RhymePhile's Rat Race

TV writers vs. the unwashed masses: A Children of Earth thinky-thought post

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:21:05 GMT

So Torchwood fandom continues to explode.

One of the reasons is a blog post from one of the Children of Earth writers, James Moran.

In the past, television writers were insular creatures, sitting in their writers' rooms and fleshing out story ideas. Their only method of measuring how good they were doing was to view those still-important Nielsen ratings after each week's episode aired.

If people tuned out, something was amiss. If ratings held or went up, then shit, they were doing something right. Money was made, advertising was purchased, salaries were increased. What had been since television writers first took up their pens continued.

But then, there was this thing called the Internet.

To become a Nielsen "family" is rare indeed. To be a Nielsen family is to hold power over what lives and what dies on TV. A household is given a meter that records what you watch on TV, or is given a diary that a household member must update down to the minute what is being watched on TV. You can only get to be part of the family if Nielsen Media Research contacts you. Before the Internet, this was the only power everyday television viewers had.

After the Internet, there was now a shining opportunity. You no longer had to be one of the Nielsen blessed to voice your opinions on what you personally thought was good or bad about a television program. Yes, in the past there was always letter-writing, but the Internet created a new paradigm: write it, and the world may read it.

Nielsen still holds power over what people watch, but the Internet gave people a place to voice their opinions, because not everyone is a Nielsen family.

Because the net is an international tool, those very same writers that had heretofore been locked up in the safety of their writers' rooms now could log on and see detailed -- albeit anonymous -- opinions, rants, blogs, and reviews of what they had been crafting. Obviously some sites hold more sway than others, and not *everyone* is anonymous (such as newspaper reviewers who have blogs online), but the message was clear: The creative world of television could no longer remain an isolated entity.

Some writers chose to use the net to their advantage, measuring fan opinion on how storylines were progressing and what characters worked and what didn't. And why shouldn't they? The world of television is first and foremost a creative medium, true, but it is and always will be a business.

If you have fans complaining that storyline X will make them stop watching the show -- and that opinion is constant across many, many opinionated sites -- then why not listen? Doesn't the continued success of any show hinge on whether or not people watch and bring in those ratings...and along with it the money, advertising, and salaries?

With the advent of the net, TV writers can't simply remain ensconced in their ivory towers. Their job is to write and create something new every eight or so days (depending on production schedules), so why not gauge accomplishments and misfires with immediate, direct, public opinion?

Of course, you do have the crazies out there (and you need to be prepared for that, which James Moran wasn't), as is normal with any anonymous outlet.

But you can't ignore public opinion. You can't write just for yourself or the story. You are creating a product, which, despite its creative nature, is still a product. If you continue to write only for yourself or the story, the show will fail, without a doubt. And then no matter how creative you are, you are still out of a job.

There is a new-found symbiosis between fans and writers that can't be ignored. Writers bring us amazing worlds, characters, and stories every week. Fans respond with their loyalty, with anonymous blog posts, and with their money. It behooves TV creators and writers to at least listen to what their fans are saying. It's not necessary to change a plotline just because some "crazies" on the net don't like it. But when there are a lot of people saying it -- and not all of them are crazies -- then why ignore it? Even the unwashed masses have opinions, and as they are the consumers of your product, you want them to continue to consume.

I understand the need to be creative and tell a story where Children of Earth is concerned. But just because you have the coolest toys doesn't mean you can be selfish and break them all just because you no longer want to play.

Final thoughts on Children of Earth

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:18:20 GMT

Honestly, I thought that was some amazing television. It was well-plotted, well-acted, and everything in between. It was the pinnacle of what the Torchwood writers could accomplish -- and an improvement on the sometimes campy episodes of the past.

I was also thinking that the scene with Stephen probably would never have been written for American TV. I think we're sensitive when children are involved when it comes to drama, and that scene was really, really harrowing. It was amazing from a story standpoint, which made for a powerful ending to the series. But I think American writers would have shied away from the intense material.

That being said, I doubt we would have gotten the scene with Frobisher and his family either. I love when a television show surprises me to the point that I can't believe something is happening. This was one of those times. It was scary, and realistic, and all together understandable. In the end though, it was for nothing.

I stand by what I said earlier about Day Four. It was the only bump in an almost perfect plot, really. See what Jack did in Five, with the researching and theorizing. Go back a day and do that, Jack. Rushing blindly in to threaten a superior alien threat was stupid...and wasteful.

The moment we see Jack make the decision about Stephen, I knew we were watching some really amazing television. As much as I hated Jack's stupidity about Day Four, I realized he stayed true to character in that moment. He does what is needed to protect others, and here he has sacrificed everything.

But.

Hopefully the entire motivation for this series wasn't just for a complete Torchwood reset. Please tell me the writers didn't all sit around and wonder, "Okay, we're bored. We need to get Jack off of Earth. What would be the one thing that would make him leave?"

That's what it felt like they were doing for this series. They killed Ianto, they destroyed the Hub, and they forced Jack to sacrifice his family. Hell, it was like they did everything they could to absolutely break the character. If that was the plan, well done. Mission accomplished. His guilt and pain was almost more than I could take. And he couldn't just leave Cardiff, he had to leave the planet.

I've always enjoyed the Jack Harkness character, despite his many flaws -- and there are many. Amazingly enough, if the fans don't all riot and flee in droves over the murder of Ianto Jones, I'd come back to see what happens in Series 4. If a new series was a given, perhaps this miniseries wouldn't have been as painful.

As it is, these five nights were emotionally draining. I haven't been that engrossed in a television program in quite a while. And despite everything that happened -- especially Ianto's waste of a death -- I still loved it.

NEW: Oz/Wanted fic "Another Time, Another Place"

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:32:25 GMT

I have finally, finally finished this story.

It was originally started two years ago (!) in answer to a lyrics challenge prompt. I would type a little, abandon it, come back, get discouraged, write a little more...you writers know the drill. I hated having something languishing all this time. So I finished it.

The lyrics prompt is from the song "Trigger Happy Jack" by Poe.

And I hate myself
Just enough to want him
But I hate him
Just enough to get off
But I understand him
Maybe I'm just crazy enough
To love him

Title: "Another Time, Another Place"
Author: rhymephile
Pairing: Eddie Drake and Chris Keller, Wanted and Oz crossover
Rating: R for language and sexual themes
Timeline: Set after Tobias Beecher is paroled in Oz
Word count: 4,500
Summary: U.S. Marshal Eddie Drake faces off against the manipulative con Chris Keller. A straight-forward interrogation turns into something more than Eddie expected.

