Blame Tad

So today I got the following comment on my blog from a former co-worker: "do I even know you anymore?! No mention of David Tennant, no mention of nanowrimo, no mention of elections? Who writes this blog?"

So Tadly, you asked for it- here it is.

David Tennant, the man that is proudly displayed on my desk top at work, on the wall above my desk with Billie Piper in my Who poster, and the man who is displayed next to Brian Vaughn on my Shakespeare wall as Hamlet- and that just is at school. You don't want to know what sits near my desk at home. Oh there is so much I could say about my pretend boyfriend (yes Jenn he belongs to Heather and me and one day we will have the t-shirts to prove it). In fact even as I type this I am watching David and he is about "two minutes to Belgium."

Now I have been wearing black for about a month now, mourning DT's departure from Who after the 2009 Christmas special. In fact I get all teary just thinking about it. I cry at the gym reading my Who magazine while jogging. I got my season 4 Who DVDs on Monday and squealed, called Heather and squealed, danced around the kitchen and squealed, took it to my parents and squealed, emailed Heather and squealed; yet I couldn't bring myself to watch the season, because I know how it ends and I still am in therapy to come to terms with Donna's fate, until right now. But like the nerd I am I will watch all the episodes, all the extras, and then I will go back and watch all the episodes again with commentary- BEFORE I loan this season out.

Enough about David, Tad? How about I move on to NaNoWriMo.

Yes, I didn't even attempt it this year. Somehow I knew it wouldn't work out.

Oh random side note as I watch David Tennant's video diary- he is adorable. Really, the man just makes me laugh.

Okay back to NaNo. We still have the site and it is all going well, and I am still writing so life is good.

Okay now for politics.

I refuse comment at this time as comments on my other blog have lead to grief and got me into trouble. But I love that we still have three races which we don't know outcomes, and I am very interested to see how the next few years go- I am trying to be hopeful. Really I am.

*pauses for another DT Moment, cause really he is just ....yeah*

Okay so Tad, you asked who is writing this blog. Well it is an overworked, overwhelmed school teacher who is still head over heels in love with Doctor Who and who should go back to grading papers...well and watching David and I have to say, that man looks really good in a tux.

Was the ending supposed to be happy?

So last night was the Doctor Who Series 4 finale. Now, I haven't hid my love for this show here at all and I have to admit I was a basket case all day yesterday waiting for the conclusion of a great episode the week before. I also know that no one who reads this blog cares about Doctor Who, so feel free to skip over this entry. Now if anyone wants to know more about Doctor Who, and because I can't be any bigger of a nerd, I made a Who powerpoint that explains the show which I am happy to share. Now on to the rest.

The thing is, I am not sure how I feel about it now. It was a brilliant episode and I wish I had an ounce of the writers creativity. The way that he weaves stories and hints given two or three years ago is amazing. I also loved that even though there were so many favorites back I didn't feel that it was too much. It was clever and campy, angsty, light hearted, and just fun. In fact I was pleased with it over all. But there are some things that still don't sit right with me. Yes, I know it was just a TV show, but I am an English major and if we do anything well it is analyze things. So here we go-

Things I liked about the episode.

1- Jackie had a big freaking gun! I don't think words can express how much I loved that moment. I mean she had a gun and shot down a Dalek, you go Jackie Tyler.

2- The Jack/Mickey reunion. That had me laughing for ages. I had missed Mickey, I have a bit of love for the kid that is totally unexplainable.

3- Shirtless Ten followed by t-shirt clad ten. Yes, sometimes I am shameless.

4- Doctor!Donna. I have loved Donna all season long for reasons I really should see a therapist for, but she kicked some major behind in this episode.

5- The call out to 'The Unquiet Dead' I have been waiting for someone to say that Gwen was the same person, and I know that they couldn't get it until the Doctor met her, but it was still great to have.

6- The blue suit of Death is now in another universe and we won't have to see it again. Of course I hope the first thing Rose did when they got back to London was burn that thing.

7- The hand holding. I loved the hand holding. It was perfect and something I missed. They never had to say anything, just hold each other's hand.

Now for where I struggled and why I can't decide if I liked the ending or not.

1- Rose and that dang beach- ever since I saw the pictures that they were back on that beach I knew no good could come from it. I mean come on, I knew that Rose wouldnt be coming back with the Doctor. But I am not sure if I am supposed to be happy for her and what she got or if I am supposed to feel bad for her. Right now I am angry at the Doctor because he left her. Yes, I get the whole she choose bluesuit!Doctor (again, can we please burn that thing) but the Doctor should have said goodbye. He owed her that. He had taken away her choice once more and the least he could do was give her a goodbye. Instead he walks away, again.

