Random comments here

Rules for being a member of an online community

albichorizon — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:03:49 GMT

I've been a member of online fandoms for many years and I've been playing World of Warcraft for a year and a half. I thinks these rules apply to both.

Rule #1. Don't be an asshole.

Golden rule, people. Online anonymity does not excuse your actions.

Rule# 2. Enjoy what you're doing. If you aren't, do something else.

This is what most people are doing for recreation. If you aren't enjoying it why are you continuing to spend time and money on it? This is why I've come to accept that some authors will leave some fantastic stories unfinished and some friends need to switch characters or take a break from the game altogether. It isn't fun for them anymore.

Something you should really know. Other people have opinions. They might be right, you might be right, or there could be no way to tell at all. Evaluate how much it matters to you that everyone appreciate what you do and say before ~~starting a wankfest~~ joining the conversation.

Something that I've learned. It is a lot more fun when you find a group of similarly minded people and share your time with them. A good guild that has the same goals as you or a community that is interested in the characters as you can be very rewarding. At the same time its good to venture out and play with other people and be exposed to different ideas.

Thoughts on 2.16

albichorizon — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:15:00 GMT

Cut for length and spoilers.

Blaine seemed puzzled when Kurt talked about his many solos because if Blaine was in Kurt's shoes he couldn't imagine being jealous Kurt. Bless his heart, he is not Rachel or Kurt and is definitely not as competitive as they are. He just gets all the solos because the Warblers are his fanboys. I loved when Wes and the other Warblers started to exchange smiles when Blaine proposed a duet with Kurt for Regionals.

Blaine fell in love with Kurt at the absolutely perfect moment. He interrupts and takes over the Warblers meeting every inch the HBIC. He's grieving and is damn well going to sing about his emotions. Kurt's outfit is outrageous and perfectly him. (I love that Blaine started the backing vocals to Kurt during the song.) It's a great parallel to Teenage Dream that Blaine fell in love with Kurt when he was singing. I think the difference between DCFMA and Blackbird is that they became friends when Kurt was at a very low time in his life and during DCFMA Kurt was wounded and still recovering from McKinley. Now he's back and strong and totally himself and that's when Blaine realizes he's in love.

*happy sigh*

I totally believe Blaine practiced his speech to Kurt. He had to make sure he said the right things and he had to work up his nerve. And then he said the perfect thing.

The funeral scene was interesting. Blaine asks about his mother's funeral and at the end parallels Burt when he offers his hand to Kurt and they walk away. Kurt's really sad, though not over Pavarotti who has been dead for several days, but over their loss at Regionals. Because Kurt has a big competitive streak unlike Blaine and really wanted to win. Blaine makes a remark that getting together is better than a trophy and Kurt kind of agrees and they hold hands and walk off. I think this is the first sign of Kurt returning to New Directions, Kurt wishes his team had won and totally did in my book. Someone remarked that that comment was foreshadowing but I can't see that being more then an argument that lasts longer then half an episode. Even if Kurt transfers and Blaine stays, that doesn't prevent them from being boyfriends.

M-F- WARBLERS!

I laughed when it turned out that they are all Blaine's fanboys (I see what you did there RM).
Misery was great and I want to get a recording that includes the table pounding. Kurt and Blaine made Candles a great performance and Raise Your Glass absolutely rocked. The Warblers were totally into it.

I've heard some complaining in Glee Forum about the Warblers getting RYG. First, I doubt ND would have covered it after they made Loser Like Me their anthem because the two songs are pretty similar. Secondly this is a group of boys that go beyond a no-tolerance bullying policy to totally support and backup their gay lead singer when he wants to serenade a guy so he can get a date and when he want to duet with another guy for a competition song. It's great to see that, so they can sing what ever the hell they want.

Speculation and discussion of spoilers:

I wonder if that picture of Kurt and Blaine watching Sunshine perform is Kurt reminiscing over the good times he had with New Directions and sharing those times with Blaine. He could be wishing for the circumstances to be different so that he could be at McKinley. Because no way will Kurt transfer back before something changes at McKinley.

Calling it now - Kurt wins the New Directions MVP after Nationals. Hopefully after doing another duet with Blaine.

Puck has made interesting faces during both of the Warblers competition sets. Puck has been mentioned in a possible spoiler where Blaine is jealous over Kurt and Puck spending time together (I'm dubious), and in another possible spoiler where he has a bad reaction to Kurt and Blaine being together and Santana giving him a smack down (A little more likely, but I'm still skeptical). Still Puck wasn't given the gay education (by Burt) that Finn got last year, so I could see something happening here. Based on his previous actions if Puck did get some sense smacked into him, he would think about it, learn from, then show that he totally understands the lesson more than Finn.

Why the Warblers > New Directions

albichorizon — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:50:27 GMT

I definitely have favorite characters on Glee. I also found the downloads of the songs New Directions will be singing for Regionals (2.16, Original Songs) and I was not impressed. This is what results.

