Nov. 22nd, 2009 @ 04:19 pm They found the formula too late
Current Mood: amused

You know what's on the last DVD of Knight Rider (the final four eps after the retool)? No big SRS GOV'MENT BIZNZ, just helping women, children, and old friends of Mike's. Like the original wrapped implausible episodes around for four seasons. If ONLY they had made the changes early enough to avoid cancellation. (Also, KITT3K developed some lovely snark in the final few episodes. I love him so. Not as much as KITT2K, of course.)

Mike: You ever think about making your back seat into a bed, KITT?
KITT: I'm afraid you'd be tempted to invite strangers.

Edit: HEY, why didn't anyone tell me Alona Tal was in the last episode of KR? (Oh, wait, because nobody was WATCHING KR by the last episode.)
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[info]dragovianknight
Nov. 22nd, 2009 @ 01:28 pm I think the worst thing

...about SPN 5x10 was not the events of the episode themselves, but rather that the episode still fell flat for me, so that I was left going, "Wait, that's it, it's over? What was the point*?"

*Small spoilery 'point' behind the cut. )
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[info]dragovianknight
Nov. 22nd, 2009 @ 05:00 am Tweet Tweet!
  • 09:38 Okay, sleep from pre-dawn 'til twilight. And this is the weekend I need to adjust back to days. #
  • 09:39 To boot, I had a nigthmare last night that Maria came back to the office and they gave her my nightshift slot! #
  • 10:05 I think when you get up this late your only choice is to stay up overnight and well into the next day to return your schedule to normal. #
  • 10:34 @theisb Did that guy actually defend his "Frankencastle is too far out" point by saying the Punisher has a gun that shoots swords? #
  • 10:35 @theisb Oh, nevermind.l That was another guy. Still, that would have been overwhelming for me. #
  • 10:40 Watching an Unsolved Mysteries ghost story collection. Why is it only beautiful women become ghosts? #
  • 10:55 @theisb Wow, the Dude got as far as to calling your comment section a "Hivemind" -- You're even bigger than I thought. #
  • 11:08 @ChaosMonkey If i ever write a religion, I want to use that. #
  • 11:19 @ChaosMonkey You'll get the same consideration the ancient civilizations I appropriate from get. #
  • 11:28 Okay, this is how you lure me to Smallville. is.gd/50s90 #
  • 12:02 @random_j03 No idea. I haven't watched since the first Flash appearance. #
  • 12:08 Eh, what the hell. It's the weekend. Operation Circadian Realignment begins tonight! #
  • 13:08 The Tyranny of State Legislatures. is.gd/50vga #
  • 13:22 This week I realized (during 2012 arguments) that I'm an Autumn Person. And I'm not sure that's a bad thing. #
  • 13:24 Sadly, being an Autumn Person means you don't see the fairies die from your icy skepticism. That takes some of the fun out. #
  • 15:38 @mikesterling Conspiracy Guy at my office says that they were ignored. This is why I've been using my Autumn Person powers against him. #
  • 16:59 To encourage the necessary 18-20 hours of wakefulness still needed to accomplish Operation Circadian Realignment, I will watch scary movies. #
  • 17:43 @daveexmachina A blog I follow called that an official declaration of war against America. I'm thinking he might be right. #
  • 17:49 Pretty good examination of liberalism here is.gd/50EFf #
  • 17:54 @daveexmachina The fixation on sex and reproduction is inherent to their culture. WPeople fear that which they find most compelling. #
  • 18:03 How can they defy a law that simply allows someone else to do something? is.gd/50FcH #
  • 18:45 @theisb I thought you meant Australia #
  • 19:24 This movie is so uninteresting I'm going to mute it and watch newsclips on the internet instead. #
  • 19:52 RT @igallupd RT @fivethirtyeight: For those of you doing something fun on Sat. night: HC bill clears procedural hurdle in Senate, 60-39. #
  • 19:54 @BradyDale I was going for a determined military feel, but I guess nerdy charm works. #
  • 21:01 Tinkerbell's traveling outfit is cute. #
  • 00:42 @BradyDale Soldiers, since they don't choose when their sleep schedules get fucked up. #
  • 01:39 Salon writer looks at Nazi sites so you don't have to. is.gd/50RAj #
  • 01:39 Turns out they like Glenn Beck, go figure. #
  • 01:41 The sun is up (well, up for Germany anyway). Operation Circadian Realignment continues unabated. #
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[info]ragnell
Nov. 21st, 2009 @ 11:14 pm In Other News

