Gallifrey One Report
Feb. 20th, 2008 11:46 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fangrrl_squeesCould I just get away with saying that the convention was really, really fabulous and I'm, as usual, pissed that I have to wait a whole year for the next one?
No? Damn. Okay, here's the rest of it.
Flying down on Thursday was a good idea. Throwing an impromptu Early Birds cocktail party on Thursday night was even better. About a dozen folks stopped by - including some familiar faces from Chicago - and many martinis were hoisted. My favorite moments would be those featuring my bullying everyone in the room to share silly Whovian details about themselves - favorite story, first memory of watching Doctor Who, etc....
Fortunately, my co-roomies,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
iamaradar and vesper2000 have an exquisite sense of timing and we shut things down around 11:30, before the party crossed the line from "Cheerfully merry" to "Annoyingly raucous".
Friday morning consisted of lots of catching up with con-pals and going to various panels. Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred were a particular hoot during their bit with Gary Russell. I also enjoyed Lisa Bowerman's time on stage and, dammit, why didn't I get the genes for lovely pale English skin, hmm? (She says, thinking of Ms. Aldred & Ms. Bowerman's beautiful complexions). I've rarely felt so bloody Pictish in my life...
Once again,paulcornell2 confirmed his position as loveliest chap to never put a restraining order on me and it was nice to finally meet his wife - who had spent all of Gally '07 shut up in her room, finishing a thesis. Simply judging by the fact that she didn't stamp on my toes when I broke out in a fit of squee, she must have the patience of a saint.
The autograph lines, as usual, caused a huge break in the tempo of the day, but there's not much a person can do about that aside from trying to plan which panels one can afford to miss and packing a good book in one's bag.
Speaking of bags, the TARDIS bag thatpraedestinatio made for me was quite the hit of the convention, along with Delete, the plushie Cybermat - also made by her. I could have walked around that convention in a figleaf and no-one would have noticed as long as I had Delete on my arm. During fan photo on Saturday, Sophie couldn't resist teasing Sylvester with Delete, and much giggling was had. Ahh, fanservice. ;)
Much to my irritation, I had to missrobshearman's reading, as Evil Genius parties don't create themselves, and we were doing a little bit for the Masquerade, so I think I was stuck in the "green room" (aka the art auction area) for the duration.
The Masquerade was short, suffered the usual technical issues - not surprising, after a multi-year absence - but stuffed with good intentions and some very good costumes. My pals B&M brought their fabulous Cassandra rig down for the show (I judged it at SiliCon and it's made of awesome) and they rightly won Best in Show. Hooray!
In fact, there was a lot more costuming in the hallways, this year. Not as much as I'd like to see, of course, but if the trend is upwards, then I'm happy. As usual, the Torchwood-gals took the cake for being all-around cutiepies and awesome at the cosplay bit. I can wear a costume, but I always feel rather self-conscious. E, V and the rest, however, seem to take to it like ducks to water - and they take great pix. I'm quite jealous, but in that yay, good for you! sort of way, not the must murder them all in their beds way.praedestinatio and 1ucifer's fabulousness as Harold and Lucy Saxon also merits big fat costuming kudos. I must admit, I rather wished I'd packed something new, but I just haven't had the motivation to sew since Thanksgiving or so...
Anyways.
Then it was off to League of Evil Geniuses to help out with that mad fun and swill what turned out to be far too much champagne. Actually, it's not the champers that's the killer. It's the bloody Death in the Afternoons that get me - that's champagne with a splash of absinthe, for you non-alkies...
Halfway through the party, I had sufficient Dutch courage to change into the Fanboy Appreciation Outfit. I'm still awaiting some decent pix of it - pix in which I don't look too smashed, I might add - but it did seem to be a hit. My power to make gay men rub themselves all over me remains undiminished. Getting "Toby"'s makeup off my cleavage later that night was a bit of a challenge... god knows what he had to do to get it off his face. (I must find a picture of him, tho', as he looked great)
I rather clumsily flirted with another writer, but as he hasn't put out a restraining order against me in the meantime, he too will go on the list of folks I'll never hear a word against. ;) 'Sides, it's not an Evil Genius party if Johanna doesn't make a fool of herself at some point.
