I'm on "vacation", which means I'm working from home while nursing a seriously awful migraine, when I should be out enjoying the sunshine.  But, on the bright side, I've discovered an absolutely BRILLIANT TV series I never knew existed.  But, on the downside, it's already been cancelled, and the first season is the ONLY season.

I've powered through the 8 available episodes of NBC's Kings and have been completely floored with how fantastic they are.  I mean, it stars Ian McShane, so the acting is absolutely unprecedented, but I didn't know the rest of it was going to be spectacular, as well.  It's intriguing, inventive, symbolic, intelligent and just really brilliant.  I can't help but feel like, had this aired on HBO, it would have won several Emmys and been renewed for at least a few more seasons.  It's some of the best: acting, writing, production & artistic direction I've seen, hands down (well, next to Rome and Deadwood, but they were on HBO!)

The part that floors me?  One of the co-stars is the guy who plays Carter Baizen on Gossip Girl, and I didn't even recognize him until just now.  He doesn't look or dress particularly different, but you're so lost in this world and how freakin' brilliant he is as an actor, that I TOTALLY didn't realize it was him.  The boy can act!

The dialogue is measured, intelligent and powerful, with these incredible monologues that are meant to seem almost biblical in their tone (it is a "modern" re-telling of the story of David, and there is a constant undercurrent of religious themes and symbolism running throughout, but in a fantastically brilliant, accessible yet intelligent, way), but what strikes me is how natural a lot of it seems.  There are a few moments of ick (you know, when you watch something and you cringe a bit over how unnatural the dialogue is), but overall, it's just mesmerizing.

If you want to have your heart broken (due to the fact that it was cancelled), in exchange for hours of fantastic entertainment, I encourage you to check it out... I might do a pusher-post on this, it's THAT good.

Well, I finished and submitted my fic on time.  I'm not really pleased with it (I really don't think I fulfilled the prompt at all, really), but by the point I finished, it was far too late to rework it the way I wanted to.

Plus, I was rushing to finish because I had a date with The Client that I was really excited for, but then he cancelled last minute. I had already sent my fic in at that point, so I've just been watching Season 6 of Sex and the City and wallowing in disappointment.  I had the crazy girl moment when I picked up his voice mail message, as this is the second time in a week he's cancelled on me, so I was freaking that maybe this was his lazy-ass way of breaking up with me (not that we're in a committed relationship at all), but then I gave it a few minutes, and called back, and realized he really just wasn't feeling well.  Crisis averted.  Rational thinking can sometimes work in your favour!

I am so very far behind on my D/G Fic Exchange entry.  How far?  I've written about three paragraphs.  Which I can no longer use, as I have ONCE AGAIN changed my mind about how I'm going to write it.  Seriously.  I have no idea what possessed me to sign up this year, I knew that these months were going to be ridiculous, and here I am, so close to the deadline and with NOTHING.

Am going to be spending this evening writing, and will be writing until the wee hours tomorrow (thank goodness for Canada Day!) - wish me luck!

1.  My personal real-life Gmail account was hacked last night!  Someone sent a whole bunch of spam-like email to people posting in the Personals section of Craigslist using my email account during a time in which I was nowhere near my computer.  Only reason I even notice is because someone actually replied to the message, which, dude.  In any case, have changed my password, of course... but don't know how it was hacked in the first places (I am very Veronica Mars-ish with my passwords, and it was a combination of letters, numbers, CAPS and punctuation, all chosen at random...)  Very disconcerting.

2.  Have made absolutely no progress to speak of on my D/G ficexchange story...  Am starting to get worried about it all.  I have about a page of notes scribbled out, but nothing remotely useful to start writing.  Eek.

3.  Saw the movie Up in 3D last weekend.  It is spectacularly amazing in so many ways, mostly in that it has a truly awesome story and the overall message of the movie is so well done, it's hardly preachy at all.  There were tears, there were SO many laughs and a really big happy sigh at the end.  If you haven't seen it, you totally should.  I loved it so much.  One of the greatest romance movies ever!  Plus, the animation is absolutely spectacular.