My hip has hurt for three days straight, and it's kind of getting to me. It's not a biting, omg need to vomit pain. But it feels wrong and makes me worry and overthink.

Also I miss DW. Yes I'm still commenting, but I miss the people that drop in to say *hugs*. I'm very much aware that it's a 'deal' to come to iJay and people tend to do so and catch up on a bunch of posts at once. The major thing is, however, the very reason I'm not over there (inability to save comments) makes missing it useless. Because I'd be there and anxious about not being able to save it, or just be xposting there with comments on here.

But it rankles a lot that some problem with my imported lj comments apparently isn't duplicable. It's the thing that originally made me go - hey this could get me just about 98% or more LJ free and pay attention to dw in the first place. And then it irks that you can't show comments but have comments closed. And it irks that you can't have comments open on individual posts if the comment default for the journal itself is 'comments disabled'. I mean Blogger has that. Since when has Blogger been on the cutting edge of the industry. They only figured out how to do easy jump cuts THIS YEAR. And it doesn't even work for everyone.

Meanwhile I've discovered/confirmed/reconfirmed my romance hot button trope.

But it doesn't feel very important at all given the hip pain. Seriously hip pain sucks. A lot. With rocks. Slimey rocks.

Also? Dragonage: Origins will never* drop to a price I consider reasonable given its skeezy race and trans issues *mental tantrum with fist stomping*

*[Note the dramatic emphasis]
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[info]the_willow
Nov. 21st, 2009 @ 05:23 pm US People's Ideas Of Service & Manners Are So Different

100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do; Parts 1 & 2

I read it all the way through and suddenly realized why as a child eating out in America confused me so much (because things were so different) and why I get so easily irked when I go out to eat now.

Here I was attributing it to me being anti-social.

'Are you still working on that?' - *grits teeth* Why are you calling the meal or the experience of eating it WORK?

And the constant hovering and pouring water that some people think is good service but which just makes my stomach tense up and cramp because there's no moment to relax without someone in your face all the time. I find nothing wrong with going out and treating myself to dinner, PLEASE PLEASE do not think, dear servers, that I need company and you're doing me a favour stopping by every five to seven minutes. I'm either reading, or enjoying the view and meal.

What's most revealing to me is the comments. People insisting they can never eat or work in a restaurant owned by the person who compiled the list because there are too many rules. People insisting that someone who has all their rules must be underpaying their staff, or that they're expecting a lot of work and formality out of minimum wage staff. As if how much you get paid to do a thing, dictates whether or not you do it well and properly.

Then there's the people who're all 'You'll go out of business if you give away recipes'

And the people who think the rules are obnoxious.

And the person who called it 'early 20th Century British servant manners' - as an INSULT.

And the people who can't tell the difference between telling a customer about dishes without stating which dishes are their favourite. I mean I only give a damn about the waiter's favourite dish if I'm trying to decide something and they say 'I'm a total chocoholic and I really like x'. In which cause I immediately know it's likely to be too rich for my tastebuds.

I finally found a comment that cements to me the general consensus of the 'WTF comments'

101. A Waiter will never, by word or sign, indicate that he or she believes he is a human being of equal worth as the patrons of the restaurant. When the Waiter accepts a check signed by the restaurant owner/manager, that proves he or she is inferior.


102. A Waiter will never, when off duty, off the restaurant premises, or anywhere else, act in a manner unbecoming to the restaurant. The Waiter is an ambassador for the restaurant and is at all time responsible to the restaurant for his or her behavior. The Waiter is permanently the property of the restaurant.


