So, first off, this is going to be incredibly random.  I'm probably going to hit on at least 7 or 8 topics and who knows how in depth I'll go with any of them.  My schedule is...still very full.  We're going to look at cars this weekend (and quite possibly buy one) so I doubt I'll be home much.  And I've got to go to work and file all the data that just got error corrected and verified.  Hopefully, next week I'll at least have my schedule figured out...


Alrighty, I think I've written more than enough for today...

was pretty good.  

Well, let me amend - everything but the sports part of the weekend was pretty good.  My Rangers were knocked out of the playoffs at home on Saturday 5-4.  I wish Ottawa the best of luck in thrashing the Sabres.  Go Sens!  Tenn played a double-header against 'Bama on Saturday in softball and swept them.  Monica Abbott broke Cat's total strikeout record.  Doesn't matter.  Cat is still, by far, a better pitcher.  BOO Monica, BOO!  Liverpool lost to Fulham...to Fulham!  I mean, it doesn't matter because we'll still finish top 4 no matter what but honestly, Fulham.  A few good things are the UCI won the Men's NCAA volleyball championship 3-1.  Go Anteaters!  Also, the Yanks had a good series against the Mariners and the Rocket is indeed coming home.  So there's that.

Besides the sports, the weekend was fairly uneventful.  No, I did not get to my fics.  Don't ask why.  I don't know why.   I think I'm having trouble deciding how to approach Maggie and Bianca.  I just don't know what to do about Binks.  I'm working on it.  I miss writing.  No, we didn't watch any more Gilgamesh or Gunslinger Girl.  I didn't play MLB 2K7 at all.  I played GTA III.  That's it.  I read some fic.  We watched A LOT of sports.  But...Girltrash!  I do believe I have talked about it on here...maybe.  Angela Robinson is doing these short webisode types with several actresses involved in lesbian film/tv including Gabrielle Christian and Mandy Musgrave.  Just discovered that Amber Benson (squee) is also in it.  Anyway, check the trailer.  We may finally get some decent Gabby/Mandy lip action...it just won't be on South.  Yeah, don't get me started on South.  I've just decided I'm not going to talk about it anymore.  But Girltrash...I can't wait for her to start posting the webisodes.  Just sad that Jordana Brewster had to pull out but hey, getting a network TV spot...I get that.

Um, a few notes.  I miss Heather...yes, already.  I miss Liz.  I've missed Liz forever.  Now Eden's gone and taken the scary Rita character with her.  But my BAM...my poor BAM.  Yes, I'm also annoyed about South.  I can't help it.  I thought it last season and I just feel the circular answers from Tom, Gabby, and Mandy add fuel to the thought that there is pressure from the network to scale back the lesbian content...what little was left by season 2's end.  Eh, that's all I've got though.  I called it last season.  Hell, I called it after watching the season 1 ending kiss.  So now all that's left is to wait and see.  I love the girls though.  They've always been very supportive of the story, and in return, I'll support them in keeping up with their careers.  However, I won't continue to watch the show if they choose to go the route of downplaying (code for erasing) the lesbian content even more than they already have.  I miss Burst Angel.  I want to read the manga.  I want the OVA to be released here.  I want to know if Funimation is considering another series.  I think I'll focus my energy and attention on these sorts of things.  They take up time and keep me occupied.  I don't mind so much not having the PS3 when I've got all these other things to focus on.  Yeah yeah, writing would do that too.  I'm going to sort it.  I am.  I've picked my ship.  Now I just have to determine how in the hell I'm going to fix the mess we've been left with.  I think that will be my plan for the week, get some idea of how to fix this and where it needs to go to accomplish the happy ending I want for these girls.

Oh, and Al and I, we're great.  But then you probably already knew that didn't you?


 

Yeah, it's finally turned into a NC spring.  50 in the morning, 90 by mid-afternoon.

