Other fandom content, as well as ruthless, pointless, frequently inflamatory content-if'n the impulse siezes, of course. Also...
This ain't no kidsblog Expect adult content, language, and...stuff!
Tuesday, December 10, 2002
notes, notes, notes
Oh my god! I got moved to the General and Adult Fiction Links at Anne's! hehe. I wonder if I should be pleased or dismayed. Nevertheless, an interesting development. *g*
Greetings, Cathy! Thanks for the email recap. It was also very nice meeting you in Burbank... did I give you a 'sonuvabitch!'? To me, mesascaper will always mean Ben's Birthday Bash. Thanks for that. The Burbank Con Fic Challenge went really well, it was intensely satisfying to watch all those writers in one place exercising their craft. The BBQ was in frelling heaven. We're dangerously close to transcribing the handful of stories and getting them posted. I look forward to sharing them with everyone, and once again thank all the authors who participated. I can't imagine what it must be like to hear, "take this tiny bit of information and write me something on it." But they all took it like troopers. It's an experience I'll always treasure.
Can't remember if I told the frog story, but I'm pretty sure I haven't told the 'we're the band' story. Orchid's now 3 hours later than the BBQ, almost her bedtime by the time the BBQ gets home. Time Zones Suck.
FARSCAPE:
And, whoa, yeah, really short snippet for a 'Future Tense Challenge' (where's that posted?) by Anna, and I gotta agree, future tense won't stand up to much narrative without the BBQ havin' an embolism.
BetanSurvey is allowing the BBQ to archive Golden Apples at Farscape Ally, so... rather than try and compile a haymow of links, you'll be able to read it soon, right here. One link. Yay me. And we're waiting... briefly for Atana to archive Waltz In Caanan at Leviathan before we track down all the links to the story (hint hint) *g*
SMALLVILLE:
If you hang around for long enough, you'll notice I have a habit of rec'ing the same fics over and over. This time it's jenn's turn (Smallville jenn). Okay, I may be a sap but I love this story.
There's magic in Sleep While I Drive. The pace of the writing sinks into the body and carries you along. The story has a frelling temperature; warm and somnolent; hot and frentic; cooly romantic; love expressed crisp and clear. This is one to read and read and read, and then read some more. There's nothing I've ever read that has woven such an elegant thematic tapestry. And bonus, the thing has the best opening line ever. The syllables hypnotic. Although, I'd consider challengers for that. Ideas?
This one demonstrates the allure of Lex pretty damn straight forwardly (if that's a word), right down to the tiny plot detail that 'Lex must sleep with any red headed female in his immediate vicinity' in accordance with The Smallville Bibletm.
And speaking of jenn, brand new a sort of coda to 'A Handful of Dust', she gives us Calm in the House. You'll have a sense that you're missing 'something' if you read this before reading AHoD, but it's not really necessary as the author classifies the story as 'cuddle fic'. Both stories are NC17/Slash.
Gotta love those viruses that make lying in bed coughing an exquisitely challenging task.
My email is frelled. I hate my email. If you've emailed me in the last three days. Well. blame MOE.
I'm effectively now far enough behind in the fic reading that I know I've missed some good stuff. Trying to catch up seems an insurmountable task. Email me! Post a link in the comments box. Help!! *g*
The December 6 To-Do List is pretty simple, and looks a bit of fun. In fact, Go to Save Farscape daily, read the news and stuff there, I do and it makes me go, 'sonuvabitch!', on all sorts of levels.
'son-of-a-bitch' is my exclamation of choice. During the con, everytime I bumped into someone I 'knew', or inkling pointed me at someone, invariably I'd gasp, "sonuvabitch!" shake a hand and say, "Hi, I'm Teri!" Often forgetting to say, "I love your work!" I'm guessing you guys know that already anyway.
Driving home in the dark, I nearly ran over a bicyclist cutting across an intersection. The fact that I wasn't exceeding the speed limit wouldn't have soothed me much had I crushed him with my bigasstruck. Happily, I missed him, and my window was down so he probably got to hear my unhappily croaked 'sonuvabitch!'.
Is the one I thought made an absolutely sensational prologue to a larger story. Every writer I've spoken to on the subject disagrees with me. Eh. The readers are on my side. *g* Orchid can be stubborn. Really.
Don't like first person. This one works for me, you'll have to dig up the earlier parts, that should be fun. Check back at Reminiscent Bay once in a while to see what's up.
Have I mentioned that Smallville fanfic bears little or no reality to the show itself? Just borrows a bit of the plot and makes it better. This one's more Halloween fun, and there must be some kind of 'kilt' challenge out there, Lex and/or Clark seem to be wearing them an awful lot lately. Hope's delicious.
