"I don't know what that means."

[fishpatrol]

1) I didn't like calculus the first time around, and now, four years later (read: four years without touching any form of math -- stats doesn't count), I'm trying to speed!learn university level calculus with limited success. When I see something like this "You observe that ∂x/∂α > 0, ∂p/∂α < 0, ∂q/∂α > 0, and |∂p/∂α| > |∂q/∂α|. You have a theory that x = f (p(α,β),q(α,β)), where f 1'(p,q) > 0 and f '2(p,q) > 0 for all (p,q). Are your observations consistent with your theory? Are your observations consistent with a theory that imposes the stronger restriction that f 1'(p,q) > f '2(p,q) > 0 for all (p,q)?" my brain stutters and then just stops. *headdesk*

2) In other news, I'm still playing catch-up with Bones. I've got my hands on Season 3 DVDs and I've been catching random Season 4 episodes on TV. The problem with watching the series out of order is that the timeline gets all screwed up in my head. Whatever happened to Angela's ex(? divorced? no divorce?)husband, and why was Hodgins popping the marriage question in the middle of Season 3 when they almost got married at the end of Season 2?

2.25) Lance Sweets is so adorable, seemingly professional until he slips up with a "totally" or "lame" and being tag-teamed by Brennan and Booth. I admit to squeeing a teeny bit when he said he did his undergrad in psychology at UofT -- and I started thinking, why didn't I go into abnormal psychology? Then I had to remind myself that I liked (like) social psychology much more as an area of research.

2.50) I don't usually read Bones fic, but I do have a massive soft spot for crossovers. So, recs!

Bones/SPN: This short Bones/SPN fic was the one that got me interested in Bones in the first place. I read it having no clue who Brennan and Booth were, but with dialogue like this:

Brennan considers this. "No, I don't think Sam and Dean are currently in a sexual relationship. But they're two attractive, virile young men who don't have much meaningful contact with other people. So it wouldn't be surprising if they developed feelings for each other."

Booth stares some more. "Only you would say that gay incest isn't surprising."

I decided that Brennan and Booth must be pretty awesome characters. Now that I've watched the show, Brennan convincing Sam and Dean that gay incest is a good idea doesn't seem very far-fetched at all. ;) Also: Sweets/Castiel (and sequel), hilariously brilliant, Y/Y? I watched the episode where Sweets convinces Brennan and Booth to go on a double date with him and his girlfriend, and all I could think of was, "Omg, B & B are going to meet Castiel. At a pottery class."

Bones/SGA: Abnormal Psychology by siriaeve, where Sweets is all cute and eager and totally fails to communicate with Sheppard.
a sam adams moment by the same author, where "Shep-Man" Sheppard and "Booster" Booth reunite in Atlantis, Rodney and Brennan bond over lab space, Cam Saroyan is the "other Colonel Cam", and Angela makes eyes at Ronon.

Bones/J2: Gunshy by setissma. This one isn't actually a crossover, but I'm sneaking it in here anyway. It's a J2 AU based off of Bones, with Jared and Jensen in the roles of Booth and Brennan, respectively. This one's also quite a bit longer than the other fics I linked (36 000 words versus 1000~2000, so make sure you have plenty of time before you sit down with this one ;)). It's long and plotty and, according to the author, scientifically accurate.

3) Speaking of TV...

Shows to follow when they resume in September:
-Supernatural
-Bones
-The Big Bang Theory
-Psych
-Merlin

Shows to possibly check out:
-Leverage
-Fringe
-Dollhouse
-Stargate Universe

School work? What school work? :D

Comments

[spring.livejournal.com]

that calculus snippet might as well have been in a foreign language to me. haha! now i remember why i'm an art major XD

i hope the bones plot fixes itself XD i hate watching anything out of order :(

[fishpatrol]

It is kind of like learning a foreign language -- and I've never been good at picking up new languages. X3 *flails*

I'm always watching stuff out of order -- I like watching the fun and/or exciting episodes first. ;)

[lilie-charlotte.livejournal.com]

I think Psych is actually starting up again next week! I'm really excited. I remembered reading about the show on your LJ, so I marathoned the episodes this summer and completely adore the show. I love the fact that, despite following a formula, there is so much variety and freshness in the series. I liked the Friday the 17th (?) episode the best, because the slasher episode kind of came out of nowhere. I don't think there's a single character I dislike even a little in the show.

Haha. Bones is such an odd series. There are times when I really dig it, and other times when I can't stand it. Booth and Brennan definitely have fantastic chemistry, and Sweets has probably been the best addition to the series EVER. He was a great replacement for Zack (who I still hope returns ;_; - maybe he did? I haven't finished the current season yet). I've stopped following Angela's love-life. Especially in the current season (I don't know if you've seen that part yet, but you'll know what I mean when you do). I don't think the writers know what to do with her anymore.

