THE ARTIST REPEATS

Posted on August 23, 2006 by thathobbitlady

Okay. Here is a question. Does art exist in a vacuum?

I remember starting off one of my college papers with the statement “Art does not exist in a vacuum” and my teacher made some snide comments in the margin about how we could test this theory by putting the Mona Lisa into a rocket ship and shooting it into outer space. All kidding aside, art does not *not* exist in a vacuum. But how much should we let that fact affect our appreciation of it?

We are watching Buffy. We are also watching Angel. A short while ago, in Buffy, there was this fabulous episode called Tabula Rasa, where the whole gang goes under a spell and forget who they are and what they do (fighting demons and vampires, etc.) It’s quite a hilariouos episode, actually, and a good look into everyone’s personalities.

Now, a short while later, there is a fabulous episode on Angel call Spin the Bottle. In this story, a magic bottle causes the whole gang to revert back to who they were at age 17. Of course, they don’t know each other, they know nothing about demons and vampires, and hilarity ensues.

I happen to like both episodes very much, tho I must admit that the first time I saw Spin the Bottle, I was struck by its similarities to Tabula Rasa. For a moment I felt cheated (the same way I always feel cheated when an author pulls the “And then I woke up” card), but in a short while I decided the episode stood on its own, so I just sat back and enjoyed.

Now, Mary has a problem with the Angel episode. She calls it a “cheap rip-off” of Tabula Rasa. I think because of this she is putting up a wall, and not allowing herself to enjoy the episode on its own. So this is my question: if Tabula Rasa did not exist, or if it came *after* Spin the Bottle, would it affect the way we think about Spin the Bottle?

Can a storyline stand on its own, even if it is a “cheap ripoff”? If you don’t know about the “original” will the rip-off automatically seem better, more entertaining, more artistic? And….SHOULD it? Or do we have to view everything in its cultural context?

And how about this: does the fact that one author is responsible for both storylines make their similariy more acceptable or less? If a similar storyline had appeared on…let’s say, Charmed, would it seem worse because the story idea would appear to be “stolen”? Or is it better if one artist repeats their own story ideas? At least it’s not theft, it might just appear they are a bit lazy, running out of ideas.

Mary, I hope to see you respond to this issue. And I also look forward to comments from anyone else who would like to respond to this artistic dilemma!

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PAR FOR THE COURSE

Posted on August 20, 2006 by thathobbitlady

Sorry to return on such a negative note, but I have an observation about life that is not entirely encouraging. Basically, it goes something like this: in general, you can’t trust people to do what they say they are going to do.

Nothing personal. The people who are most important in my life have not disappointed me. What I’m talking about is the freaking landlord and this whole issue about the roof. The other day the landlord told me the roofers would be here at 2:30 and they would need to come in to go into the attic and see where it was leaking. So I took some time off work, all the time thinking, “Yeah, right, like they’re really going to show.”

And why did I think that? Because I’ve been down this road before. I’ve been waiting for roofers before, that never show. Hell, one time I had a nice afternoon planned, and I cancelled it so I could be home for roofers….who never showed! And do you even want to hear about how many times I waited for a refrigerator repairman when I lived in the Falls of Margate? Man! I think it was literally 10 or 11 times that I waited and they never showed. It was just about the most frustrating experience of my life.

Anyway, come Friday, I get home, and lo and behold, there is the landlord, and here come the roofers! I am most surprised.

Well, everything is fine and dandy, except before they leave, the landlord tells me the roofers will be back on Sunday afternoon, about 2:30 again, and they will want to go up in the attic. Again. To drill a hole, so they can see where they need to work.

Okay, first of all, why didn’t they just drill the damn hole when they were up there on Friday? No, I am being asked to stay home again to let them in. So I say okay, since I don’t really have that much planned for Sunday, just intending to putter around the house. So Sunday afternoon is fine.

Only now it is early Sunday evening, and you guessed it….no roofers have ever shown up. And the landlord has not even called to explain why.