Don'tcha hate it when that happens? This is what I get for trying to code directly into blogger. I get too excited! Here's the info, without the glitches: (crossing fingers)
Oh boy, this one sounds.... really promising. Check it out over at Reminiscent Bay. I'd do a C&P here to make it easy, but then you'd be missing some funny stuff. Fling me a high sign if you're gonna play, I'd like to read it.
That's all for tonight, we're runnin' a bit late and might not get back even for blind reccs. More fic, awards, and miscellany tomorrow. Really.
Red is a passionate person. See an injustice. Stamp it out. No lines, no waiting. Just ass kickin'. Swift and sure. Oh, and for bonus, some notes on MIJ.
When DK told us that SciFi had determined that Farscape was over, I sat up very late with friends dully repeating, "I can't believe this!" We berated SciFi, USA and Vivendi for their lack of vision, and compiled staggering lists of things that needed to be done; advertiser lists, network lists, addresses, emails, phone numbers, and on and on. My head hit the pillow while my mind was still reeling over the time and effort compiling only this information would take. While I slept an entire site was already being developed to assist the people who really mattered; the audience, the customers, the viewers, the fans.
By the time I woke up the next morning Save Farscape was up and running, getting information out; names, titles, physical addresses, fax numbers and emails. Words can't express how relieved I was that I could provide a link and a few words rather than need even attempt to come near providing the wealth of information provided at Save Farscape. The site continued to grow and branch out to touch every 'scaper community, becoming a watering hole for gathering information and a tool for focussed fan efforts. I am eternally grateful to Save Farscape and every other fan based effort that is going to get us that 2.0 rating for eps 12-22. If I were David Kemper, hell, even as I'm not; I would want to hug each and every fan who so much as gave out a 5th season flyer and coerced a newbie into watching the show. Time being what it is, I have to settle for: "Thank you! You guys rock!!"
The Aeryn Years has been nominated in the Series Category for the Farscape FanFic Awards 2003. Congratulations to alllll the nominated authors: aeryncrichton, Atana Mirtai, birthsister, huzzlewhat, CrystalMoon, imloco2, KernilCrash, orchidcactus, PKAmmoTroop, ScapeArtist, UCSBdad, wiscaper, and Shipscat. Give it up for these authors; the enduring heart of Farscape Fanfic!
This is it
Okay, so; little did I know what the future held for the BBQ as we eyed that six year old volunteer with something like murderous rage. Ahem.
So, we're standing in line, trying to meditate in order to NOT step on the six year old volunteer as he paced, self-importantly, back and forth, back and forth, before a captive audience. *grr*
Ah. Once we had trailed along one wall and up a second (making sure to keep close to the wall and close together as we were instructed over and over again *grr*), the line trickled into a *doh!* hallway, then across the hallway and into a room where the scenery got a little more interesting.
Inside, a Girl In Black eyed us all with grave suspicion, ready to spring into action should any of us attempt to step out of line. Or speak. Then she turns her back on us, walks over to a counter and takes a couple of sips of water before returning to glare at us suspiciously. A full minute wherein just anyone could have dodged out of line, lept over the table and given David a really good… grooming. I would have snickered but I lacked the interest because I was finally in a lovely location to peer at David through the spaces between fans lined up at the table.
Gregarious David. Talking to everyone. The line was going agonizingly slow, but he was just so cute! We also got glimpses of the radiant Raelee, taking at least a full minute for each signature, and Gigi, who was obviously struggling with a pernicious flu bug, poor thing. Made me want to bundle her up in a blanket and put her to bed with a glass of juice and, you know, swat whoever was making her sit up and sign her name 600+ times.
But I digress. The line drags along and we entertain our line mates with goofball commentary (To this day at least 6 people are going, "Who was that woman?").
Raelee is up first and I watch as she tries to sign her name on this big-ass airbrushed canvas that hung on the right side of the stage throughout the convention. Her assistant starts to unroll it and she sees she's about to be graced with a close up look of her Supersize Facetm. The 'eep' of dismay was cute beyond description. She has the creation flunky roll it back up, and flexing her wrist over Sikozu's supersized neck, she supposes she should sign bigger but she has such a 'prissy little signature'. And I grin like a big dolt as she gives it her best shot. A 'prissy big signature' the result.
What a sweetheart.
I give her the ONLY photo Creation had available of her character and she gives me her autograph and a big smile. I remember what my mother taught me and gave her one back along with a "Thank you very much." I mosey down the line while fangrl behind me has Raelee sign an autograph book; personalization and all. Love that. Fanguy ahead is talking to David. Something about broadcasting somewhere; technical stuff, and David listens intently before a quick headshake shoots down the idea. Something/somehow wouldn't work. Geez. Wish I was paying more attention, but David. He's just so purty.
