“Connect. Respect. Protect.”

04/04/201607/04/2016 Lexeai9 Comments

“I have the solution.”
“Scorpio.”

This is the motto of the Toronto Police’s SRU (Strategic Response Unit).

Think S.W.A.T. with a special emphasis on negotiating.

They can take the shot. But they would rather talk the situation down.

Constable Edward ‘Ed’ Lane – Team Leader. Takes a lot on his shoulders for his team, sometimes too much. Usually the one who has to take the shot.

Constable Julianna ‘Jules’ Callaghan – The team’s other sniper. And a good negotiator in her own right.

Constable Michaelangelo ‘Spike’ Scarlatti – Tech and bomb guy. One of the hearts of the team.

Constable Samuel ‘Sam’ Braddock– The new guy. Fresh out of the military, doesn’t know as much as he thinks.

Sergeant Gregory ‘Greg’. Parker – The Boss. He wrote the book. Literally.

They win most, and lose some. And have more than one dark night of the soul. Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. Days they wish they take back, do over. Innocent lives are in their hands. And the lives of their teammates on any given day.

But through it all, they always have their hands on each others’ backs. A family in a way most people don’t need to be one. In a way most people couldn’t be.

Personal note:

Once again, a shout out to ION television. Two, three episodes of Flashpoint is shown every night. And thanks to my habit of not making it to bed early, I caught an ep and was hooked.

The change in squad make-up and procedures are half the fun. The little differences due to it being a Canadian outfit adds to it. Always interesting to hear ‘kilometers’ as opposed to ‘miles’.

It’s a great cast and a new perspective on police procedurals for me. Give it a try if you can find it.

Tea & Coffee #35 – It’s here.

03/04/201603/04/2016 Lexeai3 Comments

Ah, another Sunday. And one off from work.

I should perhaps be outside, but I’ve got dueling marathons on the tube.

As it is Sunday, it means Leverage. Not that it always is. Last Sunday was a Numb3rs marathon. But today is Leverage, the last season. Not sure if they’re going to reset to beginning or what but we shall see.

Sunday also means The Walking Dead. Season finale. So there’s a sixth season marathon to prepare us for what will happen.

Negan is coming.

For the fans, you know what I’m talking about.

For the non-fans, suffice it to say Negan is a Very Big Bad and much anxiousness and dread about his coming.

So I’m bouncing between the two channels during commercials and whatnot. Waiting for tonight.

In less tense news, managed my first two posts for this year’s A-Z Blog Challenge. Which considering I’ve been writing them on the day and don’t have all the letters decided yet is a good start. Should try and get a couple done today. And more importantly, have found some other blogs to follow for the challenge as well.

But other than that, just enjoying the day. Always enjoy days off.

https://youtu.be/pIKsHh3BFPI

Might go eat some ice cream out on the porch later. Chocolate chip cookie dough.

221B Baker St.

02/04/201607/04/2016 Lexeai6 Comments

“Possible suicides. Four of them. There’s no point sitting at home when there’s finally something fun going on.”

“Look at you, all happy. It’s not decent.”

“Who cares about decent? The game, Mrs. Hudson, is on.”

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Darting about London solving crimes. But there’ll be no thick fog and hansom cabs in this telling.

This is London of the modern day. A world of cell phones and the Internet. But don’t think Mr. Holmes puts techonology over the power of his mind.

They’re all here, just not exactly as you remember them.

Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade. Knows how to deal with Sherlock, even when he’s being a git.

Mrs. Hudson. The landlady, not the housekeeper. With a bit of a past.

Mycroft Holmes. Trimmer. Still superior, holding a minor position in the British Government.

Sherlock uses his extensive (and selective) knowledge to solve the cases beyound the abilities of Scotland Yard. Which in his opinion is every case.

John helps him with his medical training, but also with just his knowledge of how ‘ordinary’ people go about their lives. And is also his chronicler with his online blog.

Sherlock and John show that they truly are timeless and smart enough for any age.

Personal time.

The Sherlock fandom is truly the fandom that waited. With only three seasons (of three ninety minutes episodes each) and one special to our name since the show’s first season in 2010, we have to make much from less than other fandoms.

But we do so delight in it. And we are patient(ish). And yes, a little mad. But it is an earned madness, passed down. Never forget that public outcry cause Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to resurrect Sherlock after his untimely death.

