So, I finally got out to see The Hobbit. Objectively, I'm sure it's a flawed movie. I've heard criticisms about it being too slow, and I'm sure they're valid. I strongly suspect that if I were coming to this story for the first time, I'd find the movie badly paced for the adventure tale it is, and way too full of expository backstory. But, fortunately for me, I have neither the ability nor the desire to be objective. The Hobbit is a story I've loved since I was a kid -- I first read it long before I ever encountered The Lord of the Rings -- and seeing it up there on the big screen looking so awesome, with or without added bits, was an absolute treat for me. The riddle scene with Gollum was particularly thrilling; that was always my favorite part of the book, although I suppose that's probably true for most people.
And, wow, that really, really did not feel like three hours. Heck, I didn't even have to pee when it was over. I could happily have sat there for another hour or two.
When's the next one out, again?
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
So This Is Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
I'm having a nice, low-key solo holiday this year. I did have an invite up to Albuquerque, which I appreciated, but after working long, annoying hours for the last few days, I'm feeling a lot less like long drives and social contact, and a lot more like lying around the house eating candy canes in my pajamas. So that's what I'm doing. (My pajama pants have pictures of the Grinch on them, so they are appropriately holiday-themed.) I do have a little Cornish game hen to cook up later, as well as pie, and my homemade fruitcake-that-challenges-all-the-stereotypes-about-fruitcake, although there's not much of that left. And, of course, I have opened all my presents, every one of which made me happy and was much appreciated. Many thanks to all the lovely people in my life for their thoughtfulness! And to all of you, whatever you're doing today, whether you celebrate this particular holiday or not, I hope you all have a warm, happy, wonderful day.
I'm having a nice, low-key solo holiday this year. I did have an invite up to Albuquerque, which I appreciated, but after working long, annoying hours for the last few days, I'm feeling a lot less like long drives and social contact, and a lot more like lying around the house eating candy canes in my pajamas. So that's what I'm doing. (My pajama pants have pictures of the Grinch on them, so they are appropriately holiday-themed.) I do have a little Cornish game hen to cook up later, as well as pie, and my homemade fruitcake-that-challenges-all-the-stereotypes-about-fruitcake, although there's not much of that left. And, of course, I have opened all my presents, every one of which made me happy and was much appreciated. Many thanks to all the lovely people in my life for their thoughtfulness! And to all of you, whatever you're doing today, whether you celebrate this particular holiday or not, I hope you all have a warm, happy, wonderful day.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
More Christmas Cheer (Also Zombies)
A thing that should exist: The Walking Dead Christmas special. (Warning: kind of spoilery)
And, hey, why stop at one Walking Dead parody video? This one also amused me. (Warning: really spoilery!)
And, hey, why stop at one Walking Dead parody video? This one also amused me. (Warning: really spoilery!)
Friday, December 21, 2012
Random Links For The Holidays
Your Holiday Gift Guide for Cats—By Cats: Last minute shopping suggestions for your feline! Although some of these are likely to be difficult to obtain. Cats can be so demanding.
The Best Astronomy Images of 2012: Because outer space continued being awesome this year.
And, finally, the reason we're all still here.
The Best Astronomy Images of 2012: Because outer space continued being awesome this year.
And, finally, the reason we're all still here.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Saturday, December 08, 2012
'Tis The Season! But Which Season, I'm Not Sure.
You know, it's very difficult to believe that we're coming up on Christmas when I haven't yet had to take my winter coat of of the closet once, and have, in fact, been happily walking around outside in short sleeves for the past week. I'm not complaining, mind you! Well, except for the fact that this is probably a symptom of global warming and some poor Pacific island is about to disappear forever so that I might enjoy nice weather in December. Other than that, though, it's awesome!
Friday, December 07, 2012
This Month's Currentlies Prove I'm Not Dead!
Yeah, I know it's been a while since I posted here. I think it's because nothing the slightest bit interesting has been happening, but let's see, shall we?
Current clothes: This is one of those days where I'm blogging in a bath towel, fresh out of the shower. I really need to go and get dressed soon, though.
Current mood: Man, I don't even know what the word is for my mood lately. But I'm at this point where it feels like there are a zillion different things wanting me to pay attention to them, and even though many of them are perfectly nice things, it's kind of getting to me. I'm also seriously tired of working, and I'm starting to entertain fantasies again of spending a week in a cabin in the forest or a hut on a deserted tropical beach somewhere, with a giant stack of books and the quiet sounds of nature, and absolutely nothing else. That sounds like bliss... except then I can't help thinking how bad my internet withdrawal would be by the end of the week. Modern life is ruining even my fantasies now, it seems.