I've settled into a nice work routine.  6-2, lunch at 12:30.  I code all day.  I sit at my comp, listen to...something (right now it's OotP as read by Jim Dale) and code.  It's not exciting but it's pretty easy and I'm left alone to do it.  Friday Al and I get to leave at 1 because us noobs had to go get our badges made today and it took until 3 which means I got an extra hour in.  That'll be nice come Friday.  So, it's a job.  A perfectly acceptable job for now.  Have I really give a ton of thought to what's next?  No.  I'm getting around to that I swear.  I'm settling in for now.  Honestly, if this paid just a bit more, I'd probably be perfectly happy with this.  I just want to buy my PS3.

I'm an odd duck I know.  I want things.  I want to be able to go to Barnes & Noble and buy manga or fantasy whenever I want something.  I want to be able to buy a computer game or a PS game whenever there's something I want.  Occasionally I'd like to be able to upgrade my comp or buy a new TV or the new console system.  Occasionally there are big things I'd like to buy.  Not that many that I really have to have though.  Just occasional things.  Most days I'd be thrilled with a job that pays enough to allow for that.  It doesn't have to be the ideal job.  Just enough to keep me satisfied.  Then there are the days that I feel like my job should matter, should make a real difference.  I suppose if I gave much thought to what I'm doing now...I don't know how much I'd like it.  But some days, money matters more than morals to me.  Hell, I think most days money matters more.  Don't know if that's good or bad.  And then, most times, I feel guilty for wanting to buy a PS3 or a new vid card or whatever.  There are so many people who can barely afford to eat and here I am sad because I can't blow $900 on a console system.  So there that is.  Why yes, this was brought on by my wanting to buy a PS3 and not being able to because we need a car.  Yeah I know, the car is WAY more important.  Yeah, I can live perfectly fine without the PS3.  But it's so damn shiny...

Uh, in other news, Al and I have been on a manga/anime discovery journey.  On the manga front:  Fruits Basket is...odd, but intriguing.  Love Hina is just plain funny.  Demon Diary is both entertaining and quite the story.  At this very moment, I can only speak on those three.  Tons more that I want to check out.  As to anime:  you already know how much I love Burst Angel.  Gunslinger Girl just keeps getting better.  I've got Rurouni Kenshin to watch at some point.

Also, the Rangers finally got a game against the Sabres.  It's a 2-1 series and we've got  chance to even it up tonight at home.  So we'll see.  And the Yankees, well we kinda suck right now.  Bottom of the AL East and all.  Well that's not good.

Oh.  So yeah, I'm listening to OotP at work.  It's a compromise between reading and not reading.  I may still actually read it but it's nice to listen to at work.  And to think, I'd forgotten how much and how often I hated Harry the Git in this book.  So many times I just wanted to throw him under the tube train.  I mean, I ALWAYS want to throw Ron under a tube train.  But sometimes I like Harry.  Hermione is my girl.  You knew it right?  I've always got one and she's SO it.  It's sad that Ginny and Harry had to hook up.  I think I could grow to love her except for Harry.  And now that they've got her in pants (yeah, she's the ONLY girl in pants)....so damn slashable!  I'm definitely off to try and find some good Hermione/Ginny fic.

Finally, I'm hoping to settle down and start writing again SOON.  I've got all these lovely characters that certainly didn't get half of what they deserved from their writers.  And after reading the newest article on AfterEllen about Spashley...well...yeah.  I don't know how much to take from that or what to think but, the girls are hedging.  That much is obvious.  Dancing circles around the question doesn't generally mean ANYTHING good.  I refuse to worry about them "de-gaying" the show yet.  It's May.  The show doesn't air until September.  Still, I'm not holding my breath for ANYTHING good.  And should they go that route, for WHATEVER reason, I'm done.  I can abandon the show for that ONE reason.  Nothing else could make me do it, but that would every single time.  But back to my original point - writing.  I've got a real reason to do it.  My poor girls have been fucked over by their writers and they have too much potential not to pursue.  I'm not saying I'm the greatest writer in the world, but I do know these girls and I do love these girls.  I want the chance to give them better than they got.  Simple as that.  With that said, I'm off to brainstorm...

