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shadowkatFair warning? Still sleep deprived, so irritable, tired and slightly depressed due to well lack of sleep. (I'm waking up in the middle of the night in pain and can't get back to sleep.) (I'm only revealing it - because I'm snappish at the moment, and not necessarily my best self.)
1. Having completed Buffy S3 in my rewatch. Am now finally in Buffy S4 and watched the Freshman, which has a couple of interesting guest stars, Pedro Pascal is in it. (Noticed something I hadn't previously? Spike is the front credits in various sections - previewing he's returning.) He's not going by Pascal, this is before he changed his name, also he's about twenty-five years younger. He plays the first victim and Buffy's friend in the episode.
I'm reminded of why I preferred the later seasons? I like the characters better? All of them. Willow's wardrobe is better and Willow becomes less of a damsel and more interesting. Also Xander is no longer a jerk, he's actually interesting and better developed. I actually like Xander. (Although he was more or less likable post the Zeppo. Xander's main problem was Angel - once Angel leaves, Xander kind of calms down.) Also his jokes are more self-deprecating and less nasty. (After the Zeppo, Xander becomes a touch more likable and gets over his skanky self - I finally figured out where I got the phrase "get over your skanky self" from? Buffy.) Giles and Joyce on the other hand - I wanted to smack - which feels like a continuation of S3, I wanted to smack them in S3 at various points, too. OZ remains as comforting and cool as ever.
Also the writing is a touch better - mainly because the writers are no longer attempting to write about their high school experiences which were about fifteen to twenty years ago? High school shows don't interest me that much? Once I got out, I didn't want to think about any longer, and have forgotten 98% of it. It's what? Three-four years of one's life? That's forgettable. Universal though - for the most part - which is why there are so many high school dramas, etc, out there.
Mainly, I found The Freshman comforting. I really identify with Buffy in it. The episode is about alienation and feeling lost and overwhelmed. I do hope the Pop Culture Professor dies badly - but I can't remember if he ever pops up again. Whedon wrote and directed the episode, and it shows - the episodes he writes and directs, for the most part, are cleaner and tighter than the others. Not always. The song playing at the Bronze doesn't work at all and is forgettable, demonstrating that while the series has a great soundtrack, like all things - it's flawed. And his mean wit is on display - often the episodes written by Whedon have cutting one liners, more so than the other writers. Whedon had a mean streak to his writing that at times could be off-putting. Here - it kind of works - since it helps get across Buffy's alienation, and Whedon has Sunday fire off some decent insults. There's some painful and horrific scenes in this episode that Whedon accomplishs with just a few words or one one-liner.
I'm not sure the episode works quite as well - if you've not seen the previous seasons? But you could clearly just start here without any issues, and figure stuff out from this point forward - since the set-up has changed? And there's enough exposition to get it across? Also Buffy is once again starting at a new school?
2. I finished reading The Perfect Rake - which didn't work for me? The writer was clearly trying to go for a Georgette Heyer style, and I found it tiresome. Also her prose was touch more purple than required. So you have bad Georgette Heyer with Purple Prose. I skimmed most of it. Otherwise I wouldn't have finished it? It's very skimmable - a lot of repetition. I don't know why I keep trying romance novels - I've clearly burned out on the genre? It's annoying at the moment.
Anyhow - I moved on to Spinning Silver by Naomi Novick rec'd by selenak. And so far? It's rather good. It's a retelling of the Miller's Daughter tale or Rumplestilskin. The second retelling that I've tackled.
The first was "The Croning" - a "cosmic" horror novel along the lines of HP Lovecraft that really disturbed me and I can't quite shake from my head. It's among the few horror novels that bothered me and scared me. And it also had a misogynistic slant to it, which was part of the reason it really bothered me. This novel is quite the opposite so far. It's told from more than one point of view - and they are all female. Unlike the Croning which was told from a male perspective, Spinning Silver is told from a female perspective and is NOT a horror novel - it's a fantasy novel. Kind of similar to Uprooted.
Also, stand a lone, like Uprooted was. I rather loved Uprooted and it stuck with me. So this is working for me for the same reasons it did.
