If you are active on Facebook, please consider joining this group. Hate-filled speech is not "free" -- and hate group affect everyone! --Olivia
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Hi all,
I got this from a friend on Facebook. Feel free to reply with your own fifteen books, or to comment (nicely) on my choices. Flames will be used to toast marshmallows and then deleted. --Olivia
15 books you've read that will always stick with you
Don't take long to think about it. Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. First 15 you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.
1. Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Trilogy, later 5 books) - Douglas Adams
2. Lord of the Rings (Trilogy) - JRR Tolkien
3. Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
4. Animal Farm - George Orwell
5. Gambit (Nero Wolfe Mystery) - Rex Stout
6. 1984 - George Orwell
7. Seeing Voices - Oliver Sacks
8. Red Harvest - Dashiell Hammett
9. Shards of Honor - Lois McMaster Bujold
10. The Warrior's Apprentice - Lois McMaster Bujold (Both books introduced me to her wonderful Miles Vorkosign series)
11. Storm Front - Jim Butcher (Introduced me to the Harry Dresden series)
12. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - JK Rowling
13. The Other Log of Phileas Fogg - Philip Jose' Farmer
14. Around the World in 80 Days - Jules Verne
15.
Notes:
Douglas Adams' trilogy books had a big influence on me because they went through my high school like wildfire. EVERYONE was reading them. I loved the first two books so much that I more-or-less memorized large sections of the books. I eventually read all five, plus the short story ("Zaphod plays it safe" - only available in the omnibus edition) as they came out. I also read the radio scripts book, heard the full-length radio plays (and the edited-down version which I found first), watched and now own on DVD the British TV mini-series, and watched the American movie (it was ok, but not great -- and missed the boat in a lot of areas). I do love the humor of the books though.
Tale of Two Cities -- read it on my own and loved it. One of the books that got me interested in reading classic literature "just because" instead of "because I have to". Also, made me realise that I really love *novels* not short stories.
Animal Farm and 1984 -- read both on my own in grade school or junior high. Really liked Animal Farm. Wasn't as enthusiastic about 1984 (among other things the whole premise of language disappearing was faulty -- English is not losing vocabulary, it's GAINING it and always has been, since the Norman Conquest introduced enough change to create English out of the Celtic languages). Had to read 1984 at least twice in school (later on after reading it on my own) - where it became even less of a favorite book. But, yeah, influenced? It had an influence!
Lord of the Rings -- found it in my junior high school library in 7th grade. Read it, loved it, ended-up reading it about every three years. I loved the films too. Actually, I really need to watch my DVDs of the films again soon.
Seeing Voices -- Awesome book about a completely different culture (and a culture whom many outside of it don't see AS a culture). Probably the first anthropological book I ever read -- and before I really knew anything about anthropology!
Gambit, Rex Stout, Because it was the first Nero Wolfe mystery I read, and I ended-up reading the entire canon over a period of several years and became a bit of a fan.
BTW - Sherlock Holmes too -- finally finished the entire canon (Complete SH Ed in one volume), which I had been working on for years (I'd read a few stories, put it down, wait several months or even a year, read a few more stories, etc). I love Holmes, and I remember reading "The Red-Headed League" in an English class, but what really got me hooked on Holmes was watching Jeremy Brett in the Granada SH TV series which actually adopted the original short stories and novels. But I can't really remember what specific book I read first.
Red Harvest -- got to read it in a "Pop Lit" class in high school -- totally turned me on to Dashiell Hammett, and hard boiled/film noir detective stories. I must say though, over all, I think I enjoy watching film noir films over reading hard boiled detective fic. Still, Hammett's books have a very literate, intelligent quality that I like.
Bujold -- Still one of my favorite SF series of all time. I've been desperately waiting for a new Miles book. I might have to re-read them soon!
Storm Front / Jim Butcher -- right now he's my favorite fantasy novelist. I love that it's a combination of film noir (hard boiled) style and fantasy. I love that Harry's a protagonist not a hero. I love that the series is set in
Harry Potter -- yep, caught-up in the mania for this one too. However, I really liked the earlier books (1-4) rather than the later ones (5-7).
The Other Log of Phileas Fogg -- I've read this book like three times, and every time I really enjoy it. I even wrote a review and posted it to the "The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne" Yahoo Group and archive. Not only is it a fun book, one that's enjoyable to read, but it shows that a professional can write fan fiction (Farmer also wrote books about Doc Savage, Tarzan, and I think John Carter of Mars -- the man loved his pulp heroes).
Around the World in 80 Days -- My favorite of the classic Jules Verne books, even tho' it's probably considered to be a juvenile title. It's still fun -- and shows a Victorian novel CAN be fun!
So what are everyone else's influencial books?
--Olivia
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--Olivia
Star Trek: Spock, Kirk and Slash Fiction | Newsweek Movies | Newsweek.com
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Just a list this time, all my other TV-on-DVD.
