So this is the question...To be or not to be extremely serious when posting on the GateWorld Forum? The GateWorld Website has all sorts of fun and interesting items for people to read and discuss in the Forum as well as many GW Member created topics. There are so many ways for fans to celebrate their "Fandom", make new friends and just take a break from the outside realities of life. There are over 23,000 threads doing one of those things. But some questions pop up now and again due to some of the elements of the show. Religion is a HUGE one and Mythology is yet another.

I have found that when people are discussing any of the "Real World" elements of the show within the context of the show they seem to be able to keep a certain level of respect and decorum. However, when its not within the context of the show and it is just everyday real life issues, be it politics, religion, relationships, all that civility flies out the window. That makes me wonder why anyone feels that the boundries apply when there is "canon" involved but it is a free for all outside of that.

I have spent my time on this Forum making it a point to NOT get to serious about to much nor do I engage in the "real world" discussions. Mainly because outside of the show I personally feel they have no place at GateWorld. The Internet is a vast universe and I know for a fact that there are dedicated Forums for all of those discussions. I wouldn't think it appropriate to begin discussing StarGate and how it applies to the Military on a Military Forum. So I return that favor to GateWorld's Forum.

Many topics have very low flash points and people's passions run high regarding their own personal opinions and belief systems. Many when challenged in those opinions and beliefs will retaliate aggressively and feel that they must prove themselves right. Even at the cost of another's self respect or self esteem. Is this what you come to GW for? I wonder why? I wonder why a Family Forum would be the place to berate others for having opinions and beliefs that differ from your own. I wonder why a Forum that centers around a fun and fairly light hearted TV show would be attractive for that sort of thing. I wonder because I don't understand that sort of thinking. I don't understand intentional arrogance and I guess I never really want to. To understand it would mean that I have accepted it as normal behavior.

I have seen many have respectable conversations. Adhering to a sort of "Rules of Debate" if you will. That is an impressive thread to read. Not only are the posts well thought out but each poster has taken the time to address the issue and you never see a word written that belittles the other poster. If all of the discussions regarding "real world" issues were like that ...well I wouldn't be writing this :-) Unfortunately those threads are actually few and far between. I have seen many more like this that have the Show as a boundry and canon serves as a means to end any dispute. But with the open ended threads it seems the one with most big words and the ability to comfound all with circular logic wins in the end. Usually because they believe their own press ;-) but also because they are so overtly willing to become omnipotent in their own eyes behind that keyboard that they forget that you are sitting there behind your moniter.

So to be or not to be serious has never eluded me. My answer has always been "Not to Be" and I don't forsee changing that anytime in the future. I like to smile. I like knowing I make other people smile. I like having discussions about StarGate SG-1 and Atlantis and even BSG but even then I keep in mind...they are all TV shows meant to entertain all of us. Not make us into raving lunatics or in some cases deities.
and that boys and girls is my two cents

well its convention time in Vancouver this weekend and for all that are going, are on their way OR are already there. WOO HOO!!!

I went last year to the StarGate Vancouver Convention presented by Creation Entertainment and I had a BLAST!! I went with six other GateWorld Ladies and we all found that not only was the Con exciting and fun but we found that each of us had just made some very dear friends :-)

I know for alot of people the expense seems outrageous. If it does seem that way to you than it probably is. I mean that seriously, if Sci-Fi is a passion for you but not the type where you want to outlay that kind of cash...Guess What...Thats OKAY!!! I have heard different things from different friends about why they want to go to Cons and why they don't want to go. Most of the time it boils down to money. For some they really would like to go but they just cannot afford the cost no matter how much...and then there are the people that have watched the prices rise and are annoyed that it is getting more and more expensive and so they say nope I am not doing it anymore. And then there is the group that no matter what the cost, no matter what period they are going ...LOL

I used to be in the first group...just could NOT afford a Con and it seemed like the more I saved the more *Incidents* came up to eat my savings away...*sigh* Until finally in one year I was able to attend two Conventions... Thats right TWO...WOO HOO.... I saved for over a Year to go to Vancouver and had already been saving again to try to attend the BSG Convention in Burbank that year as well. And as luck would have it I got to go to both. I NEVER dreamed it would happen and yet it finally did YAY!!

