. I also find myself getting more attracted to Jim each time I watch it, which scares me.
In the most recent episode, this scrawny little kid in Ohio wants to join the varsity basketball team. One problem, Michael has no game. He's anti-game. He can't handle a ball, direction or a challenge. This kid struggles to find the strength and the drive to succeed at his goal, realizing he wants to be on the team to prove something to himself, and not for the popularity. Of course, it's the MADE Coach that really pushes this process of self-realization. In the end, when he makes the team and scores a three-pointer in his first game, you cheer for him. You also can see the pride on his coach's face. Again, it made me cry. It really shows how far people can go with a little bit of support and encouragement.
In the first episode, a girl wants to break out of her drama club clique and become a high school cheerleader. Her MADE Coach is the world's gayest man, Jim, who is actually an endearing and supportive sweetheart. She also gets a physical trainer to help her prepare for tryouts. At the start, this girl is uncoordinated, unable to jump, somewhat unhappy, insecure and largely alone in life (parents are gone). However, her coaches believe in her, and push her, and she realizes a lot of success and happiness. When she says goodbye to her cheerleading coach, it's really touching. I cry like a male cheerleader every time I watch it. I also find myself getting more attracted to Jim each time I watch it, which scares me.
In the most recent episode, this scrawny little kid in Ohio wants to join the varsity basketball team. One problem, Michael has no game. He's anti-game. He can't handle a ball, direction or a challenge. This kid struggles to find the strength and the drive to succeed at his goal, realizing he wants to be on the team to prove something to himself, and not for the popularity. Of course, it's the MADE Coach that really pushes this process of self-realization. In the end, when he makes the team and scores a three-pointer in his first game, you cheer for him. You also can see the pride on his coach's face. Again, it made me cry. It really shows how far people can go with a little bit of support and encouragement.
A weekend full of irritations:
1. I think someone tried to break into my car this weekend, apparently to steal crumpled food wrappers in the backseat. Regardless, I'm now missing a door handle.
2. For some reason, my computer has turned into a big pussy. It's lost its ability to function. MS Word makes my PC run away, crying about a sad childhood at Dell and screaming for more memory. Even removing and installing Word again didn't help. While I blame some shifty downloaded software for the change to
my system, my friend Kate thinks my computer is simply initiating a slow down because of my many Mac fantasies.
3. I am overly dependant on my computer. I had planned to get caught up on my work deadlines this weekend, but was blocked at every turn.
4. Cali Girl is sealing herself off from Portland, but about to embark on a really wonderful professional adventure.
5. I had the realization that I spend an obscene amount of money on design magazines, which is weird, because I'm not even a designer.
6. Again, the realization that I'll never be a designer hit home again. More on this later.
7. My apartment is freezing. Damn cold. Opera Guy (the ex-but-still-friend) let me sleep at his place on Friday to escape the bitter temperatures in my bedroom.
8. And, before you think it, Opera Guy and I are not having sex. He got out of that responsibility as fast as he could. I find this irritating.
9. Apparently, I made lots of weird noises in my sleep, like something sing-songy between snoring. I wanted to die from the embarrassment. Though, I don't think it's the first time I've heard it, but it seemed so shocking and wrong.
10. My just-purchased revolutionary mopping system is lame.
1. I think someone tried to break into my car this weekend, apparently to steal crumpled food wrappers in the backseat. Regardless, I'm now missing a door handle.
2. For some reason, my computer has turned into a big pussy. It's lost its ability to function. MS Word makes my PC run away, crying about a sad childhood at Dell and screaming for more memory. Even removing and installing Word again didn't help. While I blame some shifty downloaded software for the change to
my system, my friend Kate thinks my computer is simply initiating a slow down because of my many Mac fantasies.
3. I am overly dependant on my computer. I had planned to get caught up on my work deadlines this weekend, but was blocked at every turn.
4. Cali Girl is sealing herself off from Portland, but about to embark on a really wonderful professional adventure.
5. I had the realization that I spend an obscene amount of money on design magazines, which is weird, because I'm not even a designer.
6. Again, the realization that I'll never be a designer hit home again. More on this later.
7. My apartment is freezing. Damn cold. Opera Guy (the ex-but-still-friend) let me sleep at his place on Friday to escape the bitter temperatures in my bedroom.