CountryID Title1 Title2 NumEps NumDiscs
US The Adv. Of
US Alien Nation Ultimate Movie Collection 5 3
US Angel Season 1 22 6
US Angel Season 2 22 6
US A-Team, The Season 1 14 4
US Batman, The Season 1 13 2
US Batman: The Animated Series Volume 1 28 4
US Batman: The Animated Series Volume 2 28 4
US Batman: The Animated Series Volume 3 29 4
US Batman: The Animated Series Volume 4 24 4
US Buffy: The Vampire Slayer Season 1 12 3
US Buffy: The Vampire Slayer Season 2 22 6
US Buffy: The Vampire Slayer Season 3 22 6
US Buffy: The Vampire Slayer Season 4 22 6
US Burn Notice Season 1 11 4
CAN The Dead Zone Season 1 13 4
CAN The Dead Zone Season 2 19 5
CAN The Dead Zone Season 3 12 3
US Desperate Housewives Season 1 23 6
CAN Due South Season 2 18 3
US The Greatest American Hero Season 1 9 3
US The Greatest American Hero Season 2 22 6
US The Greatest American Hero Season 3 13 4
US Heroes Season 1 23 7
US Heroes Season 2 11 4
US House, MD Season 1 22 3
US Jeremiah Season 1 19 6
US The Job The Complete Series 19 4
US Justice League Season 1 26 4
US Justice League Season 2 26 4
US Justice League Unlimited Season 1 26 4
US Justice League Unlimited Season 2 13 2
US Lois & Clark: New Advs of Superman Season 1 21 6
US Lois & Clark: New Advs of Superman Season 2 22 6
US Magnum, PI Season 1 22 4
US Magnum, PI Season 2 22 3
US Magnum, PI Season 3 22 3
US Magnum, PI Season 4 21 3
US Magnum, PI Season 5 22 5
US Magnum, PI Season 6 20 5
US Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Season 1 29 11
US Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Season 2 30 11
US Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Season 3 30 11
US Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Season 4 16 6
US The (Original Series) Outer Limits 1st season 32 4
CAN Poltergeist: The Legacy Season 1 21 5
US Psych Season 1 15 4
US Psych Season 2 16 4
US Remington Steele Season 1 22 4
US Remington Steele Season 2 21 4
US Remington Steele Season 3 22 4
US Rescue Me Season 1 13 3
US Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Best of Season 3 12 4
US Soap Season 1 25 3
CAN Stargate: Atlantis Season 1 18 5
CAN Stargate: Atlantis Season 2 20 5
CAN Stargate: Atlantis Season 3 20 5
US Supernatural Season 1 22 6
US Supernatural Season 2 22 6
US Supernatural Season 3 16 5
This Just In: (New DVDs for summer watching): House, MD Seasons 3 & 4, I Spy Seasons 1-3, Doctor Who Series 4 (UK), Torchwood Series 1 and 2 (UK), The Real Ghostbusters (Complete, Animated).
And the complete Get Smart. Sorry, I forgot to add that one - I actually got it last spring, same time I bought Man from UNCLE and for various reasons I still haven't watched all of Get Smart. Not that I don't want to, it's just fitting in the time. It will probably get watched, in order, this summer (I've watched some of my favorite episodes tho' and season 1 and part of season 2)
--Olivia
PS: The best website for info on Region 1 TV-on-DVD releases (both US and UK shows) is TVShowsonDVD.com. You can sign up for a free acct and vote for series you want to see on DVD, organize your collection on-line (US versions only), receive updates on upcoming DVDs, and read reviews and articles. Great site -- and it's all free!
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Title: The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer
Featured Actors: Vic Reeves (Jim Moir), Bob Mortimer
Episode Length: 30 minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 12
Total Seasons (Series): 1
Format: PAL Region: 2
Production Source: BBC
General Information: Another of Reeves and Mortimer's New Wave comedies.
Title: Space: 1999
Featured Actors: Barbara Bain, Martin Landau, Catherine Schell
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 6
Total Seasons (Series): 2
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source: ITV
General Information: Do to an accident at a nuclear-waste disposal site on the moon, the moon is sent hurling away from Earth. The people working at moonbase are trapped on the moon, and soon find themselves discovering new life and new civilizations as the moon has sort of become a spaceship. This is a live-action Gerry Anderson series.
Title: Thunderbirds
Featured Actors: Peter Dyneley, Shane Rimmer, David Holliday, Jeremy Wilkin, Matt Zimmerman, David Graham, Ray Barrett, Sylvia Anderson, et. al. (All voices only)
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 6 (sets 1-4), 5 (set 5), 3 (set 6)
Total Seasons (Series): 2
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source: ITV
General Information: Gerry Anderson's most famous and best Supermarionation television series. The series features Jeff Tracy, millionaire, business executive, and former astronaut as the head of International Rescue - a service organization that he started to rescue people anywhere in the world. International Rescue is also a top-secret organization, no one in the world at large knows that Jeff and his sons are the organization. Jeff's sons are: John Tracy, space monitor aboard Thunderbird 5 a geostationary satellite that can monitor any frequency in the world for distress calls (and communicate back to those in distress); Scott Tracy, the pilot of Thunderbird 1 a super-sonic reconnaissance craft that is normally the first on the scene in the disaster zone; Virgil Tracy, pilot of Thunderbird 2, the organization's huge transport that carries rescue equipment to the disaster site; Alan Tracy, astronaut and pilot of Thunderbird 3, the organization's space rocket; and Gordon Tracy, aquanaut and pilot of the organization's tiny yellow mini-sub. Other regulars include: Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward and her driver/butler Parker, the organization's London agents; Ma Tracy, Jeff's mother; Kyrano, Jeff's loyal gardener, chef, and servant as well as friend; and Kyrano's daughter Tin-Tin. The regular villain is the Hood. Although a bit dated in places (particularly the use of a villain like the Hood), most of this series really stands up well. Set 4 was the first DVD set I ever bought and I was amazed how well the stories stand up. (I probably would have bought Doctor Who first, but Thunderbirds came out earlier). You do get used to the Supermarionation technique - in many ways, it's like watching something animated, but of course with models. Derek Meddings did the model work on this and Doctor Who and later became one of the world's most famous and accomplished model makers, having worked on the James Bond films and many other projects.
Torchwood - See separate entry under Doctor Who
Title: UFO
Featured Actors: Ed Bishop, George Sewell, Michael Billington, Gabrielle Drake, et. al.