I'm through training FINALLY.  Today I got to start my normal 6 - 2 schedule with coding.  Yeah, I code documents for 8 hours.  It's really exciting.  I'm probably going to get reviewed for at least a few weeks I'd guess.  My first check today went well.  Glad to hear that I actually do understand the codes a bit better than I thought.  It helps that we don't have to be complete, just hit the major points.  So...it's a job.  I don't love it.  I don't hate it.  It pays okay.  The benefits are great.  I don't have to deal with people that often.  The work environment itself is pretty good.  I eat lunch with Al everyday.  That's nice.  So there's that.  I'm hoping I'll be able to install Rhapsody on my computer once I get my own login.  We'll see.  Hopefully I'll get that early next week...and my id badge that lets me into the building.  Until then, I'm on Launch Player and it keeps crapping out because of the heavy resource use on the network.

I should be getting into my evening YM setup SOON.  Now that I'm on my set schedule, I should be able to get online.  We *looks pointedly at Bum* need to figure out when is a good time for us to try and chat.

Of personal interest - I will most certainly go see OotP.  I'm even somewhat excited about it now.  Mostly because Emma looks too pretty for words.  Seriously, she's just lovely in the new photos and trailer.  Yeah I know she's 16.  She's a Brit.  What's your point?  Since I will be going to see Order, I've decided I must reread it now.  I'll be reading my lovely UK Children's Edition because, frankly, it's cooler than the US edtion.  Yeah I got the Children's Edition...the cover art is nicer.  So I've got to fit that monster in before July 13.  I think I can manage that.  Maybe I'm even a wee bit excited about it.  Oh yeah, DH comes out on July 21 so I'll then crash through it.  Better be a far sight better than HBP or the whole series will be ruined for me.  So that'll be a midnight showing of OotP and a midnight release party for DH that Al and I will be attending in July.  Should be entertaining. 

Um, update on Burst Angel - finally finished the series and I must say, Jo and Meg seem so close to canon for me.  The last couple of episodes focus on their relationship pretty heavily and it's OBVIOUS that Meg cares so much for Jo.  She talked about them going away and living a happy, peaceful life together...just the two of them.  Oh yeah, she totally meant just as good friends.  And Jo, when she wouldn't let Meg come with her on the suicide mission.  Damn.  The actual end was a bit anti-climatic and set me up for another series that I just don't know if I'll get.  The OVA did have a trailer for what COULD be the next series but it could also just be a lame ass teaser.  Still, it was pretty wicked awesome girl action anime.  I'm so thrilled I found it.  Now we've started on Gunslinger Girl.  Just two eps in but it's quite the intrigue.  

Uh, the Rangers got CRUSHED by the Sabres last night, 5 - 2.  It was ugly.  Three goals in the span of like 5 minutes in the 2nd period.  Maybe Friday will be better.  I didn't think we'd win last night...but I also didn't think Lundqvist would give up 5 goals.  We'll see what happens on Friday.  At least we'll get to go home for the 3rd and 4th games.  We may really need that advantage if we get knocked up again on Friday.

I think that's all.  I don't want to talk about Bianca, or AMC, or BAM until after I've read the recap for today's show.  It's Eden's last one and I want to actually know FOR SURE how they send her off before I even consider discussing it.  I'm sure I'll edit with a rant later this afternoon.  Until then, I'll enjoy the "Resource Busy" free time I've got here at work.  Gotta love the system crashing and still having inet!

EDIT - So here are my couple of comments on Eden's last AMC show.

1.  It's over!

2.  Maggie and Bianca can now live in the safety of my head and the heads of others who love them and will take care of them.