Why the Warblers > New Directions

1. The Warblers hold actual auditions for their solos. In New Directions, Mr. Schuester either assigns them (2.09 Special Education) or you have to challenge Rachel to pry them out of her cold, dead hands (Mercedes in Season 1 before Sectionals).

2. I adore the sound of male a cappella groups. I don't know much about them, but they seem more complex then New Direction's arrangements.

3. The choir director of (Mary Addams?) the troubled girls choir from season 1 had it right, New Directions is a bunch of privileged misfits. They all have families and homes and the majority of them are probably pretty popular when they are not actively doing glee club related things.

4. In New Directions Kurt had to shout to be heard, in the Warblers everyone has a voice.

4a. Wes might have an inappropriate love for his gavel but he uses it (2.11 Silly Love Songs) to keep everyone in line so everyone's opinions can be heard, even if the process is stilted and formal.

4b. New Directions regularly recruits kids to be a "warm body" so they have sufficient numbers to compete (Jacob, Sunshine, Lauren). Their style allows them to have dead wood swaying in the background while Rachel belts out her latest solo. The Warblers use all their voices to provide the music, harmony, and melody.

5. New Directions uses the abilities of a few special specialists to paper over the weak spots of the rest of members. Mike and Brittany were spectacular in "Valerie" but they were out in front because the needed to distract from the less skilled dancers in the back. New Directions regularly uses soloists to carry the majority of the songs.

6. The Warblers, an all male choir, don't seem to care if they do songs from female groups. "Teenage Dream" in 2.06, "Bills, Bills, Bills" in 2.11. Contrast with New Directions, which has in the past had issues doing numbers from female artists (Madonna episode, Theatricality, Never Been Kissed). In 2.11 the unity and enjoyment the Warblers show in doing a song from Destiny's Child contrasts with the turmoil and homophobia McKinley was struggling with.

7. The Warblers have been preparing for Regionals since 2.11 (Bills, Bills, Bills) and even preview their songs in front of a test audience for feedback (and to get numbers from girls). New Directions still hasn't learned the choreography for their songs and will be learning all new original numbers a week before competition.

8. Nude Erections is a worse nickname then the Gargalers.

Bonus! Dalton > McKinley

9. No tolerance bullying policy.

10. Academics. I was agast at Kurt's statement that he wasn't challenged academically at McKinley. Realistically* Dalton is likely much better for Kurt's college prospects.

*Lol, it's Glee! I know, I know.

11. Larger potential dating pool for Kurt. =)

ETA Post episode: Well, I was certainly in a bitchy mood and worked up. "Everythings Klaine..." really does work. "Original Songs" did show several strong points that they have against the Warblers. The Warblers usual style is crowd pleasing popular numbers ("Top 40"). What they don't usually do is a heartfelt. emotional number like Candles which lost them the competition. Emotional numbers like that are ND's style, though I have big doubts that Will would have let Blaine and Kurt perform a romantic duet for competition.

Glee - 2.14 Blame it on the Alcohol

albichorizon — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:32:20 GMT

Still adding to and polishing these reflections.

Kurt and Blaine - Just ow, that fight hurt. For me, probably partly because this is one of my favorite characters and partly because I've seen them be such good friends (Silly Love Songs, Never Been Kissed, Special Education ...) their argument was brutal. They argue like two people who really know each other.

At first I agreed with Kurt, Blaine you were drunk, of course it felt good. But that isn't much reason to question your sexuality over. I don't think I know all his reasons, but I thought Blaine liked the ego boost of someone (even a girl) wanting him after his disasterous serenade at the GAP.

But then Kurt was not supportive at all. (I'm going with fabfemmeboy's fic for best interpretation.) Then Blaine made that comment about Karofsky that was accurate but undeserved because of the connotations it has. And I gave up trying to decide which of the boys acted worse and decide to pile blame on Rachel instead.(1)

I do think it is significant that Kurt and Blaine barely interact at all after their fight. The most we get is Kurt watching Blaine enter the coffee shop and Blaine looking over Rachel's shoulder when he announces he's gay. This give me hope that there will be some repercussions from their fight in the next episode.

Kurt and Burt - What the hell Burt, you have your teenager talking to you about what's going on with his life and his concerns and you change the subject?(2) As a parent Burt has every right to set the rules of the house but to Kurt's mind I think he thought he was acting within the rules. He had a friend, who couldn't get home, and it was best to put him to bed (I think Kurt might have an adjoining bath or maybe it's a closet, so his bed versus a couch makes sense). Also the other side of the bed was made, so Kurt either slept elsewhere or on top of the covers.

Anyways, Burt's attitude towards Blaine does make him look hypocritical when his reaction towards Brittany in Laryngitis was "make sure to use protection" to Kurt's stated intent of having sexual relations. If Kurt was less ... Kurt, I could have seen him continuing dating Brittany and perhaps even having sex with her.

