Watching 'Titanic' right now...

…as an adult, I can more fully comprehend the tragedy of the whole thing. Especially so near to the 100th anniversary of the sinking.
It is amazing how big of a clusterfuck it became. The 20 lifeboats on the ship could hold 40 people {Lifeboats 1 and 2}, 65 people {Lifeboats 3-16} or 47 people {Collapsibles A-D}. And of the 2,203 people on board, that meant only about half the people on board would optimistically be saved had the lifeboats been filled to capacity, or about 1,178 people could’ve been saved.

As it was, 706 people were saved from the ship. Out of 2,203, that’s about a third {or maybe more, maybe less, Math isn’t my strong suit} that were saved. Mostly because the boats were inadequately filled. As we might remember from the movie, when Thomas Andrews is asking Second Officer Lightoller why the boats are being launched half full. Lightoller says that they were concerned about the weight and that “some of the boats may buckle”. Andrews says this is “rubbish. They were tested in Belfast with the weight of seventy men!” One boat, Lifeboat #1 was launched with only 12 people, and the first Lifeboat, #7, was launched with 28 people. An inordinate amount of first class passengers were rescued as the third class passengers had no idea how to get up to the boat decks because the hallways were confusing and not clearly marked. One of the third class stewards, John Hart, led people from third class up to the decks in two trips, but a lot of people were left behind even with his help.

Like I said, complete clusterfuck, but in a way, it was…I don’t want to say good, but the fact that it helped change a lot of ship and maritime regulations means that at least those people didn’t die completely in vain.

I'm just rattling through life

I've got a headspace now of not wanting to do anything but read, text, sit in my room and listen to music on Spotify while eating Gummy Bears and drinking Dr. Pepper Cherry. Spotify's been giving me some gems the last few days; a lot of bands I've never heard before now{or either can't remember if I have}, like Frightened Rabbit {I'm 99% certain I've heard them before through Ben}, Surfer Blood, Local Natives, The Temper Trap and The xx, among others.

At the very least, I want to do this while taking a train trip across the country, or if not across America, then across Europe and back. Do you ever listen to music that evokes images like that in your head? Like you can see landscapes and scenery passing through your head while the music plays? That's what I've got now while listening to this album.

The title of this entry is rather appropriate, I think. At times, I do feel like I'm just rattling through life. On the whole, aside from work, I do nothing.

I texted John before work and after work, as per usual. 23 days and he'll be here and I can kiss him and touch him and love him. It seems like a lot less waiting than the last time around, and I can't figure out why.

Shipping Meme

Six pairings I like:
1. Olivia/Peter {Fringe}
2. Katniss/Peeta {The Hunger Games}
3. Mal/Inara {Firefly}
4. Jen/Roy {The IT Crowd}
5. Liz/Wesley {30 Rock}
6. Dean/Castiel/Balthazar {Supernatural}

Three pairings I've abandoned:
7. Gillian/Cal {Lie to Me}
8. Rorschach/Nite Owl II {Watchmen}
9. Liz/Floyd {30 Rock}

Three pairings I have never really liked:
10. Sam/Dean {Supernatural}
11. BJ/Hawkeye {M*A*S*H}
12. Niles/Frasier {Frasier}

Two pairings that have piqued my interest:
13. Niles/Roz {Frasier}
14. Deb/Quinn {Dexter}

1. Why do you dislike #11 so much?
I just can't see BJ and Hawkeye getting together. Mostly because BJ is married and Hawkeye is a chronic womanizer.

2. Who do you know that ships #13?
No one personally, but I'm sure there are people out there that do.

3. What would be your ideal scenario for couple #3?
They talk for hours in Inara's shuttle and then end up kissing. A real kiss that they're both aware of and conscious for, and Mal finally admits his damn feelings for her.

4. What is your favorite moment for #1?
"You have to come back because you belong with me."

5. How long have you been following couple #6?
For about a season

6. What's the story with #8? What made you stop caring?
I'm just not as into the Watchmen fandom as much as I used to be anymore. I still love the novel and the movie, but I'm kind of "Eh" about it now.

7. Which ship do you prefer - #2 or #4?
#4

8. You have the power to make one ship nonexistent. Choose #10 or #12


#10



9. What interests you about #14?
There's already definite chemistry there, and I think the two of them would be great for each other. They back each other up and already have one another's backs as partners, now I'd like to see how things go with them as romantic partners.

