And, of course, by that I mean short comings…both Jonathan Swift’s and mine…but first I’d like to reply directly to your post.

I agree wholeheartedly…it seems foolhardy, if not downright reckless for these shipmen to keep inviting Lemmy on board.  This book must have taken place during the great boat doctor shortage of the early 17th Century.

But I disagree wholeheartedly with your thought that the description of Laputa was the aftereffect of a “bad trip.”  Indeed, I welcomed this introduction of whimsy into what was quickly becoming a slightly stale story.  But then Swift quickly got back to form and started making the book boring again.  Swift starts talking  the lode-stone and Jon starts skimming.

Which is the shortcoming I mentioned earlier…Gulliver’s Travels is quickly joining the ranks of Vanilla Sky, The Riches, and the Little House on the Prairie series of books.  Things that start interesting but quickly devolve into boring chores (These Happy Golden Years indeed!).

So I’m going back to reading for the poop jokes, and here luckily Swift delivers.  When describing the studies going on at the Academy of Balnibarbi Gulliver sees a scholar who’s project is “an operation to reduce human excrement to its original food; by separating the several parts; removing the tincture which it receives from the gall, making the odour exhale; and scumming off the saliva.”  Good luck with that!  (But poop, it’s nice to have you back.)

Now to the Lilliputian (read short) coming of my own.  I truly intended to be finished with part three by the start of this week…but I was distracted by a disc of the Gilmore Girls final season–and how am I supposed to focus on this book when Lorelai and Chris’s marriage is dissolving before my eyes?!  I ask you–how?!

But I’m close (ish) and I’m going to finish by the end of the month if it kills me (and it might).

Boy am I ready for a new book…

Jon

Yeah, I really should be doing my homework. But everyone needs a break. Take a break with my favorite sort of list, my favorite tv show list!! Wait, it doesn’t end there….this is my favorite CANCELED tv show list!! I will skip over well covered territory here…

1. KINGS- This show is so striking because of its originality. It knows what it is, and aims for something grand. Beautiful, well acted, and poetic, it may seem stuck in the clouds, but you’ll want to soar with it.

2. SPORTS NIGHT- This show will make you want to love sports. And it has the most adorable bromance in tv shows about sports anchors history. Josh Charles, 1/2 of that bromance, is my new obsession. Everything he touches is gold. Even in his brief stint on the stumbling Six Degrees. In Treatment couldn’t steal all the Emmys, or else he would have been nominated.

3. BRIMSTONE- This show is notable for a subtly sexy lead, a New Orleans style violin theme, a very funny devil, and riveting moral dillemas, particularly in the first 8 or so episodes.

4. THE RICHES- Haven’t watched every episode, so maybe it got bad, but I can not for the love of God imagine how. WHY???? This show is also edgy, funny, sad drama about a family of travellers.

5. Kyle XY- Just because it was canceled JUST when it was getting really good!! In my mind Kyle chose Jessi.

6. MOONLIGHT- This is one great vampire show. Jason Dohring masters wry sarcasm.

Success as a Comedian:

His stand-up work brought him British Comedy Awards in 1993 (for Live at the Ambassadors), a part in “Filth” which was a stand up presentation by left-wing sympathetic comedians in aid of raising money for the Terence Higgins Trust in 1994, and 1996 (for Definite Article). After the British leg of the tour, he took Definite Article to major cities outside the UK including a successful stint in New York City. However, his U.S. breakthrough did not really come until 1999, when Dress to Kill was shown on the American television channel HBO, about a year or so after he performed the show on tour in the U.S., the U.K. and France (that same year, he played a supporting role in the movie Mystery Men). Suddenly, America was aware of Izzard, and the show went on to earn him two Emmy Awards in 2000 (for performance and writing). However, he only rarely performs his stand-up act on television, as he says it uses up material at too high a rate whereas stage material can be continually re-used in front of different audiences for several months.

In 2005, Izzard provided the voiceover (again, in his unique ‘rambling’ style) for the British government’s series of television advertisements promoting recycling. The tagline of the ads was “Recycle. The possibilities are endless!”

