Bow to THE DOCTOR and ROSE! I gotta admit I like the picture. I like David Tennant's outfit. (It's hard not to fall for a guy on a suit that wears sneakers). The picture is way much better than the ones Chris Eccleston and Billie had last season. The photographer they had back then was just terrible. I guess the BBC finally got rid of him... (Maybe he got eaten by a sletheen. Hmm...) Anyway, I can't wait for Christmas Special. I miss the TARDIS... Damn, I really need a life. 

The last four. ( No, nothing to do with the Fantastic Four)

I've tried to stay calm, to wait and see what happens...But I'm weak! I have to say something. Would someone PLEASE choose the new BOND? Stop playing with my mind, let's say a name and get on with it! I'm still not very convinced with the final four contenders. Alex O'Lachlan (Australian) Henry Cavill (22-year-old!! Englishman) and Goran Visnjic, (Croatian) look pretty sexy... While Ewan Stewart, (Scottish, 42 years old) just looks wrong for the part. I have nothing against him, is just that the Bonds I grew up with are nothing like him. On the other hand, what is a 22 year old doing in the competition? I know they want to revitalize the franchise but how will they avoid turning a Bond movie into a teen movie? (Suddenly the idea of James Bond in a prom comes to my mind...) MY. GOD.
On the other hand I guess it can't be THAT bad.. There was a nice little 80's movie with Richard Grieco called If looks could kill (Teen agent in the UK) and it was cool back then.
Hell, what am I saying, they're going to destroy Bond! WAHHH!!!!!!!!

Okay, so, summing up, we have three cute guys, one not so cute that no one knows how the hell he ended up on the Bond list, we have a movie company trying to make a bold move and a sick Ms. Mysterious slowly running out of patience.

Oh, life used to be so simple back in the old days!!...
Yeah, right.

"The things that concern me about the Harry Potter series," the preacher and Christian publisher notes, "are things like sacrificing animals and emphasizing power, regardless of good or evil. Or offering up blood sacrifices, and things like boiling what seems to be a baby alive in a cauldron, or being possessed by demons -- these are not things that we want to have our children subjected to."

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that I cannot possibly say anything that could possibly make that statement any funnier.

OH NO!!! What will happen now!! How will the internet survive!!!

NEWSARAMA.COM – BRIAN SATURDAYS: "1.) If you could take back either of the above, which would you rather have kept your mouth shut for... a.) 'ruining' the potential DD/Batman crossover, or b.) grossly overstating the impact of the last page of HoM #3 to the point where no one will ever believe anything you say... EVER AGAIN!?
...
I don’t take back the internet cracking in half comment but I do see there was a huge typo involved. Its issue #7 that will crack the internet in half. Its issue #7, not three. Sorry for the confusion. :)"

An I hear that the big shock is that Monkey Joe returns from the dead... ...(that was a lame issue three of House of M by the way... yes, we still review comics around here...or have... sometimes, maybe, at some point in the future.. okay, we thouht about it).

It's an airplane! It's a bird! no! It's a plastic super S!

Praaaise the Loooord for we have the final version of the Superman Returns logo!! .... hmm.... yeah...It looks... ahm... What can I say without sounding too harsh? Rigid, lifeless and somthing that looks like a picture taken out of a kid's lunch box? Maybe it'll grow on me, but right now I can only think in Brandon Routh wearing a baby blue Superman outfit (no muscles included) and a plastic shield pasted on his weak chest. Having said that, the logo looks nice as a wallpaper :)... Maybe tomorrow I'll say nice things about it. Comments anyone?

As I walked alone in Paris I found this guy making a grafitti. I'm always amazed when I see how the human being is capable of CREATE, to open their heart and soul and translate it into different kinds of expression. I know this is not a Picasso, but still, everything that is done with such dedication and passion deserves to be praised, even for a couple of seconds... This is just another memory of a another life that's slowly fading away... 

Those damn muggles...

Pope Benedict believes the Harry Potter books subtly seduce young readers and "distort Christianity in the soul" before it can develop properly, according to comments attributed to him by a German writer.
(Reuters)
....