I don't like "series" - I prefer stand-a-lone in novels. It's rare that I'll like a novel series, mainly because the writer struggles to evolve the characters to my liking, and often sucks at plotting between books. It is rather difficult to sustain plots, character relationships, etc through a series of books, and most writers aren't good at it and disappoint me. I only like serial television and serial comics.
I do love fairy tales - or novels/stories that do twists on fairy tales, which is why I read The Croning. I find them interesting.
3. Greatest Comic Book Superhero of All Time - Prove ME Wrong via Screenrant
"By definition, superheroes are held to expectations of greatness. This genre of storytelling is arguably the definitive mythology of the United States, and throughout the last century they've permeated into all aspects of popular culture across the globe.
The discourse accompanying superheroes is a vital part of the community, as fans have always argued who could beat who in a fight, what would it be like if they teamed up, and what was their best or worst storylines. Now that they are more mainstream than they've ever been, everyone has an opinion on which hero stands out among the best.
You can keep your Batmans, your Spider-Mans, and even your Wolverines — there is only one true leader of the X-Men and, perhaps, the entire mutant race; his name is Cyclops. And until any of the aforementioned heroes stop a magical genocide of a population and tirelessly protect a world that hates and fears them, none of them come close to the legend that is Scott Summers."
While I do agree with the selection, I don't like using the word "greatest" - and wish I could remove it from the current lexicon? After reading the comments - I also think this depends on how you view superheros? And what you are looking for in a character and that's subjective and personal? Most of the commentators adore Spiderman. Spiderman seems fairly typical to me? Of course folks adore him - he's relatable. The high school science nerd (later photographer) who gets bitten by a spider, develops superpowers, is an outsider, saves people with a secret identity and fun quips. It's a popular trope - Buffy is a similar trope, high school student by day, slayer/vigilante by night. Superman is also that trope - except with an alien. The trope is an alienated outsider, with super-powers, who saves folks. I mean there really isn't anything that innovative about him to me? Relatable maybe?
I don't know. I'm ambivalent about Spiderman - maybe because I don't like spiders?
My favorite "male" comic book character is the one they selected for more or less the same reasons they selected him. He's different. His background is different. And I find the character oddly relatable?
********
Question a Day - Memage
11. Do you like the taste of fresh basil? What other fresh herbs do you like or dislike?
I love basil, rosemary, dill, chives, sage, thyme. I hate fennel or anise, licorice and I don't get along.
12. Have you ever kept a paper journal? What about a bullet journal?
Yes. I don't know what a bullet journal is? Looks it up. Bullet Journal - and uh, that would be a no.
13. Did you have a baby doll when you were growing up? How about a Barbie (or equivalent fashion doll)?
Not a baby doll. A Barbie doll - yes, and Madame Alexander Dolls. My mother loved dolls and bought them for me. (I wasn't really that into them outside of using them to tell stories.)
14. When was the last time you had to dress up for a special occasion? What did you wear?
My father's funeral. Black skirt, red silk top.
15. Do you enjoy driving a car, or is it just a way to get from one place to another?
Just a means of getting from one place to another. Also I can't drive. And rarely use a car to get anywhere. I use subways and trains. The only time I'm in a car is if I'm going to the airport, or visiting and someone else is driving. And no, I don't enjoy driving, or riding in cars.
16. Do you have pierced ears? If not, do you still wear earrings?
Yes. I have pierced ears. I rarely wear earrings - because I wear head-phones to work and at work all day long.
17. Do you own a smart speaker (Amazon Echo, Google Nest, Apple HomePod). If so, what do you use it for?
No. I do have a speaker, that you can use Alexa with - but I can't get it to work properly. I'm not techie. Nor really into gadgets. Also the whole idea of a smart speaker creeps me out.
1. Having completed Buffy S3 in my rewatch. Am now finally in Buffy S4 and watched the Freshman, which has a couple of interesting guest stars, Pedro Pascal is in it. (Noticed something I hadn't previously? Spike is the front credits in various sections - previewing he's returning.) He's not going by Pascal, this is before he changed his name, also he's about twenty-five years younger. He plays the first victim and Buffy's friend in the episode.
