mockturtle06 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mockturle06) wrote2011-07-04 08:39 pm
mockturle06) wrote2011-07-04 08:39 pm
Entry tags:
his needs are more so he gives less
It says a lot about the miserable state of my daily commute that I can leave work three and a half hours later than I usually do and get home fifteen minutes earlier than I usually do. Even the good Doctor himself might be scratching his head over that one (I think I just missed the jam packed buses and heavy traffic and just sailed through on the last bus, pretty much).
Did you hear about Karen's New York bender? I should tsk, but in all honesty I'm just bitterly jealous I don't get invited to those sort of parties. <- HHGTTG ref.
Oh boy. Of course, I deserved to get a nasty cold after last week, but still. Whimper. And what a week to get it as I have to have so much done by 1 July. Ouch. Whimper. Cold and flu stuff is fine, but I did spend several long minutes on Monday morning wondering why my hands didn't feel like my hands, before the tiny pilot light of remaining brain cells managed to convey that I was wearing gloves, eejit. Oh dear. Just how am I do all that is demanded of me this week?
Worse, this cold/flu/lurgy/misery has rendered me grumpier than usual. Well, okay, regular grumpy to you, but I can tell the difference. Arseholes, cretins and pests are all risking my extreme wrath by fiddling for change on the bus; noisely scraping out the inside of plastic yoghurt containers; endlessly fussing and titting about when I just want my tea, dammit; overwriting documents instead of using track changes or at the very least archiving a copy; demanding I undo and redo the very same thing several times over until my poor brain snaps; people who put their bags on the seat so I have to stand all the way home while deleriously unwell; sods lying to my face; people who demand things right now even though I've only had two hours sleep; slobs who crunch chips open mouthed; garden hoses that have to tie themselves in knots around anything and everything and when they've run out of things to twist around and be snagged by, then they will tie themselves in knots; tea cups that hide when there's washing up to be done; television programs that start twenty minutes late.
These are all my usual burdens to bear, more a death of a thousand cuts than actual hell, though it's hell enough, for me, but this week, I've no reserves at all. None. I expect to be turning green and shredding my cheap Target ensemble at any moment.
At least I managed to get some classic Bond in. It was funny, cause on Sunday, being unwell but still having to get so much stuff done, I decided that all I wanted was Dr No on the telly. So Dr No was on the telly. Yay. Sean Connery, Jack Lord, lame jokes and so Sixties it hurts, and yes, the coffee set I bought at Newtown markets is very close to the ones I adore in Dr No (you know, if you could link through to ebay via goggles on my telly, that'd be useful interactive. Prolly can on sets made this century).
Better yet, I took off from work early (aka on time) and managed to catch the end of From Russia With Love, when Red Grant betrays his non old school tie-ness by ordering the wrong wine at dinner. Kill him, James! Of course, being a bogan in bogan city, it's hard for me to make fun, being so uncouth myself, but we manage to joke about even lesser folk who order cuppacinos. Keeel them.
More mocking ensues as the boys fight on the train, and we implore them to keep it down, as Poirot is trying to announce the identity of the murderer in the next cabin, and the murderess has just reached for the cigarette holder of evil.
Ah, the Orient Express. Not quite so exciting as when I travelled aboard from Venice to Paris (tres chic), but hey, at least I did it (and I'd do it it again, if I could, it was so much fun, and we did have that border intrigue with the guards with guns, so it wasn't entirely sans a bit of ITV magic).
Last night Supernatural battled evil mannequins and tore down the forth wall, but, alas, I wasn't as into it as I was the first viewing. Kinda of amusing, but painfully selfindulgent, and anything that reminds me of those gawdawful Stargate eps (with that especially annoying person in them) is bound to give me pains. Lingering pains.
Points though for the DOOL ref, the George Hamilton ref (it still amuses), Misha's constant tweeting, the boys being cute, the blue steele ref. Okay, yes, lots of funny stuff, just hard to laugh with a face full of soggy tissues (cf dreaded lurgy).
Speaking of refs, there was an article in the NYT last week about all the references and injokes going on at the flicks, without even bothering to wade into the turgid waters of cross and selfreferential television, and I'm not talking clumsy plot rips of crap films like on White Collar, but you know, stuff that not only gets cheap laughs but adds layers of meaning to what's going on.
Like in Chuck, yes, Morgan and Chuck are Star Wars nerds but it's not just a cheap and easy way to get laughs or describe the action, but it actually comments and informs their relationships, drawing the obvious to anyone but my colleagues parallels between Han, Chewie and Leia and Chuck, Morgan and Sarah.
But it's not just modern film and telvesion, and it's not just Star Wars refs, though my insular colleagues would no doubt be all at sea trying to make sense of Chuck, Spaced, Paul, Family Guy, Futurama, etc. Clearly not the the target audience, but I digress.
It's just that having attended the talk on the Pre-Raphaelite drawings, and having all the biblical and classical refs that were supposed to be obvious explained to me, well, it's proof it's not just for lazy tv writers any more, nor was it ever. The Last of England, aside from being a comment on emigration and exile, it apparently also big on the whole madonna and child imagery (the baby is hidden under the cloak, trust me on this, you can see a tiny hand). Victorian paintings are notorious for being thick with encoded messages, as well as countless images of sick children praying (another favourite M&W line, about not being able to move for paintings of sick children praying in the Victorian era).
Meanwhile, NT Live are at it again. Finally, the 21stC is working for me.
Another bit of happy hello 21stC, the Peanut Gallery was showing off a cough splutter anniversary release of Duran Duran, complete with clips of tv appearances I never saw when it really, really mattered by misfortune of being in the wrong country and the internet not being invented yet. See, want, dial up Amazon, have. Well, Amazon swears it's in the post (via Austria as always, fetch, Rex!). One of the last five in stock, too, yikes. At last, eh?
Although I kept wishing Simon would loose the headscarf in the clips. People will never take him seriously with the headscarf, I rue. I'd wish for a blue box to go back in time and snatch away the offending item but what would be the point, because you know what would happen, don't you: 'I wear a headscarf now. Headscarves are cool.'
I didn't know young Simon was on Twitter either until alert to the fact by one Neil Gaiman. But what if he's a complete and utter prat, I worried, and wipes out a lifetime of devotion in a single careless tweet? But I hit 'follow' anyway, and lo, dear Simon, my strange little muffin. I love him even more now.
But man, did I imprint on the boy when I was of impressionable age.
Speaking of time machines, I'd love to be able to whisk back and tell the ancestors to PUT IT BACK. What a thing to do to your own flesh and blood: condemn them to the land without broadband, not to mention three days flights in economy with nothing on telly except Adam Sandler films. Sins of the great-grandfathers doesn't even begin to cut it. Put it back, you twats. How could you do this to me? Proof that thieves are neither sexy nor cool. At least, not in real life.
Three episodes in to White Collar and what can I say? Neal is acting against Peter and pretending to have a relationship with his plastic GF, all the while having a bag packed and ready to go. Now it's not just Peter he's lying to. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is not the behaviour of a charming rogue. This is a dangerous, spoilt narcisstic psychopath in action.
I mean, I know they wanted to make Neal edgy, but they've made him downright evil, but alas it seems the writers and performers at White Collar can't tell the difference, the same way they think Nazi plunder is cool. Clearly none of them have sat down to tea and cakes with lovely, gentle, kind and funny folks with numbers crudely inked on their skin from concentration camps.
Perhaps if they had, they might have thought twice. Perhaps not. This from writers who gleefully name characters after their postman and rip off crap films, where even Bonekickers, bless, was instructional in regard to Tennyson and Malory. I am sorry that I am used to British product where names usually mean something more than a crass shoutout and great classical themes are brought into play. Sigh.
But it's just a silly tv show, I guess, and Matty does get his shirt off. But, but...if you're watching for the friendship between the two boys, having them delight in scoring off each other and hurting each other, well, it's not nice.
