3 months, 201 episodes and 2 movies later, I have completed my odyssey of re-watching the X-Files. It's a show I loved as a teenager, so when I saw it was available on streaming Netflix, I dove in.
As with any TV show on the air for 9 years, some of the episodes are wonderful, some are absolutely awful. I remember as a teenager being more interested in the "monster of the week" episodes, but as an adult I found I enjoy the overarching conspiracy saga episodes more.
Overall, it's a somewhat silly sci-fi romp: alien conspiracies, supernatural forces, superhuman powers, etc. But at its heart, it's a story about two characters thrown together in extraordinary circumstances and how they adapt and change when faced with incredible challenges. Watching 9 years of material in the course of only 3 months really allowed me to watch it more like a long movie than a TV series, and really watch how the episodes link together and relationship dynamics unfold.
And it's always nice to see a lead woman portrayed not solely as an over-sexualized love interest of the leading man (although they do grow together over the years), but as intelligent, resilient and invaluable to the survival of both characters.
Well, now that it's over, maybe I can get something done around the house.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
First Harvest
Steve is off diving for sea sponges in Indonesia... again... so I am tasked with caring for the garden during his absence. He's really the gardener of the house, I just try to help out... and not kill anything.
Farmer Steve has managed to miss the first harvest. We have two ripe tomatoes (from two different bushes) and a cucumber.
The cucumber turned out to be very delicious, even a little bit sweet. My sister-in-law showed us that a simple mixture of water, vinegar and salt can make plain cucumber into a fairly delicious snack, so the remainder of the first cucumber is currently marinating in said solution in the fridge.
We actually have six tomato plants this year. In addition to tomatoes being a very versatile food generally, Steve is a tomato fiend. The tomato on the left came from a tall, stringy plant in our side yard. The tomato on the right was from our largest plant, which is currently endeavoring to take over the deck.
While slightly different, both were delicious and I just had them plain as a snack this afternoon.
Farmer Steve has managed to miss the first harvest. We have two ripe tomatoes (from two different bushes) and a cucumber.
The cucumber turned out to be very delicious, even a little bit sweet. My sister-in-law showed us that a simple mixture of water, vinegar and salt can make plain cucumber into a fairly delicious snack, so the remainder of the first cucumber is currently marinating in said solution in the fridge.
We actually have six tomato plants this year. In addition to tomatoes being a very versatile food generally, Steve is a tomato fiend. The tomato on the left came from a tall, stringy plant in our side yard. The tomato on the right was from our largest plant, which is currently endeavoring to take over the deck.
While slightly different, both were delicious and I just had them plain as a snack this afternoon.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Garden Update
Our vegetables are really coming along. Our large planter bed next to the deck has very happy cucumbers, onions and tomatoes.
The smaller planter bed has three impressively tall tomato plants going.
The hot weather has really made my cactus happy.
And our rose bushes are producing roses larger than the small plants themselves can handle. This one had to be cut as it was bending the branch it was on to an absurd angle.
On our July 4th day off, Steve even got a chance to enjoy the garden, instead of just working on it.
The smaller planter bed has three impressively tall tomato plants going.
The hot weather has really made my cactus happy.
And our rose bushes are producing roses larger than the small plants themselves can handle. This one had to be cut as it was bending the branch it was on to an absurd angle.
On our July 4th day off, Steve even got a chance to enjoy the garden, instead of just working on it.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Happy Birthday, Jim!
Today is my brother's birthday, and we were fortunate enough to have him and his girlfriend Amanda grace us with their presence Friday night. They stopped to have dinner and dessert with us on their way to visit friends in the bay area. We really enjoyed visiting with them. It's a shame we don't get the chance more often since we live 6 hours apart.
On their way out the door, we got a few pictures, although in the dim light the quality wasn't that great (since they were just taken with a cell phone).
Jim and Amanda
Me and my "little" brother
On their way out the door, we got a few pictures, although in the dim light the quality wasn't that great (since they were just taken with a cell phone).
Jim and Amanda
Me and my "little" brother
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