I Ain't Afraid of No Daleks

The plethora of Christmas songs on the radio today are making me ill, so I decided to listen to something else--I listened to my Proclaimers channel on Pandora radio for a while, then decided to switch gears and find some more music from the magical guitar strings of Rob Bourassa.

Call me an old prude, but I really do dig swing music. Here's a piece from Mr. Bourassa that really has a swinging groove:

Boobycakes sent me this in an e-mail yesterday, and I didn't see it, so I'm gonna' do it, what the hell, I'm in the throes of the Christmas blues and I need something to take my mind off of things.

1 A. How many pairs of jeans do you own?

9

B. How many of those pairs would be considered "designer" jeans?

3

2. Have you ever placed a personals ad?

Yes

3. Do you own a boat, camper, or other recreational vehicle?

No.

4. Can you whistle?

Yes

5. Have you ever cut your own hair?

Yes.

6 A. Do you know CPR?

Not any more--I had training in CPR when I was 15, but have never used it or taken a refresher course.

B. Have you ever performed the Heimlich Maneuver on a choking victim?

Yes

7. Have you ever needed a tetnus shot?

Oh yes, quite a lot, actually. Had one in January--ouch! Those suckers hurt.

8. Do you enjoy roller coasters?
Only the little "kidde" coasters's---I've been on a loop syle coaster, hated every minute of it.

9. Do you own a console video game system (Xbox, Playstation 2, GameCube, etc.)?

I had an NES, and then a Super NES for years--mum and I used to play Super Mario Brothers--but sold it in 2006.

10. Do you wear sandals/flip-flops in the summer?
No, I have webbed toes it's bothers me too much

11. Do you believe in Santa Claus?

Doesn't everybody?

12. Do you enjoy hot bubble baths?

I only have a shower stall in my apartment.

13. Have you ever traced your family tree?

That was mum's department--she found out there was a Featherly at Jamestown settlement, but I don't know if she got any farther back than that. I have 3/4 of my mum's old handwritten notes, but I can't make heads or tails of them--there's literally hundreds of handwritten pages!

14. Do you ever download music from the Internet?

No.

15. Do you follow a low-carb diet?

No.

16. Do you have health insurance?

Only partially. I have partial Medicare, and prescription coverage.

17. Do you enjoy independent films?

I rarely get to see independent films so I can't answer this.

18. Have you ever been less than honest on your income tax return?

No, I have to hire someone else to do them, because of my math disability.

19. Do you work outside of the home?

Yes.

20. Do you enjoy watching cooking shows?

Not really--I used to work as a cook, years ago--the thrill is GONE, trust me!

21. Do you ever attend cultural events?

I can when I can afford to. I went to see The Real Inspector Hound/Black Comedy this past September...took me a whole month to save the $20...it was the first play I'd been able to attend in nearly 5 years. I went to an art show in summer of 2006, as well. And a walked around a craft fair this summer admiring the stuff people made, I went to what laughingly passes for the local museum this summer, and sometimes I go to lectures at the library, if they're any good. I used to go to stuff a lot more, when I was a student, of course: symphony and other concerts, art gallery openings, plays, poetry readings, current event and other types of lectures, etc. It's just not possible any longer.

22. How often do you watch reality television?

Never, I don't get television--when I did get television, about once or twice a week--mostly Queer eye and one of those home makeover shows. Quite frankly, I'd rather shoot myself than be stuck watching American Idol, Survivor, Big Brother or Lost. A good book is much better than 75 percent of reality programmes, to me. I'd rather read.

23. Do you have a pet(s)?

Yup.

24. Politically speaking, are you liberal, conservative, centre or none?

Liberal

25. How often do you sit down to write something like a letter, poem or story?

I blog every day. My story writing is a bit sporatic--I sometimes will make a point to write every day--then again, I might go months without writing a story. Since I'm not getting paid for it, and since I longer vision myself ever having a future as a professional writer, I don't need to be as disciplined as I used to be, and can write when I want, what I want, whenever I want. I write poems on a whim, usually spur of the moment, they're rubbish. Letter writing...only a few times a year, I guess...nowadays I chat on skype or PM's through this website or e-mails.

