Snoozefest

This week has been pretty good, in terms of work. I actually have put in near to fulltime hours, for the first time since last September. The work can't come too soon either, since I still have to pay off my damn dentist and car-repair bills.

My parents have been gone all week to Cabo. I haven't heard from them, but I'm assuming they're having a good time. :)

LOST was okay this week. It was good to get back into Hurley's life, and see Cheech Marin playing his dad. But, the VW Bus segment was unbelievable. After all those years lying on its side as a wreck, the van would have lost its gasoline and other fluids, and the engine would have been frozen up. Not to mention, the tires would have been very, very flat.

I know the island's supposed to work miracles, but the episode lacked credibility. We'll see what next week brings!

I missed ROME this week; it was a rerun. All the networks are afraid to run competition to the Academy Awards, though God only knows why they are afraid of that drab, long-winded snoozefest.

The Baptism of Lucius Junius Brutus

OK, so this past Sunday's Rome was a little too homoerotic for my tastes. Two scenes of buggery, a naked guy wading into a river, Pullo and Vorenus wrestling on the floor.... It was a bit much!

I found it fascinating that the authors chose to have Brutus assume a Christlike figure in his self-baptism in the river. As he emerged in slow motion from the water, rivulets angling down his face and over his beard, I could not help but think of Christian baptism, and the whole John the Baptist in the River Jordan image.

What makes that Christlike image all the more fascinating is the total inversion of Brutus' historical role. Normally he represents the secular prefiguring of Judas, not Christ--"Et tu, Brute" forshadowing the betrayer's kiss.

I'll be interested in seeing how Rome's creators carry this part of the story forward.

Roma Invicta

Last week, HBO's "Rome" debuted its second season. I recorded it on my DVR and have enjoyed two remarkable episodes now. The character development, acting, and scene settings are all soar above the usual mediocre television fare. Bravo to HBO! It almost leads me to forgive you for cancelling "Carnivale."

I've also nearly finished Season 2 of "Lost." And just in time for the beginning of the new season in a couple of weeks. I noticed in the previews on ABC.com that the upcoming shows will explain Jack's experiences in Thailand to us. I'm curious to find out about the tattoo....

In other news, I started the Tech Comm II class at UCSD. It's a hybrid course, with 3 of the 7 meetings in the classroom--the rest online. I'm not a big fan of online classes, but this is the trend for the future, evidently. I can certainly see its uses in adult education. At any rate, I'll be glad to get the certificate finished. Then I can get back to my novel. Yay!

Until the next time, farewell!
David