Wow, it's been a few days since I posted... Guess I'll just go through the shows in chronological order, then.

First up: Stargate SG-1. In a weird way, it makes me a little sad how much I don't miss Jack as a regular character. Richard Dean Anderson did (and still does, in his guest appearances) a great job in the role, but I'm very much enjoying the infusion of new blood. Plus, Ben Browder is just. So. Yummy. Danny has always been my boy on this show, but I think Cameron could give him a run for his money. ( More raves and rambles )

And now, on to Stargate: Atlantis! Wow, I am loving this show so much. I'm totally peeved with myself for missing the first season. Admittedly, I've only seen two episodes, but how can anyone not see the Sheppard/Weir sparkage? It practically jumps off the screen and hits you in the nose. This 'ship is eating my brain, y'all. I still maintain that it's mspooh's fault... Next thing you know, I'll be writing fic!

( Squees and 'ships and sealing wax )

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Jeremy Piven is the best part of entourage. He should be in every scene. ( Tonight on 'entourage,' it's a 'Chasing Liberty' reunion! )

I swear, the Chicago Cubs are trying to kill me. Just when I'm ready to give up hope, they take 2 of 3 from the Cardinals in St. Louis, and stage back-to-back, come-from-behind victories against the Cards and Giants. Heart failure, people.

Whee! Derrek Lee edged out Albert Pujols to be named the starting NL 1st baseman for the All-Star Game! Nothing against Pujols (well, except that he's a Cardinal, which automatically makes him evil in my mind), but D-Lee is having a freaking AMAZING year, and he totally deserves the honor, even if he doesn't have the name recognition that Pujols does.

Too bad the Cubs lost AGAIN to the Nationals today. Gah. Stupid Cubs.

Today was my last day off of work. Tomorrow I return to the grind. I don't think I have another day off (aside from weekends, of course) until March 10th, when I will be in Arizona for Cubs Spring Training. Bleah. Just saying how long it will be is depressing...

Anyway, my day was pretty uneventful. The fact that I've only been awake for 6 hours might have something to do with that. :) I just hope I can get to sleep at a reasonable hour tonight, or I'll be dead on my feet at work tomorrow. Pretty much everyone in the office will be working on inventory, but I have an exemption, since the machines that I (and another guy, who is really the one in charge of the machines--I've only been there two months) work on are way behind. Sadly, that means I don't get to wear jeans every day. But I also don't have to get filthy dirty. Which actually wouldn't bother me that much. And what sucks is that I am going to be trapped alone all day in the office with Imbecile-Boy. Grr.

filmobsessed137 has been kindly and diligently working on the layout for Manifested Delusions, so I'm hoping to get things rolling with that soon. It would probably go faster if I wasn't such a fussy pain in the ass. :)

First of all, let me say that I am incredibly excited that the Boston Red Sox have finally won the World Series after 86 years. I am especially glad that they did so in such grand fashion--first by being the first team in MLB history to come back from a 3-0 deficit in a 7 game series (against the Evil, Evil Yankees, to boot), and then by sweeping the Series against that most hated of Cubs Central Division rivals, the Stupid Loser Cardinals. This gives me hope that my beleaguered Boys of Summer might actually win the Series before 2008, the centennial anniversary of their last such victory. Did y'all know that it is statistically more difficult for the Cubs to continue to not win the Series? Trust them to do things the hard way.

In other news, the job situation has come to a head. As of tomorrow, I will be accepting the offer I received Monday afternoon. It's not the position that I was particularly enthusiastic, but those dickwads haven't bothered to call me back, so to hell with 'em. The job I am accepted is in my hometown, perhaps 10 minutes from where I live, which will be a welcome change from my previous 1 1/2 to 2 hour round trip daily commute. And this company really, really wants me, which is a nice feeling after being laid off. For the first six months, I will be a contract employee, rather than full-time, which also means I have the freedom to leave guilt-free should a better opportunity come along. As my dad said, it's always better to look for a job when you already have one. And since the holidays and all their incumbent gift-giving are rapidly approaching, I kind of need to have a job.

