TARDIS wave on LJ!!
When you see this entry, post a picture (or gif) of the show to your own journal.


Also - this is my wallpaper on my computer too.  And yes, I chose the mood icon as a shout out to Nine;) 

Now - normally I wouldn't review something I've seen on DVD but I'll make an exception for this.

( Twilight (2008) )

On a related tangent - without spoilers. Being Human is still hewn from AWESOMENESS!!! A 'quieter' episode than as of late but nice to see that the Cardiff Acting Mafia is on the case ( small casting spoiler )

If you are reading this and you are not watching this show, then please rectify this issue immediately. You will be glad you did.

You are always wonderful, witty, lovely company, a great friend and I hope the next year is nothing but amazing for you!

***

In other news - even though I am working tomorrow and long week has been loooong. I got paid today. This is always a good thing;) It's been a long month;)


John Barrowman has signed on to play a villain in Desperate Housewives (Daily Mail link).(Proof like it's needed, that I have a crush the size of a small moon on this man... I am posting links from the Daily Moan!). For those you allergic to the Daily Mail - have an EW link.

Having never watched Desperate Housewives am I correct in thinking that the best way of watching this will be to DVR it, have my finger on the FF button and snark (and drool - jeans and t-shirt, suit and tie, floor-length gown and heels, nothing but a smile - hell yeah bebee!) for England? For Ma UK peeps - it should be about June time - April in the US.

*

As a Take Your Fandom To Work fic - this pwns all. A UK astronomer announced her findings (on a supernova) not just as an academic paper published in Nature but as a Doctor Who fic too! How awesome is that;)

*

EW shed some light on Apple's 'iBookstore'. This could be something quite special... IF the publishers get their act together...

Okay - I admit it - I can be a bit of a technophobe from time to time. Defintely not an early adopter;)
Having said that - if you can prove to me that something does the job and does it well then you have a convert.

My family upgraded our TV to a 40" behemoth - HD ready and all that just before Christmas. All very nice.... until today when the Sky box was upgraded to a HD box.

HOLY COW!

As a test - I switched over to NCIS FX HD channel and... the improvement in picture quality is considerable, the clarity would make you weep...

So - guess who'll be watching S5 Who in HD in the Spring then;) Not to mention starting to buy Bluray DVDs...

***

Still on the subject of tech that makes me go 'oooOOOOOOooooo' very loudly...

Apple unveil their long awaited 'iPad' tablet

For years I've read (and I ain't kidding about the years thing!) in the Library/book publishing press that e-books would be the next big thing.
Having dealt with them at work - not even 10% of the collection (which is over 250,000 items at my site alone) can be obtained as an e-book at any cost (and let's not discuss that!) I tend to laugh hysterically when anyone claims that e-books are going to be The Next Big Thing.

After looking at that and hearing about Apple's iBooks - I don't think I'll be laughing so hysterically in the future.

There is an awful long way to go but this might be the kick up the backside the publishing industry *needs* to get things moving.

And more to the point? I'd actually like one thank you. I've never said that about any other e-reader to date. So someone is defintely doing something right!

*FLAIL*

(Thinks for a couple of moments) FLAILS HARDER!1!

( Spoilers for series to date and for other tv shows filmed in the same geographical area )

One small issue - please can the fandom collisions stop please? ( music and trailer spoilers for 202 and 204 ) so um...

Can it be Sunday pls?

I *think* I've mentioned from time to time that I have a perchant for dance. I know I mentioned it when I talked about Torchwood 'Captain Jack Harkness' (or rather, see icon!)

Well, this is the production that started my love of dance off.

( YouTube video of the Swans Dancing - Possibly NSFW )

( Squeefest Ahoy! )

The production finishes at Sadlers Wells this weekend but is on tour around England and Wales from now to Easter (it's in Cardiff the week of mine and John Barrowman's birthdays - mine's 12/3, his is 11/3 - which is the only reason why I remember it - honest!).
It goes without saying that if you are a slasher - you need this in your life. The DVD should be borrowable from your local public Library or the rental service of your choice. Even if you aren't - go/watch it. It's a thing of beauty.

