memoirs on a rainy day

Doctor Who is a long-running, award-winning British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a mysterious alien time-traveller known as “the Doctor” who travels in his space and time-ship, the TARDIS, which appears from the exterior to be a blue police phone box. With his companions, he explores time and space, solving problems and righting wrongs.

The show’s lead character is currently portrayed by David Tennant. A Christmas special co-starring Kylie Minogue aired in December 2007, and the fourth series started on 5 April 2008. For that series, Catherine Tate will reprise her role of Donna Noble, from the 2006 Christmas special, as the Doctor’s latest companion. Midway through the series, Freema Agyeman will also return to her role of Martha Jones, following a multi-episode guest appearance in the Doctor Who spin-off series, Torchwood. John Barrowman will continue his role as Captain Jack Harkness, and Billie Piper will return as Rose Tyler for three episodes. Elisabeth Sladen is also set to return as Sarah Jane Smith in a cameo role.

After a 2008 Christmas special and three further specials starring David Tennant, scheduled to air in 2009, Doctor Who is planned to return in 2010 for a fifth full length series.

From the Doctor Who entry at Wikipedia.

Continue reading ‘Doctor Who The Doctor’s Daughter S04E06 (BBC)’

It’s been a while since there has been a vampire show on TV. Angel was just a continuation of Buffy. Blade was an action show. Moonlight is somewhere in between. It’s gritty and romantic, which isn’t appalling. Unlike Angel and Forever Knight, Mick St-John isn’t that old of a vampire, so the flashbacks all take place in the 1950s to 1970s.

Alex O’Loughlin plays Mick St-John, a vampire private detective. He is a vampire who fully remembers what it meant to be human and longs to be human. Before the break, the big intrigue was that his vampiric ex-wife came back human. Since Mick longs to be human, he needs to find out if there is a cure for vampirism. Coraline disappeared before Mick could investigate it fully. He managed to get some of her blood though.

Continue reading ‘Moonlight What’s Left Behind S01E15 (CBS)’

Reaper is an American supernatural television dramedy created by Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas, who also serve as executive producers alongside Mark Gordon, Deborah Spera and Tom Spezialy. Kevin Smith directed the pilot, and is a creative consultant for the series.

From Wikipedia’s entry on Reaper.

In this episode, Sam has to capture a soul name Mike Volta. He keeps escaping from Hell thanks to a leak. The Devil attempts to clean house. Tony and his pals examine Sam’s contract. Sarah and Ben get into some immigration trouble.

I thought this episode was great. The cat is finally out of the bag. We know why Sam is so close with the Devil. He’s the Devil’s son. The show has gotten into an interesting groove. It’s also been renewed for next season, which is good news as well. The second season order is for 13 episodes.

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Continue reading ‘Reaper The Leak S01E17 (CW)’

Reaper is an American supernatural television dramedy created by Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas, who also serve as executive producers alongside Mark Gordon, Deborah Spera and Tom Spezialy. Kevin Smith directed the pilot, and is a creative consultant for the series.

From Wikipedia’s entry on Reaper.

In this episode, Sam and Andy get problems from Greg, Andy’s ex-boyfriend. It turns out that Greg made a deal with the Devil and is forcing Andy to fall in love with him, much to Sam’s dismay. Sam tries to save Greg’s soul.

I thought this episode was good. The show has gotten into an interesting groove. It’s also been renewed for next season, which is good news as well.

Continue reading ‘Reaper Greg Schmeg S01E16 (CW)’

Alice, David, Nate, Rebecca and Travis are in the danger zone today.

There has been a tense mood in the house since Saxon launched his hand grenade and deprived the most materialistic HM in the house of all of her things. Brigitte says that she’s on a hunger strike.

The cricket game is going on. Nate misses a ball. While mucking about, Travis catches a ball.

Continue reading ‘Big Brother Australia S08D16 (Channel Ten)’

Battlestar Galactica is an Emmy Award winning science fiction television program created by Ronald D. Moore that first aired on October 18, 2004 in the United Kingdom and Ireland on Sky One, and January 14, 2005 in the United States on SCI FI. Repeats of episodes have been shown in the United States on SCI FI, NBC, Bravo, and in high definition on Universal HD.

Battlestar Galactica continues from the 2003 mini-series to chronicle the journey of the last surviving humans from the Twelve Colonies of Kobol after their nuclear annihilation by the Cylons. The survivors are led by President Laura Roslin and Commander William Adama in a ragtag fleet of ships with the Battlestar Galactica, a powerful but old warship, as its command ship. Pursued by Cylons intent on wiping out the remnants of the human race, the survivors travel across the galaxy looking for the fabled and long-lost thirteenth colony: Earth.

From the Wikipedia entry for Battlestar Galactica.

Continue reading ‘Battlestar Galactica Faith S04E06 (Scifi)’

I’ve driven over 50K on Old Nancy. Who’s Old Nancy? Our old scooter. She just keeps on trucking. In the past two years, I’ve driven her 9000 km.

My wife hadn’t driven her at all nor had she started the engine periodically. This meant that she needed a check-up. I dropped her off at my mechanic’s shop, which was closed on Sunday and picked her up again on Monday morning. Total bill? 150NT (~5$). My mechanic told me that the engine needed to be changed soon. It will cost about 2800NT (~92$). I’ll do that soon. Otherwise, I think I might buy some new shocks. She’ll corner better.

I’ve driven her extremely fast over the last two days, yet it felt safe. I didn’t take any risks and just rode as fast as possible. She can still go up to 95kph.

One thing that I have learned thanks to becoming a student again, is to distance myself from materialistic ideals. I no longer yearn for the 750cc motorcycle. I know that I’ll probably get a cheap one next year, one that won’t have the right plates to drive on the highway, yet it’s not really a focus for me anymore.

Sure, I’ll continue doing maintenance on Old Nancy, but I doubt that we will sell her before leaving Taiwan.

Zipping along at 80kph on Taipei’s major arteries is exhilarating. It’s like a game of Tetris mixed in with a game of Need for Speed. I tend to stay away from the right side of the roads since slower scooters, veering buses and taxis make a habit of disrupting the flow of traffic. The fast lane is where all of the fun is.

I’ve noticed that there are more scooters in Canada. I have seen a lot more scooters recently than before. They are no longer a novelty, but a means of transport.

Saxon is the first officially evicted HM, with a proper eviction night. He is the holder of the second HM handgrenade and his target is Brigitte.

The HM in the danger zone are Alice, Ben, Dixie, Nate and Renee. They are today’s bottom five.

The house is recovering from their first eviction. Saxon is gone, but he has a parting shot for his least favorite HM. Saxon tells Brigitte that she needs to read more books. Everything isn’t just about her. He isn’t happy the way that Bianca made him look in the house. She talked behind his back. He tells Dixie to stop stealing food. He tells Terri to stick it out, even though people are giving her a hard time. He has good things to say about Travis, the Nobster and Rory.

Continue reading ‘Big Brother Australia S08D015 (Channel Ten)’

20 beautiful HDR shots at Abduzeedo.