Saturday was a fair bit of "Oh dear god, my head hurts", punctuated by autograph sessions and another panel with Sophie Aldred. Moffat was doing a live commentary to Blink, but as I didn't have the sense to camp out in the space two hours before start time, I couldn't even get within fifty feet of the room. I'm sure the con-chair (a nice fella, don't get me wrong) will get a few tart notes suggesting that such commentaries occur in the main ballroom, in future. The other live commentary - Cornell and Caroline Symcox discussing Human Nature and Family of Blood - was similarly packed out and impossible to get anywhere near. *grump*
Seeing Joel Hodges, of MST3K, was an unexpected treat, although the panel didn't tell me anything I hadn't learned from the 'net, already. Still, 'twas a nice dose of squee.
I missed the B7 audio panel, although I'm told there wasn't much new there, aside from discussion of a possible new live-action series, which would be unspeakably fab. Especially if Colin Salmon continues to play Avon. *fans self*
I couldn't even get into the door for Ed & Jennifer's wedding (DAMN!) but I met up with them, afterwards, and gave them a bottle of champers, as that's the sort of thing one does in those situations. I think it's just lovely that they got married at con - and that practically everyone there chipped in to send them on the Who Cruise for their honeymoon. I heard that Sylvester gave the bride away, and there was an entire legion of nattily-dressed cosplayers acting as ushers. *happysigh* I'm sure there'll be pictures, soon. :)
Saturday night was the Daleks Take Manhattan party and M&J totally outdid themselves with the decor. Things started on a bit of a sour note, unfortunately, and it was hard to shake off the resultant paranoia for the rest of the evening. Fortunately, going to the Once More With Feeling sing-a-long got a lot of that out of my system. Man, there's a lot of Dawn-hate out there, but I didn't let it get me down. Indeed, the sight of James Marsters on his knees (during Rest in Peace or whatever that number is) can take my mind off quite a lot of bad things.
Returning to the party, I think it was at this point that I tipsily 'fessed up to Rob Shearman about the thinking behind my giving up the whole content-stealing thing. Remember how I said I had a whack from the clue-by-four at Chicago TARDIS? Well, he was instrumental in wielding it.
....and Mr. Shearman also goes on the list of lovely folks who haven't threatened legal action against me. Phew.
(He also gets big fat squee for writing I am more canon that the TV version on my copy of Jubilee)
There were some other interesting things happening at the party, by the end of the night, involving a violet wand and fangrrl's masochism, but I think I'll save that for a highly filtered entry on another journal. *ahem* Suffice it to say that it was fun and quite legal. Just not, y'know, what some folks might expect to happen at a science fiction convention.
(When is someone going to break it to the mundanes that most sci-fi fans can party like no-one's business? Silly mundanes don't know what they're missing, at times...)
Sunday morning was the brunch and more fun than I can adequately describe - but I'll give it a go. Sophie Aldred's son is one of the most well-behaved little boys I've ever met. Cute, too. She's definitely doing something right. ;) Lisa Bowerman gave such an effective pitch for Big Finish's Sapphire & Steel audios that I immediately bought the first season. Then again, it's David Werner and Susannah Harker - how can I not enjoy that?I had a lovely little rant about the state of the Brighton seafront with Sylvester McCoy.albion_fan would have approved. And a generally lovely time was had. I must admit, I'm a bit amazed at how much energy the G1 guests can summon up for this sort of thing. In their shoes, I'd be like "Sunday what? When? Forget it! I'm sleeping in!"
Should I manage banquet tix in 2010 (I missed the boat for tix for 2009) I must make sure that the waitstaff puts decaff on the tables. I wasn't paying attention as I nervously slurped coffee whilst chatting - or watching my tablemates chat - with various con guests and I was about ready to oscillate into Earth 2 by the time the event wrapped up.