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 13
Total Seasons (Series): 2
Format: 1 Region: NTSC
Production Source: ITV
General Information: Gerry Anderson live action series. Much, much better than Space: 1999. Although the series starts slowly, once it gets going it's a very good SF series. What I particularly liked is that it gives you the feeling the main characters are always behind the 8-ball. No matter what they find out about the aliens they are fighting, it's never really enough to help them win, and often information comes too late to help. Like all Gerry Anderson shows, including Space: 1999, the model shots are pure perfection. However, unlike Space: 1999, UFO has great characters and good, consistent, plotting. It is, however, a bit of a 1970s program, so many of the main characters drink like fish and smoke like chimneys. (And yes, it is a bit unrealistic that members of a super-secret organization like SHADO would drink so much while on duty, but it's a sign of the times.) SHADO - Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation, is an secret organization who's purpose is to investigate, research, and ultimately stop the strange UFOs that are suddenly attacking Earth (or at least
Title: A Very Peculiar Practice
Featured Actors: Peter Davison
Episode Length: 30 minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 7
Total Seasons (Series): Unknown (I have series 1)
Format: PAL Region: 2
Production Source: BBC
General Information: Peter Davison plays a doctor for the third time (the others being a vet in All Creatures... and of course, The Doctor in Doctor Who). This time around he's a medical doctor at a university campus. This show is also very strange. I bought it because it had Peter Davison in it, and I was never really sure if it worked or not for me.
Title: The Original Vic Reeves Big Night Out
Featured Actors: Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer
Episode Length: 30
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 7
Total Seasons (Series): 2
Note: Sold in a single DVD set of all 14 episodes.
Format: PAL Region: 2
Production Source: Channel 4
General Information: The first of Reeves and Mortimer's New Wave comedies. This one has a bit of structure, in that it's designed like a late-night talk show, although it's actually a complete parody or send-up of that format. It's really a parody of David Letterman, even down to the stupid human tricks.
Title: Wire in the Blood
Featured Actors: Robson Green, Hermione Norris
Episode Length: 2 hours
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 3
Total Seasons (Series): 4 or 5 (ongoing)
Format: 1 Region: NTSC
Production Source: ITV
General Information: Based on a popular series of novels, Dr. Tony Hill is a clinical psychologist and university instructor, who is initially called in to help local
And that's all folks. Next up a listing of my US and other series on DVD, a write-up on Doctor Who and it's spin-offs, and a list of movies I have on DVD. Again - any questions on any of these series are most welcome. Any other suggestions of other British series to look out for are also welcome. And I'm hoping to do a panel on the topic for Mediawest, I just need to contact there panel person.
--Olivia
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Again, my TV DVD collection is pretty vast, and of course includes American shows as well as British ones, but in prep for a possible panel next Mediawest I'm writing-up and posting these mini-reviews. This takes off from the previous post which ended with "The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Enjoy! And feel free to comment with your own suggestions of British TV on DVD.
--Olivia
Title: Hornblower (AKA The Adventures of Horatio Hornblower)
Featured Actors: Ioan Gruffudd, Robert Lindsay, Jamie Bamber, David Warner.
Episode Length: 2-hr movies
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 4, 2, 2
Total Seasons (Series): 3
Note: I have the Complete Series boxed sets from A&E which is a total of 8 2-hour movies in 3 boxed sets.
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source: ITV
General Information: The Life and Times of Horatio Hornblower, naval officer in 1794, from a wet-behind the ears ensign with sea-sickness to a seasoned officer, based on C.S. Forester's series of books. Beautifully shot, with gorgeous tall ship design British fighting ships, including Horatio's ship The Indefatigable. Think Master and Commander but with a lower budget, though, honestly, it doesn't really look like a low budget production -- again, the filming is gorgeous, despite the budget. A bit of trivia, the original C.S. Forester novels were one of Gene Roddenberry's inspirations for Star Trek.
Title: Jeeves and
Featured Actors: Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 5 or 6
Total Seasons (Series): 4
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source:
General Information: Based on PG Wodehouse's short stories, Jeeves and
Title: Life on Mars
Featured Actors: John Simm, Philip Glenister
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 8
Total Seasons (Series): 2
Format: PAL Region: 2
Note: At least Series 1 of this series is also available in NTSC, Region 1. But, because there is an American series of the same name, make sure you are buying the right one.
Production Source: BBC
General Information: Sam Tyler is a detective in modern
Title: NeverWhere
Featured Actors: Gary Bakewell, Laura Fraser
Episode Length: 30 Minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 6
Total Seasons (Series): 1 (mini-series)
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source: BBC
General Information: Based on Neil Gaiman's novel, this fantasy series follows a man, Richard Mayhew, who falls into another world below the London Underground. The plot of the novel is very similar to L. Frank Baum's novel The Wizard of Oz, in that once he discovers the fantasy world he just wants to go home.
Title: The Piglet Files
Featured Actors: Nicholas Lyndhurst, Serena Evans, Clive Francis, John Ringham
Episode Length: 30 Minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 7
Total Seasons (Series): 3
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source:
General Information: Peter Chapman is a teacher at a small Polytechnic, when he is recruited by MI5 to teach the field agents how to use technology. Over time, he also becomes a field agent himself. This is an extremely funny series - smart, clever, intelligent, etc. It also really pokes fun at the British secret services, and various programs (The Sandbaggers, James Bond, etc) that celebrate them. However, to call The Piglet Files a British Get Smart would be an over-simplification because the program is not a parody and Peter is not working for his own agency, the way Max works for Control. Rather, Peter really is working for MI5 but in this series they are very much taking the Mickey out of the British security services, especially MI5.