To be honest, I expect little from Neal these days, but I thought Peter was better than that, but I guess Neal has pushed him into devious game playing. Alas, Neal has dragged Peter down to his level rather than the reverse. Oh well, here's one American show that doesn't feel it has to be 'improving' in the slightest. Or, indeed, demonstrate that actions have consequences. Quite the opposite. Here is one show where the villain of the piece, for he is a villain, gets to have his cake, and eat it, too.
Was it all a con, Neal, pretending to be nice to Peter? For shame. Badly done, Neal. Badly done. <- Jane Austen ref.
And yet...despite my extreme reservations about Neal's obvious two-faced behaviour, could it be that he is, indeed, as the early show promos stated rather bluntly, fooling himself as well? Because for someone who is ready to jet at a moment's notice, leaving everything behind (including pointless GF), he refers to June's place as 'home' and 'my room'.
At which point I would be normally going 'aha!', his language betrays his true heart, but then I remember this is White Collar we're talking about here. The show with the writers who carry on like the saddest fan fic writers I've never met: 'I based this character on my pet cat Mr Tiddles!' I shit thee not.
So I'd like to go 'aha!' but I'll have to settle for happy accident I can make a fan fic meal out of, and no Mr Tiddles. No, in my fic I have Mozzie as an Iago figure, constantly whispering wicked schemes and distrust in Neal's ear about Peter.
There's some Romeo and Juliet there, two, with the two warring houses, Peter's FBI family and Neal's criminal fraternity. A plague on both their houses. Alas, no Mercutio to get shived, but they've got too many underused characters as it is.
But, too be honest, lately I'm seeing a lot of Pygmalion. Even the intial agreement was a bet, albeit between Peter and Neal, rather than Peter and a colleague, but there it is, Peter trying to shape a thief into a thief taker, through trial and error, and Neal is pretty much at the 'Just you Wait' phase now, it seems.
Of course, as with Pygmalion, the question of what is to become of Neal if he does pass his tests, is never answered, because there is no answer, no truly happy ending. He is neither one thing or the other any more, neither fitting into Peter's world or his own. He'll get by, but he won't fit. Maybe open a gallery, in lieu of a flowershop, marry Freddy (it's legal now, yay), but it'll be making do, as he can't go back, nor can he comfortably fit with Peter and his family, always too aware of his origins and watching for that slip.
Oh dear. And there's one thing the writers of White Collar seem to have forgotten (Mr Tiddles!). While he has been the FBI's hunting dog, Neal has taken a lot of high profile, powerful and well connected scalps. Are we to assume that no one would want a piece of Neal and his new life? Are we to assume that no one is harbouring resentments?
Why nobody has taken the opportunity of Caffrey hawking stolen art about the place as an opportunity to turn him in and nobble him I do not know. Clearly there is honour among thieves even if Neal has none (the lying, the two faced lying, it burns).
Would that Inglourious Basterds III were available to rain righteous vengeance down on his Nazi booty hogging arse (perfect though that pretty little arse may be).
Anyway, not sure of the new direction, is all I'm saying. It makes the two boys seem like major dicks. And that's a mistake. A terrible mistake. Because you know, shows like Dexter, well, he's a serial killer, but he's a charming and likeable serial killer. The lads and lasses on shows like Burn Notice and Leverage might have done bad things, and will probably do bad things again if pushed, but they are loyal to the unit. There is a botherhood (and sisterhood) there, despite the sibling spats.
All they seem to have done on WC is remove the charm and up the brattishness. Edgy is not about being a complete shit to the people who love you most in the world. It's about an air of danger, not to your loved ones but to anyone else. It would have been better, if they had wanted to make Neal appear more dangerous, to make him dangerous to anyone who threatened Peter, to cut corners and break the law for Peter, not be a danger to Peter. Can they not tell the difference between a cool thief and a heartless thug? Neal, right now, is the latter, and I do not like it.
I'd stop watching if not for the fact Bomer keeps taking his shirt off. I'm so very shallow. But I'm not the only one.
Oh, and I don't need to be told when they're filming in Bryant Park. I know. That was also one of my haunts. So, Matt, any squirmy vibes there, too? Heh.
Oh well, if the show disappoints, I'm still having way too much fun with my own private version. Hey, boys, it's legal now. Wedding photo, it just screams wedding photo. It says it all, for me. Adoration from Peter, smugness from Neal. Ah, boys. Is a happy ending really too hard?
I mean, seriously, is the best the WC writers can come up with a template based on a crap movie where the two leads work together but don't really like or trust each other. Really?
Cannot, instead, all the crap they put each other through, all the argy bargy and misunderstandings, instead be the old rom com template as set down by W. Shakespeare himself. Can not, after many a jape and jest, the two lads realise that, as the first series promised, there's no one they trust more?
Too sad, White Collar, too sad indeed if you can't even manage that. All my favourite shows, from Chuck to Supernatural, Good Guys, Leverage, Sharpe, Unit One, Merlin, The Professionals, The Sweeney, Randall and Hopkirk...it all comes down to loyalty and brotherhood.
Too bad, White Collar, that you have the best chemistry on tv at the moment and all you want to do is flush it down the toilet. Seriously, wtf is up with these people. Even if they can't have Neal and Peter together on screen (and in this day and age, why not), they could at least play with it like they do on other shows, like Sherlock, and, hell, even Hawaii Five-0. Hell, I'd die for just a scrap of the PDAs that go on in H50.
Anyhoo, on an entirely different note, I would love to be in New York right now, where it's warm, but more importantly, just to scatter gold coins behind me to the scrabbling peasants, like the Yanks did in all those films and tv shows I've ever watched, because, I'm looking at my ebay bid and the translated AUD price, and for once, I'm quivering with giggles instead of hunched over in misery. Is it wrong to want to get me some of that rock and roll, denim jeans and coca cola action now that I can actually afford it?
Thursday update.
Alas, there will be no New York, no scattering of pennies to the ragged mob. I just had to go buy myself a new pair of specs and, alas, with my prescription, that's more than the price of a week in NY NY (incl airfare). Dash and blast. Not that I could have upped sticks and gone but I was having thoughts, serious thoughts, about a spot of Bunburying, especially after the week I've had (must everything and the universe be due on 1 July?).
And why does not one believe my story about how I broke my glasses? I tell ya, with the sudden violence in the way the big old metal letterbox lid slammed shut on my bonce I was actually glad to have just gotten away with broken glasses, bruising and bleeding. It could not have snapped shut harder and faster if someone had actually slammed it shut on me. Nor is it my fault it's mounted so high, to dissuade the local post snatching urchins, that it's all I can do to peer over the top like Alice in Wonderland. I was peering into it, terrified of the giant spiders that live in there (My Murdoch Mysteries dvd, My Preciousssss!) when it slammed shut on me.
Anyways, no one belives me, certainly no one in the glasses shop, who struggled to keep a straight face as I relayed my tail of woe. And then it cost me a week in NY. Bugger. Letterbox, there shall be a reckoning. Consider yourself on notice.
Still, I was due something like that. I was starting to think of running away again, which always makes the pipes creak, etc. Sigh.
At least the dreaded lurgy has lifted a little. Isn't it funny the way you only feel better after you've passed it on. Mwahaha.
PM update: my day of plate spinning is not going well. Somebody please send me booze. In lieu of booze, TripleJ are playing Chisel, which is amusing, Chisel always having been a staple of the Ms rather than the Js, but I find it oddly soothing.
And amusing. I'm not sure a White Collar fic should really ever refer to a Chisel song, but it does. A couple, even. I'd go as far to say a few, just because it's part of my ingrained cultutal heritage, female goats and all (Mondegreen ref).
It just gets in, as Mrs Marsh used to say. Anyhoo, speaking of heritage bands, as they call them now, when I were lass, I used to think, really think, that if I didn't know better, I'd have suspected some of my favourite bands at the time of being familiar with Doctor Who and The Avengers and that ilk. Fast forward to now, and they're all coming out of the closet, so to speak. Phil Oakey was just bemoaning classic Who versus new Who in Word Magazine. QED, I reckon.
