Whirly Stuff

Finally I get what the Tenth Doctor is on about when he yells "Oh, my head, my head!" At the moment my head is full of the eponymous whirly stuff; I have far too much to think about and not enough space to do it in.

First is image. At the moment I am in desperate need of a summer wardrobe, but have no time or money to go shopping. I find that I literally have a file on my internet favourites which is simply called Clothes I Want, and is full of links to everything I desire, and cannot afford. I am also in need of a haircut - not desperately, but moderately. I am beginning to find hairs in irritating places like the washing up or clogging the vaccuum, which is never a good sign. Plus, as mentioned I have no money...

Which leads me to another train of thought. I have no money because it's all being saved for Frenzy! As previously mentioned, I am extremely excited about my visit to this Christian rock festival, in the town of Edinburgh on June 12th, in part because it'll be a chance to bag some cool Switchfoot merchandise. And I'm thrilled about that. Having said that, it is kinda getting on my nerves that my cash is all tied up in the "Frenzy Fund" as I call it.

Thirdly, there's revision. At this point I'm taking exams, so a fairly large part of my day is spent trying to cram knowledge into a reluctant brain, which would rather be thinking about clothes, hairdos, science fiction and good looking men...

Talking of science fiction (and perhaps also good looking men, depending on your taste) my brain is also full of Doctor Who, and other sci-fi. Random thoughts include:

How can I ever send in feedback to the various Doctor Who podcasts I listen to, when they update faster than I can catch up? And why do they all insist on audio format?!

Man, I really want that book, Chicks Dig Timelords (No Sassy, no! You have no money!)

Why is there Doctor Who and Torchwood magazines, but no Primeval magazine? It would really fill the gap between now and 2011... Also, why has nobody thought of a Primeval graphic novel... I draw Primeval art (badly), what's stopping more talented cartoonists?

- A thought for anyone who draws Primeval art!

I has brainy specs (£1 from Primark, with clear glass. See above): "You don't even need them , you just think they make you look a bit clever!"

Does the fact that I can very, very rarely find fault with any Doctor Who episode make me a better or worse fan?

What little part of my brain that's left is occupied with the other miscellaneous shenanigans of life - If I had a Tennant-style mop of hair, I'd be ruffling it right now, with gusto... I realise anyone who reads this is probably crying out for me to get to the point and do some reviewing of the last few episodes, but I find my head is too Wibbley-Wobbley, Timey-Wimey to do it... And , as I've said, I find it hard to review after watching an episode just once, or even twice... MY advice? Download the Doctor Who Podcast, or the DWO Whocast, for extensive reviewing, and come to me for the more frivolous side of fandom...

Keep the Blue Light Flashing!

Sassy xx

PS - The Pandorica will open, and Silence will fall... and when it does, try not to leave the handbrake on!

Fandom Tattoos - A Step Too Far?

The hardcore Sassy who is my other-self thinks these fans had the right idea, and would love this kind of tat... Am I crazy? Admittedly some of them do go a bit far... But the Gallifrey handwriting is cute, right? Any thoughts?

Sassy xx

The Wonders of Merchandise!

I am currently suffering from a severe case of merchandise envy! It has come to my attention that on the wonderful wiggly lines of the Interweb, Whovians everywhere are making and selling specially themed Doctor Who products. I consider my Doctor Who collection to be fairly extensive, but on seeing some of these products (see pictures above and below for my favourites) I was seized with some SERIOUS product-lust.

You see, at the moment I am surrounded by a group of people who fear technology - particularly the wondrous world of Internet Purchasing. My current finances are not in good shape: I have no accessible bank account, PayPal account or other financial equipment with which to buy online. I would rely on other dear friends and family to supplement my Internet needs in exchange for cash, however they all seem strangely reluctant.