Oh - btw if anyone wants a copy of the soundtrack - yell. I have a copy and 'arrangements' can be made. Also, Cinderella (which hasn't been performed for nearly ten years) looks like it might be the next production for Christmas 2010. One thing is certain. Whatever this company do - I'll go to see it. Wonderful stuff.

If it's not folks after our chocolate, they're after omnisexual, immortal time agent/companion types. What's next?!

( mumblemumblegrumble )

Um... yes, slightly grumpy monster is slightly grumpy at present. With everything else going on in the world, it's nothing. Even so, can it please be next Friday nao?

Anyway - have a meme on books.

( 'How To Spot A Hadrosaur In The Bus Queue' and other really *bizarre* titles I have known;) )

The Men Who Stare At Goats by Jon Ronson

Torchwood: The Undertaker's Gift by Trevor Baxendale

Sense And Sensiblity And Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters

The Mayor of Castro Street - The Life and Times of Harvey Milk by Randy Shilts

Torchwood: Risk Assessment by James Goss

The United Kingdom from Spaaaace

Heartfelt thanks to janedavitt for the link.

And people wonder why the British are obsessed by the weather?!

Temperatures expected to drop to -18 in parts of the UK as the cold snap carries right on!

It's not the snow that's crazy-making but ice. Neither Mr Spock or I take very well to slip-sliding all over the place!

Am a couple of days late with this - but am here all the same...

A List of Things that were classified as being Awesome for December

Going to the BFI to see both Hamlet and The Red Shoes. Both were wonderful.

On a related subject... Doctor Who: End of Time Part One.

Christmas holidays! Time off work ftw;)

Dancing Hobbits win Strictly Come Dancing!

Sherlock Holmes

Virus by James Moran one of the stories in the Consequences collection. ( spoilers for the story )
Well worth a read - even if you have to sit in Waterstones/Barnes and Nobles to read it;)

Patrick Stewart and Peter Jackson are both knighted

Posted because it's better to remember the awesome rather than the mundane;)

Thank you for your icons, your links, your snark and your general good humour. Even when you're putting up with the co-workers from hell!

Alas, I cannot give you nekkid Barrowman - so have a mood icon instead;)

The 2007 List, The 2008 List, The 2009 List

Daleks Invasion Earth 2150AD and Bernard Cribbins Q&A. BC was on top form, the best thing to say about the film is that it had Daleks in it!

Nine An enjoyable musical with some great songs and great performances. Mileage will vary.

Toy Story 2 3D One of the greatest movies of all time. The End.

Invictus A superb drama, based on real events. Even if you don't *like* rugby - watch it!

Eleven more late nights until the Easter Break!

(Yes, I love my job but I like to *know* these things;))

In short - I loved this. Not perfect by any means (what is?!) but a fitting send off. I also loved that I was able to watch it in a packed pub surrounded by friends and other assorted good people.

( The really long and really waffly version - spoilers ahoy! )

I just want to say thank you to the outgoing creative team. You guys made the impossible look easy. Brought back a character that was considered a joke and made him not only relevant and wonderful but surrounded him with fascinating and awesome support. Yes, I have *still* got issues Torchwood: Children of Earth Day FOUR! but as I said at the start. Nothing is perfect.

Mr Moffat etal, I'm looking forward to seeing what you bring to the table in the Spring/Easter. I have the sneaky suspicion that I won't be let down.

Thing One - changed the default icon in honour of last night's episode of Doctor Who. If you want to see it as a spoiler then... that's your prerogative.


Thing Two - torn_eledhwen meet vayshti. vayshti, meet torn_eledhwen. You met yesterday at the Who viewing? Now you can put names to faces;)


Thing Three - Anyone have any recommendations for good waterproof mascara - or at least stuff that doesn't make you look like a raccoon when you cry? Not that such things ever happen to me... like hell it doesn't!

