Week in Review

[kate_nepveu]

Annual cookout yesterday. It started out very well (though if I'd realized that Chad was trying to convince one of the kids that werewolves are allergic to Nerf, I would've intervened), but a couple hours in my vision started going wonky. I took my contacts out, but I knew even as I did so that it was futile: sure enough, it was a migraine. My

Comments

[scifantasy]

Also, if anyone wants to know how to get the DVDs cheaply, give a yell.

I'm curious. I've heard excellent stuff about Homicide.

[rachelmanija]

Homicide is a brilliant, dour (but often funny), generally very realistic, and wonderfully acted cop show based on a non-fiction book about homicide detectives in Baltimore. There are seven seasons, of which the last two are very uneven but do contain a couple of don't-miss-incredible episodes.

The show acknowledges that some crimes don't get solved and some mysteries of the human heart are unknowable; it also has some of the best lengthy character arcs I've ever seen anywhere.

[scifantasy]

I know what it is, thanks.

[kate_nepveu]

What I did: I bid $20 for Homicide DVDs on eBay as sold by A&E, which releases the DVDs. That was below the reserve price, so I didn't win the auctions--but A&E sent me a "Second Chance Offer" to buy the DVDs for my bid price after the auction closed.

The eBay seller ID is ae_tv. The way "Second Chance Offers" appear to work, the seller can only see a bid that's actually made. In other words, if an item has a starting price of $0.99, you bid $20 as a maximum, but no-one else bids, then the only public bid you've made is $0.99, and A&E has no interest in offering to sell you a DVD set for 99 cents.

So, paradoxically, if you want this to work quickly, you actually want to get in an auction that will bid you up to your maximum, one where other people are bidding.

You'll note, of course, that A&E is under no obligation to do this, but I got all six DVD sets for $20 (actually the lowest bid was $19.25) and free media mail shipping.

PS

[rachelmanija]

Chad is hilarious.

Re: PS

[kate_nepveu]

He's not kidding when he says we have this kind of conversation all the time.

[laurel]

I'm curious re where you found the good deal on Homicide DVDs as I try to post that stuff in the Homicide DVD FAQ. (I have all the sets myself already, but am always enabling others). I haven't poked around to look at prices lately in the usual places and really should.

Which reminds me, I bet the FAQ is out of date and I've been slacking. Bad me. Shall fix soon.

[kate_nepveu]

Replied to a comment above: http://kate-nepveu.livejournal.com/187669.html?thread=1563925#t1563925

[kate_nepveu]

Thanks.

I'm beginning to think that Dortmunder the character is unfilmable, but yes, I would really like to see the caper parts of that book done well.

*blink* IMDB tells me that _Ocean's Thirteen_ is in pre-production and due to start filming soon. I am surprised.

Presumably this one is about Linus. Hmm.

[od_mind]

I'm beginning to think that Dortmunder the character is unfilmable

I'd like to see Steve Buscemi try it. (With Dennis Dugan (except that he's 60 years old now) as Andy Kelp.)

[kate_nepveu]

I think Buscemi's got too much "creepy" baggage as an actor. But it's a thought.

[fidelioscabinet]

1. The great good thing about Ocean's Twelve was Vincent Cassel. Oh, and the moment near the end, when we find out that Cherry Jones's character is Linus' mother. (Also, the original movie from the 60s was not as good as the remake. It was an excuse for the Rat Pack to hang out in Vegas and get paid for it. Their Tess was more convincing, though.)

2. If it was just paint scratches, you could do something. If you're seeing rust, it needs to be seen by a pro before salt season (I mean snow season, sorry) starts again. It is possible, to sand, seal, and repaint yourself, but it will take a lot of time, and equipment you may not have. Also, the state office that handles consumer complaints is a better route for finding which is a bad body shop than the BBB.

[kate_nepveu]

Thanks; I was afraid that it would need professional work. I'm pretty happy with the dealership that I bought the car from, so I'll probably have them do the body work.