Death by PowerPoint

Have you ever sat through an intensely boring lecture, where the lights are off and the manager decides to give the team a thorough briefing of changes being made in the office? 50 slides of management speak along with stats, and how the team should be performing under those immense changes and what's expected of you? The lights are off and you're forced to spend a whole day listening to your manager speak for a minimum of 7 hours as you try desperately to stay awake. Failing that, you pray that if your eyes do close, then they won't hear you snoring.

Well, the time has come when I will have to be that manager and talk for not just 7 hours. Oh no my blogging friends, our Powers that be are insisting that I bore my new team for a whole 14 hours! Won't that be fun?

Yours truly has finally become a senior manager after passing my promotion board! Woohoo! And with great power comes with great responsibilities... or so i'm told. Now i'm all for bonding with my new team, but let's just say my ways might be a little bit more different to theirs. After being told what is expected of me and my team, it has to be said that i'm always up for new challenges and have no doubt that it'll be a bumpy ride as we all get to know each other along the way. But team bonding through death by PowerPoint? Not exactly a great way to get to know my team. it has to be said that they wouldn't be the only ones struggling to stay awake! "How about bowling, or going to the pub then?" I suggested? Their short and sweet reply? "NO!"

Okay, maybe too much too soon? I mean they're not used to my way of working yet, so better take it slow and steady then. "How about bonding via paintball? That way, instead of killing them with death by PowerPoint, I can get them with my lazer gun, or paint balls?" Given the look I received, I don't think they thought too highly of my suggestions. In all fairness though, I can't take the credit for the pub suggestion, that lil gem goes to my partner in crime. ;o) I think they're seriously thinking of changing their minds. Personally I think the team would like nothing better than to take pot shots of their managers. But that's just me!!

So with my last day tomorrow, I'm feeling slightly off. I've been with my team for 8 years and there's been lots of laughs (mainly from them laughing at my attempts to manage them) and tears (usually mine as I tear my hair out from their juvenile behaviour). ;o) And now it's all coming to an end. *sniff* So in true leaving style the team decided that we would need some executive toys for our new job, just to help us get into that mindset. Those toys consisted of a 'shocking' arm wrestling kit, (for when the staff become unruly and instead of hitting each other they get to wrestle). A wise talking Yoda (that answers all the important executive questions, such as who will make me coffee today). Separately my partner got a remote control armchair complete with booze for when the pressure gets too much and he needs to relax. And yours truly got a leather whip, for whipping the new team into shape. ;o) You've got to admire their ingenuity and cheek. ;o) Well at least now when my new team are being opinionated and unruly, I can say with confidence, "Don't make me get the whip out!" It will no longer be an idle threat. ;o)

I can't wait!! My new team have no idea about my humour, so this should be quite interesting.

Missing

Part of the reason why I love Stargate Atlantis is that it allows me to expand my brain capacity and think about things. While I love the episodes that just allow me to sit back and relax, I do now and again enjoy a change in pace. Mythology and varying cultures along with SciFi elements is why I tune in each week. The fact that there are so many sexy men on there is just an added bonus. ;o) This week 'Missing' aired and revolved around a more darker story arc than SGA has seen to date. This area of story telling touched on it with Common Ground in Season 3, and this felt like an extension of that general feeling in many ways, such as the will to survive against all odds.

Now I know there have been mixed reviews with this episode for various reasons. Like any character centric episode you'll have people who didn't enjoy the story as much as they miss the team element. I am one of those that need to feel the team's presence in an episode even if the focus is on my favourite character. I think this episode achieved that more than Travelers did, although I have a tendency to be like Oliver Twist and want more. The team elements for me were balanced just right in Tabula Rasa, but did those 'missing elements' stop me from enjoying the ep with Teyla and Doc Keller as the main focus? Nope, not at all. In fact the episode left me with a feeling that there were more questions than answers. Not everything was tied up into a nice little package and it left things to the viewers imagination. It certainly felt as if this episode spawned several small story arcs that will hopefully enlighten us in the coming episodes.

The premise was set with Teyla and the Doc heading off world, series of events take a nasty turn and the two women have to literally kill or be killed from a nomadic cannibalistic race after a visit to Teyla's Athosian family go missing. Given what has happened, Teyla's survival skills kick into place and she heads for the dark side, turning her fear and uncertainty into something much darker. The doc, who is so much like a female version of McKay (that it's scary), LOL, doesn't feel as if she's up to the challenge. I have to say that there were times when I felt she need a good slap upside the head on occasions. Thankfully though she stepped up to the plate when it became necessary and we got to see some very nice bonding scenes between the two very different women, not to mention the creation of a new enemy, the Bola Kai and some very nice kick ass fight scenes. That along with the use of cat and mouse games throughout the 42 minutes made this a very enjoyable episode.