Excuse me, are my eyes deceiving me? Am I drunk or something? HOW on Earth is it possible that people, (and by people I mean the now Pope, one of the most powerful persons on Earth) still have that prehistoric notion that a fiction book (in this case Harry Potter), is a bad influence for our souls? Why is people still eager to find the worst of everything that exists?

Really, what the h... *sigh*

A couple of years ago I ended working at my old annoying Catholic school as a teacher, and since just one out of like 100 kids read in Numbtown, (thanks greatly to the boring books schools chose for them) I decided to introduce them to Harry Potter. Out of a class of 35 girls only 4 had read any of them, but when I proposed reading it for our course all of them were eager to read it. What happens next? Well, the school banned it. The board said it was PAGAN.

It was one of those moments when I really hated living in this stupid society that preaches values, but that all that they do is turn everything they set their eyes on in filth.

Everything that is not ordinary, that breaks a little with their harmonious world is a sin.
Idiots.

Anyway, my consolation was to think that that only happened in certain places, third world countries, small fanatic communities. That people with no real education had this ideas. People that was not aware of things that happened in the rest of the world, people that live in a plastic bubble, pretending that everything is just black or white.

Now I read that the new Pope is one of those people? Aren't they supposed to be educated, and learn to see the difference between something that can be negative to a society or something that can be beneficial? OPEN YOUR F#&#* EYES!!! These books are making people read. They are making generations get together and celebrate something magical. These are stories for kids! This is fiction! Kids are using their imagination! Dreaming! Hoping! The fact that you have wizards and witches doesn't make a story pagan! The fact that the hero uses magic doesn't mean that everyone's going to start killing chickens, drinking their blood and turning their neighbors into toads!!!
It really annoys me when someone just looks the way to turn something really good and magical into something unworthy.

Okay maybe I'm overeacting. Maybe Benedict didn't really said all that about Harry Potter. Maybe it's all a mistake. But still, there are people (and I know quite a few of them) that think that way.

Guys, can you just for one second stop looking for the negative things in the world and look the positive side of it? Try to enjoy life for a change...

A good moment to recite the Ezekiel 25:17 passage

Oh yeah, just for the record, Mr. Marshmallow saw Neil Gaiman. And he forgot to take his camara. And to ask me to send him his Sandman collection to get it autographed. Or my 1602 graphic novel. Or Neverwhere. Or Coralline. Or...

Sometimes I wonder if it's all a conspiracy to get rid of me...

*sigh*

Beam me up, one last time.

One of the things that I love about Mr. Marshmallow is that he lives in a constant denial when he's asked about whether his a Trekie or not. He says that he's not, but then he explains to you how the each of the enterprise spaceships work (yes, there are different enteprises). I'm still pretty sure that somewhere in his apartment there's a pajama that looks just like a Federation uniform. Oh, I really must love him.
Anyway, he will be very sad to hear that James Doohan, aka Scotty, died today. I can't remember how many times I saw Star Trek as a kid. Good memories... And even though a death is always sad, you got to admit that having your ashes thrown into space is something REALLY cool.

Live long and prosper, Scotty, wherever you are now.

What the hell are they thinking?

More attacks on London... Really, this damn terrorists need to reevaluate their lives and let people live theirs peacefully. Idiots.

Difficult times lie ahead Harry...

The sky is crying. Rain falls because __________ (please write the name of one of Harry Potter's characters) died. Black clouds cover the world as we grieve the death of an old friend...OOOH THE PAIN!!!!!!
*Sigh* Actually we're in the middle of a hurricane here in Numbtown and that's why it's raining. And no, even though you probably know already who dies in Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince, I won't ruin the surprise. I don't want to be murdered for delivering such information.

So, thanks to the rain I was able to finally stay in my room without being interrupted and enjoy the damn book. And, as I've done other times before, I will utter this true words from deep inside my heart and soul.

DAMN YOU J.K. ROWLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I'm thinking about writing a poem with that title)

Damn. This is one of those weird moods when you just can't help love someone for delivering such a great story and at the same time hate her for living you immersed in misery knowing you won't know what happens in the story for at least another two years. Also it will be the LAST Harry Potter book EVER! Do you, my dear sinner, fully understand the meaning of this?

