So, the TG Polar Special. It's one of my top five favourite episodes, even though there are parts I can hardly bear to watch, mainly because it really focuses on the three presenters and their approach to a lot of things, not just what they're doing in the challenge/race, and because it gives the viewer a sense, I think, of what these guys can be really like with each other and by themselves. Yes, a lot of episodes of Top Gear show the same things, but there's something about what this challenge throws at them that made me love the presenters and their relationships with each other even more, and I saw sides of all three of them that I hadn't before and not often have seen since.

I'm sure people who actually liveblog things properly have a set way to do these things, but I, well, don't. So. The background of the challenge is here, and Wikiquote has a selection of chatter from the show here. But the main idea is that Jeremy Clarkson and James May are racing Richard Hammond and Matty McNair to the North Pole. Jeremy and James are in a Toyota Hilux truck of awesomeness, and Richard and Matty are making their run with a team of sled dogs.

( And all happy hell breaks loose. )

1) Just a reminder for those in the States—who've never seen the episode on actual television—Top Gear's Polar Episode is finally on BBCAmerica tonight at 8:00 pm. I'm seriously thinking about liveblogging it just for giggles. I know you're just as excited for that as I am. :D If I do, expect many expletives in reference to what gets edited out of the broadcast.

2) We put presents underneath the tree last night, and I'm making happy handmotions because I know for certain that Nigella Christmas is under there waiting for me. We typically make creative and/or punny tags for presents that at least make us think hard about what the gifts might be—there is no easy "To X from Y" tagging in our world, oh no—but I know how that book feels in my hands, and my father wasn't smart at all with the tag. I don't care! Nigella! \o/ I'm thinking that's the gift I'm going to choose to open Christmas Eve (we do one gift, usually related to media, so everyone has something to read/watch/do before bed that night, and we also open stockings).

3) I'm thinking there will be one more spam this year, though of what I have no idea. Best pictures that arrived or that I tripped over this year? Something seasonal? Something completely insane like a spam set to Britney Spears' "Circus"? Suits on parade?

4) Slashababy is due in three days. FINISH YOURSELF, STORY. I will not be finishing you Christmas Eve with my Christmas cracker crown still sitting on my head like I've done the past two years!

5) My sister has vanilla candles going in the front room, and the whole house smells like cake. I would do murder for a cupcake right now. You very much needed to know this.

The film critic for the Orlando Sentinel has made a list of what he calls the seminal films of the last decade, the films he makes "time to watch again, that 'changed things' or the likes of which we may never see on a big screen again." I can't agree necessarily with his overall list (see note below), mainly because there's no LOTR mention, and I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous and in my world blasphemy, but I was very pleased to see this:

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
It's disheartening to think that we may never see a historical action epic like this again. Sure, there will be attempts (the upcoming Robin Hood). But a great filmmaker having sailing ships built (or renting them) so that cast and crew could utterly immerse themselves in the era and take us with them? With real sets and locations and precious little digital trickery? Peter Weir channeled his inner David Lean for this throwback classic, the only film of its kind and caliber to come out of Hollywood since Titanic. And in Titanic, the ship was often a model or a computer generated illusion.

I'd link to the article if I could actually find it on the Sentinel's completely ridiculous website. Anyway, other films mentioned in his list: Memento/Amores Perros (listed together as "puzzle pictures"), Finding Nemo, Fahrenheit 9/11, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Bloody Sunday, Millions, 300, and The Departed. No extra comments from this redhead, as I haven't seen any of them. Well, I've seen about ten minutes of Finding Nemo. Anyway. LOTR should have been in there, and I could spend time hissing about that, but I'm just thrilled to see M&C mentioned. Second favourite film ever.

This ship is our home. This ship—is England.

I am having a frustrating day, but whatever. So, this Witches of Oz film, hmm.



You know, when I think about Billy over the hood of a cop car, it doesn't go quite like this, but I am ... okay with that.

( It get sillier but still strangely acceptable. )

Okay, so next time, Boyd, remember to play the detective, right? We've discussed this. At length.