My top fives
Feb. 21st, 2013 10:43 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
next_to_normalFirst, an interesting read, courtesy of Mark Ruffalo's twitter: Revenge of the Introvert. Relevant to your interests, I expect, for many of you.
Second, if you are not watching The Americans, WATCH THE AMERICANS. Seriously. This show is incredible. Last night's episode on the Reagan assassination attempt was fascinating - even knowing how it all turns out (spoiler: he doesn't die), it still manages to explore angles by focusing on how our perceptions and history affect our reactions to events, with the Soviets - and Elizabeth, in particular - anticipating a coup d'etat because that's typically what happened when Russian leaders were assassinated, not realizing that that sort of thing just doesn't happen in the U.S. It also neatly illustrates the difference between Elizabeth and Philip, whose instincts on this are a lot better than hers because he's become so immersed in American culture - i.e. the very same thing that made him a liability as a KGB spy in the pilot.
Okay, on to my top five lists.
Fromgoldenusagi:
Top Five Desert Island TV Shows
I had two basic criteria here: one, shows that, asgoldenusagi put it, I "could watch on repeat over and over and never get sick of." The other thing I considered was length of the series. I mean, there are plenty of shows I adore that only made it a season or two, but if I'm stranded on a desert island (...with my DVD player, a TV, and electricity, presumably), I'm going to want as much entertainment as possible.
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for what should be obvious reasons. I never seem to stop discovering new layers each time I go back to it.
2. The West Wing. I've already seen the early seasons more times than I can count, and it's still just as entertaining as the first time.
3. Friends. I figured I'd need a comedy to cheer me up while I'm stranded on this desert island, and judging by my inability to pull myself away when reruns are on, I'd say this one stands up to rewatches.
4. Friday Night Lights, because it's so real that it would keep me grounded while I am separated from society.
5. Breaking Bad, which I haven't actually tried to rewatch, since I only just watched it for the first time last year, but I expect it would hold up well, and it's damn good.
Fromseapealsh:
Top Five National Fast Food Chains
Heh, I don't really eat fast food anymore, so I'm stretching a bit to come up with five.
1. Panera Bread, which has become a tradition, since there's one near my doctor's office. Every time I go for a Remicade treatment, I get Panera afterward. Unless I get Chipotle...
2. Chipotle. I actually rarely eat there, but I've developed an odd fondness for it due to my friend Andrew's evangelism. He LOVES Chipotle, and once described it to me as "their burritos are the size of a baby." Which is why I rarely eat there, lol. My waistline can't afford it.
3. Quiznos, an addiction during my senior year of college, when they opened a store on campus. I never eat it now, since it's not convenient (Subway is nearby but far inferior), but I have fond memories.
4. Chopt Salad. I suppose this qualifies as fast food, even though the line is always abysmally long whenever I go there. I used to prefer Saladworks, but again, a lack of availability in this area has converted me to Chopt.
5. Wendy's, which, again, I don't really eat anymore, but when I did, this was my preference over McDonald's or Burger King. I do like McDonald's fries, though...
Stay tuned. There is more to come!
Second, if you are not watching The Americans, WATCH THE AMERICANS. Seriously. This show is incredible. Last night's episode on the Reagan assassination attempt was fascinating - even knowing how it all turns out (spoiler: he doesn't die), it still manages to explore angles by focusing on how our perceptions and history affect our reactions to events, with the Soviets - and Elizabeth, in particular - anticipating a coup d'etat because that's typically what happened when Russian leaders were assassinated, not realizing that that sort of thing just doesn't happen in the U.S. It also neatly illustrates the difference between Elizabeth and Philip, whose instincts on this are a lot better than hers because he's become so immersed in American culture - i.e. the very same thing that made him a liability as a KGB spy in the pilot.
Okay, on to my top five lists.
From
goldenusagi:Top Five Desert Island TV Shows
I had two basic criteria here: one, shows that, as
goldenusagi put it, I "could watch on repeat over and over and never get sick of." The other thing I considered was length of the series. I mean, there are plenty of shows I adore that only made it a season or two, but if I'm stranded on a desert island (...with my DVD player, a TV, and electricity, presumably), I'm going to want as much entertainment as possible.1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for what should be obvious reasons. I never seem to stop discovering new layers each time I go back to it.
2. The West Wing. I've already seen the early seasons more times than I can count, and it's still just as entertaining as the first time.
3. Friends. I figured I'd need a comedy to cheer me up while I'm stranded on this desert island, and judging by my inability to pull myself away when reruns are on, I'd say this one stands up to rewatches.
4. Friday Night Lights, because it's so real that it would keep me grounded while I am separated from society.
5. Breaking Bad, which I haven't actually tried to rewatch, since I only just watched it for the first time last year, but I expect it would hold up well, and it's damn good.
From
seapealsh:Top Five National Fast Food Chains
Heh, I don't really eat fast food anymore, so I'm stretching a bit to come up with five.
1. Panera Bread, which has become a tradition, since there's one near my doctor's office. Every time I go for a Remicade treatment, I get Panera afterward. Unless I get Chipotle...
2. Chipotle. I actually rarely eat there, but I've developed an odd fondness for it due to my friend Andrew's evangelism. He LOVES Chipotle, and once described it to me as "their burritos are the size of a baby." Which is why I rarely eat there, lol. My waistline can't afford it.
3. Quiznos, an addiction during my senior year of college, when they opened a store on campus. I never eat it now, since it's not convenient (Subway is nearby but far inferior), but I have fond memories.
4. Chopt Salad. I suppose this qualifies as fast food, even though the line is always abysmally long whenever I go there. I used to prefer Saladworks, but again, a lack of availability in this area has converted me to Chopt.
5. Wendy's, which, again, I don't really eat anymore, but when I did, this was my preference over McDonald's or Burger King. I do like McDonald's fries, though...
Stay tuned. There is more to come!
no subject
Date: Feb. 23rd, 2013 06:40 pm (UTC)On the career thing: I totally agree, and it's something that's been on my mind a lot as I'm going on the job market (I'm getting my PhD in July). My recent interest in vidding and whatnot sometimes makes me wonder if I should have gone into video editing/production or visual design, but honestly? I bet I would find as many things to dislike about those jobs as I do about jobs in science. Relatedly, I'm looking at some jobs that are quite similar to the research I already do, and others that would be more challenging and probably more interesting. Part of me feels like I should go for the latter, but then the former would probably require less work (not more than 40 hours per week) and give me more time for other things.
Uh, sorry for the tangent. Anyway, great essay -- I've already shared it with some friends -- and good thoughts.
no subject
Date: Feb. 25th, 2013 02:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Feb. 25th, 2013 02:59 pm (UTC)