Robot

This is the first story starring Tom Baker as the Doctor. The Doctor is still recovering from his regeneration and this is where Harry Sullivan comes in, UNIT's Doctor, to help him. Meanwhile Sarah gets to go visit Think Tank. A group of scientists that few reporters get to speak to. There she comes across a Robot. She believes that the group are using the Robot for something other than they claim. Which of course they are and so the Doctor gets involved. The Robot is being reprogrammed by a group of people who believe that they should do the thinking for the rest of humanity. It is up to the Doctor to stop them before the Robot goes insane.

I remember when my parents first bought this on VHS. I was so excited because by this point I had seen many with Tom Bakers Doctor and all the others with Harry Sullivan (by this point I was loving Harry's character). I was so disappointed though. Tom Baker was getting used the role of the Doctor and so he wasn't quite as good as later episodes. Plus there was very little of Harry. Having got over that disappointment when I bought the DVD I knew what to expect from it. This time I just enjoyed the story itself. Like most stories involving Robots it goes back to Asimov robots and the laws regarding them. It didn't take any of the enjoyment away from it although it was central to the story. I think there are very few Robot stories that don't refer to it in some way or other. I liked the idea of a Robot who has been programmed to kill but can't because of the kindness shown by Sarah Jane. Reminds me very much of Rose in "Dalek". Although this will never be my favourite storyline it will be high on my list.

Yes, I have made something other than a sock monkey. As part of a used book swap I was to make my swap partner a bookmark. As my swap partner was generous with what she sent I made her two bookmarks. Normally I would stitch something. As my swap partner doesn't do embroidery or cross stitch but wants to learn I was tempted to just go ahead and stitch a bookmark. Instead one of the books I sent her should help her with learning. I came across this ribbon while shopping for yarn for something else (yes this ribbon is actually classed as a yarn). I cut strips of it and tied it into a knot at the top. I had also bought some buttons and I stitched one to the knot and the others to the bottom of the strips. It's all in colours my swap partner listed as liking. The second bookmark I used another ribbon type yarn to brighten up the parcel a bit. I platted both together and then stitched buttons to the knots at both ends. They didn't take me long to make at all but I really like the way they turned out.

Lili, I am actually making a sock monkey with a pirate theme. A friend's daughter has requested one. I have another to make in the meantime but I promise to post pictures of it. Your sock monkey is now on it's way to you. I posted it out yesterday so hopefully it won't take too long to get there.

I like to see where I am in a book too. I look at the page numbers to judge how long I have to go and I try not to look at the text. I do this because I usually have planned out what I want to read next. I feel guilty sometimes for always looking forward to the next book rather than solely concentrating on the one I am on. A sign of a good book though is if I don't think about the next book.

Timewarden, going by the clips I think it is wishful thinking that Simm will become more serious. I think Simm will make a good master but Jacobi would have made a fantastic master. I think when portraying evil if you make the character as serious as Jacobi would have it would make it more effective. The comic value seems to camp up the evil. How can you take that seriously? It has its place but not with the master.

WARNING! BAD LANGUAGE!

I got the most amazing swap parcel from my book swap partner. First of all she sent me a copy of Abarat by Clive Barker. She chose this because she new I had tried his horror and hadn't enjoyed it. She thought I might prefer his fantasy. The funny thing is that I have been eyeing this book up and almost bought it not that long ago. It will be going away with me tomorrow.

She also sent me a lovely book cover, bookmark, book journal (made from the cover of a book), neclace and bracelet. She really spoiled me.

Lili, I promise to post pics of the travelling sock monkeys and their stories. I will try to mail you a copy of the instructions I have on how to make them. Your right, David Tennant was the bad guy in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I think he showed the same energy in that as he does in Dr Who.

Timewarden, I liked Kes too. DS9 ended with the end of the Dominion war. No one really died at the end but a lot of them went their separate ways. Sisco joined the wormhole beings as he is meant to be one of them. He did say that he would be back though. Odo was the one who convinced the other shapeshifters to surrender and cured them at the same time. He left DS9 to rejoin his people and teach them solids aren't bad. O'Brian left for Earth to take up a teaching post at the acadamy. Worf left to become Federation ambassador to the Klingons (although we saw from the movies he actually just rejoined Enterprise). Kira had been on Cardassia to help the Cardassian win over their oppressors. In the end all Cardassians turned against the Dominion in the final battle. Kira then took over command of DS9. Bashir and Ezri got together. Kai Win and Dukat both died when they tried to free the pah wraiths and Sisco defeated them. That's about it.