Title: The Professionals
Featured Actors: Gordon Jackson, Lewis Collins, Martin Shaw
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 14 or 15
Total Seasons (Series): 5
Note: Packaged as 4 boxed sets
Format: PAL Region: 2
Production Source:
General Information: William Andrew Philip Bodie (who goes by just Bodie) and Ray Doyle are the top agents for CI5 (Criminal Intelligence 5), a fictional British security agency - somewhere between Scotland Yard, MI5 (internal security) and MI6 (external security). Their "Controller" (or boss) is George Cowley, a principled and dedicated agent of the State. Although this 1970s-era program focuses on anti-terrorism plots for the most part (think about when it was made and what was going on in the
Title: Randall and Hopkirk, Deceased (2000)
Featured Actors: Vic Reeves (Jim Moir), Bob Mortimer, Tom Baker, Emilia Fox
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 6 or 7
Total Seasons (Series): 2
Format: PAL Region: 2
Production Source: BBC
General Information: A remake of a 1960s ITV series of the same name, in my personal opinion the 2000 version is better. Jeff Randall and Marty Hopkirk are best friends and partners in the private detective business. In the premiere episode, Marty is murdered and returns as a ghost to help his friend and partner solve his own murder. When circumstances force Marty to remain past sun-up, he is stuck on Earth as a ghost that only Jeff can see. Tom Baker plays Wyvern, Marty's "spirit guide", who teaches him the ins and outs of being a ghost. Jeannie is Marty's fiancée who ends-up becoming Jeff's new partner in the detective business. Since she cannot see Marty and doesn't know that Marty's ghost visits Jeff, this adds a comic element. Because of Jeff and Marty's genuine friendship - there is also a bittersweet element to the series, since Jeff is in mourning for his friend - yet his friend is still around. This particular version of the series also has a supernatural or paranormal focus. A very, very good program that should have lasted at least one more season.
Title: Robin of Sherwood (AKA Robin Hood)
Featured Actors: Michael Praed (Series 1 & 2), Jason Connery (series 3 only), Clive Mantle, Ray Winstone, Judi Trott, Peter Llewellyn-Williams, Phil Rose, Mark Ryan, Nickolas Grace, Robert Addie, et. al.
Episode Length: 1 hour normally but with several 2-hour episodes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 6, 6, 13
Note: I have The Complete Boxed set which consists of 22 episodes on 8 discs (counting each of the many 2-hour or 2-part episodes as a single episode.)
Total Seasons (Series): 3
Format: PAL Region: 2 (Also available in NTSC, Region 1)
Production Source: BBC
General Information: The single best version of Robin Hood I've ever seen. Robin, in this version, is a follower of
Title: The Sandbaggers
Featured Actors: Roy Marsden, Richard Vernon, Dennis Burgress, Ray Lonnen, Alan MacNaughton, Bob Sherman, Jerome Willis, Michael Cashman, et. al.
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 6
Total Seasons (Series): 3
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source:
General Information: A serious fictional portrayal of MI6. Although there are some great funny lines in this series, overall it's very, very depressing, and regular characters are killed off on a routine basis. But, it's still very much a "do not miss" show if you like the spy genre.
Title: Sapphire and Steel
Featured Actors: David McCallum, Joanna Lumley, (and David Collins, occasional)
Episode Length: 30 minute episodes, forming multi-part stories
Story Length: 4-8 30 Minute episodes, one story per disc. The boxed set contains all six stories.
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source: ITV
General Information: A mysterious, moody, and dark series. Sapphire and Steel are "elements" who act sort of time detectives or police officers, showing up after time has messed-up to fix things and set things right. This is the weirdest TV show I've ever seen and still enjoyed. (The Prisoner is weirder, but I don't like it - it's too strange.) Needless to say, you really don't know what is going on. Ever. Though in the individual stories, all of which are very, very different from each other, you can follow what's going on, it's just really hard to describe such a strange show, accurately. It's also very scary and dark. Joanna Lumley is Sapphire, normally dressed in blue, with the powers of telepathic communication with Steel, and the ability to manipulate time to some extent. David McCallum is Steel who is super strong and has the ability to lower his body temp to near absolute zero (though' it also takes a lot of energy). Because of the 30-minute cliffhanger format (the same as classic Doctor Who) the series is very addictive.
The Sarah Jane Adventures - See separate entry under Doctor Who
Title:
Featured Actors: Bill Paterson
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 6
Total Seasons (Series): 2 (that I know of)
Format: PAL Region: 2
Production Source: BBC
General Information: Set in
Title: Sherlock Holmes (AKA, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, and various movie specials)
Featured Actors: Jeremy Brett, David Burke (Series 1 only), Edward Hardwicke (thereafter)
Episode Length: 1 hour, some 2-hr movies
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): varies
Note: I have the Complete Boxed set, which is 41 episodes on 12 discs. It is sold in the
Total Seasons (Series): 5
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source:
General Information: No one can play Holmes like Jeremy Brett, and surprisingly both Watsons work extremely well as well since the changeover is made between "The Final Problem" and "The Empty House" when Watson is supposed to be three years older anyway. What makes this version of Sherlock Holmes so good is that they actually adapted the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories - which are, of course, darn good. And, it being British, the historical detail is unmatched.
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In prep for a panel I might do at next year;s Mediawest (and yes, I do owe you guys a con review - it's been busy here. And raining alot!) I wrote up brief summaries for all the British TV in my DVD collection. Keep in mind I also collect US TV and US film on DVD. Actually, I'm guessing I have around 200 films on DVD and all but a couple are American films. I do really like British TV tho - so, tho' I have American stuff, yeah, my collection is heavily weighted to British TV. I might post just a list of my American TV shows (possibly not annotated - as most should be well known.) Because the list is long it will be posted over several days. Doctor Who and it's spin-offs will be posted seperately.