"Another Time, Another Place"

Fading sunlight had begun streaming through the creases in the hotel room's shoddy blinds by the time he returned, bottle of Jack and a tub of ice in his hand.

He poured himself a drink and collapsed uncomfortably into the hard chair. As he sat there watching the sun setting through the cubes and whiskey, he never would have imagined how a simple operation could have turned into a clusterfuck of such enormous proportions.

He sighed, recklessly gulping from the glass. Maybe getting shit-faced would dull the growing ache in his chest.

It was supposed to be easy: fly in to New York, flash his U.S. Marshals badge, interview some shit-for-brains con, get the shit-for-brains to spill his guts about the man they were hunting, and be back in sunny California before he overcame the jetlag.

Now, almost five days and countless bottles later, Eddie Drake had a problem.

His name was Chris Keller.

Eddie was trying to find out information about a fugitive who had recently come to L.A., got involved in a drug sting, and had somehow managed to disappear. He wasn't first on the Task Force's list of priorities, but for the highly illegal -- and experimental -- drug Oxaliplatin, his boss Connie made an exception. He wanted this guy. So after exhausting all their leads in LA, Eddie came out to New York to talk with Keller, an old friend of the fugitive.

Their initial interactions had been frustrating. Eddie felt like he was banging his head against the wall after every question, because Keller refused to answer. No doubt adhering to the unspoken code of convicts everywhere, Keller would only sit and glare with a smirk on his face, despite promises of a different pod, better food -- anything that would get him to talk. But he refused it all with a maddeningly pleasant smile. It was enough to make Eddie want to smack him, which only made Keller grin even more broadly.

Yesterday Keller finally talked, after three full days of fruitless conversation. Eddie remembered slamming his hand on the table in frustration and letting out an agonized growl when it happened.

"Maybe we should just sit here and talk about the goddamned weather, then!"

"If the bars on the window are wet, it's raining," Keller had said.

Eddie had only grunted at his flippant retort.

"This is pissin' you off, ain't it?"

Eddie had sighed and brushed the hair out of his face. "Wasting my time in this shithole talking to you? You got that right, motherfucker."

"Don't bother me any," Keller had replied.

"Why is that?"

"Got nothin' better to do."

"Nothing better to do than fuck with me, you mean?"

Keller had once more given him that infuriating grin. "I don't mind seeing a pretty face now and then. Fuckin' with you is a bonus."

Back in the present, Eddie sipped at his drink again, trying to remember if that comment was when this whole thing started. At the time he had ignored it, chalking it up to a con enjoying the fact that he was getting under Eddie's skin.

It got to a point where Keller would only speak to him if Eddie strayed away from questions about the case. He would engage in conversation about the beaches of California, or cars, or what Eddie liked on his hamburgers. That was annoying enough, but the way Keller did it -- with a disarming grin -- made him feel unsettled.

And not angry unsettled. Weird, heat-sinking-to-his-groin unsettled.

It was something he hadn't felt in a long time. He was used to buying a girl a drink, making small talk, and then waiting for the look that told him it was time to head back to her apartment. Then there were the moments in which he turned some guy's head. And Eddie, being Eddie, fully embraced the chase. It opened up the field on a slow Friday night too, so whether it was a leggy brunette or a hairy one, Eddie had no qualms about bedding men or women.

Going home with someone wasn't a challenge; it was more of...drinking until the inevitable.

Sure, he knew how to flirt and turn on the charm, and his long blonde hair and blue eyes didn't hurt his chances of getting laid. But he never felt that flustered twinge in his stomach -- the nervous thrill, the seeking of acceptance, the need to be noticed.

When he was around Keller, however...

He swallowed another gulp of the fiery whiskey and considered what was going on here.

The interrogations had been a lost cause since he arrived, and he knew it. Keller wasn't going to tell him shit. He was wasting time and Task Force money by basically sitting here with his thumb up his ass, and Connie was not going to be happy. He should have flown home after the first fucking day.

So what the hell was he doing?

He thought about Keller, sitting on the hard plastic chair of the interrogation room that afternoon, legs splayed wide open and radiating pure lust with every glance he gave Eddie. The sight of those blue eyes burning into him had made Eddie twitch in his pants, which Keller noted with an arched eyebrow and a lick of his bottom lip.

Fuck.

A U.S. Marshal was not supposed to be getting a hard-on in the middle of an interview. And he wasn't supposed to be getting one now when remembering it.

Eddie kept one hand on the whiskey glass and let the other drift down to his crotch, stroking his thumb over the seam. He sighed, imagining the piercing blue eyes of the man in the dull, gunmetal gray prison uniform watching him.

Eddie knew he was showing weakness during their interviews. He shouldn't have been telling Keller about personal shit. It made him look like a fool, and it made it easier for Keller to control the interrogations. Showing any type of vulnerability to a con was a huge mistake. Keller was playing him like a goddamned amateur.

He would be professional. He would be a hard-ass, steely-eyed, cold-blooded U.S. Marshal. Do the job, and go home. Fuck this half-wit con.

Then the way Keller smiled at him flashed across Eddie's mind. He cursed at the involuntary reaction in his pants.

This was going to be more difficult than he thought.

* * *

The following day was sunny and brilliant, which made no difference whatsoever when entering Oz. Its institutional gray-on-gray color scheme cast an immediate pall over everyone and everything, blotting out summer's existence the moment the doors closed.

He checked his gun and his badge and signed in, and was escorted down toward the interview rooms by the CO Murphy.

"Back again, huh?"

"I keep trying," Eddie croaked, rubbing his hand over his eyes. He'd definitely had too much whiskey last night.

"You might as well sit there and bang your head against the table. The two of them got history. He ain't gonna talk."

"You know that for a fact?"

"No," Murphy admitted, "but even though he may not look it, Keller's smart as hell. Manipulative, too. He knows what to say and how to say it."

"I can play his game."

"You think so," the CO grinned knowingly, "but he's making the rules."

Murphy led him into the small room, where Keller was already seated, his hands cuffed behind his back. He looked up with unmitigated hatred at Murphy. Eddie merely warranted a scowl.

"Is that necessary?" Eddie asked, referring to Keller's cuffs.

"Keller was a bad boy this morning, weren't you, Keller? He's lucky he isn't in the Hole right now."

"Fuck you sideways, Murph."

"Behave yourself," the CO said, and left.

The two men met eyes, but Eddie was the one to look away first. Despite being across the table and having Keller handcuffed, he still felt vulnerable.

"Hard night?" Keller asked.

Eddie looked across at him and tried for professionalism. "None of your goddamn business. Can we just get on with this?"

"Sure, Marshal," Keller said out of the side of his mouth. "I'm feelin' generous."