Sunday afternoon: more panels, remembering that I'd brought some books to sign (and had forgotten a whole bunch that I should have brought, dammit) so more time in the autograph lines, etc, etc. And the usual pile of laughter at Closing Ceremonies before the traditional post-con drinkup in the lobby. As usual, that was an utter hoot and I was a complete showoff, as I decided that the Fanboy Appreciation Outfit just had to come out again, but what the hell... Life's short. I received a couple of glances askance, but nothing worse than anticipated. Whew.
Many amusing things occurred, not the least of which have convinced me to make the following con-ribbons for next year:
Coming Soon From Big Finish Productions: ____________ And The Comfy Shoes (as now several cast members have been spotted in Crocs)
and
Steven Moffat Estrogen Brigade (suuuure, you never get fangirls flocking around you, matey...)
Thinking of which, the Phi Beta Kappa, Jack Harkness Charm School and Mae fy ffriend wedi dysgu Cymraeg... ribbons were both a hit. I could have done with a slightly larger print run, but how could I have expected that the con attendance would be up twenty five percent this year? There were 1080 guests, this time - biggest Gally ever!
(Is it selfish of me to hope that con doesn't get too much bigger than that? I suppose it is. Still, there's always Chicago for when one is craving a smaller event)
There were some good ribbons floating around - the fave on my badge is the Saxon Is Your Man one I picked up, somewhere, although dammit, how'd I miss out on Saxon 2008, Ready to Govern ribbon, again?
Someone also made a very swanky Saxon '08 badge which I'm going to make a point of wearing in public, in the hopes that someone asks me what party he's with. ("That would be the Evil and Insane Party. No, not the Republicans.")
There was a lot more to the weekend than that, obviously - including some pix I still have to pull off my camera and decide if they're shareable (I was constantly stuck in lousy positions during the rare times I remembered to drag my camera out of the room) - but that's the gist of it.
I had a great time. I can't wait for next year and, by god, I'm resolved to go to Chicago TARDIS if I can possibly manage it. Whovians are the nicest, most amenable fans out there - why should I limit myself to hanging out with them only once a year?
No? Damn. Okay, here's the rest of it.
Flying down on Thursday was a good idea. Throwing an impromptu Early Birds cocktail party on Thursday night was even better. About a dozen folks stopped by - including some familiar faces from Chicago - and many martinis were hoisted. My favorite moments would be those featuring my bullying everyone in the room to share silly Whovian details about themselves - favorite story, first memory of watching Doctor Who, etc....
Fortunately, my co-roomies,
iamaradar and vesper2000 have an exquisite sense of timing and we shut things down around 11:30, before the party crossed the line from "Cheerfully merry" to "Annoyingly raucous".Friday morning consisted of lots of catching up with con-pals and going to various panels. Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred were a particular hoot during their bit with Gary Russell. I also enjoyed Lisa Bowerman's time on stage and, dammit, why didn't I get the genes for lovely pale English skin, hmm? (She says, thinking of Ms. Aldred & Ms. Bowerman's beautiful complexions). I've rarely felt so bloody Pictish in my life...
Once again,
paulcornell2 confirmed his position as loveliest chap to never put a restraining order on me and it was nice to finally meet his wife - who had spent all of Gally '07 shut up in her room, finishing a thesis. Simply judging by the fact that she didn't stamp on my toes when I broke out in a fit of squee, she must have the patience of a saint.The autograph lines, as usual, caused a huge break in the tempo of the day, but there's not much a person can do about that aside from trying to plan which panels one can afford to miss and packing a good book in one's bag.
Speaking of bags, the TARDIS bag that
praedestinatio made for me was quite the hit of the convention, along with Delete, the plushie Cybermat - also made by her. I could have walked around that convention in a figleaf and no-one would have noticed as long as I had Delete on my arm. During fan photo on Saturday, Sophie couldn't resist teasing Sylvester with Delete, and much giggling was had. Ahh, fanservice. ;)Much to my irritation, I had to miss
robshearman's reading, as Evil Genius parties don't create themselves, and we were doing a little bit for the Masquerade, so I think I was stuck in the "green room" (aka the art auction area) for the duration.The Masquerade was short, suffered the usual technical issues - not surprising, after a multi-year absence - but stuffed with good intentions and some very good costumes. My pals B&M brought their fabulous Cassandra rig down for the show (I judged it at SiliCon and it's made of awesome) and they rightly won Best in Show. Hooray!
