Mondays are overrated

[jadesfire]

Good...er...lunchtime all. Gosh, when did that happen? Hope everyone's coping with Monday okay. I'm tired out of my tiny mind, but managing better since the sun came out. I have lists as long as my arm to be getting on with, so clearly what I want to be doing is writing a long LJ post about my dull weekend.

~ I had a very practical weekend, what with one thing and another. On Saturday, I made us a medicine box from a shoebox and diet coke boxes. I can actually find a paracetamol when I need one, which is a great improvement. My SAD light makes an excellent craft lamp, it must be said.

~ Mum brought me up a collection of crochet hooks and some yarn, so I spent a happy evening trying not to tie my fingers together and mostly succeeded \o/ I'm pretty confident with the basic stitches now, as well as the basic amigurumi technique, which I like a lot. My main problem now is turning the end of my first row of proper stitches - all my squares are somewhat wobbly at the edges! Blackwell's knitters, would someone be able to help me with that on Wednesday, please? The books and YouTube vids aren't really doing the trick *looks hopeful*

~ A couple of emails at the weekend have made me look back on 2009 slightly differently than I'd expected. 2008 was a bad, bad year, and I know we'd all hoped this year would be better. It hasn't been, for most of my friends, and I will be glad to get into 2010, hoping for more. On the other hand, my own state of mind has, on the whole, been much better than last year, and I feel like I'm definitely *trying* to recover, even if I'm not there yet. I got up the courage a while back to email some friends that I'd more or less lost touch with, and their replies have been humbling and incredibly welcome. I'm still too flakey for my own liking, and need to get a grip on my organisational skills, which are more than lacking, but just the desire to do that is so much better than last year. Baby steps, but it's good to see progress.

~ Is anyone going to do Christmas wish lists this year? I checked, and they went up about this time last year. I'm very aware that the last posting dates are coming up in a few weeks, and I want to make sure I send stuff in plenty of time. If they don't pop up in the next few days, I might get the ball rolling myself...

~ I discovered a bunch of postcards from Menorca in the bottom of my rucksack. If I have your address, you might be getting a surprise!card in the next few weeks. Also, I must thank naye, rustydog and darththalia who have all sent me cards over the last few weeks, and have brightened my day immeasurably.

~ I did watch Waters of Mars yesterday . For me, it wasn't a great episode, and it wasn't a terrible one. I don't mind the darkness, the slightly crazed aspect of it, but I didn't feel they really exploited the plot elements they could have played with. To me, it felt like they were trying to cram too much into one episode - too much character detail, too much plot, and they ended up not doing justice to either. Also, there were too many 'Doctor looking ominous' moments for my taste - I got it the first time - and the last part, just standing in the snow looking contemptuous, was far more chilling and scary than all the raving or posing against the explosions. Just let David Tennant act - he doesn't need the dramatic backdrop or music or anything like that.

For me, it felt very much like an 'on the way episode' - like they've got to move him from A to B, and this was just the marker along the way. We're only half done with the development, and while the plot sounded good on paper, and Lindsay Duncan was simply superb,* I wanted a little...more...from it.

ETA: I am waiting for the first "typical rubbish accents" post to pop up. Because although Steffi's German accent was put on, the American and Russian ones were genuine. Why yes, I did watch the Confidential. I enjoyed almost more than the episode.

GADGET GADGET!

*OTOH, I thought she was going to shoot him and trigger the regeneration. Which would have been way more interesting...

I did watch the trailer for Christmas...

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EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! I'm more excited about seeing Donna than anyone else. Can't wait to see what they do with her *bounces* Don't screw this up for me, RTD. Please? I'm more than prepared to give the new Doctor a chance, but seriously.

DONNA!!!!!!! *squee*

Is it Christmas yet?

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So, how's everyone else? Good week ahead?

Comments

[dyddgu.livejournal.com]

Meant to say in re crochet, if your first chain is too tight to hook into, I find using a hook 1 size up for that chain helpful. We can look at the raggedy edges on Weds - antarra is the best crocheter amongst us, I think.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

I...think I understand that. The doing is coming quite easily. The understanding the terminology might take longer ;)

Thanks! I think it's a case of working out where to put my hook for the last stitch of the row. They keep coming out shorter then longer then shorter again, which I'm fairly sure isn't right *g*

[dyddgu.livejournal.com]

Also, regarding the "cramming into one episode" thing - I've found that a problem with the whole series since it returned. I used to love the 30 min eps with stories that lasted a few weeks. I suspect I am in the minority, though!