Fanguy moves along and I sidle up, sliding my predesignated-but-not-the-photo-I'd-planned-to-bring photo to a convenient signing distance. David's looking down and aside to Gigi, they're talking quietly and the BBQ is being polite for a change, just waiting for him to look up and smile so we can do our doltish, "We really love your show!" speech. Ah! But the dread cellphone rings, so I prepare to wait a few more minutes. Not a problem.
David unclips the cell, glances at the display and goes, "Ah." In such a way that makes the BBQ go 'eep' and attempt to hide behind Fanguy (don't ask). The cell is flipped open and pressed to David's ear, David's face, David's… well, you get the idea. Addressing the caller David says, "Yeah, just a second." He looks up, right at the cowering BBQ and asks for our name. So we say, "Teri", we don't know why, our brain is on autopilot at that moment—we are pretty sure we know who is on the other end of the line. Addressing the caller, David says, "Here, talk to Teri for a second." (David said 'Teri'), and he hands the phone to me. (Inside we are seriously freaking out.) I lift the phone to my ear and it won't occur to me until later that I've got David Kemper's cellphone pressed to my ear. God knows how many people have used David Kemper's frelling cellphone! (okay, not freaking).
"Hello." I say in a seriously quite calm voice really (inside we are still freaking out).
"Hi, who's this?" comes a voice sounding exactly like that of Mr. Ben Browder's.
"This is Teri." I say, thinking, 'what the hell, just go with it.'
The Browder says something very like, "Hey, Teri, how's it going, are you enjoying your weekend?" (most definitely)
There's this weird silence in the room—likely since the cellphone rang and DK answered it; so I step back a bit so the other people in the room can see the cell phone attached permanently to my face and I say, "I'm on the phone with Ben Browder."
There may have been some sort of unanimous sound generated at the news, but the only thing I actually heard was the sound of the Browder's laughter in my ear. IQ summarily drops something like 20 points.
I glance desperately at David but he's busy, gonna sign my photo before he does anything else. The BBQ is stuck. We have to entertain Ben Browder.
Ah well.
So, without missing a beat, I say, "Everything is going great, we're having a great time." (I may have used the word great a few more times, I'm not sure.) Ben must surely be impressed that we are, at least, not stuttering. He gallantly continues to make small talk.
"They treating you okay?" (I love it when I'm handed an opening), I feel I must take a shot at Creation, "Your guys are treating us great, and were making due as best we can with everyone else. We are behaving ourselves, honestly." The Browder laughs again and I look at David, but he's struggling with the frelling pen cap while my intelligence rating is heading south at a dangerous rate of speed.
Ben's warming to the conversation and I'm still not sure he knows he's talking to some random fan, "Hey, Claud called yesterday, I know you're not behaving yourselves."
This time it's my turn to laugh, and I look down in time to see David signing my pic but the pen malfunctions and leaves a nice silvery blop on John, somewhere between elbow and knee. Who'da thunk? My brain freezes. There's a silvery blop on John 'there' and Ben is talking and laughing in my ear. Phone still pressed to my ear, I tell DK, "It's okay, I love it when the pen blops," and oh god, Ben says, "What?" So I have to tell him that David blopped on my pic. Jesus. Okay. I'm hoping I didn't use the word 'blopped' but I can't remember what word I did use. Ben says, "Ah." and laughs (and I'm wondering how much the BBQ can take, but if the President can function, so can I—soldier onward).
David caps the pen and starts fumbling with the cell accoutrement, he may be sensing a meltdown in the neural cluster. So, in closing, I go for the humor (might as well call it a day). I lean in close over the table and I tell Ben, "I'm going to give you back to David now, the connection is breaking up and I don't want to lose you, you sound like you're calling from another country." (ba dum bump) Amazingly, Ben laughs in my ear again (the BBQ won't be using those brain cells again), DK does a wry smile and everyone else around me, in unison, says, "He is!"
The indignation was so loud, that, while laughing along with Ben I say, "I know." (humor—it's a difficult concept).
I give the phone back to DK after the obligatory "Thanks, nice talking to you's", and managed at the last minute to remember to interject a deeply felt "We love and miss you very much." and Ben responded in kind with, "I love and miss you too."
... I'm sure he meant that as the collective 'you'. *g*
David got his phone back, unscathed and the BBQ shuffled down the table, quite dazed, to get a final autograph from Gigi.
BURBANK CON AWARDS:
After much pondering and serious thoughtful consideration (yeah, right); the award for Most Surprising Sound Emitted by a Fan is going out to two fans this year, who will have to share the award. Therefore, The Most Surprising Sound Emitted by a Fan Award goes to both Amber the Beta and Buggs. Anyone who's heard Amber speak and then heard Amber 'sneeze', will understand that that coy little 'achoo' is proof positive that this is one alien fangrl, and perhaps by next year Buggs will have that little squeeze toy dislodged from her throat and get her real laugh back, until then, enjoy the award ladies!
