The previews for this week’s C.S.I. announced that it would remind people why it’s the #1 program on television. In my opinion it did every bit of that. It may have been one of the best episodes of the program ever, and it has nothing at all to do with the fact that Taylor Swift was a guest star. To be honest, it could have been any cute actress who could be both a precocious teen and a dark goth. Story and characterization, that’s what it’s all about. Though I didn’t quite buy the tearful locker room scene at the end, the rest of the episode worked on a lot of levels. It was serious, dramatic with enough levity mixed in to keep it fun. Riley’s stammering when she was interviewing the energetic couple next door was great. I kept expecting the rehabilitated junkie to have more to do with the story (in a bad way) but I liked the way that panned out, too. The bit where David got hit by the dripping ooze—big, big yuck. And the way some but not all of the various cases that took place at the dilapidated motel wove together was rewarding. Good effort.
I’m up to about 2500 words on the new short story. It’s ended up being pretty metaphysical, which wasn’t quite what I intended in the beginning. Not sure it’s going to fit in with what the anthologists are looking for, but maybe it will be enough different to catch their attention. Now all I have to do is pull it off. Bring it together in a satisfying way. I know where I’m headed but the path is a little unclear. Wish I had more time, but I don’t, at least not for this anthology.
Just when it looks like one team is down and out on Survivor, they pull off a surprise victory and the numbers are equal again. I have no quibbles with their choice for eviction. I was really surprised to see who Taj voted for, though, and I wonder if that will stir up some bad feelings back at camp. It also looks like the secret alliance might get uncovered next week, too.
I’m off to Chicago tomorrow for about 48 hours. I spent some time in the city before, but it was a long time ago. I’ve been through the airport more times than I care to mention, but usually en route to somewhere else. I have so much work to do that I figure I’m going to spend most of my time there in my hotel room in front of the computer. Two deadlines next week and another the following week and another the week after that. Looks like I missed the really good Chicago weather—today it’s over 60° up there and sunny. Tomorrow it will be in the 40s and rainy. Oh, well, at least there’s no snow in the forecast. Is there any on the ground, I wonder?