Meanwhile, I'm thinking I need to add some Chisel to my playlists. This is fun.
Friday Update.
After all my whining via a steady drip of emails about how miserable I was re my lack of multiple arms and heads to cope with my sudden extreme workload and how I wanted tea to be as boozy as possible, you know, guinness beef pie, something with brandy custard for dessert. Bring it on.
So Himself made me booze bread for supper, and it was supper, given my late dining hour (cf week from hell). It was actually an Edwardian dish called stewed cheese, and it was basically rarebit with a sweet Portugese wine instead of beer. And it was brilliant. But I gotta say, definitely a supper dish, because you sure don't want to be racing out up mountains afterwards, no sir, but for a cold winter's night after a shocking day, it surely hit the spot. I love booze bread.
And I'm beginning to think the cold and flu tablets were a blessing in disguise. How else would I have gotten through this week without those lovely over the counter uppers and downers. I've never gone the cold and flu tablets before, preferring Calvinist misery and suffering, but now I have, whoo, what a trip. I dips me lid, I truly do (C.J. Dennis ref). I should have never have gotten through all that paperwork without a certain amount of over the counter manic. Yay.
I think people must miss out on so much of life by being snobs. Everyone was walking past the guy plastering up the new walls in the lobby but I was fascinated while waiting the usual years for a lift (elevator) and I asked if I could watch, he told me what he was about, and I now know a lot more about the art of plastering than I did an hour ago. And still everyone else just walks by.
Monday update.
Saturday we ended up celebrating Himself's renewed contract. That we had to catch a bus to the nearest restaurant with tablecloths says all you need to know about our suburb. Went to a rather average suburban Chinese joint, with a menu still stuck gloriously in the 70s (they even had fried icecream and bombe alaska on the dessert menu, bless) and we were so overdressed we were mistaken for being from the north rather than the south (heh) but it was fun and the crazy waitress with the crazy demon witch from Monkey hair is bound to turn up in a fic one of these days.
Decided to walk home rather than wait ages in the cold for the next bus, Himself was a bit tiddly/wobbly from the champagne, and I was randomly hugged by someone I once went to school with. It was that kind of night.
Home for a cup of tea and discovered that contrary to my insistence there was nothing I watched on Saturday nights since White Collar was off, there was Neal Himself on the telly. W are playing S1 again, back when the boys were young and cute, but Neal is still duplicitous, lying to Peter's face, right in the pilot. Tsk.
I just love how Neal always gets so very shirty if Peter doesn't trust him (and, seriously, has he really given Peter any cause to, with the whole one step forward, three steps back deal they seem to have going), even as he's scheming wildly behind Peter's back. Oh, Neal, you magnificent hyprocritical bastard, you.
Still, it's fun to watch it wrong, and they've not yet legislated against watching it wrong. So when Peter asks Neal what he should do and they share a long, long, lingering look, and Neal tells Peter to go home to his wife, and Peter does, I'm thinking test and fail, again. Oh dear. Neal is so flirty, so available to Peter in these early episodes, always bringing up the subject of adultery, always in Peter's personal space. Sometimes I wonder if Peter shouldn't have compromised himself and reached out to Neal more, in those early days.
Oh well. They are still so very cute in these early episodes. And yet, Neal is all to easily swayed every time Mozzie shows up with his Iago like whispers to remind Neal that he's living a lie, and he can never, really, have an FBI boyfriend. I can't help thinking that if Peter gave a little more, Neal would be swayed a little less.
I really would like the friendship to come first, despite their differences, but, well, shrug, I guess TPTB have different ideas.
Also, they had an ad for Family Guy, and I was disturbed at the similarities twixt Peter and Neal and Brian and Stewie. Scary.
Sunday night and there are many treats, including Emma on UKTV, though I cannot watch a country dance in an Austen piece any more without going to the Armstrong and Miller place, for shame. The Peanut Gallery observes that there's an awful lot of cockblocking going on the Austen world. Me, I try to explain how well Jane observes female spite and viciousness, and how these scenes play out more violently to female eyes than any bar fights and women are put down, not just for the night but for the rest of their lives, with a single, cutting word.
Then it was onto Goldfinger, yay, although there were giggles, from too much Mitchell and Webb, when Goldfinger rolls out the big laser. It has many practical uses, he brags. Like scanning the price of a tin of peas, we add. Boop!
Kinda takes the wind out of the scene's sails, a touch, and poor Sean wasn't even acting nervous as there was a prop hand under the table with a blowtorch aimed at his manly bits. Ouch.
I've seen some of the real Goldfinger's brutalist work. He totally deserved to be a Bond villain. Yuck.
There was Thunderball, too. Largo wedged into a form fitting wet suit and his silly eye patch and face mask, the shark pool. This is where it all starts to get silly. Then there's the peeing dog in the parade. And boyfriend Felix, always being dumped like a bad date ('I'll give him another twenty minutes...'). I prefer passive aggressive Jewish Felix from Goldfinger, but Caribbean Ken Felix has his moments. Still I love it, especially the "She's just dead" line.
Meanwhile I hear Himself frantically flapping away in the kitchen. Everything is fine, he says. Liar, liar, tea on fire. Apparently the veggie bake caught alight and he didn't wish to alarm me, even though the oven looked like one of those burning log videos. What a sad fate for the world's most mighty and tumescent turnip. I would have posted a photo only it would have violated the regulations. The sort of turnip that'd have a nun kicking in a stained glass window.
Oh well. Still, I'd hate to be the schmuck who has to clean that mess up. Oh, wait...
Anyhoo, that was the week.
Meanwhile, afternoon was said to be the thing in one of the sunday papers. Ah me, bang on trend again I see.
Women's wicked thoughts
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/womens-wicked-thoughts-20110701-1gup7.html
The Fans Own the Magic
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/movies/the-fans-are-all-right-for-harry-potter.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha28
Hottest 100 Australian Albums Of All Time
http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/alltime/11/
Damn you, Daniel – a dream dies
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8601462/Damn-you-Daniel-a-dream-dies.html
Catch That Reference? There’ll Be a Quiz
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/movies/super-8-x-men-first-class-midnight-in-paris.html?ref=movies
Literary homes
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatpicturegalleries/8608103/Literary-homes.html
Jane Austen Books You May Not Have Discovered Yet
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-m-brownstein/jane-austen-books_b_885281.html?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=062811&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BlogEntry&utm_term=Daily%20Brief#s298967&title=Northanger_Abbey
Withering heights: future mother-in-law's attack on fiancee goes global
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/withering-heights-future-motherinlaws-attack-on-fiancee-goes-global-20110630-1gt1v.html
Men Don't Recognize 'Benevolent' Sexism: Study
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/27/men-dont-recognize-benevolent-sexism_n_885430.html?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=062811&utm_medium=email&utm_content=NewsEntry&utm_term=Daily%20Brief
The university, the angry writers, and the alleged death of the Oxford comma
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-university-the-angry-writers-and-the-alleged-death-of-the-oxford-comma-2305194.html
Talking (Exclamation) Points
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/fashion/exclamation-points-and-e-mails-cultural-studies.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha26
TSA Stands By Adult Diaper Check
http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2011/06/27/tsa_adult_diaper_check_agency_stands_by_decision_to_force_jean_w.html?from=rss/&wpisrc=newsletter_slatest
Terrapin migration disrupts New York flights
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/30/3257172.htm
Jellyfish close down nuclear plant [needs to be a Doctor Who episode]
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jellyfish-close-down-nuclear-plant-2305199.html
Why the insurance industry gets climate change
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/jun/28/climate-change-climate-change-scepticism
Extreme weather link 'can no longer be ignored'
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/extreme-weather-link-can-no-longer-be-ignored-2305181.html
Why everyone should join the V&A's Cult of Beauty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2011/jun/27/v-and-a-cult-of-beauty-exhibition
Chinese red-faced after photo fakery goes global
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/chinese-redfaced-after-photo-fakery-goes-global-20110630-1grwx.html
Vintage British transport posters
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatpicturegalleries/8582634/Vintage-British-transport-posters.html
Is US TV too leftwing?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2011/jun/29/is-us-tv-too-leftwing
The worst accents on television
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/jun/22/coronation-street-michelle-collins
Star Trek fans to recreate William Shatner's epic cry of 'Khaaaaaaaaan'
http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/weird/star-trek-fans-to-recreate-william-shatners-epic-cry-of-khaaaaaaaaan/story-e6frep26-1226085503129?from=the+courier+mail+personalised+newsletter_rss
When it's time to say goodbye to your hero
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/when-its-time-to-say-goodbye-to-your-hero-2303173.html
Caffrey's Irish Ale
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffrey%27s_Irish_Ale
'Rizzoli & Isles' — are they or aren't they?
