As part of a wellness campaign at work, we were all given pedometers. I assume that if I get enough steps, I'll get my secret last weapon or a super secret technique or something. So far I've noticed that the least effective method of increasing the little number is by walking with it, as it only records about 75% of the actual steps taken. It's far more effective to just shake it really fast.

I'm reading Endangered Species, a story set during the third season of Angel: The Series and not the second like I originally thought, as Fred (far left, see below) lives in the hotel but doesn't leave it. It's not bad so far and the canon characters are pretty well done, but the original characters are total snark bait. I think the reason you get more of these sorts of characters in literature than in television is because in television you need to find a real person to physically represent the character.
Of course, like most television shows the regular cast is generally good looking, but in the novel they don't appear to hold a candle to the new characters. The first is a female vampire named Marianna, who we spend about an entire page describing in physical detail. Okay, she appears to be a villain whose charm is an essential part of the character, but that much physical description, especially into how her outfit clings to her body, makes me want to fire a Sue warning flare. This is still pretty reasonable compared to the new good guy, who made me have to put down the book and start laughing for about a minute straight. To set the stage, Wesley (second from left) and Gunn (far right) are being overcome by what could be described as "mix and match" demons, each having a unique combination of things such as hair, limbs, fangs, eyes, etc. from existing demons. Thankfully they are rescued by a tall, musclebound, gray-haired Spaniard in a cape and bare-chested vest with an electric sword named Chaz Escobar. At this point I'm imaginging some bizarre combination of Zorro and Joachim. Chaz has an appropriately booming voice and ever-so-slightly theatrical mannerisms. Fortunately, Cordy (second from right) has already suggested that all of Chaz's masculinity simply must be compensating for something.


He's 2'4", he's 8' 5.5". Together, they fight crime!