Towards the end of the episode we see Teyla talking to Sheppard, and that one particular scene felt as if something was brewing just under the surface for Teyla. Something that will not doubt have an impact on her actions in future eps, not to mention that there could be some serious issues between her and the team. I got the sense (whether i'm right or not) that Sheppard for once didn't know what to say to Teyla. With her emotions and resolute at finding her people spiralling out of control, I do think that it left Shep uncertain on what to say to her. It's his way to bury his emotions and feelings about certain aspects of his darker side, but it's not hers. So I look forward to where this takes us.

Oh my i'm rambling again... so, what were my favourite parts?

• Girl Bonding
• Teyla's turn to the dark side
• Kick ass fight scenes
• New primitive bad guys
• Insight into Teyla and Doc K's past
• Athosian history and culture
• Boys coming to the rescue
• Shep in fight mode
• Great scenery and lighting
• Thought provoking storyline
• Set up of future arc's

Phew i've actually said more than I planned! Did I not say it was thought provoking at the start? Hopefully next week we'll see the return of lots o team moments in 'The Seer'! With the return of the Common Ground Wraith that fed on Shep! Oooh the angst potential it could bring. I really hope that the writers do justice with this one and don't do a repeat of.... that Irresponsible ep!! *growls*

You know one of these days blogger will actually start to like me again, and not screw up the formatting so I have to go back in several times and fix it! If any one has any solutions, please let me know. ;o)

With Tabula Rasa airing on Friday, I thought it was about time to do my long overdue review for Travelers and for Tabula Rasa! I'm getting caught up after a hectic week... but i'll save that for another day. So, let's start off with Travelers. A gift to the whumpers, and it certainly lived up to our expectations, I can assure you. However, what I wasn't prepared for was the backlash that followed. Who knew the fandom could get into such a tizzy over one little kiss?! So,are you all sitting comfortably? Shall I begin?

Travelers

The concept was set some time ago, when Mr M issued a message to the Shep whumpers via his blog, that this episode was to be our gift!! We squeed, and speculated, then had to wait for months. There was talk of building a time travel machine, and the pre-discussion thread for this ep over on Gateworld actually felt like a second whump thread. Nails were bitten to the quick. Our heart rate increased exponentially as the time for Travelers and DG got closer, until finally it arrived! While the whump certainly lived up to our standards. *squee for blood* alas some of us felt that once we arrived on the episode discussion thread that we had to continually defend Sheppard's actions in this ep! So what was the controversy? Well, let me put it this way, a little kiss and some innuendo.


Suddenly threads are popping up all over the place that Shep was a slut, was unfit for command. And brace yourself people.. he flirted! I know, shocking isn't it. Well, apparently to some people *waves to FAII* it was the crime of the century. Now normally i'm quite a shy and reserved sort of person, and I really don't like to cause chaos and mayhem, and certainly I have no desire to derail any thread, no matter how ridiculous I feel it is. But, it was just too much fun to ignore, and yes ill freely admit that I had great fun blowing that poster out of the water. For some strange reason he really dislikes me, and my thoughts. Apparently i'm childish, immature, irreverent, and get on his nerves. And this is something new? :o)

So we debated back and forth about the kiss and Shep being unfit for command as a result of being a complete slut. You can just imagine my eyes rolling at that statement can't you? So, with smut being the topic of conversation, let's just say, it was not my fault the subject of boobs was brought about. I was simply trying to stand my ground and make a point. And if the thread descended into chaos and mayhem as a result of that, well, that's the way it goes sometimes.

So what did I adore apart from all of it? Bear in mind that this was a Shep episode, it's not just my obsessive compulsiveness with the dashing pilot. :P

• Sheppard being captured, tied up and beaten. (Maybe I was a dominatrix in a previous life)? :o)
• Sheppard getting all bloody!! Yes that does excite me, and no i'm not a vampire. :P
• Very rarely do we get to see true ramifications of actions, like cuts and bruises, so for me this was a definite highlight.
• Shep being irreverent and playing hard to get. ;) (That one was for you FAII)
• Shep using his ATA gene do access the control systems on the Aurora class ship, the control chair and the internal communications device!
• Shep being resourceful and using his smarts to get out of situations
• Larrin using her feminine wiles, and innuendo. (What?) *pretends to look innocent*
• The fleet of puddle jumpers at the rescue
• Continuity in the ep (ala Common Ground S3)
• Great story and cinematography... the lighting to was amazing and very pretty
• Tentative alliance with the Travelers.

