Books Read 2013
Jan. 9th, 2014 02:36 am1. "It's not rocket science", Ben Miller
2. "The Somnambulist", Jonathan Barnes
3. "Monster", A. Lee Martinez
4. "Chronicles of a Curate", Fred Secombe
5. "Housekeeping Stories", Julia Vasilieva
6. "A girl for a hero or how I worked as a matchmaker", Elena Zvezdnaya
7. "Murdering Ministers," Alan Beechey
8. "Dr Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation", Olivia Judson
9. "Sleep to Me", Olga Lukas
10. "Speaking from among the bones," Alan Bradley
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2. "The Somnambulist", Jonathan Barnes
3. "Monster", A. Lee Martinez
4. "Chronicles of a Curate", Fred Secombe
5. "Housekeeping Stories", Julia Vasilieva
6. "A girl for a hero or how I worked as a matchmaker", Elena Zvezdnaya
7. "Murdering Ministers," Alan Beechey
8. "Dr Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation", Olivia Judson
9. "Sleep to Me", Olga Lukas
10. "Speaking from among the bones," Alan Bradley
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Oddness and Bitchiness
Sep. 15th, 2013 01:14 pmI had a rather odd, well more surprising than odd, experience the other day. I went to see a play a friend recommended, and later, discussing it, I talked about how the rape scene was so painful to watch, I closed my eyes. My friend went: "Rape? No, it was just rough sex." And I know that people interpret narrative differently and I know that in real life people don't act like in porn movies, but jesus there should be some obvious consent and the characteк shouldn't be acting fucking broken after the sex if it was only rough sex. I dunno, maybe because the sex involved two guys she couldn't see it was rape, maybe I am wrong, but I really don't think so.
Bitchy quote of the month. At a russian thing in London, I happened to be chatting with a guy anв girl, and the girl in a somewhat fluttery way was telling the guy that she's interested in psychology. So the guy asked her if she knew what Stockholm Syndrome is. To which I replied:
'It's what I'm developing now.'
And in final odd news. I had an erotic dream about Jeremy Paxman of all people! I couldn't even go: 'Yuck, what the hell is wrong with me?!' and banish it from memory immediately, because it was really really FREAKING HOT. Why couldn't I have dreamed about Tony Stark instead? Jeremy Paxman... What the hell is wrong with me?
Bitchy quote of the month. At a russian thing in London, I happened to be chatting with a guy anв girl, and the girl in a somewhat fluttery way was telling the guy that she's interested in psychology. So the guy asked her if she knew what Stockholm Syndrome is. To which I replied:
'It's what I'm developing now.'
And in final odd news. I had an erotic dream about Jeremy Paxman of all people! I couldn't even go: 'Yuck, what the hell is wrong with me?!' and banish it from memory immediately, because it was really really FREAKING HOT. Why couldn't I have dreamed about Tony Stark instead? Jeremy Paxman... What the hell is wrong with me?
(no subject)
Apr. 27th, 2013 12:23 am Am rewatching Batman Begins and Dark Knight to prepare myself for Dark Knight Rises (and take my mind off the impending emotional explosion of Iron Man 3). And ok, I am a slasher, but Gordon/Wayne is a really good pairing cause those two have waay more chemistry together than Rachel and Wayne. I mean, holy crap, that scene where Batman reveals his identity to Rachel is like OOOH, THIS IS GONNA BE...erm, a bit underwhelming? and then at the last scene of Batman Begins where Gordon says 'I never said thank you' (or smth very similar) and Batman is all quiet for a few moments and then 'And you'll never have to', part of me was like 'HOLD ON, THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A LOVE CONFESSION HERE, NO?'
P.S.: But I still ship Iron Man/Batman so hard. SO SO HARD. There should be a fic where Batman and Iron Man kick ass together in battle and are flawless and then also proceed to blow everyone's brains with science (except Banner's, cause he is their Science Bro).
P.S.: But I still ship Iron Man/Batman so hard. SO SO HARD. There should be a fic where Batman and Iron Man kick ass together in battle and are flawless and then also proceed to blow everyone's brains with science (except Banner's, cause he is their Science Bro).
Moments from the household
Apr. 20th, 2013 10:56 pm After doing some fencing in the garden, while counting up injuries:
Me: "A cut on my leg, and I'm pretty sure the base of my thumb is swelling."
Husband, just returned from toilet: "you cut me in an intimate area!"
Me: "I win then?"