Voyager is difficult as I have only saw those episodes once. I know Nelix left a few episodes before the end. He found a colony of his people unexpectedly, fell in love and decided to stay behind. I know there was a final battle with the borg. Voyager was successful (I can't remember how) and used the borg form of travel to get back home (I think). Everyone made it. Oh and Chakotay and Seven became a couple. I think Barcley was somehow involved in the ending too. I know that there were a number of episodes with him. It started with Barcley being the only one who believed that voyager was still out there. Sorry I couldn't be more clearer on that.

Gridlock

The Doctor returns to New Earth. This time they arrive in the lower levels of the city. Where everyone accepts that they spend most of their lives travelling the motor way. It all seems perfectly natural to them. The Doctor visits and old friend and discovers why the motorway has become a way of life. Meanwhile Martha discovers the dangers of the fast lane.


I liked this episode better than last weeks. I did think though that we were going to have to have a whole series of the Doctor refusing to talk about his past. Thankfully Martha is stubborn and refused to move until he talked. Think that I like Martha as the new companion. I also thought that the Face of Boes last message was a little predictable but it might make for an interesting future episode.

I finished the last part of the gift for my swap partner. It is a little drawstring bag to protect a book. Again I used a dragon from dragons dreams. This time I used the water dragon as it still fitted with my swap partners favourite colours. The dragon is a little off centre as I decided at the last minute to make the bag a little bigger than I originally intended. At that point I had already stitched the dragon. I am planning on making more of these at some point as I have a few friends that might like them. I am thinking of making one for myself too using one of the other dragon charts. Not sure which one yet though.

Meet Mr Sparkles. Mr Sparkles is my sock monkey and he will be going with me on my travels. Here's a tip for anyone making sock monkeys. Don't use socks with metallic threads in them. Poor Mr Sparkles looks a little worse for wear as these socks didn't stitch or cut well. Last night I finished my sisters too. She has called him Hector Montgomery. I won't be posting a pic until I finish his twin which is going to a friend in work. I have ran out of stuffing so it will be another week before he is done. I also have another one to make as a friend has promised to take one to Italy with her and snap photo's of him at the wedding she is going to.

Lili, the sock monkeys are made from one pair of socks. One sock is used for the body and the legs. The other sock is cut up to make the rest of him. His mouth is made from the heel of the second sock. The instructions say that you can make a hat for the monkey with the toes of the second sock but I just throw them away. Unfortunately the instructions I found on line are no longer there.

crazee4books, I have never been to a convention. Most conventions would mean travelling and the only person who would be willing to go with me wouldn't be willing to travel. I got bored with Voyager too. It did get better later on but it was still mostly about seven of nine. I did like Enterprise but I only got to see the first two seasons. I loved DS9. At one point I even liked it better the TNG. I agree Picard is definitely the best Captain.

Book Swap and Sock Monkey2

This is the last swap I will be taking part in for a while. I had actually planned the fair tale swap to be the last but when someone recommended a book swap I couldn't say no. The point of this swap is that you interrogate your swap partner and from their answers you chose a book to send them. We were all placed with people with similar tastes. Since my swap partner like fantasy and books that are a little bit different I decided to send her "Eyre Affair" by Jasper Fforde. I am hoping she will like it as much as Lili did.

The bookmark was the obvious choice. I got the design from the book "Cross Stitch Myth and Magic". I think it was meant to be used as a border but as the colours were my swap partners favourites I decided to turn it into a bookmark. You can't see it in the photo but there is some silver back stitch between the leaves.

Lili, do you recognise this? Since my swap partner is a fan of fantasy books I decided to stitch this dragon which is free on the Dragon Dreams website. This one is called spirit and I chose it for it's colours. I then attached it to a notebook. I had planned on adding more to the cover but decided that it would just spoil it.

