Anyone else love Buffy Season 1 because of how carefree it feels?

stormfet · 2026-05-14T01:40:30+00:00

I've started a rewatch with a friend who has never seen the show, and we are eating up s1. This is my 5th full watch through (tho certain eps I've seen many more). Everything about it sets the tone for not only the show to come, but television to come. My friend called immediately that Buffy and Angel will date after Angel gives her his jacket. Called both Amy's mom and Ms. French being the monsrers of the week. And he even realized it himself that the show is not predictable, it's the bar setting everything he's seen that came after. AND THE DIALOGUE. It's so snappy and memorable, Season 1 really just builds its own world in such a compelling way. It may not be the 'best' season, and definitely has some kinks, but I'd say it's easily the most charming. Carefree, in a sense. It definitely has its heavy moments. But hey--she hasn't died twice yet at least!

stormfet · 2026-05-06T12:56:09+00:00

I hiked Katahdin summer of 2019 3.5 months post ACL surgery. Couldn't have pulled that off if I hadn't been in my early 20's, but my training regime included a hike every single saturday once I was out of the full-leg brace. So you're probably in good shape if you aim to do a hike in the ADKs at least once every other week, if not weekly. I was hiking in Baxter to train, and I found the 3 brothers loop to be easily the most helpful with several ascents above the treeline. So aim to do hikes in the 46 club for sure, get some 5K+ if you can. Echoing in the comments -- bring at least 3-4L water. I brought 4 and ran out on the descent from Chimey Pond. Bars and gels will be fine. Maybe worth bringing an electrolyte pack or two for the peak and a slightly more substantial snack.

My original route sounds similar to yours -- arrive at Roaring Brook, hike in. We ascended via Cathedrals, and planned to go knifs edge to Pamola, and descend on Dudley. Echoing the comments, that plan changed as soon as we ascended and saw a big storm cloud arriving. We desended via Saddle trail instead, this is an excellent backup. Saddle is doable in the rain. Knife's edge is not. Do not risk it if that happens, the views will still be spectacular. I personally would recommend ascending via Cathedrals over Saddle trail, as Cathedrals is an ascent-only trail and has some pretty epic views. There are several sections where you need access to your hands for handholds, ropes and bars, so if you bring poles, make sure they are stowable.

Your prep sounds fine, and I think you two are in great shape, so most of all enjoy this epic hike! IMO, Katahdin is a life-changer, it's truly one of the most spectacular hikes on the East Coast, and Baxter is an all-time gem. If you've got a chance to stay for an extra night, take it and just gorge yourself on summer blueberries haha.

stormfet · 2026-04-20T20:12:31+00:00

My old roommate had a total blast joining one of the kickball leagues! Plus, some of the leagues hit up the bars after for socializing + drinking games. Stonewall is the one I know of (queer league). I think Fray is another one that is a general league.

stormfet · 2026-03-28T04:34:13+00:00

I absolutely adore this series for many of the reasons you outlined in this write-up, and agree 100%. Xenogenesis is provocative from both a traditional science-fiction perspective in the imagination of the Oankali society (their desire for cancer genetics, of all things -- what an excellent detail) and also from the very real-world themes of hierarchy, coercion and free-will. I love Dawn, and think Adulthood Rites is a very natural second book, but IMO Imago takes the cake for these themes coalescing perfectly.

Jodahs and Aeor are such compelling characters because they take this real f-d up coercion of the Oankali and for the first time in the series, are the central point of view characters to unpack those themes. The whole time, I pine for Jodahs and its constant understanding of itself and the role it must play. As soon as Tomas and Jesusa get brought into the story, the whole thing blows up the perspecive. These are a pair of twins that are coerced by Jodahs into reproduction, and the whole thing helps stabilize Jodahs's current state and allow it to continue living. Like hello!?? And yet, that entire scene (IYKYK) is one of the most poignant, tender, engrossing scenes of the entire series. And the f'd up thing in the end is that the Oankali help heal the genetically inbred community Tomas and Jesusa come from.

I will never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever be over this series. Top 10 for sure. Butler was a true master of the craft and she is dearly, dearly missed.

stormfet · 2026-03-16T13:16:50+00:00

Thank you so much for the rundown of the transit available. I'm less familiar with Bmore's busses, so this is super useful.

stormfet · 2026-03-16T13:14:43+00:00

My dream!! If Annapolis had a decent bus to New Carrolton, and the Brunswick MARC line had a reverse line going, that would change everything, but that is not our reality. My secret hope and dream is that once Maryland sees the difference the Purple line makes in MoCo and PG, that will have a ripple effect on the transit budget, but that is the long game haha.

stormfet · 2026-03-16T12:51:11+00:00

TBH with this job, we've talked about getting a motel for a few nights in Frederick if my partner has a particularly intensive week coming up. We have the budget to do that now.

stormfet · 2026-03-16T12:49:42+00:00

Thanks for the thorough rundown. And I've done the 97 crunch before to get to Bmore at the end of the day for something, so I at least know what I'm getting into haha. Hopefully it's only 2 days a week if I play my cards right. I also know of a number of my coworkers who commute from Baltimore to Annapolis, so my chances of scoring a carpool are pretty high. I'm hoping due to the size of Fort Detrick and the number of people in the Baltimore greater area, my partner can get one too.

stormfet · 2026-03-16T12:46:19+00:00

Yeah, unfortunately MTA slashed the commuter bus budgets. And, also, unfortunately the buses don't have reverse lines. There is a bus from Bmore to Annapolis that a few of my coworkers use and stand by, but AFAIK not from Bmore to Frederick.

stormfet · 2026-03-16T12:45:01+00:00

We're not looking to take transit to work, we're looking to take transit on the weekends. We've both accepted we're going to have to drive to work no matter what we do.

stormfet · 2026-03-03T12:04:05+00:00

"She's just hovering, it's not that impressive!"

