Writer's Block: Life in the boob tube

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Guess.

Go on, guess.

Oh, okay - Doctor Who. And I'd like to be either the Doctor, or one of his faithful companions.

So...

Um...has everyone else seen Monday's University Challenge yet? Because...a whole round on Murray Gold's incidental music from Doctor Who? I think I may have died and gone to fannish heaven. And Paxman's reaction when the team got one of the questions wrong? As if it was so totally obvious that that bit of music was a theme for ***SPOILER*** and guessing otherwise was on a par with not knowing which particular philosopher was born in Vienna on 26th April 1889. Has Paxman's hidden fanboy been revealed?

*g*

(Mind you, I still haven't forgiven him for being so totally dismissive about Eurovision music the other week...swings and roundabouts...)

Dear author...

...please get basic facts right!

I've been reading David Nicholls' (he of Starter for Ten fame) One Day lately, and generally enjoying it. It's not quite what I think I was expecting, but then I'm not entirely sure what I think was expecting anyway, so...

But on page 220 of the paperback edition, a person - specifically the headmaster of an East London comprehensive school - is discussing plans for the evening with his wife: "Domestic issues are debated - pasta or stir-fry, TV or DVD..." and my mind suddenly fails to take this seriously, because really? DVDs in July 1996? I don't think so. I wouldn't mind, but it's not as if it's an easy mistake to make - a little bit of basic research on Wikipedia could have sorted it out.

Maybe I shouldn't bother about this sort of thing quite so much? Sarah says I'm pedantic, but pedantry is just another word for wanting-to-get-your-facts-right...

Films...

...I really want to see:

Cowboys & Aliens

Super 8 - saw the trailer before Transformers 3, and thought it looked pretty decent.

Still haven't seen X-Men: First Class. If it's still out in the cinemas I'd like to. If not, must pick up the DVD or Blu-Ray.

And, as I mentioned the other day, I'd like to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part II.

Am annoyed that I didn't already know that Going the Distance was already out on DVD/Blu-Ray. Loved it at the cinema, and would like to see it again. Oh well, one to add to the wish list.

At the shops on Sunday, I picked up Ratatouille on DVD for £7:00. I'd never properly seen it, just bits and bobs on the plane over to Thailand; I know I'd vaguely talked about taking Sarah to see it. Anyway, watched that on Sunday evening. Had a good laugh, and also I never fail to be impressed by good CGI.

Right now, though, my main ethical debate is: should I go to see The Smurfs? Part of me is saying no, but there's a little nagging voice saying, "go on, it could be fun...".

My tweets

• Wed, 09:44: Writer's Block: Life in the boob tube http://j.mp/ogVZFU
• Wed, 09:54: So... http://j.mp/pdOcb6
• Wed, 10:25: Dear author... http://j.mp/q9opma
• Wed, 12:01: Films... http://j.mp/ocvQNN

Signal Boost: Return of the DDoS

I make no apologies for those who might be reading this more than once on their Flist. 'Cos it is kind of important.

Originally posted by frelling_tralk at Signal Boost: Return of the DDoS

Originally posted by deathpixie at Signal Boost: Return of the DDoS

For those wanting to know more about the recent DDoS attacks, yes, it looks like it was the Russian government trying to shut down the dissidents again.

As I said last time, while it's frustrating not to have access, LJ is a lot more than a social network platform. From the article:

"LiveJournal isn’t just a social network. It’s also a platform for organizing civic action. Dozens of network projects and groups mobilize people to solve specific problems — from defending the rights of political prisoners to saving endangered historic architecture in Moscow."

So while I know many are considering the move over to Dreamwidth and other such sites, supporting LJ is a way we can help support those who use it for more than a writing/roleplaying/social venue.


Also, as a FYI, LJ is giving paid users effected by the outage two weeks of paid time as compensation.