Best lines:
"Just remember not to shoot to early... i'm guessing that's not the first time you've heard that from a women." *giggles*

The bad points. Well, just a couple. Although I understand that there are time restraints in the episode, I would have loved to have seen and heard more about the Travelers. Who they were, how they came to be, where they lived. What their culture was like and to meet the people. Alas i'm assuming that the writers are saving that for another day. The only other point I wanted to say was that I missed the team. In reunion, although it was a Ronon centered ep, we got to see a lot of team interaction, and unfortunately for me that felt a bit flat in this episode.

I honestly thought that this ep would be similar to Common Ground, as in we (as the viewer) would see the angst of his colleagues, and for me, I guess I didn't feel that as much as I did in CG. Nevertheless it was a great story, plot, we got to see the ATA gene and Shep in action. An all round great ep!


Tabula Rasa!

Unless you've fallen asleep reading this by now. LOL. From the onset, the whole episode felt very different. Whether it was due to how they filmed it, the lighting effect or the actually story itself (Writer Alan McCullough - Directed by the wonderful Martin Wood). The episode was pure class from start to finish. Set up with McKay tied to a chair, the episode went from strength to strength. Each character was given the opportunity to shine (which I love) and the whole episode felt as if the SGA family had finally been established. Now you know how much I adore bonding, mistrust, team moments, angst and not to mention whump and infirmary scenes. Well it had all this and more, including some great lines and interactions between the team. So I know you're getting tired listening to me ramble, but you know how I get when I haven't had the opportunity to chatter with you all, I go off on a tangent! Anyway what I adored in this episode;

• Team episode
• Great character moments between Teyla and Rodney, and Shep and Ronon.
• Teyla being patient with McKay and keeping him focused. It was a really nice surprise to see her upfront and center in this, and she really felt as if she was an integral part of the story! Thank goodness, it's been a while, and she never disappointed me.
• The Ronon and Shep scenes were for me one of the best i've seen. Ronon getting frustrated with Shep when he lost his memory and trying to be patient... and failing miserably. LOL.
• Ronon shooting Shep and saying, "Never get's old!" best SGA line to date. Whether that was an ad lib or not i'm not sure, but it has to be said, Shep getting shot really doesn't get old. LOL.
• Ronon grabbing Shep by the hair. Not sure if that was added, but Jason seemed to be enjoying that scene quite a bit. LOL
• Mistrust played up between the soldiers and scientist.
• Radek going nuts with his pipe.
• McKay and his insecurities (That's always endearing).

AND

• The infirmary scene and team loving at the end *sniffles*.

I do love infirmary scenes, I can't help it I get really gushy and my heart melts when they stand by the person's bedside asking them if they're ok, and how they're feeling. *sniff* I can't help it, i'm a whumper, and where better to show team bonding than when someone is sick. Joe Flanigan does vulnerable very well, and I guess that's the part of the charm. And we got CHEST PEEKAGE! *dies* Well after all of that I felt as if the quest had been successful LOL, whether that was intentional to have Sheppard in scrubs or not. I would just like to send oodles of hugs for giving us that scene. It has to be said that, that is the best infirmary scene to date.

Best line: Ronon, "Never gets old!" *giggles*

Low points. None!


This year the episodes showcased have shown just how much SGA has come into it's own. Great story lines, plot, characterization. Writing, direction, lighting, CGI, whump, team bonding and not to mention EVIL SHEP and Chest peekage! S4 is turning into a great season and with another 14 episodes to go, I look forward to seeing what else is in store.

So don't forget what you have to do, apart from petitioning Mr M for shirtless Shep!

Stargate Atlantis: Watch it live on SciFi 10pm every Friday!

Oh I meant to say that Sky are actually advertising Stargate Atlantis! That's got to be a first. For weeks Zak Selwyn has been tooting his rap song, and today they actually aired the full version! Sky, let me stand and applaud you for at last advertising a great programme! let's just hope it continues!

