Hello, readers & fellow bloggers!

If you teach or are a student or have ever done either, you know why I haven’t blogged as much this month as we close in on the end of the semester.    I have 2 more finals to give and by the end of the week will have around 100 essays to grade.  But, on Monday, I’ll have 2 weeks off!!  These are my two weeks.  I thought about really hitting the book work hard, but I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the holidays.  My lighter load in the Spring will should leave me all the time I need for my writing.

In the meantime, I leave you fellow educators with this fun poem circulating in e-mails right now:

TO ALL WHO ASK FOR EXTRA CREDIT

Since finals have started and students are stressed
I’m not so surprised to receive this request.
Perhaps even you have been known to have said it,
“My grade is so low, can I earn extra credit?”

My answer of course is that now is too late
For a last minute rush to avoid a grim fate.
Your grade in my class is the one you have earned
Based on quizzes and tests and on what you have learned.

So forgive me, dear student, for waxing poetic
But about your distress I am unsympathetic.
This crisis you’re in is not of my making
The responsibility is yours for the taking!

*Please note, I did not write this poem.  The e-mail I got attributes it to a teacher named Rich.  Thanks for the laughs, Rich!

*The image of the teacher stacking papers was borrowed from here
*The image of the Christmas tree was borrowed from here
*They were whimsically combined in Photoshop

I think “The Left Hand” is the best episode of Dollhouse we’ve seen yet.  Every scene was stellar.  The acting was top notch, and the action was fast-paced.  It makes me so sad that we’re so close to the end.

Warning: Spoilers below.

My initial thoughts on this episode:

Great having Eliza Dushku (Echo; formerly known as Faith) & Alexis Denisof (Senator Daniel Perin; formerly known as Wesley Wyndham-Price) together again!!  His complex role as doll who is his own personality – just a “better version” – is brilliant and was quite surprising in “The Public Eye” (a very good episode as well!)

I knew it would be great when Summer Glau (Bennett Halverson) joined the cast… I never imagined she’d be playing a bad guy!  She plays it so well.

Enver Gjokaj (Victor) was amazing as “the only person” Topher trusts – himself, of course.  He nailed it.  The mannerisms, the voice, everything.  And getting to see Topher talk to himself?  What pleasure!!

It was great when Topher knocked out Bennett!  It was cute though when he was crushing on her before that.

I’m really loving Dewitt this season.  And her grab ‘em by the balls approach – literally – was the best threat I’ve ever seen.

I whooped in excitement when Echo regained control of her left arm after the programming Bennett inflicted on her.

In the closing scene with Echo, my first thought was, “Yay, Echo! You did it?”  But, that was quickly followed by a, “But now where can you go??”  I was glad to see her teamed up with Ballard in the previews for this Friday.  Also, the return of Alpha?  It’s gonna be great.  Glau & Tudyk are in the house!!  Here’s hoping they get a scene together at some point. 

Scrubs barely registered on my radar the first few seasons it was on, but then I started seeing episodes here and there and realized how hilarious it was.  When I started dating my husband, I got him hooked and now we own all the seasons on DVD.

Zach Braff is amazing.  On Scrubs, he’s hilarious.  He won me over in Garden State, and it will forever rank as one of my all-time favorite films.  I met him at a club in Hollywood and I tried to keep crazy fan-girl to a minimum and was happy to see that he was super nice.  At another venue in Hollywood, I saw him flash the crowd with Donald Faison.  He’s a fabulous entertainer.  I’m a die-hard, loyal fan… which is why I’m watching the new season of Scrubs while other fans are running away.

Scrubs‘ original 8 seasons were done perfectly.  The first-person narration of Braff’s lovable character, J.D., was golden.  It was J.D.’s story, and we got it from start to finish.  He made it through residency and beyond, won the begrudged approval of Dr. Cox, and got the girl.  Yay for happy endings.