I'll talk about last night's Doctor Who more later. Along with the usual rubbish that's all part of the service;)

I want to wish everyone...



Please, please please can 2010 be better for my entire flist than 2009 was? One thing is certain - there is going to be more Doctor Who this year... which (please 'verse!) can only be a good thing? y/y?

( Sherlock Holmes )
Verdict - Highly recommended!

( The Red Shoes 1948 )
Verdict - Highly recommended

( Avatar )
Verdict - go see, but make sure it's a cinema with *comfy* chairs. Your backside will thank you!

( Nine )
Verdict - I thoroughly enjoyed it - YMMV

Title: The Best Of Times, (The Worst Of Times)

Pairing(s): Georges/Albin (Zaza)

Rating: Gen

Word Count: 1603 words

Disclaimer Not making money from this - all copyrights belong to their copyright holders.

Authors Notes ( the gory details )

Beta Credit - torn_eledhwen who not only sat next to me during the entire performance, putting up with my confusion (Don't Ask!) my over-enthusiastic fangirling over the production, she also beta'ed this with patience and grace. She Is Awesome.

Feedback - Yes please! even it is to tell me that I must have been on some decent crack the day I wrote this!. Hit that comment button!
So... without further ado...

( The Best of Times (The Worst of Times) La Cage Aux Folles|Pre-Musical/film|Gen (canon pairings, Georges POV)|PG )

Why yes, I am likely to be spending my entire evening spamming my flist!;)

The 'Life or Something Like It' update

Christmas was quiet, or as quiet as it gets around my family. Still no news on the Brother In Law front (as in, he, to my knowledge hasn't asked my younger sister to marry him yet. We've been waiting for him to ask since October!).

I was gifted with book tokens, books, socks (so many pairs of socks!) DVDs as well as a Sat Nav for Mr Spock. Yes, it has been named, if you can guess what the name is, I'll write you a drabble. Can't say fairer than that. I've tested it and I've only only had to yell at it once;)
So, guess who's planning to go on a road trip (or two) in 2010;) That would be me!

The rest of the time has been spent at the pictures - which is better than I've been managing as of late. I'll write reviews of everything I've seen in another post. Hence the comment about spamming all evening!;)

Now - onto the movies;)

Those of you who celebrate - have a lovely time with your loved ones and enjoy Doctor Who tomorrow;) I promise no spoilers as far as I can!

Happy Solstice to those who celebrate - the days start to get longer from now on. Which can only be a good thing!

*

Am obviously alive, but what with the rather (for the UK, at least, those of you in the US feel free to point and laugh) considerable temperature drop have put paid to doing anything other than curl up, shiver and watch Season 4 Doctor Who. Suffice to say that I am going to be in bits over this show before too long. There are more thoughts but they can wait....

*

Quickie Reccie - watch Hamlet when it shows on telly over the Christmas break. I was able to see this at the BFI on Monday. David Tennant couldn't make the Q&A afterwards but Patrick Stewart (complete with an unfortunate 'tashe) did.

Yes, this is the TV movie version of the RSC production that Tennant led last year/this year. Without giving too much away - it's superb. Although taping it and taking a break halfway through as it's three hours long is highly recommended!

( various and sundry comments about the production )

SUNDAY 10TH JANUARY - Spoilers in the blurb

The BBC are doing a showing of the first episode the week before - I've put in for tickets but I don't know the outcome yet.

Up
- THANK YOOOOU to celandineb for my snowflake. It is a thing of beauty that makes me grin stupidly. Thank you again.

- It's the last week of term. Which means that in about 90 minutes time, I will not have to do another late night until 2010!