2- Donna. You know, this is cruel of me, but I wish she had died. Donna had evolved so much as a character and as a person. I hated to see her go back to what she was in 'Runaway Bride' she knew what would happen if he didn't take the memories. She knew what was going on and she made a choice. He took that choice from her and I kinda hate him for that. I understand why he did, but it wasnt his choice. She didn't want to go back to the person she was before she met him, she knew the difference, she saw that. She chose to die the woman she was then go back to the incomplete life that she had before. Did he care what she wanted? Nope, it was all about him. Just like he strip the choice away from Rose he took it from Donna too. Sometimes I really hate him.

3- No Jack/Rose reunion. I mean come on. I have been waiting for this one forever and to be honest I anticipated it more than the Doctor/Rose reunion (again D/R could only end in heartbreak). And what do I get-nothing. Mickey, who met him once, got more of a reunion than Rose did.


So yeah, I am left trying to figure out if I like the episode or not. I wasn't expecting a happy ending, and the fact that Rose got her own Doctor was the happiest ending we were getting, and I'd prefer that than having Rose dead or having him lose her again in the future, but I am walking away with a bittersweet taste in my mouth, and just a tad bit heartbroken for everyone.


Well, it is only five months till the next episode- wonder if it is too early to make a count down?

Its Lutiful!

Just some Lu cuteness!





and because the kid had to go for round two

Beg, Borrow, or Steal I'll find a way

Here it is, the moment you have all been waiting for (well, the moment two of you have been waiting for) my thoughts on Doctor Who Season 4.

I actually have no idea how to start this. When I would get all fangirly about West Wing I would blog after each episode, this time though there have already been 8 episodes (counting the Christmas Special) and though in the future I will probably talk about each episode at a time, I think for this one I am going to give an over all feeling or impressions.

Now, if you actually watch this show (and I believe that everyone should watch this show, just call me Martha Jones spreading the message of the Doctor- one person at a time) and have not yet seen season 4 know that there are going to be spoilers. I’d hate to ruin this for anyone.

I have loved this season so far, it is rivaling season 2 for me and depending on the outcome might have to be tied for a firm second with season 1. There are so many things that I am loving about this season, so I present them below in no particular order:

1- Donna Noble. Okay, I have to say it and admit that I was wrong. I love Donna. I was worried when they announced she was going to be the new companion. After her stint in ‘Runaway Bride’ I never wanted to see her again. She was annoying, and loud, and annoying, and did I mention annoying. Imagine my surprise when I found myself actually liking her. She has replaced Martha on my list (though she will never replace Rose). The relationship she has established with the Doctor is so great. I love how she makes him talk about things, like Rose or how he can’t be god with his decisions. She treats him like a sibling, a friend. And I just adore her. Of course because I have subtitled this season, “No Happy Endings” I am worried that she is going to die or something is going to happen to her. Which sucks.

2- The stories. I have enjoyed every episode. Not in a ‘okay, that was good’ way like I did the first half of season 3, more of- ‘oh my gosh these are brilliant, can we have more please.’

3- The references to past seasons. This has been so much fun and something they could finally do in with season 4. They have built an audience now who has been faithfully watching for 4 years, so they can make reference back to something in Season 1 or 2 and people will get it. I admit I had to pause the recording and laugh hysterically when the Doctor said, “Are you my mummy?” The other shoutouts have been just as memorable and fun.

4- Rose. I flailed when she was in episode one. Freaked out, couldn’t talk, gesticulated with my hands trying to express my excitement. The other moments that she has appeared in or been referenced have been equally exciting. I am holding my breath for the June night when she will return for the final three episodes, but my heart is a little worried too- remember this is the season of “no happy endings,” and I don’t know if I can make it through another ‘Doomsday.’

5- Watching them with the fam. We are all hooked now. It is what we do on Sunday nights, and watching them together then trying to figure out what will happen has been one of the highlights of the season.

6- David Tennant. Okay, yes I know I am head over heels infatuated with this man (he is the only man I know that looks good in a velvet suit) but he is an incredible actor. I am blown away every time, he just keeps getting better and better.

I would post all my emails to Heather about each episode here, but that would probably be over kill. As the season winds down though, and as my favorite writer is taking center stage for two week, oh and let’s not forget the return of Rose, Jack, Mickey, and Jackie expect more squeeing, sobbing, and gabbing about my favorite TV show.

