A friend of mine - in the publishing business, well-read, i.e. usually well versed in spotting set-ups in fiction -, is currently marathoning The West Wing. She's in mid-season 3.

Friend: Great show. But there aren't many personal stories - love stories, I mean.
Self: There are a lot of personal stories which aren't love stories, but sure, the emphasis is on the politics. Part of what I like about it. But there are a few on-off romances, like CJ and Danny...
Friend: *snorts*
Self:...and the couple most of the audience was rooting for from the get go will get together at the end, so there's that if you absolutely have to have a long term romance.
Friend: CJ and Leo?
Self: *snorts*

Seriously, though, I didn't 'ship Josh/Donna (meaning: I didn't seek out fanfic, I wasn't actively routing for them to get together; I liked what I was given on tv, sure, but I liked their alternate love interests just as much), and I could still see the neon signs early on. Surely if there was a couple who was a safe bet to get together before the show ended, it was this one. Meanwhile - CJ and Leo? Not that I object, I'm just not clear where my friend got that one from.

And WTF, fandom? How is it that no one has uploaded a story into the AO3 with the Freeform tag "Topping from the Bottom"???

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As we say in these parts. Another pretty mellow day; got up late, and decided not to grocery shop today since we had sufficient milk etc. to hold us till tomorrow, and fridge space was still at a premium with various leftovers occupying it. (We ate up a few things for dinner tonight.) Ran an errand or two, though, and have done almost all the LIS reading (1.5 more chapters to go) and posted in discussion for one class. Also hung out in the front yard with SO and the neighbors for a while.

Tomorrow I'll grocery shop, then make a whole lot of cranberry nut bread mini-loaves for gifting, and make mashed potatoes for dinner with leftover turkey & gravy and more leftover veggies. Turkey Sun/Tues/Thurs, gumbo Mon/Wed/Fri, I think. Easy. Will just need to make more veg eventually. We're going to throw a little holiday party in a couple of weeks and I'm starting to plot food for that.

Fic-stuff: alisanne is modding adventdrabbles at IJ again this year; she posts a daily prompt from December 1-24, but it's not required to use it, and ficlets as well as drabbles are welcome, in any fandom. beren_writes mods adventdrabbles at LJ, although doesn't do the prompts.

Less than 2 weeks until 3fan_holidays ficlets are due, and I put up the header template post for that today. And hd_holidays starts posting Tuesday, as will daily_deviant's Kinky Kristmas, and I believe also happy_trekmas. Whew - those are just the ones I'm participating in, too, and there are plenty of other fests kicking off shortly as well.

The uploading continues apace. I am almost ready to stop for the evening and maybe try to write. Or something. I miss writing. It's been days since I did any. Sigh.

I was uploading a lot of the codas I wrote in season 2, when I was still in the first flush of fandom love, and wow, season 2 was good for codas. I think I wrote at least one (sometimes more than one) for almost every episode. I miss that, too.

*

Tonight for dinner I made a roast loin of pork. It was very tasty. I combined garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and basil in about a tablespoon of olive oil (for easy spreading), along with a couple of teaspoons of brown sugar and a large splash of vanilla (for years, I wouldn't tell my mother about the brown sugar and vanilla, and she couldn't replicate the taste. Heh.). Rub that on, top with a few pats of butter, and then cook until the internal temperature is 160°F. It was very tasty and juicy and good.

*

This entry at DW: http://musesfool.dreamwidth.org/100853.html. people have commented there.

I've got my beta-invite to Archive of Our Own -- and am busily uploading to my page.

So far, it's been really easy to get stuff of FF.net. We'll see what happens when I try to grab my works from LJ. The tagging will be... interesting, I think.

Fannish5: Name five characters who would throw the best holiday gatherings.

1.) Londo Mollari, of Babylon 5. Not just because the Centauri in general and Londo in particular love to party, but because Londo actually has organizational skills if he wants to employ them (see: organizing conspiracies against heads of state, getting various representatives of the league of non-alligned worlds he previously pissed off to form an alliance). And he's got the charm and vitality to make everyone feel welcome. Lastly, we have on screen canon for this. I ask you, whose "practice of religious belief" looked like it was the most fun to attend in Parliament of Dreams?

2.) Jadzia Dax, of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.. Dax loves a party, is tight with the local provider of drinks and food, and with her xenophilia is bound to pick up a rich variety of guests. Centuries of age also give her the knowledge to avoid stepping on anyone's cultural toes. Lastly, I say again, on screen evidence. Her hen night looked like it was glorious fun.

3.) Chiana, of Farscape. Much younger and more anarchic than my previous two examples, but when she wants to say thank you to people she cares about, she has given on screen evidence for her ability to organize a touching celebration (and the food that goes with it). Also, if Chiana is throwing the gathering, you can bet the romantic angst will be kept at a minimum and the fun level will be high; of course, it's not guaranteed all the food was legaly obtained, but in the Unchartered Territories, who cares?