- Newly dicovered website/blog alert! Temptalia. US based, covers make-up and most importantly for me, nail varnish. I'm next to useless where make up is concerned (mascara is a particular bugbear - lets just say that I tend to look more like Jack Sparrow than Zaza!) but nail polishes? The more colourful, the better! My toes are usually a sight to behold;)

- With the exception of one or two items (a small gift for a Sibling Unit and books for the Father Unit) - Christmas presents have been brought and wrapped \o/!


Down
- I have sinusitus and/or a cold coming on. Later than usual in the year but still not good. Does this mean I earn a housecall from one of the three chaps in my icon? No? Bum!

- It's the last week of term - most students have hand-ins due next week. So where are they all? If you answered 'In the Library', you are correct!
I should be grateful none of them can read minds...


All Over The Shop
Disney's 'The Black Hole' to be remade. File this under 'it could be awesome... or it could be pants!'. For the record? I love the original.

List of 2010 Football (Soccer) World Cup fixtures in Date Order. I abhor football 99% of the time but next year from mid-June to mid-July, it's going to be utterly unescapable or it will be so long as England are still in the competition!.
I'm posting the link so that people have a heads up if... shall we say 'more important' things like movies and Doctor Who are moved around as Auntie Beeb will be showing some matches (Football trumps even Who - inconceivable I know!) you know why.
More details as I get 'em.

I was going to talk about this piece of news, not unexpected to be sure but I think I have said everything that I want to say on the matter already.

Then I saw sense and decided that Life? Is Too Damn Short. So, have a list of things that have been classified as being awesome in the month just gone.

Writing over 10,000 words for mini_nanowrimo - I have one story ready to go (once I've finished the beta *iz sheepish*) and my wips are still going strong.

Seeing Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan on the big screen.

Going to see La Cage Aux Folles.

Meeting up with torn_eledhwen after a gap of nearly three years for aforementioned trip to the theatre... and having a fabulous time, catching up, having dinner and watching a wonderful show.

Posting more days than not to my LJ

Doctor Who: Waters of Mars

Sundry youtube videos: this one, which made me laugh like a drain, this one in which spotty shorts and sports socks look kinda hot and don't blame me if the song gets stuck in your head;)

So - time to open this up. Either in your own ljs or here, post something - anything that's happened to you in the last month that you'd classify as being awesome. Doesn't have to be a list, just one thing. For while we all concentrate on the mundane, it's the awesome that's worth remembering.

So, today is the last day of mini_nanowrimo and I've been doing some adding up...

For 30 days, I pledged that I would write 100 words per day. Some days it was terrifyingly *easy* and other days, it's been like pulling teeths.

So, even with my crap maths - that's 30 days x 100 words = 3000 words written in the month. Not a bad haul by anyone's yardstick.

Except that I didn't write 3000... I WROTE 10837 WORDS!!!

So I think that deserves at least a 'zomg' and a 'meep'. Not to mention a 'YEAH BEBEE!'. Oh and a devilishly hawt Captain who looks better dressed as a woman than I ever will - carry on! to boot;)

So, keep 'em peeled - there may be fic being posted soon!

Quota - 100 words

Written - 118 words. Would have been more but I have been out and about. Not to mention - Monday is the final day!

This article appeared in one of today's papers and while it may be triggery, as it doesn't sugar coat the issue, I do entreat folks to read it.

Patrick Stewart: The Legacy of Domestic Violence

2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.

*Ahem*

A happy Thanksgiving to the Americans. A good Thursday to everybody else (bar the Aussies, where it's better to say TFI Friday!)

( A long and very *random* list of things I am thankful for... )

So, have fun, enjoy yourselves, don't argue and leave some pie/cake for everyone else!

NOTICE - The management of this lj take no responsibility if you rupture something laughing at this vid.



Tuesday was the 18th anniversary of Freddie Mercury's death (boy, do I feel *old*) but his legacy will never be forgotten. Not when it's riffed on in such a amazing way!