But ABC, after getting it for only one season, didn’t want to say goodbye.  I can understand, but, like I said, it was J.D.’s story & we got the happy ending.  Where does that leave us?  With the possibility for a good spin-off.  I really wish what is now going in the books as Scrubs season 9 was a new show.  I nominate Sacred Heart as the new title.  When I watched last night’s “pilot,” I couldn’t help but noticed the change to theme song (not a fan of the change, by the way) and the little text in the corner that said Med School.  Does that mean it’s title really is Scrubs: Med School?  That would work.  Then we could call it a “new” show.  But, I guess not… because I can’t find that anywhere online, and TV.com already has it slated as Scrubs season 9…  It’s just that if it’s not going to be J.D.’s story, it shouldn’t be called Scrubs…..  He won’t even be with us after the first batch of episodes (though I’ll still be watching because Braff will still be an executive producer).

All this to say….. I loved last night’s episode. 

Great call to move us out of the hospital-only atmosphere and into the med school zone.  This opens up new story lines, which was definitely needed to allow the show to go on.  Also, nice twist that our new narrator has some of J.D.’s personality traits but is a girl.  We get a whole new kind of story from the female perspective and I’m digging that.  I wasn’t overly impressed with Kerry Bishe, but I see potential.  The pilot had double narration from J.D. and Lucy, and I’m wondering if we’re going to get other narrators as the series goes on.  I see the episode titles have made a shift from the single possessive “My” (as in “My Extra Mile”) to the plural possessive “Our” (as in last night’s “Our First Day of School”).

Other thoughts:

I will never grow tired of J.D. screaming “eagle” while Turk gives him a piggy back ride.  I can’t explain it, but it always makes me happy.

I hope Jordan makes an appearance now and again.

I love Bob Kelso since he retired.

I think it’s hilarious that Janitor quit when J.D. left Sacred Heart.

I love knowing J.D. & Elliot and married and are expecting.  It was great to have those details included but not overly focused on, since, like I said, this isn’t J.D.’s story anymore.

I’m glad the intern Denise is still on the show.  Something about her is fun, even though she’s so cold.  I’m sooo glad she let her guard down last night.  That was needed.  And, I think I’m falling fast for Drew with her.

Someone better put Cole in his place.  Fast.  I can’t stand this I’m-the-untouchable-prince-of-this-whole-place bit for long.

I will always love Dr. Cox.  His whole bit with placing Drew as his #1 is hi-larious!

What are your thoughts??

“You think you know … what’s to come … what you are.

You haven’t even begun.”

In continuation of my Buffy rewatch/research, I watched the last 10 episodes of season 4 yesterday.  That’s just about half the season, and it was great to see it in a straight shot.  I really have fallen deeply in love with this season.  I blogged before that I didn’t enjoy the season when it originally aired, but I continue to gain appreciation for it upon each rewatch.  It’s very much a season about life and about the Scoobies.  I enjoy seeing their real-life struggles and watching them grow, first individually, and then as a group.  I also enjoy “Restless” a great deal and could probably write a whole chapter just on that episode (though most of it doesn’t strongly relate to what I’m writing my book on, so I’ll have to save that for another project).

This week I’ve been blessed to make many new Buffy friends via Facebook.  To that, I say yay for Social Networking.  I look forward to getting to know each of you better and continuing to share our Buffy ideas and enthusiasm.  I’ve got to know some more Buffy scholars along the way too, and I find it worth repeating myself to say that they really are the nicest group of scholars!

I wanted to get a quick blog post out there today, but this will probably be it for the next week.  I have carpal tunnel, and last night I tweaked my bad wrist.  One of the best ways to bounce back from this is going to be to – gasp – take a break from the PC.  I’m having my students bring their essays to me in hard copy.  I normally have them submit electronically and I grade electronically.  Fortunately, I’m right handed and that’s my good hand, so this week I’ll be grading by hand and hoping my students can read it.

I wish you all a great week, a happy December, and I thank you for coming by to visit my blog. 

The other day, I watched disc 3 of season 4 of Buffy.  I was so engaged.  The three episodes – “Something Blue,” “Hush,” “Doomed” – make a great mix.  “Hush” is, of course, one of Whedon’s star episodes.  Combined, this disc brings us a full sense of Whedon’s great sense of humor and masterful drama.