In January 2006, the U.S. television network FX announced the production of a new drama series co-written by Izzard called The Riches (formerly Low Life). Izzard and British actress Minnie Driver star as a married couple, Wayne and Dahlia Malloy, who have been part of a caravan of con-artist Irish travelers swindling their way across the U.S. with their children. After finding another family killed in a car accident, the Malloys assume their identities and start a new life as law-abiding suburbanites in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The youngest son has shown a preference for wearing girls’ clothing, leading to some speculation that the role was based upon Izzard’s experiences. Izzard has stated in several interviews that the character of Sam had been given transvestite tendencies long before he was cast as Wayne Malloy, but he has contributed his perspective to keep the character believable.

Eddie Izzard:

Edward John “Eddie” Izzard (born 7 February 1962) is a British stand-up comedian and dramatic actor. His comedy style is expressed in rambling, whimsical monologue and self-referential pantomime.

Eddie Izzard’s works include stand-up sets Definite Article, Dress to Kill, the portrayal of Lenny Bruce in Lenny, and a starring role in the television series The Riches as Wayne Malloy. He is also known for his transvestism.

He is currently running the length of Britain (30 marathons in 30 days) for the Sport Relief charity and updates his progress on his Twitter site. As of Wednesday August 19th he had reached Dumfries, Scotland.

Whilst killing time at my amigo’s flat, the hour inevitably came when the bars were closed and we had played all the Smash Brawl we could reasonably stand. Calling my attention to a small, white box with mildly erotic cover art, he suggested we watch an episode from the first season of “True Blood,” his latest vampire-infused TV fetish.

I immediately recoiled, as if repelled by garlic or by sunlight. I’m really not much of a television enthusiast, truth be told, and rumors of Twilight’s blatant donk-canery had soured my taste for any attempts at mainstreaming the vampire genre. (Sparkling vampires? Stake through the heart. Or maybe a kukri knife, a la the original Stokerian epic.)

Due to boredom, masochism, or the perseverance of hope, I decided to give it a shot. After five or six hours of viewing time over two subsequent evenings, I am happy to say that my doubt has been laid to rest – the program is well-written, engaging, and most importantly, does not reduce the vampire to a glittering, Hot Topic-esque pissant conceived to arouse fifteen year-old emo chicks.

This does not imply that the show does not have its sensual moments. The vampire has long been a symbol of sexuality and deviance, and I cringed at first for fear of half-assed soft-core or soap-inspired shamefulness. Never you fear, gentle reader – True Blood rides the line between Steeleian cliché and pleasant sexuality like a drugged up fang-banger straddling their first vampire lay (puts “v-card” in a whole new light, doesn’t it?)

Outside the bedroom, the show continues not to disappoint. A host of believable if routinely traumatized characters (it is, after all, a drama) bring the town of Bon Temps to life, infusing the program with a down-homey, colloquial flare. While the dialogue’s backwoods simplicity was alienating at first, repeated exposure charms the viewer like a southern belle; drawing the audience into the more human aspects of a fantastic world. This is a strong claim coming from me, as a lifetime of exposure to Bush-era redneckery has embittered me toward anything that drives a pick-up and listens to Toby Keith; but it is true – seeing relatable characters in such familiar surroundings actually did much to assuage the shame brought on by my humble Midwestern origins.

And speaking of politicizing, I should applaud the satirical elements of True Blood. The message is subtle yet undeniable, as background programs host chattering about vampire-rights legislators and the struggle to legalize vampire marriage. Pricelessly, a Fellowship of the Sun cathedral even sports a bright yellow poster reading “God Hates Fangs.” If that doesn’t get you off, well, then I simply have no comment.

While the action scenes are not uber-abundant, they certainly occur often enough to maintain interest. The violence is intensely fast-paced and often over quickly, which upon consideration is better than the drawn-out, cheese-ridden excuses for melees that so permeated the genre’s prior failures. Also, as the name implies, the program is suitably ensanguined in other aspects, from vampire intercourse to the snorting of vamp blood to induce psychedelic journeys.

All in all, this is the program that got it right. While it is not my favorite drama of all time (bring back The Riches!), it is a masterful forward leap for the vampire traditions, honoring the genre’s hallmarks without trespassing into the cliché. The show maintains an aestheic homage to metal and gothic aesthetics at points (such as at the vamp-bar “Fangtasia”) while keeping Bon Temps and its residents believably normal – the only inconsistency is that landscapers and wait-staff walk around in high-end, sponsor-evident fashions. Also, I am proud to announce that HBO’s vampires balk at running water, recoil from sunlight and silver, and are precluded from entering private dwellings uninvited. And, once again, they don’t fucking glitter!!!