I didn't WANT to know the big mystery behind "the next Doctor," but now thanks to that big jerk David "I can't keep my big mouth shut" Tennant--now I know..as does everyone else who heard or, as I did, read a part of his radio interview today.

Son of a.....sonic screwdriver.

I'm really ticked off at Tennant now--and no, I'm not gonna' tell you what his said. I just had my joy ruined, I'm not going to do a David and ruin yours as well.

The flippin' sod told everyone exactly who Morrissey's character is. Jesus, the one thing--literally the ONLY thing I had to look forward to in the new year (where I face the very real probabliity of getting laid off from work, at least temporairly)---and stinking Tennant thoughtlessly spills the beans!

What a rubbish thing to do!

There was no warning in the article either, it was just...THERE. Bastard. Marry Christmas to you too, Tennant. Don't let the Tardis door hit you on your way out.

That's it. I am NOT celebrating Christmas anymore. I'm sick of having bad stuff happen--big or small, doesn't matter. Christmas SUCKSSSSSSS!

What? Is his on drugs or something? Or is he just a...bastard too?

I HATE Christmas. I've a have a mind to take down my tree today and throw it in the skip out back. Life sucks and then you die. Stupid rich celebrites, who needs them?

From the morning paper in my city:

A man in a rural town was seriously injured yesterday, and had to be airlifted to a hospital 50 miles away, after the snowmobile he was riding crashed into a piece of contruction equipment that was being used for snow removal from a country road.

A local sex offender that has failed to register his address with police for a second time, is now facing 3 years in prison for the offense. He was previously convicted for forcible rape. New York state law requires sex offenders to register their proper address with local authorities.

In the city of Saratoga Springs, 15 miles to the south, a 23 year old man was found dead in his apartment, by the man's room mate. Police are not calling the death suspicious, though.

Car Wash vandal still on the loose. Police in the north country town of Warrensburg, are looking for the man who smashed a change making machine at a self-serve car wash early in November, after the machine refused to give the man his change. The Warren County Sheriffs Department have released the man's picutre--taken by CCTV, as well as a picture of his pick up truck.

A drunk man coming out of Sandy's Clam Bar on South Street, was arrested the other night for attacking a taxi cab. Apparently the man was upset that the cab driver refused to allow the drunk into the cab, so the drunk started kicking the cab and damaged a rear bumper in the process. He was arrested for disorderly conduct.

A Fort Edward woman was upset about finding pornography on her boyfriend's laptop computer, and smashed it, resulting in the boyfriend calling police, and having her arrested for 4th degree criminal mischef....and they all lived happily ever after.

Don't you just love the holidays? It brings out such warm fuzzy feelings in people, does it not?

So, I'm sitting her having a spot of lunch, chilling to songs like The Old Apartment, Save It For A Rainy Day and Life With You--but, I was thinking about how much I truly miss Christmas, both the good things and the not so good things...so, here's some snapshots of my Christmases past:

Tinsel strands:
Mum loved them--and I haven't a clue why. They were a pain in the neck to decorate with, 'cos they'd inevidably come out of the box, all clumped together, so you'd have to work them in your fingers for several minutes, trying to seperate them...then, once on the tree, that cat would try and play with them...sometimes choking on one, so you'd have to prise open his or her jaw--risking a bite--and pull the darn thing out...then, when you took down the tree, sometimes months later, you'd hear mum muttering crossly at the vacuum, when on a stray bit of tinsel that had somehow found its way under the sofa, got tangled in the the rotating brush of the vacuum cleaner.

The tree:
Dad was always looking for a bargain. One year we might go to the guy selling at the village's hot dog stand, another year to a vacant lot outside the city, or to Ted's Fish Fry, whom every year has a few affordable "charile brown" trees up for grabs...I can remember dad dickering with the guy on the lot, grumbling if he had to shell out more than 10 or 15 dollars.

