Life is a Sexually Transmitted Condition

1. Why are so many homo-erotic (HE) fics written in the first person? After recently experiencing the great joy of the Slave Breakers and The Administration (neither of which is first person POV), I have been branching out reading more original HE fic, but the prevalence of this POV is starting to seriously bug me. Every once in a while, for a really good fic, fine, but honestly? Arghhh, enough! If people want to write Mary/Marty Sue/Stu porn fic, can it not be sent to Penthouse - I hear they have a section for that kind of thing.

2. I wish people would please stop calling HE fics Slash. Slash is a term that was coined specifically to describe fandom writing taking canon straight male characters and writing them into HE relationship / situations. I can accept it extending to canon female characters under the same circumstances. But HE original fic, and HE fic where the characters in canon are gay? NOT SLASH. They are HE or Gay fiction. This is not an 'old fuddy-duddy' thing - words have meanings, and misuse of words in describing a story genre is as bad as misuse of words within the story itself.

3. Domination/submission is NOT the same as Sadism/Masochism, and topping/bottoming in sex is not the same as D/s or S/M. Yes, there can be overlaps, yes, aspects of each can bleed into the other, but the terms are NOT synonymous and not fungible. If you don't know the difference, then please don't write them, or spend some time researching, and then talk to people who are actually involved. And yes, everyone involved has a personal take on it as well, but that's not the same as the actual meaning of the terms.

4. There's very few things as frustrating as investing serious time into and starting to enjoy a well written, well structured and interesting story, with interesting characters developing all the right chemistry between them, only to get past the very intense UST to discover as soon as they really start to make out that the sex talk is like something ripped from a truly horrific porn film. If anyone really does talk like that in real life when having sex? I just hope I never find out in person. There is sexy talk, and then there is OMGSHUTTHEFUCKUPYOURMAKINGMYEYESBLEED bad porn dialogue. It's like a lap-full of ice water.

5. I saw the Watchmen movie last night. I consider it grounds for the prompt invention of the temporal refund. And the frozen coke machine was broken. My misery was complete.

6. I'm really not interested in defending any of the above. Please see post heading if you're in doubt. If you dislike me having opinions and you can't deal, feel free to talk with the unfriending button.

I think everyone woke up this morning going 'Oh, that's not so bad' here in Victoria, when it was a little drizzly, and not terribly windy. We'd been warned (SMS from Vic police to every mobile in the state) that we were facing gale force winds and hot temps today.

Yes, we sighed that relief too soon. I have no idea right now how bad it is in the bush, but in the last hour or so the winds have gone from mildly blustery to OMG the trees are going to fall over! and that's here in town. The sky has gone yellow grey again, and we could smell smoke when I came out of the Doctor's a while ago.

I guess all we can do is hope for the best, and thank the heavens for the amazing AMAZING members of the fire and emergency services squads who are STILL out there, battling, and today in far more dangerous conditions than ever, despite it not being so hot.

Couple of notes - firstly, thank you to everyone who supplied book recs for me recently - you know who you are, and they will be used. Secondly, I have new drugs and am now just hoping they actually do something miraculous, because frankly, I'm totally over my body, and I would like some pain free time now. But hey, could be worse, right? However, I have been distracting myself with the newly discovered Administration series, and not being so good on the replying and staying in touch. I'm sure you will all forgive, or forget me. :)