(1) I need to find the entry that made the point that Rachel also saw Blaine's sexuality as either straight or gay.

(2) My mom would have made small sacrifices for this to happen when my siblings and I were teenagers.

New roommates

albichorizon — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:14:30 GMT

A coworker of mine found two kittens that had been abandoned in an empty lot near his house. He captured them and asked if anyone in the company wanted kittens since he wasn't able to keep them.

I am pretty sure that these two boys are brothers since their eye color is the same (a golden brown) and they are close to each other in size. When I got them they were about 8 weeks old.

The kitten are named Dexter and Sinister. We gave the bigger one the name Dexter, since he seemed more friendly. However after a couple of days of getting used to me Sinister turned into quite a cuddlecat and now he often rubs against my legs for petting and loves to stay in my lap and be petted as long as this doesn't interfere with play time. I am suprosed by how vocal both kittens can be, since, along with mews, they can trill, growl, and make several other noises.

I like to say Dexter is the good cat and Sinister is the cute cat. Dexter is gentle when play fighting with me and is excellent at scratching on the appropriate devices and will start purring if I'm withing a few feet of his resting place. He is a black cat with a few white hairs on his throat. I often see him doing some classic black cat poses, like Egyptian Cat and Halloween Cat. Sinster's name turned out to be apt - he is the kitten more likely to be doing something he shouldn't be. Right now he's learned how to play fight correctly but still has to learn that blinds are not climbing devices; albichorizon's ponytail is not a play toy; and the sisal rug underneath the dining table is not an appropriate scratching area. It is a good thing he is smaller and cute and that I am fond of leftys (being one myself). Sinsiter is a black cat with white patches at his throat, underneath both front legs, a little along his belly and between his back legs. His face is also narrower then Dexter's rounder face.

Here's a few pictures of my kittens. More will follow.

That is Dexter, the bigger kitten, on the upper shelf and Sinister on the lower shelf.

Here again Dexter has taken the high ground on top of the couch to observe Sinister playing with the new cat toy.

albichorizon — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 17:43:38 GMT

*my reaction on looking out the window*

"Where the hell did that come from?"

What a difference a little latitude makes.

albichorizon — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 17:03:36 GMT

SNOW!!!

(flurries - but it should be getting heavier!)

albichorizon — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 14:19:34 GMT

The weather forecast says there's a 70% chance of snow around 3PM.

My blinds are open, all my stuff for the day is ready to go, and I am waiting patiently for the first snowfall of the year.

I'm back...

albichorizon — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 04:17:46 GMT

And I see 326 emails in my account. As for the competition I spent the week away for, it went very well. :D

Whoot!

albichorizon — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 11:08:00 GMT

Snow delays my 7:45 AM exam to tomorrow at the same time...

I don't mind one bit :D

albichorizon — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 16:27:28 GMT

It's snowing right now...

WTF?!?

some people...

albichorizon — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 01:10:29 GMT

I went and read this.

And among other reactions- 'How selfish is it of you, who holds your morals to be more important then my right to live my life?'

To me, morals are an internal thing. They aren't something that you impose on other people.

albichorizon — Wed, 23 Mar 2005 01:50:48 GMT

I don't flame.

I leave rather long reviews with details and occasionally examples of why there are serious problems with your story. I try to comment on characterization, plot, grammer, originality, and style - but most of the time I won't bother commenting on very little problem, because your story isn't as great as you think it is and I have better things to do.

Thoughtfull reviewing can be so therapudic...

In other news: I want tools. And a good how-to book on electricity and wiring.

albichorizon — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 04:11:12 GMT

I was too sober to be on that bus.

To Suzanne...

albichorizon — Mon, 21 Feb 2005 01:17:10 GMT

Hello brat-

I've changed my desktop image. (Happy now?) And it's all because of you.

albichorizon — Sat, 29 Jan 2005 19:11:15 GMT

Snow!

Some people may be sick to death of snow or not view it as anything special, but in my area of the woods it doesn't happen too often...

Anyways time to go and make hot chocolate! (any work on my resume :P)

albichorizon — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 20:13:18 GMT

This is an assult on the senses. While disturbing it is a nesscessary part of society.

Art too bad to be ignored - The Museum of Bad Art

albichorizon — Mon, 20 Sep 2004 18:55:59 GMT

I think that having one of these in Slytherin colors would please me greatly. Also their chart for the sizes of the Classic Messenger bags is amusing.

Medium "...Also known to hold 4 six-packs (cans), or two six-packs (bottles) - your choice of beverage. "

Large "...Warning: this bag also holds 80 pounds of text books, or 200 pounds of concrete."

XL "...Holds big payloads, two weeks of laundry, or everything you need for a long weekend getaway. Kitchen sink not included."