“Something Blue” has got to one of Whedon’s best comedy episodes.  I love the fact that Buffy thinks she was the only one unaffected by Willow’s spell.  Of course her sudden engagement to Spike makes perfect sense!    The way she rambles about Spike to Riley and then manages to convince him she was only kidding is priceless.  Xander’s curse as a magnet for monsters is all too fitting with his past and his future (think of season five’s “Dracula” and his unwilling role as the prince’s “butt monkey”).  Xander does humor so well, especially when he is the “butt” of the joke.  And, of course, Giles’ loss of sight is fitting for one who depends so great on books, and there’s great humor that he can’t see Buffy & Spike, but they drive him crazy nonetheless.  Essentially, I think Buffy & Spike are the most humorous part of this episode.  Spike is a wonderful neutered-bad-guy.
On a serious note, my heart breaks for Willow.  We all know that feeling of just wanting to move through the pain.  And, it’s just so sucky that the rest of The Scoobies are tired of hearing her pain.  But, hey, at least she’s dealing!  Or, trying.  It’s not like she had to run to LA and change her name first or anything.  I’m just saying.  Willow’s facing her problems the best she can, and if her friends would have cut her a little more slack, maybe she wouldn’t have done the misfire spell in the first place.  (That’s probably one of the only times you’ll hear me criticize The Scoobies one bit!)

What can I say about “Hush” that hasn’t already been said?  It’s absolutely, incredibly, stunningly brilliant.  The Gentlemen are extremely creepy.  One of my childhood fears was not being able to scream, and I think that’s something that resonates with everyone.  Whedon’s ability to demonstrate the importance of communication and language and move through the bulk of the episode without dialogue is, well, did I already say masterful?  My 2 favorite parts – Buffy & Riley finally kiss when they don’t have voices; they stop getting in their own way!  Buffy & Riley finally learn each other’s secret identity and need to talk and get their voices back… and have no clue what to say!!

“Doomed” is great.  First of all, it shows us a glimpse of the deterioration of The Scoobies that Spike will take advantage of in “The Yoko Factor.”  But, really, the best part of “Doomed”?  Spike!  A neutered vampire trying to stake himself – great comedy.  Willow’s comforting words to Spike that their might be an apocalypse – hilarious!  And, of course, having all this happen in Xander’s colorful wardrobe instead of Spike’s usual drab attire drives the humor up yet another notch.  The best moment, though – when Spike learns he can still fight other demons.  Spike’s rallying speech at the end is priceless – “Come on!  Vampires!  Grrr!  Nasty!  Let’s annihilate them.  For justice – and for – the safety of puppies – and Christmas, right?”  He’s so wonderfully misguided.  It’s not too often you get to say “bad guys” doing the right thing for the wrong reasons!

Yes, I saw Twilight: New Moon on opening day.  I’m not crazy enough to have gone to the midnight showing; I’m too old for that nonsense.  But, I did catch a 7 p.m. show after work with some of my girlfriends.  I know some people want to wait for the tween/teen crowds to die down first, but I really think that was part of the fun.  I enjoyed seeing it in a jam packed movie theater; the swoons, the clapping, and gasps were a part of the movie experience.

Spoilers Below

I think Kristen Stewart is really coming into her role as Bella.  Despite the depressive state she’s in for the bulk of this film, she had more zeal in her than the first film.

Robert Pattinson needs to go away.  I’m sorry, but he just killed me in this film.  I liked Edward in the books; I don’t like him in the movies.  I know some fans are sad because the bulk of New Moon is Edward-less, but I think that’s what’s so great – especially in the film.  He way overplayed the role.  He looked SO horribly pained – especially in the scene where Bella wants a kiss in front of her house after the attack by Jasper – that I thought he was having appendicitis. I was so glad when he left.

Taylor Lautner is, as Bella says, kinda beautiful.  He’s gorgeous eye candy (egads – does that make me some kinda cradle robber?), but he’s also one of the strongest characters in the books and films.  His undying love for Bella is healthy, beautiful, and touching.  I haven’t read the fourth book yet (I’m saving it for Christmas break), but when the third book ended, I really found my heartstrings tugging in the direction of Jacob, not Edward.  We’ll see if I change my mind…  I haven’t committed myself to Team Jacob or Team Edward yet.

