The Brack Blog

1. Don't blink.
2. Count the shadows.
3. Tell the nanogenes the truth.

Do these things and perhaps everyone will live.

Steven Moffat has written some of the best Doctor Who episodes from the recent seasons (since the series regenerated in 2005). You can get this list by picking through Steven Moffat's Wikipedia entry, but here they are, just the same:

1. The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances (2005)
2. The Girl in the Fireplace (2006)
3. Blink (2007)
4. Silence in the Library / Forest of the Dead (2008)

These are not the only good episodes, mind. I'm watching the 2008 season as it comes out, and I was pleased with Midnight, which was the latest episode just after the Moffat ones this year. It had a very creepy, Twilight Zone feel to it. Hopefully Russell T. Davies will have good stuff for the end of the year, since it looks like he's going to be finishing things off. Here's the episodes/serials list.

I often have trouble finding that on Wikipedia because I forget that they're "serials" rather than "episodes." Likely a British thing. Also, how does one become known as Russell T. Davies? Why the T?

Ok, I'm a geek, but I looked it up. From Russell T. Davies' Wikipedia entry:

...deciding that his abilities lay in production rather than presenting.[3] It was around this point that he began adding the "T" to his name on credits, in order to distinguish himself from the well-known radio presenter Russell Davies.

So, there you go. Of course, it was because of the radio presenter. Since you've read this far, you might also find it interesting that Stephen Moffat will be replacing Russell T. after 2009. That'll be interesting, but I just want to say that although I've enjoyed Moffat's episodes (serials) and look forward to more, Davies has written some excellent shows as well, and how can he not be revered as the man who brought back Doctor Who, regardless of how you feel about Torchwood? Russell T. Davies is the only Russell Davies in my book.

Anyway, heroes all.

Qdoba's doing a local contest to find the ultimate qdoba fan in our area. Which is not to say that Qdoba isn't doing this all over the country--who knows? Now, by empirical evidence that fan is apparently Travis, given the $1000+ he has spent on Qdoba, using his Qcard stats as reference. However, I believe the fan with the best art wins, so we all have a chance.

Anyway, grand prize is $500 of QFood and second prize (10 of them) is 10 free entrees. For entering, you get free chips and queso. So, I'm entering. I thought up some haikus on the way home and while Emily was watching Dancing with the Stars. I'm sharing them with you in hopes that you will write some Qdoba-inspired poetry as well. Here goes. Ah, and if I win hundreds in QCash, I'm sure these gems will no longer belong to me and I'll have to take them down. So, best to enjoy them while they last.

naked ground sirloin
small chips and salsa roja
my Qdoba feast

beige plastic qcard
iloveqdoba.com
double points tuesday

the three cheese queso
redundant redundante
Qdoba bueno

salsa, cheese, sour cream
three cheese queso. please, kind sir
more guacamole

qdoba survey
asks me about the restrooms
i never go there

qdoba survey
employees make eye contact
ten thousand dollars

Here's one I did not send to them, but also makes me chuckle. You know, inside. Anyone who gets Qdoba e-mail will get this, I think.

oh, hot taco bar
i do not know you firsthand
why so much q-spam?

I'd like to recommend this graphic novel of sorts. It doesn't have any words, similar to The Snowman, but more fantastical like something by Chris Van Allsburg. I "read" it through myself tonight after picking it up at the Central library and then my daughter and I read through it together. It's fun asking her what she thinks a panel means and then discussing it. There was only one scene that was a bit mature for her when an older man is telling about a war in which many people die.

The plot is about immigrating to America, though from the dust jacket it sounds like it also originated from "immigrating to Australia" stories and all of the cities/scenes are clearly not American nor Australia nor anywhere else in the "real" world.

The art is wonderful, and the story is well crafted and well told. The little creatures in it feel vaguely Japanese. I'm thinking Studio Ghibli for some reason.

Good for adults, good for kids.

Mwahaha!

I went through most of your user accounts and added (required) nicknames and validated your e-mail accounts. This was to prevent you from having to go through the "send me a validation e-mail and I'll click a link" thing. I believe that's resolved.

I just noticed that comments have to be approved before they show up. As I have no desire to police comments (except to block those spammers) I'll look for a way to auto-approve comments.

All for now.