In fact, there was a lot more costuming in the hallways, this year. Not as much as I'd like to see, of course, but if the trend is upwards, then I'm happy. As usual, the Torchwood-gals took the cake for being all-around cutiepies and awesome at the cosplay bit. I can wear a costume, but I always feel rather self-conscious. E, V and the rest, however, seem to take to it like ducks to water - and they take great pix. I'm quite jealous, but in that yay, good for you! sort of way, not the must murder them all in their beds way.
praedestinatio and 1ucifer's fabulousness as Harold and Lucy Saxon also merits big fat costuming kudos. I must admit, I rather wished I'd packed something new, but I just haven't had the motivation to sew since Thanksgiving or so...Anyways.
Then it was off to League of Evil Geniuses to help out with that mad fun and swill what turned out to be far too much champagne. Actually, it's not the champers that's the killer. It's the bloody Death in the Afternoons that get me - that's champagne with a splash of absinthe, for you non-alkies...
Halfway through the party, I had sufficient Dutch courage to change into the Fanboy Appreciation Outfit. I'm still awaiting some decent pix of it - pix in which I don't look too smashed, I might add - but it did seem to be a hit. My power to make gay men rub themselves all over me remains undiminished. Getting "Toby"'s makeup off my cleavage later that night was a bit of a challenge... god knows what he had to do to get it off his face. (I must find a picture of him, tho', as he looked great)
I rather clumsily flirted with another writer, but as he hasn't put out a restraining order against me in the meantime, he too will go on the list of folks I'll never hear a word against. ;) 'Sides, it's not an Evil Genius party if Johanna doesn't make a fool of herself at some point.
Saturday was a fair bit of "Oh dear god, my head hurts", punctuated by autograph sessions and another panel with Sophie Aldred. Moffat was doing a live commentary to Blink, but as I didn't have the sense to camp out in the space two hours before start time, I couldn't even get within fifty feet of the room. I'm sure the con-chair (a nice fella, don't get me wrong) will get a few tart notes suggesting that such commentaries occur in the main ballroom, in future. The other live commentary - Cornell and Caroline Symcox discussing Human Nature and Family of Blood - was similarly packed out and impossible to get anywhere near. *grump*
Seeing Joel Hodges, of MST3K, was an unexpected treat, although the panel didn't tell me anything I hadn't learned from the 'net, already. Still, 'twas a nice dose of squee.
I missed the B7 audio panel, although I'm told there wasn't much new there, aside from discussion of a possible new live-action series, which would be unspeakably fab. Especially if Colin Salmon continues to play Avon. *fans self*
I couldn't even get into the door for Ed & Jennifer's wedding (DAMN!) but I met up with them, afterwards, and gave them a bottle of champers, as that's the sort of thing one does in those situations. I think it's just lovely that they got married at con - and that practically everyone there chipped in to send them on the Who Cruise for their honeymoon. I heard that Sylvester gave the bride away, and there was an entire legion of nattily-dressed cosplayers acting as ushers. *happysigh* I'm sure there'll be pictures, soon. :)
Saturday night was the Daleks Take Manhattan party and M&J totally outdid themselves with the decor. Things started on a bit of a sour note, unfortunately, and it was hard to shake off the resultant paranoia for the rest of the evening. Fortunately, going to the Once More With Feeling sing-a-long got a lot of that out of my system. Man, there's a lot of Dawn-hate out there, but I didn't let it get me down. Indeed, the sight of James Marsters on his knees (during Rest in Peace or whatever that number is) can take my mind off quite a lot of bad things.
Returning to the party, I think it was at this point that I tipsily 'fessed up to Rob Shearman about the thinking behind my giving up the whole content-stealing thing. Remember how I said I had a whack from the clue-by-four at Chicago TARDIS? Well, he was instrumental in wielding it.