BBC Highlights for the Christmas period SPOILERS FOR DOCTOR WHO

Please note - no dates attached, so your guess is as good as mine regarding the airing date for the second Who episode (other than sometime before 2/1/10 or 2/1/10 - ymmv). Dates etc. will be forthcoming in the next couple of weeks. Watch this space.

***

mini_nanowrimo continues apace. No, I haven't written today's 100 words yet. I'll do that when I finish this (because, this? Does Not Count!) The main issue seems to be picking one story and sticking with it! Finding the words is not an issue, sticking to one story is.

Right now, I am trying to get all my stories to a point where I know where they are going and can let them curl up like cats in sunbeams and just concentrate on one of them. As to which one to concentrate on... ahahahah! If anyone wants to put in orders:

x1 Superman Returns post-movie
x1 Doctor Who OT3 (Nine/Rose/Jack)
x1 Torchwood pre series Cyberwoman AU
x1 Torchwood/Doctor Who post 'Children of Earth' story of DOOOOOOOM

There is a fic that's almost ready to go... when I finish the damn beta that is!

***

Work is... work. Despite dealing with students who think that Anti-Virus software is too technical for a mere enquiry desk librarian to handle. No, I am not posting this from the nearby police station, why do you ask?

The end of term is in sight and so are the deadlines. May the 'verse have mercy on my soul!

***

My life is terribly boring but Spock is still my bebee. I am also looking forward greatly to the Christmas holidays - not least because I have about 10 books in my to read pile (and that's not including the ones I'll get for Chrimbo!) but my delicious list is full of big bang fics and other sundry recs to read.
The weather is being unseasonably 'mild' around here. The North Sea is trying to reclaim the mainland by air drop but mild. This is not the way Winter will end, I can tell.

***

I am behind in my tv watching and my movie watching. I can just about manage to catch Strictly Come Dancing of a weekend, (voting for Ali and for Lallia atm). Merlin is a nice, easy watch but not inspiring fannishness.

I have been watching Dexter on DVD - very enjoyable! Although I do think this has a lot to do with the fact that I've read the first two novels, so I know what I'm letting myself in for! Next up is The Big Bang Theory. Since the flist rate it so highly, I am giving it a go.

The great Doctor Who watch has stalled at 'Boomtown'. Mainly because I am too much of a great wussafuss to woman up and watch the final three - because losing Ten will be hard, but I loved Nine first.

If there is anything else, I'll post it tomorrow! I have 100 words to wrassle...

Oh JB ILU



If you're not grinning after you've watched that - then check your pulse.

John Barrowman singing and dancing around in shorts and undone shirt, ala Tom Cruise in Risky Business will never ever get old. If anyone sees the clip out on t'internet - holler. It's even more awesome than this is.

( Two minutes of Doctor Who's Christmas Episode. No real spoilers, just reactions )

winning Nil Points for Originality - possible spoilers under the link

Discuss!

I'd ban... nothing. Both as a librarian and as a human being. If teenagers want to read it, then let them. And yes, I *do* include the Twilight books. Because reading crap like that is better than reading nothing at all.

Hell, when I was a teenager, I was reading things like Homer's Illiad (which my mum had to sign out of the library for me!) and Jackie Collins' Hollywood Wives. So, no room to talk at all;)

UK T-Mobile Staff sell on customer info to Third Parties

The sound you can hear in the background? My blood boiling. DATA PROTECTION PEOPLE!!!

Yes, I've currently got about 6 months left on my contract with the aforementioned. The thing is, with their merger with Another Big Mobile Phone Company means that my options are limited.

Then there is the fact that I'm a crappy customer, light phone user (put 'proper' internet on it and we'll talk!) means that I'm not going to get much when I move anyway.... Oy!

As seen over most of t'internet, and linked up from troyswann



Say what you like, but the man can dance!

Thing one - mini_nanowrimo totals (100 words a day pledge) - 486 *extra* words written on the La Cage Aux Folles story I mentioned earlier in the week. It should be ready to go to beta before too long.

