I'm not even looking to see how long it's been since I've posted here.  The end of school and seeking of licensure simply left no time for Internet dallying.  A client cancellation coupled with a desire to process a quick thought re: the end of the Sopranos brings me back for noone knows how long.

*SPOILER ALERT*

Stop reading if you don't want to know what happens in the last Sopranos ep.

Kelley had some grumblings about the end of the series that I think speak directly to what the writers were going for.  A major premise of the show has always been that here is this family, barely distinguishable from any other family on the surface.  They have dreams, desires and faults just like any other family.  They just also happen to be in organized crime.  Despite Tony's penchant for violence he and his family are still made out to be the protagonists.  Even during the darkest of Tony's days, we are supposed to believe there is a reason.  Whether it be to preserve the business, or because of the dysfunctional family he grew up in, or even to put an end to the life of someone constantly turning down the path of self-destruction, the aim always seem to be to promote empathy for Tony and his family.  They're the ones we're rooting for to come out on top.

Until the end.

How many of you were, like I was, watching the last few minutes wondering when they were going to get "hit"?  Would someone get them all?  Would it just be AJ?  Would Meadow escape the fate of the family because she was struggling to parallel park?  Was it the guy in the hat that would get them?  or the guy at the bar?

More importantly, how many were disappointed when (apparently) nothing happened?  How many thought, "what??? that can't be it... someone has to die".  How many were disappointed, even _angry_ that none of the beloved protagonists was so much as scratched at the end (even AJ escaped glorious anhialation at the hands of his own stupidity).  And that's what the writer's were shooting for, I think.  A display of how, even though these were your beloved characters, you still wanted to see harm come to one, some or all of them.

Of course, I could be completely overreaching.  They may have, even more simply, just wanted to leave things open to the imagination (or more likely, a movie).



P.S.  *Insert obligatory complaint about their handling of the psychotherapy back story; an integral part of the series brushed aside carelessly with a haphazard, inexplicable change in direction on the part of Tony's therapist (not to mention the awful, unrealistic depiction of the group of therapists at the dinner party the previous week). *

Aghh!!  What did they do to this wonderful CD??

For those that don't know the backstory, Fiona Apple originally recorded this CD about 3 years ago.  She was essentially told by Sony that they wouldn't release it because it wasn't radio friendly.  Eventually, the entire CD was "leaked" and available on the Internet.  While one would hope that the CD finally being released was a result of the incredible response the "leaked" version got, I have to wonder having now heard the "official" release.

Don't get me wrong.  I still think it's a wonderful set of songs.    But having heard the originals, I'm definitely left with the impression that Fiona and crew were instructed to "jazz it up a bit" if they wanted to get it released.  What was a collection of sparse recordings that featured her voice and subtle musical and lyrical changes has now turned into a set of gadgets.    Almost every song has had the bass drum kicked up and most of them have had some sort of catchy musical gimmick added.

Of course, it's pure speculation on my part that they were instructed to "polish" it.  This may well be what Fiona had intended all along. And I'm quite sure there will be others who prefer the new to the old.  I'm still glad I bought it since she deserves to have some income from this work.  I'll mostly be listening to the "free" version myself.

Current Altitude: disappointed
Current Music: Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine

What a damned good movie.

I have trouble imagining any of the fans of the series being disappointed on the whole.

Current Altitude: cheerful

In case you're making a list of the many reasons why racism and socio-economic disparity continues to be pervasive in our society, be sure to add the news media (though I'd be shocked if you hadn't already).

Little did I know, until the AP educated me, that white people "find" bread and soda, while people of color "loot".

Linky
Linkie

Thanks to sonjaaa for passing this along.


p.s. yes, I know I haven't been updating here and I will get it caught up..maybe not for another three weeks.. but I will...

Current Altitude: angry

Thanks to misfitmonkey for pointing out that Sony is finally releasing one of the best CDs of the last three years.  Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine"

Current Altitude: contemplative
Current Music: Fiona Apple - Parting Gift

At least that's how I feel this morning.  It's really amazing how a couple of inconsiderate, self-centered people can have such an impact on a large number of people; more importantly on a couple of girls ages 7 and 8 who had a chance to meet an idol taken away from them.

Kelley (copperbeech)  tells the story better than I ever could.

Current Altitude: drained
Current Music: silence

Wow, so simple and yet....

If he gets stuck, just drag him around a bit...

Thanks to sonjaaa for pointing this one out.

Current Altitude: in pain

As noted in her LJ, I've gotten copperbeech her own copy of WoW so now I have even more incentive to play.  We can be found on the Uldum server, thrashing bad guys and whipping up potions.

Current Altitude: dorky

Ok, I really need to update this more often, but summer school is currently officially kicking my ass.  It hasn't helped that I've not been feeling well for the last week or so. 

WoW is sucking up a good bit of the free time I've had.   Other things have occupied the rest of the crevices of my mind.

In any case, it is incredibly HOT outside.  It was about 10am when I opened the door to let Joshua out and was met with a burst of hot air almost like opening an oven.  It's supposed to hit 104 today BEFORE the heat index is factored in. Crazy!

Current Altitude: busy
Current Music: Presidents of The United States Of America, The - Back Porch

Gleaned from gikiski

Warnings for profanity and non-political correctness.