"Thank Christ. Now," Eddie said, shuffling papers in front of him, "do you know what Oxaliplatin is?"

"Do I look like I been to college?"

"It's a powerful pharmaceutical, and illegal in this country."

"So?"

"So it's also the reason we're tracking our suspect. Our suspect was one of a number of people who were observed visiting a doctor in L.A., a man notorious for dealing in Oxaliplatin. The doctor spilled his guts about everyone he's sold the stuff to."

"Spilled his guts, huh? I'm sure his sentence will be reduced for bein' a rat," Keller said disgustedly.

"Maybe. Do you know Dr. Sparrow?"

Keller shrugged.

"No? That's interesting, because he knows you."

"Lot of Kellers in the world."

"Not many doing time in Oz with a blonde, blue-eyed lawyer who matches the description of the guy we have on surveillance video coming out of Dr. Sparrow's office."

Keller's eyes flickered. "Like L.A. isn't filled with blonde, blue-eyed guys?"

Eddie sighed. "Stop playing me, Keller. He's wanted for questioning. This shit is really powerful, and experimental. It's only been tested on lab animals."

"Sucks for the monkeys."

"We've been wondering why a guy whose only previous convictions for vehicular manslaughter and DUI would get involved in the illegal pharmaceutical drug trade all of a sudden," Eddie said.

"He never listened to Just Say No?"

"Keller," Eddie said, growing annoyed, "where is Tobias Beecher?"

The handcuffed man only laughed, and leaned back in the chair. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Hopefully where none of you motherfuckers are gonna find him."

"Do you know we tracked his last whereabouts to your ex-wife's apartment?"

Keller showed it only for a moment, but there was an obvious look of surprise.

"After he left Bonnie's place we lost him," Eddie said, "and she wasn't too forthcoming with information."

"That's my girl."

"She's been sick, your ex-wife?"

"Keep her the fuck outta this," Keller growled.

"We didn't find anything at her place, if that's what you're wondering, despite the search warrant. We don't want her. We want your jailhouse fuck boy."

Keller's jaw shifted as he shot Eddie a dark look.

Now it was Eddie's turn to grin. "Touchy subject, huh, Keller?"

"Fuck off."

"You don't like being all alone?"

Keller got back in his face. "Do you?"

"Who said I was alone?"

"Please," Keller said, rolling his eyes.

"What would you know?"

"You been drinkin' the troubles away, Marshal?"

Eddie inwardly flinched. "I don't know what..."

"I used to be like that, y'know," Keller said, sinking back into his chair to get comfortable. "Drinkin' whenever I got depressed, or angry, or...lonely."

"Do I look depressed?" he sighed, putting up a front.

"Nah. And angry ain't your style. You're more of a slow-burn type of guy, am I right? The teeth come out when your back's against the wall."

Eddie didn't answer the infuriatingly personal question, nor did he acknowledge the fact that Keller was right. Once again, he was losing the upper hand in this confrontation.

"So that leaves lonely, don't it?" Keller grinned. "All these nights out here, alone, dealin' with the 'dregs of humanity' as they say. Must really grate on a guy. Betcha that hotel room keeps lookin' more and more empty every night. You have problems with the ladies? The girls don't like the pretty gold curls?"

"Stop it..."

"Maybe it's the mustache? They don't like that when they're trying to kiss you, right? You need someone who can appreciate the rough, angry feel of it against skin..."

Eddie could feel a flush rising in his cheeks when Keller said that. "Stop..."

"Hmm, now that I think about it, those lips are wasted on women. Blowjobs, on the other hand..."

"Enough!" Eddie yelled, pounding his fist against the table. "Just..." He exhaled, calming himself. "Just...enough, okay? You're driving me fucking nuts."

"A U.S. Marshal who don't like to hear the facts?" Keller grinned innocently. "Or admit the truth?"

"Truth about what?"

"You already know I'm not telling you jack shit about where Toby is, even if I knew. Why are you still here?"

Eddie angrily moved the papers on the desk back into the folder, attempting to distract himself from the question. He knew Keller wasn't going to offer up any information. He knew this was all a waste of time. He knew trying to come across as tough and no-nonsense wouldn't work the moment he glanced up into those blue eyes.

"I have a job to do..."

"Bullshit." Keller looked him up and down, as if taking measure of Eddie. "This turned into something more than just finding out about Toby...didn't plan on that, did you?"

He cleared his throat. "Now...now you're the one spouting bullshit."

"I don't think so," Keller said, cocking his head to consider the man sitting before him. "I think you're enjoying this."

"You're doing that on purpose."

"What's that?"

"All that..." Eddie nervously weaved his fingers through his hair. "Talk to make me uncomfortable."

"Does it?" Keller asked, leaving the question hanging.

Keller slowly rose from his chair, his body flowing in one smooth motion, not taking notice of the awkward angle in which his arms were placed. He only brought attention to his handcuffed state when he flexed his muscles to ease the tension in his shoulders.

Eddie's eyes never left him, from the way Keller's chest became broader as he stood, to the way the tattoo on his shoulder seemed to dance with movement.

He hated himself for allowing this to happen. He'd never had a problem keeping the job and his personal life separate. Despite all the shit he'd seen, the images would disappear in moments at the bottom of a beer mug or tequila shot glass. He could disconnect and turn his mind to other, more important things -- like pussy.

He should have been able stare this guy down, to look Keller in the eyes and stop the surging heat that was rushing to his stomach and balls.

But Eddie blinked.

When Keller came closer, Eddie stood up, abruptly knocking over his chair as he did so. He started to stand his ground, but Keller kept advancing until he had pressed Eddie against the far wall.

He was now inches away from Eddie's face.

"Step any closer and you'll be sorry," Eddie breathed.

"Will you?" Keller purred.

With that the door burst open and Murphy came running, along with another CO. Keller merely smirked at the excitement and nonchalantly backed away from Eddie.

"Didn't I tell you to be good, Keller?" Murphy huffed, pushing Keller back. "Why are you bustin' my balls so early in the morning, for fuck's sake?"

Murphy looked from Keller over to Eddie, who was pressed against the wall, panting heavily.

"He didn't touch you, did he Marshal?"

"He...didn't, no."

Somewhere in the immediacy of his response, Eddie suddenly realized that he sounded disappointed.

Keller had noticed it, too. He was smiling as he was being led from the room.

* * *

"I don't know what the problem is..."

"The problem is that you want me to allow you unsupervised access to a guy who, aside from the obvious fact that he's a convicted murderer, also tried to attack you yesterday morning!"

