I Ain't Afraid of No Daleks

I wish I hadn't seen the ending of this video...so here's your warning: it does contain a spoiler in the last roughly 10 seconds, of a never-before-seen clip from the special.

However, you will be safe if you click the pause button after Tennant's last line on the interview, "There's always the universe," you'll not see the clip.

Apparently, I've held down a key too long, and now my keyboard and the computer is acting all weird...hopefully I can figure it out...something about a "filter key." What the heck's a filter key? Damn.

I took this test honestly...even tho' a couple of the questions really don't apply to me--I have no plans, for instance, for ever writing a novel--and, I scored a "16."

Still, all that confindence (and ego) I had 7 or 8 years ago, it's...gone. I think if you showed my work to a publisher or even to a truly professional writer, they'd merely shrug and say, "meh--it's ok." If, that is, he or she were even being that kind. Which is about what I'd expect, so certainly I wouldn't be crushed or disappointed. If I'm a "writer," I'm only average, there's nothing special about my writing...no one flocks to read my fan fiction or my other work. I'm okay at features and essays--but truth to tell, I'm not wowed by factual writing. I mean, I'd still somewhat enjoy it, but really, I'd rather write fan fiction just for fun, than some naf little newsletter article.

Maybe if I'd finished my schooling, thing would have been different for me. Maybe not. My professors in my two-year school, were 60/40 towards my writing, most liking it, some not. In my four year college, only one out of four was even remotely wowed by my writing skills, so, you know, I really don't believe in myself, anymore...at least not enough to want to waste my energies trying for something I have no remote hope of obtaining--those days are long past.

I'm not a starry-eyed teenager, I have to live in the land of reality, where dreams are replaced by the need for survival.

This was only some stupid test, anyway, and doesn't mean a damn thing, so

THE CLARKE PATENTED "AM I REALLY A WRITER?" TEST
(Asking your writing group, tutor, or best friend to help you fill out this test is cheating. So is asking a writer to do it for you, such as Margaret Atwood.)

How to score this test:
Count up the numbers of the answers you have selected. If you have a total of:
12-16: You seem to have what it takes. I'll see you in print one day.
17-25: Time to get serious. Take one giant step into a professional attitude.
26-35: What a dweeb. Quit dreaming and get a life.
36-48: Jerk extraordinaire! Out of my sight, thou posturing ninny!

Well, the storm hit around 1pm--as predicted, for a change...who'd have guessed that?

It's coming down hard and fast, and within two hours, all the roads are snow-covered, despite all the snow plows being out, it's snowing so hard, that it's covering the ground faster than it can be plowed or shoveled. If it keeps up into the night, guess we will have about 6 inches by morning. No big deal, the main roads will be pretty much clear--merely wet, by sometime tomrorow afternoon.

I'm going to bed again--once again today I've got the dizzness, heart flutters, and chest pains, so I guess a lie down is in order--I'm fine, it happens sometimes, it's not my heart, my heart's been checked and it's OK, so no worries. I just need a bit of rest and I'll be right as rain in a couple of hours.

I accidentlly left the cat food bag in the cab, and the driver says it's gone, so someone took it...well, maybe they needed more than I, at least, that's what I tell myself to make myself feel better...but now I have to spend more cash and book out to the shop tomorrow, to get more. Damn. Well, the cats'll be happy, cos' they'll be eating tinned tuna tonight and tomorrow morning. Purrs all 'round then, I reckon. Charlie is enjoying watching the snowfall. He's got his very rotund bottom plopped on an old straightback chair I have next to the balcony window, alertly watching every whirling snowflake...I've discovered that he also likes to watch the snow plows, as well.

Actually, here in the north country, a good snowplow crew can be interesting to watch...you've not lived until you've seen syncronized snow removal, done with military precision, let me tell you!

What can I say? I'm easily amused.

Nope, not gonna' do it....I mean, that's like buying a good mystery book, then reading the last chapter first, to find out who did it...if you know what's going to happen, why bother even watching the damn thing, people??

Cripes! Do you ask to see your Christmas presents before someone wraps them? Do you stand there and watch someone fill your Christmas stocking?

Then why spoil the surprise of Christmas day for yourself? Why ruin a really good programme, take all the joy out of it for yourself?

How very dull of you! You might as well be walking around with a bag on your head, quite frankly.

A few tantalizing teasers are OK, but I've been coming across people who want to know EVERYTHING about the Christmas special--what a bunch of unimaginative boors.