4.) Hugo "Hurley" Reyes, of Lost. This man has proven himself able to throw a party even under adverse conditions on the proverbial desert island, and to cajole people who constantly clash to attend. He's been known to share chocolate even with messed up sociopathic masterminds. Hurley is definitely a candidate for best holiday gatherer ether!

5. Lorne, of Angel. A long time owner of a karaoke bar frequented by demons and humans alike, superb singer, all time nice guy and friend, Lorne probably could throw holiday gatherings in his sleep. (Why, he could organize merry get togethers even in a brain washed state when most of California was temporarily in the Hyperion worshipping Jasmine.) In addition to sharing the celebratory spirit and organizing skills of my previous candidates, Lorne can also provide great music for the occasion. Just be careful not to sing yourself if you don't want advice for what awaits you.
****


Speaking of Chiana,one of the many virtues of the AO3 is that one can discover stories one missed the first time around. I've always had a soft spot for the Chiana-John Crichton relationship, so I was delighted to find a long and plotty adventure starring the two of them:
Left Behind, set in season 3, with the episode Eat Me as a starting point. If you, like me, didn't know this story since ages, go and read at once!

*****

And lastly, one does not need new reasons to love Patrick Stewart, but I found his impassioned article about domestic violence very moving, and very worth reading.

Did online holiday shopping tonight too. Now have only a couple of minor gifts yet to find/buy, plus stocking stuff, plus sew waistcoat for SO (which won't happen till the semester is over, but also doesn't have to be shipped anywhere). And I think he's decided on and possibly ordered something for me already. So basically - we are done with gift organizing. Wow. Now, whether we can get in gear with cards/letter remains to be seen.

It is, however, nearly 1 am so I think I'd better head for bed!

I love sga_storyfinders.

And cheesecake.

And look, I have both.

In fact, every sentence ends better if you add "... with cheesecake."

All of the IJ holiday sales have ended and prices are back to normal. We will be putting Permanently Insane accounts on sale for their regular price before Christmas.

I don't really care about so much about the plots on White Collar. They just keep giving me tasty OT3 stuff and I'm content.

I've spent most of the day uploading stuff to the AO3. It allows me to feel productive when I can't write. I have too many goddamn stories, though. angelgazing pointed out that I will never be done uploading because I write faster than I upload. Though possibly this is no longer the case. I don't know. I have been having my usual late autumn/early winter problems getting motivated. Since the archive takes so long to upload, I am also rereading some favorite stories (I don't have to pay as close attention to rereads - I can skim and skip and be interrupted without losing anything, 'cause I've already read them before). I keep getting errors, unfortunately, which is slowing things down even more.

Technology is not my friend.

I know lots of people are excited by tagging their stories in all sorts of ways, but I am doing what I find useful and that's it. As long as I get the characters/pairing on there, and maybe if it's a casefile or an episode tag, that's about the extent of my interest. Maybe if I upload my HP stuff, I'll split the Remus/Sirius out by era, like I have it in my tags on LJ, but mostly I don't care about the tags. *hides*

Also, I wish there were a place in the profile to link to a warnings policy, and that that link could just automatically be included on every story. Because I am just using the "No Primary Warnings Apply" which isn't the same as "no warnings needed" but 99% of my stuff is "no warnings needed" and I'd like to be able to say that somewhere, since it isn't a choice on the warnings field. I guess I could make it a tag, but I never think of it. I wish it were automatic.

Hmm...

***

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I've been reading a slash story in which a heated argument between the couple (who are also friends) results in punch being thrown, and then the one punched actually finds the aggression a turn on and it goes on to sex. Somehow this combination of sex and violence doesn't work for me at all, not even in fiction, where I'm not averse to combinations of sex and violence.

Like, I can go along fine if the aggression is against some kind of third party, and one character is turned on by the other being violent, or they are turned on mutually, say if they are both in a barfight or even slaughter others. I can also go along with non-con that involves violence with the victim not being turned on, but I as a reader like it. But if the violence is between the couple (and they are supposed to like each other), uncontrolled violence segueing into sex (rather than say rough sex that is mutually agreed upon) is squicky for me, more so if the violence is not mutual (the latter would be more fighting leading to fucking in some kind of hate sex, which I also don't like, but it is not as bad as one sided violence).

Most often this is shown from the POV of the character the aggression is turned upon rather than the violent character being turned on by the escalation, i.e. A hits B, usually after some provocation, then B somehow finds that aggression/violence (or sometimes the loss of control) hot, and sex follows. I have to admit that I find this particular combination of sex and violence to be surprising as a kink, and it always startles me, but I see this every now and then, and I'm wondering whether it is something that many people like in sex scenes.

So, a poll:

In the event SO and I did do a little holiday shopping today. Both of our cars went in to the dealer/mechanic this morning - I needed an oil change and tire rotation, and it turned out that I'd picked up a nail in one sidewall, so also ended up getting a new tire; SO had to get an underneath piece replaced. So that all took a while, and then we went and had a burger for lunch, and decided to check out a couple of galleries/shops in the art district afterward. We now have gifts for all parental units and siblings (although not my BIL and niblings yet). So go us! SO also went to the good local independent bookstore to pick up something he'd ordered, but there was no going to malls or anything of that sort.