I remember the year dad went to Two Guys department store in our village, and bought a fake tree--oh, he was so proud of himself..."no more buying real trees!" he chortled...just before the smile was wiped off his face when he opened the box...and saw a tangle of green shaggy limbs, crushed down into the box every which way...with no directions in sight. They were in the bottom, underneath the mess, as it turned out. Dad finally figured out that the tips of the branches were "colour coded," and that one had to set up the "pole" first, and then match the ends of the "branches" to the colour coding ont the pole...but wait, there's more....then, there were these little straight pieces of "branch" that were bendable, and they were to be wrapped around the gaps between the colour coded sections of pole.

Needless to say, by the time I was 14, it fell to me to set up the tree...just like it was my job to shovel the drive, mow the lawn, rake the leaves and take out the rubbish bins...while dad was sat all comfy in his lounge chair, puffing on his Pall Malls, and reading the evening paper.

Christmas cards:
That was mum's and my job. Dad had a huge card list...business associates and co-workers, his volunteer fireman buddies, his friends at the local vetern's post, his relations (mum only had a few relatives left, so her list was rather short, thankfully)--we'd easily go through five or six boxes of cards--mum signing them and addressing them, me licking stamps and envelopes. Both of us getting the inevitable paper cuts. What a drag that was!

The lights:
I do remember dad, every late October or early Novemeber, getting up on the ladder out front, and stringing the coloured christmas lights across the front eaves. He stopped doing that around 1973 or 74, I think, but I do remember loving to see the big old icicles hanging down in front of our big wide front "picture" window, with the coloured lights reflecting off of them.

Presents:
Every autumn, the Montgomery Ward Christmas catalog would come in. Now, our village was home to the largest Montgomery Ward department store, on the entire east coast--with two warehouses, besides, where one could easily pick up catalog merchandise, rather than waiting to have it delivered...providing the order packers got it right, that is. But, that's another story.

I remember joyfully ringing in my favourite toys in the catalog with a pen, hoping to get something really cool--sometimes I did, and sometimes..not. Mostly I did, though.

Sometimes mum would just see something while out holiday shopping, and just get it for us, on a whim. We got some strange plastic wigs that way, one year. We enjoyed wearing them for about a week or two, before realizing they were just a wee uncomfortable, and made our hair smell all funny.

As for me, mum knew that as long as I got at least one thing that was either involving horses or cowboys and indians, I'd be happy.

My sister and I never really fought over our presents--except for the Operation game...I don't remember why we fought over it mind you, but sis was quite possessive over it...as was I--it was a really cool new game, for that day and age. Better than Twister, I thought.

Shopping was a blast, as well. Mum and I would hit the malls and flea markets and auctions, looking for cool (and affordable) gifts for everyone. We'd make a proper day or night of it, going out to dinner, laughing and talking and gawking at the window and mall displays, relaxed and happy.

However, one year, I just had no money to spend on presents. I was about 15, and I was working--but at a stable in exchange for riding lessons, and not actually getting any financial renumeration. I so wanted to give my mum a present that year, so I found a piece of pine wood, and took my pocket knife I used at the barn to cut baling twine with, and carved and painted a letter opener to give my mum. I spent two weeks carving, sanding and painting the thing. It was the first time I'd tried to make her something like that, and I suppose it was pretty naf. So, Christmas came, she unwrapped it, frowned and said, "What's this supposed to be?" I was so heartbroken! I guess a while later, she'd realized how much she'd hurt me, cos' she came to me in my room, thanked me and apologized. I think she knew I was making her something for Christmas, but hadn't quite expected a painted stick!

I was the unoffical present wrapper in our home. I would carefull wrap each present, tie it all nicely with some ribbon and a bow, and put on a nice card. Mum sensed that I liked that job, so first she asked me, then dad asked me..before I knew it, I was sitting on my bed each December, the floor piled high with gives and my bed strewn with paper, ribbon and those stick on bows and tags. I didn't mind, it was fun.

A MEMORABLE PREZZIE: Somewhere there's a photo of me and my sister wearing these goofy plastic wigs from the late 60's, with the peel from a navel orange out of our Christmas stocking in our mouths--oh, the silly photos parents take of their kids.

David Tennant has won Broadcasting House Cultural Figure of the Year award. Warm congrats to him, well done!