Well, I am not caring so much about the next actor to play the Doctor--just for the record. I merely want to enjoy Mr. Tennant's time in the role, while I can.

And, I think you'll all be wrong, quite frankly. I think it will be someone no one has a clue about...but, that's just my opinion.

Anyway, here's the latest list of the odd's-on favourites, and Serie Five comes to the post in 2010:

Taking a turn around the Tardis paddock are....

David Morrisey
James Nesbitt
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Patterson Joseph
John Simms
Lesley Sharp
Rhys Ifans
Paul McGann (again)
Robert Carlyle
Catherine Tate

And far behnd trailing the pack is...Andrew Sachs.

Well, going to be a long, long day. A bit of a snowstorm our way today--up to 7 inches possible..though in southern New York, ironically, they will be getting as much as 15 inches, mostly in the Cattskill mountains. We aren't to get hit with the storm until late morning or mid-afternoon here, so I don't have to worry about the office being closed. However, another big snow storm--as well as an arctic-like freeze, is supposed to be in the works for Sunday..so, by Christmas we may have over 12 inches of snow on the ground, here...so, white Christmas for us lot, then.

Meh--probably all we'll get is another four or five inches like earlier this week, no big deal. Life goes on in these parts for that piddling amount, just slows down a little if the snowfall comes down real hard and heavy, or is mixed with icy rain.

I wrote a long-ish and not very exciting Dr Who story partly based in Las Vegas a year ago, called The Pyramid Project. I was thinking of doing one again--only this time, the Doctor plans on landing in ancient Egypt, but instead ends up at that Luxor hotel in Vegas...again. It's just a thought, mind you. I still have to finish the one I'm writing now.

Well, it's 8am, and I've had my breakfast, and have to finish getting ready for work...ho-hum. i wonder how many people I won't sell anything to, today? Still feeling a little unsteady..heart palpitations...probably should get my anemia seen to, after the holiday. I have to work extra next week, to make up for having Christmas off--god forbid our employer should do anything like pay us for having the day off for a national holiday.

Have a good day all.

A black man may be president, but that won't change my country, or draw it out of the darkness of mass bigotry, or the dark pit of ignorance she insists on dwelling in, I'm afraid.

Don't be looking to Obama to change anything, that's as much of a pipe dream as hoping for the US to sign a global environmental treaty.

This week, the United States of America, had the opportunity to show the world that it is progressive, educated and truly a democratic society, ready to lead the new global community...and, just like a toddler--which in a sense it still is, as far as the age of the country goes--just like a wee one, still learning to walk, the United States fell flat on its face!

The United Nations presented a declaration to decriminalize homosexuality--and the US flatly refused to sign it!

66 other nations, including ALL of the members of the European Union, signed it. Japan signed it, and even the very Catholic neighbour of the United States, MEXICO, signed it!

However, the US has declared that there are "legal questions" that haven't been answered, and backed out.

HORSE. PUCKY. It's not the legal questions, people. It's the white trash, deliberatly uneducated, bible-thumping, gun-loving, bigoted, paranoid conservatives! Let's call a duck a duck here, yeah?

I so want out of this stinking backwards country. I talk to people from trailer parks in Kentucky, to expensive homes in Hollywood, and everywhere in between...trust me, the stupidity in America knows no financial or cultural or regional boundries. People in California and Arizona, are just as rude and ignorant, as people in Minnesota or Georgia.

So, it's about three in the morning, and I've only just now finished chapter two of my latest story. I'll post it here, but it's okay if no one reads it, I simply have nothing better to do. I'll add it to chapter one on my Wordpress fan-fiction blog, later, perhaps. This is really a rubbish story, I barely even know what the plot is, myself. I'm just writing to have something to do, really.

You'll have to excuse they way it's been printed on here. I'm using a new word processor, "office," which was free. I've always used Word, so am still trying to figure this free software out--not crazy about it-it doesn't seem to be as copy/paste friendly as Word was, as you can see by the gaps in the story--I'm too tired to fix them, and besides, i honestly don't expect anyone to bother reading it, so who cares?

Now, I have to head back to bed, since I'm feeling a wee better. Have to get up at 7 to go to work, so I'd best get on with it.

_____________________________________________________________________________

The officer with the mountain bike was speaking into his radio, when a strange buzzing noise sounded, and the transmission went dead. The two officers looked at each other with puzzled expressions, and then down at their prisoner. The man was fully conscious and sitting up, holding out a device rather like a thick pen, with a blue glowing tip instead of a ball point. He grinned cheerily at them, and then he said, “Not that I wouldn't like a tour of your police station, constable, but you now how it is; places to go, things to see, planets to save...” Then, without further preamble he sprang up and took off down the canal path. With twin shouts to halt, the two officers hotfooted it after the Doctor.