10. When did you stop liking #7?
It's not that I don't like them anymore, it's that I stopped liking and watching the show, so now I'm like, "Eh, whatevs" about it

11. Did your waning interest in #9 kill your interest in the series?
Nope, because it's still ridiculous and hilarious

12. What's a song that reminds you of #1?
I don't really have one, but if pressed, I would have to say 'Gasoline' by Jann Arden.

13. Which of these ships do you love the most right now?
Olivia/Peter, because it's part of the storyline currently going on 'Fringe'.

14. Which do you dislike the most?
#10. Always and forever

15. If you could have any of these pairings double date, who would they be?
HAHAH Oh man. Uhm...maybe Jen/Roy with Liz/Wesley.

16. Have #5 kissed yet? Elaborate if yes.
Yes they have. They were on the way to Cerie's wedding and Wesley asked Liz to get some shoes for him from his office. They kissed awkwardly and both didn't seem too happy about it.

17. Did #4 have a happy ending? Do you think one is likely?
They haven't gotten together yet, but I think one could be possible for them.

18. What would make you start shipping #14?
Their chemistry as partners in Dexter season 3 is when I started.

19. If only one could happen, which would you prefer: #2 or #6?
Well, #2's already happened, and #6 just needs to happen. With Crowley in the back rubbing his hands together going, "Just as planned" in his hot Cockney accent.

20. You have the power to decide the fate of #10. What happens to them?
They realize that they're brothers and shouldn't be fucking. Oh no, wait...the entire fucking FANDOM realizes that to the same effect and stops shipping them.

Supernatural season 5 Sam and Dean counts

-Number of times Dean says "Sam": 114
-Number of times Sam says "Dean": 117

And as a bonus-

-Number of times Castiel says "Dean": 20

A new year already?

So, since it's a new year, I need to seriously focus on updating this thing more. I need to focus on more important things first, obviously, but my readers {how few there are of you}...I have an obligation, damn it!

I took a count, which took awhile, and I watched 191 films last year. That's about 15 films or so a month. I also read 32 books, which is about 2 books a month. One of my goals for this year is to read 50 books, and so far, I have read one this year; Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede. It's a re-read, but it's something, I suppose.

I feel like watching 191 movies in a year has to be a record of some sort. As it is, I'm well on my way to blowing it out of the water. So far this year, I've watched 8 films. 8 films in 6 days. I know I could try harder, but since moving up to New Hampshire, my movie-watching has declined significantly. Probably because I have to choose between the internet and a movie, where I didn't have to down in Maryland. There's no wireless in this house, unfortunately, because of the mountains. Hopefully, I can get that 100 or 150 foot USB cable and bring myself out into the living room, or even my own room, and get to watching and interneting at the same time again.

If you could date any celebrity, who would it be?

I have too many celebrity crushes to consider anything but polyandry at this point in time. But, if I had to narrow down to just one, right now...probably Chris Marquette. He's close to my age, and surprisingly so, since most of the celebs I crush on are between 32-48. He's 26, and I'm 22 going on 23. Plus he's adorable.

BUT! If polyandry were an option; Chris Marquette, Robert Downey Jr., Clifton Collins Jr., Jason Sudeikis and Jensen Ackles. All of that.

Ask me things. And even stuff.

If you could attend any concert, what would it be?

I'd like to have seen Alice in Chains in their heyday, before Layne Staley died. Them, with Pearl Jam, The Gits and Nirvana would be a bitchin' show.

But as for the present; Muse with Metric and The National would be amazing. I'm seeing Muse with Metric in two weeks, so that will at least be partly fulfilled.

Ask me things. And even stuff.

What was your favorite movie as a child?

'Aladdin', 'The Little Mermaid', 'Jurassic Park', 'Tombstone' and 'Mulan'.

Ask me things. And even stuff.

What's your favorite drink?

Non-alcoholic; tie between Ginger Ale and Tea
Alcoholic; Frozen Mudslide.

Ask me things. And even stuff.

What TV show do you wish would go off the air for good?

Well, I got my wish with 'Heroes', but right now, probably 'Vampire Diaries'.

Ask me things. And even stuff.

