Finally got to see the season finale of Battlestar Galactica. Amazing stuff. Revelations and tons more questions - a good cliffhanger. If anyone's interested in catching up with Ronald D Moore, check this out. Warning: spoilers if you haven't seen the season finale.
Who's the fifth Cylon? Starbuck is, I still hold, not a Cylon but something else. Interesting that Roslin gets a woozy-attack just as the power goes out in the fleet. If Tigh wasn't a lush before... jeez. Anders and Tori can shack up and make Cylon babies. Speaking of which - that must mean that Tyrol and Cally's kid is also a hybrid. Hera is not the first. And what's with Caprica Six's waking-dreams of the final five? I sense two factions - her & Baltar on one side, Athena and possibly Roslin (the fifth Cylon?) on the other, fighting over Hera, who clearly has some special significance. A future leader on Earth, perhaps? The great,great,great,great,great grandmother of Bob Dylan? (penner of The Watchtower, used as the "wake up call" for the sleeper-Cylons).
We'll have plenty of time to speculate with next season not airing until 2008. Ugh! Good thing there's Doctor Who to keep us company.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Photos from the Anniversary Wine Tour
Us at Lucas Winery:
RED CAT!!!
Compare this lovely tasting room...
With this "Winery-in-a-shed":
RED CAT!!!
Compare this lovely tasting room...
With this "Winery-in-a-shed":
Back to Life, Back to Reality...
Our fabulous weekend of celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary is just about over. We checked out of the B&B at 11:00 this morning, and at this point I am still unwilling to enter into all the trappings of things that make up my daily life. Thankfully I got all the searingly important things done before Friday, so I can coast into tomorrow.
It was a lovely if overcast weekend. Friday night we were both exhausted and found out that the Glass Magnolia's (our B&B) dining room isn't open for the season, yet, so we drove to a place down the road called Woodside Roadhouse for dinner. Pretty damn good food and the prices were right. I assume that's because the building itself was nothing more than a corrugated steel box, so there was little in the way of overhead. We got back to the B&B pretty late and I hopped in the jacuzzi tub for one of my many baths of the weekend. The room had cable, so we had fun watching "Most Haunted" on the Travel Channel.
Next day we had a mammoth breakfast buffet laid out for us, since we were the only guests. The quiche was the best I've ever had; the coffee, alas, was little more than coffee-flavored water. We spent the rest of the morning doing our own things (Bizarro writing, of course, me reading and studying Korean). Our friends arrived around 1:00 and we took off for Seneca Lake wine trail.
We had lunch at Wagner Vineyard's restaurant (very fine) and started our tasting in the winery. All in all, we hit four vineyards on Seneca Lake and two on Cayuga Lake, including our favorite, Lucas Wine. The whole day we were trying, unsuccessfully, to avoid "the Hawaiian people" who were on some tropical-themed tour in buses and stretch SUV limos, and who were very obnoxious. Three of us were drinking, one was driving, and it's a damned good thing because the three of us were pretty toasted by the third winery.
We actually stopped at one place we didn't go into - it was Hazlitt, home of "Red Cat" wine which may as well be Kool-Aid. We pulled into the drive and there by the door was a poor schlepp in a fuzzy Red Cat costume - girded with a grass skirt for "the Hawaiians." We were all over ourselves laughing and came away with a picture, which I shall post here soon.
We stopped back at the Roadhouse for dinner, then into T'burg (Trumansburg) for coffee at Gimme! Coffee, a quick stop at the Shur Fine for some toothpaste and to gas up the car, then back to the Glass Magnolia where the four of us sat in the tea room with our coffees, then opened a bottle of wine when coffee was done. There was a lovely gas fireplace there to keep us toasty, and the ubiquitous ambient mood music (instrumental arrangements of Phantom of the Opera love song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, etc.). Our friends left around 8:30 and Don stayed downstairs to write a bit more. I hit the tub and polished off most of the rest of the bottle of wine we had open. I was besotted in the bath, you could say.
We watched a bit of TV and I fell asleep, pretty tipsy in my cups still, around midnight. This morning was another full breakfast, then time to go. Sad!
So I'm home and it's good to be here, esp. now that the snow's all gone and there's a little peek of sun now and again. I have some brutal realities to face, namely the lack of a job for next year and the limbo that currently is my summer. I have asked my colleague from school who is running the docu. program in Korea this summer if he could nudge them to give him an idea of whether he's going to need me (based on enrollment). Another school here might be interested in having me teach ESL this summer, and I could do that and perhaps get to Korea at the end of the summer to teach in an English camp and shoot my own little docu. But I need to know.