So being quietly respectful, not presenting oneself as a diner's new best friend, allowing people to eat in peace and trying to be attentive to their needs is .... wage slavery? And then the US claims that it is a service oriented economy?

And I find myself pondering the whole Sir, Ma'am, Miss thing. Though I'm not sure people say 'Miss' in the US. But the whole thing about Sir & Ma'am being cracks on age and not terms of respect? WTF? I know I've never felt more comfortable - unexpectedly comfortable- than when first visiting my step-family in Georgia and suddenly all the manners that got me labeled 'kiss up' etc in NYC, were just plain accepted.

ETA: Geeze people. A waiter doesn't have to hover in order to be attentive and not seem to disappear when a guest/customer needs them. They can be at the front or the back of the dining area, visible when not attending other tables. It's not rocket science people!

ETA2: Zvi was the one who clued me on minimum wage and how important tips were financially to American waitstaff. I grew up where tips were a bonus for good service. Given my reaction in general to American waitstaff service - I previously was not leaving any tips. Zvi still seems to me, to find not leaving a tip to be rude. But it's ingrained in me, deeply, not to pay for service I did not find desirable. And I'm ecstatic when service is such, I don't have to remember 'well, they probably don't get paid much and Zvi said it is helpful to the working stiff so I should give -something-'
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[info]the_willow
Nov. 21st, 2009 @ 05:00 am Tweet Tweet!
  • 11:26 RT @Digital_Femme: Black women doing comics! Please email me a list of your published (online or paper) work! tinyurl.com/yklmgq2 #
  • 18:09 RT @madmarvelgirl: Dear Marvel, do you REALLY want to get into a debate about the definition of rape in the Spider-Man letter column? #
  • 18:28 Saw 2012 with some guys form the office. Quite a funny movie, though that may be the liquor-filled chocolates I ate talking. #
  • 19:00 @kenlowery I use that glitch to check on relatives #
  • 19:09 @madmarvelgirl We were looking at a 42 in LED Samsung in the mall in Luzembourg today. 2600 Euro, but DAMN the picture looks good on it. #
  • 19:21 @madmarvelgirl Write him back. #
  • 19:31 RT @jennifergearing RT @meloukhia "Affectionate cat distracts policeman" bit.ly/6SsFF7 (Yes, it really is as awesome as it sounds.) #
  • 22:07 So this is what happens to people who think a remainder means the math problem was a trick question tinyurl.com/yjg472r #
  • 22:14 @hermanos Speaking as someone who thinks Power Girl's window is just cool an retro-stylish looking? Fuck that commenter. #
  • 22:19 That's right, I love the Power Girl window costume. If you feel guilty over it, forget justifying it and try drawing it more tastefully. #
  • 22:21 It doesn't have to show the entirety of her cleavage, for example. The original fashion is just a hint. #
  • 23:01 @hermanos Absolutely. #
  • 23:01 Slightly lengthened rant on the Power Girl costume. ragnell.blogspot.com/2009/11/on-power-girl-cut-out-costume.html #
  • 23:02 (Nothing I haven't said on Twitter, though, except a knock on the Star Sapphire costume again) #
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[info]ragnell
Nov. 20th, 2009 @ 08:02 am Christians are filled with such caring and compassion
Current Mood: angry

That they send around "jokes" like this:

Cut to spare you the desire to kill. )