Vocabulary Guide:
British-American Usage Chart
•Programme = Series
•Series = Season
•Part = Episode
•Serial = Story or Episode (for Doctor Who or Sapphire & Steel)
•Double-length = Two-part story or episode
Ep. -- Episode, in the American sense of the word.
AKA -- Also Known As (Some British series had different titles in the
MI5 -- Military Intelligence 5, the British internal security service, similiar to the FBI in the
MI6 -- Military Intelligence 6, the British external security service, similiar to the CIA in the
Scotland Yard -- the British National Police Force. Somewhat like the FBI in the
The Met -- Depends on context, but usually short for the London Metropolitan Police.
Oxbridge -- Oxford and/or Cambridge -- not only refers to the two universities, or to someone who as graduated or attended either one, the term "Oxbridge" also refers to an attitude of intelligence, breeding, cultured-ness, etc. Somewhat like the
British TV Recommendation List (AKA my Personal (UK) DVD List in alphabetical Order)
Title: All Creatures Great and Small
Featured Actors: Robert Hardy, Peter Davison, Christopher Timothy, Carol Drinkwater (Series 1-3), Lynda Bellingham (Later Series)
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 13 or 14, depending on set
Total Seasons (Series): 7, Series in my personal collection: 3, plus Christmas specials
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source: BBC
General Information: Based on the series of autobiographical novels by James Herriot, this series is about vets in 1930s
Title: Bang Bang It's Reeves and Mortimer
Featured Actors (Comedians): Vic Reeves (Jim Moir), Bob Mortimer
Episode Length: 30 minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set):
Total Seasons (Series):
Format: PAL Region: 2
Production Source: BBC
General Information: A British sketch comedy show. However, this isn't Oxbridge, it's working-class comedy. Reeves and Mortimer were among the first of the New Wave, lower/working class (AKA Blue Collar) comedians, and one of the most successful. (Similar New Wave comedies include: The League of Gentlemen, Little Britain, and Absolutely Fabulous). Overall, I wasn't that impressed, but I had picked up all of the Reeves and Mortimer series after seeing Randall and Hopkirk, Deceased (see entry).
Title: Black Adder
Featured Actors: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Miranda Richardson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny
Episode Length: 30 minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 6
Total Seasons (Series): 4, plus specials
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source: BBC
Note: I have "The Complete BlackAdder" boxed set, which includes all four series and the specials. The box set is 27 episodes and 5 discs.
General Information: A Oxbridge comedy that is quite possibly the funniest British show I've seen, this historical comedy also teaches history (albeit in a twisted way). Blackadder consists of four series (seasons), each with it's own title, set in different time periods (The Middle Ages; Elizabethan England; The Regency, and World War I. Specials included a Victorian Christmas Special, a special set during the Parliamentary wars, and a futuristic special with time travel to various eras.) The casts were different for each season and some popular guests returned as different characters in other seasons. Notably: Brian Blessed in series I only as Richard IV; Rik Mayall as Lord Flashheart (Series 2) and Cap't Flashheart (Series 4); and Gabrielle Glaister as the cross-dressing Bob (a girl pretending to be a guy) in Series 2 and 4. Nicola Bryant is in the Christmas special. Again, if you somehow missed it, do yourself a favor and check it out.
Title: Blake's 7
Featured Actors: Paul Darrow, Gareth Thomas, Michael Keating, Sally Knyvette, Jan Chappell, Jacqueline Pearce, et. al.
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 13
Total Seasons (Series): 4
Format: PAL Region: 2
Production Source: BBC
General Information: A group of criminals escape from an Earth that is under the control of a tyrannical Federation in an alien spacecraft they re-name The Liberator. An anti-Star Trek science fiction program. Although there are some great funny lines in this series, overall it's very, very depressing, and regular characters are killed off on a routine basis. Although this was my favorite British SF show after Doctor Who in the 80s when I first saw it, it doesn't stand up that well. But still worth investigating if you don't mind the really bad special effects.
Title: Brass
Featured Actors: Timothy West, Caroline Blakiston, Geoffrey Hisliff, Geoffrey Hutchings, James Saxon, Emily Morgan, David Ashton, Shaun Scott,
Episode Length: 30 minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 13
Total Seasons (Series): 1
Format: PAL Region: 2
Production Source:
General Information: A British version of Soap, in that it parodies soap operas. This series follows the adventures of two families in a Welsh mining village; the poor Fairchilds who work in the mines, and the rich Hardacres, who own the mines. The show also parodies
Title: Catterick
Featured Actors: Vic Reeves (Jim Moir), Bob Mortimer
Episode Length: 30 minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 6
Total Seasons (Series): 2 (only 1 on DVD so far)
Format: PAL Region: 2
Production Source: BBC
General Information: A fantastic British New Wave comedy but with a plot. There is also a heavy use of music in this series, so if it ever makes it's way onto Region 1/NTSC discs be on the lookout for the dreaded music replacement notice. The show involves a man, just out of the military, on his way home, when chaos ensues. This series is very weird, but since it does have a plot, and music, and it's also lots of fun, it's more approachable than the other Reeves and Mortimer comedies.
Title: DangerMouse
Featured Actors: Animated
Episode Length: 10 minutes or 30 minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): Varies
Total Seasons (Series): 7
Note: A&E bundled two Series in each set originally, and subsequently has issued a Complete boxed set. I have the Series 1 & 2, Series 3 & 4, and Series 5 & 6 boxed sets.
