Musings Archives - Page 19 of 20

Being Human Eps. 6

So the werewolf is Jewish. His name is George and he had used his Star of David to repel some vampires who had wanted to kill off his vampire friend/roommate Mitchell.

I had missed the first and fifth episodes so I know I’m missing some plot points. I do like the characters, but with Annie the ghost, I have a problem. She is easy to like, but she doesn’t seem very ghost-like. She can go where she likes, change clothes, do the dishes, everyday activities. She interacts with the vampires and werewolves just fine, humans are more tricky. Can’t be seen or heard, but she can write as she had in a previous episode. Doesn’t seem so bad an after-life.

Episode 6 is the final episode of the short first season. I would like to see the series continue.

Anyone else watch this show?

One Degree of Wolverine

Apropos of nothing: The Marvel Comics character Wolverine is the super Kevin Bacon of comic books.

Apropos of nothing: The Marvel Comics character Wolverine is the super Kevin Bacon of comic books. He’s one degree from just about every character in the Marvel Universe. If the Smurfs were a Marvel property, he’d be in a one-shot carving up Azrael into kitty bits and slicing Gargamel down to three apples high.

Wolverine is a great character and little wonder every writer wants to put him in their stories. He’s a fiercely loyal friend, a man of adamantine principles and, like a Terminator complete with metal endoskeleton, cannot be put down for long. His unmentioned mutant power appears to be ubiquity. He’s everywhere.

I remember when there was Blue and Gold X-men teams/titles and he was on/in both. As I recall one team would be downed in Antartica and the other landing in Genosha. Wolverine was in both places saving everyone. I exaggerate, I suppose, but not by much.

What’s the point? If there is one, it’s that despite his overexposure, he is still a much beloved comic book character. It’s remarkable and kudos to creator Len Wein and the many talented writers who keep the character fresh.

Being Human Eps. 3

Last night I remembered to watch another episode of the BBC America series, Being Human.

Last night I remembered to watch another episode of the BBC America series, Being Human. I did enjoy watching it and the werewolf is the most interesting one to me so far. A very nervous, unsure man trying to do the best for everyone else at the cost of his own happiness.

From what I can tell, the vampire can go out in the sunlight and the ghost for some reason can lift objects as any person could but when she touches someone, they don’t feel it.

Anyone watch this show? Share your comments here.

Epitaphs

Reading Ad Infinitvm by Nicholas Ostler, he mentions a Latin epitaph commonly found on grave markers in twelfth century Europe.

Reading Ad Infinitvm by Nicholas Ostler, he mentions a Latin epitaph commonly found on grave markers in twelfth century Europe. I find the English translation haunting:

Whoever you will be who has crossed,
stand, read, weep.
I am what you will be, I had been what
you are. I beg you, pray for me.

What are some memorable epitaphs you have come across?

The Magicians

On the strength of another Fountain Books staff member’s recommendation, I purchased a copy of The Magicians by Lev Grossman.

On the strength of another Fountain Books staff member’s recommendation, I purchased a copy of The Magicians by Lev Grossman. I think it was released today in hardcover. I like the blurb by George Martin on the back, “The Magicians is to Harry Potter as a shot of whiskey is to a glass of weak tea.” I added the novel to my Reading List (see the sidebar).

I wasn’t planning on purchasing a book. (Damn my luck.) Fountain Books was hosting Chef Andy Howell of Cafe Rustica to celebrate the upcoming movie on the life of Julia Child. Chef Howell demonstrated one of Child’s recipes for tuna salad which was very good.

If you’re in the area, Fountain Books is having a Julie and Julia night at the new Bowtie Cinema theater in Richmond this Thursday at 7pm.