Daily Funny: Post 9

This sends me on laughing jags like you have no idea.

'M*A*S*H' recast

In my current conversation with Dean {going on now}, we got to talking about Clifton Collins Jr. and I mentioned that in 'Tigerland' he looked like Klinger and that I could see him playing Klinger if they ever re-made 'M*A*S*H' into a movie or a tv series. So, here are my picks for who I think could and in some cases HAVE to play them.

Bradley Cooper as Hawkeye Pierce. Bradley has played some assy people, and while Hawkweye is a gifted surgeon {something I think Bradley could play with aplomb}, he's a HUGE ass.



Jason Sudeikis as Trappper John McIntyre. I initially had Jason as B.J., but this photo just SCREAMS Trapper to me. Trapper is a likeable character, but like Hawkeye, he is an ass, he just has more charm to him to excuse it.



Peter Sarsgaard as B.J. Hunnicutt. I had Peter initially as Trapper, but the more I looked at him, the more I could see him as B.J. It would be nice to see him in a role that isn't creepy or dramatic, and I'd like to see his take on how B.J. deals with being apart from his wife and daughter for so long.



Kelsey Grammer as Charles Emerson Winchester III. I mean...there's no explanation needed. He IS Charles.



Clifton Collins Jr. as Maxwell Q. Klinger. I initially thought Fred Armisen was the best choice for Klinger, but I think Clifton would do a wonderful job, and would probably bring an even deeper level to the character than there already is.



Sarah Chalke as Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan. Sarah has the looks, and she has the shrillness of Margaret, and the subtle emotionality that's needed for the role.



Will Forte as Frank Burns. This photo of Will is an old one, but he looks so much like Larry Linville as Frank, that there's no one else I can see playing him. He's good at being a buffoon, now I'd like to see him be a hated buffoon.



John Mahoney as Colonel Potter. Like Kelsey Grammer as Winchester, John Mahoney IS Colonel Potter.



Anton Yelchin as Walter "Radar" O'Reilly. He would make a more believable 19 year old than Gary Burghoff ever did. Plus, he still has the innocent look about him that would make him a believable Radar.



Steve Zahn as Father Mulcahy. I think he would be the perfect embodiment of the soft-spoken priest who also knows how to throw a good punch when it's needed.



Adam Goldberg as Sidney Freedman. Literally, who else could you see as Sidney?

And we're back...but for how long?

General Blogging
Well, things have changed quite a lot since my last post. When was that? May? June? In a nutshell, I had 3 jobs and an insane amount of stress. My friend moved in, which didn't really go according to plan/how we hoped it would go. I'm moving to New Hampshire on the 25th of September {12 days!} and have been under an AMAZINGLY huge amount of stress because of all of this. Did I mention that? I think I did.

Thankfully, though, I don't work anywhere again until sometime after I get to New Hampshire, thereby allowing me to wrap up things in Maryland, continue packing, pay bills and change my address for everything pertinent in my life.

In Other News:

News/Stuff About Celebrities and Movies/Music/TV Shows/etc.
Movie News:
-Stephen King's The Dark Tower series is going to be getting both a movie and a TV treatment. Words can't express how happy I am...or was until I realized that Ron Howard has directed both 'Angels and Demons' and 'The DaVinci Code'. Eeee.

I can't think of a better way to present the material, though, so I'm happy with this outcome. Now I just need to see if the casting will cause me to rage or not.

Actor News:
-There was a possibility that Martin Freeman would be playing Bilbo Baggins in the 'Hobbit' films. Apparently, this was a rumor, and it's not going to happen. While I like him as an actor, I cannot see him as Bilbo. My top two choices for Bilbo are either Simon Pegg or Michael Sheen. Considering how well the Lord of the Rings films were cast, I know I probably won't have anything to worry about.

Most Recent Movie(s) I've Seen in Theatres:
'Going the Distance'


Directed by Nanette Burstein, and starring Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis and Christina Applegate, the film is about a couple, Garrett {Justin Long} and Erin {Drew Barrymore} whose one-night stand turns into a long term relationship, and eventually a long-distance one when she has to move from New York back to San Francisco to finish her last year of grad school. Unlike most chick flicks, guys could like this and probably would. It's a little cruder than I was expecting, but that was refreshing. Justin Long and Drew Barrymore were a cute couple {especially since they did/are dating/I don't even know in real life} and most of all believable.