so now you are sitting there stirring your coffee, tea, or whatever and thinking well Tame that is all fine and dandy that it finally worked out for you but YOU are NOT ME!! So very true my friend :-)
I don't have any great advice for you either *shrug*. Only you know what is the priorities in your life and what you can do. For me..this year I am sitting here at home because well I just can not afford to go again *sniff* and the rest of the *Intergalactic Hussies* are all meeting in Vancouver without me. I hope they miss me and I hope they have a great time and yet I hope my not being there makes a little teeny dent too. I am happy for them because I know they are going to be meeting different people than were there last year. I know that TWO of the ladies have fantastic cameras so I will be looking forward to incredible pictures and how in the world can I begrudge them this...really.... All of the friends I have made through GW and by extension StarGate have been some of the most supportive woman I have ever met and I am extremely lucky to call them friends
HAVE A GREAT TIME YOU HUSSIES YOU!!!
So....what do we the *Ones left behind* do....LOL well we all chomp at the bit for *Con Reports* and hope that someone got great pictures of our favorite star :-)
and we gab amongst ourselves.
Oh and of course the Mods that have been left in charge while the Grand Poobah is gone *A-Interviewing*....well we are all power mongers so we plan to run amuk...MUWhahahahahahaha

Do I actually have a point?? Oh Yeah... Mainly in the end its not whether or not you ever get to go to a Con that makes your whole Sci-Fi experience....Its YOU that makes it all it can be and more.........in whatever way you can.....

Yes its me again.

So Now we have seen both SG1 and SGA finales and BOY weren't those pretty good!! We almost had us some fun there.

SG-1 had a good battle scene going on there... some fairly cool CGI happening with the Ori ships...although I do see on the Forum some have taken to calling them *Toilet Ships*.... I don't see it but Hey...I have never seen their bathrooms..so who am I to judge *shrug*.

One of the reasons I liked this season cliffhanger was that there was action all the time and things were hopping. ALL of the team had things to do and everyone was doing it. We had ships all over the place.. gates all over the place AND Sam got to space walk GOOD for her :-)

It really was a true cliffhanger from days of old and that made it fun. Now I really am looking forward to the Season 10 opener.


SGA... Not as enamoured with because last season we were in this same place...Does Sheppard live?? Will the Wraith get us??? Kind of the same ole same ole... But it was a new story and take on the whole idea so I can give credit where credit is due. I really wasn't as into the story but I did like the twist the Wraith put on the retro-virus KUDOS to the writers for coming up with some fun plot twists :-) I like that Rodney's ego has now gotten him to a place that he has some dealing to do and he isn't saving the day... Good job there Guys. So I will be happy to be on my couch ready to record when SGA comes on after SG-1 next Season.

Since I am still digesting what RDM did to BSG....I think I will be fine waiting until October for that Season Premiere. Need to watch it a few more times to see if I can work the kinks out for myself.

So now what.... no new SG-1 or SGA until July. So we watch re-runs of course. Break out the DVD box sets. Like those haven't been out already *smirk*. Well there is the Vancouver Convention at the end of this month for those lucky enough to go. I went last year so this year its not in the budget. But I will tell you I had a BLAST!! I envy all of you going to any Con and look forward to reading all of those reports and seeing all of those pictures.

There is also the GateWorld Forum for all of your addiction needs. I personally have been flexing my muscles over on *The Best Vegetable Thread* still but they just don't scare the way they did at first...*sigh*.... Although we will be done with that soon and moving on to *The Best Sandwich Filler*...so keep an eye out for that change over. :-) Fun is had by all if you get weary of discussing StarGate.

For those over on *The Rep, The Universe and Everything* thread...this is for you YES magnets....the center of our Universe ....LOL

Now you are sitting there reading this wondering why I plug so many Off-Topic threads. Well I will explain it to you.

You already know what you want to discuss when it comes to StarGate and StarGate Atlantis and many of you have favorite threads. You also may have noticed that at times the discussion can get somewhat intense. Well I am here to show you that there are places to just go let off some steam and have some pure fun for the sake of having fun with the very same members that you might have just been disagreeing with three threads over.