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source:
General Information: "He's terrific, he's magnific, he's the greatest super agent in the world - Danger Mouse! Danger Mouse, our Mouse, he's terrific, he's magnific, he's the best! Danger Mouse!" Danger Mouse, the world's smallest secret agent is a small white mouse known for his white turtlenecks and black eye patch. Aided by his hamster assistant, Penfold, he reports to Colonel K (a Badger) and fights evil and chaos (usually in the form of Baron Greenback, a frog, and his assistants Nero, a caterpillar, and a crow). Danger Mouse lives in the top flat of a normal red pillar-box style post box. Full of puns, silly situations, parodies of just about everything, and witty dialog - Danger Mouse is enjoyable for both children and adults. The Narrator gets some of the funniest lines, like the Narrator in the US-series Rocky and Bullwinkle. Note: in some areas in the
Doctor Who - See Separate Entry (There's an awful lot and I have just about all of it)
Title:
Featured Actors: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth
Episode Length: 30 minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 12 - in Complete Set
Note: I have the complete collection boxed set - 12 eps, on 3 discs.
Total Seasons (Series): 3
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source: BBC
General Information: John Cleese as exactly the wrong man to run a hotel. Nuff said. Actually, this Oxbridge comedy is a true classic. The episodes often started with one small thing that then snowballed with hilarious results.
Title: The Grand
Featured Actors:
Episode Length: 1
Number of episodes per series (DVD set):
Total Seasons (Series): 2
Format: 1 Region: NTSC
Production Source:
General Information: Russell T. Davies' historical drama set in a hotel in the 1920s. I bought this because it is Russell T. Davies (Doctor Who) producing, and I wanted to like it. But, to me, it came off a cheap imitation of Upstairs, Downstairs.
Title: Hamish MacBeth
Featured Actors: Robert Carlyle, David Ashton, et. al.
Episode Length: 1 hour
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 5 to 7
Total Seasons (Series): 3
Format: PAL Region: 2 (Note: These are also available in NTSC, Region 1)
Production Source: BBC
General Information: A small town constable in the Scottish Highlands solves mysteries (with his Highland White Scottish Terrier) while sorting out his love-life and figuring out his destiny. A bit strange, but very good. PC MacBeth's goal in life is to solve crime in his beloved Lochdubh, without getting promoted, since that would mean leaving the village. Avoiding promotion is an issue because he's very good at his job.
Title: Heat of the Sun
Featured Actors: Trevor Eve, Susannah Harker, Michael Byrne
Episode Length: 2-hr Mystery! movies
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 3
Total Seasons (Series): 1 (that I know of)
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source: Unknown
General Information: Trevor Eve, whom I've long admired as an actor, plays a Scotland Yard Detective sent to Kenya, partially as punishment, and partially to "clean up the town" as the saying goes. Det. Albert Tyburn is an honest cop, who is thrown into a situation where the super-rich ex-pat "locals" do whatever they want and the police have stopped caring. Tyburn wishes to do something about this. An excellent mystery series, I wish there was more. Beside, Trevor Eve, in khakis, running around, looking hot, and boy does he - what's not to love?
Title: Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Featured Actors: Simon Jones, David Dixon, Peter Jones (as the voice of the book), Mark Wing-Davey, Sandra Dickinson
Episode Length: 30 minutes
Number of episodes per series (DVD set): 6
Total Seasons (Series): 1 (mini-series)
Format: NTSC Region: 1
Production Source: BBC
General Information: The original British television mini-series, based on the books by Douglas Adams, which was in turn based on the radio series. Although the effects are not good, the mini-series is far superior to the American movie by the same name. The plot goes like this: Arthur Dent is rescued by his friend Ford Prefect shortly before the Earth is destroyed by a Vogon Destructor Fleet to make way for a hyper-space bypass. In a bit of irony, Arthur's house had been slated for destruction for precisely the same reasons. Ford introduces Arthur to the Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the galaxy's most useful and popular book. Again, a Oxbridge comedy filled with biting wit and sarcasm, very funny asides, interesting, useless, and possibly untrue trivia, iconic characters, outright silliness, the works. And even though it has some truly awful effects (Just ignore Zaphod Beeblebrox's second head), the "computer-generated" drawings by the Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy were actually all hand-drawn animation which is pretty incredible. It's a must-see!
And we're only up to "H". More to be posted in the days to come!
--Olivia
- Location:My home office
- Mood:
tired - Music:Figgy Duff
Music Meme / Writing Prompts -- May 2009
Hey, I know this is quite late, but it's been a busy month. This is how it works, as always. Set iTunes, your Ipod, or other music device to "shuffle" or "random", then write down the first line of every song played for 10 - 20 songs. I'm going to list 15 here. Then, guess or try to figure out what the song title is and who the artist is who sings it. Lines can be used as inspiration for fanfic. If you write a fic using these prompts let me know and please provide a link to your fic. Thanks and have fun! Here's the answers! Enjoy!
1. Giveaway #1: Martha's Theme, Doctor Who Series 3 Soundtrack, Soundtracks
2. "Everyone in town knew Mr. Webster. He worked at the bank for 40 years."