Red Pill Neo is a contributing writer for Project Group Think. He apologizes for the late post, citing an impending move back west brought upon by perpetual nomad-ism. Follow Neo and his PGT pals on Twitter – once again, we’re PGTblog!!!

Something you will come to learn about me is that I am crazy obsessed with the television. I watch at least one episode of something daily, even if I don’t have to watch one, I will play one  in the background using Hulu. Right now I am listening to “Bewitched!”

(Image courtesy mptvimages.com)

When I finish writing this I will watch last night’s “Army Wives.” My favorite thing about television is watching the stories unfold. I love to watch the characters and can’t wait to see what happens next! So you can imagine my frustration when one of my shows get canceled. I can’t help but sit and wonder what is going to happen to the characters next? I just want more. I understand the television companies can’t broadcast more episodes just for me, but why not write books continuing the stories? The cost is not anywhere near that of having another season, one would assume, and they will sell, once more an assumption. I am  not saying every show would require this. Some shows had a perfectly suitable ending that gave the viewer closure. For example, when “Pushing Daisies” was cancelled ABC ordered a few more episodes and were able to close the story successfully. I know that Emerson ended up with his daughter, Chuck was able to tell her aunts that was she alive and she obviously will spend her days with Ned, even Olive ended up with a beau.

( I secretly wished they would have kissed in the last episode.)

What drives me crazy are when shows like, “October Road,”

(Photo by ABC/Art Streiber)

"Swingtown,"

“Lipstick Jungle,”

and “The Riches,”

there are way more but I won’t bore you, get cancelled without an ending. It leaves the viewer wanting more and I assume, once more, that they would spend the $7.00 on a book to get it. I know I am not the only one that would want this. Heck, if I were a good enough writer I would do it myself. Actually the more I think about it, maybe I should take a stab at  it……

Karen

Today was a picture perfect day…both inside and out.  [So for once, I actually took a picture.]

I’ve since determined that taking a random Monday off of work is thoroughly good for the soul.  And because I have the time and the mind to do so, I thought I would share my personal recipe for a perfect day with you all.

Starting the day off with dishes can seem like a chore, but add some Pink Martini and you’ve got a full-fledged morning boogey-fest [if you don’t know who Pink Martini is (the band, not the drink), you can, and should check them out here].  Follow that with a wandering walk in the morning sun with the bestest Golden Retriever ever and you’re in heaven.

Since no one (at least I fervently hope no one) likes having no clean underwear for the week, add in some laundry, with The 1900’s playing on your iPod (here’s The 1900’s ) and you’re officially being productive…on a vacation day!  Of course the fact that the laundry room is empty since it is Monday at 10am vastly helps…as do the groovy tunes.

While waiting for said laundry to finish up drying, you take an internet voyage through some blogs you have been meaning to catch up on and even unearth a couple new interesting ones ( Eggbeater & Smitten Kitchen).  As the internet is a vast collection of paths to new discoveries, you further learn about the situation surrounding the famous Monterey Market and Bill Fujimoto.  It looks like Bill has officially left the market, but you can find out more about the impressive history at “Eat at Bill’s” (Available for full-viewing here).

Next step is the library.  Not only does your new locale love have a book you have requested sitting in a room just waiting for you  (Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer) , but they also have a fairly new movie calling out to you from the shelf (Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist).  [I mean really, the word “playlist” is in the title…the inevitability of me wanting to see that movie is about as high as it was for “Love is a Mix Tape” being on my must-read list…and that one turned out well.]

Once you get back home, throw in a little ironing and meringue-making and you’ve had a decidedly successful and productive day of respite.

At this point, it is perfectly pleasing to turn yourself over to the time warp that is Hulu.  For me, this meant watching more episodes than I want to admit of The Riches.  I still can’t decide if I really like the series, but the free availability of so many episodes and seasons made it irresistible.

So now it is nearing a time that I should consider getting ready for bed and I face my biggest conundrum of the day, “Go to bed really early or watch a couple more episodes?”