Later on, discussing next weekend:
Me: "I wanna see the new Iron man!"
Husband: "I haven't seen any of them."
Me, spluttering: "Why did I marry you?!"
Me: "A cut on my leg, and I'm pretty sure the base of my thumb is swelling."
Husband, just returned from toilet: "you cut me in an intimate area!"
Me: "I win then?"
Later on, discussing next weekend:
Me: "I wanna see the new Iron man!"
Husband: "I haven't seen any of them."
Me, spluttering: "Why did I marry you?!"
Another book meme
Mar. 26th, 2013 10:37 pm1. Favorite childhood book?
Um, I think that would be "The Adventures of Neznaika and his friends" by Nosov. Although I loved the author's semi-autobiographical stories about his son.
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Books Read: January & February 2013
Mar. 3rd, 2013 09:31 pm1. "It's not rocket science", Ben Miller
2. "The Somnambulist", Jonathan Barnes
3. "Monster", A. Lee Martinez
4. "Chronicles of a Curate", Fred Secombe
5. "Housekeeping Stories", Julia Vasilieva
6. "A girl for a hero or how I worked as a matchmaker", Elena Zvezdnaya
7. "Murdering Ministers," Alan Beechey
8. "Dr Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation", Olivia Judson
9. "Sleep to Me", Olga Lukas
10. "Speaking from among the bones," Alan Bradley
11. "Points and Lines," Seicho Matsumoto
12. "Case for Three Detectives", Leo Bruce
13. "Cosmoecologists," Olga Gromyko
14. "What did you want from a witch?" Elena Nikitina
15. "Chronicles of a Vicar," Fred Secombe
16. "Invisible ink," Christopher Fowler
17. "Thus was Adonis murdered", Sarah Caudwell
2. "The Somnambulist", Jonathan Barnes
3. "Monster", A. Lee Martinez
4. "Chronicles of a Curate", Fred Secombe
5. "Housekeeping Stories", Julia Vasilieva
6. "A girl for a hero or how I worked as a matchmaker", Elena Zvezdnaya
7. "Murdering Ministers," Alan Beechey
8. "Dr Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation", Olivia Judson
9. "Sleep to Me", Olga Lukas
10. "Speaking from among the bones," Alan Bradley
11. "Points and Lines," Seicho Matsumoto
12. "Case for Three Detectives", Leo Bruce
13. "Cosmoecologists," Olga Gromyko
14. "What did you want from a witch?" Elena Nikitina
15. "Chronicles of a Vicar," Fred Secombe
16. "Invisible ink," Christopher Fowler
17. "Thus was Adonis murdered", Sarah Caudwell
Suddenly, Show the Colours fic
Feb. 28th, 2013 10:35 pmTitle: Five StC AUs I Am Not Writing
Rating: PG-13 for some language and a bit of violence
Pairing: primarily Torrington/Hunter, mention of Wellington/Sharpe.
Disclaimer: The characters and the universes belong to their respective creators.
Link to the story at AO3
Rating: PG-13 for some language and a bit of violence
Pairing: primarily Torrington/Hunter, mention of Wellington/Sharpe.
Disclaimer: The characters and the universes belong to their respective creators.
Link to the story at AO3
Yesterday we got the keys to our new house. I used to tell most people, that I live in a village, though it's really a small town, but once we move into the new one in a couple of months (after the biggest jobs such as taking down couple of walls and putting new floors in are done) then we will truly be living in a village. There is a pub, a church across the road from it, a village hall, a biggish manor house, which to be honest I suspect used to be the vicarage and stables. The rest (30 or 40 houses) are residential.
We had dinner in the local pub last night, food is good, decor is nice and the locals relatively friendly. Oh and the pub cat is v. cute and pettable and friendly. :D I did a victory lap on my bike inside the garage. XD Even my car will get a place to live.
We had dinner in the local pub last night, food is good, decor is nice and the locals relatively friendly. Oh and the pub cat is v. cute and pettable and friendly. :D I did a victory lap on my bike inside the garage. XD Even my car will get a place to live.
