Oh damn. I just realized that I have now completely run out of caffeinated beverages. Might have to make a trip to the store after this (to be brief, really) rambling. Yes indeed! :)

I suppose I should warn now: Xena and EFC season finale spoilers ahead. In fact, let's go right ahead with those right now, since they're right on the tip of my mind.

About both shows: Damn! Just when things are getting really, realy good, they have to go and end the season on us. That sucks. Now I have to wait 3+ months to see what happens. :(

Xena review first: Wow. This show is really back on track. This episode was totally littered with allusions to season 3 -- both subtle and obvious -- right down to the title: Motherhood. Anyone really think it was a coincidence that the scene near the beginning featuring Eve getting dragged behind the horse was a haunting (and perhaps subliminal to those not paying attention) echo of the Gab Drag? I thought not. And how bout Xena's line to Eve in act 3: "You are my hope." Ok, maybe not so subtle. But it worked for me. :)

While the writing was decent (I was paying enough attention during opening credits to see the "Story by Rob Tapert" part), the real gold of this episode comes from the acting of Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor, Kevin Smith, and what's-her-face-who-played-Athena. The Eve person (whose name I don't feel like looking up) wasn't half bad either. That scene at the end (BIG spoiler here) after Ares had sacrificed his immortality to save Gab and Eve, and Xena's simple utterance of "thank you". Well, I just can't do it justice. The episode rocked. When that show is on, it is on.

EFC: Of course, anyone who was at Starcon and heard Lisa Howard knew this had to be a big one. It didn't disappoint either. I found myself literally applauding when her name appeared in the guest credits. Woohoo! Marquette returns! For a brief bit, at least.

The story was excellent, befitting of a season finale. Multiple points of great suspence, treachery, games of chess, all the good stuff. I have to admit, I wasn't that crazy about the Renee Palmer character at first, but she is growing on me. Gotta love the way she played that Russian mob dude.

Of course, the character with whom I could identify the most in tonight's ep was Auger. ("She's alive Liam, I know she is. We've gotta help her!") Ok, so Auger is usually the person I most identify with, but especially tonight, despite his relatively small role in this one.

And Lily, what will become of thee? Damn. This Juridean-human freak child will be something to behold, that's for sure. Gotta love that final scene. It's just a cryin' shame we have to wait all summer to find out what happens. A cryin' shame. (Hint to producers: If you're smart, you'll offer Lisa Howard lots of money to stay on the show, perhaps in a part time role to accomodate her schedule of needing to raise a daughter. I implore you! Do not let this great talent be wasted in the realm of crappy, run-of-the-mill sitcoms.)

Oh, and a P.S. on the Xena episode, before I go to other stuff: Aphrodite was way cool in this episode. Way cool. Imagine, the Goddess of Love showing some real courage. We always knew it was buried in there somewhere, underneath all those, like, campy, vallygirl like lines. That's all. :)

Ok, now, the rest of the day: Well, in theory, I was once again going to meet up with Jaeger for a hike in the mountains. The "meeting with Jaeger" part didn't quite come together, but the library and the hike did. :)

After I got home, slept for a while, surfed briefly, and went to McDonalds for some food, I got underway with coding the new Lounge layout interface conceived of yesterday (and parts of it over the past week). Gotta love those htmlobj modules I wrote, if I do say so myself. :)

In case it wasn't apparent by the title and beginning statements in this rambling, I am embarking on a solo fest on this night. I want this interface working and posted, goddamit! :)

So, why am I sitting here rambling? Let's get some more wakeup juice, get that brain drugged up nice-and-crazy, into a state in which I can throw together code which at any other time would have me scratching my head and going, "Huh?" And we're off. Miles to go before we sleep. (The viewer may decide whether that is intended as a reference to e2 or Robert Frost. Given that phrase used by e2 is actually itself a Frost reference, does it really matter? Aw, who cares.)