Friday, May 31, 2002

Should today's women be more ladylike?
According to this article, I'm not much of a lady. But oh yeah baby, I'm one hell of a woman!

Blixx wants to go kayaking tonight, but the weather report isn't too favorable. I told him I'd let him know if I was going or not. Other than that, we've really got no concrete plans. We'll be looking at four houses over the weekend. Two are your run of the mill split levels, but perhaps there's something inside that will wow us, like the master bathroom set up over at Tempest's. There's the one with the pond, which I believe I linked to yesterday. Then there's a cute colonial in downtown Spencer.

I spoke with my Florida friend SherBear last night. They got a wicked thunderstorm with hail the size of golfballs. She knows I like storms so she thought she'd give me a call. She'll be coming to visit in August and I told her she's more than welcome to crash at my crappy little apartment. She's all possitive, declairing that by that time we'll be in a house and they will be our first guests. I am so regretful that she & her hubby moved to Florida...they are great people and I miss them terribly. Granted, I'm a shitty friend cuz I never call. It was a really nice pick me up to speak with her. I'd had a really balls to the wall day at work yesterday and was grumpy.

Starting in June, Blixx & I are going to budget absolutely everything, and put away bucks like we were paying a mortgage.We'll take the $$ out of the checking account like we were really paying, and hope to god it looks like we'll be able to afford it. I have concerns. Blixx makes great bucks doing what he's doing, but it's not steady income so it's not like I can predict when the checks will come in. We're cutting coupons and all purchases, including gas for the cars and my cigs, must be preapproved before we just pop over to the atm. It's going to be a tough transition, since we've been riding pretty high financially and not watching where the money goes. We have quickbooks and every transaction entered gets a category like 'groceries' or 'auto - gas' or 'household.' It's that household that gets us. WalMart & Target will have these big charges then we don't even remember what we bought! No more eating out all weekend every weekend. We might have to reduce ourselves to Canoe beers, but lets hope it doesn't come to that.

I'm all stressed out about work & money...I've been ignoring my poor Blixx. He called today & said 'Since you haven't been noticing things lately, I thought I'd tell you that I cleaned & vacuumed the whole apartment today, including upstairs.' The horrible thing is that I probably would have gone home & noticed that maybe there was a little less cat hair, but I wouldn't have put 2x2 together. He's grocery shopping for us today too. Both are traditionally MY jobs, but he's been really pitching in and helping out on his days off, but I never say thank you. I just expect him to do these things and get all mad when he doesn't...not that I communicate any of this or anything! Nope, just keep taking that hot caring wonderful man for granted. I've really got to make an effort to appreciate and thank my man for all that he does for me.
THANK YOU BLIXX! YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!


Have a great weekend! Peace.

Thursday, May 30, 2002

Blogger ate my post from yesterday. It was brilliant, but now you will be unable to share in the joy. Alas, it was not meant to be.

Went to sales training yesterday. Our inbound phone reps will now be selling 4 jobs or under to clients that call in, but moreover they need to be doing a better job of prequalifying the leads before passing to the telesales rep. I found out that I know a great deal about lead qualification and the sales process (thanks BazarJ) - more than the reps we've got working here. They are all stumped at what an open ended question is! Swear! It was both a frustrating and fulfilling experience to be in the group as an observer, but to be mentoring the group that I'm in. I guess I'm just wicked fuckin' smart. Maybe you had to be there.

We went to go see this house last night. It's close to Grips and has easy highway access - pretty much has everything going for it, right? Um, not if you're more than 4 ft tall. Wicked low ceilings and a general feeling of suffocation. Also, the house is about 4 ft from the track & field for Holy Cross College, which means the flood lights would be blasting away. The yard was absolutely beautiful, with a fire pit and small garage...hell, there was even a swing on the tree out front. A shame, but if Blixx calls we'll be looking at this oneeither tonight or tomorrow. We did a driveby last night. It's on a dirt road, but there are a lot of those in Worcester & this one isn't too bad. It's got a pond and beautiful gardens. The garage looks huge. I know the house is small, but we really don't need all that much space. There's a patio with built in bbq next to the lilacs. Two drawbacks - it's the nicest house around and across the street is white trash central. Also, the house is right at the top of our comfortable price range. I guess we'll just take a look inside and decide if we want to eat Ramen forever so we can sit near out own pond.

I haven't had much time to check out the other blogs. I hope you are all healthy, wealthy & wise.

Into the future...

Tuesday, May 28, 2002

I have the DT's...no beer for almost 12 hours and I've got the shakes. I've got a hangover from 4 days of pretty much non-stop debauchery and I just don't know how I'm going to make it through the rest of the day at work. I'm stupid tired.

Blixx & I were the first to arrive & set up camp, which left us the afternoon to relax. Folks started straggling in and by the time it was dinnertime, we were all sharing Teacher's food, since she brought WAY too much. Hey, lucky for us! GeriDog, Grips mother, was there and I apparently offended her by referring to their campsite as the Nursing Home & Nursery. I implied that she doesn't pull her own weight and she didn't talk to me for the rest of the night. I honestly didn't know I'd pissed her off until Grips asked me to fix whatever I'd done to reduce the drama. I apologized, but I think I'm on her shit list now. Oh well, I feel like family.

The weather was pretty good all in all, with only a few showers to dampen our adventures. Saturday was a lazy day. The boys went out in the kayaks while I sat on the point (pictures coming soon) reading A Caress of Twilight (newest in the Merridith Gentry series. Na Na!), getting a wicked sunburn. My nose is less Rudolph today, but my legs are still red and swollen. It doesn't help that I got a bug bite on my shin that I can't itch without excruciating pain. Yeah, I burned myself again. Blixx was so pleased. Blixx actually let me cook the steak tips on the grill for dinner, with very little drama. He likes to be the camp cook guy and is reluctant to let anyone else into the role. Jillybean showed up at some point so we chatted around the fire while some of the group went on a late night paddle. I was too cold and tired to go. It was cloudy anyway, so no biggie. The campfire and smores were just fine for me.

Sunday the boys were heading out on a paddling mission. As I'm in the tent getting ready to go, I hear SPLASH followed by "OH MY GOD!" He He He Grips was in the canoe and took a little swim. While that was funny, as well as watching him swim back to shore...the funniest is when he was back at camp and went to move his arms - gallons of water were pouring off of him. After that, I decided that he needed the paddle more than I did so I let him take Mellow Yellow, the kayak I usually use. I didn't know it then, but they were on an all day mission. After waiting around to see if they would come back (what was I thinking?), I took a little walk in the woods with Crafty, Anime, GeriDog, Teacher and little V. For a 2 year old, she is such a wonder to be around. She gets cranky when she's tired, but it takes a whole lot to push her over the edge into hysterics. She was perfectly happy to wander the campground and I think she had a really good time.

