Entry #7: Like FedEx, UPS and DHL Combined

I am a shipper. I ship. It's what I do. I watch something, I usually come away with a couple  or two that I root for. Mostly television, movies, books (and I mostly read romance novels). If I had to pinpoint, it is because I have watched soap operas since I was a baby. My great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother all watched them. So did my baby sitter. I didn't have a choice. Of course, I've kept up the habit all these years.

I tend to be a single-shipper instead of a multi-shipper. I rarely am cool with a character possibly being with more than one choice. (If you do, that's your business, just not my thing.) That being said, not all of those are OTPs. But there are those that I feel very strongly about. That I am not cool with them being with anyone else once the other half of that is in the picture.

That's not to say none of these people haven't had relationships before. In fact, most, if not all, of them have had someone in the past. But I now concentrate on the present and the future. And when it comes to my OTPs, they are both of those. I never wish to see them with anyone else. I think maybe, that's because that's what I want for myself. I want to see them be together. Only have eyes for each other. I don't expect it to be sunshine and rainbows.

I read often that once the couple gets together it's boring. I say rubbish to that. That just means the writers aren't talented enough to work around it. They can be a couple and it not being the center of the show. Let them hold hands when walking together. Let them give one another peck when leaving a room. Remind the other of the grocery list in the middle of a conversation. Little intimate touches when next to each other that don't draw attention. One answer the other's phone because the other is asleep next to them. It can be done!

So, I'm going to list here my Top 5 All-Time OTPs and my Top 5 Current OTPs (that is couples in media that is currently producing new product).

Top 5 All-Time OTPs
These are my ride or die pairings. The ones I love the most and for the longest. The ones I will defend (and have on a couple) no matter what.

1. Doctor/Rose Doctor Who
(Every version. These are just the three that have appeared together on screen.)

They are my number one. As I said, every single version. Yes, even One. I just love them so much. Their love story is just...it spans all of time and space and more than one universe! Beat that! I could go on and on and on and on about them. But I won't. Just know don't ever talk bad about them to me. I won't be held responsible for my action.

2. Spike/Buffy Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Another one I will defend always. Yes, I have watched the show (probably longer than you have). Yes, I know what happened in season six. None of that will sway me. I shipped them long before they were a possibility. In fact, Angel was still the main push when these two caught my eye. So, when this episode (Something Blue, season four) happened I was over the moon and thought that was it. Oh how pleasantly surprised I was. Even Joss says Spike's the one for Buffy. And he should know.

3. Luka/Abby ER

This is the couple that taught me patience. I wanted them together from the moment she asked them on their first date. Then they were just a great couple. Then the dark years came. The Carter years. But I waited. Because I knew. And eventually my patience was rewarded and A Simple Twist of Fate happened. Then Two Ships happened and I was giddy. They finally got married! Then another dark time happened that I like to pretend didn't happen. But in the end, they were THE ER couple. Only second to Doug/Carol in the all-time greats of the whole show (I like Doug/Carol, but they aren't MY couple). So, because of them, I can wait for any of my couples.

4. Erik/Christine Phantom of the Opera

I like every version of them but the musical is what made me fall in love with them. And yes, I'm a Phan that loves the movie as much as the stage show. We do exist. Anyways, my heart always breaks for them at the end. I always will Christine to make a different choice. And I have convinced myself that she goes back to him. (It's my blog and my fantasy, I can do what I want!) This is also probably the ship I've had the longest as it's been pretty much since I discovered the show when I was in middle school.

5. Barney/Robin How I Met Your Mother

Look, they got married and lived happily ever after. THE END. (It's still too soon to talk about it.)

Top 5 Current OTPs
As mentioned above, these are the ones where things could change. I may love them all a lot but it could still go terribly wrong and I could end up hating them. (It's doubtful, but you never know.) These are not in any particular order unlike the above list.

1. Jeff/Annie Community

The funny thing about a lot of these couples on this list and the one above, I didn't start their shows shipping them (there are exceptions of course). It just happened all of the sudden. This was one of them. Also, in my opinion, Joel McHale and Allison Brie have the best kissing chemistry of any two actors I've ever seen.

2. Oliver/Felicity Arrow

I didn't even ship them by the end of the first season. I wasn't against them but I wasn't all out on them either. Then a switch flipped and now they are pretty much taking over my life. I am so nervous about this up coming season. I just know the writers have the potential to mess it up. Anyways, why this picture? Because it precedes my favorite moment of theirs. Which is this:

3. Ethan/Brona Penny Dreadful

Ugh. You don't know pain until you ship these two. I never thought I'd ever want to see Billie Piper with anyone not played by David Tennant. Then this happened. And, well, Ethan better have meant it when he said, "Then I'll love what she becomes."

4. Clint/Natasha Marvel Cinematic Universe

This also bleeds over to the comics, but mainly it's the movies. I mean, she made the Avengers happen because they took him. They beat the snot out of each other and it was fantastic. THE ARROW NECKLACE. I'm hoping the one rumor floating about proves false, but no matter, I still love them.

5. Hayley/Elijah The Originals

From the spoilers from season two thus far, I'm unimpressed. But their chemistry can't be denied and I will never forget the beauty of their season one arc.

Bonus Ship:
Hannah Baxter/Peter Carlisle  Secret Diary of a Call Girl/Blackpool (Complications Minor)

I don't have a picture for these two because, well, I made it up!