Its not all about who is right and who is wrong in any discussion. Its more about allowing each other to say what we think about a topic and possibly disagreeing but KNOWING that in the whole scheme of life this whole thing... The Forum.....The Shows.... the online friendships..... its all here to be fun in the end and we all are here to enjoy it in our own way :-)

So if you feel yourself getting bogged down.......... HOP ON... and let me show you some fun places to get your *MoJo* back and your Giggle adjusted. We have a few months to tour the place why not enjoy it.

And that my fellow Gaters...is *Enlightment Tame Style*

smilies provided by http://www.clipart.co.uk

Yep....Kinsey ended my brush with fame by knocking me off the GateWorld Homepage....isn't it just that man to end the dreams of a SG-1 lover...*sigh*

http://www.gateworld.net/articles/interviews/cox02.shtml
The Ronny Cox interview By David Read...is excellent....so I guess I should just be happy I had my moment of fame and move on...LOL

Well I am jazzed about tonights line-up Finale night is both exciting and depressing.

Exciting because you know TPTB usually pull out all the stops and those production $$$'s get spent right here (grin) and depressed...well because we then have to wait until July to see any new episodes. Or in the case of BSG possibly October...ick.....

But tonight all I am going to be concerned with is being excited....tomorrow I will be depressed...LOL

Over on Shipperahoy's Blog ShadowMaat made an observation that I think is really true. In the first half of the Season we seem to see and read alot of posts that well quite frankly aren't real impressed with what TPTB are writing and then as the second half of the season rolls around things start to *gel* a bit more and TPTB seem like they got it more together...the scripts seem a bit tighter and the plot holes a bit smaller and the action a bit better. I wonder why that is? And why has it seemed that way since about Season 7 IMHO?

My answer... and I will disclaimer it myself...in no way reflects the thoughts or ideas of GW in any way, shape or form.

I believe the show got too popular all of a sudden and *Some* of TPTB got too big for their britches. I am reminded of Chris Carter and the X-files... I believe that all of the different sub-plots that had been just underlying in the show that the fans were literally clammering for were NOT what TPTB wanted the fans to be focused on and it was becoming an annoyance to keep hearing about them. I also believe that due to the success *formulamatic* thought processes kicked in for the TV execs. I am sure a kaliope of factors played into this that I have no clue about...but bottom line.... It has become more about *QUANTITY* of the product and not *QUALITY* of the product. Ratings don't drop just because one actor leaves a show...Season 6, 7 and 8 proved that. What hurts any show is completely ignoring your core audience and what they are saying to you. *CORE* audience...not *target* audience are your money makers. That is who will buy your DVDs, talk about your show AND recommend that other tune in. THEN it is up to the Execs to keep the *target* audience along with the *Core*.
That is where I feel TPTB AND the Execs have dropped the ball. They have begun to forget the people who have gotten them to this point and made this show the highest rated, longest running Sci-Fi show in history.

I am not so conceited to think that my personal opinion means a hill of beans (even black ones) But I know that I used to say I LOVED Season # whatever....now I say I loved Episode # whatever and there are even times that I can only say I loved the *moment* when.......in this or that episode
I am a *CORE* audience member. I was there from day one. I own all the DVDs up to Season 6. I stopped buying the DVDs when TPTB stopped writing excellent SEASONS and began writing EXCELLENT Episodes. I have a DVD recorder now for that. (hugs Kiwigater)

Does this mean I love StarGate any less..NO!!!! Gads NO... I want StarGate to run for another 10 seasons if it can. But I want TPTB to get real with themselves and LOOK at the product. Ask themselves HARD questions when they are writing a script. Ask themselves WHY don't we have new writers. Ask themselves WHY are the ratings dropping. Ask themselves WHY are they ignoring what THEIR INTELLIGENT AUDIENCE is saying. I don't expect TPTB to cater to fan whims. But I do expect them to remember what they wrote last season or three seasons ago and not re-write it OR act like THAT didn't happen so we can just ignore it.

My bottom line.... if you want my $$$....if you want my time..... then at least respect me as an intelligent fan. I want us BOTH to enjoy the franchise of StarGate for many many years to come .............

Do you ever feel like this???? That everytime you try to engage your brain....it is just not there!!!

