"It's not depressing, it's tragic."

I was watching "Brideshead Revisited" last night, much to the mystification of, well, everyone. The general refrain is "Why are you watching that again, it's so depressing." But I don't agree. Granted, this is not a happy story by any stretch. But there is a difference between depressing and tragic, and I think this falls firmly on the tragic side.

( Cut to thoughts on why tragedy is important... )

AAACK! Why are they remaking Brideshead? I really don't think this is necessary...the 1981 production is so perfect. I honestly think it's the best book adaptation I've ever seen.

Dear Andrew Davies:

As much as I have enjoyed your adaptations in the past, especially "Vanity Fair" and "The Way We Live Now", please back away slowly from this proposed production of "Brideshead Revisited".  I understand you may still be flushed with a feeling of invincibility after the "Pride and Prejudice" incident (about which I will not speak...I have the 1980 production and David Rintoul to soothe my offended spirit), but leave this one lie. 

While the "comedic touches" your adaptations are known for may draw in the mainstream modern audience more reliably than a more nuanced script, any attempt to make Brideshead "fun" will destroy the tone which gives such poignancy to Waugh's novel and the '81 production. (You may have heard of it...Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Claire Bloom, Anthony Andrews...)

As a final warning and inducement to caution, remember the modernized "Othello".

Sincerely,

Me

I'm...umm, like a professional 'n' stuff

Rant Warning

I fail to understand why women in my age group (mid-twenties to early thirties), who are ostensibly professionals, cannot be bothered to speak like professionals on the phone. Voices get whispery, pitch goes up, and all the insecure high-school girl mannerism slip in. The "umm"s, the "like"s, the "guys", and I actually just heard a cube-neighbor say "cool".

On the phone. At work. To a client. "oh cool!"

Now, if I had just put a several-million-dollars-yearly, nation-wide corporate signage account into the hands of this company and, in particular, this young woman, I would be far from reassured by this.  To me, that is not professional behavior, and I would be severely taken aback if I was spoken to in that way by one of my subcontractors.

Why is professional vocabulary considered less vital to projecting the right image and maintaining the proper tone than dress? Most of our clients will never see us, will never know that we wear business attire every day. But they will speak to us on the phone frequently, and how can be ask them to treat us professionally and with respect when we do not present in a way that makes it clear we are professional?

The "cool" girl also has been known to complain that, for some reason "people don't take me seriously". Installers call her "sweetie" and don't return calls the same day. Clients ask to speak to her co-workers instead of her. I wonder why.  If I was an installer, I wouldn't put her calls at the top of my list either...she hasn't done anything to encourage me to take her seriously!

Anyone who cannot behave in a professional manner has no room to grouse when they are not treated like a professional. So, stop whining. And stop making every statement as though it is a question, while you're at it.

(end rant)

I have been so f*cking good this year!

Read it and weep!

Dear Santa... Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In February I helped kikibug13 across the street (6 points). In April I caught a purse-snatcher who stole selenesue's purse (30 points). Last Saturday I turned sraun in for spitting (3 points). In September I gave stoutfellow a kidney (1000 points). In July I saved a busload of nuns in Angola (326 points). Overall, I've been nice (1365 points). For Christmas I deserve a pony! Sincerely, colliemommie

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By the way...I hope the kidney fits.

Because Karyn Asked...

( Current dollhouse pics behind cut, w/ new outside paint and furnishings set temporarily. )