I wrote a novel-length fic about this crossover pairing. Because I just knew these two characters would hit it off. Now I can't accept them with anyone else!

Of course I have many others. I didn't even touch on the world of soap operas. But even with those, I'd say these are still my main ones.

Entry #6: TV Is My Addiction and That's Okay

I was going to post something else this week but time got away from me and what I wanted to do was sort of involved. So, maybe next week. Or eventually.

Instead, since the fall season is starting up, here is my proposed schedule for each night.

Sunday:
7:00 PM:   Bob's Burgers (Fox)
8:00 PM:   The Simpsons (Fox)
                  Once Upon a Time (ABC)
9:00 PM:   Family Guy (Fox)
                  Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
10:00 PM: True Detective repeat (HBO)

Monday:
8:00 PM:   Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
                  The Originals (CW)
                  The Voice (NBC)
9:00 PM:   Sleepy Hollow (Fox)

Tuesday:
8:00 PM:   The Voice (NBC)
9:00 PM:   Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC)
                  New Girl (Fox)
9:30 PM:   The Mindy Project (Fox)
10:00 PM: Forever (ABC)

Wednesday:
8:00 PM:   Arrow (CW)
10:00 PM: American Horror Story: Freak Show (FX)

Thursday:
8:00 PM:   The Vampire Diaries (CW)
9:00 PM:   Gracepoint (Fox)
                  White Collar (USA)
9:30 PM:   A to Z (NBC)
10:00 PM: Elementary (CBS)
                  Covert Affairs (USA)

Friday:
9:00 PM:   Grimm (NBC)
10:00 PM: Blue Bloods (CBS)

Saturday:
9:00 PM:   Ghost Adventures (Travel)
11:30 PM: Saturday Night Live (NBC)

So, there are some overlaps (Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday). Some nights are light (Wednesday and Friday). Some shows are finishing their runs (Boardwalk Empire and White Collar). Some I'm watching more out of habit than enjoyment and may possibly drop them if the show doesn't pick up (The Mindy Project and Covert Affairs). Some shows are making me nervous with the spoilers which may make them make or break for me (The Originals and Arrow). And, of course, there are a few new ones (Forever, Gracepoint, and A to Z).

When the mid-season winter premieres pop up, we'll revisit this list and see what, if anything, has changed, beyond shows that just aren't on seasonally.

P.S. I discovered while trying to publish this post you may only have 20 labels not exceeding 200 characters. The more you know.

Entry #5: The Ego Boost (Part the First)

I don't think I'm especially hideous. In fact, I think my face is quite nice. I love putting makeup on it, playing features up. I still have acne, even though I am pretty consistent with washing my face in the morning and at night (I seldom fall asleep for the night with makeup still on). Which, weren't we promised we would grow out of pimples? I'm 36. I'm ready for it to be done!

At least I'm not showing signs of aging. The dark circles under my eyes aren't a sign of getting older as I inherited them from my father and have had them most of my life. (Pro tip: a week of sleep deprivation and forgetting you are wearing mascara makes it look like you haven't slept possibly ever in your life. And when you have pale skin, it really stands out.) I have slight laugh lines that you have to look for to find. I've been blessed that way.

I do have oily skin. Not combination. There's not a part of this face that is dry. There's not-quite-oily in the cheeks to almost-permanent-shine on the forehead, sides of nose, and chin. And everything in between.

Even though the most of me is fat, my face doesn't really show it. No double chin. Killer cheekbones, with pronounce hollows. If I ever did motivate to lose weight, I'd put James Marsters to shame.

I have long, thick, curly, dark blonde/golden brown hair. Like what the commercials make you believe you want to have. I love my hair. However, just know, it's not as great as you think. It's super dry and prone to breakage even though I never let heating elements near it and only wash it once or twice a week (trust me, it's more than enough). It frizzes if there a hint of humidity (most of my hair care regiment is designed to domesticate the frizz, but alas, it is feral and sometimes needs to be free).

All that being said, there are the times when I feel down on myself and need to be reminded that out there someone saw past those flaws.

I was in my mid-20's and was visiting my mom in the state over. We were shopping at a Value City type store (if you know what I'm talking about). I hadn't put much effort in. If I remember correctly, I was in jeans and baggy sweatshirt or sweater. Minimal makeup. (because I at least face the world with concealer if nothing else. I need it. See above.) Hair off my face, probably twisted in a clip.

I was cutting through the shoes, likely looking for my mother as she tends to wonder off when we are shopping together. Passing one of the aisles, clocked a mother and her daughter. Didn't pay too close attention but I would say she was around 4 or 5 (obviously much older now).

Anyways, when I passed, I heard the girl say, "Mama, she's so pretty."

There was no one else around.

She was talking about me.

You know how they say kids are brutally honest. I hope she was.

Now, you have to understand, in my entire life, outside of family, I've been told I am pretty maybe three-four times max. Not, "You look pretty." Not, "You look nice." I'm talking, "You are pretty." As in it's not the outfit, or the effort. But myself, the person.

As I said, I don't don't think I'm a dog. But it's still nice to be told that.

Entry #4: The Day

Without going into details, this date is an important day. I have been thinking about it since the date changed in the corner of my screen at midnight.

It would have been 21 years today. I'm, of course, dealing with it much better than I did a few years ago.

It's never been far from my mind. It likely never will be. I still regret that one thing and will likely never forgive myself for it. Even if it wasn't what caused it to happen.

It has changed me forever.