Shows to possibly check out:
-Leverage
-Fringe
-Dollhouse
-Stargate Universe

I'm pretty much the same here! I watched the first 6 episodes of Fringe, and really hated it because the lead was so wooden and poorly acted. Same with Dollhouse (although I hated the plot in that one too). However, apparently both series got really good near the end of their first seasons so. . .MUST GIVE SECOND CHANCE.

I'm so watching SGU now. Just because the actors in it seem cool.

[fishpatrol]

Psych is such a fun series and it never takes itself too seriously. I love the entire cast as well. And really? Next week? *happy flail*

I keep thinking about asking you whether you've seen Bones and I keep forgetting to do so. XD;; Is the science really off? I just finished Season 3 today, and ugh, I hated the way they ended Zack's character. I'm glad with Sweets' addition to the team, but I'll definitely miss Zack. I hear he's recurring for Season 4, but gone completely for Season 5 (not too sure how accurate this info is, though). Oh god, Angela's love life. X3 The episodes of Season 4 that I've caught all had Angela's love life as the subplot (all that Roxie stuff). I hear she's getting back together with Hodgins, or something like that?

I haven't seen any of Fringe yet, but I've heard good things. But if the lead character isn't really likable, I probably won't keep the show on my list. The premise of Dollhouse sounds interesting and I've heard the same thing about the show getting good near the end of the season.

I hope SGU is good. :x Have you seen the trailer yet?

Randomly, did you go to the grad orientation thing last year? I think it's usually held the day after Labour Day? It sounds kind of like a waste of time and I need to move in to the Grad House that day as well (apparently we're not allowed to move into the Grad House until Sept 8 and classes start the next day -- wtf? D:), but I don't want to miss any really useful/important information.

[lilie-charlotte.livejournal.com]

Yep! August 8th, I think. Can't remember. I don't have USA, though, so I'll have to wait to watch it online =(

The science in Bones is TOTALLY off, and that really irked me at first. What bothered me more, though, was Angela's magical-mystical machine that could analyze bones and show exactly what happened to them. Eventually I got over it, though. Bones isn't so much about the science, as it is about the quirky characters doing quirky things. I also stopped studying physical anthropology, so that helped :p I hate people who dwell too much on fictional inaccuracies, so I don't want to be like that!

Damn! I was hoping with that "spoiler" revelation, they were planning to bring back Zack for good. Oh well, Sweets is still the best replacement I could hope for.

Fa. Last I heard, she and Hodgins were trying to do a friends with benefits thing. WHY DRAG THIS OUT?!?

Don't take my word on Fringe; I just had higher expectations for this particular lead. She's more endearing than I'm giving her credit for. And the mystery is very good. Lost-style, subtle, and interesting. I really do need to give it a second chance. I was just hoping that the show would be something that it wasn't.

My problem with the Dollhouse plot was that, even though it sounded interesting, each episode seemed to involve Echo playing the same type of person each time. Dushku (sp?) just didn't have the range of characters. But, again, everybody involved said she fell into the role (and the plot started to rock) around episode 7.

Nope! I'll youtube the trailer when I get home.

General graduate orientation is a COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME. It's meant for students who have never seen UofT before. Walking tours, introductions to the building, and all that jazz. The faculty-specific orientation was good, but general orientation was pointless.

Grad House? That's like the upper-class of graduate housing! It's nearly impossible to get in to, isn't it? CONGRATULATIONS! I'm not sure, we have a lot of St. George students in the anthro faculty that were stuck because they couldn't get in!

[fishpatrol]

Haha, yeah, the Angelator seems a little more magical than scientific. If you like Bones-esque storylines, but with more accurate science, I recommend this Bones/J2 fic I mentioned above (the author studies anthropology and apparently did plenty of research for her fic; and as with most RPS AUs, you don't need any prior knowledge of the characters at all ;)).

I hope the information I got was wrong and that Zack does come back! Does he show up much in Season 4? I'll miss his "Does that make me the king of the lab?" and his total social ineptitude. :(

Maybe I should just start watching Dollhouse from episode 7 then, heh.

SGU isn't as colourful and shiny and glossy as SGA, but apparently they got $1 million more than SGA, so the special effects and the sets and whatnot should be good. When does it premier again? We should watch it together!

Okay, cool, I'll spend the day unpacking then. XD

Each department gets a few reserved spots for incoming students each year, so Rotman offered me one. It's kind of pricey considering how many people share a suite, but it'll be super close to all my classes and my office. But if I want to get in again in subsequent years, I don't get priority like the students that get in on their own (without having a reserved spot) who re-apply. Graduate housing at St George is pretty much non-existent, so you guys at Mississauga are lucky! ;)

[illuminations.livejournal.com]

crying so glad i took calc in high school. ALSO LEVERAGE IS AMAZING.

[illuminations.livejournal.com]

ALSO I AM A FAN OF CRIMINAL MINDS YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT TOO.