The website listed above is being used by Chinese criminals to STEAL your personal information! It is NOT, repeat NOT, as benevolent as it may seem! BOYCOTT this website, and pass this information on to your friends, not to buy from them, or you will LOSE hundreds, maybe even THOUSANDS OF POUNDS/DOLLARS/EUROS!!

I've been messing about tonight with Chapter three of Evil Waters, for my Wordpress blog. I know no one in particular has been reading these--to the best of my knowlege--so I don't suppose it matters if I post half a chapter here. It's just for the heck of it--back up, I suppose. I don't have any discs to save stuff on, and if--heaven forbid--I lose the use of this computer...or, for some reason can't get into Wordpress any longer--this is always on here, for posterity...which is better than if it's for my posterior, I suppose.

Anyway, I've been sitting here munching on a pineapple flavour candy cane--slowly munching the candy cane decorations off of the tree--and thinking of where I want this story to go and what I want to happen. I rarely take notes--unless I've just gone to bed and suddenly have this scathingly brilliant idea...or wake at 4am with some idea for (hopefully) witty dialog or something..then I'll grab a piece of scrap paper and start scribbling some notes. But, mostly, I make it up as I go along, and try to just work it all out in my head--probably a stupid way to do it, but what do I know? My training is in non-fiction! That's how I used to write my essays.

Of course, I couldn't write my feature articles that way, what with all the interview quotes and facts that I had to put in there. I was looking online for any free fiction writing courses that might be good--but most were stuff you had to either pay for, or they ended up wanting to sell you software or some such nonsense...and one or two were just so basic, and to be too remedial for my level. They were fine for beginning writers or young people (okay, to be not so polite, these types of courses were obviously written for "lazy" writers--the types that want "instant" results, rather than actually work at honing their craft). I call these online courses, the "Reader's Digest School of Writing." That's the company that sells abriged easy-to-read versions of popular novels.

Anyway, I can't tell you how much I miss writing classes. But, it's just me. I can't find a good website that gives decent feedback...too many snarky teenagers, or snippy, self-serving, know-it-all trendy types. Oh, sometimes I get complements, and it feels great--but NEVER anything constructive!

Complements are lovely, but I really rather have someone (politely) point out a flaw and give real solid advice aimed solely on help me improve--yet, what I get is, "You spelled such and such wrong." Nothing about structure, flow, character development, plot, etc. Just that I misspelled TWO words! Oh, and this same person later comented about a re-write of this story, "I don't get it." Nothing else, mind you--I fixed the spelling errors, and decided to change one short paragraph to make it "sound" better, and that's all she had to say? Blimey! Loved that...not.

I really, really miss my nit-picky English professors, and their sometimes whacky essay assignments. They used to give me some fantastic feedback--no holds barred, if something was wrong or wasn't working, they'd be right on my case (usually nicely, I'd like to point out), making sure I grasped what needed to be done. I didn't always enjoy the criticism, mind you--especially on a piece I'd bascially slaved over to perfect, but yeah, by my second year of classes, I realized how vaulable those little red pen marks on a page could truly be!

But, so far, I've not found their equivilent online...and maybe I never will. I work best in a classroom, group or one-on-one setting, anyway...I'm more of a hands-on, interaction type of person...love tossing a ball of thought around a room, see where it goes--sometimes my fellow students actually gave me some great ideas. And, hearing their own opinions and work was sometimes inspiring, as well. You can get close to that online sometimes--if you find the right people, but you really can't exactly duplicate live bodies thinking and interacting, right there in front of you.

At least, that's my opinion.

Anyway, time to go to bed--here's part of Chapter three I worked on tonight. Usually I prefer, when I do sit down to write some fan-fiction, to write a chapter all in one go...but sometimes I'm too tired or get too distracted, or simply have run out of ideas, temporarily, and have to leave it off. Tonight, I'm tired, my arthritis and nerve problems are plauging me slightly, so I am off to bed, before I can complete this chapter:

http://davidtennantsdoctor.wordpress.com/brand-new-dr-who-story/

EVIL WATERS---beginnings of CHAPTER 3
The Doctor had been about to sip his tea. Now, the mug hung halfway between the table and his lips, as his eyes widened in surprise..and wariness. “Come again?” he asked, for once truly taken aback. The old man eyed the Doctor knowingly over his tea mug, “You are the Doctor, aren't you?” he asked in a completely new voice, this time, with a slight Scottish burr. “ At least I hope you are, or I'm going to sound like a right git, talking about space ships and police boxes” He smiled reassuringly. “I'm with Torchwood's Scottish branch. Well,” he added with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, “I am the Scottish branch, actually.”