If only every day was this easy…

Another favorite of mine, the awesome Eddie Izzard! Brilliant comedian, stand-up and actor. I Just truly love his sense of humor and timing…. I find myself laughing myself silly every time I put on one of his shows. And he’s even great when he’s serious. Do yourself a favor and see the TV show “The Riches”, it has Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver in it, and it’s great. But you can not miss his stand up shows, especially “glorious”

eu assisto muita tevê e uma das razões, claro, o figurino. aqui vai uma lista das dez séries mais populares por seu estilo.

1_Gossip Girl ( esse eu só assisto pelo figurino, mesmo)

2_Sex and the City (esse eu adoro,mesmo)

3_Ugly Betty (esse eu não assisto)

4_ The O.C (esse já era mas a mischa barton marcou uma época)

5_90210 ( o clássico é legal, esse fica pra teens)

6_ Married with Children ( esse marcou época)

7_Private Practice ( esse eu gosto, o elenco masculino tbm compensa)

8_Swingtown (esse eu nunca vi mas merece estar aqui)

9_Mad Men ( um dos melhores, em tudo, dos últimos tempos)

Agora, na minha lista não podia faltar mais alguns…
um clássico, That 70’s Show

divertido, Everybody Hates Chris, bem fim dos setenta e comecinho dos 80

Dirty Sexy Money ( gosto e é um desfile de gente rica e bem vestida)

nova paixão, Satisfaction

Someone explain to me why Die Hard didn’t win a Oscar.
Firt of its genre, full of action great acting and above all very watchable.
It frustrates me that only certain films seem to fit the bill to win awards.
Why can’t films like Die Hard or even Armageddon come close?
I think the whole Oscar format needs revamping.

If You Love TV And Film As Much As I Do Then Visit: www.tvlovers.co.uk

I always remember being at work and when I use to chat to women they always said how boring it must be to watch TV all day…..Why???
I love it.
Nothing better then sitting there, glass of wine, some nice food and a good show or film.
I would say I was more bored on nights out with the same people I worked with as they got drunk, flirted with girls out of their league and vomited their nights spending down the loo!

Give me Stargate SG1 anytime:-)
Wanna meet people who share your passion?
www.tvlovers.co.uk

How many of you who love their TV shows think that it should be law that a series must have a final episode?

I get so frustrated when I just get into a great series such as Eli Stone, The Riches, Nowhere Man and Dark Skies and then the network pulls it ethier due to poor viewing figures or ratings.
I think every series whether a success or not should have a final and closing episode made so that fans, and there will be fans have their own closure.

If you agree with this feel free to comment.

If you love Star Trek, Star Wars, BSG, StarGate SG1 and all things sci-fi then meet your perfect match at www.tvlovers.co.uk

The library is constantly ordering new materials.  We want to make sure we have the items in most demand, and also that we have a wide variety of topics. 

Did you know that you can take a look at what’s been ordered and place holds for those items?  Go to the library catalog and click on “Featured item lists” on the right-hand side.  Choose the type of material you’re interested in, and off you go!

Here are some of the newest items the library has ordered.  (Not all items may be available at this time.)

Books:

• Blind Rage: a Novel by Terri Persons
• Blogging for Fame and Fortune by Jason R. Rich
• Cheever: a Life by Blake Bailey
• A Dangerous Affair by Caro Peacock
• E-mail in an Instant: 60 Ways to Communicate with Style and Impact by Karen Leland
• Earth Magic: Ancient Shamanic Wisdom for Healing Yourself, Others, and the Planet by Steven D. Farmer
• Even Buffett Isn’t Perfect: What You Can — And Can’t — Learn from the World’s Greatest Investor by Vahan Janjigian
• The Five Healing Tibetans: Simple Exercises for Rejuvanation and Health by Jason Gyre
• Get the Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring : Take Charge of Your Career, Find a Job You Love, and Earn What You Deserve! by Ford R. Myers
• House of Cards : a Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street by William D. Cohan
• The Laws of Harmony: a Novel by Judith Ryan Hendricks

CDs:

• Don’t Feed Da Animals by Gorilla Zoe
• Guilt by Mims
• Quantum of Solace Score by David Arnold
• Ragga Ragga Ragga 2009 by Various
• Shari Addison by Shari Addison

DVDs:

• Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile
• Another Man’s Garden
• Bride Wars
• Confessions of a Shopaholic
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Doctor Who: the Complete 4th Series
• Gran Torino
• The International
• New in Town
• Paul Blart, Mall Cop
• The Riches, Season 2
• Slumdog Millionaire
• Valkyrie
• Wendy and Lucy
• The Wrestler

**Britta**

I’m a convict, prisoner of this present storm, dreaming of lost innocence.

