I'm afraid the weekend has been a dismal failure in terms of getting out and about. The weather's been miserable, and I'm not feeling all that perky myself. But I did get two media treats. Tonight was the first episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000's final season and not only was it actually funny for a change, it featured creator Joel Hodgson. I haven't seen him in anything since he left the show to become a tv writer in Hollywood. I had a massive crush on him when I first started watching the series.
TV's Frank was featured in this episode, too, but I never liked him much. He always seemed a bit of a weasel. It was nifty seeing Joel again, though. It brought back some good memories. The writers seem to have been inspired by the guest appearances. This is the first time in three years I've laughed all the way through the movie. It was a stunningly bad vanity piece called Soulcatcher, featuring Joe Estevez (who looks like a clone of his brother Martin Sheen) and several poodle-haired denizens of Alabama. You'd never know it was filmed in 1990 because all the clothes and hairstyles are strictly 1981. Also, there were a lot of unnecessary Happy Face balloons in it which was a poor props decision on someone's part. Definitely a classic MST3K experience.
The second treat was seeing the second episode of the Horatio Hornblower series. The young actor playing Hornblower is awfully good. Everyone in it is good, in fact; whoever cast it was smart. The ship models are so realistic I sometimes can't believe they're not real. Well, until they sink. At any rate, I've had my weekly ration of tv. Four hours was about one hour too much but it was worth it. Worth it for distraction value. I'm dreading tomorrow. I can't stand the idea of having to pretend I don't know my co-worker is getting fired. If I had it to spare and it wouldn't cause such a big burden on everyone else I'd seriously consider taking a sick day, but I can't. It's cowardly, and we're still short handed. So I'll go, but I'm going to feel like a louse.
After work, I'm going to the chiropractor. Who happens to be her partner. So I get to pretend to him, too. I confess I've had a thoroughly rotten weekend. I do not have a prevaricating soul. I hate having to play this game. But that's just the way it is. And the day after that the new guy starts, and everything changes again.
Late-breaking fannish news: Janice Gelb wins DUFF and a trip to Melbourne, Australia to represent U.S. fandom as she travels around meeting Aussie fans. It's been 12 years since I won this honor myself. She will have a wonderful time, I'm sure. It's a great big friendly country.
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