Maybe Harry Potter is a fictional character is becoming one of the great wizards of his age (although deep in my heart I'm convinced that there's are wizards living amongst us), but right now, the greatest witch (in a good way) in our boring, little planet is J.K. Rowling. How can you explain the fact that this woman has people of ALL ages obsessed with reading? Little girls and boys reading books 700 pages long in one day! And not only in one continent but all over the world! All this Potter phenomena feels just like...MAGIC.

Anyway, let's talk about the last book. As you can see I love the series.
Having said this, I've felt that in the last two books, (HP and the Order of the Phoenix and HP and the Half- blood...) Rowling takes too long to really start things. Yes, we love to see how the kids are going with their classes and how they fight when they're really in love, yadda yadda yadda, but 400 pages of that sometimes makes you want to kill her. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy every page, but sometimes I feel she's just taking too long to get the story going. Maybe that's why my two favorite books are The prisoner of Azkaban and the Goblet of fire, because from the first page, to the last, things that happen actually are an important part of the plot. There's intensity all the way and you can hardly take a breath until the books end.

Again, having said this, I just LOVE how the Half-blood... ends.

Magnificent. Lot of things unexplained (who the hell is R.A.B.??!!). Things are REALLY changing this time. In the last chapter you can see how the kids become adults. Life, as they know it, ceased to exist. It is no longer a perfect fairy tale with a happy ending. It feels more like real life. Unpredictable, with shades of grey all along the way.
Now, there's a specific mission to be accomplished by Harry, and he's just about to walk into it. Alone. I believe the next book will be a dark one. And even though you know that in the end the good guys will win, you know it will be at great cost.

Damn... I can't wait to get the next book. And after reading it, saying good bye to a whole era, when wizards walked among us; When magic ruled our lives.

Okaaaay...

Life can't get any weirder. Willie Nelson has a new REGGAE album? ...
Sorry I had to get that off my chest. Actually, I heard a couple of songs of Countryman and even though I'm not a big reggae fan, I must admit they sound pretty good. Still...It's weird. I wonder if old Willie will now wear his hair rasta...Hmm....

Yup, finally some proof that Ms. Mysterious went to Europe. Feel lucky, sinners! Now you're finally able to see... my feet. Oh, happy days!

Cylons, wizards and kloots

Days are long here at Numbtown, specially in the summer when there's really nothing interesting to do. My life 'till now has consisted in watching movies and TV shows, eating junk food and missing Italian gelattos.
So, not much to say. My brain is also decided to take vacations. Good things are coming our way, though. Next weekend we'll have the long awaited book Harry Potter and the half-blood prince. Also, Battlestar Galactica's second season. Oh yes. The cylons are coming. Muahahahaha. More addiction for Ms. Mysterious now that the Doctor's gone.

By the way, found this cool Manchester band called I am Kloot. If you have the chance, listen to their album. Is it brit pop? Folk? I have no idea how to classify music. I suck at it. Let's just say that is pure bliss to listen to their songs. They just give you that sense of peace and truthfulness that not every band nowadays can give you. I am Kloot feels... honest. No pretensions, just a bunch of guys playing for the joy of it. Yes, I know I'm not making any sense...At least listen to their song "Proof", a beautiful, catchy song. (http://www.iamkloot.com/www/albums.html)

Who am I... Without you?
Proof -I am Kloot-

Sweet dreams, sinners.

Heh heh heh....Oh, I love internet and all the useless and cool things you can find.. :D 

London blasts

It's a sad day. We all know what happened in London: Terrorist Attacks. What's going on with the human race!? Really... It's really, really sad that us, beings with a brain, with a heart and with a soul, can do THIS to our own.
...

I'm speechless...

Is not an attack to one nation, but to all nations
-Tony Blair

See ya later doc! (Yes, it's old news but what the hell)

Okay, a couple of weeks later but here I am. I have to say it. I have to get it out of my system. I have to mourn....THE DOCTOR.
I was in Europe by the time the last episode aired so I finally got to see it two days ago. It was so great and so sad at the same time. Sue me! I fell totally in love with Christopher Eccleston.
First of all you got to understand that HE is/was my first Doctor. Thanks to his intensity and amusing way he portrayed the character I stayed and watched. And boy, was it worth it.