As he ran, the Doctor spied a bicycle lying against a tree near the canal, which one of the narrowboat owners had just left. Grabbing the bike, the Doctor climbed on and began peddling for all he was worth. The policeman on the mountain bike pedaled furiously after him. Sparing a quick glance over

his shoulder, the Doctor noted that the man was gaining on him, then he looked forward again—almost too late, as a jogger with a big dog on a lead came at him down the narrow path. The Doctor had no choice but to slow down, having no desire to injure an innocent person. The policeman was just a hair's breath behind, reaching out with one hand to grab the flying tails of the Doctor's coat, when a bridge
loomed up on the left, the doctor quickly rode across the bridge, and onto the pavement of the town. Pedaling back towards the direction he'd come from, the Doctor dodged moving cars, shoppers and strollers, still with the policeman hot on his coat-tails.

Just then, a police car, lights flashing and siren wailing, pulled out from a cross street, blocking the Doctor's path. Without hesitation, the Time Lord hung a hard right into a narrow alleyway. Which, as it happened, turned out to be a dead-end. The Doctor, breathing heavily, whinged, “Oh, now that's just not fair!” Then, he noticed a fire escape on the left side of a crumbling brick wall. It was blocked off by a wire gate, and lot of the steps on the bottom half were missing, but it seemed to be the only way out.

The policeman on the bike turned into the alley, and saw his suspect leaping over the short gate and shimmying up the thin edge of the fire escape, on the edge of the former step supports, only an inch or two wide. The Doctor, using the handrail as a support, did his impression of a highwire act, quickly but carefully placing one foot in front of the other, inching his way towards the crumbling iron platform halfway up the side of the building.

Ditching his bicycle, the policeman cursed under his breath, and followed the Doctor. Gaining the platform, the Doctor used his long legs to their full advantage, running up the rest of the staircase to the top of the building. He'd just reached the top of the old fire escape, when with a metallic groan of protest, the step gave way!

For a long few seconds, the Doctor hung there in space, his burgundy trainers dangling in the air, coat-tails fluttering in the breeze. Three stories below him was a strip of concrete pavement, littered with broken glass, bits of discarded machinery and other rubbish. Then, he got a better grip with his fingers on the edge of the building, and with a mighty heave, flung himself onto the roof, rolling away from the edge. He lay there for a moment, catching his breath, and giving a sigh of relief. The Doctor didn't dawdle though. He quickly sprang up, and was off again, dashing across to the other side of the roof.

The next building over was adjoining the roof, so it was only a matter of jumping down a meter or so, to the next roof. Below him, the Doctor caught a glimpse of policemen and pedestrians, staring up at him, gesticulating excitedly. He ran from roof to roof for a few minutes, then...ran out of roof.

The Doctor looked down, worried, as there seemed to be no way off the roof of the last building on that particular row. There was no door and no ladder. The police were closing in on him again. Just then, a tractor hauling a trailer piled high with hay slowly rumbled by on the street below, and taking a deep breath, the Doctor jumped down. Burying himself in the straw, he comfortably rode a ways down the street, but, then noticed a road block up ahead. Looking carefully around, the Doctor swung down from the hay bales, and slipped down to the pavement once again.

Hearing shouts getting closer, The Doctor knew he had to escape and soon. He was standing by the canal, when he noticed a ladder leading down to the water, with a rowboat tied up to it. Flinging himself down the ladder, the Doctor picked up the oars and rowed for all he was worth to the other

side of the canal, ending up only about ten meters from the Tardis. Clambering up the bank, the Doctor sprinted for his machine—but, before he could get there, an old man grabbed him, yanking the Doctor nearly off his feet. The Doctor looked around wildly at the man, “Wh-what?” He stammered, in sheer disbelief that after all that, he'd been caught by some old man.

The old man shook his head, “It's alright mate, I saw the whole thing, they's nowt they've got on yer, they was just lookin' to beef up their arrest record, most likely. I saw yer arrive in that funny box, don't reckon you had nowt to do with no murder.” The Doctor looked at the old man, as he allowed himself to be lead towards a nearby narrowboat. The man was short and wizened, wearing an old jumper and baggy trousers. He lead the Doctor down the stairs and sat him down on a bench. The old man admonished his guest to stay there, and left. A few minutes later, the Doctor heard the engines start up, and in seconds the boat was underway, headed down the canal.

