Doctor Who: Pirates 'n' Papercuts

I've said in a previous review that I suspect the uneven quality of Doctor Who has become part of its charm for me. I'm guessing I'm not the only one who feels that way, because the AV Club reviewer who tackled the latest episode finds a lot of fault with it and gives it a B-. That's about where I am, too.

( Dr. Song disapproves. )

To sum up: not a terrible episode, great concept, some good bits, but with a poor showing in the last act.

Question for Madison folks and/or WisCon attendees:

Anybody familiar with the restaurant The Icon in downtown Madison? If so, what are your impressions of it? Worth checking out?

WisCon folks!

So, I've seen other people making things like "handling instructions" posts and I figure it's probably a good idea as I'm going to be seeing a lot of people I've only met once, haven't seen in a year, and/or only see sporadically.

First, I'm probably not going to recognize you. That's for any value of "you". You may catch me checking your nametag before greeting you or acknowledging your greeting. You may catch me doing this every single time I see you. Please don't feel slighted. This isn't personal. I don't have a great memory and I don't process things visually very well at all.

Just as an example of how non-visual I am, one time I spent a long weekend with a bunch of people and it was like Sunday when everything was winding down and everybody was leaving that I noticed one of my good friends thee had dyed her hair flaming red. Ironically, she's one of the people I can always recognize, because of the look in her eyes. I couldn't tell you what color her eyes are. But I know them when I see them.

Second, I have very little idea what my face is doing. A lot of the time I think I'm smiling and I'm not. I also have a neuromuscular condition from that which sometimes causes whole-body spasms that look like I'm shuddering. So, please believe me if I say I'm having a good time or I'm happy to see you. If I could do this: ":)" in real life, I would.

I do enjoy hugs. I'm very awkward about giving them. This year I will be trying to hug people who have made their hugging preferences known. But of course that will entail checking nametags first.

I'm going to be avoiding alcohol this year, because fatigue and alcohol interact with me in a bad way. I won't be accepting any offers of drinks or invitations to go drinking, but no one should let that stop them from imbibing in front of me.

Also, I'm traveling with a group this year, none of whom have been to WisCon before me... but please, never think that because I'm with folks that means I'm "busy" and you'd be "intruding". My facial recognition thing means that if you wait for me to come over and say hello you'll probably be we waiting a long time.

And for everyone last year who asked if Jack was with me: this year, the answer is yes.