Sipping his tea, the Doctor raised an eyebrow, and his expression grew warier still. This didn't go unnoticed by John. “Relax, Doctor.” He winked, “believe it or not, I'm on your side. I never did go along with that Doctor paranoia of Torchwood, thought it a bit rubbish, ma'self.” The Doctor set down his mug and returned the smile—only to become wary again, at John's next words, “Mind you, Doc, you are still a very dangerous man. You have an alarming tendency to bring about death and destruction wherever you turn up.”

The Doctor was silent for a moment, his eyes suddenly seeming ancient and sad. John sensed this, and looked at the Doctor through sympathetic eyes. “Yet, I know quite well, that if you didn't turn up,” he continued softly, “the death and destruction would be absolute, and mean the end of us all. Unfortunately for you Doctor, Captain Jack's predecessors didn't share my view.” The Doctor was silent and brooding for a moment longer. Then, he pushed his chair back, and stretched out his legs. “What's going on here, John? Why are people going missing? What has gotten the police so stirred up?”

Setting down his tea mug, John said, “It all began eight months ago, near Loch Lomond. A bright light was seen by some of the locals, low over the hills near Millarochy Bay, burning across the sky. Then, it disappeared into the loch—or at least that's what some of the witnesses claimed.

The Doctor folded his arms and leaned forward, suddenly interested. “And then what happened?”

Maybe the new year will be better? I don't expect it to be, but who can say what is, and what isn't?

In that vein, here's another arrangment by Rob Bourassa, which I found very pleasing:

When I was a teen, to me, a rainbow over my valley was a sign of new beginnings, of traveling forward, seeing and learning and hearing new things, of hope for the future, and of all that I could be.

I remember reading in Genesis, that God gave Noah a sign that the storm was over, by sending him a rainbow, and a dove with a branch. Maybe next year, my long and tiring storm will have ended at last. I don't like the word "hope" any more...to me all my hopes have continually proved false...still, I'm still here, still breathing, and where there's still breath, there's still one tiny flicker of life and hope, I suppose.

This is a nice piece on guitar, by Rob Bourassa (that's Bourassa, Whovians, not Borusa!)

It definately rates high as one of my more favourite religious Christmas tunes, and I rather liked this rendition--and the vintage guitar is pretty cool, as well.

Latest thing I've read about the upcoming special is that it shall feature all ten Doctor's...hmmm--interesting.

Oh, by the way, may I please ask all my British friends to NOT tell me what the episode is about? i won't be seeing it (unless by some miracle it appears on YouTube) until sometime in 2009--maybe. I don't want my enjoyment ruined by someone thoughtlessly telling me the plot!

I have been waiting for this rather delicious moment for months and months--and yes, I'll very probably have to wait some more--so please, DO NOT ruin it for me, ey? It's likely to be one of the very literal high points of my year, and I would not take it kindly if you spoil it, OK?

"Damn that traffic warden! I can't believe I forgot to put the anti-clamping device on my Tardis!

"Arrgh! Look at that mob at the Royal Mail office--I wonder if I can use the Tardis to jump the queue?"

jobs you’ve had
1. stablehand
2. telemarketer
3. amusement park ride operator
4. secretary in a muffler and brake shop

4 movies you could watch over and over
1. Arsenic and Old Lace
2. That Thing You Do
3. The Out-of-Towners (orig. verson with Jack Lemon)
4. Vertigo

4 places you’ve lived
1. Albany County, NY
2. Saratoga County, NY
3. Warren County, NY
4. Yellowstone National Park/Old Faithful

4 TV shows you love to watch
1. Doctor Who
2. Law and Order
3. Vicar of Dibley
4. West Wing

4 places you’ve been on holiday
1. Vermont
2. Iceland
3. Netherlands
4. Egypt

4 websites you visit every day
1. blog.co.uk
2. Post-star
3. Guardian
4. Gotofreegames.com/cribbage

4 of your favourite foods
1. pizza!
2. steak/prime rib
3. Arby's roast beef and cheddar melt sandwich
4. turkey cutlets in butter curry sauce

4 places you’d rather be
1. living in the UK (forever)
2. living in the country here
3. in a nicer flat or aparment
4. anywhere but where I'm at, right now...except, the deep south, New Jersey and Fargo North Dakota.