*looks up at her blog* What can I say i'm a chatterbox. And I never even got to tell you that I got my promotion!! Woohooo, go me. I'm now the man!! I just hope I don't have to tape my boobs down now. ;) I'll tell you all about it in the next installment along with a presentation I have to give on Stargate Atlantis. Oh well it should be interesting if nothing else. The whole of my work will finally know that i'm a SciFi geek.... I wonder if I can get hold of some visual aides... Hmmmmm.

Excuse the formatting, I think Blogger has the hiccups!

Fangirl-y Moments

I know, I know I’m way behind the times. I should be cast out amongst the minions for failing to update the blog. But, for the last few weeks I’ve been having so many fangirl moments that the poor blog became neglected again. This is becoming a habit. I’m not one of those people unfortunately who was blessed with the great skill involving time management. I tend to go where the wind takes me, and if I’ve eaten beans, then I’ll head in the other direction. :P

Moving swiftly on… As usual, it’s pee break time, so go pee, grab a beverage and a pew and settle down, you might be a while. I hope there’s no limit on how much you can post in one go, otherwise I might have to curb my enthusiasm! So, I know I said that I was going to be reviewing all the SGA eps for season 4, and I’m nothing if not honest, but instead I’ve spared you from my incessant chatterboxing on here! See aren't I kind to you? I’ve attached the linkies to my extremely long posts from Gateworld, just in case one night you’re having an ‘insomniac moment’. These posts will certainly have you snoozing in about ten seconds flat. :o)

Alas my reviews for Adrift/Lifeline got mixed up with other posts, But here are Reunion and Doppelganger *squeeeeeeeeeeee*

I have never been what you’d call a ‘fangirl’. I think I was always a bit too tomboyish. I was the girl who loved playing in the dirt, eating worms and playing with snails. Not to mention trying to breed caterpillers, or rolling around the dirt with the Star Wars action figures (Han Solo in particular) and the Millenium Falcon at hand, not surprisingly I also enjoyed action men and toy soldiers. There's a shocker! I remember from my school days the girls would go nuts, start crying and screaming as their favourite pop stars made an appearance on TV or we’d gone to a concert. And I’d often wonder why the hell they made this high pitch screeching noise. To be honest it was quite annoying. I never realised back then… when I was young and naïve, that the peculiar high pitched sound (that only dogs could hear) was called ‘squee’ and that they were in fact having, what the fandom now calls ‘fangirlling’ or ‘having a fangirl moment’. It now makes perfect sense! As yes, I believe I may have had several of those moments quite recently. *thinks about Evil Shep and Shep whumped to oblivion with some chest peakage... or should I say tummy peekage.!" ;o)

So, if you’ve not fallen asleep yet, I’ve been attempting to determine if I’m slightly neurotic, having a so called ‘fangirl-y moments’ or a bit of both. Let’s see if I fit the criteria, and if the urge takes you, see if you also are a fangirl. Whilst I use the terminology ‘fangirl’, my male friends on Gateworld advise me that they to have on occasions suffered from this wonderful affliction, which is always good to hear.

Let’s see how we do. ;o)

What is a fangirl/fanboy?

A fangirl moment according to urban dictionary is usually a human female who is obsessed with either a fictional character or an actor. Similar to the breed of fanboy. Fangirls congregate at anime conventions and livejournal. Have been known to glomp, grope, and tackle when encountering said obesessions.

Well… obsessed, *thinks of shirtless shep* okay, I’ll have to give them that. Congregate at conventions and livejournals… I’m guessing Gateworld counts to. So, we’re two for two, so far! Glomp?? Okay just what the heck is glomp? It sounds like something that’s stuck on your shoe! I need to check really to see if I glomp, don’t I? Grope and tackle? Well, I think my mother not to mention the actors would have issues if I started groping them, don’t you think. And I’m not that cheeky to go around playing with someone’s tackle! What? Is that not what they meant? *Adjusts her halo* Okay, I have to ask how can you grope, or ‘glomp’ a fictional character? I’m going off on a tangent now aren’t I?

Fantasies

A female who has overstepped the line between healthy fandom and indecent obsession.

*reads the definition* oookay, indecent…. Hmm. Do thoughts count? I really don’t think saying that I want Shep to be shirtless for the last… er… 7 months is obsessive! In fact, I feel I’ve been quite restrained on this topic, besides, you know how caring and thoughtful I am. I do this not for myself, but for my fandom! So, what’s next?