After a short time passed, the boat's engine cut out again. The Doctor heard movement on deck, as the old man tied the boat up again, a few miles down the canal from the town. The man came back down to the little cabin, bearing two mugs of tea in his hand. “My name's John, this is my boat.” The Doctor took the mug. Thanks.” He said. Then, he held out his hand. “Hello John, I'm the Doctor.” The man shook his hand and then sat down. “Yes, I know.” He said dryly. “Only one man in the universe has a space ship that looks like a police box, can't be anyone else.”

This entertainment news report contains breif, never-before-seen clips of the Christmas special

Whoa, well..my anemia, blood pressure or diabetes is playing up tonight--bent down to put down some fresh water for the cats, straightened...and fell down! Wow, bad dizzy spell, lips got numb, couldn't get up for a minute...worst spell I've ever had. Can't spare the cash, but guess I'd better make an appointment at the health centre and get myself checked, and get back on my medications. Won't do to be caught falling down on the job, ha-ha! (I'm fine, really, it didn't last long--suspect it's anemia, for reasons I won't disclose here)

Here's a cool song from one of my fav albums:

I don't know the person who sent me this, but I'll give it a go, I suppose.

The Happy Meme:

1) What makes you happy?

Writing or chatting online with friends, my cats, a good book, Dr Who, when I'm on a roll with writing something and the words are just pouring out of me (not that that happens often enough, LOL), when I'm seeing a play or in a theater class or something, when I am in a class learning something really cool, seeing new places, going for drives in the country (sorry about the whole carbon footprint thing), being around horses and other animals, genuinely helping someone, when I've made someone smile or laugh, when I'm getting a warm hug (a rare event these days), anytime I'm outside doing something (that's not errands), going out somewhere fun (bowling, play, cinema, amusement park, crazy golf, etc), window or real shopping (for pleasure, not for stuff I need), a nice quiet and relaxing meal, looking at the stars at night--especailly in late summer/early autumn when the crickets are out, browsing antique shops, ditto saddle shops, listening to music, going to museums and/or historic places, doing flower arranging, looking at model trains, playing board games with someone (which I don't get to do, any longer), being outdoors in nature, browsing flea markets-auctions-book sales-garage sales, watching old movies, watching old USA Queer Eye episodes (those guys always make me laugh--and they talk about cool stuff, as well), going on a picnic, just walking around a nice city downtown and looking about, chillin' on a park bench, sunrises and sunsets, new snowfall and spring rain, melancoly autumn days, summers near a lake or on the river, being in the country or the mountains. ---WHEW! Long list!

2) What is true happiness for you?

That's a tough question, but I suppose it's just being outside, in nature, soaking up my surroundings, and living in and enjoying the moment, second by second....and, when I'm in the throes of writing something, when my writing is just flowing out of me, to the point where it almost feels like someone else is doing the writing and I'm just the vessel--that gives me great joy...and again, when I've made someone smile or laugh, or simply to feel better--especially someone who might have been feeling down--that really makes me so very happy. Physically being with a friend--I've not hung out with a friend since April of 2005, and it is such a joy when I do get that rare pleasure, you have no idea. And, of course, when I've got a fairly stable and secure home life.

Sounds sappy and totally pathetic, probably?

Okay, well, I'll make something up then: winning the lottery, thumbing my nose at the everyone and sailing around the world on my yacht...

3) Tell us about a time when you felt true happiness

One example I can think of, is when I was sitting on top of an Icelandic horse, in an old volcanic crater on a hilltop outside of Reykjavik, and had the world's purest air bloiwing in my face--breathing it was like drinking the world's purest and most refreshing ice water--and I realized that I'd been destitute and homeless only 6 years before (only for 1 month) living in the more dire conditions than most of you could ever imagine--plus, I'd never dreamed I'd ever actually get to travel outside the USA, and yet, there I was, in 2001, in blinking ICELAND, sitting on top of a horse, just a few miles from the top of the world. That was an earth-shattering moment in my life, and I carried the high of that moment for months, afterwards.

4) What would you be ready to do in order to make the world a happier place?

Do what I can to help the poor eat better and feel more secure and feel less alone in their lives.

I could try to find a way to make people smile more (in a nice way, not with swearing insult humour).

I would see to it that kids (and adults) had access to classes in essential manners--not stuffy deportment nonsense, just how to be polite and respectful and how to behave in certain situations...on the broad theory that if we all treated each other nicer and more respectfully, we'd all be just a little bit happier.