Day 8
In your own space, talk about setting yourself a fannish goal. Big or small, it doesn't matter. Some examples: complete a bingo, sign up for a Big Bang, write that fic you've been thinking about for years, podfic that story that you love, make a fanmix for your fandom, post that bit of meta or reclist you keep putting off. Maybe resolve to be better at leaving feedback or answering comments. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
1. Write a fic I actually think about and plot.
2. Perhaps make a new vid and learn more 'special effects' than just slowing down the footage or make it black and white
In your own space, talk about setting yourself a fannish goal. Big or small, it doesn't matter. Some examples: complete a bingo, sign up for a Big Bang, write that fic you've been thinking about for years, podfic that story that you love, make a fanmix for your fandom, post that bit of meta or reclist you keep putting off. Maybe resolve to be better at leaving feedback or answering comments. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
1. Write a fic I actually think about and plot.
2. Perhaps make a new vid and learn more 'special effects' than just slowing down the footage or make it black and white
Snowflake Challenge
Jan. 7th, 2013 10:36 pm I am not one for challenges, but watching the friends' page for the past five days has been very interesting, so I thought I'd give it a go. Therefore, Catch Up Time.
Sharpe, 'Hero' vid: It's silly, it's fast paced and, yeah, it's set to Disney song. I had tremendous fun making it and it has the distinction of being the only gen fanvid I've ever made.
Five ways to capture Harvey: This fic appeals to my vanity, being the one that I got the most feedback on. I also like it for the fact that while I can see flaws in it, I don't cringe when I read it and that is rare.
Bad Things, Steve/Danny: With this one, I tried making something sexy, also tried some 'special effects'. It shares the first favourite place with Sharpe 'One week' fanvid of mine.
Day 2.
In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you did not create. Drop a link to your post in the comments. See if you can rec fanworks that are less likely to be praised: tiny fandoms, rare pairings, fanworks other than stories, lesser known kinks or tropes. Find fanworks that have few to no comments, or creators new to a particular fandom and maybe aren't well known or appreciated. Appreciate them.
Platitudes by manic_intent, 3:10 to Yuma: I love all of this author's work. She wrote some really really good PoTC fic back in the day and I still pretty much read all of her new work. This fic made me feel a bit better about the movie, the end of which made me cry a bit, because WHY?!
The Power of Suggestion by![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lamardeuse , Lewis: Another really good author, who has written loads and I firmly believe her contribution to Lewis fandom is v. significant, it certainly feels like the comm became a livelier place since she pimped and wrote about the fandom. The premise of this fic? Everybody thinks they are doing it, which you know, slashers perspective in a nutshell. XD
Debt bylatin_cat , Sharpe: She has written a lot of great stuff, but fuck, when I was reading the books one of my dreams was: MAKE HIM SAVE WELLINGTON AGAIN. Well, latin made my dream come true. XD
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandom_of_one and smallfandomfest
uk_lolitics It may not be the best way to get interested in British politics, but if it does hook you, interested you will be! And then you'll impress people by talking about Chris Bryant and Peter Bone.
Day 1
In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you have created. It can be your favorite fanworks that you've created, or fanworks you feel no one ever saw, or fanworks you say would define you as a creator. Post a link here to say you've done it. :D
Sharpe, 'Hero' vid: It's silly, it's fast paced and, yeah, it's set to Disney song. I had tremendous fun making it and it has the distinction of being the only gen fanvid I've ever made.
Five ways to capture Harvey: This fic appeals to my vanity, being the one that I got the most feedback on. I also like it for the fact that while I can see flaws in it, I don't cringe when I read it and that is rare.
Bad Things, Steve/Danny: With this one, I tried making something sexy, also tried some 'special effects'. It shares the first favourite place with Sharpe 'One week' fanvid of mine.
Day 2.
In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you did not create. Drop a link to your post in the comments. See if you can rec fanworks that are less likely to be praised: tiny fandoms, rare pairings, fanworks other than stories, lesser known kinks or tropes. Find fanworks that have few to no comments, or creators new to a particular fandom and maybe aren't well known or appreciated. Appreciate them.
Platitudes by manic_intent, 3:10 to Yuma: I love all of this author's work. She wrote some really really good PoTC fic back in the day and I still pretty much read all of her new work. This fic made me feel a bit better about the movie, the end of which made me cry a bit, because WHY?!
The Power of Suggestion by
lamardeuse , Lewis: Another really good author, who has written loads and I firmly believe her contribution to Lewis fandom is v. significant, it certainly feels like the comm became a livelier place since she pimped and wrote about the fandom. The premise of this fic? Everybody thinks they are doing it, which you know, slashers perspective in a nutshell. XDDebt by
latin_cat , Sharpe: She has written a lot of great stuff, but fuck, when I was reading the books one of my dreams was: MAKE HIM SAVE WELLINGTON AGAIN. Well, latin made my dream come true. XDDay 3
Comment to someone you haven't ever interacted with before or introduce yourself to someone you've interacted with and friend/follow them. Afterwards, leave a comment in this post with the equivalent of "I did it!"