As I said before, the last episode was excellent. Great moments filled the screen such as Jack saying goodbye to Rose and the doctor; The doctor sending Rose back to earth; Rose fighting to get back to save the Doctor and almost giving her life in the process; The kiss (!!) between the doctor and Rose...WOW... Just...Perfect.. And the final goodbye... Yes, they were both absolutely fantastic. And hell, I'm really going to miss them.

Some might complain that sometimes you've got silly stories and cheesy special effects. But that didn't matter because invariably in EVERY episode you have that special moment, a great monologue by the Doctor that blows your mind and moves your soul. One of the things that are so great about him is that in the end, he encourages everyone to be a better version of themselves. To never give up. To fight for what's right and just. He's not a perfect hero, oh no. But he's an honest one. He helps others because is the right thing to do. And that's really inspiring in a world where we've forgotten how to think beyond ourselves.

And yes, about David Tennant...I've heard that he's great, and sure, I'll watch the next season. But for me, Eccleston will always be THE Doctor (I know I'll be crucified for saying this). Dammit, he shall be missed. Long live the Doctor!!

Music makes the people come together

Back from Europe. Back to Numbtown. Actually, this time is not so bad. My three weeks backpacking Europe were interesting, but a real marathon. Looking for hostels, trying to get to know as much as I could from every city in just a couple of days, the heat, eating granola bars, bread and water most of the time ends up being hell. A nice hell, though.

Traveling alone is a great experience...Most of the time. You get to do whatever you want, yet sometimes you just want someone to rely on. Yeah, you meet people on the road, but it's not the same. To be honest, you have so much free time with yourself that you can't avoid thinking too much about life. About who you are and where your going. About the things you haven't done. Of the mistakes of the past and of the present.
I could go on and on since my mind is still full of confusion and questions...But not tonight. Tonight I'll just say this:

DAMN

I've been watching ALL day long LIVE 8. I wanted to be there, in London. I WAS in Europe 3 days ago. So close, yet so far away... I've been a potato couch since 6:30 am that I woke up. I've done nothing but watch TV and jump in my seat everytime a great band was on stage.
I love the idea of big concerts with a mission. This time, the mission was justice. To end poverty. To apply pressure on politicians and make them help third world countries, mainly Africa.

Really, I love the idea. Hey, I even signed the Live 8 list. Now, I don't want to be the negative person here but I wonder... How can a concert make a difference? How can a politician feel the pressure and change his agenda? I don't know, I think that what Live 8 IS really doing is creating awareness. It makes us open our eyes and our hearts. It makes us forget about ourselves and our pety problems and focus on the big picture. We're all part of the same world and we're members of the human race. We cannot go with our lives without caring about each other. Besides, everything affects us sooner or later.

There are a lot of things to say, but for the time being I'll just say that it was hell of a concert. The best performances were definitely in London; Sting, Paul McCartney, Velvet Revolver, Robbie Williams, Elton John, Madonna, Pink Floyd, Travis, Stereophonics, George Michael, Coldplay, Keane, Snow patrol, REM, the killers, Annie Lennox, Dido, Joss Stone....and many more. God, I REALLY wish I could have been there. Even from TV you could feel the energy.
For me, the best moments were watching Pink Floyd reunited and Paul McCartney end the show with "Hey Jude", as all the artists got together on stage and sang along with the public. Just...Sublime.

After 9 hours in a row watching these concerts I gotta thank Bob Geldof, for giving me something to believe in today. Yup, it was just one of those days... I felt empty. Meaningless. Now I feel much better. I've seen what people with dreams and determination can do. I've seen that there are still good people, trying to make this world a better place to live. I guess the message is that we cannot give in. We have to keep on fighting. There are a lot of things worth fighting for. We CAN make a difference. There's still hope for everyone I guess. Even for me.

I shall go now, expect more ranting soon. Yes, Ms. Mysterious is back.