This one, I think I’m going to look at one by one! I’d love to know which stage you’re at. ;o)

Stages of fangirlling

BELOW AVERAGE FANGIRL - This fangirl is the least likely to cause chaos or mayhem, insult or annoy someone else who is not a fangirl (or boy, if they happen to be male). They admit that they have a slight obsession for something/one, and are mature about it. While they might use smilies (XD, XP, ^_^) and occasionally rant, they try not to go overboard about it.

Least likely to cause chaos and mayhem. Oh this is definitely me! Because I never cause trouble in the fandom. Nope, not me! And that whole maturity thing? I’d never do anything immature online or in work. Wow who would have thought that I was so average?! But, for curiosities sake, what say we take a peek at the ‘average fangirl’?

AVERAGE FANGIRL-This fangirl is the most commonly seen fangirl across the Internet, and are generally harmless. They are prone to making shrines, annoying people with their "fantasies" of meeting or marrying their idol, bad grammar, and just being immature about the object of their obsession/affection. Many of these also write fanfics, causing such places as fanfiction.net to be cluttered with stories that could use a good editing and rewriting all together. Another common trait about them is their tendency to rant, be easily insulted, and excessively "glomp", squeal and use chat speak in places where it is not appropriate.

Annoying people with their fantasies… well this can’t be me, because I never annoy anyone with talk of shirtless Shep. *waves to Reefgirl who does not find Sheppard sexy and who became slightly pissed when I invaded her anti-sheppard thread* As for the ranting, I do have the pen chance to go into rant mode. But, in my defence, people need to just accept the fact that I’m always right! Then, maybe I wouldn’t need to rant as much. ;o) Lastly, what’s with the glompping? I’ve seen it so many times, and I just don’t get it at all! Is it dirty? *Cough* One can only hope!

ABOVE AVERAGE FANGIRL -This fangirl is above the previous fangirl, and has thus let her obsession go beyond healthy levels. They tend to squee a lot more than other fangirls, and are more easily to insult or anger if you tell them that their "idol" is just a two-dimensional character, or someone whom they will most likely never meet. Their fantasies go beyond the fantasies of the "average" fangirl, along with all of their other tendencies. These are the fangirls most dislike and tend to stay away from due to their ability to easily annoy others, and their high levels of immaturity.

Firstly, maturity is so overrated, and sooooo boring! I ask you, what’s so wrong with having a good squee? I think my fantasies regarding Shep (minus the shrt of course) are quite normal! My goal is to allow the squee to rule the fandom. Mr F on the other hand fears for the safety of his fangirls, and has declined to take off his shirt (just yet) in case the squee gets out of control. I dare say if that happened, he may be right! But, oh my goodness, what a way to go! And I dare anyone not to have a fangirl moment over evil shep!

One last thing, before I go! MR M, when you next have Shep whumped to oblivion, please can we have an intubation scene that includes, Shep all hot, sweaty and requiring chest compressions first! Doc Keller didn't do it right, so we need you to do it again, just to make sure she doesn't kill off Shep the next time by doing it incorrectly! So, I hope you don't mind, but I've given you the instructions, grateful if you could pass these on to Mr C, next time he does a sequel to DG!So without further ado! Chest compressions for Shep... the Cheeky way!

• *squee* Sorry had to get that off my chest!
• The shirt would be gone (for medical emergency reasons of course)! Although obviously i'd try not to drool on Shep!
• Rip or cut the shirt open. Ripping obviously would get me squeeing. However, I don't really mind, as we would have at least some chest peekage! And by peekage, I actually mean from his neck to his tummy! ;)
• Give 30 chest compressions (Obviously I may at this stage be on my way to having a fangirl moment.)
• The heel of my hand would be placed in the centre of his chest. (And I promise, I wouldn't try to cop a feel), as Shep would be dead by the time i've finished!)
• Placing my other hand on top and interlock fingers, i'd at this stage i'd only be looking at the positioning of my hands.
• Then, keeping my arms straight and my fingers off his chest (that would be the most difficult part of the procedure btw), i'd press down by 4-5cms. then release the pressure, keeping my hands in place. (Well, i'd lose my positioning, wouldn't I) ;)
• I'd have to repeat the compressions 30 times, at a rate of 100 per minute. Oh the hardship of having my hands there all that time!