Oh well….the world has just gone back to normal, I suppose.

I think it must have something to do with being a renter. They know they have you over a barrel. At least for one year, until the lease comes due again.

Okay, I’ve vented enough for one day. Thanks for listening.

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THE LOVE LIST

Posted on August 5, 2006 by thathobbitlady

Mary issued a challenge to create a list of things I love, but sticking to only one letter of the alphabet. She gave me the letter L, so here is my list, pretty much in the order I thought of them, only backwards. Meaning, the last thing I thought of is on the list first, and the first thing is last. Got it? Would that be ascending or descending? Well, you know what I mean! Here is my list of things I love, beginning with the letter L.

10. Latin music. It’s Lively, and it doesn’t even matter if I can’t understand the words. It makes me want to dance. My favorites are Ricky Martin, and the jazz flutist, Nestor Torres.

9. Lemonade. Not the drink (tho I do like that) but the song by Chris Rice. It’s just about the happiest song I can think of, tho kind of bittersweet, and I relate to it so well, because like Chris Rice, I am also finding love later in life. Here are the lyrics, in full. I was only going to post the last three or four lines, which are my favorite, but I think the entire song deserves to be showcased.

So go ahead and ask her
For happy ever after
‘Cause nobody knows what’s coming
So why not take a chance on loving
Come on, pour the glass and tempt me
Either half-full or half-empty
‘Cause if it all comes down to flavor
The glass is tipping in my favor

Life gave me lemonade and I can’t imagine why
Born on a sunny day, beneath a tangerine sky
I live life without pretending
I’m a sucker for happy endings
Thanks for the lemonade
Thanks for the lemonade

Now take your time to answer me
For the beauty of romancing
Is to calm your trembling hand with mine
While begging love to fill your eyes
I can hardly breathe while waiting
To find out what your heart is saying
And as we’re swirling in this flavor
The world is tilting in our favor

I’ve got it made
Rest in the shade
And hold my love
While God above
Stirs with a spoon
We share the moon
Smile at the bees
More sugar please
He really loves us after all
We’re gonna need another straw
We’re gonna need another straw!!!

I need another straw. 🙂

8. Lasagna. Who doesn’t love lasagna?

7. Luke Skywalker. Anyone who knows me knows that I was one of the original Star Wars nuts, seeing the movie seventeen times the year it came out. Luke is the ultimate hero, is he not? And yet he also has a vulnerable side. For a long time, I saw him as the perfect man. Now I know better, but he still has a tremendous amount of charm.

6. LIght. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am a nut for lights and lamps. I like a room to have several options for lighting, as I feel that a large part of the comfort of any room comes directly from the lighting. Sunlight is also a great option, as is also moonlight slipping through the curtains. The one thing I hate is overhead lighting.

5. Library. I love to public library! In fact, I love any library. I love books and music and movies. Self explanatory.

4. Lip gloss. It looks and feels great, and sometimes even tastes delicious! But I like the kind that is mineral oil based, not waxy.

3. Lord of the Rings. I just purchased the Deluxe Extended Editions of all three movies. The story is classic, of course, and the music alone is good enough to keep on in the background as you are puttering around the house, doing other things. I may not be as big of a fan as some people I know, people who can recite every line of diolog, or know Aragorn’s family tree backwards and fowards, but I do enjoy LOTR in my own way.

2. Life. This one is obvious, isn’t it? I really do love life! Life is good.

1. Love. I love being in love! I wanted to say I love Russ, but neither his first, last nor middle name begin with L, though of the 18 letters in his complete name, four of them are L’s. I love the L’s in my lovey’s name! And, in general I have to say….I love being in Love!!

That’s my list. Anyone want a letter?

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MIXED EMOTIONS

Posted on August 5, 2006 by thathobbitlady

When was the last time I was here? It’s been a while. Well, here I am. I mean, I’ve been here all along, of course, I just haven’t been posting, but perhaps now as things are changing in my life, I will have a little more time for posting. More time for reflection.