I. NEED. TO. KNOW.
For now I'm trying not to feed into the stress and just allow myself the rest of today for relaxing a bit longer. I can see the sunshine and it's working on lifting my spirits a bit. I think I'm still a little "under the weather" from having too many "spirits" yesterday and last night!
It was a lovely if overcast weekend. Friday night we were both exhausted and found out that the Glass Magnolia's (our B&B) dining room isn't open for the season, yet, so we drove to a place down the road called Woodside Roadhouse for dinner. Pretty damn good food and the prices were right. I assume that's because the building itself was nothing more than a corrugated steel box, so there was little in the way of overhead. We got back to the B&B pretty late and I hopped in the jacuzzi tub for one of my many baths of the weekend. The room had cable, so we had fun watching "Most Haunted" on the Travel Channel.
Next day we had a mammoth breakfast buffet laid out for us, since we were the only guests. The quiche was the best I've ever had; the coffee, alas, was little more than coffee-flavored water. We spent the rest of the morning doing our own things (Bizarro writing, of course, me reading and studying Korean). Our friends arrived around 1:00 and we took off for Seneca Lake wine trail.
We had lunch at Wagner Vineyard's restaurant (very fine) and started our tasting in the winery. All in all, we hit four vineyards on Seneca Lake and two on Cayuga Lake, including our favorite, Lucas Wine. The whole day we were trying, unsuccessfully, to avoid "the Hawaiian people" who were on some tropical-themed tour in buses and stretch SUV limos, and who were very obnoxious. Three of us were drinking, one was driving, and it's a damned good thing because the three of us were pretty toasted by the third winery.
We actually stopped at one place we didn't go into - it was Hazlitt, home of "Red Cat" wine which may as well be Kool-Aid. We pulled into the drive and there by the door was a poor schlepp in a fuzzy Red Cat costume - girded with a grass skirt for "the Hawaiians." We were all over ourselves laughing and came away with a picture, which I shall post here soon.
We stopped back at the Roadhouse for dinner, then into T'burg (Trumansburg) for coffee at Gimme! Coffee, a quick stop at the Shur Fine for some toothpaste and to gas up the car, then back to the Glass Magnolia where the four of us sat in the tea room with our coffees, then opened a bottle of wine when coffee was done. There was a lovely gas fireplace there to keep us toasty, and the ubiquitous ambient mood music (instrumental arrangements of Phantom of the Opera love song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, etc.). Our friends left around 8:30 and Don stayed downstairs to write a bit more. I hit the tub and polished off most of the rest of the bottle of wine we had open. I was besotted in the bath, you could say.
We watched a bit of TV and I fell asleep, pretty tipsy in my cups still, around midnight. This morning was another full breakfast, then time to go. Sad!
So I'm home and it's good to be here, esp. now that the snow's all gone and there's a little peek of sun now and again. I have some brutal realities to face, namely the lack of a job for next year and the limbo that currently is my summer. I have asked my colleague from school who is running the docu. program in Korea this summer if he could nudge them to give him an idea of whether he's going to need me (based on enrollment). Another school here might be interested in having me teach ESL this summer, and I could do that and perhaps get to Korea at the end of the summer to teach in an English camp and shoot my own little docu. But I need to know.
I. NEED. TO. KNOW.
For now I'm trying not to feed into the stress and just allow myself the rest of today for relaxing a bit longer. I can see the sunshine and it's working on lifting my spirits a bit. I think I'm still a little "under the weather" from having too many "spirits" yesterday and last night!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Spring has Sprung
Welcome to the 2nd day of spring. It is appropriately spring-like here. There is the constant sound of running water due to the veritable river that runs through it - "it" being the middle of this apartment complex - thanks to the nimrods who screwed up the drainage system here about 10 years ago. It sounds like a babbling brook is right outside the patio. Apparently these roofs used to be flat, until some idgit property manager decided to put up pitched roofs but neglected to install gutters and proper drainage.
So, spring is here and I'm waiting for the last of the snow to melt on my patio so I can clean it up and get ready for grillin' season. Bizarro will be able to grill all the red meat his heart desires outside (I don't allow it inside because the entire apartment smells like dead cow, and it literally makes me nauseated. Must've been a Hindu in a past life.).