WHOOPS! Sorry, my copy/paste didn't pick up the last two! Sorry.

4 countries you've never been to but would like to visit

1. England
2. Scotland
3. Wales
4. Austria

4 songs you have listened to today

1. You Can Have it All
2. Go Your Own Way
3. The Ninjas
4. The One Who Loves You

Rules: answer with only one word

Yourself: slow
Your partner: never
Your hair: sheepdog
Your Mother: kind
Your Father: inconsistant
Your Favorite thing you own: painting
Your dream last night: Whovian
Your Favorite Drink: soda
Your Dream Car: vintage
Your Dream Home: country
The Room You Are In: lounge
Your Ex: never
Your fear: homelessness
Where you Want to be in Ten Years? peace
Who you hung out with last night: cats
What You're Not: hyperactive
Muffins: blueberry
One of Your Wish List Items: Whovian
Time: 8.23pm
The Last Thing You Did: eat
What You Are Wearing: sweater (jumper)
Your favorite weather: rain
Your Favorite (one-word title) novel: Rebecca
Last thing you ate: steak
Your Life: lonely
Your mood: sad
Your Best Friends: fantastic
What were you thinking about before doing this meme: Christmas
Your car: none
What will you be doing after you do this meme: thirsty
Your summer: Meh
Relationship status: single
What is on your tv: None
What is the weather like: blizzard
When is the last time you laughed hard: Friday
What day is it today: Sunday
What is your job: telemarketer
The Last time someone hugged you: none
The last time someone kissed you: none
Last time you went on holiday: 2004 (I know it's not a word, so sue me)
Last place you went on holiday: Egypt
Last person you posted something to: friend
Last time you got something other than a bill or advert in mail: weeks
Last time you purchased a new book: September
Last time you purchased a new CD: May
Favourite Television programme: Who
Favourite actress or actor: Jacobi
Actor you would like to most see in a play: Tennant
Last time you went to a cinema: years
Something you went to hospital A & E for: concussion
Something you were in hospital overnight for: transfusions
Your favourite place to drive a car: Argyle
Your favourite resturant: Roundup
Your favourite museum: Metropolitin
Best place to visit in London: clueless
Favourite pet's name: Shamrock/Redcat (tie)
Favourite article of clothing: t-shirt

Republican senators gave auto executives a tongue-lashing over the use of corporate jets...yet, most senators use jet travel, and, almost all the Wall Street firms which we just gave 700 million dollars to--they most certainly have NOT cut back on wasting money on corporate jets!

Stinking hypocrites! Paulson wants automaker's to go bankrupt, but cries foul when it's suggested another bank be allowed to do the same...Paulson is a Wall Street banker--I mean, talk about compounding stupidity on top of stupidity--Paulson KNOWS that the carmaker's going bankrupt--even in an "orderly" bankruptcy--will turn the recession into a near-depression...yet he's okay with that, but not with asking Wall Street firms curbing their million dollar executive bonuses, and corporate jets and other perks?

As long as Paulson and other deaf/blind/stupid people continue to run the finances in this country, there is NO WAY the recession is going to end, any time soon...did these morons that hold the nation's purse strings learn ANYTHING, after all this? I think, in light of all these revelations, the answer is a resounding NO. Don't untuck your tails between your legs just yet, people--with PAULSON...the man whom publicly insisted in MARCH Of 08, two months AFTER the recession officially began, that there WAS NO recession--this man in charge of the Treasury (and Obama has made no move to replace him, for reasons I'm sure are a tad unsavoury), there is NO WAY we are going to get out of this any time soon.

Hold on to your hats people--even with Obama "in charge," it's going to be one helluva bumpy ride.