The news is that Mary has gone away to college. I want to think of a way to explain this. I was going to say “This leaves a great hole in my life” and that’s true, but it sounds so negative. Well, it really *is* negative, because there is a great deal of sadness, and I miss her being right here. Mary is my buddy, and always will be. So yeah, this is a bummer, and it’s going to be an adjustment for me.

So there is the sadness. But that doesn’t mean I would want to change anything. I know this is the best move for her, and she is going to have a great time in Gainesville. I wouldn’t want to wish that away from her. I want what’s best for her, even tho it might make me sad for a while.

So it really is a mixed bag of emotions. The sadness, and the excitement, for both Mary and myself. Because I also am moving into the next stage of my life. Soon, within the next 3 to 5 months, I hope to be moving to Alabama. So, a certain number of changes have to happen first, leading up to this big change. Kids are growing up and going out on their own. It’s the natural order of things. It’s sad, but it’s good.

It might sound odd, but I am kind of “enjoying” this sadness. Not really, but what I mean is that because I know it is part of the natural progression, it’s okay. I want to go through all the stages that are a natural part of life.

So yes, things are changing. And perhaps at this time I will be inspired to once again use this journal, as a way to document those changes, to reflect and to ponder.

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BUFFY UPDATE

Posted on May 4, 2006 by thathobbitlady

It seems like it’s been such a long, long time since I’ve updated here. Well, it seems that way, and I guess it actually has been. But things are about to change, and for what better reason than this….a Buffy update!!

Russ and I are now solidly in the middle of Season 4. It seems like it’s taken a long time to get here, but at the same time that we’ve been watching Buffy, we also began watching Angel, which of course began its run on TV apparently the same time as Season 4 of Buffy. Each show, of course, stands on its own, yet somehow I find that they are indeed so much better together. Of course, there is that occassional mixing of the storylines, but mostly I think I like the picture I’m getting of the entire “Buffyverse.” If that makes sense.

Now as for Season 4, Russ insists it is not his favorite season. From where I sit, I would have to say I don’t share his sentiments. I thought I might have a hard time accepting all the new characters and situations our heroes find once they get to college, but surprisingly I feel quite comfotable in this new world. Maybe because I so well remember the excitement of starting college myself, being out on my own for the first time, and can relate somewhat (tho, sorry! Can’t relate to slaying vampires on a regular basis!)

Now the best part of course, is the change in Spike. He has always been an intriquing character, but somewhat one dimensional. Here in Season 4, he becomes deeper, more multidimensional. Yes, in a way he is “reduced to comic relief” but at the same time can’t you just feel his angst over that?

Missing Oz. Big time. And Russ is not a fan of Riley. I like him, but then from my vantage point midway through Season 4, perhaps there are yet a lot of things I do not yet know. Actually, I’m quite sure of it. Knowing this show, the surprise would not be any particular surprise, but it would be much more surprising if there turned out to be no *more* surprises.

So, Russ is not a big fan of Season 4. And yet, he has a friend who says it is his favorite season. Too early for me to tell. I still have Seasons 5 and 6 and even 7 to go! Wow! Hard to imagine ever getting that far along. But that day will come, I’m sure. In the meantime, enjoying the heck out of where I am.

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Posted on May 1, 2006 by thathobbitlady

what time? 1:32pm on Monday, May 1

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THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE?

Posted on March 5, 2006 by thathobbitlady

Russ and I are midway through the finale of Buffy’s Season 3, Graduation Day. Much afoot! And I am sure I will be able to discuss this issue much more intelligently once I have gotten all the way through Graduation Day, and even more intelligently when I have gotten through the series, but from this unique perspective, I want to address a question Russ brought up last night. Can there…or should there….be only one Slayer?