Tomorrow is our second wedding anniversary. As I've already repeatedly noted, I cannot wait to hit the jacuzzi in our B&B tomorrow evening.
But before tomorrow I have things to accomplish, which I haven't felt like doing due to a nasty stomach bug. I think I'm over the worst of it, and today I'm taking it easy with mint tea and gentle foods.
I received some awful news from JEB the other night - a death in the family. I wired flowers to her mom (it was her husband who passed away unexpectedly) and have had them in my prayers constantly. This morning was the funeral - I wish I could've been there, but Boston is a bit of a leap and I had to teach this week. I wish I could be there to support JEB, who is notoriously strong for her entire family. From afar, I send her cyber hugs and lots of Green Tara mantras.
So, spring is here and I'm waiting for the last of the snow to melt on my patio so I can clean it up and get ready for grillin' season. Bizarro will be able to grill all the red meat his heart desires outside (I don't allow it inside because the entire apartment smells like dead cow, and it literally makes me nauseated. Must've been a Hindu in a past life.).
Tomorrow is our second wedding anniversary. As I've already repeatedly noted, I cannot wait to hit the jacuzzi in our B&B tomorrow evening.
But before tomorrow I have things to accomplish, which I haven't felt like doing due to a nasty stomach bug. I think I'm over the worst of it, and today I'm taking it easy with mint tea and gentle foods.
I received some awful news from JEB the other night - a death in the family. I wired flowers to her mom (it was her husband who passed away unexpectedly) and have had them in my prayers constantly. This morning was the funeral - I wish I could've been there, but Boston is a bit of a leap and I had to teach this week. I wish I could be there to support JEB, who is notoriously strong for her entire family. From afar, I send her cyber hugs and lots of Green Tara mantras.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Another Damn Snowstorm
So much for spring. Hopefully this is the last snow for the year.
I've done pretty well getting all my crap done, especially since I realized yesterday around 5:00 that my mid-term grades are due in by 10 a.m. Tuesday. That means I have to get my students' scripts graded by Monday night so I can tally their grades and post them on Tuesday morning. I thought I had until Wed. to get them done, so this just means I can't procrastinate. So far I'm on track.
This morning I put together a basket of bath goodies for our B&B anniversary next weekend. I can't wait for that jacuzzi! It's supposed to be in the 50s that weekend.
Made my amazing manicotti again last night. Mmmmmmm...ricotta cheese.
Tomorrow I'm supposed to go to mom's if the roads are cleared and the visibility is decent.
Tired...oh so tired...
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I've done pretty well getting all my crap done, especially since I realized yesterday around 5:00 that my mid-term grades are due in by 10 a.m. Tuesday. That means I have to get my students' scripts graded by Monday night so I can tally their grades and post them on Tuesday morning. I thought I had until Wed. to get them done, so this just means I can't procrastinate. So far I'm on track.
This morning I put together a basket of bath goodies for our B&B anniversary next weekend. I can't wait for that jacuzzi! It's supposed to be in the 50s that weekend.
Made my amazing manicotti again last night. Mmmmmmm...ricotta cheese.
Tomorrow I'm supposed to go to mom's if the roads are cleared and the visibility is decent.
Tired...oh so tired...
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Spring Break
It truly is a "spring break" at least for a couple of days. Temps in the 60s, snow melting everywhere. Woo hoo! Of course, it is still March in Upstate NY, so the temps will go back to the 30s by the weekend. At least no single digits! Yesterday I put up all the remaining winter decorations, and swapped out the evergreen wreath for the spring wreath on the front door. Welcome, Spring!
The visit to Cleveland was very nice and quite relaxing. I almost didn't want to come home. But home we came, and I have a list of stuff to get done by next week.
1. Send out CVs for adjunct pools.
2. Latest edit of "Dream Job"
3. Scenes for "Beauty Is..."
4. Finish demo
5. Read student scripts for grading
6. Mess around with Final Cut
7. Study Korean
I'm supposed to tutor at 11:00 today so I better get myself ready. The time change makes it hard to get up on time. Must do better tomorrow.
The visit to Cleveland was very nice and quite relaxing. I almost didn't want to come home. But home we came, and I have a list of stuff to get done by next week.