Lastly a set of note cards which is the only craft thing related to the book. I drew a rough sketch of a Dodo onto some material and then embroidered over the outline. This is the first time I have used embroidery to make cards. I made a set of six all in my swap partners favourite colours. I had actually planned on sending more but I had promised a friend I would make something for her before she went away and she then took a week off her original leaving date. This gave me a day to make the item. I will finish the rest for my swap partner over the weekend and send her another parcel next week. More fun that way anyway.

This was what I had promised to make my friend. She is an air hostess during the summer and wanted a sock monkey to take on her travels. If I made her one she promised to take photo's of him in each destination. I had planned on making a little scrapbook too but since she was leaving a week earlier than originally planned I didn't have time. I chose those socks as the colours suit her better than the skull and cross bones of the last sock monkey I made.

Lili, my sister collects cats too. I don't actually go out of my way to buy anything frog related anymore. I haven't done in a long time as I can always guarantee that I will be given something frog related at some point through out the year. It's funny how that happens (not that I am complaining). I spend most of my money on stash and other craft supplies too, lol.

Swap Goodies Sent to Me

I received my swap goodies from my partner on the fairy tale swap. Knowing that I collected frogs she used the "Frog Prince" as a theme.

First of all she made me this bag. How amazing is this? She decorated one side with a heart and buttons (I love buttons) and on the other she painted this lovely image of the frog prince.

The plastic frogs have magnets attached to their feet so that they stick to the fridge.

I have just finished watching the third series of STNG. I am working my way through these fairly quickly. By this point the characters are well established and the actors are more comfortable with themselves and each other. The end of season 3 also sees the first use of a cliffhanger double episode. It sees the return of Gates McFadden and the return of the Borg. I am going to come out as being completely unoriginal and say that the Borg cliffhanger episode was my favourite. Watching it again reminded me of just how good it was. One of my favourite things about these DVDs is watching the actors and crew talking about their experiences. Extras is not something I normally enjoy but I loved this series when it was out and I am enjoying hearing everyones opinions on it from when it was being made. What I found interesting was that Michael Piller who wrote "The Best Of Both Worlds"wrote what he felt was an impossible situation to get out off. he had promised the producers of the show that he would write for them and run the writing team for a year and that was it. He had no intention of coming back and saw the second part as someone elses problem. However, he then reconsidered and his biggest problem was going to be to write a part two. It does seem that way as you watch it and I remember sitting open mouthed as I watched it the first time. This is also the first time that the Borg mentions assimilation

Gates McFadden being back was something I was glad about when I watched this the first time. I didn't like Diana Muldaur as her replacement. Now I can see what they were trying to do. They were trying to bring a character into the show who was more like McCoy from the original series. It just didn't work, at least not for me. McFadden had been asked to leave the show after her first year due to disagreements over the development of her character. She was asked back for the third season as her replacement was not that popular with fans. There were continued disagreements over her screen time especially in the movies. None of this was mentioned on the extras though.

Obviously what I am mainly excited about is the return of Dr Who to our screens tomorrow. Sadly I will be working so I will have to rely on it being taped. Watching it will be the first thing I do when I get home. I am looking forward to seeing new companion Martha Jones. It will be interesting to see how different she is from Rose and how the Doctor and herself work together. From what I have heard this characters is more independent and they tend to be my favourites but we'll see. Disappointingly there is going to be that romantic link between the two of them as there was between Rose and the Doctor although in a different way. I guess it will always be like that now.

Timewarden, I haven't watched any of the movies apart from the TV movie of IT and Needful Things. It was It that got me reading King in the first place. After that I found going back to It to be disappointing and never felt the need to watch any of the others. I do vaguely remember watching bits of The Tommyknockers too. So many people tell me that Carrie and the Shining are fantastic but they just never appealed to me. I liked The Dead Zone but Kings books do tend to waffle a bit and have been criticised for that. I have been tempted to watch the TV series based on the book but have yet to get round to it.