“You’re innocent when you dream.” -Go and Ask Her, Bill Mallonee & Vigilantes of Love…

Sleeping, dreams of isolation & connection again… earlier in the week, had a dream of Norma, a friend’s mother, as a bush pilot, flying me into a wilderness, but also flying me to freedom.

Today, after only 3 hrs sleep (up late doing grades/work catch-up), I had a dream of explaining my own lo-tech college undergrad life (1983-1987) to my current college students. No cell phones, no email (except GES & the other computer geeks on campus). Computers were only beginning to be privately owned –my first was my wife Sue’s original Macintosh cube w/ NO Hard Drive… it worked (and still does!) strictly off of a floppy, including for startup. I was age 26 when we got married (1991).

Then my dream moved toward my son Graham and a vision of him with a mentally ill (low-affect? depressed? medicated?) woman (Wendy but not Wendy). She was also me. She put him on a crowded city bus at his current age (6), but did not get on herself. (A dream partly about responsibility & avoidance of same as a parent, and about my own isolation or fear of abandonment…) Cut to him on the bus: terror slowly dawns in his heart, on his face, as he realizes he is alone and lost/does not know where he’s going or why.

Half awake now, considering the bonds Graham shares with Sue & I. Considering the fear of abandonment he shows in certain situations, like not wanting to be left strapped in the car when we quickly run into the house from the driveway, having forgotten something inside. Or when he thinks he’s in the house alone, and then tearfully/anxiously comes around the corner into family room or bedroom when we have not heard him calling, or have not answered him yet. Though he chooses to occupy himself with other business more independently each year, at age six, we are still his context, his only dependable means of navigating his entire world (beyond the confines of his 1st grade classroom, at least… the one place where he’s mostly out of our reach, where we must trust he is safe and being taught the right stuff… maybe a real fear for certain immigrants who have a hard time trusting this process, or at least used to be a real fear 100 years ago).

More on interdependence: talking yesterday with WW teacher Betsy re her other teaching (pass/fail!!!???) at Truman College & Nat’l Louis… she admitted to having “grading angst” … we shared a laugh re: our school’s sucky Gradequick computer program. Another teacher (Rory) and I commiserated with her. Most teachers hate grading & assessment, especially standardized tests. We dislike measurement in general… At least most teachers in the humanities. Education should be touchy-feely, …right?

I also had, as part of this morning’s waking dream, a section where I went back to Reba Place Church to share at the microphone during worship re our family’s current status & journey. It was this coming June, a year after we left. I may actually go there some Sunday soon and do this for real… to “explain myself” & say thanx. Lately at Redeemer I’ve been missing that “responsive” or co-owned quality of the RPC worship opportunity… 

On my recommendation, Phil (a friend from my menswork) showed up at Redeemer last weekend. He lives very near the church, knows people who attend, but had never been there himself for a service. He showed a curiosity about the prison ministry Redeemer is beginning to explore. I’m glad to be a means of possible inter-connection, especially for men “on the fringe” that I encounter now and then. We all desire community, of one sort or another.

 — —

Listened to podcast Tuesday of a This American Life show: included a harrowing cautionary tale of religion gone bad, among the Fundie LDS Mormon followers of Jeff —-  , who had the gall to ban the color red (nyah nyah…) , and to restrict the lives of his flock in such oppressive ways that the treatment amounts to abuse. Why would anyone remain in such a system? Cuz they’re trapped, but also cuz they don’t want to not belong to anything/anyone. They can’t conceive leaving the only “home” they’ve ever known. The isolation/disconnect is tougher to bear than the abuse. (Is this called Stockhausen Syndrome?)

The connections between the FLDSers and other insular communities (including Amish and Mennonites, somewhat) are not lost on me. Main difference is the freedom: Anabaptists (& Benedictines, & other relig. orders) choose to subjugate their own will somewhat to the group out of love (for God, and brothers/sisters)… they know they can leave, but don’t want to, …PLUS it’s not fear but faith that keeps them rooted in a place, in relationships, in community w/ each other. This is what keeps it (usually) from slipping into more of a cult-like existence.