Eddie sighed at the histrionics of Tim McManus, the director of the Emerald City unit. He was tall and balding, with a personality that gave him a sense of authority to the extent that Eddie already didn't like the guy.

"He didn't try to attack me. It was a misunderstanding."

"When the word 'misunderstanding' and 'Keller' go together I get bodies in the morgue."

"McManus, listen, I just want to get this over with, okay? He's not willing to talk to me with so many eyes on him."

"No shit. This is Oz."

"Then give me my time. This is a major drug bust in L.A., and if I can coax more information out of him, I can get the hell out of here and keep the Marshals service and the L.A. County Fugitive Task Force off your front porch."

Eddie was playing his best game of "suck up to the superior" that he had perfected in recent years. He may have been a screw-up, but he had a gift for bullshit.

McManus sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"I'll give you an hour. He'll be shackled. No exceptions. I have enough problems around here without having the death of a U.S. Marshal on my hands."

Eddie nodded. "I appreciate the help."

"I don't know what good it'll do you."

"There's one more thing..."

"No offense, Marshal, but if it'll get you out of Oz, just let me know what it is."

"I want Keller's jacket, with complete arrest history and anything else that might give me the upper hand. I'd also like to hear more about the relationship between Beecher and Keller. It'll help me in the interview."

"I'll see if Sister Pete can give you something."

"She's the prison shrink?"

"Yeah."

Eddie waved his hand. "I don't want to step on toes here, McManus, or mess with doctor/patient confidentiality. If she's agreeable, I wouldn't mind reading her thoughts on their relationship. She doesn't have to go into specifics. Don't mention we're looking for Beecher -- just tell her we're working on a case and her insight would be helpful."

"I'll see what I can do."

Eddie leaned over to shake his hand. "Thanks."

* * *

That evening, with yet another tumbler of whiskey in his hand, Eddie perused Keller's jacket file. He probably should have done this from the beginning, but it honestly never occurred to him that this was going to be such a difficult assignment.

Most guys with rap sheets like Keller's were only petty thugs: they lived fast and loose, snorted a line now and again, broke a few rules, maybe punched a cop. Keller had been in prison before, but until his time in Oz he'd been locked up for little shit. Either his crimes had suddenly escalated right before he earned his 88 years in Oz, or there were other things Keller had gotten away with. Robberies, maybe. Bodies were more likely.

His personal history was even more interesting. Sister Pete was kind enough to give her opinion of Keller: "Sociopath; prone to depression; can be manipulative and persuasive if it suits him; exudes a superficial charm; but often exhibited uncharacteristic loving behavior toward Tobias Beecher."

Keller did seem to have let his guard down when it came to this Tobias Beecher. Eddie thought he was nothing more than a jailhouse fuck, but the file indicated otherwise.

This made things much clearer. The realization struck Eddie at that moment. He had been completely blind .for the past few days, and now the file opened his eyes. It was clear what needed to be done.

He reached for the phone.

* * *

Keller was handcuffed with his arms behind him. His feet had been shackled too, just as McManus promised. Keller could do nothing more than growl and shuffle like an old man when Murphy brought him in.

"We're doin' this again, huh? I got better fuckin' things to do than talk to you."

"I'm sure one more hour without jerking off won't kill you."

Keller grinned at that. "Yeah, well."

Eddie sat down across from him on the couch. Sister Pete had graciously offered him use of her office, which was slightly more comfortable than the sterile environment of the room they were in yesterday.

Keller tried to find a comfortable position for his legs in the hard-backed chair, but it was obviously impossible.

"This was the only way McManus would allow me to talk to you," Eddie said by way of explanation for the shackles.

"You mean alone," Keller said, looking around Pete's office.

Eddie nodded.

"Easier for them to say they didn't see nothin' when you beat me down? Right? You can try, motherfucker," Keller hissed angrily, pulling at the shackles.

"For Chrissake, Keller, relax. I'm not some stupid CO."

Keller offered him a hard stare, but the tension in his neck and shoulders eased visibly.

"It's hard without him here, isn't it?" Eddie asked.

"Who?"

"Toby."

"We've been through this," he sighed, annoyed.

Eddie scratched at his chin. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm done, Keller. You win. You're not saying anything about his whereabouts, and my case is fucked. Got it."

Keller eyed him warily.

"I'm serious," Eddie continued. "I made the call last night."

"Then why..."

"Exit interview, of sorts. I need something to write up. Connie's going to have my balls in a sling, but when he reads what a pain in the ass you were..."

"Marshals don't give exit interviews," Keller noted, easing back into the chair.

Eddie realized the other man's body language had changed suddenly.

"How would you know?"

"I've had everyone from police commissioners to the FBI come to the party, but none of them ever got me to dance." Keller laughed. "I'm not goin' ass up for a Marshal."

"Good to know you have standards," said Eddie sarcastically.

"So that leaves us with that unanswered question, doesn't it, Eddie?"

Eddie blinked at the use of his name.

"Why are you still here?"

He wanted to snap back quickly and say it was all about the job, but he knew he couldn't. Keller's eyes were boring into him, as if waiting on an answer he deemed acceptable. The other man didn't look away -- he merely kept staring, his face placid.

Then Keller's tongue flitted out and slid along his bottom lip.

Eddie could feel the heat instantly sink into his stomach. He shifted on the couch.

"Yeah, I thought so," Keller said, grinning triumphantly.

"You expect that reaction all the time?"

"With some men, yeah."

"You mean gay men?"

"Horny men."

Eddie scoffed.

"If my hands were uncuffed and I slid my fingers through the top of your jeans you wouldn't be hard right now?"

The tone in which the question was asked made Eddie realize the man sitting in front of him had more than just a casual allure about him. He exuded masculinity and power -- which was sexy in itself -- but it was also clear he usually got what he wanted. To Eddie that meant he was intriguing and dangerous.

It also meant that as much as he got flustered with Keller in the room, the man was still a criminal. Eddie had been entertaining a fantasy for the past few days, and an impossible one at that. Keller's file was all the proof he needed. It was time to get his dick back in his pants where it belonged.

"If I took the cuffs off," Eddie said before Keller could speak again, "what would you do?"

Keller met Eddie's eyes. "Is that a challenge, Eddie?"

This time Eddie held the stare. "You've been enjoying the little back-and-forth between us all week. Getting off on making me squirm. Having fun at my expense."

"It wasn't hard, Eddie. I see the way you look at me -- you were surprised at first, am I right? You couldn't believe you were thinkin' the way you were. The only reason you've been here as long as you have is because you like the way I make you feel."

"That's..."

"The truth," Keller finished.