To celebrate my impending employment, I went to Sam's Club with the GraceMom this afternoon, signed up for my own membership card, and bought CSI Season 4, Mulan, and 8 rolls of film. I would have bought Arrested Development and possibly The O.C. if mom hadn't been there worrying about my financial situation. She's so silly. :)

Oh! Would anyone like to make me a new LJ layout? I'd kind of like something custom, rather than the standard LJ-supplied ones.

I had something of a revelation yesterday. I was driving myself and WorkBitch to lunch, and we got on the topic of our beloved Cubs. I made a comment to the effect that, since we are 10 11 games back in the division, it makes sense to focus on the Wild Card race, where we are only 1 2 games out. Naturally, WorkBitch being WorkBitch, she didn't agree. She started talking about how there are still two months left in the season, and it's better to aim for the ultimate goal, etc. That's all well and good, and I respect her right to have a differing opinion, but whever she disagrees about something--no matter how minor--she gets very strident when trying to make her point. There's very little use in trying to argue/debate/discuss things with her, because no matter what is said, she is not going to stop fighting. She might actually agree with you, but she will continue to argue regardless.

Needless to say, this trait severely gets on my nerves, and is actually one of my primary reasons for dubbing her WorkBitch.

Anyway, she paused to take a breath during her little diatribe in the car, and I took the opportunity to shrug, say "Okay" in a very nonchalant tone, and not respond to her arguments. Quite frankly, I don't think she had any idea whato to do with that. The subject was dropped, though, which was my main goal anyway.

So, Note to Self: Do not rise to WorkBitch's bait when a disagreement arises. Mentally agree to disagree, and let the subject lapse.

So I've decided that I am simply not meant to clean my house. Bad things happen when I do. I need to hire my mom to do it for me, or something.

Case in point: my friend Laura was coming to visit me on Saturday morning, and since this was going to be her first visit to the house, a tour would be required, and it therefore had to look nice. I had migraines the better part of last week, including Friday night, so I wasn't able to work on the cleaning until Saturday morning. I got up at seven, all gung-ho, went to the grocery store to pick up some necessities like Downy, Scrubbing Bubbles, Tilex Fresh Shower and the like, and was back home by 8:15, ready to dive into the cleaning.

First up was the downstairs bathroom. The tub has sliding glass doors, so I climbed inside to Windex them. As I was getting out, I somehow managed to catch my foot on the metal door track, which hurt like a son of a bitch. I writhed around in pain for a few minutes on the living room floor, and then hobbled back to work.

Then I dumped some Mr. Clean in my (divided) kitchen sink and started filling it up with water, so that it could soak for a while. Only I somehow got distracted, walked away from the sink, and proceeded to flood my kitchen. Fortunately, I had a very large stack of newspapers, which came in handy for soaking up the small lake on my hardwood floor. For whatever reason, it never occurred to me to use actual towels.

I also hauled out a mop and bucket, to try and soak up the remaining water, and managed to pinch my pinky finger with it and give myself a blood blister. I finally surrendered and called my mom and asked her to come help me, in large part because Laura was supposed to arrive at 11, and I was rapidly running out of time. As it was, I literally stepped out of the shower and got dressed at 10:56. Fortunately, she was about 15 minutes late.

The remainder of the weekend was good--I got to hang out with my godson and his brother Saturday night, which always puts me in a good mood. Especially since my godson, who's a little over a year and a half old, kept coming over to me so I would give him a kiss on the cheek. He's so cute!

Sunday night I went to the final Cubs-Sox game at Wrigley Field, which kicked all sorts of ass, particularly since the Cubs won. We were in the upper deck on the right field side, and we could see fireworks off in the distance, which was pretty cool.

And then this morning started out badly, as I was getting dressed for work. Went to put on my bra, which had been hanging on the closet door overnight, and a bug fell out of it. Totally freaked me out. What if it hadn't fallen out as I was putting it on? Ugh. I hate bugs.

Last night was so much fun. My friends and I get together every Wednesday evening, and some weeks there are more people than others. Last night was especially enjoyable because of all the little munchkins who were there--1 three-year-old, 1 18-month-old, 1 17-month-old, 1 one-year old, and a 6-month-old. So, so cute.

Too bad the Cubs are so stupid. Otherwise the evening would have been perfect.