“We take care of our own.” – - I think also of the Travelers/gypsies, as depicted in the recently-canceled FX tv show The Riches. Power & love… a deadly mixture sometimes. Add God to the mix, and anyone would be hard-pressed to keep the scared/rudimentary/sinful self in check.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Give us your safety. Let us be weak, trusting in Your mercy. 

From what I’ve read on the Internet, I’ve gleaned two things about Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The first is that it’s turned into a pretty good show (I watched the first few episodes of the first season, and although I enjoyed them well enough, I didn’t feel compelled to stick with it), and the second is that any second now it’s going to get cancelled.

So what to do?

I like robots, and I’m always on the lookout for a new show (there aren’t many that I watch anymore), so I’d like to dig into the DVDs and get caught up. At the same time, I’m sick to death of shows that I watch getting cancelled mid-plot. I don’t even necessarily mind a rushed ending; it’s no ending at all that drives me nuts. It happened with The Riches and with Pushing Daisies. I hate having all of these characters stuck mid-arc floating around in the story void. It makes me tense.

I think I’ll wait and see if it gets picked up for a 3rd season. If they can make it that far, they should be able to at least cobble together some kind of conclusion in the face of sudden cancellation.

Meanwhile, Heroes blunders on. Because we live in an uncaring, godless universe.

http://www.serieina.com/

Así es, tras casi 9 meses publicando entradas en este humilde blog ha llegado el momento de dar un salto y comenzar una nueva época. Imagino que muchos de vosotros os preguntasteis estos días por qué no actualizábamos el blog con la cantidad de noticias que hay. No nos hemos olvidado ni mucho menos sino que decidimos mudarnos a un nuevo servidor (uno propio) y hacernos con un dominio propio y estas cosas llevan su tiempo, sobre todo con la cantidad de problemas que hemos tenido a la hora de pegar este pequeño gran salto.

El caso es que, después de meditar si dar el salto o no, estamos muy ilusionados con lo que hemos hecho y con el resultado final. Todo esto no sería posible sin la ayuda de alguién imprescindible: Harmony de One Hundred Tears Away con la que siempre estaremos en deuda y agradecemos enormemente su trabajo; el suyo y el de su novio, dos personas claves y vitales en esta nueva etapa que vamos a comenzar. Además de Harmony me gustaría hacer una especial mención a todos los bloggers que nos ofrecieron su ayuda: Kyra de Maybe Tomorrow, Thrusnext de Al final de la escapada, Sunne de El Blog de Sunne, y toda la pantilla de twitter. Es increible  la cantidad de buena gente que hemos conocido a través del mundillo de las series. ¡¡¡Gracias por todo!!!

A partir de ahora para visitar Serieína tienes que escribir la siguiente dirección:

http://www.serieina.com/

Una dirección facilita, ¿no? Como es lógico, desde hoy mismo, este blog va a permanecer inactivo ya que desde ahora vamos a escribir todas las entradas en nuestro nuevo blog; un blog con mucho más estilo y muchas más funciones que este que estais leyendo. ¿Quién nos iba a decir a nosotros en junio pasado que ibámos a tener un servidor y dominio propio? Muchisimas gracias por leernos día tras día. Sin vosotros no hubiese sido posible.

Por último, sólo me queda despedirme del verde y dar la bienvenida a…. (no voy a decir el color, tendreis que visitar el blog xD) y también comentaros que para celebrar esta nueva época de Serieína, tenemos preparado un concurso en el que sortearemos algo muy difícil de conseguir y que os va a gustar…

Os invitamos a pasaros por la nueva y defenitiva Serieína… ¿A qué estaís esperando?

http://www.serieina.com/

Apparently there's no intelligent life here on Earth...at least at ABC-TV.

I knew it was too good to be true. Great cast, good remake of an outstanding Brit series, an oasis of good television (and phenomenal music) in an ocean of reality dreck. Line Life On Mars up alongside E Z Streets, Thief, The Riches and several other solid shows nipped way, way too early. What has happened to a broad spectrum of entertainment when a show this good gets clipped and According To Jim lives on? Thankfully Homicide and Hill Street Blues ran in a different era; had these shows begun today they never would have seen season two.