Many of the episodes are updated versions of orginial stories (A Study in Pink is the name of the pilot). But within each case are nods to details from other stories (the five pips are no longer from an orange, but a sound cue used by the BBC).

London is ever Sherlock and John’s city, no matter the century.

And smart will always be the new sexy.

“Age of the geek, baby.”

01/04/201607/04/2016 Lexeai10 Comments

“The rich and powerful take what they want. We steal it back for you.”

“Sometimes, the bad guys make the best good guys.”

“We provide…Leverage.”

Meet the crew of Leverage, Inc.

They help the little guy get back at the corrupt using the tricks of their trades. You could say they’re modern day Robin Hoods, if Robin had started out as a con man.

Eliot Spencer – Hitter. Expert in retrievals, both items and people. Guardian of the team with a personal code of honor.

Alec Hardison – Hacker. Genius with tech. Only thing faster than his fingers is his mouth.

Sophie Deveroux – Grifter. Lover of the finer things in life. A thousand looks and accents (and the perfect dress) get her what she wants.

Parker – Thief. Connoisseur of safes, air ducts, and security systems. Her outlook on life is a bit…askewed.

Nathan Ford – Mastermind. Former insurance investigator. White Knight turned Black King.

The best in their chosen fields, they were first brought together through deception, and then for revenge. It was supposed to be a one time thing. But the experience, and a huge payoff, showed these loners the benefits of working together. And in time, made them a family.

Leverage used real world scams and scandals as a jumping off point. Along with an expert in cons and thievery as a consultant.

An added delight are the DVD commentaries for every episode, usually featuring the writer(s), producer, and director for that ep.

If you love smart writing, great dialogue, fun stunts, and just damned greatness, check out Leverage and become a Grifter.

So that’s the extended elevator pitch. Now the personal touch. I love this show. ION television does marathons of it on Sundays and I catch it when I can. Despite owning the DVDs.

The actors are great and mad in all the best ways. There’s smart writing, cool premises, great guest stars and supporting actors.

There’s little geek mentions, especially in the aliases they use (Mary Jane and Tom Baker for one. Or my fav, Ellery Queen.)

If you like a good time with writing that doesn’t dumb down for you, join the con..

Tea & Coffee – #34

27/03/201627/03/2016 Lexeai14 Comments

Hello, hello, hello.

How are you this fine, hotish day? Gonna be mid 80s again today, I believe. But it’s lovely right now.

I do have to tell you a cool story.

I might have told you about my monthly geek meet up. We usually met at a Starbucks but this time we went to a Denny’s (the same one where the kick-off to NaNoWriMo has been for past few years as matter of fact).

So the meeting went great, had already paid and had gone back to leave the tip. Walking back up to the front, I passed a large family at two tables pushed together. The head of the family called out to me, saying “Miss. Miss.”

Now, for some years now, I have had what I call the ‘pall of customer service’ upon me. By which I mean that I have been in any number of stores and have had people ask me questions cause they think I work there. So when I heard him, I thought that was the case.

But when I turned to him, he asked me about my jacket and the design on the front of it.

If you are not a baseball fan, that is one of the old logos for the Arizona Diamondbacks, for the year we won the World Series. We are the only team to have won a World Series title in only our fourth year of being in the MLB. As you can see, it was during the 2001 season, against the New York Yankees. The series went a full seven games, with the final win here in Arizona.

I worked in the distribution center for our team stores, sending out official merchandise for the Diamondbacks as well as the Phoenix Suns of the NBA, the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL, and the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.

As it turns out, the customer at the Denny’s had been a program seller that season and so had a reason to inquire about my jacket.

Have to say, that was the best gig I ever had. Definitely good times.

Work has given me a new idea for a tat. You can hear the story here.

I did my theme reveal earlier this week for A-Z Challenge. “My Geek Loves.” And lucky thing I scheduled it, cause totally forgot on the day and only remembered when someone liked the post.

Going to see Batman vs Superman with me best mate this week. Rather polarizing movie judging by the fan reviews read. But seems Ben Affleck gave a solid performance so should be interesting. Wonder if DC will be able to get their cinematic universe going off of this.

And a little thing. A shout out to John Rogers (@jonrog1, http://www.kfmonkey.blogspot.com), formerly of the show Leverage, The Librarian movies from TNT and, til this last week, The Librarians show. He decided to no longer be the showrunner for Librarians and is now one of us watching the eps and shouting at the screen.