"Mr. Webster", The Monkees, Missing Links Vol. 2, Rock
3. "Now it's getting so I'm mad when someone says your name. Cause I've had to say goodbye to friends who had to stay away." Stan Rogers, "
4. Giveaway # 2: "I'm a ... from ... I have money and acres of land." (LOOK UP) "Catch Me If You Can", Chris Ball, Irish Pub Classics - Vol 1., Irish Folk
5. "Me brothers and me sisters, everybody out there, can you feel this? Let me see you move to the beat, now bump it, let hear you scream if the jam is jumpin'." Kia Kidari, "True Soul", The Dead Zone Original Soundtrack, Soundtracks
6. "Hey, I'm a cow, I'm curious. Hey, watch me now, I'm furious." "Tiny Little Song", Barenaked Ladies, Maybe You Should Drive, Rock
7. "Marti was a fighting man, whose story should be told. He was the son of circumstance he couldn't quite control.", "Marti's Last Stand", Enter the Haggis, Soapbox Heroes, Irish Folk / Rock
8. "You and I have been through this before, I owe you my whole life nothing more." "Great Provider", Barenaked Ladies, Maybe You Should Drive, Rock
9. Giveaway #3: The Rite of Spring: Sacrificial Dance, Igor Stravinsky, Classical
10. "Daylight, comes through my window." "Daylight", The
11. "Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light, those days are over, you don't don't sell your body to the night." "Roxanne", The Police, The Very Best of Sting & the Police, Rock
(check lyrics)
12. Giveaway # 4: "Every Night", D.L. Menard, "Cajun Spice: Dance Music from
13. "Oh the gist of it all is the first day of fall is the day when my ship will set sail",
"Triangle" -- Gordon Lightfoot, Gord's Gold, Folk / Rock, (Find lyrics or list as a giveaway)
14. "I'm going to lay down my sword and shield." "Down By the Riverside" (aka "Ain't Going to Study War No More", Peter, Paul & Mary, Around the Campfire, Folk
15. "
16. "All the world over, so easy to see, people everywhere just wanna be free. Listen, please, listen that's the way it should be, peace in the valley people got to be free." "People Got To Be Free", The Rascals, Songs of Protest, Folk
17. Giveaway #5: Symphony #6 In F, Op. 68, "Pastorial" - 4. Allegro, Beethoven, Classical Thunder 3, Classical.
18. Giveaway #6: "The Gaelic Reels", Capercaillie, Celtic Moods, Irish Folk
19. "In darkness we do what we can, in daylight we're oblivion. Our hearts so raw and clear." Dougie MacLean, "Turning Away", The Best of Folk Music, Irish Folk
20. Giveaway #7: The Celts, Enya, The Celts, New Age
21. Giveaway # 8: "A Pressing Need to Save the World", Doctor Who Soundtrack Series 4, Soundtracks
22. "Ring out the bells, upon this day of days." "Wedding Chorale", Les Misérables, Soundtracks
23. "As we walk together through the Autumn, nearing winter, through the dying leaves and trees we call our home and native land." "You Will Be Waiting", Barenaked Ladies, "Maybe You Should Drive, Rock (Bonus points if you can identify the national anthem quoted in the song)
- Location:my home office
- Mood:
tired - Music:Enter the Haggis
Music Meme / Writing Prompts -- May 2009
Hey, I know this is quite late, but it's been a busy month. This is how it works, as always. Set iTunes, your Ipod, or other music device to "shuffle" or "random", then write down the first line of every song played for 10 - 20 songs. I'm going to list 15 here. Then, guess or try to figure out what the song title is and who the artist is who sings it. Answers will be posted in one week. Lines can be used as inspiration for fanfic. If you write a fic using these prompts let me know and please provide a link to your fic. Thanks and have fun!
1. Giveaway #1: Martha's Theme, Doctor Who Series 3 Soundtrack, Soundtracks
2. "Everyone in town knew Mr. Webster. He worked at the bank for 40 years."
Hint: Rock
3. "Now it's getting so I'm mad when someone says your name. Cause I've had to say goodbye to friends who had to stay away." Hint: Folk
4. Giveaway # 2: "I'm a ... from ... I have money and acres of land.", "Catch Me If You Can", Chris Ball, Irish Pub Classics - Vol 1., Irish Folk (I tried to find the lyrics on-line and I couldn't, and the first line is totally incomprehensible, so it's a giveaway)
5. "Me brothers and me sisters, everybody out there, can you feel this? Let me see you move to the beat, now bump it, let hear you scream if the jam is jumpin'." Hint: Soundtracks
6. "Hey, I'm a cow, I'm curious. Hey, watch me now, I'm furious." Hint: Rock
7. "Marti was a fighting man, whose story should be told. He was the son of circumstance he couldn't quite control.", Hint: Irish Folk / Rock
8. "You and I have been through this before, I owe you my whole life nothing more."
Hint: Rock
9. Giveaway #3: The Rite of Spring: Sacrificial Dance, Igor Stravinsky, Classical
10. "Daylight, comes through my window." Hint: Folk
11. "Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light, those days are over, you don't have to sell your body to the night." Hint: Rock
12. Giveaway # 4: "Every Night", D.L. Menard, "Cajun Spice: Dance Music from
13. "Oh the gist of it all is the first day of fall is the day when my ship will set sail"
Hint: Folk / Rock 14. "I'm going to lay down my sword and shield." Hint: Folk
15. "
16. "All the world over, so easy to see, people everywhere just wanna be free. Listen, please, listen that's the way it should be, peace in the valley people got to be free." Hint: Folk
17. Giveaway #5: Symphony #6 In F, Op. 68, "Pastorial" - 4. Allegro, Beethoven, Classical Thunder 3, Classical.
18. Giveaway #6: "The Gaelic Reels", Capercaillie, Celtic Moods, Irish Folk
19. "In darkness we do what we can, in daylight we're oblivion. Our hearts so raw and clear." Hint: Irish Folk
20. Giveaway #7: The Celts, Enya, The Celts, New Age
21. Giveaway # 8: "A Pressing Need to Save the World", Doctor Who Soundtrack Series 4, Soundtracks
22. "Ring out the bells, upon this day of days." Hint: Soundtracks
23. "As we walk together through the Autumn, nearing winter, through the dying leaves and trees we call our home and native land." Hint: Rock (Bonus points if you can identify the national anthem quoted in the song)
- Location:my home office
- Mood:
okay - Music:DW Series 3 soundtrack
Train Travel
"Have you ever been on a train?", and my answer is "yes, in four countries". Well, I thought that would be a good topic for a blog entry, so here it goes.