I really want a vacation, even though I just had one a month ago. That one was relaxing. I'm looking forward to the three-day 4th of July weekend, but I think I'm busy all three days, so not much relaxing there either. Bleah.

And I'm not in any way, shape, or form involved with the Alias Festival of Fic, but to those of you who are or have been responsible for running it? You're all saints. That is all.

I forgot to put my watch on this morning, and it's driving me nuts. I am a compulsive watch-wearer, and I've lost track of the number of times today that I've glanced down at my wrist and gone "grr."

But my Cubbies have won five games in a row, so that's a good thing. And last night I started working on my assignment for the Trory "Endless Summer Nights" fic exchange (about which more information can be found here), and I'm pretty pleased with how it's coming along so far.

You know what would make my day perfect? Finding out that Touching Evil has been renewed for a second season. That would rule.

Oh, Everwood, how do I love thee? My second-favorite series on television (my first love is still CSI finally returned with a new episode last night, and it was wonderful

( Everwood gushings )

The Cubs won their season opener yesterday, which is cool. And the White Sox lost, which is even cooler. I’m so mean. I realize there are 161 games left in the regular season, but it’s still fun to gloat.

And finally, in a bit of fic news, I actually worked on my Gilmore Girls epic, “Unholy Alliance,” last night. It’s all thanks to indianspice, who pointed me in the direction of some Trory Valentine’s Day fics. A little smut goes a long way for inspiration. Chapter 31 should be coming out shortly.

This is all ageofaquarius’s fault. She simply had to gush on an on about how excellent Touching Evil is. Well, fine. I caved. I watched it. Because, you know, I really need another television addiction. And, well, I miss Monk. And Jeffrey Donovan in hot. And dammit, they had Bradley Cooper on! And he wasn’t bumbling or putzy! And they let him wear yummy suits!

But, um, the gray shirt? Holy hell. Creegan can interrogate me anytime he wants.

( More incoherent TE ramblings )

In other news, it’s Opening Day! For the uninitiated, that means my beloved Cubbies start playing games that count today. And sullymel’s evil, evil Yankees continue their rein of overpriced terror. Not that I hate them or anything. Except that I do.

Sadly, I won’t actually be attending a ballgame until May 14th, I believe, but I’ll muddle through somehow.

So who wants to make me a Touching Evil icon? Preferably with shirtless Creegan?

With all due respect to sullymel, I hate the Yankees with the burning fire of a thousand suns. In my mind, they epitomize all that is wrong with baseball today. The absence of a salary cap is sickening. The Yankees now have a $190 million payroll. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sports fan, but do you know how may starving people could be fed for $190 million? How many illiterate children could be educated? How much medical research could be accomplished? Ugh. The whole thing makes me want to vomit. If I could find a way to blow up George Steinbrenner without going to jail, I would seriously consider it. They’ve already bought themselves 26 championships. It’s time for the madness to end. As much as I resented the Marlins for ousting my beloved Cubbies last season, thank goodness they managed to beat the Evil Empire.

And if the Yanks end up signing Maddux, there’s going to be hell to pay.

So, I’ve been having complexion problems lately, which is so annoying. I started breaking out when I was only ten years old, and it was an issue I had to battle for a very long time. The dermatologist tried everything, including Accutane, but I didn’t see prolonged improvement until I went on Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I stayed on it for about seven years, and then arbitrarily decided to go off it several months ago. I’m not using it for contraceptive purposes, and it would $20 less a month to spend, so I thought I’d give it a try.

Yeah, I don’t think that was a good idea. So I had my prescription refilled last night, and we’ll see if things get better. In the meantime, I went to Bath & Body Works and had a good old time stocking up on some of their new skin care products. I bought this pumpkin face mask that smells sooo yummy. It’s kind of like putting pumpkin pie on your face.

Naturally, I watched Everwood last night. Oh, Bright, how do I love thee? ( More Everwood squeeage )

In a stunning display of journalistic irresponsibility, the Chicago Sun-Times has printed an article which reveals the full name and workplace of the hapless Cubs fan who reached out for a foul ball and started a series of events which culminated in the Cubs losing 8-3 after being a mere 5 outs from their first World Series in 58 years.