How fucked up is that?
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[info]dragovianknight
Nov. 20th, 2009 @ 05:00 am Tweet Tweet!
  • 06:18 @tangognat They ended the crossover without explaining anything? #
  • 06:19 RT @theisb: In a just and fair world, Grant Morrison's Shining Knight would've gotten a series after 7 Soldiers. #
  • 07:06 @LyleMasaki That's just... Surely someone came up with an evil twin explanation for her behavior? #
  • 08:01 @LyleMasaki Keith Giffen? #
  • 11:14 2 more damned early present boxes from @RoseSunrise and @ChiefFuzz now sitting there. Mocking me. #
  • 11:15 AND got the comics with GLC42 in them today! Postmarked 13 Nov -- Nice work, MPS. #
  • 17:26 @igallupd The "overall topline" is freakin' scary too. #
  • 20:13 @ChiefFuzz Ordered one of the similar ones, we'll see what comes in the mail. #
  • 20:33 Oh man. I just read GLC 42. I love that character. They should NOT be able to do that and make me happy as I read it. #
  • 20:36 Maybe I just love it because I don't believe for a second its permanent, but if it is at least its the way that character should exit #
  • 21:49 I should be sleeping but instead I'm writing enthusiastic blogposts about Green Lantern. is.gd/4ZiWq #
  • 21:51 I have no responsibility for any typographic and grammatical mistakes made at this time of night, by the way. #
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[info]ragnell
Nov. 19th, 2009 @ 05:16 pm Easy Recipe #3: Apple-Oatmeal Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream

This was the most popular choice in the poll, and funny enough, I haven't encountered yet a person who didn't like it, even when initially sceptical towards oatmeal or apples. (Well, unless they have allergies, of course.) I'm going to use °C and metric measurements for the recipe, but converters are easy to find online and also it's not one of those where you have to be super accurate, so that shouldn't be a problem.

What you need:

- oatmeal (I buy the 1 kg package which lasts for several meals)
- 2 to 3 apples
- sugar
- cinnamon
- a bar of butter (I use the 250 g bars -- you'll definitely need less than a pound)
- vanilla ice cream

and a greased baking pan, casserole dish, or similar (if it's fireproof and somewhat flat it'll work).

Read more... )

Serve fresh out of the oven, in small bowls, with some ice cream on top. Makes for a nice hot-cold contrast. Oh, and you eat the cake with spoons.

Additional info:

- Makes you feel full extremely quickly. I've had huge people who are big eaters laugh in my face when I served them the "tiny" dish, only to see them declare defeat after their second bowl.
- The dough can be kept in the fridge to use it up later, and also works great as a muesli breakfast substitute.

You can't really mess up this one. Trust me.
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[info]das_dingsi
Nov. 19th, 2009 @ 05:00 am Tweet Tweet!
  • 17:27 @ChiefFuzz Well, they're here and they're sitting there mocking me. #
  • 17:30 @Paradisacorbasi Beautiful. The shittiest, most spiteful part of the law is what shoots them in the foot. #
  • 17:32 Dumbass state outlaws marriage with their spiteful bigotry. is.gd/4YlXj #
  • 17:34 @ChiefFuzz Dad... #
  • 17:40 @ChiefFuzz For the holidays, I should make a recording of myself saying that you can listen to it after all your jokes. #
  • 17:43 Okay, I love retweeting with a button but this thing where new people pop up in my followlist is going to lead to trouble #
  • 17:52 Anyone too scared to abide by the principals of our country (murder results in trial by jury) should just fucking leave already. #
  • 17:54 Why are these people still here if they disagree with the 6th Amendment?! It's one of the Top Ten, dammit! #
  • 17:55 CRIMINALS get "a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district _wherein_ the crime shall have been committed" #
  • 17:58 I shouldn't spam twitter, but these people are seriously pissing me off with their endless yellow streak. #
  • 18:27 @random_j03 Well, it is a faceless evil corporation that uses recycled paper cups? #
  • 19:53 Debating whether or not to post the bra picture on my blog. Front, back, and closeup of the faded label. #
  • 19:54 I'm desperate here. This is the most perfectly-fitting article of sportswear I've ever owned... and it's dying! Dying in anonymity! #
  • 20:06 On the bright side, if I'm ever shy about posting any piece of writing again in my life, I can look at the post and compare... #
  • 20:10 @mizzelle Guess not, I just clicked publish. #
  • 20:11 Please link whereever sportsbra wearers congregate: ragnell.blogspot.com/2009/11/can-you-identify-this-piece-of.html #
  • 20:19 (And no, it's not because its old as hell, @theisb) #
  • 20:20 @mizzelle White originally. The faded part on the interior was originally black. #
  • 20:20 @mizzelle Very thick material on the white. #
  • 20:22 @CantonDem I already got some leftover from the first day of trying to identify the bra. #
  • 20:29 @CantonDem I'd be more nervous if the article in question wasn't larger than some tank tops I've seen people wear. #
  • 20:30 @CantonDem Just standard Twitter follow-based-on-keywords, I doubt these people even know I actuall exist. #
  • 20:34 @CantonDem It wasn't so much a fat joke at my expense as a "This is a fairly modest article of clothing" note. #
  • 20:36 @CantonDem It'd fit the bare midriff trend and man I am getting way too detailed here. I hope I'm not being creepy myself. #
  • 20:38 @CantonDem All part of my fiendish plan to post the most utilitarian pictures of female underwear on the internet. #
  • 21:41 @ChiefFuzz 2 boxes. Sitting there. Mocking me. #
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[info]ragnell
Nov. 18th, 2009 @ 09:54 pm As usual, sailing against the prevailing fannish winds
Current Mood: amused