Eddie reached beside him for the ring of keys and moved from the couch to Keller's feet. With a move perfected after hundreds of similar moments over the years, he unlocked the shackles from Keller's ankles. He didn't look up when he likewise reached behind Keller's arms and unlocked the handcuffs and dropped them to the floor.

Keller unconsciously rubbed his wrists and rolled his shoulders to loosen them from being behind his back all that time. He stood, and hovered over Eddie sitting on the couch.

"Afraid to admit you've been wantin' me this whole time, Marshal?"

Eddie stood up and got inside Keller's personal space. It made the other man waver for a moment in surprise.

"No, Chris," he said, enjoying the look on Keller's face when he used his first name. "But I read your jacket. And even if I offered you the world to blow me right now, you and I both know you wouldn't do a thing."

Keller pressed his lips against Eddie's ear. "You seem really sure about that."

"You've been playing me. It's the same reason you wouldn't say shit about Tobias Beecher."

Keller pulled away from Eddie. "Why's that?"

"You're in love with him."

The statement was met with a scowl and a quirk of an eyebrow.

"You'd rather make life miserable for yourself than be unfaithful," Eddie said, "which it will, after jerking me around for the past few days."

Keller grinned. "It was worth it just to see that look on your face."

"You enjoy having that power, don't you?"

"To know a federal Marshal wouldn't think twice about being bent over the desk here, just because of the way I looked at him? Hell yeah I enjoy it. You're the one who wouldn't leave it alone."

"I was trying to do my job."

"Maybe, at first. The rest of the time your mind was on your dick."

This, Eddie had to admit, was indeed the truth. He'd known it from the moment he felt that heat sink into his stomach.

Eddie sighed and sat down on the couch. He ran a hand through his hair.

"Your case is fucked, Eddie."

"It is. That's what happens when you think with your dick."

Keller laughed in spite of the situation. "Now what, Marshal?"

"Now I guess they're going to punish you," Eddie said.

"Makes sense. You get used to it after a while."

"One thing I don't understand is why."

"My life is one, long, constant circle of hell. Eat, sleep, shit," Keller said matter-of-factly. "I got nothin' to lose. If it weren't for knowing Toby is safe -- and hopefully happy -- out there somewhere, I'd be dead."

"You're loyal to a guy you may never see again?"

Keller shrugged. "The heart wants what it wants."

Eddie picked up the phone and called the CO station, asking for Murphy to come and escort Keller to wherever in the bowels of Oz they chose to place him for punishment.

Keller flopped back into the chair opposite the couch and waited his fate with a look of pure contentment on his face.

"Can I ask you one last thing if you promise to answer truthfully?"

"Depends what it is," Keller answered.

"If we had been in a different situation, what would you have done?"

"You mean if this wasn't Oz, and life wasn't the way it is?"

"Yeah."

"You would have had the ride of your life, Eddie," Keller stated, with that irritatingly self-satisfied grin he had been flashing for the past few days.

Eddie nodded, and sighed again. "The heart wants what it wants."

-- End --
July 10, 2009

Children of Earth Day Four

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:31:41 GMT

Listen, I don't mind character deaths if they are done correctly: if they further the story, or are for a good reason -- like heroism (I'm thinking Wesley Wyndham-Price here). But this?

THIS WAS FUCKING STUPID.

His death was worthless. Jack had only encountered the 456 once; he had no idea what they were using the original 11 children for; he had no real information about their technology; he had no idea how they were mind-controlling the children across the Earth, AND YET HE GOES IN THERE AND THREATENS TO SHOOT THEM WITH A GUN?

Oh, and he also takes the most vulnerable member of the team with him to face said unknown alien threat? Gwen was a police officer after all. As lovely as Ianto is, he's not trained in anything but tea and crumpets, really.

That was the dumbest plot device..."Let's bring the guy who can easily be killed along with the guy who can't possibly die and THREATEN THE SUPER-POWERFUL ALIEN CREATURES!"

Way to go, Jack.

I think the government dudes were right in trying to keep Torchwood out of the proceedings. They did nothing but fuck everything up. "Torchwood is the expert on aliens." Yeah? Really?

Perhaps a little more research was required before you went in there and "stood up to them," Jack. There was a reason the governments and military of the UK and the US *and UNIT* were going to negotiate. That's because THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE WAS UNDER THREAT.

So instead the writers decided to plot-device their way into getting Ianto killed by having Jack throw his dick around.

And poor, sweet, ruined for his entire life because of Jack Clement? I hated that too.

Fucking stupid.

And if they do bring Ianto back (which I really don't think is going to happen) I will feel much more offended by the manipulation than the original death in the first place. This is like Cyril O'Reily from Oz all over again.

I'm more angry than sad. I don't even feel like watching Part 5.

mumble mumble Children of Earth Day Two

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:29:53 GMT

This post has spoilers, but I covered up what I was talking about with a spoiler field. Highlight to read.

I'm going to watch Torchwood: Children of Earth again when it premieres on BBC America in two weeks, to 1) enjoy it in HD, and 2) BE ABLE TO TURN ON CLOSED CAPTIONS.

I have an ear for accents. I've never had a problem understanding people with heavy ones. When I watch British telly, the only things I often have difficulties with are pop culture references or the occasional slang term I'm not familiar with (or even common terms, like when Uncle Bryn on Gavin & Stacey called his GPS system a "sat nav").

But honestly, even after listening three times to the conversation between Gwen and Ianto when he was in the phone booth and she was asking where to meet, I still couldn't understand what the heck he said. And no, it's not the Welsh. LOL, when Kai Owen gets excited his accent gets heavier, and I do have to listen more closely, but I can generally always understand.

Last night, it seemed like a lot of people were mumbling, or talking too fast and the dialogue was getting lost. I had no problem understanding Lois (who is awesome), or any of the MI-5 secrety in-cahoots-with-the-456 people.

I know it wasn't the download. It's also possible it's because I have it playing on my TV, using the TV's speakers, but they aren't that shite that I can't understand some of it.

Ah well, it's not I need to memorize dialogue for any reason. When I rewatch I'll catch what I missed.

Children of Earth Day One quickie thoughts

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:37:34 GMT

First, thanks to everyone who came to the rescue yesterday! I love my Flist.

Here's a few thoughts about Day One.

Oh, Ianto. Ianto Ianto Ianto. I absolutely loved the scene with his sister, because for far too long Torchwood has never really focused on the realistic aspects of his and Jack's relationship.

Perhaps I'm seeing it from an American perspective. I mean, there's a superior in a relationship with a subordinate, they've been caught in a compromising position in the Hub, and they've danced together at Gwen's wedding. All are treated as no big deal. Why is that? I do think British attitudes are a bit more forward-thinking than our Puritanical views over here. Is it American TV?