[fishpatrol]

I've heard of Criminal Minds, but I have no idea what it's about -- tell me about it? :D

[illuminations.livejournal.com]

It's one of those procedural shows. This one focuses on the BAU (FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit) and most of the time, they're hunting down serial killers. It's different from other crime shows because they focus on the criminal/killer, trying to think like them and predict what they're going to happen in order to catch them.

slkdjf I just really love the cast. Though it gets kind of creepy/scary at times where I D:-face a lot and fast-forward but skdjf it's still really good.

[fishpatrol]

I took calc in high school as well, but I need to take a calc & stats review course for my PhD program. D: Unfortunately, it's all university level stuff which I've never learnt D:!!!

[hotdogfingers.livejournal.com]

whoop whoop! the big bang theory and psych!!! can't wait!

[fishpatrol]

*wiggles in anticipation*

[trolleys.livejournal.com]

I second the Gunshy rec like whoa. <3

Shows to possibly check out:
-Leverage
-Fringe
-Dollhouse
-Stargate Universe
-Generation Kill

There, I fixed it for you! *lol shameless*

Oh and if you watch Dollhouse, stick with it even if it starts off shakily. The arc build-up is AWESOME. And Leverage is like Psych - utter fluff but enjoyable.

[fishpatrol]

Haha, so what's Generation Kill all about? I heard there's a book by the same name (the show is based on the book, or...?) and that it's super angsty. I wouldn't be surprised if I get pulled into Generation Kill -- after all, I blame you for enabling my Super Junior phase and my current SPN obsession. ;)

[trolleys.livejournal.com]

Yep, it's a 7-part miniseries based on the book, about the first 40 days of the Iraq invasion as experienced by a platoon of First Recon Marines (aka one of the most elite military units). GK is always a hard sell bcause of the subject matter BUT it's not your standard war series. It's not that violent either, not compared to Saving Private Ryan or whatever (though the violence -is- integral to the story it's never gratuitous) It's more character-driven and focuses on the relationship between the Marines, and how they deal with incompetent superiors and their mission becoming progressively FUBAR. I guess it's angsty in that sense, but there's A LOT of humor too, like, I was simultaneously cringing and loling quite often. A friend described it perfectly in saying that the -characters- shocked her more than the violence, because the show goes to great lengths to portray Marine culture accurately and not as sanitized heroes... so yeah, it's not always pretty, but it makes for a compelling watch, and you end up -caring- for these men despite their flaws.

Oh, and the actors are HOT. which is always a bonus. :D

haha, i get all tl;dr when I'm in GK Pimp Mode so I'll shut up now. It's not a big commitment since canon is closed, so I highly encourage you to give it a chance! Let me know if you need DL links too.

I blame you for enabling my Super Junior phase and my current SPN obsession.

See? When have I steered you wrong, baybee?? (wait don't answer that, lol)

[trolleys.livejournal.com]

P.S.! If you feel somewhat disoriented watching GK, it's perfectly normal! I honestly didn't pick up on everything until like, the fourth viewing, heh. If you want I can hook you up with the glossary and charts breaking down the platoon... oh dear, I'm probably scaring you off ;p

[fishpatrol]

Haha, okay, link me? I'll have a window open with the glossary to reference when I watch. XD

[trolleys.livejournal.com]

GK Glossary (http://interestingdiscussions.blogspot.com/2008/07/generation-kill-glossary.html) - you probably shouldn't rely TOO heavily on this the first time around, otherwise you will be pausing every other second, heh. It's best used w/ multiple viewings; it's more more fun to learn incrementally imo. :)

This site (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/07/generation-kill.html) breaks down the platoon nicely. You don't have to read everything, however I think the Chain of Command chart and the Humvee rosters are really helpful (Humvee #1 is the main POV for the series)

[trolleys.livejournal.com]

it's more more fun to learn incrementally

*headdesk* Sometimes I really miss the edit feature. :p

[fishpatrol]

haha, i get all tl;dr when I'm in GK Pimp Mode so I'll shut up now

No, no, it's good! I like knowing what other people think of shows rather than simply reading the cut-and-dry Wikipedia version. :D

I'm not big on wartime shows and movies -- Blackhawk Down squicked me out a lot -- but if it's not focused on the violence and is minimal on the gore (though I find that I'm becoming desensitized to blood and gore due to SPN and Bones XD) then I'll give this series a shot. I love character-driven stories -- and really, you had me at the "the actors are HOT". ;)

I'm thinking of streaming on youku.com, but sometimes the quality is really grainy, so if you could point me to DL links as well, that'd be great. :D

See? When have I steered you wrong, baybee??

Hee, you're a terrible influence on me, but you always know where the pretty boys are, so I can't complain. ;)

[trolleys.livejournal.com]

Yay!!! \o/ Oh dude I wasn't big on wartime shows and movies either, but GK is a totally different animal I assure you. It actually led me to watch stuff I wouldn't have before, like Band of Brothers and The Hurt Locker - idk, it definitely made me appreciate the genre more!

I shall PM you the DL links. :D