Thirdly - I rescued a puppy today (with some cavallry work from kayos65) - I got off the tram at the stop near my Doc's, and started up the footpath, only to be accosted by a little thing withi great flappy ears and big brown eyes, who can come screaming across Union Road at a flat gallop. I looked around to see if this bundle of energy was greeting someone, or returning to an owner, but no, he was just saying hi. Then he took off again, heading back across the road to say hi to a likely looking mother and daughter. They weren't interested, so back he came. By this time I was kind of OMFG with anxiety as we're talking about a 4 lane road with Tram lanes up the middle, and this guy was only a baby - maybe 2 - 3 months old. So i stopped and said hello properly, and realised that he had some nasty looking sores around his face, and was riddled with fleas, although reasonable well fleshed. He went to take off again, but I convinced him that I was much more fun, while checking everywhere for signs of a worried person. No luck. He then decided that the local grocery store looked interesting and did laps of their aisles, while I checked if he belonged there - Nope. So, I then ended up with an armload of wriggly, happy to see me puppy as I staggered up the footpath - calling first C to see if he could bring the car, and then the Doc's to let them know I was there, but sitting outside with a lost puppy. I managed to keep him amused and safe until C arrived and took him off to the local vets - but missed my appointment slot, so had to wait for an hour until he could see me. Yaye!

Anyway - the local vets checked for a chip - nada (no collar, obviously). So they said they would arrange for him to go to the pound. I do hope he finds a new home - he was a really personable little guy, in need of some TLC, and a much better backyard.

*repeats to self - I do not have the space or time for a puppy*

*worries*

Ok, boys and girls and those of other non specific denominations, in a few hours kayos65 and I will be heading off on our UK/Canadian odyssey of what will hopefully be awesomeness (and lacking in disease, accident, terrorist activity, plague, famine, or visits to expensive foreign emergency departments).

The kitties have been saved from prison by the combined good will and paid efforts of my dearest wivern and a nice little girl from the Lonely Pets Club. Two visits a day with attention and food and playtime will hopefully tide them over the week between full time house carers. *hugs to wivern for being the bestest*

Our bags are just about packed, the supply of Australian sugar rich treats has been upped to hopefully cater for all needs, and we have two tubes of vegemite - one of which is promised to Miss S in Vancouver, but the other one will be up for grabs (if I don't decide I desperately need a vegemite fix at some point in the trip).

The next five weeks will either see a rash of posts (assuming Kayos' iphone works with a foreign sim now that it's been hacked to death) or intermittent posting during the evenings from the venues that do supply internet access.

And to see us off, Melbourne decided to jump straight from early spring to mid summer today - there were people walking around in singlets and shorts, and it's been windy. I'm blaming that for my sore throat and runny nose. *glares at body*

The forecast in Singapore for tomorrow is hideous - about a bazillion percent humidity, windy, and possible monsoonal storms. And did I mention hot? >.>

Thence to London - where hopefully it will not rain every day - one day of sunshine in four or five of rain should see me clear, and a sightseeing list o'd00m as well as some extremely looked-forward-to meetups.

Ok, I guess that's it from me for now. If you are seriously interested in hearing about our travels, do let me know, and I will do the rest of the world the courtesy of setting up a filter.

Rockband.

Need I say more?

There are currently a rabid mob strumming, humming and thumping the crap out of things down there.

I am cooking dinner.

Hmmm....

Oh, and enjoying the political and historic education I'm getting watching the discussion [Unknown LJ tag] and pingrid are having in my previous post. I do seriously love my flist. (and am appalled at my own ignorance sometimes)

To everyone who voted for 'D' in my recent little poll, you will be pleased to note that your advice was heeded. The cork collection grows!

Highlights?

Spooks, bubbly, Thai and conversation (and much chastising from the boarder for piking on a midnight gig)
Traffic, Ikea, Traffic, Traffic, meatballs, Traffic, meatball burps, Traffic.
Experiments with rare roast beef and organic udon noodles.
Shopping, brunch, shopping, shopping, other shopping, Narnia, bubbly, pasta and garlic bread, Jane Austen and conversation.
Lying in bed trying to work out WTF has been making the rumbling noises since the middle of the night that are making the front of the house vibrate.

Plans?

Bunnings, gardening, laundry... putting Ikea furniture together for soon to be ex housemate.

Yes, I suspect this is the downside of a three day weekend. Oh, and some favour for this bird I know in Canada. >.>

In passing?

