Why I relate more to Male characters than Female: Charmed vs Supernatural

You might remember Charmed back in the 90's with three witch sisters, it aired at the same time as Buffy and was very popular. I see bits of Charmed because it airs right before re-runs of Supernatural.

Now, why this show does not work for me. First off, the idea of three sisters who are witches who are stronger together than apart and live in a cool Victorian house is not a bad concept. However, by having them be biological sisters, you get three WASPY chicks, (size 2) no idea of 'sisterhood' and you can't have someone of a different ethnic type or even body shape or age as a sister.

The women have no visible signs of income, they don't seem to have jobs, they prance about in designer clothes and perfect makeup. (this includes scenes where they get zapped off to different times, the past in particular where togas are accented by stilleto heels) Now if you were going with a campy Charlies Angels vibe, it might be fun, but the sisters are deadly ernest, even when riding naked ala Lady Godiva to protest the fact that the local coffeeshop won't allow them to breastfeed in public.

Hunting down and defeating evil seems to take second place to arguing with your magic/demon boyfriend about being stuck raising your two spawn on your own. Let's not mention that we are wealthy, live in a house with our sisters to babysit and hello, magic powers? It's not exactly the same as working 9-5 in a low wage job without child support.

Esthetically, the show could have used more location shooting, everything, including the fab house is an obvious set, and as for direction, when the gals use their magical powers, they simply stand together in a group, one or more raise their hands and 'zap' fairly small fireballs and that's the extent of 'fighting'

Just to compare with Supernatural, the boys get sweaty and dirty when they fight, they bleed when they are cut, the production spends time and effort on locations, even time on the god-awful-motel rooms the boys bunk in every show. Sam and Dean live in a very realized, detailed world, they hustle pool and steal credit cards to make their way as hunters, they have enough issues to fill the trunk of their impala. And I'll give a nod to Jared and Jensen for having a great chemistry as siblings. While Supernatural at times does not live up to the promise of its core concepts, it's got a great sense of humor, which leavens the incredible angst. (right now I am watching Sam deal with a Groundhog Day situation where he sees his brother Dean being killed over and over again in absurd ways, an episode written by Sera Gamble)

I identify personally more with the brothers of Supernatural, than the sisters of Charmed. Not that I don't find the boys attractive, but I'd rather BE THEM, despite the lousy bar food, the lousy motel rooms, the lousy life of pretty much death and despair. I don't doubt that they are heroes. So,we need these shows with female characters.

Aside: the actors of Supernatural are predominately male, and I find SPN has a predominately female fanbase, which surprised me a bit, I thought it's main appeal was to boys and young men. There have been a few good female characters on the show (Jo, Ellen, Jodi, Pamela) regrettably, all but one have died, but then, everyone dies on this show. And there have been awful female characters (Ruby no 1, Bela) but they haven't been forgettable either.

Are there a Buffy and a Xena around for young girls these days? (and I haven't seen Hunger Games to gauge it's female lead, we watch Battle Royale in our house)

British Goverment selling salvage rights to overseas companies on sunken British warships

This particular video refers to sunken British warships from the First World War now salvaged for metal by Dutch companies, however, the current British government is in the process of allowing an American salvage (a company untrained in archeology) company to 'recover' the HMS Victory, (for which Admiral Nelson's ship was named)as well as the HMS Sussex.

The American company plans to sell 'de-commissioned' artefacts from HMS Victory to pay for the dig, artifacts that are part of a military gravesite and which belong to the British people. Meanwhile, a British archaeological company offered to restore the underwater site FOR FREE but their bid was not even considered by the current UK government.
http://savearchaeology.co.uk/?p=2408

(link posted by Mark Gatiss - who incidentally, tweeted today that Undershaw, Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle's home will be saved, probably due to activism by Sherlock Holmes fans around the world)

For Misha Collins

You’re the cream in my coffee, You’re the salt in my stew; You will always be my necessity— I’d be lost without you. You’re the starch in my collar, You’re the lace in my shoe; You will always be my necessity— I’d be lost without you. Most men tell love tales, And each phrase dovetails. You’ve heard each known way, This way is my own way. You’re the sail of my love boat, You’re the captain and crew; You will always be my necessity— I’d be lost without you. You give life savor, Bring out its flavor; So this is clear, dear, You’re my worcestershire, dear.

You will always be my necessity— I’d be lost without you.