Cheese With My Whine: Health Care In The USA

Firstly, how about you watch this:

That was John Green. He's an excellent writer, advocate against world suck, and a reminder to me to never forget to be awesome. I saw this video and I very clearly felt happy and upset at the same time. Too often do I hear United States Sheep Citizens play along with the political pandering of the Health Care "Debate".

"Making me have free health care is unconstitutional."

Buddy, we do lots of things we don't really have any say in. Following road laws, paying taxes, and even submitting to surveillance. This isn't the thing to complain about.

"Free health care means lower quality health care!"

Not sure if you heard, but we're 33rd in life expectancy. I'd also like to point out who has free (Universal) health care. Japan, who is number one on the list.

"We'll have higher taxes with free health care!"

It's documented (you know, fact) that we pay more in taxes than those with Universal Health Care, and receive nothing close to free health care in return. If the government decided to raise taxes, well then we know it's their choice, not a necessity.

"Free health care is socialist!"

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought we were having an adult conversation. My bad.

I'm sick (health care joke!) and tired of this terrible "debate". I don't care who you are, where you're from, or what you did (N' Sync joke now), if you are telling me that you are against a system that is proven to work in major counties around the world, that could improve the life of your fellow citizens, your friends, your family, and yourself, then you are either a political sheep or intentionally an A-Hole.

Are there flaws with Universal Health Care. Yes. Is the system the United States has now a gleaming bald eagle of amazing? Far from it. I'd at least prefer to have a health care system that consistently out performs our own. What is your view on the issue. Very interested in what you have to say, positive or not. Comments are always welcome!

Oh, and I hope you caught him mentioning the next season of Sherlock. He understands my physical need for the new season.

Thanks A Million: Fanfiction Community

Welcome to Thanks A Million! Today we're gonna talk about what I'm grateful for this week, and that comes in the form of the fan fiction community. 

Yes, that is the dance I do.

You'll find this lovely bunch embedded within any given fandom. Let's break it down into little chunks for those who may not be as insane as myself. A fandom (think "fans" and "kingdom") is a fan base focused on a particular interest. This group is interested on a very detailed level and will invest tons of time into it. So take that and apply it to fan fiction  which is literally fiction written by fans of a book, TV Show, movie, game, etc that want to write a story that deviates from the source material. So, why am I grateful for the fan fiction community?

• Let's take a property like Harry Potter. There are no more books or movies, and yet I still have a need for more creative and wonderfully whimsical stories from that realm. With fan fiction I can get cool side stories, interesting new romances, and alternate reality scenarios. What's not to love?
• Let's take a property like Sherlock (BBC). You know secretly John is gay, and I need stories written about the steamy romance he should be having with Sherlock.
• Let's take a property like Thor or The Avengers. Do you have a favorite character you want to have a million stories to read about them? You can find as many Loki fan fiction stories as you could ever read, even gender swapped.
• The fan fiction community likes to write, share, and is pretty open minded. Have a super crazy couple you ship to the moon and back. They are on board.  Want to cross two unlikely properties together? They've done it at least once.
• Have an idea for a fan fiction. Write it and ask them what they think. They won't be as harsh on you as your college English professor was, I'm sure.
• They are just oodles of fun to geek out with. They like what you like for Kirk/Spock sake! ...Personally I want more Khan/Spock stories...

Oh yes you are, fan fiction community.

Are there good and bad people in the fan fiction community? Yes. Are there good and bad stories in the fan fiction community? You betcha. Is it worth getting into? Yes. Are you a fan fiction reader or writer? If not, why is that? Do you believe fan fiction helps or hurts the fandom? Comments are always welcome!

When Did I Watch The Sherlock S3 Teaser?

Let us watch the teaser for Sherlock (BBC) Season 3...

Alright, I'll get THIS bit out of the way so we can get down to business...

Serious face on now...

Okay, NOW serious face. The teaser is pretty direct with us, we can all agree. Mrs. Hudson, Lestrade, Mycroft, Molly, and John are about to have the shit scared out of them...well for the exception of Molly, which we are 99.99% positive she was in on the whole "Omg jumping of this building now. Laters." Now, my head-canon is so out of control, I'm already thinking John and Sherlock will eat at that fancy restaurant once the shock blows Watson's mustache clean off his face. John will be adorably "whisper shouty", they go back to Baker Street, have a hot night in bed, and all will be forgiven.

Fangirl impossibilities aside, I'm really very stoked for Sherlock to return. It's a simply smart show that gets right to the heart of you. I can see Freeman and Cumberbatch doing this for the next few years if that's what they choose to do. They've built a believable chemistry you don't find too often. Am I dying on the inside to see the first episode? Yes. Will it been worth the wait? Of course.

When Did I Get So Impatient?

**UPDATE: Looks like we're getting mixed signals from different places. Seems October airing is not to be. PLEASE STOP TAUNTING ME!!!**

So I caught up with Sherlock (BBC) essentially in 2 days as soon as I found out how awesome it was. That was in April. It's going to be August soon. Why am I clawing at the internet asking "Where's my Sherlock!?" Now, I haven't suffered nearly as long as fans who've been on the wagon longer than me; some waiting since early 2012. Come on! I totally get that Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have been busy boys, which is great since I love those actors in any work they are in, but the space in my heart for Sherlock goodness is a gaping hole.