Russ is wondering what might happen when/if Faith is eliminated as the “second Slayer.” (I say “wondering” facetiously, because of course he knows exactly what happens and how it impacts the rest of the storyline.) From my point of view, tho, not knowing what happens, a lot of questions and possiblities are open.

Russ seems to be assuming that if Faith dies and a new Slayer is sent to replace her, this will be a bad thing. That we want to get back to the point where there is only one Slayer, so that Buffy will be “special.” I’m not sure I agree. First, Buffy already is special, no matter how many other Slayers there might be. And I enjoy the interaction between the Slayers, and seeing how different they can be and still get the job done.

Look at Kendra. Very different than Buffy, but I liked her, she was so dedicated. And Faith has a strength that Buffy doesn’t have. Granted, she’s kind of got that power turned in the wrong direction at the moment, but you can’t deny there is strength and power in her personality. And the fight scene between Faith and Buffy (black leather pants vs. red leather pants) was so intense, so hot! (not in a sexual way, in a storytelling kind of way). The reason why this scene works so well is exactly because they are from the same stock, both Slayers, both equally trained, equally focused.

I like when there are two Slayers. I don’t necessarily want to see only one Slayer. Now, as for whether or not there will be one Slayer or two Slayers and how this might be accomplished, I have no idea. And I don’t think I’m even going to hazard a guess. I have complete faith in Mr. Whedon to take this story to the best place possible. I’m just along for the ride. One Slayer, two Slayers, whatever. This show rocks!

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A SIMPLE REQUEST

Posted on February 22, 2006 by thathobbitlady

I don’t ask much of life. I am a simple person, with simple desires. And my lunch order, I think, is relatively simple. Well, maybe in this day and age of “Give me a #4 and super size it” mine is a little more complicated, but I don’t think it is so complicated that it’s *impossible* to get right.

Every time I go into Wendy’s or McDonalds, this is pretty much what I order, and I use these same words every time:

Side Salad
with Ranch Dressing
and a Bag of Croutons.
Medium Iced Tea
with a slice of lemon.

That’s it. That’s all. Five things to remember, but I have begun to notice that I have about a one in ten chance of getting everything I ask for on a first shot. At least that is the way it seems, so today I decided to turn this into an official socialogical study. From this point on, whenever I go into a fast food restaurant and order this meal, I am going to document the response.

To begin. Today I went into the McDonald’s around the corner from my work and put in my order, exactly as stated above. This was the response:

***No croutons. I had to ask again.

**No slice of lemon. I had to ask again.

***Also, why is it that some people do not understand that a major component of iced tea is….ICE!!! Why is it that they people will try to make you an iced tea with less ice in it than they would put in your average cup of soda? I had to ask for more ice.

***Not only all this, but as I was standing there, waiting for all the items which I could clearly see behind the counter to be put on to my tray, I saw no fewer than two people who had ordered after me get their food first—and that being cooked food! I guess the fact that I was eating lite also made me a lite customer, not as important as the big meat eaters.

Either that, or they were somehow aware that I was going to document the ineptitude of their eating establishment, and were getting back at me before I even got started.

I will collect data from at least ten McDonald’s visits and ten Wendy’s visits, then report back on the results. What do you think? Am I over-reacting? Or am I going to find that customer service is not what it should be?

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THE BUFFY BOY QUIZ

Posted on February 17, 2006 by thathobbitlady

Here’s a little quiz I created, strictly for amusement. This is for the girls. If any boy wants to take this quiz, just callit the Buffy Girl Quiz and change the choices to Buffy, Willow, Cordelia, Faith and Jenny.

