Author: Timpane

Its begun. The 8th season of Buffy – in print form.

Joss Whedon is writing it, the old show writers are coming back, and it is the first official “Canon” in the buffyverse since the jaw-dropping final moments of Angel. (Rowan will remember me yealling “WHAT??!)

Spoilers below, so if you don’t want to know, don’t click “read more”. Still here? So, The first issue of the season starts with Buffy and some of her army of slayers fighting a big beastie via helicopter, with advanced weapons, and Xander running the show from a base.

The “Immortal” from the episode of Angel.. dealt with quikly.. and if you think about it, hilariously.

The government is after Buffy and co. becaue they are too powerful.. we do see the remains of Sunnydale.

Dawn is represented here.. in a “BIG” way.. *snicker*. And again, its hilarious. We finish in true joss style with a surprise ending that makes me yearn for the next issue.

So.. a review. Art is good, and Dawn and Xander are captured well. buffy looks kind of like buffy, but a little off. If it weren’t trying to capture likenesses, the art would be exceptional.. but I digress.

We dont care about the art. We care about the writing.. and it is PURE buffy. The characters voices are clearly heard in the way its written, and the story is amuch grander and better continuation than “Queen of the Slayers” – the only other post-Buffy novel.

The reason? Joss Whedon. He knows these characters.. and I find myself thinking about the implications of this new Buffy saga, and the questions it answers. It does well to make me feel like the universe is still there, going strong.. and I really did miss it.

I found a nice family safe video thats kinda fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O61Do03ZCjw

Not what I originally posted..

Actually started as a different link.. the Kermit sings “Hurt” vid.. but I only half watched it.. just rewatched. its actually more graphic than I remember.

It is Hilarious.. but NC17 Language and content CLEARLY not for kiddies.

Actually.. it deserves a Youtube Search.. (Hurt and Kermit) watched the whole thing to the end.. and prefer the link not be scoped by the kiddies..

Its kinda messed up. But still funny.

I will very likely never go to Hollywood.

That much is clear. I have put down roots in order to provide a small town upbringing for my son. BUT, I want to keep acting.

A year ago, I joined the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Once you’re in SAG, you can no longer do non-SAG work. I am learning that 95% of the films and pilots filming in the DC area are Non-SAG. Additionally, most commercials are Non-SAG. If I go to NY or LA, then I NEED to be in SAG.

I have found something called “financial core” – a court decision that allows me to quit the Union, but keeps me eligible for both SAG and non-SAG work. If I ever go to LA, it will likely keep me blacklisted. In DC, it means I will work a LOT (like I did last year).

So, declaring “financial core” will anger SAG, put me on the outs with the 10% of DC actors who do mostly training videos and extra work – but ALL the casting agents will likely work with me.

I respect the Union, I don’t want to undercut the Union. BUT, I am no longer being called for anything except extra work, and I’m turning down independent films all the time, because I refuse to break the Union rules. Doing this will likely mean giving up the dream of going to LA, but that seems likely anyway.

Any thoughts?

“Lets have a moment of silence to rememebr the 2000 victims of Titanic – (pause) – okay, now let’s go out and PARTY TILL DAWN”

Yes, that Oscar Speech faboo is the thing most people hate James Cameron for. Until tomorrow.

James Cameron, Director of t2 and Titanic claims to have found the bodies of Jesus, Mary, Mary Magdelene, and young Judah, the son of Jesus.

See the article HERE

Now, to be clear, I am outraged, but I cannot allow, in this forum, that to be my sole impetus. The unwritten rules state that I must follow the dictates of logic and philisophical argument, which is to say that I must respond as unemotionally as I can.

This does seem to be circumspect at best. DNA cannot prove anything, because we have no definitive DNA of Christ or his family. There’s nothing to compare it to. The article also seems to note that it would be like finding a grave that said “James, John, son of James, Mary, Mary, and Michael son of John” in the middle of Ireland. Not hard to do.

To be clear, I don’t think any one will ever be able to find the bodyof Christ, much less his son, because the fact of his crucifixion is almost unquestioned, even in non-religious circles. Additionally, there was no mention of his having a son – and especially in the Gospel of Matthew, which is directed to 1st century jewish audience, having a son would be JUST the kind of thing the early Church would want.

Further, it is unlikely that the early Church would have tried to keep the existence of the Grave a secret while ALSO allowing this family to be buried together.

It seems too far fetched (“says the man who believes in rising from the dead”.. yes, I know). But even if you reject that idea of resurrection.. it seems unlikely that these could be what Cameron (Mr. ALIENS) claims.

Ask me in 1999, and I would tell you I don’t care for TV. that excluding Star Trek, it is contrived, vapid, or too dramatic to be neatly resolved in 46 minutes.. which it still usually is.