I've now written the last quiz for my lower-div class, so that means IIRC I have no more prep in either class to do, though I do have some reading and grading. Also have both reading and work to do for LIS classes, though, which I hope to get to tonight/tomorrow. I could have started on some of it, but I finished a novel instead. Also have started thinking about holiday cards/letters, though haven't gotten very far with that yet.

Turkey breast is roasting and smelling yummy. I'll temp it shortly, and once it's done the dressing goes into the oven (my tiny oven will not hold both a bird and another dish at once). Then make gravy, and all the rest is leftover veggies. *mouth is watering* We had a very nice time with J., C., and F. yesterday, and good food, but I do like having leftover turkey of our own.

Naturally, I requested Static Shock, and now I'm spreading the word in hopes this will reach someone who can actually write Static fic. :)

ETA: and it's over!
( Old text )

I now own a Philips MP3/video player*. So, does anyone know how I can get my various AVI files (and DVDs) into SMV format so I can take them places with me? Preferably a free way?

*And a pair of boots that are too narrow in the heel, so I'll have to return them. :(

Edit of SQUEE: I just realized I can now conveniently listen to podfics!

1.) My Yuletide story is off to the trusty beta. And again I am amused I ended up with the prompt for the fandom I only threw in as an afterthought. 'Twas very satisfying to write, though. No idea whether it's as easy to guess as my remix fic (which was easy if you know me; as skywaterblue put it, who else would go for a story based on one of the justly least popular DS9 episodes?). I also don't know the recipient at all, which I find in some ways easier than to write for a friend. (I'll never forget my nervoussnesss about whether or not astrogirl2 would hate Nowhere Man! The poor trusty beta who held my virtual hand won't forget, either.)

2.) Christopher Eccleston and Naoko Mori are going to play John Lennon and Yoko Ono. In a film covering the Beatles break-up years and the getting together of John and Yoko, no less. Mind you, the ages completely don't fit - I guesss Eccleston is older now than John Lennon ever got to be, let alone as he was in the late 1960s, and Naoko Mori while right for Yoko then looks younger than Eccleston when really Yoko was older. But who cares? They're both excellent actors, and I'm especially happy for Naoki Mori, who was mostly underused on Torchwood but when the show did allow her to shine really was magnificent. And hey, John Lennon plays right into Eccleston's type of roles.

3.) I already recced individual stories from this series before, but: halycon_shift has finished what amounts to a virtual season 3 of my much missed Sarah Connor Chronicles: Out on the Wire. Picks up right where s2 ended for both Sarah and John, uses the great supporting characters the show offers, and does justice to its complex themes. I'm still not over the cancellation and don't think I'll ever be, but great fanfiction like this helps somewhat.

I have turned on today's special Black Friday sale.

Until 4:00pm(EST) we will be holding a sale on Permanently Insane accounts, Permanent Extra Userpics, and Insane Userpics the prices are as follows.

Permanently Insane account - $30
Insane Userpics - $70
Permanent Extra Userpics - $5

At 4:00 today all prices on IJ will go back to their normal amounts.

Title: The Needs of the Revolted
Pairing: Sarek/OFC
Rating: NC17
Words: ~800
Warning: dubious consent
Summary: The kink meme prompt was for Sarek to get tired of his people talking smack about Amanda and Vulcanishly telling them to stick it. However, as it was on the kink meme, there is sex.
A/N: I have fooled with this a bit more (largely for clarity) since posting it over there last night while I was taking a break from the more substantial fic that is currently taunting me.

Thanksgiving for me was almost two months ago, but I want to tell you: I'm thankful for my new computer!

More about this when I'm back from work. Almost the weekend! Whee!

Happy Thanksgiving to those who are celebrating! Happy Thursday to those who are not. I hope everyone had a lovely day, regardless.

My day began with BACON and PIE and ended with FOOTBALL and PIE, and in between there was stuffing and homemade cheese macaroni and turkey that was actually moist and tasty (!!), and more family shenanigans than you could shake a stick at. My brother was in rare form tonight, and basically had the whole table in stitches for most of the meal. Mostly at my expense, but eh, that's not new. and unfortunately, the Giants are capping off the day by sucking like unto a hoover, but I am too full and sleepy to care too much.

I am thankful for my family, my friends - including you guys - my health, and my job. Man, a year ago at this time, I was a week away from being laid off. I'm still a little freaked out by how that went, still anxious and lacking in confidence sometimes, but I'm so glad I found a new job quickly, and one that I mostly like, for people and an organization that I like. (I'm also grateful that I have tomorrow off and I don't have to use a day - it's one of our holidays. Mmm...sleeping in...) I'm grateful I have health insurance and can pay my rent and that I have an apartment I love.

I'm thankful for fandom, not just because of all the great stories to read and the feeling of having people who get my excitement about various shows and characters, but because of all the great people I've met and become friends with, who've made my life richer and better and more fun all around.

*hugs*

And also, I am thankful for PIE, and I would share some with you all if I could.

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