sarcasm always wins out in the end

I am reccing this story because it saddens me that it isn't better known. Perhaps the length has put people off, but really, that just means there is more awesomeness for you to enjoy.

The Trembling of The Migratory Birds by eretria. Inception, Arthur/Eames/Ariadne, NC-17, 120000 words.

Here's why you should read this fic: The world-building is breath-takingly rich and detailed. The plot is complex and plausible, a case-fic that takes the potential opened up by Nolan's film and shows how it would actually work. There is hot threesome porn in various permutations. There is thoughtful and interesting characterisation from three perspectives, and a tantalising emotional plot to go with the heist-plot and the porn-plot. There is hurting and comforting. This is an example of the best things we do in fandom, the intelligence and curiousity we bring to transformative works. You should read this.

Last weekend I went to see Avengers Assemble with liseuse and _emeraldgreen. Now, I could tell you about the rest of our fangirl shenanigans, and how we went to secondhand bookshops and I bought all the books (okay, I cannot refrain from telling you, by all the books I mean Suetonius, Euripides, and Martial, and yes, I do secretly want to be a classicist), and had to visit a Richard III museum because my mother wanted a t-shirt (they didn't have one, I bought her a fridge magnet instead), and then had the BEST WINE EVER in a tapas bar (seriously, every single sip caused a moan of pleasure), but I know you're more interested in my thoughts on the film.

My thoughts, let me show you them. ( Read more... )

I am having an MRI tomorrow (nothing to do with me, it's part of a study into something), which is sort of exciting but also slightly annoying, as I am not allowed any coffee or tea after tonight at 9. I am not convinced that I'll be able to get out of bed without it, and certainly I'll have a massive headache after a few hours.

Have any of you gone through and wouldn't mind telling me about it? I am mostly worried about what to wear, since most of my clothes (and all of my bras) have metal in them, which apparently would be a bad thing.

It is Easter, and yet we don't have Doctor Who. Have Moffat and co actually said anything about this unconscionable delay? I do not hold with this.

Since we are thus cruelly denied, here's a snippet from a fic I've been writing since last June. I don't have any great hopes of finishing it before this June, since the world refuses to provide me with inspiration. Damn you, world.

No You Girls Never Know. River Song/Doctor, Warnings Advertisements: Crossdressing, pegging, virginity.

( Read more... )

Today is my 33rd birthday. So far I have had a blood test, swam a kilometre, picked up my new glasses, bought some green underwear, and been carded at Sainsbury's. I have been legally able to buy alcohol for fifteen years today, and yet.

Incidentally, my new glasses make me look like a cool nerd, which is just the look I was aiming for and a good look to inaugurate on my birthday.

This evening I'm going to have a liseuse, some red wine, and blue cheese gnocchi (and possibly Wolverine, as it seems to be on telly). Tomorrow I will have an _emeraldgreen and an airinshaw, thai food, and wine. On Saturday I will have academic friends, champagne, more thai food, and more wine. You might notice a theme here, but considering my doctor has today informed me that my liver is fine...

Having reached the age that felled both Alexander the Great and Jesus, I feel content with my accomplishments - more gay porn and less direct and/or indirect killing of millions. I consider this to be a superior achievement.

You may now begin to shower me with presents.

I don't have thoughts on Holby City since there was no Malick in today's episode. I'm not entirely sure why I watched it, since there is not point without the Dan and Malick show, but I suspect liseuse is to blame.

Instead I can tell you about my very exciting trip to Specsavers today. I've had my current pair of glasses since 2002, and as my prescription has changed considerably since then, I decided it was a time for a new pair. Also, Specsavers have this wonderful deal where you get two pairs of glasses for the price of one, so I was looking forward to making my choice from their selection, without the stress of having to narrow it down to just one. I even went through their online catalogue and made a shortlist. Well, a shortlist of twelve. But four of them were green.

However, I am a tiny person. I have a tiny head. Apparently, my face is too narrow to fit most of their glasses, which means that I had to make my selection from their 'petite' range. This included glasses named 'Teen 55' and 'FCUK teen', and whole section of glasses for ages 11-15. All in all, it came up to about 30 glasses and only one pair in green, which did not suit me. I had to go for red in the end. I haven't even selected the second pair yet, as I was too annoyed.