....and Mr. Shearman also goes on the list of lovely folks who haven't threatened legal action against me. Phew.
(He also gets big fat squee for writing I am more canon that the TV version on my copy of Jubilee)
There were some other interesting things happening at the party, by the end of the night, involving a violet wand and fangrrl's masochism, but I think I'll save that for a highly filtered entry on another journal. *ahem* Suffice it to say that it was fun and quite legal. Just not, y'know, what some folks might expect to happen at a science fiction convention.
(When is someone going to break it to the mundanes that most sci-fi fans can party like no-one's business? Silly mundanes don't know what they're missing, at times...)
Sunday morning was the brunch and more fun than I can adequately describe - but I'll give it a go. Sophie Aldred's son is one of the most well-behaved little boys I've ever met. Cute, too. She's definitely doing something right. ;) Lisa Bowerman gave such an effective pitch for Big Finish's Sapphire & Steel audios that I immediately bought the first season. Then again, it's David Werner and Susannah Harker - how can I not enjoy that?I had a lovely little rant about the state of the Brighton seafront with Sylvester McCoy.
albion_fan would have approved. And a generally lovely time was had. I must admit, I'm a bit amazed at how much energy the G1 guests can summon up for this sort of thing. In their shoes, I'd be like "Sunday what? When? Forget it! I'm sleeping in!"Should I manage banquet tix in 2010 (I missed the boat for tix for 2009) I must make sure that the waitstaff puts decaff on the tables. I wasn't paying attention as I nervously slurped coffee whilst chatting - or watching my tablemates chat - with various con guests and I was about ready to oscillate into Earth 2 by the time the event wrapped up.
Sunday afternoon: more panels, remembering that I'd brought some books to sign (and had forgotten a whole bunch that I should have brought, dammit) so more time in the autograph lines, etc, etc. And the usual pile of laughter at Closing Ceremonies before the traditional post-con drinkup in the lobby. As usual, that was an utter hoot and I was a complete showoff, as I decided that the Fanboy Appreciation Outfit just had to come out again, but what the hell... Life's short. I received a couple of glances askance, but nothing worse than anticipated. Whew.
Many amusing things occurred, not the least of which have convinced me to make the following con-ribbons for next year:
Coming Soon From Big Finish Productions: ____________ And The Comfy Shoes (as now several cast members have been spotted in Crocs)
and
Steven Moffat Estrogen Brigade (suuuure, you never get fangirls flocking around you, matey...)
Thinking of which, the Phi Beta Kappa, Jack Harkness Charm School and Mae fy ffriend wedi dysgu Cymraeg... ribbons were both a hit. I could have done with a slightly larger print run, but how could I have expected that the con attendance would be up twenty five percent this year? There were 1080 guests, this time - biggest Gally ever!
(Is it selfish of me to hope that con doesn't get too much bigger than that? I suppose it is. Still, there's always Chicago for when one is craving a smaller event)
There were some good ribbons floating around - the fave on my badge is the Saxon Is Your Man one I picked up, somewhere, although dammit, how'd I miss out on Saxon 2008, Ready to Govern ribbon, again?
Someone also made a very swanky Saxon '08 badge which I'm going to make a point of wearing in public, in the hopes that someone asks me what party he's with. ("That would be the Evil and Insane Party. No, not the Republicans.")
There was a lot more to the weekend than that, obviously - including some pix I still have to pull off my camera and decide if they're shareable (I was constantly stuck in lousy positions during the rare times I remembered to drag my camera out of the room) - but that's the gist of it.
I had a great time. I can't wait for next year and, by god, I'm resolved to go to Chicago TARDIS if I can possibly manage it. Whovians are the nicest, most amenable fans out there - why should I limit myself to hanging out with them only once a year?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2008-02-20 07:51 pm (UTC)*much Whovian lurve*
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Date: 2008-02-20 08:00 pm (UTC)I mean, I didn't, already - but I'll be even more vociferous about it, now.
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Date: 2008-02-20 10:08 pm (UTC)I believe we talked, you of Squee, in the hall, commenting on DrunkTen, and discussing the Fob Watch toy (which I still drool over).