Gonna give this a miss just now.
Day 4
Gonna give this a miss just now.
Day 4
In your own space, create a list of at least three fannish things you'd love to receive, something you've wanted but were afraid to ask for - a fannish wish-list of sorts. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your wish-list if you feel comfortable doing so. Maybe someone will grant a wish. Check out other people's posts. Maybe you will grant a wish. If any wishes are granted, we'd love it if you link them to this post.
1. Sharpe/Wellington detective story, where they Fight Crime!, start to fall in love and bicker, well as much as they can. The cherry on top would be Sharpe actually solving the 'case'.
2. An icon saying "Generals don't purr". It is a silly quote from my silly fic, but hilarity was had when writing it. :)
3. A not necessarily fully fandom-ish, neither really historical fic, wherein Wellington's ADCs or at least most of them, Know Everything. Not in the military/organising sense, because let's give Welly kudos he deserves, but more in the people/gossip area. And due to their knowledge, they create trouble. Why is this starting to sound a bit like Welly as Jeeves, ADCs as a collective Wooster?
4. A 3:10 to Yuma fic, where the film ends as is, except for one thing, Dan somehow survives. ;___;
5. Allan Quatermain/Captain Nemo in their League of Extraordinary Gentlemen incarnations. YEAH.
Day 5
Stretch yourself a little and try something new. Go play in a new fandom or with a new pairing. Try working in a new medium. Or consume different fanworks. Give that new fandom a go. Listen to a podfic or watch some vids if you haven’t before. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it.
Actually, a short while ago I found myself in a new fandom. I even wrote a fic for it, though I never ever thought I would. Here's looking at you Skyfall.
Day 6
In your own space, pimp three comms or challenges and explain why you love them. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
Two comms for the same reason: they give voice to small fandoms.
fandom_of_one and smallfandomfest uk_lolitics It may not be the best way to get interested in British politics, but if it does hook you, interested you will be! And then you'll impress people by talking about Chris Bryant and Peter Bone.Day 7
In your own space, share something non-fannish about yourself. A passion or a hobby or a talent, something that people might not know about you. We are more than just our fandoms. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
I kinda feel my whole life is fannish... Well, not really, just that most of my other hobbies are kind of obvious from my posts. I love crime stories, though when it comes to 'hardboiled' I dislike the new Scandinavian/British strain of really dark brooding suffering detectives. Yes, I like a well-rounded character and I realise not all people are happy in life, but, well, blame the Golden Age detective fiction.
In recent years, especially last three or fourI have grown more and more fond of popular science reading of any kind i.e. physics, chemistry, biology, geology - it's all fun. If I have any regrets in life is that as a child I was not inspired enough to want to put in the work and go for scientific subjects at A-levels and later on at Uni.
Despite what I sometimes write I am a rather unromantic person. I can't stand it when my husband tries being romantic, which is probably the reason we skipped the whole dancing around/chocolate/flower period and went straight to trying cohabiting. I don't mind romance (if not too over the top) in movies, fiction or other people's lives, but in my marriage I prefer to do without. I'd rather stay home and watch 'Waterloo' for the 50th time (because my husband forces me to) in my pyjamas, while munching snacks and 'pretend' fighting with the husband to having him 'sweep me off my feet.' I like them on the ground, thank you.
I kinda feel my whole life is fannish... Well, not really, just that most of my other hobbies are kind of obvious from my posts. I love crime stories, though when it comes to 'hardboiled' I dislike the new Scandinavian/British strain of really dark brooding suffering detectives. Yes, I like a well-rounded character and I realise not all people are happy in life, but, well, blame the Golden Age detective fiction.
In recent years, especially last three or fourI have grown more and more fond of popular science reading of any kind i.e. physics, chemistry, biology, geology - it's all fun. If I have any regrets in life is that as a child I was not inspired enough to want to put in the work and go for scientific subjects at A-levels and later on at Uni.
Despite what I sometimes write I am a rather unromantic person. I can't stand it when my husband tries being romantic, which is probably the reason we skipped the whole dancing around/chocolate/flower period and went straight to trying cohabiting. I don't mind romance (if not too over the top) in movies, fiction or other people's lives, but in my marriage I prefer to do without. I'd rather stay home and watch 'Waterloo' for the 50th time (because my husband forces me to) in my pyjamas, while munching snacks and 'pretend' fighting with the husband to having him 'sweep me off my feet.' I like them on the ground, thank you.