So this is in fact a story about things which annoyed me today. I am annoyed by many things on a daily basis. You will hear more on this topic.

It occurred to me today that it's been over a month since I posted anything. I thought, I don't have much to say, and writing is stressful anyway since I have many academic things to write and to add fannish things to that would make it all even more stressful.

But then I thought of James McAvoy. I'll give you a moment to also think of James McAvoy, and become irresistibly charmed by that thought.

The thing is, over the last six months I have watched many films and tv-shows just because they have James McAvoy in them. Sadly, most of these are horribly depressing and sometimes just horrible - I watched a lot of horrible films for Tom Hardy (The Minotaur, I'm talking about you) but most of them were, at their worst, a bit boring (again, The Minotaur is the exception. DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM.). James McAvoy, on the other hand, has been in a lot of films that are horrifying and sad. Fortunately, I have watched them and can tell you about them, so that you don't have to watch them yourself and suffer through the horror.

In other words, I have opinions about telly. You are going to hear them.

Contains minor spoilers.

Inside I'm Dancing, 2004. Has funny bit and James McAvoy is charming, but the film is about living with disability and they don't let the occasional life-affirming moments disrupt how horrifyingly depressing it is overall.

Atonement, 2007. Based on a horribly depressing novel by Ian McEwan, and is also horribly depressing. Good performances by James McAvoy and Keira Knightley, but still horrifically depressing and everything goes horribly. This seems to be a theme.

Wanted, 2008. Horrifically bad. I watched this with liseuse in January and we spent the whole film moaning about how bad it was, and how it should not be, and why was it ever made, what were people thinking of? It has Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, honestly, and they are not people who need to do shitty films to gain money or fame. Seriously, this film should not be. Even a shirtless and muscled James McAvoy does not make up for how bad it is.

Becoming Jane, 2007. This one I actually enjoyed, which says a lot for it since I would not expect to enjoy a romanticised biopic of Jane Austen (conceptually this is a thing that is wrong in the world and should not be). However, I must point out that I found myself in tears at the end of the film, although I blame this on repeated watchings of that Charles/Erik vid to Rolling In The Deep, which has conditioned me to view the loss of James McAvoy as devastating.

Shameless, 2004. Surprisingly delightful overall - I even enjoyed the bits that weren't about how charming James McAvoy is, although admittedly the first two seasons are heavy on those. Recommended.

State of Play, 2003. Okay THIS. THIS YOU NEED TO SEE. Not only is it an amazing six-part drama with a complicated plot about politics and media, not only does it star John Simm, Kelly McDonald, Billy Nighy, and Neil Morrissey, but also James McAvoy is so stupidly charming that I kept blushing and squirming at my screen. This show proves that as Charles Xavier, or even as himself in various chat shows etc, he is actually turning down the charm, because what he does in State of Play with the smiles and the eyes and the STUFF *fans selves* is incredible. You should watch this show. It will make you happy in your soul. And other parts.

And tomorrow, I will tell you my very important thoughts on Holby City. I have them now. I blame liseuse for that fact.

Dear all,

I haven't had internet since Friday 20th. I don't currently know when internet will be restored. This is making me sad in the face. SO SAD.

If anything exciting/pornish has happened/is about to happen, please leave links below in anticipation of the happy day when the internet and I shall be united once more. Hopefully soon.

I have just finished reading The Persian Boy, and find myself suddenly overcome with grief over the death of Alexander the Great. Oh Mary Renault, the things you can do.

Since you have asked, here's how I think he did it. ( Read more... )

That Meme About Your Sex Life in 2012: Apparently mine will compare the acting styles of Kemble and Kean in productions of Coriolanus in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. I am kind of intrigued by how that might apply.

In other news, I did a thing for Yuletide, and it is the most self-indulgent thing I have ever written. This is basically what my brain sounds like, and, if you've ever met me, what my conversation sounds like after a few drinks. Okay, I lie, it doesn't take a few drinks.

An Uncommon Want. Lord Byron, Don Juan.

Happy Yuletide everyone! Fandom is amazing, isn't it?

Here are some things wot I read and liked:

My very own gift, You Are Tired, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Ricki Tarr, Peter Guillam.

Before, during and after the film, this is clever and thoughtful about all the things I love. Wonderful characterisation.