I was on baby time all day Sunday. We ate, then it was time for a rest around the fire. We ate again, then went for the walk. I wandered back to my site and laid down for a few hour nap, which was heaven. It was CCCCCOOOOOLLLLLLDDDDD at night and I found myself sleeping wearing everything I brought with me, including my hooded sweatshirt up around my ears. I didn't sleep too well at night, but the nap was wonderful. Then it was sausage, pepper & onion on the grill time, followed by doughboys. You take popinfresh crescent roll dough and wrap a piece around a stick. Toast in fire until done. Remove from stick, add a little butter, cinnamon & sugar and enjoy. They are a little bit of heaven and I'm glad that Crafty brought them! Mmmmm. They taste just like fried dough at the fair.

When the boys came back, we commenced drinking by the fire again. Birdgirl's friend Rob showed up...at night...with no flashlight! He was able to convince another camper to walk him out to our site. Rob reminds me of Nightskye...not in looks, but in personality (read: attention slut) and mannerisms. He's a cool guy and an excellent addition to the party mix. Sunday night was the late night flotilla under the crystal clear sky - did I mention it was a full moon? You didn't need a flashlight to see your way between campsites. The glow was casting shadows on the water. We floated around drinking beers in the silence and wonder of nature, under the full moon's glow through the trees. Wow!

We were supposed to be off the site by 11am, but decided that it was worth paying for an extra day, just so we didn't have to rush. We had everything but the kitchen sink for breakfast, which was wonderful! Then there was a lot more sitting around the campfire drinking. I was getting a little edgy with all that nothing to do, so I jumped into Mellow Yellow and headed out for a while. This was the very first time that I'd been out in the kayak on my own. I didn't stay out long, because I was so burned from Saturday and I didn't want my nose to get any redder, but I did explore the far side of the lake and some of the neat little islands out there. Toad was all 'where's she going?' but I just wanted to be alone and on the water. Ok, so I wanted to burn off some breakfast and shake off the hangover from the night before. It was fab! We didn't break camp until after 4pm and no rangers ever came by, so we didn't have to pay extra.

Rather than load all of our gear on to the carts, we had Grips leave the canoe and we loaded it with all of our gear. Blixx towed it back to the boat launch and we just loaded the Jeep there. Super easy and definitely the way to go next year. The canoe is borrowed, but since the dude never uses it I think we'll keep it somewhere until he asks for it back. So, we have a canoe. Before we left the area, we went to Doane's Falls and checked out the view there. Despite the enormous and vicious mosquitoes it's a beautiful spot that we want to investigate further. Made it back to Toads to drop off boats and gear around 8pm and found that it had poured there during the day - we got lucky with weather! Back home for 9pm and we didn't even have the energy to unpack the Jeep. Other than the cooler and my toiletry bag, everything is still in there just the way we left it, which must smell wicked funky by now.

All in all it was a terrific weekend and I think it will become a tradition with us. Memorial Day at Tully. Woo Hoo!

Now I'm off to try & eat something, and pull myself together. Wish me luck.

Thursday, May 23, 2002

Keep your fingers crossed for good weather! I'm heading out into the great unknown armed with plenty of beer and...well, more beer.

I shall return and WOW you all with my commentary on what could be The Weekend From Hell (please refer to last year's Memorial Day entry for more details) or One Hell of a Weekend! We shall see.

Enjoy the long weekend! Peace.


Take the What
animal best portrays your sexual appetite??
Quiz

Wednesday, May 22, 2002

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEMPEST!!! Sorry about the crazy messages from my mother, but you'll be happy to know that she's scared shitless of your big dumb dog. He was in rare form barking and doing circles that she pretty much had to launch your gift on to the front stoop and run for her life. She'd opened the rear car door to get the gift and left in such a hurry that she forgot to close it until she got to the road. Good boy Gussy.<---give that boy some extra treats for me, will ya? Mom was also scared that the dogs yapping would bring any number of your relatives running over, armed to the teeth. I really couldn't say anything to that, without lying.
Working late tonight then I've got to pack my personal stuff up. Tomorrow we'll be loading gear and boats into the wee hours. Grips' sister Jillybean is coming with us camping - psyched! Then we leave Friday and don't come back until Monday night. I can't wait to be free of TV, computers, work, cell phones...the lot of it. Just me and nature...and beer...and some good books. Woo Hoo. Is it Friday yet?

Tuesday, May 21, 2002

Blogger is such a fickle beast.
'Page Not Found'

Tonight is the season finale of Buffy. Don't call or come over, because my world will be stopping for 2 hours. Make that 3, since I'll be taping 24 and watching tonight as well.
Buffy...how will they bring Willow back from the dark side? Will Zander get any special powers out of all this? Is Spike in Africa just to get the chip out of his head, or is he in search of a soul? Will he be another Angel, a vampire with a soul? Angel was cursed to relive and have guilt over all the deaths he caused as Angelus...is Spike in for an emotional upheaval? Will Dawn stop whining? Only time will tell.

Monday, May 20, 2002

I couldn't bring myself to drive 2 hours in the rain on Saturday, so I didn't end up going to see Tempest & Purge. I did have an absolutely wonderful relaxing day where we stayed in bed WAY longer than we should have, then took a nice long shower. I relaxed and read a book for a few hours under a blanket and cat, while Blixx putzed with camping stuff to get ready for our next adventure.

In the eve, we met up with DrJim & HighOctane over at Toads house and had some coctails before heading out to see our friend's band play. The band kicked some serious butt and we all had too much to drink and too many laughs. Good times. We closed the place down then went back to Toads for a nightcap...didn't get home until after 3am.

Blixx had to go see his mother & grandmother early Sunday morning so the poor hungover dude didn't get much sleep. I drove to CT and went to my cousin's baby shower. Urg, I just hope that my legs don't swell up to treetrunk size like she is. She's retaining water everywhere and looks aweful, the poor thing. She's had pregnancy related diabetes too - of course the food was all deserts and all filled with sugar. Imagine that my aunt didn't think to offer anything that her own pregnant daughter could eat. Yep, that's my caring and thoughtful family. Aunt & Uncle have done some serious rehap on the house and built a beautiful addition...I just hope they aren't squandering Nanny's money!!!! Cuzzie got some nice stuff and the food was good. Aunt & Uncle have a small, but beautifully landscaped home in Killingworth CT. The grounds are breathtaking, with the gardens everywhere and all of her pets. It's quite naturific and cool.

