So long Life on Mars

This is the last week for the U.S. version of Life on Mars. I will miss it, one of my favorite shows this season. I’m glad to see that it had developed a cult following, even an unofficial podcast. It’s a shame this fun show wasn’t given another season or a shot on cable like Mad Men or The Closer.

I have to say that even though I am a fan of the original BBC version, I prefer the U.S. one. Maybe it has to do with me being American and enjoying the show’s American stamp, its gritty ‘70’s Kojak/Serpico/French Connection style of tv cops. Not that the UK show didn’t have that tough guy detective stuff, but this show seem to enjoy pushing it. Imperioli’s whole look is Al Pacino with a porn mustache. Plus Mr. Mean Streets himself, Harvey Keitel.

I also enjoyed the supporting cast more in the U.S. version. The UK ensemble was fine, but Sam and Gene were the only two characters that I was really invested in. In the U.S. one, I’ve come to love the whole team especially Imperioli’s Ray who had the best lines:
“A Brady short of a Bunch.”
“Hey Efraim Zimbalist Junior Mint!”
“Confused as a baby in a topless bar”

Jason O’Mara had some solid ones as well with all his amusing undercover names/aliases:
“Detective Luke Skywalker.”
“ Hi I’m Tom. Tom Cruise.”
“ The name’s Bono”

He was excellent in this role. The whole cast really gelled because I think the NY team seemed more developed and fleshed out, and made me care about them.

Also, since I was familiar with the basic story of this show, the sci-fi elements didn’t bug me. I wasn’t left feeling impatient or short changed when an episode had very little clues like I felt with Lost or X-files [it always comes back to that show]. I just enjoyed the ride and all the great music. Plus their cheesy ‘70’s tough guy detective filler music was a riot and it always got me smiling.

Ah I could go on and on. So I’m just gonna say check this out when it hits dvd.

The King of Wawa

These past few months I have a routine before my work schedule starts. The first thing I do is drop by my local Wawa and get a coffee and a granola bar. The second part of my routine will be another post...

At 3:30 a.m. there's hardly anyone at the Wawa except for two unfortunate people who work that shift and the occasional delivery guy dropping off his goods. I usually don't have a problem with anyone. Most of the staff is nice, except for this one guy who I now called the King of Wawa.

He’s around my age, could be older. Out of shape. Pasty looking, and has a pathetic goatee that’s just not helping.

It all started when I was given a Wawa gift card that had a $5 value and used it for the first time. When I went to pay, I swiped my card and didn’t see any result on my screen. So I swiped again.Wrong. Because the next thing I hear is:
“Stop. STOP.”

Obviously the purchase went through the first time.
But now I’m watching the King of Wawa’s reaction. He’s silently cursing at me while correcting his register. Mouthing something very distasteful. I can’t hear it but I can definitely see it.

So I just stared at him with a “are you for real?” expression, wondering how an error of $2.25 totally f##ks up his day. And it’s not like I’m holding up a line, because there’s no one behind me at 3:30 IN THE FREAKIN’MORNING.

His postal reaction was a bit disturbing to me and I thought it wise to peacefully exit the store in case I have to deal with him the next day. So I headed back to my car thinking he was a complete douche and by the time I pulled out of Wawa I figured there’s a reason why he’s at the night owl/early bird shift because he can’t handle more than one person in that place.