I'd try to see that more people suffering from physical and/or mental illness or are elderly, that are alone, have someone to "buddy" them--especially on holidays or when they are particularly ill--especially people with limited means.

5) Are you happy?

Oh yeah, I'm little miss sunshine. Not. More like Victor Meldrew, I suppose these days, ha-ha.

Someone just e-mailed me a couple of my horoscopes--how the hell they found out when my birthday was, seems really odd...I must have it posted somewhere, I suppose.

From your current vantage point, your options may seem very clear cut. However, they're about to change, and dramatically. In fact with both the Sun and the courageous Mars encountering your ruler Pluto before the end of the year, sudden events could revolutionise both circumstances and your vision of your life in the future

Ooh, that doesn't sound good. Hope it doesn't come true-'cos my experiences with changes, more often than not, aren't positive ones!

The year begins with a scuffle of activity, learning, and communicating, dear Scorpio. Tending to errands, handling paper work, and networking are important matters now. For you, 2009 will be a banner year for family, home, and domestic matters, and you’ll begin to feel this energy towards the end of January. Opportunities to expand, develop, and derive more enjoyment from your family and home life crop up. Some of you will be moving into a bigger home and/or welcoming new additions to your family. A surprising romantic or creative opportunity arises on the 23rd.

Dear heavens! What a bunch of blather! Does anyone really believe in this nonsense! A bigger home, indeed...welfare motel, perhaps. Or a mental hospital. Romantic or creative opportunity? ME? Horse pucky!!

So, I've very probably got some bad news hanging over my head now--I suppose I could just swan off and not answer the telephone, or call them back or open my mail (it's what I've been forced to do with my student lenders, alas)--yet, if nothing else in life, I know that all the procrastinating in the world, all the denial and/or pretending, won't make it go away--it'll just postpone things, and maybe, increase my anxiety more.

After the hell I went through last year, with the loss of pay and the garnished wages, the hospitalization and the BS that Social Security put me through, trying to reactivate my benefits so I could concentrate on getting well, and not literally working myself into an early grave...I gave up. Oh, I still try...but I also just don't care if I lose. I will fight to a point now....but then if things don't turn out well...I WILL give up. I promised myself that...I've gone past caring...the only thing that keeps me going is sheer stupidity...I don't know when to just lie there and stay down for the count...I want to, I just have this stubborn streak that won't let me...but, that said, I must tell you the truth and that truth is, sooner or later I will have to let life KO me, and take it.

Why the hell didn't they send me a letter? Why the hell are they calling me?---wait, I have a notion. For one thing, how did they get my mobile number? I didn't give it to them. Tho' my social worker has it, and National Grid has it, and my employer has it, so I guess that's plausable...and of course, I suppose the state of New York has the power to track down people's mobile numbers.

Still, I keep hoping it's just a wrong number. With a lay off looming in January, the last thing I really need, is a hefty fine--or any fine at, realistically. Even 25 dollars would hurt, in January.

Every once in a while, a little past 11pm at night, eastern time, I get an "restricted" number ringing me up. I rarely have my phone on, that time of night, so I've never answered--and probably won't, either, 'cos I don't know anyone with a blocked or unlisted number, as far as I know, who would be rining me up at that hour of the night. All my friends have my e-mail address, or have a blog on this site and can simply message me, if it's really important...and three of my four very best friends, can also Skype me, as well.

I really want to finish writing Chapter two of my new Who fic piece....but as much as I love writing? Honestly? Some times it feels like work, and I really have to force myself to knuckle down and work--of course, sometimes I write my best stuff, sitting in my night shirt at 3 in the morning, because once I do force myself to get started, it's actually difficult for me stop! Of course, not sleeping when I should, doesn't do a lot of good for my health, but there's this peace and calm one gets in the ungodly hours, that you really cannot get at any other time of the day--well, at least not where I live!

So, I will write tonight--but first, I think a post-dinner nap is in order...god, my back is killing me tonight--and no, not having David Tennant sypathy pains, so NO wise-cracks, okay? I know some of you would want to...but it's just my stinking arthritis and this changable weather---we're to get 4 to 10 inches of snow tomorrow (nothing like leaving a little leeway for error, ey?) and a sharp, sharp drop in temps---from the lower 30's fahrenheight which we presently have, to minus 9 Fahrenheight (I think that's about -22 C) in the wee hours of Sunday morning--Sunday's high may not even reach 10 F.

Off for a nap, and then I have a bicycle/rowboat/fire escape chase to write, later this evening. cheers.