For the reason of this, I refer you back to earlier blogs, on the subject of my family and how it seems to want to curb my science fiction enthusiasm. Their campaign, naturally has failed, however they seem rather stubborn in their refusal to buy me sci-fi related gifts for birthdays or Christmas. Case in point, at Xmas I asked a member of my family for a monthly subscription to Doctor Who Magazine. The suggestion was edged around to the point where I was asked outright to choose a different gift - this was on the grounds of "practicality". I find it unfair , that I should have to put up with being stereptyped within my own family - young sci-fi geeks put up with enough crap from their peers without it being added to by their own families. My mother looks at me with a bemused expression; my father likes to wind me up by making imflammatory Doctor Who or Primeval related remarks. Why? What do they gain from this, except making me feel foolish?

What they don't understand is that the days when sci-fi fandom was a shameful secret are over! It is generally acknowledged that British sci-fi is a force to be reckoned with in the worldwide entertainment field. It's no longer the sole property of spotty, balding men who still live with their Mums! So, let us cast aside these dark thoughts and enjoy some of the quality goods on offer (and if anyone knows a stockist with an actual physical shop, who I can pay real money, please let me know, ASAP!)

Keep the Blue Flag Flying!

Sassy xx

Tallyhoo!

All judgement I may have been withholding about Series Fnarg (Series Five! It just is, let's face it!) ended with Victory of the Daleks.

In the past, though I find them extremely entertaining, I've been a bit unimpressed by the Daleks. They just seem such a boyish part of Doctor Who - and yes I know that what I just said is sexist, as well as practically sacriligeous amongst Who fans - but whatever. They've never terrified me. Well, you'll be pleased (or maybe horrified) to know they still don't.

However, I have to say that thus far, Victory of the Daleks has been the highlight of the season for me. Daleks! In khaki! With union flags! Offering cups of tea! To Churchill! Does it get any better than this...?

Damn right it does! Doctor wielding hammer! Teleport! Daleks in pretty colours! Self destruct jammy dodger! Just when you think my sweet little fangirl heart can't get any gladder, there comes the piece de resistance:

SPITFIRES. IN. SPACE.

Scientifically, it's a heap of cabbage, but my God it made me cheer to see Danny Boy attacking a stonking great Dalek ship in a spitfire. And the Dalek-destroying catchphrase which will endure eternally?

"Tallyhooooo!"

Perfect. Add to that a pepperoni pizza, a bar of Dairy Milk, and a Cola float, and that's about as close as SassyScifFi gets to heaven... And I had those things!

It'll be interesting to see how Time of Angels/ Flesh and Stone live up to Victory. Since I adore the Weeping Angels (a truly psychological creature, don't you think?) and am fascinated to find out the story of River Song, it's looking good... But it's got high standards to live up to!

Before I go, I realised something about the Series 5 naming argument. I was watching confidential, and saw the Clapper Board, which had Series 1 emblazoned on it... When it hit me! Never mind the Moff's chat about tired brands and radical rethinks - this is just the BBC saving money! You think those boards come cheap? Nah, they're saving the money by recycling clappers, and spending it on new and fancy FX! And fair play to them, if it makes the show better, so long as they know the fans will always call it Series 5.

Tallyhooooo! (Keep the Blue Light Flashing)
Sassyxx

The Votes Are In, and The Moff Is Definitely Easier!

Turns out I have been spelling Steven Moffat wrong... Oh the shame!

That name just gets me... Is it a "V"? Is it A "PH"? Who can tell? Grr... The Moff is definitely easier to remember, and it turns out he is officially called that by Doctor Who insiders! I thought I just made that up, but I guess I may have heard it and let it mulch into my subconscious somehow...

In other news, the Guardian published a poll - Who Is the Better Doctor: Matt Smith or David Tennant? David Tennant won, with 82% to Matt Smith's poor 18%. Let's be fair, people! David Tennant has appeared in three seasons of Doctor Who, as well as eight specials, and those Children in Need thingys. Matt Smith, on the other hand, has been in two episodes, and already folk are saying things about him! Give the poor dude a chance!

I think it's totally unfair how people make snap decisions on things like this (and yeah I am being a bit hypocritical here). Actors are people too, not just animals in a zoo for us to jeer at. If you were to go into a new job, and on your second day, came in to find people voting on your performance, you'd be pretty damn offended! Give Matt Smith a chance to prove his worth, rather than jumping instantly to DT's defence - yes, he was a brilliant Doctor, and nobody loves him more than I, but it's time to let go...