Books Read: December 2012
Jan. 2nd, 2013 01:26 pm101. "An embarrassment of bodies," Alan Beechey
102. "Watson's Choice", Gladys Mitchell
103. "Dragon Scroll", I.J. Parker
104. "Pro Bono", Seicho Matsumoto
105. "Herring Seller's Apprentice", L.C. Tyler
106. “Bryant and May off the Rails,” Christopher Fowler
107. “Bryant and May and the Memory of Blood”, Christopher Fowler
108. “Bryant and May and the Invisible Code,” Christopher Fowler
109. “Hell Train”, Christopher Fowler
110. “The Blade Itself”, Joe Abercrombie
111. “Casino Royale,” Ian Fleming
112. “Anno Dracula,” Kim Newman
113. “Top Gear Years,” Jeremy Clarkson
114. “Longer Bodies.” Gladys Mitchell
102. "Watson's Choice", Gladys Mitchell
103. "Dragon Scroll", I.J. Parker
104. "Pro Bono", Seicho Matsumoto
105. "Herring Seller's Apprentice", L.C. Tyler
106. “Bryant and May off the Rails,” Christopher Fowler
107. “Bryant and May and the Memory of Blood”, Christopher Fowler
108. “Bryant and May and the Invisible Code,” Christopher Fowler
109. “Hell Train”, Christopher Fowler
110. “The Blade Itself”, Joe Abercrombie
111. “Casino Royale,” Ian Fleming
112. “Anno Dracula,” Kim Newman
113. “Top Gear Years,” Jeremy Clarkson
114. “Longer Bodies.” Gladys Mitchell
Books Read: October & November
Dec. 2nd, 2012 02:17 pm87. "Full Dark House", Christopher Fowler
88. "For the sake of Elena", Elizabeth George
89. "Water Room", Christopher Fowler
90. "Seventy Seven Clocks", Christopher Fowler
91. "Shit My Dad Says", Justin Halpern
92. "Ten Point Staircase", Christopher Fowler
93. "White Corridor", Christopher Fowler
94. "The Victoria Vanishes", Christopher Fowler
95. "Ex Libris", Anne Fadiman
96. "Bryant and May on the loose", Christopher Fowler
97. "Rude Britannia", Tim Fountain
98. "Back Story", David Mitchell
99. "Horologicon", Mark Forsyth
100. "The Butcher's Boy", Thomas Perry
88. "For the sake of Elena", Elizabeth George
89. "Water Room", Christopher Fowler
90. "Seventy Seven Clocks", Christopher Fowler
91. "Shit My Dad Says", Justin Halpern
92. "Ten Point Staircase", Christopher Fowler
93. "White Corridor", Christopher Fowler
94. "The Victoria Vanishes", Christopher Fowler
95. "Ex Libris", Anne Fadiman
96. "Bryant and May on the loose", Christopher Fowler
97. "Rude Britannia", Tim Fountain
98. "Back Story", David Mitchell
99. "Horologicon", Mark Forsyth
100. "The Butcher's Boy", Thomas Perry
I am scared...
Nov. 28th, 2012 04:34 pmComedy by Marie Phillips and Robert Hudson. Napoleon and Wellington's horses exchange love letters against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p6dcx
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p6dcx
(no subject)
Nov. 25th, 2012 10:45 pm So recently, I sent off an application for an Assistant Librarian position at the University of Oxford. The closing day is tomorrow. So let's see if I'll hear anything besides a refusal. Frankly, though, I am not going to mind a refusal all that much, since I have bit the bullet and filled in an application for the Blue Badge Guide course (it's in the envelope, must remember to post it tomorrow).
I really want to get into this course, but there is a pre-entry exam on general knowledge for all the applicants and while I may be able to tell them the name of Wellington's favourite steed and probably not even fuck up the spelling of the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I am shit with British architects (I know like three names that everyone does) and composers...
STUDY TIME. What is my life?
I really want to get into this course, but there is a pre-entry exam on general knowledge for all the applicants and while I may be able to tell them the name of Wellington's favourite steed and probably not even fuck up the spelling of the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I am shit with British architects (I know like three names that everyone does) and composers...
STUDY TIME. What is my life?