The film was a terrific guilty pleasure.  It kept a good pace and was true to the book.  There was a little girl sitting behind me and my friends and her commentary was fun, especially during the longest kissing scene when she, “Let me know when it’s over, so I can open my eyes.”

At one point the audience nearly went into conniption – the film got off track and the top 1/10 of the screen was on the bottom.  I probably would have been irritated in any other film, but because I was so intrigued/amused by large audience, I actually thought it was sort of funny.  Besides, it was repaired in mere minutes.

Every time Jacob took his shirt off, the audience swooned and fans howled.  When Edward took his shirt off though, I actually heard some girls say, “Ewww.”  Yeah, that about sums it up.  His pale, emaciated figure is far from sexy.

The scene with the Volturi was fun, mostly because of my life-long love of Dakota Fanning.  She captured Jane wonderfully.  Her best moment was when she tries to control Bella and can’t.  Jane says no words, but Fanning plays it perfect – the look of taking control, the look of disappointment.  The close up on her face was well done.  She owned it.  I wasn’t too impressed with any of the other Volturi, but that’s fine.

Oh, and hats off to Ashley Greene.  She embodies Alice so wonderfully.  I just adore the spunk and cheer from her character.  I think she’s got better makeup than all the other Cullens in the film.  Edward is so over-the-top white, and Jasper was absolutely bizarre looking.  Alice looks like a vampire, pale but still real.  And it helps that we never see her sparkle.  That special effect is done so poorly in the films; it’s painfully cheesy.

Speaking of cheesy, when the head Volutri sees Alice’s vision of vamp-Bella and Edward, we see a horrible scene of Bella and Edward running through a field sparkling.  It was like a clip I once saw from The Teletubbies.  It was absolutely laughable and ripped the serious tone from the rest of the scene.

Speaking of special effects, the werewolves were phenomenal.  I just love Jacob’s transformation.  I don’t like special effects for the sake of special effects.  And, of course, I don’t like them when they’re obvious and feel fake.  But, these wolves were well done.  They were believable, beautiful, and captivating.  The larger budget definitely shows in this film and I applaud their special effects team.

So what did you think of New Moon?

Vampires. Humans. It’s the new Romeo and Juliet. It’s the star-crossed love that just can’t happen. Well, ya know, unless the human gets vamped. But, in the Buffyverse and in Mystic Falls, our brooding vamps won’t kill their girls to keep them in around. There’s no argument that the relationship between Buffy & Angel (Buffy) and Elena & Stefan (The Vampire Diaries) has no hope of lasting. We all know why. One will age and die while the other will stay immortal. It’s a bad mix. But, here’s some thoughts on how Buffy & Elena handle the battle.  (BtW, you don’t have to be familiar with either series to keep reading).

In season one of Buffy, Buffy falls for Angel before knowing he’s a vamp. Once the truth hits the surface, they embrace that “This can never be anything.” Of course, as they continue to be in impending-doom situations with one another, they can’t deny the love. Through season two, they become inseparable. Their romance hits some big bumps in the road – like Angel losing his soul and killing Buffy’s friends – but after his return from hell, an ensouled Angel returns to Buffy’s side.  Towards the end of season three, in “The Prom” (which follows the aptly titled episode “Choices”), Buffy’s mom lectures Angel, telling him that she sure hopes he’ll do the “right” thing. Nothing against Angel, but he’s already done the “wrong” thing. He’s in the relationship. He’s Buffy’s world. Honestly, if he wanted to do the right thing, he should have left Buffy’s side the moment she developed feeling for him. Regardless, at this point, Buffy’s graduating high school, and Mom is pushing Angel out the door. In their poorly timed sewer talk, Angel reveals to Buffy that he is leaving her, leaving Sunnydale. He doesn’t want her to be involved in this “freakshow” anymore. I know he’s right; she knows he’s right; there’s no future for them. However, it’s not his choice at this point. Buffy knows the whole deal. They’re in their serious, committed relationship. I think it’s her choice. Sure, it’s a bad choice to date a vamp, but it’s still her choice. Him deciding to hurt her to help her after a 2 year relationship? Not so right. There stands our sweet heroine, alone in the sewer, heartbroken.