I'm sure RTD wishes the world worked like this, where no one so much as bats an eyelash over their relationship. John Barrowman lives his life like this. In my experience, however, same-sex relationships are much more complicated. I guess what I'm really saying is that Torchwood makes it look easy, and it really isn't.

As fans we like to focus on the relationships between the characters to the exclusion of the real world sometimes. Wouldn't Ianto be questioning himself after loving Lisa? Wouldn't he find his attraction to his superior awkward when dealing with the rest of his co-workers (or, after the end of Series 2, co-worker)? And a thousand other questions.

I realize that the relationship between Jack and Ianto isn't the focus of the show, because hello, aliens. I also realize that many people don't want the show to become a relationship drama with monsters on the side.

But if you do take the steps to pair up a same-sex couple on a television show, there needs to be more scenes like the one between Ianto and his sister, and more scenes where Jack and Ianto are heard/seen discussing their relationship. It can't be an everyday thing, even if RTD wants it to be.

Get yer wood on!

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:49:50 GMT

Heh, I made a joke in the subject header.

It's really because it's the start of Torchwood miniseries week, "Children of Earth." Please be good WHOO. I've been looking forward to it. My GF is a HUGE Janto shipper and was literally *bouncing* the entire time we listened to the third audio drama this weekend. She's super excited. All she does is read Janto fic. Seriously. It's all-consuming.

I'm hoping to find a good download tonight, specifically from a user by the name of Mad Martha. Her versions of past Torchwood episodes have been excellent. I hope she uploads tonight. I hate that BBC America has decided to wait TWO FREAKING WEEKS before they air it. WTF? Don't they realize some of us have friends everywhere? We want to see it!

I also rode my bike into work today for the first time. It wasn't super scary, but biking in Manhattan is still a study in anxiety and stress. Getting from Grand Central to the West Side at 16th St was challenging. Considering I hadn't really ridden the bike all that much since I bought it, I think I did okay. I'll get better as the summer goes on. It was a relief not to have to deal with the piss-scented subway for a change (and save $2.25 a trip, GAH, price increase!).

I hope everyone enjoys Torchwood tonight and uses cut tags tomorrow!

Chris Meloni talks with TV Guide about the SVU contract negotiations

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:44:03 GMT

TV Guide Magazine has an exclusive interview with Meloni about the contract negotiations for another two seasons of SVU. You can read the whole thing here.

Side note to any Supernatural fans avoiding spoilers: Don't look at the top left corner of the page! Dammit!

I will cut and paste the quote I thought the most notable, which was this:

TV Guide: Were the fans with you and Mariska during the negotiations?

Meloni: [snip] The vast majority believe money's not the issue. They were like "These are guys who are workers. And if they’re in a position to get as much as they can for the work that they do, good for them." And then there’s the other side that I'll call the "playa haters," who begrudged and were very upset that we should ask to get paid what we thought was at the very least fair market value.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA OMG MELONI. SHUT UP. There are people who have lost their homes, their jobs, and can't afford to feed themselves or their families and you're bitching about MORE MONEY FOR ONE SINGLE EPISODE THAN PEOPLE SEE IN THEIR LIFETIMES??? LOLOLOLOL! SHUT UP AGAIN.

Damn, it feels good to be a playa hater. WTF? Really?

And y'know what Mr. Meloni? I think it's time we broke up. It was a sweet ride with highs, lows, sexy thoughts, and much obsessiveness in between, but I feel I've outgrown you. I think I will move on to more healthy TV relationships, and we'll both be happier for it. Oh, now, don't cry. You still have your $8.8 million and your other devoted fans. You won't miss me.

I'll continue to hold Oldskool Elliot and Chris Keller in my heart of hearts though, because good characters are forever. Someday I might even watch you in other things, to think back about the good days.

But really, it's not me, it's you. And don't bother sending flowers. This is better for both of us.

I think I could buy a house with one episode

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:25:54 GMT

So, Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni brokered a deal with Universal/NBC to stay on Law & Order: There Are No Scripts That Make Sense Anymore for another two years.

I officially gave up with SVU after that stupid-ass "Stabler gets shot and then the squad saves a monkey in a basketball" episode last year. Good LORD, what are they smoking to write that shit? Honestly.

Apparently they both asked for work "flexibility" to be worked into their contracts. I guess that means more guest stars while the scripts mention Stabler and Benson being in court, huh? Whatevs.

I covered my opinion on these contract talks once already, but to know that they'll be making $8.8 MILLION for an average of 22 episodes a season is astounding. There was no way Universal was going to risk losing them, no matter what the suits say. They can't be replaced, and it's about the only drama on NBC that continually makes money. No way they're going to recast. They'll pay out the nose.

But the unique thing about a contract is that they get paid even if they're not in an episode.

I hope they're worth it. Buy a couple more houses, guys! I won't be watching anymore. They should be using that money for frickin' writers.

Dell Inspiron "Lollipop" commercial

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:06:25 GMT

I purposely recorded and uploaded this video just so I could make this post!

Have you seen the new commercial by Dell advertising the candy-colored Inspiron laptop? It uses the song "Lollipop" popularized by the 50s group The Cordettes. If you haven't seen it, take a look.

Okay, you watched it?

Now, I bet you didn't see a curious moment at the beginning of the commercial...which is why I uploaded it. Watch it again and tell me why the room is dark at first, and then tell me WHY THE SECOND WORKER GUY POPS UP FROM BENEATH THE FIRST WORKER GUY AND THEN FASTENS HIS OVERALLS. What was he doing down there I wonder? You know where my dirty mind went.

This is what happens when you view the world with slash goggles.

The passing of a legend

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:17:52 GMT

Although I wasn't a fan, I still mourn the passing of Michael Jackson. In my opinion, this man virtually defined the '80s, both musically and visually, for many of us that grew up in that decade (and who weren't influenced by other musical styles of the generation).

My brother and I knew his Thriller album from front to back, even the Vincent Price voiceover at the end of the song "Thriller." In fact, my 7-year-old brother Moonwalked and did a whole Michael Jackson dance during the party for his Communion back in 1984.

He was influential in shaping a huge part of what made pop music so popular back then.

Jackson also changed the way we watched music, with videos that focused on special effects and multi-million dollar budgets to dazzle and amaze.

"Thriller" became a mini-movie in itself, with fantastic costuming and makeup. "Billie Jean" featured those totally cool light-up sidewalk blocks -- and who among us hasn't imitated walking down a checkerboard tile floor and wished they lit up? "Black and White" had those beautiful synchronized dance moves and the birth of the morphing visual effect. And "Beat It" is simply a classic, hands down.