Lili, I am glad that you are enjoying the book reviews. My reading has slowed down a bit thanks to work so it will be a while before there are more I'm afraid. I haven't stopped reading, it's just finding the time to fit it in. I am glad that you liked all the Next books and that you are going to pass them on to your family now that they have been translated into French. I am very excited about the next instalment too. I have a couple of his books signed so I am hoping that he will be here in Glasgow to sign his next book and this time I might actually get to meet him. I hope you are enjoying "Girlfriend In A Coma". Coupland has a simple writing style so you should have no problems with his other books should you go on to read them. My only recommendation is to leave "Jpod" to last if you do decide to read the others. This is my favourite of all his books and it puts the rest of them to shame (as good as they are). I got everyone I work with to read this (although I made sure that they had read the others first). He has a new book out at the end of this year. So it will be interesting to see what it is like. In your letter you asked me about the reviews in my previous blog. I didn't delete them so I'm not sure why you can't access them. Maybe it's because the blog has been inactive for so long.

Craft Swap

As I mentioned a few posts back I was working on another swap. This one was called "New Take On Fairy Tales". We were to take a fairy tale, rewrite it and then craft some gifts to send along with it. My chosen fairy tale was "The Snow Queen" as I always loved it as a kid. Most of the swappers were more taken with the crafts than anything else. The story really became the little thing to add in. I had planned on writing mine in more detail. Almost like a short story. Unfortunately I ran out of time and so I wasn't able to do as much as I wanted. So I won't be publishing it here.




As you can see I went for a scarf again. I decided that since it was about the Queen of the snow a scarf would be ideal. I also made some note cards. These three are part of a set of six. I printed some snowflakes onto OHP transparencies. Painted them and covered them in glitter and of course cut them out. It was something I saw at a craft fair and wanted to try out.
















As promised I said that there would be some cross stitch involved in this swap. I took some designs from my "Cross Stitch Myth and Magic" book which I felt fit in perfectly with the theme I had chosen. The fairy I have stitched before as a Christmas card. This time I decided to use the same fabric but stitch it onto a pillow. The notebook I used acetate snow flakes and ribbon to decorate. I then stitched this queen for the top. It's the first time I have stitched something onto a pillow or even a notebook although i have been meaning to do so.

I do have one more swap that I am taking part in but once that is over that will be me for a while. The next one I don't think will take up as much time.

Lili, thank you so much for your lovely letter. I got it today. I would have sent you an email but I haven't been able to access my email in three days now. Is anyone else having problems with hotmail?

Dr Who Swap

I received my parcel from my swap partner in the Dr Who swap I took part in. Wait till you see the amazing goodies I received.

As you can see my swap partner is mainly a crochet crafter. She designs most of the things she does herself. The Tardis top comes off to reveal that the Tardis is hollow. She had filled it up with sweets (which are now gone, yum). The unmistakable fourth Dr was also in there. I honestly can't decide which I like best. My mum and sister got a kick out of these too. In fact I had to rescue them from them both.

Christine our scanner isn't working and for some strange reason all of our graphic programmes on the computer is missing so I wasn't able to upload a diagram of inside the crochet hook holder. I did try to photograph a diagram but it didn't show well. I will just explain what I did and hopefully it will make sense. I took a piece of felt the same size as the outside cover but in a different colour. I then trimmed away 1/4 of the length of the felt. I stitched it to the inside of the cover to make one large pocket. I then divided this up using pins and the stitched to create lots of smaller pockets. Does that make sense?

Lili, I read Alice in Wonderland after reading the Thursday Next stories too. I am sure there were things in those books that I missed from not knowing the stories too. If you have any questions though I will be happy to do my best to answer them. I hope you like the Jack Spratt stories. I enjoyed the first one and I have the second one there still to read. A friend and I got another friend in work to read them and she is impatiently waiting for the third. Although I think his next book is another Thursday Next story. I have watched one or two Avenger episodes when it is repeated. I mainly remember the ones with Joanna Lumly as during my phase of watching them these were the ones that were mostly repeated.

I am one of the few people who favour DS9 over all the other Star Trek series. Next Gen comes a very close second though and Picard will always be my favourite Captain. I'm not sure what my favourite episode is from the first series. I did like "conspiracy". I remember seeing the unedited version for the first time and felt cheated in discovering some of it had been left out when I first watched it. I quite like "Datalore" too. I also found myself laughing while watching "Haven" and "The Big Goodbye".