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greygirlbeastThe worst sort of nightmare last night (well, this morning). The nightmare wherein someone loved and lost is alive, and you realize it was all a mistake, or that you simply misremembered her death, and The Bad Thing never happened. And then you wake, and realize, by slow degrees, that it did happen.
Let's see what I can recall about yesterday. After I attended to a few bits of writing-busyness, we left the house and headed south. There was an odd chill in the air —— odd for me, it being the 5th of August and my having lived most of my life in the South. Beautiful storm clouds building all around Providence. Instead of going directly to Spooky's parents' place, we decided to stop in Warwick to see The X-Files: I Want to Believe, because it happened that we had free passes. And this is what I think of the film.
It was quite a good episode of The X-Files, one of the darker, gorier ones, but as an X-Files movie, I think it falls rather short of the mark, and would be just as acceptable seen on a television screen as on a theatre screen. Which is to say, I'm glad the tickets were free, and you probably want to wait for the DVD. I'm not saying it was bad, not at all. But it entirely lacks the scope and wonder delivered by X-Files: Fight the Future (1998), which I liked quite a lot as a movie. But I do have a theory about why this film is what so many have (annoyingly and wrongheadedly) described as "little more than X-Files slash." Carter was smart enough to realize that it's been ten years since the last film, and six years since the series ended. His elaborate, and generally muddled, "mythos" has been largely forgotten by all but die-hard fans (like me), and if this were a film about aliens, international conspiracies, clones, bees, and oily black viruses, 90% of the audience would be utterly lost. So, instead, he chose to make a much more intimate film about Scully and Mulder six years on, a sort of quiet, melancholy epilogue to the whole story. This is, mostly, a film about regret and relationship, about faith and determination, and about fate. Not aliens and conspiracy. Sure, there's the grisly Frankensteinesque serial-killer bit thrown in, making it a de facto horror film (even though there's not much attempt to have that part of the film make much sense). And if that's not the sort of film you expected, you'd hate it. All in all, Carter would have been better off not making this film. Still, it was good seeing David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson back in those familiar roles, and their performances rang true. As usual, Billy Connolly was marvelous. There was some great dialog. But I really wish there could have been more. I can easily think of five or six good stories that would have made a better X-Files film, but, then again, expectation is the demon. I will say, I was uncomfortable with the the film's Catholic themes, but Scully's Catholicism always did give me the creeps.
After the movie, we realized that we'd left my penicillin in Providence. Rather than drive all the way back home, we decided we'd only visit the farm, then head back to the city. We were both disappointed, but it's not like we had much choice. So, we made the best of it. We visited with Spider (the cat), fed the fish, and walked in the woods. I had a short nap in all that quiet. We picked two huge bowls of blueberries. I borrowed all the July 2008 issues of Science. I picked up groundfall apples and tossed them over the electric fence (after we'd inspected it to be sure there were not shorts, etc.) so the deer could find them. We looked in on the chickens. I just wish we could have spent the night. I think we got back to Providence about 9:30 pm, and had the fourth and final night of Spooky's chicken stew, this time with rice. Spooky baked a blueberry cobbler (yum).
And later, I had some satisfying roleplay in Second Life. mostly the WoD/V:tM stuff in the city of Corvinus. Having been embraced and sired by a Ravenos antitribu, my former Vietnamese assassin and gun runner found herself deserted and confused and starving, wandering the dark streets. There was a lot of wandering. A lot. In a city dominated by the Camarilla. Finally, I was found by —— of all things —— a Bahari and a Sabbat templar, who, seeing great potential, and displeased with my Sire's neglect, helped me with my first victim, who just happened to be one of my former bodyguards, who'd unwisely lingered about the city, hoping for another gig (despite the fat severance check I'd left him, along with an order to get the hell out of town). So, yeah, good rp.
Forgive me for simply reposting this next bit, but I overslept, and it's getting late: Please have a look at the current eBay auctions. Spooky just relisted the limited edition of Frog Toes and Tentacles. Also, if you are so able, do please preorder the mass-market paperback of Daughter of Hounds. Editors who see good sales figures are happy editors, and happy editors mean less nervous authors. And yes, it's also available for the Kindle, and no I do not approve of the Kindle (for a host of reasons), but if that's really how you prefer to read, the sale is still appreciated. It's the "used" copies that aren't helpful. Finally, subpress is taking preorders for A is for Alien, which is probably the project I'm most excited about right now.
Okay. Now eight photos from yesterday evening —— flowers around the koi pond, the Spider cat, and blueberries:
Pitcher plant (Order Ericales, Family Sarraceniaceae)
Spider cat! 18 lbs.!
See if you can spot the little white spider in this photo....