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Oh, I definitely agree with you. It's also a consequence of getting more ambitious with character depth. They want to show us way more than the early serials worried about, but don't give the stories the space they need to breathe.

It's tempting to point them to Sapphire and Steel to show them how slow pacing can *really* work ;)

[dune-drd.livejournal.com]

That was a put on German accent? Then it was a good one. Sounded genuine to me, at least, and didn't overdo it

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that's good to know. I have a total tin ear for these things, so don't like to pass judgement - I'd assumed that the kids were native speakers, but saw from your post that they're probably not!

[dune-drd.livejournal.com]

They could've passed as German had it not been for the wrong speech rythm, betraying the fact that they'd learned the words well but only spoke phonetically.

[pwcorgigirl.livejournal.com]

I'm about to get myself together and go out to do errands. Right now the sun is finally shining on the garden and our neighbor's black and white cat is sitting by the iron bench washing her face. She's so cute!

One of my church friends refuses to ever say she's having a bad day. She says, "I'm having a bad 10 o'clock," with the expectation that 10 will pass and the day will improve. I like her attitude. :)

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a nice start to the day :)

I love that attitude. Last week was definitely a bad week, but I have high hopes for this one. If this sunshine continues, it can't be all bad!

[aeshna_uk]

I actually really enjoyed it... but I've come to realise that my yardstick for enjoyment is pretty much "did it keep me happily entertained/involved for an hour?" (I really am shit at being a media fan - can't be doing with that whole moral outrage, capslock of frothing doom thing, and if I don't like something, I just don't watch it ;)) This was pretty much typical DW - silly in some places, scary in others (I wonder how many Sunday night kiddie bathtimes got cancelled last night?), with added Doctor On The Edge Of A Nervous Breakdown. I really liked that sequence - he's slipping over the edge into vengeful godhood, and then Adelaide delivers the slap he needs. For a moment there, I thought she might shoot him, as well... but the choice she makes - the choice he wouldn't - is actually far more effective. He's veering between extremes, losing any sense of perspective, and it'll be fascinating to see how it all ends up.

For my money, this and the Easter episode have been the strongest of the specials so far... or at least the most enjoyable! :)

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

I was with them most of the way, and I would give it a B+ overall, but... I don't really know what was lacking for me - it *didn't* keep me entertained the way that, say, The Runaway Bride, did. That had oodles of mopey!Doctor and scary!Doctor, but it also had a plot that worked better for me, I think. Also, I really did find some of the "I AM GOD" moments too OTT for my taste. Or rather, I felt that even for something that was meant to be over the top, there was a bit much of it.

I do want to see the Easter one, if only so I can understand the damn "knock 4 times" reference!

[aeshna_uk]

Ah, The Runaway Bride is one that I watched once, when it first aired, and have no great desire to ever see again. Catherine Tate was great, but the rest was pretty dreadful! The Christmas specials don't have a particularly great track record, IMO.... ;)

I think that one of the key things to remember with DW, though, is that although lots of adults watch, it is basically pitched at a school-aged audience. Some things are going to be painted in fairly broad strokes, and some of the humour will be a bit daft - it's just the nature of the beast. That said, I thought the breakdown was quite well done. All power corrupts, and he was right on the edge of becoming something terrible there - subtle was never going to be in it!

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

As someone who's growing to love the Sarah Jane Adventures, I definitely watch with the target age-group in mind. The daft humour I tend to love (if I could get a Gadget for Christmas, I totally would), but the number of Significant Looks and Portentous Posing in the episode was just a little bit too far for me. I can absolutely see how it worked for people (seriously the number of "scary Doctor is disturbingly hot" posts on my flist yesterday...), but for me, the part that was most effective was the quiet contempt with Adelaide at the end. Those are the moments that speak more to me, I think.

I really can't wait to see where they're taking the breakdown, though. It was long due - the build up to it has been great - and I really want to see how he struggles on with this to the end. If nothing else, it's ramped up my anticipation for Christmas - maybe this year will be more to your liking!

[aeshna_uk]

I think that a lot of the more OTT stuff was there for the non-fannish viewers, the ones who don't live with these characters in their heads and who don't have very set and established ideas about them and their portrayal. The face-off with Adelaide at the end was definitely the most effective scene on a great many levels, but I think we needed the rest of it in order to build up to that emotional pay-off and twist.