Anyone watch the Survivor finale last night? Rosie hosted the after party thing and it was so obnoxious I couldn't stand it. She did a musical number (if you could even call it music) to the theme from Gilligans Island. She came in riding on the back of a motorcycle, driven by Colby. She's pawing all over him, like she didn't just come out to the world! I tuned in toward the end and she did a pretty good job of mocking all the contestants and pointing out their faults...ok, maybe it was just that I'd had some drinks by then, but it was pretty funny.

I taped the X-Files season finale. Hope it's good. Hope I find time to watch it.

Fox & UPN 2002-2003 schedules are all switched up. Dark Angel & Titus are gone, which is a damn shame, but Firefly looks to be interesting. OK, so I'm only interested in the Buffy connection. Greg the Bunny is out, as well as the Family Guy, which I'm crying about. On UPN, they couldn't make anyone watch Wolf Lake, so it's canned along with Under one Roof & Roswell. 24 is coming back, but no word if Kieffer will return - I guess they don't want to give away the season finale.

'm absolutely overwhelmed between work (got the Inbound Contest Wrap Up on Wednesday) and getting ready to go camping next weekend, so it's the Readers Digest of TV reports this week. I will say that Angel's season finale is tonight at 9pm, and tomorrow is a national f*ckin holiday for me, with the Buffy 2 hour season finale from 8-10 on UPN. I will be shutting off the phones, turning off the lights and battening down the hatches while I sip some coctails and enjoy my last new Buffy until fall. Of course, in 2 weeks I'll be able to buy Season 2 on DVD so the withdrawls shouldn't be all that bad. The season finale of 24 is also on Tuesday at 9pm. Wednesday the Simpsons season finale is on at 8pm, followed by Celebrity Boxing 2. Cards include Darva Conger vs. Olga Korbut; William "The Refrigerator" Perry vs. Manute Bol; Ron Palillo vs. Dustin Diamond. Once we make it to Thursday, it's rerun city man.

Friday, May 17, 2002

OMG!

Check out where we want to live. I've sent Blixx out on a mission to check it out this afternoon and I seriously want to just write a check to put it on deposit like right now.

Thursday, May 16, 2002

I've had my resume active on my companies site for some time. It's saved as confidential, so you can't see my contact name or current employer info.

I just received an e-mail from Gibba, owner & former tormentor at my previous job, Unishippers. He must have been searching the resume database (oh my, they are hiring again. Go figure!!!) and seen the Unishippers entry. He simply wished me luck in my job search, but it's still creepy that I don't hear from him in 2 stinking years, despite all the bs about 'keeping in touch,' then he out of the blue drops me this e-mail. Dick. Now I feel like justifying myself in saying that I'm still employed & happier than I ever was at his crapass backward company...but that's just lowering myself to his level. Again, Dick.
If you're interested in knowing the lowdown on Season 4 of Farscape, check out these SPOILERS here. Sadly, no mention of Zaan returning. Or Crais. There IS mention of Claudia Black in a bikini.

Wednesday, May 15, 2002

CBS 2002-2003 TV lineup. Lot's of cop dramas.

It looks like the Naked Chef has a new show coming out. I love this guy but I wish they put in subtitles so you could understand him. Also, as of yet the Food Network doesn't offer his recipies on the website so I'm left to figure out on my own what a 'whack' of basil is. Oh well, cooking is an adventure.

In other news, it seems that if Tempest & Purge has waited just a little while, they could have saved $100 on their Playstation 2. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

***********************************************


We went looking at houses again last night. Nothing really grabbed us. I had high hopes for one down near Stiles Reservoir in Spencer, MA but it turned out to not be 1/2 as nice as the picture in the add. It was also on a dirt road that would require a HumV to negotiate. Then there was a plain split level, also in Spencer, that didn't really float our boat. I'd previously said I wouldn't live in a split...at this point my expectations and requirements have dropped dramaticly. Closets and more counter space in the kitchen...boom! I'm in! Ok, so we need a garage of basement for storage. And off street parking for 2 cars.

There was some damn good TV on last night. Willow skinned the guy who killed her lover. It was grusome and awesome at the same time. Then on 24 we find out that Nina, Jack's confidant all along, has been the mole at CTU. That just blows me away! Jack's daughter is a spunky one...she got away from her kidnappers by throwing hot coffee into one dude's face. Very cool ep and I'm glad to hear rumors that the show will be returning next season.

Tuesday, May 14, 2002

The Cat's Meow. Someone out there actually studies this stuff! They should come over to my house and hear the plaintive whining meow of the cat who wishes to go outside, or the larger and more robust meow of the starvin marvin 20lb feline who demands round the clock feedings. No need for a study or research grant - each meow if crystal clear.
TV Shows that aren't coming back and should be:

The Man Show. Damn funny show, expecially the Man Show Boy. Ok, girls on trampolines is timeless.
The Job: Dennis Leary is a funny MFer.
UC Undercover: That dude from Homicide who did these mad crazy moves and had a sweet cross draw will be missed...I guess I'm the only one though.
Roswell: I know I'm a sucker for the teen scifi set, but this one was really cute. Look for it in reruns on SciFi in the fall.

Fox, CBS and UPN have yet to officially announce their schedules. Here's what we've got so far.

The WB's 2002-2003 TV lineup. Note, Angel is moving to Sunday at 9pm, which sucks because I've started to get into Alias. Another conflict...joy! And, Angel might be up against the new Joss Whedon show on Fox called Firefly, which has been described as a western in space. But, check this new series out...
BIRDS OF PREY. Action drama about a trio of female superheroes who try to keep the peace years after Batman has abandoned Gotham City, from writer Laeta Kalogridis (who did uncredited work on "Scream 3" and "Tomb Raider") and Smallville producers Mike Tollin and Brian Robbins. It stars Dina Meyer (Starship Troopers, Secret Agent Man) as a wheelchair-bound Batgirl/Oracle, Rachel Skarsten (Little Men) as a psychic Black Canary, and Ashley Scott (Dark Angel) as Batman and Catwoman's daughter, The Huntress.