The supporting cast of Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day and Christina Applegate were amazing, as well, which was a nice change, especially since most supporting actors in a romantic comedy can fade into the background.

Overall, I give it an A-. It felt a bit long in some parts, but at just under 2 hours, it's almost a new phenomenon in movies today.

Grade: A-

Most Recent Book(s) I've Finished:
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

After watching 'Capote' for the third or fourth time, I figured it was time to read the book. I'd never read anything of Capote's before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. He was an amazingly talented writer, and I fully intend on getting more of his books. The book was one of the first true crime novels ever written, about the deaths of the Clutter family in 1959 in Kansas and the subsequent tracking, capture and execution of their killers; Perry Smith and Richard "Dick" Hickock.

The book, while not a quick read, moves along very steadily, and never once did I lose interest in the story or what was going on. One thing that struck me was that the more I read about the killers, I felt a mixture of disgust, horror and sympathy. In 'Capote', Truman says to Perry that he doesn't want the world to see him "as a monster". And it's no small feat that Capote has managed to humanize the killers,and Perry especially, since he was the one who killed the entire family. And even after reading, and realizing that Perry was a sociopath, I still manage to feel sympathy for him because of the atrocious upbringing he had. It's no excuse for what he did, but in a way...I guess I can understand it more. He said to Truman, "They [The Clutters] never hurt me. Like other people. Like people have all my life. Maybe it's just that the Clutters were the ones who had to pay for it."

I feel it's a book everyone should read.

Grade: A+

Miscellany
Funny Picture(s) I've Found:


The Song Currently Stuck In My Head:
'I Don't Wanna Dance' by Hey Monday



Hot Guy Of the Day
Clifton Collins Jr.



Quote of the Day
“Sometimes you have to be a high-riding bitch to survive. Sometimes being a bitch is the only thing a woman has to hold on to.” - Vera Donovan, 'Dolores Claiborne'

Anything Else I Can Think Of
Band You Should Be Listening To:
Metric


While not a new band, Metric have become one of my new favorites. I fully recommend buying their album 'Fantasies', released last year, or even just listening to the song they contributed for the 'Scott Pilgrim' soundtrack. Emily Haines' voice is a thing of beauty, and I look forward to seeing her and the band perform in October as Muse's opening band.

Like Friends, we all toy around with the "top 5" or "top 10" list of celebrities that, even if we were in a committed, monogamous relationship, would get a "freebie" with. Got any you'd happily catch in the sack should the stars ever align properly?

I am always thinking of this question, and have had to make a list with 5 more added to it {making 10 altogether...I can do Math hurr durr}. But for the purposes of this, we'll go with:

1. Robert Downey Jr.

2. Jensen Ackles

3. Clifton Collins Jr.

4. Chris Marquette

5. Jason Sudeikis

Ask me things. And even stuff.

Daily Funny: Post 5

I imagine being you would be as cool as two fonzies tied together with snakes. What's your secret?

That is an amazing expression, one I will be using forever now. My secret is to make sure any jukebox I hit automatically plays ACDC's 'Back in Black', which, as we all know, is the theme song for any cool BAMF.

Ask me things. And even stuff.

Who do you think should rule the world? (It's ok to vote for yourself) And why?

With my immense wisdom and breadth of knowledge, I would be the most logical choice.

Seriously though, no clue. No one should have THAT much power, I think.

Ask me anything

Would you rather get up early or sleep late?

I hate getting up early, but thanks to the job, have gotten used to it. "Early" for me now is any time before 8 in the morning. That being said, I love sleeping late, but if I wake up any time after 11, I feel like my whole day's been wasted.

Ask me anything

If you could eat dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and where would you go?

I'd have shepherd's pie with J.R.R. Tolkien and pump him for information about Lord of the Rings.

And if not him, then I'd have a crazy drunken evening with Muse and get into shenanigans with Matt and Dom, while Chris stood somberly in the background, drinking his beer and wondering how he even met these two idiots.

Ask me anything

What's your favorite season of the year?

Autumn. It's when everything looks its best. The colors of the trees and the landscape in general are beautiful enough to make me ache inside. I love the feel of crisp autumn evenings, digging out sweaters to get just a little bit warm. Plus, Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday ever.

Ask me anything