This has been my day today I think..... I don't want to commit to that well because I am not to sure where my brain is at the moment.....

All day at work I just kind of sat there with this dumbfounded look on my face puzzling over some of the emails I was getting. Thinking it has GOT to be me that is just not understanding things....cause there is no way there is this many stupid questions can all come on the same day!!! So it had to be me....*sigh*

One of my co-workers has this sign on his file cabinet...it says..."I'm sorry but we can NOT fix STUPID". Maybe I have been hanging out with him to much ...LOL

I work for a health insurance company....that should explain it right there...hee hee

anyway... Best part of my day...my SG buddies all were just thrilled with this weeks episodes so we had lots to discuss 'round the coffee pot. We all like Vala so that helps........hehehe I can see the comments now about my brain being gone just esculated... anyway... I actually posted my episode thoughts on the Threads this week...and I am sure in a day or so I will post more here. I like to wait until the folks over in the UK have seen it before I say much. So hopefully everyone is having a better Monday than I..*sigh*...and where the heck is Hatusu????

So here I am again and I suppose since I was away last weekend I should tell you what I thought about SG1 and SGA.

Sg-1 - Even though it was a retread of an old idea I enjoyed it. I liked some of the new ways it was used and I am really enjoying the interplay of Dr Lee with the members of the Team. I liked the light hearted feel from Sam and Daniel ...."Yeah we've done this before" It was nice to have that acknowledged and so maybe that is why I just settled in and enjoyed the episode for what it was. I really am glad to see more Teal'c action WITH lines.

Something I am really TRYING to do is let go of what I WANT IN the show and am really concentrating on WHAT IS in the show. I am finding that the more I just take things at face value the more I am enjoying it. No more worrying if Sam is doing what she used to....no more worrying if Daniel would really shoot that well....no more wondering if Cam is ever going to get a really meaty scene that Ben Browder can sink his teeth into and maybe win a few fans over.

Instead I am just sitting back and sipping my coffee. This is still a new concept for me so I will probably slip a few times :-) and fall back into old ways of nit-picking the heck out of something BUT thats ok too cause I don't expect to like it all just be entertained. However, just so you know I haven't completely learned this yet I will say that this new found way of seeing things is not allowing me to even be remotely "Emotionally invested" in the show anymore. TPTB have let me down one time too many for me to get myself that hooked again. Sadly enough it wasn't the fact that as a Sam & Jack shipper I was so bummed that they left us all hanging over the ending of Sam & Jack. Nope....what made me take a step back was the interviews given by TPTB and some of the company lines they kept spouting off and some of the things they said in the last couple of Sci-Fi Low Downs. So I figured if I was that bummed by their comments then maybe I needed to step back....because as RDA said...it ain't brain surgery...we are entertaining people...... and that is all I can expect.

SGA was fantastic IMHO...sadly I can only think of the the guy who played Micheal as the "Guy who played Tripp"....LOL He was FANTASTIC!!!!! I don't know if the whole mystery of Micheal was played out all that well by the cast...but that could have been due to the editing process. things that would have kept up the suspense might have been edited out for time and so it seemed a bit choppy to me BUT overall I was really happy with the episode. It was a well conceived idea that I think just barely missed the mark. I wasn't shocked at any time by any new discovery BUT the "Guy who played Tripp" did just an incredible job of making me feel his anguish and confusion at everything. So Kudos to him...

BSG was excellent as always...However, I am not as big on the whole "Cylon" story BUT I did completely enjoy the episode and saw it for what it was a really well done Cylon Episode. We did get to understand more about them and that was the purpose.

Now the really BIG thing for you all to take away from this blog is there is a thread in the Off-Topic area...its called "The Best Vegetable Tournament!"
The Best Vegetable Tournament
Now if you just go to the end you will see that I am campaigning to have the icky Black Bean voted off the thread... Now if you like Black Beans well that is your cross to bear and you can just ignore this part ....well because you already have enough problems BUT if you feel that you too could help my cause then come add your vote....WHY...well because this is important...sheesh.....
Ok thats it for now....let the party begin.....Bev???? That her on the wanna be Banjo.... have a Root Beer on me and Enjoy your weekend

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