Fail on relaxing hour after long day largely comprised of medical fun. Whoops; should have gone with fiction.

( context cut for spoilers for 9/17/09 Project Runway )

We're all responsible for ourselves, truly; and the consequences of our missteps. But it's a grave and widespread mistake that we have come to believe we are not responsible for the harm we cause others, so frequently for no reason besides not caring enough about anyone but ourselves enough to THINK before we speak. So loudly and with such conviction. The ugliness is what we broadcast (so literally). It will always be there; but if you feed that kind of monster it keeps eating until there's little else left.

I worry, very sincerely, that our society has come to glorify viciousness so much that we don't even recognize it any more, most especially in ourselves. It's gotten so easy. Well, there are only two things we can ever change about our world: ourselves, and the channel. Thank you, Project Runway, for making both easier.

Sci-fi fans may want to watch CSI: tonight (@8 CST); the episode is set at a "convention inspired by Comic-con". When they do goofy episodes, they're usually really good, so it doesn't matter if you watch it regularly (especially since it'll be a "secondary character" ep). From the teaser it looks like Wendy the snarky lab tech will be in a Trek-alike costume, and the victim-of-the-week bites it on the bridge of the Enterprise.

BTW I think the new sitcom running before Lost, Better Off Ted, is actually quite funny (especially the fake ads); though they're not kidding about "and now for something completely different" when Lost comes on . . . (I continue to love Lost, even if I was peeved we only got 60 seconds of Dan before the end. But Miles is great; though he still reminds me of Jon from Jon and Kate Plus 8, which is scary. Not because "all Asians look alike"; it's the attitude!)

And from last night since I got a terrible migraine :P Through an odd series of things I just found out about an indies lolita brand called Kikirara Shoten. It's like burlesque and lolita got hooked on period fashion, moved to Vegas, and then had colorblind illegitimate babies who decided to be designers. Some of it looks like it's from a maid cosplay cafe in hell, which isn't unique; but some is just beyond epic. This is some of the most hideous, atrociously awful fashion I have ever seen. I think I'm in love.

I forgot something last night that may be of interest to a couple people here so I will pass it along. Tidbits on upcoming US import versions of BBC shows - Life on Mars is getting an overhaul, with most of the staff and cast being replaced - apparently basically everyone except the lead. I have a better idea, maybe they could have just subtitled the original in "American English", lol. Or overdubbed key sections . . . Top Gear USA, meanwhile, has had its host roster announced. Jay Leno refused to do it (too bad probably, since the man does know his cars, from what I hear); so now it will be Adam Carolla, Eric Stromer (yes, the guy who does Over Your Head on HGTV o_O), and Tanner Foust (stunt driver/racer, particularly rally/drift). Since I watch a lot of HGTV, I can tell you he's intended to be James May - he's amiable and upbeat (but hopefully knows something about cars, since James actually DOES :P). Adam Carolla, obviously, is Jeremy - though as far as I know they just thought "okay who's kind of an ass" :P . . . Here's holding to the slim hope that NBC can tell the difference between people who OWN a lot of cars and people who know a lot ABOUT cars. I know *I* know jack, but I can still tell if the host does or not. There are plans in motion for a Top Gear Australia as well, as an aside.

Speaking of bizarre remakes, my physical therapist told me about this SNL skit from the other night, and I think the Office fans on here will appreciate it (or if you've always wanted to hear Steve Carell try to speak Japanese) . . . Japan's version of The Office.

I'm trying to be more upbeat but it's not really going that well so this is the best you get. *waves pom-poms*

The new USA show, In Plain Sight, is pretty good. I'm not getting into it as fast maybe as I got into Burn Notice, but it's been steadily improving each episode and I'm enjoying it. Looking forward to Burn Notice, Monk, and Psych coming back next month of course . . . though I really wonder how they're going to deal with Stanley Kamel's (Dr. Kroger) death on Monk. From a writing standpoint, I would be tempted to write it into the show - it would be interesting for Monk's character. But I can't imagine how difficult it would be doing that from the human standpoint.

Man, what am I going to go see on June 27th, WALL-E or Wanted? Back-to-back? Hahah. Though I haven't been to Caspian or Hulk yet, either . . .

I assume everyone's heard about Stan Winston's death already. :( I was deeply saddened to hear that. Aren't your heroes supposed to live forever? I think a lot of mine have died too young.

A) WHAAAAAT ABC remake of Life on Mars in the fall - cribbing the camera angles AND the COSTUME? Life on Mars the fanvideo?? x_X; I mean sure I had some trouble with the accents and didn't get anysome of the 70s britculture references - but jeebus. D: People in other countries watch OUR shows . . .

B) Octagon Global Recruiting ad - aren't those the Comic-con dates?! I don't know what it is but I signed up anyway D: lol. I'm kind of guessing maybe they're going to have a forum/MMORPG (I'm not sure how else to describe my idea).

C) My only reaction to Lost tonight which is spoiler-free - if I was an Asian guy I'd totally dress up like Halliwax and carry around a stuffed bunny with a 15 spray-painted on it

The painters are coming at 7AM again tomorrow and blasting Polish radio, and for some reason have decided to paint everywhere at once. We spent all day at physical therapy and then granite warehouses. My sanity is . . . extinct. I had none to start. But I'm worried about people with actual serious problems. :(

Hah, I knew there was a reason I never do memes. Oh well lol. Substantive post is upcoming, I'm almost done with my NYCC report but I "have" to watch Lost. Also I heard from the doctor's office about the liver biopsy (after I called) - they had to send the tests out of state.