4. My mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer back in April, which I found out about an hour after I found out that my best friend had just lost her father to cancer (let me tell you, that was an AWESOME day).  Her prognosis is great, and so far, it just doesn't feel all that serious.  Isn't that weird?  I think compared to what my friend and her family went through, where her dad was seriously ill before they even were able to diagnose him and he spent SO much time in the hospital, because he was so ill that he coudln't be treated as an out-patient, it just doesn't seem to have the same sense of immediacy.  She starts radiation / chemo in a week or so, and may be then, reality will finally sink in that she's actually ill.  At the same time, the really remarkable thing is the way that family and friends rally around you.  My mom had a surgical-type biopsy (I still don't really understand the full details of the operation she had), and developed a post-op infection, and so was pretty ill for awhile.  Even family who live on the other side of the province were calling every day (all of us - not just my parents, but my brother and I, all of us individually) to see how she was doing, how we were doing, etc.  It's been a pretty amazing show of support, and we're incredibly lucky to have such wonderful people around.

5. Whatever you do, don't ready so-called women's magazines or blogs, particularly when you've just started dating someone.  That will mess with your mind SO much.  According to EVERYTHING, I'm doing everything spectacularly wrong - like not waiting a few days to call him back, or responding to his emails asap.  The thing is - I like him.  I want to talk to him, I want to send him that flirty-jokey email and see what he responds with, and I want to spend more time with him.  I can't believe I've managed to avoid this nightmare for so long in the adult world - I've managed to dodge other attempts at dating quite successfully.  Bah.  The age difference is still weird at times (mainly when I need to remind him that I was 6 when the 80s ended), and we're both fairly busy people so really only have a day a week to see each other... Seriously!! I'm an obsessive girl, and I HATE that.

On a complete whim, I opened iTunes this morning, as I'm about to head out to HMV this afternoon (and iTunes is a good way of tracking which new release movies are out), and to my utter amazement, they've added a whole slew of TV shows available for download in the Canadian store!

Let me tell you... Canada is insanely protectionist when it comes to television and media.  Something like 10% of content broadcast by radio and television stations has to be Canadian in origin, and there are so many limits about what can be brought across the border... we don't get so many US networks because they would compete with Canadian networks that similiar, etc... which is why it's taken so bloody long for iTunes to start carrying tv shows, and when they first started, the majority of it all was by Canadian studios.

In any case, we've finally joined the 21st century.  Congratulations, iTunes Canada.  This means that I'm downloading the entire 2nd season of Gossip Girl, and will be going insane over it for the next few days.  And yes, I bought it and am downloading it, even though as soon as the box set comes out on DVD, I'll also be buying it.  It's that good.

Many things to post about, but so little time. Thus, a list:

