The best-laid plans of Galactica geeks and journalists
This was supposed to be the perfect weekend.
On Friday, a pop culture double-header: At 6:30 a bull session over wine and dinner about the recent'y completed HBO series "The Wire," which most viewers never discovered but which those few who have consider a must-see masterpiece -- a gritty, small-screen passion that must be watched with one's full, unfettered devotion.
Then at 8:30, another gathering with co-workers to watch the season premiere of another cherished, if low-rated, series, the SciFi Channel's "Battlestar Galactica," the super-smart space opera that is one of the most unpredictable and topical shows ever. Co-worker Mike Fuchs, one of our interactive gurus, hosted the viewing party at his house, refreshments provided.
On Saturday night, the Tar Heels played Kansas for a very good shot at Monday's championship game.
Well, we all know how Saturday night turned out.
Friday night didn't unfold as scripted, either.
The news about Skybus's demise arrived about the time I was about to leave work for our Cafe Europa Wire fest.
The discussion went on as scheduled (as its organizer, it would have been tacky for me not to show at all), but had to be rushed; I had to get back to work afterward to get a Skybus editorial into the paper.
The Galactica premiere party went on without me. Bummer.
At least I got home in time to see the rebroadcast at midnight.
Now it's Monday again. But like any Wire-Galactica-geek, I'm undaunted.
The good thing about pop cultural touchstones such as "The Wire" and "Galactica" is that they attract fans of all ages, races and political persuasions.
John Hood of the John Locke Foundation, with whom I share only a few political views, both love "Galactica" and had a spirited exchange about the show on this blog last year..
These shows are fiction, yes, but they are compelling and intelligent, and they bring people together.
So, despite my monumental dud of a weekend, we'll probably do a Galactica gathering again, somewhere. Hope they haven't given up on me and will invite me.
And I hope nobody else goes out of business that night.
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