Do yourself a favor, find the Leverage DVDs and listen to the commentaries. John’s on all of them. And his behind-the-scenes info on Librarians eps on his blog is a delight as well. Welcome to the peanut gallery, my good sir!

Musical interlude:
This would have been on the first day of Spring post if I had done it. But still good, I say. See ya next time.

Fiction helping with Real Life

26/03/2016 Lexeai1 Comment

So I was having a stressed situation at work, over the course of a few days. Something that could have turned major and been not good.

I wasn’t thinking of the situation, not consciously at least, just going about my work when I heard a sentence in my head.

Fear is the mind-killer.

If you are a sci-fi reader, then you recognize that line. If not, an explanation.

Dune by Frank Herbert. Published in 1965 and one of the great novels of the genre.

Within the universe Herbert created, there is a religious sisterhood known as The Bene Gesserit. One of the things taught to the sisters is the Litany against Fear. Its purpose is to bring focus to the mind.

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

Now, you must understand. The last time I could’ve given any thought to the litany would have been last year when the Game of Thrones cast was on the Conan O’Brian show during San Diego Comicon. I heard of a video clip where Natalie Dormer mentioned she had a Dune tattoo. I most likely googled to see what it was, then forgot about it.

Til last week.

When I looked up the full litany and memorized it. When the stress was again a focus and I found myself reciting it like a mental mantra. And it did the trick. I calmed the fuck down and set about the task at hand.

The stress has lessened and may indeed have passed. I have made an adjustment to my procedure and it is working to my benefit.

Remember when I said I was thinking of what other tattoo to get, so I can get that period added to my previous one? I may very have found it, in that line.

I’m one of those people who will get too wound up about a situation and end up unable to pick a plan of action. To have something that can get me on track is rather nice.

I have sought inspiration in fiction before. But for it to come unbidden like that is something special. Makes me listen harder. Especially when it’s a piece that fits into a lot of personal puzzles.

Official Dune Site.

A-Z Theme Reveal

21/03/201618/03/2016 Lexeai6 Comments

It took a bit, like it did last year. But I finally decided that this year, my theme will be “My Geek Loves.”

It will be a combo of specific fandoms and more general topics. As usual, there will be some fudging of the letters.

See what other reveals are being made today.

Tea & Coffee – #33

13/03/2016 LexeaiLeave a comment

Well, hello there.

First, a moment for the loss of Sir George Martin, producer for The Beatles. Great work that will live on.

I find myself have an issue doing fanfic. I am staying too literal to the canon and thusly am having trouble making the necessary changes to give my take. And given that I am primarily a slasher, it is problematic to say the least.

I have decided on my A-Z Challenge topic, so that’s something. As per last year, gonna get creative with some of the letters.

Work goes as it goes.

I need to think of another tattoo so I can have them put in the missing period on the fandom verse tat I got. Remember, I showed you the picture a couple, few weeks ago? Doesn’t make sense to have the guy burn supplies for just a dot. Wavering between a Slytherin one to one for Arizona to bookend my Texas one. A couple others are in contention.

Not much else. Oh, finally got some pencils to do my Harry Potter coloring book, so that should fun.

And now, for Sir George:

From the last album he produced, of Beatles cover songs.

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here

25/02/201621/08/2023 Lexeai3 Comments

As I enjoy a tall libation on a lovely day, I believe I have discovered my drunk song.

Oh, I am not quite drunk yet. Just that nice loopy stage, where your head seems a little bit heavy for your neck and your body nicely at rest.

But in any case, as I sat here, the thought came as to what song would I want to hear. And mayhap it was because I had heard it in the last day or so, but the answer came back as ‘Wish You Were Here’, by Pink Floyd.

Wordsmith that I am, I do enjoy the mental pictures that the lyrics put forth. But I had an ancestor who was a musican, and from him as well I have gained a love for how things sound. And the opening part does something for me.

I have spoken before of loving the ambiance of things, of not so much the items or sounds themselves, but the chain of thoughts they start up in your mind. The total picture of a specific event or time and place.

The sound of opening chords, someone coughing in the background, the slide of the fingers along the strings. All put you in the room with the band as they record the song.

I have to stop and drink in the sounds when I hear them. And granted, that happens on many a Floyd song. But just something about this one… I just don’t know.

I can’t explain why it does it to me, but damn I’m glad it does.

Give it a listen, then go listen to that song that does it for you.