Obviously at this point, Keller would come in and place him on a ventilator... just for our whumper friend SD, not to mention the rest of the whumping crew! Well, turnabout is fair play. Ronon, Teyla, Weir, Sam, and Rodney have all been intubated, it's only fair that Shep gets some! ;)

Short and Sweet

Are you all sitting comfortably, been for a pee break, got your beverages to hand. Well, all that may have been for nothing. :P For once this is going to be short and sweet. I know, so unlike me, but i'm saving myself for my 'bound to be exceptionally long-winded post' tomorrow. That will be the review of the fourth season's Adrift, Lifeline, and Doppleganger (Evil Shep) *squeeeeee* And for another reason, the blogger seems to be hiccupping *kicks blogger*

So to sum things up, I attended my friends wedding, are gay wedding's called 'weddings' or is it just civil ceremony's? *Attempts to be PC and fails miserably* So last Friday, I got exceptionally tiddly and had a great time. At the end of the night, one of the girls (obviously pissed) suggested we go to this really bizarre Pub. "It's horrible." She said. And I want to go somewhere horrible because? She saw my face and tried to reasure me. "No, honestly, the place is so awful, they'll think we're fabulous!" There's nothing like a bit of flattery to build the confidence is there? "So what's this place called then?" I asked hesitantly. "Smokey shit moes!" Someone was having a laugh and I wasn't getting the punch line!

I asked them if they were joking, they said they named it that, because it was that bad!! It just gets better and better, doesn't it? So with some trepidation, I was persuaded to go and check this place out. Let's just say they weren't wrong! The place was buzzing with... something, and the decor was certainly interesting in many ways. As we plucked up courage to go in, I noticed a strange women looking over at us, she looked as if she wanted to punch our lights out. Great start!! Nevertheless we ventured in and got ourselves a drink... mine was a double! Then the girls decided to 'hog' the dancefloor, which actually was just a floor. In record time they'd cleared the dance floor and became 'entertainment' for what appeared to be a fair few... undesirables, shall we say. Oh well, when in Rome!! So I boogied to Dolly Parton's song "9 to 5". Quite apt considering my cleavage had taken on a life of its own. :P

After a few dances, I went to sit down next to where the girls were dancing around their handbags. Alas, I was not alone, as an older gentleman decided that I needed a lap dance... much to the chagrin of his wife!! Mortified was an understatement. I thanked the erotically challenged lap dancer in the only way I knew how, (minds out the gutter) and apologised unreservedly to his wife, (well S4 was starting, and I didn't really want to spend the season in traction). She told me simply that, he does it often. That's really not reasurring me, and to be honest, the drooling was making my dress wet, so I diplomatically shooed him in the direction of my friends, who were giggling at my misfortune!

After 10 minutes of freedom, my 'friend' came back, thankfully it didn't last long as his wife had just about reached her limit, and got hold of him by his ears and hauled him out of the pub!! What a shame!!

Needless to say we all had a ball... no pun intended. And next stop is our trip out at Christmas, for Ghost hunting, riding on the Harry Potter Express, and going back in time. Can you say squeeeeeeeeee? *does her happy dance*

Vid: One of my staff, showing how excited I have gotten about season 4 SGA. This, is my happy dance. :o)

To say that I’ve been a bit excitable this week would be an understatement as passions and competition between myself and my partner in crime reached new heights this week. Both of us have been vying for the same position, and recently we were called for a temporary promotion interview on his side of the business. Up to the days preceding it, both of us have been trying to psych each other out, as we commenced in a friendly game of rivalry. Ribbing each other about each others crap application forms was just the starters. Before long it had escalated when my other half was asked to see the boss. "He obviously wants to console you in private, and to let you know that you haven't got the job. You know, just in case you start crying, and make a show of yourself in front of the staff." I jested with a huge smile on my face, as he was called in to talk with his boss. It turned out his boss was giving him pointers!

I looked around, my boss was nowhere in sight. My partner in crime came out grinning like a cheshire cat, I knew then he was up to something! He never smiles in public, unless he's conspiring. I watched and waited for him to make his move. For days he kept me waiting, and watching for any sign. Somethig wasn't right here, and I couldn't put my finger on what it was. Then the day before the interview, he announced later on in the afternoon that the interviews were cancelled. What? Cancelled? Why hadn't I been notified? Then it dawned on me, this must be his plan to put me off. "I don't believe you." I told him smiling. So he ushered me over to his email messages and there in plain sight was an email from the boss advising that the interview had been cancelled and they had decided to give my evil partner in crime the job. I looked at him trying to assess how this could be. "Sorry." He told me grinning, "I guess the best man got the job after all." Best man?! Right. Well, now i'm pissed and curious, so I start to investigate. The boss was out the office and I had no one to ask if this really was the case. Dejected I had to accept the evidence in front of me. Two hours later as I headed out for home, he decides to say, "Gotcha!" Little shit. He's good, i'll give him that, but two can play at that game. :o)