I have hopes for Christmas this year: if nothing else, Ten finally seems to be paying the price for being an unspeakably irritating smug git for the past few years. ;) So long as there's a regeneration in there somewhere, it'll be great....

I think I saw the SJA pilot a few years back, and saw SJ and Luke in TSE/JE, of course, but haven't seen the show otherwise. Must admit that I have a hankering to kill SJ off in fic - have her no-guns policy bite her in a situation where going in shooting would actually be the correct course of action. Probably should try watching it if I want to do that, though!

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

I think that a lot of the more OTT stuff was there for the non-fannish viewers, the ones who don't live with these characters in their heads and who don't have very set and established ideas about them and their portrayal.

That's an interesting one. Maybe, but the non-fannish viewer I was watching with raised his eyebrows and went "er...okay..." at that point. I think it's one that can go either way. In some ways, people who only hear about the show through trailers or just watch episodes can have a *more* set idea about who the Doctor is. My other half was kind of put off by all the character stuff and the yelling when he'd just tuned in for the Doctor saving the day.

I've only seen the pilot and a few recent episodes of SJA, but I have to say I'm enjoying it. The characters work well, and while the effects don't seem to have the same budget as Doctor Who, the script is pretty well written, and the acting decent enough to watch. You do have to remember it's a VERY kids' programme (much more so than DW), but if you can tune into that frame of mind, it's really good fun.

[aeshna_uk]

Heh, guess it's just one of those individual taste things, certainly where adults are concerned! The fannish sushi gathering last night all seemed to like it, though. :)

I've head that SJA is fairly close to the Old School DW series in tone, which makes sense. I may well have a look at it at some point, though my tastes definitely run more towards the TW end of the scale!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I haven't watched it. Actually I haven't watched the Easter one either. I find that I just don't care. I'll watch the X-mas one since it's DT and RTD's swan song, but I fully expect to put my fingers in ears and "la-la-la" over the massive plot holes.

I'm glad the crocheting is working for you, I really enjoy it when i have the time and my wrist isn't bothering me.

[dune-drd.livejournal.com]

*clings to you*

It seems like the best mindset to watch RTD's stuff - I just can't bring myself to do it D:

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I understand completely

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

I will probably go back and watch the Easter special to make sense of this one, if nothing else.

There were character holes in this more than plot holes (the plot was strikingly simple for once), and for me, it couldn't possibly live up to its ambitions in the allowed 45 minutes. Having said that, I enjoyed it more than "The Next Doctor" and they're definitely going interesting places.

[phoenix64.livejournal.com]

I'm totally with you on the Donna squee! *bounces*

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*twirls and twirls* CAN'T WAIT!!!! This had better be awesome or RTD is going to be in serious trouble!

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

OTOH, I thought she was going to shoot him and trigger the regeneration. Which would have been way more interesting...

Me too! Otherwise why would she pull her gun while the door was still open? I mean, obviously so the viewers could see it in that shot, but you know what I mean.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*nods* Just showing the flash of light would have got the point across.

*twitches* Someone should write the AU of that. Someone who isn't me, I mean...

[aeshna_uk]

Just showing the flash of light would have got the point across.

I'd completely forgotten she even had it until about two seconds before she drew it! If she'd gone in and we'd just seen a flash, my assumption would probably have been that it was a teleport! So I think the televisual storytelling did need the glimpse of the gun (and, indeed, the momentary uncertainty over who she was going to shoot, which did give a nice spike of tension!).

[aeron-lanart.livejournal.com]

I had a Doctor Who party - me, nephew and nephew's house mate with added popcorn, nibbles and a dog on our knees (intermittently). I had great fun. I also enjoyed the episode but like aeshna I'm not a terribly objective Doctor Who viewer - if it keeps me entertained, I'll like it!

After Waters of Mars finished we messed around with my remote controlled dalek and k9 until we found out that the house mate had never seen Torchwood... cue me digging out the box sets and having to fix my dvd player with my sonic screw driver (strictly speaking, I used it as a torch as I couldn't see which way round the scart was supposed to go). We only had the chance to watch the first 2 eps of series 1, but he wants to see the others!