FACT 1: I love traveling. I really do. Only by traveling can you have truly different experiences, meet new people, and really find out how the world works. If you never leave your home town, you just can't do that.
FACT 2: I don't mind flying, I really don't (although the new regulations suck), but I hate airports. I'm extremely claustrophobic, and airports tend to hit my claustrophobia and make it sky high. I got searched for that in
FACT 3: Trains are GREAT! I've traveled by train in four countries and every single time it was a great experience, even when I got lost or went the wrong way.
Here's some great train trips!
Summer, 1987,
My graduation present from my folks was this trip. Mom and I went first class, with a sleeper car. This meant we had our own compartment (with our own porter) and the seats folded down into a flat bed at night. The second bed folded down from the ceiling. So, at night you had a traveling hotel room, and during the day you had a private compartment. The trip also included gourmet meals in the dining car, and a welcome aboard basket of fruit, cheese, and wine (couldn't have the wine, darn it). I spent most of my trip in the observation car. It was GORGEOUS!!!! Everyone, and I do mean, everyone should take a train trip across the
The return trip was on the Empire Builder across the
Every time I go to
The
I was in
Still, you know, it was
A friend and I booked a one-week vacation in
Finally, go to the St. Stephen's Green in
Finally, in terms of shopping, the one place we went, again, twice, besides a lot of really good candy and chocolate shops, and various bookstores, was Forbidden Planet - the SF bookstore chain of the
So anyway, I like traveling, and I like train travel. I've also done short hops in and around
--Olivia
- Location:my home office
- Mood:
good - Music:silence
Now, if you're wondering why I'd go back and take undergrad classes after having a master's degree, I have two answers for that. First, I have no programming or web design experience so I want to start with the basics, and not only do I want to learn this stuff, but it's good for professional development. And what's cool is that I get access to the fieldhouse (including the pool -- I just have to find out the open swim hours) and the library. Also, I'm really thinking of getting a Ph.d now, and I need the programming background before going on in my studies.
This past Monday, tho, when I tried to get into my on-line class, I couldn't get it to work -- and of course it was after the school was closed, since I work afternoons and nights. Tuesday I was too busy with work and with getting the network up and running in my house to call school. Wednesday I finally got everything all straightened out - and joined my classes. Thursday I went to the school in person, saw the guidance counselor as I already mentioned, bought the book for one of my classes (the other was sold out - I have it on order), got my ID (one of those cashless campus passes - you put money on it, then use it for discounted parking, vending machines, copiers, etc), and picked up a catalog. I also signed up for next Fall's class.
If that wasn't enough - I found out I'm teaching one class this summer, database development, which is my favorite IT topic, which will help my budget. It also means I'm going to be really busy. The good thing is that because the two on-line classes are only 7 weeks, with one week down, by the time the class I'm teaching is done, I'll be halfway through the classes I'm taking.
It's weird though -- being a student and a teacher at the same time. Still, there's another teacher doing the same thing and he teaches at the same school where we're taking the class (tho' in a different department), so I suppose it's not that strange.
I still need to swap cards in our other computer - gotta' do that this weekend.
That's all,
--Olivia
- Location:my home office
- Mood:
tired - Music:Les Miserables
The first part of Henry Jenkin's positive article on Web 2.0 menions this website. It sounds absolutely awesome - getting kids involved in real life politics, through the positive values of Harry Potter. I think it's totally awesome! Check it out.
The Harry Potter Alliance
--Olivia
- Location:my home office
- Mood:
good - Music:Ian & Sylvia
Remember me saying I was excited about satellite internet? Well, I got my router hooked up last night, and the laptop is up and running! I also secured the network. Hooking up the router turned out to be so easy. It was literally "networking by numbers". When I opened the box, there was no instruction manual but only a CD. Well, I took everything out of the box, put the CD in my computer, and got started. However, the on-screen instructions were actually really easy to follow! They even labeled the Ethernet cable with a big yellow #2. Seriously - networking by numbers. I even secured the network and changed the router admin password. (Which you should DEFINITELY do on any home network).
Then, I went upstairs to set-up the laptop. Now, luckily, I've used the laptop on a public network once before (at Howard Johnson's in Tallahassee) - so I knew where the controls were. Once I remembered that I had stuck a one on the password, everything worked beautifully!
Two down and one more to go (the Gateway, which is also downstairs).
--Olivia
- Location:My home office
- Mood:
good - Music:Figgy Duff
Well, hopefully, the link to Henry Jenkin's latest blog entry posted. Be sure to read the May 4, 2009, blog entry (at top of blog) -- it's an awesome pro-web 2.0 article. Basically saying what everyone on Live Journal knows -- blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc, can be positive learning tools today -- and educational institutions shouldn't "fight the tide" as it were, but should actively pursue using these tools in a positive way. Woo hoo!
Another positive note. I now have satellite internet at my house! It's fantastic to actually have speeds at home that are faster than at work. And it sure beats dial-up! Expect a lot of activity as I try to get caught up.
I'm also starting classes myself. I'm just taking a few computer classes at the local community college to upgrade my skills (we call it "professional development"). I'm also seriously looking at MIT's Comparative Media/anthro/history program. Yipes. Scary as h.e. double-hockey sticks, but considering how poor my working situation is at the moment... I honestly don't know which is worse (or better depending on how you look at it).
That's all for now,
Olivia
- Location:my home office
- Mood:
good - Music:Barenaked Ladies