All photographs Copyright © 2008 by Kathryn A. Pollnac
Let's see what I can recall about yesterday. After I attended to a few bits of writing-busyness, we left the house and headed south. There was an odd chill in the air —— odd for me, it being the 5th of August and my having lived most of my life in the South. Beautiful storm clouds building all around Providence. Instead of going directly to Spooky's parents' place, we decided to stop in Warwick to see The X-Files: I Want to Believe, because it happened that we had free passes. And this is what I think of the film.
It was quite a good episode of The X-Files, one of the darker, gorier ones, but as an X-Files movie, I think it falls rather short of the mark, and would be just as acceptable seen on a television screen as on a theatre screen. Which is to say, I'm glad the tickets were free, and you probably want to wait for the DVD. I'm not saying it was bad, not at all. But it entirely lacks the scope and wonder delivered by X-Files: Fight the Future (1998), which I liked quite a lot as a movie. But I do have a theory about why this film is what so many have (annoyingly and wrongheadedly) described as "little more than X-Files slash." Carter was smart enough to realize that it's been ten years since the last film, and six years since the series ended. His elaborate, and generally muddled, "mythos" has been largely forgotten by all but die-hard fans (like me), and if this were a film about aliens, international conspiracies, clones, bees, and oily black viruses, 90% of the audience would be utterly lost. So, instead, he chose to make a much more intimate film about Scully and Mulder six years on, a sort of quiet, melancholy epilogue to the whole story. This is, mostly, a film about regret and relationship, about faith and determination, and about fate. Not aliens and conspiracy. Sure, there's the grisly Frankensteinesque serial-killer bit thrown in, making it a de facto horror film (even though there's not much attempt to have that part of the film make much sense). And if that's not the sort of film you expected, you'd hate it. All in all, Carter would have been better off not making this film. Still, it was good seeing David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson back in those familiar roles, and their performances rang true. As usual, Billy Connolly was marvelous. There was some great dialog. But I really wish there could have been more. I can easily think of five or six good stories that would have made a better X-Files film, but, then again, expectation is the demon. I will say, I was uncomfortable with the the film's Catholic themes, but Scully's Catholicism always did give me the creeps.
After the movie, we realized that we'd left my penicillin in Providence. Rather than drive all the way back home, we decided we'd only visit the farm, then head back to the city. We were both disappointed, but it's not like we had much choice. So, we made the best of it. We visited with Spider (the cat), fed the fish, and walked in the woods. I had a short nap in all that quiet. We picked two huge bowls of blueberries. I borrowed all the July 2008 issues of Science. I picked up groundfall apples and tossed them over the electric fence (after we'd inspected it to be sure there were not shorts, etc.) so the deer could find them. We looked in on the chickens. I just wish we could have spent the night. I think we got back to Providence about 9:30 pm, and had the fourth and final night of Spooky's chicken stew, this time with rice. Spooky baked a blueberry cobbler (yum).
And later, I had some satisfying roleplay in Second Life. mostly the WoD/V:tM stuff in the city of Corvinus. Having been embraced and sired by a Ravenos antitribu, my former Vietnamese assassin and gun runner found herself deserted and confused and starving, wandering the dark streets. There was a lot of wandering. A lot. In a city dominated by the Camarilla. Finally, I was found by —— of all things —— a Bahari and a Sabbat templar, who, seeing great potential, and displeased with my Sire's neglect, helped me with my first victim, who just happened to be one of my former bodyguards, who'd unwisely lingered about the city, hoping for another gig (despite the fat severance check I'd left him, along with an order to get the hell out of town). So, yeah, good rp.
Forgive me for simply reposting this next bit, but I overslept, and it's getting late: Please have a look at the current eBay auctions. Spooky just relisted the limited edition of Frog Toes and Tentacles. Also, if you are so able, do please preorder the mass-market paperback of Daughter of Hounds. Editors who see good sales figures are happy editors, and happy editors mean less nervous authors. And yes, it's also available for the Kindle, and no I do not approve of the Kindle (for a host of reasons), but if that's really how you prefer to read, the sale is still appreciated. It's the "used" copies that aren't helpful. Finally, subpress is taking preorders for A is for Alien, which is probably the project I'm most excited about right now.
Okay. Now eight photos from yesterday evening —— flowers around the koi pond, the Spider cat, and blueberries:
Pitcher plant (Order Ericales, Family Sarraceniaceae)
Spider cat! 18 lbs.!
See if you can spot the little white spider in this photo....
All photographs Copyright © 2008 by Kathryn A. Pollnac
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no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 06:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 06:06 pm (UTC)Not a bad analysis of the X-Files sequel; it makes me curious enough to see it (eventually, on DVD like you suggest). Most reviews have been A) negative and B) tinged with the sentiment "What's the point?" You seem to suss out the point. I was a casual X-Files fan in the day, and appreciated the first film; I want there to be continued good X-Files stories.