Next up: Best Reason to Buy a Slab Award!
I'm just now getting the schizophrenic reference. Hmm. Not bad. Only ten days. Hah! *g*
I know there's fic out there, just time torn between Con stuff and fic stuff. I'll throw up some blind reccs tomorrow.
SMALLVILLE:
Another installment in the Two Paths AU story. jenn's 'No Step Had Trodden Black' ::NC17/Slash::, is absolutely punishing, matching well in tone with the earlier parts. It's always darkest before the dawn, however, in fanfic, the BBQ has learned not to expect the dawn.
Deneba has some lengthy details on the con; what we had going in, what we had going out. Have I mentioned that Deneba is my own personal head cheerleader? While I don't want to 'be' Deneba when I grow up (I don't think I could manage that cool collectedness), she does raise my spirits, even in impossible situations.
And, okay, I admit, that bit about distracting Creations 'security' people with shadow puppets? *gigglesnort* Absolutely true. These folks were not only not the sharpest crayons in the box, they were the discards you'd use to create 'pretty' candles. And that six year old with his little 'volunteer' badge was so gonna get it if he told me to have my pictures out and ready one more time! I mean, do I look brain damaged to you? *grr*
And speaking of— as Deneba grants, so does the BBQ and therefore we will be doling out Con Awards in this spirit. The first award to go is the David Kemper Restraining Order Award for the Scariest Fan. Usually awarded to that fan who wandered in off the street, "just following the crowd." We'd tell you who received the award this year but… we're scared, man! Suffice to say, we're getting together with PETA for a rescue attempt.
I think we'll do Most Surprising Sound Emitted by a Fan next.
And yes, I'm just sitting here, hacking into tissues, updating as I cruise. Mostly because I don't want to frighten anyone by hacking up a lung on the sidewalk.
BBQJr is carrying on the reviewing standard, currently offering his services to NintenDojo. I must admit, I wasn't aware the kid could write as well as he apparently can. Just a snippet for your enjoyment:
Graphically, the game doesn't raise any eyebrows, except for maybe the few CGI cut-scenes. There are quite a few slapdash animations and other environmental issues such as mediocre water effects and the like. However, the character and environment design is what keeps the game afloat graphically. The game actually looks as if it were a part of the fantasy world seen in the Skittles TV commercials.
The character designs are original and sometimes comical, but most of the time they look like something out of Jim Henson's Creature Shop. You can definitely tell that the main focus of the game was the creativity. Sorry Lara Croft, but Skye definitely holds the title of best female lead character in my book. ~~ BBQJr on NGC's 'Darkened Skye'
I admit, I was very pleased with the smooth water metaphors. Informative and clever writing. Geez. And until he was, like, 12, he couldn't put an entire sentence together. Imagine my shame. And the tip of the hat to Jim Henson's Creature Shop was simply icing on the cake. Uh-oh. Watch those repeat words, sweetie.
Okay, here's a thing for you writers and readers. Recently I've been coming upon this a great deal: "He stole a glance from the corners of his eyes."
Right, now, aside from peripheral vision making this a patent impossibility, I've always heard this as: "He stole a glance from the corner of his eye." What's up with the plurality? Did something happen? Did the BBQ not get the memo? If not, can we please omit the 's's'?
<peevish whining>
I'm trying to read so I can rec something but Teri and Ally keep poking me, wanting to hear about the Browder coming in our ear again. *sheesh* How about this…
Uh-oh, continuity error. The author has Devilicus plotting against Warrior Angel in issue #48, when we now know that Devilicus didn't turn against Warrior Angel until Issue #66. This could be a problem. hehe. I quote:
"Lex loves his comic books. He has a relationship with them that is mutually beneficial and right, and platonic. It's all very platonic, and Lex can't say that about much, but his comic books have been with him for as long as he can remember."
God, I love this author. Getting down to the details and making them sing. *sigh*
Back home after a lovely 7 hour drive from Southern California (just 4 miles north of the border) to the fertile Salinas Valley (90 miles south of San Francisco). Been dragging around the walkin' pnemonia and the boogie woogie flu for, hm, the last week, apologies to all. I thought it was allergies until, ah, Tuesday.
More tomorrow, but for now we'll just say that next year we are flying. That way we can take separate flights. I swear, at one point I actually pulled the BAT Mobile to the curb and invited Ally and the BBQ to step out; petty bickering having devolved to a downright silly state of "am not"/"are too" exchanges. *sigh* Oh, and yes, it is true, high point of the CON for the BBQ; the Browder's voice coming right into her ear. We've been developing a transcript of our strictly prosaic conversation; but I will say... he laughed... twice... it came right into my ear. The right one. Ally named it 'Ben'.