I loved my single-day visit on Friday, and I utterly regret not being able to attend the Evil Genius Party. Family issue popped up.
I think what made my first con experience so fun was people like you, fangrrl_squee, as well as the other wonderful peeps...Including all of you cosplayers replaying below this, now that I think. Mr. and Mrs. Saxon, hullo again. *wink* I am fully behind your campaign for re-election.
Sorry, best cut short before this becomes an epic first post. I'll endeavor to post Something to the DW_Cosplay or DoctorWho blog with MY detailed opinions and observations.
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Date: 2008-02-20 11:56 pm (UTC)I look forward to whatever you've got to say re: G1 on your blog. I'll keep my eye out for it. :)
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Date: 2008-02-20 08:00 pm (UTC)But it sounds like fun and I'm sad I didn't get to attend. Hopefully ChiTARDIS is still doable. We shall see.
Weeeee!
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Date: 2008-02-20 08:03 pm (UTC)I'm telling my father that he'd better make plans to go see his wife's family in Michigan for that holiday from now on, as that will free me from all Turkey-day obligations. ;)
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Date: 2008-02-20 08:15 pm (UTC)I really hope I can convince at least one of my Whovian girls to join me this year. I had a blast!
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Date: 2008-02-20 08:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-20 08:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-20 08:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-20 08:33 pm (UTC)Someone also made a very swanky Saxon '08 badge which I'm going to make a point of wearing in public, in the hopes that someone asks me what party he's with.
I've already had a few nibbles (if it's the same one I picked up at TARDIS.) I'm terrified I'm going to loose it - I only grabbed one and I can't figure out who made them to get another (should that become necessary.)
Sigh... I really want to go to this one some day.
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Date: 2008-02-20 08:42 pm (UTC)Sounds like a marvellous time. :D I can't wait to see the pictures from the last TARDIS
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Date: 2008-02-20 08:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-20 09:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-20 11:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-21 12:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-21 03:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-02-21 03:46 am (UTC)The Early Birds cocktail party reminds me, the very first Dr. Who I ever saw was a double feature of the Faux-Who Peter Cushing movies. Our local drive-in carried "Dr. Who and the Daleks" and "Daleks--Invasion Earth 2150 AD" back to back one weekend. I've loved Daleks ever since.
Used to drive the parents nuts by shouting "Ex-Ter-Mi-Nate" into the window fans. The reverb effect was just perfect!
Once I found out that there was more Dr. Who, and indeed that the REAL Dr. Who was on British television, I spent YEARS yearning and grumbling over the fact that I couldn't watch it.
When PBS picked up the Baker Dr. Who series, I was a bouncing up and down happy-camper.
Fell madly in love with Lalla Ward's Romana on first sight. (I'm like that. Can't really help it.)
Currently, I'm grousing because I don't have cable and have seen exactly one episode of Torchwood. (Captain Jack! Someone named Gwenn, and something about a really awfully evil glove.) My friend who records almost everything he watches and then loans the dvd-r's to me refuses to watch Torchwood. gaaah.
I'd murderize him if he didn't have twins and a feisty wife that would beat upon me mercilessly if I did. Still. gah.
Looks like I'll just have to pick up the full season dvd packs.
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Date: 2008-02-21 03:51 am (UTC)But thank g*d I only have to wait two weeks, y'know?
*pause*
Wait. Do you get BBC America? You DO know they're showing Torchwood only 2 weeks behind the UK schedule, right?
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Date: 2008-02-21 04:01 am (UTC)The lounge next door has Direct TV, but I work evenings and rarely get to watch much more than the Daily Show and the occasional weekend SciFi.
It is a sad and terrible tale of woe.
Really.
Well, it IS!
more or less.
mind you, i'm very fond of the cats...
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Date: 2008-02-21 06:40 am (UTC)We caught another one. :D
Missed the Saxon ribbons. *sigh*
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Date: 2008-02-24 12:08 am (UTC)Glad you had fun. Jealous as always. ;)