Sure, it's easy to get pissed at the guy, but let's face it, it's not his fault that the Marlins scored 8 runs in the 8th. I'd have to say the majority of the blame lies with the men on the field being paid millions of dollars to play a game. There has been exponentially more backlash and anger towards "The Fan" than at Alex Gonzalez, who would normally have cleanly fielded that ground ball, started a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play, and gotten the Cubs out of the inning relatively unscathed.

What is astonishingly hypocritical is that the majority of fans in the same position would have reached out for the ball. It's an instinct. For one thing, those foul balls move at a pretty wicked speed sometimes. For another, who doesn't dream about getting a souvenir at the ballpark?

I can honestly say that, had it been me, I'm 99% certain I would not have reached for the ball. But that's because, 1) it was a ball hit by a Marlin, not a Cub, 2) I have already been lucky enough to get both a foul ball and a home run ball at Cubs games, and 3) had I been fortunate enough to be at the game, I would have very likely been sitting with friends, none of whom have ever gotten a ball and whom I would not want to deprive of the opportunity. But those are pretty unusual circumstances.

If the ball had been hit a mere three or four rows deeper into the stands, it would have been just another out-of-play foul ball, and everyone would have shrugged it off. Instead, The Fan is being vilified on a number of media outlets (online, radio, and TV), having his face continually broadcast for the world to see.

The Sun-Times giving a name to the face is like throwing a bleeding man into shark-infested waters. The rational person knows that it's just a game, and that even if the Cubs miss the Series for yet another year, it will still be just a game. But people aren't rational about sports, and if it were me, I would be fearing for my safety. I would also be contacting a lawyer to sue the Sun-Times.

I have a bunch of things to babble about today.

First off, I am loving the return of first-run TV. Not so much loving having to go over to the 'rents' house to watch it, due to my continued lack of satellite service.

Everwood is a beautiful, beautiful show. On paper, it seems like it would be really maudlin, and sappy, and depressing, but the actors kick so much ass that it totally works. I have newfound respect for Treat Williams. Gregory Smith and Tom Amandes both rock. Vivien Cardone is the only non-annoying child actor on TV. And Chris Pratt just makes me want to hug him.

( More Everwood thoughts and rants... )

Watched Gilmore Girls last night, for the first time in months. I pretty much missed the entire 3rd season. It just didn't interest me. I was pleasantly surprised by the 4th-season premiere. It was flawed, certainly, but it had enough bright spots to make it worthwhile. And I didn't want to smack Lorelai even once. Taylor, on the other hand...

I watched One Tree Hill, because I'm still a sucker for CMM. Based on the pilot episode, it is a very bad show. Very bad. The dialogue was laughable, much of the acting was wooden, and once again, the female lead fails to make me see why one guy, let along more than one, would be pining for her. Hilarie Burton's Peyton is getting dumped into the pile with Lana Lang, Amy Abbott, and Marissa Cooper. Blech.

My Cubbies are currently in first place in the NL Central! They lead the evil, evil Astros by one game (thank you, San Francisco!). I'm going to the last game of the regular season on Sunday...if they have it clinched, or can clinch it with that game, it's going to be one hell of a party.

As for RL...

( Boring RL rant... )

...I caught a foul ball at a Cubs game. Well, not "caught," exactly. More like "managed to get to it first when it was bouncing along the row of seats." Whatever.

So, The O.C.. I've heard some conflicting opinions about last night's episode, but I must say that I enjoyed it. For one thing, we got multiple shirtless Seth and Ryan scenes, which is never, ever a bad thing. Plus, Ryan got some action, which is only ever a bad thing if he's getting it with Marissa. Which he wasn't. Is it completely horrible of me to be glad that they had a wedge driven between them? Didn't think so. I just don't like Marissa's character.

( More O.C. thoughts... )

In other news, my season 2 C.S.I. DVDs arrived yesterday. Yay! Slightly less fun than season 1, 'cause I've already seen all the S2 eps, but good nonetheless.

Last night I dipped a toe back into the world of fanfic writing, by picking up a pen and working on a Bright/Delia Everwood future fic that I started months ago. I'm refusing to post it until it's done...except for meegzi31. She gets free previews.