I'm reminded of why I preferred the later seasons? I like the characters better? All of them. Willow's wardrobe is better and Willow becomes less of a damsel and more interesting. Also Xander is no longer a jerk, he's actually interesting and better developed. I actually like Xander. (Although he was more or less likable post the Zeppo. Xander's main problem was Angel - once Angel leaves, Xander kind of calms down.) Also his jokes are more self-deprecating and less nasty. (After the Zeppo, Xander becomes a touch more likable and gets over his skanky self - I finally figured out where I got the phrase "get over your skanky self" from? Buffy.) Giles and Joyce on the other hand - I wanted to smack - which feels like a continuation of S3, I wanted to smack them in S3 at various points, too. OZ remains as comforting and cool as ever.
Also the writing is a touch better - mainly because the writers are no longer attempting to write about their high school experiences which were about fifteen to twenty years ago? High school shows don't interest me that much? Once I got out, I didn't want to think about any longer, and have forgotten 98% of it. It's what? Three-four years of one's life? That's forgettable. Universal though - for the most part - which is why there are so many high school dramas, etc, out there.
Mainly, I found The Freshman comforting. I really identify with Buffy in it. The episode is about alienation and feeling lost and overwhelmed. I do hope the Pop Culture Professor dies badly - but I can't remember if he ever pops up again. Whedon wrote and directed the episode, and it shows - the episodes he writes and directs, for the most part, are cleaner and tighter than the others. Not always. The song playing at the Bronze doesn't work at all and is forgettable, demonstrating that while the series has a great soundtrack, like all things - it's flawed. And his mean wit is on display - often the episodes written by Whedon have cutting one liners, more so than the other writers. Whedon had a mean streak to his writing that at times could be off-putting. Here - it kind of works - since it helps get across Buffy's alienation, and Whedon has Sunday fire off some decent insults. There's some painful and horrific scenes in this episode that Whedon accomplishs with just a few words or one one-liner.
I'm not sure the episode works quite as well - if you've not seen the previous seasons? But you could clearly just start here without any issues, and figure stuff out from this point forward - since the set-up has changed? And there's enough exposition to get it across? Also Buffy is once again starting at a new school?
2. I finished reading The Perfect Rake - which didn't work for me? The writer was clearly trying to go for a Georgette Heyer style, and I found it tiresome. Also her prose was touch more purple than required. So you have bad Georgette Heyer with Purple Prose. I skimmed most of it. Otherwise I wouldn't have finished it? It's very skimmable - a lot of repetition. I don't know why I keep trying romance novels - I've clearly burned out on the genre? It's annoying at the moment.
Anyhow - I moved on to Spinning Silver by Naomi Novick rec'd by selenak. And so far? It's rather good. It's a retelling of the Miller's Daughter tale or Rumplestilskin. The second retelling that I've tackled.
The first was "The Croning" - a "cosmic" horror novel along the lines of HP Lovecraft that really disturbed me and I can't quite shake from my head. It's among the few horror novels that bothered me and scared me. And it also had a misogynistic slant to it, which was part of the reason it really bothered me. This novel is quite the opposite so far. It's told from more than one point of view - and they are all female. Unlike the Croning which was told from a male perspective, Spinning Silver is told from a female perspective and is NOT a horror novel - it's a fantasy novel. Kind of similar to Uprooted.
Also, stand a lone, like Uprooted was. I rather loved Uprooted and it stuck with me. So this is working for me for the same reasons it did.
I don't like "series" - I prefer stand-a-lone in novels. It's rare that I'll like a novel series, mainly because the writer struggles to evolve the characters to my liking, and often sucks at plotting between books. It is rather difficult to sustain plots, character relationships, etc through a series of books, and most writers aren't good at it and disappoint me. I only like serial television and serial comics.
I do love fairy tales - or novels/stories that do twists on fairy tales, which is why I read The Croning. I find them interesting.
3. Greatest Comic Book Superhero of All Time - Prove ME Wrong via Screenrant
"By definition, superheroes are held to expectations of greatness. This genre of storytelling is arguably the definitive mythology of the United States, and throughout the last century they've permeated into all aspects of popular culture across the globe.
The discourse accompanying superheroes is a vital part of the community, as fans have always argued who could beat who in a fight, what would it be like if they teamed up, and what was their best or worst storylines. Now that they are more mainstream than they've ever been, everyone has an opinion on which hero stands out among the best.