I miss Watson defending his non-gayness left and right. The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Yes, that is actually how the quote goes. Even if you're not a Sherlock/Watson shipper, you cannot deny that they have a deep connection as friends...like a buddy cop story. Except more gay and well produced.

With (finally) a date of October 31st for the return of my favorite sharp cheeked investigator, I am in the mood for throwing a Sherlock Premiere Party. What sort of food/drinks/desserts would you serve at that sort of shin-dig? I'd totally dress up as sexy Sherlock.

When Did I Come Up With This?

What makes certain characters so irresistible? More specifically, irresistible to me. Let's call it the "Spike Factor". I'll break it down:

1. This character is either evil, antisocial, or cray cray.
2. This character has more power that your average person.
3. This character is well spoken (awesome word choice) and/or intelligent.
4. This character has the "bad boy" air to him, maybe even prone to violence (physical or verbal).
5. This character is not know for his triumphs, but rather failures or things not going his way.
6. This character is attractive in an almost unconventional way.
7. This character has glimmers of sensitive humanity. 

Billy Idol took my look, mate.

Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer follows this list. We first meet him in Season 2 as this evil Brit bad boy vampire, known for his sharp tongue, Billy Idol looks, and his less than stellar attempt to kill Buffy. His lines are so quotable it's insane. He isn't one note, though. He has these little moments where he seems fragile and sensitive. He's met every number on the list. So we can use him as a benchmark for my "type" of guy character.

Who else falls into this "Spike Factor" list?

• Sherlock (BBC)
• Loki (Marvel)
• Will Graham (NBC)

Do you have a favorite character who has the "Spike Factor". Do you detest characters who fall under that description? I'm interested in comments.

When Did I Start A Count Down?

104.

That's how many days I have until I move to Florida.

I've been pretty wrapped up in everyday things that keeping an updated blog has been too much. No excuses, it was my bad. So let's just skip the groveling for forgiveness and go right to the list of new things going on!

• Today I'm at work (yes I know it's Sunday) and if you didn't know, I no longer have Mondays off anymore. Hooray.
• I saw the first episode of Siberia (NBC). So far, they have peaked my interest.
• I rescued a bird that was in the parking lot of my job. A tired, hot, and bleeding cockatiel. $700 of medical bills and a Petsmart visit later, she's all mine and much healthier. Have a look my pretty girl. Her name is Ursula. 
  
• I watched Man of Steel. Now, a lot of people have grievances about the film, but for me as a whole I found it made me fall in love with a character I've never liked in the DC universe. Also Henry Cavill....
  
• I continue my obsession with Benedict Cumberbatch after seeing Star Trek Into Darkness by watch all his European interviews. My favorite was on the Graham Norton show on BBC. He was there with Chris Pine and the Cumberbitches were there full force. That man Khan have me any day. GET IT!?
  
• James left Chicago May the 4th (be with you). It's been 58 days since then, and I'm trying to stay positive and upbeat, so I dance to this. Katy Perry saves my sanity.

So that's essentially what's been going on on my end. What's been up with you guys?

When Did I Start Making Props?

Good morning all, and Happy Tuesday! It is a bit glum here in Chicago; rainy and gray, and just how I like it. Sorry for the silence Monday, but I was enjoying my day off from work.

So let me update you on my C2E2 costume: the props! I had only 1 real prop in mind for the Harley Quinn outfit I'm going to do, and that is 2 hammers.

Aren't they marvelous? Not finished of course, but they are really taking shape. I'll have a (fingers crossed) finished product to show you Thursday morning, but what do you think of them so far? I've never done anything like this before.

On another note, I've decided to keep at my Hannibal (NBC) review poems. Although I don't watch the shows the day they air (Thursdays) I figure I'll do it every Sunday so it gives everyone time to see it. Sound fair?

So I'm one episode away from finishing Sherlock's second season on BBC, and what a wild ride it has been. If you haven't started watching, go to Netflix right now and catch up on season 1 and 2. You'll be dying for the Sherlock experience to last much longer than 3 episodes a season. Did I mention I have "Cumberbatch Fever"?

When Did I Start Falling For Opera Singers and Psycho Detectives?

Last night was just amazing. The hall was packed, everything looks very well put together, and there was never a dull moment. Completely blown away by the talented finalists that sang at the Opera Idol event. My absolute favorite was this performer named Sean (I'll find out his last name later) who just had the whole package: stage presence, a beautiful and powerful voice, and a very anti-diva attitude. He was also pretty cute...The event ended 10:00 pm-ish, and I noticed I had stood up the entire time since 6:00 pm.

After this prissy chick won Opera Idol, I was invited out by the lovely Michelle (Marketing Director), Ruth (Leasing agent at the property we were at), and Mary (Ruth's friend). Needless to say we caused a ruckus at the IHOP we descended on. Nice conversation, no end to the laughs, and we looked like we'd been friends forever. Left there 12:30 am-ish.

So if you get a chance to go see some opera live, you really should. I never expected to enjoy it, but it was very powerful and moving in person.

SIDE TRACK! I started watching Sherlock (BBC) a couple of days ago, and I am an addict for the chemistry between actors Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Martin Freeman (Watson). Both actors have had some very main stream success; Martin being the main in The Hobbit, and Cumberbach being the villain in the upcoming Star Trek film.

There are 2 seasons up on Netflix, each 3 episodes at about hour and a half length each.

The real reason I watch it...