Keep eating well, you guys.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 06:08 pm (UTC)Okay. I've avoided reviews, and that's just annoying. The point is obvious. Mulder and Scully are two people hard in love, living with their unspeakably horrific pasts and uncertain futures. Sometimes, people are so thick it just amazes me.
I want there to be continued good X-Files stories.
I would too, but I think it'll be hard, given the difficulties with the mythos ands forgetful minds.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 07:17 pm (UTC)I think it was partly critical piling-on, going after what was perceived as an easy target. A critic I know named Mike Russell (http://www.culturepulp.com) (who, to be fair, disliked the second X-Files film, but for his own reasons) tends to point out when that happens. I've been guilty of groupthink, and try to recognize it when it happens and not fall back into that trap.
I want there to be continued good X-Files stories.
I would too, but I think it'll be hard, given the difficulties with the mythos and forgetful minds.
Ever spit-ball your own "If I wrote The X-Files..." stories? I know you have plenty of stories of your own on your plate, so I'm not suggesting full-on fanfic!
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 07:22 pm (UTC)Ever spit-ball your own "If I wrote The X-Files..." stories?
In 1995, PZB and I were approached about co-authoring an X-Files novel, and I wrote up a proposal. But then, I think, Kevin J. Anderson took over the novels, and it never happened. Some of it I sort of recycled for The Girl Who Would Be Death.
I've been guilty of groupthink
We must ever strive against these tendencies.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 07:30 pm (UTC)Knowledge now known. Neat!
I've been guilty of groupthink
We must ever strive against these tendencies.
Okay, off to strive...
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 06:02 pm (UTC)Cute spider. Both of them!
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 06:05 pm (UTC)And do I spy strawberries or raspberries behind him, and maybe blackberries too??
Not sure about blackberries, but yes to the other two.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 06:02 pm (UTC)Now all I can think is "blueberries, nom nom nom."
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 06:19 pm (UTC)Okay, I'll stop putting my metaphors in the food processor.
Scully's Catholicism always did give me the creeps.
I was always of the impression that it gave Scully the creeps as well.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 06:23 pm (UTC)it is not a mythos tale and there is solid characterization and acting.
Yep.
I anticipate this might be seen in the future much as you put it here: "a sort of quiet, melancholy epilogue to the whole story." A quiet cult film, more savory than sweet or spicy.
And again, yep.
I was always of the impression that it gave Scully the creeps as well.
I fear she was more comfortable with it in this film (which, character-wise, made sense).
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 06:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 06:45 pm (UTC)I think I see a tiny brown spider on the pitcher plant! Farthest left pitcher, about 1/4 of the way down.
Very good!
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 07:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 07:51 pm (UTC)What kind of camera do you use?
A rather old one, as digital cameras go. A Canon Powershot A75,set on macro for the close-ups. We got it way back in 2004.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 07:40 pm (UTC)I believe this is the first time I've ever left you a comment. Hi. I'm a long time fan of your work. This info about the X-Files novel is a sweet bit of 'what-if' for me to savor for a while.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 07:52 pm (UTC)This info about the X-Files novel is a sweet bit of 'what-if' for me to savor for a while.
It would have been interesting, and it was a project I'd really hoped would get the green light.
Derma Sutra
Date: 2008-08-06 09:17 pm (UTC)Re: Derma Sutra
Date: 2008-08-06 09:43 pm (UTC)It's been spinning in my mind for days, and I just wanted to say thank you.
Thnk you for taking the time to tell me...
pix
Date: 2008-08-06 10:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-07 04:08 am (UTC)And it doesn't suck? Er, no pun intended.
Now I'm going to have to find time to come play.
But what? A Lasombra, or maybe a Tremere... Damn it.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-07 03:53 pm (UTC)And it doesn't suck? Er, no pun intended.
No, it doesn't suck, much to my surprise. There's room for improvement, but, so far, all in all, its one of best the better rps I've hooked up with.
But what? A Lasombra, or maybe a Tremere... Damn it.?
I think Zaaz would make a marvelous Lasombra.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-07 05:21 pm (UTC)Someone should do a Vampire: the Requiem sim. I'm so entrenched in Requiem projects right now that it's my default frame of reference for Kindred in the World of Darkness. And to avoid just rehashing the old game, I have most of the Masquerade stuff turned off in my head. :P
no subject
Date: 2008-08-07 08:25 am (UTC)I share your view on the X-Files. Have seen it on saturday, even in english. Some of my thoughts are that i do agree on the choice of Chris Carter not to immediately continue the arc after the long break. I loved what Bill Connolly did with his role.
Sure, we had better tv-episodes, but it was acceptable quality and not bad. As you said and you were right, this was not so much about the Frankenstein, but more about faith, regret, duty and about the couple.
Derma could be a starting point for a Kiernan-X-Files-episode......
Nice Kannenpflanze