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-rizzoli-isles-20110703,0,1592517.story
USA's unconvincing 'Suits' comes up empty
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2011-06-22-usa-network-suits-preview_n.htm
'Burn Notice' Graphic Novel: DC Comics Premieres 'A New Day'
http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/burn-notice-graphic-novel-dc-comics-new-day
Age Isn’t An Issue for ‘Burn Notice’
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/06/23/age-isnt-an-issue-for-burn-notice/
Justified: television's best kept secret
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/jun/30/justified-five-usa
TV Review: Justified
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10736228
'Supernatural' to feature new flashback episode
http://www.digitalspy.com.au/ustv/s6/supernatural/news/a327211/supernatural-to-feature-new-flashback-episode.html
Alexander Skarsgard gets some added bite from 'True Blood'
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/la-et-alexander-skarsgard-20110622,0,5363740.story
Alexander Skarsgard: 'Completely Different Side of Eric'
http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/07/03/alexander-skarsgard-completely-different-side-of-eric/?ref=topposts
From 'Twilight' to 'True Blood': Today's vampire franchises owe everything to 'Dark Shadows'
http://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/index.ssf/2011/06/from_twilight_to_true_blood_todays_vampire_franchises_owe_everything_to_dark_shadows.html
Timothy Hutton Is Back with More 'Leverage'
http://www.parade.com/celebrity/personality-parade/2011/06/26/timothy-hutton.html
Leverage: How Will Nate and Sophie's Hookup Affect the Team?
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Leverage-Timothy-Hutton-Season4-1034588.aspx
'Leverage' star: 'New season is tense'
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a326667/leverage-star-new-season-is-tense.html
'Leverage' star: 'Theme of new season is family'
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a326941/leverage-star-theme-of-new-season-is-family.html
Chris
http://lockerz.com/s/116023234
Dressing Up For Going Out
http://www.theonion.com/articles/dressing-up-for-going-out,20717/
Neil Patrick Harris, engaged, cheers gay marriage going legal in New York
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/06/neil-patrick-harris-gay-marriage-legal-new-york-engaged-david-burtka.html
Rare Billy the Kid photo fetches $2.2m
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/26/3253910.htm?section=entertainment
Starsky the Rock-Juggling Otter
http://www.todaysbigthing.com/cute-animals/2011/05/18
Lawn-And-Garden Tips
http://www.theonion.com/articles/lawnandgarden-tips,8131/
National Register of Big Trees
http://www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.com.au/
'White Collar' exec: 'Emmys dismiss show'
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a326711/white-collar-exec-emmys-dismiss-show.html
More photos of ‘White Collar’ filming in Bryant Park!
http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2011/06/25/more-photos-of-white-collar-filming-in-bryant-park/comment-page-1/
EMMYS: 'White Collar's Jeff Eastin
http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/emmys-white-collars-jeff-eastin/
Matt Bomer discusses auditioning for Superman and Amy Adams
http://whitecollar-tv.livejournal.com/546592.html
Tiffani Thiessen and Matt Bomer on Watch What Happens Live
http://whitecollar-tv.livejournal.com/545902.html
New on set pics
http://whitecollar-tv.livejournal.com/545454.html
Babies, Bomer, and a Cameo From True Blood's Joe Manganiello on the Set of White Collar
http://www.popsugar.com/Matt-Bomer-Joe-Manganiello-Tiffani-Thiessen-Filming-White-Collar-Pictures-18091644?page=0,0,15#12
Report: White Collar Set Visit
http://poptimal.com/2011/06/white-collar-set-visit/?utm_campaign=WP%20to%20Twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter
Babies, Bomer, and a Cameo From True Blood's Joe Manganiello on the Set of White Collar
http://www.popsugar.com/Matt-Bomer-Joe-Manganiello-Tiffani-Thiessen-Filming-White-Collar-Pictures-18091644?page=0,0,0#16
Matt & Tiffani WWHL Sneak Peek
http://youtu.be/s2peihnjBgU
White Collar - Casting News - Joe Manganiello to Guest
http://www.spoilertv.com/2011/06/white-collar-casting-news-joe.html#ixzz1Qg3VIlHy
Joe Manganiello & Matt Bomer on ‘White Collar’ Set
http://www.celebuzz.com/photos/joe-manganiello-matt-bomer-on-white-collar-set/
Joe Manganiello & Matt Bomer Film ‘White Collar’
http://socialitelife.com/joe-manganiello-matt-bomer-film-white-collar-photos-06-2011/white-collar-film-set-2-300611-2
Celebrity Sightings In New York City - June 30, 2011
http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=GLS====504828&c4nvi=3&str=6435&styp=clbi&nbc1=1
White Collar, "Dentist of Detroit": The Sting redux?
http://tvgeekarmy.com/post/viewPost/white_collar_dentist_of_detroit_the_sting_redux/3f61ffff53c531a561401308980d18ba
'White Collar' High Five: 'Dentist of Detroit'
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/white-collar/white-collar-high-five-dentist-40815.aspx
Top Moments: True Blood's Lost Year and Stewart Goes On the Offensive
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Moments-True-Blood-1034881.aspx
Seven Things We Learned (Or Didn't) About Matthew Bomer on "Watch What Happens Live"
http://www.afterelton.com/tv/2011/07/matthew-bomer-watch-what-happens-live-andy-cohen
'True Blood's' Joe Manganiello Heading To 'White Collar'
http://omg.yahoo.com/news/true-bloods-joe-manganiello-heading-to-white-collar/66195
Pic: Joe Manganiello Pulls Gun on 'White Collar' Set
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00041782.html
'True Blood' hunk to guest on 'White Collar' -- EXCLUSIVE
http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/06/29/joe-manganiello-white-collar/
‘True Blood’s’ Joe Manganiello howls on ‘White Collar’
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43591321/ns/today-entertainment/
Because They’re Hot: Joe Manganiello & Matt Bomer on the ‘White Collar’ Set (PHOTOS)
http://www.celebuzz.com/2011-06-30/because-theyre-hot-joe-manganiello-matt-bomer-on-the-white-collar-set-photos/
Matt Bomer does a Bayside High School cheer, is officially my favorite person ever
http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/07/01/matt-bomer-bayside-cheer/
Joe Manganiello: 'White Collar' Guest Star!
http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/06/29/joe-manganiello-white-collar-guest-star/
'White Collar': Matt Bomer recreates 'Saved by the Bell' cheer (video)
http://www.examiner.com/tv-in-national/white-collar-matt-bomer-recreates-saved-by-the-bell-cheer-video
Episode 5, Veiled Threat - Preview Clip
http://youtu.be/MtBy3P6I1go
An Encounter with Matt Bomer
http://according2g.com/2011/05/an-encounter-with-matt-bomer/
Joe Manganiello & Matt Bomer Film ‘White Collar’ [PHOTOS]
http://socialitelife.com/joe-manganiello-matt-bomer-film-white-collar-photos-06-2011/tv-set-white-collar-59
White Collar
http://twitpic.com/5igqhr
http://twitpic.com/5hsi1g
http://yfrog.com/h7s1koyj
http://yfrog.com/gzwqukgsj
http://twitpic.com/5hrdyn
http://twitpic.com/5hpk80
http://twitpic.com/5ipf35
The Dentist of Detroit - Preview Clip 1
http://youtu.be/EdP_tOmrxqo
Did you hear about Karen's New York bender? I should tsk, but in all honesty I'm just bitterly jealous I don't get invited to those sort of parties. <- HHGTTG ref.