The ABC 2002-2003 lineup. Looks a little weak if you ask me. Hard to find anything worth giving 5 minutes. John Ritter has a comedy? Perhaps they are looking to grab the older demographic. And while I loved the show several years ago, Drew Carey has definately jumnped the shark.

NBC 2002-2003 lineup. I hear Scrubs is funny but I never get to watch it Tuesdays. I guess now I can.
Welcome back to the fold, Wildcat. Nice to have you back a'bloggin.

UIM: While no expert in the housing market across the country, I can say that in my experience here in Mass, decent houses are on the market for only a matter of days. Hell, sometimes hours. It's quite frustrating on the buyers end, but your maternal unit should have a possitive experience.

Tempest: I'm traveling solo and will be arriving Saturday afternoon. Purge says that everything you want for your birthday is on your Amazon wish list. True? No must have games?





Monday, May 13, 2002

MONDAY TV
8pm NBC - Fear Factor Part 1 of two. A roster of 13 past winners return to compete for $100,000. Dares include taking a dip with alligators.
8pm ANC - Dinotopia. Part 2 of 3. No clue if it's any good, but we're taping it for later viewing pleasure. There's talk that this may become a regular series next year.
9pm WB - Angel. In the second to last ep of the season, this one better be better than last week! His son comes back from another dimension bent on killing his vampire father...then they have a hug fest. BS! "Benediction" - Angel and Connor successfully engage in some much-needed father-son bonding when they find themselves fighting side-by-side. Then foster-father Holtz stirs things up by suggesting Connor should leave him to live with Angel. Meanwhile, Lilah continues to work on recruiting Wesley for the bad guys; and Cordelia's closeness with Angel causes a rift in her relationship with Groosalugg.
9pm USA Stargate - The intriguing premise---ancient code on an artifact called the Stargate opens a gateway to another universe---ultimately crash-lands in familiar shoot 'em up territory. A military man (Kurt Russell) and an Egyptologist (James Spader) step through the portal, where they discover a world resembling ancient Egypt and controlled by the ruthless sun god Ra (Jaye Davidson).

TUESDAY TV
8pm UPN - Buffy the Vampire Slayer - So, lst week ended when Warren shot both Buffy and Tara. Buff will live (d'uh!) but Tara is beyond even magic. WIllow freaks the hell out and goes over to the dark side, even going as far as murder. This season, Willow is the big bad. TV GUIDE says: Buffy tries to recover from an assassination attempt; Jonathan and Andrew share a jail cell; Warren seeks allies at a demon bar; Anya is confronted by Willow.
9pm WB - Smallville. A head injury gives Lana the ability to see through the eyes of a kidnapper who abducts Chloe and keeps her bound and blindfolded in a dark room filled with giant teddy bears. Meanwhile, an ambitious newspaper reporter provides Lex with new information about the meteor shower.
9pm FOX - 24. Only two hours left until the season finale, and we find out that there is another mole in CSU. TV GUIDE says: Jack is forced to do the Drazens' bidding; CTU uncovers a lead on a second traitor; Kim witnesses the reunion of Victor and Alexis; the Palmers make plans for the future.
9pm TNN - Star Trek II, Wrath of Khan
10:30 BRAVO - The Omen.

WEDNESDAY TV
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

THURSDAY TV
There's Survivor, which is much more interesting this season.Will & Grace try to make a baby on NBC at 9pm. I'm just not thrilled with the viewing prospects. Oh, Stripes is on USA at 8pm. There we go...

FRIDAY
8pm SciFi - Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards - Kevin Smith hosts this celebration of fan-made films inspired by the “Star Wars” franchise. Smith, the writer-director of the indie-film favorites “Clerks” and “Dogma” and a self-declared “Star Wars” fanatic, introduces the nominees for a series of offbeat awards recognizing the amateur filmmakers behind the spoofs, documentaries and animated films. The top honor is the “George Lucas Selects” award, in which the “Star Wars” creator chooses his favorite entry. Also included are highlights of similar films, including “George Lucas in Love” and “Hardware Wars,” and clips from “Star Wars: Episode II---Attack of the Clones,” which premieres on May 16.





There just aren't enough hours in the day. Otherwise, I'd blog more.
What have I been up to?
The work thing: Still here and unsatisfied. It's not a horrible job and I don't hate it. I just hate things about it.
The looking for work thing: No word about the interview last week but I sent an e-mail today. Even if they offer, I won't take it. I would just feel better about an offer.
House hunting: pre-approval letter in hand, we need a realtor. Blixx is working most of this week, so our free time isn't all that free. We went to drive by a bunch of homes Friday after work and there were two that were definate possibilities. One had a decent enough house but it was on an acre of land, which is key. The other looked like a spanish villa and while small, had charm that I really dug. In checking online today - both sold over the weekend. Lesson...we'll have to be able to see homes as soon as they come on the market and put down a deposit before even getting in to see the inside!
Mother's Day: We survived. We took both Mom's to Tiano's, an excellent resturant that served us up right. No bloodshed, although I'm pretty sure that Blixx's mom would be willing to sign the papers to commit my mom to the loony bin. No suprises there.
SpiderMan: Saw it last Wednesday night. I enjoyed it, but there was almost too much backstory and not enough ass kicking. Definately glad we went to see it on the big screen, but it just seemed to be missing something that I can't quite put my finger on.
Ali: rented and enjoyed. I was familiar with the story going in and was a little disappointed that they didnt' get into more detail about his womanizing and relationships, but Wil Smith did a terrific job! Another movie that seemed a little unfinished though.
Specs: got new regular and sun glasses this weekend. I'm excited.

Wonderwoman can fly?: I'm not sure exactly how/when it happened, but apparently somewhere along the way she aquired some sort of bracelet that gives her the power of flight.



Received this e-mail on Thursday. Glad that someone wanted to play the game.

hihi did you consider:

travolta+ving rhames in pulp fiction
ving rhames+tom cruise in mission impossible
tom cruise+kevin bacon in a few good men

regards phlebas, friend of blogger ghostrider

There are virtually endless combinations in the Kevin Bacon game, which is what makes it so much fun. Thanks for the reply.






Friday, May 10, 2002

Happa - if you're taking a poll, I vote Jacob. As far as J names go, I'm also partial to Jarod. Think about it.

