What to watch (TV)

Ok, as everyone knows, there are a lot of bad shows on TV. And thankfully most of them are cancelled. But their is plenty of stuff that I watch that people have never heard of. So today I will be telling you about some of the best stuff out there. Buy it, rent it, download it illegally, but partake nonetheless.

The Tudors (or "A bunch of people who never got to be happy")

"I'M THE KING OF ENGLAND!"

Indeed, Henry VIII was the King of England. He also was the husband to six wives, tore away from Rome, was prone to rash jealously and rage, and consumed with an obsession for a male heir.

And dammit if it isn't interesting.

Creator Michael Hirst toys with historical fact but it remains that the main story is interesting enough for a historical bodice ripper. Those who don't know the story will be at the edge of their seats, while those who know the story can sit back as it unfolds to its inevitable conclusion.

Great acting, great sets, great storytelling, The Tudors is a benchmark for historical drama.

2. 24 (or "I should be dead by now")

"DAMMIT!"

24. What more can be said about such a groundbreaking show. Brought to the FOX network post 9/11, it was in some ways, a means to show that America could still protect itself and display the courage and sacrifice of those who put others above themselves at all times.

In a comeback showstopping role, Kiefer Sutherland has live and breathed Jack Bauer for 8 seasons. A government agent and family man, all Jack wants to do is be a good husband and father. But his struggle between what he wants and who he is always rises inside himself. Add to his numerous enemies old and new who care nothing for his happiness, and make the ones he loves pay the price instead.

24 has set the benchmark for quality tight knit storytelling due to its format alone. It's dense plot twisted mythology has caused the quality to dip in some seasons, but its impact as a whole cannot be denied in the landscape of television.

3. Dexter (or "Blood excites me.")

"I'M A VERY NEAT MONSTER"

A serial killer you can love.

How fucked up is that.

But their in lies in the rub. Dexter Morgan is no ordinary killer. You see he tracks down killers themselves, and lives by a code to hurt no innocent people. His father taught him that and Dexter learned very well. However, in order to blend in, sociopathic Dexter must pretend to be a real person, and that is quite difficult when you feel nothing at all.

Dexter succeeds where other series would fail due to two key points. One, the performance of Michael C. Hall who imbibes Dexter with bits and traces of humanity. Dexter may think he is not part of humanity but slowly but surely finds small parts of himself that make him realize he is more part of humanity than he thinks. The second is the serialized season plots that entwined all main and supporting characters into a overarching case or problem every season. Whether it is the Ice Truck Killer in season 1 or Trinity in season 4, Dexter always has a new opponent to tackle.

4. Chuck (or "Group Hug? AWESOME!")

"IT'S NEVER SAFE IN THE CAR!"

Do I even need to talk about this show? No I don't. Go watch it, that's an order.

5. Rome (or "Titus Pullo, reporting for duty ma'am")

"13TH!"

Now this is historical drama for you. Epic is every sense of the word, Rome's two seasons span over twenty years, and encompass many Roman men and women (real and fictional) through the blood soaked Roman empire. Blood, violence, sex, and four letter words. What more do you want in a series?

So good in fact, this is all I have to say.

I think five is a good number.

Until next time, fly high and fly well.

I'm back

Hello there, all seven of my faithful visitors. Raven is back after a somewhat long hiatus. I really must apologize for not writing anything for quite a few days but as some my close friends know, recent developments had made me quite busy in the previous week.

So what I have decided to do a writing session tonight. An entry or two to tide you over until I have some more time to write more on a better basis.

Hope you enjoy.

Until next time, fly high and fly well.

Where are my scissors?

I am getting sick of my temp job. The machines keep breaking down, and I have been sent home 3 out of 4 days. On the upside, it has made the week fly by, but when I have only 11.5 hours and I'm going to be docked due to an accounting error, I am not too happy.

Not to mention, they keep acting like they are going to let us temps go, and they won't make up their mind. I am getting a little impatient. I am not particularly keen on the job, but it was work. But if this is it, put me out of my misery already.

I had to turn down a temp job I have been to before and like because I was still under contract with these idiots.

Oh well, at least tomorrow is Friday. And this weekend is Iron Man 2.

Until next time, fly high and fly well.

Retro gaming

This post may not interest too many people but whatever. This is my blog dammit.

Last weekend I bought a new gaming system. Not new per se but new to me.

Raven bought a Sega Dreamcast.

I found a guy off of Craiglist that was looking to sell his for 35 dollars. I met the guy and paid him and the thing works like a charm. Made a separate deal with him for 3 additional games for 5 dollars.

So why did I buy a gaming system that has been "dead" for almost a decade?

1) I always wanted one.

I have been a loyal Sony gamer since my first Playstation. But when this thing was out when I was 13 or so I had to admit it was cool. But I had my Sony system and I couldn't afford a console on my own and I wasn't going to be greedy and ask for one (the folks would of said no anyway). This want of a Dreamcast just popped up in the past couple months but I guess it was always been in the back of my mind.

2) A low cost investment.

Between the two deals, for forty dollars I got the system, four controllers, two VMU memory cards, three rumble packs, and five games. I additionally bought another rare game off ebay. To make my total spending 60 bucks, the cost of a new PS3 game. Not too shabby.

3) A new library of stuff to play.

Like I said, the system always looked cool. And I really wanted to play a few of the games. Now I can. Though I will be paying an arm and a leg for a few on Ebay, most of the stuff I want to buy isn't too pricey overall. I am not always concerned with the best looking graphics like some gamers are. I just want a game that is fun.

Anyways, it is always good to back sometimes. As they say, you can never know where you're going, till you know where you've been.

Until next time, fly high and fly well.