1. For a girl who spends what little free time she has writing cheesy romance fic, I'm surprisingly pathetic at living my own cheesy romance.  The Client and I have been on two spectacular dates, but spectacular in the sense of "OMG, the Dorkiness, it BURNS" - in a delightful, butterflies-in-the-stomach-inducing way.  Will admit to being a bit smitten - the dorkier and less "smooth" he gets, the more smitten I am!  Boys are so SILLY.  It's fantastic.
2. Have been spending too many nights up late reading awesome D/G fic - all entirely at si_muove_rpg If you haven't already signed up as a member so you too can read the awesome, you definitely should.  For a girl constantly battling the butterflies whenever she get a new email from The Client (seriously, why can't I be rational?), it's hitting all the perfect notes that make me want to squee.  Plus, there are a lot of other really well-done ships (Ron/Pansy! Who would have thought I'd like it?)
3. Have been writing a wee bit.  It's patio season in Toronto (really, patio season is the ONLY reason to live in downtown Toronto), so I've been trying to crank out the next CIC chapter whilst basking the warm glow of late spring sunshine.  Half of the chapter exists on paper, half of it in my twisted brain - just need to get it into a digital format.  Soon, I promise.
4. Because I'm an idiot, I signed up for the D/G Fic Exchange.  Hoping to shake out the cobwebbs and get back to writing a bit more regularly.  Of course, I am experiencing a serious case of writers' block.  Need some inspiration.  Hopefully patio season will help.
5. In a former life, I was a constitutional law JUNKIE (I was a political science major, if that makes me any less of a geek), so I've been overdosing on news of the newest nominee for the US Supreme Court.  Very interesting!
6. Saw Angels and Demons last weekend.  Read the book, but if you've read one Dan Brown novel, you've read them all... I enjoyed the movie, mostly because it ramped up my anticipation for impending Trip to Italy of Awesome, which is coming up fast (well, October).   It being set in Rome and all, it was hard not to squee a few dozen times over all the pretty.
7. Caught up on Grey's Anatomy and never fail to be NOT surprised by their twists.  Can see them coming miles away!  Oh, the fabricated emotion of it all.  Miss fun-and-witty!Izzie, and sweet-puppy!George and kick-ass!Bailey.  Why is a man who played Lucius Vorenus in Rome (one of the greatest series of all time, I do maintain) wasiting his time with this drivel?? SERIOUSLY.  YOU HAVE TALENT. 

So. At work, I am in a fairly junior position and I've recently just conquered the internal aspects of my job... for the sake of ease, let's just say that I work in sales. At the end of the work day on Monday, a co-worker, who is not my boss, but has a higher title and also reports directly to my boss, invites me to come along with her to meet a client, something which is a rare treat for me (yes, I'm that eager annoying keener who feels that new work experiences are a 'treat'), so I eagerly agreed to go.

In RL, I'm an incredibly shy, reserved person. I can be outgoing and talkative and charming, but really only with the people who know me very well. I just don't open up very easily (typical Cancer, what can I say). So tagging along for a drink with a client is a serious chore for me - it's my mountain to climb, if you will, in my career. So, gearing up to meeting the client, she was telling me about him, explaining how she met him, that they were old friends and that it was a pretty good way for me to start interacting with clients as it would be a pretty easy meeting.

We get to the bar, sit down and start to chat... and the Client (capitalized from now on) has a surprising amount of stuff in common with me. Went to school in the same city as I did, studied the same field, even had some of the same profs. The co-worker slipped outside for a cigarette and we started to chat, and it was all pretty easy going. I am thinking to myself, this is freakin' fantastic! Look at shy little Hope, schoomzing a client so naturally!!

Co-worker's husband shows up, and then she gracefully sneaks away. Slowly it dawns on me that this is a lot more than just a drink with the Client. She totally planned all of this, and had totally set us up.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I totally texted my friends when I had the chance, asking them to call me to find out "where I was" - yeah, I totally made them rescue-ring.

The worst part? She did well. I really like the Client, and plan on seeing him again. Which means she WINS, even though I'm completely furious with her. It's also kind of tough, because I thought I was super charming and fantastic on my first meeting with a client and it turns out he knew all along it was a set-up... so my entire view of the experience is completely coloured by that... GAH.

Also - I need a random sampling of opinions. The Client is about 8-10 years older than me. While I don't feel the actual age difference is huge, I feel like we're at totally different places in our lives... I'm the 25 year old who works too many damn hours and spends the rest of her free time partying when she should be focusing on more adult-related things (like, you know, grocery shopping more than once every six weeks, or making the scary commitment to living room furniture), and he's got a fairly senior position in his company, OWNS a house, etc... Is this weird? Everyone in RL that I've asked about it has dismissed it as just Hope being neurotic, but it's still a lingering question in my brain...

Do not covertly arrange a set-up for one of your single girl friends, bring her there and leave, with her being the only person in the room who doesn't know that this is a set-up. If you do that, you won't have any single friends left.

I promise to tell the story when I have more time.