Oh boy. Of course, I deserved to get a nasty cold after last week, but still. Whimper. And what a week to get it as I have to have so much done by 1 July. Ouch. Whimper. Cold and flu stuff is fine, but I did spend several long minutes on Monday morning wondering why my hands didn't feel like my hands, before the tiny pilot light of remaining brain cells managed to convey that I was wearing gloves, eejit. Oh dear. Just how am I do all that is demanded of me this week?
Worse, this cold/flu/lurgy/misery has rendered me grumpier than usual. Well, okay, regular grumpy to you, but I can tell the difference. Arseholes, cretins and pests are all risking my extreme wrath by fiddling for change on the bus; noisely scraping out the inside of plastic yoghurt containers; endlessly fussing and titting about when I just want my tea, dammit; overwriting documents instead of using track changes or at the very least archiving a copy; demanding I undo and redo the very same thing several times over until my poor brain snaps; people who put their bags on the seat so I have to stand all the way home while deleriously unwell; sods lying to my face; people who demand things right now even though I've only had two hours sleep; slobs who crunch chips open mouthed; garden hoses that have to tie themselves in knots around anything and everything and when they've run out of things to twist around and be snagged by, then they will tie themselves in knots; tea cups that hide when there's washing up to be done; television programs that start twenty minutes late.
These are all my usual burdens to bear, more a death of a thousand cuts than actual hell, though it's hell enough, for me, but this week, I've no reserves at all. None. I expect to be turning green and shredding my cheap Target ensemble at any moment.
At least I managed to get some classic Bond in. It was funny, cause on Sunday, being unwell but still having to get so much stuff done, I decided that all I wanted was Dr No on the telly. So Dr No was on the telly. Yay. Sean Connery, Jack Lord, lame jokes and so Sixties it hurts, and yes, the coffee set I bought at Newtown markets is very close to the ones I adore in Dr No (you know, if you could link through to ebay via goggles on my telly, that'd be useful interactive. Prolly can on sets made this century).
Better yet, I took off from work early (aka on time) and managed to catch the end of From Russia With Love, when Red Grant betrays his non old school tie-ness by ordering the wrong wine at dinner. Kill him, James! Of course, being a bogan in bogan city, it's hard for me to make fun, being so uncouth myself, but we manage to joke about even lesser folk who order cuppacinos. Keeel them.
More mocking ensues as the boys fight on the train, and we implore them to keep it down, as Poirot is trying to announce the identity of the murderer in the next cabin, and the murderess has just reached for the cigarette holder of evil.
Ah, the Orient Express. Not quite so exciting as when I travelled aboard from Venice to Paris (tres chic), but hey, at least I did it (and I'd do it it again, if I could, it was so much fun, and we did have that border intrigue with the guards with guns, so it wasn't entirely sans a bit of ITV magic).
Last night Supernatural battled evil mannequins and tore down the forth wall, but, alas, I wasn't as into it as I was the first viewing. Kinda of amusing, but painfully selfindulgent, and anything that reminds me of those gawdawful Stargate eps (with that especially annoying person in them) is bound to give me pains. Lingering pains.
Points though for the DOOL ref, the George Hamilton ref (it still amuses), Misha's constant tweeting, the boys being cute, the blue steele ref. Okay, yes, lots of funny stuff, just hard to laugh with a face full of soggy tissues (cf dreaded lurgy).
Speaking of refs, there was an article in the NYT last week about all the references and injokes going on at the flicks, without even bothering to wade into the turgid waters of cross and selfreferential television, and I'm not talking clumsy plot rips of crap films like on White Collar, but you know, stuff that not only gets cheap laughs but adds layers of meaning to what's going on.
Like in Chuck, yes, Morgan and Chuck are Star Wars nerds but it's not just a cheap and easy way to get laughs or describe the action, but it actually comments and informs their relationships, drawing the obvious to anyone but my colleagues parallels between Han, Chewie and Leia and Chuck, Morgan and Sarah.
But it's not just modern film and telvesion, and it's not just Star Wars refs, though my insular colleagues would no doubt be all at sea trying to make sense of Chuck, Spaced, Paul, Family Guy, Futurama, etc. Clearly not the the target audience, but I digress.
It's just that having attended the talk on the Pre-Raphaelite drawings, and having all the biblical and classical refs that were supposed to be obvious explained to me, well, it's proof it's not just for lazy tv writers any more, nor was it ever. The Last of England, aside from being a comment on emigration and exile, it apparently also big on the whole madonna and child imagery (the baby is hidden under the cloak, trust me on this, you can see a tiny hand). Victorian paintings are notorious for being thick with encoded messages, as well as countless images of sick children praying (another favourite M&W line, about not being able to move for paintings of sick children praying in the Victorian era).
Meanwhile, NT Live are at it again. Finally, the 21stC is working for me.
Another bit of happy hello 21stC, the Peanut Gallery was showing off a cough splutter anniversary release of Duran Duran, complete with clips of tv appearances I never saw when it really, really mattered by misfortune of being in the wrong country and the internet not being invented yet. See, want, dial up Amazon, have. Well, Amazon swears it's in the post (via Austria as always, fetch, Rex!). One of the last five in stock, too, yikes. At last, eh?
Although I kept wishing Simon would loose the headscarf in the clips. People will never take him seriously with the headscarf, I rue. I'd wish for a blue box to go back in time and snatch away the offending item but what would be the point, because you know what would happen, don't you: 'I wear a headscarf now. Headscarves are cool.'
I didn't know young Simon was on Twitter either until alert to the fact by one Neil Gaiman. But what if he's a complete and utter prat, I worried, and wipes out a lifetime of devotion in a single careless tweet? But I hit 'follow' anyway, and lo, dear Simon, my strange little muffin. I love him even more now.
But man, did I imprint on the boy when I was of impressionable age.
Speaking of time machines, I'd love to be able to whisk back and tell the ancestors to PUT IT BACK. What a thing to do to your own flesh and blood: condemn them to the land without broadband, not to mention three days flights in economy with nothing on telly except Adam Sandler films. Sins of the great-grandfathers doesn't even begin to cut it. Put it back, you twats. How could you do this to me? Proof that thieves are neither sexy nor cool. At least, not in real life.
Three episodes in to White Collar and what can I say? Neal is acting against Peter and pretending to have a relationship with his plastic GF, all the while having a bag packed and ready to go. Now it's not just Peter he's lying to. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is not the behaviour of a charming rogue. This is a dangerous, spoilt narcisstic psychopath in action.
I mean, I know they wanted to make Neal edgy, but they've made him downright evil, but alas it seems the writers and performers at White Collar can't tell the difference, the same way they think Nazi plunder is cool. Clearly none of them have sat down to tea and cakes with lovely, gentle, kind and funny folks with numbers crudely inked on their skin from concentration camps.
Perhaps if they had, they might have thought twice. Perhaps not. This from writers who gleefully name characters after their postman and rip off crap films, where even Bonekickers, bless, was instructional in regard to Tennyson and Malory. I am sorry that I am used to British product where names usually mean something more than a crass shoutout and great classical themes are brought into play. Sigh.
But it's just a silly tv show, I guess, and Matty does get his shirt off. But, but...if you're watching for the friendship between the two boys, having them delight in scoring off each other and hurting each other, well, it's not nice.
To be honest, I expect little from Neal these days, but I thought Peter was better than that, but I guess Neal has pushed him into devious game playing. Alas, Neal has dragged Peter down to his level rather than the reverse. Oh well, here's one American show that doesn't feel it has to be 'improving' in the slightest. Or, indeed, demonstrate that actions have consequences. Quite the opposite. Here is one show where the villain of the piece, for he is a villain, gets to have his cake, and eat it, too.
