Anthony's Anxieties

Commentary by Anthony Van Pyre

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE BY DAWSON'S CREEK NEAR SUNNYDALE

Well, as I'm sure you can tell by the title, this month's column is about THE X-FILES, DAWSON'S CREEK (yes, again hush LOL), BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, but it's also about other stuff, so keep reading.

First off, a bunch of shout-outs to some folks who I work with ( I just started a new job - one of the reasons my column's so late this month - a week late); I do data entry for a major chain's HQ. So, on with the shout-outs; this list will be kinda long: shout-outs to Ida (told you you would be here, babe), the goddess of color coordination, the queen of clean up kareoke, a.k.a. the burrito babe - yes, those are all referring to Ida; she's a talented lady

Blayne. 2 words, Blayne, saran wrap

To Tom the FAX man, and Ryan, thanks for the use of the desk; both of these folks work in the mail room; funny, we have a vendor named Tom Ryan. Coincidence? I think not

To Cindy B, the lady of laughter; to Amy Pride in the name of love, babe; I'm sure you understand; Sophia, okay baby, I guess you know the blues a little To Barb, if I don't have a phone call, why are you making the phone sign to Vickie? Can you come here a minute To Misty, thanks for the seat; Jennie, who took my seat Michelee, queen of nappy time; Roxanne, whom I have never seen in a red dress; Anna, thanks for all the candy; Cindie T., one of the best bosses a person could ask for; to Sybil, for vendor protection To Beth, who always looks nice and always has a smile and a hello for me; Shonda, who always has headache medicine for me and to anyone else I've forgotten. These are some of the nicest and funniest folks to work with (apologies to whoever if any names I've spelt wrong, and these shout-outs are meant in fun - no offense taken please).

Finally, one last shout-out to the ladies in the selling office. You won't find any prettier or pleasant ladies at any other temp agency bar none.

Now with all the shout-outs outta the way (whew), on to the column.

Well, as stated above, I'm working again (been there a month and a half), so that's new in my life.

As our editor said, we went to Creation Con (I just went to the ALIEN VOICES show) and I can say without a doubt that no bigger bunch of assholes have I seen run a con since Timelord 89 where the head guy took the money so half the stars didn't have plane tickets to get there; I mean, these guys wouldn't even let you in 2 minutes early to use the restroom. They were real rude. I will NEVER plug a Creation Con and I'll do my dandiest to make sure POWER STAR doesn't either.

ALIEN VOICES was great. It was great to hear SPOCK VS. Q and nice to talk to Q (John deLancie) after the show was over (sorry, folks, no interviews this time around; our esteemed head honcho didn't think to try to get press passes). The show (like the radio shows of old) was 2 folks reading from a script. There were no foleys this time around as this was the first time it was performed (foleys are the folks who make sound effects). It reminded me when I was younger and I used to listen to E.G. Marshall's RADIO MYSTERY THEATER late at night when I was supposed to be sleeping (god, I miss that show).

Anyway, enough about what's up with me. On with the anxieties...

Yes, I know you're probably sick of hearing about DAWSON'S CREEK LOL too bad I love this show BUT the 5/12 episode ("Pretty Woman") was not up to par. First off, I mean, come on, Joey and Dawson are what - 16? - and sleeping together (platonically) and his parents don't say anything, and some of the lines seemed out of character for the players like Dawson's mom telling Pacey what she did or the whole thing with Jen and Dawson at the end, and Dawson, I'm sorry, you're a moron who can't see the forest for the trees; it takes Joey dressing up to make you want her??? You should have opened your eyes a long time ago and seen the good thing you have with her, and Joey, just because it took you dressing up for Dawson to realize his feelings for you, you walk away?? Cut the boy some slack - you have been pining for him his whole life (sigh, next week's the season closer; there were just not enough episodes of this excellent show).

Now, on to BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, part one of a 2-part season finale. This show also just keeps getting better. I'm glad it's not on FOX, they would keep moving it probably (and if it was on CBS, they would change the show itself all around and then cancel it like they did AMERICAN GOTHIC). Very intriguing storyline going here. I'm waiting with bated breath for the episode next week - it's nice to see Angel's past (even if I don't agree with some of it). There were a few cock-ups like who was that guy who came up to Buffy and told her she was the Slayer - it sure as hell wasn't Giles.

This is one show that consistently is good in all areas: story plots, continuity, camera angles. It's all good. If you haven't seen this show, give it a chance. You won't be disappointed; they flesh out the characters well and it's full of angst

Now on to X-FILES. The "zombie a.k.a Boss" is a monster episode. I myself thought this episode kicked ass. It goes back to what makes THE X-FILES great: good story, suspense, and unlike a friend, I didn't care they didn't tie it all up at the end. They did the same thing with the last vampire one and I loved it. Not all X-FILES can be solved right away as with the 2 previous shows.

Next week is also the season finale of XF and this one leads right into the movie, where I'm told we FINALLY find out what happened to Samantha (as opposed to all the other times we found out what happened to her). Next season will be shot in LA instead of Vancouver. I can only wonder how this will affect the show's look.

And speaking of movies, that leads me into this last part of my column - GODZILLA.

Now I have been waiting and waiting for this movie (I've got most of the Godzilla films from 1985 on, not the old 65 versions but the newer versions the Japanese have made), and I've seen all the trailers (I like the old guy fishing the best). I've seen the new one tonight and whatever thrill, anxiety, longing, lust, anticipation, whatever you want to call it when you're waiting for a movie you really wanna see to come out was quickly wiped away by the new trailer; yes, I still want to see it. Hey, who wouldn't want to see Godzilla stomp all over The Big Apple

BUT and I repeat BUT I think the American makers of this film missed something. Let me clue you guys in on something - Godzilla IS NOT A FEMALE!!!!!!!!!!!! HE isn't going to NEST anywhere, HE isn't going to have any babies!!!!!! HE isn't pregnant!!!! Where they got the idea that Godzilla was a female I have no idea, but HE has never been a female, but I'm still hoping to enjoy the film at least as much as I enjoyed LOST IN SPACE (which kicked ass by the way)

Yeah, I know, this isn't as eloquent a column as I usually do but hey, I'm running way late. This next month's will be better and one last thing...

There have been a number of schools that have cancelled the free concert that the Indigo Girls were going to give them (there have been 4 so far); we all know it's just because they are lesbians and not because they use the "f" word in ONE and only ONE SONG ONE TIME. All these cancellations are down south. Amy and Emily will be performing concerts at other venues to make up for these concerts and will have special seating (free if I recall) for the high schoolers who had their shows cancelled. There was also one school where the students staged a walk-out in protest of the show being cancelled.

Now, I'm not gay but I have friends who are and I must say these shows are being cancelled for the wrong reasons and POWER STAR SUPPORTS THE STUDENTS WHO STAGED THE WALK-OUT. Bigotry must be fought, racism must be fought, homophobia must be a thing of the past if we are all to get along. The slaves were freed from slavery, the Jews were freed from the Nazi death camps. What will it take to free the gay community from homophobia.

I'm Anthony Van Pyre and these are the things that keep me up at night. Until next time, hugs.

The opinions represented in this column are solely those of the author and are not indicitive of those of all of the Power Star staff.