Reading that back, it was a total rant, so I'm gonna chat for a bit about happier subjects. (These are mostly to do with my life, rather than anything newsie or viewsie, so if that's what you came for, press the big X in the top right corner now!)

I spent a pretty blissful afternoon watching Doctor Who series 4 from my bed (when I should have been revising for my damn exams - oops!) and later, when the sun came out, I went into my garden to sunbathe and read the Writer's Tale - I find Russell T Davies fascinating, possibly because I can't decide whether he's a lovely man with a hard job, or a total diva! I also love the book because it's so massive it'll take me a good, long while to get through.

A friend of mine who doesn't follow SciFi was eyeing my Torchwood DVD today... or more specifically eyeing John Barrowman! The conversation went like this:

R: *Eyes JB* He's quite HOT!

Sassy: John Barrowman? Er...

R: Oh, don't tell me - he's married with two beautiful sons!

Sassy: R, you do realise John Barrowman is, like, 40 and VERY VERY GAY?

R: *looking scandalised* Why is it that all the gorgeous ones are married or gay?!

Sassy: Technically he's married, too. To a guy.

R: *Gasp, followed by long sigh* Oh, you were serious. Damn.

Aw, I love R, she is comedy gold! Man, imagine JB saw this? I can totally imagine him hooting with laughter!

Well that's all the news and busybodying from SassyScifi! Until next time Keep the Blue Light Flashing (BTW who did I steal that line from? I own NOTHING original!)

Sassy :) xx

In Which Sassy Has a Good Old Ramble

Disclaimer: this Blog will have no specific news, but will mostly consist of random ramblings.

Parents, eh? You can't live with them, and you can't afford to live without them. Yesterday I went on a wee day out with my Dad, to cement the whole "Father-Daughter Bonding" thing. What a drag... Not that I don't love my Dad but he can be a bit of an old fart, as well as pretty damn embarrassing. Anywhoo, we headed to a bookstore.

I purchased the new edition of the Writer's Tale, a 700-plus tome, composed of correspondance between writer Russell T Davies and Doctor Who journalist Benjamin Cook. What a book! It really is freaking comprehensive... For example, I've learned that the Series 4 companion came perilously close to being Penny Carter, not Donna Noble! Who knew? And, if you want to hear the words Doctor Who and Primeval uttered in the same sentence, The Writer's Tale is the place to go. RTD is a fan of Primeval! This has shot him even higher in my estimation.

Talking of Primeval, amongst fans of the show it is pretty old news that it will be returning in 2011, but God, how I 'm missing it! I bought the last Primeval Book, to complete my collection - The Lost Island by Paul Kearney, if you're interested - and am now acutely aware that it's the last piece of new material I'll get for nearly a year. Ouch, that stings. Hurry back Primeval, I miss you - you were about the only thing worth watching on ITV!

Anyway, back to parents. D'you know what mine said to me? Not just once, but twice (in relation to Doctor Who and Primeval respectively):

"Aren't you getting a bit old for all that?"

I ask you! The obvious answer to that question is NO, and they know it. They ask, not because they genuinely feel I will grow out of this "phase", but because the fear I will not is growing in their hearts. I was joking about the idea of going on Mastermind - specialist subject: Doctor Who, 2005 to Present Day. I could answer every question they put to me, all bar one.

What IS the "T" in Russell T Davies, by the way?

I think what they fear is that I will be a horrifically stereotypical nerd - you know the type, spotty, messy, lonely and fat - when I am older. But truly, I don't think that's gonna happen. Scifi is a hobby, albeit a passionate one, and if New Who has proved anything, it's that Science Fiction can attract a wide range of fans and age-groups. Long gone are the days of spotty teens dressed up in makeshift Cybermen costumes. Let me have my passions - anything's better than the endless episodes of Coronation Street my Dad watches!