Please put on appropriate safety gear while I have a fangirl moment. OMFG. Adam and Jamie from Mythbusters are guesting on CSI: next week. Apparently it involves tinfoil hats and flaming mannequins. I knew there was a reason to live. At least until Thursday night at 8PM CST (CBS). If you don't watch CSI, when they do silly, it's pretty amazing.

Also, have an encouragement video, courtesy of vintage Sesame Street, which I was inspired to track down by the very awesome Paper Children fad thing on deviantART. Have I posted this before? Classic animation work, anyway.
"Quitting is no fun."
"Neither is falling off an eggbeater!"
Teeny Little Superguy - "Eggbeater"

|+| The other night there was a box elder bug that landed on the desk and walked in the same circle for about 15 minutes. I know the feeling. Today has not been helped in the LEAST by a vicious, worst-in-years migraine headache, which I have finally mostly defeated via two cans of Mountain Dew (having been successfully sworn off caffeine/soda for like a month ;_;). Not allowed to take any painkillers due to liver biopsy scheduled for Tuesday. Fun.

|+| I am going to NYC, albeit a few weeks later and for a completely different reason. So I will be out of town next weekend (Thurs-Mon eve) at the New York Comic Con visiting my brother. Holler if there's someone you need stalking, or something on the exclusives page you wanted; I will do what I can. However, this con is way bigger than I expected - this will be their third year, and they're talking 40-50,000. Hopefully my mad SDCC skillz will mean I am unfazed. Very much looking forward to Hellboy 2 panel, Eli Stone mini-panel, and some industry/writing panels that I usually miss at SDCC.

|+| Meanwhile I am wading further into the media wasteland . . . dling a few shows in the new anime season, reading some totally random manga (OH SNAP RUN AWAY. talking duck?!), and I just got a couple of Western comics from Amazon. o.o Finally got the first volume of Hellboy because I actually *like* Mike Mignola's artwork, and got a Birds of Prey TPB because Gail Simone is a female comics writer and I'm going to her panel. I also finally got Scott McCloud's new book, Making Comics. Thanks to migraine, I've read Birds of Prey (liked the writing, not the art) and started on McCloud (he's my hero). Nearly finished the first Dresden book, which I quite liked; it's pulp fiction but I consider that a comment on its style, not its quality; Jim Butcher will be at NYCC to launch a Dresden comic book. Nifty. Oh yes and Big Train is awesome, caught random eps on TV before (forgot what channel? not BBCA), Netflix it or watch random bits on YouTube if you like Simon Pegg at all.

|+| There is a new website, launched a couple months ago, called Hulu.com, which I suppose you could say aims to be YouTube for network television. It's free, it has very limited ads, and it's high(ish) quality. It's owned by NBC Universal, so the content is focused atm; but it's not exclusive, and it includes new stuff AND older content, and some movies as well. They even have some HD content. I don't see as a Netflix/DVD sales killer, or an alternative to television - what I do see it as is a bridge between the two. Missed an episode and don't feel like dealing with a network's annoying website/player? Want to find out if it's worth queueing or want a quick fix? For instance, for some reason I feel like watching some Macgyver. And, of course, for those of you who don't have cable, you have a no-commitment, easy way to find out what I occasionally am on about (*cough*BurnNotice/Psych/Chuck) :P They don't have much yet, but who knows where they'll go since it's practically brand-new - meanwhile, I can rewatch Weird Science the TV series XD; Oh, Vanessa Angel.

As I see it, Hulu will become a household name in short order if it can hit content critical mass and get the attention of the net grapevine. If Hulu lives up to what *I* think its potential is, it will add more series that have not been released on DVD. For the studios, the bulk of the cost (making the show) is already done; and if shows do well, it may make DVD release viable for lesser-known shows. Alas there's not much in that category up now. But, for the tokusatsu fans, there IS the Americanized live-action Giant Robo: Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot.

|+| Can I please not feel awful or have any emergencies tomorrow D: Tues I woke up partially unable to see out of one eye (WTF?) and had to go to eye doc as a precaution, then I get my tooth drilled and our sump pump broke yesterday, today migraine . . . ARGH.

|+| Finally finished the part-time job thing last night, fun times researching corporate foundations.

|+| So not just my liver enzyme results are off. So were my copper levels. Gastroenterologist is concerned and is recommending I get a liver biopsy. At least one of my doctors is nagged at like I am that something is "off". :|

|+| Seeing as I just found out I have a Polysics cover of this song and had never seen the original video: Original "Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto" music video, which is thrashed by the Polysics version which is HIGHLY AWESOME and now one of my favorite music videos ever.

|+| I thought about making a cosplay-related post but decided not to. There are some things that have been bothering me . . . but I think the real issue has to do with feeling like crap physically. It does still bug me a bit that I'm coming up on my sixth anniversary. Cosplay was the place I felt like I most belonged, and I guess I'm sad that I lost that feeling.

|+| I think like . . . no one watches much TV. lol. But I sort of want to give a shout-out to Eli Stone, because I think it's a good show. It's sort of a Quantum Leap thing, where they're walking a line with being entertainment but also have a conscience - which is something that I respect, even (or maybe more so) with the danger of tripping over that line and getting "preachy" (there were definitely eps of Quantum Leap that were just painful to watch). So far Eli Stone has been dodging that bullet - maybe because the courtroom format parlays "preaching" into "closing arguments", or maybe just because it's well done. It's a sweet, sensitive little show that nevertheless isn't whitewashed, throws enough quirk in there to keep you on your toes, and it's nice to know there's a place for that. I've been watching New Amsterdam also but though it's not a bad show, I'm not clicking with it that much either - versus really looking forward to Eli Stone. Might be because it weirdly makes me think of Dresden Files which I still dearly miss. Meanwhile my quite-loved Reaper is "on the bubble" and I hope it makes the cut for next season (Chuck has already made it) . . .