Elena had quite a different response last night in The Vampire Dairies new episode “Turning Point.” She took things into her own hands. I’m not saying she made the “right” decision. Again, life with a human and vamp really not working out in the long run. But, I think she was so right to defend her right to make her own choice. As with Buffy and Angel, Elena falls for Stefan before she learns of his vampire status. Once she learns the truth, they play a game of push and pull. Ultimately, Stefan tells Elena they can’t be together. When the episode opened last night, Elena was in a painful limbo, waiting for Stefan to leave town. But, he didn’t leave because more things went bump in the night and he didn’t t want to her unprotected. In one of the episode’s climactic scenes (there were many last night), Stefan tells Elena that he’s doing this for her own good. At first, she sits in the car with the same heartbroken expression Buffy dons in the sewer. But, rather than drive away, Elena gets out of the car and tells Stefan, “You don’t get to make that decision for me. If you walk away, it’s for you, because I know what I want.” I applaud her in that moment. Yes, I am applauding her right to make a poor choice.

I love both these heroines. And, I know they’re in lose-lose situations. I’m not saying Buffy was wrong to let Angel leave her or that Elena was right to not let Stefan leave her, but Elena’s stand last night made me smile because I’ve always been peeved that Angel made the decision for Buffy.

On another note, I read a review about last night’s Vampire Diaries episode, and the reviewer indicated that Stefan is rather immature and unbelievable as being over a hundred years old. I was thinking about this… I think the rate at which one matures is going to be quite different when the body is not aging as well. Stefan was, what, 17 when he died? Think of all the things that mature us. We have life roles and duties to fulfill, things that are expected of us at certain ages. As we continue to get older, we have children. As we begin to age, we also begin to slow down. We eventually also have to face our mortality. None of that holds true for vampires, though. They don’t have the duties we do, they can’t have children, and they will never age. They will always be young and strong. So while they will gain experiences and over time gain some wisdom, I propose that a vampire is going to mature at a rate significantly slower thana mortal because of their drastically different embodiment and experience.

I started reading PhD comics when I was working on the thesis for my master’s program.  At that time, I did not think I would go on to a PhD program ever.  My brain was getting very, very tired.  At the time, one of the teachers on my thesis committee was in the first year of her doctoral program.  I sent her the link to PhD comics and this very comic strip is still posted on the door of her office.  (She is currently working on her dissertation).  I see it every day as I walk up and down the halls of the English department.  (I now teach at the school where I finished my MA).

On Sunday, I drove to Carpinteria to visit my friends at Pacifica (where I am currently on a leave of absence from my PhD program).  I miss my friends greatly.  Pacifica is the biggest commuter school I’ve ever heard of (not that the school is big, but that all students are commuters and most of them are coming from out of state!)  I so wish that all these great new friends were in So Cal so we could get together and have coffee and do all that fun intellectual stuff together whenever we felt like it… Anyway, it was great to spend Sunday and Monday visiting everyone.  Many asked me when/if I will return.  I’m on the leave of absence to write my book.  I’m not insane enough to try teaching/studying/writing all at once.  I could barely keep up with the teaching/studying and now I’m barely managing the teaching/writing.

On Sunday, I was telling my friends that I have finally decided to NOT make any life altering decisions while I’m working on my book.  I know that next 8 months will continue be a whirlwind of research and writing and ups and downs.  The healthiest thing for me to do right now is embrace that and see where and who I am when I finish.  One of my friends picked up on that word: Who.  It’s a big process (writing the book) and one that is likely to change me.  I don’t know what I’m going to want after I complete the book.  Right back to the grind as a student? Unlikely.  Some time off from school?  I’ll count on that one.  But, will I want to go back?  When will I want to go back?