I am just about at my wits' end. I cannot believe this is still going on.

Sure, they have now moved the protesters off of the MAJOR street they were blocking (for five days), and I managed to get one full night's sleep in my own apartment. But now, here it is, almost 1 a.m., and they are back at it, with their bloody drums and megaphones and a FREAKIN' sound system and generator.

I cannot believe this. I'm really seriously going to crack up about this. I've barely sleep in almost a week - two nights (one in my own apartment, one at a friend's - yes, I actually had to leave my own apartment!) are just not enough for a person to function.

You know, when you live in a democratic society with a constitution guaranteeing all citizens have rights - like the right to protest or demonstrate - you also have a little something called the rule of law. And a HUGE part of the rule of law is that all laws must be equally applicable to all members' of that society - it's that tiny bit of freedom that you give up in order to live in a democratic society. WHY, then, can they not respect that there are noise by-laws in place that are applicable to EVERYONE? Just because you have a point to make or a cause to promote does not mean that enforcing those by-laws, which everyone ELSE has to follow, is an infringement on your freedom of speech.

I'm really upset right now (and bordering on irrational, due to lack of sleep). I think I've been patient, and while I've been mildy exasperated by this nonsense, I've seriously had enough. Demonstrate all you want, but respect the other members of your society and shut the hell up after midnight. Turn off your megaphone, stop banging your drums, shut off that damn microphone and respect the others in your community that you are inconveniencing.

Protesters finally dwindled down to small enough numbers that the police were able to scoot them off of the street they've been blocking since Sunday night. Right now, they are still out there, protesting away, but in much smaller numbers, and a bit further away. Can barely hear them over the rain!

I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep in my own bed without being kept away or woken up by angry angry demonstrators.

I finally caught up on my Gossip Girl. Man, this show is like some weird hybrid of America's Next Top Model and Veronica Mars, in that I realize it's pretty frivolous and completely ridiculous, but the dialogue is tight and witty, and I really love a lot of the characters. I'm so hooked.

( Blathering, with a side of spoilers for most recent episode )

Oh, so addicted.

I often get asked, by concerned aunts and motherly-type coworkers, what a single girl in her early 20s who works 90-100 hours a week and lives on her own feeds herself when she stumbles home after a 14 hour day...

And the answer? More often than not, cereal or soup. Listen, I don't cook. I can, I just don't. But when I feel like the need to at least pretend I'm an adult, my favorite 'meal' to make? Egg-white omelette with cheese and turkey bacon, served over 7-grain bread. It's healthy in theory, until one contemplates the actual amount of cheese I use... It's cold and rainy day here in Toronto, and there's something very university-living-familiar about it, so that's what I made myself - and felt very accomplished, as if making my own dinner is necessity of adulthood I finally managed to acheive.

I also did my taxes... it was a little bit like getting punched in the face. I no longer qualify for ANY of the lovely little deductions and credits I used to, and now OWE the government more than one month's rent, all because I'm as small a drain on the public system as one can be. It seems a bit unfair, but what can I do? It's the price one pays (literally!) for the kind of social safety we enjoy in Canada.

But still... I can't help but think that money would be better deployed by myself instead of my government, preferably on shoes. Economy-stimulating shoes!

After a pretty tough week, something good to finally happened. I have been discussing taking a trip with some friends in October, and we've been debating forever where we should go. We've finally decided on a destination, and I'm stupidly excited about it.

I'm going to Italy! For a week. We start off on Venice, travel to Florence, Assisi, two other locations that I can't remember, before ending up in Rome for the remainder of the week.

It's not nearly enough time to see all that I want to see, but I am stupidly excited for it. We finally decided on the trip this weekend when I was at my paents house for the Easter weekend and the funeral, and it was exactly the boost of excitement I needed right now.

So, anyone ok the flist who has been, feel free to share advice or tips on what to see or what's not... I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Easter to those that celebrate it.