On the day of the interview, I arrived in style, perfectly immaculate attire, compared to my normally casual attire. My other half who is normally in jeans and T-shirts came in that morning looking as if he had won the lottery. Whistles from the team suggested that both of us dressing up, was a sight to be hold and we bowed respectfully to our audience. Let the games commence once more! I was due to be interviewed an hour before him, but we had time before hand to have a bit of fun with each other… *minds out the gutter please* Psychological games are something of a skill, and even if I do say so myself, we’re extremely good at it. So, just before I went into my interview, a voice echoed behind me, "You do realise, they're only doing this so it doesn't look like they're playing favourites, don't you?" I laughed at his nervousness, then told him, "You keep thinking that partner in crime." And in I went to the torture chamber. Given that we'd timed everyone who went in before us, the average seemed to be 40 minutes, usually a good sign for any interview. So we'd vowed each other to keep an eye on the clock. I came in under 30 minutes. Not good. But, like the good sportswoman I am, I played it up, advising him that he needed several examples of budgeting, and competencies, (which I knew he didn't have, and had been stressing about for days). With sickly sweet innocence, that could put an angel to shame, I told him that those were the areas where the interiewers focused on. With sweaty palms and a rolling stomach, he went in. Game, set and match to me, I think. :o)

Alas, neither of us got it, but at least we had fun along the way. I'm still waiting on the results of one of my interviews. I guess no news is good news.

My goodness me, i've rambled today, and i've not even finished!!

So, as season 4 approaches, SciFi and MGM have been pulling out all the stops over the last couple of days with regards to promoting Stargate Atlantis Season 4. So can I just take this moment to say, "It's about bloody time!" One of the things that irks me, is that it feels like SGA is the ugly step sister to SG1. Hoepfully now, with some fantastic and top notch advertising at long last, it can surpass everyone's expectations and stand on it's own two feet. So, for those of you who aren't regular watchers or have no clue what i'm talking about, go check out the promo's and see what you're missing, and then tune in on September 28th for the best Atlantis season yet. So with the previews now available for us and S4 only a couple of days away, the GW Shep whump thread have finally got their squee back after a bit of a dry spell. Consequently we did go into overload yesterday after all the whump stuff that was shown in the trailers, and many of us will now require valium from now until the start of the season. Thankfully we've not got long to go, otherwise, we'd never make it. :P Ha, you think i'm being overly dramatic, don't you. Ah no, my blogging friends, go check it out and see for yourself. ;o)

So, before I finally say goodnight, what have you all got to remember, apart from petitioning SciFi and Mr M for shirtless Shep?

That's right, STARGATE ATLANTIS, SEASON 4 - Friday on SciFi at 10PM.

Desperate times, desperate measures

Firstly, I have a confession to make. *blushes* In my defence though it was everyone else's fault for getting me too excited with all of the talk on the pre speculation threads/spoilers for season 4's Stargate Atlantis. If they hadn't gone on and on about how fantastic it was and how brilliant the storyline was, i'd not have caved... Yeah right, who am I kidding?!

Somehow, and ask me no questions and i'll tell you no lies, that the first two episodes for season 4 of Stargate Atlantis (Adrift and Lifeline) made their way on to the internet! The episodes were raw, as in no score, no sound FX and cue's coming in from directors, reflected that this was the uncut version. Yet, it has to be said, that for me it made my whole viewing pleasure even more memorable. I won't spoil it for those that won't get to see it until it premiers on the 28th September on SciFi, but let's just say that you won't be disappointed one little bit. The quality of the visible effects, the storyline the Weir arc, was executed and played out brilliantly. And in the words of Harry Potter's, Ronald Weasly, "That was bloody brilliant!"

So Mr M, here in the safety of my own blog, I feel I can once more release my burden!

*Cough*

Dear Mr M,

I feel I can open up to you, since a) you don’t know me, b) you’ll probably never know me, and c) I’m hiding out in the safety of my own blog! But nevertheless, I feel I can’t go forward until i've admitted to you something. Think of it as a confessional! I watched it, Season 4, episodes. The non sfx supped up, non scored eppies of Adrift and Lifeline. I couldn't help myself, it called to me, and I did give in to temptation. Now I feel I must repent!