Mortgage meeting went really well - we walked out of there with a pre-approval letter and the card of a real estate broker who deals with several properties in our price range. We'll be able to get the starter house of our dreams. Realtor was all impresed at my knowledge of home buying and MLS. This weekend I'm getting an eye appointment and new glasses. I'll be psyched to have polorized sun glasses...they rock! We're cleaning the house since the mothers are coming over Sunday. We're shopping for Tempest, Dick & Nanny's birthdays & Cousin's baby shower. And, we're finding the house of our dreams.

Haven't heard back on that interview, and she said she wanted to have someone hired by the end of the week. Oh well, she probably doesn't want to pay health insurance.

Thursday, May 09, 2002

Six degrees of Kevin Bacon...

Link John Travolta to Kevin Bacon.
Picture this...


Courtney Love Hewitt.

Wednesday, May 08, 2002


LegoDeath

The interview went really, really well. I stunned her with my computer knowledge and she even complimented me on my skirt. She would ask a question then ramble on about why she was asking & what she is looking for...thus giving me the answers she wanted to hear. It was too easy. I'm pretty sure that I'll get a 2nd interview & if so, an offer.

It's a shame that I really dont' think I want the job.

PLUS
-She would pay for me to get my real estate license & pay all membership fees while I was employed there
-I'd get to go out on home inspections, home showings and open houses
-It's only 15 minutes away from my house & there's a DuDo's on the way. Save on gas.
-She didn't panic when I told her my minimum salary requirement

MINUS
-only 6 major holidays off...I feel jipped with the 10 I get here!
-working some nights/weekends - crazy schedule
-only 1 week vacation a year - that's BS right there.
-only 3 paid sick days per year - again, BS!
-I'd be back to my $50/month DuDo's habit
-small office means if I don't like everyone it will be uncomfortable...i.e. Unishippers
-'thinking of having' health insurance plan...which means expensive if/when it happens

More info to follow.

Tuesday, May 07, 2002

Keep your collective fingers crossed for my interview tonight. I find it ironic that I found the ad in a local paper, rather than on Monster. I hope that it isn't pouring when I go over to the interview - my hair has enough problems without being plastered to my head or in a kinky rage from humidity.

We're meeting with a mortgage company on Thursday after work to get prequalified. I'm really worried about Blixx being freelance and whether we'll qualify for a decent amount so we can get the house we want. We make good money, but it's not a steady paycheck. At least my credit has gotten better. I applied for and got a Dress Barn credit card with a $1000 limit over the weekend. I only did it to get the 10% off my purchase & will cancel the card once it's paid. I got some absolutely fabulous stone jewelry that I just had to treat myself too. Now I need an outfit to go with it. :)

FUNNIEST STORY EVER!!!!!!!
Mom's Dick got arrested. They were in NH at their timeshare over the weekend and invited his daughter MK and her family up to stay with him. It rained for days so they were all trapped in the little condo getting stir crazy. The sun broke so they all climed into cars and headed out for a hike. They couldn't find the trail they were looking for, but pulled off the road at what seemed to be a trail head and set off. Mom was beat from being sick (of MK's kids crying all night) so she stayed in the car & read a book. Low & behold a trooper pulls up and asks her what she's doing on private property. It seems that the trail in question was on private property and Dick's family were trespassing. When they emerged from their lovely hike, they were arrested. Yep...whole family arrested. Mom got out of it saying she was just in the car but Dick, his daughter and soninlaw were all printed and got mug shots. They pleeded no contest to a reduced sentance and have to pay a $50 fine. He'll have a record for a year in NH. I just about peed myself as my mother is telling me the story.
Dick's birthday was last week & I'll be seeing my mom to give her his present this weekend for the dreaded Mother's Day. I think I'll give him a file and some striped pajamas. Definately a jailbird theme.
My mother's boyfriend has a police record. She's dating the kind of man that she always feared I'd end up with! This is too good.

Monday, May 06, 2002

Want to know if your favorite TV Show will be coming back next year? Find out HERE.

This disclaimer is on the Mutant-X website:
You may be aware that Marvel Entertainment, Fireworks Entertainment and Tribune Entertainment are named in a dispute with Twentieth Century Fox, with Fox claiming that there may be some confusion about a relationship between "X-Men" and our MUTANT_X. We have made it clear that the only relationship between "X-Men" and our MUTANT_X television series is that each originates with Marvel, the publisher of "Spider Man," "The Incredible Hulk" and a whole host of other successful properties featuring superheroes. We want you to know that MUTANT_X is not based on the "X-Men" property and is not in any way related to, licensed or approved by, or associated with the motion picture "X-Men" or Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

SURE, it's not a rip off! Uh hu. I believe you.
Saturday I watched the movie Soul Survivors. It's a confusing tale and I don't think I liked it very much. Thumbs down. Cleaned the house up a bit and folded my laundry that Blixx did last week. I've still got to tackle my seasonal switch of my closet and I'm thinking now is the time. It's 81 degrees outside of work and I didn't need a jacket this morning, so I'm thinking it's flowy skirt time.
I spent yesterday walking around Hopkington State Park. I went all the way around the lake. It took me a while, but I kept stopping and taking cat naps in the sun along the way. It was great to be outside in the fresh air and sun. Lots of folks were out in canoes and kayaks - saw a beautiful hand made wooden kayak that Blixx would have creamed himself for. A real work of art. I'm thinking that I need my own kayak, since it would have been so nice to get out on the water yesterday. Maybe that's what I want for my birthday.

The Worcester Fire Department is entering my apartment today to inspect the smoke detectors. We'd disconnected ours because it would go off every time we cooked & was a real pain in the ass. I got up on a ladder & threw a battery in this morning before work. I hope we can't get fined for anything. They better not let my cats out either. They both have Spring Fever and try to escape whenever the door opens.