3.  Her exit was very anti-climatic.  Miranda showed up, she said au revoir, and Zoe, Erica, Miranda, and Bianca walked off together.  That was it.  And no, they didn't send Zoe and Bianca out in a coupley way.

4.  Eden was wearing oh so "thud worthy" jeans today.  It's terribly sad that she grew more and more lovely the closer to her exit it got.

5.  Fanfic...here I come!  - END EDIT

EDIT PART DEUX - Ooo!  I now have like...10 or so more avies than I did a couple of hours ago.  Finally got my sports avs up...  - END EDIT

Well now, that's not in English...

Ah yes, finally a new topic for discussion.  I know, I know.  I went on about BAM, and Bianca, and AMC a lot.  It's not like I've forgotten them.  Right now, I'm just waiting for Eden to leave and for some closure, maybe.  Until I get it though...what's the point?

A small personal note - my mother called me last night.  I love these conversations where she doesn't even veil the attack.  Just jumps right in.  Apparently there was an email I didn't get and since she got no reply, she assumed my response for me.  How nice of her to save me the trouble.  Well, it was all about whether I wanted to do anything with them for my birthday.  Can I just say, straight up, that I don't like celebrating my bday.  Never have.  It's the day I was born.  Yay.  I'm glad to be alive and all but I don't really want to celebrate myself.  Now, just some alone time to think over the past year, reflect, ya know?  That's all I want.  That and time with my girl...but I want that every day.  But there always had to be something before with my parents.  Now, the woman asks me if I want to see them.  "Yes or No," she says.  I say that I'm indifferent.  I say it doesn't matter to me one way or the other.  I say it like 20 times since she doesn't seem to get the picture.  I tell her it's up to them.  I'm fine with either.  She still doesn't get the picture.  I'm not sure how hard this is.  I'm indifferent now.  It's better than being angry all the time.  It's better than being frustrating with her attempted manipulations and her martyrdom.  So she cried at me a lot and I was indifferent.  Not rude, not sarcastic, not angry, not anything.  I was just indifferent.  I think it's the best tact.  So who knows what happens now.  I've pledged my indifference and I think she FINALLY got that.  *shrugs shoulders*

Oh, we just had our mandatory fire drill.  I always get the cutest kids.  Quiet, happy.  This little blond kid just grinned at me, snotting all over the place.  But he was adorable!

Also, I got the job at Womble.  I start Monday.  That's really all there is to say about it.


So yeah, anime.  It's a new love.  Al and I picked up Gilgamesh in Blockbuster and now I'm totally in.  I've got a ton of it on the Blockbuster list now.  Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samuri, Gunslinger Girl, Samurai 7, Noir, Hellsing, Descendants of Darkness, Broken Saints, X, Vampire Princess Miyu, Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play, My Hime, and Kannazuki No Miko.  Why yes, several of them have at least implied shoujo-ai.  There are a few others I want to see but Blockbuster didn't have all the volumes - Berserk, Cowboy Bebop, Marmite...I plan to watch a ton of anime over the next few months.  Figure out what I like and don't like.  Should be fun.  Manga...I don't know.  Maybe if I find some anime I like that also has manga.  Yet another something to fill my time with...

Oh yeah, one last thing to leave you with...This lovely rendering of Jo and Meg.  Yeah, it's not exactly the Jo and Meg from the anime and it's also not the Jo and Meg from the manga.  But you grow the girls up a few years...*thud*

EDIT - So, Kelly Clarkson has a new single.  I know, popular music, blah blah blah.  I like her.  I'm not apologizing for it.  She's got great pipes to be sure.  Big fucking voice.  And the second album, much darker, much heavier.  But this new single "Never Again"...wow.  She is SO angry, SO bitter.  I'm really hoping the new album sounds like this single.  It's a much more rock sound, a bitter, angry rock sound.  I love bitter, angry rock.  And when it's sung by an on again off again hot chick with awesome pipes...that much better. - END EDIT