To say that I found SPN 5x09 freakin' hilarious, and spoilery comment ahoy )

I would hang with those fans. Actually, I think I have hung with those fans. But then, keep in mind that I was the one at Anime Expo addressing her question to Lord Zedd and Empress Rita, which I think means I am one of those fans. I just wish I was one of those fans who could afford to restore a classic Impala.
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[info]dragovianknight
Nov. 18th, 2009 @ 09:31 pm Publisher's Weekly

Is it me? or is Publisher's Weekly soundly putting their foot up it, right until it comes out of their arse when it comes to ignoring or bad talking female writers and readers and female centric genres?

They just got trounced on their 'best of' and now sucktastic title on a feature interview. Someone is snorting some extra strong powdered stereotypes over there.
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[info]the_willow
Nov. 18th, 2009 @ 06:10 am Going The Eff Back To Bed
Current Mood: indescribable

Hip Pain - > Often Caused By Sciatica

Sciatica - > Often Caused By A Slipped Disc

Slipped Disc - > When I Was Eleven

(Growing)Pain / Body Not Feeling Trustworthy - > Ever Since I Was Eleven

Back Pain/Spasms, Neck Pain Spasms, History of Migraines - > Numerous

History of Knee & Ankle Problems -> Numerous

History of Car Accidents - > Yes

Mentions To Doctor Of All Of This - > Numerous

Frustration At Having To 'Google' My Symptoms To Truly Know WTF Is Wrong With Me? -> Enormous

Urge To Punch All Medical Professionals In The Face - Overwhelming

Addtionals:

Fibromyalgia Related To Spinal Injury -> Yes

--

I am no longer sure I give a damn about 'professional' diagnosis if I can find deeper explanations on why my body's been falling apart for years. And I've spent too much of 2009 trying to tell myself I'm not lazy, and I'm not tired - I'm reacting to pain and that's why I'm avoiding things/doing less. I originally filtered this flocked, but someone else journaling about their experiences actually helped me get to this point. So passing the verification that this IS happening forward, I guess.
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[info]the_willow
Nov. 18th, 2009 @ 05:00 am Tweet Tweet!
  • 15:59 They nominated "tramp stamp" for word of the year?! is.gd/4XpT8 #
  • 16:01 @lucy_anne Dude, that list is utterly horrifying. (And they even got the winner wrong. I've never seen anyone use unfriend over defriend) #
  • 16:07 RT @lankyguy RT @amboy00 Hate crimes against christians and gays after Prop 8. Guess which rate went up. bit.ly/3l0RVO #
  • 16:13 @maggiesox Maybe this'll make you smile about the subject: www.the-iss.com/2009/11/the_iss_takes_on_the_aps_attem.php #
  • 16:19 @maggiesox I'm reading the old post where they compare her to Biden for the ISS VP endorsement, it's even better is.gd/4XqXt #
  • 16:30 Why is my mother sending me "Do not open until Christmas" packages before Thanksgiving? Is this a cruel test? #
  • 16:38 @maggiesox The radio clip? #
  • 16:42 @Twyst I checked the postmarks before I realized what the packages were. :( I like seeng how long it takes to get stuff to me. #
  • 16:45 @Twyst Last time I peeked at a present early, it was one that made me mad at her. I'll give myself a week here. #
  • 18:17 @dorianwright They can't overlook the holes in their philosophy without a persecution complex? #
  • 18:28 RT @quietprofanity Glenn Beck compared government-run healthcare to raping a 13-year-old with Quaaludes. That's just great. No, really. >:( #
  • 19:31 Christ, he really said it. Hell's too good for Glenn Beck. is.gd/4XxNp #
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[info]ragnell
Nov. 17th, 2009 @ 03:10 pm I forgot to post my baaaaby dragons
Current Mood: cold