To days to come, all my love to long ago

I have realized that I have sadly been neglecting Doctor Who this season on my blog. This surprises me as I watch the new episodes at least once the weekend they are released (usually twice once with Cassy and once with the family) and it is the Monday email topic between Heather (who lives way to far away) and I. So I have decided that for the rest of the season I will at least try to talk about my favorite geeky obsession-

Now, this weekend (when I have a tad more time) you will be getting my overview of the first half of season 4, but today I am giving you my top twelve favorite lines and bits of dialogue from seasons 1-4-

Number Twelve: From the 2006 Children in Need Special

DOCTOR
Then how could I remember this? Very first word I ever said to you. Trapped in that cellar. Surrounded by shop window dummies.... oh...

[He looks away for a moment, reminiscing. Then he looks back into her eyes]

DOCTOR
... such a long time ago. I took your hand...

[To emphasize this point, he takes her hand - just like he did when Rose first asked who he was. Rose glances briefly down at their joint hands and then back up at his face]

DOCTOR
I said one word... just one word, I said... "Run".

Number Eleven: Season 3 Blink

DOCTOR
And that's it, I'm afraid. There's no more from you on the transcript, that's all I've got. I dunno what stopped you talking, but I can guess. They're coming. The angels are coming for you. But listen, your life could depend on this. Don't blink! Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. They are fast, faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back, don't look away, and don't blink! Good luck!

Number Ten: Season 1, The Doctor Dances

DOCTOR
So, where'd you pick this one up, then?

ROSE [warningly]
Doctor...

JACK
She was hanging from a barrage balloon, I had an invisible spaceship. I never stood a chance

Number Nine: Time Crash

TEN:

Oh, brilliant! I mean, totally wrong, big emergency, universe goes bang in five minutes but... brilliant!

Number Eight: Season 3 Blink

DOCTOR
Tracked you down with this. This is my timey-wimey detector. It goes ding when there's stuff. Also, it can boil an egg at 30 paces, whether you want it to or not, actually, so I've learned to stay away from hens. It's not pretty when they blow.

Number Seven: Season 1, The Doctor Dances

DOCTOR
Well, it's gotta find us first! Come on, we're not done yet! Assets, assets!

JACK
Well, I've got a banana, and at a pinch you could put up some shelves.

Number Six: Season 3, The Shakespeare Code

SHAKESPEARE
It made me question everything. The futility of this fleeting existence. To be or not to be…Oh, that’s quite good.

DOCTOR
You should write that down.

SHAKESPEARE
Hm, maybe not. A bit pretentious?

Number 5: Season 1, The Doctor Dances

ROSE
Doesn't the Universe implode or something if you... dance?

DOCTOR [off-handedly]
Well, I've got the moves but I wouldn't want to boast.

[Rose, still grinning, stops shuffling around in her wheel chair and gets up to turn the music up. The Doctor looks around, completely wrong-footed. Rose walks slowly forward, flirtatiously. He looks determinedly back to the wall. Rose holds her hand out to him]

ROSE
You've got the moves?

[The Doctor looks back at her]

ROSE
Show me your moves.

DOCTOR
Rose, I'm trying to resonate concrete.

ROSE [not lowering her hand]
Jack'll be back; he'll get us out. So come on - the world doesn't end 'cause the Doctor dances.

Number 4: Season 2, The Satan Pit

IDA
Hang on though, Doctor. You never really said... you two... who are you?

***

THE DOCTOR
Oh... (he looks at Rose) ... the stuff of legend.

Number 3: Season 1, The Doctor Dances

DOCTOR
Everybody lives, Rose. Just this once. Everybody lives!

Number 2: Season 3, Utopia

DOCTOR:

Bit of a hermit.

YANA:

A hermit with friends?

DOCTOR:

Hermits United. We meet up every ten years. Swap stories about caves. It’s good fun…for a hermit. So, um, Utopia?

Number 1: Season 2, Girl in the Fireplace

DOCTOR
It's back on the ship. Rose, take Mickey and Arthur, get after it. Follow it, don't approach it, just watch what it does.

ROSE
Arthur?

DOCTOR
Good name for a horse.

ROSE (exasperated)
No, you're not keeping the horse!

DOCTOR
I let you keep Mickey! Now go, go, go!

I've created a monster

Okay, it is no great shock to anyone when I reveal my love for the BBC TV show- Doctor Who. It is one of the few very geeky things I love and can talk about for hours. I have the CDs, the DVDs, and one day I hope to have my very own sonic screwdriver (j/k though if it worked I wouldn't say no). I have a picture up next to my Order of the Phoenix poster and I watch (and can quote) the episodes quite often.