One last message, before I go - The Eleventh Hour? Loved! I literally applauded at the end. When I heard about all the changes ( The logo, title sequence, reset to "Series 1", TARDIS interior AND exterior, to say nothing of the Kissogram companion) I was a little apprehensive. I actually trusted Matt Smith to be a great Doctor, it was Stephen Moffat I was wary of - he seemed to be changing too much!

However, the new episode made me eat my words. Amy Pond was a great partner to the Doctor; the logo and title sequence were logical evolution, rather than a radical about turn; the new TARDIS complimented the new Doctor, and still held elements of the old (plus, let's be honest, who didn't love the "sexy thing"?) and, most amusingly, I noticed the BBC Iplayer have Doctor Who marked as Series 5. Guess the Moff can't get his way all the time!

Some have said that Matt Smith was trying too hard to be like the Tenth Doctor, and I did see some mannerisms that lingered at first. However, as the story progressed, it became clear (at least to me), that what Smith was doing was portraying a character regeneration as well as a physical one. By the time he had stripped off - yummily - and changed into his bow tie 'n' braces attire, he was very much his own man. This theory of mine was backed up in The Beast Below, in which, from the start, the Doctor felt like a very new character who we were getting to know. And I was loving it!

Keep that Blue Light Flashing
Sassy xx

When Love Makes You Hate, You Know You're Loving Wrong...

Sometimes it shocks me just how much hate there is in the world. I'm not talking about war, guns, bombs or murders, although obviously those are terrible things. No, what I'm talking about is how people can hate with the least provocation.



Some things you might not know about me:

• I'm a Christian


• I love music


• Two of my favourite bands are Switchfoot and Green Day

I recently bought Hello Hurricane, and having only listened to it a few times I already love it. Living in the United Kingdom makes it pretty difficult to get music by Switchfoot, since they're not such a big deal over here, but after visiting a Christian Music store, and getting the CD especially ordered I got hold of it - true dedication, yes?

In a moment of boredom I got to thinking... How good would it be if my two favourite bands met/ collaborated/ whatever. Well, stranger things have happened, right? To Google I merrily went and searched the two bands - not much came up which was relevant, but I was intrigued by some people who had set Green Day music videos to Switchfoot songs - intrigued, that is until I scrolled down and read the comments. Here's a sample of what people said [sic]:

f*ck you for making this vid u stupid f*cking *sshole what the f*ck is wrong
with you using this gay f*cking christian for a GREEN DAY tribute how about
using some GREEN DAY u dumb pr*ck

Ur a POS for making this vid dont put a switchfoot song on a green day vid and your mother hates u




When someone protested at the angry commentators' complete verbal destruction of both a band, their music and s person's religion, this is the reply they recieved:

f*ck u f*ggot i will say whatever the f*ck i want about ur gay christian music

Well, what a lovely specimine of a human being! If I'd been the person who posted that video, I think I'd have been in tears at the negativity - and presumably that wasn't the worst there was, as a few comments had been removed.

I find it incredibly depressing that people can have this attitude - Switchfoot are a talented band, whose lyrics are meaningful and have touched me on many occasions - and though the members are Christian, not every song is a Praise song, they make a wide range of music which can appeal to everyone.

I can understand that those who aren't Christian might be intimidated or at least wary of the Christian Rock genre, but does that mean that it should be dismissed offhand, and its fans subjected to such abuse? I doubt a Christian would do the same to a Green Day in the same situation.

A fact about Green Day and Switchfoot: A they actually have some common ground - for one thing Rob Cavallo, who produced a good many Green Day albums also produced Hello Hurricane.

Obviously, the angry Green Day fan feels very passionately the band, but when loving something means you hate everything a little bit different, the you must be loving it wrong - and it's about time to weigh up your priorities. I doubt Green Day would want their fans to abuse other bands, or people who experiment with combining sounds, would they?

My message is this: be a little bit sensitive to the opinions of others - it's easy to get sucked into a little world where your own obsession is the only thing in your world, but let other people in. And if you can't do that, at least allow them to exist outside without attack.

(Switchfoot are headlining at the Frenzy Festival in Edinburgh in June, and I'm very excited!!)