My man comes home today and I'm tickled that I'll be able to see him! No call yet, so they must still be in transit. Or on the water. Damn, it's nice out!!!!!
Into the way back machine, back 6 years to Tempest & Purge's wedding. Here's what I remember:

Tempest hysterical because the lily's in her bouquet weren't just right...her mother's shreek of horror as she realized that I wasn't wearing my hair up because the back of my head was shaved...thinking that I'd never seen Tempest so nervous or happy or beautiful in her wedding dress...pictures & pictures & pictures...trying not to horrify Purge's little sister...laughing hystericly during the rehersal...and again at the rehersal dinner...trying NOT to laugh hystericly during the ceremony (As I recall, it was Aunt Ro's reading that had us peeing ourselves)...crying as my best friend got married...thinking that I'd never get married...Blixx ringing the bell for ages and ages...my teal blue shoes sinking into the ground during the recieving line...helping Tempest with all those damn little buttons on the train of her dress...marching into the reception to the Mortal Kombat soundtrack...being concerned that I would have to dance with Nightskye...champagne...seeing my mother & knowing that I would be drunk shortly...never actually eating anything...drinking an endless amount of grape crushes...being concerned that Blixx was hanging out with Darkmoon, Digscream & Syn...stumbling to people's rooms...meeting Dameon & not being impressed...getting propositioned and actually turning Syn down...meeting Metrocake & liking her just despite the fact that she was Nightskye's date...seeing the look of joy on Mr & Mrs Tempest's faces as their little girl was married off...Purge's drunk relatives...acting out Meatloaf's Dashboard Light on the dancefloor...Tempest's drunk relatives...Tempest's grandmother crying because she was so happy...Napkins on the heads of the groomsmen...more grape crushes...vandalizing Purge's car...Blixx not getting any hotel sex because I was so wasted...waking up & wanting to die...pink stuff...pink stuff coming up...crackers...ginger ale...pulling over to puke on the long ass ride back to Mass, where I had to write a 10 page paper that was due the next day.

I got an A on the paper & slept for 2 days to recover. Good Times.
TV REPORT


MONDAY 5/6
8-9PM (tcm) Breakfast at Tiffany's. I'd prefer the little blue box, myself.
8-9 PM (nbc) Fear Factor. It's a dumb show, but Joe Rogan is a funny dude having a good time.
8-9PM (mtv) Videos - allegedly.
8-9PM (comedy) Kingpin - I'm a sucker for Bill Murray. I just wish I liked Golf so I could watch his new show on Comedy Central.
9-10PM (wb) Angel - Connor comes back to kill his father. Um, yeah I'll be watching! Egads, the season finale is right around the corner!
9-10PM (tcm) Shaft - the one with Samuel L Jackson.
10-11PM (vhi1) 100 GREATEST ONE-HIT WONDERS Animotion and Dexy's Midnight Runners better be in here, or I'm never watching this network again. Ever. (Concludes May 10)

TUESDAY 5/7
8-9PM (upn) BUFFY - as the season comes to a close (gasp!) we're on the road to dark magic and murder. I'm betting that Buffy dies, or almost dies at least, in the season finale. It's happened twice before, so the odds are in my favor.
8-10PM (comedy) Office Space - death to fax machines
8-8:30PM (fox) That 70's Show - round the world!
8-10PM (tcm) The Pink Panther
9-10PM (fox) 24 - only 3 hours left and just when things looked to be winding down, Victor (Dennis Hopper) still has Jack, but now has his daughter Kimberly as well. I'm betting Teri goes in there and blows them all away...after all, she's had a really rough day too.
9-10PM (upn) Roswell - alien babies. This under-rated series jumped the shark a while ago, but is still a cute story about cute people with special powers.
10-11PM (food) The Naked Chef - he wears pants and I can't understand what he's saying, but the food looks good and his gay friends seem to enjoy themselves.
10:30-11PM (MTV) The Osbornes - series is coming to a close. Perhaps he'll go to the drycleaners. THAT would be funny.
11-11:30PM (mtv) Jackass

WEDNESDAY 5/8
8-10PM (amc) Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid - classic
8-9PM (fox) That 70's Show repeat followed by Grounded for Life. You never hear anything about GfL, but it's a really funny show with a decent cast.

Other than that, there's nothing on TV.

THURSDAY 5/9
8-9PM (cbs) Survivor. It's getting down to the wire and they are hungry, which makes them more entertaining. I like eating dinner while I watch.
8-11PM (fox) Star Wars The Phantom Menace - JarJar is the real menace!


FRIDAY 5/10
8-10PM (fox) Girl Next Door:Search for the Playboy Centerfold. TVGUIDE says: Cameras follow 12 hopefuls as they prepare to bare all in hopes of scoring the hottest spot in the men's magazine. Founder Hugh Hefner has the final say in the selection, which comes only after each of the ladies has been screened, primped and preened.
8-9:30PM (tcn) THE BLOB Steve McQueen battles Jell-O.
8-10PM (bravo) Boys Don't Cry - wacky film. TVGUIDE says: Hilary Swank won a Best Actress Oscar for her stunning performance in this fact-based 1999 drama about a transgendered youth.
Swank plays Teena Brandon, a young Nebraska woman who prefers to live her life as a man. Calling herself Brandon Teena and passing herself off as male, the teen befriends a group of young people in a bar and relocates to their town. There, Brandon develops a crush on a disillusioned woman named Lana (Best Supporting Actress nominee Chloe Sevigny) and they embark on a tentative romance---a development that disturbs Lana's former boyfriend, a volatile ex-con.
9-10PM (nbc) Law & Order Criminal Intent - this is a well written show. Vincent D'Onofrio plays a twisted & brilliant cop. Season Finale.
9-10PM (scifi) Farscape - A shape-shifting parasite called a Vorc gets aboard Moya and attacks D'Argo, leaving him with a mortal wound. The crew must track down the Vorc and use it to make a serum to counteract the creature's venom and save D'Argo's life.
10-11PM (nbc) Law & Order Special Victims Unit - this show usually creeps me out with all the rape and violence to women, but Ice-T is good. This one is about a mentally challenged pregnant girl.

SATURDAY 5/11
2-4PM (usa) Fried Green Tomatos
3:45-6:30PM (tbs) Jaws again
8-11pm (nbc) Three Kings - Cloony & Marky Mark. Pretty funny too.
9:30-11PM (tcm) Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex - back when Woody Allen was funny.
10-11PM(toon) Justice League followed by Batman

SUNDAY 5/12
6-8:15PM (tcm) Jaws again.
7-9PM (abc) Dinotopia. It's Disney, but the promos look interesting. Definately a big special effects budget. TVGUIDE says: Based on the books by James Gurney, the series (which continues over the next two nights) opens with brothers Karl and David Scott (Tyron Leitso, Wentworth Miller) surviving a plane crash, only to become stranded on a strange, uncharted island called Dinotopia. Mayor Waldo (Jim Carter) welcomes the 'off-worlders', but informs them that they can never leave---which disturbs Karl, but intrigues David.
8-10pm (tbs) Deep Blue Sea. If you missed this one, definately tune in. There are some moments that are hysterical. Oh crap...it's not a comedy?
8-9PM (fox) The Simpsons followed by Malcolm in the Middle. My family is this sick, just not as funny.
9-11PM (tmc) Jumanji - That's Kirsten Dunst as the jailbait daughter.
9-11:30 (bravo) Mommie Dearest - no wire hangers. Blixx has neer seen this movie, so we'll have to try to tune in.
10-11PM (comedy) The Man Show

Friday, May 03, 2002

I've got an interview for a Real Estate Assistant position with one of the biggest commercial real estate firms in central Mass. Just talked to the lady and we ended up chatting on the phone for a while and very easily. Interview is Tuesday at 6pm. Just keeping my options open.
Peace.