Current music: Nothing much... Well, the last thing played on my iPod was The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil," because, I dunno, listening to it might have gotten it out of my head, or something. Which it actually might have done, but it's back now. Thanks, meme!
Current annoyance: Yeah, see "current mood," I think.
Current thing: Don't even ask me how many books I've bought so far this year. Seriously, don't ask. I'm afraid to count them.
Current desktop picture: I just now switched it over to my traditional December wallpaper, which features a picture of the TARDIS with snow on the roof and a wreath on the door. Maybe this will help put me into a holiday spirit, because said holidays really seem to be sneaking up on me this year.
Current book: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. Which is just lovely. It's warm and perceptive and dryly funny and romantic even for a deeply non-romantic soul like me, and very, very British. I may be reading it more slowly than I need to because I don't want it to end, which is unheard of for me.
Current song in head: "Sympathy for the Devil." See above.
Current DVD in player: I just finished disc 3 of season one of Once Upon a Time. Somebody I was discussing this show with said he couldn't decide whether it was "a very good bad show or a bad good show," and I have to agree. It's like it's trying to be both good and bad at once, and the result is more than a little weird. I've gotten surprisingly into it by this point though, based, I think, mainly on the fact that Robert Carlyle is amazing in it. I do not know why he isn't starring in every episode. Also, I'm still making my way through season 3 of The Twilight Zone. Most recent episode: "To Serve Man," which makes no logical sense whatsoever on any level, and yet still somehow manages to be a classic piece of television.
Current refreshment: Nothing since I finished my morning coffee. I ought to start thinking about lunch at some point, especially since I have a doctor's appointment to go to at 1:00.
Current worry: That entropy is trying to eat my house again.
Current thought: I have to confess it here: I love my giant new TV. I had no idea it would make me this happy when I got it; I just knew the old one was starting to annoy me. And it's embarrassing to admit, isn't it? It seems like the height of crass materialism to admit that having a large television brings joy to your life. But, oh, such pretty, pretty pictures it makes for me!
Current clothes: This is one of those days where I'm blogging in a bath towel, fresh out of the shower. I really need to go and get dressed soon, though.
Current mood: Man, I don't even know what the word is for my mood lately. But I'm at this point where it feels like there are a zillion different things wanting me to pay attention to them, and even though many of them are perfectly nice things, it's kind of getting to me. I'm also seriously tired of working, and I'm starting to entertain fantasies again of spending a week in a cabin in the forest or a hut on a deserted tropical beach somewhere, with a giant stack of books and the quiet sounds of nature, and absolutely nothing else. That sounds like bliss... except then I can't help thinking how bad my internet withdrawal would be by the end of the week. Modern life is ruining even my fantasies now, it seems.
Current music: Nothing much... Well, the last thing played on my iPod was The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil," because, I dunno, listening to it might have gotten it out of my head, or something. Which it actually might have done, but it's back now. Thanks, meme!
Current annoyance: Yeah, see "current mood," I think.
Current thing: Don't even ask me how many books I've bought so far this year. Seriously, don't ask. I'm afraid to count them.
Current desktop picture: I just now switched it over to my traditional December wallpaper, which features a picture of the TARDIS with snow on the roof and a wreath on the door. Maybe this will help put me into a holiday spirit, because said holidays really seem to be sneaking up on me this year.
Current book: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. Which is just lovely. It's warm and perceptive and dryly funny and romantic even for a deeply non-romantic soul like me, and very, very British. I may be reading it more slowly than I need to because I don't want it to end, which is unheard of for me.
Current song in head: "Sympathy for the Devil." See above.
Current DVD in player: I just finished disc 3 of season one of Once Upon a Time. Somebody I was discussing this show with said he couldn't decide whether it was "a very good bad show or a bad good show," and I have to agree. It's like it's trying to be both good and bad at once, and the result is more than a little weird. I've gotten surprisingly into it by this point though, based, I think, mainly on the fact that Robert Carlyle is amazing in it. I do not know why he isn't starring in every episode. Also, I'm still making my way through season 3 of The Twilight Zone. Most recent episode: "To Serve Man," which makes no logical sense whatsoever on any level, and yet still somehow manages to be a classic piece of television.
Current refreshment: Nothing since I finished my morning coffee. I ought to start thinking about lunch at some point, especially since I have a doctor's appointment to go to at 1:00.
Current worry: That entropy is trying to eat my house again.
Current thought: I have to confess it here: I love my giant new TV. I had no idea it would make me this happy when I got it; I just knew the old one was starting to annoy me. And it's embarrassing to admit, isn't it? It seems like the height of crass materialism to admit that having a large television brings joy to your life. But, oh, such pretty, pretty pictures it makes for me!
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