The Buffy Boy Quiz

1. LOOKS. The business directly across from yours is up for sale and about to get a new owner. When he comes in, you will have a clear, all day visual of him through the front window on an almost constant basis. You will never interact with him, you will only have the chance to look at him repeatedly every day for the next ten or twenty years. The following characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are all applying for the job. Who do you hope gets it, and why?

a. Xander
b. Giles
c. Angel
d. Oz
e. Spike

2. PERSONALITY. You may choose to have any of the following characters from Buffy as a guest in your house for an entire week. You will get to hang out with him, show him the sights, have fun….but having sex does not enter into this at all. Which guy would you like as your non-sexual companion for a week, and why?

a. Xander
b. Giles
c. Angel
d. Oz
e. Spike

3. SEX. Okay, now you get to have sex with one of them. You are a contestant on a Japanese TV game show and you win the grand prize of one night of unbridled passion with your favorite TV character. You get to pick from the Buffy boys. Who do you choose, and why?

a. Xander
b. Giles
c. Angel
d. Oz
e. Spike

4. THE LONG HAUL. Arranged marriages come back into style. You must marry one of the Buffy boys and live with him as your husband for at least the next thirty years. Who do you choose, and why?

a. Xander
b. Giles
c. Angel
d. Oz
e. Spike

Have fun!

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BAND CANDY

Posted on February 15, 2006 by thathobbitlady

Russ and I have been watching Buffy together from Season 1 Episode 1, and at the moment we are barely at the beginning of Season 3. So lots and lots of goog stuff yet to come! First I have to mention what a great guy Russ is for turning me on to Buffy in the first place, and for making all this possible at all. This is totally all his doing. Thank you, sweetie!

So last night we watch Band Candy, and today I have watched it again. In fact, I’m watching it now, yet again. And why not? It is probably the funniest episodes yet! Except for Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. Having said that, I realize that what these two episodes have in common is that they both play off the unique characterizations. Both episodes take what we already know about the characters and mess around with that, in a way that is truly, truly insightful and amusing.

Okay, so in Band Candy, we have all the grown ups reverting back to teenagers. As a grown up who too often feels like a teenager, I found this absolutely too wild for words! Here are my impressions…from the other side of 16.

Buffy’s mom, Joyce—never really liked her much. Way too serious, too much the disciplinarian. Her role as “mom” forces the fun out of her. But now she is totally fun, hanging with her new boyfriend Giles, drinking, listening to music, carrying handcuffs (!) and telling Buffy, “Screw you!” For the first time we really see her being more than just what is demanded by her role as “Buffy’s mom.” I like that. She’s…”very Juice Newton.”

Giles. What a riot. What does Buffy say about him as a teen? “Bad magic hates the world ticking time bomb guy.” He’s irreverant, irresponsible, so un-Giles. He smokes, with a pack of cigarettes rolled up in the sleeve of his undershirt. Even his accent descends. “Coppers go’ a gun!” He’s so cool. He’s like Burt Reynolds. hehe

But probably the most fun of all is Principal Snyder. What a riot! I can’t explain why I get such a kick out of him as a teen. Probably because he is even more of a weasel as a teen than he is as an adult. As an adult, he is mean spirited, but as a teen, he’s just so…so… mischevious. And there’s something about the way the actor portrays him, how he puts that glint in his eye. Despite the bald head, you almost believe he’s 16. Too funny! (“Whoa! There are some foxy laides here tonight!”)

Okay, I’m gushing enough. The idea that the teenager we once were is always still somewhere inside us is so intriguing, so appealing. I mean, hopefully, indulging that teenager now and then does not lead to quite as much trouble as it does in the Buffy universe—but then when is anything in the real universe anywhere near as intense and dramatic as anything in the Buffy universe?

Final thought. An episode like this, besides offering deeper insight into our favorite characters, also gives a greater respect for the talents of the actors. Sometimes, I think, we get so used to seeing them play their parts so well, that it seems second nature, we lose our sense of marveling over what a good job they are doing. Now we are reminded that they are in fact acting, they are not really these particular characters, but actors portraying these characters, and indeed portraying all the different levels of their characters so very well.

And now Russ tells me we are getting ready to delve into several very angsty episodes. Well, then, I guess it was good to have this little side trip to Laughland before we go there.

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