You can keep your Batmans, your Spider-Mans, and even your Wolverines — there is only one true leader of the X-Men and, perhaps, the entire mutant race; his name is Cyclops. And until any of the aforementioned heroes stop a magical genocide of a population and tirelessly protect a world that hates and fears them, none of them come close to the legend that is Scott Summers."
While I do agree with the selection, I don't like using the word "greatest" - and wish I could remove it from the current lexicon? After reading the comments - I also think this depends on how you view superheros? And what you are looking for in a character and that's subjective and personal? Most of the commentators adore Spiderman. Spiderman seems fairly typical to me? Of course folks adore him - he's relatable. The high school science nerd (later photographer) who gets bitten by a spider, develops superpowers, is an outsider, saves people with a secret identity and fun quips. It's a popular trope - Buffy is a similar trope, high school student by day, slayer/vigilante by night. Superman is also that trope - except with an alien. The trope is an alienated outsider, with super-powers, who saves folks. I mean there really isn't anything that innovative about him to me? Relatable maybe?
I don't know. I'm ambivalent about Spiderman - maybe because I don't like spiders?
My favorite "male" comic book character is the one they selected for more or less the same reasons they selected him. He's different. His background is different. And I find the character oddly relatable?
********
Question a Day - Memage
11. Do you like the taste of fresh basil? What other fresh herbs do you like or dislike?
I love basil, rosemary, dill, chives, sage, thyme. I hate fennel or anise, licorice and I don't get along.
12. Have you ever kept a paper journal? What about a bullet journal?
Yes. I don't know what a bullet journal is? Looks it up. Bullet Journal - and uh, that would be a no.
13. Did you have a baby doll when you were growing up? How about a Barbie (or equivalent fashion doll)?
Not a baby doll. A Barbie doll - yes, and Madame Alexander Dolls. My mother loved dolls and bought them for me. (I wasn't really that into them outside of using them to tell stories.)
14. When was the last time you had to dress up for a special occasion? What did you wear?
My father's funeral. Black skirt, red silk top.
15. Do you enjoy driving a car, or is it just a way to get from one place to another?
Just a means of getting from one place to another. Also I can't drive. And rarely use a car to get anywhere. I use subways and trains. The only time I'm in a car is if I'm going to the airport, or visiting and someone else is driving. And no, I don't enjoy driving, or riding in cars.
16. Do you have pierced ears? If not, do you still wear earrings?
Yes. I have pierced ears. I rarely wear earrings - because I wear head-phones to work and at work all day long.
17. Do you own a smart speaker (Amazon Echo, Google Nest, Apple HomePod). If so, what do you use it for?
No. I do have a speaker, that you can use Alexa with - but I can't get it to work properly. I'm not techie. Nor really into gadgets. Also the whole idea of a smart speaker creeps me out.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-18 01:58 am (UTC)12. I've tried keeping a regular journal, but always got distracted by getting involved in something else before long.
14. Dressing up? It was a funeral for me, too. Just shows things have changed since our parent's day when many other occasions for dress up were observed, including regular church and holiday visits.
15. Sometimes I enjoy driving, but mostly it's just necessary transportation.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-18 01:10 pm (UTC)2. I kept regular journals from about the age of 9 well into my thirties, but stopped when I realized that they were taking up space and I didn't know what to do with all of the journals? I had close to two boxes filled. I didn't want to re-read them. Or really have anyone else do so.
I actually prefer Dreamwidth and Livejournal - it's helped with the writing more, and I don't have to find space to store it. The bullet journal seems like it would be problematic for the same reasons - takes up storage space. This works for folks who have storage space, I think.
3. Even business is now - business casual or casual. Dinner? Casual. Theater? I dressed business casual but most people were tourists and wearing jeans. Hardly anyone was dressed up. (Half the tickets are given to group tours - and they get group discounted deals - so it is actually cheaper to see a Broadway show - if you are a tourist than a resident). So, agree fewer and fewer occasions. My mother dresses for dinner and church still - but when I visit her, I only have to do the dinner and it's still business casual (nice shirt and pants) not hugely formal.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-18 07:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-09-18 01:01 pm (UTC)I do technically have one - I just can't get it to work properly? It used to come on at weird times, like when I'm talking on the phone - and talk to me. I'd jump. Wonder what the heck - and realize it was Alexa being accidentally turned on.