*Squeeee*! Okay, so maybe I can pay penance later on by way of chocolate?

Joe, the eps blew my socks off! Even without all the effects and the score etc, the storylines were fantastic, great twists and turns around every corner, and it's made me that much more desperate and excited to see the full and finished version when it airs in a few weeks. It really made me appreciate how much work you all put in on a daily basis, and it's given me a greater understanding of what you guys do. Thank you for what looks to be a great season! I'm more excited than ever. And you know what else I noticed? For a handful of folk who were so adamant that they weren't going to watch, there's sure been a hell of a lot of watching! The problem with that is, irrespective of what was on screen, they never were going to be happy, because they’re too closed minded to give it a decent shot. It wouldn’t matter what the ep was, there will always be people with an agenda and their viewing pleasures would be tainted because of the changes. And the worst thing is, I never expected some of them to behave any differently. Sometimes it’s not nice to be proved right!

*hugs for a fantastic start to season 4*
Cheeky xxx

The day finally arrived for the most important interview of my career. Well, the second most important interview. The first of course being a promotion, but of course this came in as a close second; a job that I was born to do. What’s so special about this job I hear you ask? Or not?! Well, as per my previous blog entry, the person wanted was to hold certain attributes. *checks both of her favourite attributes* :P That’s one attribute sorted without even trying. ;)

This time I didn’t put on a skirt… sorry mom. After three goes of trying to put on pantyhose’s (tights) and putting a ladder in all three, I gave it up as a bad job. You know, hopping round the bedroom and trying to get your leg over (minds out the gutter) to put these tights on, only resulted in yours truly becoming hot and sweaty! And let’s face it, men *cough*Shep*cough* look good all hot, and sweaty, but I don’t! So, enough was enough

So, I donned the relevant clothes, taking into account the last interview and clothing attire. This time, not to be outshone by the interviewer in the cleavage department, I put on my brand new one of a kind ‘Hello Boys’ apparel. That was my first mistake. My friend said I looked as if I’d stuffed a pair of balloons up my shirt! Maybe the wonderbra wasn’t such a good idea after all…. But that was just the beginning of the day. You'd think that the shop would tell you when you buy this type of lingerie that you shouldn't do anything that could affect the body's response to... gravity, shall we say. So, being the good consumer I am, I feel it is my civic duty to warn all the girls out there.

*cough*

Ladies, please be advised that when purchasing said, 'stopemfloppin', then you must do the jiggle test. Failing to do the jiggle can result in embarrassment for all concerned. Once you've done the jiggle, you then need to ensure that when bending over to retrieve an item 'things' don't fall out. Be advised, that gravity, is not always your friend! I had a feeling that this time it wasn't going to be the interviewer who was adjusting herself during the interview!

So anyway, I was feeling calm and quite relaxed despite the bad start and headed off for my interview. During the 20 minute presentation, things were going too well.... I knew it was too good to last. The interview was supposed to be question me with regards to achieving the job's core competencies and my application form, which i'd rehearsed backwards, front wards and sideways. I'd covered all eventualities, anything they asked me about my form, i'd have the perfect answer! So, there I was eager for them to start firing away the questions, and what does the interviewer say? "Forget what's on your form. Hypothetically, what would you do if..." Noooo!! Someone was determined to make me work hard, either that, or I really did overdo it in the cleavage department and he had forgotten what he was going to ask!

So, he asked me how I would deal with unruly employees, and I explained about my team. As per the norm, I gave the standard management speak, and so he pushed that bit harder on how i've dealt with my team, and he misunderstood what I was saying, then started asking how I dealt with them when they've rebelled against my management style! My team rebelling against me? I think not. They're vocal, and opinionated and passionate, but to me that's a great quality... and the interviewers saw this as rebellious? Ooops! Maybe i'm not what they're looking for. In the end, after ten minutes of toing and frowing with the interviewer, I told him, that it would never get to that stage because i'd tell them to 'wind their necks in' and they would! Maybe it wasn't exactly the best reply, but at least it was an honest one! LOL. I should hopefully find out if I have the job sometime over the next few days. *iz keeping everything crossed*

The worst thing is, i've got another interview tomorrow, so have to go through all this again. This time, minus the wonderbra, I think!