1. Send out CVs for adjunct pools.
2. Latest edit of "Dream Job"
3. Scenes for "Beauty Is..."
4. Finish demo
5. Read student scripts for grading
6. Mess around with Final Cut
7. Study Korean
I'm supposed to tutor at 11:00 today so I better get myself ready. The time change makes it hard to get up on time. Must do better tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
"Debut"
Last night Bizarro and I went to a screening of Debut, a coming-of-age film about a young Filipino-American man's issues with his culture and his father. It was a fun film to watch with plenty of "inside" references to the Filipino culture, most of which I got. Some of the dialogue is jerky and awkward, but the performances were strong. Unlike "American Adobo," which was just horrid on all counts (bad writing & Filipinos mugging for the camera, as my husband described it). He actually bought that DVD just to get it off the shelves of the video store so no one would see it.
BSG This Week
WARNING: SPOILER TO FOLLOW
If you haven't seen BSG's recent episode on March 4, and you care, don't read this.
I'm not very happy with Ron Moore's decision to kill off Starbuck. It seemed forced. Of all transformations, why death? It'll be intresting to see how the rest of the season (3 episodes) handles her absence. Will the characters shrug and get over it or will there be long-lasting consequences? Will Lee and Anders become alchoholic drinking buddies? Will Dualla finally dump Lee's ass when it's clear he'll never get over Kara? Will Adama seal himself off in his quarters to rebuild his model ship he trashed, complete with the Aurora trinket on the mast? Will Baltar start having sex with Kara in his mind instead of Six? Will Starbuck show up dressed all in white as one of the "Seraphs" from A Ship of Lights?
I'm sure Dirk Benedict is incensed.
If you haven't seen BSG's recent episode on March 4, and you care, don't read this.
I'm not very happy with Ron Moore's decision to kill off Starbuck. It seemed forced. Of all transformations, why death? It'll be intresting to see how the rest of the season (3 episodes) handles her absence. Will the characters shrug and get over it or will there be long-lasting consequences? Will Lee and Anders become alchoholic drinking buddies? Will Dualla finally dump Lee's ass when it's clear he'll never get over Kara? Will Adama seal himself off in his quarters to rebuild his model ship he trashed, complete with the Aurora trinket on the mast? Will Baltar start having sex with Kara in his mind instead of Six? Will Starbuck show up dressed all in white as one of the "Seraphs" from A Ship of Lights?
I'm sure Dirk Benedict is incensed.
Fatter-Fatso
Because what America needs is bigger grease-ball burgers from CrapDonald's. Our collective asses aren't big enough, apparently.
BIG AMERICAN ASSES
BIG AMERICAN ASSES
Monday, March 05, 2007
Annoyed
Today has been a thoroughly annoying day. For one thing, it's frigidly cold and snowing again. I had to drop off the video equipment I used yesterday, which required me to drive up South Hill in the blinding snow. By the time I was done with that, the sun had come out for 5 minutes, so I thought I'd stop at Wegmans since I was in that part of town.
Wegmans, for those not in the know, is a very successful chain of grocery stores in New York State. I used to love Wegmans and pined for their stores when I lived in Mass. and Ohio. So now that I'm living here again, you'd think I'd be going there every day. In all honesty, I find it too big, too crowded and TOO FREAKING EXPENSIVE. Today I paid twice as much for salmon filets as I usually do at Tops. Never again.
I have to tutor at 4:00 and I have a crapload of grading to do by Wednesday. I've canceled my Korean lesson for tomorrow because I just can't hack it with the work I have to do this week. Because last weekend was my birthday, and I spent seven hours on a shoot yesterday, and because we're driving to Cleveland this weekend for 4 days, I need to get my shit down NOW.
Oh, and there's a delay finding out about the headcount for the Korea program - which is actually a good thing because they've extended the deadline for students to enroll. It just means I still don't have any idea what the frakk I'm doing this summer, yet.
But here is something that cheered me up: Owen Rocks Out to Incubus
Wegmans, for those not in the know, is a very successful chain of grocery stores in New York State. I used to love Wegmans and pined for their stores when I lived in Mass. and Ohio. So now that I'm living here again, you'd think I'd be going there every day. In all honesty, I find it too big, too crowded and TOO FREAKING EXPENSIVE. Today I paid twice as much for salmon filets as I usually do at Tops. Never again.
I have to tutor at 4:00 and I have a crapload of grading to do by Wednesday. I've canceled my Korean lesson for tomorrow because I just can't hack it with the work I have to do this week. Because last weekend was my birthday, and I spent seven hours on a shoot yesterday, and because we're driving to Cleveland this weekend for 4 days, I need to get my shit down NOW.