As for 2009, mine has been *miles* better than my 2008 was so far, but I'm not sure it could have been much worse and have me surviving it in one piece. In 2009 I have got *my* life back, and that is brill - if a little expensive at times. So many good things to look back on this year which is such a change.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Hee, I don't consider myself a terribly objective viewer either, and I usually enjoy while I'm watching, only to work out the stuff that I didn't like so much afterwards. It works for me ;)

*giggle* Converts! And woot for getting to use your sonic screwdriver. that's so cool!

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

Here's to baby steps and seeing progress in 2009. ::hugs::


(Not looking at the other comments since I haven't watched the "Coming Soon" trailer...)

it felt very much like an 'on the way episode' - like they've got to move him from A to B, and this was just the marker along the way.

I think you're right, and I'm usually very forgiving of this kind of episode in a season-long or several-episode arc, but I'm finding it harder to shrug off when it's a much-anticipated "event" like this, a longer-length special that's coming months and months after the last one with at least a month until the next one. Sigh. I think in the end, a year or more from now when we have the bigger picture, I won't remember the disappointment much if at all.

*OTOH, I thought she was going to shoot him and trigger the regeneration. Which would have been way more interesting...

Me too! And as much as I'm dreading That Thing, I was almost hoping for it because it would have been super interesting and hugely surprising.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

think in the end, a year or more from now when we have the bigger picture, I won't remember the disappointment much if at all.

That is the problem with the specials - building things from week to week often works really well. Building it over months like this can really drag, as it's harder to see each episode in context. I wasn't disappointed exactly, just...unsatisfied, if that makes sense.

And I have a terrible urge to write an AU where she *does* shoot him. Please remind me that I don't have any time for more plot bunnies... *whimpers*

[fish-echo.livejournal.com]

*flails* Wait, what, it's mid-November already? I'm still not sure how that happened *shakes head in confusion*

Thanks for the reminder on wish-lists. I was/am planning on doing so, I just hadn't realised that now would be time to start dusting off last year's entry.


it's good to see progress.

Yay, progress! *pompoms of awesome* (And yes, I believe in celebrating any and all progress.)

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. 5 weeks to Christmas! Eeeep!

Progress is ALWAYS worth celebrating, definitely. Although I'm looking forward to progressing into 2010, I have to say!

[rivers-bend.livejournal.com]

I loved a lot about the Dr Who, but felt like they tried way too hard with a lot of it. As you say, like they were cramming in too much stuff. And also, yes. David can act. He doesn't need all the extraneous stuff. But it did bring back to me all the reasons that I love this series, and I'm excited for the Christmas one!

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

If they'd just go to an hour even (although 90 minutes would be ideal), then they'd be able to get both the plot and the character development that they're going for. As it is, I feel sort of rushed through the story when I want to get to know the characters.

Ah well, there's always fanfic.

Like you, I'm really looking forward to Christmas, and am seriously contemplating putting a GADGET! on my list ;D

[miss-zedem.livejournal.com]

Agreed about the WoM - it felt rushed and underdeveloped in places, and laboured in others. The crazy!Doctor I didn't buy at all, although it might have been more convincing had it lasted more than five minutes. Lindsay Duncan was fab though, and I got to spend a lot of time going 'ooh, botanical gardens! ooh, Swansea!', which pleased me :D

*hugs*

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*grin* There were definitely some great moments in the episode, but I felt it was slightly less than the sum of its parts, somehow. Here's hoping Christmas is better!

I got terribly excited by SJA the other day, since they filmed it in...er...the big museum in Cardiff where we had coffee [/vague]. I was watching it, squeaking and going "I've been there!"

[miss-zedem.livejournal.com]

Hee. That would be the National Museum of Wales, and they use it a lot, usually after having done an impressive spatial jump (my favorite being in the DW episode with Mark Gatiss turning into a scary monster, where they run out of the Sennedd in the Bay and end up on the steps of the museum in town *g*). The trailer they've been showing for SJA (where you have to pick who's the bad guy out of the postman, the school girl and someone else?) was filmed in Barry Island Pleasure Park, which makes me flail every time it's on. It's good that we're so easily pleased... isn't it? :D

[azure-chaos.livejournal.com]

I've only been waiting for Waters of Mars for months and I've missed it?! I had no idea when it was on, I was just being all patient thinking it would be Xmas *sighs* I'm sure it'll be repeated just before the Xmas special airs though.

Nate (who managed to avoid reading the spoilers \o/ )