One of the biggest benefits of vacation was definitely all the time I spent reading. Forgot how much of a luxury that was, until I realized how much I missed just being able to sit down with a book for four or five hours of uninterrupted reading time. Not that I spent it wisely...

( Commentary on Breaking Dawn, of which I had many different reactions )

I also finished the first novel in Cassandra Clare's trilogy. It made for excellent airport reading. ( Some thoughts behind the cut - spoilers, I suppose )

I'm back! It's funny - I didn't realize how much I love Toronto until I got home.

One day, I'm going to have to spend a bit more time in Atlanta. I've passed through the Atlanta airport about a hundred billion times (particularly in recent years), and it's always been my favorite because it's so easy to kill time there. People there have generally been quite lovely, and I swear one day I'm going to venture out and actually experience the rest of the city. Except that I got "ma'am-ed" a lot - I'm 25 and when not wearing business attire, look like I'm 16 - no one should feel obliged to call me ma'am.

I pleased to report that I did some writing while I was away. Not a significant amount (ie, my next chapter is only about 40% complete), but even to finally get past the issue that was blocking me. It's one of those situations where I'm writing about something I don't really know about, and so felt compelled to do a lot of research - and really, who has time for research these days? Eventually, I realized that I'm writing fiction in a AU, so I can really just make it up. Which I did. So, awesome.

I also read most of Breaking Dawn, and will have to post on that lovely little treat at a later date when I have more of an opportunity to go into more detail. It was quite... um, different from the rest of the books and there are a few things I enjoyed, and a great deal of other stuff that I'm still a bit flabberghasted over.

Reasons I'm positive I've come down with a case of Vacation-brain:

1) I have repeatedly forgotten what day of the week it is. I've missed two conference calls I promised I'd dial in for (despite being on vacation), and both times it was because I just forgot what day of the week it is. What good is a Blackberry if it can't help you out with that?

2) I have read all of Eclipse and most of Breakin Dawn.

3) While in the bookstore browsing for something new to read, a moment of pure insanity passed through me, and I bought City of Bones, the published first novel by Cassandra Clare. I've yet to see it in a bookstore in Canada, and although I had absolutely no interest in it nor the desire to support the author, I bought it anyway out of complete morbid curiosity. We'll see how it goes - I'll start it after I've finished Breaking Dawn, if I have completely overloaded on the pure CRACK of it all.

4) Despite the fact that Breaking Dawn completely morphs into a huge freak show somewhere around page 120, I have STILL BEEN READING IT. Why??? Vacation-brain is the only excuse I'm willing to accept.

5) I'm so euphoric by the amount of sun I've soaked in while here that I'm not even glum about the fact that, on my last full day here, it's cloudy and cool, instead of gloriously warm and sunny like I'd hoped. I won't be spending anymore time at the ocean, but that's okay - I have a crack-fest disguised as a novel to keep me entertained (seriously! I remember the gong-show that was fandom reaction when the last Harry Potter was released and how many people were upset, and THAT had many redeeming qualities - the redemption of Snape, Dumbledore as a not-perfect hero, line between good and evil not as black and white as Harry had thought. Was it because people expected so much more from JKR? If people could react so negatively over it (and let's be honest, it was mostly the poorly written epilogue that got people all upset), how come there wasn't rioting after Breaking Dawn was released? If I'd been as invested in the Twiligh series as I had been in HP, I would have been LIVID and horrified and demanding a freaking refund. But that's just me...) (Oops, look like the sun-euphoria has worn off)

6) My last post was SUPPOSED to be about how delightful I find Americans, but I got distracted by my thoughts on Eclipse. I haven't been traveling that much recently, so it's almost as if I'd forgotten that fact. Did you know you can buy a bottle of wine almost anywhere here? In WAL-MART??? That's crazy. But awesome. Also, outlet malls. I have been stimulating the HECK right out of the Florida economy.

And that's all. Back to reality on Wednesday.