If anyone wants to volunteer to beta (Gen, pre musical/play, canon pairings, >2,000 words) I'd be *incredibly grateful! John Barrowman has an *awful* lot to answer for!;)


Thing two - A few weeks ago, I mentioned that the BFI would be showing the TV movie of the RSC's production of 'Hamlet', starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart.

Guess who now has two tickets from that sellout showing in her grubby little hands? Why, yes, that *would* be me;)

torn_eledhwen - I'll PM you with all the details later!

In Flanders Field

Regardless of whether it's right or wrong - I remember those who die in service of their country... so I have the right, the freedom to express myself.


In other news... Ausellio reports that 'Dollhouse' is cancelled by Fox

I've just written a 1600 word story in pretty much an evening.

I don't know how it happened either! I just sat down and just typed for heaven's sake. I simply wondered how, in La Cage Aux Folles did Georges find out about and cope with Jean-Michel?.

Sure it needs a bit of editing on my part before it goes to beta but... HOLY CRAP! 1600 WORDS IN THREE HOURS!!

So, anyone up for beta'ing a 1600 word, gen story, no real knowledge of canon needed (if you know the synopsis of the show - you have it pretty much sewn up)? Be more than grateful if I could get this posted by month end (so I can at least share *something* from my mini_nanowrimo experience.

All I can offer in return is my undying gratitude and full credit. Help? Please?

Thing one - new icon (from one of my favourite films of the year!)

Thing two - 406 words written for mini_nanowrimo, the story is now approaching 5,000 words and I have no *clue* as to where it's going next!

Thing three - 20 years ago, the Berlin Wall came down.
This always sticks out for me as not six months earlier I was standing in front of the Deutsches Eck (I was on a school trip!) thinking that German Unity would never happen in my lifetime...
That trip is also incredibly memorable as I found out about Tiannamen Square on the ferry home.

Thing four - I might be coming down with a cold. I don't mind that much - but body - make your mind up! Yes or No?!

Thing five - There is no thing five

Okay, so Waters of Mars airs in the UK on Sunday... (pauses a moment for squee).

Now, correct me if I'm wrong but it doesn't air in the US until about a week before the next special does in the UK? (12/19, the next special airs in the UK on 25/12 or 12/25, depending on what your calendar looks like!).

The reason why I am mentioning this is that I saw... points being raised about how people were 'spoiled' by icons and mood themes after the airing of Day Four of 'Torchwood: Children of Earth'.

Personally, I am... ambivalent about the whole thing but I am putting forward the following...

For the 'Review-O-Matic' post (aka me drivelling on!) for 'Waters of Mars', I will keep my icon and mood theme as 'neutral' as possible. Under the text cut, I'll post my mood and 'chosen' icon.

The icon and the mood theme will be changed either on 19/12 or when the post is the 21st on my lj - whichever comes quicker.

So... overreacting or fair play?

( 'I need more days like this' - a (near) perfect day in bullet points and picspam )


A very succinct and truthful review by torn_eledhwen

( A very verbose, fangrrly and utterly subjective review by me )

The night ended with me traversing London with a *huge* grin on my face and singing 'I am what I am' at the top of my voice as I walked back to my car... at about ten past midnight.

My thanks go to torn_eledhwen for being excellent company and generally awesome (we WILL do something like this again, soon!) and to the Universe for giving me a day like yesterday.

One final thing - GINORMOUS and amazing picspam for the London run of 'La Cage Aux Folles' - featuring various casts - spoilers for the show by bethan_b_bad.

20 years young!

I have no 'W&G' icons - this must be sorted out!

Also? Four days, four posts, five times as many words written as I pledged for mini_nanowrimo (approx 2,000 as opposed to 400) \o/!

Replies and e-mails - will do them tomorrow!

Right now - mini_nanowrimo tally

Target - 100 words

Total for day - 553 words. Even though I've just gone and trashed over 1,000 words because They Were Not Working!

So - time for a painkiller and bed I feel - try again tomorrow!