It's a dreary Wednesday here, cold, raw, and rainy/snowy. We're supposed to get violent weather, in some parts of the region, tonight--thunderstorms, I reckon. I'm still at the point where I can only find out what the wheather is, by sticking my head out the living room window, ha-ha, so I've no idea what's in store, tonight.

Got the flu back, darn it. I've talked to others who've had it, and general agreement is that this blasted thing is very tenacious...goes away, comes back, etc.

Got accused at work today, of being sarcastic--when that was the furthest thing on my mind. I'm tired and sick, and cranky from lack of sleep and minor constant pain (couldn't sleep, and was up 'till 3am), yes, but, I definitely was not mad or anything---must be giving off bad vibes???? Maybe they're just hunting an excuse to fire me, I dunno'. I don't really care, truth to tell.

Well, I watched Dr Who, last night, a Series 1 video. Have been so hooked on Tennant's Doctor, that I've been neglecting Eccleston's--it was rather good, and I'd forgotten.

I hear a lot of grumbling--some of it quite rude, about Catherine Tate, online, sometimes. But, I'm thrilled with her. Finally! A companion I can truly relate to!

Don't get me wrong. Billie Piper was really terrific in her portrayal of Rose, played her perfectly, and I couldn't ever fault a single one of her performances. And, certainly Ms. Agyeman was splendid as well. Thing is, I really couldn't relate at all--on a personal level, with Rose. It's not that I didn't like her character, it's just that "Rose" wasn't like anyone I'd ever have hung out with. Oh, that sounds terrible. I don't mean that I wouldn't have anything to do with a Rose-type person, honest. I just have never been around that many young people, and hardly anyone tht was similar to her character.

Same with Freema--tho', in college, I knew young people similar to Freema, and certainly mingled with them in both classroom and social settings, but, that's all. Now, Donna's character--heck, we have Donna's in the office here. Donna's character is someone that I can readily grasp. Rose seemed a bit immature and uptight (to be fair, her character had many good qualities, also), Freema--I don't know. I thought her character was really interesting...but, too mushy, with the romance stuff. Freema was flawless as Martha, but, while Martha was exciting and a good companion...again, too young for me. Even when I was a teen, I probalby knew more elderly people than folks my own age, so I just don't relate to young and hip, very well, I suppose.

But, I don't have the handicap of knowing Catherine Tate from previous stuff. I've only seen a couple of her Lauren bits, and maybe that's why I don't have this problem with her taking over a companion role, as I'm not blinded by her previous performances---it was the same with that Kylie woman, in Voyage of the Damned. I'd honestly never-ever heard of Kylie (had never heard of Billie Piper before DW, either, for that matter), until Dr. Who came along--never heard of her music, ever. (I have since, heard a few of her songs, and I agree that she's quite good, isn't she?) So, I watched the Christmas eppy, with the naiveity of someone who didn't know the performer, so it didn't skew my perception of her character. It didn't interfere with my suspension of disbelief at all.

And, what is it about the new series and language? I don't mean the mild swearing. I mean the actual language. Sometimes I just plain cannot understand some of the words David Tennant is saying---did they not teach drama students to speak clearly in that school of his, in Scotland? I never had this problem with the "Classic" series. Well, to be fair, I can't always understand the other actor's as well. Maybe BBC Wales should consider investing in new sound equipment? All I know is, that I never had this problem with Perwee, Tom Baker or Peter Davidson. Yup. The New Doctor Who has the mumbles, it seems.

And, I've noticed there's a lot more narrow cultural references, in the New Series. Well, I am learning more about Great Britain. Since the new series, I've had to either ask British friends, or look up on the internet, various strictly British references: W.H. Smith, ASBO's, Chav, Tesco's, etc. Again, never ever had to do that, with the "Classic" series--it was very easy to understand...except for the ginger beer reference. I had to figure out what that was--found out it's a bad version of our American ginger ale. Bleh! Worse than Moxie soda.

Well, on to other things.

My hair looks awful--I have to cut it myself, with a pair of rather dull kitchen shears, and I really, really butchered it, this time. I can handle being thought of as butch, I suppose, but..not my hair, know what I mean?

So, the cleaning lady has been at me to get a hair cut--but I kept telling her that it was financially out of the question--not just the $20 for the cut, there's no cheap hair salons or barber shops on a busline here, so I'd have to do a cab--another 10 to 12 dollars added on to that!

So, I'm sitting at my work station, on the phone, and she comes up behind me and drops a $20 dollar bill in front of my. "For your hair," she smiles, "happy Easter." Whoa. I wish she hadn't of done that. I mean, it was a lovely, kind and totally unexpected gesture, but...a bit embarrassing. I don't know if that makes sense...but, yeah. How low have I sunk that the cleaning lady has to donate money for my hair cut? Part of me is genuinely touched by the gesture, and part of me is deeply ashamed. I will pay her back, though. As soon as I can. I will go tomorrow and get it cut. It has been a bit of a thorn in my side, I will admit, so best to bite the bullet, I suppose. She refuses to take it back, and seemed hurt that I tried, so I guess I have to take it. I thanked her profusely, of course--and meant it. I would never be that churlish.

Well, I'm off home. Pork stew tonight. I didn't eat much, last week and a half, when I was deep into the flu, so I had a lot of meat still in the freezer, and that included some pork loin tips, which I'll cut up for stew meat. I got a package of stew veggies from the store, Friday--3 carrots, 2 small turnips, leek and dill. I'll also toss in some rutabaga (swede), onions and some potatoes. Then, add the water, and the tomato soup, worcestershire sauce and a dash of curry to flavour the gravy. I'll be eating stew for a few days--and soup, thereafter. Yum!

Time to go home. My spirits are marginally better, today, as perhaps you may be able to tell. Have a good night, everyone. Cheers. Nancy.