Other fics in the same fandom:

Five Times Peter Guillam Didn't Have A Drink With Ricki Tarr (And One Time He Did). Does what it says on the tin, with depth and consideration.

The Spy Who Got What He Deserved, If Not What He Wanted. Peter-centric fic, fleshes out events of the film.

Other fandoms:

Marvel 1602, Sic Transit Gloria Mundi. What is Tony Stark doing in 1602? All that you would expect, and more.

Christopher Marlowe/William Shakespeare, Still Climbing After Knowledge Infinite. Will is drawn to Marlowe's mighty line. Delicious in all the ways.

Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, And I'll No Longer Be A Capulet. My favourite of all the Marlowe fics, and the premise of the story will tell you why. But there is much to enjoy beyond that in terms of style and characterisation and world-building. Oh Kit.

Christopher Marlowe/William Shakespeare, Nothing Like The Sun. Will is delightful here, as is the style of writing.

Captive Prince, Nicaise and Jord, Kings. An alternative ending that continues from where the present series has finished, thoughtful and enjoyable.

Critical Theory and Feminist Ryan Gosling, When Fics Take on a Life of Their Own". An intelligent examination of how the McAvoy/Fassbender fandom has reacted to the problematics of writing fic about a potential wife-beater.

The Good Wife, something to talk about. Five women Cary Agos talks about in bed.

The Good Wife, That's Me In The Corner, That's Me In The Spotlight. Alicia, Kalinda, and Diane, being awesome.

Greek Mythology, Bubbly. Delightful language use.

Queer As Folk (UK), Merits of the Chase. Nggh. Nnnnnggghh. Stuart Alan Jones.

Stage Beauty, The Silent Woman. Ned-centric, first meeting with Buckingham.

Dear Yuletide-writer,

My apologies for not writing my letter earlier. I hope you have not been fretting. Please do not fret, I promise I will be happy with whatever you write! These are all tiny fandoms and every new story is a cause for joy. REALLY. So don't fret.

However, if you would like to know more about what would make me even more happy than I will already certainly be...

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, 2011.

I went to see this film because of Tom Hardy and his beauteous musculature, and ended up having Feelings about things entirely unrelated to Tom Hardy (which is not to say that I didn't have feelings about Tom Hardy, only that they were located elsewhere). This is a quiet and clever film about people being subtle and thoughtful, and I love all of those things. ( spoilers )

The Hour, 2011.

I was fascinated by the relationship between Bel and Freddie, and basically, anything more you want to tell me about that I will be delighted to hear. Preferably after the series, but if you get an interesting bunny that takes place during, go for it. Again I am interested in the work they are doing and how they think about their work, the mechanics of tv production as well as their self-fashioning as people who work, class and gender issues included. ( spoilers )

State of Play, 2003.

I started to watch this show for James McAvoy, but stayed for the plot. That said, the character of Dan Foster is fascinating, not to mention so ridiculously charming that I ended up blushing at my screen a lot. Seriously, I think James McAvoy actively turns down the charm for all other performances, because if he did this all the time...*fans self* Ahem. Yes, anything you want to tell me about Dan Foster, his family, his sex life (we know there's a missus but who says it has to be a woman? :P Or whatever you like!), his work, his sense of himself, his flirtations...I loved his banter in the show, and the way he connected with other members of staff - basically, if you just focus on Dan Foster being delightful, I will be very happy.

General Things Wot I like:

* As you may have gathered, I like characters who are good at their jobs and whose competence is shown in the story. I would like to hear about the mechanics of spying, tv production, investigative journalism, the skills required for those jobs and how people teach themselves to be good at what they do. I also like people to be thoughtful and intelligent in areas other than their work.

* I am a stickler for historical and cultural accuracy. Two of the fandoms requested deal with fairly recent history, one is modern, but I would nevertheless like to see that what happens is plausible in the relevant context. This could be an opportunity to engage with topics in the film/show (1970s politics, women in the workplace in the 1950s, modern British politics), or just an occasion for a few world-building details. It doesn't have to be the focus of the story, but I do hate being jolted out of a story because of historical inaccuracies.