Was it all a con, Neal, pretending to be nice to Peter? For shame. Badly done, Neal. Badly done. <- Jane Austen ref.
And yet...despite my extreme reservations about Neal's obvious two-faced behaviour, could it be that he is, indeed, as the early show promos stated rather bluntly, fooling himself as well? Because for someone who is ready to jet at a moment's notice, leaving everything behind (including pointless GF), he refers to June's place as 'home' and 'my room'.
At which point I would be normally going 'aha!', his language betrays his true heart, but then I remember this is White Collar we're talking about here. The show with the writers who carry on like the saddest fan fic writers I've never met: 'I based this character on my pet cat Mr Tiddles!' I shit thee not.
So I'd like to go 'aha!' but I'll have to settle for happy accident I can make a fan fic meal out of, and no Mr Tiddles. No, in my fic I have Mozzie as an Iago figure, constantly whispering wicked schemes and distrust in Neal's ear about Peter.
There's some Romeo and Juliet there, two, with the two warring houses, Peter's FBI family and Neal's criminal fraternity. A plague on both their houses. Alas, no Mercutio to get shived, but they've got too many underused characters as it is.
But, too be honest, lately I'm seeing a lot of Pygmalion. Even the intial agreement was a bet, albeit between Peter and Neal, rather than Peter and a colleague, but there it is, Peter trying to shape a thief into a thief taker, through trial and error, and Neal is pretty much at the 'Just you Wait' phase now, it seems.
Of course, as with Pygmalion, the question of what is to become of Neal if he does pass his tests, is never answered, because there is no answer, no truly happy ending. He is neither one thing or the other any more, neither fitting into Peter's world or his own. He'll get by, but he won't fit. Maybe open a gallery, in lieu of a flowershop, marry Freddy (it's legal now, yay), but it'll be making do, as he can't go back, nor can he comfortably fit with Peter and his family, always too aware of his origins and watching for that slip.
Oh dear. And there's one thing the writers of White Collar seem to have forgotten (Mr Tiddles!). While he has been the FBI's hunting dog, Neal has taken a lot of high profile, powerful and well connected scalps. Are we to assume that no one would want a piece of Neal and his new life? Are we to assume that no one is harbouring resentments?
Why nobody has taken the opportunity of Caffrey hawking stolen art about the place as an opportunity to turn him in and nobble him I do not know. Clearly there is honour among thieves even if Neal has none (the lying, the two faced lying, it burns).
Would that Inglourious Basterds III were available to rain righteous vengeance down on his Nazi booty hogging arse (perfect though that pretty little arse may be).
Anyway, not sure of the new direction, is all I'm saying. It makes the two boys seem like major dicks. And that's a mistake. A terrible mistake. Because you know, shows like Dexter, well, he's a serial killer, but he's a charming and likeable serial killer. The lads and lasses on shows like Burn Notice and Leverage might have done bad things, and will probably do bad things again if pushed, but they are loyal to the unit. There is a botherhood (and sisterhood) there, despite the sibling spats.
All they seem to have done on WC is remove the charm and up the brattishness. Edgy is not about being a complete shit to the people who love you most in the world. It's about an air of danger, not to your loved ones but to anyone else. It would have been better, if they had wanted to make Neal appear more dangerous, to make him dangerous to anyone who threatened Peter, to cut corners and break the law for Peter, not be a danger to Peter. Can they not tell the difference between a cool thief and a heartless thug? Neal, right now, is the latter, and I do not like it.
I'd stop watching if not for the fact Bomer keeps taking his shirt off. I'm so very shallow. But I'm not the only one.
Oh, and I don't need to be told when they're filming in Bryant Park. I know. That was also one of my haunts. So, Matt, any squirmy vibes there, too? Heh.
Oh well, if the show disappoints, I'm still having way too much fun with my own private version. Hey, boys, it's legal now. Wedding photo, it just screams wedding photo. It says it all, for me. Adoration from Peter, smugness from Neal. Ah, boys. Is a happy ending really too hard?
I mean, seriously, is the best the WC writers can come up with a template based on a crap movie where the two leads work together but don't really like or trust each other. Really?
Cannot, instead, all the crap they put each other through, all the argy bargy and misunderstandings, instead be the old rom com template as set down by W. Shakespeare himself. Can not, after many a jape and jest, the two lads realise that, as the first series promised, there's no one they trust more?
Too sad, White Collar, too sad indeed if you can't even manage that. All my favourite shows, from Chuck to Supernatural, Good Guys, Leverage, Sharpe, Unit One, Merlin, The Professionals, The Sweeney, Randall and Hopkirk...it all comes down to loyalty and brotherhood.
Too bad, White Collar, that you have the best chemistry on tv at the moment and all you want to do is flush it down the toilet. Seriously, wtf is up with these people. Even if they can't have Neal and Peter together on screen (and in this day and age, why not), they could at least play with it like they do on other shows, like Sherlock, and, hell, even Hawaii Five-0. Hell, I'd die for just a scrap of the PDAs that go on in H50.
Anyhoo, on an entirely different note, I would love to be in New York right now, where it's warm, but more importantly, just to scatter gold coins behind me to the scrabbling peasants, like the Yanks did in all those films and tv shows I've ever watched, because, I'm looking at my ebay bid and the translated AUD price, and for once, I'm quivering with giggles instead of hunched over in misery. Is it wrong to want to get me some of that rock and roll, denim jeans and coca cola action now that I can actually afford it?
Thursday update.
Alas, there will be no New York, no scattering of pennies to the ragged mob. I just had to go buy myself a new pair of specs and, alas, with my prescription, that's more than the price of a week in NY NY (incl airfare). Dash and blast. Not that I could have upped sticks and gone but I was having thoughts, serious thoughts, about a spot of Bunburying, especially after the week I've had (must everything and the universe be due on 1 July?).
And why does not one believe my story about how I broke my glasses? I tell ya, with the sudden violence in the way the big old metal letterbox lid slammed shut on my bonce I was actually glad to have just gotten away with broken glasses, bruising and bleeding. It could not have snapped shut harder and faster if someone had actually slammed it shut on me. Nor is it my fault it's mounted so high, to dissuade the local post snatching urchins, that it's all I can do to peer over the top like Alice in Wonderland. I was peering into it, terrified of the giant spiders that live in there (My Murdoch Mysteries dvd, My Preciousssss!) when it slammed shut on me.
Anyways, no one belives me, certainly no one in the glasses shop, who struggled to keep a straight face as I relayed my tail of woe. And then it cost me a week in NY. Bugger. Letterbox, there shall be a reckoning. Consider yourself on notice.
Still, I was due something like that. I was starting to think of running away again, which always makes the pipes creak, etc. Sigh.
At least the dreaded lurgy has lifted a little. Isn't it funny the way you only feel better after you've passed it on. Mwahaha.
PM update: my day of plate spinning is not going well. Somebody please send me booze. In lieu of booze, TripleJ are playing Chisel, which is amusing, Chisel always having been a staple of the Ms rather than the Js, but I find it oddly soothing.
And amusing. I'm not sure a White Collar fic should really ever refer to a Chisel song, but it does. A couple, even. I'd go as far to say a few, just because it's part of my ingrained cultutal heritage, female goats and all (Mondegreen ref).
It just gets in, as Mrs Marsh used to say. Anyhoo, speaking of heritage bands, as they call them now, when I were lass, I used to think, really think, that if I didn't know better, I'd have suspected some of my favourite bands at the time of being familiar with Doctor Who and The Avengers and that ilk. Fast forward to now, and they're all coming out of the closet, so to speak. Phil Oakey was just bemoaning classic Who versus new Who in Word Magazine. QED, I reckon.
Meanwhile, I'm thinking I need to add some Chisel to my playlists. This is fun.
Friday Update.
After all my whining via a steady drip of emails about how miserable I was re my lack of multiple arms and heads to cope with my sudden extreme workload and how I wanted tea to be as boozy as possible, you know, guinness beef pie, something with brandy custard for dessert. Bring it on.
