Yeah, Marsters has said that in terms of future appearences in the Jossverse, he's the star or he does not appear. No, it is not just ego; from what other Buffistas have said, at this point, appearance in the Jossverse as anything less than the central character does zero for him professionally.

Not gonna wade into Natter with this, but putting it here since it has to do with writers stomping on the happy.

Just back from Brokeback Mountain.

Holy Mother of God.

I cried on the whole drive back over the hill. I do not recommend driving Laurel Canyon at 8:00 PM while sobbing.

Had you read the story? I mean, how broken will I be? Also, was it good, or just button pushing?

Hey! Can you stay up to watch Grey's Anatomy in real time? That'll be like balm of Gilead.

Jealous of your Brokeback Mountain having.

Better get here by next weekend.

I heard two separate interviews about how amazing Brokeback is and have heard a summary of the story. Would love to see it, but I don't think I can, at least not in the theaters. A little too close to home in terms of my own family. I would cry the whole way home and possibly not be able to handle seeing either of my parents for awhile. Best for me to stick with Narnia for now, I think.

I had read the story after it was first in the New Yorker. And the short story didn't break me. It might have to do with my own age when I read the story, and that I read it at a time of immense personal hope.

Now, though, I feel it.

And Ang Lee kicked ass on it. The last movie of his that I saw and truly enjoyed was Eat, Drink, Man, Woman (and yes, I've seen Ice Storm, Sense and Sensibility and Crouching Tiger). The photography was majestic.

It was so good that I didn't even mind dealing with the clusterfuck of parking at the Grove on a Sunday right before Christmas. I sat in my car for 35 minutes to park, and never did make it to the garage. Parked on a side street. Got a ticket. Actually two.

I don't regret it at all.

Good enough that if my kids weren't tunrning in major work tomorrow, I'd take off work and go again.

Oy. I don't think I'm going to see it until it opens wider. The Grove is a headache at the best of times. But you've sorely whetted my appetite. I can't wait to tell my sister.

As you know from the story, it's less hot cowboy love and more break-your-heart angsty cowboy love. I dunno how that will sit with your sister.

And, holy fuck, Heath Ledger was heartbreakingly brilliant as Ennis. Seriously.

She's read the story, so she'll be braced.

I love Heath Ledger, and am really glad he's had a chance to shine.