"There are so many different ways to be connected to people. There are
the people you feel this unspoken connection to, even though there's not
even a word for it. There's the people who you've known forever who know
you in this way that other people can't because they've seen you change.
They've _let_ you change."

-- Angela, My So Called Life


I love you guys.
Blixx is off with Toad and Tadpole in Vermont this weekend, so I'm solo until Monday night when he returns. I was trying to get something together with BazarJ, to see his newest son, but he spoke out of turn and does in fact have plans. I knew I should have talked to his wife first. Other than my hair and toe nail color changes, there's nothing on the schedule. I've got Exorsist from Netflix, the one with the new scenes and digitaly remastered, but I don't think I want to watch a movie like that when I'm sleeping alone in the house. There's a big sale at Petite Sophisticate, so maybe I'll just spend my time shopping. Not very economical, but it gets me out of the house. I'd love to kayak, since Saturday looks to be beautiful but Tadpole is using the boat I usually use. I'm sure Grips will want to hit the local dive for a few pops or something.
Big news is that I'll get the whole bed and all of the covers, except what Cleo the cat claims as her own.
I've really got to decide what it is that I want. I spend time bitching that I never have time along in my house. Blixx goes away, and I'm concerned that no one will be around. Yep, gotta make up my mind on that one.

Thursday, May 02, 2002

I've had several requests to revisit my TV listings so here we go. You are only obligated to watch Farscape at 9pm on Friday so you can see the premier episode and the repeat of Buffy's Hush at midnight on Sunday. Ok, if you have a life you can tape them to watch later.

Disclaimer: I do in fact plan on leaving the house this weekend. My must watch shows are clearly marked.

TONIGHT
6:30 Cartoon Network - Batman Beyond. It's on everyday and I love the show. Unfortunately, I think I've seen them all. It's certainly not the original dark knight, but the show has a style that I enjoy.

8:00 CBS - Survivor. Not too long ago I didn't like where this version was headed. But with the underdogs banding together to get rid of John, it's a totally new game.

8:00 NBC - Friends. Who cares who's baby it is? Who cares who any of them are sleeping with? Rachel is a slut.

8:00 FOX - Return of the Jedi. I think they are trying too hard to get us pumped for Episode 2. Then again, with Fox's weak programming schedule, I don't blame them for adding a few flicks to the mix.

8:00 MTV - Videos. I swear, that's what TVGUIDE says is on. Actual, honest to God videos. **MUST SEE SAYS ME**

8:00 Bravo - The Deer Hunter.

9:00 NBC - Will & Grace. As a fag hag, I appreciate the humor in this show. I think its lost some of it's edge recently, but still hasn't jumped the shark. Glenn Close guest stars.

9:00 TVLAND - Batman. The original series. Absolutely hysterical. No, they aren't gay. They just run around in spandex and capes. Gayer than Will & Grace.

10:00 COMEDY CENTRAL - South Park. It's a re-run of the one where they get stuck on the bus and Mrs. Crabtree gets a career in comedy.

10:30 COMEDY CENTRAL - The Man Show. I think this is one of the funniest shows on TV. Girls on Trampolenes.

11:00 MTV - Jackass. I watch this show only to have a preview of the news story on what some stupid kid did to imitate these idiots.

11:00 E! - Howard Stern. Long before The Osbornes became a hit show for MTV, Howard realized that Ozzie's family life was a hoot. He's had them all on his show for years and years and they have always been this funny and wacky. You'll see an 11 year old sweet faced Jack commenting on his father's bizarre lifestyle. **MUST SEE SAYS ME**

11:30 Cartoon Network - Tom & Jerry. They are my favorite, probably due to the violence.

FRIDAY

7:00 PM Cartoon Network - Samurai Jack. Two action packed episodes to cover for the fact that they aren't making any more Justice League cartoons for a while. Production difficulties is what I hear. Not sure how that's possible with a cartoon, but whatever.

8:00 PM FOX - Simpsons. Reese Witherspoon guest voices as the daughter of Rainier Wolfcastle, action film star.

8:30 PM FOX - Dark Angel. Season (&possibly Series) Finale, directed by James Cameron. There's been a lot of press about this and I've heard the special effects are wonderful. TVGuide says: Freak Nation James Cameron's TV-directing debut---the first film he's directed since winning an Oscar for 1997's "Titanic"--concludes the sci-fi series' second season. **MUST SEE SAYS ME**It's a 90-minute episode filled with elaborate fight sequences, mutant revolutions and a number of plot resolutions. In the story, Max (Jessica Alba) and her crew are forced to take the Jam Pony staff hostage after the government's hunt for mutants turns Seattle into a vigilante war zone. But as Max negotiates with the cops to avoid bloodshed, White (Martin Cummins) tests a corps of killers genetically designed to erase all proof of Manticore's past mistakes.

9:00 PM SciFi - Farscape. This is the premier episode kids, so if you've never checked this show out I highly suggest you do so. In fact, it's mandatory. TVGuide says: Premiere A research scientist (Ben Browder) attempts to harness Earth's gravity in an experimental space mission, but it goes awry---hurling him into an alien galaxy where he's caught between two warring factions. **MUST SEE SAYS ME**

10:00 PM SciFi - Farscape. Puppets get pissed. Rygel seeks revenge.

10:00 PM Food - Iron Chef!


SATURDAY

8:00 AM WB - X-Men Evolution. The animated take of the young mutants. Not exactly true to the comics, but I dig it. Another episode is on at 10:30. The WB has a pretty good line up, if you can avoid the Pokeman.

8:00 AM ABC Family - Spiderman. Another cartoon that I really dig. Granted, I'm not usually awake to watch it, but if by some chance I awaken?

10:00 AM TLC - Trading Spaces. I love this show, I think even a little more since I've heard Blixx describe the behing the scenes situations. This is a repeat, I think from NJ.