So Himself made me booze bread for supper, and it was supper, given my late dining hour (cf week from hell). It was actually an Edwardian dish called stewed cheese, and it was basically rarebit with a sweet Portugese wine instead of beer. And it was brilliant. But I gotta say, definitely a supper dish, because you sure don't want to be racing out up mountains afterwards, no sir, but for a cold winter's night after a shocking day, it surely hit the spot. I love booze bread.
And I'm beginning to think the cold and flu tablets were a blessing in disguise. How else would I have gotten through this week without those lovely over the counter uppers and downers. I've never gone the cold and flu tablets before, preferring Calvinist misery and suffering, but now I have, whoo, what a trip. I dips me lid, I truly do (C.J. Dennis ref). I should have never have gotten through all that paperwork without a certain amount of over the counter manic. Yay.
I think people must miss out on so much of life by being snobs. Everyone was walking past the guy plastering up the new walls in the lobby but I was fascinated while waiting the usual years for a lift (elevator) and I asked if I could watch, he told me what he was about, and I now know a lot more about the art of plastering than I did an hour ago. And still everyone else just walks by.
Monday update.
Saturday we ended up celebrating Himself's renewed contract. That we had to catch a bus to the nearest restaurant with tablecloths says all you need to know about our suburb. Went to a rather average suburban Chinese joint, with a menu still stuck gloriously in the 70s (they even had fried icecream and bombe alaska on the dessert menu, bless) and we were so overdressed we were mistaken for being from the north rather than the south (heh) but it was fun and the crazy waitress with the crazy demon witch from Monkey hair is bound to turn up in a fic one of these days.
Decided to walk home rather than wait ages in the cold for the next bus, Himself was a bit tiddly/wobbly from the champagne, and I was randomly hugged by someone I once went to school with. It was that kind of night.
Home for a cup of tea and discovered that contrary to my insistence there was nothing I watched on Saturday nights since White Collar was off, there was Neal Himself on the telly. W are playing S1 again, back when the boys were young and cute, but Neal is still duplicitous, lying to Peter's face, right in the pilot. Tsk.
I just love how Neal always gets so very shirty if Peter doesn't trust him (and, seriously, has he really given Peter any cause to, with the whole one step forward, three steps back deal they seem to have going), even as he's scheming wildly behind Peter's back. Oh, Neal, you magnificent hyprocritical bastard, you.
Still, it's fun to watch it wrong, and they've not yet legislated against watching it wrong. So when Peter asks Neal what he should do and they share a long, long, lingering look, and Neal tells Peter to go home to his wife, and Peter does, I'm thinking test and fail, again. Oh dear. Neal is so flirty, so available to Peter in these early episodes, always bringing up the subject of adultery, always in Peter's personal space. Sometimes I wonder if Peter shouldn't have compromised himself and reached out to Neal more, in those early days.
Oh well. They are still so very cute in these early episodes. And yet, Neal is all to easily swayed every time Mozzie shows up with his Iago like whispers to remind Neal that he's living a lie, and he can never, really, have an FBI boyfriend. I can't help thinking that if Peter gave a little more, Neal would be swayed a little less.
I really would like the friendship to come first, despite their differences, but, well, shrug, I guess TPTB have different ideas.
Also, they had an ad for Family Guy, and I was disturbed at the similarities twixt Peter and Neal and Brian and Stewie. Scary.
Sunday night and there are many treats, including Emma on UKTV, though I cannot watch a country dance in an Austen piece any more without going to the Armstrong and Miller place, for shame. The Peanut Gallery observes that there's an awful lot of cockblocking going on the Austen world. Me, I try to explain how well Jane observes female spite and viciousness, and how these scenes play out more violently to female eyes than any bar fights and women are put down, not just for the night but for the rest of their lives, with a single, cutting word.
Then it was onto Goldfinger, yay, although there were giggles, from too much Mitchell and Webb, when Goldfinger rolls out the big laser. It has many practical uses, he brags. Like scanning the price of a tin of peas, we add. Boop!
Kinda takes the wind out of the scene's sails, a touch, and poor Sean wasn't even acting nervous as there was a prop hand under the table with a blowtorch aimed at his manly bits. Ouch.
I've seen some of the real Goldfinger's brutalist work. He totally deserved to be a Bond villain. Yuck.
There was Thunderball, too. Largo wedged into a form fitting wet suit and his silly eye patch and face mask, the shark pool. This is where it all starts to get silly. Then there's the peeing dog in the parade. And boyfriend Felix, always being dumped like a bad date ('I'll give him another twenty minutes...'). I prefer passive aggressive Jewish Felix from Goldfinger, but Caribbean Ken Felix has his moments. Still I love it, especially the "She's just dead" line.
Meanwhile I hear Himself frantically flapping away in the kitchen. Everything is fine, he says. Liar, liar, tea on fire. Apparently the veggie bake caught alight and he didn't wish to alarm me, even though the oven looked like one of those burning log videos. What a sad fate for the world's most mighty and tumescent turnip. I would have posted a photo only it would have violated the regulations. The sort of turnip that'd have a nun kicking in a stained glass window.
Oh well. Still, I'd hate to be the schmuck who has to clean that mess up. Oh, wait...
Anyhoo, that was the week.
Meanwhile, afternoon was said to be the thing in one of the sunday papers. Ah me, bang on trend again I see.
Women's wicked thoughts
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/womens-wicked-thoughts-20110701-1gup7.html
The Fans Own the Magic
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/movies/the-fans-are-all-right-for-harry-potter.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha28
Hottest 100 Australian Albums Of All Time
http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/alltime/11/
Damn you, Daniel – a dream dies
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8601462/Damn-you-Daniel-a-dream-dies.html
Catch That Reference? There’ll Be a Quiz
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/movies/super-8-x-men-first-class-midnight-in-paris.html?ref=movies
Literary homes
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatpicturegalleries/8608103/Literary-homes.html
Jane Austen Books You May Not Have Discovered Yet
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-m-brownstein/jane-austen-books_b_885281.html?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=062811&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BlogEntry&utm_term=Daily%20Brief#s298967&title=Northanger_Abbey
Withering heights: future mother-in-law's attack on fiancee goes global
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/withering-heights-future-motherinlaws-attack-on-fiancee-goes-global-20110630-1gt1v.html
Men Don't Recognize 'Benevolent' Sexism: Study
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/27/men-dont-recognize-benevolent-sexism_n_885430.html?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=062811&utm_medium=email&utm_content=NewsEntry&utm_term=Daily%20Brief
The university, the angry writers, and the alleged death of the Oxford comma
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-university-the-angry-writers-and-the-alleged-death-of-the-oxford-comma-2305194.html
Talking (Exclamation) Points
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/fashion/exclamation-points-and-e-mails-cultural-studies.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha26
TSA Stands By Adult Diaper Check
http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2011/06/27/tsa_adult_diaper_check_agency_stands_by_decision_to_force_jean_w.html?from=rss/&wpisrc=newsletter_slatest
Terrapin migration disrupts New York flights
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/30/3257172.htm
Jellyfish close down nuclear plant [needs to be a Doctor Who episode]
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jellyfish-close-down-nuclear-plant-2305199.html
Why the insurance industry gets climate change
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/jun/28/climate-change-climate-change-scepticism
Extreme weather link 'can no longer be ignored'
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/extreme-weather-link-can-no-longer-be-ignored-2305181.html
Why everyone should join the V&A's Cult of Beauty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2011/jun/27/v-and-a-cult-of-beauty-exhibition
Chinese red-faced after photo fakery goes global
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/chinese-redfaced-after-photo-fakery-goes-global-20110630-1grwx.html
Vintage British transport posters
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatpicturegalleries/8582634/Vintage-British-transport-posters.html
Is US TV too leftwing?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2011/jun/29/is-us-tv-too-leftwing
The worst accents on television
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/jun/22/coronation-street-michelle-collins
Star Trek fans to recreate William Shatner's epic cry of 'Khaaaaaaaaan'
http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/weird/star-trek-fans-to-recreate-william-shatners-epic-cry-of-khaaaaaaaaan/story-e6frep26-1226085503129?from=the+courier+mail+personalised+newsletter_rss
When it's time to say goodbye to your hero
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/when-its-time-to-say-goodbye-to-your-hero-2303173.html
Caffrey's Irish Ale
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffrey%27s_Irish_Ale
'Rizzoli & Isles' — are they or aren't they?