8. And, before you think it, Opera Guy and I are not having sex. He got out of that responsibility as fast as he could. I find this irritating.
9. Apparently, I made lots of weird noises in my sleep, like something sing-songy between snoring. I wanted to die from the embarrassment. Though, I don't think it's the first time I've heard it, but it seemed so shocking and wrong.
10. My just-purchased revolutionary mopping system is lame.
Wednesday, January 22
I am so damn excited. Portland's very own Efram Potelle and Kyle Rankin won the directors contest for Project Greenlight. These guys had a very juvenile cable access show here, and made several films, most of which were pretty good, including a funny Alias spoof. While most think Kyle is the hottie, I've always had a groove on for Efram. I'm so giddy. HBO is doing the show again, according to its website. Yeah.
Monday, January 13
It seems Princess Melissa is back online. This girl came out fighting. Check out her post on the first Battle of the Sexes episode. Also, she promises to post nasty stuff about Julie tonight while the show's airing. Can't miss it.
Well, it seems Monday is turning into a great night of television. The new season of The It Factor: Los Angeles starts tonight. I loved last year's New York entry. Then, of course, it's all about The Real World/Road Rules Battle of the Sexes. I'd better block out the next few Mondays on my Palm Pilot, because I'm starting an intense relationship with my television.
I woke up at 4 a.m. with a cold preventing me from breathing. I could actually hear my sinuses draining. So, I took a cold pill, trying to get back to sleep. Not good. It knocked me out. I didn't even wake up until 8:15 a.m., even though I normally leave for work by 8 a.m. Oh, and I'm still sick.
Wednesday, January 8
I've not really talked about it much, but it's worth mentioning that Opera Guy and I are no longer dating. He came over the Sunday before New Year's and helped me paint my living room. When we were done, he just ended it. No drama. Well, at least my living room looks good. Whe still are friends and he's a great guy, but it's back to being single. Of course, when you're single in Portland, Maine, you pretty much have one option: moving to Boston.
I haven't posted any slayer love in a long time, even though I've totally loved season seven. Did you catch TV Gal's spoiler about Principal Wood? It's freaky. Anyway, last night's episode left a chalky taste in my mouth. I'm becoming stressed over all of the unknown. Is Giles alive? If dead, is he leading them to doom? What has Buffy done to tempt The First Evil? What's up with Willow's magic? How did Xander get such a great job without any real education or experience? What does The First Evil really want? Is Joyce telling the truth about Buffy? Are they really going to let Andrew become a Scooby? Is it wrong that I catch so many of Andrew's geeky asides? Basically, I'm tired of knowing just enough to know nothing. It's starting to piss me off.
Okay, one more Battle of the Sexes link: I hated Colin, but this entry on the first episode is really cool. Link from Max and Kim. On her site, Julie offers up a weak defense.
Tuesday, January 7
I think I'm growing a goatee again, but I'm not really sure. Typically, it's not a good thing for me, because there is a lot of space between the bottom of my nose and my upper lip. So, it just seems like this total block of hair, rather than a more stylish thing, and, quite frankly, I have enough trouble getting to work on time without having to manicure my lip. So, we'll see how it goes. And, nobody leave a comment asking for a pic, because you are not getting one.
It's been a pretty uneventful day, though I'm somehow getting caught up on overdue projects. Despite my productivity, I've found lots of time to email with Cali Girl about last night's Battle of the Sexes. Cali Girl has long adored Princess Melissa, and the two even have exchanged an email or two over the years. So, she was very upset to see our Tampa Girl's unruly and rude behavior last night. However, Melissa offers this in her defense (or, rather, in offense of Julie).
Oh, and, we both think David wasn't really upset about getting spit on. His real issue was having to walk around Jamaica with all the hottie muscle boys when he's just tiny, scrawny and icky. He realized he couldn't compete with the physique squad and ran.
Oh, and, we both think David wasn't really upset about getting spit on. His real issue was having to walk around Jamaica with all the hottie muscle boys when he's just tiny, scrawny and icky. He realized he couldn't compete with the physique squad and ran.