Whatever controversies attributed to Jackson in recent years should not eclipse his greatness. He was kinda weird, true, and was deluged by scandals, but that's not uncommon for any child who grew up in the public eye. I think he had a rather sad life, to be honest.

The impact of his death makes me wistful for the '80s, when all I really had to worry about was cartoons, learning to breakdance, and coming home in time for supper.

I feel a true sense of loss at his passing.

Birfday!

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:04:44 GMT

A very Happy Birfday to one of the sweetest people out there, the dear maddiec24. I hope you have a healthy and happy year ahead, babes!

(Late) Birfday

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:28:03 GMT

I missed colleendetroit's birfday yesterday due to robot pirate ninjas, so I'm making up for it. I hope this coming year is much better than the last, sweetie.

Supernatural summer promo

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:01:48 GMT

During last week's repeat of the Supernatural episode "Monster Movie" (which I admittedly had on in the background and was sorta paying attention to, because I dislike that ep) the CW aired a promo for Season 4, which was the winning entry made by kookiemonster11 for Supernatural's Making the Cut promo competition, as seen here. I recorded it in high quality and you can see it behind the cut. It's less than a minute long.

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Holla back, y'all

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:25:14 GMT

Hey kids out there in Supernatural-loving land!

If you love spoilers for the upcoming Season 5 and you plan on posting uncut spoilers to your journal, please let me know so I can put you on a filter.

Everyone has their way of dealing with spoilers, and if you like posting them in your journal free for discussion, that's cool with me. But I'd rather not know one single thing about Season 5, be it character spoilers, casting spoilers, or pretty much anything, really.

Thus, please let me know your opinion on how you like to use spoilers on your personal LJ, and for some of you I shall see you in September, no hard feelings.

Things for a Friday afternoon

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:31:59 GMT

Through links of links, I have two new time-killers: Neatorama and Mental Floss. YAYZ.

It was posted a few days ago and I'm sure many have already read it, but here's an interesting article: 8 Starship Enterprise Facts That Every Trekker Should Know.

If the new one is playing at home I'm going to take my mom. I know it's Father's Day coming up, but my dad prefers to sit in front of the TV yelling at the guys who host fishing shows, telling them they're doing everything wrong.

My father hates sports and has never watched football, or baseball, or anything of that sort. His thing is hunting and fishing shows, Saints preserve us. There's only so many times I can watch some dude with a Southern accent catch bass, y'know?

I hope everyone has a pleasant Father's Day this weekend, whether you are celebrating with your dad, or remembering him. In my case, I hope he's not in a shitty mood, because I'm staying at my parents' for the weekend.

ETA -- Facebook lament from my mother: "Facebook: Everybody added me as a friend.....I only wanted to see photos!!!"

I've run out of Innernetz

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:15:22 GMT

ZOMG BORED. You ever have those days where you've clicked on your Flist like a hundred times and there are no new updates, and you've read your blogs and you've refreshed everything that can be refreshed yet you are STILL BORED? This is where I am.

This is usually where I ask for a writing prompt, but it's almost 2 p.m. and I'm sure all of you are off doing more important worky things or sitting down to tea maybe if you're across the Pond. Aren't you all also sick of my Supernatural obsession? I apologize. It owns me.

Anybody have some good time-killing blogs?

In other news, I've subjected my GF to the season finale of Supernatural, because I subjected her to the episode before that, and I conceivably convinced her she needed to know what happened. However, she DOES NOT CARE ABOUT MY BOYS, which, y'know, makes my heart hurt. *sigh*

But, this transpired last night:

GF: What's your boyfriend's real name again?

Me: Jensen Ackles

GF: *perplexed look* Jansen?

Me: No, Jensen.

GF: Jam Spackles!

Now I'm going to think of him by that name!

She makes up nicknames for all my TV characters. Col. Saul Tigh from Battlestar Galactica was "Billy One-Eye." Admiral Adama was "Stand And Deliver." Paul Adelstein from Prison Break's Seasons 1 and 2 was "Mr. Puffy Face."

And I tease her that her TV boyfriend, Gareth David-Lloyd from Torchwood really only has three first names.

Go evil! Rah rah rah!

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:56:15 GMT

I know I'm not supposed to cheer for the bad guys in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, considering He Who Shall Not Be Named killed his parents and I read all the books and cried every time he looked in the Mirror of Erised or conjured his Patronus that was the same as his father's and Gryffindor!, honor!, destiny!, hero!, blah blah blah.

But every time I walk through the Times Square subway connection I keep seeing Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy on the posters and I get this little squee because he looks so ominous. The poster I refer to is here with my other fave Alan Rickman as Severus Snape in the background. Now if they could have added teh sex Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy, all would be right with the (go Death Eaters!) world. Yes, yes, I know he's in Azkaban in the sixth book. I don't care.

All the posters I see every morning are here. They have them all put together one after the other in the station, so everybody's looking at each other.

I can link Charmed to Supernatural in one degree

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:03:22 GMT

This is going to be the most bizarre "look what I found on the web" via clicked links EVER.

I knew about Misha Collins' Twitter feed, and I hadn't read it since he escaped the bunker by turning the doorknob the right way. He's Twittering this bizarre tale, starring himself. It's easier to read it than try to explain it (calicokat reminded me of the feed earlier today).

Anyway, in one of his Tweets he mentioned Alyssa Milano and linked to her Twitter. LOL, I thought, let's see what she has to say.

She in turn linked to this really interesting post on Mental Floss, where blogger Chris Higgins discovered a website filled with Polaroid photo images from 1979 to 1997.

Turns out this guy named Jamie Livingston took a Polaroid photo of himself, his friends, his surroundings in New York City or wherever he was traveling, every single day from 1979-1997. He was a cinematographer and music video editor, and his photos show his daily life. Sometimes the photos show common scenes of his apartment, or images of the television, or street scenes.

You can visit the website to see all the photos.

But what's most remarkable about this is that the entire project is a memorial. Skip ahead to 1997, and you will see photos of Livingston in the hospital, after having had surgery. He's had surgery on his brain, as you can see a huge stapled scar on his head.

Within five months of that photo, the final image is of Livingston on his deathbed.

To learn about the whole project and why it was done, visit Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn and learn how his friends took digital photos of the original Polaroids and displayed all 6,000+ photos at Bard College in NY, Livingston's alma mater.

It's amazing to click randomly and see what was going on in the world on that date -- we see a newspaper reporting the death of Princess Diana in one photo for example, and the 1986 World Series was captured via photographs of the TV. It's also a remarkable study of one man's life, however fleeting.