I've been having a thrillingly laid back vacation. After surviving the apocalypse in the form of traveling on the first day of March Break and knocking crying children and frazzled mothers over in order to reach my flight on time, I've done not much more than relax in the sun since I've arrived. There have been a few jaunts into the outside world, including a day at the beach and visiting my first Walmart Superstore, which was a bit life-altering (but for better or worse, I'm not quite sure), but for the most part, I've been lying in the sun, alternating between dozing and rotting my brain by reading Stephanie Meyer.

I started the Twilight series awhile ago, and gave up about halfway through Eclipse. Well, let me tell you, I should not have given up so soon, because Eclipse is a treasure trove of awesome ridiculousness and I can't believe I was missing out. I mean, ( cut in case you're the only person left on the planet who hasn't read the books - warning, unpopular fandom opinions behind cut )

In any case, the book was entertaining - almost the entire way through, as the plot started much earlier this time. Once you got through the painful first part, that is.

Residents of the state of Florida, I have no idea how any of you get any work done and lead productive lives. All I want to so is sit outside and soak up the sun. Also, if any of you have naturally curly hair, I would like to know how you haven't gone insane and shaved your head, as I'm currently contemplating, because OH MY GOODNESS, the hair has also decided that IT is on vacation.

Had no idea how badly vacation was needed until now. Dude.

Back in two weeks, hopefully with some writing to share.

I was kinda-sorta promoted today... promoted in the sense that they've redefined my role within the organization, and realized that I've been working way above my pay scale and thus, was given a freaking 30% raise. Completely ridiculous, let me tell you, particularly because my title doesn't change at all, and that's really all I wanted (a better title) - but I'll take the raise.

To celebrate, I bid adieu to my lovely 30 G video iPod, which is the only thing I've ever won in my life, and upgraded to an iPod touch. I'm a bit dazzled by all the features, but I'm sure I'll adjust.

Also, I watched the movie Australia last night. Dude, whoever was marketing this movie is a complete idiot, because they totally didn't portray what the movie really is. I thought it was going to be like Cold Mountain - tragic, sweeping war-time epic with a romantic back drop, etc - but what was it actually? Um, Moulin Rouge without the singing (well, mostly) plus 100x the laughs and ( slight spoiler ). I loved it!! It was camp, hysterical in some parts, devastating in others and beautifully filmed, and just really magical (in more ways than one). Uh, plus, Hugh Jackman is ridiculously attractive as a cattle drover, with all the dust and sexiness (and seriously, there's this scene where he's training a horse, and he's all gentle and oh dear god, it ridiculously hot).

I'm not the biggest Nicole Kidman fan, but I like her SO much in this movie. I had no idea she was a brilliant comedic actress. It made me laugh RIGHT out loud, it made me cry and it made me swoon a little bit.

In any case, if you were fooled by the trailer, Australia is a treasure of a movie, and so much better than expected. It really felt like an old classic movie (complete with meet-cute), and was just really great.

I recently rewatched the movie Waitress, which re-ignited my utter adoration for Nathan Fillion, which means I had to wander out and buy the first (well, only *sniff*) season of Firefly, which I've been marathoning like a crazy person ever since.

I just forgot how GOOD it is. While I loved Buffy and I really loved Angel, I think that this is Joss Whedon's best work. Probably because it only HAD one season (so he didn't have time to fuck it up) - and OH what a season it was! - and then followed by the amazing movie that was Serenity, which I've only been able to watch once - it was amazing, but damn, it hurt too much.

You know what kinds burns me? Some of the best episodes never aired! "Out of Gas" is one of my favourites of the season and it was never aired! I can't believe that. What I really loved about this show is that it really is very dark and bleak, and yet, something about this small band of mismatched misfits eeking out their life of crime just works in a pretty light-hearted way that baffles me.

( I wasn't going to, but I wandered down the path and must continue to meta... )

Okay, I need to cut myself off now, before I go on too long... One thing more - the production values are also rather amazing, in that everything is SO PRETTY. GAH, show, why did you have get cancelled?