2:00 PM FOX - Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A repeat from Season 2, called Go Fish. No lesbians (at least not OUT yet), but there are some swim team members that turn into fish.

3:00 PM Fox - V.I.P. I don't care what disease Pam has, this show is so over the top it's funny.

3:00 PM TNT - Goooooood Morning Vietnam.

4:00 PM FOX - X-Files. A rerun from the Mulder days. You remember, back when the show was ½ way decent?

4:00 PM UPN - Terminator 2. Did you know that on the DVD, if you pause in just the right spot as the new terminator is being zapped into reality?you can see schlong. True story.

4:00 PM NBC - Kentucky Derby. I've always been a fan of the hats and pageantry associated with the Triple Crown. Should be a decent race, with some underdogs in the mix.

5:00 PM FOX - Stargate SG-1. Starring McGiver, this is the show that's taking the 9pm timeslot in front of Farscape in SciFi in June. Pretty decent, with some good writing and the occasional laugh. Blixx is a big fan.

6:00 PM WB - Mutant X. A repeat of last Sunday's episode. A powerful mutant punished the X team, blaming them for the death of his wife.

6:00 PM Fox - Comedy. Two hours of 3rd Rock, Drew Carey, Simpsons & Seinfeld.

8:00 PM Fox - Star Wars.

8:00 PM ABC - The Sixth Sense. I swear this was on just the other night. I see dead air space.

8:00 TLC - Trading Spaces.

9:00 TLC - Trading Spaces.

9:00 VH1 - Beavis & Butthead do America. He He He, they said "do".

9:00 NBC - Men in Black. Again, getting us pumped for the summer sequel. I did Wil Smith in this role.

10:00 PM Comedy Central - South Park. Chef Goes Nanners.

10:00 PM FOOD - Iron Chef!

After 11, it's a crap shoot. SNL is a repeat, but maybe back to when the show was funny. MadTV is new and they promise to provoke Oprah's wrath. Other than that, there's a lot of crap.


SUNDAY

9:00 AM SciFi - Fantasy Island. Remember the crappy remake of the original that lasted like 10 eps on CBS? Yeah, it's found a new home here at the crack of dawn. I'm not saying I'm usually awake to watch this crap, just putting it out there for you early risers.

There's nothing on at this ugly hour of the morning. Put on some music. Go back to bed. Read a book.

11:00 AM WB - The Lost World. Ok, so if they are lost how come they keep meeting new people on the peninsula every week? There's TONS of folks around, including a Camelot like place, the roaring 20's and my favorite is the 50's.

11:00 AM FOX - Stargate SG-1. A different ep.

12:00 PM WB - Beastmaster. Yum Yum Yum, Dar is dumb. Look, I made a funny! I think the original Beastmaster (who in the series is Duh's father, the King of Good or some shit) is coming back.

12:00 UPN - Say Anything. I LOVE this movie!

1:00 PM WB - Mutant X. New episode means new leather pants.

1:00 PM USA - Urban Legend. Slasher teen flick with Jared Leto, who was in the series My So Called Life, which never should have been taken off TV.

1:00 PM TNT - When Harry Met Sally. I hate Billy Crystal, except in this movie. I think it's the orgasm scene that wins me over.

2:00 PM ABC - Total Recall. Ah Nud.

2:00 PM TNT - Philadelphia. Powerful movie about life and death. Antonia Banderas. Mmmmm.

2:30 TBS - Interview with a Vampire. Tom Cruise was such a better Lestat!

3:00 PM Discovery - Blue Planet. Explore the deep. Creepy stuff down there!

3:00 PM USA - I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. Same movie, but with Brandy & a tropical locale.

4:00 PM WB - Tango & Cash. FUBAR explained.

4:00 PM Court - Homicide, Life on the Streets - this is one of the best written TV shows out there.

4:00 PM TCM - Poltergeist. Classic horror.

5:00 PM & 6:00 PM TNN - Real TV. Stupid People doing stupid & amazing things.

7:00 PM Fox - King of the Hill. Redneck humor hasn't lost it's touch.

7:00 PM TLC - Junkyard Wars. Team Orange competes with Team Yellow to construct an underwater breathing apparatus from junk, so a team member can retrieve booty from a treasure chest in 20 feet of water and send it to the surface.

7:00 PM Cartoon - Justice League. New ep? Unknown.

7:30 PM Cartoon - Batman. Cartoon of the Dark Knight.

8:00 PM Fox - Simpsons. Apu's fling with the Squishee Lady is caught live by Homer, but on tape by his wife Manjula (Jan Hooks). James Lipton has a cameo.

8:00 UPN - Misery. An actual decent movie version of the Stephen King novel.

8:00 PM TBS - Star Wars. It's everywhere.

8:00 PM ABCFAMILY - The Princess Bride. The search for the 6 fingered man continues.

8:30 PM Fox - Malcolm in the Middle - and you thought your family was weird?

9:00 PM Fox - X-Files. No sign of Mulder yet, but there's only a couple of eps to go toward the series finale. I hear that we won't get much closure, since they are working on another movie.

9:00 PM ABC - Alias. This chick kicks butt.

9:00 PM USA - John Carpenter's Vampires. Vampires are funny.

9:30 MTV - Osbornes. If you missed it Tuesday, tune in for a repeat.

10:00 PM MTV - Jackass.

10:00 PM Comedy Central - The Man Show. New ep, I think.

10:00 PM ABCFAMILY - Robbin Hood, Men in Tights.

11:00 PM UPN - Maximum Exposure - More stupid people doing stupid things on TV.

11:30 PM Cartoon - Aquaforce Hungersquad, or something like that.

12:00 AM Cartoon - Sealab 2020.

12:00 AM FOX - Buffy the Vampire Slayer. HUSH. This is one of the best eps ever! If you can't stay up late to watch it, set the VCR for some truly innovative TV viewing. I'm not just saying that because I'm obsessed. TVGUIDE says: This quiet episode really caught everyone's attention during the 1999-00 slaying season. In this innovative, dark and largely dialogue-free offering from creator Joss Whedon, Buffy and Co. are literally silenced by a mysterious force. "I was just trying to expand the use of TV as a visual medium," says Whedon, who was inspired by silent horror films. Whedon says the episode features "the scariest [villains] we've ever done." These beings, called the Gentlemen, steal Sunnydale's collective voice in order to harvest organs from the populace. With Sunnydale in a quiet riot, it's up to Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) to bring in the noise. **MUST SEE SAYS ME**