Adopt one today! Adopt one today! Adopt one today! Adopt one today! Adopt one today! Adopt one today! Adopt one today!

This post COULD have had content, but it would just have been more nattering about Knight Rider, because my life is kind of not that interesting.
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[info]dragovianknight
Nov. 17th, 2009 @ 11:59 pm Question Tiemz!

Do you know of any video games ("with nice graphics" would be a bonus) where there's a transformation sequence of a MALE character where the camera pans lovingly and repeatedly over the guy's ass and bare chest for what feels like ten minutes? And he wears, I dunno, a thong and a few strings of strategically placed floss to cover his nipples.

You don't have to guess why I'm asking.
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[info]das_dingsi
Nov. 17th, 2009 @ 08:12 am Thots on new!Knight Rider, and my very interesting dreams
Current Mood: cold

Cut to spare you, my deep thots on Knight Rider. )

I will be interested to see what's on the final two DVDs of the series. Potentially, I could end up buying it, if Amazon.com has a suitable sale.

After watching far too many hours of new!Knight Rider, I had a dream which started out as a Knight Rider/Supernatural crossover, and then went Power Rangers RPM. No, I don't know either. )

In conclusion, my brain is a weird and scary place.
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[info]dragovianknight
Nov. 17th, 2009 @ 05:00 am Tweet Tweet!
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[info]ragnell
Nov. 17th, 2009 @ 02:35 am See Willow. See Willow Pissed

News courtesy of Viridian5 - Lyrica causes SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.

My uneasiness at the casual prescription the first time the doctor suggested it, had me greatful it was getting the long approval process from my insurance. Then this second time she brought it up all 'Oh sciatica and nerve damage are helped by it' - uneasiness made me not pick it up.

Come my next appointment there is going to be a LOOOONG ass conversation and possibly me shopping around for a new doctor. Old therapist reccomendation or not. Cause WTF? I even asked her to list the side effects. She pulled her her little digital pharma guide and said 'Sleepiness'.

So that shit needs updating and she needs talking to for NOT updating it and MORE.

Shit. Not trusting a doctor means I'm less likely to go to appointments. Shit shit double shit.

Maybe I won't even wait till our next appointment. I might just leave her a voicemail or hand deliver a very pissed off letter.

G'damn 2009. I am so done.

PS/ETA: My uneasiness btw came from online research of the product where suicidal thoughts did not come up, but other side effects did. I took my doctor's claim of 'sleepiness' as her saying 'the major side effect' -- I... yeah, still too angry.
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[info]the_willow
Nov. 16th, 2009 @ 04:41 pm I'm watching Knight Rider 2008
Current Mood: cold

The first DVD came today, so I'm finally getting to see the "Knight Rider Television Event" that preceeded the series.

Wow, Sarah was way more entertaining before Mike came on the scene. I could totally have been down with a series about one woman (and her car) making a difference.

I still wish KITT/KITT fiction existed.

Edit: Yeah, instead of the ginormous cast all we needed was Sarah, Carrie (as our new Devon) and Billy (as our token male/Bonnie). I think we'd have had a better show.
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[info]dragovianknight