I thought the lead-in from Lost would have helped, but even that show is struggling this year. But it’s hard to believe that with the DVR market penetration, this wasn’t at least an burn-and-watch program. And sure, it’s a frightening economy with bailing sponsors, but if shows like this can’t make it, why should we even bother getting invested in the next one they hype? Many people have already bailed on TV, and I’m beginning to wonder why I bother. If it wasn’t for basic cable (Mad Men, Breaking Bad, the majority of the fX lineup) I probably would.

The ABC network statement claims that they will air the final few episodes and add a wrap-up episode to bring the show to a logical conclusion. Right…and I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.  I now fear for Fringe…

So here’s to Jason O’Mara, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Harvey Keitel, Jonathan Murphy, Dominick Mancino, John Cenatiempo, Chris Miskiewicz, Tom Stratford, Matthew Cowles, and Tanya Fischer. Good show, mates!

***

I was walking down the stairs yesterday late afternoon and was struck by something quite remarkable.  When the sun shines – it casts shadows. Something we don’t see all that often at this time of year here in the Great North so I had to take a picture. And being as how we are within spitting distance of St. Patty’s day, I thought I’d tell you a little story about some Irish Travellers.

I’ve not gotten far enough into the family tree(s) to prove this yet but I have my highly Celtic intuition telling me otherwise.  Travellers are the Irish equivalence of gypsies.  When I was little, I used to tell people that my real family belonged to the circus and that I had been dropped off in Brunswick and I had been adopted by this nice family that was raising me.  Maybe it’s more truth than fiction – I don’t know.  

Since marrying nearly 31 years ago, we have moved some 22 times. I can add another couple on to that pre-marriage, as could the Dr. with three foreign countries and a minimum of  a dozen places before he turned 18.  We only bought our own place 8 years ago and this is the longest we have ever been in one space.  A little scary actually but for now, I’m good with it.  Just last summer we finally went to the trouble of buying real curtain rods for the living room and entry.  I am a little suspicious of commitments like that or of hanging art work for that matter.  The longer I put it off-the longer we stay. Once holes are put in the walls like that something is bound to happen and we’ll have to move.  I just know it!

After years and years of adapting to rental spaces, I grew pretty tolerant.  I could put up with bad layouts, stupid bathrooms, walls in the wrong places and no storage. Every situation was just temporary to me so I didn’t bother getting worked up.

One year when we were going to be back in the States for what we thought was a year (it turned out to be forever – but that is another story), we needed a place to live.  My folks had been made aware of a house in their subdivision that was for rent. The owner had just passed away and his only daughter wasn’t emotionally ready to part with the house or its contents.  Being within a few houses of my folks’ place added to its “perfect” fit.

The four of us have always referred to that particular dwelling as “The Dead Man’s House”.  I know it’s all a bit irreverent now but at the time – it was fitting.  We just got off the plane one night from Spain and walked into the space just as he’d left it. Creeps me out now but what were we going to do…beggars can’t me choosers (same goes for missionaries).  Nothing like The Riches taking over their space.

I could write a book about the adventures we had in that house that literally changed our lives.  Maybe I will some day.  Soon enough, our lease was up and the daughter was ready to move on and sell the place.  She told us we could have first dibs on any furniture or anything else we wanted.  There had been an item or two that had grown on us.  A table for the entry that my mom lovingly stripped paint off of, a big oak desk painted red that we have never found the time to strip the paint off of, and other odds and ends.  There had been one item that I really wanted that she wouldn’t part with but I didn’t really need it.  

I remember a good friend stopping by to visit and us laughing at all the quirky things that decorated our space.  I was guffawing at this “ugly” green vase when she stopped me mid-sentence and corrected me. That ugly vase was a piece of Roseville pottery from the 1940’s that could probably fetch a pretty penny or two.  So I just tucked away that little piece of info.  When the landlord was giving her final OK’s for the things I wanted to purchase, I quickly added, “…and do you want that old vase?” “That ugly thing?  You can just have it!”

So, sort of as a joke, the vase has become part of the dead man’s house in our own journey.  It fits this particular century-old place we are now living with its Arts and Crafts vibe.  Every once in a while, I’ll stop and check out ebay like I did yesterday. Maybe when the money starts to flow again, I’ll end up putting it up for auction myself…and to think someone might want to pay between $275 and $875 for it.

Irish travellers can be con artists.  I got it for free.