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-rizzoli-isles-20110703,0,1592517.story
USA's unconvincing 'Suits' comes up empty
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2011-06-22-usa-network-suits-preview_n.htm
'Burn Notice' Graphic Novel: DC Comics Premieres 'A New Day'
http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/burn-notice-graphic-novel-dc-comics-new-day
Age Isn’t An Issue for ‘Burn Notice’
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/06/23/age-isnt-an-issue-for-burn-notice/
Justified: television's best kept secret
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/jun/30/justified-five-usa
TV Review: Justified
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10736228
'Supernatural' to feature new flashback episode
http://www.digitalspy.com.au/ustv/s6/supernatural/news/a327211/supernatural-to-feature-new-flashback-episode.html
Alexander Skarsgard gets some added bite from 'True Blood'
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/la-et-alexander-skarsgard-20110622,0,5363740.story
Alexander Skarsgard: 'Completely Different Side of Eric'
http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/07/03/alexander-skarsgard-completely-different-side-of-eric/?ref=topposts
From 'Twilight' to 'True Blood': Today's vampire franchises owe everything to 'Dark Shadows'
http://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/index.ssf/2011/06/from_twilight_to_true_blood_todays_vampire_franchises_owe_everything_to_dark_shadows.html
Timothy Hutton Is Back with More 'Leverage'
http://www.parade.com/celebrity/personality-parade/2011/06/26/timothy-hutton.html
Leverage: How Will Nate and Sophie's Hookup Affect the Team?
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Leverage-Timothy-Hutton-Season4-1034588.aspx
'Leverage' star: 'New season is tense'
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a326667/leverage-star-new-season-is-tense.html
'Leverage' star: 'Theme of new season is family'
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a326941/leverage-star-theme-of-new-season-is-family.html
Chris
http://lockerz.com/s/116023234
Dressing Up For Going Out
http://www.theonion.com/articles/dressing-up-for-going-out,20717/
Neil Patrick Harris, engaged, cheers gay marriage going legal in New York
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/06/neil-patrick-harris-gay-marriage-legal-new-york-engaged-david-burtka.html
Rare Billy the Kid photo fetches $2.2m
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/26/3253910.htm?section=entertainment
Starsky the Rock-Juggling Otter
http://www.todaysbigthing.com/cute-animals/2011/05/18
Lawn-And-Garden Tips
http://www.theonion.com/articles/lawnandgarden-tips,8131/
National Register of Big Trees
http://www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.com.au/
'White Collar' exec: 'Emmys dismiss show'
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a326711/white-collar-exec-emmys-dismiss-show.html
More photos of ‘White Collar’ filming in Bryant Park!
http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2011/06/25/more-photos-of-white-collar-filming-in-bryant-park/comment-page-1/
EMMYS: 'White Collar's Jeff Eastin
http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/emmys-white-collars-jeff-eastin/
Matt Bomer discusses auditioning for Superman and Amy Adams
http://whitecollar-tv.livejournal.com/546592.html
Tiffani Thiessen and Matt Bomer on Watch What Happens Live
http://whitecollar-tv.livejournal.com/545902.html
New on set pics
http://whitecollar-tv.livejournal.com/545454.html
Babies, Bomer, and a Cameo From True Blood's Joe Manganiello on the Set of White Collar
http://www.popsugar.com/Matt-Bomer-Joe-Manganiello-Tiffani-Thiessen-Filming-White-Collar-Pictures-18091644?page=0,0,15#12
Report: White Collar Set Visit
http://poptimal.com/2011/06/white-collar-set-visit/?utm_campaign=WP%20to%20Twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter
Babies, Bomer, and a Cameo From True Blood's Joe Manganiello on the Set of White Collar
http://www.popsugar.com/Matt-Bomer-Joe-Manganiello-Tiffani-Thiessen-Filming-White-Collar-Pictures-18091644?page=0,0,0#16
Matt & Tiffani WWHL Sneak Peek
http://youtu.be/s2peihnjBgU
White Collar - Casting News - Joe Manganiello to Guest
http://www.spoilertv.com/2011/06/white-collar-casting-news-joe.html#ixzz1Qg3VIlHy
Joe Manganiello & Matt Bomer on ‘White Collar’ Set
http://www.celebuzz.com/photos/joe-manganiello-matt-bomer-on-white-collar-set/
Joe Manganiello & Matt Bomer Film ‘White Collar’
http://socialitelife.com/joe-manganiello-matt-bomer-film-white-collar-photos-06-2011/white-collar-film-set-2-300611-2
Celebrity Sightings In New York City - June 30, 2011
http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=GLS====504828&c4nvi=3&str=6435&styp=clbi&nbc1=1
White Collar, "Dentist of Detroit": The Sting redux?
http://tvgeekarmy.com/post/viewPost/white_collar_dentist_of_detroit_the_sting_redux/3f61ffff53c531a561401308980d18ba
'White Collar' High Five: 'Dentist of Detroit'
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/white-collar/white-collar-high-five-dentist-40815.aspx
Top Moments: True Blood's Lost Year and Stewart Goes On the Offensive
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Moments-True-Blood-1034881.aspx
Seven Things We Learned (Or Didn't) About Matthew Bomer on "Watch What Happens Live"
http://www.afterelton.com/tv/2011/07/matthew-bomer-watch-what-happens-live-andy-cohen
'True Blood's' Joe Manganiello Heading To 'White Collar'
http://omg.yahoo.com/news/true-bloods-joe-manganiello-heading-to-white-collar/66195
Pic: Joe Manganiello Pulls Gun on 'White Collar' Set
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00041782.html
'True Blood' hunk to guest on 'White Collar' -- EXCLUSIVE
http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/06/29/joe-manganiello-white-collar/
‘True Blood’s’ Joe Manganiello howls on ‘White Collar’
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43591321/ns/today-entertainment/
Because They’re Hot: Joe Manganiello & Matt Bomer on the ‘White Collar’ Set (PHOTOS)
http://www.celebuzz.com/2011-06-30/because-theyre-hot-joe-manganiello-matt-bomer-on-the-white-collar-set-photos/
Matt Bomer does a Bayside High School cheer, is officially my favorite person ever
http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/07/01/matt-bomer-bayside-cheer/
Joe Manganiello: 'White Collar' Guest Star!
http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/06/29/joe-manganiello-white-collar-guest-star/
'White Collar': Matt Bomer recreates 'Saved by the Bell' cheer (video)
http://www.examiner.com/tv-in-national/white-collar-matt-bomer-recreates-saved-by-the-bell-cheer-video
Episode 5, Veiled Threat - Preview Clip
http://youtu.be/MtBy3P6I1go
An Encounter with Matt Bomer
http://according2g.com/2011/05/an-encounter-with-matt-bomer/
Joe Manganiello & Matt Bomer Film ‘White Collar’ [PHOTOS]
http://socialitelife.com/joe-manganiello-matt-bomer-film-white-collar-photos-06-2011/tv-set-white-collar-59
White Collar
http://twitpic.com/5igqhr
http://twitpic.com/5hsi1g
http://yfrog.com/h7s1koyj
http://yfrog.com/gzwqukgsj
http://twitpic.com/5hrdyn
http://twitpic.com/5hpk80
http://twitpic.com/5ipf35
The Dentist of Detroit - Preview Clip 1
http://youtu.be/EdP_tOmrxqo
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Vogue July 2011 US |
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| Wonderland April-May 2011 UK |
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M2 #12 July-August 2011 Australia |