Oh, and there's a delay finding out about the headcount for the Korea program - which is actually a good thing because they've extended the deadline for students to enroll. It just means I still don't have any idea what the frakk I'm doing this summer, yet.
But here is something that cheered me up: Owen Rocks Out to Incubus
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
BSG Gag Reels
I don't know how I didn't post these earlier.
If you're a BSG fan, you gotta see these from Season 3:
Part I
Part II (make sure you listen to the frakkin' gangsta rap at the end)
And although B. has this on his site, I hafta put it here:
Sweet Odor Like Honey
If you're a BSG fan, you gotta see these from Season 3:
Part I
Part II (make sure you listen to the frakkin' gangsta rap at the end)
And although B. has this on his site, I hafta put it here:
Sweet Odor Like Honey
But first....the Tranya!
Check out this Star Trek-inspired punk band: No Kill I
and this Klingon metal band: Stovokor. And yes, they play in full make up/costume.
Check out No Kill I's "Tranya" "Vaal" "Bonk Bonk On The Head" and the titular "No Kill I."
Gotta give 'em credit for doing exactly what they want to do, having fun with it, and the hell with the non-believers.
Tomorrow's my birthday. Awwwww yeahhhhh.
and this Klingon metal band: Stovokor. And yes, they play in full make up/costume.
Check out No Kill I's "Tranya" "Vaal" "Bonk Bonk On The Head" and the titular "No Kill I."
Gotta give 'em credit for doing exactly what they want to do, having fun with it, and the hell with the non-believers.
Tomorrow's my birthday. Awwwww yeahhhhh.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Sunshine...on my shoulders
Yesterday the sun came out after days of overcast greyness. It was like getting a shot of amphetamines. On Tuesday I thought I was going to go nuts, then I woke up yesterday to bright sunshine and I feel like a new woman. Today it's partly sunny. I'll take it.
Let's see, the week in review. The most crucial fact is that I was told my current employer wouldn't be needing me next fall. It was a real downer, but at least I know now rather than the end of May. I have options.
I followed up the application for that full-time gig and they are still reviewing files, haven't yet started calling for interviews. So I could still be in it. I'm keeping a positive attitude about that, but not too expectant.
Our wedding anniversary comes up next month, and we've booked a room at a local B&B. I love off-peak rates! As part of the weekend's festivities, we will be meeting up with another couple and doing the Cayuga West winery trail. And yes, the room does have a jacuzzi! It wouldn't be worth the cost of the room if there wasn't a jacuzzi, IMO.
Have been dragging a little on my various creative projects, although I'm getting more excited about the current screenplay project, "Beauty Is..." Today I'm going to look for possible markets for the short story, which is just about near completion.
Waiting with baited breath to see if I'm going to Korea this summer with the documentary class. I think they'll know soon, as yesterday was the deadline for students to enroll in the program.
This weekend is my very own birthday. We (Bizarro and I) are going to Momazoo's for dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant. Give me prezzies!
The following weekend is Mr. Bizarro-In-Law's birthday, and we'll be driving up to Cleveland for the long weekend.
Read all about us intuitive, emotional Pisces
Let's see, the week in review. The most crucial fact is that I was told my current employer wouldn't be needing me next fall. It was a real downer, but at least I know now rather than the end of May. I have options.
I followed up the application for that full-time gig and they are still reviewing files, haven't yet started calling for interviews. So I could still be in it. I'm keeping a positive attitude about that, but not too expectant.
Our wedding anniversary comes up next month, and we've booked a room at a local B&B. I love off-peak rates! As part of the weekend's festivities, we will be meeting up with another couple and doing the Cayuga West winery trail. And yes, the room does have a jacuzzi! It wouldn't be worth the cost of the room if there wasn't a jacuzzi, IMO.
Have been dragging a little on my various creative projects, although I'm getting more excited about the current screenplay project, "Beauty Is..." Today I'm going to look for possible markets for the short story, which is just about near completion.
Waiting with baited breath to see if I'm going to Korea this summer with the documentary class. I think they'll know soon, as yesterday was the deadline for students to enroll in the program.
This weekend is my very own birthday. We (Bizarro and I) are going to Momazoo's for dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant. Give me prezzies!
The following weekend is Mr. Bizarro-In-Law's birthday, and we'll be driving up to Cleveland for the long weekend.
Read all about us intuitive, emotional Pisces
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)