Absolutely worth a look.

Is this really what it's like out there?

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:23:39 GMT

I'll be 35 this year. I consider myself a fangirl: writing fic, loving characters, collecting toys, buying merchandise. I like what I like and in the past I focused on things (eating, sleeping, breathing X-Files for years), but never, ever, NEVER have I seen something like this.

It's an Italian-made (I think, guessing by the titles) video mash-up of fans' YouTube reactions to the trailer of the new sparklevampire Twilight film, New Moon. Gawker did a post on it.

First, watch the trailer:

Next, the fan reaction mash-up:

WHAT THE FUCK, world? Really? Jebus, I bet it's like this in most fandoms, and if I were a star, I would never show up for cons or public appearances. It's frightening. (Also, most of those girls look like they could kick ~~Cedric Diggory~~ Robert Pattinson's ass.)

This is also part of the reason I've retired the going-to-cons thing. It's too damn scary out there, fer realz.

Supernatural on the Bering Sea

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:20:29 GMT

My GF came over last night to watch the Deadliest Catch in HD on my TV, which is big and large and not her dinky 27 inch CRT.

Last night's episode was intense. Captain Keith Colburn of the Wizard had a huge wave hit the ship while four crew members -- one of them his brother Monte, or "Mouse" as he calls him -- were at the front of the boat up on the crab pot stacks. They were all thrown around violently. It was crazy scary. The crew members were hurt, and Mouse broke some ribs.

Then there was a moment when Keith was buttoning up his brother's shirt so they could get him to town and get looked at. This is what transpired:

Me: Look at that. His brother is buttoning up his shirt! That is the sweetest thing...
GF: Wincest in 40 years.

ZOMG, I laughed so hard at her, and she doesn't even watch Supernatural, nor do I read Wincest. It's that prevalent that it crosses fandoms.

In other news, I discovered spnsecrets today. It cracks my shit up. It's just a TV show, people. However, there was one interesting post which said that it was bothersome when people didn't explain which show their icons were from in their Userpics. I took that to heart because it makes sense, and labeled a bunch of mine.

In related news: New mood theme thanks to tonicangel

In other other news, I need to write some Dean/Castiel and I cannot, for the life of me, come up with an idea. I mean, it's killing me. I want to write something canon-esque and plausible and probably UST, but I can't think of a freaking thing to write. Any ideas peepe?

Birfday!

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:25:55 GMT

Right now I'm eating lunch and listening to audio clips I downloaded from supernatural_tv here. "See if they've got any pie! Bring me some pie! Love me some pie..."

I'm also here to offer my girl siberian_skys a very Happy Birthday! I hope it's filled with lots of fandom happiness and sexxxings! Hee.

New header!

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:44:05 GMT

Made a new header today. It took me about three hours because the most difficult part is finding the right screencaps to use. Then of course there's a lot of playing around with textures and hunting down the right ones.

Resources

Screencaps by oxoniensis via her site
Dean taken from "In the Beginning"
Castiel taken from "The Monster at the End of This Book"
Sammy taken from "The Rapture"

Textures by
yunhe
wrennette
seeaseye
3mmet here

Supernatural title treatment in high-res can be found at my Photobucket album, Supernatural ephemera

Birfday!

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:04:15 GMT

Happy Birthday to Florida-livin', Gary Carter-lovin', All Lee All The Time great lady fanfromfla!

I'm sure you're going to -- blargh -- go exercise even on your birthday. C'mon, be like the rest of us and sit on your ass and eat cake!

ZOMG, the DMV!

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:13:10 GMT

Y'all, I am now officially a New York driver! And it only took me 2 and a half hours!

I went to Herald Square DMV in Manhattan this morning. As I tried to enter the building I was informed there was a line, as it turned out, around the block. The office opened at 8:30, and I was there around 8:15 or so.

I waited outside in the rain for a while, then they herded us in small numbers into elevators, which took us to the eighth floor where the DMV was. Then there was more line waiting. And then I waited on line. Also, line waiting. For you in the UK, I was queued in the queueingest queue there ever was!

Some excitement: two Chinese women who didn't speak a word of English were cutting the line, and some Hispanic lady (or is it Latina? I'm not up on my political correctness) got pissed and went to get a uniformed employee, growling, and I quote, "Oh, you gonna make me, ain't you?" Hee! Then there was swearing and hand gestures and blank stares and much Cantonese (or maybe Mandarin). Eventually, it got sorted even though the guard was all, "I have no idea what you're saying." I was laughing hysterically.

I was doing fine until I went to get my registration. My insurance had to have been in effect for at least 45 days. My card said April. Y'know, I researched the shit out of the NY DMV website, took almost an hour and a half filling out forms last night (no lie), and still I got screwed up. Christ.

I then had to visit Staples on the second floor, call Geico, and get them to fax me a new insurance card. Sheesh.

Then luckily I got an expedited ticket to get helped again, and eventually got it all sorted. In all that time, I listened to music and watched the Supernatural episode "On the Head of a Pin" on my Playstation Portable. Angels, torture, and tears sure pass the time at the DMV!

Unlike New Jersey, I have to wait for them to send me my license. I got a temporary one. I have no idea how my photo will turn out, because I swear the guy that did it looked like one of those weird recluses that live amongst stacks of their own filth and newspapers, I kid you not. Where do they find these people? And I wish they would tell you what's happening. I kept asking "What do I do next?" a thousand times because they never offer information of their own volition. I also had to tell the guy that I didn't need to get my car inspected in 10 days, because my NJ inspection isn't up until November and it will carry over. GAH.

I'm going to miss my Jersey license. I actually look nice in it! I know I'm going to look like hell warmed over for this one. There's no way Weird Creepy Dude took a normal photo!

RhymePhile's Rat Race

TV writers vs. the unwashed masses: A Children of Earth thinky-thought post

Final thoughts on Children of Earth

NEW: Oz/Wanted fic "Another Time, Another Place"

Children of Earth Day Four

*mumble mumble* Children of Earth Day Two

Children of Earth Day One quickie thoughts

Get yer wood on!

Chris Meloni talks with TV Guide about the SVU contract negotiations

I think I could buy a house with one episode

Dell Inspiron "Lollipop" commercial

The passing of a legend

Birfday!

(Late) Birfday

Supernatural summer promo

Holla back, y'all

Things for a Friday afternoon

I've run out of Innernetz

Go evil! Rah rah rah!

I can link Charmed to Supernatural in one degree

Is this really what it's like out there?

Supernatural on the Bering Sea

Birfday!

New header!

Birfday!

ZOMG, the DMV!

mumble mumble Children of Earth Day Two