Back from the Back of Beyond

[osprey_archer]

I have returned from my retreat in the north woods of Wisconsin, where I hiked, ate wonderful molasses muffins (I was too chicken to request the recipe. Bad Jin! No muffin), and read a totally fascinating book called Mysteries of the Middle Ages, by a fellow named Thomas Cahill who has written a whole series of books on the history of Western Civ. He might know everything ever. I might have an intellectual crush the size of China.

I plan to spend the rest of the term reading all his books, which might make me fail all my classes, but would be worth it in the end if it did.

So the retreat was moderately successful, despite the fact that I got sick. Not very sick, just sore throat and that-miniscule-hike-totally-wiped-me-out-I-need-a-nap sick, which was irritating but did mean that I missed most of the Thicket of Drama (like the Slough of Despond, but with added thorns) which my friends and acquaintances plunged themselves into over the retreat. The last month has been a Month of Drama, and I am tired of it and want something light and bright and sparkling to happen.

***

Also, I saw the pilot episode of Dollhouse. Unlike the pilots of West Wing and Veronica Mars, it did not count as a light, bright, or sparkling event. It also wasn't a train wreck, and I will probably tune in next week; but I have a lot of reservations.

I find this so frustrating. How is it that the rest of the world is swept off its feet by Joss Whedon's work, and the best I can manage is a vague enchantment, festooned with caveats, with Firefly?

Comments

[anait.livejournal.com]

February is a difficult time of year, what with winter dragging on and on. I'm glad you found a good way to make the time pass pleasantly, despite the cold. Was it very cold in the Wisconsin woods?

I was let down by Dollhouse. I guess that's the logical result of waiting an entire year for the show to come out, but I had higher expectations.

My theory is that Joss wants us to suffer as he suffered during his self-imposed 3-year tv exile. I was actively uncomfortable for the second half of the pilot. I was really looking forward to having his banter again on a weekly basis, but the pilot was so humourless. I can forgive so many faults if there is only witty banter.

You are not alone.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

It was actually unseasonably warm; it got up into I think the forties on Thursday, although it's been tumbling back to more seasonable highs in the teens and twenties since.

I have no idea what Joss was thinking, making the pilot so humorless. Even if he wants to take his writing in a more serious direction (although it seems like a bad idea, given that banter is one of his strengths), wouldn't he know that people are coming to his shows for the funny, and sort of ease them into the seriousness later?

Truly, the ways of television are mysterious.

[anait.livejournal.com]

I'm jealous of your +zero weather!

Yes, you would think. Especially since his 'serious tv' is very heavy-handed. Subtle is better when it comes to these things.

Truly, the ways of television are mysterious.
They are indeed.

Are you watching Leverage? It's filling my need for a fun, funny ensemble show very nicely.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

I saw about five minutes of last week's Leverage episode, then wandered away after a tinsel-covered butterfly. (Not literally, although that captures my general level of distractibility.) I've heard good things about it, though, so perhaps I will seek it out when it comes out on DVD.

I like your new icon, by the way.

[anait.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It was time for a change.

Are you writing any fic right now?

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

I have a Pushing Daisies/Torchwood fic, which is done and almost ready to be kicked out the door; another Pushing Daisies fic, which is done and may never see the light of day because it's the Worst Fic Ever; and...that's it, really.

I need to get to work. I need fic ideas! *kicks muse* Work! Work, you lazy Muse!

[anait.livejournal.com]

I can't even begin to imagine how you make alien invasions and pie work together. :)

Maybe it is the post-Yuletide creative time-out? I didn't write any fic for over two months.

More TP? Crazy tv cross-overs of doom? I was thinking of getting something small going over at the Swoop, to sort of ease back into it.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

Do not underestimate the power of the pie. Pie works with everything.

I should sit down and re-read some TP; I have a number of wisps of ideas, but they need some kind of canon support. I'd love to write a fic about Lerant, say, if only I could think what to write...

I think something at the Swoop could be a lot of fun, though. It's been so quiet lately.

[anait.livejournal.com]

If it's cherry pie, I'm inclined to believe you.

Lerant! You can't go wrong with Lerant.

I haven't read the Alanna, Daine or Kel books in a very long time. I tend to broadly make things up when I don't remember details... :p

Done!

[visualthinker11.livejournal.com]

a terribly belated response, sorry, but dollhouse is certainly lacking in the humor... at the same time the concept's so neat i might be hooked. did you watch the next episode? it's gotten a lot of good feedback from the internet-press (aka blogs or whatnot), but i'd be interested to know what you think... it's still not full of the humor, for one thing...