Narnia? Loved it - despite the liberties they took with timing and story. On review the book in its pure form was almost unfilmable, and would have made a damned dull movie. What they did was impressive, interesting, and OMG! Uber!Pretty boy on uber!pretty horse, and Mere was in her happy space!

Hello out there?.... *taps microphone*

Is this thing on?

Ok - after *cough*ten months*cough* I doubt there's too many people who still care, but for the two folk who have indicated they might, please be advised that I have FINALLY written the next chapter of In the Beginning there was Darkness, and barring my lovely beta coming back telling me that it's total and absolute shite, there's a chance it may be up sometime soon.

However, due to the fact that my dearest beta is also suffering from the week we shall not speak of, I will not be hassling her to get through it.

So, there's hope... maybe? Yes. I feel quite pleased with myself right now.

I did not read or attempt to read ALL of the wordcup fics. I probably never will. And because I was looking for a particular kind of 'fix' I didn't even look at most of the shorter (ie., less than 20k) fics. Some... but very few. I can see I probably have to rectify this to some extent, even though it won't affect the judging (not that that was a huge thing for me, cause while it's nice, it's just a team building thing in my opinion, not a way of measuring who was worthy or not).

Congrats to all the teams to who took part - I think the most heartening thing about this fest was how the Teams did 'pull together' - there was a real sense of team spirit, and I liked that.

And congrats to the Mods, who kept it together despite all the fuss and wankery that rose up to bite you. A valiant effort!

I have taken the day off today - a combination of lurking lurgy, baby migraine and renaissance stomach pain left me feeling decidedly 'meh'. Not major MEH, just little meh. Meh enough to not want to drag my arse into town for the sake of sitting in my cold office staring blankly at my computer for a few hours before dragging myself home again. Hmmm, guess I might have some time to look over some of that fic I haven't read yet. Head permitting. :D

Things I forgot to mention.

1. Rufus Wainwright - great voice, great legs, guess his material takes some getting used to. I think, like Wivern, I'd prefer to see him in a more 'intimate' setting, with less orchestral overload, and maybe doing a mix of his own material and covers. He's a great performer, I wish I'd got him.

2. PRIDE - what a great day this year. the weather was better, not too sunny but not wet, and the parade and crowd were bigger. I think running into a friend there who was marching also made it feel - more personal. The girls and I ended up together with an outrageous group of women and we were pretty instrumental in keeping a large part of the crowd loud and enthusiastic. We got lots of feedback from those marching past, and many hands were slapped and eyes winked. The after show always feels like a bit of a letdown - the same boring stands, and talking heads making mouth movements that noone pays attention to. As it was a school night we didn't stay long, and the not so lovely lady who spilt her drink all down my back helped with the decision to move along. Still - it was a good afternoon, and I was so happy to see some high schools represented. The youth aspect of the parade is getting bigger and prouder.

3. Ringbarking - cruel to trees, not recommended for ankles. Would someone please explain to my kittens that this is not a lovable practice when handling mummy's legs? Also... I owe at least a million new grey hairs to their new-found ability to climb over the barrier protecting the railing over the stairwell. *sigh*

4. My darling friend Thysanotus is engaged - this makes me squeeful in many ways, and I will NOT give her my 'monogamy is outmoded and unsustainable' talk because she's scared enough already. Still - she has to get her butt over here cause I have serious hug needs, as well as the desire to take her and her boy out for mega drinks and fun times. I'm going to be flower girl hippo! Wheee! After whining at her when she phoned to tell us the news because I've never been a bridesmaid I think it's a pity call, but I DON'T CARE! *clings to mary janes and flower basket*

5. My inner H/D fangirl is alive and kicking and currently weeping with both happy and sad over Mistful's latest updates of both Quality of Mercy and Drop Dead Gorgeous (particularly DDG, which breaks my heart every chapter, even when I'm doubled over laughing). When I've had time I've been reading a hell of a lot of H/D fic - shush you - who said my fangirl has to grow up?