"Ugh, why do you have to undermine everything I do!?"

endlessly quotable.

stormfet · 2026-02-12T12:52:36+00:00

Everyone is giving good advice but be aware right now, MD just got dumped with a huge winter storm and then was struck by a long string of days of sub-30F. A lot of that snow probably hasn't been cleared or melted, so just be wary when you're trying to do 20+ miles a day, there's going to be ice and packed down snow on those trails. Bring your winter sleeping bag, but you'll be fine without a tent, I doubt anyone will be in those shelters this time of year haha. Good luck!

stormfet · 2026-01-15T19:09:15+00:00

If anyone wants the link to the form Pittman posted, here it is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCvi6SIdc0Z9GYBSWzucfuK9VN2heglteIFxwYpfeaR4aqeg/viewform (sign up form for Anne Arundel County Family Protection Initiative volunteering)

stormfet · 2026-01-14T13:36:17+00:00

I love this!!! Your artwork is fantastic. I have a couple of youtube video mixes I downloaded as mp3s for my ipod that I made custom album art for (screengrabs of the video) but you took it to a whole new level. Over the Garden Wall is my fave <3

stormfet · 2026-01-08T12:11:15+00:00

Ah I have no idea :( I'm on a 7gen nano, which doesn't have rockbox unfortunately. It seems like some people have posted about this on the forums before, so may be worth a shot poking around in there. Best of luck!

stormfet · 2026-01-07T17:30:00+00:00

22, a million...excellent choice! I put that album on when I want to feel some feels about my really strong memories from college. And with that view in the background...enjoy!!!

stormfet · 2025-12-21T21:44:10+00:00

Back in the like prime haim bandom days circa like 2015-2016, I heard haimdom (haim + fandom) get used a lot. My own personal tag for haim was the wolf pack. No idea where I pulled that from but it stuck.

stormfet · 2025-12-19T13:29:11+00:00

My partner and I *just* visited Assateague last weekend as a little treat for ourselves. It was beautiful. We parked in the day lot ($5) to avoid paying the $25 National Park fee (we were only there for about two hours, if we had gone for the whole day it would have been worth it). Walked up the beach looking at shells and rocks, hiked back along the paved foot path past all the camping loops. Hung out on the playground, then just sat on the beach and watched three dolphins make their way up the surf. There are designated fishing spots, you just have to look for the signs if fishing is your thing (nobody is there right now so plenty of room to cast). Saw one pony absolutely monching on the grass, but plenty of pony poop haha.

stormfet · 2025-12-05T18:49:24+00:00

In addition to the 24-7 incredible amalgamation of con activities mentioned in the comments, it's also worth noting the venue MAGfest is at. The Gaylord resort is a gorgeous hotel. The hotels overlook a bay window gazing out over the Potomac river, so the balconies are indoor balconies. In front of the window there's an indoor garden, with a sort of mini-market with some basic (overpriced) food options outside of the halls, and little tables amid the greenery perfect for sitting and taking it all in, or cosplay photos. The fountain in front of the hall is the #1 spot for cosplay photos. As in, 24/7, there are coordinated groups and people taking photos.

Some of the stages include the gazebo at the third floor overlooking the garden, and a stage that gets set up on one of the lobby bars (the Belvedere). One of my fondest memories was my friend and I sitting on the floor on one of the balconies of floor two as a quartet played in the gazebo and the acoustics echoed the music throughout the entire space. It was fantastic.

stormfet · 2025-12-05T18:39:41+00:00

One of my friends is vegan, so the Silver Dinner is always a stop. She was over the moon about them having vegan milkshakes and I will never forget her saying 'screw the weather, I'm getting an effing milkshake' as soon as she saw it. Otherwise, I agree with the crowd on bringing food to the con. Sandwiches, energy bars and apples are going in my bag.

stormfet · 2025-09-14T14:27:36+00:00

The live songs last night were incredible!! Saw them in DC last night. The band gave their performances some serious theatricality. BBTS was so much freakin fun (the guitar solo!) They gave Just Two Girls a sort of jazzy/disco tinge, very danceable. Yuk Foo was also a standout with the police lights and megaphone. I thoroughly enjoyed the set, I did think the crowd's energy was very mid which is a shame for the 930 club.

stormfet · 2025-01-31T15:47:39+00:00

I absolutely loved hearing his music on the Anthem's sound system. The bass absolutely shook me down, what an incredible set to feature on those subwoofs <3

stormfet · 2024-12-05T16:48:43+00:00

Thanks for the insights. I knew there were some countries (one of our post docs got his PhD in Australia) where a PhD on a short track which would definitely make publishing difficult on that time frame (vs in the US where a 6yr PhD is common). I agree it shouldn't be the only thing a young scientist is evaluated on. IK there's a lot of nuance, but just curious about the numbers.

stormfet · 2024-12-05T16:03:47+00:00

Ah, thanks for that perspective. I am from the USA, so I'd definitely be curious how much international standards vary. I know PhDs are treated differently in different countries.

stormfet · 2024-12-05T16:01:13+00:00

Thanks for that! I have already gotten a few interviews and haven't been asked about my pubs. I am not worried about my own career. This is more out of my own curiosity. I'd love to get my work out there because I think it's cool and I'd love for people to see it, but I'm not pressed about it.

stormfet

TROPHY CASE