Snap Judgements – Avoid the Negativity Brain-Drain

The other day, I looked out the window and saw a kid on a bike waiting for the traffic light to change. It was one of those BMX-type trick bikes. As he waited for the light to change, he balanced on one foot, on the side of the bike, as he held it nearly parallel to the ground. He managed it for a while, but then he slipped off and had to get back on and start over. My initial thought upon witnessing this display was an uncharitable Hah! Lookit the showoff douchebag fall off his silly bike!

Then I took a (mental) step back.

Why did I immediately assume he was showing off? Or even that he was an unpleasant human being?

On Family

They say blood is thicker than water. Well that’s just crap. I mean, except for literally. I suppose blood does have higher viscosity than pure water, but as for as the colloquial meaning of that saying, right now I kinda want to punch it. Because it’s So. Completely. Wrong.

“Found family” is a concept I’ve thought about a lot since I met my “Doctor Who family” and started going to conventions. Don’t get me wrong, I love my biological relatives. But the idea that I love other folks less, simply because their DNA doesn’t match mine closely enough, is patent nonsense. In fact, when we actively choose people to bring into and then keep in our lives, I think it’s a much stronger statement than an accident of amino acids and meiosis. Shared experiences create a stronger bond than a similar pattern of nucleotides.

Happy Mother’s Day, Fangirl Prime!

*

It’s Mother’s Day!** I’m not a big fan of “Hallmark holidays”, but I’ll happily take any excuse to celebrate the awesomeness of my mom. Especially now that I’m 1500 miles away, it’s nice to have a reason to think and talk about how lucky I am and how great my mom is. Not that I need a reason. I’ve extolled the virtues of “Fangirl Prime” on Verity! more than once “just because”.

***

My mom taught me how to be a fan. Deb is the one who coined the term “Fangirl Prime” for my mom, and it’s really perfect. Mom was the first person I ever witnessed participating in fandom. She subscribed to fanzines and was a member of fan clubs. She went to Doctor Who conventions. She videotaped the show religiously–going so far as to rent a hotel room to do it when it conflicted with an Important Packers Game. She coveted a Tom Baker scarf for years (until I learned how to knit to make one for her).

And So it Begins…The Audio Guide to Babylon 5

Editor’s note: The first part of this post is spoiler-FREE! Even if you haven’t seen B5, you may read without fear. The spoilery part is well-marked. In addition, my customary footnotes appear before the spoiler territory, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally reading something while scrolling past. You’re welcome. ;)

So it begins, indeed! I could not be more excited you guys. Seriously. Not only is it exciting to be doing (yet) another podcast, but to be talking about Babylon 5 (my second*-favorite thing in the universe) every couple weeks? I’m like a kid in a candy store. Or better yet, like a tourist in the Zocalo!

Okay, let me take a step back here. Pure squee got the better of me. Allow me to start this over in a more sedate and coherent manner. Thank you for your patience.

Dear reader, I have some news for you! There is a brand spanking new podcast out in the wild for your listening pleasure. That’s right, the dream that is The Audio Guide to Babylon 5** has finally been given form! Every two weeks, Chip (of Two-minute Time Lord fame), his wife Shannon, and I get together to talk about one of our favourite sci-fi shows of all time. That’s right folks; I can do more than just Doctor Who!