THEN – Enter Ds9, then Buffy, then Angel, then Firefly, 24, and Lost – I have migrated to TV, and finally there is an article about why.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/02/24/120812.php

So, is TV better than Movies now.. Well.. I’d tell you.. but I have to see What Kete, Sawyer, and Jack are up to.

About ten years ago, I performed (with Matt) a song I wrote for my new wife. “Kelly’s Song”, it was called – and it became generally recognized as one of the best tunes I had ever written.

So today, I present its answer: MASTERPIECE

Although I have referenced “Kelly’s Song” in a number of ballads, this is the first one I ever wrote as a specific answer to the original. I figured a retrospective of the goals set out in the original song, and a “State of the Union” was in order for the 10 year anniversary.. and already, those who have heard it seem to like it, so I hope you like it just as much.

Oh, and here’s the original Kelly’s Song as a reference. Please note the production on the older song is 7 years old, aso its not as hot.. and also that I do owe Matt for some of the piano ideas.

Hey.. some interesting observations.

I am NOT a drug user, and I have a test to prove it.

I have decided that if you recieve a letter bashing you, it should go with the grain of salt that the person writing it is the type of person who would write a bashing letter.

I have decided that if you get a 1500 dollar phone bill, the phone company thinks its Christmas, will not help you.. and should be dumped for a better phone company.

I have learned that J.J. Abhrams will NOT be directing the Star Trek script he is writing. He will produce

I have decided that living down the street from your Mom can be crazy, but is worth it.

I have decided that I MUST buy Buffy Season 8 – THE COMIC BOOK – Written by Joss Whedon, when it comes out next month.

I have learned this: “ba ba ba”

Finally, I have learned that life is more fun when Barnsonians post… so what have you learned lately..?

Turns out, I am an opiate abuser. At least according to my drug screening.

Yup, I failed the drug screening for my new job today – failed for “opiates” (heroin, morphine, etc). It was a simple dipstick urine test, and they’re sending it off to the lab to confirm.

Thing is.. I don’t use opiates. I’ve taken no painkillers, no antibiotics, nothing at all except Pepto last week, and maybe a Tylenol a week ago.

I DID have a poppy bagel last weekend, but there are varying theories about if that could have caused it.

SO – does anyone have any thoughts? I may be a Nurse, but I have no real experience about how the lab works. They say the test theyre going to do is more conclusive, but I’m a little scared, having accepted the offer and quit my other job.

Boyoboy – Friends are writing nasty letters, Ive got huge phone bills, and now I’m failing drug screenings.. when did I become Lindsay lohan?

Here’s what we know.

J.J Abrhams (MI3, Lost, Alias) is writing, producing, likely directing.

Shatner and nimoy have been hired as consultants, and there is talk of them being in the movie.

The plot centers around the early exploits of a young Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and Captain Pike. Likely a flash forward to Spock and Kirk will ensue as well. There will likely be no relation to TNG era Trek. Enterprise will also likely go unmentioned.

Matt Damon had been suggested as Kirk. Daniel Craig (the new Bond) has expressed interest.

The movie will be “character based”, and the focus is to appeal to non-fans more than fans.

The possibility exists that the movie will contradict some known continuity, and may completely reboot the franchise.

Paramount is looking for a July 2008 release, and will likely try to use the film as the big tentpole for their summer.

SO – What are your thoughts? Casting? Rebooting the franchise angers a lot of TNG fans who love the continuity (I’m in there somewhere). Excitement levels? Predictions?

What the f#*&!?

Its this move.. you know the one. With no sexism meant, its a move more traditionally enjoyed by women.

Take my friend.. lets call her “Mary” – a friend of over a year, who has been a guest in my home almost every other week for a year.

You part company under tense circumstances, and try to follow up for a debriefing or reconciliation.. but get the voicemail.

Over the next few days, you leave a message or two.. starting with “hey.. is this really happening? Gimme a call”, progressing to “You haven’t called, I guess you’re really pissed, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings”, and ending with.. “You’re not calling me back.. and you’ve let mutual friends know you have no interest in doing so.. I guess we’re done”.

And with that the friendship is done.. and you’re left there stunned.

Now what gets me is this.. I get that friendships end.. somewhat abruptly sometimes. But I would expect, especially after peaceful overtures have been made, that a long term friend would at least drop you an email saying “sorry, we’re done”. That’s no fun.. but at least is respectful.

Over my life this has happened a few times.. and to me it is unfathomable. If someone is like “Dude, are you pissed? Are we friends?” I can’t conceive of just letting that message hang. I would usually find it in my heart to forgive the person.. or (and I’ve done this) said “Good luck to you, sir or Madam, but I don’t think we can be friends”. I mean even the standard “We’re fine”, followed by a communications blackout is a tad cowardly.. but not blatantly unkind.

SO.. what is this? Who does this after the age of 15?

Thoughts?