6. Torchwood is making me happy in my pants. Ianto rules in so many ways! And is it wrong of me to love that Jack is as bad with constant innuendo as I am (please note I am not going to make a joke out of the word innuendo at this point, but I can, believe me, and do, far too often).

7. My knees hurt. I am dragging myself to the gym on a regular basis again, and my body hates me. I keep hoping for some sign of improvement, either in fitness or shape. C does not make a good cheergirl - he doesn't lie well enough. Maybe is not a supportive word.

8. Um... no eight.

If anyone's interested, I've stuck my neck out, and am hosting an APPRECIATE HP FANFIC AUTHORS post over at my LJ.

In light of my previous post, I decided that we simply don't give feedback often enough to authors to let them know how much we've enjoyed their work, and how wonderful it has made us feel.

So I figured - why not tell them.

It's getting some lovely nominations - and I'm learning about new authors I hadn't seen before, which is a wonderful thing.

I don't post public very often, but figured this was a good enough reason.

If you want, come and nominate a few of your own, and comment on the ones already nominated - tell the authors just how great they've made your reading life, and why.

And feel free to pimp if you wish - the more the merrier I say!

You can find it HERE


(eeek, self pimpage - never done this before... *runs off to hide*)

A call out to all serious Harry / Draco shippers out there - I'm sure at some point you've heard about Mira's fantastic and incredibly plotty H/D epic, Shadow of His Wings.

There have been some fairly big breaks in updating as Mira has had so many distractions in her life, and we all know how hard it is to regain the momentum when completing a big WIP (I know I'm struggling - determined as I am to finish). But recently she's updated the story with Chapters 20 and 21, and they are awesome - the plot has more twists than a celtic embroidery, and it's a diabolic and quite evil interpretation of Voldemort and what he might have / could have been like. It's a substantially AU fic now as it was started so long ago, but in some ways it's a far more dark and intricate story than JK ever imagined. Not to mention that Mira's grown up Harry and Draco are incredible, as are her supporting characters.

I know that when there's a huge gap in WIPs people tend to lose interest, or drift off, but if you were ever interested in this story, or if you are willing to take the risk on an almost completed WIP that might drag you in and own part of your heart, please go have have a look, and let Mira know that you're interested, because she really needs some encouragement to keep the momentum going - and I really need to see how this story ends. :D

Selfish as I am - I doubt anyone who likes a mature, invovled and dark H/D would be disappointed, and if we can drive this thing over the finish line, there will be a lot of really happy people.

Chapter 21 can be found Here. From there you can find all the other chapters, and Mira's other fantastic HP fic.

Please, make the effort to comment to her if you like it. We are becoming so very lax as a community in leaving feedback (just ask the recent Snarry artists). We all know how much it helps drive us to hear that someone likes what we've done. Let's get back into the habit, yeah?

Just saw this on MelbManiacs - go http://www.myspace.com/onedayharrypotter to see the details.

Seems like a reasonable reason to strut the HP fannishness.

So, if you're interested, spread the word to other Melbourne HP fen and their kidlets.

Well, except that IJ seems to be having some down time - at least, I can't get onto the server from here and the other two seem fine. But this multi posting thing seems to work ok. I have some questions for those who have been fiddling with it, though:

1. If I don't have the same icons loaded at each journal, and I select one that doesn't exist on one of the journals (I'm thinking here that when my paid account runs out at LJ - which I'm NOT RENEWING, I'll have mega icons at GJ - gotta luv their 2000 icon limit - and about 15 at LJ) what happens?

2. If I don't have the same custom groups set up at each journal, ditto?

Any other issues my flist have come across and conquered?

I feel incredibly accomplished today - not only did I learn to make animated icons last night, now I have mastered the basic multi post. OMG, and this rate I'll even learn how to make layouts! *gasp horror*