Well one Sunday night the parents and I were getting ready for Who night, Lu was still there and was watching a bit with me. I explained that this was the Doctor and that was Rose. Over the next few weeks I would pull out the DVD set and ask her who was who, every time she answered correctly and we started adding words like Tardis, Time Vortex, and Bad Wolf (eventually Time Lord, Capt. Jack, and Torchwood followed).

Hilary finally decided to borrow my DVDs and I sent them home with Lu, asking her to take care of our Doctor for me. The following are three instances that have happened since that day two weeks ago:

Phone conversation number 1-

Lu: I watchin the Doctor
Me: Are you
Lu: and Rose
Me: Really?
Lu: Uh-huh. And Tardis.
Me: Do you like them
Lu: Uh-huh. Rose not die.
Me: No she didnt.


Phone conversation number 2-

Lu: Timmy, I have monsters in my room

Me: Oh no.

L: It’s okay the Doctor got rid of them for me.

M: (holding back a laugh) He did?

L: Uh-huh. He’s my friend.

M: Really?

L: I have his picture.

M: Do you?

L: Yes, Doctor and Rose.

Then she went on to tell me that when she gets scared she knows it is okay cause the Doctor will come and save her.

Phone Conversation number 3-

Lu: Timmy, you know the doctor?

Me: Yes

Lu: He so handsome

What can I say the girl has good taste, David Tennant is quite an attractive man (so is Christopher Eccleston for that matter).

and finally...

Lu was at my parents yesterday and she decided we were going to play Doctor Who. She was the Doctor and I was 'Rosie'. We even had a Tardis which so so carefully unlocked and made us move around like we were flying. There also seemed to be an elephant on the Tardis- don't know where that came from. She is just so cute. I love her imagination.

So, yes I have created a monster...not that I am complaining too much.

Only six more days till season 4!!!!

Thank you for that display of geek bravado

So it is not a big secret that I am a nerd. I can happily converse on English literature, history, politics, or just about any other nerdy subject. I can rattle off how many electoral votes that each state has, I can rattle of the names of the Supreme Court judges, and I can tell you when a book was published. I have the classes, I spend time in the library, and I enjoy watching things like Masterpiece theater. I am a nerd through and through, and proud of it.

There is one thing though, one thing that I always try to ignore or hide. I am a geek. Yes, it is a sad truth. I am sure most of you already knew that, but it is something that I have only admitted to myself recently.

My geekiness has come out here and there over the past few years. I have a "Bartlett for America" t-shirt which I love, I have a Hufflepuff Head Girls badge, I have an HP scarf, a Time Turner, and a shirt proudly bearing the name 'The Weird Sisters'. I also wouldn't mind getting a lovely Doctor Who poster.

This past week I have been a bigger geek than usual.

I am a huge Doctor Who fan (the new series, I don't think I could stomach the old series) and I was so excited when series 1 and 2 arrived on my doorstep Thursday night.

Now being the geek I am, I started watching series 1 Friday night, only I was watching the episodes with commentary. I had just finished watching the first series the week before, so it wasn't that I hadn't seen them recently (or quote them daily) but I just had to watch them with commentary. And of course I had to watch the five hours of special features- remember geek.

Well Sunday morning I put on the last DVD and in 'Boom Town' it all of a sudden skipped. I was a tad upset because it was at my favorite part (the Doctor, Rose, and Jack are getting all geeky together and Mickey just stands there shaking his head?) But the rest of the episode was fine. So I put a note on the back burner to call WB about it.

Then I was watching 'Parting of the Ways', the series final, and right at THE moment THE CLIMAX (For all of those who have seen it is when Rose has comes back and the Doctor has to get the Time Vortex out of her) It freaking skips again!!!! I am not pleased.

I might have been yelling at the TV (please remember I just saw this episode the week before and have seen it at least 6 times). Any other part of the episode I might have been okay, but not then.

Eventually, I calmed down and emailed WB about how to get a replacement. Then went about my day.

Then that night I started series two with my parents (I also taught my niece the following words: TARDIS, space ship, Doctor, Rose, Time Vortex). The start of series 2 is my all time favorite episode. I could watch 'Christmas Invasion' over and over again. In fact we had just watched it at Christmas, mom wasn't keen on watching it again, but we made her. Yes, I can quote most of, but the gags never get old and it never fails to make me smile.

Monday my friend Heather and I chatted about different Who slogans that we could have when we participate in the Komen 3-day cancer walk this fall *insert shameless begging for a donation here* And we came up with so many that we might have to order two or three.

Today to compound my geekiness I downloaded the Doctor Who series three soundtrack from iTunes.

So yes, this is me finally admitting that I am a geek-and you know what, I am proud to be one.