I honestly don’t think I’ll go back to Pacifica, although it is so near and dear to my heart.  The monthly traveling is exhausting and also difficult to blend with the teaching schedule.  Also, I want a school where I get that sense of camaraderie each week.  I loved being on campus all the time when I was working on my MA and getting to see those friends regularly, on and off campus, especially when it came time to work on the thesis.  I had a small core group that I met with regularly; we kept each other sane.  I can’t imagine doing the dissertation long distance.  No weekly chats with peers or teachers.  No campus surroundings.  It takes an already arduous process and makes it exceptionally trying, at least for extroverts like me!

So, for now… no big commitments.  Hubby and I have tabled the baby-discussion.  (And we’re oh-so-glad not to have a baby here or on the way during this economic crises.  It’s a relief to just fend for ourselves).  We keep talking about looking for a different apartment, or even a condo, or possibly renting a small house… but that will come later as well (as long as we can keep paying rent where we’re at!)  No decisions on school.  If I decide to go to a different school, I won’t even think about aps until after the book.  Right now I’m very content pouring my energy into teaching and writing.  And, it’s actually kind of a relief to relieve myself of making any decisions!  Biggest decision for me will be when to grade what and what to have for dinner. 

Christmas is my favorite time of year.  This week, my massage therapist told me that she does not enjoy what Christmas has become.  She said there’s fake cheer, fake smiles, fake hugs.  On one hand, I understand what she’s saying… but that’s not where I come from!  I see so much real cheer and beautiful, genuine love and appreciation of family and friends.  Christmas get-togethers mean so much to me – I look forward to them all year!

I’ve spent the last couple days thinking about people being fake, in regards to Christmas and anything else.  Much like Holden Caulfield, I really have no tolerance for phonies.  But, even when someone is being phony, aren’t we learning something about them?  How they wish to be perceived, how they wish they really felt?

If you don’t feel the Christmas cheer and you’re just putting on that smile for the rest of us, if you keep smiling long enough it will become a genuine smile and the cheer will start to spread.  That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.

I’ve had a bone to pick with FOX since 1996 when they canceled “Kindred: The Embraced.”

Why was Dollhouse canceled?  Apparently, low ratings… but I can’t wrap my head around that.  I happened to be online the other day when the news hit, and the internet was exploding with outcries from fans.  All the entertainment websites had articles up immediately, all of which were flooded with disappointed responses from fans.  Twitter was seeing updates every minute about the cancellation news (and that’s just from the people I follow).  Of course, Joss himself came out and spoke lovingly to the fans on Whedonesque.  We love Joss. Joss loves us. But, the lovefest stops when FOX is involved.

Some are saying we’re lucky we even got the second season of Dollhouse.  Apparently, FOX deemed the numbers were low in season 1, but gave it a chance for season 2, and the numbers didn’t rise.  I’m wondering how this is possible; I guess a large cult following just isn’t good enough for FOX.  And, let’s look at two of the biggest mistakes FOX made: They didn’t air “Epitaph 1″ and they didn’t give Dollhouse a single episode during this month’s sweeps.  Boo on you, FOX.  Boo on you.

I am glad we get 9 more episodes.  And, I’m extremely glad Joss gets to adjust the finale with the cancellation in mind.  Though it will be a rushed ending, I know he can still pull off something fabulous and satisfying.

Just some of the reasons why Dollhouse is great: Joss has weaved an intricate story into a brand new world with endless possibilities.  The various characters are well developed and have the ability to endear us, surprise us, and enrage us.  The acting is top notch.  The way “Epitaph 1″ revealed the future showed us how much Joss has to tell in this story.

What I would do if I was a millionaire: I would buy the sets from FOX and give Joss ALL the needed production money to continue the series in whatever form was fitting.  Look how good Dr. Horrible did online!  I’m sure Dollhouse would do the same, and then some.

What I’m doing while Dollhouse isn’t airing: Enjoying the ARG’s.  The Rossum Corporation has a new site.  An anonymous girl encourages us to Ditch the Tech.  And, Wipe the Future is giving us new updates each day, now with a needed codename and password.