* I like banter and clever dialogue, and there's space for that in all of these fandoms. I like character interaction to be funny, but also subtle and thoughtful, so whichever way the mood of the fic takes you...I like pining and UST, and sex while pretending not to have feelings. I like people poking at each other, and growing tension. I prefer a long drawn out mess to instant gratification.

* I really like happy endings. Please don't give me an unhappy ending. It would make me most sad.

* Most importantly, I would really like you to enjoy writing this story, so ignore all these if you need to. I am looking forward to reading it in any case!

I like to use my paid account for important things.

Poll #1794947 Should I open a bottle of wine?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 20

Should I open a bottle of wine?

1. I seem to be on the love meme. Don't know how that happened. Um. *makes a Pete Wentz emo face*

2. I need a classicist! It could be you! Basically, I need someone to help me out with a passage in ancient Greek. I have a 20th-century translation and an 18th-century translation, and the latter includes several extra sentences. I need to figure out if these are just additions or whether their content is suggested somewhere in the original. Help?

1. My X-Men: First Class dvd arrived today. It doesn't have the deleted scene where Charles makes Erik look like he's crossdressing at the nightclub. I am inexplicably sad. Whyyyyyyyyyy.

2. There is a Halloween party tonight where I am possibly going. In the case that I do go, I will dress up as a pirate (I have a sword and a scabbard and a bag that allows me to wear them on my hip, which means I get to threaten people with my sword). I have pirate breeches suitable for the occasion, but I'm undecided about which top to wear: a) white shirt and vest, which would be vaguely eighteenth-century pirate, or b) sleeveless black top, which isn't terribly piratey but allows me to draw tattoos all over my arms. I'm quite keen on the idea of drawing tattoos all over my arms. My view is that basically this is what arms are for (except Percival's, which are there to be hilarious). Thoughts? Advice on appropriately piratey tattoos/how much permanent marker I can put on my skin before poisoning myself?

Alternatively, non-piratey characters who dress in black breeches and have tattooed arms? And threaten people with swords?

Also, how do I do Jack Sparrow eye make up?

3. Are you going to a party and what are you wearing? Let us discuss (and brag about) our costumes, and wallow in the pleasures of dressing up.

Damn you, delicious, damn you! Now I have to make all this effort to share the porn.

So here's a rec:

Replay

Cracky time-travel fic by unforgott3n, in which Charles goes back to 1962 in order to seduce Erik to give up genocide. Hot and hilarious. You should read it.

Spoilery spoilers below!

Merlin, 'The Darkest Hour'. 4.01 ( Read more... )

Doctor Who, 'The Wedding of River Song', 6.13. ( Read more... )

I seem to have created a tiny X-Men: First Class fic. A Regency AU. Sometimes these things just happen.

Title: A duel between gentlemen
Fandom: X-Men: First Class
Pairing: Charles/Erik (in potentia)
Rating: PG
Words: 500

I have some thoughts on how to continue from this, but all ideas will be gratefully received.

I went to a party on Friday, ended up coming home at 4 am and being too hungover to get up until 7 pm. I think I should reconsider my party-drinking plans. Still, it was a good party, and I had a lovely chat about Judith Butler and was given the opportunity to list all the English monarchs from William the Conqueror onwards, which, if you know me, is my idea of the most fun you can have.

There was also a Guy Who Would Not Take No For An Answer. ( Read more... )

Bah, anyway.
Here's some fic that I've enjoyed this weekend.

all my friends are bad kids by blackwayfarers. The Social Network RPF, Jesse/Andrew, 20000 words, roadtrip. This is a story that makes life seem richer and more interesting than it does in reality. Also, it made me want to do a roadtrip across America, which is not an urge I have felt before.

And by the same author, not a through street. The Social Network RPF, Jesse/Andrew, 25000. Andrew moves in with Jesse and there is sweet love and pining.

Carpe Brewski by gyzym. X-Men: First Class, Charles/Erik, Fratboy AU. There is a lot of drinking and pining and hilarity, and it makes me gurgle with joy. WIP.

Limited Release. X-Men: First Class, Charles/Erik, Modern AU where Erik is an FBI agent at the mutant department and Charles is a genetics professor at Columbia. This also makes me gurgle with joy, but sometimes there are also high-pitched squealing noises and actual flapping of hands. It's that DELIGHTFUL. If you only read one fic in this post, read this one. Also, WIP, sadly, but updated regularly.